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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Ok so here’s the thing: this book read VERY MUCH like a second draft of a first-time writer’s first novel.
The facts that this IS, in fact, her first book, and it IS self published, are why I give Vesselless two stars instead of zero—
And it’s genuine basic feedback for the writer—it’s just not ready. It’s not a complete disaster. But it is in NO WAY ready to be a comprehensible read. It is a book full of half-developed concepts, characters, and plotlines with either too flat substance OR poor description/lack of details for the more complicated concepts (re: world building, character establishment etc).
Mainly:
-the geography, tech system, and politics. I am so lost. Names are rattled off with some light descriptions of logistics, mentions of cars and electricity are used but everything else is archaic and VERY little is explained about this except for some offhand comments about a lost kingdom (but what and why?) and that they took all the tech w them and we are now left with dregs. This isn’t enough. We need MORE. I understand the aversion to a Crescent City #1 level info dump of world building—no one wants that, but there are other ways to world building than A) info dump or B) avoid and hope for the best. You’ve GOT to figure this out.
-magic system. Are there other kinds of magic besides casting? What kinds of magic are there besides casting? Do they all have to do with the gods? Do they not? Do only god-descendants have inborn powers without a vessel? Are vessels only for casters? We need more info about bonding. I realize some of this needs to remain a mystery bc nizzara is in the dark as well and is finding out things slowly, but there are SO MANY TIMES where she will mention something like it’s common knowledge and we have literally never heard about it before.
It also took me way too much reading and flipping back and forth to decipher whether all spirits are orbs all the time or not and tbh it’s still a little unclear. The magic system is intriguing but it is SO underdeveloped and needs SO MUCH POLISH that it makes the read more than a little maddening
-basic editing/formatting errors. Aside from tons of typos/grammatical missteps and errors, there are PLOT RELATED formatting slip ups that make or break a scene and the lack of consistency is so so so so problematic. It’s imperative to know whether or not Dae and nizzara are speaking or communicating mind to mind, and to know whether or not he is in his human, orb, or shadow daddy form (and ugh cringe on his self reference, please remove that) and she does this with italics and occasionally establishing his phase. When skillfully done she could MAYBE get away with establishing this with just the italics but she is SO INCONSISTENT with the italics method that it’s almost impossible to know which gets us reading passages over and over to get oriented. Shes got to get this under control or we will never know what’s going on. Her biggest strength in this book is the relationship and slow burn, it’s the only reason I stayed in it and one of the reasons I gave it stars at all. So this part at the VERY LEAST needs to be on lock.
-the side plots (doubling as Red and nizarras research, power discovery) are SO UNDERDEVELOPED and thereby largely uninteresting, which is disappointing mostly because it could be a great opportunity for very organic, in-depth world building.
With a really solid editor she could totally nail this. Bc this story has potential. The emotions are there. The relationships are rock solid, the romance is good and will be better when it’s easier to follow grammatically/logistically. The general premise and *concept* are interesting, but concept and some good dialogue and romance/sparring scenes do not a whole novel make.
We need more here. Take it to an editor. Do another draft or two. Then come back to us. It could seriously be SO SO great!!! Don’t deliver us a half product!! You’re better than this!!
The facts that this IS, in fact, her first book, and it IS self published, are why I give Vesselless two stars instead of zero—
And it’s genuine basic feedback for the writer—it’s just not ready. It’s not a complete disaster. But it is in NO WAY ready to be a comprehensible read. It is a book full of half-developed concepts, characters, and plotlines with either too flat substance OR poor description/lack of details for the more complicated concepts (re: world building, character establishment etc).
Mainly:
-the geography, tech system, and politics. I am so lost. Names are rattled off with some light descriptions of logistics, mentions of cars and electricity are used but everything else is archaic and VERY little is explained about this except for some offhand comments about a lost kingdom (but what and why?) and that they took all the tech w them and we are now left with dregs. This isn’t enough. We need MORE. I understand the aversion to a Crescent City #1 level info dump of world building—no one wants that, but there are other ways to world building than A) info dump or B) avoid and hope for the best. You’ve GOT to figure this out.
