Line #32 Literature/Vessel


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/vesselcover_lores300_9194.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:The cover of ''Vessel''.]]
3
4	-->''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.''
5
6	-->''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.''
7
8	-->''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.''
9	-->-- Blurb from Durst's official website
10
11	A young adult fantasy novel by Sarah Beth Durst, published by Simon and Schuster.
12
13	A critically acclaimed work, 2013 winner of the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award, 2012 finalist of the Andre Norton Award, one of Kirkus Best Teen Books 2012, and 2012 finalist of Cybils F/SF YA Award.
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15
16	----
17	!!!Tropes:
18	* ActionGirl: Liyana, from being able to defend herself from sand wolves, to [[spoiler:walking into the enemy camp alone, to fighting the ''glass serpents'' (which are extremely deadly)]].
19	%%* TheAlcoholic: Raan.
20	* AllGirlsWantBadBoys:
21	** Considering that both Liyana and Bayla love Korbyn the trickster God, it does seem so.
22	** Averted in the case of Pia and Raan.
23	* AncestralWeapon: The dagger, made of a sky serpent scale, that Jidali gives to Liyana. There's even a backstory in the novel itself.
24	* AnchoredShip: Liyana and Korbyn both love each other... But Korbyn is also in love with Bayla at the same time. And Liyana doesn't want to betray her goddess. Cue angst (mostly from Liyana's side).
25	* AnimalMotifs: Oh, so much. Each clan is represented by an animal, and the characteristics of the animal affect the clan (and god) as well. Case in point: Korbyn being a trickster, and he's the god of the Raven Clan...
26	* [[spoiler:TheBadGuyWins: At the end of the novel, the desert people became part of the Crescent Empire and Vessels were no longer necessary (granted, they couldn't do it anyway since the lake was now dry), so what the Magician had intended for things to happen did happen - except he died for it, make it a [[Main/DownplayedTrope downplayed]] example.]]
27	* BigDamnHeroes:
28	** [[spoiler:Korbyn]] is this when he transfers his soul into [[spoiler:Jarlath]]'s body to keep his alive until his soul returns from the Dreaming, knowing that a body will expire without a soul and ''still'' willing to give up his up for [[spoiler:Liyana]]'s happiness.
29	** All the Vessels can be said to be this.
30	* [[spoiler:BittersweetEnding: The battle was won by The Good Guys, the Magician was killed... But at the expense of draining the lake, so the Gods are forced to return to The Dreaming. Which means the Liyana/Korbyn ship is sunk. Liyana goes on to marry Jarlath, so her people now are officially part of the Crescent Empire and no longer have to lead a poor life. So, it appears to be a happy ending, right? But if Liyana still loves Korbyn, then probably not. The question is, does she? The ambiguous ending of her returning to Korbyn's grave doesn't help matters.]]
31	* BlessedWithSuck: The Vessels. Being chosen to be a Vessel appears to be a great honor, especially when you get to be well-fed and all - but the price of that is to die young, regardless if you're willing or not.
32	* BreakTheCutie:
33	** [[spoiler:Raan]] when she is [[spoiler:forced to be another clan's Vessel]]. '''DAMN'''.
34	** Also, later, when [[spoiler:Maara]] enters [[spoiler:Raan's]] body, and the former's cruelty to the latter. Poor thing, as if she hasn't suffered enough.
35	* BrokenBird: Raan is this to some extent, when the other characters (and the reader) find out the reason for her alcoholism and cynical views. Turns out her sisters had died soon after being born because her clan was too impoverished. To make matters worse, it was apparently due to some of the other clan members' alcoholism, which in turn caused Raan to become bitter and cynical and ironically, an alcoholic herself.
36	* CannotSpitItOut: Liyana when it comes to her feelings for Korbyn. Justified in that she's not supposed to even love him in the first place.
37	* TheCharmer: Korbyn was this before he got together with Bayla. And even so, he still comes off as charming towards Liyana.
38	* ChastityCouple: The most that any couple do in this book is kiss.
39	** At first it seems that Liyana and Korbyn are headed for NoHuggingNoKissing, what with their star-crossed love... Until [[spoiler:Korbyn kisses her. And she kisses him back]]. And even then, that's all they do.
40	** Liyana and Jarlath, who kissed but that's about it.
41	** Fennik and Pia are really the epitome of this, doing absolutely ''nothing'' with each other [[spoiler:until they die]]. Likely because they know they will have [[DoomedByCanon no future together]].
42	* TheChosenOne: All the Vessels are this.
43	** Liyana is doubted at the beginning of the novel, though.
44	* CoolBigSis: Liyana appears to be this towards Jidali.
45	* CryingWolf: Korbyn is this. Because he tricked the other gods so often, when he goes to the clans telling them their gods are kidnapped, it's no surprise nobody believes him. He even lampshades it himself.
