In The Last Bloodcarver Nhika is the last of a group of healers called Heartsoothers that have the ability to manipulate a body through touch. Now feared and hunted as bloodcarvers, Nhika has to hide who she is while fighting her need to heal those in pain around her. When she is captured and purchased by a rich family trying to discover who killed their father she is thrust into a world of political intrigue and medical practices.

This story started out strong. Being able to heal through touch and the way that Nhika accomplished her healing was interesting to read about. The way that society had changed to prevent the 'threat' of bloodcarvers was also pretty well thought out. I will admit, the political and societal turn that the story took was not really my style and I did feel a bit like I was slogging through it. The story definitely picked up when they finally caught the trail of the murderer and by the end I was wondering WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?

Overall the story was well done. While some characters were left more surface than they should have been, the important characters felt more fleshed out. I enjoyed the environment that the story was told in, as well as the culture that you could feel throughout. While you were left with a few unanswered questions, there were definitely not enough to impact the story.

The Last Bloodcarver feels like a book written for a teen/YA audience. In an era where some adult readers sometimes put expectations on YA books catering to them, I think it’s important that young readers can find books that are for them.

Readers who are looking for a medical drama and murder mystery with fantasy elements will likely enjoy this one. We get to spend a lot of time watching Nhika explore her powers and think about the world she has grown up in. There is a lot of discussion about colonization and its impacts on folk magic and practices, which I think this generation of readers will find really interesting.

I picked this one up because of the cover and the blurb compared it to Cinder, which I absolutely loved. I don’t really understand the comparison with “mechanical wonders of Cinder,” but maybe I didn’t read the book closely enough. My expectations were set that there was going to be more of a focus on romance, and the romance felt very friends - to - more, which is not my favorite trope. The found family friendships were more strong, and I think it’s a mistake to market this as a romantasy. Likely, the next book will focus more on the romantic elements and it may make more sense then.

I was immediately drawn into this captivating world and found the premise intriguing. The world and the mysteries of the Bloodcarvers was so interesting to me. Nhika, the female main character, impressed me with her strength and determination to survive in a challenging world. The depiction of Butchers Row was particularly fascinating, offering insight into their operations. Ven, another character, quickly won me over with his enigmatic nature. He's the morally gray character that I just can't help but love. I can't wait to see where the story goes next!

Vyvy Nguyen, narration was outstanding! Her use of tones and inflections kept me engaged from start to finish. Loved it!!

I honestly didn’t know what I was expecting going into this novel. The synopsis of blood magic was honestly what pulled me in more than anything. I figured any author who can blend southeast Asian (specifically, Vietnamese) and blood magic together, makes the book a win in my eyes. I can honestly say, I was pleasantly surprised with the contents of the book — not that I expected it to be subpar in anyway.

I think one of the stronger aspects of the book is the magic system. I loved seeing the different takes on what bloodcarving/heartsoothing actually is. And to see it as a lost practice to what I’m sure was a beautiful culture due to colonialism is something I think a lot of BIPOC readers can empathize with. I loved learning about the give and takes with the magic system and to see how it could heal but also take away.

I really loved the world. It felt whole despite not having been in this world and having to build up the systems in place through Nhika’s eyes. I had trust that the author knew enough about the world they created and would explain the world through the character while trusting the reader to piece everything together.

I loved Nhika as a character. Her anger at the world she’s been put in, her heartache at the loss of her family and knowledge that she’s probably the last one in the world with her shared experiences, her longing to find a place where she belonged and felt whole. I loved seeing love for her people and her culture and magic. She was such a beautiful character and I love reading about characters who love who they are whole-heartedly in a world which tells them to do the exact opposite.

I will say the biggest issues I had with the book were pacing or rather the presentation of the plot and some of the side characters (though clearly, the issues weren’t so big enough for me to take my rating down a star or so). While I loved Trin, Andao, and Mimi, they did fall flat at points and I wish we got to see more of the relationships between Nhika and the trio develop more and in turn, develop the trio as characters more. Not sure how they’ll end up in second novel, but.I do hope they show up since they meant so much to Nhika. The pacing or presentation of the plot was also weird for me. In some instances, I did struggle to see how the plot was going to unfold and see where everything was going — though part of that could be due to me missing the foreshadowing.

Lastly: the ending. I knew something was going to happen, but not like THAT. The second book needs to be in my hands, like yesterday. But, I will wait as long as needed for Vanessa Le to put out something as beautiful as The Last Bloodcarver.

The Last Bloodcarver is the first in a two-book debut of a complex magic system wrapped in a mystery.

Going in I know a few things, one, a drop beautiful cover, two medical magic and third a murder mystery. Nhika is a bloodcarver and we soon learn about her magic which is so interesting. We are soon tossed into a murder mystery of the wealthiest district the opposite of her world of struggling from day to day.

I enjoyed all the characters, they are fun but for me, it was the mystery and world that kept me reading. I wasn't to see how things turned out and where the magic plotline was going.

I liked this book and will read the next book to see how things unfold. I also read that this book was inspired by Vietnam and I want more fantasy worlds inspired by more different countries that I feel don't get spotlighted enough.

A YA lust fantasy of medical magic, an unfolding mystery, and characters who fight for what they want.

I loved the blend of fantasy and technology – the setting had a little steampunk feel to it with all of the automatons and auto-carriages. I hope that we get to learn more about heartsoothing itself in book two – the history seems very diverse between the heartsooth schools. Two of them – Sixfold and Tenets, are basically summarized between Nhika and Kochin. I found the different ways Nhika and Kochin use their heartsoothing gift incredibly interesting and how each has its apparent limitations, as the two found out. The author packed a punch with the big feels regarding family, loss, generational trauma, and so much more. Nhika and Kochin’s grief leaps off of the page and buries itself inside your heart.

"But there were days, moments, little things to remind her all over again – an anatomical textbook, a family dinner, a fractured ring – and it would be as though she’d never healed at all. The grief would come with all its claws and teeth, and the scars her heartsoothing could not touch would rupture back into wounds."

I loved the Vietnam-inspired world that the author built, as well as the buildings and infrastructure of Theumas. I am excited about the possibility of reading more about Yarong but apprehensive since it is still occupied by Daltanny.

Vanessa Le really knows how to pack in an explosive ending – I saw part of it coming but was blindsided by Nhika’s act in the end. I’m so excited to see that book two, His Mortal Demise is slated for 2025. There is no doubt that I will be picking it up to see what is in store for Nhika and Kochin. A big thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press for the chance to read an arc of this lush and heartbreaking book via Netgalley. All opinions are my own. Rounded from 4.5 stars.

I loved the idea of this book, though for some reason it didn't grip me as I hoped. It was quite slow, and the mystery wasn't intriguing. Maybe not enough at stake.. Though the magic system was quite interesting and unique, as well as the cultural references through out the story.

I noticed that the second book is coming next year, but I'm not sure how invested I'm in following up with this duology. I thought the ending was enough for me. Maybe the slow burn, enemies to lovers will love this more.

Thank you to Fierce Reads and Macmillan Audio for my review copies. All Opinions are my own.

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!