KIERAN’s Reviews > Vial of Tears > Status Update

Hate that Eshmun is a love interest to Samira, love that instead it's this guy named Chase.

Apologies to Zayin, because it seems everything we thought "she" did since her first appearance was actually the shapeshifter impersonating her.

Zayin has done nothing wrong except sleep with the wrong person.

And I like that she knows to choose the ugly sword.

I am glad that, for now, the narrative treats Eshmun's secret plot to marry Samira as rightfully wrong and creepy. Of course, I could still be wrong, and Eshmun will somehow magically be turned into a good guy. We still have all those desperate attempts to humanize him, after all.

I also like that our protagonist isn't going "betray" Eshmun for Zayin out of desperation.

First the plot was about betraying Eshmun, now Samira knows there's no point, and she hasn't even collected everything she needs yet.

The plot just meanders incessantly, and now Eshmun is shaping up to be a love interest I fear.

After a few more attacks, somebody finally explains shit to Samira. Rima is captured, but Samira's right-it is selfish of Eshmun to leave what is essentially purgatory without freeing the hayuta people first.

Zayin's not better, threatening to sell Samira into slavery unless Samira gives her the tears-but frankly, I'm rooting against Eshmun here.

You've literally kidnapped the girls, strip-searched them, and prevented them from finding their way home at every opportunity. You have no right to demand they speak the Phoenician language.

Okay, the fact that he saved Rima's life but purposefully left her unable to walk, just so that she couldn't escape...even though, again, THEY DON'T HAVE THE OBOL, is unhinged.

I hope Eshmun's uncle and father stab him in the back.

I mean, he can't even do one good deed without immediately tainting it afterward with cruelty.

Considering that Eshmun has zero self-awareness and loves to blame his problems on others, force others into helping him like a self-entitled jerk, I'm hoping his enemies roast him to cinders.

Considering that Eshmun is (if the prologue is any indication) in the habit of repeatedly kidnapping women that happen to come into possession of his obol, I'm not exactly on his side.

And it seems at least like he's about to earn his keep by healing Rima, but considering that he's kidnapped them even AFTER learning they don't have the coin (would it kill you to LISTEN when other speak, Eshmun?)...I hate Eshmun.