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Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Infertility, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Racism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Cannibalism, Car accident, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Deportation
I knew it was a story about deep seated chauvinism and its impact on the society and even the greatest minds when those are raised with such beliefs.
I knew that it was an introspection on privilege — Siona who is treated badly by her male colleagues is treating Tommen equally bad if not worse. How easy it is to forget that other people have it worse when you are focused on your own issues. It doesn’t make your issues less; it just puts things into perspective.
I knew that it was about choice — whether you are willing to question your ideals even if they actively benefit you. How eager people are to ease their burdens at the expense of other people. And how hard it might be to even comprehend the evil around you and inside of you.
But I still wasn’t ready for where the plot of blood over bright haven took me. I wasn’t expecting it to be that clear on the mission of getting to the point. I feel like I walked this road with Siona and cried with her and raged with her. I love how the story is not sparing us any suffering along the way. It had to be done like this, like a mirror that she created, that opens right in front of your face and shows you the truth how uncomfortable it really is.
I have a feeling I will be thinking about this book for a long time
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse, Child death
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Genocide, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment
Wanted to absolutely hit someone with their sexism and racism, and I loved her rants to
Kind of sad
Would recommend to people
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
I think everyone should read this book. It is excellent commentary on so many real-world issues told through a riveting story of flawed, raw characters that you want to root for. Wang tackles racism—specifically against indigenous people—, colonization, collective liberation, hypocrisy in religion, corruption in government, "benevolent" complicity, white guilt/tears, and so much more with such finesse. She asks us all to grapple with the questions: what is the cost of our comforts, and what is the effect on our humanity of the denial of those costs?
The story is a page-turner the whole way through, and hooked me within the first chapter. The magic system is extremely unique and interesting, and the world-building is so well-done. Both are intricate without being hard to understand (plus a handy pocket guide is included in the back!). The series of events is realistic as it pertains to the world/characters and the IRL issues the story seeks to tackle.
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation
Moderate: Body horror, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infertility, Suicide, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War
As the wheels of innovation turned, power stayed the same.
I honestly don't have much to say about this book that's not effusing praise. I have no reason to be giving this a 4.5 stars instead of 5 other than it just didn't give me that 5-star feeling. It's nothing to do with the quality of the book—the characters, setting, worldbuilding, prose, and plot are all top notch. I really enjoyed that this book leaned heavily into the academia part of dark academia and didn't just use it as an aesthetic. The magic system was so interesting and unique; I've never seen anything like it. Be warned: the ending was incredibly sad, but also hopeful. I also loved the romance
If you like morally grey characters, dark academia and incredibly unique magic systems, this should be your next read. I'm mostly surprised you haven't read it already, given the hype. I think it lives up to it. I highly recommend!
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Bullying, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Gaslighting
This dark academia forces the reader to reflect on power and responsibility in a country where misogyny and racism are layered into society and justified through religious belief.
My favorite scene, edited slightly to shorten:
"I will not turn my eyes, though light burn me."
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, War
Minor: Animal death, Miscarriage
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Murder, Classism
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Classism