A big thanks to NetGalley and MacMillian for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A comp title of Cinder? Say less.

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le is a YA fantasy that builds itself off of inspiration from Vietnam. In the industrial city of Theumas, Nhika is seen not as a healer, but a monster that kills for pleasure. And in the city's criminal underbelly, the rarest of monsters are traded for gold. When Nhika is finally caught by the infamous Butchers, she's forced to heal the last witness to a high-profile murder. As Nhika delves into the investigation, all signs point to Ven Kochin, an alluring yet entitled physician's aide. Despite his relentless attempts to push her out of his opulent world, something inexplicable draws Nhika to him. But when she discovers Kochin is not who he claims to be, Nhika will be faced with a greater, more terrifying evil lurking in the city's center...Her only chance to survive lies in a terrible choice—become the dreaded monster the city fears, or risk jeopardizing the future of her kind.

This is book is just *chef's kiss* The world building is out of this world, the characters force you to root for them, and the plot keeps you turning until the last page. But come on, it's blurbed as These Violent Delights meets Cinder and Divine Rivals? WHAT ISN"T THERE TO LOVE?

I loved every minute of this book! The world building was impeccable and I absolutely fell in love with these characters. The pacing kept my interest and made me unable to stop reading. I just needed to know what would come next! The romance plot was tension perfection and I just CANNOT with that cliffhanger!!

The Last Bloodcarver was easily a five star read for me and I am so anxious to read His Mortal Demise!

Thank you so much to Macmillan Children’s Group and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Excellent, I can't believe this is a debut novel! Incredibly well written, the story is solid and interesting,. our characters are layered and complex--amazing! I've got to get my own physical copy of this asap. I've seen this compared as These Violent Delights meets Cinder and I can't agree more in the best ways possible. Truly so good, book 2 cannot come fast enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book of a new young adult fantasy duology. I really enjoyed reading this story. The author did an amazing job with the world building and overall story. I found the story different and unique with its magical systems.
Overall, I definitely recommend the book. It doesn't read as your typical young adult fantasy but more adult. Definitely a great start to a series.

A Vietnamese-inspired blend of steampunk and mystery thriller, this first book in a YA duology immerses the reader in an exciting, complex world, combining ancient magic with modern science.

Review

The city-state of Theumas is a gleaming metropolis of advanced technology and innovation; a city in which the use of automatons is commonplace and modern medicine is seemingly developing at a rapid rate. However, alongside the opulent wealth and industrialists exists another Theumas of impoverished boroughs, black market trading, and violent crime. In this indigent part of the city, 18-year-old Nhika scrapes a living under the radar as a homeopathic healer, called upon in secret by clients when even Theumas’ highly advanced medicine fails to cure the ill and dying.

But Nhika’s on-the-surface talent for homeopathic remedies is a disguise for her true ability. For she is what is known in Theumas as a bloodcarver: a magical being of legend who can alter human biology with just a touch, for good or bad; someone who can heal the sick or wound fatally if they so wish. Bloodcarvers are not native to Theumas. They are people from the island of Yarong, which was conquered and colonized by Theumas’ warring neighbour Daltanny, and they were rounded up, experimented on, and ultimately believed to have disappeared completely. They are creatures of legend in Theumas, feared as blood-hungry vampiric monsters, but belief in them endures in the city, where, the author tells us, “people worshipped the scientific method over the gods of old and ignorance followed faithfully in the shadow of achievement.” She continues, “They claimed that innovation conquered all, but Nhika knew best that fear and superstition were immortal.” Nhika, the daughter of Yarongese refugees, has inherited her ability as a bloodcarver from her mother and grandmother, and believes herself to be the last of her kind. When she is discovered, betrayed, and captured by a gang of thugs known as the Butchers, she is sold to the highest bidder with far-reaching and devastating consequences.

