Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf
Review by Lauren
Source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads)
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.
Review of Bring Me Their Hearts
I was randomly sent an ARC of Bring Me Their Hearts by the publisher, and I wasn’t entirely sure if I was going to read it or not. I appreciated the random book mail, but I’m not the biggest fantasy lover. However, I was seeing online that a lot of people were excited about this one – and those who had read it seemed to really enjoy it – so I thought I would give it a shot. And seriously you all, I am so glad I did!
One of the things that I love about books, regardless of the genre, are the characters, and I really felt like you got to know them in Bring Me Their Hearts, and I don’t mean just Zera or Prince Lucien, but the secondary characters too. I appreciated that everyone – no matter how it looked on the outside – had something in their lives that wasn’t perfect.
Zera is a heartless, a “creature” of sorts who will never age and has to do the bidding of the witch who “turned” her (in this case, Nightsinger) because they keep their heart tucked away in a jar. Zera hopes that one day she will get that heart back and she can be a normal girl again. Her life is obviously not perfect, but neither is Prince Lucien’s or others of higher rank. I really appreciated this because it allowed everyone to feel realistic and easier to empathize with.
Furthermore, I really loved the humor in this book! If you can make me laugh, I will love you forever, and Zera is pretty hilarious. She uses humor as a bit of a defense mechanism, as well as a way to deal with her crazy, often dangerous, life. It always made sense though, and while you’re laughing, you’re heart is actually breaking a little for what Zera has to go through and the tough decisions she has to make.
Bring Me Their Hearts is just book number one – though I’m not sure how many there will be total- and I cannot wait for more of Zera’s adventures. The book left off with a bit of a cliffhanger, but I didn’t think it was too crazy and it was also something that didn’t really shock me either, though I’ll be curious to see if it surprised most!
Definitely recommended, even if you aren’t the biggest fantasy reader!
Make It a Gift: Book review of Bring Me Their Hearts + A Perfect Product to Go Along with the Book! #ontheblog #bookbloggers Click To Tweet
Sometimes, a book will make me think of another product and I share it in my review in case you want to Make It a Gift. Purchase a copy of the book – and this other item – and you have the perfect gift!
Bring Me Their Hearts: Make It a Gift
Heart Box Crossbody by Danielle Nicole – $78 – purchase here
Danielle Nicole creates some of the most stunning pop cultural themed bags and I love them and want them all! A look at this crossbody, from the website:
“But to make doubly sure you do not fail, bring back her heart in this.” The Evil Queen’s Heart Box from Disney’s Snow White comes to life in this new crossbody, featuring a magnetic snap closure and mirror in its flap lid.
Isn’t this just the perfect gift to go along with Bring Me Their Hearts? I definitely think so! Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but it’s so gorgeous and FUN!
YES I AM SO SO GLAD YOU GOT THE CHANCE TO READ THIS, LAUREN. Now you can join all of us on the cliff waiting for book two to happen sometime next year.
I haven’t read too much fantasy, but I love books with good character development. I especially enjoy humor. Thank you for sharing your review of this book.
Oooh! I haven’t heard of this one before! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
My sister in law is reading this and she’s saying she likes it so far!
I love fantasy, so this looks interesting!
That cross body bag is so original and I just love it! This book sounds like a good one, I haven’t read a fantasy book in awhile.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I am not much of a fantasy reader but sounds interesting!
Oh I’m so happy this book surprised you in a good way – it’s the best when this happens. I love it too when I can get to know the characters a whole lot and when the author also pays attention to develop the secondary characters, that always makes a stoy more interesting to me, too 🙂 So happy you enjoyed that one, thank you for putting it on my radar 😀
Awesome that you got a surprise read and that you really enjoyed it. I woulnd’t have expected this one to have humor, that makes me want to read it.
This sounds good but I don’t think I’ll handle the cliffhanger well. Maybe one to keep on my radar and read closer to the release of book 2! 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of fantasy either, but your review makes me want to read it. I love that crossbody bag, and with the book…a fantastic gift!
This sounds like such a cool book, I love it when a book surprises us in a good way 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it
I didn’t expect you to say it was funny! I love it when books can make laugh (and not be snarky)
I saw this somewhere else and it looked good, glad you enjoyed it. I may have to see if my library gets a copy in. 😉
This looks really good! I kind of dig fantasies like this. Thanks for the share!
You know, I’ve seen this book around EVERYWHERE and I’m actually really interested in reading it! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I’m not a fan of fantasy but I have to say you have me interested in this book. It sounds a little Game of Thrones, which I get easily confused by but love. And I’m always in need of book recommendations because I never know what to read next.
I’ve been curious about this one even though I’m not a big fan of retellings. Happy to hear it is fun!
I was reading the premise and not so sure if it would be my thing. But you said the characters were well developed and it made you laugh…so I may need to add it to my list!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. I’ve been on the fence about whether or not I wanted to read this one, but you have me convinced I should give it a shot 🙂
First off, I’m glad we convinced you to read this book and that you ended up really enjoying it! Secondly, that purse is AMAZING and perfect for the book. Love it!!
I’m glad to hear this unsolicited book turned out well for you! It’s great when all the characters, even secondary ones, can feel so real. And the humor sounds great too!
That is such a cute bag!
Ooh I have this and can’t wait to read it!!! This makes me want to read it even MORE and maybe move it up a bit…
The humour is such a bonus and a little surprising with this one, usually fantasy reads are all very straight and serious business. I haven’t seen this one around but loving all the royal type reads that are being released lately, old kingdoms and curses, they call to my fairytale loving heart. Awesome review Lauren and looking forward to grabbing a copy ♡♡♡
[…] Lauren @ Shooting Star Mag brings us this fun Make It a Gift review of Bring Me Their Hearts. […]
I also got a copy of this book from the publisher unsolicited. I do want to read it but I just haven’t had the chance to work it in yet. I am so glad you ended up enjoying it!
So glad to see you enjoyed this one. A cover that gorgeous deserves a good story! Humor as a defense mechanism, – I can totally relate! 🙂
Great review.
I have this one as well, and wasn’t sure myself. I think I need to give it a go 🙂 Lovely review!
I also got this one randomly in the mail, in a neat little package. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but everyone seems to really like it, so I really need to give it a try I guess. Great review!
I remember hearing about this one awhile back. I like the creepy sounding title lol
Glad you took a chance and enjoyed it Lauren.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I’m not the biggest fan of this book, but omg that bag is the cutest thing I’ve seen on the internet today!!! AHHHH
I read Bring Me Their Hearts too. It was okay, however a bit too predictable. I agree, the humour was a nice addition.
ooh so jealous, Netgalley did not give me this one. 🙁 I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
[…] Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf – it even includes a fun gift to go along with the book! (review here) […]
Inncredible story there. Whhat occurted after?
Good luck!
[…] I read an ARC of Bring Me Their Hearts before it was released and really fell in love with the book. Of course, like most series, I […]