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The Weaver Saga #1
The Bloodweaver
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26A divisive magic. A shattered family. A brewing war.
In a world where some can manipulate life with a single touch, siblings end up on rival sides, forced to reckon with the choices that led them there.
Three generations ago, ancient and mysterious beings introduced the world to the arcane art of Bloodweaving, which allows its practitioners to manipulate life with merely a touch. Now, Bloodweavers must hide in plain sight or risk being hunted by violent regime soldiers known as Breakers, who will stop at nothing toeradicate weaving once and for all.
Though his family’s vineyard has flourished thanks to Bloodweaving, Kerick DeLuvena has kept his powers a secret from everyone, including his beloved fellow triplets, Mel and Emiel. When a squad of Breakers arrives on the day of Emiel’s wedding, Kerick weaves himself a new face and flees to protect his family, setting out in search of the Ravel, a secret society of Bloodweavers who stand on the precipice of an uprising.
Meanwhile, Mel’s girlfriend is identified as a Bloodweaver and arrested. Devastated by so much loss, Mel hatches a plan to get captured in the same raid, hoping to protect her love at all costs, even if it means allying herself with the Breakers’ ruthless commander and serving the very force that tore her family apart.
As the consequences of the siblings’ diverging paths ripple across a divided and hostile world, both must eventually face the same question: Is Bloodweaving a miracle—or a curse?
The gripping debut of the Weaver Saga is perfect for fans of V. E. Schwab, Andrea Stewart, and Fonda Lee
In a world where some can manipulate life with a single touch, siblings end up on rival sides, forced to reckon with the choices that led them there.
Three generations ago, ancient and mysterious beings introduced the world to the arcane art of Bloodweaving, which allows its practitioners to manipulate life with merely a touch. Now, Bloodweavers must hide in plain sight or risk being hunted by violent regime soldiers known as Breakers, who will stop at nothing toeradicate weaving once and for all.
Though his family’s vineyard has flourished thanks to Bloodweaving, Kerick DeLuvena has kept his powers a secret from everyone, including his beloved fellow triplets, Mel and Emiel. When a squad of Breakers arrives on the day of Emiel’s wedding, Kerick weaves himself a new face and flees to protect his family, setting out in search of the Ravel, a secret society of Bloodweavers who stand on the precipice of an uprising.
Meanwhile, Mel’s girlfriend is identified as a Bloodweaver and arrested. Devastated by so much loss, Mel hatches a plan to get captured in the same raid, hoping to protect her love at all costs, even if it means allying herself with the Breakers’ ruthless commander and serving the very force that tore her family apart.
As the consequences of the siblings’ diverging paths ripple across a divided and hostile world, both must eventually face the same question: Is Bloodweaving a miracle—or a curse?
The gripping debut of the Weaver Saga is perfect for fans of V. E. Schwab, Andrea Stewart, and Fonda Lee
440 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 23, 2026
11 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
C. N. Kuster
3 books16 followersA former Fulbright scholar, C.N. Kuster attained her MFA in Creative Writing from Regis University and holds an MA in Secondary Education as well. She teaches high school language arts, is an avid collector of fountain pens and loves spending time outdoors. Her debut novel, The Bloodweaver, will be published in Summer 2026 through Podium Entertainment. She’s an active member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and the Lighthouse Writers Workshop, and a founding member of the Tejon Writers Collective. She lives in the Denver area with her husband, daughter, and a very precocious cat.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 18, 2025
3.75☆
what a great debut into the fantasy genre! i had an overall great time with this, i had a few moments of struggling and confusing feelings but overall i think this was a fun time.
some things i liked: the writing was incredible, along with the magic system being really interesting and im excited to see more of it and its capabilities in the next book(s?). the sibling dynamic was a nice touch too and i do love a multiple pov story. getting to see different journeys through a story is always fascinating and seeing them somehow tie back together, which this did in a great way. the ending also had me shoooook! maybe it was obvious but i honestly had no idea and left it open for a really interesting and exciting start for the second book.
