vanmeers's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Corrupted Vessels surprised me more than I expected it would. I went into this a bit hesitant since I'm not the biggest fan of the supernatural, nor angels that much, but there was so much hidden depth that I just didn't expect.
What pulled me in and got my attention was the description of Ash and River being holy beings or maybe just trans runaways, and it's the uncertainty of truth that was so intriguing. I think, when you read this, you'll form your own perspective of what the truth is — personally, for me, I read this as a runaway, Ash, with severe mental health issues, who sees things that maybe is or maybe isn't there, and who takes a younger runaway, River, under their wings. Together they try and create sense in their lives by living a possible truth: that they are elemental beings, fire and water, that are waiting for the other two elements to join them for the end of the world.
The third element, air, according to Ash, is local Linden who stumbles upon the abandoned house that they live in and who curiously enters the house only to find Ash and River there. Linden is drawn to Ash and they start an intimate relationship: Linden who sees it as careless fun, maybe infatuation, but also finding a need to care for both Ash and River by providing food and water for them. Meanwhile Ash wholeheartedly believes that Linden is the third holy being to join them... and well, their lives are never the same again.
This was quite honestly such an interesting read. The way the characters are introduced, their actions and reasonings, the bad and good things they do, and the slow descent into madness was exquisitely written. The story is tense and sad, and I both hated and loved the character's and what they do, and I'm just sad it's over and there's no more. It's definitely a story worth reading, especially if you're into queer horror, mental illness and the angelic.
// ARC received through BookSirens.
What pulled me in and got my attention was the description of Ash and River being holy beings or maybe just trans runaways, and it's the uncertainty of truth that was so intriguing. I think, when you read this, you'll form your own perspective of what the truth is — personally, for me, I read this as a runaway, Ash, with severe mental health issues, who sees things that maybe is or maybe isn't there, and who takes a younger runaway, River, under their wings. Together they try and create sense in their lives by living a possible truth: that they are elemental beings, fire and water, that are waiting for the other two elements to join them for the end of the world.
The third element, air, according to Ash, is local Linden who stumbles upon the abandoned house that they live in and who curiously enters the house only to find Ash and River there. Linden is drawn to Ash and they start an intimate relationship: Linden who sees it as careless fun, maybe infatuation, but also finding a need to care for both Ash and River by providing food and water for them. Meanwhile Ash wholeheartedly believes that Linden is the third holy being to join them... and well, their lives are never the same again.
This was quite honestly such an interesting read. The way the characters are introduced, their actions and reasonings, the bad and good things they do, and the slow descent into madness was exquisitely written. The story is tense and sad, and I both hated and loved the character's and what they do, and I'm just sad it's over and there's no more. It's definitely a story worth reading, especially if you're into queer horror, mental illness and the angelic.
// ARC received through BookSirens.
reserv3's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
leandre's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
One thing I definitely appreciated about this story was the writing. It’s incredibly lush and descriptive (even when that makes it especially repulsive). Those descriptions at times felt a bit repetitive—how many times do we need to be reminded that there’s shelf fungi on the back of that one chair—but for the most part, I really enjoyed how tangible and visceral everything felt.
There’s this wetness permeating the story, both in its depictions of sex and death/decomposition. (Bodily fluids/smells seem to be a recurring thematic element.)
I think where I struggled was that despite all that, I just never really felt connected to the story or the characters. I kept waiting to become invested but it never happened. This is likely more an issue of personal preference rather than any flaw in the story itself.
I think I expected more of a supernatural element—more body horror, and I would’ve liked the book more if it had gone in that direction. But again, that’s just my preference.
There’s this wetness permeating the story, both in its depictions of sex and death/decomposition. (Bodily fluids/smells seem to be a recurring thematic element.)
I think where I struggled was that despite all that, I just never really felt connected to the story or the characters. I kept waiting to become invested but it never happened. This is likely more an issue of personal preference rather than any flaw in the story itself.
I think I expected more of a supernatural element—more body horror, and I would’ve liked the book more if it had gone in that direction. But again, that’s just my preference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Blood, Death, Drug use, Dysphoria, Mental illness, Murder, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, and Stalking
trayslays's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Excrement, Blood, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide attempt and Fire/Fire injury
halibut's review against another edition
4.0
In a positive way, this was much smaller scope than I'd expected from the description, focusing on the experience of four characters in or adjacent to a fledgling cult of young queer people.
In the week after reading it, I've kept thinking about the complexity in how the youngest character, River, relates to and tries to control seeing & being seen. We open with him in an illicit act of seeing, taking a photograph forbidden by the head of the cult (of two), and there are other points where he wants to see without being seen throughout. There's a moment after the kind of tipping point where someone who doesn't know River sees him, and that scene feels particularly sharp. Who is visible is complex too: Ash the leader seems to be the one who has got them this far, but they never go into town, River does. They appear to outsider Linden first as a voice, concealed by the woods.
There's some really strong images too, one of a chair with fungus growing from it's back and trying to encroach on the front stuck in my memory - or a silence which travels with a pair of characters, making the world feel a bit more animate. There were a few bits where I didn't love the writing, but it's a good close up, enclosed story which suits the novella length well.
In the week after reading it, I've kept thinking about the complexity in how the youngest character, River, relates to and tries to control seeing & being seen. We open with him in an illicit act of seeing, taking a photograph forbidden by the head of the cult (of two), and there are other points where he wants to see without being seen throughout. There's a moment after the kind of tipping point where someone who doesn't know River sees him, and that scene feels particularly sharp. Who is visible is complex too: Ash the leader seems to be the one who has got them this far, but they never go into town, River does. They appear to outsider Linden first as a voice, concealed by the woods.
There's some really strong images too, one of a chair with fungus growing from it's back and trying to encroach on the front stuck in my memory - or a silence which travels with a pair of characters, making the world feel a bit more animate. There were a few bits where I didn't love the writing, but it's a good close up, enclosed story which suits the novella length well.
theodenreads's review against another edition
5.0
unsettling and weird as hell and so aggressively trans
essjay's review against another edition
4.75
This book (and the accompanying short story) didn't feel as precisely written just for me as Body After Body did, but close enough. Reminiscent of Jenny Hval's Paradise Rot in the best possible way. Can't wait to re-read.
clari's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence