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Vessel
Shea Harper is starting college with her best friend, Aidan. She calls him her spirit-twin because they were born at exactly the same time. He’s never left her side. But when she meets the enigmatic and ego-centric vampire, Lucian, that all changes. He wants her. And Aidan wants to keep her from him.Aidan isn’t just jealous; it’s his duty to protect her. Shea is a Vessel. As much as Aidan is sworn to protect the light within her, Lucian is sworn to drag the Vessel to the depths of hell to release his father, Caelius, from his Enochian prison. At their cores, Lucian and Shea are darkness and light and should never find common ground. But forces beyond their control tie them together, and neither one of them can fight their true destiny…That they are bound to each other forever.Shea chapters written by Becca C. Smith. Lucian chapters written by Hina McCord.
**TRIGGER WARNING** This book contains violence and sexual assault.
**TRIGGER WARNING** This book contains violence and sexual assault.
271 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2020
37 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Becca C. Smith
28 books165 followersBecca fell in love with storytelling at an early age. The first book she ever read was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and she’s been looking for the door to Narnia ever since! She’s a passionate reader, consuming any mix of paranormal, mystery, thriller, sci-fi, or fantasy. So it’s no surprise that she writes in these genres as well. When Becca is not writing, she loves to sew, from cosplay to elaborate magical creature bags, she just loves to create!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
That being said, I unfortunately was sorely disappointed by this book. My greatest complaint was that Vessel felt severely disjointed, both in plot as well as character development. We jumped from one scene to the next, and from one perspective to the next suddenly, with no concept of time or place. It felt like as if the story had no time to expand; it felt compressed in a smaller shape, and thus both the character and the plot progression felt abrupt and coming in short bursts, which rather tired and bored me.
I far preferred Lucian's point of view, as he was the most fleshed out character out of the three protagonists. And, to make my meaning plain, he was the only one with a backstory. Neither Aidan nor Shea had any- and I mean ANY- backstory, so they seemed bland and 2d in contrast. Not that I appreciated Lucian's once again abrupt "character development" in any capacity...
In addition, or rather because of the poor character development, the romance (triangle or no triangle) also fell through. It was insta-lovey in the sense that the characters spent little time together and changed their outlook towards each other with no obvious cause. And despite the supposed passage of time, they didn't know each other any better at the end of it.
Last but not least, though the historic references were interesting, we were bombarded with them (as well as with plenty of biblical references) with little to no context to help connect them to any character or plot point, thus rendering them superficial and pretentious.
The only reason I didn't give this book a 1 star is because it was not, either in writing or in plot, absolutely awful to read. I hope the next installment of the series improves enough for me to enjoy it more!
That being said, I unfortunately was sorely disappointed by this book. My greatest complaint was that Vessel felt severely disjointed, both in plot as well as character development. We jumped from one scene to the next, and from one perspective to the next suddenly, with no concept of time or place. It felt like as if the story had no time to expand; it felt compressed in a smaller shape, and thus both the character and the plot progression felt abrupt and coming in short bursts, which rather tired and bored me.
I far preferred Lucian's point of view, as he was the most fleshed out character out of the three protagonists. And, to make my meaning plain, he was the only one with a backstory. Neither Aidan nor Shea had any- and I mean ANY- backstory, so they seemed bland and 2d in contrast. Not that I appreciated Lucian's once again abrupt "character development" in any capacity...
In addition, or rather because of the poor character development, the romance (triangle or no triangle) also fell through. It was insta-lovey in the sense that the characters spent little time together and changed their outlook towards each other with no obvious cause. And despite the supposed passage of time, they didn't know each other any better at the end of it.
Last but not least, though the historic references were interesting, we were bombarded with them (as well as with plenty of biblical references) with little to no context to help connect them to any character or plot point, thus rendering them superficial and pretentious.
The only reason I didn't give this book a 1 star is because it was not, either in writing or in plot, absolutely awful to read. I hope the next installment of the series improves enough for me to enjoy it more!
October 14, 2020
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
To break up my thoughts there are going to be a non-spoiler section and a spoiler section:
Non-spoilers:
First I need to say the book is going to be a lot of fun if you like high action, fast-paced vampire books. I normally like books like that, I enjoyed some of Lucien's character development. I also think the mix of biblical mythology and vampires is interesting. It has some great ideas that I enjoyed and I will keep reading the series to see how they pan out, but I did have a few issues with the book. As you can tell from my three-star rating.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, I would kindly say don't pick up the book. The first book doesn't have an explicit scene, but it is a constant threat. One of the characters has been assaulted in the past and there is one scene that was a hard pass when I explained it to a friend who was a survivor. I think all the books will need a TW for sexual assault.
I personally could not get behind Shea. Her personality felt a lot lighter than the rest of the book and I kept wanting to get to Lucien's sections of the book instead of hers. Though mind you Lucien's sections were very telly in tone and I found myself skimming them to get to whatever action was happening.
There are parts in the story where something big happens and the reader is let in on what is happening but then we follow the characters making the incorrect choice because they don't know. It might be a personal taste thing, but it made the characters look less intelligent than I feel they are.
Spoilers:
If you're looking for a book with vampires, angles, playing with biblical myths, and a love triangle then this book will be a great quick read. I adore these writers, but personally, I wished the characters were a little stronger, that it was less telly in sections and that the book packed a bit more punch where it counted.
To break up my thoughts there are going to be a non-spoiler section and a spoiler section:
Non-spoilers:
First I need to say the book is going to be a lot of fun if you like high action, fast-paced vampire books. I normally like books like that, I enjoyed some of Lucien's character development. I also think the mix of biblical mythology and vampires is interesting. It has some great ideas that I enjoyed and I will keep reading the series to see how they pan out, but I did have a few issues with the book. As you can tell from my three-star rating.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, I would kindly say don't pick up the book. The first book doesn't have an explicit scene, but it is a constant threat. One of the characters has been assaulted in the past and there is one scene that was a hard pass when I explained it to a friend who was a survivor. I think all the books will need a TW for sexual assault.
I personally could not get behind Shea. Her personality felt a lot lighter than the rest of the book and I kept wanting to get to Lucien's sections of the book instead of hers. Though mind you Lucien's sections were very telly in tone and I found myself skimming them to get to whatever action was happening.
There are parts in the story where something big happens and the reader is let in on what is happening but then we follow the characters making the incorrect choice because they don't know. It might be a personal taste thing, but it made the characters look less intelligent than I feel they are.
Spoilers:
If you're looking for a book with vampires, angles, playing with biblical myths, and a love triangle then this book will be a great quick read. I adore these writers, but personally, I wished the characters were a little stronger, that it was less telly in sections and that the book packed a bit more punch where it counted.
October 15, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up.
First and foremost, I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review. Also, TW for themes of sexual assault, violence, and descriptions of gore.
Overall, this book was a fast-paced, fun, action-packed vampire story that I enjoyed a lot! I went into it expecting just a vampire-falls-for-young-human-girl story (still love those!), but was pleasantly surprised when the plot turned out to be as deep and intriguing as it was. If you want to read about angels, vampires, light/dark battles, ancient beings, complicated and old history between characters, past lives, and historical figures/events getting revamped (ha, get it?), then I'd pick this up. The story is fascinating and I couldn't put it down!
However, I still had a couple of issues with the book.
I love dual-POV stories, but unfortunately, one was weaker than the other here. Shea, our main female character, was not as solid as I wanted her to be. The way her POV was written was simple and I didn't feel like there was much for me to grab onto or root for. She fell a little flat for me, and I didn't feel very connected to her. She also had a mild case of I'm Not Like Other Girls Syndrome at the beginning of the book, but thankfully she was cured as the story progressed. I think she has potential, but I'd like to see her POV beefed up in the next books to be on par with Lucian's.
Speaking of Lucian...this is where the book shines. His backstory and arc gave me everything I was lacking from Shea's. His character is so much more than what I thought it was at the beginning, and I thought his POV was written beautifully. The relationships and histories he has with the people around him are so interesting, I would gladly read spin-off stories of them just to get more. His interactions with Aidan were particularly fascinating and I'm really excited to see what they'll do next. My only issue with Lucian was that his arc felt a bit rushed and his transformation too large and too sudden.
The first 25% or so was a bit difficult to get through. I wasn't connected to any of the characters and the world wasn't completely set up. But trust me, it gets a whole lot better. Once the action kicks in and you realize how much more there is to the story, it grabs you and won't let go. With that being said, I think the authors could have added 100 more pages to this book without sacrificing that intense and action-packed feeling. I often complain about books being too long, but this is one of those rare exceptions where I found myself wishing the book was longer. The plot felt a bit jumpy and rushed at some points, which is a shame because it's such an interesting world. Just slow down, and give me more . More details, more tension, more of our character's thoughts and feelings. It's like driving through Paris at 120mph; you know there's so much to see, but it's all a blur out the window.
Even though I had my issues with the book, I really did enjoy it a lot. It's dark, it's unique, it's passionate, and it even got to my heart. I've become invested in the story and the characters and I'm excited to see what happens in the next two books! This book really shines in the second half, and that ending....WHEW.
First and foremost, I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review. Also, TW for themes of sexual assault, violence, and descriptions of gore.
Overall, this book was a fast-paced, fun, action-packed vampire story that I enjoyed a lot! I went into it expecting just a vampire-falls-for-young-human-girl story (still love those!), but was pleasantly surprised when the plot turned out to be as deep and intriguing as it was. If you want to read about angels, vampires, light/dark battles, ancient beings, complicated and old history between characters, past lives, and historical figures/events getting revamped (ha, get it?), then I'd pick this up. The story is fascinating and I couldn't put it down!
However, I still had a couple of issues with the book.
