A wonderfully powerful fantasy adventure set in a Vietnamese inspired works, where science and magic co-exists. A slow start that picks up pace - I'm definitely intrigued to read more in this duology.

I have really been in the mood to read some fantasy but maybe in my excitement, I raised my expectations too high.
I liked this book. I found that it was very slow to start.
The world building was fantastic! This was a science and technology focused world that feared mystical gifts or anything that couldn't be explained. I liked that there were various districts and seeing Nhika basically rise from the bottom to the world of the aristocracy.
The magic system was so interesting, it felt fresh as I don't think I've read about this type of magic before. I enjoyed knowing the limits and the risks, and the little nuggets of history were fun.
I didn't love the characters. Nhika was the classic 'last of her kind, orphan, impoverished' main character. She was witty and had some fun dialogue though. Everyone else kind of felt one dimensional and I didn't overly care.
The twist was really obvious and I was hoping that it was going to be different because after the reveal, the book became really predictable for me.
However, this book was a YA book and I'm not the target audience. It was an enjoyable read but I don't think I'll be reading the second book. Or maybe I will, who knows
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le is a powerful debut YA fantasy, the first in a planned duology , set in a Vietnamese inspired world where science and magic co exist.
Nikha is a Bloodcarver, or as her people call themselves a Heartsoothe, a person with magical abilities to heal or harm with just a touch as her magic works on human biology. Her people have been hunted down and outlawed, and she is the last of her kind, living on the edge of society and doing the best she can to understand her abilities with the limited training and information she was given as a child. Unfortunately her good luck runs out and she is captured and sold on the black market to the highest bidder, in this case the Congmi siblings ,scions of a wealthy family who want her to use her abilities to heal the only witness to their father's death. They suspect he was murdered, and if they are right and Nikha helps to uncover the truth they will all be in great danger, but she is tempted by the chance to learn more about her abilities. Digging deeper into the mystery will uncover several secrets and lead to great danger and adventure.
This was a fascinating story, I loved the setting and the world building, the blend of magic and an almost steampunk type of science with the incorporation of a medical aspect was fascinating. Nikha is a fantastic character, her kindness is demonstrated early in the book, but it was her stubbornness and snark once captured that made me really fall in love with her. There is a real complexity to her character that is demonstrated throughout the book, and she really is the heart of everything, The murder mystery component of the book is not its strongest element but it works well enough to keep the story moving along . Speaking of moving along the pace did slow a little in the middle of the book but once it picked up again it kept me hooked all the way to an ending that I suspect many readers will have issues with, but one that I thought had real emotional impact while promising interesting things to come in book two.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I was totally hooked from the outset of this book and though it did slow down a little bit it remained an intriguing read with danger and plot twists, and a lonely girl longing for family, to be part of something rather than battling every day for herself and her secret. It was hard to see how much Nikha missed her family, and the trauma of losing them, even more so with the danger she has to face alone from people who wish her harm for her gift - even those she helps. She deserves far more from life than she gets and she’s constantly brave in the face of adversity but it’s nice to see her able to build connections with others, however tenuous, and to find joy in using her gift. Her path certainly isn’t smooth sailing, and things really kick off at the end, so I’m intrigued to see where this series will go next.

Part fantasy, part silkpunk with all the richness of a Vietnemese culture, this was an enjoyable read!

The concept of a bloodcarver was wonderfully done and Le did an excellent job in describing the nature of how heart soothing/bloodcarving works. Each character was distinct in their own way and their dynamics My favourite scene was Nhika's short stint in prison where I got to see her witty nature. Nhika's journey in finding her identity, while also embarking on the mystery of what happened to her new patient, was well balanced in its execution.

I wish there was more description of the setting to evoke a clearer image of the surroundings and more development of Nhika and Kachin's romance, but in this book, the plot was really well wrapped up

This is a well-written Vietnam inspired dark YA fantasy. The FMC is an outcast bloodcarver/heartsooth, she is able to manipulate human biology with a simple touch. The magic system is great, the biology of the human body is well researched and vivid, this adds some gore and grit to the story too. I loved the murder mystery the FMC finds herself in. It’s an exciting read that deals with some bigger issues, such as, classism and generational trauma. It’s not all dark and gore though, there’s what I think is a quite sweet romance and found family which is always heartwarming. I feel this is YA done right and I look forward to the second book. 4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

I will admit I was sold on this book by the cover but what is inside the cover is also brilliant. I was intrigued by the Vietnamese inspired world and it didn't let me down. I also loved the steampunk elements too. It is not a genre I read much but when I do I love it

I requested The Last Bloodcarver on a whim having been intrigued by the premise and the fact I love Vietnamese inspired worlds. Vanessa Le has created a fantastic , steampunky world where districts are named for the zodiac, and automatons serve the rich. Struggling to scrape by and hide her Bloodcarving gift from the world is Nhika. Bloodcarvers are feared for their ability to carve and kill with a touch and when captured for profit by a superstitious client Nhika is auctioned off for a profit to the highest bidder.
She bought by the richest family in Theuman, to heal their father’s manservant so they can solve his murder. This brings her in to contact with the annoying and handsome assistant to the family’s doctor, Ven Kochin. As she learns to wield her gifts in new ways, tries to ignore Kochin’s attempts to undermine her new found happiness, and help her found family get to the bottom of the murder, Le tosses twists turns and revelations into the story that ends with devastating events setting the characters up for a dark and brutal sequel. I honestly can’t wait for the next book as it’s going to be mostly from Kochin’s POV and he’s such an interesting, trauma laden baby and I know Le is going to do such mean things to him and I want to protect him from himself! I hope we get to see more of the Congmis and loyal Trin and Hendon as well because i love the love and support they all have for each other and Nhika whose arc I am VERY intrigued to see play out.

Le blends science and magic seamlessly and her medical background really shows but it didn’t feel overwhelming as Nhika develops her skills and her scientific understanding at the same time.
The Last Bloodcarver is fun, thrilling debut of magic and murder and I look forward to more from Vanessa!

Thank you NetGalley and OneWorld Publications, for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a nice YA fantasy debut. Imperfect but I enjoyed reading it despite its flaws.

I have to mention the amazing cover, title and map!!

This all starts with the death of an important businessman, the founder of Cogmi Industries. Is his death an accident or an assassination?

Nhika is a girl with special powers, she can use them to heal or kill. She’s one of the only people left with these special abilities as most of the others were killed. She hides her abilities because people fear her kind.

Most of and the strength of this book is about her feeling different and lonely and guilty about not being able to save her mother and not being able to live up to her legacy. Her development throughout this story is great.

When someone she helped betrays her, she is soon caught, caged and sold as a rare good at the black market. She ends up at the Cogmi family who ask her to do something under false pretences. Unfortunately, not long after she finds out the truth and that making me expect exciting/interesting developments, the story starts dragging and repeating itself. I was so relieved when it picked up again about halfway. It was worth it to keep reading because the rest of the book had a nice flow and the ending was incredible.

There’s a nice budding romance in the second half and a fragile but important found family trope which I always love.

I loved the worldbuilding, which wasn't too complicated but felt like being fully immersed in a Chinese-inspired fantasy world in the middle of an industrial revolution. The main character was also well developed, with complex motivations I could really connect to.

The plot was fast-moving but allowed enough room for the characters to breathe. In fact, up until the epilogue, I would have given it at least 4, maybe 5 stars... but the final note was so pessimistic, quite at odds with the uplifting trajectory of the rest of the novel, and I found that disheartening.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a fantastic read, I was very surprised to hear this is a debut because it reads so well. As someone who loves to find a non-eurocentric fantasy read and someone who lived in Vietnam a decade ago, I was extra excited to read this book, It really didn't disappoint.

From the world-building, to the magic system, to the cool steampunk-esque automatons and the great cast of characters, I enjoyed every moment I spent in this world. The mix of magical and scientific schools of thought was so well done, and I loved the way the author described the act of bloodcarving (or heartsoothing). The FMC Nhika is relatable and easy to love - even when she acts out or makes mistakes, you understand exactly where she's coming from.

The romance subplot was sweet - it did feel a little rushed but I honestly found myself not caring because I was totally invested in the characters.

I recommend this to anyone who wants a slightly different spin on a YA fantasy, with plenty of mystery and intrigue.

The Last Bloodcarver is a debut novel that gripped my attention from the very first page and kept me captivated until the very end. It's a book you can easily read in a span of a few hours. What sets it apart from other young adult fantasy novels is its unique magic system, which is based on medicine. At first, as someone unfamiliar with medical terminology, I found Nhika's magic to be a bit confusing, but as the story progressed, it become a truly rewarding experience. With how intricate the magic system is, you can tell that the author’s degree in biology has undoubtedly influenced her writing.

The plot is incredibly striking and blends elements of fantasy, science, and murder mystery. It took some time to warm up to Nhika, the main character, but once I did, I wasn’t able to put the book down. Nhika is a captivating character to follow, and her snarky, clever personality kept entertained throughout the book. Nhika’s ultimate goal is to survive in a world that doesn't accept her, and the prejudice and dehumanization she faces as a heartsoother (or bloodcarver, as most people know them) is both saddening and authentic. The Last Bloodcarver is a dark book, particularly in the beginning, and the novel does not shy away from telling you the horrifying reality Nhika experiences, which only adds to the book's depth and emotional impact.

Some minor shortcomings I had with the book were that the pacing was a bit off and that the murder mystery was quite predictable. Since this is such a unique story, it is disappointing that the mystery aspect of the novel was obvious. Still, though, this book is a great debut from a new voice in fantasy that I'm sure many will love.

