What do you think?
Rate this book
Once Upon Her Veins
Mzia is a lowly village healer in an empire crumbling from years of drug wars and unrelenting illnesses. But her blood harbors a dangerous secret, and with it, she fights to bring balance back to her broken world. When the government discovers her location and tries to silence her, Mzia must choose what she is willing to sacrifice to keep the truth alive.
Skycaptain Tariq is a loyal soldier who has served the empire faithfully all his life. As a Mark of the Emperor, he is sent on a mission to bring back dangerous fugitives. But when he discovers one of the fugitives has an ability deemed impossible, his world unravels.
The royal family will stop at nothing to extinguish those who challenge their authority. But the drug wars have taken their toll, and more than one rebellion is stirring in the kingdoms. The people are ready for change when whispers of a cure catch on the wind. Myth becomes reality as the truth of Mzia’s blood threatens to bring the government to its knees.
Skycaptain Tariq is a loyal soldier who has served the empire faithfully all his life. As a Mark of the Emperor, he is sent on a mission to bring back dangerous fugitives. But when he discovers one of the fugitives has an ability deemed impossible, his world unravels.
The royal family will stop at nothing to extinguish those who challenge their authority. But the drug wars have taken their toll, and more than one rebellion is stirring in the kingdoms. The people are ready for change when whispers of a cure catch on the wind. Myth becomes reality as the truth of Mzia’s blood threatens to bring the government to its knees.
355 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2023
1 person is currently reading
50 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 5, 2023
Full disclosure: I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great debut by the author! The storytelling started out strong, and I was immediately intrigued. This was especially welcoming as this is not a genre I typically read. I instantly wanted to know more about the characters and the world in which they inhabit. Furthermore, I appreciated the subtle nods to Disney’s Tangled. It was nice to have the familiarity, but the story itself was different enough that it can clearly stand on its own.
My main critique is that I felt the world building could have been fleshed out a bit more. There are so many cool features of the Kerjaan Empire, but there were times I felt I was missing something important as the world was discussed by the characters.
This was a great debut by the author! The storytelling started out strong, and I was immediately intrigued. This was especially welcoming as this is not a genre I typically read. I instantly wanted to know more about the characters and the world in which they inhabit. Furthermore, I appreciated the subtle nods to Disney’s Tangled. It was nice to have the familiarity, but the story itself was different enough that it can clearly stand on its own.
My main critique is that I felt the world building could have been fleshed out a bit more. There are so many cool features of the Kerjaan Empire, but there were times I felt I was missing something important as the world was discussed by the characters.
May 30, 2023
This book was absolutely gripping!
Rachael has built the world so brilliantly it feels almost familiar! The characters are fantastically written and complex, and I'm so invested in the main gang that I will absolutely be reading anything that comes next.
The likening to Rapunzel is brilliant - the idea that she is what heals is so clever.
Rachael has built the world so brilliantly it feels almost familiar! The characters are fantastically written and complex, and I'm so invested in the main gang that I will absolutely be reading anything that comes next.
The likening to Rapunzel is brilliant - the idea that she is what heals is so clever.
June 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! The story was gripping, and the world and characters were so original and interesting. I stayed up way too late reading this :)
June 17, 2023
Full disclosure: I read most of this book in about two impromptu sittings.
I didn’t want to put it down. Mzia’s vulnerability and courage endeared her to my heart. I resonated with her desire to help and heal wherever she can, and oh goodness, how I wanted things to work out for her!
I loved that this book followed some tropes, but turned others on their heads. This clever mix keeps you guessing what will happen next. The world building and character development is excellent. It’s a departure from a “normal” setting for sure! I enjoyed the progression of this tale- watching the story spool out bit by exciting bit- wondering how it could ever resolve. I loved being pulled into the story and losing track of time in its pages.
I put off writing this review for a few days because I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to the characters yet. They were all so well crafted and developed!
I’ll definitely be reading this heartfelt and soul-filled story again.
I can’t wait for the sequel!
I didn’t want to put it down. Mzia’s vulnerability and courage endeared her to my heart. I resonated with her desire to help and heal wherever she can, and oh goodness, how I wanted things to work out for her!
I loved that this book followed some tropes, but turned others on their heads. This clever mix keeps you guessing what will happen next. The world building and character development is excellent. It’s a departure from a “normal” setting for sure! I enjoyed the progression of this tale- watching the story spool out bit by exciting bit- wondering how it could ever resolve. I loved being pulled into the story and losing track of time in its pages.
I put off writing this review for a few days because I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to the characters yet. They were all so well crafted and developed!
I’ll definitely be reading this heartfelt and soul-filled story again.
I can’t wait for the sequel!
June 17, 2023
I highly recommend this book! Elliott paints a beautiful fantasy world where illness ravages nations and control of the cure creates kings. Mzia, our heroine, holds the secret to a new cure, one that doesn’t have to be rationed and saved only for the rich, one that could bring the empire into revolt and fracture it back into its original kingdoms. That makes her a threat. Danger ensues.
Elliott’s world building is spectacular and the mixture of science fiction and fantasy reminds me of the leviathan series (that’s not a perfect comparison, this book definitely has more of a fantasy element).
