I’ve started and deleted this review several times, because nothing I write seems to really do this book justice! It’s the first in a YA fantasy duology with Vietnamese mythological roots. It covers so many big ideas like colonization, “otherizing,” legacy, and ethical use of science and medicine - all while telling a fascinating story with a badass FMC at the center of it all (my favorite kind of main character).

I was fortunate to receive both the audio and digital versions of these books to review. I began the story by alternating between the two, but I felt like the narrator fell flat. The narration seemed dry and unfeeling to me, so I read the last 3/4 of the book digitally.

Nhika as a special gift of heartsoothing - also referred to as bloodcarving by Theumas, the reigning territory - which is illegal and has been thought to be eradicated from the population. Her love for her gift and for her ancestors who passed it down to her is paired with her shame and fear of being found out and exploited by others as well as loneliness from having to navigate heartsoothing and life on her own. She finds herself pulled into a mystery and is able to share her secret with a few individuals, but she’s constantly reminded that her worth to them is contractual and is a result of what she can do for others, not for who she really is.

I loved pretty much everything about this book! My least favorite aspect, to the surprise of absolutely no one, was the romance that blossoms. I also got bogged down in some of the medical terminology, but I just skimmed those paragraphs and was able to still enjoy the story.

The plot, characters, and setting are all deeply layered and beautifully written. I absolutely adored Le’s prose in this book and have so many highlighted passages! And the ending - OMG. I will absolutely be reading the second book in this installment and would recommend this to anyone who loves Young Adult books, fantasy, romance, and/or mysteries!

Though society calls her a bloodcarver and believes she's to be feared, Nhika knows her power to change a person's body when she touches them is really used for healing. When she's kidnapped by a ruthless group intent on selling her to the highest bidder, Nhika isn't sure how she will survive - she just knows she will do whatever it takes to run away from whoever buys her. But the family she ends up with doesn't want to harm her or use her for evil purposes. Instead, they hope she can heal the witness to their father's murder so they can find answers. Pulled into their world and the mystery surrounding their father's death, Nhika doesn't always know who she can trust even as she's drawn to Kochin, a boy with secrets of his own. With a unique magic system and an engaging protagonist, this story is a page-turner.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

- I cannot stop thinking about this book! Omg I need the sequel asap.
- The world building is so interesting, especially about the Bloodcarvers. I hope this is explored even more in the next book.
- The romance is not as present as the fantasy, but the end really solidified the romance. I still cannot process that last chapter!!
- The narrator did an excellent job with the different character's voices, and I found it so easy to slip into the story.
- The way some betrayals play out was so fun and stressful to read! I loved getting to watch the fall out in the last 25% of the book.
- I love books with magical healing, and this one is an incredible example of that trope. It's very grounded in science/anatomy, so anyone with a healthcare background may really enjoy this one!

Nhika is a character that you come to care deeply for and you root for her throughout the story as she desperately tries to find connection with the people who seemingly see her as just a means to an end.

Kochin is a character that you want to hate, but wind up feeling empathy for. He is intelligent, caring and charming - when he wants to be.

No Spoilers BUT I will say - THAT ENDING! I did not see that coming and I will be marking my calendar as soon as there is a release date for the 2nd installment of this spectacular duology!

#NetGalley #LastBloodcarver

This book was excellent. I flew through it without even realizing it, and I love when I'm so immersed and interested that this happens. It takes on difficult subjects and complex characters, while weaving in a mystery and believable relationships. I thought I knew where the story was going in the beginning, and wasn't sure I'd be that interested, but I was quickly proven wrong! As someone with a degree and background in the medical field, I loved the descriptive anatomy and physiology terms and explanations throughout the book. The author brought these elements into the story without making it difficult to read or pretentious. This is 4.5 stars rounded up, because the ending let me down some -- but I'll definitely pick up the second book to see what happens!

