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Vessel
*BookLife Reviews Editor's Pick*
One power divided among the many.
Two visions of the future.
A struggle to launch humanity to its greatest heights or tumbling into its darkest days.
As a Vessel of the Third Order, Calen serves The New Colonies as a ritual worker, blessing the soil to bring forth bountiful harvests. Yet there is more to her abilities, if only she can escape the cruel hands of her bonded partner, Brother Stokely.
When she learns of Stokely’s plans to take her power for himself, Calen abandons her duty and begins a desperate journey to safety. Soon joined by a warrior scholar who vows to protect her, she must set aside her suspicions and form a tenuous alliance. She knows Stokely hunts her, and the skills of such a warrior may be needed in the days to come.
Only Calen discovers that Stokely has found another to take her place. A young woman with gifts like her that he will exploit for unimaginable power. She can choose her own freedom, fleeing with this stranger while averting her eyes from her partner’s horrific plot. Or she can confront the demon who has haunted her for far too long by finally harnessing her true abilities. Yet if she fails, Stokely will become unstoppable, and Calen with be but another one of his victims.
One power divided among the many.
Two visions of the future.
A struggle to launch humanity to its greatest heights or tumbling into its darkest days.
As a Vessel of the Third Order, Calen serves The New Colonies as a ritual worker, blessing the soil to bring forth bountiful harvests. Yet there is more to her abilities, if only she can escape the cruel hands of her bonded partner, Brother Stokely.
When she learns of Stokely’s plans to take her power for himself, Calen abandons her duty and begins a desperate journey to safety. Soon joined by a warrior scholar who vows to protect her, she must set aside her suspicions and form a tenuous alliance. She knows Stokely hunts her, and the skills of such a warrior may be needed in the days to come.
Only Calen discovers that Stokely has found another to take her place. A young woman with gifts like her that he will exploit for unimaginable power. She can choose her own freedom, fleeing with this stranger while averting her eyes from her partner’s horrific plot. Or she can confront the demon who has haunted her for far too long by finally harnessing her true abilities. Yet if she fails, Stokely will become unstoppable, and Calen with be but another one of his victims.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 17, 2024
7 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Jo
1 book21 followersSamantha Jo is a Youth Services Librarian with aspirations of becoming a distinguished voice in the world of fantasy. Inspired by her love of nature and storytelling, she graduated from Youngstown State University with a degree in biology and many creative writing courses under her belt. Her passion for the natural world shines through in her debut novel, Vessel: Bonded Earth Book One. She finds that her day job at a public library provides a wealth of motivation and creative influence for her own writing. Samantha lives in Ohio with her co-nerd and husband, their four semi-feral children, and a barnyard menagerie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 9, 2024
3.5⭐️ rounded up: thank you NetGalley for the ARC: I think this was a good start to a new series, though I feel like I have a lot of questions regarding the world and the method of magic and social structures that maybe could have been addressed more in this first book? Hopefully more details come in later parts of the series, but I’m definitely intrigued and will have to keep an eye out for the next book when it comes. Goddamn do I love when an asshole dude gets what’s coming to him tho, so I look forward to more of that energy in later books as well!
July 8, 2025
I met this author at a book festival, so of course I added this to my TBR after hearing her describe what this series was about. I was hooked from the start, this world and story is unique and well done. The characters were fantastic, and I love that there were multiple POVs. It lets you get into their heads and see what they're going through. This is definitely going to be an amazing series, I very much recommend everyone give this book a chance, it's soooooooo good!!!
August 16, 2024
I received this book as an ARC.
The book follows a woman who acts as vessel of supernatural powers. It tells of her journey as she struggles through difficult situations and makes friends along the way.
I enjoyed the premise of this book. The characters were likeable (except for Stokely) but lacked a bit of depth. The issue that I have with the story is the main point of the book: mana. Mana is the power that Calen, and many others, hold. However, it is never truly explained where it comes from or what it can do. I feel like if this was explained in the story, it could have added a lot to the overall premise and characters.
I am interested to see what happens in book 2 and hope we will get more information.
The book follows a woman who acts as vessel of supernatural powers. It tells of her journey as she struggles through difficult situations and makes friends along the way.
I enjoyed the premise of this book. The characters were likeable (except for Stokely) but lacked a bit of depth. The issue that I have with the story is the main point of the book: mana. Mana is the power that Calen, and many others, hold. However, it is never truly explained where it comes from or what it can do. I feel like if this was explained in the story, it could have added a lot to the overall premise and characters.
I am interested to see what happens in book 2 and hope we will get more information.
August 30, 2024
Vessel starts off strong, launching the reader into a mystery through the eyes of Amelia, a 12-year-old girl, who learns that she's been sold off to become a Vessel - a powerful position in this world but one that she doesn't want because it means she needs to leave her family. The story is fast-paced and easy to read even as is bounds between multiple perspectives. It was fresh to not only see through the eyes of our protagonists but also our main antagonist. Understanding our antagonist's inner desires made his actions towards Amelia even more disgusting. S.J. clearly had a very complex world structure and magic system built into the book, with classes, orders and titles that helped to understand how the rest of the world sees these characters. The book occasionally dips into the past, and these portions are used as big reveals about our characters - which helps to bind the book tightly together. The descriptions of settings and experiences are crafted well, making it easy to imagine what a scene looks like.
