Exploring Dark Academia in Blood Over Bright Haven

Synopsis

Magic has made the city of Tiran an industrial utopia, but magic has a cost—and the collectors have come calling.

An orphan since the age of four, Sciona has always had more to prove than her fellow students. For twenty years, she has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. When she finally claws her way up the ranks to become a highmage, however, she finds that her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues will stop at nothing to let her know she is unwelcome, beginning with giving her a janitor instead of a qualified lab assistant.

What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was once more than a janitor; before he mopped floors for the mages, Thomil was a nomadic hunter from beyond Tiran’s magical barrier. Ten years have passed since he survived the perilous crossing that killed his family. But working for a highmage, he sees the opportunity to finally understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the Tiranish in power.

Through their fractious relationship, mage and outsider uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first. Sciona has defined her life by the pursuit of truth, but how much is one truth worth with the fate of civilization in the balance?

A standalone dark academia brimming with mystery, tragedy, and the damning echoes of the past. For fans of Leigh Bardugo, V. E. Schwab, and Fullmetal Alchemist.

(Content warnings for gore, sexual assault, and suicidal ideation)

Audiobook review

6 stars (at least)

I began listening to the audiobook, narrated by the excellent Moira Quick but at one point, that audio experience was so realistic and we just discovered something awful and unbearable that it was just… too much.

I was overwhelmed, anxious I couldn’t go on like that and I shifted to the physical copy. THAT’s how that book impacted me! And it’s the first time this happened switching from audio to physical.

If I had to make a comparison, that book reminded me of Babel or The Poppy War by RF Kuang. It broaches topics like colonialism, human exploitation, white man supremacy, religious beliefs, philosophy (what does it mean being good?), sexism in such a way you take it like a slap to the face.

The first thing to know about Blood Over Bright Haven is that it’s extremely well written. The prose is elegant but not convoluted.

The second thing is that it’s a harsh book, uncompromising, served by a female character who appears cold, detached and rationale.

Let’s delve into the characters and plot.

The plot is simple: we follow two main characters but get most our chapters from Sciona’s point of view.

Scionalost her mom and has been raised by her aunt. Studying hard, she is determined to become the first woman to achieve High Magistry. But as the synopsis says: “When she finally claws her way up the ranks to become a highmage, however, she finds that her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues will stop at nothing to let her know she is unwelcome, beginning with giving her a janitor instead of a qualified lab assistant.”

Said janitor, Thomil, is our second main character. He is from the Kwen people, a nomadic tribe on the brink of extinction, decimated by the blight, something that kills people in horrible suffering (truly it is gore!). After losing nearly all his family, he is in the city of Tiran, protected behind its magical barrier. But his people are not better than cattle for the Tiranish people.

When forced to work together in a great expansion project, their respective universes and beliefs will collide, leading to very interesting and eye opening discussions. One of these discussions is about what makes a person good or bad: is it intention or is it action?

Sciona is the archetype of a scientist who sees the world behind lenses, detached from the world realities and blind to other people’s suffering. But talking with Thomil, arguing with him will shed light on some unsavory truth and the appalling treatment of the Kwen by the Tyranish people. Reading about the effects of their interactions on Sciona was like watching ice melt.

And when Sciona will make a discovery that will fundamentally taint something she has always aspired to, make it the biggest lie she has been told,  she will spiral into despair, hating herself and her people and leading her to take drastic actions.

That story entranced me. I went through a roller coaster of emotions.

First I cheered for Sciona and I wanted her to succeed in that magic competition, to become High Mage.

Then I wanted her to prove to all her horrible colleagues that she was better than them.

I hoped that Thomil could open her eyes, could make her more human and compassionate, less self-centered.

Then I felt horror and despair. That’s when I switched to the written words.

From that moment on, it was a charge at a brisk pace towards that ending. I was like a spectator watching a car crash: unable to stop it but also unable to avert my gaze before the ending.

That is one of the most unique, horrifying and impactful books that I have read this year. A true DARK academia. I will read The Sword of Kaigen, ML Wang other book but I will need to be in the right mind to process.

Thanks for reading.

Sophie