Thera: The Mystic Turtle (A Monster Evolution LitRPG)

Information

Status

Ongoing

Year

2023

Author

MelasDelta

• Thera is now up on Amazon KU!
  Apr 16, 2023
• 1.31 (End of Book 1)
  Apr 7, 2023
• 1.00
  Feb 23, 2023

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• AzrieRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I will admit, Thera is a story I dismissed at first, it didn’t really seem like my type of thing at all. However, I was wrong. So deeply wrong. And after the edits my thoughts still stand.
  Thera is a lot of things, but if I had to pick a word to describe the story, it would be: Captivating. A captivating narrative, one that MelasDelta carefully wove with tidbits of incredible world building, one that starts off mythological and with an air of mystery, one that has vivid descriptions that make you feel the atmosphere, and more importantly, one that allows the journey to truly shine.
  However, that really isn’t enough to call it captivating, it’s something that doesn’t quite let you go as you follow the protagonist. Thera. A baby turtle of extraordinary origins, but no matter how extraordinary, one must be ordinary first. She is a baby, one that explores and learns the world along with us, the reader. There is a recurring thing in the story and it is a simple fact.
  The ocean is a dangerous place.
  And yet, it is also Thera’s home. Where she belongs. A turtle with an extraordinary potential that must be ignited through ordinary experiences; hunting for food, sleeping, safety. All of these culminate in an extraordinary journey. One that is simply: Captivating.
  Thera is a baby, one that knows nothing, no right or wrong. She hunts and scavenges, makes her own decisions and suffers from wins and losses. That is until she finds herself in peril ⁠— the ocean is dangerous after all ⁠— and that’s when the ordinary Thera becomes extraordinary.
  Meeting Mors in the Brunnholl’s fleet, a dungeon. A fish, last of her kind. One that acts as a mentor, one that teaches Thera values and morals, one that acts as something special for her.
  The small cast of characters is rich as it is diverse, from fishes, turtles to elves. All of them with unique personalities and goals, and all of them just as engaging. And some among them are truly unforgettable, just like they left their mark on Thera t
• Blind Snot DragonRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  But first, my gripes! I'm blind and made of snot so I gripe, okay. The story is centered around thera a mystical turtle. Boom, there we go and then it kind of falls flat for me after that. There is no greater conflict beyond survival maybe Theras character building is lacking? Maybe all the characters are a little 2d? The best part is when Thera
  Got magic eyes
  And I was excited about all the loot and treasures but then it kinda became a daycare novel to introduce tension?
  Okay gripe over!
  In the face of my griping this story is competently written by an experienced author. The story flows, the action is packed and the settings are well conceived. The rpg aspects are tastefully done and take a backseat to the slowly being fleshed out worl building. The whole class/student to cram world building is still a little more forced than I would like but is still better than a lesser author who might just give exposition for entire chapters.
  I don't love the novel but I do like it, I have enjoyed it, and on RR it is a story that I would definitely recommend. If nothing else for the novelty of an underwater novel. It's fresh, it has potential and it bides the time while other chapters update.
  Thank you author for sharing your creativity and hard work with us. I hope somewhere in my gripe is constructive feedback that can be of aid
• Brythnoth: Void ChampionRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Context: I read this when it was first published, fell in love, and have been anxiously wsiting for it to return.
  This is SO GOOD; level progression feels natural, there is none of the whole "Cut to 50 levels later, and we find out that they have an OP ability when its used" trope. I mean it works, as a story trope, but it is a bit to hand-wavey with the feeling of danger in my opinion...BACK TO THE POINT (Sorry, I ramble) You are with them every important step of the way. And this system in awesome, it grants you things as you do them- Kinda. Read the spoiler for a proper explination.
  So for example, when Thera practices swiming, she gains a swimming skill; when she Resolves to do something, she gains a Skill for it, like [Indomitable Will].
  Point being the power feels deserved, not given.
  .Style
  This story is pleasant to read, it makes sense, its consistent, and it has great feeling progression. Things seems to make sense, the danger is both expected and intensely not. When danger comes knocking, your surprised, but not "WTF where, what, why?" And also, the way they write Thera's growth, feels smooth, natural, and wonderful to read.
  Story
  The story is as deep as the ocean we find ourselves in, but unlike thera, we are dropped off to sink or swim; But neither are we hand-held/spoon-fed the lore- It feels like eating soul warming food, it just feels good consuming it.
  Grammar
  There is an error every now and then, like eupinay instead of epiphany, but nothing that makes it incomprihensable or unreadable.
  Character
  They feel SO REAL, you won't believe it until you read it. Everything feels so real, its so good.
  Summary
  It's so good, there isnt much to say. it feels like I'm in the mind of a actual person, rather than reading a book.
• DarkCurs3Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Review at chapter 22.
