ALL TIME NEW FAVORITE FANTASY

ALL TIME NEW FAVORITE FANTASY 🩸 Blood Over Bright Haven non-spoiler review
📕 Blood Over Bright Have links
-Bookshop.org: bookshop.org/l...
-Amazon US: amzn.to/3WHuN7T
-Amazon UK: amzn.to/4go99wx
🎥 My Patreon: www.patreon.co...
📚 My Manga/Comics/Video Games Channel: / @fullmetaanalysis
🌎 My Collab Channel (for charity!): / @worldhoppers8021
📖 My Book: www.elliotbroo...
📸 My Instagram: / ebnovels
*purchase links are affiliate links
#favoritefantasy #bloodoverbrighthaven

[@tanmaymantri2297]

im so jealous of the book shelf behind you

[@narsasistify]

same

[@mischarowe]

She collected and organised it beautifully.

[@DawntasyRevelate]

I know right!!! She has a great collection

[@TheUnknownSpiderMan]

Right????? 😭😭😭

[@VoidDWG]

I don’t why stand alone’s are so rare these days. Thank you.

[@PaigeEscapes]

Thank you so incredibly much for the absolute best review of this! You actually have a nice description of what it’s about without spoilers. I have noticed and ims so frustrated with authors who simple ramble about “how the world building was fantastic” and “these are the main themes (yet are VERY vague)”, and a few other things… but they don’t say anything about the actual plot- I really have no idea how some booktube channels have so many subscribers or how some reviews get so many views and people in the comments say “ oh thank definitely putting this on my tbr”… It feels as if they say it just to go along with the popular KZbinr 😅🫣 Anyway, thank you so incredibly much for all your amazing reviews and absolutely wonderful personality ( I love hearing “hello friends” at the start of every video ☺️). And congratulations on your second book getting closer to being released!! ☺️

[@floydwilliams497]

Thank you Elliot for taking time out to acknowledge this incredible piece of work.👍🏿

[@cat.book.nook.]

I've read the indie edition and it was definitely one of my best of 2023. And I'm glad I didn't figure out the reveal, my jaw dropped.

[@capucinem_]

hey just so you know, for non-english speaking viewers like myself youtube auto translated the title of your video to random numbers and letters (43F2AC61 D20B 451C 9C2B 5A93BD0B7987 in this case). gotta say i was very confused for a sec 😅 pretty sure you're the one as the creator who can choose whether your titles get auto translated or not so just wanted to let you know in case you wanted to turn off that feature!

[@ovilia5302]

Thanks!!!

[@TheFlyingKiwyGirl]

To be fair, I clicked on this video for the weird title made out of numbers 😅

[@Amanda_Rachelle]

This book is one of my favourites! And I never thought about the Arcane parallels until you mentioned it, but now it makes sense why that’s my favourite show too! 💡✨

[@nicodemogawronski2052]

I have this hard cover in my book shelf but haven't started it yet. Thank you for suggesting it. I guess I'll have to start it soon

[@sindrealight5182]

Read this for a book club I’m part of and it immediately entered into my top fav books (and everyone in our book club loved it). The book to me, was predictable and maybe cliche, but yet somehow still made me feel a rollercoaster ride of emotions despite knowing what would happen. In fact, perhaps knowing what would happen made it hit even harder. A book that can make me sob uncontrollably in the first chapter, despite not knowing any of the characters yet? Like immediately a masterpiece. And of course the emotions didn’t stop. Tears, gasps, heartbreak, horror, tension from start to finish. Still can’t stop thinking about it since finishing it a couple of months ago!

[@DawntasyRevelate]

Wow! Elliot, your passion for fantasy is so inspiring. As a fantasy author, fantasy, in my opinion is such a big genre. Haven't read that book yet, but will DEFINITELY check it out. Thanks so much for your insights and passion to fantasy! :))

[@sayyidahthewriter]

Your review was spot on!

[@knoxville8222]

I just love your recommendations. I just recently started reading fantasy out of Tolkien and honestly, banger after banger with your recs. Keep up the awesome work. PS. Where can I read yout work?

[@carolinegodoya]

YES! It's also on my all time favorites list ♥️ definitely my best book of 2024

[@readbyjordyn]

yes!! i’ve never had such a visceral reaction to reading a book, i was up all night thinking about it the day i finished.