The world-building of The Last Bloodcarver is vivid and potent, with picturesque, evocative descriptions contrasting the wealthy milieu of Theumas’ elite and the gritty, often gruesome world of its underclass. Adding depth and resonance is the portrayal of racial differences and prejudices established within this secondary world, with Nhika described as having “golden-brown skin, dark irises, and hair the color of coffee rather than ink”, which set her apart from the pale-skinned, black-haired people of Theumas, and often cause her to be regarded with suspicion and hostility. Nhika is a sympathetic and engaging heroine, tough and resourceful owing to her circumstances, and also intensely lonely and vulnerable, believing that there is no one else like her left alive, and carrying with her the grief and guilt of being unable to cure her dying mother despite her magical ability.

The supporting characters are also well-drawn, nuanced, at times mysterious, and convincingly unpredictable as we see them through Nhika’s eyes. The detailed anatomical descriptions of Nhika’s blood magic surging through human bodies are lucid and eloquent, combining beautiful phrasing with intricate medical and biological knowledge, lending the magic a sense of heightened realism. It is emphasized that in Yarongese culture bloodcarvers “call themselves heartsooths”, and that Nhika’s grandmother has taught her that heartsoothing, like medicine’s Hippocratic oath of “First, do no harm”, is to help people, not hurt them: “That is the core of heartsoothing. Not to harm. To heal.” Heartsooths see their ability as much a scientific endeavour as it is a magical one, requiring study and practice, just like conventional medical surgery. Magic and medicine intertwine throughout the story to poetical and powerful effect, and this interconnection is key to the mystery at the heart of the plot.

There are scenes of extreme violence which are on occasion quite graphic, particularly towards the beginning during Nhika’s capture and incarceration by the Butchers, which may prove distressing to some readers. These scenes do, however, establish in no uncertain terms just how dark and perilous Theumas can be beneath its shiny veneer of modernity and progress, how high the stakes really are, and the nature of the terrible dangers Nhika faces. As the first in a duology, with several unexpected twists and a tantalizing cliff-hanger, The Last Bloodcarver is an excellent debut that bodes well for the second book.

Thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Roaring Brook Press for the e-copy. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.

This is a diverse and richly crafted fantasy world set in the industrial city of Theumas in a Vietnam-inspired setting. At the center of the narrative is Nhika, whose abilities as a bloodcarver are feared and misunderstood by society. She makes her living selling holistic cures that she doesn't believe in and occasionally uses her powers to help others. And this is a pretty dark YA book, all things considered, given that bloodcarvers pieces are used as cure-alls for the rich. There is immersive world-building and the exploration of themes such as identity and colonialism.

While the romance between Nhika and Kochin adds an additional layer to the story, it may not resonate as strongly with all readers. I liked their relationship, but it felt just a little bit too fast for me given the initial antagonism between them. The side characters also felt a little flat. However, the twists and turns in the plot kept me engaged, culminating in an ending that sets the stage for the next installment. Can't wait to see what happens!!

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for an eCopy of The Last Bloodcarver!

WOW! What an amazing read. I’m so glad Owlcrate picked this up for a special edition. This Vietnamese inspired fantasy will absolutely sweep you off your feet. Incredibly unique magic system, a high stakes story, and even a touch of romance- I can’t wait for the next book!

Vanessa Le's debut novel captivates from the first page, drawing readers into a richly imagined world filled with complex characters and intricate relationships. The immersive writing style effortlessly transports readers into Nhika's world, allowing them to feel every emotion and decision she faces. The characters are expertly crafted, each with their own compelling backstory and motivations, making it easy for readers to become invested in their fates.

Le's world-building is masterful, seamlessly integrating essential information without resorting to cumbersome info dumps. The magic system and societal dynamics are intriguing and well-developed, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. The narration was a strong addition to the story helping increasing the pace and emotional depth.

Overall, "The Last Bloodcarver" is a remarkable debut that promises an exciting future for Vanessa Le as an author. I eagerly anticipate her next release, confident that it will captivate readers just as thoroughly as this enchanting tale.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book is about Nhika who believes that she is the last of her kind, a Bloodcarver. She has the power to alter human biology with just her touch, but where she lives, they do not see her as a healer but a monster that can kill. For her to survive in a city of people who want her dead, she must act like a doctor and scams people for their money until one night when she saves a woman from death and the husband calls the bonecravers after her. Now she must escape them and what better way to do that is to trick nobility into thinking that she can heal someone that she isn’t sure she can, but to only find out a secret that she was not expecting.

