The Endless Vessel - by Charles Soule (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A few years from now, in a world similar to ours, there exists a sort of 'depression plague' that people refer to simply as 'The Grey.' No one can predict whom it will afflict, or how, but once infected, there's no coming back. A young Hong Kong based scientist, Lily Barnes, is trying to maintain her inner light in an increasingly dark world. The human race is dwindling, and people fighting to push forward are increasingly rare. One day, Lily comes across something that seems to be addressing her directly, calling to her, asking her to follow a path to whatever lies at its end. Is this the Endless Vessel to happiness? She leaves her life behind and sets out through time and space to find out"--Jacket.

Book Synopsis

Combining the wonder of The Midnight Library, the inventiveness of Ready Player One, and the artistry of Cloud Atlas, this novel by the bestselling author of The Oracle Year and Anyone explores the way we're all connected--and what can happen when we lose our capacity for joy.

A few years from now, in a world similar to ours, there exists a sort of "depression plague" that people refer to simply as "The Grey." No one can predict whom it will afflict, or how, but once infected, there's no coming back.

A young Hong Kong based scientist, Lily Barnes, is trying to maintain her inner light in an increasingly dark world. The human race is dwindling, and people fighting to push forward are increasingly rare. One day, Lily comes across something that seems to be addressing her directly, calling to her, asking her to follow a path to whatever lies at its end. Is this the Endless Vessel to happiness? She leaves her life behind and sets out through time and space to find out.

From its opening heart-stopping scene in the present day at the Louvre in Paris, through the earthly meetings between Lily and her loved ones past and present, to a shocking and satisfying conclusion in a truly enchanted forest, Charles Soule has channeled history, science and drama to create a story for the ages--a story of hope and love and possibility. This is a novel you will not soon forget.

Review Quotes

"The Endless Vessel is a thrilling hunt, haunting mystery, and ominous prediction all in one, but most of all, it's a poignant reminder of what it means to be human--to despair, to love, and to refuse to give up hope, even in the final hour." -- Peng Shepherd, bestselling author of The Cartographers

"[A] hugely entertaining near-future dystopian thriller from comic book writer Soule (Anyone) . . . . Rich characters and a full-throttle plot, plus a solid finale, elevate this page-turner. It's a winner." -- Publishers Weekly

"Exploring the necessity of human connection with incredible depth, Soule serves up a delightful cocktail of dystopian and science fiction, with elements of historical fiction as a cherry on top." -- Library Journal

"Soule captures the despair and loneliness of people struggling to survive in a damaged world, stringing eager readers along until the very end." -- Booklist

"From its opening heart-stopping scene in the present day at the Louvre in Paris, through the earthly meetings between Lily and her loved ones past and present, to a shocking and satisfying conclusion in a truly enchanted forest, Charles Soule has channeled history, science and drama to create a story for the ages--a story of hope and love and possibility. This is a novel you will not soon forget." -- Tor.com

"[The Endless Vessel] is sure to appeal to those seeking danger and excitement in the escape of their books as well as those wishing to embark on a grand adventure unlike anything they've read before. It's a thinker and it's gonna stay with you for quite a while." -- Best Thriller Books

"The Endless Vessel is inventive, suspenseful, and thought provoking. It is the kind of book where you want to block out chunks of time to read, to just enjoy the story. But aspects of it also stick with you as you think about big ideas like despair, risk, relationships, and what really matters." -- Collected Miscellany

"The Endless Vessel is an entertaining novel written with a confidence and ease that only serve to highlight the seriousness of its tender and dynamic heart." -- Bookreporter.com

"What an adventure! . . . a wonderful exploration of human nature, love and duty wrapped in scientific possibilities. A very satisfying read." -- The Paris Insider

"The narrative energy with which Soule has fueled The Endless Vessel is extremely powerful and compelling. This is a helluva novel that reminded me, at times, when Lost was at its best" -- SFFWorld.com