-magic system. Are there other kinds of magic besides casting? What kinds of magic are there besides casting? Do they all have to do with the gods? Do they not? Do only god-descendants have inborn powers without a vessel? Are vessels only for casters? We need more info about bonding. I realize some of this needs to remain a mystery bc nizzara is in the dark as well and is finding out things slowly, but there are SO MANY TIMES where she will mention something like it’s common knowledge and we have literally never heard about it before.
It also took me way too much reading and flipping back and forth to decipher whether all spirits are orbs all the time or not and tbh it’s still a little unclear. The magic system is intriguing but it is SO underdeveloped and needs SO MUCH POLISH that it makes the read more than a little maddening
-basic editing/formatting errors. Aside from tons of typos/grammatical missteps and errors, there are PLOT RELATED formatting slip ups that make or break a scene and the lack of consistency is so so so so problematic. It’s imperative to know whether or not Dae and nizzara are speaking or communicating mind to mind, and to know whether or not he is in his human, orb, or shadow daddy form (and ugh cringe on his self reference, please remove that) and she does this with italics and occasionally establishing his phase. When skillfully done she could MAYBE get away with establishing this with just the italics but she is SO INCONSISTENT with the italics method that it’s almost impossible to know which gets us reading passages over and over to get oriented. Shes got to get this under control or we will never know what’s going on. Her biggest strength in this book is the relationship and slow burn, it’s the only reason I stayed in it and one of the reasons I gave it stars at all. So this part at the VERY LEAST needs to be on lock.
-the side plots (doubling as Red and nizarras research, power discovery) are SO UNDERDEVELOPED and thereby largely uninteresting, which is disappointing mostly because it could be a great opportunity for very organic, in-depth world building.
With a really solid editor she could totally nail this. Bc this story has potential. The emotions are there. The relationships are rock solid, the romance is good and will be better when it’s easier to follow grammatically/logistically. The general premise and *concept* are interesting, but concept and some good dialogue and romance/sparring scenes do not a whole novel make.
We need more here. Take it to an editor. Do another draft or two. Then come back to us. It could seriously be SO SO great!!! Don’t deliver us a half product!! You’re better than this!!
Some things I’m looking forward to being flushed out more. 1. I guessed that sister Lo was the tutor after the journal about her getting the first edition book, but what was she doing all the time she wasn’t tutoring Nizzara. 2. The Jasper reveal was very quick and I barely understand the two other kingdoms/the politics/heir’s names, let alone all these GODS popping up. 3. ALSO what’s with the trainer guy, starts with an S but I forget? Where’d he go? He did seem to actually want to help. 4. My guess is Nizzara is pregnant with Dagan’s kid in Nil’s dead wasteland business and their kid is the king of kings? Or it’s just Dagan like the end says. Who knows, felt like that part was incorporated throughout a lot but still don’t understand it or any of Nizzara’s other powers from being.. part god?
Also overall I don't loveee when main characters have a no-kill shtick. Like at some point with the plot, it gets a little old. Especially when every duel with her no-kill and barely use her power thing ended up being very similar so I’d just skim the fight scenes.
Also slightly confusing was in the beginning she was talked up as some crazy fast “never seen someone move or fight like that- dagan” fighter and then as the levels of the duels progressed, she consistently did poorly and was knocked out/verge of death.
Are we supposed to forgive her dad for being an AWFUL abuser bc it was probably the god/spirit the whole time? Dorian’s dad/king from TOG vibes with the Valg.
Overall I liked the concept of these spirits binding to people and giving them power-ups. MMC cared about her loved ones a lot. Dagan was cool how much he loved and respected her, was always rooting for her and trying to help.
Also overall I don't loveee when main characters have a no-kill shtick. Like at some point with the plot, it gets a little old. Especially when every duel with her no-kill and barely use her power thing ended up being very similar so I’d just skim the fight scenes.
