Terastar Chronicles: The Guardians

by Ericka Rivera Figueroa, Gabriel O Rodriguez Cruz (Editor), Daniris K Rivera Figueroa (Illustrator)

An action-packed coming-of-age story, set in the early 2000s, that explores a new world and the worlds within ourselves.

Ericka’s dreams have always been strange, but when a mysterious voice calls her to “remember the stories,” life takes a wild turn. Secretly longing for adventure and an escape from the bullies at school, mean adults, and her neglectful parents; Ericka follows the voice into an abandoned area of the neighborhood park, where the grass is unkept and overgrown. Her friends Kristian, Sara, and Kevin follow her, and together they discover a ship that leads them to their destiny, a planet called Terastarnaragon.

Now, Ericka and her friends must join forces to restore Tera and embrace their role as the planet’s Guardians. But to succeed in this quest, they must do more than just believe in the power of friendship. With elemental powers they barely understand, the four must unlock ancient secrets and face an age-old war to save Tera—and themselves.

277 pages, Paperback

Published May 10, 2025

Reviews

[Moe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The journey in this book is so inherently boricua it gave me so much nostalgia. So many references to my Puerto Rico and childhood that I felt transported back to the early 2000s. I just know that little me would have loved to be a part of this friend group and go on adventures together. I loved the way the characters had their own distinctive voice and I really felt their individual personalities shine through the writing. The world-building felt immersive as well. I did get a little confused at some points with the lore of Tera, but I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story develops in this planet and follow the kids on more adventures!

For fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars, Narnia and The NeverEnding Story.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt like a colective memoir if memoirs included intergalactic adventures and intergalactic friendships! This would be the book's first review, so I'm feeling the pressure, but "here goes everything" When I say I loved this story, it means I loved the characters, and they way they are portrayed: con esa autenticidad que hace tiempo no siento leyendo una historia. Amé tanto la representación de mi Patria Puerto Rico y el sentir amor por ella y a la vez confusión. Confusión, porque al igual que en el mundo real, en el mundo de Ericka también existen personas imperfectas que nos hacen daño ya sea porque eso fue lo que aprendieron o porque realmente se sienten incapaz de felicidad. This is a story about resilience, friendship, adventures, bravery, and patience, but also feeling like something is missing and realizing what's missing is compassion and love for oneself and others. This book also reminds me of how when we are young the world feels bigger and brighter, albeit not always, and as an adult this book made me ask why do we have to tone down our creativity and sense of adventure as we grow up? Like Ericka, I wish to keep my stories, passions, and dreams alive as long as I breathe, so I will. Lastly, this book is living proof que si se puede; que en Puerto Rico hay talento, hay pasión y hay dedicación.

[Eternal Seabed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be described as love letter growing up in the 2000's in Puerto Rico, as well as to the journey of maturing and growing up to embody the best aspects of yourself thanks to others.

One immediate thing that jumps out at me is how organic the characters feel, there's not a single moment this book leaves it's characters charms for the background. Even the journey itself to Terastarnaragon feels like such a personal adventure for them, especially because they make it so. There's real development and a sense of wonder that I found myself attached to, reminiscent of adventures one would have wanted to go on as a child, with enough time to be back before dinner!

All in all, it's charming, nostalgic, but also refreshing.