The Last Bloodcarver Vanessa Le 9780861547968

Nhika is a bloodcarver. She has the power to alter human biology - to heal or to harm with just a touch.

In the city of Theumas, she is seen as a monster that kills for pleasure. And in its criminal underworld, the rarest of monsters are traded for gold. When Nhika is inevitably captured and auctioned off to the highest bidder, she is tasked to heal the only witness to the murder of Theumas's most powerful and wealthy citizen.

As Nhika delves into the investigation, all signs point to Ven Kochin, an alluring yet entitled physician's aide intent on casting her out of his opulent world. But despite Kochin's relentless attempts to push her away, something draws Nhika to him. When she discovers he is not who he claims to be, Nhika finds herself facing a greater, more terrifying evil. Now she must fight for her life - and for the future of her kind.

Vanessa Le is a Vietnamese American author from the Pacific Northwest. She recently graduated from Brown University with a concentration in Health and Human Biology. She loves reading and writing stories about the Asian diasporic experience and high-concept magic systems. You can also find her gaming too much, drawing too little, or appeasing her two shiba inus.

'Brilliantly rendered. The Last Bloodcarver unfolds in gripping detail, following a mystery colored by its beautiful, destructive city. You'll gasp, you'll scream, you'll cry, and you'll be begging for the next book.' Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

'Has it all-a wonderfully unique magic system, heartfelt themes of legacy and diaspora, and obsession-worthy characters. I need more Nhika and Kochin now!' Joan He, New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find

'The perfect blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance, with a world that feels lived in and characters that come alive on the page. A unique and beautifully written novel - Le is a talent to watch!' Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

'The Last Bloodcarver is fantasy for the vicious, bloody and unrepentant, but fear not: in Nhika's journey, Le has crafted a story that is, in its heart, about her tender homecoming.' Em X. Liu, author of The Death I Gave Him

'Le skillfully brings to life a gritty world filled with a beautifully crafted cast and an intricate magic system I've never seen before. A smart, lush, and utterly compelling read.' Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of Legend

'Absolutely captivating... Le crafts a richly imagined fantasy world, filled with complex, nuanced characters and a magic system that feels brand new. This is one to be savored.' Grace D. Li, author of Portrait of a Thief