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Elemental Origins #2
Born of Fire
Welcome to the world of fire magi, where what doesn't kill you (literally) makes you stronger.
Saxony Cagney counts herself lucky when she wins a position as an au pair in Venice for the summer. It's her responsibility to take care of two young boys - speak to them in English, make sure they get to their swimming lessons on time. Piece of cake, right?
She unexpectedly forms a strong bond with the youngest boy-Isaia. She also meets two Italian men... both are smart, successful, sexy. So far things are going her way. Who doesn't like options?
When she discovers Isaia is actually dying, and his mom is trying to keep it a secret from his dad, things get a violent shove into complicated... And then contagious--She'll never be the same again.
Just when she's got more on her plate than she can handle, she accidentally gets tangled up with the most powerful crime family in Venice.
Saxony Cagney counts herself lucky when she wins a position as an au pair in Venice for the summer. It's her responsibility to take care of two young boys - speak to them in English, make sure they get to their swimming lessons on time. Piece of cake, right?
She unexpectedly forms a strong bond with the youngest boy-Isaia. She also meets two Italian men... both are smart, successful, sexy. So far things are going her way. Who doesn't like options?
When she discovers Isaia is actually dying, and his mom is trying to keep it a secret from his dad, things get a violent shove into complicated... And then contagious--She'll never be the same again.
Just when she's got more on her plate than she can handle, she accidentally gets tangled up with the most powerful crime family in Venice.
508 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2023
1402 people are currently reading
1396 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Knorr
65 books697 followersA.L. Knorr is a USA Today Bestselling Author and award-winning Canadian conjurer of clean fantasy for teens and the young at heart. Her stories blend elemental magic, epic adventure, fierce female leads, and just enough romance to make your heart flutter (without needing to hide the book from your grandma).
Whether you’re chasing fire demons through Venice, swimming with mermaids off the coast of Poland, or unraveling supernatural conspiracies in ancient ruins, her immersive worlds pull you in—and don’t let go.
No explicit content. No f-bombs. Just page-turning plots, vivid magic, and characters you'll wish were real.
And if you like your fantasy with a little more grit, danger, and fallen angels? Check out Shadows of the Fallen—where secrets are deadly, powers come at a price, and trust is the rarest magic of all.
Join her VIP Reader List for secret book news, and first dibs on every new release:
www(dot)alknorrbooks(dot)com
Find her on IG @alknorrbooks
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01NBAUVKO
Facebook:
https//www.facebook.com/alknorrbooks
Whether you’re chasing fire demons through Venice, swimming with mermaids off the coast of Poland, or unraveling supernatural conspiracies in ancient ruins, her immersive worlds pull you in—and don’t let go.
No explicit content. No f-bombs. Just page-turning plots, vivid magic, and characters you'll wish were real.
And if you like your fantasy with a little more grit, danger, and fallen angels? Check out Shadows of the Fallen—where secrets are deadly, powers come at a price, and trust is the rarest magic of all.
Join her VIP Reader List for secret book news, and first dibs on every new release:
www(dot)alknorrbooks(dot)com
Find her on IG @alknorrbooks
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01NBAUVKO
Facebook:
https//www.facebook.com/alknorrbooks
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
May 11, 2024
2024 Reads #286/250
4.25🌟
4.25🌟
January 30, 2017
Don't start reading if you don't have the time.
I really enjoyed the read. I was pulled in and found myself tensing at scary times and smiling and laughing at many of the other. A very good read with a hint of the magic yet to come as characters discover one another's abilities and interact with life's foibles. Highly recommended but as stated- not on a night you need to get to sleep.
I really enjoyed the read. I was pulled in and found myself tensing at scary times and smiling and laughing at many of the other. A very good read with a hint of the magic yet to come as characters discover one another's abilities and interact with life's foibles. Highly recommended but as stated- not on a night you need to get to sleep.