[@BooksRebound]

How about Poppy War? If you haven't read it, highly recommend

[@mischarowe]

Well this is a raving review that makes me want to go buy this. Right. Now. :)

[@user-pd8lc3ow6x]

Elliot, would love to see a dystopian fantasy recommendations video from you! ❤

[@stonelane1827]

I consumed this book so fast, absolutely loved it.

[@vouksis4657]

omg i am so hyped reading it. Also very happy I was able to snatch the Broken Binding edition 😊

[@amyconcepcion7148]

I read this book when it came out in October & I still don’t know how I feel about it but you summed it up so well.

[@weissisms]

I agree with so much of what you said in this review and I really enjoyed the book, but I also found it frustrating because for me it was an incredible story held back by the writing. It was written in a way that was quite plain and direct, which made everything feel like it had less dimension. I don't mean to say that I felt beat over the had with the themes, because that didn't bother me at all. What I mean is I could tell Wang had really thought about the layers and nuances to certain characters, which I loved in theory, but it was kind of just stated too plainly instead of being brought to life through the prose, if that makes sense? Like for example, I loved following such an egotistical and selfish protagonist and thought it brought a fascinating dimension to the story, but I sometimes felt like I was being told about her ego a little too much rather than being able to truly feel it. I think if the writing had had more distinct personality behind it, I could've felt her ego and attitudes spring more vividly from the page and it would've made her an even more confronting character. As it is, the style of narration between Sciona's pov and Thomil's pov doesn't feel very different, which for me prevents their different personalities from coming to life as much.

[@Chance.Dillon]

Seeing that the broken binding additions are shipping has me so excited. Very stoked to get to this one

[@anangryscorpion5838]

The first chapter sold me on this book from the jump, one of the better opening chapters I've ever read, so good! And the rest of the book doesn't disappoint either, will be reading this one again when my TBB edition arrives.

[@AshleySTRead]

The first chapter shook me to my core. I wasn't expecting it and my emotions were on fire.

[@LibrariesandLattes]

This book is on my TBR for February, can’t wait!!!

[@RyeMiArt]

yes Yes YEEEEES! Blood over bright haven is my favourite book! The first chapter just hits differently and then when you get to the twist, it's just...exceptional! I have a hard time expressing my thoughts on books (or in general tbh😅) and you voiced so much of what I was feeling. You made me love the book even more! ❤

[@tripeddy-j9i]

Thank you for the review. I just gave up trudging through rhythm of war after the reaction to wind and truth, and was looking for a palette cleanser. Just started it and am really enjoying it, but you weren’t kidding, what an emotional way to start🥺

[@tripeddy-j9i]

Wow. I really needed a good read. I almost wish it had been a trilogy it was so well done.

[@kittyshiv]

Also loved this so much last year, yay glad you finally got to it 🥰

[@creativewithjia]

Can't wait to read it!

[@quatercirclestrife8260]

2:00 pause I know you said non spoiler but I’m just gonna get it then come back to this brb haha

[@snapdragona]

Omg I just finished Blood over bright haven ! I absolutely loved it too

[@orkosubmarine]

I think it was Willow from WillowTalksBooks that lead me to this book and I am so glad to hear you also enjoyed it! 🥳

[@bobkeane7966]

Just finished Peace and Turmoil. Now I really care when your new book comes out, really fun fast paced book.

[@saramm3765]

The audiobook for this was very well done too. Really pulled me in. I've had Sword of Kaigen for years but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Now I wish I had read that first since you say this one is even better. I agree I found Blood Over Bright Haven more compelling and well paced vs Babel.

[@ronelia.creative]

Ooh yay I'm so glad you liked it! I read it in December last year and it shot to the top of my 2024 (and all time) favourites. It's basically a perfect book

[@ronelia.creative]

I was reading it while watching Arcane and I felt that they were sooo similar too.

[@Booksandheather]

This was in my top 3 books last year. It was fantastic!

[@LaRae021]

This was my last read of 2024 and I just loved it. This book was emotional and frustrating in so many ways because of the hard topics. Sciona struggled with sticking with her beliefs and need for accomplishments or open her eyes, lose it all, and do what’s right. This was a great review. I could say so much about this book.

[@lindsayrenee1063]

I'm reading race the sands right now and love it so much as usual your recs are on pt adding this one to my tbr

[@hayleymordsith]

Yesssss. I read this in December and it was definitely the best book I read all year, if not longer. I'm surprised I haven't seen that many people talking about it. I was screaming the whole time reading it.

