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Duty & Magic #3
The Bodyguard's Vessel
Some would say Lord Eban du Fray was a spoiled brat.
Born into the British nobility and married to a lord, he has never had to work a day in his life.
Instead he drinks, parties and sleeps around. Much to his husband’s disgust.
But Eban is a vessel, a person who grows and absorbs magic within them, and his husband is a mage. As with all mages and vessels, his husband takes his body, to take his magic.
This arrangement, combined with Eban’s dazzling beauty, ensured that Eban’s husband tolerated his bad behavior.
Until now.
Alpha wolf shifter Bastion is happy to be paid a ton of money to keep a spoiled brat in line. Keep him safe. Stop him sleeping around. Make him behave. Easy money.
He knows the brat seduced his last bodyguard and that he has been hired as no human would sleep with a dog, not even the reckless Eban du Fray. Bastion can take the insult for the money.
Bastion expects to find a vain, selfish brat, bored in a loveless arranged marriage.
He doesn’t expect to uncover something far darker, or that beneath Eban’s dazzling exterior is a soul that shines far brighter.
But he can’t let himself fall in love. Eban is married to a powerful, dangerous man who is not going to let him go.
Falling in love with Eban will only lead to tragedy and heartbreak. Bastion must resist, must stay strong.
Or will he sacrifice everything for the man who is carelessly stealing his heart?
The Bodyguard’s Vessel is a forbidden romance in a contemporary setting. It is modern day regency, but gay, and with magic!
Expect bucket loads of angst, vats of sweetness and a romance that will sweep you off your feet.
Books in the Duty & Magic series can be read in any order or enjoyed as standalones. No cliffhangers and happy ever after is always guaranteed.
Please note: This book contains very dark themes, if you require further information please use the ‘Look Inside’ feature to view the copyright page for further info. Alternatively, please view the author’s website.
Born into the British nobility and married to a lord, he has never had to work a day in his life.
Instead he drinks, parties and sleeps around. Much to his husband’s disgust.
But Eban is a vessel, a person who grows and absorbs magic within them, and his husband is a mage. As with all mages and vessels, his husband takes his body, to take his magic.
This arrangement, combined with Eban’s dazzling beauty, ensured that Eban’s husband tolerated his bad behavior.
Until now.
Alpha wolf shifter Bastion is happy to be paid a ton of money to keep a spoiled brat in line. Keep him safe. Stop him sleeping around. Make him behave. Easy money.
He knows the brat seduced his last bodyguard and that he has been hired as no human would sleep with a dog, not even the reckless Eban du Fray. Bastion can take the insult for the money.
Bastion expects to find a vain, selfish brat, bored in a loveless arranged marriage.
He doesn’t expect to uncover something far darker, or that beneath Eban’s dazzling exterior is a soul that shines far brighter.
But he can’t let himself fall in love. Eban is married to a powerful, dangerous man who is not going to let him go.
Falling in love with Eban will only lead to tragedy and heartbreak. Bastion must resist, must stay strong.
Or will he sacrifice everything for the man who is carelessly stealing his heart?
The Bodyguard’s Vessel is a forbidden romance in a contemporary setting. It is modern day regency, but gay, and with magic!
Expect bucket loads of angst, vats of sweetness and a romance that will sweep you off your feet.
Books in the Duty & Magic series can be read in any order or enjoyed as standalones. No cliffhangers and happy ever after is always guaranteed.
Please note: This book contains very dark themes, if you require further information please use the ‘Look Inside’ feature to view the copyright page for further info. Alternatively, please view the author’s website.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2022
88 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
S. Rodman
37 books313 followersI love characters who are battered and broken by life, who through the course of finding love, discover they are strong.
Despite everything, because of everything, I will always believe that love conquers all.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 16, 2022
3.5 stars. I loved the other books from this series very, I wish I loved this particular installment more.
I just didn’t feel this one, and was a bit disappointed.
