As I delved into this captivating and thrilling novel, it became abundantly clear that this debut work would resonate with enthusiasts of the steampunk genre, particularly those drawn to the fusion of Asian culture. While there are romantic elements, they do not overshadow the central mystery. The romance is understated yet undeniably tender, evoking a sense of empathy for the characters. Crucially, it does not detract from the main plot, a quality I greatly appreciated. When the romance does unfold, it enhances the depth of the main plot, emerging as a necessary and poignant development. Upon reading the novel, some may question the coherence of certain passages. However, the narrative's brilliance becomes evident as one progresses through it.

The audiobook provided an exceptional listening experience, as the narrator's cadence brought the novel to life. I had the pleasure of both listening to the audio version and reading the ebook. While both formats were excellent, the audio version imparted a greater sense of vibrancy and immersion, enhancing the overall experience. It is worth noting that this level of excellence is not consistently achieved by narrators of other novels, even those by the same author.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me this digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

... how am I just supposed to go about my day after THAT ending?!

Oh, highly recommending this one because it was truly so good! I wasn't really in the mood for a murder mystery when I picked this up, not realizing that was the premise, but it very quickly knocked some sense back into me. Fierce Reads was right to advertise this one so much on my twitter timeline because it was so worth the read. This was a clever story with a fabulous cast of characters and an interesting magic system in a world of automatons and medical advancement. Please consider me absolutely on board for book two.

The Last Bloodcarver is a wonderfully original fantasy story centered around a murder mystery. The magic system of blood carving is well defined and described and I found it really worked with the story and characters Le created. I found the dynamic between the characters to be well written and believable, Nhika and Kochin make a great team and I'm hoping to see more of them together. I was a little upset by the ending until I realized it's a duology. Looking forward to diving back into this world.

4.5 stars
This book was so good! I hadn't heard anything about it and decided to request it from Netgalley solely because I liked the cover.
In this world, there is an almost extinct race of people called Bloodcarvers. They can change human biology by touch. Main character Nhika was taught to use this to heal, but people who are not Bloodcarvers think of them as monsters. They think Bloodcarvers are myths. Nhika is then captured and sold to cure the witness to these sibling's father's murder.
Nhika was a great character. I loved following along on her journey. She was so lonely after losing her family when the island of Bloodcarvers (or Heart Sooths as they call themselves) was taken over and a lot of people were killed. Her family managed to get out, but her father died at sea. Her mother and grandmother also died by the time she was 12. She wasn't super friendly and didn't believe anyone would ever like her for who she was since everyone was afraid of Bloodcarvers. The siblings that bought Nhika were great charaters. The girl's name was Mimi, but I will not try to spell the brother or bodyguard's names! They made a broken family as their father had just died. They hesitantly welcomed Nhika in after finally gaining her trust. Another character I liked was the physician's (the sibling's uncle) assistant Ven Kochin. He had great banter with Nhika.
The plot was very unique. I love it when fantasy books also include murder mysteries as a big part of the plot. The world building and magic system were easy to understand and follow. The book flowed from one part to the next very well. Everything felt like it was put there on purpose and nothing felt out of place or like filler. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. There were some things I guessed, but a lot I didn't. And the ending really took me by surprise. It was so good.
The audiobook narration was fantastic. The narrator really brought the characters and world to life and really kept my interest.

"The Last Bloodcarver” is an immersive and gripping tale of Nhika, a young woman grappling with her unique abilities amidst a world of fear and betrayal.

As the mystery surrounding the death of a prominent businessman unfolds, Nhika's journey of self-discovery and redemption is both poignant and captivating. I really enjoyed the extremely unique take on the 'magic system' (using that term loosely) in this book. This book delivered a captivating story throughout the entire book with a very satisfying conclusion, enriched by themes of identity and found family.

Overall, a very compelling read and would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys YA or NA fantasy!

What a fantastic start to a new duology. This fantasy world features MC Nhika, an outcast in society by all standards but mostly by her most kept secret- she is a Bloodcarver. As a bloodcarver, she has the power to heal, or harm, people by feeling their body systems.

What a great world the author develops; I enjoyed how the story unfolded, as tidbits of adventures were dropped throughout the story to keep the story moving. Nhika was such a great developed character, I wish a few other characters had reached her depth. The romance at the back of the story also left me wanting a little bit more of the beginning and a little less romance.
I wish I had requested the print version as the audio was a little too monotoned or too lacking for an emotional difference. But I look forward to the second one in future

really solid fantasy!

