Waiting on Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights any upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

 Release date: September 11, 2012

In a desert world of sandstorms and sand-wolves, a teen girl must defy the gods to save her tribe in this mystical, atmospheric tale from the author of Drink, Slay, Love.

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.

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.

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.

Well, judging person that I am, the blurb's credit to the author's previous book Drink, Slay, Love does not tempt me to read her works. But - this synopsis! That more than makes up for the lackluster feelings I have for a previous publication that is no doubt a parody of a book that, while enormously popular, also did not pique my interest. 

I am such a sucker for books with strong world-building and mythologies. I just love it when authors know their books' worlds well enough to not only create elaborate mythologies, but to have the worlds' beliefs and gods directly affect the characters. The premise of having certain people chosen to serve as vessels for their gods? And that one girl seems to have spent all these years being glorified only to not become a vessel? And the promising theme of self-sacrifice for the greater good? All good! I am super excited for this upcoming release!

What are you waiting on this week?