Eban is a vessel and has to hand over, with sexual encounters, all the magic he absorbs to his husband Hyde, who is a mage.
A cruel mage, he has no feelings for Eban, he’s just his property.
Bastion is Eban’s bodyguard number umpteenth. He’s offered a lot of money to keep Eban safe and on the right path.
Bastion is an alpha wolf shifter, and in my eyes a bit on the dumb side, sorry not sorry.
To be honest, I found Bastion quite incompetent, I didn’t like him, he didn’t think on forehand he didn’t think of consequences, he didn’t plan, he just did what he wanted to do, at all costs. Until the end, thank you, lord!
Watching it all through his eyes and how he thought of things, it was self-centered and simplistic. He didn’t understand an iota about Eban.
I hoped for a stronger, determined alpha bodyguard who knew what he was doing.
“Being Lord Eban du Fray’s bodyguard was going to be hell.“ Yes, it is!
I yearned to take a look into Eban’s head, finally, FINALLY, we got to see his pov.
Finally there was the hurt comfort I was waiting for.
After some attractive exciting moments, there’s a future for both men.
The development was slight, I would have loved more background information.
Overall it was a nice read, for me not quite satisfying, but that’s my opinion here.
It was all nicely written, the fantasy part was well done.
Reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
I just didn’t feel this one, and was a bit disappointed.
Eban is a vessel and has to hand over, with sexual encounters, all the magic he absorbs to his husband Hyde, who is a mage.
A cruel mage, he has no feelings for Eban, he’s just his property.
Bastion is Eban’s bodyguard number umpteenth. He’s offered a lot of money to keep Eban safe and on the right path.
Bastion is an alpha wolf shifter, and in my eyes a bit on the dumb side, sorry not sorry.
To be honest, I found Bastion quite incompetent, I didn’t like him, he didn’t think on forehand he didn’t think of consequences, he didn’t plan, he just did what he wanted to do, at all costs. Until the end, thank you, lord!
Watching it all through his eyes and how he thought of things, it was self-centered and simplistic. He didn’t understand an iota about Eban.
I hoped for a stronger, determined alpha bodyguard who knew what he was doing.
“Being Lord Eban du Fray’s bodyguard was going to be hell.“ Yes, it is!
I yearned to take a look into Eban’s head, finally, FINALLY, we got to see his pov.
Finally there was the hurt comfort I was waiting for.
After some attractive exciting moments, there’s a future for both men.
The development was slight, I would have loved more background information.
Overall it was a nice read, for me not quite satisfying, but that’s my opinion here.
It was all nicely written, the fantasy part was well done.
Reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
November 14, 2022
The Bodyguard's Vessel is the third book in the Duty and Magic series. Eban and Bastian’s story is darker than the previous two, so I would recommend reading them in order. Eban is a vessel. He’s married to a mage who uses the magic that Eban absorbs. I passionately disliked Eban’s controlling husband! I freaking loved Bastion! He was so protective. Some great secondary characters, like Colby’s story? Overall, a fantastic read!! Well written with addicting pacing that kept me engaged and flipping the pages, sooo freakin good!!
November 17, 2022
I... had more fond memories of the series than the ones I uncovered while reading the book. Or maybe it's this couple in particular that uncovered the more... insidious feelings of this whole, well, world, really.
The idea of dividing magic users into vessels and mages was and still is intriguing. It's the main draw/hook of this entire affair. It also turned out to be the worst aspect of the romance, definitely in this book.
I've read books with some kinks and they usually make sure to (try to) sweep you up in the passion of the couple (or the MC that is narrating the experience). And honestly, I am almost baffled why this one in particular felt so much like... rape. Between the two main characters. As in, they were more or less willing and interested in each other... and it felt wrong. It felt like, I don't know, surgery, a necessary and painful procedure instead of an act of discovery, a beginning of something more.