While it was a smooth read, there are definitely aspects of the book that left me desiring more from them. I will list them below:
- The dialogue and description is sometimes stilted and unnatural, with characters launching themselves into long exposition or just providing exposition to the reader, even if it isn't relevant to the plot (ex. talking about call center workers, "...but it did offer purchasing coins for people whose trade was not part of the basic barter system that set the prices for all goods and services in the Colonies." We do not hear anything more about bartering or purchasing coins, and though I understand this sentence was here to help us understand the world that we are in, it felt out of place and only brought up more questions as to what a barter-able trade is. It felt like an unfinished thought just pushed into the book to help worldbuilding.) There's a little too much "telling" rather than showing, for example, "All three looked to __, silently appointing her as the leader of the group." There are ways to showcase their deference that does not require it to be told to the reader.
- The world-building could have been built upon more, by the end of the book I understand there is a First & Third Order and what they do, as well as what a Vessel is used for, however I don't know anything about the meteorites, or mana - what are the limits to the magic of mana? It is less interesting to read a story where mana/magic is at the epicenter and yet we do not know the limits of it, it could be used to solve any problem!
- There were some strange descriptions, like, "...he said, with his voice like a boulder tumbling down a hill." I understand the intent there, but a descriptor like gravelly or rough could have been used instead. It evokes imagery but it is irrelevant imagery since it is referring to a character's qualities. It felt like purple prose.
- There are a lot of questions left unanswered, Amelia's powers, how the antagonist found Amelia in the first place, what happened to her family (especially Matti).
- There's some POV breaks within the book, where we are supposed to be living in someone's head but we suddenly are hearing something from inside someone else's head, an example is when we are supposed to be in Calen's viewpoint but we get this line, "Matilda's shoulders fell, realization dawning. There was nothing she could do to stop Calen from..." We should not be be able to hear what is happening in Matilda's head, rather we should be seeing her actions from Calen's POV.
Ultimately, it was a good book, with interesting magic and a cast of sweet characters. I especially want to give a shoutout for this line, "He had read enough novels in his life to recognize the storyline of the 'self-sacrificing hero' and he understood it to be an important literary tool. Watching it play out in real life however, it seemed short-sighted and unnecessarily theatrical." This made me laugh out loud.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review.
While it was a smooth read, there are definitely aspects of the book that left me desiring more from them. I will list them below:
- The dialogue and description is sometimes stilted and unnatural, with characters launching themselves into long exposition or just providing exposition to the reader, even if it isn't relevant to the plot (ex. talking about call center workers, "...but it did offer purchasing coins for people whose trade was not part of the basic barter system that set the prices for all goods and services in the Colonies." We do not hear anything more about bartering or purchasing coins, and though I understand this sentence was here to help us understand the world that we are in, it felt out of place and only brought up more questions as to what a barter-able trade is. It felt like an unfinished thought just pushed into the book to help worldbuilding.) There's a little too much "telling" rather than showing, for example, "All three looked to __, silently appointing her as the leader of the group." There are ways to showcase their deference that does not require it to be told to the reader.
- The world-building could have been built upon more, by the end of the book I understand there is a First & Third Order and what they do, as well as what a Vessel is used for, however I don't know anything about the meteorites, or mana - what are the limits to the magic of mana? It is less interesting to read a story where mana/magic is at the epicenter and yet we do not know the limits of it, it could be used to solve any problem!
- There were some strange descriptions, like, "...he said, with his voice like a boulder tumbling down a hill." I understand the intent there, but a descriptor like gravelly or rough could have been used instead. It evokes imagery but it is irrelevant imagery since it is referring to a character's qualities. It felt like purple prose.
- There are a lot of questions left unanswered, Amelia's powers, how the antagonist found Amelia in the first place, what happened to her family (especially Matti).
- There's some POV breaks within the book, where we are supposed to be living in someone's head but we suddenly are hearing something from inside someone else's head, an example is when we are supposed to be in Calen's viewpoint but we get this line, "Matilda's shoulders fell, realization dawning. There was nothing she could do to stop Calen from..." We should not be be able to hear what is happening in Matilda's head, rather we should be seeing her actions from Calen's POV.
Ultimately, it was a good book, with interesting magic and a cast of sweet characters. I especially want to give a shoutout for this line, "He had read enough novels in his life to recognize the storyline of the 'self-sacrificing hero' and he understood it to be an important literary tool. Watching it play out in real life however, it seemed short-sighted and unnecessarily theatrical." This made me laugh out loud.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review.
