Wow. This book was so good. Nizzara is next in line to the throne. An abusive father relentlessly trains her but she maintains a compassionate side. Dagen is sent from the spirit realm to capture her soul in exchange for his freedom. He wants to retake the throne that Nizzara's father stole from him.

The world building was complex and at times a bit confusing (but that's what happens when you kick off a series). The premise and magic was outstanding and unique. The slow burn was 👏. But reader beware: this is dark. I ate it up! I must have book 2 now!!

Massive thanks to Avon, Harper Voyager, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Vesselless had an intriguing premise and a haunting atmosphere that drew me in right away. The concept was unique and definitely had potential, especially with the darker undertones and emotional stakes at play.

That said, I found myself wanting more—more world-building, more depth in the character development, and especially more clarity as the story progressed. At times, I felt a bit disconnected from the characters and the stakes, which made it harder to stay fully invested. There were moments that caught my attention, but others that felt a bit rushed or underexplored.

Still, there’s a solid foundation here, and I think readers who enjoy darker fantasy with a touch of mystery and emotion might find something to enjoy. I just wish it had dug a little deeper and leaned more into the elements that made it stand out.

Thank you to netgalley and author Courtney Winn for this arc in exchange my honest review below.

I am struggling with writing my review because I actually really enjoyed this novel and the world it was set in, however the world building itself was a little confusing for me. I am the type who really likes to try and picture everything as I'm reading it so that the world really comes alive for me. Unfortunately, a lot of the world, especially toward the beginning was not easy for me to grasp or fully understand. I did however really enjoy the storyline so I persisted, and I'm grateful I did. I do feel like the world started to make a little more sense the further I read and has the potential to become a really complex and fascinating world in later books as more details are revealed. I wonder if a lot of details were left out intentionally or left vague purposefully. As an example, I really didn't understand what Wala left Nizzara or why exactly she was able to visit her at that moment (and hadn't before then?). Halix and her purpose and sudden appearance confused me. Is there a difference between Baratrum and Nil- I'm sure there is but I might not have followed it. The Jaxelli, guardians, essences, various Gods etc were unclear and hard to keep straight for me. But even with my confusion I still found the book hard to put down, enjoyed the two main characters stories a great deal, and am hopeful that as a second book is written the world will become clearer. I love that this magical world is different than the typical romantasy and not a fae vampire, or dragon world but instead deals with souls and ghosts and races I've never heard of before. It feels new and is a welcomed difference. I can see a great deal of potential in the world the author is building and am excited to find out what happens to these two as their story continues!

📖 ARC Review 📖


Summary:

Nizzara has spent her life under the control of the mad King of Zarr, her tyrant father. But everything changes when she enters the King’s Tournament, a brutal, blood soaked battle where one fighter survives and earns a single wish. Her goal? To break her unwanted betrothal and reclaim her freedom. She’s willing to bleed for it. Break for it. Fight for it. All while resisting the darkness within her that promises power if she only lets it free.

Meanwhile, Dagen was once a king himself before he was killed by Nizzara’s father. Now, he’s something far worse, a soul collector for the God of Death, cursed to roam the underworld. One day he’s offered a deal, retrieve Nizzara’s soul, and win back a century of life. But there’s a catch, her soul must be given willingly.

He expects a monster. What he finds is a girl wearing a mask of cruelty, hiding a soul far too pure for her world. As the tournament unfolds and secrets unravel, both Nizzara and Dagen must decide how far they’re willing to go, for freedom, for power, and for each other. Some wishes cost everything. And some darkness refuses to be caged.

My Overall Thoughts:

This book was a bloody, heartbreaking, and hauntingly epic ride. The dark content made it a tough read at times, but I was completely hooked by the world, the story, and the characters.

The setting is an odd mix of paranormal medieval fantasy and advanced tech. While that mash up didn’t always work for me, the high fantasy vibes and the spirit bonding magic system absolutely did. The romance was deliciously feisty, the plot twists hit hard, and the ending left me craving more!

If you love gritty worlds, forbidden slow burn romance, and unique magic systems, give this one a shot. But definitely check those trigger warnings, this one’s darkkk.

