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jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Oh. My. Gosh. WHAT an ending!
First, I will say that the culprit is not hard to guess, which brings my rating down to a 4.5 overall. There really aren't any red herrings, but I'm also grateful the author doesn't try to add too much in solely for this purpose that could water down the plotline. Everything was kept very tight and character focused.
Nhika has such beguiling character growth. Where she starts versus what you experience with her at the end is sublime. The ending is powerful and beautiful. And a bit devastating...just saying.
The worldbuilding is captivating. Warring colonizers have overtaken Nhika's homeland before she was born and almost entirely eradicated her people and heritage. She learned from her grandmother before her death. Despite its derision in society, Nhika's gift is the heal, and its something she's compelled to do despite the dangers. She is known as a heartsooth by her people, but in the country she lives, she's called a bloodcarver.
There are some techno aspects/perhaps an angling towards steampunk? The wealthy own automations that perform menial tasks, and newly-developed medical technology has started being used. Medical techniques like organ transplantation are just being tested. Meanwhile, Nhika also sees her gift as a science also and sees the body by its components as she heals.
I will say, the book gets dark and gruesome. But its done solely for the purpose of the story. However, this is somewhat off-set by the beauty of Nhika's gift.
Overall, I could not put this book down. I loved the character of Nhika. I see there's a sequel coming, which I worry will take away some of the power of the ending of this book. But we'll see! The author is talented at complex worlds, intermingling science and fantasy, and engaging characters so I'd definitely read more!
First, I will say that the culprit is not hard to guess, which brings my rating down to a 4.5 overall. There really aren't any red herrings, but I'm also grateful the author doesn't try to add too much in solely for this purpose that could water down the plotline. Everything was kept very tight and character focused.
Nhika has such beguiling character growth. Where she starts versus what you experience with her at the end is sublime. The ending is powerful and beautiful. And a bit devastating...just saying.
The worldbuilding is captivating. Warring colonizers have overtaken Nhika's homeland before she was born and almost entirely eradicated her people and heritage. She learned from her grandmother before her death. Despite its derision in society, Nhika's gift is the heal, and its something she's compelled to do despite the dangers. She is known as a heartsooth by her people, but in the country she lives, she's called a bloodcarver.
There are some techno aspects/perhaps an angling towards steampunk? The wealthy own automations that perform menial tasks, and newly-developed medical technology has started being used. Medical techniques like organ transplantation are just being tested. Meanwhile, Nhika also sees her gift as a science also and sees the body by its components as she heals.
I will say, the book gets dark and gruesome. But its done solely for the purpose of the story. However, this is somewhat off-set by the beauty of Nhika's gift.
Overall, I could not put this book down. I loved the character of Nhika. I see there's a sequel coming, which I worry will take away some of the power of the ending of this book. But we'll see! The author is talented at complex worlds, intermingling science and fantasy, and engaging characters so I'd definitely read more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma
Moderate: Death of parent
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
allisonisabel's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
A sweeping debut that blends magic, science, and familial ancestry in a Vietnam inspired fantasy world, The Last Bloodcarver is definitely worth the read.
By far, my favorite part of this book was the magic system. The way in which medicine is blended with magic is so fascinating and truly so so creative in a way I haven’t seen in a long time. I may be biased as I’m a pre-med student but it was still so cool. The pages long descriptions of Heartsoothing and the intimate connection with the body were gripping and engaging to read. I also enjoyed the hints at a larger society, with mentions of a technocracy, automatons, and a looming war based around colonization. The line level writing was quite beautiful at times and I truly felt that Nhika’s character development was both realistic and well handled.
The plot provided a solid anchoring to carry you through the book, and I felt that in many parts, tension was adequately maintained, although I did guess what I’ll call one of two twists that are revealed about 60% through. That’s nothing against the author, however.
I think my only complaint lies in the development of the romantic relationship. I won’t spoil much, but the ending for me fell a bit flat as I did not fully believe in the relationship in relied on. I wish we could’ve seen more establishment of that. However, I did enjoy the development of platonic relationships although I also would’ve wished for a bit more set up from those. I also slightly wish we could’ve seen more about the world and the greater issues going on that I mentioned above.
All that is to say, this was a very good book. If you’re looking for a diverse fantasy that blends magic, medicine, and murder mystery in a technocratic society, then this book is perfect for you. I enjoyed it, and I hope you will too.
Thank you again to Netgalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
A sweeping debut that blends magic, science, and familial ancestry in a Vietnam inspired fantasy world, The Last Bloodcarver is definitely worth the read.
By far, my favorite part of this book was the magic system. The way in which medicine is blended with magic is so fascinating and truly so so creative in a way I haven’t seen in a long time. I may be biased as I’m a pre-med student but it was still so cool. The pages long descriptions of Heartsoothing and the intimate connection with the body were gripping and engaging to read. I also enjoyed the hints at a larger society, with mentions of a technocracy, automatons, and a looming war based around colonization. The line level writing was quite beautiful at times and I truly felt that Nhika’s character development was both realistic and well handled.
The plot provided a solid anchoring to carry you through the book, and I felt that in many parts, tension was adequately maintained, although I did guess what I’ll call one of two twists that are revealed about 60% through. That’s nothing against the author, however.
I think my only complaint lies in the development of the romantic relationship. I won’t spoil much, but the ending for me fell a bit flat as I did not fully believe in the relationship in relied on. I wish we could’ve seen more establishment of that. However, I did enjoy the development of platonic relationships although I also would’ve wished for a bit more set up from those. I also slightly wish we could’ve seen more about the world and the greater issues going on that I mentioned above.
All that is to say, this was a very good book. If you’re looking for a diverse fantasy that blends magic, medicine, and murder mystery in a technocratic society, then this book is perfect for you. I enjoyed it, and I hope you will too.
Thank you again to Netgalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Trafficking, Medical content, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Colonisation, Gore, and Car accident
Minor: Animal death
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