I love dual-POV stories, but unfortunately, one was weaker than the other here. Shea, our main female character, was not as solid as I wanted her to be. The way her POV was written was simple and I didn't feel like there was much for me to grab onto or root for. She fell a little flat for me, and I didn't feel very connected to her. She also had a mild case of I'm Not Like Other Girls Syndrome at the beginning of the book, but thankfully she was cured as the story progressed. I think she has potential, but I'd like to see her POV beefed up in the next books to be on par with Lucian's.
Speaking of Lucian...this is where the book shines. His backstory and arc gave me everything I was lacking from Shea's. His character is so much more than what I thought it was at the beginning, and I thought his POV was written beautifully. The relationships and histories he has with the people around him are so interesting, I would gladly read spin-off stories of them just to get more. His interactions with Aidan were particularly fascinating and I'm really excited to see what they'll do next. My only issue with Lucian was that his arc felt a bit rushed and his transformation too large and too sudden.
The first 25% or so was a bit difficult to get through. I wasn't connected to any of the characters and the world wasn't completely set up. But trust me, it gets a whole lot better. Once the action kicks in and you realize how much more there is to the story, it grabs you and won't let go. With that being said, I think the authors could have added 100 more pages to this book without sacrificing that intense and action-packed feeling. I often complain about books being too long, but this is one of those rare exceptions where I found myself wishing the book was longer. The plot felt a bit jumpy and rushed at some points, which is a shame because it's such an interesting world. Just slow down, and give me more . More details, more tension, more of our character's thoughts and feelings. It's like driving through Paris at 120mph; you know there's so much to see, but it's all a blur out the window.
Even though I had my issues with the book, I really did enjoy it a lot. It's dark, it's unique, it's passionate, and it even got to my heart. I've become invested in the story and the characters and I'm excited to see what happens in the next two books! This book really shines in the second half, and that ending....WHEW.
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
So first, to get it out of the way TW for sexual assault. While nothing explicitly happens, it is mention and threatened. Be aware of this going into this book. Also, violence if that is something that gets to you.
Now to the actual review. My initial impression was that there were a few odd word choices made in the early chapters of the book that felt... off although I can't say exactly why. There were some things that were repeated a few times that probably could have been re-worded, but it wasn't enough for me to not enjoy it. Later it definitely smoothed out into a more "normal" writing style and it was much easier to enjoy.
I loved the characters. The main girl Shea is amazing. She is sassy and just... so normal, which isn't usually a good thing to me, but in this instance it was. She had very natural reactions to things that seemed absolutely suited to what I was told about her. Aiden was... something. There were several times that I wanted to have words with him, but I ended up liking him well enough. As for Lucian? I loved him. I might be biased as I always favor the vampire, but I just loved everything about him. He is a person and not just a caricature of a vampire. He has dealt with things that would break people and he is still "alive".
I appreciate that throughout the book we continued to learn about the people that are introduced and the history of the main characters. I would say the first half of the book definitely feels slower than the last half, but it doesn't drag or anything like that.
As for the story itself (without giving anything away), I really enjoyed the mix of religious and vampire lore. Both fascinate me and it was a good blend in the book. It was kept subtle but present so that you never really forgot that there was a reason for what was happening even if you don't fully understand or agree with that reason. There were several things that happened that surprised me in a good way. I enjoy it when I start screaming at someone in a book. That means I am getting really into it. The end surprised the life out of me and there was much-excited screeching.
To sum up: the characters are amazing. The story is worth reading and I can't wait to read the next book!
So first, to get it out of the way TW for sexual assault. While nothing explicitly happens, it is mention and threatened. Be aware of this going into this book. Also, violence if that is something that gets to you.
Now to the actual review. My initial impression was that there were a few odd word choices made in the early chapters of the book that felt... off although I can't say exactly why. There were some things that were repeated a few times that probably could have been re-worded, but it wasn't enough for me to not enjoy it. Later it definitely smoothed out into a more "normal" writing style and it was much easier to enjoy.
I loved the characters. The main girl Shea is amazing. She is sassy and just... so normal, which isn't usually a good thing to me, but in this instance it was. She had very natural reactions to things that seemed absolutely suited to what I was told about her. Aiden was... something. There were several times that I wanted to have words with him, but I ended up liking him well enough. As for Lucian? I loved him. I might be biased as I always favor the vampire, but I just loved everything about him. He is a person and not just a caricature of a vampire. He has dealt with things that would break people and he is still "alive".
I appreciate that throughout the book we continued to learn about the people that are introduced and the history of the main characters. I would say the first half of the book definitely feels slower than the last half, but it doesn't drag or anything like that.
As for the story itself (without giving anything away), I really enjoyed the mix of religious and vampire lore. Both fascinate me and it was a good blend in the book. It was kept subtle but present so that you never really forgot that there was a reason for what was happening even if you don't fully understand or agree with that reason. There were several things that happened that surprised me in a good way. I enjoy it when I start screaming at someone in a book. That means I am getting really into it. The end surprised the life out of me and there was much-excited screeching.
To sum up: the characters are amazing. The story is worth reading and I can't wait to read the next book!
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
2.5/5 stars.
This book is perfect for any paranormal romance lovers who are looking for a fast-paced more grown-up version of a vampire love story with a super interesting backstory.
That being said... this was not the perfect book for me. I would like to preface that by saying that I did actually find the reading experience quite enjoyable and that I finished this book rather quickly because it did intrigue me a lot. I thought the history and the world was super interesting and I very much wanted to find out what had happened and what would happen in the future. I definitely do not regret picking up this book and might also consider picking up the rest of the series as well to give it a try (and honestly also find out what will happen, because like I said it is actually quite an interesting plot).
What I found lacking in this book was any real depth to the characters, and most of all any real depth to their relationships. I usually prefer fast-paced books, but even for me this was a little too fast. I felt like the story was lacking a real 'before' situation in which I got to know the main characters in their usual habitat (or 'before' habitat). Any type of 'normal' life was skimmed over in a montage sort of setting. The main characters (especially Shea) had no type of relationships outside of each other, no other friendships, no comprehensive mentions of parental figures, et cetera. I often found myself wondering why these people even liked each other or what their friendship was built upon. For me, they had a real lack of chemistry in any sort of way. I also felt like the relationship between Lucian and Shea kind of developed very quickly out of nowhere.
In summary: I enjoyed the story but found that the entire book was very plot driven and I would have liked it much more if there was more focus on the relationship between the characters and more extensive mentions of their 'normal' 'before' life.
2.5/5 stars.
This book is perfect for any paranormal romance lovers who are looking for a fast-paced more grown-up version of a vampire love story with a super interesting backstory.
That being said... this was not the perfect book for me. I would like to preface that by saying that I did actually find the reading experience quite enjoyable and that I finished this book rather quickly because it did intrigue me a lot. I thought the history and the world was super interesting and I very much wanted to find out what had happened and what would happen in the future. I definitely do not regret picking up this book and might also consider picking up the rest of the series as well to give it a try (and honestly also find out what will happen, because like I said it is actually quite an interesting plot).
What I found lacking in this book was any real depth to the characters, and most of all any real depth to their relationships. I usually prefer fast-paced books, but even for me this was a little too fast. I felt like the story was lacking a real 'before' situation in which I got to know the main characters in their usual habitat (or 'before' habitat). Any type of 'normal' life was skimmed over in a montage sort of setting. The main characters (especially Shea) had no type of relationships outside of each other, no other friendships, no comprehensive mentions of parental figures, et cetera. I often found myself wondering why these people even liked each other or what their friendship was built upon. For me, they had a real lack of chemistry in any sort of way. I also felt like the relationship between Lucian and Shea kind of developed very quickly out of nowhere.
In summary: I enjoyed the story but found that the entire book was very plot driven and I would have liked it much more if there was more focus on the relationship between the characters and more extensive mentions of their 'normal' 'before' life.
October 13, 2020
I received this as an ARC e-copy for a fair and honest review. (and I did beta reading for the final book in the trilogy, Gutian Code)
Before I focus on the plot, I really want to talk about the writing style. Becca C. Smith wrote for Shea and oh my god I was so impressed! Smith has a simplistic writing style and it works incredibly well for Shea's character. This style allows the reader to connect with the character and allows her to develop her own voice. It was truly a pleasure to read through Shea's story and, even as she went through extremely traumatic events (it's a fiction novel, what were you expecting, unicorns?), she keeps her original personality just enough to be recognizable.
Hina McCord, on the other hand, carries a sort of grace in her writing. She writes without fancy prose and yet when writing imagery, she paints a picture of the scene with the finest paintbrush. Her words are strong and literally sent shivers up my spine. I truly enjoyed reading Lucian's point of view and, I think that McCord's writing really showed another layer of his character.
The plot, I thought, was really good but I thought that some of the battle scenes were a bit repetitive and redundant, they seemed to slow at the moments when they should have sped up and I found myself a bit bored during those parts. The only other negative note I have is that many, if not all of the characters were stereotypical. All of the men are tall and buff. All of the women are either weak or lithe but never muscular. I wish I could say that there was any representation in this novel but all of the main characters were white (or consistently reffered to as having light skin, even if it was historically inaccurate) and they were all straight. Secondly, the first experience we get with Lucian (the main love interest) is borderline abusive and then immediately forgiven (same thing with Aidan).
Overall, I think that this was a good book but, there were endless missed opportunities and I wish that the authors had included more diversity into it. If you enjoy reading paranormal fiction, romance, historical fiction, or fantasy, you should give this book a try! I think that, beyond my nit-picking, this is a very good book with some very common mistakes.
Before I focus on the plot, I really want to talk about the writing style. Becca C. Smith wrote for Shea and oh my god I was so impressed! Smith has a simplistic writing style and it works incredibly well for Shea's character. This style allows the reader to connect with the character and allows her to develop her own voice. It was truly a pleasure to read through Shea's story and, even as she went through extremely traumatic events (it's a fiction novel, what were you expecting, unicorns?), she keeps her original personality just enough to be recognizable.
