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Vial of Tears
Two sisters become trapped in the underworld--and in the machinations of deities, shapeshifters, and ghouls--in this lush and dangerous Phoenician mythology-inspired fantasy.
Sixteen-year-old sisters Samira and Rima aren't exactly living the dream. Instead, they live with their maddeningly unreliable mother in a rundown trailer in Michigan. Dad's dead, money's tight, and Mom disappears for days at a time. So when Sam's grandfather wills her the family valuables--a cache of Lebanese antiquities--she's desperate enough to try pawning them before Mom can.
But she shouldn't. Because one is cursed, forbidden, the burial coin of a forgotten god. Disturbing it condemns her and Rima to the Phoenician underworld, a place of wicked cities, burning cedar forests, poisoned feasts of milk and lemons, and an endless, windless ocean.
Nothing is what it seems. No one is who they say. And down here, the night never ends.
To get home--and keep her sister safe--Sam will have to outwit beautiful shapeshifters, pose as a royal bride, sail the darkest sea... and maybe kill the god of death himself.
Sixteen-year-old sisters Samira and Rima aren't exactly living the dream. Instead, they live with their maddeningly unreliable mother in a rundown trailer in Michigan. Dad's dead, money's tight, and Mom disappears for days at a time. So when Sam's grandfather wills her the family valuables--a cache of Lebanese antiquities--she's desperate enough to try pawning them before Mom can.
But she shouldn't. Because one is cursed, forbidden, the burial coin of a forgotten god. Disturbing it condemns her and Rima to the Phoenician underworld, a place of wicked cities, burning cedar forests, poisoned feasts of milk and lemons, and an endless, windless ocean.
Nothing is what it seems. No one is who they say. And down here, the night never ends.
To get home--and keep her sister safe--Sam will have to outwit beautiful shapeshifters, pose as a royal bride, sail the darkest sea... and maybe kill the god of death himself.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2021
19 people are currently reading
4986 people want to read
About the author
Cristin Bishara
4 books91 followersCristin Bishara writes fantasy and science fiction for kids. Her newly released middle-grade novel, Mothman, is a Choose Your Own Adventure® thriller with 19 endings, and is the first in the Cryptid Chronicles series. Her young-adult debut, Relativity (Bloomsbury, 2013), explores parallel universes, while Vial of Tears (Holiday House, 2021) was inspired by Phoenician mythology and earned starred reviews from both Kirkus and Shelf Awareness. Cristin graduated with a B.A. in English from Kenyon College, and earned her M.F.A. in creative writing (poetry) from St. Mary’s College of California. Over the years, she’s worked as a freelance copywriter, and has taught composition and fiction writing at the university level. She lives and writes in Tampa, Florida with her family and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 7, 2021
Perfect for the adventure-seeker who wants to fall into another world—literally. Vial of Tears holds the beautiful complications of family close to its heart, all while telling a sweeping story filled with gods and monsters.
February 11, 2022
A very promising debut. I’ve never read anything inspired by Phoenician mythology— it reminds me of a cross between Greek mythology and traditional Islamic/Middle Eastern folk tales. I really enjoyed the subversion of some of the common tropes (I was a little surprised by the twists).
My main issue with this book is its lack of development in characters. Yes, Sam misses her father and has Girl Scout badges, but that’s pretty much the extent of her character. She’s a passive character (for the most part), but she does take some initiative.
3.5 stars rounded up
My main issue with this book is its lack of development in characters. Yes, Sam misses her father and has Girl Scout badges, but that’s pretty much the extent of her character. She’s a passive character (for the most part), but she does take some initiative.
3.5 stars rounded up
August 8, 2022
Vial of Tears follows Sam as she journeys to save her sister after they are unintentionally transported to the perilous Phoenician underworld. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT WAS EVEN MORE PERILOUS? THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED WHILST I WAS READING THIS BOOK.
✨STORY TIME✨
SO.
While perusing my local e-library, I came across this book and was initially drawn by its cover (in case you weren’t aware, real readers always judge books by their covers). Anyways, as I read the synopsis, I was further allured by the mention of Phoenician mythology, which I knew absolutely nothing about. After renting the book and listening to 70% of it, I forgot about it for many days because of…ummm…*frantically tries to find an excuse*
*can’t find one*
UM SO YEAH
Soooo, I then logged back into my account and realized that the time was almost up and that I needed to renew my rental.
So I did. Without memorizing where I was in the book.
Well, let’s just say that that was a ROOKIE MISTAKE, and that the crummy software my library uses for its online rentals is not so forgiving.
It reset my progress entirely, so I then had to guesstimate where I was in the story, because I’m a proud member of the Goldfish Memory Club and didn’t remember anything.😁
After sort of finding out where I was in the story, I resumed listening to it.
Andddd let’s just say that the not-so-hot e-library, for some unknown reason, kept resetting my time stamp back to where I had started listening and I may or may not have listened to the same chapter over four times. BUT, despite these obstacles I prevailed and managed to finish the book.
ACTUAL REVIEW
Firstly, the Phoenician underworld was UTTERLY TERRIFYING. There were so many times when I was just squirming in ew and terror at the brutality of it. It was super fascinating to read about and was such a refreshing, unique setting that I had never read or heard about before.
Sam, the protagonist, was okay. I’d say her biggest con is that she just wasn’t super memorable. And with my goldfish memory, honey, I just don’t think she’s gonna be in my brain much longer. My memory is prime real estate and the market is HOT.
Rima, Sam’s sister, on the other hand, was hilariousssss. I feel like Rima is the embodiment of what us readers would be like in a fantasy novel. It’s honestly a shame she didn’t have more page time!
Because of the above events, my understanding of the plot has become a bit…muddled? But obviously this has nothing to do with the author and everything to do with the e-library.🙃 Because of that, I’m just going to go ahead and give this one three stars because I did enjoy the parts that my brain wasn’t confused at, and it really is a fresh, unique, and original story, which the YA genre could honestly use a lot more of.
CONTENT RATINGS:
(Scale of 0-5)
Addictive substances: 1 - Brief mention of one of the characters smoking at a party towards the beginning of the novel. Sam and Rema’s mother gambles at casinos.
Language: 2 - One character cusses frequently but has minimal page time.
Kissing/Smut/Sexual content: 2 - No kissing or smut, just vague references of sex.
Suggested age rating: 14+*
✨STORY TIME✨
SO.
While perusing my local e-library, I came across this book and was initially drawn by its cover (in case you weren’t aware, real readers always judge books by their covers). Anyways, as I read the synopsis, I was further allured by the mention of Phoenician mythology, which I knew absolutely nothing about. After renting the book and listening to 70% of it, I forgot about it for many days because of…ummm…*frantically tries to find an excuse*
*can’t find one*
UM SO YEAH
Soooo, I then logged back into my account and realized that the time was almost up and that I needed to renew my rental.
So I did. Without memorizing where I was in the book.
Well, let’s just say that that was a ROOKIE MISTAKE, and that the crummy software my library uses for its online rentals is not so forgiving.
It reset my progress entirely, so I then had to guesstimate where I was in the story, because I’m a proud member of the Goldfish Memory Club and didn’t remember anything.😁
After sort of finding out where I was in the story, I resumed listening to it.
Andddd let’s just say that the not-so-hot e-library, for some unknown reason, kept resetting my time stamp back to where I had started listening and I may or may not have listened to the same chapter over four times. BUT, despite these obstacles I prevailed and managed to finish the book.
ACTUAL REVIEW
Firstly, the Phoenician underworld was UTTERLY TERRIFYING. There were so many times when I was just squirming in ew and terror at the brutality of it. It was super fascinating to read about and was such a refreshing, unique setting that I had never read or heard about before.
Sam, the protagonist, was okay. I’d say her biggest con is that she just wasn’t super memorable. And with my goldfish memory, honey, I just don’t think she’s gonna be in my brain much longer. My memory is prime real estate and the market is HOT.
Rima, Sam’s sister, on the other hand, was hilariousssss. I feel like Rima is the embodiment of what us readers would be like in a fantasy novel. It’s honestly a shame she didn’t have more page time!
Because of the above events, my understanding of the plot has become a bit…muddled? But obviously this has nothing to do with the author and everything to do with the e-library.🙃 Because of that, I’m just going to go ahead and give this one three stars because I did enjoy the parts that my brain wasn’t confused at, and it really is a fresh, unique, and original story, which the YA genre could honestly use a lot more of.
CONTENT RATINGS:
(Scale of 0-5)
Addictive substances: 1 - Brief mention of one of the characters smoking at a party towards the beginning of the novel. Sam and Rema’s mother gambles at casinos.
Language: 2 - One character cusses frequently but has minimal page time.
Kissing/Smut/Sexual content: 2 - No kissing or smut, just vague references of sex.
Suggested age rating: 14+*
Read
November 28, 2021Beautiful!
October 5, 2021
Huge thanks to Holiday House for the chance to review this book!
VIAL OF TEARS has been high on my tbr since I saw the cover, but due to a few reviews and posts It's seen on the fly, this was categorized as a middle-grade book. When I dove in, I was in that mindset, but was pleasantly surprised that this is actually YA. With that information, it took me a minute to get into the story, but I eased into it quickly enough to find that not only was this book marketed strangely but it wasn't marketed as much as it should be,
In short, this book was incredible!
Sam and Rima don't live a perfect life. There's always the threat of eviction and barely getting enough food to sustain them, but they also have to deal with an absent mother who seems to disappear for days on end without explanation. So, when they're gifted a jar of old antiques, the first thought Sam has is, this will catch us up on rent enough to keep the landlord off their backs. Oh, but the coins within the jar are cursed and suddenly Sam finds herself trusted into a world completely unlike her own with Rima nowhere in sight.
Off the bat, I was reminded of City of Brass (one of my favorite books in the world) with its culture intertwined into a fictional fantasy world. And like the aforementioned novel, VIAL OF TEARS is helmed by a strong, determined protagonist. The people and things in this new world cannot be trusted, and Sam quickly realizes that in order to reduce her sister and get them back to Michigan, she will have to play a game of her own.
The only thing I could not get behind was the romance. I didn't feel any sort of connection between Sam and Eshmun for it to come to a head by the book's end. This had the potential to have a slow-burn enemy to lovers, but the spark was absent. If there had been a build-up (at least on Sam's side) the confession at the end would have had a larger impact. To be honest, it would have been best to leave the romance out entirely since Eshmun was a selfish kidnapper, to begin with, and did not have enough time to have a redemption arc for me to really see him as anything romantic for Sam.
Carrying this book for was Teth, my grizzly bear of a man. I loved him so much and his scenes had me smiling and crying my darn eyes out.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience. The author created a riveting novel full of dangers and betrayals. If you're looking for a quest book with strong sibling dynamics and twists to keep you up late into the night, this is the one for you.
Bookstagram
VIAL OF TEARS has been high on my tbr since I saw the cover, but due to a few reviews and posts It's seen on the fly, this was categorized as a middle-grade book. When I dove in, I was in that mindset, but was pleasantly surprised that this is actually YA. With that information, it took me a minute to get into the story, but I eased into it quickly enough to find that not only was this book marketed strangely but it wasn't marketed as much as it should be,
In short, this book was incredible!
Sam and Rima don't live a perfect life. There's always the threat of eviction and barely getting enough food to sustain them, but they also have to deal with an absent mother who seems to disappear for days on end without explanation. So, when they're gifted a jar of old antiques, the first thought Sam has is, this will catch us up on rent enough to keep the landlord off their backs. Oh, but the coins within the jar are cursed and suddenly Sam finds herself trusted into a world completely unlike her own with Rima nowhere in sight.
Off the bat, I was reminded of City of Brass (one of my favorite books in the world) with its culture intertwined into a fictional fantasy world. And like the aforementioned novel, VIAL OF TEARS is helmed by a strong, determined protagonist. The people and things in this new world cannot be trusted, and Sam quickly realizes that in order to reduce her sister and get them back to Michigan, she will have to play a game of her own.
The only thing I could not get behind was the romance. I didn't feel any sort of connection between Sam and Eshmun for it to come to a head by the book's end. This had the potential to have a slow-burn enemy to lovers, but the spark was absent. If there had been a build-up (at least on Sam's side) the confession at the end would have had a larger impact. To be honest, it would have been best to leave the romance out entirely since Eshmun was a selfish kidnapper, to begin with, and did not have enough time to have a redemption arc for me to really see him as anything romantic for Sam.
Carrying this book for was Teth, my grizzly bear of a man. I loved him so much and his scenes had me smiling and crying my darn eyes out.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience. The author created a riveting novel full of dangers and betrayals. If you're looking for a quest book with strong sibling dynamics and twists to keep you up late into the night, this is the one for you.
Bookstagram
August 4, 2022
The folklore was the best part of this.
February 6, 2022
On the one hand, this was really interesting to read about these other myths... On the other, it was all travel, little excitement, and the "romance" felt random.
I really liked that the mythology was so integral to the story and I learned a lot about those myths and that was my favorite part. But the whole story was traveling with some actiony bits but it wasn't exactly fun to read. For such a short book, it felt like it dragged towards the middle and end. I did like the way it was resolved and I liked what Sam decided to do, but the romance was not convincing to me. I didn't feel like it WAS much of a choice. But I did like Eshmun and overall, he was a good guy. Had that 'I'm only a villain because I was forced to be' vibe and that's fun.
Overall, not bad but not a favorite. I would read more if there was another one!
I really liked that the mythology was so integral to the story and I learned a lot about those myths and that was my favorite part. But the whole story was traveling with some actiony bits but it wasn't exactly fun to read. For such a short book, it felt like it dragged towards the middle and end. I did like the way it was resolved and I liked what Sam decided to do, but the romance was not convincing to me. I didn't feel like it WAS much of a choice. But I did like Eshmun and overall, he was a good guy. Had that 'I'm only a villain because I was forced to be' vibe and that's fun.
Overall, not bad but not a favorite. I would read more if there was another one!
April 1, 2022
Wow this was quite the read!! Spoilers ahead! I'll give a general warning for graphic violence here, and I suggest this book be read by older teenagers minimum, but if you're more concerned about specific trigger warnings there's a list of all the ones I can think of at the end of this review.
I debated between three or four stars since I do have some complaints, but I'm giving four because I got really into this book and could hardly put it down!!
The Philistines were an ancient people who lived in Canaan, a Far Eastern land that nowadays is covered by multiple countries including Lebanon, which is where our main characters' family is from. I'd heard of the Philistines given my bible study background, but I really knew little about the culture itself until this book, so I was delighted to get such a deep dive into Philistine mythology. In my opinion, the best thing about this novel is how RICH its descriptions are. I practically felt like I really was there in the underworld, experiencing all the sounds and smells and sensations Sam goes through, whether in a super crowded marketplace or alone on a boat on the ocean.
It's so hard for me to believe this is only Bishara's second novel because I feel like she has already MASTERED showing instead of telling, and her love of her culture and family history shows through the detailed descriptions of everything from coins to food to underworld monsters. (Also she added family recipes to the end of the book, which makes the baker in me so happy!!)
I really like Sam's character growth. She repeatedly pushes through her trials with determination, using whatever emotion and skills she needs to get her through each situation. She has to experience some terrifying stuff, but consistently chooses to put her family first, setting the example for Rima and for the other characters. I particularly appreciated Sam's struggle and ultimate success at acknowledging that her parents are far from perfect, and that doesn't mean she is responsible for holding her family together and for saving everyone every time. Her decision at the end to build her future and let go of things out of her control will resonate with a lot of people.
As for the other most important characters, Rima's sass and clear thinking was great as well, although I wish she would have had a more active role in their adventures besides being a damsel in distress. Sure, Sam ultimately would have died without her, but I feel like Rima is largely put in peril just so Sam has someone to rescue, and instead of giving Rima more character growth, this just somewhat contradicts Sam's, like I just described. When it comes to Eshmun, I share my opinion of him with Rima. He partially redeems his initial aggression and violence by healing and saving the girls later on, but I couldn't get past how he acted towards the sisters in the beginning. I wish the author would've made him believe they weren't thieves a lot sooner, so we got to see more of Eshmun's kind side since he's supposed to be a benevolent ruler. Perhaps then a romance between him and Sam would have worked, but I'm glad the author ultimately didn't do a romance because I think it would have felt forced.
There is a lot of violence in this book, but it didn't feel gratuitous to me since the author established pretty quickly how brutal the underworld is. This isn't a story for kids, but it's a great adventure for older readers, especially those interested in mythology like me! My only other complaint would be a bit of pacing issues. The first act felt too long with too little happening, then the pacing improved, then the final couple chapters felt pretty rushed. I wish the sisters' ultimate return home was better described instead of glossed over through epilogue flashback, but ultimately I'm pretty satisfied with the happy ending.
Trigger Warnings:
Kidnapping, binding and gagging , threat of being sold into slavery (characters are freed/rescued)
Mild nudity (characters are strip searched and bathed, but no descriptions of their bodies are given)
Imprisonment
A lot of violence, including stabbing, dismemberment, choking, animal attacks, and murder (main characters are always healed afterwards)
Almost drowning
Loss of parent/family members
Graphic descriptions of injuries, blood, and corpses (main characters are always healed afterwards)
Threats of rape and sexual assault (actions do not go beyond butt touching, clothes ripping, and lewd comments)
Discussion/actions of self harm and suicide (main characters are always healed afterward)
I debated between three or four stars since I do have some complaints, but I'm giving four because I got really into this book and could hardly put it down!!
The Philistines were an ancient people who lived in Canaan, a Far Eastern land that nowadays is covered by multiple countries including Lebanon, which is where our main characters' family is from. I'd heard of the Philistines given my bible study background, but I really knew little about the culture itself until this book, so I was delighted to get such a deep dive into Philistine mythology. In my opinion, the best thing about this novel is how RICH its descriptions are. I practically felt like I really was there in the underworld, experiencing all the sounds and smells and sensations Sam goes through, whether in a super crowded marketplace or alone on a boat on the ocean.
It's so hard for me to believe this is only Bishara's second novel because I feel like she has already MASTERED showing instead of telling, and her love of her culture and family history shows through the detailed descriptions of everything from coins to food to underworld monsters. (Also she added family recipes to the end of the book, which makes the baker in me so happy!!)
I really like Sam's character growth. She repeatedly pushes through her trials with determination, using whatever emotion and skills she needs to get her through each situation. She has to experience some terrifying stuff, but consistently chooses to put her family first, setting the example for Rima and for the other characters. I particularly appreciated Sam's struggle and ultimate success at acknowledging that her parents are far from perfect, and that doesn't mean she is responsible for holding her family together and for saving everyone every time. Her decision at the end to build her future and let go of things out of her control will resonate with a lot of people.
As for the other most important characters, Rima's sass and clear thinking was great as well, although I wish she would have had a more active role in their adventures besides being a damsel in distress. Sure, Sam ultimately would have died without her, but I feel like Rima is largely put in peril just so Sam has someone to rescue, and instead of giving Rima more character growth, this just somewhat contradicts Sam's, like I just described. When it comes to Eshmun, I share my opinion of him with Rima. He partially redeems his initial aggression and violence by healing and saving the girls later on, but I couldn't get past how he acted towards the sisters in the beginning. I wish the author would've made him believe they weren't thieves a lot sooner, so we got to see more of Eshmun's kind side since he's supposed to be a benevolent ruler. Perhaps then a romance between him and Sam would have worked, but I'm glad the author ultimately didn't do a romance because I think it would have felt forced.
There is a lot of violence in this book, but it didn't feel gratuitous to me since the author established pretty quickly how brutal the underworld is. This isn't a story for kids, but it's a great adventure for older readers, especially those interested in mythology like me! My only other complaint would be a bit of pacing issues. The first act felt too long with too little happening, then the pacing improved, then the final couple chapters felt pretty rushed. I wish the sisters' ultimate return home was better described instead of glossed over through epilogue flashback, but ultimately I'm pretty satisfied with the happy ending.
Trigger Warnings:
Kidnapping, binding and gagging , threat of being sold into slavery (characters are freed/rescued)
Mild nudity (characters are strip searched and bathed, but no descriptions of their bodies are given)
Imprisonment
A lot of violence, including stabbing, dismemberment, choking, animal attacks, and murder (main characters are always healed afterwards)
Almost drowning
Loss of parent/family members
Graphic descriptions of injuries, blood, and corpses (main characters are always healed afterwards)
Threats of rape and sexual assault (actions do not go beyond butt touching, clothes ripping, and lewd comments)
Discussion/actions of self harm and suicide (main characters are always healed afterward)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2024
I was getting on my own nerves trying to pronounce some of the words and names in this book lol. Good story overall.
November 24, 2021
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
One of my favorite elements of Vial of Tears has to be this mix of ancient and modern. We don't spend that much time with Sam before she is whisked off to the Underworld. But throughout the story, this mix of modern notions of love and family, consistently come into conflict and conversation with the Phoenician Underworld. My other favorite element had to be the action and intrigue. As I said, Vial of Tears feels like constant action.
It's easy to get swept away in wondering if Sam and Rima are going to be reunited. If they can survive this new setting and challenges. Seeing the world from Sam's perspective, we can feel her fear and uncertainty. It means that this thread of wonder and dread in the pit of your stomach, pulls you through Vial of Tears. Additionally, it's a story of a fractured family and an ancient secret. While I wanted to keep reading, I wished that there had been more emphasis on the family/sister aspect.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
One of my favorite elements of Vial of Tears has to be this mix of ancient and modern. We don't spend that much time with Sam before she is whisked off to the Underworld. But throughout the story, this mix of modern notions of love and family, consistently come into conflict and conversation with the Phoenician Underworld. My other favorite element had to be the action and intrigue. As I said, Vial of Tears feels like constant action.
It's easy to get swept away in wondering if Sam and Rima are going to be reunited. If they can survive this new setting and challenges. Seeing the world from Sam's perspective, we can feel her fear and uncertainty. It means that this thread of wonder and dread in the pit of your stomach, pulls you through Vial of Tears. Additionally, it's a story of a fractured family and an ancient secret. While I wanted to keep reading, I wished that there had been more emphasis on the family/sister aspect.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
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March 23, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Threats of sexual assault
Self-injury
Knife violence
Threats of sexual assault
Self-injury
Knife violence
September 29, 2021
A VIAL OF TEARS is a story about family and sacrifice, and how far you're willing to go for it. Sam and her sister Rima find themselves inadvertently swept away to an underworld filled with dangerous and vengeful gods and unpredictable magic when their grandfather sends them an ancient coin from Lebanon. To survive, Samira will have defy the gods and face off against dangerous monsters, but she may end up losing more than she bargained for. What is truly magnificent about this book is its Phoenician mythology inspired world-building. The author's lush writing style brings this world to life in a vivid and colorful way and you can't help but just be enraptured by it. Especially because I don't know much about Phoenician mythology it was a really interesting read and it certainly is one of those YA Fantasies that stands out among the crowd. At its heart, this is a story about sisters and family. I really liked seeing the relationship between Samira and Rima develop and grow throughout the novel. I will say that pacing was an issue at times and I am not sure why but there were times while reading just could not stay super into it, but in no way do I think that diminishes this book's quality and importance. I also wasn't crazy about the main male love interest and how he spoke to Sam and Rima, BUT I am thrilled that the author addresses how that is totally not acceptable. It was just hard to remained invested with a character like that who plays such a pivotal role in the story regardless of his tragic past. VIAL OF TEARS overall was a really solid fantasy that was a wonder to behold and I did enjoy reading about this fantastical journey.
September 16, 2021
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I loved every minute of this book. The imagery and culture intertwined into a stunning work of world-building. The narrative was clear and easy to read, and I was sucked into the story from the very first line until the end.
The characters were distinct and well-written in a way that made them seem alive. My favorite, of course, was Samira. She was a smart, determined, and sometimes fearless main character that didn't just wait around for someone to save her - she spent nearly every second of the story striving to reach her goal, even if that was sometimes the wrong choice.
If I had to nitpick, the only issue I had with the book was the romance - it was barely there. Samira spent the entire book not trusting Eshmun and barely going along with his plans, and then in the last few pages, suddenly she was in love with him, and he was in love with her. It felt forced and didn't ring true. I don't think the author spent enough time weaving in the subtext needed to make their relationship believable.
That aside, I still enjoyed the book immensely, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes Fantasy stories with a strong action/adventure vibe.
I loved every minute of this book. The imagery and culture intertwined into a stunning work of world-building. The narrative was clear and easy to read, and I was sucked into the story from the very first line until the end.
The characters were distinct and well-written in a way that made them seem alive. My favorite, of course, was Samira. She was a smart, determined, and sometimes fearless main character that didn't just wait around for someone to save her - she spent nearly every second of the story striving to reach her goal, even if that was sometimes the wrong choice.
If I had to nitpick, the only issue I had with the book was the romance - it was barely there. Samira spent the entire book not trusting Eshmun and barely going along with his plans, and then in the last few pages, suddenly she was in love with him, and he was in love with her. It felt forced and didn't ring true. I don't think the author spent enough time weaving in the subtext needed to make their relationship believable.
That aside, I still enjoyed the book immensely, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes Fantasy stories with a strong action/adventure vibe.
October 31, 2023
As Queens Jennie and Jisoo once said “not bad but not good”
The story is interesting enough, the premise just makes you want to pick it up. I mean a girl traveling through hell (technically it’s purgatory) to save her sister sounds entertaining, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately I don’t think the author managed to tell the story they wanted in the standalone. This story would’ve faired MUCH better had it been a series or even a duology (though I have to admit I don’t know much about book deals and how it’s decided just how many books an author gets to publish so maybe this author had to cramp everything into this “simply too short to do the work justice” book)
We don’t really get to stay in the scenes and the lore of the characters as much as needed, we’re constantly thrown from an event into the other, you can’t even take a breath without something new jumping out from nowhere and in result of that the characters feel very one dimensional.
And I have to be honest, there were many times throughout this experience when I thought about DNFing the book but something held me back.
Have to admit though the author really did manage to write disgusting men dialogue like the Mot guy? Jail
The story is interesting enough, the premise just makes you want to pick it up. I mean a girl traveling through hell (technically it’s purgatory) to save her sister sounds entertaining, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately I don’t think the author managed to tell the story they wanted in the standalone. This story would’ve faired MUCH better had it been a series or even a duology (though I have to admit I don’t know much about book deals and how it’s decided just how many books an author gets to publish so maybe this author had to cramp everything into this “simply too short to do the work justice” book)
We don’t really get to stay in the scenes and the lore of the characters as much as needed, we’re constantly thrown from an event into the other, you can’t even take a breath without something new jumping out from nowhere and in result of that the characters feel very one dimensional.
And I have to be honest, there were many times throughout this experience when I thought about DNFing the book but something held me back.
Have to admit though the author really did manage to write disgusting men dialogue like the Mot guy? Jail
September 16, 2023
this was surprisingly good, and surprisingly mature! i knew nothing about phoenician mythology when i read this, but the author guides you along pretty well without making it seem like she's hand-holding you.
this is classic portal fantasy, with a touch of the movie labyrinth (a very small touch), but where labyrinth was kind of nonsencial, this book actually follows a pretty logical narrative, which i really liked. it wasn't just strangeness for strangeness' sake.
i enjoyed both sisters, sam and rima, and i thought sam was a really great personification of an older sister. i loved her developing relationship with eshmun and her slow discovery of her family heritage.
this is classic portal fantasy, with a touch of the movie labyrinth (a very small touch), but where labyrinth was kind of nonsencial, this book actually follows a pretty logical narrative, which i really liked. it wasn't just strangeness for strangeness' sake.
i enjoyed both sisters, sam and rima, and i thought sam was a really great personification of an older sister. i loved her developing relationship with eshmun and her slow discovery of her family heritage.
Read
January 7, 2022My first DNF of the year. I stopped around page 155 (48%). I was excited about how this started, but it felt like the story wasn’t really progressing. I don’t know much about Phoenician mythology, so I found that part intriguing. On to the next adventure!
December 4, 2022
This book was fun but it really only started to pick up towards the second half. I thought the main character Samira was well done, enough complications to make her interesting but very capable.
September 28, 2021
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: gambling, mentioned self inflicted cut, strip search, missing in action parent, implied threat of sexual assault, knife violence
3
Thanks to an unreliable mother, who sees no problem disappearing for days on end, sisters Samira and Rima are barely scraping by. That's why when Samira receives a package from a family member back in Lebanon, she thinks the ancient looking coins within could be the answer to their money problems. But before she can attempt to pawn them, something impossible happens- she and her sister are dragged into another world. Caught between the machinations of two gods, manipulative beings, and a prophecy they may or may not be a part of, going home is the one thing they want and the one thing that may be impossible.
Mythology is definitely not an interest dying off any time soon, so I wasn't surprised to see another story about an underworld, but the idea of a Phoenician one seemed really unique. And there are definitely some elements that do feel unique and interesting, but somehow this book failed to make an impression on me.
It's interesting how the author and her family connect so directly to this work, which did make it feel more real to me, and I loved the addition of the recipes. It's these things, with some of the more vibrant descriptions, that did snag me and make me feel more interested in the world and the story.
And I am always interested in stories that focus on sibling dynamics. Samira and Rima have a very specific relationship- an older sister that almost doubles as a mother, and a younger sister that both appreciates her and resents her. So I cared about them due to that in the beginning, but that dynamic seemed mostly to come into play in moment Samira was searching for her sister, and when they were together you couldn't feel that kind of dynamic.
Part of that might be because of or why I really didn't care for Rima. The way she's written just felt so off to me- as if she were from an entirely different book. This, to me, felt like someone pushing too hard to make someone sound like a modern teenager, and against this backdrop and compared to her own sister, it didn't feel organic at all.
The other dynamic I couldn't get behind was the strange romance hinted at throughout. It's not one that would have worked for me over all- the premise of teen girl and ageless god will rarely win me over, plus him being her kidnapper and them having zero chemistry just put the nail in the coffin- but the weird way it was danced around made it very confusing.
But mostly it's just that this story felt so flat. The characters don't have much dimension, and most of this story is made up of either walking or talking about a goal/quest so large that a reader, who is not immersed in the world or the character it actually effects, can't make an impact. Being dropped into the middle of a quest is already going to make it harder to connect, but it was written as if we're expected to care because it's a story, or myth, and not because of the actual outcomes. Plus, the ending making a very heavy line between those worlds and characters, as it's no longer Samira's problem to help them with the quest carrying this entire plot, made it feel even more as if nothing had actually happened in this entire book.
It's nice to see a different kind of mythology represented here, and there are some mental images that I liked, but there was nothing for me to really care about in this novel, and nothing truly unique beyond the premise itself.
TW: gambling, mentioned self inflicted cut, strip search, missing in action parent, implied threat of sexual assault, knife violence
3
Thanks to an unreliable mother, who sees no problem disappearing for days on end, sisters Samira and Rima are barely scraping by. That's why when Samira receives a package from a family member back in Lebanon, she thinks the ancient looking coins within could be the answer to their money problems. But before she can attempt to pawn them, something impossible happens- she and her sister are dragged into another world. Caught between the machinations of two gods, manipulative beings, and a prophecy they may or may not be a part of, going home is the one thing they want and the one thing that may be impossible.
Mythology is definitely not an interest dying off any time soon, so I wasn't surprised to see another story about an underworld, but the idea of a Phoenician one seemed really unique. And there are definitely some elements that do feel unique and interesting, but somehow this book failed to make an impression on me.
It's interesting how the author and her family connect so directly to this work, which did make it feel more real to me, and I loved the addition of the recipes. It's these things, with some of the more vibrant descriptions, that did snag me and make me feel more interested in the world and the story.
And I am always interested in stories that focus on sibling dynamics. Samira and Rima have a very specific relationship- an older sister that almost doubles as a mother, and a younger sister that both appreciates her and resents her. So I cared about them due to that in the beginning, but that dynamic seemed mostly to come into play in moment Samira was searching for her sister, and when they were together you couldn't feel that kind of dynamic.
Part of that might be because of or why I really didn't care for Rima. The way she's written just felt so off to me- as if she were from an entirely different book. This, to me, felt like someone pushing too hard to make someone sound like a modern teenager, and against this backdrop and compared to her own sister, it didn't feel organic at all.
The other dynamic I couldn't get behind was the strange romance hinted at throughout. It's not one that would have worked for me over all- the premise of teen girl and ageless god will rarely win me over, plus him being her kidnapper and them having zero chemistry just put the nail in the coffin- but the weird way it was danced around made it very confusing.
But mostly it's just that this story felt so flat. The characters don't have much dimension, and most of this story is made up of either walking or talking about a goal/quest so large that a reader, who is not immersed in the world or the character it actually effects, can't make an impact. Being dropped into the middle of a quest is already going to make it harder to connect, but it was written as if we're expected to care because it's a story, or myth, and not because of the actual outcomes. Plus, the ending making a very heavy line between those worlds and characters, as it's no longer Samira's problem to help them with the quest carrying this entire plot, made it feel even more as if nothing had actually happened in this entire book.
It's nice to see a different kind of mythology represented here, and there are some mental images that I liked, but there was nothing for me to really care about in this novel, and nothing truly unique beyond the premise itself.
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July 2, 2021Saw the cover, skimmed the plot, hit to-read. This cover gives me too many 90's fantasy novel vibes and I love it.
Read
June 4, 2022DNF at 44%
***
I think this book had a lot of potential.
What I appreciated:
A look into Phoenician mythology. I was introduced to gods and creatures I had never heard of. I also appreciated representation of another culture/ethnicity that does not get much representation. The mother in the story is Lebanese. The sisters are mixed with Lebanese and I believe white, though it never says explicitly.
What I did not appreciate:
It was difficult to connect with any of the characters. Samira, the protagonist,was constantly asking questions in her head. Some of the character feel like they are just there to info dump.
***
I think this book had a lot of potential.
What I appreciated:
A look into Phoenician mythology. I was introduced to gods and creatures I had never heard of. I also appreciated representation of another culture/ethnicity that does not get much representation. The mother in the story is Lebanese. The sisters are mixed with Lebanese and I believe white, though it never says explicitly.
What I did not appreciate:
It was difficult to connect with any of the characters. Samira, the protagonist,was constantly asking questions in her head. Some of the character feel like they are just there to info dump.
March 4, 2022
My main problem with the book was that nothing felt developed past the surface level. That’s especially true for the characters, who aren’t even defined enough to have arcs. For example, I could say that the protagonist is the older sister and that’s all you need to know about her. I found the setting and mythology to be interesting (I don’t think I’ve ever read a Phoenician-inspired fantasy story before), but that was just pretty window dressing for the barebones story.
October 29, 2021
2.5 stars
July 18, 2022
A great YA inspired by Phoenician mythology! The sister relationship was great. Overall a solid YA fantasy.
January 21, 2024
I haven't read much fantasy inspired by Middle Eastern cultures, so this book was refreshing in that sense! I enjoyed getting to know more about Phoenician and Lebanese culture and history through the story and the photos and recipes included afterward! I thought that was a really sweet addition and made the story feel much more personal. I also appreciated the character art in the beginning of the book. Though I wish the characters were labeled in some way so I could tell who all of them were supposed to be, they still helped me visualize the characters and the world better.
Unfortunately, beyond these things, I felt that this book was pretty average and I was not super invested in the story. I couldn't find myself relating much to any of the characters and the story frustrated me at times.
I think my biggest critique is that Sam is just not super interesting as a protagonist. While her motivations are really strong and clear, she doesn't have much of a personality beyond that. Meanwhile Rima seems much more compelling as a character. We're told she's a troublemaker and she sometimes struggles to get along with her sister, but she isn't present enough in the story to really show that side of her. I honestly think the story could have been stronger if it was split between both Sam and Rima's POVs, because not only could we then get to see what Rima was doing whenever she was separated from Sam, but her character could have been explored much more as well.
I think this could have also made their bond as siblings stronger and clearer. It seems like it should be a more prominent part of the story, but because Rima isn't present for so much of it that aspect isn't really explored.
The minor subplot of Sam learning to let go of her dad is also super interesting but goes largely unaddressed until the very end. I wish more time had been spent developing this part of her character because that could've also made her a stronger protagonist to me.
Regarding the actual story, I found it to be kind of annoying in the first half, as the sisters are basically just dragged around by Eshmun and Teth and treated super poorly by them. And when they understandably tried to break free and get a little more control out of the situation they were immediately shut down and brought back in line. To me the story got much more interesting once Sam and Rima were able to gain more agency and explore the world for themselves.
I never really understood Eshmun's motivations for keeping the sisters captive in the beginning either. Later on we find out that he wanted them around because he intended to marry one of them because of the prophecy, but that only makes it more confusing. Why act so disrespectful and keep them injured so they can't escape if you're going to make one of them your bride? Wouldn't that make them less likely to want to be with you? Since Eshmun is supposed to be a just and caring person, it just felt sort of out of character for him to act like this in the beginning, especially after he realizes they don't have his coin and he has no reason to be mean to them.
Speaking of Eshmun, I didn't like the romance subplot between him and Sam. It just feels weird to me, since he's supposed to be this immortal demigod and Sam is a minor. Plus there was really no chemistry between them at all, and for most of the story Sam doesn't like him and he never really apologizes or takes responsibility for putting them in this situation in the first place.
As far as YA mythology stories go, this one is pretty standard. Though I appreciate it from a cultural standpoint, as a story I didn't find it that compelling.
Unfortunately, beyond these things, I felt that this book was pretty average and I was not super invested in the story. I couldn't find myself relating much to any of the characters and the story frustrated me at times.
I think my biggest critique is that Sam is just not super interesting as a protagonist. While her motivations are really strong and clear, she doesn't have much of a personality beyond that. Meanwhile Rima seems much more compelling as a character. We're told she's a troublemaker and she sometimes struggles to get along with her sister, but she isn't present enough in the story to really show that side of her. I honestly think the story could have been stronger if it was split between both Sam and Rima's POVs, because not only could we then get to see what Rima was doing whenever she was separated from Sam, but her character could have been explored much more as well.
I think this could have also made their bond as siblings stronger and clearer. It seems like it should be a more prominent part of the story, but because Rima isn't present for so much of it that aspect isn't really explored.
The minor subplot of Sam learning to let go of her dad is also super interesting but goes largely unaddressed until the very end. I wish more time had been spent developing this part of her character because that could've also made her a stronger protagonist to me.
Regarding the actual story, I found it to be kind of annoying in the first half, as the sisters are basically just dragged around by Eshmun and Teth and treated super poorly by them. And when they understandably tried to break free and get a little more control out of the situation they were immediately shut down and brought back in line. To me the story got much more interesting once Sam and Rima were able to gain more agency and explore the world for themselves.
I never really understood Eshmun's motivations for keeping the sisters captive in the beginning either. Later on we find out that he wanted them around because he intended to marry one of them because of the prophecy, but that only makes it more confusing. Why act so disrespectful and keep them injured so they can't escape if you're going to make one of them your bride? Wouldn't that make them less likely to want to be with you? Since Eshmun is supposed to be a just and caring person, it just felt sort of out of character for him to act like this in the beginning, especially after he realizes they don't have his coin and he has no reason to be mean to them.
Speaking of Eshmun, I didn't like the romance subplot between him and Sam. It just feels weird to me, since he's supposed to be this immortal demigod and Sam is a minor. Plus there was really no chemistry between them at all, and for most of the story Sam doesn't like him and he never really apologizes or takes responsibility for putting them in this situation in the first place.
As far as YA mythology stories go, this one is pretty standard. Though I appreciate it from a cultural standpoint, as a story I didn't find it that compelling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 24, 2021I love a good book about siblings. There aren't enough of them in the world in YA. Especially when the relationship is on the siblings and not focused on romance? *chef kiss* VIAL OF TEARS by Cristin Bishara is a new novel about the lengths one sister will go to save the other when they are trapped in a deadly world full of vicious occupants who will stop at nothing to obtain the strange new girls that have appeared.
VIAL OF TEARS kicks off when Samira's grandfather Jiddo sends her an ancient vase hiding an ancient burial coin. She is able to resist its pull leading to the Underworld, but when the coin sweeps her sister Rima away, she follows in a desperate attempt to save her. The girls are separated, and it is revealed that the denizens of the Underworld want to either consume them to gain power, sell them for wealth, or turn them in to the God of Death, who believes one of them is the mortal of a prophecy that could give him ultimate power. Sam is in a strange new world full of beings who wish her ill, but sacrifices her own safety in order to find Rima and keep her safe, no matter what the cost...
The novel is centered around Phoenician mythology, so while the Underworld is familiar, it is not the Greek version that many readers have previously encountered. Instead, we are treated to the lore of ancient Lebanon from the mind of a Lebanese-Amercian author, and introduced to creatures and tales not previously seen in popular mythological novels. I loved learning more about Phoenician lore and not knowing where we were going or what I might be able to expect. It kept the pages turning and felt fresh and new.
Sam goes through some crazy trials and remains defiant and headstrong, refusing to give up or be distracted from her task despite being in a very fragile position herself. Sam and Rima have been forced to rely on one another over the years. Their father is in the military and Missing in Action, and their mother often disappears for days at a time. They have no money and are about to be evicted from their mobile home. Before their father left for his last tour, he tasked Sam with protecting her sister and mother and keeping everyone safe. She's determined to do so now and bring Rima home.
Without going into details about the plotline of what happens in the Underworld to keep it fresh and exciting for you, you can expect to see powerful gods, terrifying shapeshifters, and even eerie rubã, a type of ghost that can consume your life in order to taste the world of the living once more. While there is a hint of potential romance, it isn't the focus of the book and never comes into full fruition, which may deter some readers, but will be absolutely refreshing to others. It is also a stand-alone, but has a couple of small threads that could become a sequel or companion novel in the future should the author decide to revisit the characters.
VIAL OF TEARS is a solid new fantasy entry in YA with a fresh voice and world you won't want to miss checking out!
VIAL OF TEARS kicks off when Samira's grandfather Jiddo sends her an ancient vase hiding an ancient burial coin. She is able to resist its pull leading to the Underworld, but when the coin sweeps her sister Rima away, she follows in a desperate attempt to save her. The girls are separated, and it is revealed that the denizens of the Underworld want to either consume them to gain power, sell them for wealth, or turn them in to the God of Death, who believes one of them is the mortal of a prophecy that could give him ultimate power. Sam is in a strange new world full of beings who wish her ill, but sacrifices her own safety in order to find Rima and keep her safe, no matter what the cost...
The novel is centered around Phoenician mythology, so while the Underworld is familiar, it is not the Greek version that many readers have previously encountered. Instead, we are treated to the lore of ancient Lebanon from the mind of a Lebanese-Amercian author, and introduced to creatures and tales not previously seen in popular mythological novels. I loved learning more about Phoenician lore and not knowing where we were going or what I might be able to expect. It kept the pages turning and felt fresh and new.
Sam goes through some crazy trials and remains defiant and headstrong, refusing to give up or be distracted from her task despite being in a very fragile position herself. Sam and Rima have been forced to rely on one another over the years. Their father is in the military and Missing in Action, and their mother often disappears for days at a time. They have no money and are about to be evicted from their mobile home. Before their father left for his last tour, he tasked Sam with protecting her sister and mother and keeping everyone safe. She's determined to do so now and bring Rima home.
Without going into details about the plotline of what happens in the Underworld to keep it fresh and exciting for you, you can expect to see powerful gods, terrifying shapeshifters, and even eerie rubã, a type of ghost that can consume your life in order to taste the world of the living once more. While there is a hint of potential romance, it isn't the focus of the book and never comes into full fruition, which may deter some readers, but will be absolutely refreshing to others. It is also a stand-alone, but has a couple of small threads that could become a sequel or companion novel in the future should the author decide to revisit the characters.
VIAL OF TEARS is a solid new fantasy entry in YA with a fresh voice and world you won't want to miss checking out!
April 8, 2022
As other reviewers have mentioned, it's rare to encounter a YA novel set in the Phoenician underworld, populated by mortals, immortals, and demigod. Since most of the action takes place there rather than in modern-day Michigan, where the protagonist lives, there's an exotic, otherworldly quality about the story and setting that many may find appealing. Sixteen-year-old Samira is feeling the weight of responsibility for keeping her family together after her father's disappearance while on a mission. While he's presumed lost at sea, Sam holds onto the hope that he will return someday. Meanwhile, her youngers sister Rima is acting out and engaging in risky behavior while their mother isn't careful with money and gets behind on bills, relying on her gambling winnings to save the day. The family lives in a trailer owned by a sketchy landlord. A package with a letter written in Arabic and an earthen vessel with coins in it arrives from Jiddo, the girls' great-grandfather who lives in Lebanon, and touching the coin changes everything for Sam, who is whisked to the underworld where she becomes a pawn in the efforts of various individuals with their own goals and profits in mind. One in particular, Eshmun, wants his burial coin returned so that he can complete his own journey. But where is that coin? The author has created a fascinating world populated with shapeshifters, healers, and betrayal but one that Sam has no intention in staying in forever. However, others have marriage plans for her and even have their eyes on her shoes. Since the sisters become separated, all Sam can think of is how to rescue Rima. Teen readers in search of something quite a bit different from their typical fare will find it in this book. For me, there were quite a few too many characters moving in and out of the story and the link to the great-grandfather needed to be explored more thoroughly.
February 26, 2022
Wow, this is the first book I've ever read that includes Lebanese mythology!!! I'm half Lebanese but I am not connected to that side of my family and don't have very much knowledge of the culture or know the history of the country. After reading this debut by a Lebanese-American author, I really hope she has more stories of this nature in store.
That being said this IS a debut and I think this is definitely a voice to watch, but some editing issues: I felt at times the pacing was a bit wandering, and there is a LOT going on. She fits many side threads to the main plot and at times I felt she tried to fit too much in at once. It's a strong standalone with a slightly ambiguous ending for some areas of the plot -- but I'm not sure it would have been any weaker if some of those threads weren't included, or maybe even saved for another story in this world.
Second comment is that the audience this book is for is unclear. I read a lot of YA and a lot of middle grade, but I couldn't seem to pin down which section or audience it would fit the best. Some parts felt younger and simple (maybe just Samira acting like a naive teenager? lol) but then toward the end both the sisters are being threatened with rape which I wouldn't recommend to middle readers at all. So it's a bit of an awkward one that doesn't fit too many normal boxes. And sometimes that can be totally fine! Just something to be aware of going in, try not to have expectations.
I definitely recommend this book, especially if you want to learn about some really cool lesser-known mythology that takes place in a dangerous and ancient underworld!
That being said this IS a debut and I think this is definitely a voice to watch, but some editing issues: I felt at times the pacing was a bit wandering, and there is a LOT going on. She fits many side threads to the main plot and at times I felt she tried to fit too much in at once. It's a strong standalone with a slightly ambiguous ending for some areas of the plot -- but I'm not sure it would have been any weaker if some of those threads weren't included, or maybe even saved for another story in this world.
Second comment is that the audience this book is for is unclear. I read a lot of YA and a lot of middle grade, but I couldn't seem to pin down which section or audience it would fit the best. Some parts felt younger and simple (maybe just Samira acting like a naive teenager? lol) but then toward the end both the sisters are being threatened with rape which I wouldn't recommend to middle readers at all. So it's a bit of an awkward one that doesn't fit too many normal boxes. And sometimes that can be totally fine! Just something to be aware of going in, try not to have expectations.
I definitely recommend this book, especially if you want to learn about some really cool lesser-known mythology that takes place in a dangerous and ancient underworld!
November 23, 2024
yeah I hut disappointed with this book cuz I thought it could be good.. heres some problems I have: there's a bunch of "bad" sentences. "there was a long pregnant pause" ok, pregnant with what? "the rats tittered" where are the rats? like they just appeared and now they're tittering? you didn't say where they went? "she walked" walked where? oh, he sipped from a goblet? where the fuck did that goblet fucking come from??? and then there's just a bunch of sentences that don't make sense. there's also, throughout the book a bunch of random stuff spewed about that don't make any sense or don't get explained. I mean, to be fair, I was zoned out and not processing anything after the halfway mark, but like, who is ba'alat gebal? or arba te'esarae? idk how to spell her name. and like, where did teth go? idk! also, we never hear any of Sam's emotions, just omg I need to find Rima blah blah blah oh great now who's ba'alat Hammon? bruh. and like, why is mot the villain? he wants to like reclaim the kingdom or something? it never was explained! "have you forgotten who I am? " YES, I HAVE !I NEVER KNEW WHO YOU WERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!! not to mention the plot is just all over the place and rarely makes sense to me. "two musicians came into the stage" FROM WHERE!?!?!?!??! HUH?!??!?!?! I literally cannot finish this book I'm so sick of it and I can't focus at all. and I can't find a fucking summary kill me nowwqw killr mwmwmwmwmjdjxiokeeee
September 12, 2022
The beginning was a little rough not gonna lie. By page 25 they had already got sucked through a funnel and into the underworld. Now I do like fast-paced books but even that was too fast for me. There should have been more build-up and more time with the characters day to day life before being violently thrusted into the plot. There was also that awkward stage of confusion that lastest just a tad too long where it was just the main character asking a bunch of questions and being thrown around, and most of the talking being done by characters we don't know about things that don't make sense. But after that it was quite the journey. I enjoyed how many subplots there were, some of which I didn't even realize were supposed to be subplots until they came back up again. I enjoyed the characters, and their dialogue especially Rima's one-liners. Sam having to finally accept and let go of her dad at the end was a top-tier climax for Sam's internal struggles. I couldn't put the book down the entire time of the climax with Môt, it was so disturbing and creepy and dramatic and I loved it. The marriage thing was quite clever and says a lot about the Gods considering they don't even know who's who in their own mythology. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it helped me get over my reading slump.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2021
blog // twitter
full review on my blog!
thank you to Netgalley, Rockstar Book Tours, and the publisher for sending me this ARC courtesy of a blog tour! 💖
The first adjective that comes to mind after finishing Vial of Tears is lush.
First, I’ve never read a Phoenician mythology-inspired novel, and now I’m definitely curious for more. The world into which sisters and protagonists Samira and Rima are thrust teems with detail. I was continually pleasantly surprised by the worldbuilding, though I almost never felt lost (except when I was supposed to be confused because the narrator was also uncertain).
The familial relationships are also strong, especially between Sam and Rima. Sam and Rima both endure danger after danger to save each other, though they also learn to save themselves. One relationship that I thought could be developed further, however, was Sam and Eshmun. They do naturally grow closer by the end of the novel, and I think they do understand each other more than Rima even understands Sam, but I wish the two of them had stayed companions, not potential romantic interests.
All in all, a beautiful read for those interested in adventure, gods, ghouls, and the complicated families that make it all possible.
full review on my blog!
thank you to Netgalley, Rockstar Book Tours, and the publisher for sending me this ARC courtesy of a blog tour! 💖
The first adjective that comes to mind after finishing Vial of Tears is lush.
First, I’ve never read a Phoenician mythology-inspired novel, and now I’m definitely curious for more. The world into which sisters and protagonists Samira and Rima are thrust teems with detail. I was continually pleasantly surprised by the worldbuilding, though I almost never felt lost (except when I was supposed to be confused because the narrator was also uncertain).
The familial relationships are also strong, especially between Sam and Rima. Sam and Rima both endure danger after danger to save each other, though they also learn to save themselves. One relationship that I thought could be developed further, however, was Sam and Eshmun. They do naturally grow closer by the end of the novel, and I think they do understand each other more than Rima even understands Sam, but I wish the two of them had stayed companions, not potential romantic interests.
All in all, a beautiful read for those interested in adventure, gods, ghouls, and the complicated families that make it all possible.
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