This is Vanessa Le debut book and let me tell you it did not feel as though it was her first. The way that this author writes was done so well with the right amount of details to the characters and the plot, the way that she brings the characters emotions to life, the magic system being unique and well developed. The characters were well developed throughout the book as well and this will leave you wanting more right away and not wanting the book to end.

I loved Nhika right away in this book. She is a little feisty, not blind to the world around her and the events taking place, she is not remorseful for having to live her life as she has too because she knows she must survive the world around her but at the same time she knows that she could meet death any day as well. I loved that she was funny to be around, with her banter, her questions about the medical field and the changes that she was not aware of. I loved that in this book you will have the story told from her point of view and I was not saddened by it not having a dual POV, but I can say I am hopeful to have the next book told by Ven Kochin POV. That is all I can about Kochin because I will give away spoilers if I say more, but I will say I hated him at first but came to understand his reasons and even a bit loved him for it.

I loved the ending and how Vanessa left it. I truly can’t wait to see what will happen in the next book. This book is perfect for lovers of great characters, amazing world building, just a bit of romance, found family, and great character growth. Also, look at that cover, it's amazing!

I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan for the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I love a good fantasy, and this fit the bill. I particularly enjoyed the medical aspect to the storyline. I wanted only good things for Nhika, and it broke my heart whenever something bad happened to her. There had BETTER be a second book in the works!

Title: The Last Bloodcarver
Author: Vanessa Le
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Nhika is a bloodcarver. A cold-hearted, ruthless being who can alter human biology with just a touch. In the industrial city of Theumas, she is seen not as a healer, but a monster that kills for pleasure.

When Nhika is caught using her bloodcarving abilities during a sham medical appointment, she's captured by underground thugs and sold to an aristocratic family to heal the last witness of their father’s murder.

But as Nhika delves deeper into their investigation amidst the glitz of Theumas’ wealthiest district, she begins to notice parallels between this job and her own dark past. And when she meets an alluring yet entitled physician's aide, Ven Kochin, she’s forced to question the true intent behind this murder. In a society that outcasts her, Kochin seems drawn to her...though he takes every chance he gets to push her out of his opulent world.

When Nhika discovers that Kochin is not who he claims to be, and that there is an evil dwelling in Theumas that runs much deeper than the murder of one man, she must decide where her heart, and her allegiance, truly lie. And -- if she's willing to become the dreaded bloodcarver Theumas fears -- to save herself and the ones she's vowed to protect.

I really enjoyed this world and these characters! This was dark, but compelling, and I ended up staying up far too late trying to finish this. The culture was fascinating, and the characters are vivid, flawed, and relatable. Love the magic system---it’s one of the more fascinating magic systems I’ve read, and I was engrossed in this from very early on.

Vanessa Le is from the Pacific Northwest. The Last Bloodcarver is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 4/5).

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh. My. God. This was absolutely phenomenal and I am so glad I read this after finishing Sense and Sensibility and being scared I would fall into a reading slump, because this book right here made sure I was pulled right out of any danger.

The Last Bloodcarver immediately starts off great, and you get pulled into the story as if it's nothing. We meet Nhika, a so-called Bloodcarver as they're known in Theumas, and she's on her way to an appointment, where she ends up using her abilities to help out her client. Except… her client mistrusts her and ends up calling the ultracops on her, where she gets locked up in a cage and is basically auctioned off.

And this is where stuff really starts happening. Nhika is bought by Mimi and her brother, who asks her to help save the one person who last saw their father alive. They think their father was murdered and want to question the man in coma. The story really escalates from there, but my god it was amazing all throughout.

The characters in The Last Bloodcarver are well thought out, each and every one of them. Our main character Nhika deals with her grief and we get to see glimpses of her past, but the family she's bought by also has such intricate thoughts we sometimes get to see a glimpse of. And don't get me started on the villain!!