[@SarahAsYouWish]

This was a 3.5 ⭐️ book for me because, while parts of it were vey compelling and the characters were well done, I did feel like I was being beat over the head with the themes by the end. That is one of the main issues I had with Babel. Sword of Kaigen worked better for me because it had great characters and emotional impact, but it left more room for the reader to interpret the themes. L

[@Rinouliniable]

Agree. Characters were very black and white, as well as she (you know), which I hate in a book, personal preference; and that is her 'redemption' in a way?.. what happened to living and creating something better? Not a fan of that...

[@muppetjoe870]

I just finished this book about 30 minutes ago, and I'm reeling from this story. What a freaking masterpiece!!!❤

[@NhaiaB]

I got this book for Christmas and on my list to read for 2025. I can’t wait to read.

[@AmeenRidwan]

So I just finished this book rn. And... It was so unsatisfying? For the first like 30 or 40% when it was still about these characters navigating the injustices they face in society. It's around the point of the reveal of the nature of the Blight that I start to question how the story is developing. And the way the story ended just felt.... Like the story hasn't ended? Like someone was writing an essay on the experience they had on their vacation but forgot to actually complete the essay after they've written the most exciting parts. Basically, I feel like the story lacked an ending.

[@kiute.c]

This book also became my new all time favorite!! It is absolutely, mind-blowingly, incredible

[@Tontoelquenolea]

this book was stunning

[@michaelbodell7740]

You and I are quite aligned on this book. For me I read Babel and enjoyed it, especially the word based magic system, and thought it was a 5 star book even if I had slight quibbles with the ending. I then read Blood Over Bright Haven the following month and for me it was like Babel but more so and better. The magic system was even better, the world building was great, the themes were basically the same/similar but I thought the added emphasis on sexism with racism with a protagonist that had both privilege and suffered oppression was a great perspective. And the ending was a much more satisfying conclusion to my mind. I think it was my favorite book I read in 2023 and the top of a mini-dark academia boomlet, as I read all good-to-great books that were dark academia or dark academia adjacent with Babel, Blood Over Bright Haven, The Book that Wouldn't Burn, The Will of the Many, The Altas Six, A Deadly Education, or even Fourth Wing (maybe unpopular opinion that the first book was actually pretty good, even if it is the weakest on this list and heavier in the romanstacy than dark academia). There were also several others that I haven't read or haven't read yet but that people reference a lot like Ninth House, Bunny, A Study in Drowning, or many more. I'm not sure if it was Ninth House or something else but 2019-2024 does seem to be a dark academia boomlet.

[@teadesi]

The book was brilliant. I kept thinking about it after I read it, which was a great hint that I really, really enjoyed it.

[@extradiyos]

will you have a spoiler discussion of the book? bc that would be fun 😩

[@violaerbach5566]

It really is a six-star read!

[@BookswithMyles]

M. L. Wang is sensational!

[@tiffanythomas1966]

I loved Blood Over Bright Haven!!

[@vincytvholic]

This has been on hold in the library for about a month now and I have another 8 weeks to go. 😅

[@julatsa]

Great review!

[@courtneyb3557]

This was one of my favorite reads of 2024.

[@AwkwardBookworm]

I got a copy of this for Christmas!!! 🤗

[@WickedIsPopular]

I loved this book and can't wait for the authors next novel!

[@yanivrc]

Finally someone who agrees with me!!! I was fortunate to receive an Arc of BOBH, and had read SOK. In terms of scope, social commentary, devastation, depth and impact, BOBH is in my opinion a masterpiece, SOK is amazing on a slightly smaller scale

[@jasmineshier7254]

This book is absolutely amazing

[@Nontradicath]

I read blood over bright haven just a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely loved it! I still haven't read Sword of Kaigen but now my expectations are quite high!

[@camologeek]

A lot of people prefer sword of kaigen, but i think this book is better. It has a better pacing and the worlbuilding is more unique. Also, i think people ignore or forget that sword of kaigen is technically a prequel and in the ending, it shows. Which is kind of bad because the author said she will not finish the story. It's a fantastic book, don't get me wrong, but i think it's useful to know the background.

[@Nontradicath]

@@camologeek I've heard that Sword of Kaigen's climax occurs half way through the book, so I am interested to hear how that works out. Its on deck on my to-read list, so I should find out soon enough!

[@nikkisweezea2388]

@@Nontradicath It does. I went into it not knowing that, so it was a bit jarring, but everything that happens after is where the magic is in that book, IMO. It's absolutely worth the read, both for and despite the odd structure.