I'm looking forward to anything Vanessa Le writes in the future. She wrote such a unique and raw story, and I'm sure her next books will be just as good, if not better.

I requested this title after it received a starred review from either Kirkus or PW, and consequently my expectations were high. Unfortunately, while it was a solid debut I'm not sure it earned the star. There was a lot I really liked: great and unique worldbuilding and magic system; really rich, textured exploration of the diaspora experience from two different kinds of perspective; a deep and delicate exploration of theme, particularly as relating to the less obvious lingering effects of colonisation and cultural erasure. However, too many of the fundamental building blocks of the story (character, pacing, prose, the romance, oh my god the romance) felt underdeveloped for it to feel like a truly standout debut. The ending also soured the experience of the book for me, and knocked my overall rating down a good half star: while I don't object to that sort of ending in general, in this specific instance it didn't feel earned, particularly when neither the romance nor the romantic lead drew me in. Overall I reckon the author has a lot of potential and will probably be truly excellent in a few books' time, but I found this one a bit disappointing, particularly with that starred trade review.

3.5 stars rounded up, because there is a lot here to like, and I do want the book to succeed; I also think it will hit just right for a lot of its readerbase.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Rock The Boat for the eARC in exchange for my review!

I absolutely loved this. The steampunky world merging with the heartsoothers magic is superbly brought together in this murder mystery. Nhika is a feisty protagonist trying to work out her place and purpose in the world, having lost the love and support of her mother and grandmother at an early age. I thoroughly recommend this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I came across this title on NetGalley, I was really intrigued by the premise, the Vietnamese-inspired world, and how the sci-fi elements would look like, and I have to say that The Last Bloodcarver exceeded all my expectations and beyond. It is true to its audience (YA) and has a very exciting, original worldbuilding, but more than anything, it has a message filled with nuances and complex feelings that I find both necessary and mesmerizing.

The book is told by Nhika's perspective. Nhika is a bloodcarver, though her people call themselves as heartsooths. Nhika is truly ruthless and a no non-sense kind of character. She is a survivor who has hardened herself in order to go on living, a person who has lost touch with the essence of her heritage because the world has forced her to choose between that and survival. Nhika is a thrilling and interesting character because she's so self-aware, painfully so. She's curious but not enough to make wrong, senseless decisions based on that. She's practical and competent, which is my cryptonite in characters.

I loved how the author portrayed Nhika's complex feelings and how torn she is. We often see in fantasy "the last" etc and a mc who fights for survival, but The Last Bloodcarver is very different from all those novels because this one delves into the person's divided personality. Being a heartsooth is outlawed and seen as an evil, vile thing to be, and yet, others use them for their own purposes. And while Nhika embraces that part of her, she doesn't think she's worthy of it because she has tainted it with how she's used it so far, or rather, how her circumstances have forced her to use it. Her magic is an innate part of her, and yet, other characters will ask her to either stop using it to gain a better life or use it for their interests. But how do we stop being ourselves? How do we stop being the descendants of our ancestors? How do we forget our heritage and history? The author portrayed and reflected these themes so beautifully, so painfully. There's even a deep meaning into how they call themselves and how the world calls them, a correlation between the essence of what they are and how the world perceives them. Every detail has a nuance, a meaning, a context in this book, and it's honest. Brutally and heartbreakingly honest.

The author also explores being seen as "other" in a place that had welcomed refugees when the neighboring land was violently stolen and colonized by people who weren't satisfied with stealing their land but also wanted to annihilate them. And if that's not a timely theme, I don't know what is....

It is about been understood and been seen, and I felt for Nhika and Kochin so much. Two sides of the same coin. One who's never been understood and one who's been horrifyingly used. One who grew into this violent and brutal world and one who was thrown into it. One who revers their magic and one who's looking for their way back to it.

How the author weaves intriguing worldbuilding, different characters of all kinds of backgrounds, compelling voice, and important and heartbreaking themes is beyond me. I plead you to read this book.

This is no ordinary YA fantasy. If you want to read a book with a deeper meaning, honesty, and nuance, then you must read The Last Bloodcarver. I cannot wait for the sequel because that ending killed me!

*If you enjoyed the k-drama Gyeongseong Creature, you'll like this one!

This is the story of Nikha who has a dwindling talent for blood carving, she can save lives or take lives.

We follow her through a whodunit and her growth as she learns more about her talent.

this is a well written book that I absolutely loved. It was original and great to see different representation. Will be buying this once it's out and eagerly awaiting the sequel

The second I finished reading this I headed online to preorder it. I read this in two sittings and loved every moment of it. I laughed, cried and had my heartbreak just a little. The Last Bloodcarver is the first in a new duology that I already want to reread, get ready for your next obsession.

Gripping from page one, you'll fall in love with this set of characters, rooting for Nhika the entire time. Whilst the vivid world dazzles and feels lived in. The unique magic system is layered and the themes of legacy and diaspora are heartfelt and beautifully entwined.