Review: Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Vessel

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Hardcover, 424 pages

Published September 11th 2012 by Margaret K. McElderry 

"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." (From Goodreads)

First off, I love the cover! It's so beautiful. This book had me captivated from the beginning. The world Sarah Beth Durst created was amazing. Love the whole concept of magic, sand wolves, desert gods, goddess, and vessels. Liyana was really a likeable main character. She is very strong and resourceful but not without vulnerability. I really liked Korbyn. He was definitely one of the characters that stood out to me. He's the type of character that grows on you throughout the story, and one that you just can't help but like. I like the other vessels as well, they all had their own personalities that really contributed to their journey to help save the gods. Knowing what will happen to the vessels in the end broke my heart! I don't know what I would do if I were in their situation. The thought of wanting to live and yet at the same time sacrifice myself to help those I care and love is unbearable.

 I love the romance between Liyana and Korbyn, even though it was never meant to happen. They went through a lot together and that's what stirred up feelings between the two of them. I'm not so sure about what went on between Liyana and the emperor. I know they both have the determination to do what is right for their people but there wasn't any build up or chemistry between the two of them.  I think it would have been great if we were able to learn more about the emperor and his people.

The first half of the story was great and a bit slow paced, but you get to see into each of the tribes' culture and folklore as Liyana and Korbyn travels in search of the other vessels. What I didn't like was that I feel as though the ending of the book was a bit rushed. So much happened and it just went by to fast. Overall, the idea of the story is amazing, and unique. It is a well written book, but not without its flaws. The ending was  definitely a bittersweet ending for me.