Who Are The Main Characters In The Novel Sophomoric?

The novel 'Sophomoric' revolves around a group of college students navigating the messy, exhilarating chaos of their second year. At the center is Riley, a sarcastic but deeply loyal biology major who’s perpetually torn between her passion for marine ecology and her disastrous love life. Then there’s Javier, the theater kid with a penchant for dramatic monologues—both onstage and off—who’s secretly struggling with imposter syndrome. The group’s glue is Priya, a computer science whiz with a dry sense of humor, who’s always fixing everyone’s problems while avoiding her own family expectations. Rounding out the crew is Elias, the laid-back philosophy major who’s either sputtering profound insights or napping in the library. Their dynamics are a mix of heartwarming solidarity and petty squabbles, especially when midterms hit or someone steals the last slice of pizza at their weekly hangout spot.

What I love about 'Sophomoric' is how it balances humor with raw vulnerability. Riley’s arc, for instance, tackles the pressure to 'have it all figured out,' while Javier’s subplot explores the loneliness of performing confidence. The author doesn’t shy away from showing their flaws—like Priya’s tendency to deflect emotions with coding marathons, or Elias’s avoidance of anything resembling adulthood. It’s rare to find a book that captures the weird limbo of sophomore year so perfectly, where you’re not a wide-eyed freshman anymore but still light-years from being 'grown up.' The way their friendships bend but don’t break under stress makes the story feel painfully real.

Oh, 'Sophomoric' nails that chaotic second-year energy! Main characters? Think Riley, the protagonist who’s equal parts witty and self-sabotaging, especially when it comes to her crush on the TA. Her roommate, Priya, is the group’s resident tech genius—think hacker vibes but with a stash of emergency chocolate. Javier’s the flamboyant theater friend whose Instagram captions are Shakespearean, and Elias… well, he’s the guy who shows up to exams in pajamas but somehow aces them. Their banter feels like eavesdropping on a real friend group, complete with inside jokes and unresolved tension.