A review by natlren
The Teras Trials by Lucien Burr

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I have a complicated relationship with this book. On one hand, I love the concept, the atmosphere, and the aesthetic. A world ravaged by creatures of myth? True dark academia complete with the complex issues surrounding morality that make the genre shine? It’s perfect on paper to me, but the execution falls a little flat. While the writing is beautiful for the most part, the pacing is disjointed and the characters — with the exception of Cassius — feel more like a means to an end than something that can stand on their own. 

I wanted so desperately to know more about the supporting cast of characters in this book, and I suppose I can understand why we didn’t necessarily learn more about them being solely in Cass’s head, but it’s still disappointing that there were so many mysteries left standing, especially about Leo and Fred. 

All in all, I feel very lukewarm about this book but plan on containing the series because the world is just so intriguing! 
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