The audio: The narrator was very good! The book wasn't written in a way that the narrator needed to showcase a wide range of "style," aside from talking more animatedly/quickly during some action scenes, (not a critique on the book or narrator, just my opinion), I did miss that sometimes though. I loved that the narrator spoke clearly and confidently with an even cadence. The audio quality was excellent as always.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

Le artfully introduces herself to readers with this phenomenal debut YA fantasy. This book gives a strong science punch - very centered on eastern medicine vs western medicine philosophies. We navigate new medical information along with our heroine, Nhika. There is a strong us vs them theme played out in different ways (examples I noticed: otherism, colonialism, classism, diaspora). Found family vibes are also easily felt. The ending is magically suspenseful, and big sacrifices have to be made. This is a duology; so anticipate a push off the edge type cliffhanger. I enjoyed the hell out of this book and can’t wait for the conclusion.

An observation: I do think some scientific advancements occur in a peculiar order throughout this story (example: successful animatron bots before in-depth knowledge of human anatomy). It doesn’t hurt the story but did have me scratching my head.

The narration of the audiobook was successful. I have no real complaints of the delivered performance - well done. I do think there may have been a missed opportunity to add a touch of cultural inflection into the accents/dialects of the characters. Basically, I didn’t know the real world cultural influences on this story until I dug further on my own. The narration could have provided a bit more of that info if desired by production.

audiobook ARC - thank you netgalley, Vanessa Le, and Macmillian audio

This year has been full of fantastic debuts and The last bloodcarver was no exception!! I loved this YA fantasy steeped in Vietnamese mythology and a unique medical magical healing system that sees two of the last heartsooths banding together to fight an evil doctor who wants to use their power for his own ends. Action packed with great dialogue and a killer romance, I can't wait to see how this duology ends. It was also amazing on audio narrated by VyVy Nguyen. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!

Author: Vanessa Le
Title: The Last Bloodcarver

Summary: A young girl who, from the outside world, is seen as a monster. Nhika has the ability to heal living things. She can feel their ailments with her touch and uses her power to heal them. She is captured by the Butchers and sold as a rare commodity to a wealthy family. That is where the story unfolds and propels Nhika into a web of mystery.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
The pacing, character development, and persistent female lead differ from a traditional ya fantasy book. Nhika is a fighter who uses knowledge and opportunity to outwit her foes.

I enjoyed Nhika's depth and character development. She was not a weak character that needed saving. She used the knowledge her mother and family taught her to stay safe. Her reflections on the knowledge her family instilled show that she was loved and cared for. It was the memory of her family that gave her the strength. She was determined to be something and never give up. Her voice is appropriate for her age and experiences. I like that she is the storyteller, so I feel and experience her throughout the book.

The story was gripping from the beginning and fast-paced as a rollercoaster. I never felt the pacing was too slow. The book addresses stereotypes, classism, and the discrimination of Nhika's people. She navigates this world as best she can. I also enjoyed the flushed-out and realized anatomy information she needed to learn to use her power. The author's authenticity of the storyline was done well and showed the commitment to their research. Nhika's anatomy learning allowed her to hone her craft and build a stronger bond with her abilities. She was selfless and loved to create a better world.

Verdict on the book: I loved the story's originality and felt I got a glimpse into a Vietnamese fantasy world that was new to me. I highly recommend this book to ya and anyone who enjoys fantasy.

This is my honest review based on an ARC copy of the audiobook from Netgalley and MacMillian. Thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

The Last Bloodcarver was a vibrant, refreshing fantasy story based on Vietnamese lore. I wasn't sure what exactly to expect from this one, but it delivered. As a bioengineer and fantasy-lover, this was the perfect cross between human anatomy and physiology and healing magic. I highly recommend to any readers intrigued by the amazing intersection of soul and body. Can't wait to see what Vanessa Le comes up with next!

Thank you Netgalley and Roaring Brook Press for granting me the audiobook ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Last Bloodcarver is a thrilling, refreshing story filled with rich Vietnamese culture that will sweep you off your feet. It blends fantasy and magic with modern technology and medicine. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights and Cinder!

Before diving into this review, I want to preface this by mentioning that this was the first time I tried an audiobook for a new read. I usually do audiobooks for rereads when I’m already familiar with the story. The reason for this is that my mind tends to wander while listening and I miss parts like descriptions or world-building details. Also hearing things makes me remember less than when I read them. That being said, I think this listening to a new book went surprisingly well and I was very much enjoying the story and my brain wandered off very few times.

The writing was a pleasant balance between descriptive prose and flowing dialogues. It never felt like you'd been reading descriptions too long and the dialogues never felt forced or awkward. It all flowed very smoothly and I enjoyed that natural flow as it made for an easy read.

The main character, Nhika, was quick-witted and headstrong and I enjoyed following the story through her eyes. She was a dare-devil who knew how to use her brain while keeping her empathy.
I liked discovering the different sides of Kochin, the love interest, and loved his dark, alluring rival vibe at the beginning. I enjoyed reading their witty dialogues as they bickered together and enjoyed it more when they slowly started to open up to each other.

I was especially enthralled with the creative blend of magic and modern medicine. It was so intriguing to read about and it worked so well in the story. It was something unique and refreshing I hadn’t yet read before. It was this and the promise of the Vietnamese-inspired world that sold me for this book. I've been really loving reading all types of Asian-inspired fantasy books and learning more about the different cultures through reading my favorite genre and this one did not disappoint.

The plot was a thrilling combination of murder mystery and doctor's drama. (Thing Grey's Anatomy but add murder and magic) (no I have not seen Grey's Anatomy but I imagine it fits the bill). I don't want to give away too much else about the plot except THAT ENDING. I was listening to the ending at work and I just sat there behind my computer, completely frozen in shock as I listened on because I could NOT believe what I was hearing. It definitely makes me curious to see how this will continue in the sequel.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I think it's a refreshing entry into the YA fantasy genre that will appeal to many readers. A solid debut that ticks all the YA boxes for you to enjoy. For sure one to keep your eye on when it comes out on March 19th!

Let's get into this cover art! FREAKING AMAZING!!

I would like to thank Netgalley for the Audio-ARC of this book in exchange for my voluntary, honest review.

Nhika believes she is the last of her kind. Orphaned at a young age, Nhika uses her special gift of heart soothing to survive. An unfortunate turn of events finds her on an auction block and sold to a wealthy family. Upon her arrival to the estate, she learns that she is expected to heal a person suspected to have important clues to solve the murder of the founder of Cogmi Industries.

During her time with the Cogmi family, she finds herself in the throws of a possible budding romance and at the forefront of uncovered family secrets.

Does she solve the murder? Is she truly the last of her kind? What secrets does she uncover?

The narrator of this book did a phenomenal job of translating the feeling of the characters. Her vocal inflections were perfectly placed, keeping the flow of the story rolling along. It helps that the book was written very well. This is the first time I have read from this author, but it will not be my last.

This was better than I was expecting! I love the way that our FMC stuck with her fellow bloodcarver til the end as soon as she found out who he was. The one thing I will say is it felt a bit insta-love, which I understand because he’s the first one like her she’s ever met, but it feels rushed to me. I LOVED that she actually died for him- somewhere a lot of YA authors don’t go- but I didn’t quite think they were close enough for her to die for him. Or him for her. But putting that aside I really enjoyed this, and it was excellently narrated.

This book was fantastic. I loved the world and the characters. I cannot wait for the next one! This book was not as dark as the cover would have led me to believe, ultimately I found it action packed with just the right amount of mystery and lots of love for the characters.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

This book truly exceeded all my expectations! It had such a unique magic system - magic based in science and physiology. Nhika, the FMC, is “the last bloodcarver”, or so she thinks. This gives her the ability to enter a person’s anatomy through touch - which can be either healing or damning, depending on her intents. This power is also referred to her “empathy organ” and “heart soothing”.

Given the myths surrounding bloodcarvers, she has been in hiding, until one day she is caught and sold off to the highest bidder - which happens to be the daughter of a very high ranking man who was recently deceased. Nhika is enlisted to help heal their driver, who survived the incident leading to their father’s death, and was the only witness to what may have been a murder.

The damage is deep in the brain, which Nhika is unfamiliar with, so she must spend her time working with the family to learn everything she can about the brains anatomy to help heal their driver and friend. Along the way, she encounters the family doctor and uncle, as well as his assistant, Ven Cocine, both of which offer unique opportunities to Nhika - a job opportunity, and a potential love interest.

Nhika is soon realizing that things are not as they seem and something dark is unfolding - along with the realization that she may not actually be the last remaining bloodcarver.

The ending was shocking - I did not realize it was duology until I came to write my review, and thank god for that! Very excited to see where this goes in the sequel.

This was a great fantasy read and the narrator did a fantastic job at keeping me engaged. Definitely recommend!

This young adult fantasy was a unique story. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job. My only struggle with the audiobook was that I needed to know what happens next and audio is my slowest modality for finishing a book. I liked the world building quite a bit. I love when there is a new slant to a fantasy world and this one had it. In a world of blossoming technology there once was an island of people called Heart Soothes who could heal with a touch. But their enemies grew afraid of them and called them Bloodcaver. Those people were murdered in an attempt to steal their abilities. Nhika’s family escaped but since her grandmother and parents died she has been the only Heart Soother she knows. After using her forbidden abilities to save one of her sham holistic medicine clients who would have died without her help she is repaid by being hunted by black marker traders who grab her and put her up for auction. Terrified of what would happen, since it is believed eating the heart of one of her people grants the eater the abilities, she is determined to escape. She is purchased by a teenage girl who she finds to be from of one of the richest families in the land. The girl and her family ask for her help healing a man who is in a coma after an accident that killed their father. But this family has secret motivations and the upper class world she’s now exploring is full or secrets, lies, and pitfalls. I didn’t love the ending (or the cliffhanger I am assuming will result in another book) but it was well written and a fun and wild ride.

The Last Bloodcarver
Author: Vanessa Le
Dates read: 3/12-13/2024
Rating: 4/5
Review:

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this Audio Arc in exchange for an honest review!

When I say I need a YA rec, this is what I’m looking for. I was connected to the characters and I was invested in the story till the very end. The world-building and magic system were described beautifully. We have elements of classism and depictions of the southeast Asian diaspora. We have loss. We have yearning. We have perseverance. Also, the romantic subplot made my little hopeless romantic heart flutter.✨ Overall beautifully written and well executed.

The Last Bloodcarver was an amazing audiobook. The narrator was great, her annunciation was awesome I could understand everything she said even at a 2.5x speed and that is great since I love to listen to my audiobooks on a faster speed.The narrator set a great tone for the book it was really enjoyable. The Last Bloodcarver is such a ride it made me laugh, made me cry, and the ending left me wanting more. Definitely give this book a listen.

I've been intrigued by The Last Bloodcarver mostly by the title alone, and didn't read much on it besides that and the pretty cover. What I got was a contemporary fantasy tale with a magic system that integrated the practice of medicine, and a fast paced plot with an intriguing protagonist.

I'm not going to lie, my favorite part of this book is the world building and magic system. This takes place in a modern world influenced by Vietnamese culture, and I love the contrast between modern science and ancient practices, which was a common theme explored throughout the book. It's also about what happens when a culture is wiped out by dominant power hungry empires and that it's not a good thing, as well as consequences of when one is forced into another culture because theirs is gone. Though it did feel like some things were brought up without much payoff, but I figured it's likely for the next book. Also, the magic system, which was heart soothing, aka blood carving (the more derogatory term), is all based on altering the human body, like a robot surgeon in a sense. There's lots of medical terminology and it goes super detailed, which is great for those that are interested in this kind of stuff. So if you're squeamish about medical stuff like blood and body parts, then this might not be the right book for you.

Nhika (pronounced like Mika) was interesting to follow as she goes from being on the run to the next job, learning about the world and herself along the way. In the end, she uses her heart soothing to get by by helping others, and feels it's the last thing that connects her to her heritage and doesn't want to taint it, and I like how it deep dives into this concept. While some of her choices I did question at first, when looking back, I understood why she did what she did as she's about day to day survival in a land that at best dislikes someone like her. I also enjoyed the connections she makes throughout the story, and the other characters, with most of them having some hidden part of themselves that had to be unraveled throughout this mystery setup, as well as exploring hierarchy. The romance was fine enough.

Though I was quite surprised that it ended the way it did, though I assume the sequel will tie up some smaller loose ends.

The narrator, VyVy Nguyen, has an energetic voice, which was a change of pace from a lot of narration, kept me engaged with the descriptive prose and

I'm looking forward to His Mortal Desire, but please don't read the sales copy until you finish this book, you'll be spoiled. Either way, looking forward to more of Vanessa Le's work!

