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booknerdery's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Violence, Colonisation, Child death, Body horror, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Death, Gore, and Gun violence
Moderate: Animal death and Cancer
betweentheshelves's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one actually surprised me! I thought it was going to be darker than it was. There are darker elements, but it wasn't nearly as bloody or graphic as the cover makes it seem. The magic system was actually really interesting; I like how it sort of tied to science and anatomy.
The characters were also really well done. Nhika is such a complicated main character, as are the Congmis and Kochin. Just when you think you might have the plot figured out, Le throws a wrench into things. It hooked me until the end, and I can't wait to read the next one!
The characters were also really well done. Nhika is such a complicated main character, as are the Congmis and Kochin. Just when you think you might have the plot figured out, Le throws a wrench into things. It hooked me until the end, and I can't wait to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal death, Child death, and Cannibalism
linhsreadinghour's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Finally a fantasy book inspired by Vietnamese culture and written by a Vietnamese author.
I loved this, the representation and worldbuilding was so easy to understand. It was great to see my culture represented in a fantasy world, I loved it. Very apt homage to Vietnamese culture in so many ways.
Inspired by Vietnamese culture, this book has such a unique medical/biological magic system, murder mystery, tension and small romance subplot. It’s underpinned by themes of continuing one’s family legacy and identity.
I enjoyed this so much, a great YA fantasy novel. I was gripped and intrigued throughout the story. Need the second book soon because cliffhanger is HANGING 😫
Check TW warnings though, lots of medical content - if you’re squeamish, take care reading this!
I loved this, the representation and worldbuilding was so easy to understand. It was great to see my culture represented in a fantasy world, I loved it. Very apt homage to Vietnamese culture in so many ways.
Inspired by Vietnamese culture, this book has such a unique medical/biological magic system, murder mystery, tension and small romance subplot. It’s underpinned by themes of continuing one’s family legacy and identity.
I enjoyed this so much, a great YA fantasy novel. I was gripped and intrigued throughout the story. Need the second book soon because cliffhanger is HANGING 😫
Check TW warnings though, lots of medical content - if you’re squeamish, take care reading this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Medical content, Child death, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Murder, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Car accident, Colonisation, and Grief
roseleebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really liked this book. Nhika is my favorite type of MC, someone doing what they have to to survive, but still holding to certain ideals. Her POV was really great to read.
The plot is part mystery/thriller, part medical drama in a fantasy setting and I am impressed by how well it all worked in this book. Kochin also was a great counter to Nhika. Their relationship does seem to develop and change very quickly, I was wishing there were more interactions between the two of them.
I would love to read another book in this world. The ending was phenomenal and the characters well developed. A great read!
The plot is part mystery/thriller, part medical drama in a fantasy setting and I am impressed by how well it all worked in this book. Kochin also was a great counter to Nhika. Their relationship does seem to develop and change very quickly, I was wishing there were more interactions between the two of them.
I would love to read another book in this world. The ending was phenomenal and the characters well developed. A great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Murder, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, Xenophobia, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Genocide, and Gun violence
actual_hobbit's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy!
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 my jaw drop!
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 my jaw drop!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Medical content, Hate crime, and Torture
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Death, Child death, and Racism
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A thoroughly insatiable, dark YA fantasy that merges science, magic and Vietnamese culture in such a unique way! The tone is a little macabre (which is to be expected with a blood-based magic system.) But, thanks to the pacing and unputdownable plot twists, Vanessa Le’s remarkable prose is almost guaranteed to leave you breathless, if not a little emotionally scarred.
In a world where a rare, blood based magic allows its practitioners to alter the human body, (and the fear of such power leading to colonisation, oppression and the mass genocide of those who wield this unique ability.) We follow the orphaned Nhika, who has lived in hiding her whole life; unable to get close to anyone for fear of ending up on a mortuary slab.
After a job leads to her capture by black market dealers (known as The Butchers) Nhika is sold to the highest bidder, (the heirs of one of the wealthiest families in Theumas) and finds herself set an impossible task— to help solve a murder, by saving the life of it’s only witness.
I absolutely loved reading this was soo impressed by the ease and skill with which Le tackles some of the plot’s heavier themes (identity, grief, generational trauma, medical ethics and colonialism.) And building a vivid, compelling and character driven narrative that I was fully invested in.
The characters were exceptionally well written and full of depth which had me eager to see where their journeys would take them. Especially Nhika whose initial, morally grey demeanour (and badass take no prisoners outlook) slowly reveals a compassionate and tender-hearted young woman determined to honour her family’s legacy.
Her experiences as part of the Yarongese diaspora was explored with such incredible nuance and emotion that really tugged on my heartstrings. Given what’s currently happening right now in the world, it’s hard not to resonate with Nhika’s story and her yearning to recapture the heritage lost through violent occupation (and the destruction of her ancestral homeland and it’s people.)
It may be a tough read for some (and will most certainly emotionally devastate you) but it’s an absolute must read that fantasy lovers and fans of anti-colonialism and stories that overcome adversity should definitely consider to checking out — just be sure to check TWs and prepare to SOB an unprecedented amount.
We do also get a delicious, but fairly swift, enemies to lovers-style relationship between Nhika and love interest, Kochin (which I loved) that does break up some of the more emotionally intense scenes.
Overall, a beautifully thrilling new YA fantasy from a phenomenal new voice that has me eager to get my hands on the sequel immediately!
Also, a huge thank you to Rock the Boat for the gorgeous proof.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Murder, Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child death, Animal death, and War
thebookkeepers's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was riveting and impossible to put down. The mechanical and steampunk elements reminded me of Cinder as well as some Frankenstein retellings I’ve read, especially with the medical focused magic system. Some other books this reminded me of was The Poppy War (colonialism) and Belladonna (murder mystery). While I could see different elements that reminded me of a lot of my other favorite books, this story felt fresh and original all on its own with the world.
I always enjoy a magic system that comes with a cost to the user like this one did and is one of the many reasons I loved the magic & world building. A few plot reveals I was able to predict but not in an overly apparent way. The ending was wild and definitely increased my overall rating. I don’t necessarily love what the epilogue suggested…but I’ll still read book 2 to see what comes next.
This book does contain blood - think surgery, medical, and gun violence scenes.
LGBTQ + rep: male/male relationship with side characters
I always enjoy a magic system that comes with a cost to the user like this one did and is one of the many reasons I loved the magic & world building. A few plot reveals I was able to predict but not in an overly apparent way. The ending was wild and definitely increased my overall rating. I don’t necessarily love what the epilogue suggested…but I’ll still read book 2 to see what comes next.
This book does contain blood - think surgery, medical, and gun violence scenes.
LGBTQ + rep: male/male relationship with side characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Gore, Death of parent, Torture, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child death and Animal death
Minor: Cannibalism
devynreadsnovels's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Genocide, Classism, Colonisation, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Violence, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Physical abuse, War, Gore, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, and Emotional abuse
literarycavy's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Animal death, Medical content, Blood, and Confinement
Moderate: Murder and Trafficking
Minor: Child death
shimmeringice's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
One of the coolest depictions of blood magic I've ever read, set in vaguely 1920s steampunk-y SE Asia. I wish I loved the characters and their relationships more, but this was an incredibly solid debut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Trafficking
Moderate: Colonisation, Death of parent, Child death, Chronic illness, and Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, and Animal death
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