[@RyeMiArt]

@@camologeek You're right. Sword of Kaigen is really good, esp. middle part, but first 100 or so pages were a slog for me, ending was also kind of weird. But Blood over bright Haven packs a punch already in first chapter and it's been my favourite book since I first read it at the end of 2023.

[@annaboo27]

At 13:35, Immediately ran to download the audiobook…oof that hit hard. By the way, the narration is wonderful.

[@misternegative4918]

I loved this book. I think some of the main themes might’ve been hit a little too obvious by the end, but at the same time I felt like there were some different themes that were more under the surface that really kept me even more interested. I half expected to be disappointed cause I’ve heard people liked this less than Sword of Kaigen, but I liked it just as much, maybe a little more.

[@user-pd8lc3ow6x]

“In our history.” Sadly, there are people in the world who want to not only bring that history back but also take it a step further.

[@marycooney2194]

Just started reading Babble. This moght be my next read.

[@guilhermefigueiredo3936]

I just finished this book a few days ago and it's so good! I still think The Sword of Kaigen is better (it's my fav standalone book), but I loved reading something else by the author.

[@adegadeletras]

Now i want to read it 😢

[@sallyhigby9089]

This was my first book of 2025 and my exact thought was ‘this is what Babel wanted to be.’ When the reveal started and she didn’t want to believe it, I could relate to her struggle. I didn’t feel that in Babel & I was waiting for it. Maybe it is because I am female that I related more to Sciona than Robin. Last year my first book was Strange the Dreamer so again I am left wondering how all the other books this year are now measured against my first pick! I can’t wait to read the next thing from this author and need my library to get The Sword of Kaigen so I can read that too.

[@b_g_c3281]

03:45 ...If I were hazard a supposition (and I shall), I think that the main protagonist's name is pronounced: "SHee' OH 'na" ...Reading the name, that is to say, observing the letter choice, and having recently begun studying Celtic and Gaelic languages (in earnest), that is what my intuition strongly suggests...

[@Mmm-xi7fx]

My favorite book of 2024. I cried so hard after the first chapter. And I can’t stop thinking about the end message of the book. Especially with the state of the world as it currently is.

[@bullbythehorns808]

Just bought this on a whim yesterday as I was leaving barnes and noble. Thats great news. Sword of kaigan was fantastic, felt like anime in a book done to perfection. For some reason I couldn't handle babel, Dnf'd, so maybe need to give it a other shot.

[@Meg_Sprite]

I am OBSESSED with this book.

[@Meg_Sprite]

I guessed the reveal pretty early, but still loved it.

[@heyitsstrange]

Such a fantastic book 🤌🏼

[@jenniferbramer9807]

This book was profound. Might end up being my best book of 2025.

[@RyeMiArt]

It has become my favourite in 2023 and still is. Nothing could surpass the brilliance of it yet :D

[@becausereadingis]

I loved this book, too! It was amazing and awful!! Please read this book!!

[@theseanwright]

I wanna keep watching this video but I haven’t even read it yet and it’s been on my shelf for 2 months ughhhhhhhhh why did I do this to myself 😭

[@neasanicdhomhnaill7112]

Thank you for such an excellent review, I'm intrigued. I'm in the later stages of writing an epic fantasy novel that explores some of these themes. It won't be published until later in the year but I'd love to send you a free copy. It would be a present, with no expectations of a mention unless you want to because you enjoyed it. 🙂 But I'd personally love to hear what you think if you are up to it. In the meantime, I'm always interested in new fantasy books to read so I'll have a look at Blood Over Bright Haven 🙏

[@zeldatwinkletoes5022]

Have you watched the movie Frances? It's about the movie star Frances Farmer.

[@chrisleeson3370]

I really don’t think Sword of Kaigen can be called a standalone, regardless of what the author says. It’s heavily tied to her defunct YA portal fantasy you can’t even get anymore. I think it could have been a great book if all that was edited out.

[@bailesthehum]

Mild spoilers - I hated Babel because it was so lacking in subtlety with its themes, as are many books today. However, Blood Over Bright Haven was one of my top recent reads, despite not being particularly subtle either. I think the main difference comes down to the character work. For all that Sciona will piss you off, she's also a genius and her thought process is pretty clearly on display, so you understand where she's coming from, even when it's terrible. More importantly, IMO, she evolves in a believable way. A lot of books have characters realize they've believed something terrible and then it's like they totally change who they are. Sciona is still very much herself and seems more annoyed that she has to deal with this newfound conscious than anything. I wouldn't have said I loved this book right after finishing it, but it's stayed with me for a long time now!