The ending had me gasping. Can I have the second book now, pretty please? I need it so frigging bad.

I highly highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the second installment.

I would like to thank Macmillan Children’s, Roaring Book Press, Netgalley and the author for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

“Hers was not a touch that held, or caressed, or kissed; hers had always been the touch that carved. But he was the marble that weathered.”

Read if you like:
🪄YA Fantasy
🇻🇳 Vietnamese culture
🫀 Biology
🕵️‍♀️ Murder mysteries

Nhika is the last of her kind, a Bloodcarver, someone whose influence, through touch, can enter another’s body and manipulate its physiology. The people of Theumas fear these legendary monsters, so Nhika must survive and practice her craft in secret. But she is caught and sold to a wealthy aristocratic family in the black market. The family wants her to heal the only witness to their father’s death, which they think might have been murder. Nhika learns that not everyone is as they seem and she’ll have to choose her allies carefully.

This was a fabulous debut! I loved the setting based on Vietnam and the magic system was really unique. The author’s biology background plays a huge part in this book and it was very well done. The action starts quickly and the intrigue continues throughout. The availability of certain technologies did seem a bit inconsistent at times and the end was a little drawn out, but overall it was great. I’m looking forward to the sequel!

Review: [The Last Bloodcarver includes a significant amount of body horror, from interacting with corpses to repeated references to medical experimentation by a colonial power. The book also includes animal death and extended scenes of characters seriously injured (stab/gunshot wounds).]

I absolutely adored Vanessa Le’s The Last Bloodcarver. Le’s debut novel is set in a complicated Vietnam-inspired fantasy (and science fiction) world, one where war has forced Nhika’s family out of Yarong and into the neutral city-state of Theumas. Even though Nhika has escaped into (currently) neutral territory, Daltanny’s occupation of Yarong still affects Nhika, from the proliferation of the term “bloodcarver” instead of “heartsooth” to the loss of cultural knowledge regarding heartsoothing after Nhika’s grandmother’s death.

That cultural disconnect and the loss of knowledge is something that haunts Nhika throughout the novel. She is keenly aware of her much she doesn’t know and has complicated feelings about how she uses her heartsoothing to survive when the previous generations could do it openly and were honored for it. Theumas might be better for Nhika than Yarong under Daltanny’s occupation, since she isn’t automatically slated for horrific medical “experiments”, but Theumas has its own problems. When the Butchers capture and arrange to sell Nhika, the prospective buyers range from people who think if they consume her heart, they will be cured of whatever ails them, to people who clearly want to use her as an assassin. Even when she is purchased by the Congmi family to try to heal a family friend (and promised freedom and payment even if she can’t help him), fear, suspicion, and hostility are close at hand.

So it’s wonderful whenever Nhika is able to make small connections to what she has lost. (There is a scene where she acquires some Yarongese items and is overwhelmed by what they represent that is just lovely.) Whenever Nhika made the choice to heal and to help, I was delighted by her determination to honor what her grandmother taught her. I appreciated the contrast Kochin represented to Nhika’s experience and the places where the two of them were aligned. Kochin was a character that I didn’t warm up to until after his reveal, but I think his character arc complemented Nhika’s very well.

The mystery of who killed Quan and seriously injured Hendon isn’t a complex one, but unraveling the mystery is far less important than Nhika learning why it happened. Once we have that information, the rest of the book falls into place beautifully. Le’s plotting and development of themes really shined in the second half and propelled the novel to an incredible final act that made me fervently hope there would be a sequel. (And there will be!)

Recommendation: Get it now, so long as you aren’t put off by body horror, medical experimentation, and some gore. Vanessa Le created a fascinating fantasy/sci-fi world in The Last Bloodcarver, and the impacts of war and colonialism on Nhika and her people are explored in interesting ways while a murder mystery unfolds in the foreground. Le’s medical-based magic system is fascinating, and Nhika’s character journey is compelling. I’m looking forward to the conclusion of this duology next year.

