Meridia book review

Title: Meridia
Author: P. C. Cuellar
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Novel
Publisher: Montena

Synopsis:
Ever since they decided to separate themselves and hide from humans, the Meridians evolved believing they had left behind unpredictable, violent, and destructive creatures. But Antonia survives a lethal poison and, unexpectedly, becomes the Guardian of their sacred crystal. The Leader family now faces a situation that challenges their laws.

Will Antonia succumb to fear? Will she allow a mysterious lord to persuade her to learn more about Meridia?
Will the Meridians control their hatred when they discover that Antonia’s blood is the key to synthesizing the antidote they have been tirelessly searching for?

In The Guardian’s Crystal, the fascinating first installment of the Meridia trilogy, you will find a world full of technology, honor, fabulous mythological creatures, ancient laws, and enemies hiding in the shadows.

Personal Opinion

I’m not sure how to start with this book. It’s quite a light read but with a fascinating story. I truly wanted to keep reading more, and it was almost impossible to stop. This book contains everything I like, and the way the author handles it all is impressive.

Story

Here we meet Antonia, a geologist who has spent two years searching for a very rare mineral. During her search, she reaches the border of a city hidden from humans—Meridia, a place completely unknown to her. Antonia comes across a fight between two populations of Meridia. For many years, the Meridians have considered humans the most dangerous and savage beings.

During her stay in Meridia, Antonia goes through many difficult moments because not everyone considers her welcome in their city. Even so, she tries to endure everything in order to help them find a cure for the “Dormidera” disease and to learn more about them, although many times she is clearly upset. Throughout the time she spends in Meridia, she never openly complains to them.

This Colombian author truly did an amazing job with this book. The story is very entertaining and includes many different elements: mythological animals such as griffins, very advanced technology used in ways humans would not use it, and ancient laws of Meridia that some want to change because they are unfair to humans who enter the city.

There is also a romance that begins through hatred. This is one of the best-handled aspects of the book because it does not progress too quickly, but it never feels stagnant either—even though neither character is able to say what they feel. There are also enemies who want to seize the Crystal.

The way the author writes a futuristic story while blending it with a medieval atmosphere is simply fascinating. In this first book we learn much more about Meridia—its laws, traditions, and architecture—which makes the reading experience captivating.

We also learn a lot about the characters’ pasts and why the Meridians harbor so much hatred toward humans. Antonia has something they want: she is the Guardian and must transfer the crystal to a Meridian guardian. On the other hand, she also carries the cure for the Dormidera in her blood, though it is not as easy to identify as they would like.

Antonia begins to experience a life she hadn’t had for years since breaking up with her boyfriend. As she starts to feel kindness from the Leader family, she develops a certain attraction to their eldest son. What’s interesting is that he feels the same way. He enjoys sensing everything Antonia emits emotionally, but he doesn’t know how to make her feel what he emits.

By the end, Antonia feels a certain disappointment toward the Leader family because of something they have been hiding from her during her time in Meridia. The Leader’s son doesn’t like this situation but doesn’t know how to make Antonia understand.

Characters

Here we find several characters, each with a different and often fascinating story.

Tara: The first Meridian we meet in the story. She is the former Guardian of Meridia and asks Antonia to protect their crystal because she is about to die.

Antonia: The main character of the story. She is an ordinary human who, after being exposed to different poisons, carries the antidote for the Dormidera in her body. She unintentionally becomes the new Guardian of the crystal. During this time, she spends a lot of time with the Leader family and eventually falls in love with their eldest son.

Lord Loring: The ruler of Meridia, who makes decisions alongside the council. He is the most important member of the Leader family and the main authority in Meridia.

Lady Cara: Lord Loring’s partner. She is part of the Leader family and the head of magnetic transportation routes.

Lord Nicolas: The eldest son of the Leader family and the chief of close combat among the Meridians. He is responsible for training Antonia and initially treats her poorly due to the prejudice Meridians have always had toward humans. Over time, as he gets to know her, he realizes who she truly is and begins to develop feelings for her.

Although he expresses these feelings, Antonia cannot perceive them because she is not a Meridian. However, he can sense that Antonia feels the same way, and he enjoys every emotion he perceives from her.

Lady Larissa: Daughter of the Leader family who works in the Interpersonal Communications Hall. She has a special gift: she can channel a single emotion and transmit it to others to calm them. She becomes a very good friend to Antonia and helps her with various situations, including understanding Meridian customs.

Dorien: The youngest son of the Leader family and the head of the Technology Hall.

Lorna: The person in charge of the Archive Hall. Along with Dorien, she will guide a small group learning Spanish with Antonia’s help. She also learns about human customs.

Fineas: Antonia’s doctor and the one in charge of the hospital. He attempts to obtain the antidote from Antonia’s blood, but because her blood contains so many components, it is difficult to identify it.

“I think sometimes it’s very hard to know if someone truly loves you, but you hope it’s true—you trust that it is.”

One thing I loved about this book is that it’s a fairly light fantasy with a bit of romance. It’s actually my favorite kind of romance because the characters initially hate each other due to prejudice, but once they get to know each other everything changes.

It was a book I simply couldn’t stop reading, and in many ways I identified with Antonia—so much so that I felt the same emotions she experienced. I will definitely read the second book as soon as it is released.

Conclusion

It’s a light and enjoyable book that becomes very interesting as you read it. It’s a story full of emotions and fascinating worlds to discover. One thing I found particularly fascinating were the parks mentioned in the book, and I’m eager to learn more about them.

I hope the next books show us more about the Meridians’ architecture and continue developing the romance that slowly grows throughout the story.