After binge-watching every episode of Terrible Writing Advice on YouTube, I just had to get a look at what Beaubien's work was really like. I'm happy to say, it's everything I was hoping for and then some. This book was inspiring, fun, thrilling, and, above all else, not terrible at all. Let's begin.
Terra Mason, newly graduated high school student of the year 2000, was just as surprised as anyone to see Nazis invade her local library through and portal and a superhero from the future to show up and defeat them. Just another day, right? A small act of bravery on Terra's part gains her sponsorship to join the Aeon Legion, a group of time travelers from all across time to protect the continuums and prevent disasters across the time. From a fairly peaceful time and having no fighting experience to speak of, Terra has her work cut out for her. Some of histories greatest warriors are coming together for this tough training in the hopes of becoming an immortal Legionnaire. Terra must use ever bit of stubbornness and determination she has in her if she's going to prove herself and become a heroine.
First off, Terra is a great character and a refreshing change of pace from the typical female protagonist you see nowadays. Terra is nothing special. In fact, the book constantly beats it into your head that she's not special. She has no divine destiny, she's not some long lost princess, or anything. She's just an average girl with the will to change and become more than she is now. No matter how her fellow tirones (student/apprentices) mock her, beat her up, tell her to quit, she doesn't. She never gives up and tries her very hardest at everything she does. I really appreciated that about her. She doesn't cry, she doesn't complain, she can be blunt but tries not to be mean, and when she is mean she's sure to apologize. She can keep up with these tough future types and I really liked that about her. Her sheer ability to never give up and stay strong in the face of adversity is very inspiring. She's easily one of my favorite new characters.
A lot of the characters in this book are really great as well. Alya Silverwind is an interesting take on the mentor figure in that she's young (in appearance anyway), happy and perky. Lycus Cerberus is a big, scary bully of a teacher but you can see he has a soft spot for Terra. Roland, the noble knight, is a lying schemer. Hikari, the extremely talented Japanese warrior, hates honor and is rude to everyone. Nobody is what you'd expect in this book. Even the villain, the Nazi genius inventor Hanns Speer, is polite and values human life (even if he can be a bit delusional).
The training and actions scenes are intense and give a real sense of danger and urgency. People can be seriously injured and even die in this program, which makes you all the more concerned for Terra. You rejoice at her victories and mourn when she loses. Each test in the main training and the Labyrinth itself has purpose and teaches an important lesson. The Legion is an army and what they do is pretty much war. That point comes across well in this book and you become deeply invested in the characters and wonder how they're going to do. This book does a very good job at keeping you invested.
If I had to nitpick there was one, tiny plot reveal at the very end that I kind of predicted but that's hardly a negative at all. If anything it just got me invested in what's going to happen in the next installment. This was a great, fun read and I'm really glad I came across it.
Final Verdict
This book was just awesome. It did a great job at keeping you interested, rooting for our heroine, and holding on until the very end. Bottom line, I'm glad I found Beaubien's YouTube series and this book and it's a welcome addition to the Shelf of Recommendation!
Have you read the book? What did you think? Comment below and share your thoughts. Please make sure to Follow Midnight Readings for instant updates. Have a book you'd like me to read or would like to make a recommendation? Contact me on goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/65448711-michelle-beer
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Powerless-Shelley-Miller/dp/1543482546/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519062043&sr=8-1&keywords=powerless+by+shelley+miller
Xlibris: https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001175242
Next Time: Tales from the world of grisha....
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