January 20, 2017
Loving
This series so far. Can't wait to read Born of Earth. Fire(Saxony) and water(Targa) were intense and so engrossing. I'm hoping that means Akiko will be air, by manner of deduction,and the last book in the series.
This series so far. Can't wait to read Born of Earth. Fire(Saxony) and water(Targa) were intense and so engrossing. I'm hoping that means Akiko will be air, by manner of deduction,and the last book in the series.
Want to read
April 9, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/9/2018)!💝
January 14, 2017
Another great book, but I would have liked to see more of Raf.... He being a glass-maker and she being a fire magus, well... that could have been serious fun!
So sorry that I can't pick up the next one now! the sneak preview was a big tease :S
So sorry that I can't pick up the next one now! the sneak preview was a big tease :S
July 12, 2024
I didn't like this one at all. It's sort of my fault. I thought it was going to be a continuation of the first story with the same characters. Saxony isn't likeable. Nor did I care for what was going on. I wish there would have been more with the group than just Saxony on her own. Plus there wasn't any update on Mira or Targa. I don't know how all this will come together.
August 27, 2018
I am not a fan of Saxony or this book. I found Saxony silly and this book had far too much filler (wikipedia excerpts on history, overly descriptive cooking scenes with recipes, etc). However I am really looking forward to the rest of the series and this book was still fairly well written, I suspect. I just really dislike girls like Saxony who forgive abusive men because they are cute and said sorry and who feel bad for defending themselves physically against physical violence. She does smarten up, eventually, just too late for me to like her much, partially because I suspect the other love interest, not self-love, is a big part of the reason.
I don't think my review has spoilers but just in case, I am using the warning.
I don't think my review has spoilers but just in case, I am using the warning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2017
What a WOW !! yet another stunning book by yet another author that can capture your imagination and hold you enthralled and captivated in a story, thank you A.L. Knorr as I was unable to put this book down, a lot of what I was expecting to happen didn't and lots did that I wasn't expecting, I don't like giving spoilers, or too much info about a book, what I say here is you gotta just gotta read this book to appreciate the story-line and what an awesome way for things to happen and be realized, stunning must read book go on I dare you !!!
November 7, 2022
Ersilia F. - per RFS
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Saxony ha sempre pensato di avere un caratteraccio perché troppo irascibile e impulsiva. Ed è esattamente a questa sua indole di fuoco che sta pensando mentre su un aereo sta volando in Italia, a Venezia precisamente, dove andrà a svolgere un lavoro come ragazza alla pari. Rivive il litigio con il fratello minore, nel corso del quale ha perso le staffe ed è stata davvero imperdonabile, ripromettendosi di farsi perdonare al suo ritorno al termine dell’estate.
In questo secondo volume della serie Le figlie degli elementi, la nostra protagonista si ritroverà coinvolta in antichi misteri legati al fuoco e ai suoi prodigi. Tra le calle veneziane la magia è pronta a divampare.
La famiglia che la ospita ha due figli: Cristiano e Isaia. Quest’ultimo ha un dolore che lo avvolge costantemente come una pacata sofferenza che fa stringere il cuore alla ragazza. Un bambino di sei anni che soffre in silenzio. Ma questo suo patimento non è qualcosa di naturale, ha a che fare con la magia e col fuoco che si nasconde in lui.
Durante un terribile incendio Cristiano in qualche modo trasmette questo suo dono a Saxony che diventa una magus , capace di manipolare e controllare il fuoco, rivelandosi un elementale. Ma qualcuno che trama nell’ombra vuole il suo potere e lei dovrà stare attenta a chi la circonda e cercare alleati leali.
Devo dire che ho trovato la storia molto più accattivante e con tanti più colpi di scena rispetto al primo volume, più monotono. Qui l’azione la fa da padrona, succedono molte cose e non tutto è ciò che sembra. Ho apprezzato molto il legame con la famiglia di Saxony, un affetto pronto a tutto, anche a proteggersi da una segreta organizzazione che cerca persone come lei, per usarle per i propri scopi.
