Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

Scoina has just been admitted as the first woman to attend the University where she will graduate as a Highmage. She has been tasked with creating spells to map pockets of energy which is used to power her city. These pockets of energy are found in the barren Otherrealm and Scoina has been taught that what the mages do is essential for the survival of all. She is given an assistant (whose job had been as a janitor) as a hazing joke by her male students but she decides to keep Thomil . He is one of a vanishing tribe who has escaped the Otherrealm just scraping by to survive and Scoina is naive. Their viewpoints are vastly different but begin to agree that something doesn't fit with the teachings of the Highmages. Armed with this new information Scoina is determined to right a great injustice at great danger to herself. The author weaves in a new world where religion and politics feel all too familiar. The storyline moves quickly and had a surprising ending. Perfect for young adult and adult fantasy lovers with a handy glossary I wish I had spied before finishing the book. I would imagine this is the start of a new series. 4 stars