#Review: The Eternal Ride by James Green

The Eternal Ride
Author: James Green
Publisher: Self-published
Rating: 4/5

When I saw The Eternal Ride land in my inbox, I was both curious and excited—I’ve had the opportunity to review this author’s work before, and I was eager to see what kind of storm he’d brewed up this time. Right off the bat, let me be clear: this is a first draft, and understandably, it’s rough around the edges. But that doesn’t stop it from having a voice that’s unapologetically bold, emotionally raw, and biting with its satire.

One of the most compelling things about The Eternal Ride: The Last Ride is how sharply the protagonist, Leahy Mathis, is drawn. She’s messy, moody, and magnificently self-aware—a teenage girl who hides her hurt behind sarcasm and a choker. What’s brilliant is that the story never tries to make her likeable in the conventional sense. Instead, it lets her be real. Through diary entries, snappy dialogue, and even her awkward banter with her mother, we see a young woman struggling to find her footing in a world that seems eager to knock her down. Her biting comebacks are funny, sure, but they’re also her defence against being dismissed, bullied, or—worse—ignored.

The plot doesn’t unfold in a neat, straight line. It loops and lurches, much like Leahy’s emotional state. From chaotic mornings and half-hearted history tests to uncomfortable encounters in the gym, the story mirrors the way life happens—especially for someone trying to make sense of a reality that feels unfair at best and downright cruel at worst. Key moments, like her sharp exchange with her teacher or the almost-too-honest conversations with her best friend Hallie, push the story forward without ever feeling forced. There’s a rhythm to the chaos, and underneath it, the tension keeps building—social, emotional, even moral.

But where this book really hits home is in the themes it wrestles with. It’s not just a story about school or teen angst—it’s about being othered, being underestimated, and what it means to push back. Leahy’s not just fighting bullies in the hallway; she’s fighting to be seen and heard in a world that keeps trying to shove her into a corner. There’s a deep undercurrent of resistance in her character—against conformity, against fake smiles, against silence. And the loneliness that comes with being that kind of fighter? It’s palpable.

While Leahy’s voice is undeniably distinct and sharp, at times the writing leans too heavily on her sarcasm and stream-of-consciousness. What begins as edgy and authentic can occasionally become exhausting, especially when it clutters scenes with excessive internal commentary. Some readers might find themselves craving a little more breathing room—moments where the narrative could pause and let emotion sit quietly without being wrapped in ten layers of attitude.

While Leahy is fleshed out with layers of contradiction and nuance, many secondary characters—especially antagonists like Jason and Zena—feel somewhat one-dimensional. They serve their function (bully, love interest, teacher), but lack the same emotional depth or unexpected vulnerability that could elevate them from stereotype to character. Their dialogue can also border on exaggerated, which makes the tension feel more theatrical than grounded.

However, what ties it all together is the tone. It’s raw, satirical, sometimes uncomfortably honest. The writing doesn’t try to polish things or play it safe. Instead, it leans into the awkward, the painful, the absurd. Some moments make you laugh out loud, and others quietly gut-punch you. It’s not trying to be profound, but somehow, it ends up being just that. Because in Leahy’s wild, unfiltered world, you see flashes of your own teenage self—or the student who always sat at the back, scribbling in a notebook, just trying to survive the day.

Overall, The Eternal Ride is compelling, hard-hitting and lingers long after it gets over.

P.S. The book will be released soon.