The retelling was familiar enough to be a cozy read for a quiet afternoon, but exciting enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. I loved that the secondary romantic plot didn’t feel forced or cliche, it just added a little more emotional attachment to the story. All in all, I loved reading Once Upon Her Veins!
Elliott’s world building is spectacular and the mixture of science fiction and fantasy reminds me of the leviathan series (that’s not a perfect comparison, this book definitely has more of a fantasy element).
The retelling was familiar enough to be a cozy read for a quiet afternoon, but exciting enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. I loved that the secondary romantic plot didn’t feel forced or cliche, it just added a little more emotional attachment to the story. All in all, I loved reading Once Upon Her Veins!
June 4, 2023
Creative and absolutely riveting Sci-Fi! The characters and plot are so engaging…I was hooked during the first chapter. Follow this author. This is a must-read and you will not be disappointed!
June 2, 2023
Such a unique and exciting retelling of Rapunzel. So many twists and turns and exciting adventures. The characters easily draw you in and you will find yourself falling in love with them as you read.
December 1, 2023
The lore and world building in this book was really cool, like that the buildings are grown rather than built.
It was cool to pick out the Rapunzel-esque moments and see how they fit into this retelling.
Overall it was an interesting read.
I had trouble with some of the romance parts though. At one point they are on the run and hiding out and then they just start doing this whole traditional dance routine. Why?? It felt like forced romance. Why would this hardened, trained Captain be dancing in the middle of the desert with his supposed-to-be captive. Then when he realizes that the empire was lying about the use of the Iaomi children he suddenly turns and abandons all he knows for this girl so easily, no questioning or barganing or rationalizing. Some loyalty.
If there is a sequel I will probably eventually read it to see what comes of the unanswered questions left by book 1, but I admit it won't be quite on the top of my TBR.
Props to the author for putting out this debut book. I know it's a lot of work.
It was cool to pick out the Rapunzel-esque moments and see how they fit into this retelling.
Overall it was an interesting read.
I had trouble with some of the romance parts though. At one point they are on the run and hiding out and then they just start doing this whole traditional dance routine. Why?? It felt like forced romance. Why would this hardened, trained Captain be dancing in the middle of the desert with his supposed-to-be captive. Then when he realizes that the empire was lying about the use of the Iaomi children he suddenly turns and abandons all he knows for this girl so easily, no questioning or barganing or rationalizing. Some loyalty.
If there is a sequel I will probably eventually read it to see what comes of the unanswered questions left by book 1, but I admit it won't be quite on the top of my TBR.
Props to the author for putting out this debut book. I know it's a lot of work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2023
Thank you Rachael for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This was an easy 5 stars for me, the universe is very different from what I usually read and it was so refreshing, I was hooked from the first page to the last!
I absolutely fell in love with the main characters, their story was so pure, simple and cute, I cannot wait to read the rest of their adventures. I almost wished this was it for them so they can stay together and happy but I also know there is more to life for them.
I loved how fast paced the whole book was. Usually in sci-fi/fantasy book I get bored at some point (when they are help captive or when the MCs are apart for too long usually) but this was perfectly paced for me. It was full of adventure and I loved it!
This was an easy 5 stars for me, the universe is very different from what I usually read and it was so refreshing, I was hooked from the first page to the last!
I absolutely fell in love with the main characters, their story was so pure, simple and cute, I cannot wait to read the rest of their adventures. I almost wished this was it for them so they can stay together and happy but I also know there is more to life for them.
I loved how fast paced the whole book was. Usually in sci-fi/fantasy book I get bored at some point (when they are help captive or when the MCs are apart for too long usually) but this was perfectly paced for me. It was full of adventure and I loved it!
October 30, 2023
Such a great book! I don’t normally write reviews but more people should be reading this!
It’s always a risk to read a book based solely off the authors post on bookstagram, and I’ve been stung before, but this book was a corker. Wonderful world building, relatable characters, right in line with the fantasy books I love without being a carbon copy. Just bloody lovely.
I loved the nods to Tangled, but loved even more that the inspiration was a jumping point into a unique and winding story. It made me yell out loud at points, and I stayed in the bath until it was cold through the final chapters. I just couldn’t put it down!
It’s always a risk to read a book based solely off the authors post on bookstagram, and I’ve been stung before, but this book was a corker. Wonderful world building, relatable characters, right in line with the fantasy books I love without being a carbon copy. Just bloody lovely.
I loved the nods to Tangled, but loved even more that the inspiration was a jumping point into a unique and winding story. It made me yell out loud at points, and I stayed in the bath until it was cold through the final chapters. I just couldn’t put it down!
May 7, 2023
This is an amazing book. Full disclosure, I am one of the editors. But that aside, Rachael has a way of drawing the reader in and not letting them go even after you close the book. You will fall in love with these characters, *eyes Tariq*. Definitely fan girling over a book I had a hand in and I cannot wait for everyone to read this magical sci-fi book!
August 1, 2024
I’m guessing at the dates here, and truthfully, I finished it in less than 24 hours. It was a page turner, and I found the blend of fantasy and sci-fi fascinating. I can’t wait for the next book! The characters are deep and multidimensional. Must read!
July 22, 2023
Full Disclosure: I know you are currently working on the 2nd book...I need it NOW!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews