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A review by authorkristenelizabeth
The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
This is a 5 star read for me this month. Wow. Just wow. I don't want to spoil anything so I'm just going to gloss over my initial thoughts.
First, the world building is phenomenal. Theumas is such a strange place wrapped in science and technology with a hint (just a hint) of the fantastical. The lore of the Yarong and what it means to be a heartsooth/bloodcarver was so well done. Nhika may not have known everything from her ancestors, but the way that the minimal knowledge she did have wrapped into everything around her was done so well. I can't get enough of the world.
Characters I loved are obviously Nhika (she's my girl), Kochin, and Trin! The three of them are now in my brain forever. I really loved the blooming friendship between Trin and Nhika. They have a sort of comradery that comes from being on the other side of the rich folks - they know of the struggle and how life can get real. Kochin is my baby and I'll protect him at all costs - I love him so much it's insane. The way that he and Nhika get along - if you like enemies to lovers/slow burn, this is it right here. I totally understand where he comes from in all the mess.
The mystery of murder and mayhem throughout the story really amplifies the stakes. There were so many moments where I thought I had things figured out and then bam! Plot twist. It's such a great book - I want the sequel out asap so can continue with the storyline. It's so good!
First, the world building is phenomenal. Theumas is such a strange place wrapped in science and technology with a hint (just a hint) of the fantastical. The lore of the Yarong and what it means to be a heartsooth/bloodcarver was so well done. Nhika may not have known everything from her ancestors, but the way that the minimal knowledge she did have wrapped into everything around her was done so well. I can't get enough of the world.
Characters I loved are obviously Nhika (she's my girl), Kochin, and Trin! The three of them are now in my brain forever. I really loved the blooming friendship between Trin and Nhika. They have a sort of comradery that comes from being on the other side of the rich folks - they know of the struggle and how life can get real. Kochin is my baby and I'll protect him at all costs - I love him so much it's insane. The way that he and Nhika get along - if you like enemies to lovers/slow burn, this is it right here. I totally understand where he comes from in all the mess.
The mystery of murder and mayhem throughout the story really amplifies the stakes. There were so many moments where I thought I had things figured out and then bam! Plot twist. It's such a great book - I want the sequel out asap so can continue with the storyline. It's so good!