Tag: the last bloodcarver

Book Review: His Mortal Demise (The Last Bloodcarver #2) by Vanessa Le

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 391 pages
Author: Vanessa Le
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Release Date: March 18th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

These Violent Delights meets Divine Rivals in the explosive finale to The Last Bloodcarver duology — with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired romantasy world.

Kochin is a heartsooth — a rare being with the ability to heal any wound. Any wound, that is, except death.

Intent on defying nature and bringing Nhika back to life, Kochin keeps her body in a life-preserving casket and waits for a miracle. Stricken with grief and descending into madness, Kochin realizes the answer to his desperate quest can only lie in one place: Yarong, the lush yet battle-ridden island the first heartsooths called home.

Months later, Nhika wakes in a familiar manor-house, with Kochin nowhere to be found. As she traces his footsteps across Theumas, she discovers the haunting path he walked to bring her back, and a world changed by war.

When Kochin discovers the true and grisly way to resurrect a person from the grave, he must decide exactly how much he is willing to sacrifice, in order to reunite with the woman he loves…

Don’t miss this stunning dual-POV follow up to THE LAST BLOODCARVER, where morals will be tested, hearts pushed to the limit, and fates determined once and for all. Vanessa Le’s jaw-dropping sequel is a bloody and luscious spectacle to be devoured in one sitting.

THIS WAS UNIQUE.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a duology with this type of timeline for book two. And while at first, it threw me for a second, once I got ahold of what was happening I loved the journey and exploration of what can be twisted for the sake of someone you love.

I enjoyed seeing these characters again and even though I wouldn’t consider it a ROMANCE there are elements of that genre and it does end in satisfying happily ever after kind of way. The persistence and strength of Nhika and Kochin to find each other again was something to hold onto as the pages turned.

The audiobook has two narrators for the dual POV set-up and it made for a great listen. I would have loved a little more page time between our two leads but I think this is an underrated duology and look forward to future books from this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: The Last Bloodcarver (The Last Bloodcarver Duology #1) by Vanessa Le

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Author: Vanessa Le
Publisher: Roaring Books Press
Release Date: March 19th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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.

WOW, SO GOOD.

I had no expectations going into this and found myself wrapped up in a wonderful YA fantasy debut. I loved the combination of sci-fi + fantasy this showcased. It was also very heavily medically based and I’m the kind of person that loves that stuff.

The plot was steady and filled with plenty of highs and lows. I loved seeing Nihka grow into herself and trying to take the next best step. The mystery was great too and I love grand reveals.

There’s a slow burn romance that’s woven throughout with the right dash of rivals to lovers vibes. I loved that Nihka and Kochin got many chances to get to know one another and they really grew on me.

And the ENDING. I have no idea where things will go next but I’m very invested now and look forward to the next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very low
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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