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reubenalbatross 's review for:
Blood Over Bright Haven
by M.L. Wang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn't sure if this book would be able to stand up to 'The Sword of Kaigen', which until now has not only been my favourite book of the year, but maybe of all time - but holy fuck, Wang truly knocked it out of the park with this one.
As I sobbed my way through the first chapter, I knew I was in for a once in a lifetime ride. And my prevailing thought as I was reading this was how much I was loving it, and how much I don't think any author is ever going to come CLOSE to Wang for me.
I would think about this book every time I was reading a different one and would compare them, and this came out on top every time, no question. I was reading 'Babel' alongside it, and there was a marked difference in how connected I was to the story. With 'Babel' I felt very distant, like I was a bystander in the story. 'Blood Over Bright Haven' had its claws in my soul and I couldn't escape the awe of Wang's writing. She truly is my soulmate author.
It was so refreshing to never know when someone might die. I got so tense every time it was even a slight possibility, which is such a stark contrast from so many other books where you can instinctively tell that nothing bad is ever going to happen to the main characters.
Wang also so artfully included so much commentary on today's social issues in this novel without it being obnoxiously in your face. She delves into misogyny, the patriarchy, the importance of intersectional feminism, racism (especially against indigenous peoples), colonialism, societal indifference, and classism. Truly a wonder.
I also thought the symmetry of the beginning and end of the novel was beautiful, particularly as they were both about the marginalised group, ensuring they had the first and final word in such a powerful piece of literature.
I woke up the day after finishing this with a feeling like I was in mourning, let alone how I felt when I put the book down after that ending. I don't think another book has ever made me feel and think so much.
What's more, the fact that this book is SO different from 'The Sword of Kaigen' yet just as amazing (if not better), really makes me excited for Wang's future work. I CAN'T WAIT.
As I sobbed my way through the first chapter, I knew I was in for a once in a lifetime ride. And my prevailing thought as I was reading this was how much I was loving it, and how much I don't think any author is ever going to come CLOSE to Wang for me.
I would think about this book every time I was reading a different one and would compare them, and this came out on top every time, no question. I was reading 'Babel' alongside it, and there was a marked difference in how connected I was to the story. With 'Babel' I felt very distant, like I was a bystander in the story. 'Blood Over Bright Haven' had its claws in my soul and I couldn't escape the awe of Wang's writing. She truly is my soulmate author.
It was so refreshing to never know when someone might die. I got so tense every time it was even a slight possibility, which is such a stark contrast from so many other books where you can instinctively tell that nothing bad is ever going to happen to the main characters.
Wang also so artfully included so much commentary on today's social issues in this novel without it being obnoxiously in your face. She delves into misogyny, the patriarchy, the importance of intersectional feminism, racism (especially against indigenous peoples), colonialism, societal indifference, and classism. Truly a wonder.
I also thought the symmetry of the beginning and end of the novel was beautiful, particularly as they were both about the marginalised group, ensuring they had the first and final word in such a powerful piece of literature.
I woke up the day after finishing this with a feeling like I was in mourning, let alone how I felt when I put the book down after that ending. I don't think another book has ever made me feel and think so much.
What's more, the fact that this book is SO different from 'The Sword of Kaigen' yet just as amazing (if not better), really makes me excited for Wang's future work. I CAN'T WAIT.