La scrittura è scorrevole e diretta, come la protagonista della storia. I vari personaggi, anche quelli secondari, sono ben tratteggiati anche se poco approfonditi. A mio parere, se c’è una cosa che manca in questo racconto è la profondità, la capacità di farti sentire in totale sintonia con quello che accade. È un po’ superficiale e con troppi luoghi comuni ma mai noioso. È un continuo susseguirsi di avvenimenti, sebbene alcuni sono decritti in maniera frettolosa come per esempio, la scoperta della scuola segreta che addestra futuri Magus. Personalmente avrei preferito qualche accenno in più.
Per ora, avendo letto solo i primi due volumi, posso dire che è una storia incentrata sul trovare la propria strada, il proprio posto nel mondo. Una saga che attraverso il potere della natura e dei suoi elementi, instilla coraggio a giovani donne pronte a vivere a pieno la propria vita.
.
Saxony ha sempre pensato di avere un caratteraccio perché troppo irascibile e impulsiva. Ed è esattamente a questa sua indole di fuoco che sta pensando mentre su un aereo sta volando in Italia, a Venezia precisamente, dove andrà a svolgere un lavoro come ragazza alla pari. Rivive il litigio con il fratello minore, nel corso del quale ha perso le staffe ed è stata davvero imperdonabile, ripromettendosi di farsi perdonare al suo ritorno al termine dell’estate.
In questo secondo volume della serie Le figlie degli elementi, la nostra protagonista si ritroverà coinvolta in antichi misteri legati al fuoco e ai suoi prodigi. Tra le calle veneziane la magia è pronta a divampare.
La famiglia che la ospita ha due figli: Cristiano e Isaia. Quest’ultimo ha un dolore che lo avvolge costantemente come una pacata sofferenza che fa stringere il cuore alla ragazza. Un bambino di sei anni che soffre in silenzio. Ma questo suo patimento non è qualcosa di naturale, ha a che fare con la magia e col fuoco che si nasconde in lui.
Durante un terribile incendio Cristiano in qualche modo trasmette questo suo dono a Saxony che diventa una magus , capace di manipolare e controllare il fuoco, rivelandosi un elementale. Ma qualcuno che trama nell’ombra vuole il suo potere e lei dovrà stare attenta a chi la circonda e cercare alleati leali.
Devo dire che ho trovato la storia molto più accattivante e con tanti più colpi di scena rispetto al primo volume, più monotono. Qui l’azione la fa da padrona, succedono molte cose e non tutto è ciò che sembra. Ho apprezzato molto il legame con la famiglia di Saxony, un affetto pronto a tutto, anche a proteggersi da una segreta organizzazione che cerca persone come lei, per usarle per i propri scopi.
La scrittura è scorrevole e diretta, come la protagonista della storia. I vari personaggi, anche quelli secondari, sono ben tratteggiati anche se poco approfonditi. A mio parere, se c’è una cosa che manca in questo racconto è la profondità, la capacità di farti sentire in totale sintonia con quello che accade. È un po’ superficiale e con troppi luoghi comuni ma mai noioso. È un continuo susseguirsi di avvenimenti, sebbene alcuni sono decritti in maniera frettolosa come per esempio, la scoperta della scuola segreta che addestra futuri Magus. Personalmente avrei preferito qualche accenno in più.
Per ora, avendo letto solo i primi due volumi, posso dire che è una storia incentrata sul trovare la propria strada, il proprio posto nel mondo. Una saga che attraverso il potere della natura e dei suoi elementi, instilla coraggio a giovani donne pronte a vivere a pieno la propria vita.
October 25, 2024
➺𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀
Wow, I just loved this book!
This is the book 2 of the Elemental Origins Series and features another girl from the friend group- Saxony Cagney who is a gorgeous redhead, is to Venice for the summer as an au pair or nanny to two lovely little boys.
What was expected to be a fun little stressfree getaway to the city of love, turns into a tangled mess of dark secrets, mystery, powerful villains, and of course two hot Italian men *wink*.
