Review: Vessel

Vessel
Sarah Beth Durst
Released: 9.11.2012
Margaret K. McElderry Books

ISBN: 9781442423763

Our Thoughts On:

                Sarah Beth Durst wraps readers into a whole new world with her latest release of Vessel, a story of love and gods in a time of great drought. What would happen if you forfeit your life for the survival of your family, of your tribe? What then would happen when your gods or goddesses did not come and fill your body releasing your soul as they replenished the harsh desert landscape into on that the tribes can live off of. In a time of great drought and despair the latest vessels have been preparing to give their bodies to their gods to reclaim and ancient pact with the desert people, when the gods walk among men then their magic can permeate the desert and make it hospitable for the tribes to survive. With too many years in a dry spell and people struggling to survive and many deaths upon them, the vessels dance to bring in the magic of the Dreaming, the place where their gods live when they are not walking among men, and give the gift of their life to extend those of their people. This dance may not have a happy ending as the vessels soon find that the gods are not extending themselves into their bodies, but that their gods and goddesses and all of the magic of the desert people has been stolen and will there be enough time to rescue these trapped deities and save their desert or will more people perish from the drought.

                Liyana has been a good vessel, she has learned all of her dance and she has kept her body conditioned and well to make way for her goddess to take over her. What Liyana soon finds is no goddess and her tribe has abandoned her in the desert just as her goddess has abandoned her. All hope is not lost even as the harsh desert tries to consume her, but as Liyana is struggling with her current situation she finds herself under the gaze of a boy holding the life of the desert and the magic of a secret pool that sustains their very way of life right in front of her. Korbyn is god inhabiting his vessel from the Raven Tribe and as he finds his way to Liyana a quest is unfolding to rescue all of the vessel children of the desert and save their gods and goddesses before the tribes and a new enemy kill them all also. In a race against time Korbyn and Liyana become united in their plight to rescue their people even as they face a whole set of challenges that are constantly trying their strength and perseverance.  What Liyana is soon discovering is love can be the fiercest drive of all to save the ones she loves, even when it may come at the cost of her own life, and those she has become close to.

                Vessel is a poignant tale wrapped in love and duty that carries a bittersweet romance through the harshest elements carrying readers along smoothly like the footsteps in a dance. With a rich cast of characters and a vibrant plot this book will captivate readers into a whole new dynamic adventure and world building. The desert is less forgiving than its people, but the survival of humanity here comes at the heavy cost of sacrifice. Be prepared to get wrapped up in the plight of one girl trying desperately to save her people while also trying to save herself.

Blurb From The Publisher:

In a desert world of sandstorms and sand-wolves, a teen girl must defy the gods to save her tribe in this mystical, atmospheric tale from the author of Drink, Slay, Love.Liyana has trained her entire life to be the vessel of a goddess. The goddess will inhabit Liyana’s body and use magic to bring rain to the desert. But Liyana’s goddess never comes. Abandoned by her angry tribe, Liyana expects to die in the desert. Until a boy walks out of the dust in search of her.Korbyn is a god inside his vessel, and a trickster god at that. He tells Liyana that five other gods are missing, and they set off across the desert in search of the other vessels. For the desert tribes cannot survive without the magic of their gods. But the journey is dangerous, even with a god’s help. And not everyone is willing to believe the trickster god’s tale.The closer she grows to Korbyn, the less Liyana wants to disappear to make way for her goddess. But she has no choice: She must die for her tribe to live. Unless a trickster god can help her to trick fate—or a human girl can muster some magic of her own.