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silverleaf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven't devoured a book like this in some time, it's everything I could want from a book and even things I didn't know I could ask for. If you like horror, Bloodborne-esque creatures specifically, you will find some amount of interest in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Homophobia
jessicabrooke321's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
graygarrido's review
3.0
Dragged on a bit up until the second trial but once it picked up there was no putting this book down.
I wish that more of the world building was fleshed out, I’m still not quite understanding how bloodhunting works or how Cass even recognized them to be blood hunters at the initiation ceremony.
I wish that more of the world building was fleshed out, I’m still not quite understanding how bloodhunting works or how Cass even recognized them to be blood hunters at the initiation ceremony.
azaleas_bouquet's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This. Was. AMAZING.
All of the were so intriguing, I was the edge of my seat the entire second half of the book! Cassius' internal monologue is so rich, I was so invested in his character the entire way through. The author strikes a balance between the mythical plot aspects of the book and the real, relatable character aspects that had me so interested both all the way through. I can't sit here and list ever single amazing thing about this body so I'm just gonna rapid list a bunch my to you to this.
Beautiful prose and writing style that explains both the emotional moments and the other-worldly plot moments well I was new and always intrigued. General air of mystery about absolutely everything and everyone. Social commentary on academia, institutional religion, self preservation in the face of harsh society. Painfully relatable trauma and trauma responses. So much other stuff too.
I’m so hype for the rest of the series!!
All of the were so intriguing, I was the edge of my seat the entire second half of the book! Cassius' internal monologue is so rich, I was so invested in his character the entire way through. The author strikes a balance between the mythical plot aspects of the book and the real, relatable character aspects that had me so interested both all the way through. I can't sit here and list ever single amazing thing about this body so I'm just gonna rapid list a bunch my to you to this.
Beautiful prose and writing style that explains both the emotional moments and the other-worldly plot moments well I was new and always intrigued. General air of mystery about absolutely everything and everyone. Social commentary on academia, institutional religion, self preservation in the face of harsh society. Painfully relatable trauma and trauma responses. So much other stuff too.
I’m so hype for the rest of the series!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Homophobia and Child abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Xenophobia
whiskyandrhyme's review against another edition
5.0
The Teras Trials has been on my most anticipated list for a while now, and it did not disappoint. Monster-ridden, horrific, queer, dark academia? Yeah, it wasn't that hard of a sell for me. And the nightmare-inducing Manticore? Go check that gorgeous monstrosity on Burr's Instagram ASAP. I was lucky enough to get an early look at the book as an ARC reader.
I read a lot of horror and books with vivid descriptions of gore, so it takes a lot to make my stomach roll. There were a few times that Burr's descriptions made me have to put the book down and come back to it, because this book is blood soaked. I made the mistake of eating some watermelon during one very descriptive scene of some monster munching, and lets just say I had to put the watermelon spear down. Surround sound was not needed for that scene.
Burr also gave me a cast of characters to care about, which can sometimes be hit or miss in this genre for me. There was no one where I thought "I wouldn't mind if they became a monster meal."...okay, maybe one person. But even when that eventually comes around, you as the reader are feeling as emotionally wrung out as the characters at the depressive bleakness of the situation, so it sparked even some sympathy from me. Because, at that point, is it Karma getting what she's due? Or is it just the horrific reality that can befall any character at any time? So often in the book, Cassius is questioning his own motives and humanity, and once you're deep enough in the story with them, you may begin to do the same.
The Teras Trials was everything I wanted it to be and so, so much more. I highly recommend kicking off your dark academia autumn with this book when it's released at the end of August. I am already waiting for Book 2, to see where the battered and broken main cast goes from here. With the trials passed, what awaits the behind the inky black doorways of the University?
I read a lot of horror and books with vivid descriptions of gore, so it takes a lot to make my stomach roll. There were a few times that Burr's descriptions made me have to put the book down and come back to it, because this book is blood soaked. I made the mistake of eating some watermelon during one very descriptive scene of some monster munching, and lets just say I had to put the watermelon spear down. Surround sound was not needed for that scene.
Burr also gave me a cast of characters to care about, which can sometimes be hit or miss in this genre for me. There was no one where I thought "I wouldn't mind if they became a monster meal."...okay, maybe one person. But even when that eventually comes around, you as the reader are feeling as emotionally wrung out as the characters at the depressive bleakness of the situation, so it sparked even some sympathy from me. Because, at that point, is it Karma getting what she's due? Or is it just the horrific reality that can befall any character at any time? So often in the book, Cassius is questioning his own motives and humanity, and once you're deep enough in the story with them, you may begin to do the same.
The Teras Trials was everything I wanted it to be and so, so much more. I highly recommend kicking off your dark academia autumn with this book when it's released at the end of August. I am already waiting for Book 2, to see where the battered and broken main cast goes from here. With the trials passed, what awaits the behind the inky black doorways of the University?
ruth_miranda's review against another edition
5.0
Well, this was brutal. And I do mean BRUTAL.
So, yes, there's violence - a lot of it - and yet, it never feels cheap, or placed upon the page for shock value only, unlike other highly acclaimed novels of this and other genres. You know why? Because the brutality is masterly done, weaved into the story in a way that isn't quite graphic but haunts your brain.
This novel kept me on my toes, at every line. Constant sense of danger, of foreboding, of something reaaaaaally bad is going to happen, so please be careful, characters, please be on your guards. I expected horror, violence, life threatening situations at every second. Because the author never lets us quite relax, does he?
At the same time, there were moments of such pure deliverance on the part of Cassius Jones, such vulnerability, such confusion, that it is impossible not to relate and feel for him. Cass will surely rise to the top tier of my favourite characters for the depths with which he was written and the layers he carries on him. His religious guilt, the family weight he carries, his beliefs of what and who he owes, the manner in which he starts these trials on the premise that his life is not his own but he must survive at every cost, for others depend on it... all this was masterfully well done and interspersed into the tale in pure, organic way. Cass FELT real, all the time.
Hypocrisy rules the university, and the entire society Cass and his 'team mates' live in. And that same hypocrisy bleeds into the group of young people who attend the trials at the university, in the hopes of attaining some sort of freedom and protection to their families. Hypocrisy was never as present, though, as in the way Cassius is perceived and treated by his fellow colleagues on these trials - for there isn't a single one who would not do what he's done. Fred, especially got on my nerves as she's the very last person who can throw stones at anyone, after what she did. The only difference between her actions and Cassius' was that hers went mostly unperceived because Cass's choice had every eye set upon him, due to circumstances. The fact that a character who goes to most of the novel being rather innocuous and barely there, like Fred did, awakened such anger in me because of her behaviour in the face of what Cass had to do - after what she had done - already speakers wonders about the quality of the author's writing.
The last time I was this immersed and sucked into Dark Academia - and not as an aesthetic, mind - was when I first read Donna Tart's The Secret History. The Teras Trials is up there with it, right now. This has shot straight up to the top five best books i've read this year, and i doubt it can be dethroned anytime soon.
I received an ARC courtesy of BookSirens and the author in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
So, yes, there's violence - a lot of it - and yet, it never feels cheap, or placed upon the page for shock value only, unlike other highly acclaimed novels of this and other genres. You know why? Because the brutality is masterly done, weaved into the story in a way that isn't quite graphic but haunts your brain.
This novel kept me on my toes, at every line. Constant sense of danger, of foreboding, of something reaaaaaally bad is going to happen, so please be careful, characters, please be on your guards. I expected horror, violence, life threatening situations at every second. Because the author never lets us quite relax, does he?
At the same time, there were moments of such pure deliverance on the part of Cassius Jones, such vulnerability, such confusion, that it is impossible not to relate and feel for him. Cass will surely rise to the top tier of my favourite characters for the depths with which he was written and the layers he carries on him. His religious guilt, the family weight he carries, his beliefs of what and who he owes, the manner in which he starts these trials on the premise that his life is not his own but he must survive at every cost, for others depend on it... all this was masterfully well done and interspersed into the tale in pure, organic way. Cass FELT real, all the time.
Hypocrisy rules the university, and the entire society Cass and his 'team mates' live in. And that same hypocrisy bleeds into the group of young people who attend the trials at the university, in the hopes of attaining some sort of freedom and protection to their families. Hypocrisy was never as present, though, as in the way Cassius is perceived and treated by his fellow colleagues on these trials - for there isn't a single one who would not do what he's done. Fred, especially got on my nerves as she's the very last person who can throw stones at anyone, after what she did. The only difference between her actions and Cassius' was that hers went mostly unperceived because Cass's choice had every eye set upon him, due to circumstances. The fact that a character who goes to most of the novel being rather innocuous and barely there, like Fred did, awakened such anger in me because of her behaviour in the face of what Cass had to do - after what she had done - already speakers wonders about the quality of the author's writing.
The last time I was this immersed and sucked into Dark Academia - and not as an aesthetic, mind - was when I first read Donna Tart's The Secret History. The Teras Trials is up there with it, right now. This has shot straight up to the top five best books i've read this year, and i doubt it can be dethroned anytime soon.
I received an ARC courtesy of BookSirens and the author in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
thelostvoid's review against another edition
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
4.5
What a time. I saw this on TikTok fairly recently, something something Bloodborne, LGBTQIA+, religious fuckery something something and I knew that I was fucking interested. Having read it, yes this was the correct assessment this was hugely interesting and I had a fucking brilliant time.
I love how the world and characters have been built out, and how harsh and ruthless everything is. Shit is bad, much like in Bloodborne, and it's not just because London sucks. Anyways, I never know how to describe things that I enjoy but fun action scenes, some mysteries and super fucking cool interpersonal dynamics. Also a religious MC, which I feel like doesn't happen a lot and adds a lot of spice and trauma (as religion tends to do). I think I will try and get my hands on a physical copy of this, and I am very much excited to see where things go!
I love how the world and characters have been built out, and how harsh and ruthless everything is. Shit is bad, much like in Bloodborne, and it's not just because London sucks. Anyways, I never know how to describe things that I enjoy but fun action scenes, some mysteries and super fucking cool interpersonal dynamics. Also a religious MC, which I feel like doesn't happen a lot and adds a lot of spice and trauma (as religion tends to do). I think I will try and get my hands on a physical copy of this, and I am very much excited to see where things go!
cottagesalam's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
arinreads's review
4.0
received an arc via BookSirens and
boy, was this a fucking ride.
bloody and gory, the story follows cassius jones and his journey to survive, to save someone, to be someone maybe, rather than just exist. i thoroughly enjoyed the plot & the horrors, there are also religious themes present which i found a VERY pleasant surprise. there's spice and horror, questioning of morals and ruthless decisions, and all of it flows smoothly as the book goes.
i think i'd like some more character work on this one because as much as i like cassius and his many layers of trauma and self-loathing, it would have be good to know a bit more about the characters in the group as separate people and not just their dynamics among each other/with cass. but overall, with a story that's overflowing with so much other important stuff, i guess, it's somewhat justified.
i enjoyed cassius first pov a lot, was a little sceptical but i think it reflected his character and his motives so well, i'm actually glad it wasn't in third. the book itself i devoured, page after page, and although i had some curious questions to the plot, it was all mostly covered here, which is always great.
i am very excited to see this book out in the world and wish all the best for this upcoming release!! will be passionately waiting for a sequel
p.s. seriously. thanks for the spice. it was so fucking good.
boy, was this a fucking ride.
bloody and gory, the story follows cassius jones and his journey to survive, to save someone, to be someone maybe, rather than just exist. i thoroughly enjoyed the plot & the horrors, there are also religious themes present which i found a VERY pleasant surprise. there's spice and horror, questioning of morals and ruthless decisions, and all of it flows smoothly as the book goes.
i think i'd like some more character work on this one because as much as i like cassius and his many layers of trauma and self-loathing, it would have be good to know a bit more about the characters in the group as separate people and not just their dynamics among each other/with cass. but overall, with a story that's overflowing with so much other important stuff, i guess, it's somewhat justified.
i enjoyed cassius first pov a lot, was a little sceptical but i think it reflected his character and his motives so well, i'm actually glad it wasn't in third. the book itself i devoured, page after page, and although i had some curious questions to the plot, it was all mostly covered here, which is always great.
i am very excited to see this book out in the world and wish all the best for this upcoming release!! will be passionately waiting for a sequel
p.s. seriously. thanks for the spice. it was so fucking good.