June 30, 2025
☆ "“I’m not leaving…Not anymore. I’m done running.” ☆
Once I finally settled into the rhythm of the book, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the storyline. However, it took me quite a while to get to that point. The early chapters felt slow and somewhat dense, largely due to the extended world-building. While the world itself was painted with vivid detail, that very richness initially worked against my engagement, making the opening feel more like a trek than a journey.
The narrative structure, marked by frequent time and character jumps, added to the early confusion. At first, I found these transitions disorienting, but over time, they began to enhance the story. As the book progressed and more context was provided, I came to appreciate how these shifts created a layered, dynamic experience. What started out feeling fragmented eventually became a compelling patchwork of interwoven stories.
One of the highlights for me was the character development, particularly that of Calen. Her bravery and sharp wit stood out, and I’m genuinely excited to see how her character evolves in the next installment. Nox was another standout; his presence added intrigue, and I’m hoping he plays a larger role in the sequel. Together, I suspect Calen and Nox have the potential to become a powerful duo.
☆ "And I sure hope that those stupid coins are worth it. I hope it’s enough to make you feel better when you miss me. It won’t be enough to make me feel better when I miss you.” ☆
Unfortunately, some aspects of the story left me wanting more clarity. The origins of Mana, the role of the Vessels, and the differences between the various orders of wielders were intriguing but underexplored. These gaps made it harder to fully grasp the stakes or the rules of the world, which somewhat diminished the impact of the story's more complex moments.
Part of my initial confusion may have also been due to a mix-up on my part; I had read the summary for book 2, mistaking it for book 1’s, which definitely skewed my expectations and understanding of the plot early on. Despite these bumps, the book ended on a strong note, leaving me eager for what’s to come. With its imaginative world, intriguing characters, and a plot that gains momentum with time, this book proved to be a rewarding read, just one that required a bit of patience to unlock its full potential.
☆ "'There are forces in this world more powerful than what I have inside me'…'No…I don’t think that there are.'” ☆
Stars: 3.5/5 (Rounded Up)
Spice: 0.5/5
Tropes Include:
♥ Sapphic Romance Subplot ♥
♥ Found Family ♥
♥ Dystopian ♥
♥ Feminine Rage ♥
Once I finally settled into the rhythm of the book, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the storyline. However, it took me quite a while to get to that point. The early chapters felt slow and somewhat dense, largely due to the extended world-building. While the world itself was painted with vivid detail, that very richness initially worked against my engagement, making the opening feel more like a trek than a journey.
The narrative structure, marked by frequent time and character jumps, added to the early confusion. At first, I found these transitions disorienting, but over time, they began to enhance the story. As the book progressed and more context was provided, I came to appreciate how these shifts created a layered, dynamic experience. What started out feeling fragmented eventually became a compelling patchwork of interwoven stories.
One of the highlights for me was the character development, particularly that of Calen. Her bravery and sharp wit stood out, and I’m genuinely excited to see how her character evolves in the next installment. Nox was another standout; his presence added intrigue, and I’m hoping he plays a larger role in the sequel. Together, I suspect Calen and Nox have the potential to become a powerful duo.
☆ "And I sure hope that those stupid coins are worth it. I hope it’s enough to make you feel better when you miss me. It won’t be enough to make me feel better when I miss you.” ☆
Unfortunately, some aspects of the story left me wanting more clarity. The origins of Mana, the role of the Vessels, and the differences between the various orders of wielders were intriguing but underexplored. These gaps made it harder to fully grasp the stakes or the rules of the world, which somewhat diminished the impact of the story's more complex moments.
Part of my initial confusion may have also been due to a mix-up on my part; I had read the summary for book 2, mistaking it for book 1’s, which definitely skewed my expectations and understanding of the plot early on. Despite these bumps, the book ended on a strong note, leaving me eager for what’s to come. With its imaginative world, intriguing characters, and a plot that gains momentum with time, this book proved to be a rewarding read, just one that required a bit of patience to unlock its full potential.
☆ "'There are forces in this world more powerful than what I have inside me'…'No…I don’t think that there are.'” ☆
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stars: 3.5/5 (Rounded Up)
Spice: 0.5/5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tropes Include:
♥ Sapphic Romance Subplot ♥
♥ Found Family ♥
♥ Dystopian ♥
♥ Feminine Rage ♥
July 1, 2025
Vessel by Samantha Jo is a quiet storm of a debut—earthbound, emotionally resonant, and steeped in the kind of slow-burning tension that lingers long after the final page. Set in a speculative Appalachian future shaped by a meteor strike centuries ago, the story follows Calen, a ritual worker known as a Vessel, whose sacred power is both revered and exploited. Bound to a cruel partner in a rigid, post-collapse society, Calen’s journey is one of survival, resistance, and the reclamation of self. This isn’t a fantasy that rushes to dazzle—it simmers, rooted in character and place.
Jo’s prose is grounded and evocative, and the setting feels almost sentient, with the land itself humming with mana and memory. The Appalachian backdrop isn’t just scenery—it’s a living force, shaping the culture, magic, and emotional tone of the book. Themes of autonomy, found family, and quiet rebellion are handled with care, and Calen’s arc is especially compelling. She’s not a heroine forged in fire, but one who rises from the ashes of long-held silence. The multi-POV structure adds depth, allowing readers to glimpse the motivations of both allies and antagonists, and the emotional stakes are always front and center.
That said, the novel isn’t without its rough edges. The mana-based magic system is intriguing but underexplored, and some worldbuilding elements—like the barter economy and social orders—feel more gestured at than fully realized. Readers who prefer hard magic systems or intricate political scaffolding may find themselves wanting more clarity. The pacing leans introspective, so those expecting action-heavy fantasy might need to recalibrate. But for readers who crave emotionally grounded, character-driven stories with a strong sense of place, Vessel delivers.
With a rating of 4 out of 5, Vessel is a thoughtful, atmospheric fantasy that hums beneath your skin. It’s perfect for fans of The Year of the Witching, The Bear and the Nightingale, or The Book of the Unnamed Midwife—readers who appreciate flawed heroines, morally tangled systems, and the slow, powerful reclaiming of voice. If book two expands on the magic, deepens the lore, and continues Calen’s evolution, this series could become something truly special.
Jo’s prose is grounded and evocative, and the setting feels almost sentient, with the land itself humming with mana and memory. The Appalachian backdrop isn’t just scenery—it’s a living force, shaping the culture, magic, and emotional tone of the book. Themes of autonomy, found family, and quiet rebellion are handled with care, and Calen’s arc is especially compelling. She’s not a heroine forged in fire, but one who rises from the ashes of long-held silence. The multi-POV structure adds depth, allowing readers to glimpse the motivations of both allies and antagonists, and the emotional stakes are always front and center.
That said, the novel isn’t without its rough edges. The mana-based magic system is intriguing but underexplored, and some worldbuilding elements—like the barter economy and social orders—feel more gestured at than fully realized. Readers who prefer hard magic systems or intricate political scaffolding may find themselves wanting more clarity. The pacing leans introspective, so those expecting action-heavy fantasy might need to recalibrate. But for readers who crave emotionally grounded, character-driven stories with a strong sense of place, Vessel delivers.
With a rating of 4 out of 5, Vessel is a thoughtful, atmospheric fantasy that hums beneath your skin. It’s perfect for fans of The Year of the Witching, The Bear and the Nightingale, or The Book of the Unnamed Midwife—readers who appreciate flawed heroines, morally tangled systems, and the slow, powerful reclaiming of voice. If book two expands on the magic, deepens the lore, and continues Calen’s evolution, this series could become something truly special.
August 17, 2024
4.5/5 rounded up because math says that's how that works
Vessel is a story about a woman, Calen, whose life was taken from her. To say she lived is a loose statement. She lived small under the oppressive thumb of her bonded and incredibly abusive partner Brother Stokely.
First Orders like Brother Stokely bond with Third Order Vessels like Calen. The magic system is very unique in this book.
In defiance (as would be my only explanation), she still manages to hold on to her humanity and empathy for others. She shields anyone she can from her partner but also shields her partner (not out of kindness) from others, a massive self-sacrifice.
Rosalind a former best friend, as Calen thought, finds out she's been brutally hurt - manages to enlist the help of another Brother of the First Order, Nox. He, though reluctantly, agrees to go, but Calen is starting to find her inner strength and outruns both Brothers.
Fortunately only one initially finds her.
I gotta say, this is a well-written book that held my attention from the beginning. I felt for each character in their own way and their plight relevant to the story. Nox is the comedic relief we all need. I loved him for that.
(This is a multi-pov book: Calen, Brother Stokely, Nox, and Rosalind. I personally love multi-pov so this was right up my alley.)
Calen manages to find a pocket of happiness that she so deserves which gave her the power to realize she has so much worth than she realizes. She grows from the uncomfortable and complacent person she just decided it was easier to be, to a survivor who just won't take it anymore. And she finally accepts the help she never wanted to have. She'd been alone for so long, gaslit for so long, she felt like there wasn't anyone other than Stokely who would have anything to do with her.
I hope this book picks up and gets the attention it deserves. This is a first-time author (I mean granted, a librarian), but it does not read like a first-time author. It was almost flawless.
I think there is a TW that some people may want to know (nothing triggers me, but I've seen it in the beginning of other books) and that's an off-page sexual assault of the MC and referenced on page shortly after. It's also threatened a few times throughout the book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Vessel is a story about a woman, Calen, whose life was taken from her. To say she lived is a loose statement. She lived small under the oppressive thumb of her bonded and incredibly abusive partner Brother Stokely.
First Orders like Brother Stokely bond with Third Order Vessels like Calen. The magic system is very unique in this book.
In defiance (as would be my only explanation), she still manages to hold on to her humanity and empathy for others. She shields anyone she can from her partner but also shields her partner (not out of kindness) from others, a massive self-sacrifice.
Rosalind a former best friend, as Calen thought, finds out she's been brutally hurt - manages to enlist the help of another Brother of the First Order, Nox. He, though reluctantly, agrees to go, but Calen is starting to find her inner strength and outruns both Brothers.
Fortunately only one initially finds her.
I gotta say, this is a well-written book that held my attention from the beginning. I felt for each character in their own way and their plight relevant to the story. Nox is the comedic relief we all need. I loved him for that.
(This is a multi-pov book: Calen, Brother Stokely, Nox, and Rosalind. I personally love multi-pov so this was right up my alley.)
Calen manages to find a pocket of happiness that she so deserves which gave her the power to realize she has so much worth than she realizes. She grows from the uncomfortable and complacent person she just decided it was easier to be, to a survivor who just won't take it anymore. And she finally accepts the help she never wanted to have. She'd been alone for so long, gaslit for so long, she felt like there wasn't anyone other than Stokely who would have anything to do with her.
I hope this book picks up and gets the attention it deserves. This is a first-time author (I mean granted, a librarian), but it does not read like a first-time author. It was almost flawless.
I think there is a TW that some people may want to know (nothing triggers me, but I've seen it in the beginning of other books) and that's an off-page sexual assault of the MC and referenced on page shortly after. It's also threatened a few times throughout the book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
July 6, 2025
I am going to be honest. I almost DNF’ed this book at the beginning based on just the way I received the copy unfortunately. I received an ARC copy for Samantha Jo’s re-release, but the copy I received looked like the pages were scanned in as images. This prevented me from using dark mode since all the pages were white background, and I had to zoom in for each image. This did cause some irritation since I do have sensitive eyesight to brightness.
However, I stuck through the book. It did take a bit longer to read though because of this issue. The story was fast-paced and easy to read. I loved how the readers were able to not only see the protagonist’s point of view but also the main antagonist as well as a few side characters’ point of views. The only one that left me a bit confused was the final chapter. I am expecting to see more from that character in future books.
I appreciated how the author used flashbacks sparingly to reveal important information to the readers so they would understand what was happening in the story and why. Furthermore, she was able to relay information about the complex world that she created through the characters acted as well as how other characters may react to view our characters.
Although the reader has the chance to fully understand the First and Third Orders and what their roles are supposed to be as well as what a Vessel does for the world, we did not receive much information about mana or the meteorite. There isn’t a clear understanding of what the limits of mana are. In doing so, it’s hard to truly grasp how unusual Stokely’s and Calen’s abilities are without the other characters just outright stating that their abilities and skills are uncommon. I am hoping that we will learn some more information about mana in the next book.
I look forward to reading the second book, Catalyst, soon.
However, I stuck through the book. It did take a bit longer to read though because of this issue. The story was fast-paced and easy to read. I loved how the readers were able to not only see the protagonist’s point of view but also the main antagonist as well as a few side characters’ point of views. The only one that left me a bit confused was the final chapter. I am expecting to see more from that character in future books.
I appreciated how the author used flashbacks sparingly to reveal important information to the readers so they would understand what was happening in the story and why. Furthermore, she was able to relay information about the complex world that she created through the characters acted as well as how other characters may react to view our characters.
Although the reader has the chance to fully understand the First and Third Orders and what their roles are supposed to be as well as what a Vessel does for the world, we did not receive much information about mana or the meteorite. There isn’t a clear understanding of what the limits of mana are. In doing so, it’s hard to truly grasp how unusual Stokely’s and Calen’s abilities are without the other characters just outright stating that their abilities and skills are uncommon. I am hoping that we will learn some more information about mana in the next book.
I look forward to reading the second book, Catalyst, soon.
July 29, 2025
Human bodies were not meant to hold this much of the universe within them.
I was totally enamored by the worldbuilding and prose in Vessel by Samantha Jo. In this unique world, meteors seem to have brought mana, a type of magic, to humans. ("Scholars and scientists alike agreed that life pre-meteor was barbaric and difficult, and no one was in a hurry to send society back to those dark days.") Particularly gifted individuals are able to absorb and fuse with mana, serving as Vessels able to bless the communities around them. This story follows Revered Calendula, whose bond with Brother Stokely is torture, to say the very least. She's more powerful than most Vessels, and he's more corrupt than most First Orders. Desperate for freedom, Calen takes off on a journey to get away from Stokely, and it fortunately reunites her with her true love and a broken Vessel with her stolen mana.
It's been a long time since I encountered a magic system this rich and unique, and the WORLD. AH! It was incredible. From the technology to the food, everything was so richly described. Samantha Jo has a beautiful way with words, and while the story is worth it alone, the way she weaves beautiful imagery along the way is lush, immersive, and so worth diving into.
Fans of fantasy are going to love this one! Magic is both a source of oppression and addiction, and it works to create a sort of spiritual dystopia in which a colorful cast of characters absolutely shine. Expect cinematic pacing, survival as defiance, and a magic system with subtle moments of psychological horror. All in all, a great start to the Bonded Earth series.
I was totally enamored by the worldbuilding and prose in Vessel by Samantha Jo. In this unique world, meteors seem to have brought mana, a type of magic, to humans. ("Scholars and scientists alike agreed that life pre-meteor was barbaric and difficult, and no one was in a hurry to send society back to those dark days.") Particularly gifted individuals are able to absorb and fuse with mana, serving as Vessels able to bless the communities around them. This story follows Revered Calendula, whose bond with Brother Stokely is torture, to say the very least. She's more powerful than most Vessels, and he's more corrupt than most First Orders. Desperate for freedom, Calen takes off on a journey to get away from Stokely, and it fortunately reunites her with her true love and a broken Vessel with her stolen mana.
It's been a long time since I encountered a magic system this rich and unique, and the WORLD. AH! It was incredible. From the technology to the food, everything was so richly described. Samantha Jo has a beautiful way with words, and while the story is worth it alone, the way she weaves beautiful imagery along the way is lush, immersive, and so worth diving into.
Fans of fantasy are going to love this one! Magic is both a source of oppression and addiction, and it works to create a sort of spiritual dystopia in which a colorful cast of characters absolutely shine. Expect cinematic pacing, survival as defiance, and a magic system with subtle moments of psychological horror. All in all, a great start to the Bonded Earth series.
February 27, 2025
Vessel by Samantha Jo is a gripping young adult fantasy that immediately draws readers into a world filled with mystery and magical intrigue. The story begins with a strong hook, following 12-year-old Amelia, who discovers that she has been sold to become a "Vessel." In this world, being a Vessel is a position of immense power, but it comes at a steep cost—Amelia must leave behind her family and everything she knows.
Samantha Jo’s writing style is engaging, effortlessly blending magic and mystery in a way that keeps the reader intrigued from start to finish. The book strikes the perfect balance between world-building and character development, giving us enough of Amelia's internal struggles and the world around her to keep us invested. Amelia is a relatable protagonist whose emotional journey adds depth to the story, and her reluctance to accept her fate brings a sense of urgency to the plot.
The magical elements are woven in seamlessly, and while the story takes you through twists and turns, it doesn’t stray too far from what you’d expect from a well-crafted fantasy. I found myself excited to read more as the book progressed, and it leaves the door wide open for the rest of the series to expand on its compelling premise.
If you're a fan of young adult fantasy with strong world-building, Vessel is a solid read, and I’m certainly looking forward to more from Samantha Jo in this series.
Samantha Jo’s writing style is engaging, effortlessly blending magic and mystery in a way that keeps the reader intrigued from start to finish. The book strikes the perfect balance between world-building and character development, giving us enough of Amelia's internal struggles and the world around her to keep us invested. Amelia is a relatable protagonist whose emotional journey adds depth to the story, and her reluctance to accept her fate brings a sense of urgency to the plot.
The magical elements are woven in seamlessly, and while the story takes you through twists and turns, it doesn’t stray too far from what you’d expect from a well-crafted fantasy. I found myself excited to read more as the book progressed, and it leaves the door wide open for the rest of the series to expand on its compelling premise.
If you're a fan of young adult fantasy with strong world-building, Vessel is a solid read, and I’m certainly looking forward to more from Samantha Jo in this series.
August 18, 2025
Alright so I picked up this book Vessel Bonded Earth Book One by Samantha Jo in a giveaway and I ain’t gonna lie at first I thought it was about farming and dirt blessin cause this girl Calen she go round blessing soil makin crops grow. But turns out it’s way more than just throwin corn in a hole.
Now Calen she stuck with this fella named Stokely and let me tell ya he ain’t no good partner. He more like the kinda man that smile in church then kick a chair on the way out. But worse he want her power all for hisself so she like nah I’m outta here and takes off.
Then this warrior scholar dude shows up and I’m thinkin well now we cookin cause who don’t want a bodyguard with muscles and a brain. They team up but Calen don’t trust easy cause everybody been rotten to her. But she ain’t got much choice cause Stokely still chasin her down like bad credit.
Then Stokely pull a dirty trick and find him another gal just like Calen to drain dry. And that part had me like dang man ain’t you tired of bein evil. But nah he just keep on schemin.
The story wild. It got runnin, fightin, magic, blessin dirt, betrayal, and a mean fella you can’t wait to see get what’s comin. The writin kept me goin even when I had to stop and sound out some big words.
I say it’s a good start to a series. Not perfect, some spots draggin a bit, but overall pretty dang good.
I give it 4 outta 5 catfish!
Now Calen she stuck with this fella named Stokely and let me tell ya he ain’t no good partner. He more like the kinda man that smile in church then kick a chair on the way out. But worse he want her power all for hisself so she like nah I’m outta here and takes off.