Hina McCord, on the other hand, carries a sort of grace in her writing. She writes without fancy prose and yet when writing imagery, she paints a picture of the scene with the finest paintbrush. Her words are strong and literally sent shivers up my spine. I truly enjoyed reading Lucian's point of view and, I think that McCord's writing really showed another layer of his character.
The plot, I thought, was really good but I thought that some of the battle scenes were a bit repetitive and redundant, they seemed to slow at the moments when they should have sped up and I found myself a bit bored during those parts. The only other negative note I have is that many, if not all of the characters were stereotypical. All of the men are tall and buff. All of the women are either weak or lithe but never muscular. I wish I could say that there was any representation in this novel but all of the main characters were white (or consistently reffered to as having light skin, even if it was historically inaccurate) and they were all straight. Secondly, the first experience we get with Lucian (the main love interest) is borderline abusive and then immediately forgiven (same thing with Aidan).
Overall, I think that this was a good book but, there were endless missed opportunities and I wish that the authors had included more diversity into it. If you enjoy reading paranormal fiction, romance, historical fiction, or fantasy, you should give this book a try! I think that, beyond my nit-picking, this is a very good book with some very common mistakes.
October 16, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
I was excited to read this story by Becca and Hinna. I love to read most types of supernatural stories including vampires and werewolves. Vessel is your typical vampire novel with some interesting twists. Ones that I look forward to seeing resolved in the next two books in the series.
Although this book is set in the modern world, there are many hints and flashbacks from times past. This story brings in characters from biblical times to present day. One point of note for me was that it was a little difficult to get into at first. The story is fast moving, which is normally great, but I got a little lost in what was happening with the viewpoint changing every chapter. A little more backstory would have helped understand the characters and story bit sooner.
The characters personalities are typical for this type of genre. Shae is a young woman just starting out in college with plenty of snarky comments. Lucian is the tortured soul, a vampire that finally may have found love again. Aiden is the best friend and protector with a secret purpose. I really like the characters themselves but wish that we could have gotten to know them a little more before the story takes off. Let them fill out a bit so that when Shea’s snarky comments come out, they feel more natural and part of her personality.
For anyone who may need trigger warnings, there is violence, blood and threatened sexual violence. Understanding that this is a vampire novel, I expected blood so that wasn’t an issue. There is some violence and a few sexual situations but for me there wasn’t anything over the top so it didn’t put me off the story at all.
I give this a 4 star because the characters, storyline and fresh twists were enjoyable but wished the character and backstory were developed a bit more. Overall, I really enjoyed Vessel and look forward to the next two books in the series (and possible novellas with side characters?).
I was excited to read this story by Becca and Hinna. I love to read most types of supernatural stories including vampires and werewolves. Vessel is your typical vampire novel with some interesting twists. Ones that I look forward to seeing resolved in the next two books in the series.
Although this book is set in the modern world, there are many hints and flashbacks from times past. This story brings in characters from biblical times to present day. One point of note for me was that it was a little difficult to get into at first. The story is fast moving, which is normally great, but I got a little lost in what was happening with the viewpoint changing every chapter. A little more backstory would have helped understand the characters and story bit sooner.
The characters personalities are typical for this type of genre. Shae is a young woman just starting out in college with plenty of snarky comments. Lucian is the tortured soul, a vampire that finally may have found love again. Aiden is the best friend and protector with a secret purpose. I really like the characters themselves but wish that we could have gotten to know them a little more before the story takes off. Let them fill out a bit so that when Shea’s snarky comments come out, they feel more natural and part of her personality.
For anyone who may need trigger warnings, there is violence, blood and threatened sexual violence. Understanding that this is a vampire novel, I expected blood so that wasn’t an issue. There is some violence and a few sexual situations but for me there wasn’t anything over the top so it didn’t put me off the story at all.
I give this a 4 star because the characters, storyline and fresh twists were enjoyable but wished the character and backstory were developed a bit more. Overall, I really enjoyed Vessel and look forward to the next two books in the series (and possible novellas with side characters?).
October 15, 2020
*I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review
TW: Threats of sexual assault and sexual violence, lots of blood, graphic violence, torture
This was a fast-paced and exciting action novel, with a fine mix of romance and emotional moments. The voices for both POVs were really strong, I think both authors wrote with the perfect voice for the characters. Overall the writing style had a very good mix for me.
I'm always a sucker for starting a series thinking I know who the "good guys" and "bad guys" are, and then receiving information that makes me question everything. Was I wrong? Am I just being manipulated? Is ANYONE good or bad?! This book definitely kept me guessing.
I did find the romance a little unbelievable at first and it was definitely super quick. I raised my eyebrow at first, but because the book has heavy immortality/reincarnation it's explained in a way that makes sense so I didn't mind it.
My only other issue is that in the very beginning I wasn't quite sure how the "rules" of the Vessel and reincarnation worked, so I was a little confused. I was able to figure out each character's role and goals, but I wasn't sure if they recognized each other or knew each other, their powers, and what they could or couldn't do. I was able to figure it out as I read on, but I was confused in the beginning.
And finally, THAT ENDING! It was a perfect culmination of everything, the action lived up to my hype and everything was exciting and emotional and I loved it. And then the HUGE cliffhanger! All I can say is that I'm glad the authors are doing a fast-release for this series so I only have to wait a month to read the sequel!
Overall I really loved this book and I'm excited to continue the series. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who likes dark and violent vampires, immortality/reincarnation tropes, action-heavy plots mixed with sweet romance, and/or characters straddling the line of good and evil.
TW: Threats of sexual assault and sexual violence, lots of blood, graphic violence, torture
This was a fast-paced and exciting action novel, with a fine mix of romance and emotional moments. The voices for both POVs were really strong, I think both authors wrote with the perfect voice for the characters. Overall the writing style had a very good mix for me.
I'm always a sucker for starting a series thinking I know who the "good guys" and "bad guys" are, and then receiving information that makes me question everything. Was I wrong? Am I just being manipulated? Is ANYONE good or bad?! This book definitely kept me guessing.
I did find the romance a little unbelievable at first and it was definitely super quick. I raised my eyebrow at first, but because the book has heavy immortality/reincarnation it's explained in a way that makes sense so I didn't mind it.
My only other issue is that in the very beginning I wasn't quite sure how the "rules" of the Vessel and reincarnation worked, so I was a little confused. I was able to figure out each character's role and goals, but I wasn't sure if they recognized each other or knew each other, their powers, and what they could or couldn't do. I was able to figure it out as I read on, but I was confused in the beginning.
And finally, THAT ENDING! It was a perfect culmination of everything, the action lived up to my hype and everything was exciting and emotional and I loved it. And then the HUGE cliffhanger! All I can say is that I'm glad the authors are doing a fast-release for this series so I only have to wait a month to read the sequel!
Overall I really loved this book and I'm excited to continue the series. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who likes dark and violent vampires, immortality/reincarnation tropes, action-heavy plots mixed with sweet romance, and/or characters straddling the line of good and evil.
October 15, 2020
Before I start this review, I need to state that I was given an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Here goes:
I will admit to some minor struggles in the beginning of this novel. I am not someone who enjoys that whole "just out of high school and not quite out of high school mentality" type of story. Obviously, the story takes a very sharp left from that pretty quickly and the whole college and dealing with all new things in college stuff flies by and we get into the supernatural fun stuff pretty quickly. That said, first part was still a bit of a pull to get through because this is the part of the book where I least like Shea, the main character, and she is the least interesting to me. That does change fast, however.
If you can get through about the first 90 pages of the book, the only words I have for what happens after that is "Well, that escalated quickly!" We go from 0-100 on the action meter and, while it is a bit jarring, it does really help the book's pacing and get us into the main part of the story. That said, I feel like that whole middle part where things first start happening does come and go very fast and, suddenly, we have the bad guy and all sorts of stuff going down. It's a little crazy.
That said, this was overall a good read. The characters are fully fleshed out, very human and flawed, and pretty compelling once their arcs get into full swing. You really do come to feel for Lucian, eventually, though I do not wish to put spoilers into this review. This was a really good start to a very good series. I would not recommend it for the squeamish, as there are serious trigger warnings for violence, gore, and abuse in many forms, however, if you don't mind that kind of angst and blood and guts, I think this is worth a read.
I will admit to some minor struggles in the beginning of this novel. I am not someone who enjoys that whole "just out of high school and not quite out of high school mentality" type of story. Obviously, the story takes a very sharp left from that pretty quickly and the whole college and dealing with all new things in college stuff flies by and we get into the supernatural fun stuff pretty quickly. That said, first part was still a bit of a pull to get through because this is the part of the book where I least like Shea, the main character, and she is the least interesting to me. That does change fast, however.
If you can get through about the first 90 pages of the book, the only words I have for what happens after that is "Well, that escalated quickly!" We go from 0-100 on the action meter and, while it is a bit jarring, it does really help the book's pacing and get us into the main part of the story. That said, I feel like that whole middle part where things first start happening does come and go very fast and, suddenly, we have the bad guy and all sorts of stuff going down. It's a little crazy.
That said, this was overall a good read. The characters are fully fleshed out, very human and flawed, and pretty compelling once their arcs get into full swing. You really do come to feel for Lucian, eventually, though I do not wish to put spoilers into this review. This was a really good start to a very good series. I would not recommend it for the squeamish, as there are serious trigger warnings for violence, gore, and abuse in many forms, however, if you don't mind that kind of angst and blood and guts, I think this is worth a read.
October 15, 2020
Before starting my review, I would like to mention that I received an ARC Copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
I really loved how distinct the two main characters were and how easy to know which one was narrating even if you start reading somewhere random (like without looking at the beginning of the chapter to see if it was Shea or Lucian).
