by Vanessa Le
ASIN/ISBN: 9781250881526
Publication: March 19, 2024

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DESCRIPTiON

The tantalizing romance of These Violent Delights meets the mechanical wonders of Cinder in The Last Bloodcarver, the first in a two-book debut – with a riveting medical magic system and lush Vietnam-inspired fantasy world.

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanessa Le graduated from Brown University with a degree in Health and Human Biology and now resides in the Pacific Northwest. Her writing is an expression of her love for medicine and her Vietnamese heritage. When not writing, she’s wishing she was writing, studying medicine, and/or spoiling her two Shiba Inus.

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5 REASONS WHY

YOU SHOULD READ THE LAST BLOODCARVER

1. The Magic

I was initially drawn into the story because of Nhika’s heartsoothing abilities. It’s magic but science is also a crucial component to Nhika’s abilities as these two seemingly opposing forces complement each other. It was nice to see that here although the potential dark side of each is highlighted.

2. The History and Setting

The world is Vietnam-inspired. It delves deep into creating a detailed history of Yarong and its occupation. Also, there are automatons.

3. The Mysteries

There is an alleged murder with multiple potential culprits who may have killed the wealthy patriarch. Then there’s Kochin, the doctor’s assistant. He is another mystery worthy of being unraveled with his hot and cold demeanor. Is he Nhika’s ally or is he out to get her?

4. The Representation

The varied experience of those of the diaspora are highlighted. The longing to better understand one’s culture and the legacy inherited is a prominent theme as Nhika struggles with being the last of her family.

5. The Ending

The last sentence of the book had me scrambling to find out when the sequel would be released and what exactly was going. Yes, I am eagerly waiting to get my hands on it because I need to know what happens.

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**Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours for allowing me to be part of the tour. Remember to check out the schedule and visit more posts. Also, thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with access to the book.**