Summary
In the shadow of the Montecassino Abbey, Seren’s life takes an unexpected turn when she uncovers a chilling truth about her past. Raised by the nurturing hands of the abbey’s nuns and battling the effects of polio, Seren discovers a sinister secret: her illness was no accident but a veil for her true heritage-a legacy of ancient magic woven into her very being.
Embracing her destiny as a witch of the revered Étoile coven, Seren is thrust into a world where enchantment and danger dance hand in hand. As she grapples with her newfound powers and seeks to reclaim her strength, she learns that not all is as it seems, and deception lurks in every corner.
With war looming on the horizon and dark forces gathering strength, Seren must navigate a treacherous path fraught with peril. As the descendant of an ancient lineage and the bearer of unfathomable power, she holds the key to shaping the fate of worlds. But will she rise to the challenge and confront the darkness threatening the covens, or will she be consumed by the very forces she seeks to overcome? In a tale of magic, mystery, and destiny, Seren must embrace her true nature and harness her inner strength to combat the looming shadows or risk being lost to them forever.
My Thoughts
First I want to say that I love Jessica Ann Disciacca and her writing. She is one of my favorite indie authors and I am obsessed with her other series, Awakening the Dark Throne.
I enjoyed this book, I always love a good witchy read. It was a good book, and the story is really promising, there were just a few things that didn’t sit right with me. Some were personal preferences, and others were things I think could be improved.
What I liked:
- The lore, the history, and the background information. I love the witchy vibe and love how this world was set up!
- The world building of their castle/estate and the town.
- All the characters and their struggles. I felt like the characters for the most part were written really well.
What I did not enjoy as much:
- There was too much religion/god/praying for me. It is a personal preference, and as someone with religious trauma I did not love that piece. I think it was written well that for people who don’t have this sort of trauma, they will be just fine.
- Our FMC Seren has been through so so much, and should be incredibly traumatized but she seems mostly fine? Maybe she is dissociating or avoiding it all, but it didn’t sit right with me that she was seemingly fine with everything that she experienced.
- It felt a little rushed. There were several times I re-read a section because the writing was a bit odd. I think another round of edit/critical review would be really helpful. One example: “Looking down at me in a tender manner” versus saying something like “tenderly looking down at me” or “looking down at me tenderly”.
- I personally did not like the ending, not that it was bad but that I didn’t like her choices – HOWEVER I am excited to read book 2 to see what happens!
Overall, I enjoyed Witches of Trioria The Vessel by Jessica Ann Disciacca, but felt like it needed another edit round and a bit more time spent on it. It was still good and I am glad I read it, AND will be interested in reading book 2, but think a few things could be improved.
See what books I think are worthy of a re-read here.