At the beginning, I had a bit of trouble getting absorbed by the story because the pace was a bit slow for me. At that point I also didn’t like Lucian because I found it hard to relate to him and understand his motivations which really didn’t help me stay interested by the story.
I became much more captivated by the book about halfway in, once we got more information about Lucian’s past and the general plot, which made it way easier to understand what was going on. It also around the same time that the pace quickens a lot and that is what got me to keep reading the book ( to the point where I had hard time closing the book to go do something else). When there is a lot action at the same time, I would recommend pausing for a moment to register what just happened, because if I didn’t do that I would get confused from time to time.
Overall, this is a great book with complex character and an interesting plot. I don’t usually like book that have much romance in it, but in this one although it is clearly present and a big part of the story, it is not overwhelming. Just be aware that this is a vampire story so there is quite a bit of gory details.
When I started reading this book, I wasn’t sure I would like it, but now that I finished reading it, I can say that I really enjoyed reading this book and I am impatiently waiting to read the second book of the Love and Dark series.
I really loved how distinct the two main characters were and how easy to know which one was narrating even if you start reading somewhere random (like without looking at the beginning of the chapter to see if it was Shea or Lucian).
At the beginning, I had a bit of trouble getting absorbed by the story because the pace was a bit slow for me. At that point I also didn’t like Lucian because I found it hard to relate to him and understand his motivations which really didn’t help me stay interested by the story.
I became much more captivated by the book about halfway in, once we got more information about Lucian’s past and the general plot, which made it way easier to understand what was going on. It also around the same time that the pace quickens a lot and that is what got me to keep reading the book ( to the point where I had hard time closing the book to go do something else). When there is a lot action at the same time, I would recommend pausing for a moment to register what just happened, because if I didn’t do that I would get confused from time to time.
Overall, this is a great book with complex character and an interesting plot. I don’t usually like book that have much romance in it, but in this one although it is clearly present and a big part of the story, it is not overwhelming. Just be aware that this is a vampire story so there is quite a bit of gory details.
When I started reading this book, I wasn’t sure I would like it, but now that I finished reading it, I can say that I really enjoyed reading this book and I am impatiently waiting to read the second book of the Love and Dark series.
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC e-copy for a fair and honest review.
Vessel is not your daughter’s vampire story.
Vessel is a story about a girl and the vampire who hunts her. When the story opens, we follow Shea and her best friend, Aiden, as they navigate freshman year of college as they move into dorms, deal with roommates and head out to house parties. Its at one of these house parties that Shea meets her destiny. As expected with most vampire stories there is a budding romance that blooms between the two species but one thing that spreads it apart from the rest is how dark that story was written, which made the cheese-factor less stinky. The book blends the genres of romance, supernatural, historical fiction, horror, and suspense in a fun and exciting way. Although, in some chapters the info dump was deep and long winded it’s the action-packed chapters that make it worth trudging through the informative trenches. The characters are fun to read but one thing that bothered me was how the bad-ass men in the book were always crying and emotional, which seemed contradictory and I found it annoying. However, I did love how snarky the main character Shea was written. The story is told in teeter-totter first person narrative which I am normally not a fan of but by half-way through, once the action really kicks up, it didn’t bother me as much. I think this book would be enjoyed by anyone who is a fan of the dark and supernatural as well as those who like a good love story. A quick word of caution; the violence is quite vivid and gory. Which is something I personally LOVE!
Its fast paced and all in all I did enjoy reading it.
Vessel is not your daughter’s vampire story.
Vessel is a story about a girl and the vampire who hunts her. When the story opens, we follow Shea and her best friend, Aiden, as they navigate freshman year of college as they move into dorms, deal with roommates and head out to house parties. Its at one of these house parties that Shea meets her destiny. As expected with most vampire stories there is a budding romance that blooms between the two species but one thing that spreads it apart from the rest is how dark that story was written, which made the cheese-factor less stinky. The book blends the genres of romance, supernatural, historical fiction, horror, and suspense in a fun and exciting way. Although, in some chapters the info dump was deep and long winded it’s the action-packed chapters that make it worth trudging through the informative trenches. The characters are fun to read but one thing that bothered me was how the bad-ass men in the book were always crying and emotional, which seemed contradictory and I found it annoying. However, I did love how snarky the main character Shea was written. The story is told in teeter-totter first person narrative which I am normally not a fan of but by half-way through, once the action really kicks up, it didn’t bother me as much. I think this book would be enjoyed by anyone who is a fan of the dark and supernatural as well as those who like a good love story. A quick word of caution; the violence is quite vivid and gory. Which is something I personally LOVE!
Its fast paced and all in all I did enjoy reading it.
October 5, 2020
I received this as an ARC e-copy for a fair and honest review.
Finding out your dorm monitor is actually an evil vampire will definitely ruin your day.
Shea Harper has grown up with her best friend, Aiden and they are inseparable. Literally. They go to the same college and even stay in the same dorm. Once Shea meets the dorm monitor, Lucian, things quickly devolve. It turns out that he’s a vampire and she’s the Vessel he’s been seeking for 500 years. Aiden is her protector and she’s the key to unlocking the prison that holds Lucien’s father, Caelius. To quote Shea, "Gross!"
This book is the first in a trilogy and boy did the prologue grab my attention! This is not generally the type of book I read, but I figured I should expand my horizons and I’m glad I did. I enjoyed the way historical figures worked into the story. It was a bit confusing at first, but once I got the hang of who was who, I loved that aspect and how it played into the plot.
The chapters alter in perspective, from Lucian to Shea which was another reason I enjoyed this book. When a major event would happen in Shea’s perspective, I enjoyed reading the next chapter to see how it had affected Lucian and vice versa.
I enjoyed Lucian’s character arc (I don’t want to spoil anything, so that’s all I can say there). My only downside to this book is that I did have a hard time connecting with Shea’s thoughts. Her opening interaction with the housing lady didn't sit right with me; but once I got past that, she is fun and I did enjoy her silly, one-liner comebacks.
“Your insecurities make you weak and pathetic. You are a flawed, unworthy Vessel.”
“Sticks and stones, dude.”
The overall plot was engaging. I liked the whole idea of the battle between light and dark being with angels and vampires. I also enjoyed reading about Aiden and Lucian's past interactions and discovering how deep their relationship really goes. The action scenes were intense and had me reading as fast as I could. The ending cliffhanger has me excited to read the next installment in the series.
Basically, if you like vampire books, this is one for you!
Finding out your dorm monitor is actually an evil vampire will definitely ruin your day.
Shea Harper has grown up with her best friend, Aiden and they are inseparable. Literally. They go to the same college and even stay in the same dorm. Once Shea meets the dorm monitor, Lucian, things quickly devolve. It turns out that he’s a vampire and she’s the Vessel he’s been seeking for 500 years. Aiden is her protector and she’s the key to unlocking the prison that holds Lucien’s father, Caelius. To quote Shea, "Gross!"
This book is the first in a trilogy and boy did the prologue grab my attention! This is not generally the type of book I read, but I figured I should expand my horizons and I’m glad I did. I enjoyed the way historical figures worked into the story. It was a bit confusing at first, but once I got the hang of who was who, I loved that aspect and how it played into the plot.
The chapters alter in perspective, from Lucian to Shea which was another reason I enjoyed this book. When a major event would happen in Shea’s perspective, I enjoyed reading the next chapter to see how it had affected Lucian and vice versa.
I enjoyed Lucian’s character arc (I don’t want to spoil anything, so that’s all I can say there). My only downside to this book is that I did have a hard time connecting with Shea’s thoughts. Her opening interaction with the housing lady didn't sit right with me; but once I got past that, she is fun and I did enjoy her silly, one-liner comebacks.
“Your insecurities make you weak and pathetic. You are a flawed, unworthy Vessel.”
“Sticks and stones, dude.”
The overall plot was engaging. I liked the whole idea of the battle between light and dark being with angels and vampires. I also enjoyed reading about Aiden and Lucian's past interactions and discovering how deep their relationship really goes. The action scenes were intense and had me reading as fast as I could. The ending cliffhanger has me excited to read the next installment in the series.
Basically, if you like vampire books, this is one for you!
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review
This has been my first read of this author and what a way to start! I really enjoyed reading from the two points of view of both of the main characters and I was surprised when I realised this was actually written by two authors. The seamless compatibility of their writing style makes for both a thrilling read while experiencing the distinct voices of each.
Without giving too much away, the characters have a great dynamic with one another and lead you along always wanting more I read the whole book in a day as I just couldn't put it down. I would have liked to read more of Aidens story as his point of view would be interesting especially in relation to other characters. Hopefully we will get to read more about him in the next installment.
I would strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy or even just a good romance, especially in the current climate this really takes you away from everyday worries.
This has been my first read of this author and what a way to start! I really enjoyed reading from the two points of view of both of the main characters and I was surprised when I realised this was actually written by two authors. The seamless compatibility of their writing style makes for both a thrilling read while experiencing the distinct voices of each.
Without giving too much away, the characters have a great dynamic with one another and lead you along always wanting more I read the whole book in a day as I just couldn't put it down. I would have liked to read more of Aidens story as his point of view would be interesting especially in relation to other characters. Hopefully we will get to read more about him in the next installment.
I would strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy or even just a good romance, especially in the current climate this really takes you away from everyday worries.
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
I devoured this novel in one sitting. It fed the angst in my soul and left me demanding more.
With a backdrop of the contemporary world, Vessel provides "the real" supernatural history behind major world events and biblical figures. The characters navigate this season with all of the baggage from past lives as the reader peels back the layers one by one. I'm excited to read the rest of the trilogy.
The beginning of the book has quite a bit of passive writing, but it really does seem to suck you in.
Content warnings for graphic violence, gore, and sexual assault while unconscious.
I devoured this novel in one sitting. It fed the angst in my soul and left me demanding more.
With a backdrop of the contemporary world, Vessel provides "the real" supernatural history behind major world events and biblical figures. The characters navigate this season with all of the baggage from past lives as the reader peels back the layers one by one. I'm excited to read the rest of the trilogy.
The beginning of the book has quite a bit of passive writing, but it really does seem to suck you in.
Content warnings for graphic violence, gore, and sexual assault while unconscious.
October 16, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
I went into the adventure of this book without knowing quite what to expect. Typically i don't read romance novels but this one isn't too focused on that aspect to develop a good story. As a matter of fact I got quite caught up in following the developing story. I loved it!
If I had one complaint it would be that it feels like a cliff hanger for book two but I can't read book two yet!
I went into the adventure of this book without knowing quite what to expect. Typically i don't read romance novels but this one isn't too focused on that aspect to develop a good story. As a matter of fact I got quite caught up in following the developing story. I loved it!
If I had one complaint it would be that it feels like a cliff hanger for book two but I can't read book two yet!
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review and I have to say the book is incredible. I had never read any on the authors work before but since reading vessel I will be sure reading other novels by the authors, I think the plot is incredible and the way the other portrays the characters is genuinely next level. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family. Hope you guys also love the book.
October 15, 2020
I loved Vessel! It was brilliantly written and put together, constantly giving me moments of "Hmm, maybe that's how everything actually happened and human's never found out." I loved everything about this book and can not wait to read the next. This is truly my new favorite take on vampires.
I received this as an ARC copy for a fair and honest review.
I received this as an ARC copy for a fair and honest review.
October 8, 2020
I received this as an ARC e-copy for a fair and honest review.
When I first sat down to read this book, I was a bit hesitant as I was not sure this was really my kind of book. Every ounce of fear and hesitation disappeared on page one. This is an amazing action pack read that commands your attention. I devoured this book in a single setting, paying attention to nothing else until I read the words “The End,” and was left begging for more.
The book does start out giving you hints at the backstory, and leaves you to piece them together to realize what is really happening. Just when you think you have it all figured out, another piece of the puzzle is revealed and completely turns you on your head. I loved this ! Those are often my favorite kinds of books, and this one did not disappoint.
This is installment one of a trilogy and I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens to our characters next. An amazing read !!!! Go get a copy now, you’ll thank me later.
When I first sat down to read this book, I was a bit hesitant as I was not sure this was really my kind of book. Every ounce of fear and hesitation disappeared on page one. This is an amazing action pack read that commands your attention. I devoured this book in a single setting, paying attention to nothing else until I read the words “The End,” and was left begging for more.
The book does start out giving you hints at the backstory, and leaves you to piece them together to realize what is really happening. Just when you think you have it all figured out, another piece of the puzzle is revealed and completely turns you on your head. I loved this ! Those are often my favorite kinds of books, and this one did not disappoint.
This is installment one of a trilogy and I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens to our characters next. An amazing read !!!! Go get a copy now, you’ll thank me later.
October 10, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
First, this book is perfect to read in October. It has the perfect amount of vampires and atmosphere that I love to read during this time of year.
Second, Shea and Aiden’s friendship is a joy to read. You can tell just how much they care about each other and how it is put to the test throughout the book.
Third, the romance comes off a little too strong at the beginning but one you read more and get more context it leaves you wanting more.
Overall I enjoyed the book and was a page turner. I never felt bored or wanted it to end. There was enough back story and clues about what was going on that keeps you interested and wanting to find out more.
First, this book is perfect to read in October. It has the perfect amount of vampires and atmosphere that I love to read during this time of year.
Second, Shea and Aiden’s friendship is a joy to read. You can tell just how much they care about each other and how it is put to the test throughout the book.
Third, the romance comes off a little too strong at the beginning but one you read more and get more context it leaves you wanting more.
Overall I enjoyed the book and was a page turner. I never felt bored or wanted it to end. There was enough back story and clues about what was going on that keeps you interested and wanting to find out more.
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
First, a brief summary to explain the premise of the book:
Shea Harper is an ordinary girl just entering college with her hunky, male BFF Aidan in tow. The dynamic between the two “best friends since birth” is adorable and sweet. The end of their first day is about to cap off nicely with their first invitation to their first frat party, until Shea and Aidan are separated and a strange boy, Frank, offers Shea a drink. While Shea is smart enough not to drink what Frank gave her, she goes off with him to get away from the noise of the party. Big mistake. When instead of assaulting Shea, Frank sinks his teeth into her neck, Shea is forced to fight for her life. Aidan rushes to find her, and while Shea survives, her life has just changed forever and there’s no going back.
Vampires are real, and Shea isn’t prepared to deal with what they want from her. All Shea and Aidan can do to keep her safe is run. But the truth about what Shea and Aidan are comes out as Aidan teaches her to fight. Shea is gutted to find out the truth about Aidan. Is her “best friend since birth” really her friend, or would she be safer in the arms of the ancient vampire searching for her?
My honest opinions of “Vessel” and its characters: (Warning: Spoilers! If you don’t want to learn too much about the story before you read it, skip to “The short take.”)
Shea Harper is a rather stereotypical, white, YA character—bad decisions and all. Aidan is the typical muscle-bound beef head, just a friend “maybe” character. At first. Thankfully, that changes once Lucien (the main vampire character/love interest) and Aidan confront each other.
Lucien is by far the most interesting character in the book, but he’s also one of the oldest so he has more history under his belt. While I enjoyed reading Lucien’s memories of his long-lost friendship with Adnachiel/Aidan, I honestly feel the story could have benefitted from more information on Aidan that wasn’t skewed by Lucien’s mistaken opinion of him. The majority of the action scenes in this book are contained in Lucien’s chapters. The action is well written and beautifully descriptive, but at times the writing comes across as more telling than showing.
Shea Harper does grow as a character, but she could have stood to grow a cautious streak given that powerful, older-than-Moses vampires were hunting her. Shea is the current incarnation of the “Vessel.” Born once every five centuries, the Vessel was created to let the force of pure darkness in the form of Caelius, the origin of all vampires, out of his cage. Unfortunately, Shea’s character is written to mostly reflect her role as the Vessel, rather than a fully developed, independent person willing to do whatever it takes to survive.
Cealius is another character we unfortunately see only through Lucien’s perspective. Imprisoned by Adnachiel’s brothers more than three millennia ago, Caelius has grown impatient to be free. Despite being literal darkness incarnate, Caelius is far from the typical evil villain, or a run of the mill vampire overlord. His true motives are hazy, referring only to his ultimate desire to remake the world complete with his own version of Adam and Eve, apparently him and Lucien. As far as Caelius’ relationship with Lucien, I would insert a potential trigger warning here as Lucien suffers a vaguely described, but brutal psychic sexual assault by Caelius.
Let me say, I love vampire stories, and I’m a huge horror fan. “Vessel” fits solidly into the NA age range and while it does contain adult themes, it still has a bit of an overall YA feel in Shea Harper’s chapters. If you’re a fan of the Anita Blake series, Thirty Days of Night, or even the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, the violence, gore, and sexual content in “Vessel” may come across as tame. If you’re looking for safe, “vegan” vampires like in Twilight, this is not the book for you. Some trigger warnings for violence and sexual assault may be needed here.
The short take: (spoiler-free end thoughts)
“Vessel” is full of forbidden love, betrayal, action, and a very interesting and unique take on vampire mythology. No sparkles, or sleeping in coffins. The vampires here are ancient, predating Moses, and massively powerful. The story is written in dual perspective between Shea Harper and Lucien, the main vampire protagonist, through alternating chapters. “Vessel” is the first book in a trilogy and I can’t wait to continue reading the story of these intriguing vampires.
First, a brief summary to explain the premise of the book:
Shea Harper is an ordinary girl just entering college with her hunky, male BFF Aidan in tow. The dynamic between the two “best friends since birth” is adorable and sweet. The end of their first day is about to cap off nicely with their first invitation to their first frat party, until Shea and Aidan are separated and a strange boy, Frank, offers Shea a drink. While Shea is smart enough not to drink what Frank gave her, she goes off with him to get away from the noise of the party. Big mistake. When instead of assaulting Shea, Frank sinks his teeth into her neck, Shea is forced to fight for her life. Aidan rushes to find her, and while Shea survives, her life has just changed forever and there’s no going back.
Vampires are real, and Shea isn’t prepared to deal with what they want from her. All Shea and Aidan can do to keep her safe is run. But the truth about what Shea and Aidan are comes out as Aidan teaches her to fight. Shea is gutted to find out the truth about Aidan. Is her “best friend since birth” really her friend, or would she be safer in the arms of the ancient vampire searching for her?
My honest opinions of “Vessel” and its characters: (Warning: Spoilers! If you don’t want to learn too much about the story before you read it, skip to “The short take.”)
Shea Harper is a rather stereotypical, white, YA character—bad decisions and all. Aidan is the typical muscle-bound beef head, just a friend “maybe” character. At first. Thankfully, that changes once Lucien (the main vampire character/love interest) and Aidan confront each other.
Lucien is by far the most interesting character in the book, but he’s also one of the oldest so he has more history under his belt. While I enjoyed reading Lucien’s memories of his long-lost friendship with Adnachiel/Aidan, I honestly feel the story could have benefitted from more information on Aidan that wasn’t skewed by Lucien’s mistaken opinion of him. The majority of the action scenes in this book are contained in Lucien’s chapters. The action is well written and beautifully descriptive, but at times the writing comes across as more telling than showing.
Shea Harper does grow as a character, but she could have stood to grow a cautious streak given that powerful, older-than-Moses vampires were hunting her. Shea is the current incarnation of the “Vessel.” Born once every five centuries, the Vessel was created to let the force of pure darkness in the form of Caelius, the origin of all vampires, out of his cage. Unfortunately, Shea’s character is written to mostly reflect her role as the Vessel, rather than a fully developed, independent person willing to do whatever it takes to survive.