I want to thank Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a free arc of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Content Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, blood, injury, gore, medical trauma, the use of weapons, and kidnapping.

This book had a ton of the trappings of what I love in a dark fantasy novel. It was well written without being overly flowery in language. It was easy to follow. The characters were interesting. I found the premise intriguing and the fast-paced plot kept me entertained. What set this book apart for me was the setting and atmosphere of the world in which the story took place. I was captivated by this city with its old-world high society classism, and polite smiles hiding mistrust, treachery, and unwarranted fears of the “foreign” or “unknown,” all of which were juxtaposed with futuristic automatons and medical advancements. The influence of Vietnamese mythology on this book kept it from falling too far into the cliches of steampunk but still managed to capture the duality of future tech and antiquated society that most punk-type genres aim for. Along with the protagonist’s modern sense of justice, a mystery plot to solve, and the beautiful lore-rich magic system, this was almost a 5-star read for me.

My only critiques are with some of the interpersonal relationships between the characters. I liked the characters themselves, but some of the dynamics that the heroine had with them just didn’t feel grounded enough for me. The main romance had a great “rivals to lovers” style build-up in the first half, but it felt very rushed after the characters made their first major turning point. The payoff was lessened for me by the way it kind of felt underdeveloped. That being said, this is the first in a duology, so the second may alleviate some of that tension for readers.

Our protagonist’s relationships with her employers also felt underdeveloped. There was a lot of tension about whether or not they were ever going to give her their trust, but I had hoped that tension would feel a little bit more resolved. Their reticence was believable and even sometimes understandable, but I grew more frustrated as the narrative went on that the tension there was neither escalating nor dispersing. It plateaued the plot momentum a bit for me.

The narration of the audiobook was well done. I tend to prefer audiobooks because I sometimes struggle to sit still without anything to occupy my hands. Listening to an audiobook while playing an idle game or doing a craft project is my ideal. Sometimes if a narrator's voice is too monotone or they don’t pause for punctuation. I can struggle to keep focused on the story. I didn’t have that problem at all with this text. However, I did listen to it on 1.5x speed, as the regular narration speed was just a little too slow for me (but I almost always have to speed up narrations, so that’s not really a complaint). I thought the narrator’s voice was a perfect fit for the characters and I never had any trouble discerning which character was speaking.
I rated this book 4.5 stars on Storygraph, and 4 stars on Goodreads. In the system that I use for my reading statistics, I rated “The Last Bonecarver” as 8.9 out of 10.

With that rating, I would recommend this book to readers who love fantasy stories with fast-paced mystery plots, magical adventures, and dark themes.

If that sounds like you, “The Last Bonecarver” by Vanessa Le will be officially published in just a few days– March 19, 2024– so add it to your TBR or order it now.

It’s been a minute since I’ve read YA fantasy, but Vanessa Le’s The Last Bloodcarver was a fun reintroduction to the genre! The book follows Nhika, a master of “heartsoothing” (a healing practice passed down from her ancestors), also known by the more derogatory name of bloodcarving. Most of the fantasy elements are built around this practice, which involves the protagonist entering the body of her patient via touch in order to heal their ailments. Nhika’s powers are either feared or taken advantage of, primarily due to racism and classism within her world. When Nhika is hired by a well renowned family to help heal a patient (and in doing so, solve a mystery), she finds herself navigating a new social world that is simultaneously intoxicating, inviting, and potentially dangerous.

What I enjoyed:
- The fantasy world that Le has built is unlike any that I’ve read before, and it was easy to get swept up in the fast-paced story.
- I appreciate that while this book is marketed for young adults, I also think the content could absolutely be appropriate for a middle grade library (pending teacher/parent judgment). I’ve already recommended the book to a few of my students whom I believe would appreciate the story and the medical/scientific aspects of the novel.
- The ending took me by surprise, and I actually really enjoyed the direction that Le chose to take the story.

What didn't quite work for me:
- The romance element was sweet, but it felt a little rushed. I wish it had been developed out a bit more.
- Le can get a little in the weeds with medical terminology; at times, it felt like she was showing off her own medical knowledge in a way that didn't seem to advance the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my advanced listener copy!