This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by J. C. Steel for Readers' Favorite
Marissa Ames’ Vassal gives us a window into the life of Aislin - orphan, lady of a fief more or less by tolerance under the abusive lord whose ward she is. Aislin keeps her head down and obeys the laws, insane as they sometimes appear, trying to keep her people safe and fed, and herself far from any official notice. Violence is tearing the kingdom apart, magic users are hunted and registered to the point where concealing one is an offense punishable by torture, and Aislin’s unpleasant overlord is looking at her to be his latest wife. If that weren’t enough, a group of strange men have turned up from nowhere to work on her fief. It doesn’t take lengthy acquaintance for Aislin to get the feeling that they’re going to be trouble, but even she doesn’t guess how much.
Vassal is a wonderful example of the epic fantasy genre. The storytelling is evocative, but the characterization is where the story truly shines. This story focuses on a group of people who won’t give up on what they believe in, no matter the dangers, and no matter the odds. The world the story is set in frames the interactions perfectly, providing drama and action in plenty. Marissa Ames’ characters have worries that are very understandable, flaws that made them worthy of sympathy, and humorous moments that made me laugh out loud. I found it a really enjoyable read, the kind of book that you find yourself thinking about afterwards – definitely recommended for the fantasy readers out there.
