The Coin by Anna Elias
Former detective Tal Davis and her fellow Vessels are back in Anna M. Elias’s second installment of The Vessels series, The Coin. Tal, Link and Avani were all saved from their broken lives by becoming Vessels. They joined a program in which they serve as human hosts for spirits who wish to return to the living world in order to right their past wrongs and earn a chance at Elysium. Each Vessel has a portal tattoo and also possesses an ancient coin, which protects them from danger. “But the coin is also a doorway to the other side, and one dark, vengeful spirit is determined to get through.”
With the Vessel program in danger of being discovered and shut down by the government, and the threat of the rogue spirit, the Vessels are forced to face some of the greatest dangers yet. In this gripping paranormal sci-fi sequel, readers will be taken on several journeys of self-discovery and forgiveness that will keep their pages turning.
A Fast-Paced and Suspenseful Story Told from Multiple Perspectives
In writing the story from multiple perspectives, Elias captures the attention of readers with elements of suspense and shock, while evoking emotional responses to the journey of each spirit and Vessel. As readers, we are taken on several adventures with the various Vessels in The Coin as their spirits try to right the wrongs of the past.
Tal’s spirit takes her on a quest to expose the drug dealer who had taken advantage of him at a young age. He hopes to prevent other young kids from getting caught up in a similar situation to himself.
Link’s spirit takes him to the spirit’s father to forgive him for not accepting who he was when he was alive. The spirit hopes that his father will find it in him to forgive himself as well.
Avani’s spirit takes her on a journey to reconcile with the son the spirit gave up at a young age. The spirit hopes to let her son know how loved he was and guide him toward a future full of love.
Each character’s adventure is unique in its events and dangers, but all of them are about empathy and forgiveness at their core. In Tal’s mission, she explains that although she may not want to show forgiveness herself, “She’d have to do this the vessels way — with forgiveness, compassion, and [her spirit’s] shot at redemption.”
Themes of Personal Growth, Empathy and Forgiveness
Despite the action-packed plot of each Vessel’s journey, there are underlying themes of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Each Vessel’s quest is unique in what it entails, however, the message remains the same.
“Love is love is love,” said the spirit who guides Link’s journey, capturing this message perfectly. “It is the deepest power and the greatest gift that we humans have. And yet we abuse it, deny it, suffocate it.”
Humanity is complex, and Elias beautifully demonstrates these complexities in each Vessel’s mission. We see the love and forgiveness in Tal’s journey as her spirit teaches her empathy. We see compassion for Link’s spirit as his he demonstrates the power of self-acceptance in order to move on from tragedy. Avani’s journey allows her spirit to choose empathy over anger when it comes to the choices her son has made in his life.
The Coin is an emotional and suspenseful sequel that keeps readers guessing and asking questions. Will every Vessel’s journey turn out to be a success? Will these spirits right their wrongs and save humanity from the evils that exist in the world? Will the Vessels stop the rogue spirit? Will they survive? Only time will tell as the events unfold in the second installment of The Vessels series.
About the author: 
Anna Elias is a screenwriter and author who began her career as Don Johnson’s assistant on the TV series, Miami Vice. She worked in production for years on feature films like Nell, 12 Monkeys, A Time to Kill, Practical Magic, and My Dog Skip before turning her hand to writing. She has written many films and TV scripts, paid indie assignments, and a book adaption with/for Richard Gere. The Vessels is Anna’s debut novel and marks book one of her supernatural sci-fi drama series. Book two, The Coin, released in May, 2023. Look for book three in fall of 2023.
Anna’s passion for justice is integral to her writing. She loves to create entertaining and inspiring stories for stage and screen where her diverse, underdog characters defy the odds and buck the system for unexpected impact and change.
