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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
So, per usual I read reviews only once I was done with the book. And all I can say is daammmn some people are harsh :D
I had a great time, honestly, even though I did not read Vesselless in the best circumstances, resulting in a very broken read (and probably me not paying close attention to the writing style, most of the time). However, the plot and characters were captivating enough to keep me going. There were some clunky sentences and typos in certain places but nothing that was jarring enough to make me want to drop the book forever. The two main characters have a lovely relationship, and their stories mesh really well. I liked the whole "spirit from hell" idea, there were some great scenes peppered throughout, and I even got Celaena vibes (the TOG version 1.0, though) from Nizarra more than once (which is the highest compliment I could give).
All in all, the characters and relationship development were the strongest points. My main gripe is with the world building. It felt like the author could not bring herself to decide where/when to situate her story time-wise. I had a hard time visualizing most scenes, with such a mix of modern technologies (electricity, guns, cars) and a more traditional setting (sword fighting, castles, dungeons). If the author had expounded a little more on the world building and how electricity had been gradually dropped over time for a specific reason, explaining why soldiers do not use rifles, for example - this had to be addressed at some point - I would have probably given this book close to 5 stars. There were some moments hinting at the history of this world, but it was not enough. You need to know WHEN you are to picture WHERE you are, in a way. Still looking forward to book 2.
I had a great time, honestly, even though I did not read Vesselless in the best circumstances, resulting in a very broken read (and probably me not paying close attention to the writing style, most of the time). However, the plot and characters were captivating enough to keep me going. There were some clunky sentences and typos in certain places but nothing that was jarring enough to make me want to drop the book forever. The two main characters have a lovely relationship, and their stories mesh really well. I liked the whole "spirit from hell" idea, there were some great scenes peppered throughout, and I even got Celaena vibes (the TOG version 1.0, though) from Nizarra more than once (which is the highest compliment I could give).
All in all, the characters and relationship development were the strongest points. My main gripe is with the world building. It felt like the author could not bring herself to decide where/when to situate her story time-wise. I had a hard time visualizing most scenes, with such a mix of modern technologies (electricity, guns, cars) and a more traditional setting (sword fighting, castles, dungeons). If the author had expounded a little more on the world building and how electricity had been gradually dropped over time for a specific reason, explaining why soldiers do not use rifles, for example - this had to be addressed at some point - I would have probably given this book close to 5 stars. There were some moments hinting at the history of this world, but it was not enough. You need to know WHEN you are to picture WHERE you are, in a way. Still looking forward to book 2.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
i went into this not expecting to like it as much as i did!
the magic system was really interesting and the banter and slowburn between the fmc and mmc felt perfect
the magic system was really interesting and the banter and slowburn between the fmc and mmc felt perfect
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
The previous king, Dagen was killed with a soul gun, sending him to the underworld. Being such a valuable soul, the god of death turns him into a death walker - a half-dead slave who hunts souls and brings them back to the underworld. One day, he makes a deal - he will find a pure soul, bring it back to the underworld, and gain his freedom. But there is a catch. The pure soul has to be given to him freely.
The pure soul he is hunting, Nizzara is the oldest daughter to the king who killed Dagen, and the heir to the throne.
Nizzara is a fierce warrior and much stronger than people give her credit for. She loves just as fiercely as she fights, even though those closest to her to not reciprocate her love, even her family. She is training for a deadly tournament. If she wins, she can decide her own fate and end an unwanted betrothal. If she loses, she dies.
The dynamic between Dae and Nizzara is riveting. They start out as enemies, but the more Dagen gets to know her (by seeing her memories), the more he begins to respect and care for her.
One of my favorite quotes was when Dae says:
“I want everything that has to do with you. I want your death glare pointed at me. I want that damn lip to myself. I want your black eyes and menacing hands all over me. Your smile. Your anger. Your tears. All of it.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “And that’s why I can’t have any part of you.” Swoon!
The flirting and banter is off the charts, but be warned that this is a slooooow burn that ends on a cliffhanger.
The pure soul he is hunting, Nizzara is the oldest daughter to the king who killed Dagen, and the heir to the throne.
Nizzara is a fierce warrior and much stronger than people give her credit for. She loves just as fiercely as she fights, even though those closest to her to not reciprocate her love, even her family. She is training for a deadly tournament. If she wins, she can decide her own fate and end an unwanted betrothal. If she loses, she dies.
The dynamic between Dae and Nizzara is riveting. They start out as enemies, but the more Dagen gets to know her (by seeing her memories), the more he begins to respect and care for her.
One of my favorite quotes was when Dae says:
“I want everything that has to do with you. I want your death glare pointed at me. I want that damn lip to myself. I want your black eyes and menacing hands all over me. Your smile. Your anger. Your tears. All of it.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “And that’s why I can’t have any part of you.” Swoon!
The flirting and banter is off the charts, but be warned that this is a slooooow burn that ends on a cliffhanger.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Can you give a book six stars? Can you??
Look, it’s been YEARS since I pulled an all-nighter to read a book, but this one gripped me. The worldbuilding was phenomenal, the magic system was unique and inventive, the slow-burn romance and banter were beautiful, and the characters had my whole heart.
Nizzara, the badass FMC, is sassy but selfless, determined not to wield her spirit magic to avoid ending up like her corrupted father. She takes on pain to save others, walking through life alone until King Dagen—deposed and killed by her father, now a spirit himself—tries to steal her soul to win his freedom. But Dae’s plans change when he sees Nizzara’s selflessness, bravery, and her genuine love for their people. Their slow-burn relationship is beautiful, the enemies-to-lovers arc is excellent, and their mental bond is the best one I’ve ever read (and I’ve read ACOTAR).
If you want to meet your new book boyfriend, find your next favorite FMC, and support an indie author, go check out Vesselless—you don’t want to miss this!
Honestly, could have been good, but it was bad.
Writing? Bad
World building? Confusing
Plot holes? Yes
You’re telling me all that build up and he’s just like “I’m not letting you take her” “okay bye, thanks”
Didn’t he think his wife might alive and then suddenly via the diary she’s been dead long before he died?
Also, just suddenly was okay leaning her mom was a goddess and then continuing fighting and literally not once ask a question about it or think more about it???
Annoyed.
Writing? Bad
World building? Confusing
Plot holes? Yes
You’re telling me all that build up and he’s just like “I’m not letting you take her” “okay bye, thanks”
Didn’t he think his wife might alive and then suddenly via the diary she’s been dead long before he died?
Also, just suddenly was okay leaning her mom was a goddess and then continuing fighting and literally not once ask a question about it or think more about it???
Annoyed.
4.5 Stars ⭐️ When they say you will love Dagen, the ladies were not lying! I’ll be back to update this review, but what a fun, awesome read that I was not expecting. The Indie BookTok did not fail as I began following this author and she even followed me back which I was thrilled about. She loves Diet Coke, I love Diet Coke… okay, I’ll compose my thoughts and then gush about an extremely fun FMC and unique half ghost MMC named Dagen (chef’s kiss