Magic systems contingent upon the suffering of others are SO delicious as narrative devices *chef's kiss*

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Magic systems contingent upon the suffering of others are SO delicious as narrative devices *chef's kiss*
Everyone who uses chatgpt for every tiny little thing should sit down and read Blood Over Bright Haven by M L Wang. Truly such an incredible commentary on who pays the cost for the energy we use and whether or not it's worth it.
books i read in 2026:
"blood over bright haven"
m. l. wang
"that's what this is really about, no matter how much you try to deny it. all this... it's about you being the smartest, the best, the chosen one. all this agony for your goddamn ego."
Just finishes Blood Over Bright Haven, went to check some goodreads reviews, and people are shitting on M. L. Wang and calling her work "white saviour complex" and "coloniser romance", also saying that her work is a copy of RFK.
And this is why I think reading comprehension is dead, because if you read BOBH and THAT was your take from it, I'm pretty sure you read it with your eyes closed.
Anyway, if yall actually want an amazing dark academia and steampunk-y book with nuanced discussion about societal issues, amazing writing, a morally grey female protag and unique kickass worldbuilding, you should read BOBH by M. L. Wang.
“Blight didn’t start until the year five Pre-Tiran,” Thomil said. “After Leon saw fit to take magical knowledge from its rightful home. We Kwen have a word for that—taking ancestral items from people who aren’t dead. It’s called stealing.”
Blood over bright haven by M.L.Wang
ML Wang 🤝 RF Kuang
Being painfully on the nose about colonialism (I am NOT complaining) and suicide by dismantling capitalism
Nearly halfway through Blood Over Bright Haven and ohmygod this book is SO GOOD.
Sciona is so frustrating but like, I get that's the whole point of the character. But also I want to grab her by the shoulders and shake her aggressively
so fucking funny