THE VESSEL

This YA novel centers on a teenager who struggles with his new life—carrying the world’s evil inside his body.

Paul Salvage’s victory at a government-sanctioned competition means he’s now “the Vessel.” Scientists implant him with “devil particles” extracted from the three billion people on dystopian Earth. These particles are what lead humans to commit evil acts but, scientists theorize, someone “perfectly good” can safely hold them. Yet Paul fears he’s the wrong person for this gig, as he’s done something dreadful that a conk on the head had, for a time, made him forget. Now, he lives in a bedroom inside a lab while his body undergoes tortuous emotional and physical changes. When things start improving, including his newly heightened senses, Paul feels his distrust start to surge. Gaige Devlin, his dead brother’s best friend, may be getting cozy with Paul’s beloved, Jaelyn Bellamy (“What a creep. Honing in on my girlfriend while I’m risking my life to save the world”). In addition, President Stark Cicero, who somehow knows of Paul’s nefarious past deed, is spearheading the formation of a world government, surely with herself at the head. Although Earth has found peace, the evil inside Paul seems to be fighting for control. Oakley’s SF sequel takes a noticeable turn from its predecessor—a suspenseful competition makes way for inner turmoil. It’s a slow burn this time, as much of the action unfolds at a lab, and narrator Paul spends a lot of time in his ever-conflicted head. Still, this absorbing tale follows a protagonist who gets increasingly paranoid while any sympathy readers have for him (especially from the initial agony the devil particles cause) may gradually wane. The story is furthermore a subtle exploration of toxic masculinity, as Paul, who feels like a “caged animal” at the lab, seems intent on dominating others, be it the scientists or Jaelyn. The final act churns out several impressive shocks and ends on a cliffhanger that will leave readers yearning for the series’ third installment.

A deliberately paced but gripping tale that boosts a remarkable SF series.