The story was just so so good🤌🏻. I loved this one even more than Born of Water, lol. I have to give it to the talented author for their creativity and immersive storytelling. I just wanted to know what will happen next constantly, and it had me on edge in the best way possible. One small detail I appreciate in the book is how Saxony is a teenager and is perfectly portrayed as one. The author lets her make decisions that aren't the most thought-out ones, which seems fair for her age instead of making her unnaturally mature.
It seems like the books keep getting better and I can't wait to read the next one!
[Btw, I just found out that each book has it's own series?!?!? How freaking awesome is that! I'm so torn on whether I want to read book 3 or continue reading Firecracker, which is a continuation of Saxony's story because it's just so interesting! Maybe I will do both? Lol]
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸ℯ: 0.5🌶
𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 @𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒚𝒚𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔
Wow, I just loved this book!
This is the book 2 of the Elemental Origins Series and features another girl from the friend group- Saxony Cagney who is a gorgeous redhead, is to Venice for the summer as an au pair or nanny to two lovely little boys.
What was expected to be a fun little stressfree getaway to the city of love, turns into a tangled mess of dark secrets, mystery, powerful villains, and of course two hot Italian men *wink*.
The story was just so so good🤌🏻. I loved this one even more than Born of Water, lol. I have to give it to the talented author for their creativity and immersive storytelling. I just wanted to know what will happen next constantly, and it had me on edge in the best way possible. One small detail I appreciate in the book is how Saxony is a teenager and is perfectly portrayed as one. The author lets her make decisions that aren't the most thought-out ones, which seems fair for her age instead of making her unnaturally mature.
It seems like the books keep getting better and I can't wait to read the next one!
[Btw, I just found out that each book has it's own series?!?!? How freaking awesome is that! I'm so torn on whether I want to read book 3 or continue reading Firecracker, which is a continuation of Saxony's story because it's just so interesting! Maybe I will do both? Lol]
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒸ℯ: 0.5🌶
𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎 @𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒚𝒚𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔
March 5, 2020
Enlightening
This is the second book in the series. The book follows the summer of saxony and this is a summer that she will never forget as it changes her life forever. Saxony takes a job as an au pair in Italy for her summer. She works for a good family with a dark secret that they fail to inform her of when she applied for the job. During the summer she makes friends Fedrica and Raf she will come to reply on them as they save her from Dante, someone she trusted. During the summer she aquires a power she didn't ask for as she becomes an elemental ( someone who can manipulate an element). When this happens she saves the life of someone she has grown to care about. She is left to make choices that change her life forever.
My favourite character is Fedrica as she does wrong but she makes things right in the end and becomes a good friend of saxony
My least favourite character is Dante as he turns out to be manipulative and greedy.
This is a gripping book that I struggled to put down and I would definately recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an adventure.
This is the second book in the series. The book follows the summer of saxony and this is a summer that she will never forget as it changes her life forever. Saxony takes a job as an au pair in Italy for her summer. She works for a good family with a dark secret that they fail to inform her of when she applied for the job. During the summer she makes friends Fedrica and Raf she will come to reply on them as they save her from Dante, someone she trusted. During the summer she aquires a power she didn't ask for as she becomes an elemental ( someone who can manipulate an element). When this happens she saves the life of someone she has grown to care about. She is left to make choices that change her life forever.
My favourite character is Fedrica as she does wrong but she makes things right in the end and becomes a good friend of saxony
My least favourite character is Dante as he turns out to be manipulative and greedy.
This is a gripping book that I struggled to put down and I would definately recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an adventure.
July 5, 2023
Fand den zweiten Band nicht so cool wie den ersten. Der zweite Teil ist deutlich Action geladener aber ich fands tatsächlich etwas schade das es etwas klischee-mäßig direkt mal um Mafia geht als Saxony nach Venedig kommt 🙈 schön fand ich, dass man Saxonys Geschichte miterlebt. Und das ohne viel Geheimniskrämerei. Es werden viele Geheimnisse entschlüsselt aber sozusagen eins nach dem andern und nicht das, was man häufig in solchen Büchern erlebt: das man 30 Kapitel die Frage hat: "Was hat es damit auf sich" und in Kapitel 32 dann auf einmal super viel Informationen bekommt
A.L. Knorr hat wirklich einen super schreibstil :)
A.L. Knorr hat wirklich einen super schreibstil :)
April 12, 2019
I really enjoyed reading Saxony’s story. By this point it’s pretty clear that each one of the girls in the group are going to have one super power or another.
Firstly Raf was amazing! He is such a gentleman and cares so much. Also, Saxony was such a powerful fantastic main character and I loved seeing her trying to work through her power and what this means. I also enjoyed seeing her interact with her brothers RJ and Jack. RJ was so sweet and loving whereas we learn that Jack actually has his own super power. Jack is an empath so he can sense what you're feeling so when she went home all he could feel on her was fire and heat (obviously). He really struggled with this and I loved how we got so many twists and turns.
Dante is such a dick. But in a weird way hes also someone you love to hate. His dad (I want to say his name is Ento? My memory is very bad for someone who loves to read...) was also an interesting character. Because I hate spoilers I'm not going to say anymore about these two..
Another character that I feel deserves a mention is Fed because no matter how hard things got with her family she was still so brave. Again because of spoilers I'm going to let you figure this sentence out for your selves ;).
Firstly Raf was amazing! He is such a gentleman and cares so much. Also, Saxony was such a powerful fantastic main character and I loved seeing her trying to work through her power and what this means. I also enjoyed seeing her interact with her brothers RJ and Jack. RJ was so sweet and loving whereas we learn that Jack actually has his own super power. Jack is an empath so he can sense what you're feeling so when she went home all he could feel on her was fire and heat (obviously). He really struggled with this and I loved how we got so many twists and turns.
Dante is such a dick. But in a weird way hes also someone you love to hate. His dad (I want to say his name is Ento? My memory is very bad for someone who loves to read...) was also an interesting character. Because I hate spoilers I'm not going to say anymore about these two..
Another character that I feel deserves a mention is Fed because no matter how hard things got with her family she was still so brave. Again because of spoilers I'm going to let you figure this sentence out for your selves ;).
September 17, 2020
This is a fantastic second book! I thought I was hooked from book one but now I know I am! I love the storyline and I just love Saxony and her fiery temper and her tight group of friends! It’s mysterious and suspenseful , it’s dangerous and exciting and full of adventure and I just can’t recommend this series enough!
August 19, 2017
5 stars good!
Loved it! When I started reading this series (that I started backwards with book 3 and now I'll read book 1) I didn't know that the books were connected, I really like that the main characters are friends. I also like that the stories are completely different. I love all the magic and the awesome characters! Would definitely recommend.
Loved it! When I started reading this series (that I started backwards with book 3 and now I'll read book 1) I didn't know that the books were connected, I really like that the main characters are friends. I also like that the stories are completely different. I love all the magic and the awesome characters! Would definitely recommend.
August 15, 2019
This one was really interesting! It's definitely a good book for people who like to play with fire. It also has a twist to it with people being born with fire inside them. Wonderful book catching your attention from the beginning and throughout the book.
June 16, 2021
Another fantastic read by A.L. Knorr. I enjoyed this book so much! I love Saxony as a character, she is such a caring, loving character, Dante on the other hand, deserved much much worse then wat she did to him, I mean the way he treated her an still she barely fought back when she knew she could. But that's her beautiful character. Loved this story an looking forward to seeing wat happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2022
Der zweite Teil der Reihe hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
Irgendwie war direkt von Anfang an was Spannung hier drin nachdem Saxony in Italien ist.
Handlung war spannend und feurig gemacht und ich habe quasi mit gefiebert wie alles ausgehen wird.
Der Teil mit der Mafia fand ich mal ein etwas anderen Einfluss auf die Story. Das Geheimnis im Isaia. Gewundert hatte ich mich dann über die frühe Heimkehr von Saxony nach Kanada wieder, aber dort gab es dann auch noch ein paar Geheimnisse, die es zu lösen gab. Und es scheint das für Saxony das Abenteuer noch nicht so schnell zu Ende sein wird.
Irgendwie war direkt von Anfang an was Spannung hier drin nachdem Saxony in Italien ist.
Handlung war spannend und feurig gemacht und ich habe quasi mit gefiebert wie alles ausgehen wird.
Der Teil mit der Mafia fand ich mal ein etwas anderen Einfluss auf die Story. Das Geheimnis im Isaia. Gewundert hatte ich mich dann über die frühe Heimkehr von Saxony nach Kanada wieder, aber dort gab es dann auch noch ein paar Geheimnisse, die es zu lösen gab. Und es scheint das für Saxony das Abenteuer noch nicht so schnell zu Ende sein wird.
February 7, 2024
Really liked the first one, wasn't a fan of the second one. I hate the fact that the friend group was not as involved in this one as in the first one. But also that we get no information anymore about the main character of the first book, when that didn't contain a closed ending.
I had a hard time connection to the main character in this one and it all didn't felt as magical to me.
I had a hard time connection to the main character in this one and it all didn't felt as magical to me.
October 24, 2020
Started reading Firecracker, then realized I was missing context. This filled in the gaps... I think I would have liked it better as a novella.
February 21, 2018
A very HOT book!
Of course with the title such as it is you would expect a story about a fire elemental. But this is nothing that you could ever foresee or expect. Saxony, the protagonist, was not born as a fire mage so when she unexpectedly received the ability, she didn't quite know how to handle herself. The rest of the story takes the reader on many twists and turns which surprised even the other characters in the book. I was pleasantly surprised with the way Saxony handled her situation. The book has a very satisfying end but still leaves the reader with enough loose ends to encourage one to anxiously seek the next book for more, which is what I am going to do. I highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers of all ages.
Of course with the title such as it is you would expect a story about a fire elemental. But this is nothing that you could ever foresee or expect. Saxony, the protagonist, was not born as a fire mage so when she unexpectedly received the ability, she didn't quite know how to handle herself. The rest of the story takes the reader on many twists and turns which surprised even the other characters in the book. I was pleasantly surprised with the way Saxony handled her situation. The book has a very satisfying end but still leaves the reader with enough loose ends to encourage one to anxiously seek the next book for more, which is what I am going to do. I highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers of all ages.
March 19, 2017
Reading and reviewing books
I really like books about the elements and their power.
I also like books about different countries. It really felt li,e I was there as I read.
I really like books about the elements and their power.
I also like books about different countries. It really felt li,e I was there as I read.
April 23, 2018
Saxony
Yes! I freaking loved this book. I love this author. Her books have a way of grabbing my attention and keeping me in breathless anticipation for more.
Yes! I freaking loved this book. I love this author. Her books have a way of grabbing my attention and keeping me in breathless anticipation for more.
September 25, 2018
I enjoyed Saxony’s fire origin story much more than Targa’s. Perhaps due to more action throughout the book. I’m continuing on to the Pyro Novella now.
August 15, 2023
This was a super fun read!
The author knows how to write a very interesting plot. The action begins shortly after Saxony arrives in Italy and doesn't really let up. There are two pretty Italian boys (one "good", one "bad"), a sick child, some fires, a kidnapping of sorts, infidelity, magic and more. It is VERY entertaining.
Parts of it were a little predictable, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all.
Saxony is only 16 years old (almost 17) and a lot of the time she sounded very mature to me, but then it would switch and she seemed to make some really silly decisions. But given that I'm 50 years older than the character I had to remind myself that teenagers don't always make the wisest decisions -- actually, neither do adults, haha!