Cealius is another character we unfortunately see only through Lucien’s perspective. Imprisoned by Adnachiel’s brothers more than three millennia ago, Caelius has grown impatient to be free. Despite being literal darkness incarnate, Caelius is far from the typical evil villain, or a run of the mill vampire overlord. His true motives are hazy, referring only to his ultimate desire to remake the world complete with his own version of Adam and Eve, apparently him and Lucien. As far as Caelius’ relationship with Lucien, I would insert a potential trigger warning here as Lucien suffers a vaguely described, but brutal psychic sexual assault by Caelius.
Let me say, I love vampire stories, and I’m a huge horror fan. “Vessel” fits solidly into the NA age range and while it does contain adult themes, it still has a bit of an overall YA feel in Shea Harper’s chapters. If you’re a fan of the Anita Blake series, Thirty Days of Night, or even the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, the violence, gore, and sexual content in “Vessel” may come across as tame. If you’re looking for safe, “vegan” vampires like in Twilight, this is not the book for you. Some trigger warnings for violence and sexual assault may be needed here.
The short take: (spoiler-free end thoughts)
“Vessel” is full of forbidden love, betrayal, action, and a very interesting and unique take on vampire mythology. No sparkles, or sleeping in coffins. The vampires here are ancient, predating Moses, and massively powerful. The story is written in dual perspective between Shea Harper and Lucien, the main vampire protagonist, through alternating chapters. “Vessel” is the first book in a trilogy and I can’t wait to continue reading the story of these intriguing vampires.
October 15, 2020
A review for Vessel, the first book in the Love & Dark Series by Hina McCord and Becca C. Smith. I was given the chance to read this story with an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
If you love a good vampire romance story, this is a great place to sink your teeth into. It holds a strong plot line and a very unique lore to explore. Its intriguing vampire origin story shouldn’t be missed. At the end of each chapter, you’ll find yourself ever deeper in the mystery. The story drags you along by its claws.
There’s a magic created by the action scenes that are often more poetic than graphic. It allows the violence to generate an emotional resonance from its fanciful imagery. Mostly this works, and the story feels grander than reality. At other times, it pulls the reader away from the important minutiae that grounds a story, which makes it more challenging to follow along.
This story switches back and forth between two points of view. You have Shea, a young woman just starting college with her friend, Aidan. And then you have Lucian, an ancient vampire. There’s a strange connection between all three of them that is drenched in a brutal history. Shea is forced to discover this new world simply so she can survive. Yet who can she trust?
As intriguing as the element of Shea’s new found power is to the story, her character arc is never fully explored. The question of who she is and what she desires is rarely addressed. And yet her reaction to strange events feels fresh. She has a distinct personality that is enjoyable to read.
Much of her focus is on her connections to the male characters: her friendship with Aidan that makes her feel safe, and her longing for Lucian. These relationships are quite developed and necessary to her identity. Only her strength as a protagonist would have been improved if she had shown her own agency.
Lucian has a rich history and many of his past choices build the foundation for the story. Unfortunately, we mostly learn about his life through exposition. The story could have been lifted up if we were given fully fleshed out flashbacks. The hints given to the wealth of story in his past is a strong reason to stick around for the next two books.
His growing love for Shea decides the trajectory of the events. Still, it comes across as more of a possessive love that will make the reader question if his feelings are real. Perhaps this is the only type of love a vampire can understand? At least at first. It is quite fun to watch this evolution.
Then there’s the love triangle element with Aidan. The perhaps too perfect best friend that is hiding a secret with the potential for destruction. It is his surprising history with Lucian that fascinates. As soon as this mystery is revealed, the true originality of the story shows its face. There is nothing else quite like it.
Be prepared to be entertained with some fun twists that sneak out from the shadows. The world is quite dark, but there’s so much passion that paints the scenes in color.
In the end, it is the humanity in the pages that draws one forward. The story’s most effective element is the exploration of forgiveness. And when it comes to vampires, there is a lot to forgive.
If you love a good vampire romance story, this is a great place to sink your teeth into. It holds a strong plot line and a very unique lore to explore. Its intriguing vampire origin story shouldn’t be missed. At the end of each chapter, you’ll find yourself ever deeper in the mystery. The story drags you along by its claws.
There’s a magic created by the action scenes that are often more poetic than graphic. It allows the violence to generate an emotional resonance from its fanciful imagery. Mostly this works, and the story feels grander than reality. At other times, it pulls the reader away from the important minutiae that grounds a story, which makes it more challenging to follow along.
This story switches back and forth between two points of view. You have Shea, a young woman just starting college with her friend, Aidan. And then you have Lucian, an ancient vampire. There’s a strange connection between all three of them that is drenched in a brutal history. Shea is forced to discover this new world simply so she can survive. Yet who can she trust?
As intriguing as the element of Shea’s new found power is to the story, her character arc is never fully explored. The question of who she is and what she desires is rarely addressed. And yet her reaction to strange events feels fresh. She has a distinct personality that is enjoyable to read.
Much of her focus is on her connections to the male characters: her friendship with Aidan that makes her feel safe, and her longing for Lucian. These relationships are quite developed and necessary to her identity. Only her strength as a protagonist would have been improved if she had shown her own agency.
Lucian has a rich history and many of his past choices build the foundation for the story. Unfortunately, we mostly learn about his life through exposition. The story could have been lifted up if we were given fully fleshed out flashbacks. The hints given to the wealth of story in his past is a strong reason to stick around for the next two books.
His growing love for Shea decides the trajectory of the events. Still, it comes across as more of a possessive love that will make the reader question if his feelings are real. Perhaps this is the only type of love a vampire can understand? At least at first. It is quite fun to watch this evolution.
Then there’s the love triangle element with Aidan. The perhaps too perfect best friend that is hiding a secret with the potential for destruction. It is his surprising history with Lucian that fascinates. As soon as this mystery is revealed, the true originality of the story shows its face. There is nothing else quite like it.
Be prepared to be entertained with some fun twists that sneak out from the shadows. The world is quite dark, but there’s so much passion that paints the scenes in color.
In the end, it is the humanity in the pages that draws one forward. The story’s most effective element is the exploration of forgiveness. And when it comes to vampires, there is a lot to forgive.
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
Ancient vampire, son of the original evil, darkness embodied falls in love with an eighteen year old freshman who is the embodiment of light and perhaps the savior of the world? Does this sound familiar in any way? Yes. There are only so many ways to pen the ancient vampire falls for a naïve young girl trope. The twist on this one is interesting enough to keep you going just on curiosity alone. I find that to be a feat of epic proportions considering I have read many vampire novels in my time. From JR Ward to Anne Rice, I’ve scrubbed many and only been satisfied by a few. My standards are higher than average mortals. And I love vampires.
It surprised me that I liked the lead vampire Lucian as much as I did. Of course the way the book started I didn’t see how I could ever like him. I really think the prologue does him a disservice, but if you suspend some of your distaste you may grow to understand him more as I did the further I got into the book. This is not a standalone by the way the next two books in the series will be along shortly.
So, Lucian is a baddie. Then there’s another person of interest Aidan, who is the protector of the light or vessel or Shae as she is known. The set up for him is pretty standard. You’re meant to see him as a friend and a good guy, although Lucian casts doubt over all that pretty early on. Still, I found Aidan to be kind of boring and one note. That is until he started arguing with Lucian. The sparks were flying then. There was way more chemistry between these two than there was between the main female protagonist Shae and bad man love interest Lucian. I am therefore shipping Aidan and Lucian from here on out.
Sadly, I can see where this story will evolve past this book and it isn’t to the OTP of dreams (Lucian/Aidan) so I think I’ll have to stop here and preserve my head cannon.
The love story was incredibly fast. Like insta-love is one thing but this is almost page one levels fast. There is no tension built up between the two that doesn’t feel forced. If you’re not a fan of UST though this will be satisfying as they get down to it with little fanfare. I understand why this happened within this universe because of the nature of these two characters but still it left me feeling cold.
The fact that these two authors could get me to care about Lucian at all has blown me away. I will definitely be checking out both of their previous works and any future work they do together. Even though this series isn’t for me I think that if you are looking for a vampire series with an interesting premise and a cookie cutter female protagonist you will like this. I’m giving this 3/5 stars for Lucian and Aidan alone. I’d also entertain coming back to this universe for a spin-off of Gunnhild and Ashgar whose whole history with Lucian I found very intriguing.
Ancient vampire, son of the original evil, darkness embodied falls in love with an eighteen year old freshman who is the embodiment of light and perhaps the savior of the world? Does this sound familiar in any way? Yes. There are only so many ways to pen the ancient vampire falls for a naïve young girl trope. The twist on this one is interesting enough to keep you going just on curiosity alone. I find that to be a feat of epic proportions considering I have read many vampire novels in my time. From JR Ward to Anne Rice, I’ve scrubbed many and only been satisfied by a few. My standards are higher than average mortals. And I love vampires.
It surprised me that I liked the lead vampire Lucian as much as I did. Of course the way the book started I didn’t see how I could ever like him. I really think the prologue does him a disservice, but if you suspend some of your distaste you may grow to understand him more as I did the further I got into the book. This is not a standalone by the way the next two books in the series will be along shortly.
So, Lucian is a baddie. Then there’s another person of interest Aidan, who is the protector of the light or vessel or Shae as she is known. The set up for him is pretty standard. You’re meant to see him as a friend and a good guy, although Lucian casts doubt over all that pretty early on. Still, I found Aidan to be kind of boring and one note. That is until he started arguing with Lucian. The sparks were flying then. There was way more chemistry between these two than there was between the main female protagonist Shae and bad man love interest Lucian. I am therefore shipping Aidan and Lucian from here on out.
Sadly, I can see where this story will evolve past this book and it isn’t to the OTP of dreams (Lucian/Aidan) so I think I’ll have to stop here and preserve my head cannon.
