Minor Works of Meda by Juliette Caruso has all the elements I enjoy: an intriguing magic system, adventure, a smart and feisty female main character (Meda), a grumpy-but-helpful male main character (Kalcedon), a lovable side character, and engaging banter. Add a slow, simmering romance, and you have a recipe for a book that only took me two days to read because I couldn’t put it down!
The Plot of Minor Works of Meda
When the powerful Ward-spell falters, causing chaos across the Protectorate, including the death of someone close to them, Meda and Kalcedon must join forces to uncover what happened and find a way to fix it before their world is left vulnerable to the merciless fae lord lurking just beyond their borders.
The Characters
The characters are undeniably charming. Meda has a brilliant mind, thirst for knowledge, and stubborn determination and it was nice reading about a neurodivergent main character. Despite her social ineptitude, I found her highly relatable and lovable. Kalcedon, with his grumpy exterior and hidden soft spot for Meda, adds a dynamic I always adore in both romance and fantasy. And Oraik, the carefree soul eager to experience everything the world has to offer, rounds out their trio perfectly.
Oraik is by far my most favourite character in the book. He is a wonderful adventurous spirit with a sunshine personality, pulling out smiles from Meda. I love his backstory and his character development is lovely to witness, especially his fast friendship with Meda. Having this bisexual character present in the book also makes me happy because I love having some LGBTQ+ representation in fantasy fiction!
Negatives
However, as much as I enjoyed the book, there were significant moments where I found myself losing interest. Here’s some reasons why:
Pacing
It was a very slow start, to the point that I debated not finishing it. Luckily, there were certain things mentioned which kept me hooked until the story actually picked up enough for me to read much quicker.
Development
The plot points began to feel predictable, with the characters succeeding too quickly and their development obvious. This made the story lose its tension and excitement, and the lack of real stakes diminished my engagement.
Ending
The ending, to be honest, felt abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving several plot threads dangling and important questions unanswered.
World Building Within Minor Works of Meda
Another issue was the world-building. While the Protectorate and its islands are vividly described, the lore sometimes feels dumped rather than woven naturally into the narrative. This occasionally disrupted the flow of the story. Additionally, the magic system, though unique, isn’t explored in enough depth. I wanted more explanation of its rules and limitations to better understand Meda’s struggles and Kalcedon’s effortless power.
Interactions
Character interactions, while often charming, sometimes felt repetitive. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Meda and Kalcedon is fun, but it didn’t evolve as much as I had hoped. By the end of the book, their relationship felt somewhat static, lacking the depth and growth that would have made their bond more compelling.
Conclusion
Overall, Minor Works of Meda is a mixed bag. If you enjoy fantasy, adventure, magic, and a rivals-to-allies dynamic with a touch of romance and spice, there’s still a lot to like here. However, a slow start and a rushed ending, predictable plot points, and underdeveloped world-building prevent it from being a standout in the genre. It’s a good read, but not without its flaws, making it a solid three-star book.
Thank you to BookSirens and Juliette Caruso for providing me with this ARC. I hope my review reflects a balanced discussion of my thoughts on Minor Works of Meda and maybe you will want to read the book when it is published on July 15, 2024.
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