some things i didn’t like: i felt the pacing at times varied and had me losing interest to then not being able to put it down (that was mostly towards the end). the start felt slow and took me a while to get through but the final 60/70% was a blast. i liked the sibling dynamic in this story but the characters themselves didn’t stand out to me as much and felt no connection towards anyone. as someone who really connects with books through characters, i hope we get some more character development and depth in the next book! if those things get expanded on i think this could be a really good series for fantasy lovers.
thank you netgalley for giving me the chance to read this arc.
what a great debut into the fantasy genre! i had an overall great time with this, i had a few moments of struggling and confusing feelings but overall i think this was a fun time.
some things i liked: the writing was incredible, along with the magic system being really interesting and im excited to see more of it and its capabilities in the next book(s?). the sibling dynamic was a nice touch too and i do love a multiple pov story. getting to see different journeys through a story is always fascinating and seeing them somehow tie back together, which this did in a great way. the ending also had me shoooook! maybe it was obvious but i honestly had no idea and left it open for a really interesting and exciting start for the second book.
some things i didn’t like: i felt the pacing at times varied and had me losing interest to then not being able to put it down (that was mostly towards the end). the start felt slow and took me a while to get through but the final 60/70% was a blast. i liked the sibling dynamic in this story but the characters themselves didn’t stand out to me as much and felt no connection towards anyone. as someone who really connects with books through characters, i hope we get some more character development and depth in the next book! if those things get expanded on i think this could be a really good series for fantasy lovers.
thank you netgalley for giving me the chance to read this arc.
November 24, 2025
I had a great time with this one.
This is a very well-written fantasy centering Kerick and Mel, two of three triplet siblings who end up on opposite sides of a brewing war. I’m not normally big on sibling stories, so the fact that this one worked for me is a testament to how well it’s executed. The dynamic between Kerick, Mel, and their brother Emiel is this book’s greatest strength. It’s messy, intimate, complicated, heartwarming, often sad… just very raw and real, emotions gorgeously portrayed in the prose. I really felt the REDACTED FEELINGS over REDACTED (iykyk).
I enjoyed both POVs, but Kerick is the standout. I will defend his every action. Mel was more frustrating to me personally, but her plotline was no less interesting, so I was never bored with either POV. The secondary characters are also well-developed and nuanced—special shout-out to my favorite, Jaz. Helsivic is so much fun as an antagonist.
The worldbuilding is excellent, very well thought out in a way that never feels info dumpy. I actually sometimes felt like I wanted MORE info dumping, because the concept of Bloodweaving is just so cool. I love a magic system with sinister (?) consequences and body horror elements. Some aspects reminded me of Laini Taylor’ Strange the Dreamer, in a good way. I wanted to read Kerick’s textbooks and it’s rude that I don’t get to.
The first ~200 pages are a slow burn, laying the groundwork for a latter half that goes HARD. Overall the pacing is pretty brisk, with an accessible style and themes that I think should appeal to YA as well as adult readers. Lots of crossover potential here.
Finally, that ending! It’s one of the evilest cliffhangers I’ve read this year. I’m super intrigued to find out where the series goes from there.
This is a very well-written fantasy centering Kerick and Mel, two of three triplet siblings who end up on opposite sides of a brewing war. I’m not normally big on sibling stories, so the fact that this one worked for me is a testament to how well it’s executed. The dynamic between Kerick, Mel, and their brother Emiel is this book’s greatest strength. It’s messy, intimate, complicated, heartwarming, often sad… just very raw and real, emotions gorgeously portrayed in the prose. I really felt the REDACTED FEELINGS over REDACTED (iykyk).
I enjoyed both POVs, but Kerick is the standout. I will defend his every action. Mel was more frustrating to me personally, but her plotline was no less interesting, so I was never bored with either POV. The secondary characters are also well-developed and nuanced—special shout-out to my favorite, Jaz. Helsivic is so much fun as an antagonist.