The love story was incredibly fast. Like insta-love is one thing but this is almost page one levels fast. There is no tension built up between the two that doesn’t feel forced. If you’re not a fan of UST though this will be satisfying as they get down to it with little fanfare. I understand why this happened within this universe because of the nature of these two characters but still it left me feeling cold.
The fact that these two authors could get me to care about Lucian at all has blown me away. I will definitely be checking out both of their previous works and any future work they do together. Even though this series isn’t for me I think that if you are looking for a vampire series with an interesting premise and a cookie cutter female protagonist you will like this. I’m giving this 3/5 stars for Lucian and Aidan alone. I’d also entertain coming back to this universe for a spin-off of Gunnhild and Ashgar whose whole history with Lucian I found very intriguing.
October 16, 2020
I received this as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I don’t believe that I am the correct audience for this book; while I enjoyed Vessel overall, I would not organically pick it or the rest of the series up for a casual read.
I recommend Vessel to readers not very familiar with the genre looking for an entertaining way to pass an evening. Fans of Mortal Instruments, Twilight, Vampire Academy, the Fallen series, and lore pertaining to alternate biblical history would probably enjoy this book and series.
I also need to put a trigger warning for readers sensitive to: allusions to and direct threats of sexual assault/violence against male and female bodies, descriptions of gore, and negative talk about females/female-identifying people (these comments come from both of the viewpoint characters, Shea and Lucian).
The story follows Shea, a freshman in college, her life-long best friend, Aidan, and Lucian, the dark, mysterious vampire. Shea has a run-in with a vampire that awakens powers she never knew about and broadcasts her location to the ever-searching Lucian. Soon a struggle between good and evil has Shea torn from what she has always known and trusted to the new, intriguing, and dangerous.
Perspectives shift every chapter from Shea’s to Lucian’s POV (which also marks the shift of writer from Becca to Hina respectively). Shea and Lucian’s story has only begun in this book and I can imagine that with more time on page than they had in Vessel, it will blossom into a more believable romance from the seeming insta-love that was featured here.
I have read a lot of paranormal fiction and paranormal romance, so I was very aware of the tropes that I am tired of seeing popping up in Vessel. I found myself with a satisfying hate/love relationship with regards to Aidan and Lucian and a severe lack of interest in Shea, who is very much just an empty vessel of a character. How an author introduces their main character(s) can make or break a book for me and I found the introduction of Shea to be quite disappointing and lacking depth. She continued to be really bland as she was thrust into the supernatural world and I guess I am in a place of looking for books that attach more depth and realism to their worlds; I know I would freak out if I found out everything I had ever known was only half-true or a flat-out lie, but Shea doesn’t bat a narrative eyelid at it.
I was also disappointed by the villain as he seems to fall into that treacherous plague of characters who are evil for evil’s sake. The climax was not satisfying, which made my time investment in the story feel a little wasted.
I am rating this 3/5 because parts were genuinely enjoyable and I see the potential of the story/writing to improve with the rest of the series, but I will not be picking it up.
I don’t believe that I am the correct audience for this book; while I enjoyed Vessel overall, I would not organically pick it or the rest of the series up for a casual read.
I recommend Vessel to readers not very familiar with the genre looking for an entertaining way to pass an evening. Fans of Mortal Instruments, Twilight, Vampire Academy, the Fallen series, and lore pertaining to alternate biblical history would probably enjoy this book and series.
I also need to put a trigger warning for readers sensitive to: allusions to and direct threats of sexual assault/violence against male and female bodies, descriptions of gore, and negative talk about females/female-identifying people (these comments come from both of the viewpoint characters, Shea and Lucian).
The story follows Shea, a freshman in college, her life-long best friend, Aidan, and Lucian, the dark, mysterious vampire. Shea has a run-in with a vampire that awakens powers she never knew about and broadcasts her location to the ever-searching Lucian. Soon a struggle between good and evil has Shea torn from what she has always known and trusted to the new, intriguing, and dangerous.
Perspectives shift every chapter from Shea’s to Lucian’s POV (which also marks the shift of writer from Becca to Hina respectively). Shea and Lucian’s story has only begun in this book and I can imagine that with more time on page than they had in Vessel, it will blossom into a more believable romance from the seeming insta-love that was featured here.
I have read a lot of paranormal fiction and paranormal romance, so I was very aware of the tropes that I am tired of seeing popping up in Vessel. I found myself with a satisfying hate/love relationship with regards to Aidan and Lucian and a severe lack of interest in Shea, who is very much just an empty vessel of a character. How an author introduces their main character(s) can make or break a book for me and I found the introduction of Shea to be quite disappointing and lacking depth. She continued to be really bland as she was thrust into the supernatural world and I guess I am in a place of looking for books that attach more depth and realism to their worlds; I know I would freak out if I found out everything I had ever known was only half-true or a flat-out lie, but Shea doesn’t bat a narrative eyelid at it.
I was also disappointed by the villain as he seems to fall into that treacherous plague of characters who are evil for evil’s sake. The climax was not satisfying, which made my time investment in the story feel a little wasted.
I am rating this 3/5 because parts were genuinely enjoyable and I see the potential of the story/writing to improve with the rest of the series, but I will not be picking it up.
October 15, 2020
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review.
This book was a great read as a fast-paced novel that kept the action going. I was intrigued by the themes of supernatural creatures (mostly vampires involved), past lives and light/dark tropes which are right up my alley. One of the things I loved the most about this book was the alternative history and mythological aspects that were mixed into the story which introduced so notable characters. I hope we get some spin-off books on some of these characters.
This book does touch on some themes that might be triggering for some readers such as violence, gore, and sexual assault. Just keep that in mind if you decide to pick up the series.
Slight spoilers ahead:
While I can’t wait to read the rest of series, there were some aspects of the book that weren’t for me. First was the main female protagonist Shea. I found it a bit hard to root for her as a heroine. There was nothing that really stuck out for me to really enjoy her character, she felt a bit all over the place in terms of how she made decisions. Her powers were pretty bad-ass which I enjoyed.
The second thing was Lucien’s personality from the start of the book compared to the end of the book. Starting the book with his chapter, it lead me to think he was going to be one of the most troublesome characters exploring his dark side etc. But by the midpoint, he seemed like a completely different character to me and it was hard to get behind the drastic change in his demeanour.
The last thing that made me cringe a little was Shea and Lucien’s relationship. It didn’t feel realistic to me, a lot like insta-love. While I understood that Lucien had history with the previous vessels, it wasn’t enough for me to justify his feelings for Shea and vice versa. To me, they hardly know each other, but that’s just my opinion. Maybe if the book was longer and explored these parts a bit more, I would have understood where they were coming from.
Overall, a fun read and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the rest of the series!
This book was a great read as a fast-paced novel that kept the action going. I was intrigued by the themes of supernatural creatures (mostly vampires involved), past lives and light/dark tropes which are right up my alley. One of the things I loved the most about this book was the alternative history and mythological aspects that were mixed into the story which introduced so notable characters. I hope we get some spin-off books on some of these characters.
This book does touch on some themes that might be triggering for some readers such as violence, gore, and sexual assault. Just keep that in mind if you decide to pick up the series.
Slight spoilers ahead:
While I can’t wait to read the rest of series, there were some aspects of the book that weren’t for me. First was the main female protagonist Shea. I found it a bit hard to root for her as a heroine. There was nothing that really stuck out for me to really enjoy her character, she felt a bit all over the place in terms of how she made decisions. Her powers were pretty bad-ass which I enjoyed.
The second thing was Lucien’s personality from the start of the book compared to the end of the book. Starting the book with his chapter, it lead me to think he was going to be one of the most troublesome characters exploring his dark side etc. But by the midpoint, he seemed like a completely different character to me and it was hard to get behind the drastic change in his demeanour.
The last thing that made me cringe a little was Shea and Lucien’s relationship. It didn’t feel realistic to me, a lot like insta-love. While I understood that Lucien had history with the previous vessels, it wasn’t enough for me to justify his feelings for Shea and vice versa. To me, they hardly know each other, but that’s just my opinion. Maybe if the book was longer and explored these parts a bit more, I would have understood where they were coming from.
Overall, a fun read and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the rest of the series!
October 16, 2020
I was given an ARC copy for a fair and honest review.
Some Spoilers below
Vessel is a dual perspective story. Half is told from the mind of Shea, a college aged teenager who is ripped from her normal life after being attacked by a vampire. And the other half is told from Lucien’s perspective. Lucien is the oldest vampire in the world and quite the misanthrope. His hatred for humanity was initially very off putting, especially because I couldn’t quite nail down what he saw in (the very human) Shea that caused him to fall so hard for her. But eventually the writing won me over and I found myself empathizing with this extremely violent (in both action and emotion) vampire. His passions are as intense as his rages and it made for engaging reading. And the relationships he has with his maker, his children, and Aidan (an angel type creature who is simultaneously Shea's protector and potential executioner) are all complex and fascinatingly twisted.
The mythology of Vessel is also rather fascinating. It spans eons which gives the story an epic sort of feel. And the action sequences are of an epic scale as well, I found myself flinching with phantom pain when Lucien and Aidan battled over Shea. With that being said, be prepared for violence because there is a lot of it.
The romance between Shea and Lucien was established blindingly fast. However, once built, their feelings for one another did feel quite epic and romantic. I think there were the bones of a swoon worthy romance but as a lover of slow burns it moved too fast for me. In general, this is a very fast moving story. I would have loved if things had slowed down a bit to focus more deeply on character beats. And often I found myself confused about where our main characters were because they traveled so quickly from place to place. There just wasn't much time to savor the more emotional moments.
Overall I couldn’t quite connect deeply with any of the characters and the fast pace kept me from ever being fully absorbed but I am intrigued to see where the story goes in the next two installments.
