Thank you Roaring Brook Press for the gifted copy.
Nhika has the ability to alter human biology but rather than being praised as a healer, she’s scorned as a monster – a bloodcarver. After being captured and sold to the highest bidder, she finds herself tasked with healing the witness to the murder of an aristocratic family’s father. As she learns more about the investigation, the wealthy society she’s in, and the physician’s mysterious aide, Nhika must decide where her allegiance lies.
THE LAST BLOODCARVER was a fast-paced and engrossing YA fantasy full of magic, mystery, and romance. The worldbuilding was excellent and quickly pulled me into the fascinating magic system. Themes of identity, family, racism, classism, and generational trauma were explored in a way that was approachable for a YA audience yet still of interest to adult readers. The author’s bio states, “Her writing is an expression of her love for medicine and her Vietnamese heritage.” This truly shows through in this gripping story. As this is the first book of a duology, it ends on a cliffhanger, though I felt satisfied. I will absolutely be reading the second book, but if this was in fact a stand-alone, I’d be ok with how it wrapped up. If you enjoy fantasies, put this one on your TBR!
Nhika has the ability to alter human biology but rather than being praised as a healer, she’s scorned as a monster – a bloodcarver. After being captured and sold to the highest bidder, she finds herself tasked with healing the witness to the murder of an aristocratic family’s father. As she learns more about the investigation, the wealthy society she’s in, and the physician’s mysterious aide, Nhika must decide where her allegiance lies.
THE LAST BLOODCARVER was a fast-paced and engrossing YA fantasy full of magic, mystery, and romance. The worldbuilding was excellent and quickly pulled me into the fascinating magic system. Themes of identity, family, racism, classism, and generational trauma were explored in a way that was approachable for a YA audience yet still of interest to adult readers. The author’s bio states, “Her writing is an expression of her love for medicine and her Vietnamese heritage.” This truly shows through in this gripping story. As this is the first book of a duology, it ends on a cliffhanger, though I felt satisfied. I will absolutely be reading the second book, but if this was in fact a stand-alone, I’d be ok with how it wrapped up. If you enjoy fantasies, put this one on your TBR!