Book Review: Bring Me Their Hearts by Sarah Wolf

Summary: Zera is a Heartless – the immortal, unageing soldier of a witch. Bound to the witch Nightsinger ever since she saved her from the bandits who murdered her family, Zera longs for freedom from the woods they hide in. With her heart in a jar under Nightsinger’s control, she serves the witch unquestioningly.

Until Nightsinger asks Zera for a Prince’s heart in exchange for her own, with one addendum; if she’s discovered infiltrating the court, Nightsinger will destroy her heart rather than see her tortured by the witch-hating nobles.

Crown Prince Lucien d’Malvane hates the royal court as much as it loves him – every tutor too afraid to correct him and every girl jockeying for a place at his darkly handsome side. No one can challenge him – until the arrival of Lady Zera. She’s inelegant, smart-mouthed, carefree, and out for his blood. The Prince’s honor has him quickly aiming for her throat.

So begins a game of cat and mouse between a girl with nothing to lose and a boy who has it all.

Winner takes the loser’s heart.

Literally.

Release Date: June 2018
Age Group: YA, Fantasy
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
Reviewed By: Nat

Review:
I am not a huge fantasy lover, in fact I typically do not review them because I feel like it wouldn't be fair to the author or anyone that reads my review. With that said, Bring Me Their Hearts was EPIC! So much so that I went on a YA Fantasy spree, I am a changed woman. CHANGED.

I cannot believe how quickly I was sucked into the world of a Heartless! I mean I still have an unhealthy love for vampires but a Heartless was just so new, fresh and creepy. I'm not sure how to describe a Heartless, maybe a little Zombie'ish with a dash of Vampire and maybe a bit like a living Voodoo Doll of death. Sounds great, right!?

Wolf does an excellent job of world building while not wasting time on unnecessary details. It drives me nuts to read about a field or the color of the sky for 10 pages. But the plot is strategically set-up to reel you in and hook you right from the start. With every detail, both past & present, being placed to simultaneously build the storylines of several characters. This is the type of series that could easily have a spin-off. I also loved the vivid detail of Zera's dresses, the layout & description of the kingdom and even the history of the d'Malvane family. I can't wait to learn all the skeletons in that family line.

Of course I immediately fell in love with Zera. She is sassy, aware of her shell of an existence and completely tormented... kind of reminds me of a menstruating teen-- you love to hate them. Dang, Zera was just so clever and entertaining. 

There of course is a love interest but to say it's complicated would be a gross understatement. There is no instalove, in fact it took some build up to even decide whose heart I wanted to rip out. There are a few characters that I would have liked to have sent as sacrifice to the witches. #theyvolunteerastribute #offwiththeirheads or #outwiththeirhearts

Prince Lucien is so broody and just what makes YA audiences swoon. Of course he has serious trust issues and his own secrets but I don't think we have even scratched the surface of this not-so-charming Prince. I really liked when his tail was bushy, kind of reminded me of my hot husband when he throws a fit. 🙄

That ending tho... well played Wolf! I mean dang that was intense and then it's all drop the mic 🎤 & Bye Felicia 💁🏼 

I have a fair compromise, give us a novella while we wait! Anything. Not picky.

Must-Read YA: Bring Me Their Hearts was such a wild cocktail of magic, fantasy, history & romance all thrown into a beautiful version of a Gollum-like creature that just wants to be free!