You all know how much I love monsters and mayhem right?! Let me introduce you to Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf!
It was such a fun fantasy adventure (!!) and to add to the fantasticness, I have the author here for a super fun Q&A plus a giveaway at the end! I knooooow. We are lucky today.
It releases June 5th so mark your calendars!
Thanks to Entangled Teen for organising the opportunity for this amazing review and giveaway!
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.
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Sara Wolf is a twenty-something author who adores baking, screaming at her cats, and screaming at herself while she types hilarious things. When she was a kid, she was too busy eating dirt to write her first terrible book. Twenty years later, she picked up a keyboard and started mashing her fists on it and created the monster known as Lovely Vicious. She lives in San Diego with two cats, a crippling-yet-refreshing sense of self-doubt, and not enough fruit tarts ever.
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@PaperFury: I love the idea of the Heartless-bodyguards for witches…if you were thrown into your book’s world, would you rather be witch or Heartless?
@SaraWolf: Thank you! This is a super good question, because on the one hand being a witch and flinging ass-kicking spells would be INCREDIBLE, on the other hand being a Heartless and totally immune to, you know, that pesky little thing called death would also be extremely neat. Witches and Heartless both struggle with their gifts in their own ways, though – for witches, the Old God who gives them their powers ‘speaks’ to them constantly, which is like a bunch of noise in your head all the time, and of course Heartless have to contend with the hunger that urges them to wreck everyone’s day. And their own day. So I’d have to go with witch on this one – at least I could try to make magic earplugs. 😛 And also at least someone wouldn’t have total control over my heart/freedom! THAT’S super important!
@PaperFury: I’m definitely with you on picking the witches ah haha. That was the inspiration behind the Heartless?
@SaraWolf: Basically all I knew is I wanted my main character to be a ‘monster’, in the traditional sense that scares most people – big teeth, intent to kill, unstoppable, etc. That sounds a lot like vampires, doesn’t it? I didn’t want them to be vampires! So I took steps to make them separate from vampires – eating organs instead of blood, their limbs turning unnaturally long and claws growing when the hunger takes over completely. If you’ve ever played the video game Bloodborne, or even just looked at screenshots of it, the monsters there are sometimes elongated in creepy ways, and I really liked that, so I implemented it into the Heartless. (Interestingly, the concept of ‘gods’ in the world of the Ruthless Song books is very much influenced by the ‘eldritch’ concept of gods you see in games like Bloodborne, and really any Lovecraft story.)
@PaperFury: Ohh I do like how you’ve taken this unique spin to vampires, and they were honestly fantastic monsters. (MY FAV.) How long did it take Bring Me Their Hearts to go from seed idea to published book? Can you tell us a little of the journey?
@SaraWolf: Sure! Entangled was asking about my next book, and I told them I wanted to write fantasy, because that’s my one true love. They asked to see a first few chapters, so I wrote about a girl pretending to be human, and it all sort of spiraled from there. I knew I wanted a ‘monster’ girl who’s maybe more human than the humans to be the main character! I’ve struggled with my own depression for many years, and so writing the hunger as a dark voice that tries to convince Zera she’s worthless was cathartic for me, and still is. I’m writing her journey to overcome it, while I’m on my own journey, too. Cool tidbit; I rewrote BMTH about four whole times! Each version was written from pretty much scratch, and each version was 100k+ words. It was a lot of writing to get it right!
@PaperFury: Omg 4 times…I’m glad you wrangled it into working order in the end there ahhh! So there’s so many fantastic character names here! How did you go about picking them?
@SaraWolf: Thank you! My go-to fantasy naming convention is a little boring; I think about modern names I like and try to put a spin on them, i.e. Sarah becomes Zera, Fiona becomes Fione. I’m not a huge fan of long, complicated, hard-to-pronounce names in fantasy books, so this is my method! Though, I’m particularly proud of Y’shennria’s name – the ‘y’ being pronounced like the ‘e’ in ‘squeak’. And of course, Malachite being named after a mineral, because he’s a Beneather and they live underground! There’s a Beneather word for Malachite, which is his true name. 😉
@PaperFury: Honestly I just cry and hope my tears form character names, so I admire your creativity here. Do you have a “author wish list” of things you’d love to write someday?! Can we beg a sneak peek?
@SaraWolf: DO I EVER! Number one has to be a ‘kids in giant robots saving the world ala Pacific Rim and Evangelion’. I’ve wanted to write that book forever, I’m just waiting for my scifi/fantasy skills to get better to do it! The second would have to be a ‘teen vampire hunter’ book, because as much as I love cool new monsters, vampires are just so classic and I’d love to write a girl/a group of friends who take names and kick vampire butt to hell and back.
@PaperFury: It’s about time vampires made a comeback isn’t it?!? I’m so excited about these ideas eeep! And now lastly! Was any chocolate harmed in the making of this novel?
@SaraWolf: Oh no, so you’re AWARE OF MY CRIMES! Yes, I admit it – I practically demolished a metric ton of chocolate snacks – pocky, scones, almonds, hot chocolate. Sugar is a writer’s strongest weapon – that and caffeine.