I really loved the writing style! The atmosphere of the book was great, it was really easy to visualize the characters and the world that was presented.

The narrator was fantastic I really enjoyed her style of narration.

it's a a more gruesome book with some gore in it so be sure to check out any triggers before reading this one!

I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me an audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Bloodcarver was such an incredible book. Nhika kept us on the edge of my seat with her back and forth of whether to heal a sick patient or not since her gift of "blood carving" is feared. This sets off a chain reaction where we are introduced to the blackmarket underground of the city, to slave traders, to a murder plot? I felt like I had whiplash from everything happening, and when the reveals started happening towards the end, it was absolutely horrifying.

A lot of the horrors we see stem around the human capacity for cruelty towards their fellow people, just because what they are or where they're from is considered beneath them. Which brings me to the themes discussed in this book such as medical ethics, the immediate distrust towards certain groups of people.based on their race (racism), and the age-old argument of science vs magic.

I found this book to be such a beautifully written piece, and couldn't help but fall in love with every character along the way.

The audiobook was great, the narrator and production was excellent, and I am looking forward to the next book in this duology. Oh, and the cliffhanger ending?? SERIOUSLY?! I NEED to see what happens!!

Actual Rating: 4.75 ☆

The Last Bloodcarver wasn't on my radar until a few weeks ago when I read the first few chapters. I was enthralled by the world and obsessed over wanting to read the rest of the story as soon as possible. The Last Bloodcarver is a Southeast Asian fantasy with medical-based magic, devoted friendships, and a rivals-to-lovers romance.

Nhika's an outsider in Theumas. Not only does she stand out by her skin, eyes, and hair, but she's one of the last bloodcarvers - magic users who can heal or harm someone by seeing and feeling their body systems. Bloodcarvers are sought out on the black market, used for their specialized skills, and often killed. Nhika never really feels safe or settled, even when those around her think she should. When a powerful family takes Nhika in, she knows there must be a catch. 

Holy moly, I loved this book. Nhika is such a powerful character, and the murder mystery that unravels throughout The Last Bloodcarver is incredible. The magic of the bloodcarvers is unlike anything I've ever read, and I loved that it was based on healing and a form of medicine. Nhika is also just trying to find her place in the world and see where she can belong with her gifts. Ven Kochin represents everything Nhika doesn't have; unlike Nhika, he fits in with the upper echelon of Theumas. Their rivals-to-lovers romance is so delightful, and slow-burn lovers will enjoy the journey. 

Final Thoughts:

The Last Bloodcarver is easily one of my favorite young adult books of the year so far. I can't wait for the second book in this duology, since it appears to have dual point-of-views. Hopefully, we see more of Ven Kochin, Nhika, and our trio of friends.

I listened to The Last Bloodcarver audiobook, which I highly recommend. From what I read of The Last Bloodcarver book, though, it is also beautiful. I recommend choosing the format that works best for you, your reading preferences, and quirks.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced listening copy! All the above thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed The Last Bloodcarver. When I first found this book I was so intrigued by it, it really sounded amazing and oh boy was it! If you are a fan of romance, magic, with a slight mystical feel then this book is for you. I think you don't have to be a young adult to thoroughly enjoy Nhika's adventures.
If I were to give anything back for this book, it wouldn't be the written portion of it as it was very well done, it would probably be the read sometimes was a struggle to listen to. I am not sure if it was the volume, or the way some of the words were pronounced but I did fine I needed to take frequent breaks when I really wanted to keep listening. It makes me wish I had gone for the non-audiobook version.

This is soundly a YA novel, even with some darker themes, so if you go into it expecting that, you'll enjoy it!

Nhika has been living a hard scrabble life after the loss of her family and culture. She gets by pretending to be a homeopathic healer, while she's actually a Heart Soothe, a person with the ability to connect with and heal, or harm, other's bodies.

Unfortunately there's quite the black market for Heart Soothes. People use them as weapons and some believe cannibalizing them will heal them of their ails and give them power. Most are afraid of Heart Soothes and call them Blood Carvers.

When Nhika is caught by those operating a black market, she's bought by an prestigious, wealthy family. They want her to heal an injured family member to uncover the truth of their father's death.