Also slightly confusing was in the beginning she was talked up as some crazy fast “never seen someone move or fight like that- dagan” fighter and then as the levels of the duels progressed, she consistently did poorly and was knocked out/verge of death.
Are we supposed to forgive her dad for being an AWFUL abuser bc it was probably the god/spirit the whole time? Dorian’s dad/king from TOG vibes with the Valg.
Overall I liked the concept of these spirits binding to people and giving them power-ups. MMC cared about her loved ones a lot. Dagan was cool how much he loved and respected her, was always rooting for her and trying to help.
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
This book was a fantastic read. At first I wondered how Nizzara would be portrayed as both fierce/ruthless AND kind/patient, but as the story went on it made more and more sense and she actually was such a well-balanced character. Dagen is such a puppy, he fell faster than I thought he would but I loved how the flow of the whole story progressed. I loved the complications of everything that was pulling these two apart from each other. Also-my tav characters (besides FMC and MMC) were Lola and Liha. And Preysee, of course! These characters drove their own small parts of the story and were great constants for both the reader and for Nizzara. And that ending…talk about insanity. If you’re searching for a fantasy romance with the most dramatic ending with ALL the drama, angst, heartbreak, and betrayal, this is the one for sure. I highly recommend this read for all fantasy romance fans!
I went in blind, knowing that some of my booksta friends loved this book. And you know what? They were right! This book is a refreshing addition to my romantasy collection.
Like our FMC, Nizarra, we only get glimpses of the world beyond that palace walls. Any real outside information is given in bits and pieces. She’s trapped between the cage her father has kept her in and the power she keeps locked inside herself.
Let’s talk about Dagen - he meets the 3Bs of my favorite book boyfriends:
✅brooding
✅banter
✅tragic backstory
He’s also trapped - stuck in a half-dead state and bound into servitude. I loved how he goes from ice-cold and unfeeling to scorching HOT for Nizarra.
The magic/vessel system happening in this world is really cool. I feel like we barely made a dent in the lore and deeper machinations at play, so I am super invested in seeing how everything plays out. I can’t wait to see where Cortney takes this series. By the end of Vesselless, I wanted to scream, throw my kindle across the room, and find out how long I’ll be suffering until the next book is out (December, btw).
I received an ARC. My opinions are my own.
Like our FMC, Nizarra, we only get glimpses of the world beyond that palace walls. Any real outside information is given in bits and pieces. She’s trapped between the cage her father has kept her in and the power she keeps locked inside herself.
Let’s talk about Dagen - he meets the 3Bs of my favorite book boyfriends:
✅brooding
✅banter
✅tragic backstory
He’s also trapped - stuck in a half-dead state and bound into servitude. I loved how he goes from ice-cold and unfeeling to scorching HOT for Nizarra.
The magic/vessel system happening in this world is really cool. I feel like we barely made a dent in the lore and deeper machinations at play, so I am super invested in seeing how everything plays out. I can’t wait to see where Cortney takes this series. By the end of Vesselless, I wanted to scream, throw my kindle across the room, and find out how long I’ll be suffering until the next book is out (December, btw).
I received an ARC. My opinions are my own.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a read! I was pretty hooked and addicted to this from the first chapter. The magic system here is pretty unique and has multiple layers to it and a more modern take than most fantasy books. Users wear rings that are essentially allow them to bond with spirits. Through that, they gain powers depending on said spirit and user. So awesome and felt really fresh.
Both our main characters are very enjoyable. Nizzara is such a baddie and I loved her. Dagan was a little hit or miss for me in some parts, but overall I really did enjoy him. The slow burn romance was spot on for my taste and was fantastic.
This is such a fun and interesting world created here and I can not wait to get my hands on book 2!
Both our main characters are very enjoyable. Nizzara is such a baddie and I loved her. Dagan was a little hit or miss for me in some parts, but overall I really did enjoy him. The slow burn romance was spot on for my taste and was fantastic.
This is such a fun and interesting world created here and I can not wait to get my hands on book 2!