Roots of Blood

The Nymph Keepers #1

by Elise Volkman

For readers of WE HUNT THE FLAME and EVERLESS; in ROOTS OF BLOOD, blood is currency and allies come from the unlikeliest of places.

Nym is the last living nymph in the province of Galia, and Jay is out for her blood.

Her people have been hunted to near-extinction for the healing properties in their bodies. She’s supposed to be Jay’s solution to everything. Instead, Jay’s convictions war with his loyalties and he saves her from certain death, becoming a mercenary on the run in the process.

Nym knows she can’t trust him — she has the scars to prove it — but she has no other choice. Jay is her only option, and his only option is to return home from banishment, risking imprisonment and even death, if he wants to keep them both safe.

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2021

About the author

Elise writes fantasy for fun, reads fantasy for research, and occasionally fantasizes about how many friends she’d have if she got out of the house more. Roots of Blood is her debut novel in the Nymph Keepers trilogy. She graduated from The Writer’s Studio Online at Simon Fraser University, where she also spent two years as a TA for the inimitable Eileen Cook. When she’s not writing, she works as a freelance editor and co-hosts The Tea Grannies Writing Podcast. She lives in British Columbia, Canada with her husband and their eight computers.

Reviews

[Elise Fast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap.

I couldn’t put it down. It was literally painful to do so, and when I had to, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up again.

My dear Elise, my friend, my name twin… I’M BLOWN AWAY! You are an amazing writer and I’m just so stoked for you and what you’ve accomplished.

[Harrison Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun, exciting, and a new world with new characters and story made this first book a wonder and a joy to read! I enjoyed its newness very much, and really enjoyed hating on certain characters!

Well done Elise, can’t wait for the next book!!

[Dannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review, and I have so many feels about this gem of a read!
Roots of Blood dives into a world of unrest where Nymphs are extinct sought for the healing properties in their blood. Nym, a forest Nymph, lives with her Master in the marshes of Galia, until she is captured by Jay. Exiled from his homeland for questionable life choices, Jay is falling down a dark path until he finally makes the right choice. Nym and Jay's fates are tied as they set off on a dark and twisty adventure searching for their place in the world.

I am a Jay fan through and through! And Nym's story kept me turning the page start to finish, and now I'm waiting desperately for Book 2. Elise Volkman immerses you in a rich world with layered complex characters with seriously morally grey compasses guiding their actions, making it all the more exhilarating!

Dive into Roots of Blood for a dark, haunting, blood pumping, scary world with hearty characters you'll love to hate, hate to love and keep rooting for even when you've turned the last page. Book 2 can't come soon enough.

[Elise Volkman]

You thought I was here to rate my own book for a second, didn't you? 👋 Just the author popping in for some trigger warnings, in case that's something you find helpful!

*Blood*
*Gore*
*Torture*
*Abuse (physical, verbal, psychological)*
*Animal Cruelty* (minor)
*Murder*
*Death*
*Suicidal Ideation*

Take care of yourselves first and foremost. Thanks for reading The Nymph Keepers!

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volkman is an absolute genius, and you should buy 30 copies so you can give them away to all your friends. What a great book full of imaginative settings and endearing characters. Dark and mysterious. Great pacing. Will have you on the edge of your seat. Can’t wait for book two.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐ CW: Violence, genocide, torture, slavery, ableism, blood, death

Roots of Blood by Elise Volkman is book one in the Nymph Keepers series. I received this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review. This was a surprisingly good book. I say surprising, because I really wasn't feeling it at first, but it went a different way than I was expecting.

We follow Forest, a forest nymph who has been enslaved and abused by a man she calls the Master. One day the Master dies and a man named Jay kidnaps her for a bounty from the nymph keeper. Jay just wants nymph blood to help heal his sister, but he doesn't realize that the nymph keeper is going to torture the nymph. So he kidnaps her again, and now they are on the run to the next kingdom.

Forest has only ever known abuse and isolation, and as such is fearful and uneducated. In the new kingdom, she is shown a measure of kindness, even if it does come with the revulsion of the disabled. I assumed we were getting an enemies to lovers thing between Forest and Jay, but he never stopped figuring out how to not be an asshat all the time. Instead, Forest has a bidding relationship with another Nymph in the palace who guards the prince, Silic. I loved seeing Forest slowly learn how to trust and start creating bonds. I was really starting to like all the world-building, so I hope that continues in the next book.

We get some themes about ableism , vanity, and selfishness. We also explore the genocide of the Nymphs. The next book will probably be exploring what happens to a kingdom who's culture is based on the genocide or use of blood of another being, and now their forests may be on the verge of dying from lack of forest nymphs. I enjoyed the character moments and look forward to book 2!