Along the way Nhika tries to find her place among the family, learn more about her culture and soothing, and determine a way forward for herself. However twisted plots based in desperation and the shocking discovery she's not alone throw a wrench in her plans.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this wonderful book. This was a fast listen with an interesting medical system, great characters, and beautiful descriptive language. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an interesting, a bit different fantasy. Can’t wait for the next book in this duology to find out how everything ends.

The Last Bloodcarver is an action packed on the edge of your seat type of book. The world building, characters, and plot are very well written and I was hooked the minute I started the book. Nhika, the protagonist, is a character to love along with the other main characters and the book is a perfect mix of fantasy, steampunk with just the right amount of romance sprinkled within.

As far as I’m concerned, Nhika is a perfectly constructed YA heroine and the magic system is nuanced yet believable. I cherished the opportunity to root for a well-developed fantasy hero that looks like me (Asian), which doesn’t come along too often. I especially loved how the author blended ideas of traditional and allopathic medicine without promoting one over the other, and instead used them to provide context to heartsoother practices. I will be following Vanessa Le for more like this!

VyVy Nguyen is delivers a clear narration with a youthful tone. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advance copy of audiobook.

Why haven’t I hear more about this book? It’s a hit!

Short Synopsis:
Nhika is a bloodcarver. She has the gift and magic to change human biology and anatomy with just one touch. She is seen as a monster with a dangerous power. But when a wealthy family purchases her power to heal she gets involved trying to solve a murder.

My Thoughts:
I was fully engrossed in this novel. It was dark, but filled with magic, science, found family and romance. The worldbuilding was excellent and I loved a good slow burn romance. Nhika was such a strong, female MC.

If you’re a fan of Kylie Lee Baker books, than you need this one in your life.

I did the audio for this one and loved the narration. The ending was excellent and I can’t wait to see where book two takes us!

What You’ll Find in this Book:
🐺 Blend of science and magic
🐺 Found Family
🐺 Enemies to lovers romance
🐺 Dark YA fantasy
🐺 Murder Mystery

OH MY GOD the ending 😭😭

This was an amazing read/listen. It hooked me from the beginning and kept me wanting more. I love Nhika, such a strong and smart character! She has an ability that makes her kind hunted down and sold to the black market. Regardless of what she’s been through she’s always looking out for someone else. It was written beautifully and the narration was good. The ending was completely unexpected

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the copy of this audiobook!

A Vietnam-inspired dark fantasy using medical technology?! YES PLEASE. As a biomedical engineer, I ADORED the medical aspect of this book and the magic system of bloodcarving and heartsoothing. This is such a unique story, blending ancestry and generational gifts with a technological society. The book vibes reminded me of another one of my favorites, THE SCARLET ALCHEMIST. Highly recommend this one for great magic, fun inclusion of anatomy & biology, some romance, some thrills, and quite an ending!

I loved this on audio, narrated by VyVy Nguyen!

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, author Vanessa Le, and NetGalley for providing me the ALC. This audiobook will be released on March 19, 2024.

Society calls her a “bloodcarver” and sees her as a monstrous murderer. Our heroine is part of an oppressed, hunted class of people. She still bravely uses her inherited magical abilities to heal. One day, an aristocratic family saves her from captivity only to bind her to their service. Nhika is ushered into the world of the rich and privileged and is tasked with solving a medical mystery. Along the way, she finds belonging.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a Vietnamese-infused fantasy! I loved the scientific, technical feel to the magic given its medical nature. There’s beauty in the writing, as we get to see through Nhika’s eyes and into her world of anatomy. I appreciated that while Nhika is strong and bucking the constraints of society, she never feels excessively combative, snarky, or bratty like so many fantasy female protagonists do.

I felt some distance from fmc. The narrative is plot-driven (not action-packed) and does not linger on the heroine’s inner life and emotionality. I would’ve liked more depth and nuance to the relationships and interactions. Perhaps that is why I also struggled to be wholly interested in the mystery reveals.

The Last Bloodcarver does what I like in YA fantasy, presenting a straightforward plot with a fun magic system. The broader worldbuilding is rather sparse, and I would love to learn more in the sequel.

NARRATION: VyVy Nguyen does a spectacular job with clear delivery and natural flow.

This book! This year I have been stingier with my 5 start ratings. This book absolutely deserves 5 stars. Not only was it a unique concept (bloodcarving), but it was quite the ride trying to figure out who was the "good guys" and who were the "bad guys". The culture of the bloodcarver people and family system was very rich and made me long for a place that doesn't exist. I was legitimately crying at the end of this book. If you like fantasy and thriller, you will love this book!