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3nd3rch3st's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I thought most of this book was incredible; the world building is brilliant and the main character is very interesting. However, the ending feels slightly rushed and there were quite a lot of misspellings (simply from not being beta-read (?) enough, I suppose). The ending felt disappointing too. He was told to kill the Dean, went to do it, but just didn't? And he simply lives his life afterwards? I don't agree that all stories must have catharsis, but if they don't they must have something that rounds it out, that signifies the end. I'm not sure whether this was intentional because there will be a second book (which I would still read), but these are just my opinions. I apologize if this comes off rude or anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Body horror, Death, Violence, Murder, Religious bigotry, Drug use, and Gore
Moderate: Grief, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Drug use, and Homophobia
Minor: Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
bookishveenita's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If Hunger Games meet Demon Slayers manga in a dark academia setting - that would be this book.
It is dark, it is horrific, it is queer - I mean it has queer characters, it has smut, it has substance usage, it has mythical creatures, It has fights against those mythical creatures and detailed gory deaths.
TL;DR : This book is batsh*t crazy.
Plot summary: The story revolves around modern England which is infested with mythical creatures, monsters like manticore, chimera and harpy that ravage the world, prey on humans and wreak havoc. They are called Teras.
Only families in London are safe. They are under protection of church and the famous "university" that promises them luxuries, food and safety. But in return of a cost. One or more of the family members of every Londoner has to be a graduate of the university. They must take the admission tests, also known as Trials and pass. And then only they are given the facilities. And the Graduates will be serving the country, killing the Teras and saving the people.
There are four sections of studies, a person acan choose. Hunter, Scholar, Artificer and Healer. As expected Hunters are the frontliners and are considered to be the most valuable.
And if the graduate person dies... well... the family is kicked out of the London and its sanctity.
Anyone can try for the admission, be it from the OG Londoners and from the people outside London, the common folk; also known as Xenos.
Cassius Jones's life changed when his elder brother Thaddeus graduated as a Hunter. He and his family of a frightful mother and vegetative father comes to live in in London. Cassius is grateful for that to his brother. Thaddeus is the hero of the family. But Cassius has seen how his brother changed after the graduation.
And soon, it's his time to try for the trials in the university. The more the graduates in one family, the more it is the assurance of a Teras free life.
But as it is, there are more things goes on inside the university than meet the eyes. Cassius knew it's not a cheery place, but only when he is there for the Trials, he understands what changed his brother like that.
More about the book: There are multiple layers in the plot and the characters.
I love Cassius's character. He is born and raised a Catholic. He is also a queer person falling in love with men. And it burns him with guilt and shame and fear of sin but how can he change himself from his core, from who he is? The constant battle in his soul reflects well with the ongoing plotline where the Church is situated but probably God does not live there and Cassius gets beaten by his father and bullied by other boys, all the while choosing things considered as sin, because he also has to survive to keep himself and his family safe. And when death is around the corner, does he really need to think about salvation of his soul when sleeping with a man gives him momentary happiness?
Overall, it is a quite complicated book. I don't know why the aesthetics remind me of the manga Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler). Maybe because it is also set in London. The book can be a great source of graphic novel or animated series.
There is not much to say about the other characters except Cassius. Their backstories were not discussed and there was not much character developments done. Maybe we have to wait for the next books in the series to know more.
I'm giving it 3 stars. However, I will keep my eyes open for next books in the series.
Thanks to Booksirens and author Lucien Burr for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
It is dark, it is horrific, it is queer - I mean it has queer characters, it has smut, it has substance usage, it has mythical creatures, It has fights against those mythical creatures and detailed gory deaths.
TL;DR : This book is batsh*t crazy.
Plot summary: The story revolves around modern England which is infested with mythical creatures, monsters like manticore, chimera and harpy that ravage the world, prey on humans and wreak havoc. They are called Teras.
Only families in London are safe. They are under protection of church and the famous "university" that promises them luxuries, food and safety. But in return of a cost. One or more of the family members of every Londoner has to be a graduate of the university. They must take the admission tests, also known as Trials and pass. And then only they are given the facilities. And the Graduates will be serving the country, killing the Teras and saving the people.
There are four sections of studies, a person acan choose. Hunter, Scholar, Artificer and Healer. As expected Hunters are the frontliners and are considered to be the most valuable.
And if the graduate person dies... well... the family is kicked out of the London and its sanctity.
Anyone can try for the admission, be it from the OG Londoners and from the people outside London, the common folk; also known as Xenos.
Cassius Jones's life changed when his elder brother Thaddeus graduated as a Hunter. He and his family of a frightful mother and vegetative father comes to live in in London. Cassius is grateful for that to his brother. Thaddeus is the hero of the family. But Cassius has seen how his brother changed after the graduation.
And soon, it's his time to try for the trials in the university. The more the graduates in one family, the more it is the assurance of a Teras free life.
But as it is, there are more things goes on inside the university than meet the eyes. Cassius knew it's not a cheery place, but only when he is there for the Trials, he understands what changed his brother like that.
More about the book: There are multiple layers in the plot and the characters.
I love Cassius's character. He is born and raised a Catholic. He is also a queer person falling in love with men. And it burns him with guilt and shame and fear of sin but how can he change himself from his core, from who he is? The constant battle in his soul reflects well with the ongoing plotline where the Church is situated but probably God does not live there and Cassius gets beaten by his father and bullied by other boys, all the while choosing things considered as sin, because he also has to survive to keep himself and his family safe. And when death is around the corner, does he really need to think about salvation of his soul when sleeping with a man gives him momentary happiness?
Overall, it is a quite complicated book. I don't know why the aesthetics remind me of the manga Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler). Maybe because it is also set in London. The book can be a great source of graphic novel or animated series.
There is not much to say about the other characters except Cassius. Their backstories were not discussed and there was not much character developments done. Maybe we have to wait for the next books in the series to know more.
I'm giving it 3 stars. However, I will keep my eyes open for next books in the series.
Thanks to Booksirens and author Lucien Burr for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Homophobia, Addiction, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Murder, and Vomit
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