The whole world was probably simply too entrenched in a very toxic power imbalance - vessels, as we saw in previous books, are more like slaves. They have huge self-esteem issues and they are abused by pretty much everyone around them. it makes the whole atmosphere automatically more repulsive and takes away the, forgive the pun, magic this series could have achieved.
While I could have enjoyed the very dramatic progress with intense emotions and an almost straight-forward plot, the fact of the matter is that as a fictional world, all this injustice is created by the author and I do so wish Eban didn't take the whole book to find his spine (and then abandon it and then take it but kind of not) and for the most enjoyable part of the whole book to be the epilogue.
(P.S: I already had to mentally imagine a different version where vessels rose up and ran away, defying their cruel masters and took their freedom, helping each other... I mean, as I probably mentioned before, I have two types of reactions when a book inspires me - either I try to recreate the awesomeness (and usually fall short because it's too good) or I am so *insert negative feeling* I need to make a "better" version of it in my mind just to make myself feel better. And I don't need to explain what each type means regarding my opinion of the book.)
The idea of dividing magic users into vessels and mages was and still is intriguing. It's the main draw/hook of this entire affair. It also turned out to be the worst aspect of the romance, definitely in this book.
I've read books with some kinks and they usually make sure to (try to) sweep you up in the passion of the couple (or the MC that is narrating the experience). And honestly, I am almost baffled why this one in particular felt so much like... rape. Between the two main characters. As in, they were more or less willing and interested in each other... and it felt wrong. It felt like, I don't know, surgery, a necessary and painful procedure instead of an act of discovery, a beginning of something more.
The whole world was probably simply too entrenched in a very toxic power imbalance - vessels, as we saw in previous books, are more like slaves. They have huge self-esteem issues and they are abused by pretty much everyone around them. it makes the whole atmosphere automatically more repulsive and takes away the, forgive the pun, magic this series could have achieved.
While I could have enjoyed the very dramatic progress with intense emotions and an almost straight-forward plot, the fact of the matter is that as a fictional world, all this injustice is created by the author and I do so wish Eban didn't take the whole book to find his spine (and then abandon it and then take it but kind of not) and for the most enjoyable part of the whole book to be the epilogue.
(P.S: I already had to mentally imagine a different version where vessels rose up and ran away, defying their cruel masters and took their freedom, helping each other... I mean, as I probably mentioned before, I have two types of reactions when a book inspires me - either I try to recreate the awesomeness (and usually fall short because it's too good) or I am so *insert negative feeling* I need to make a "better" version of it in my mind just to make myself feel better. And I don't need to explain what each type means regarding my opinion of the book.)
November 19, 2022
this is the third book in the series and one i was looking forward. i don’t know how to feel about it though. i know that i shouldn’t have expected more after the first two, but i didn’t go into it wanting it to fall flat. and in a way, i think it did that. i don’t know if it was my surroundings influencing how i felt about the story as some unexpected family drama was suddenly shoved upon me or if it was the book not meeting my expectations.
it was the still a good read and i enjoyed eban and bastion and felt sorry for eban. and i didn’t exactly know how the book would end, so it was a good surprise???? the wolf shifter thing just being added was sudden, but i guess the author needed a way to make this book different after the other two as they are already similar in the sense that a vessel is saved (that moreso relates to the second book more than the first one, though the stories are still similar in a sense). like i said with the first book—i wished the whole mage and vessel thing was more fleshed out. especially since the author just added a new paranormal element with wolf shifters.
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November 29, 2022
I appreciate a solid bit of magical worldbuilding in what could have easily continued as paranormal erotica without much depth. I don't love this series, but I do find myself curious enough to see where the author might take this world next.