46	--> "I wish this were a trick," Korbyn said, "but for once, I am telling the truth. I can see how you would be confused. This honesty and nobility is new to me as well-"
47	%%* DeityOfHumanOrigin: All the gods are this.
48	* {{Determinator}}: Liyana. Especially at the end where [[spoiler:she is convinced she will be able to return to her own body. Well, she's right]].
49	%%* {{Deuteragonist}}: Korbyn.
50	%%* DivineDate: Liyana and Korbyn.
51	* DudeWheresMyRespect:
52	** Liyana and the other Gods, especially when Korbyn allows her to command them.
53	** The Emperor and some of his subordinates, because of his age and inexperience.
54	* EveryoneCanSeeIt: What Pia and Raan basically tell Liyana when she tries to deny her feelings for Korbyn.
55	* FantasyPantheon: Every clan in this novel has a god of their own. Except for Korbyn the trickster god, the other gods don't appear to have specific powers/titles of their own, a la polytheism like, say, Ancient Egyptian mythology.
56	%%* FightingFromTheInside: Liyana and Raan.
57	* FireForgedFriends: Initially, all of the Vessels and Korbyn are strangers and get off the wrong foot (to put it mildly), but by the end they do care for each other, with some more than others...
58	* FirstLove:
59	** Korbyn is this to Liyana.
60	** Sendar and Bayla are implied to have been each other's first loves.
61	** Also Fennik and Pia, when they were [[spoiler:dead and in the Dreaming]].
62	* GodCouple: Korbyn and Bayla. Not to mention Bayla and [[spoiler:Sendar]].
63	* GreyAndGrayMorality: Is the sacrifice of young teenagers just so for the Gods to inhabit their bodies justified? On one hand, it's for [[{{TheNeedsOfTheMany}} the greater good]]. On the other hand, [[spoiler:''it wasn't necessary for the Vessels to die'']], not that anyone knew at first. And then when you take into account how some gods just want a chance to live on Earth and could care less about humans...
64	* HandicappedBadass: [[spoiler:Pia]]. Don't let the fact that she is [[spoiler:blind]] fool you, she can do things that other people can. With help from others, but still.
65	* HeavenSeeker: The truly willing Vessels, like Pia, are this.
66	* HeroicBSOD: [[spoiler:Raan]] undergoes this when she was [[spoiler:taken by the Falcon Clan and forced to become their Vessel]].
67	%%* HeroicSacrifice: See Big Damn Heroes.
68	%%** The Vessels can be argued to be this.
69	* HumanSacrifice: The theme of this book, and what the Vessels essentially are.
70	** HesitantSacrifice: The not-so-willing Vessels, like Raan, are this. Liyana also shows shades of this the more time she spends with Korbyn.
71	* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Liyana gives Raan this speech whenever Raan manages to take over her body [[spoiler:after Maara is freed and enters Raan's body]].
72	* InformedAttribute: We're told that Korbyn is a trickster god, but he never really showed any particular tricks throughout the novel. Possibly justified considering the gravity of the mission at hand.
73	* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy:
74	** What [[spoiler:Korbyn]] did for [[spoiler:Liyana]] at the end of the novel.
75	** Even after falling in love with Korbyn, Liyana's still willing to give up her life for Bayla.
76	* JerkWithAHeartOfGold:
77	** Liyana, who can appear aloof/cold due to her practical streak, is revealed to be a good person whose loyalties to her friends make her [[spoiler:walk into an enemy camp]].
78	** Fennik can be said to be this, after he goes off with Liyana and Korbyn.
79	** Korbyn can be argued to be this, since he was previously mischievous and quite the trouble maker but willing to rescue the other gods when they are in trouble.
80	* KnightTemplar: [[spoiler:The Magician.]] When you think about it, he's not exactly wrong, if ''a little'' extreme... But the same can't be said for his methods.
81	* LittleMissSnarker: Liyana.
82	** Both Pia and Raan are this at times.
83	* LoveAtFirstSight: Fennik has this when he sees Pia.
84	* LoveDodecahedron: With Sendar, Bayla, Korbyn, Liyana and [[spoiler:Jarlath]].
85	* LoveMakesYouEvil: This is what drove [[spoiler:The Magician]] to do what he did.
86	* MayDecemberRomance: The old lady from Raan's clan and Korbyn; has a {{Squick}} moment when you consider her age. Granted, Korbyn is immortal and is merely borrowing a young body right now, and that it happened in the past, but still, the mental images... Also applicable in the past, when Korbyn meets the young Runa, with the roles reversed. Liyana even lampshades it.
87	** Technically speaking, Korbyn and Liyana can be this. But if you consider the fact that Liyana is a [[spoiler:reincarnated soul]], well then, things get complicated...
88	* {{Mythopoeia}}: This entire novel takes place in a fantasy world that also sounds like it could have happened in the past (say, 15th century and before). However, this world differs from our own, in that they have their own gods, which are proven to actually exist since they do come down to the human realm once in a while. There are also plenty of stories passed down from generation to generation as a result of OralTradition, and some of these stories appear in the novel when the characters converse, which serve to enrich and aid in world-building.
89	* TheNeedsOfTheMany: Played straight with the Vessels. See Human Sacrifice.
90	* NoNameGiven: We never did find out the name of Korbyn's Vessel.
91	%%* NotAfraidToDie: Most of the Vessels.
92	* OneTrueLove: Played with in the case of Korbyn. Who does he truly love, Liyana or Bayla?
93	** The same question can be asked of Liyana.
94	** Played straight with [[spoiler:The Magician]] and his love.
95	* OnlyOneName: Everyone in this novel.
96	* OurMonstersAreDifferent: Zig-zagged. On one hand, you have perfectly normal creatures like ravens and horses. On the other hand, you have ''sand wolves'' and ''glass serpents''.
97	* PerpetualPoverty: All the Clans in the novel until the end. Compared to the Crescent Empire, anyway.
98	* PowerTattoo: All the Vessels have this, as a way of distinguishing them from everybody else. It's supposed to be a symbol that their bodies are capable of working magic, and this is important because the gods that occupy their bodies have to be able to do so for the sake of the clans.
99	%%* {{Reincarnation}}: Happens to some people.
100	* RescuedFromTheUnderworld: [[spoiler:Liyana does this for Jarlath.]]
101	* SecondLove:
102	** Jarlath is this for Liyana.
103	** It's not mentioned in the novel if Bayla had other lovers before Sendar, but it's implied that Korbyn is this to Bayla.
104	* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism:
105	** On one hand you have the [[spoiler:'evil' magician]], who believes by wiping out all the Gods, the desert people would be forced to relocate to the Crescent Empire and thus stop sacrificing Vessels, saving the Vessels' lives while allowing the clan people to live better lives. On the other hand, you have the desert people who believe that a little sacrifice is needed for the greater good, and who cling on to their traditions despite having to kill off their Vessels.
106	** Liyana, Korbyn, Pia and Fennik are more towards the desert people's side, while Raan and [[spoiler:Jarlath]] are more towards the [[spoiler:Magician's]] side.
107	* SoulJar: Liyana becomes this when she summons [[spoiler:the other Gods', and Jarlath's, souls]] into her body.
108	* SpiritWorld: The Dreaming is essentially the afterlife in this novel.
109	* StarCrossedLovers: Liyana and Korbyn. [[Spoiler:To make things even worse, Korbyn would be reunited with Bayla in the Dreaming, and Liyana married Jarlath. So, they can't be TogetherInDeath either.]]
110	* TakingYouWithMe: The Magician doesn't mind this if his plan succeeds.
111	* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Raan's Tomboy to Pia's Girly Girl.
112	* TookALevelInBadass:
113	** Liyana when she is finally able to [[spoiler:summon magic]].
114	** Taken up to eleven When Liyana has [[spoiler:the souls of many Gods in her body]]. Damn.
115	* TheTrickster: Korbyn is supposed to be the epitome of this.
116	%%* TroubledButCute: Korbyn.
117	%%** Jarlath can be argued to be this.
118	* TrueCompanions: Liyana, Korbyn, Fennik, Pia and Raan can be said to be this at the end.
119	* TwoGuysAndAGirl: Liyana, Korbyn and Jarlath.
120	** Could also be TwoGirlsAndAGuy in the case of Korbyn, Liyana and Bayla.
121	* UnresolvedSexualTension: At first Liyana denies her feelings towards Korbyn, which she then find is reciprocated when Korbyn kisses her. Then she denies her feelings to the other Vessels even though EveryoneCanSeeIt, while struggling with her feelings because he's already taken. Things get worse when Bayla makes her entrance, and at the end of the novel this is never fully resolved, ending with Liyana [[spoiler:having a BittersweetEnding, losing Korbyn because his body died while his soul kept Jarlath's body alive]].
122	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: What happened to Jidali, who proved to be a fan-favorite, at the end?
123	* WouldHitAGirl: Averted, mostly. The guys in the novel tend to avoid this. That being said, Fennik ''did'' mention that he would [[spoiler:slice Liyana if he had been in his father's position, and would still do it if there was a need to]].
124	* YouAreNotAlone: Liyana says this to Korbyn.
125	--> Liyana: "Korbyn, you think you need to save the entire desert by yourself. You keep forgetting you're not alone."

Context Literature / Vessel