[Miraya Engelage (theteagranniespodcast) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review and oh boy, you're all in for a treat.

Roots of Blood is the first book in the Nymph Keepers series, where we follow Nym, the last forest nymph of Galia, and Jay, a mercenary on the run. Nymphs have been hunted nearly to extinction thanks to the healing properties in their blood, and Nym is no different. When Jay chooses to save her from her tragic fate, he sets off a change of events bigger than them both. You’ll be left wanting more, and lucky for you - this is a planned trilogy and book two is already in the works!

Elise does an incredible job with her characters and world building, dropping you right into Nym's life and showcasing Jay's layered character right from the beginning. I was rooting for Nym the entire way and I can't wait for book two! I loved so many of the other characters - Silic, Guerric, and more. This is the perfect dark and twisty fantasy novel, and I can't say enough good things about the quality of Elise's writing and how beautifully she tells this story.

[S.J. Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roots of Blood by Elise Volkman is a Dark Fantasy novel about a nymph yanked from everything she knows, tortured for her valuable blood.
The story of Nym is as captivating as it is heartbreaking. And yet, there is this vein of hope throughout the book that draws you in, and I found myself eager to learn how her interesting story ends. The other protagonist, Jay, is a tortured soul in a very different way (I won’t explain because, you know, spoilers) and Elise does a skillful job of bringing the two main characters together and pulling them apart.

This amazing debut novel is not for the feint of heart—not only because of the torture, but because it will yank on your heartstrings and never let them go.

[Maja Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. The writing is beautiful, the characters are intriguing and there is darkness lurking in the corners.

Forest's story is scary and beautiful which is every bit due to Volkman's wriitng. You'll feel every feeling along with her. If you love dark fantasy, this book is for you!

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic world building! A bloody awesome story. No spoilers.

I wanted to savour it and take my time following Nym’s adventure. But once I had time to settle in… I stayed up most of the night reading it.

Straight fantasy is not usually my thing, but the characters and worlds drew me in. When does book 2 come out again?

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up

[Y.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A born storyteller, Elise's story captivated me from the very beginning. I really enjoyed Nym's inner growth, and her evolving dynamic between Jay (can Nym trust him?), who is torn between family loyalty and his own beliefs. All of the characters are nuanced and layered, and for me, Aleah is so fascinating and compelling - if you're a fan of slightly dangerous young female characters a la Amma from Sharp Objects, you'll enjoy Aleah. Definitely pick up this book if you're a fan of fantasy novels, or even if it's not your usual taste. There's a lot in this for fans of every genre.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exquisite writing.

[Hazel Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I won my copy of this in a giveaway and I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting into but BOY I'M GLAD I DID.

Roots of Blood captured me. All of the characters were very well fleshed out with complicated personalities that made them loveable/hateable/sympathetic/or just left you in a grey area where you didn't know how to feel about them.

This story has interesting perspectives on disability, I loved that it was so very present in so many of the characters and well portrayed.

The world building is also immaculate. The fantasy world we are slowly introduced to feels startlingly original, and the world-building is paced well with the plot.

I love that Forest's hand and eye do not grow back. I think it adds a lot to her, and lets us have a disabled MC come out on top like I hope to see her do over the books!

I don't like the way disabled people are viewed in Fethers as it stood by the end, but I have hopes that people like Forest are going to change that throughout the series.

I love how Forest is healing from her abusive relationship with her master in a realistic way. She's not over him all at once and she leaves him believing every word he ever told her and defensive for him; with the mold surrounding him breaking away a piece at a time instead of all at once.

I was really apprehensive about a romantic relationship forming between Forest and Jay, which would have absolutely ruined a lot for me, but to see him growing apart from Forest and them kind of separating with their paths going in different directions is perfect and more realistic than a savior/rescued romance.

Overall I'm really happy I was given the opportunity to read this. I cannot wait to read the sequels. And for the love of Ireece, I need a print copy.

[Lorie | QxnnLories__BookishReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a digital copy of Roots of Blood by Elise Volkman, and in return, I have to provide an honest review. Honestly, I went into this book pretty much blind and wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. After reading the first few chapters, I couldn't put the book down because I needed to know what happened next. I enjoyed the story more than I thought I would. The main character Nym (Forest), has been through a lot, so I hope she can heal from her trauma in the following books and learn more about the world around her. Jay is a morally gray character, doing what he must to protect/save his sister Aleah, but that conflicts with his desire to serve as the prince's knight. I half expected a love triangle to form between Jay, Silic, and Forest because so many authors go that route, but I was surprised to see it didn't, which I was glad about. However, I am not sure how I feel about the relationship forming between Silic and Forest. I think maybe there are better as friends for the time being. Forest has been sheltered from the world all her life and traumatized, so I think she must discover who she is as a person first before becoming intimate with one of the first few people to show her kindness and compassion. I did notice the excerpt at the end of the book for book #2, which was from Silic's point of view. Not sure how I feel about that; I'm not too attached or concerned for his character to want to see things from his perspective, but I suppose it would provide insight into his decisions and what goes on with prince Terryn. I'm conflicted about picking up books #2 and #3. Overall, the story was great for a quick, fast-paced read.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in a giveaway hosted by the author on the Storygraph. Thank you so much!!

This book was a fun, enjoyable read! The worldbuilding was unique, and I liked that it focused on a lesser used mythical creature, aka the nymph, but in a creative way. The book sucks you in quickly with a tense opening sequence, and the story continues to get better and better as it goes on.

I do wish some of the character arcs had been a bit more fleshed out. Aleah going from the sweet sister to manipulative schemer happened so fast, and I would have loved to have seen some more hints at her cunning side before she learns that Forest is a nymph. However, I still really enjoyed the characters and their dynamics. I love that all of the relationships are complicated and multi-layered; it makes them feel more realistic and makes the characters more relatable despite the fantasy setting. I also love that the book avoided the insta love trope that is ever present in novels where one character has been rescued by another. Seeing Nym and Jay be brought together and pulled apart and back and forth by external forces and their own actions makes for a much more engaging read than love at first sight.

All in all this was a great read, and I can't wait to read the rest in the series!

[Isa]

(2 stars at least for the parts that I read)) I received a free e-copy of this book through Storygraph.
I think I'm entering a reading slump and that's negatively affecting my perception of books, but there was very little about this story I found compelling. From a pure technical standpoint, I found the writing somewhat lacking, and overly reliant on telling instead of showing (for instance, stating character traits instead of displaying them through actions or dialogue). The same thing went for the world building and the mythos around nymphs, which felt very standard and uninteresting. I found the characters bland and a little stale.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author on StoryGraph for providing this via a giveaway win! This book had interesting plot points, characters, and setting, but something about it seemed a bit muddied to me, mostly the events towards the end if the book. The pacing also felt a little off - sometimes, events would be happening but didn’t quite make sense how certain characters appeared, then it would move right on to the next one. I did like the characters, but some felt more one-dimensional than others (which was surprising for some based on how often they appeared throughout the book).

[Linette Los · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy Throne of Glass (Sarah J Maas) or Graceling (Kristin Cashore), you NEED to read this series! This does not feel like a book by a debut author. The world building is very well done, and the storyline is much more intricate and complex than I had expected. I just finished the second book, and immediately bought the 3rd because I HAVE to know how things end!
Before reading this, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Maybe something along the lines of EJ Kitchen’s “Of Magic Made” series with danger, magical adventures and a sweet romance. WRONG! Elise is utterly ruthless to her characters, and blood is spilled in great gory detail! If this was a movie, I’d be covering my eyes 😆. I would recommend this for the “older” end of YA rather than the younger, as well as any adult who enjoys delving into rich fantasy realms.
I will be recommending Roots of Blood and the next 2 books to all the fantasy readers in my life.
Elise, you are an author who deserves to be on many “want to read” lists with readers pummelling you with the question “when does your next book come out?”!

Have you considered putting your first book on sale with Bookbub, and/or Kindle Unlimited?
I have discovered many authors that I like that way. I rarely want to spend more than .99 on a new author, especially on a debut novel. Truthfully, I generally go for the free ones. Once I’m hooked on book one, and the author has proven him/herself to me, I am happy to spend more on the sequels.

[Elyse Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roots of Blood was a book that I definitely enjoyed it. I loved the plot. I felt that it had a good balance between tense/more serious portions as well as lighter moments. I enjoyed the characters overall, but I do hope that there is more development for Forest especially in the following books. I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Forest, the nymph, Jay the warrior, Aleah, Jay's sister, the evil nymph-keeper, plus a host of others, Elise Volkman creates a world of intrigue and conflict. While I'm not a fantasy lover and don't often read this genre, Volkman's excellent prose style and exciting, twisty plot pulled me in and didn't let me go. I highly recommend this series!

[Isirla]

November 15, 2024: I couldn't get into it at all, unfortunately.

December 14, 2024 Update: Tried it again and appreciated it a bit more but there is still something about the writing that's preventing me from enjoying it. Maybe the timing is off.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 stars.
Things I loved about this:
- Most of all, that something about it is 🌟pure storytelling🌟
- The contrasts between perspectives.
- Contrast between ableist and inclusive groups (though I wanted more of the latter - maybe there will be more in the following books?)
- The theme of bodily autonomy.
- The rich, internal worlds of each of the characters, and their complex decision-making as a result.