What I Liked:
🐍 The Magic System!
What an intriguing concept! Those who wear a vessel ring can bond with a spirit that aligns with their desires, allowing them to cast spells together. Of course, there are consequences to inviting the spirits in. If you let the ghosts take too much control, you run the risk of total possession. I LOVED this take on ghostly magic.
🐍 The High Fantasy Elements!
Think Game of Thrones level scheming and political intrigue with a vast landscape to explore. This story has a bit of everything from brothels, to backroom plots for power, and unflinching scenes of torture and pain. It’s a dark and brutal world that promises so much more.
🐍 The Characters!
I loved getting to know the characters inside this world. All were morally gray in the best way, from the bondslaves, to the royal family, to the dancers at the club, to the rebels. Every single person had a backstory and conflicting motivations. The complexity packed into just one book was impressive.
🐍 The Romance. I wouldn’t call Dagen my new book boyfriend, but I definitely enjoyed his banter. It was flirty, dangerous, and refreshingly unique due to his half spirit form. It kept me intrigued the whole way through.

What I Didn’t Like:
🐍 The Abuse.
This book doesn’t sugarcoat anything. I was honestly unprepared for how dark it got. I don’t fault the author, it served the story, but it was difficult to read at times. A lot happens on page, so definitely check trigger warnings before diving in.
🐍 The Technology.
This was a mixed bag for me. On one hand, it helped the world stand out. On the other, I struggled to mesh the swords and heirs fantasy vibe with the inclusion of raves, guns, and sports cars. I didn’t hate the combination, but I’m still not sure it fully worked for me. It was . . . an interesting choice.

My Rating: 4.2 ⭐️

Releases October 7th!

Thank you to NetGalley, and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait for the next book!

Review Update:

I have just completed my read of the trad edition of Vesselless! After rereading this book, I fully stand with my original review!

Again, I just can’t get over the fact that this is Winn’s debut novel! I feel it is so incredibly written and gripping! It’s full of near constant action that will leave your heart racing and the plot is jam packed with intrigue, secrets and betrayals. I love that is so plot focused with the romance aspect adding to the overall story.
Nazarra’s journey is not an easy one, but Dagen just has this knack for bringing her comfort when she feels so alone. Their relationship dynamic is timeless and full of exquisite banter!!

This one truly exceeded my expectations while maintaining what I loved about this story from the original Indie published book; and, once again, I am reeling from that ending!! I will eagerly be awaiting the next installment in this series!

A HUGE thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance digital copy. This review is solely my thoughts and opinions.

●～●～●～●～● ●～●～●～●～● ●～●～●～●

Holy HELLS!! What an incredible masterpiece this was! This book is an utterly captivating and immersive story full of exquisite world building and a unique magic system! It is a refreshing change from the same type of retelling storylines. It’s filled with vessels, bonded spirits, ghosts and Gods! The world Wynn built was fascinating, with a slight modern technological spin in a fantasy setting. And to top it off, there were a couple twists that I NEVER saw coming. My mouth literally dropped to the floor!

I was drawn into her world from the very first chapter and could not let go! The plot flow was flawless and so well written. Wynn’s prose was breathtaking!
I fell in love with Nizarra, Dagen and Preysee! And learned to loathe a few characters as well! The relationship that developed between the MCs was so beautiful, once they learned to trust one another. The BANTER…was epic!

If you haven’t read Vesselless yet, what in the hell are you waiting for??!! This book is brilliant! Seriously, RUN and read it NOW!!

I knew within the first 20 pages that I was going to love this book, and I was not wrong. This had such a unique magic system, a slow-burn romance with tension, compelling main and side characters, multi-dimensional villains, and plot twists that I truly did not see coming. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

This book checks a lot of boxes for a romantasy and is quite engaging. I found myself caring for the characters right away and I love the main female character. I had a bit of a harder time understanding the main male character, and I don’t feel he went through the growth the MFC did (next book maybe??), but I still enjoyed his plot line.

My favorite thing about the book is the unique magic system which is explained in a way that blends in with the plot. Also, while there are many side characters, they all serve a purpose to move the plot along. Someone who you think might be just a supporting role, really is a catalyst for the twists and turns (which I’m still in denial about…)

This was a 3.5 started for me (rounded up to 4 here).

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. I’m so excited for this writer to be picked up and I look forward to the next book!