Despite the unique setting, I never really got into either the characters or the plot. Both felt flat, somewhat forced, and lacking in depth and interest. In many ways, this is YA fantasy by the numbers: feisty lead heroine doing stupid things to prove she is 'strong' matched with emo love interest who has the emotional maturity of a 2 year old.

Story: Nhika's country was overrun and the cultural magic outlawed/wielders murdered. Now, in a new country, she fights to survive in the slums while hiding her ability to hearthsoothe - also called bloodcarving. When she breaks a personal rule and tries to heal someone with her magic, everything goes awry and she is imprisoned. But fate takes twisty turns and soon she will be thrust into high society, embroiled in a murder mystery that might just involve the mysterious medical assistant she finds attractive.

At its heart, this is a murder mystery as Nhika tries to solve a case involving the dead scion of a large automaton manufacturing empire. Although there are some steampunk type of elements in here, they are really just window dressing and thrown around in the background/never explored. There is the usual rationalization against magic vs technological innovation within a pseudo Viet Nam type of setting. It all sounds better than it actually read, however.

The characters are flat and not really helped by a narrator whose reading on the audio version was very wooden. Nhika does far too many "too stupid to live" actions while often being saved by deus ex machina situations. The love interest is the cliché rude smug emo boy - giving us no reason to really like him. Honestly, the romance in this is lifeless and very inexplicable; neither character's interest in the other realistic.

I think the big issue I had with the book is that the ideas and themes are very conflicted. E.g., everyone gets upset about a murder - and decide that murdering someone else is the answer. The heartsoothers are supposed to be life savers and in tune with nature but get their power from murdering animals, the bigger the better, to power their magic. It left a bad taste in my mouth and further disenfranchised me from the story.

I found that I just didn't like the characters and therefore lost interest in following the story. The murder mystery wasn't that compelling and everyone felt very immature or simplistic in their actions (there just wasn't a lot of depth). Compounding the issue was a very lifeless read from the narrator on the audio version, which I would not recommend. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Thank you, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Set in an industrial city called Theumas, Nhika is a bloodcarver, someone able to alter human biology just with a touch. Considered a monster, Nhika tries to survive conning patients with tinctures and lies, until, in the criminal underbelly where people and things are traded, she's captured. When a rich family buys her in order to discover what happened when their father died, Nhika is thrust into a world of riches and conspiracies. As she's more and more involved into the investigation, she starts to suspect a doctor's aide, Ven Kochin, an intriguing and contradictory person, who keeps trying to kick her out of their gilded world, but seems to be drawn to her at the same time. When Nhika discovers the truth, she will have to fight to protect herself and her loved ones.

The last bloodcarver is exactly what I was looking for in a book. Not only there's a medical magic system I absolutely loved, because it's the first time I've read something like that and it's highly original, but the whole worldbuilding and characterization is amazing.
Nhika is a brilliant MC and she's stubborn and fierce and lonely, struggling with her losses and the author does an amazing job underlining the losses a conquered country can suffer, how Nhika lost not only her family to time and illnesses, but also her inheritance, how violence and war can erase a country's past and pride.
Nhika's losses, her family, her magic system's lessons and her country, makes her feel unwanted, alone and lonely in a place where technology and science don't want to recognize magic and see people like her like monsters, dangerous and to use and discard and they seem fit.
In this kind of world, Nhika is only try to survive and belong and when she's involved in this investigation, her whole world is turned upside down, pushing her to know more people, to feel like she can belong in a little, fiercely protective, found family. And maybe finding someone she can trust and love.

The last bloodcarver has everything you could hope for in a book. Murder investigation, magic system inspired by medicine, fierce and sarcastic, very sassy MC, found family, found love and so much more it will leave you breathless and eager to read the next book!

This book was not what I expected but in a very good way! Though this is classified as YA, I would recommend this to adults and fantasy-lovers looking for something completely original. I especially would recommend this to fans of Six of Crows.

The Last Bloodcarver has a unique concept, a compelling storyline, amazing world building - and a snarky, unrelenting MC you can't help but love. I was on Nhika's side from page one and loved watching her grow and learn to trust.

The author does not hold back on showing violence or how insidious people can become, even when they believe their motives are justified. To me, this unsettling portrayal is what elevates the story beyond a survival or love story.

I really enjoyed the side characters of the Congmi family and would have even loved more of their relationships and dynamic. Unfortunately Kochin fell short for me as a romantic interest. I didn't really buy his character both before and after we learn about his past. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop, unable to trust him. If we had more exposure to him early on, or alternatively, if he hadn't shown kindness in the very beginning, it would have felt less disjointed.

That being said... The ending made me gasp!

I wrote about this on The Storygraph and Goodreads and sent links to various social media sites. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6379158581

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
—
Oh my goodness, where do I begin? First of all, thank you to Roaring Book Press, Macmillan Children’s and Vanessa Le for this amazing book! It was an honor to read it and I’m sorry my review is a bit late; life has been insane lately.


The Last Bloodcarver is a Vietnam-inspired urban fantasy that’s pitched as These Violent Delights meets Cinder and, my God, is that accurate. It has action, mystery, romance, really anything you could want in a book.


The concept for the, for lack of a better term, magic system is so freaking cool? It’s essentially a race of people that are able to alter the anatomy of the human body through touch, to heal, or to hurt. These people are called heartsooths, or to those that are unfamiliar or resentful toward them, bloodcarvers

The book opens with Nhika, a heartsooth trying to make ends meet under the guise of traditional medicine. If she’s discovered as a heartsooth, she’ll be captured and sold on the black market to the highest bidder. For what? Whatever the buyer wants. This is what ends up happening, and when she’s bought by the Congmi family, among the richest in the country, to heal an old family friend in a coma with a bad prognosis, she thinks she’s safe. Just this one job, and they’ll let her go. But when it turns out that this family friend is also the only witness to their father’s murder, Nhika realizes exactly what a dangerous situation she’s in. After all, if someone was willing to kill the richest man in the country, who else were they willing to kill to cover it up?


I absolutely loved the characters in this book, especially Nhika, Kochin, and Mimi. I loved how we got to see Nhika soften emotionally over the course of the book, and see her open herself up to those around her who she finds genuinely care about her. Kochin, we’re introduced to as someone we think is an enemy, but there’s more to him than meets the eye, which is a plot point I always adore. And Mimi, of course, is just adorable and witty and funny. She’s just a delight.


This book seriously kept me on my toes the whole time I read it, and I found myself hardly able to put it down after I got three quarters of the way through the book. It also left off on THE most illegal cliffhanger, which Vanessa Le, how dare you? It’s safe to say that I cannot wait for the second book in the duet, and I’ll be thinking about it until it comes out and I can finally see how Nhika’s story ends.

I received an advanced copy of The Last Bloodcarver from the publisher and Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I absolutely loved The Last Bloodcarver. The world, the characters, the magic, everything about this book was exactly what I was looking for in a magical YA fantasy.

The world-building was on point. I loved the distinction between each of the areas and that they all had their own quirks and personalities. Often, when one has too many places in one's world, it's hard to keep track, but the author did a fantastic job of giving distinguishing features to every place we visited, setting each of them apart. The world was very well thought out, and I never felt like I didn't have enough information or that I was getting too much at once.

I adored Nhika. Though all the characters were very well done, I loved that she did what was best for her, even if it wasn't what others wanted. Too often, you see self-sacrificing heroes, which isn't a bad thing, but Nhika was a breath of fresh air, mainly because she lived in a world that was constantly doing her wrong. As big as her heart was and as caring as she was, she looked out for herself, and I loved that part of her personality. The romance aspect did leave something to be desired, but since it didn't take away from the story, I didn't mind it.

The magic was extremely interesting. I don't think I've ever read about something like bloodcarving before, and I love all the new magic systems that people create. It was described very well, and the medical aspects were incorporated in a way that was understandable and not overly complicated.

In essence, The Last Bloodcarver was an excellent book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, as that ending hurt my heart.