The worldbuilding is excellent, very well thought out in a way that never feels info dumpy. I actually sometimes felt like I wanted MORE info dumping, because the concept of Bloodweaving is just so cool. I love a magic system with sinister (?) consequences and body horror elements. Some aspects reminded me of Laini Taylor’ Strange the Dreamer, in a good way. I wanted to read Kerick’s textbooks and it’s rude that I don’t get to.
The first ~200 pages are a slow burn, laying the groundwork for a latter half that goes HARD. Overall the pacing is pretty brisk, with an accessible style and themes that I think should appeal to YA as well as adult readers. Lots of crossover potential here.
Finally, that ending! It’s one of the evilest cliffhangers I’ve read this year. I’m super intrigued to find out where the series goes from there.
December 14, 2025
3.75⭐️
The Bloodweaver is a well-crafted, magic-filled debut that left me eager for the next installment. While I enjoyed the story overall, I do believe the marketing is targeting the wrong audience.
Kuster’s prose is beautiful while remaining highly accessible. The worldbuilding is well fleshed out, making it easy for the reader to vividly imagine the setting. I especially enjoyed following the perspectives of Mel and Kerick, two siblings who are part of a set of triplets and who ultimately find themselves on opposing sides of an intense war. I do wish there had been more clarity surrounding the magic system, as it felt convoluted at times. That said, the story is fast-paced and consistently engaging. I flew through the pages. The ending was explosive and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Overall, this is a very strong debut. However, I believe the marketing missed the mark. The novel is presented as an adult fantasy for fans of The Fifth Season and Jade City in its NetGalley synopsis, but it doesn’t feel comparable to those titles. Instead, The Bloodweaver reads more like a YA or new adult fantasy. It shares many qualities commonly associated with YA: a brisk pace, accessible writing, themes of identity, younger characters (early twenties), and, at times, juvenile dialogue, especially in the opening chapters. To be clear, this is a solid YA fantasy, but I don’t personally feel it fits within the adult fantasy category.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
The Bloodweaver is a well-crafted, magic-filled debut that left me eager for the next installment. While I enjoyed the story overall, I do believe the marketing is targeting the wrong audience.
Kuster’s prose is beautiful while remaining highly accessible. The worldbuilding is well fleshed out, making it easy for the reader to vividly imagine the setting. I especially enjoyed following the perspectives of Mel and Kerick, two siblings who are part of a set of triplets and who ultimately find themselves on opposing sides of an intense war. I do wish there had been more clarity surrounding the magic system, as it felt convoluted at times. That said, the story is fast-paced and consistently engaging. I flew through the pages. The ending was explosive and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Overall, this is a very strong debut. However, I believe the marketing missed the mark. The novel is presented as an adult fantasy for fans of The Fifth Season and Jade City in its NetGalley synopsis, but it doesn’t feel comparable to those titles. Instead, The Bloodweaver reads more like a YA or new adult fantasy. It shares many qualities commonly associated with YA: a brisk pace, accessible writing, themes of identity, younger characters (early twenties), and, at times, juvenile dialogue, especially in the opening chapters. To be clear, this is a solid YA fantasy, but I don’t personally feel it fits within the adult fantasy category.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The best book I've read all year.
Longer ARC review to come.
Please note: I read an advanced reader copy of this book, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. #TheBloodweaver #NetGalley
5 Stars - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Longer ARC review to come.
Please note: I read an advanced reader copy of this book, courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. #TheBloodweaver #NetGalley
5 Stars - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 19, 2025
I can safely say I’m one of the triplets’ oldest fans, and I can’t wait to read the sterling version of this eloquent and powerful first of three. Kuster brings us to another world that feels so familiar yet endlessly surprises. A sibling story, a journey of fluctuating trust in strangers, an awakening to one’s own power sort of story. Political and terrifying, the parallels to our own reality and the what if’s of the magic keep you always wondering.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This debut novel follows triplets Mel, Emiel and Kerick and their adventures in a world where bloodweaving - the art of manipulating life through touch - leads to difficult decisions and political tension.