@PaperFury: [whispering] chocolate muuuurderer.😉 ANYWAY! Thanks so much for stopping by, Sara! This was so much fun!
@SaraWolf: Thank you so much for having me, and have a lovely day!
Bring Me Their Hearts was an absolute delightful bucket of sass, witches and stabbing. Plus a few bloody tears and fantastic dresses along the way. Honestly it’s just so much fun.
It’s part twisted fairy tale + part classic fantasy romp. You know how in all the old fairy tales the Evil Queen is like “BRING ME HER HEART” although 1/10 very unclear what she wants to do with it. Evil queens are so very extra. So this book reminded me of that — plus we have witches who make these monster-bodyguards called “Heartless”. Their hearts are cut out and put in jars and the Heartless are enchanted to do whatever their witches say. Also the Heartless only eat raw organs and have a super creepy voice of Hunger whispering darkly in their head.
The stand out for me was how HILARIOUS it is! I reeeally like to laugh and there were just so many good lines! Zera is so so sassy. It’s her coping mechanism, but she honestly just can’t help herself. If someone opens their mouth — SASS BUCKET. Plus Zero is downright refreshing. She hates being a controlled Heartless bodyguard and will do anything to get her freedom…even if that means stabbing the Prince. She’s witty and relatable and vulnerable under the (literally) pointy teeth.
- epic female friendships
- a sassy bodyguard who has no chill
- female-to-female mentor relationship that I absolutely adored
- Prince Lucien being a snob but with a secret heart of gold™
- how the main characters (Zera, Lucien, Fione, and Malachite) fell into an epic Squad™ by the end and GOT THINGS DONE
- fantastic world building and culture (!!) which I devoured with joy.
- there’s plenty of gorgeous dresses and girls with knives
- femininity is nOT SCORNED!!
- stabbing and backstabbing
- literally so many options for the stabbing
- also did you see that cover font; I am in love
Bring Me Their Hearts is witty and sharp, backed by an interesting world and a fun plot! It discusses what it is to be a monster and is full of powerful women, complicated relationship dynamics, and girls in ball gowns with knives. Absolutely what I needed in a deliciously bloody epic fantasy.
OPEN TO USA ONLY
1 x paperback of BRING ME THEIR HEARTS
I love all the sassy characters in Brooklyn Nine Nine! In terms of books…there’s this character called Toby in A BRief History of Montmaray who I love and there are some sassy animal characters in Sabriel and Lirael (not even gonna say it, you know what to do). I love the ideas of more books about monstrosity in principle. But Vicious and TSS didn’t really work for me and I am easily scared. I did like Mackenzi Lee’s frankenstein one though! anyway fun review I’m so glad that it had humour because that’s just essential and needs to be in more fantasy books.
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Ohhh they are so funny. ALL of them.😂 Although Gina is such perfection I just love Gina.😂 Ahem. But yes yes I see the Sabriel nudge there and I raise you the fact that…I still haven’t read it but soon?!😂
I need to read Mackenzie Lee’s Frankenstein book!! I actually got it but still haven’t read it yet. Oops.
Awesome review!
My favourite sassiest character at the moment is Shallan Davar from Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive. She’s hilarious!
Aww thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed this!
Fabulous interview! I very much look forward to reading this as I too am a fan of Monsters and Mayhem. Yay!!
One of my favorite sassy characters is Alexia Tarabotti from Soulless by Gail Carriger, which I just had the pleasure of revisiting therefore her sass is fresh in my mind XD
Ahhh yay for rereads! I haven’t heard of that series but I should look it up because I NEED ALL THE SASS.😂
Gah this book looks awesome i cannot wait for it! We need more sassy and deep high fantasy. My favorite sassy character is my own in a little baby book I’ve been developing (which is top secret because I don’t want someone to steal it and I have almost no idea how to describe it) however ones published books I’d have to say Prince Kai from The Lunar Chronicles, Newt in The Maze Runner, and pretty much everyone in Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus because let’s admit, they’re all sassy in some way it’s just how Riordan writes
I know right?! I am ALL for sass in fantasy. That way we get the best of both worlds: stabbing AND sass. And also I’m super glad you’re writing sassy fantasy too! (SAME.😂) Hopefully one day I’ll see your book on the shelf?!
Also there’s so much sass in the Lunar Chronicles…like IKO and Thorne too, bless them.😂
This book sounds right up my alley and I’m not sure how I haven’t heard of it before? I’m all for monsters desperately trying to to pretend to be human and humans who are either utterly monsterous or desperately trying to be so. It’s my thing. Give it to me.
It’s kind of going under the radar which is CRIMINAL. It’s so fab and fun! And the questions of what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-monster are always super interesting to explore. 😍
This sounds so interesting! It’s totally on my TBR now! (By the way, the Queen wanted Snow White’s heart because she wanted to know FOR SURE that the Huntsman had killed her. He ended up letting her go and bringing the Queen a pig’s heart or something.)
Hahha I know the original evil queen story lol.😂 But it’s a really cool twist on it, right?! (I mean, I don’t know if the author’s inspiration came from there but I still like the parallels!)
It’s on my TBR now! I wasn’t super interested from the summary or cover, but your review and interview made me want to read it RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND. ugh. So mean to do that.
EXCELLENT. My job here is done. Torture for us all. 😂😂
This sounds soooo good!!! Loved your interview and getting to know more about the author 🙂
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it!💖 The author was SO fun!
This sounds so interesting and fun! The concept of the monsters, how they change when hunger takes over, how the MC is one of them, that sounds really cool. And sassy characters are great! The first one that came to mind for me was Harry Potter since I just reread that recently lol. Great interview!
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Yesss for sure! And I think it’s such an interesting concept to explore, the “what makes us human” thing and having characters grappling with their humanity vs their monster needs.
Also omg Harry Potter has so much glorious sass in it.😂
Ooh, this sounds SUPER interesting! I’m definitely going to have to add this one to my TBR! And like, how had I not heard of this before?! Sassy heart eating monsters? Count me in!
I know right?! It needs way more attention and hype! It’s such a lot of fun!
I second the B99 comment – everyone on that show has their own brand of sass, it’s lovely XD I love Rita Moreno’s character Lydia on One Day at a Time (she invented sass). And Lizzy Bennet from Pride and Prejudice and Rose from Vampire Academy are two of my fave sassypants from books.
Thanks for this interview!! Def going to keep an eye out for this author – she seems so awesome and this book sounds really fab.
IT’S AMAZING. IT IS THE BEST SHOW EVER.😂I laugh so much it’s ridiculous omg. And I hope you get a chance to read this book someday…the author is soooo nice!
I love sassy heroines! Sara’s Lovely Vicious series had a great sassy heroine. Great interview!
AHhh! I need to look that up then!
Disappearing from the bookish internet for… um… a year… means that I’m totally out of the loop on so many books! This one sounds creepy and intriguing and you had my by “and there’s a Get Things Done Squad” because that’s kind of my favourite. Also, wow, written four whole entire times? That really put the “all writing is re-writing” adage into perspective!
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Oooh welcome back, Kelly! *waves and gives you all the cake* And I actually always feel behind with book releases and I’m always around.😂 So I understand! And I knooow right?! This author makes me feel a lot better about all my books I’ve had to write so many times.😂 It works!
This. Book. Looks. AMAZING. I MUST HAVE IT. I can’t believe that it doesn’t release for another whole month!!! *burst into impatient jelly beans*
YES YOU NEED IT IT’S SO MUCH FUNNNN. (Also yes omg June come faster.😂)
Sounds like an excellent book. Does the author intend to turn it into a series?
Yes I believe this is the first of a series!
Omg my favorite sassy character has to be Nikolai from the Grisha trilogy! Ugh I love him so much! Also Kady Grant from Illuminae, Hysan from Zodiac, and Kate Harker from This Savage Song!
YESSSS😍I absolutely adore Nikolai!! One of my favourite characters ever!
One of my favorite sassy characters is Ember in Julie Kagawa’s Talon series.
Ahh I do love that series too!
I put this on my TBR the second I saw your review on goodreads. It sounds so interesting! I always like most fairytale retellings. Zera’s storyline kind of reminds me of This Savage Song in the respect that they both deal with monsters trying to be human. But it still sounds unique, so I’m excited to read it when it’s out!!
I cat choose a favorite sassy character, but I do love Nikolai Lanstov, Iko (from the lunar chronicles), and obviously Fred & George Weasley.
I’m so glad that this book doesn’t scorn femininity! It really annoys me when books do that because you can like pretty dresses AND still be a strong & brave person.
Ah yes, I totally would see the resemblance to This Savage Song! I LOVE stories where they’re struggling with what it is and means to be human…it’s such an interesting exploration?! (And omg Fred and George are hilarious and definitely the best.) 😍
Well holy heck this book sounds AMAZING. Eating organs YES. Sassiness YES. Monster girls YEAAAS. I am bumping it to the top of my tbr. And did someone say more vampires??? I just happened to have been planning a ya about a group of teen girls who hunt vampires with a heroine who is actually a vampire????!!! Whaaaat???!!!! GIVE ME ALL THE VAMPIRES
IT IS AMAZING. I TOTALLY RECOMMEND. And it’s like a nice twist on the old vampires?! (Like if a vampire and a zombie had a baby haha.😂)
Sassy characters… Hmm… Captain Carswell Thorne !! Iko !! Jesper Fahey !! I love sassy people !! And books !! They give me life and joy !!! And this books goes directly to my giant TBR. The protagonist’s a monster??? Bodyguards???? There’s a super epic squad???? WOLRDBUILDING???? YES, I’M IN. And wow, that cover is amazing !! I absolutely believe there should be more books about feminine warriors! It’s one of the things I LOVE reading in a book
I LOVE THORNE SO MUCH OMG. And also Jesper is an absolute gift to this world. *flails quietly with appreciation* I really hope you get to read Bring Me Their Hearts sometime soon. 😉 It sounds really up your alley!