Then this warrior scholar dude shows up and I’m thinkin well now we cookin cause who don’t want a bodyguard with muscles and a brain. They team up but Calen don’t trust easy cause everybody been rotten to her. But she ain’t got much choice cause Stokely still chasin her down like bad credit.
Then Stokely pull a dirty trick and find him another gal just like Calen to drain dry. And that part had me like dang man ain’t you tired of bein evil. But nah he just keep on schemin.
The story wild. It got runnin, fightin, magic, blessin dirt, betrayal, and a mean fella you can’t wait to see get what’s comin. The writin kept me goin even when I had to stop and sound out some big words.
I say it’s a good start to a series. Not perfect, some spots draggin a bit, but overall pretty dang good.
I give it 4 outta 5 catfish!
June 30, 2025
Thank you to Inkspire and Samantha Jo for the eArc of Vessel (Bonded Earth #1).
Vessel follows the Journey of Calen, who is a Vessel of the Third Order. She is bonded with Brother Stokely. Stokely is very cruel and abusive, leading Calen to run and abandon her duties to seek safety. Then enters a formidable side character, Nox, and Rosalind to help try to rescue Calen as Brother Stokely hunts her. This book is heavily character-driven as we learn more about Calen and her true powers, as well as the implications of running from her bonded partner and the impact this will have on their surroundings. Overall, I enjoyed this book and getting to know all these characters, as well as seeing how the turmoil unfolded as Calen made her escape. I was on the edge of my seat for several parts of this book as things began to unfold. I loved Calen's bravery and her finally coming into her own, as well as seeing her take back her power. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good revenge plot, a sapphic romance subplot, well-written feminine rage, and earthbound magic systems.
Vessel follows the Journey of Calen, who is a Vessel of the Third Order. She is bonded with Brother Stokely. Stokely is very cruel and abusive, leading Calen to run and abandon her duties to seek safety. Then enters a formidable side character, Nox, and Rosalind to help try to rescue Calen as Brother Stokely hunts her. This book is heavily character-driven as we learn more about Calen and her true powers, as well as the implications of running from her bonded partner and the impact this will have on their surroundings. Overall, I enjoyed this book and getting to know all these characters, as well as seeing how the turmoil unfolded as Calen made her escape. I was on the edge of my seat for several parts of this book as things began to unfold. I loved Calen's bravery and her finally coming into her own, as well as seeing her take back her power. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good revenge plot, a sapphic romance subplot, well-written feminine rage, and earthbound magic systems.
December 7, 2025
The first 1/3 of the book was a little confusing to me but as the story line picked up I became obsessed and engrossed in this book. I can not wait for this series to keep going!
The start was confusing with all the different point of views that were offered and I didn't put it together that some of the point of views were the same person just with a new name. I think more explanation at the start of the book about what a vessel is/does/purpose would have made it less confusing out of the gait along with further explanation into what the Mana based magic. Once you're almost halfway through the book you able to put everything together better and could have made it longer as well.
Even with the rough edges of this book it is a fast pace easy read that will leave you on the edge of you set waiting to see what comes next. I can not wait to read the other books in this series .
The start was confusing with all the different point of views that were offered and I didn't put it together that some of the point of views were the same person just with a new name. I think more explanation at the start of the book about what a vessel is/does/purpose would have made it less confusing out of the gait along with further explanation into what the Mana based magic. Once you're almost halfway through the book you able to put everything together better and could have made it longer as well.
Even with the rough edges of this book it is a fast pace easy read that will leave you on the edge of you set waiting to see what comes next. I can not wait to read the other books in this series .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2025
Vessel follows the journey of Calen who is a vessel of supernatural power, we see her struggles and the abuse she goes through.
This story is very character driven, betrayals, fighting, and the bravery of our fmc who been through so much.
Was anxious and on the edge of my seat during some scenes! (Stokely will have you raging!)
A bit of depth was missing also the would building could’ve been more, some information about the magic and how it or where it even comes from, i trust that it will be explained in the 2nd book.
But overall i really enjoyed this book! So if you love female rage, revenge, found family, adventure and multiple povs! Then this story is for you.
Thank you Samantha Jo for the ARC, so happy to have read it💕💕
This story is very character driven, betrayals, fighting, and the bravery of our fmc who been through so much.
Was anxious and on the edge of my seat during some scenes! (Stokely will have you raging!)
A bit of depth was missing also the would building could’ve been more, some information about the magic and how it or where it even comes from, i trust that it will be explained in the 2nd book.
But overall i really enjoyed this book! So if you love female rage, revenge, found family, adventure and multiple povs! Then this story is for you.
Thank you Samantha Jo for the ARC, so happy to have read it💕💕
November 9, 2025
Absolutely loved this book and am beyond excited to start the second book! I love that the author provides you with different points of view, including the main antagonist’s. In the beginning, I was overwhelmed with all of the points of view, but they served their purpose later in the storyline. The chapters were short but packed with information and really helped to keep the readers attention until the very end and left me craving more. The only recommendation I have for the author would be to add trigger warnings. I made it through without any issues but struggled a bit when looking through the antagonist’s point of view.