Some Spoilers below
Vessel is a dual perspective story. Half is told from the mind of Shea, a college aged teenager who is ripped from her normal life after being attacked by a vampire. And the other half is told from Lucien’s perspective. Lucien is the oldest vampire in the world and quite the misanthrope. His hatred for humanity was initially very off putting, especially because I couldn’t quite nail down what he saw in (the very human) Shea that caused him to fall so hard for her. But eventually the writing won me over and I found myself empathizing with this extremely violent (in both action and emotion) vampire. His passions are as intense as his rages and it made for engaging reading. And the relationships he has with his maker, his children, and Aidan (an angel type creature who is simultaneously Shea's protector and potential executioner) are all complex and fascinatingly twisted.
The mythology of Vessel is also rather fascinating. It spans eons which gives the story an epic sort of feel. And the action sequences are of an epic scale as well, I found myself flinching with phantom pain when Lucien and Aidan battled over Shea. With that being said, be prepared for violence because there is a lot of it.
The romance between Shea and Lucien was established blindingly fast. However, once built, their feelings for one another did feel quite epic and romantic. I think there were the bones of a swoon worthy romance but as a lover of slow burns it moved too fast for me. In general, this is a very fast moving story. I would have loved if things had slowed down a bit to focus more deeply on character beats. And often I found myself confused about where our main characters were because they traveled so quickly from place to place. There just wasn't much time to savor the more emotional moments.
Overall I couldn’t quite connect deeply with any of the characters and the fast pace kept me from ever being fully absorbed but I am intrigued to see where the story goes in the next two installments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2020
I received this as an ARC copy for a fair and honest review.
TW: This book contains graphic violence, emotional abuse, and sexual assault.
Rating: 4/5
Vessel follows Shea, Aiden, and Lucian on their journey to stop the big bad from being released into the world. I found the storyline interesting and if I’d had the time, would have flown through the book in one sitting. The pace started slow, but quickly picked up. In the end, there were many unanswered questions, leaving plenty of interesting threads to explore in the next two books of the trilogy while still providing a satisfactory wrap-up to the first installment.
The prologue with Lucian was dark, but intriguing, pulling me into the story. Of all the characters, Lucian turned out to be my favorite. His backstory went deeper than the other two MCs and the trauma that he had experienced during his long life came through making me fall in love with his character despite questionable actions early in the story.
I loved Shea as the heroine but would have liked to see her taking on more tasks independent of Lucian and Aiden. I wanted to hear about her dreams (ones that don’t necessarily include the two heroes) and see her going after them.
I liked the romance but wish that it had been drawn out more. The moment of realization seemed a bit forced.
The side characters felt as if they had been built upon a rich backstory brewing just underneath the surface and I look forward to learning more about these characters in future books.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to books 2 and 3.
TW: This book contains graphic violence, emotional abuse, and sexual assault.
Rating: 4/5
Vessel follows Shea, Aiden, and Lucian on their journey to stop the big bad from being released into the world. I found the storyline interesting and if I’d had the time, would have flown through the book in one sitting. The pace started slow, but quickly picked up. In the end, there were many unanswered questions, leaving plenty of interesting threads to explore in the next two books of the trilogy while still providing a satisfactory wrap-up to the first installment.
The prologue with Lucian was dark, but intriguing, pulling me into the story. Of all the characters, Lucian turned out to be my favorite. His backstory went deeper than the other two MCs and the trauma that he had experienced during his long life came through making me fall in love with his character despite questionable actions early in the story.
I loved Shea as the heroine but would have liked to see her taking on more tasks independent of Lucian and Aiden. I wanted to hear about her dreams (ones that don’t necessarily include the two heroes) and see her going after them.
I liked the romance but wish that it had been drawn out more. The moment of realization seemed a bit forced.
The side characters felt as if they had been built upon a rich backstory brewing just underneath the surface and I look forward to learning more about these characters in future books.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to books 2 and 3.
October 15, 2020
I was given an ARC copy of the Vessel in exchange for an honest review.
The vessel is a YA fantasy co-written by Becca C. Smith and Hina McCord. I have never reviewed an ARC before, so I was excited to sink my teeth into a story by a YouTuber I have come to really admire. However, now I wished I had been a little more cautious.
The story follows a college freshman, Shea, and her best friend, Aiden. It is there she gets attacked, meets a mysterious, and misogynistic dorm leader, and discovers everything is not what it seems.
I tried to like this story, I really did. However, the disconnected points of view bothered me. Shea was a typical young adult, making stupid decisions and that didn't bother me. It was the lack of information and detail in how the story unfolded before her eyes. It was a lot of telling and not showing.
The other point of view, Lucian the misogynistic dorm leader- or thousand years old vampire, was just confusing. Lots of names and stories without any context. I know the story has to unfold but a bit of back story would be nice. By the time I got the gist of what was going on it was half-way through the book.
And Aiden...I haven't figured him out yet. The big reveal (no spoiler) came to no surprise to the reader but Shea's quick turnaround did.
All in all, it was okay, and I hope the series gets stronger as it goes.
The vessel is a YA fantasy co-written by Becca C. Smith and Hina McCord. I have never reviewed an ARC before, so I was excited to sink my teeth into a story by a YouTuber I have come to really admire. However, now I wished I had been a little more cautious.
The story follows a college freshman, Shea, and her best friend, Aiden. It is there she gets attacked, meets a mysterious, and misogynistic dorm leader, and discovers everything is not what it seems.
I tried to like this story, I really did. However, the disconnected points of view bothered me. Shea was a typical young adult, making stupid decisions and that didn't bother me. It was the lack of information and detail in how the story unfolded before her eyes. It was a lot of telling and not showing.
The other point of view, Lucian the misogynistic dorm leader- or thousand years old vampire, was just confusing. Lots of names and stories without any context. I know the story has to unfold but a bit of back story would be nice. By the time I got the gist of what was going on it was half-way through the book.
And Aiden...I haven't figured him out yet. The big reveal (no spoiler) came to no surprise to the reader but Shea's quick turnaround did.
All in all, it was okay, and I hope the series gets stronger as it goes.
March 19, 2021
This book was a twisting tale following our two main characters Lucian and Shea on a journey of adventure, blood, and lust for power. I was genuinely shocked about how invested I was in the story. The writing style was fluid and well done. As a reader who does not read a whole lot of vampire stories I was a little afraid I would be confused reading it however, I was in for a surprise.
The way Smith and McCord wrote this book was phenomenal. Just when I was thinking "What the heck is that?" etc. I was met with an explanation that did not play out to make me feel stupid. Yes, there were a few parts where I was confused but I think that is on me as a reader and not the writing itself.
I enjoyed reading this book. I cheered for the heroes, I gagged at the gore (lol) and I about screamed at the plot twists. Lucian's character was the definition of a bad boy turned good by a girl. I loved his point of view so much.
The romance was cute yet not overpowering to the story itself!
I would like to point out that there is quite a bit of vampire gore, I mean, it is a vampire story, you should expect that but just wanted to point that out for first-time readers. I am so excited to see what happens in the rest of the series.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
I did receive this as an ARC copy for a fair and honest review.
The way Smith and McCord wrote this book was phenomenal. Just when I was thinking "What the heck is that?" etc. I was met with an explanation that did not play out to make me feel stupid. Yes, there were a few parts where I was confused but I think that is on me as a reader and not the writing itself.
I enjoyed reading this book. I cheered for the heroes, I gagged at the gore (lol) and I about screamed at the plot twists. Lucian's character was the definition of a bad boy turned good by a girl. I loved his point of view so much.
The romance was cute yet not overpowering to the story itself!
I would like to point out that there is quite a bit of vampire gore, I mean, it is a vampire story, you should expect that but just wanted to point that out for first-time readers. I am so excited to see what happens in the rest of the series.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
I did receive this as an ARC copy for a fair and honest review.
October 17, 2020
This is not my usual cup of tea, but if you're into the sort of vampire mythology edgy love interest thing (which I know a lot of people are) then it might be yours.
Do you know how The Magicians was like Happy Potter and Narnia's edgy darker and more adult older cousin? Vessel is like that but for Twilight with a little sort of Supernatural ancient mythology and gods kind of stuff thrown in.
The book switches POV every chapter, and it is clearly marked, but it can still be a little disconnected if you're not used to it. Like I said, it's not really my cup of tea and I honestly wasn't sure I liked it but by the time I hit chapter 4 I found I was binge reading just to find out what happens next. It's a very binge-able read so I would definitely say clear an afternoon because you aren't going to want to put it down once you actually get into it. But it is definitely dark, and very adult, and has themes of violence and sexual assault.
If you're in for the darkness and you like BTVS, The Magicians or Supernatural, this is probably definitley going to be a must read for you.
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review
Do you know how The Magicians was like Happy Potter and Narnia's edgy darker and more adult older cousin? Vessel is like that but for Twilight with a little sort of Supernatural ancient mythology and gods kind of stuff thrown in.
The book switches POV every chapter, and it is clearly marked, but it can still be a little disconnected if you're not used to it. Like I said, it's not really my cup of tea and I honestly wasn't sure I liked it but by the time I hit chapter 4 I found I was binge reading just to find out what happens next. It's a very binge-able read so I would definitely say clear an afternoon because you aren't going to want to put it down once you actually get into it. But it is definitely dark, and very adult, and has themes of violence and sexual assault.
If you're in for the darkness and you like BTVS, The Magicians or Supernatural, this is probably definitley going to be a must read for you.
I received this as an ARC Copy for a fair and honest review
October 27, 2020
Wow...just wow....read this book in 24 hours, could not put it down !
The pacing of this book is perfection, the story is rich and twisted, and the characters are flawed and sexy <3 this book checked every box for me, I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
The pacing of this book is perfection, the story is rich and twisted, and the characters are flawed and sexy <3 this book checked every box for me, I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
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