[@2DaysYouth]

She always covers her base before she starts critiquing.

[@Akatsuu]

I've been struggling to get people to pick up this book going on 2 years now, I hate that non-traditionally published books have SUCH a hard time being picked up even for reasonably successful authors.

[@nikkisweezea2388]

Barnes and Noble put out an edition. It's gorgeous with red sprayed edges. And, last time I was in there, the hardback was 50% off!!

[@RyeMiArt]

Same! I try to make any of my (at least somewhat) reading friends to pick it up but none budged yet :/

[@camologeek]

if you are watching this video, just buy and read the book. Then come back. You will not be disappointed. By far, the best book i read last year. And i think with better pace and character dynamics than Babel.

[@myribstellmesheslying]

The arrangement of adjectives in the title is bothering me. 😂

[@TruexNORSEMAN]

Hey what the heck.. youtube unsubscribed me :( Im back tho :)

[@l.r.takushi384]

For a month now the titles on only her videos have been some weird gibberish and I don't know how to fix it. 😅 Does anybody else have this issue?

[@BooksRebound]

I love how white feminist Siona is. Its so wonderful to see in fiction. She sucks and it was uncomfy as hell for me to read. But it was a breath of fresh air seeing a character like this. Because there were soooo many suffragettes fighting for "equality" who HATED black women and threw them under the bus at every opportunity. If yoir fight against oppression begins and ends with improving your personal circumstances, then your activism is really just egocentric self interest. And Siona is the definition of that. Like idk if a lot of white people will pick up on this but I felt it viscerally while reading the book, Siona basically refers to Tomal as "negro" all throughout the book more than she ever uses his name. "Quen" is a title shes given him that dehumanizes him and marks his status in relation to her even as shes convinced shes above the bigotry and pats herself on the back for being less bigoted than others, without realizing not being bigoted at all is also an option. Also, the immigrant allegory is so spot on. I wonder how many people are gonna read this book and love it, abhoring the marginalization of the Quen, but then in real life they applaud the deportations in the US. I was just watching a video about how everyone cheers for fictional freedom fighters and revolutionaries but deplore anyone fighting for freedom in real live. If Katniss was real, everyone would hate her and insist shes too radical and should work within the system to fix it.

[@kudlatykid]

grandma lol

[@gordontheobald]

I feel a bit like Mugatu in Zoolander with this book. All ive seen is glowing reviews, and the book i read was mainly sledgehammer-subtle moralising. Real 1 star stuff. I made it to about 20%, when the college girly said something along the lines of “you wont let me in your college because IM A GIRL,” and my eyes about rolled out my head. So yeah that was a DNF. On the one hand i get it, girl fighting the system - i can get behind that, but the manner of delivery was clumsy. I tried initially to write it off as just “not for me,” but i disliked it so completely ive gone back on that. Maybe it gets better later? I just don’t get it. Did like the prologue, though.

[@stylishbookworm]

100% agree! This was a DNF for me as well and I had so many eye roll moments. It did not get better as it went on and I got to about 70%.

[@nnn9122]

This SHOULD have been a DNF for me, but with all the positive reviews and my hope that it would get better, I finished it. To say that I was disappointed would be the understatement of the year.

[@Freakgirl1985]

What the heck is up with these numbers and letters as "name for videos" Is that you doing it on purpose or YT f*ing up something? I don't like it...😢

[@lauraberkholtz7959]

I loved the first half of Sword of Kaiden, but was disappointed by the second half. I hope this one is different.

[@officialnkoz]

I am not a book reviewer but IMO this book did not even hold a candle to SoK. The numerous characters and their development, along with the true depth of those characters in SoK seem to be missing for BOBH. I was so excited to see that ML Wang had another book out and I purchased it instantly. This is not to say this book is bad but saying this book is that much better than SoK seems to be too much. Also aside from SoK, BOBH seems to be a very 1 sided story of good and evil, no real opportunity to emphasize with the opposing side. BOBH - 7/10.

[@BooksRebound]

I DESPISE Sword of Kaigen. Legit one of the worst books I've read, its so cringe imo. But THIS book?! This book fucking ATE! Its sooo insanely good. Its incredible. Love bright haven so much 💖

[@writewithjoy]

whoa, this book sounds right up my alley and honestly might be a comp for the book I’m currently writing. it just shot to the top of my TBR 🫶