August 26, 2024
Some would say Lord Eban du Fray was a spoiled brat. Born into the British nobility and married to a lord, he has never had to work a day in his life. Instead he drinks, parties and sleeps around. Much to his husband’s disgust. But Eban is a vessel, a person who grows and absorbs magic within them, and his husband is a mage. As with all mages and vessels, his husband takes his body, to take his magic. This arrangement, combined with Eban’s dazzling beauty, ensured that Eban’s husband tolerated his bad behaviour. Alpha wolf shifter Bastion is happy to be paid a ton of money to keep a spoiled brat in line. Keep him safe. Stop him sleeping around. Make him behave. Easy money. He doesn’t expect to uncover something far darker, or that beneath Eban’s dazzling exterior is a soul that shines far brighter. But he can’t let himself fall in love. Eban is married to a powerful, dangerous man who is not going to let him go. Falling in love with Eban will only lead to tragedy and heartbreak. Bastion must resist, must stay strong. Or will he sacrifice everything for the man who is carelessly stealing his heart?
This story showed an aspect of the vessel system which was incredibly cruel and that Eban was doing whatever he could to stay sane. Eban's husband also was keen to whore him out when it suited him which directly flew against his insistence to stop him from sleeping around. I was pleased at the end with the way that the story ended. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
This story showed an aspect of the vessel system which was incredibly cruel and that Eban was doing whatever he could to stay sane. Eban's husband also was keen to whore him out when it suited him which directly flew against his insistence to stop him from sleeping around. I was pleased at the end with the way that the story ended. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
September 26, 2023
The Bodyguard’s Vessel - Bastian & Eban
“That was incredible,” he breathed, sounding awestruck. Then he blushed a beautiful shade of red. I pulled him close and tucked his head against my chest. Stroking his hair. “Thank you,” I teased. Pressed against my chest, he chuckled warmly. His hand drifted up my chest to my shoulder and down my arm. Then suddenly his fingers dug into my bicep as if he was clinging onto me. “Stay,” he pleaded softly. “Of course,” I rumbled and kissed the top of his head. I didn’t know if he meant the night or forever, but he was getting both.’
S. Rodman has created a new type of Regency Romance for readers to enjoy in the Duty & Magic series. It’s modern day London but Mages and those who give them their power through sexual means, Vessels, are still using archaic methods of slavery, when the Vessel does not get to choose their Mage.
Eban, human vessel, is one of those who are subjected to the whims of their master, until Bastian, Alpha wolf shifter is hired as his bodyguard. When Bastian becomes aware of the cruelty that Eban has been subjected to and hides from those around him by flirting and being sarcastic, he realizes his heart is in trouble, as he has grown feelings for Eben.
Painful past earns loving future!
“That was incredible,” he breathed, sounding awestruck. Then he blushed a beautiful shade of red. I pulled him close and tucked his head against my chest. Stroking his hair. “Thank you,” I teased. Pressed against my chest, he chuckled warmly. His hand drifted up my chest to my shoulder and down my arm. Then suddenly his fingers dug into my bicep as if he was clinging onto me. “Stay,” he pleaded softly. “Of course,” I rumbled and kissed the top of his head. I didn’t know if he meant the night or forever, but he was getting both.’
S. Rodman has created a new type of Regency Romance for readers to enjoy in the Duty & Magic series. It’s modern day London but Mages and those who give them their power through sexual means, Vessels, are still using archaic methods of slavery, when the Vessel does not get to choose their Mage.
Eban, human vessel, is one of those who are subjected to the whims of their master, until Bastian, Alpha wolf shifter is hired as his bodyguard. When Bastian becomes aware of the cruelty that Eban has been subjected to and hides from those around him by flirting and being sarcastic, he realizes his heart is in trouble, as he has grown feelings for Eben.
Painful past earns loving future!
October 14, 2025
cute cute cute
This series has been so fun and easy to read. I enjoyed this one a bit more than #2 and especially liked seeing Eban’s layers. I expected Evan from book 2 but got so much more, which I didn’t expect.
Eban is a vessel married to an a-hole, which seems to be the standard for mage masters these days. He drinks very heavily and flirts relentlessly with everyone. Eban gives off an air of nonchalance and laissez-faire attitude, but there’s more to Eban than they pretty fancy man who loves parties and dancing.
Bastian is Evan’s new bodyguard, hired to make sure Eban doesn’t sneak off to get into trouble while his husband is away. Despite Eban’s bratty nature, Bastian is instantly smitten and wants nothing more than to be able to call Eban his, even though such a thing is quite impossible.
As is standard with this series, things move at the speed of light and there might be a questionable plot point or 2, but going in with that understanding and grading on the curve of suspending belief makes those things less meaningful than they would be in more dense novels.
In short, prepare for a good time.
This series has been so fun and easy to read. I enjoyed this one a bit more than #2 and especially liked seeing Eban’s layers. I expected Evan from book 2 but got so much more, which I didn’t expect.
Eban is a vessel married to an a-hole, which seems to be the standard for mage masters these days. He drinks very heavily and flirts relentlessly with everyone. Eban gives off an air of nonchalance and laissez-faire attitude, but there’s more to Eban than they pretty fancy man who loves parties and dancing.
Bastian is Evan’s new bodyguard, hired to make sure Eban doesn’t sneak off to get into trouble while his husband is away. Despite Eban’s bratty nature, Bastian is instantly smitten and wants nothing more than to be able to call Eban his, even though such a thing is quite impossible.
As is standard with this series, things move at the speed of light and there might be a questionable plot point or 2, but going in with that understanding and grading on the curve of suspending belief makes those things less meaningful than they would be in more dense novels.
In short, prepare for a good time.
February 16, 2023
Magic vessel and wolf shifter
Bastion, a wolf shifter, is hired to guard Eban, a magic vessel, & keep him protected and put of trouble by Eban's husband. Eban is in a loveless marriage with a cruel mage. Bastion opens his eyes to love and to the possibilities that could be if only they could be together. I enjoyed how Bastion was protective of Eban. In the beginning, he wasn't sure what to make of Eban, but as he saw the situation Eban was living in and got to know him, he began to figure things out. Eban acted very flamboyantly but mostly to cover up his real feelings. The book contains some uncomfortable situations where Eban as a piece of property rather than a person suffers abuse. But in the end, Eban and Bastian get their hea.
Bastion, a wolf shifter, is hired to guard Eban, a magic vessel, & keep him protected and put of trouble by Eban's husband. Eban is in a loveless marriage with a cruel mage. Bastion opens his eyes to love and to the possibilities that could be if only they could be together. I enjoyed how Bastion was protective of Eban. In the beginning, he wasn't sure what to make of Eban, but as he saw the situation Eban was living in and got to know him, he began to figure things out. Eban acted very flamboyantly but mostly to cover up his real feelings. The book contains some uncomfortable situations where Eban as a piece of property rather than a person suffers abuse. But in the end, Eban and Bastian get their hea.
August 10, 2023
4 stars
We met Eban in a previous book, he seemed like a sassy twink and his husband seemed like a real jerk. Bastion is Edan’s newest bodyguard or rather his keeper. He was hired to make sure Eban didn’t have sex with anyone that his husband, Hyde, didn’t p!mp him out to. Bastian is a wolf shifter and as it turns out shifters are a fair substitute for a Mage when a vessel is ripe.
This book was a bit heavier/deeper/more angsty than the others. There was a bit of miscommunication as well as non-communication between MCs.
Disciplined with a crop
Forced sexual favors
Alcohol abuse
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… book 3 in series can be read as standalone
Hangover… no
Recommend… sure
Reread… maybe
We met Eban in a previous book, he seemed like a sassy twink and his husband seemed like a real jerk. Bastion is Edan’s newest bodyguard or rather his keeper. He was hired to make sure Eban didn’t have sex with anyone that his husband, Hyde, didn’t p!mp him out to. Bastian is a wolf shifter and as it turns out shifters are a fair substitute for a Mage when a vessel is ripe.
This book was a bit heavier/deeper/more angsty than the others. There was a bit of miscommunication as well as non-communication between MCs.
Disciplined with a crop
Forced sexual favors
Alcohol abuse
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… book 3 in series can be read as standalone
Hangover… no
Recommend… sure
Reread… maybe
July 22, 2024
While this is a good read, it is not my favourite in the series. I thought both characters had a lot of potential and I especially liked Eban and how we got to see beneath the surface with him. They had great chemistry and I was glad they got their HEA. I did keep hoping for a bit more character development, especially Bastion. We learn nothing of his actual life, his pack etc. until the very end and he just didn't feel like a strong enough character. I enjoyed the glimpses of his wolf and how protective he was, it just seemed so ineffective in the end. There were more apologies than serious attempts at helping Eban or changing things and it just became a bit frustrating. Like I said at the start, it is a good read but I didn't enjoy the plot as much as some of the others.
May 1, 2023
Rating: 3/5 - This was... is not make sure…
I really liked Eban, he’s a great character. I couldn’t help but feel a tad annoyed at how kinda useless Bastion was - like he seemed very 2D for a main character. A werewolf that acts like a helpless stray. Like not once did he ever think of solutions to be with Eban.
For someone whose possessive to the point of it being animalistic - bro was settling for second place and listening to the LOHL being abused by his “husband/owner”.
Also plot holes with the ability for vessels to take back their power but it’s not known to the world when it is legit just them saying, “yo, give my power back.”
Meh.
I really liked Eban, he’s a great character. I couldn’t help but feel a tad annoyed at how kinda useless Bastion was - like he seemed very 2D for a main character. A werewolf that acts like a helpless stray. Like not once did he ever think of solutions to be with Eban.
For someone whose possessive to the point of it being animalistic - bro was settling for second place and listening to the LOHL being abused by his “husband/owner”.
Also plot holes with the ability for vessels to take back their power but it’s not known to the world when it is legit just them saying, “yo, give my power back.”
Meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2024
It's official, I am hooked and in love with this series.
This book broke me a little. It's pretty dark, but the darkest parts happen off-page or are just witnessed in their aftermath. Nevertheless, it was a powerful book, and I think it's most enjoyable if you've read at least the previous book. It's a standalone, but Eban is mentioned in Charlie's story, which helps with his characterization.
Bastion is such a grumpy sweetie. His care and gentleness made me swoon so hard. The fact that he gives Eban a choice and doesn't try to overpower him in any way? Hmmm. Delicious.
The ending was nerve-wracking, and I was so happy for the couple's HEA because they really had to fight for it.
This book broke me a little. It's pretty dark, but the darkest parts happen off-page or are just witnessed in their aftermath. Nevertheless, it was a powerful book, and I think it's most enjoyable if you've read at least the previous book. It's a standalone, but Eban is mentioned in Charlie's story, which helps with his characterization.
Bastion is such a grumpy sweetie. His care and gentleness made me swoon so hard. The fact that he gives Eban a choice and doesn't try to overpower him in any way? Hmmm. Delicious.
The ending was nerve-wracking, and I was so happy for the couple's HEA because they really had to fight for it.
June 11, 2025
"The Bodyguard’s Vessel" received THREE stars.
Emotionally speaking, this series is hard to read sometimes. 🥺🫂
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
1/2 * gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
1/2 * gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
Emotionally speaking, this series is hard to read sometimes. 🥺🫂
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
1/2 * gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
1/2 * gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
November 21, 2025
4.5/5. Once again, this is exactly what I needed. Eban is perfect. He's so fun and delightful, but also so quiet, kind, and almost shy at times. Bastion is great. He's protective and kind and gentle, but also so strong. I love when Bastion starts putting pieces together and seeing the real Eban. It's really sweet. And sad, of course. I also enjoy the forbidden and impossible aspect of their love. Bastion is so protective, but he can't be, in a way. Overall, I couldn't put this one down.
Notes: 1.5/5 spice levels, abusive husband, hurt/comfort, bodyguard/client, magic, wolf shifter, forbidden
Notes: 1.5/5 spice levels, abusive husband, hurt/comfort, bodyguard/client, magic, wolf shifter, forbidden
November 15, 2022
Paranormal MM Romance
This, which I'm assuming is a series starter, is an enjoyable book though there are a few issues.
There are obvious errors that might have been avoided with a careful copy edit and proofread.
Some of the events don't have the dramatic impetus you would expect. However, the world-building is good, there's some interesting characters like Eban's friends and the chemistry is there between him and Bastion.
The series has potential and overall I enjoyed the story.
This, which I'm assuming is a series starter, is an enjoyable book though there are a few issues.
There are obvious errors that might have been avoided with a careful copy edit and proofread.
Some of the events don't have the dramatic impetus you would expect. However, the world-building is good, there's some interesting characters like Eban's friends and the chemistry is there between him and Bastion.
The series has potential and overall I enjoyed the story.
March 24, 2023
Great Read.
This is the second of this series that I’ve read. Needless to say I think I’ve read them in reverse chronological order. Fortunately it makes absolutely no difference to enjoying or understanding the stories, and thus far they are great stories, well worth that read. This book had a strong cohesive story line with interesting. The series as a hold has quite different underlying premises to any other I’ve read. The characterisation is excellent. So is the pace and emotional content and heat content. Definitely a series to read and enjoy.
This is the second of this series that I’ve read. Needless to say I think I’ve read them in reverse chronological order. Fortunately it makes absolutely no difference to enjoying or understanding the stories, and thus far they are great stories, well worth that read. This book had a strong cohesive story line with interesting. The series as a hold has quite different underlying premises to any other I’ve read. The characterisation is excellent. So is the pace and emotional content and heat content. Definitely a series to read and enjoy.
January 20, 2024
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The first two in the series were a surprise, and though this one had some beautiful lines and covered some quite sad, dark, important content, the writing felt lazier. Too many fragments and thoughts that should have been combined. Editing wasn't as good as previous books, and the switch in POV randomly when almost the entire book was from Bastion's POV was also just weird and unnecessary.
August 15, 2024
This book was even less boring than the previous book. HOWEVER. I haven't read a sex scene between main romance novel characters that dubious since the early 1990's.
Also: "modern day regency" in this context annoys the hell out of me. Regency specifically refers to the time period that King George III was too sick/nuts to rule, and thus had a regent ruling. Modern day UK had Queen Elizabeth II, followed by King Charles III. Regents are involved neither in modern day UK nor in this book.
Also: "modern day regency" in this context annoys the hell out of me. Regency specifically refers to the time period that King George III was too sick/nuts to rule, and thus had a regent ruling. Modern day UK had Queen Elizabeth II, followed by King Charles III. Regents are involved neither in modern day UK nor in this book.
August 16, 2024
Eban is lovely. There were some dark themes in this book but I really enjoyed it. Bastian has been hired to watch over Eban... his Mage doesn't want Eban having affairs or getting into trouble. Free spirit that he is, Eban is a handful. But, there's more going on than simply rebelling.
Unlike the rest of the books in this series, Bastian is a shifter. There's an interesting dynamic set up between him and Eban and I thought it was great.
Unlike the rest of the books in this series, Bastian is a shifter. There's an interesting dynamic set up between him and Eban and I thought it was great.
November 7, 2024
De momento el que más atrapado y adicción me generó de los 3 que leo de la serie.
Manifestando un Bastion 🙏🏻🛐 ¡Qué hombre!
Amé lo intenso que es con el tema de proteger y cuidar a Eban.
Eban, un personaje que, adrede, está descrito como un elitista, prepago vip (😂) y superficial, pero es todo lo contrario. Otro vessel roto por este mundo de magos.
La situación del matrimonio me mantuvo alerta todo el tiempo🥴🥴🥴
Manifestando un Bastion 🙏🏻🛐 ¡Qué hombre!
Amé lo intenso que es con el tema de proteger y cuidar a Eban.
Eban, un personaje que, adrede, está descrito como un elitista, prepago vip (😂) y superficial, pero es todo lo contrario. Otro vessel roto por este mundo de magos.
La situación del matrimonio me mantuvo alerta todo el tiempo🥴🥴🥴
March 29, 2025
Another great read in this Duty and Magic series. This time Eban and Bastian
Eban is louder than loud. A vessel who is mistreated by his mage master. In steps bastion his new appointed wolf shifter body guard. You know the rest. Slightly different as the majority of the book is told from the alpha's perspective. Filled with hot sex, danger, abduction, rescues, and the emerging knowledge that Vessels aren't as weak as they have been told. Well worth the read.
Eban is louder than loud. A vessel who is mistreated by his mage master. In steps bastion his new appointed wolf shifter body guard. You know the rest. Slightly different as the majority of the book is told from the alpha's perspective. Filled with hot sex, danger, abduction, rescues, and the emerging knowledge that Vessels aren't as weak as they have been told. Well worth the read.
November 10, 2022
I was so looking forward to Ebans story and it didn't disappoint!! This one really got to me. Pretty much all of Sezs books have a hurt comfort theme but this one it was just so sad. I hurt for Eban so much while reading this book but he got his HEA so Im happy now :) This was by far my favorite book of the series I hope there are more!
November 13, 2022
This is the third book in the Duty and Magic series. I would suggest reading the first two books before this one. This is Eban and Bastian's story. This book seems to be a little darker in my opinion but I like darker stories. It deals with consent and how vessels are treated by their partners. We meet a new character Colby, who I hope gets his own story. I would definitely recommend this book.
dnf
December 6, 2022DNF @ 11%. This was very silly.
The premise of the book was good, but the writing style and TONE of the book doesn’t match the seriousness of the story at all. It’s another book trying to be dark romance while sounding like a typical contemporary romance. And while there’s nothing wrong with a contemporary romance, I’m not getting DARK romance from this at all.
The premise of the book was good, but the writing style and TONE of the book doesn’t match the seriousness of the story at all. It’s another book trying to be dark romance while sounding like a typical contemporary romance. And while there’s nothing wrong with a contemporary romance, I’m not getting DARK romance from this at all.
March 20, 2025
Not the normal paranormal book. Bastion is a wolf shifter hired to be a bodyguard to Hyde's husband, Eban who is a vessel. Hyde needs Eban for his magic which builds up and when he has sex it releases to Hyde. Bastion discovers Eban is his mate but Eban is a non-believer due to how he has been treated. This is a not to be missed book.
November 11, 2022
This is probably the darkest of the series for me. There's a lot around consent and Eban being farmed out by his controlling husband.
Eban was nothing like I thought once Bastion broke down those barriers.
And Bastion was just amazing! So caring and protective.
I really hope Colby gets a story.
Eban was nothing like I thought once Bastion broke down those barriers.
And Bastion was just amazing! So caring and protective.
I really hope Colby gets a story.
June 1, 2023
THE BODYGUARD’S VESSEL
Oh my goodness I definitely needed Eban to show his husband what he could do it broke my heart how jaded he seemed but I’m glad I couldn’t finish the story until he got his HEA!
Oh my goodness I definitely needed Eban to show his husband what he could do it broke my heart how jaded he seemed but I’m glad I couldn’t finish the story until he got his HEA!
August 11, 2023
Good short read
Another good read in the vessel series. The first book is still my favorite though. The story drags a bit in the middle and it ends on a happy note. Colby’s book is next. He is adorable and I hope his story is a happy one.
Another good read in the vessel series. The first book is still my favorite though. The story drags a bit in the middle and it ends on a happy note. Colby’s book is next. He is adorable and I hope his story is a happy one.
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