Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen hides her magic in rich, intriguing, violent fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Nhika is THE LAST BLOODCARVER, the last of a people with the magical ability to heal or harm others by even the smallest of skin-to-skin contact. The society she lives in fears that ability, and anyone suspected of having it is hunted down. So Nhika has to keep her ability hidden, and barely gets by pretending to be a homeopathic healer. When she finds herself a guest of the wealthy industrialist Congmi family, she's forced to choose whether to heal or kill.
Is It Any Good?
This debut fantasy is intriguing, unique, and richly imagined. The Last Bloodcarver, Vol. 1 combines elements fantasy fans will love: a creative and believable system of magic, steampunk, colorful characters, mysterious characters, murder, and a vividly described world. It also gives readers food for thought about important topics like lost heritage at the hands of invaders, and even ethical issues surrounding medicine. Nhika is believable and easy to relate to as she struggles to find her way through her world. There are a few troublesome holes in the plot toward the end, but fans will look forward to the next volume after the stunning end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Last Bloodcarver. Is it too gory or scary? Do you have different reactions to fantasy violence than to violence in the real world?
How does Nhika show empathy and compassion? Is she a good role model? What are her strengths and weaknesses as a character?
Nhika mourns the loss not only of her family, but of the knowledge and cultural heritage she'll never have. Why is preserving those things so important?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Roaring Brook Press
- Publication date : March 19, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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