August 22, 2024
The whole story is great! It starts with a solid introduction that reeled me in. I was curious what would happen in the subsequent chapters. The story builds up to an epic crescendo that did not fail to seed future plot possibilities. I really hope that the author writes additions to what is set to be a strong series based on a foundation that book one sets.
I also found the character dialogue in good tempo with the story pace. I appreciated the humor as well as the random acts of endearment.
Overall, this story is very well written and entertaining. I’m glad I read this book.
I also found the character dialogue in good tempo with the story pace. I appreciated the humor as well as the random acts of endearment.
Overall, this story is very well written and entertaining. I’m glad I read this book.
February 12, 2025
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Y’all. I read the synopsis on the back and thought, “Okay. Our protagonist is going to fall for the warrior scholar…standard blah blah blah.” But the aching need for a specific someone else was palpable from the beginning. And it turns out, this is an LGBTQ+ love story. 🏳️🌈 Who knew?
I loved it. L💛ved it!
Real talk: we need a bit of a trigger warning. There are scenes of sexual assault/domestic violence. Gave me a little pause at first, but there has to be conflict for there to be a story. So just, please be aware of what you are picking up.
And, seriously, do pick it up!
Y’all. I read the synopsis on the back and thought, “Okay. Our protagonist is going to fall for the warrior scholar…standard blah blah blah.” But the aching need for a specific someone else was palpable from the beginning. And it turns out, this is an LGBTQ+ love story. 🏳️🌈 Who knew?
I loved it. L💛ved it!
Real talk: we need a bit of a trigger warning. There are scenes of sexual assault/domestic violence. Gave me a little pause at first, but there has to be conflict for there to be a story. So just, please be aware of what you are picking up.
And, seriously, do pick it up!
June 24, 2025
This is a young adult fantasy with a multi pov book between the character. The book fallows a women who is a vessel of a mystery powers she goes through a lot of struggles and trauma throughout the story. I'm usually not a fan of young adult story's but I enjoy. They were some parts that was slow in my opinion, they are some parts in the story that was on a dark theme with SA mention off pages so keep that in mind when reading the book. Book two is coming out soon thank you to inkspire and Samantha for the book.
July 10, 2025
The multiple POV in this story is perfection, adding layers of tension and emotion. The sapphic love story is a refreshing change of pace from the usual romantasy (I like those too, it's just great to have the representation here!)
I could feel Calen's pain, hopelessness, and determination through the pages. The story is a unique take on mana and how it's given and taken.
I do wish this book had a bit more world/plot building, but I was thoroughly intrigued by the story and invested in the characters! I'm excited to read the next book, as I'm sure we'll learn more about the mana system and the cast of characters!
I could feel Calen's pain, hopelessness, and determination through the pages. The story is a unique take on mana and how it's given and taken.
I do wish this book had a bit more world/plot building, but I was thoroughly intrigued by the story and invested in the characters! I'm excited to read the next book, as I'm sure we'll learn more about the mana system and the cast of characters!
August 29, 2024
this was a strong start to the Bonded Earth Trilogy series, it had a great fantasy element that I wanted. It had that magical element and worked with what I was expecting. Samantha Jo has a great writing style and can't wait to read more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 6, 2025
This novel is a must-read for anyone craving a slow-burning tension! Just a heads up, it tackles some heavy themes, including DV, so proceed with caution if you're sensitive to those topics. The author's writing is so immersive, you'll feel the weight of the character's pain, but it's not your typical fantasy– it's raw.
September 14, 2024
Unique magic system and a spooky vibe that takes you info an intriging story.
It kind of reminded me of a historical fantasy, but defently not ;)
A thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and S. Jo for the story!
3,5 magical stars
It kind of reminded me of a historical fantasy, but defently not ;)
A thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and S. Jo for the story!
3,5 magical stars
June 8, 2025
I didn't finish. I couldn't relate to the characters. I am not sure why, but I am at a point that I don't make myself finish novels and have TBR stack that might outlast me so I am getting unreasonably picky
August 9, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and enjoyed reading it. I was confused at the beginning for a chapter or two but then enjoyed it. I like the different POV’s and the characters are likeable and the story is interesting. I looking forward to reading Catalyst and continuing the series.
July 29, 2024
Well worth the read!!!! This book is a vit confusing at first but boom it takes you on a wild ride. I really hate stokely...and realllllly want book 2 haha.
January 5, 2025
The story line is very catching, read this whole book in a couple of sittings. Anxiously waiting the next book!
April 8, 2025
This was a ton of fun to read. I'm excited to see where Samantha Jo goes next!
June 29, 2025
I am pleasantly surprised!! I really love the plot and the characters. The writing is phenomenal!
Read
July 10, 2025not for me
July 19, 2025
From the start I was hooked loved every step of the book. Every chapter hung on a cliff hanger and I wanted to go to the next chapter to find out more.
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