  So far a great start to this story. Work building is solid enough without to much bloat or over explanation. We are discovering this world along with a young turtle so I enjoy how little we get to understand the interested so far. There is a lot rpg mechanic to it but it's so far very much on the light side we don't have to look at entire stat blocks for each character so far which I find very refreshing. Definitely not for everyone but very much with reading a few chapters to see if it might be a good read for you.
• HunterIV4Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This is an amazingly compelling story. I've read a few other stories by Melas, including Salvos and Amelia, but this is quickly becoming my favorite. The pacing, world building, and mystery of the world is on point. I didn't read the first version, so I don't know what problems were being fixed, but whatever they were I can't find anything here that I really dislike.
  Style:
  The style is excellent. It does a great job of capturing the mystery, magic, and terror of the world. The opening sequence feels like watching a BBC nature documentary, and I could see it happening in my head. Melas' has always had solid writing, but this has a distinctive tone that feels very intentional. The LitRPG elements are extremely light (so far there aren't any stats or XP, only levels and skills) and they feel very integrated in the world as a whole.
  If I had any complaint, it would be that the author occasionally uses more advanced vocabulary than is probably necessary and can slow down as I have to remember (or even look up) what certain words mean. It mainly feels jarring simply because 99% of the writing is so clear, concise, and understandable. This is extremely rare and more of a nitpick, so I can't really justify removing any style points for it.
  Story:
  My favorite part so far. It's still early, of course, but the setup for a great story is all there. I have a bit of bias because I already know the author is capable of setting up compelling and interesting long-term stories, so I feel more comfortable giving high marks here than I might otherwise have been. There are small sections of side stories that give the reader context for things Thera doesn't understand, which in turn sets up the excitement when she learns and adapts to those situations. These stories also feel like their own stories, hinting at things like teenage romance and character development in a few short paragraphs. I don't know the author's editing process but these sections feel properly edited, like there's a
• INTismydumpstatRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  As someone who read the first version and (roughly) remembers it, this is definitely an improvement. Action sequences are fast and quick to the point, characterisation is pretty good except for the main character whoch could be better. Overall im pretty excited to see where this goes next :)
• JoaquimRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  A really unique story, already loved the first draft and cant wait to get up to date with the second one. Keep up the good work! Good, intuitive system, a MC with the possibility for character development and with a logically sound starting point and a really nice beginning. I find the deep sea environment quite intriguing, i am looking forward to what the author has planned further on.
• Vitaly S AlexiusRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This is by far my favorite story made by Royal Road's epic and wonderful writer MelasD aka Delta! MelasD had written many other works before for us Royal Road dwellers and this one exceeds all expectations and takes on a whole new level. You can definitely see great progress here in terms of writer-ness powers growth! MelasD had mastered monster stories with his other book Salvos, but this one takes the cake to far greater heights of prose and smoothness!
  The pacing in this book is a pure delight, you can sink into the depths of this novel at just the right speed for observational wonder!
  Royal Road definitely deserves more amazing works like this.
  The style of writing is very smooth and flows like a river delta that leads to the ocean. Narration is third person omniscient. There's a slight spinkle of Litrpg and it doesn't feel overbearing. The aquatic ecosystem dungeon delight makes it all the more fun. Thera starts as an egg and grows her way up to sucess, facing many challenges along the way. The other characters are solid, realistic and believable. There is adventure, danger and treasure to be discovered in the ocean depths and Melas takes the readers on a fun rollercoaster ride with just the right drops and rises.
  As always, no complaints about spelling or grammar or sentence structure errors.
  The characters are absolutely wonderful and lovable.
  If you don't read this one now, you're totally missing out, I absolutely recommend it!
  The previous version was amazing and rewrite is even better. Keep it up!
• drrojas14Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  I have read most of the story so far. If you are fan of the ocean and magic, then this is the series for you. On a side note this story employs a vast and rich vocabulary. Have your dictionary ready! I really need to read this authors other fictions now. I think it is time they find a publisher because this deserves a larger audience.
• MallieRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Bros this is so cute and also sometimes sad because nature! Maybe don't read it while pmsing or you might buy a pet fish ;-;
  This is my first read so I can't speak to any improvements but as it is the story is well written and once again it made me cry over fish??? Who does that?