Blood Over Bright Haven

I read Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang for book club. The book description says, "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?"

This was a great book! I was very engaged in the story and really liked the characters of Sciona and Thomil. I haven't read a lot of adult fantasy type books (and really it's been quite awhile), so it was interesting to be back in a world-building type book. The book was kind of heavy at times with just lots of bad things happening, so I had to take breaks now and then. But it was a great story and premise, and at the end, I was just like, wow, that was crazy. I think it'll be a really fun book to discuss at book club.

Rating: * * (2/3) = Liked it