Available Formats
Paperback
Published: 26th August 2025
Paperback
Published: 29th October 2024
Hardback
Published: 29th January 2025
Blood Over Bright Haven
By (Author) M. L. Wang
Cornerstone
Penguin (Cornerstone)
26th August 2025
28th August 2025
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
Dark fantasy
Crime and mystery: women sleuths
Narrative theme: Social issues
Narrative theme: Love and relationships
813.6
Paperback
448
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 35mm
500g
A riveting dark academia fantasy about the limits of truth and power, from the author of The Sword of Kaigen. TRUTH OVER DELUSION For twenty years, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic. When she finally achieves her ambition to become the first woman admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry, she finds herself undermined at every turn. Instead of a lab assistant, she's paired with a janitor, putting her crucial research at risk. But Thomil wasn't always a janitor. Once a nomadic hunter from the wild plains outside the city, he now sees a chance to understand the forces that decimated his tribe and drove him from his homeland. Together they will uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever - if it doesn't get them killed first. 'A storytelling masterclass' Mark Lawrence 'Innovative and brilliantly written' Seanan McGuire
This powerful and engaging novel bears comparison to groundbreaking works by Ursula K Le Guin. [] For me, the best fantasy novel of the year. * Lisa Tuttle, The Guardian *
A fantastic page-turner clever, emotional, and thematically rich. I was completely engaged the whole way through. Highly recommended! * James Islington, author of The Will of the Many *
Powerful, passionate, and painful, this book is like a file baked into a birthday cake: a surprise when you first bite down on it, but also a tool that can set you free. Innovative and brilliantly written, this is a glorious jewel added to the crown of dark academia. * Seanan McGuire *
With one of the most intricate and fascinating magic systems I have ever read, Blood Over Bright Haven masterfully draws you into the brutal web of power, corruption, and complicity at the heart of its society. This book is a merciless reckoning that leaves you reeling long after the last page is turned. * Sara Hashem, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Jasad Heir *
A storytelling masterclass. Deeper themes run through this energetic tale of dark academia and feats of imagination abound. * Mark Lawrence, author of The Book that Wouldn't Burn *
A scathing but truthful look at the world we live in A stunningly powerful story. * Terry Brooks *
Breathtaking in its scope, audacity, and the depth of its storytelling. * Andy Peloquin, author of Darkblade *
The best book bar none I've read all year. * Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons *
Blood Over Bright Haven is, well, bloody brilliant. (Pun intended.) I wish I could craft a character half so well as M.L. Wang, that I could set a scene with half so rich an atmosphere. Blood Over Bright Haven is the kind of book that knocks you down, kicks you repeatedly, and then makes you thank it for doing so. I can't recommend it highly enough. * John Bierce, author of Mage Errant *
A fantastic page-turner clever, emotional, and thematically rich. I was completely engaged the whole way through. Highly recommended! * James Islington, author of The Will of the Many *
M. L. Wang is an author, martial artist, and weird recluse currently hiding somewhere in Wisconsin with her maroon-bellied parakeet, Sulu. She enjoys gruesome nature documentaries and long walks in circles around her room. Her other books include The Sword of Kaigen and the YA fantasy series The Volta Academy Chronicles.