After their home gets invaded by Breakers, cruel guards seeking to unmask and destroy Bloodweavers, Mel and Kerick find themselves on opposite sides of a brewing war between Bloodweavers and non-weavers, forced to make dangerous decisions and risk their lives to find a place to belong.
With Kerick seeking out the Ravel, a secret underground society seeking to unite Bloodweavers, Mel follows her captured girlfriend and ends up working with a commander seeking to capture useful Bloodweavers and spread their abilities to his side.
The worldbuilding and pacing are strengths of the novel. It never once felt strongly info-dumping which I appreciated.
I wanted to enjoy this book a lot more, but sadly didn't feel much of a connection to anyone in particular. I enjoyed the siblings' dilemmas and difficulties with supporting one another as the political tension amps up, but I felt they were both pretty selfish and didn't try to actually listen or see things beyond black and white territory. I didn't really care for the romance either as it was already established but didn't add much besides stakes for Mel. I didn't feel her girlfriend was a character outside of Mel.
After their home gets invaded by Breakers, cruel guards seeking to unmask and destroy Bloodweavers, Mel and Kerick find themselves on opposite sides of a brewing war between Bloodweavers and non-weavers, forced to make dangerous decisions and risk their lives to find a place to belong.
With Kerick seeking out the Ravel, a secret underground society seeking to unite Bloodweavers, Mel follows her captured girlfriend and ends up working with a commander seeking to capture useful Bloodweavers and spread their abilities to his side.
The worldbuilding and pacing are strengths of the novel. It never once felt strongly info-dumping which I appreciated.
I wanted to enjoy this book a lot more, but sadly didn't feel much of a connection to anyone in particular. I enjoyed the siblings' dilemmas and difficulties with supporting one another as the political tension amps up, but I felt they were both pretty selfish and didn't try to actually listen or see things beyond black and white territory. I didn't really care for the romance either as it was already established but didn't add much besides stakes for Mel. I didn't feel her girlfriend was a character outside of Mel.
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December 6, 2025La isla de Isthius vive de sus viñedos y de la calma que ofrece la rutina, pero todo cambia cuando un destacamento de soldados llega sin aviso y transforma una celebración en un acto de terror. Mel DeLuvena es la primera en sentir que algo anda mal, una tensión que se incrusta en la piel y que se confirma cuando presencia la violencia de un poder dispuesto a marcar a toda la población como sospechosa.
Su hermano Kerick es quien más sufre la presión. La habilidad que ha ocultado durante años se convierte en una amenaza directa cuando los recién llegados imponen pruebas obligatorias para detectar a los Bloodweavers. Su familia intenta mantener las apariencias para sobrevivir a un pueblo dividido, a promesas políticas que pesan más que la verdad y a la mirada atenta de quienes buscan culpables entre sus vecinos.
Mientras la isla se llena de miedo y resentimiento, la familia DeLuvena comprende que ya no basta con guardar silencio. La llegada de los soldados no es solo una inspección, sino el inicio de un control que pretende erradicar todo rastro de aquello que consideran una alteración del orden natural. Para Mel y sus hermanos, cada decisión se convierte en un riesgo y cada paso en un acto de resistencia. La paz que siempre creyeron proteger se convierte en un terreno frágil donde la sangre puede decidir el destino de todos.
__
Que paciencia la de Mel.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Su hermano Kerick es quien más sufre la presión. La habilidad que ha ocultado durante años se convierte en una amenaza directa cuando los recién llegados imponen pruebas obligatorias para detectar a los Bloodweavers. Su familia intenta mantener las apariencias para sobrevivir a un pueblo dividido, a promesas políticas que pesan más que la verdad y a la mirada atenta de quienes buscan culpables entre sus vecinos.
