Scan barcode
icaruss_silly's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded to 4 / 5
Look, this is by no means a bad book. Also, it is self published, which makes it all the better. I read it in one sitting and if I had a physical copy I'd have tabbed all the pretty quotes, but since I read an ebook, I can't do that. The writing is very pretty and I was eating up the way Cassius's religious guilt occurs and reoccurs, even after he's committed things he calls 'sins' repeatedly. He is the embodiment of "...and I'll do it again" and I really like that he doesn't shy away from being basically a little bastard (positively) also bonus points for the portrayal of religious trauma because Cassius my guy I feel ya with the guilt
I know I am petty and a bastard myself for this, specifically because I knew this would have what we now call 'spice', which I skipped because I made my peace with sex scenes in books, straight or queer, and I just skip them and shrug and continue enjoying the story. Yes i know that I mention being asexual in every single review where I discuss the horizontal past times in books, but it is a matter of person taste, a part of my identity that shapes my opinions on things.
This didn't really affect my rating, though, I just felt like mentioning it. So now you wonder, why only 3.5 stars? Well. What DID affect my rating is that this didn't leave a lasting impression on me. Maybe because I read it in a grand total of two hours (yes I read fast) in one morning and I wasn't bothered by anything else so I didn't have time to let it grow on me.
I feel like I didn't know to get to know most characters by the end of it, even though a lot of them die, though, so I couldn't really get attached to anyone else other than Leo and Cassius.
A thing I particularly enjoyed here was the description of Leo through Cassius's eyes in the non-sexual scenes. In the scenes where they long and yearn and look at each other like they're not men to each other but gods. I do in fact eat that shit up in general. I like my gays when they're a) evil b) overwhelmed with the want to know one person but in the worshipping emotionally affective way and this also had that which is a big plus.
I also liked the way the University was portrayed and the world building and I already have my predictions for the next book. What if the University created the Teras on the first place / offered a hand in the tearing apart of the world what then
That was fun, goodbye
Also go follow the author's Instagram, they're very silly /pos
Also i headcanon that Cassius has magic and he conjures cigarettes from thin air but can conjure nothing else than cigarettes /j
Look, this is by no means a bad book. Also, it is self published, which makes it all the better. I read it in one sitting and if I had a physical copy I'd have tabbed all the pretty quotes, but since I read an ebook, I can't do that. The writing is very pretty and I was eating up the way Cassius's religious guilt occurs and reoccurs, even after he's committed things he calls 'sins' repeatedly. He is the embodiment of "...and I'll do it again" and I really like that he doesn't shy away from being basically a little bastard (positively) also bonus points for the portrayal of religious trauma because Cassius my guy I feel ya with the guilt
I know I am petty and a bastard myself for this, specifically because I knew this would have what we now call 'spice', which I skipped because I made my peace with sex scenes in books, straight or queer, and I just skip them and shrug and continue enjoying the story. Yes i know that I mention being asexual in every single review where I discuss the horizontal past times in books, but it is a matter of person taste, a part of my identity that shapes my opinions on things.
This didn't really affect my rating, though, I just felt like mentioning it. So now you wonder, why only 3.5 stars? Well. What DID affect my rating is that this didn't leave a lasting impression on me. Maybe because I read it in a grand total of two hours (yes I read fast) in one morning and I wasn't bothered by anything else so I didn't have time to let it grow on me.
I feel like I didn't know to get to know most characters by the end of it, even though a lot of them die, though, so I couldn't really get attached to anyone else other than Leo and Cassius.
A thing I particularly enjoyed here was the description of Leo through Cassius's eyes in the non-sexual scenes. In the scenes where they long and yearn and look at each other like they're not men to each other but gods. I do in fact eat that shit up in general. I like my gays when they're a) evil b) overwhelmed with the want to know one person but in the worshipping emotionally affective way and this also had that which is a big plus.
I also liked the way the University was portrayed and the world building and I already have my predictions for the next book. What if the University created the Teras on the first place / offered a hand in the tearing apart of the world what then
That was fun, goodbye
Also go follow the author's Instagram, they're very silly /pos
Also i headcanon that Cassius has magic and he conjures cigarettes from thin air but can conjure nothing else than cigarettes /j
book_slut03's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
vampyros's review against another edition
4.0
Between the monsters, the queerness and the catholic guilt, I felt seen and heard. What a haunting start for a series, I'm looking forward to the next one!
amberimagines's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
maddijchen's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A good, messed up gay book about religious trauma and monsters that makes you a lil mad
lowenhazel's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bardbrojosh's review
5.0
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Teras Trials is a dark fantasy set in a London which has become besieged by beats of myth know as "Teras". London is a safe (well safe as can be) haven from these dangerous monsters and the only way to get a space to stay within its walls is to have a purpose and this book follows Cassius Jones as he fights to gain entry into mysterious academy, risking his life just so he can be admitted and given a purpose within its walls.
I was on edge during my entire read of this book. The setting was grim, with excellent world building done throughout, as it felt like we just learned about this dark world naturally and learn just how far someone must go to survive in it.
The characters were all interesting and engaging, with the inner thoughts of Cassius being excellently written and making me feel invested in the safety of all the cast.
There is even a bit of spice as well which is handled really well and does not feel out of place at all compared to the tone of the rest of the book, just adding more insight into how Cassiuis feels.
Overall this was an awesome read, i can not wait to see more in this series and would easily recommend this.
The Teras Trials is a dark fantasy set in a London which has become besieged by beats of myth know as "Teras". London is a safe (well safe as can be) haven from these dangerous monsters and the only way to get a space to stay within its walls is to have a purpose and this book follows Cassius Jones as he fights to gain entry into mysterious academy, risking his life just so he can be admitted and given a purpose within its walls.
I was on edge during my entire read of this book. The setting was grim, with excellent world building done throughout, as it felt like we just learned about this dark world naturally and learn just how far someone must go to survive in it.
The characters were all interesting and engaging, with the inner thoughts of Cassius being excellently written and making me feel invested in the safety of all the cast.
There is even a bit of spice as well which is handled really well and does not feel out of place at all compared to the tone of the rest of the book, just adding more insight into how Cassiuis feels.
Overall this was an awesome read, i can not wait to see more in this series and would easily recommend this.
mayyyyy's review
Idk I liked it ngl but I just gave up...I might read it again and finish it when the next book comes out tho