All Cade and Claire Carpenter knew about their father was that he had died in an accident while they were young, or so their mother told them. After their mother is attacked and ends up in a coma, they discover a secret she had been keeping from them. She had arranged that they be given money and a box containing a letter from their father in the event she was ever declared incapacitated or dead. The two siblings learn that their father was in Casmiri, the capital of a distant planet, far from their dusty world of Arenaria. Claire is excited to leave Arenaria to find her father. Although Cade thinks the attempt will be in vain, he has no choice but to protect his reckless sister. On Casmiri, they meet a brothel owner who claims to know their father, his whereabouts, and how to get them there. He was on Teleos. The siblings realize a little late that they had been tricked, falling into the trap of a ruthless system of modern slavery. Find out what happens to them in DC Mallery’s Teleos.

Mallery is a gifted and very talented author. Weaving an ingenious plot, Mallery features a fascinating, exciting, and dynamic cast. The edge-of-the-seat suspense and the spell-binding plot twists had me hooked to the pages. Breathing life into the scenes with colorful, evocative depictions, Mallery whisked me away from reality and dropped me into a future world where corporation monopoly, corruption, oppression, slavery, extortion, smuggling, and drugs are the norm. The cast’s emotions and complex traits allowed me to connect with them. Cade had always thought of the 24s, with yellow color codes on their wrist implants, and bound by servitude to the government, as low-life criminals. Now bound to the same fate, Cade is learning the hard way about the workings of the system. If you are looking for an exciting dystopian sci-fi novel, DC Mallery’s Teleos is a must-read.

Cade has always watched over his little sister Claire. Although they do not remember their father, their mother told them that he passed away in a mining accident many years ago. Now that they are adults, Cade and Claire keep themselves busy in their home world of Arenaria by doing whatever it takes to survive. After their mother suffers severe injuries in a fight attempting to save her kids, Cade and Claire get a package telling them that their father, whom they had assumed to be long dead, is still alive and well on the planet Casmiri. After setting out to locate him, the two become entangled in a dangerous plot to release the populace from the bonds of slavery in D.C. Mallery's Teleos.

Teleos by D.C. Mallery has superb worldbuilding. In snippets that span the entire story, the author explains how the idea of servitude originated and developed, and the relationships between the influential people and the masses they control. Equally impressive is cutting-edge technology like wetware and augments, which come with thorough explanations of how these fit into the plot. The use of an odd but appealing method to explain the main character's origins while purposefully leaving open-ended questions to be answered in more detail later demonstrates the depth of the character development. The conversations are fluid and straightforward so that even the complicated arrangements Cade and Claire enter into for the sake of freedom are easy enough for readers to follow in this intricate and emotional adventure. Teleos is ultimately a tale about accepting the repercussions of our choices and the sacrifices we are willing to make for those we love. Science fiction and action fans will love this unique adventure, thanks to superb storytelling and deft pacing.

Teleos by D. C. Mallery is a gripping science fiction novel in a gritty dystopian setting. The story follows Claire, a carefree young woman with a weakness for illegal "hues" that grant her a temporary respite from the bleakness of her home world. Her impulsive nature often lands her in trouble, much to the worry of her older brother, Cade, who fears she'll be condemned to bound servitude—a fate shared by many who break the law. Claire gets into more escapades as the days pass, and Cade becomes genuinely worried. As the stakes escalate, Claire and Cade face a dire future that could lead them down the same path. But whispers of a hidden sanctuary called Tēleos offer a glimmer of hope if it exists. This mystical refuge promises freedom from servitude but the siblings must navigate treacherous landscapes and uncertain alliances to reach it.

The first thing that captured my attention was the effective writing. The author infuses the narrative with vivid imagery, bringing the dystopian landscape to life. Readers follow the characters in a world where young people are prone to delinquent activities like booze and drugs. The laws are ruthless, and the sense of fear of the authorities pervades ordinary people. This setting is portrayed as an isolated place with no escape. This richly detailed universe with unique rules and consequences appears like a character in its right in the story. The characters are well-developed, with Claire's impulsiveness and Cade's protective instincts making them relatable and likable. The plot of Tēleos is fast-paced and suspenseful, with unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged. The identity of Claire and Cade's father creates a sense of mystery and suspense that drives the story forward. D. C. Mallery’s propulsive tale makes readers feel like they are watching a stunningly accomplished dystopian movie.

In Tēleos by D.C. Mallery, the reader is transported to a gritty, dystopian future where the lines between freedom and servitude are starkly drawn. The protagonist, Claire, is a rebellious young woman with a penchant for indulging in illegal “hues,” potent nano drugs that grant her a fleeting escape from the bleakness of her existence in a hardscrabble world. Claire’s impulsive nature puts her at odds with her older brother, Cade, who is determined to protect her from the consequences of her actions. When Claire's latest escapade lands her in hot water with the authorities, she and Cade are on the brink of being condemned to a life of bound servitude. Having grown up without their father, their only hope is a hidden place of sanctuary called Tēleos.

D.C. Mallery is a great storyteller with the extraordinary gift of bringing life to the dystopian setting, which is crafted with fascinating details. Readers are immersed in a world where crime is commonplace, and punishment is equally harsh. The two key characters will intrigue readers in many ways. Claire is a petite waif with saucer eyes and an irresistible charm. She is the kind of girl every boy wants to be with, and she has been with many. Her brother Cade struggles to keep her out of trouble, but they live in a world where trouble finds one quickly. Tēleos has fascinating plot points. While these two intriguing characters must survive the harsh realities of their world, they must also deal with thoughts of their estranged father—a letter from him dated seventeen years ago sets them on a new journey. The author builds suspense as readers become curious to discover if Cade and his sister can find the sanctuary and their father before things get worse for them.