Mientras la isla se llena de miedo y resentimiento, la familia DeLuvena comprende que ya no basta con guardar silencio. La llegada de los soldados no es solo una inspección, sino el inicio de un control que pretende erradicar todo rastro de aquello que consideran una alteración del orden natural. Para Mel y sus hermanos, cada decisión se convierte en un riesgo y cada paso en un acto de resistencia. La paz que siempre creyeron proteger se convierte en un terreno frágil donde la sangre puede decidir el destino de todos.
__
Que paciencia la de Mel.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"though Mel professed a deep fear of losing Kerick, too ... she never refuted him. She never gave him the words he wanted most.
I don't wish it was you." Kerick is just like me fr.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!
An interesting story and concept, with a well-thought-out and equally fun magic system. The writing wasn't lacking either. The characters were fun to follow most of the time, when they were not making dumb decisions (mostly Kerick, ofc), even though they weren't having the best time of their lives, let's say.
Unfortunately, I got a bit bored during part two, which I didn't expect, since I loved the first one. And then when the third part came along, I just couldn't bring myself to care much. The twist was pretty obvious too.
Anyway, it's more like a 3.5star, but Goodreads hasn't graced us with that option yet.
I don't wish it was you." Kerick is just like me fr.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!
An interesting story and concept, with a well-thought-out and equally fun magic system. The writing wasn't lacking either. The characters were fun to follow most of the time, when they were not making dumb decisions (mostly Kerick, ofc), even though they weren't having the best time of their lives, let's say.
Unfortunately, I got a bit bored during part two, which I didn't expect, since I loved the first one. And then when the third part came along, I just couldn't bring myself to care much. The twist was pretty obvious too.
Anyway, it's more like a 3.5star, but Goodreads hasn't graced us with that option yet.
September 5, 2025
I had the privilege of reading a couple early drafts of this book and let me just say: yes. You have very real and rich sibling relationships, love, badass magic, gritty descriptions, vineyards, rebellion, betrayal, running for your life, and killing for it too. It grips from the beginning to the end and was truly a treat read—and also very well crafted. Do your self a favor and pre-order it.
December 15, 2025
Well, the day has come. Reviews have started popping up, which means it's time for me to plop my thoughts here and then disappear into the ether. First, thank you so much for reading "The Bloodweaver." I can't express how much it means to me that you're here.
I wrote Bloodweaver with a crossover audience in mind, the kind of book I wanted to read in my early twenties--elements of settling into adulthood paired with moral complexity and heavier thematic elements. Beyond that, this book might be a good fit for you if you like the following:
1.) Soft, sandbox-style magic systems that causes as many problems it solves.
2.) Sibling rivalry but also complicated, messy sibling love.
3.) Sapphic power couples (no open-door romance).
4.) Moral conundrums and problems with no clear solutions.
5.) Characters with lots of guilt and angst.
6.) A villain with strong convictions.
7.) Secret societies
8.) Found families
9.) Body horror
10.) Magic books
11.) Beings that might be gods, might be aliens
Again, thank you for taking the time to read! I hope you enjoy.
I wrote Bloodweaver with a crossover audience in mind, the kind of book I wanted to read in my early twenties--elements of settling into adulthood paired with moral complexity and heavier thematic elements. Beyond that, this book might be a good fit for you if you like the following:
1.) Soft, sandbox-style magic systems that causes as many problems it solves.
2.) Sibling rivalry but also complicated, messy sibling love.
3.) Sapphic power couples (no open-door romance).
4.) Moral conundrums and problems with no clear solutions.
5.) Characters with lots of guilt and angst.
6.) A villain with strong convictions.
7.) Secret societies
8.) Found families
9.) Body horror
10.) Magic books
11.) Beings that might be gods, might be aliens
Again, thank you for taking the time to read! I hope you enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews