Book Review: Etéreo (Extraños, #1) by [Author’s Name]
When I stumbled upon Etéreo, the first book in the Extraños series, I felt a sudden spark of curiosity. The cover caught my eye, and the premise promised a blend of urban fantasy and romance—two genres I often find irresistibly intertwined. However, my excitement was met with fluctuating emotions as I turned the pages, from hope to frustration and back again.
At its core, Etéreo revolves around Victoria, a seemingly “normal” girl with aspirations of being a writer, and Caleb, a young man with an unusually sensitive sense of smell. Their journey begins with a typical meet-cute that soon spirals into complications involving villains, powers, and much more, yet the execution left me wanting more depth and cohesion.
The characterization is where my critiques began to pile up. Victoria’s portrayal struck me as a caricature of the "quirky girl." Her journey is rife with clichés rather than genuine growth, leading her to rely too heavily on comedic elements that often felt forced. I found myself wishing for a more profound exploration of her internal conflicts—specifically her quest for self-identity and love. It’s as if the story had potential but tripped over its own feet.
And then there’s Caleb, who often teeters on the edge of interesting and problematic. His backstory involving isolation raised intriguing questions about trauma and his complexities as a character. Yet, the narrative fails to truly explore these themes, leaving them as faint touches without any substantial development. The dynamic between him and Victoria could have been rich, but much of it fell flat, relying on predictable dialogues and tropes.
One aspect that genuinely stood out to me, albeit for reasons of irritation, was the writing style. The narrative oscillated sharply, making abrupt switches between characters’ POVs, leaving me confused and disconnected from the story’s rhythm. Additionally, there were overused ellipses that undercut the tension rather than enhance it. I craved a more seamless reading experience, one that drew me in, rather than pulled me out time and again.
Still, despite my frustrations, there were moments that shone, suggesting a flicker of brilliance in the author’s vision. The themes of empowerment through discovering one’s abilities, even amidst struggle, hinted at an underlying message worth delving into. There were aspirations to craft meaningful discussions about consent and empathy, particularly in Caleb’s interactions—yet, these concepts felt stifled under a mountain of poorly executed humor.
In conclusion, while Etéreo might not have lived up to the expectations I briefly held, it still carries enough elements to attract certain readers—particularly those who enjoy urban fantasy with a side of romance without delving too deeply into intricate narratives. It might just be the perfect escapist read for anyone looking to turn off their critical minds for a bit.
If you’re someone who enjoys light stories sprinkled with supernatural elements and can overlook plot holes for the sake of entertainment, then this might be just the book for you. But for those like me, craving depth and nuanced storytelling, it might be best to look elsewhere. As for me, I’ll be hanging onto hope for a more focused second book.