Wow! This book has been recommended to me by several people on instagram, so I was immensely grateful to have been approved! Reading this - I can see why my fellow romtantasy readers love it. The premise was interesting, and quite unique. Instead of an MMC with shadow powers, Dae was essentially an actual “shadow” (spirit) with human powers. The bulk of his interactions with the FMC are done in his spirit form, which made for some interesting interactions as they relied on minimal physical elements and primarily thoughts and feelings. I loved how the FMC was portrayed as both cruel on the outside, while showing her sacrifice and caring nature despite the reputation she’s expected to uphold.
I did find the pacing to be somewhat disjointed sometimes. It would feel like the timelines for Daes “assignment” would change - seeming like a few weeks at the start and then being months out? This made the timeline feel a bit hard to follow. The passage of time was also inconsistent with some chapters going day by day and some skipping weeks ahead.
This same sort of ‘jumpy’ pattern existed in the world building. It felt like there was so much to the world that wasn’t explored more naturally and instead came out as a matter of fact comment from a character or situation. Especially some of the elements that were extremely important to the development of the plot, and portrayed as common knowledge to the characters but not provided to the reader which limited some of the mystery or anticipating of trying to figure things out as the plot developed. I think some more integrated world building would’ve provided more of this to the reader and created a more immersive and engaging story.
Otherall though I loved the story, I just also can see that it has the potential to be exceptional!

Vesselless, the first book in The Merciless Realms series, introduces readers to Nizzara, a fierce and emotionally complex heir to a stolen throne. To escape a forced betrothal, she enters a deadly tournament where spirit magic and swordplay collide. But the stakes are far higher than she imagined—her opponent-turned-ally, Dagen, is the half-ghost of the last King of Zarr, murdered by her father. Dagen’s freedom depends on Nizzara willingly giving him her soul by the tournament’s end, or he’ll lose his own. The story blends high-stakes fantasy with a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, set in a world where magic is addictive and dangerous, and every duel could be fatal

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

An enemies to lovers, slow burn romantasy where the main love interest is a spirit? Yes please! This book was so addictive and I could not put it down. There are duels and tournaments, in which Nizzara is hoping to win her freedom from an upcoming arranged betrothal. Absolutely incredible writing, solid five star read!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this eARC!

At first, I was very intrigued with the setting and magic system. The idea of spirits being bonded to people, malevolent God of death, bargains, usurpers, ect. All ingredients for a great fantasy with political intrigue. But then all of a sudden there is a rave being planned with amplifiers and talks of guns? It's like a decision on setting couldn't be made, so it simply wasn't made. If it had stuck to one genre setting, this could have been an amazing read for me, but my brain cannot make sense of guns and amps and cars and also magic wielding duels with swords and daggers. Not to mention other dimensions, all the kingdoms being pie wedge shaped (with the kingdom centered in the story being so thin it's shaped like a sword in said pie). It was all just too much thrown at me right in the start.

I wasn’t so sure about this book in places. Some of the characters thoughts felt a bit disjointed but that may be just me being picky. Overall this plot was intriguing and the multiple POVs you get really layer it nicely. The pace is perfect and the cliffhanger ending had me gasping!

I was hesitant to start this book as the premise and description didn't seem like something I would enjoy, but by the end I was running to the internet to see when the next book was being released. I cannot wait to continue this love story and unique world building.

Having read the indie version of Vesselless, I am thrilled to report that the updates to the trad version make it even more enthralling! No question: Winn read her reviews and incorporated the feedback. 👏🏻

Nizzara is a princess who’s entered into a dueling tournament to win her way out of an arranged marriage. Dagen is the ghost of her kingdom’s former ruler, sent by the god of death to steal her soul. So naturally, the tension is tensioning and the chemistry is HOT.

In this realm, magic wielders get their powers from the spirits they bond. But, they can also be possessed by them.

Expect mysterious prophecies, magic-infused duels, flirty banter, betrayals, and a “Wait, what just happened?!” ending that leaves you begging for book 2.

Thanks to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager | Harper Voyager for access to the ARC!

#Vesselless #NetGalley

I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a read on this.

I made it 50% into this book and I realized, nothing is really happening and the whole soul thing doesn't make much sense.

You have a princess who is living in a castle that was once owned by the king who died. King is currently in limbo, his soul is owned by a big bad who wants the prince to do his bidding by reaping souls. He tells the prince he wants him to journey back to the land of the living to reap a soul that could be his downfall. It sounds like it makes sense.

Cue him not having an actual 'form' and he filters between his ghostly form he taunts her with and his corporeal form in which he replaces some mafia like guy who is in charge of some night club. There, he teams up with a group of rebels to try to get rid of his usurper.

Oh, there is also gladiatorial fights. Which seems to be a big thing recently in the publishing world - books that have some sort of Rome-esque location. Our female lead wears a ring that can enhance her powers and the spirit inside the ring is some deceased princess from hundreds of years ago who is kissing ass to her instead of disliking her.

Honest to god, if the plot was simply prince trying to mislay princess then I can see how it is an easy romance. But what gives it the fantasy part is this confusing monarchy, soul rings, and how they all connect with one another.

I read the initial independently published edition of Vesselless and loved it, so I was excited to receive this ARC! Many of the critiques that I had for the book were ironed out, including certain plot points and plot holes that didn't quite fit in the context of the world that the author had built. Overall I was super impressed and am so thrilled that the author was able to secure a much deserved traditional publishing for this book.

Vesselless follows Nizzara, the heir to the kingdom of Zarr that her father usurped when she was a child. The magic system in this book is fascinating and unique because it revolves around the concept of vessels, spirits of the deceased who are contained inside rings worn by casters (magic users). The vessels then help share and amplify the power of those who wield them. After seeing how her father's vessel corrupted his soul, Nizzara doesn't wish to take on a vessel but is forced to by her father.

The vessel Nizzara takes is the spirit of a younger princess, Liha, and she was one of my favorite characters. She coexists in Nazra's consciousness, but is also able to come and go. She was so adorable and I loved how much she cared about more frivolous and girly things such as fashion and clothes - a contrast to Nara's brutal and tough personality.

Nizzara enters a deadly tournament, comprised of multiple rounds where competitors fight each other in combat and also using magic. As she progresses through each round the stakes get higher in the competition gets deadlier. Then, enter Dagen, a spirit/ghost of the very king that Nazar's father murdered and stole the throne from. I mean, what a way to set the grounds for a relationship!

Dagen is sent to reap Nizzara's soul in exchange for his own freedom from a cruel master, so he goes to her under the guise of helping her win the tournament -- if she takes him on as a secondary vessel, his strength will secure her victory.

I adored Nizzara and Dagen. Nizzara represents everything that Dagan should despise, and she is equally distrustful of him and his motives. There is so much tension and dancing around each other - one of the best romantic buildups I've read in a long time.

Vesselless is such a gripping fantasy romance, with nearly constant action and a jam packed plot. It transcends the initially published version while keeping all of the soul and magic of the first edition.

Thank you so much to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this ARC!!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC. 

This book had such interesting world building, it was very different from other fantasy I've read. 

The pacing was a little off so it did drag a bit at times, but I did still read the whole thing pretty quickly. 

Nizzara and Dagen were interesting characters. 

We did get a lot of world building thrown at us in the beginning, but it wasn't too hard to understand.

It was fun and an interesting premise. I wished there was a bit more because I was confused at some points but I do think for a debut it was pretty decent

Vesselless has a warrior princess, magic, political intrigue, and a vengeful-turned-intrigued spirit. Sprinkle in a deadly tournament and some truly shocking twists, and honestly, what's not to love about this book?

This was so much fun, with really interesting worldbuilding and a unique magic system. I'm really looking forward to the next book, because the author was definitely dropping hints that there is more to the magic system than we know right now. I adored Nizzara, our main character, and her particular brand of strength and determination. She suffers so much in this book, fights a growing darkness within herself and is still just so good. And Dagen, whose perspective we also got to see, has perfect stakes for a story like this: convince Nizzara to freely give him her soul in exchange for his freedom to go and save his people.

There are definitely some things I had questions about. The urban fantasy component was pretty minimal, and I think the book could have done without those elements, but that is probably just a personal preference - I don't think it detracted from the story. The pacing was a little wobbly, but the ending of the book was perfect.

I'd recommend to fans of Carissa Broadbent's female main characters, characters facing impossible choices, and spirit bonds.

Excuse me. ;Like fully I can't believe I finished this book in hours! I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for the next one!