3 stars.

When Josh Finley was a child he was abducted by the pedophile Michael Traynor. After nineteen days Josh escaped and Taylor was caught and prosecuted. Josh remembers seeing the dead body of another of Traynor’s victims while he was being held in the house.

Now Traynor is nearing a possible release date and an FBI agent named John, Rodriguez needs Josh’s help because Traynor says he’s willing to talk, but will only speak to Josh.

What might have been your typical serial killer story swerves into horror. Characters were pretty good, but the story was just OK; it’s pretty telling that I just finished this on the 6th, and now it’s the 10th and I’m struggling to remember what happened.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Big thanks to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for the ARC of The Vessel in exchange for an honest review—and for absolutely wrecking my psyche in under 150 pages. 💀🖤

This is one of those books where you’re not 100% sure what’s happening, but you are 100% along for the downward spiral. 😵‍💫 It starts with tragedy and grief… and then things get strange. You’re not quite sure if it’s supernatural, psychological, or just a full-blown mental collapse. The story doesn’t offer many answers—and weirdly, that works. It adds to the dread.

It’s fast, disturbing, and intentionally disorienting. If you’re looking for a comforting read? Yeah, this ain’t it. But if you like horror that messes with your head and gives you the literary version of a fever dream, you’ll fly through this.

And the ending? Oh, it delivers. Just the right amount of pain and clarity to tie the madness together.

📚 For fans of: grief horror, unreliable narrators, stories where you say “what the hell is happening” and mean it in a good way.

This one had a very slow burn at the start. I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to stick with it at first. But I’m glad I did, because once it gets moving (about a third of the way in), it really picks up and finds its rhythm. The writing becomes more immersive, the atmosphere tightens, and the story finds its footing.

The twist at the end? I saw it coming, but I didn’t mind. Sometimes a "predictable surprise" still satisfies, and in this case, it absolutely worked for the story. There's a sense of resolution that’s satisfying without being overly tidy, and while it leaves you wondering what might come next, it doesn’t feel like it’s setting up a forced sequel.

All in all, a solid and enjoyable read once you get past the initial drag. Worth sticking with if you like your horror/psychological thrillers with a slow-build payoff.

*Thank you NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for providing a copy for review!*

Whoa! That was one wild ride! I don't even know where to begin!

The first couple of chapters started out a bit clunky if I'm to be honest. I wasn't quite sure if I was going to continue reading only because the "tough-as-nails, no-fu--s-given" emphasis that was placed on the main character was borderline cringe and over done. It seemed like almost every other word of dialogue was the "F" word. Once that was toned down, I was able to enjoy him and the surrounding story.

I thought I knew where the story was going, but I will admit there were some curve balls I hadn't figured out which was nice. My only gripe is the ending. I saw it coming a mile away and that in itself isn't my issue; my issue is I truly believe the ending could have been extended and the story could have continued just a little bit longer! I totally understand the reasoning behind ending it the way it ended. I just selfishly would have liked to have had a bit more of this story to dig into.

I look forward to reading more by this author!

The Vessel had promising supernatural horror vibes and an intriguing premise, but it just didn’t deliver. The atmosphere was there, but the plot felt too predictable and the scares underwhelming. I couldn't really connect with the characters—they lacked depth, and the pacing dragged in sections. Not as terrifying or engaging as I hoped—2 stars.

The Vessel is the kind of horror novel that seeps into your bones before you even realize what’s happening. S.E. Howard delivers a slow-burn, psychological descent that’s as emotionally haunting as it is terrifying. This isn’t just a story about possession—it’s about grief, trauma, and the terrifying question of what we carry inside us… and what might be waiting to take its place.

From the start, there’s an eerie quiet to the book—something always just out of sight, just out of reach. Howard builds the tension with incredible restraint, allowing dread to settle thick and cold before the real horror kicks in. And when it does? It’s relentless. But it never loses its heart.

The protagonist’s unraveling is so deeply human—messy, raw, and full of moments that hit far too close to home. There’s a sadness underneath the horror that made it even more powerful. The supernatural elements are chilling, but the emotional weight behind them is what truly lingers.

If you’re into horror that’s character-driven, atmospheric, and emotionally devastating in the best way, The Vessel is one you won’t want to miss. It’s haunting—not just because of the darkness it reveals, but because of how much truth is buried in it.