I think what I like best about this series so far, are the strong female characters. They're not perfect, they have their flaws, but they're trying their hardest to do their best with the cards they've been dealt, and boy do they kick ass! You have to like that.
I should mention that Born of Fire also includes a short novella at the end called, Pyro.
Pyro opens with Saxony returning home from her summer in Italy. Things don't get off to a smooth start as her parents think she's sick and her younger brother, Jack, starts accusing her of setting fires.
After speaking with Basil, the man who runs a school for magi, Saxony realizes she needs to tell her parents the truth about who she is now. You can imagine how THAT went!
This novella is also great and adds some needed resolution to Born of Fire. I'm not quite sure why it isn't just part of the original book, but I'm very happy that it exists.
The first five books in this series explain how the various Elementals came to be and then the sixth book brings them all together.
I can't wait to finish this series!
The author knows how to write a very interesting plot. The action begins shortly after Saxony arrives in Italy and doesn't really let up. There are two pretty Italian boys (one "good", one "bad"), a sick child, some fires, a kidnapping of sorts, infidelity, magic and more. It is VERY entertaining.
Parts of it were a little predictable, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all.
Saxony is only 16 years old (almost 17) and a lot of the time she sounded very mature to me, but then it would switch and she seemed to make some really silly decisions. But given that I'm 50 years older than the character I had to remind myself that teenagers don't always make the wisest decisions -- actually, neither do adults, haha!
I think what I like best about this series so far, are the strong female characters. They're not perfect, they have their flaws, but they're trying their hardest to do their best with the cards they've been dealt, and boy do they kick ass! You have to like that.
I should mention that Born of Fire also includes a short novella at the end called, Pyro.
Pyro opens with Saxony returning home from her summer in Italy. Things don't get off to a smooth start as her parents think she's sick and her younger brother, Jack, starts accusing her of setting fires.
After speaking with Basil, the man who runs a school for magi, Saxony realizes she needs to tell her parents the truth about who she is now. You can imagine how THAT went!
This novella is also great and adds some needed resolution to Born of Fire. I'm not quite sure why it isn't just part of the original book, but I'm very happy that it exists.
The first five books in this series explain how the various Elementals came to be and then the sixth book brings them all together.
I can't wait to finish this series!
August 16, 2020
I'd read the first in the series Born of Water and really liked it. I didn't feel the need to continue on with the series immediately, as I could tell these first few stories would be more individual (happening concurrently rather than picking up where the last left off) AND I owned the next two (picked up on Kindle sales) and any subscription/library book tends to take priority. But when I needed a quick read, I jumped back in to this world.
We'd been introduced to four friends in the first book, all who go their separate ways during the summer. The first girl ends up a mermaid, which is not totally unexpected, as her mother is one. Here, the "fire" comes out of the blue, and I thought it unbelievable (as Saxony herself did) that the parents hadn't warned her that one of the kids in her care was quite sickly and didn't speak. Really? This wouldn't be covered when hiring an au pair for said child? There was also no reason (other than to forward the story) for said child to connect with Saxony.
So this whole story just didn't really work for me, it was just okay. I didn't connect with the characters or care much what happened to them. I will probably continue on with the series though.
We'd been introduced to four friends in the first book, all who go their separate ways during the summer. The first girl ends up a mermaid, which is not totally unexpected, as her mother is one. Here, the "fire" comes out of the blue, and I thought it unbelievable (as Saxony herself did) that the parents hadn't warned her that one of the kids in her care was quite sickly and didn't speak. Really? This wouldn't be covered when hiring an au pair for said child? There was also no reason (other than to forward the story) for said child to connect with Saxony.
So this whole story just didn't really work for me, it was just okay. I didn't connect with the characters or care much what happened to them. I will probably continue on with the series though.
February 1, 2018
Impressively grand second book. Great characters and another step into an unusual promise of better books in the series.
4.75. I read this in a day. Okay, so I usually read books like this in a day if compelled, but my point is I’m pretty hard to compel. Yes, this sews nicely into the first book but can also stand solo. Yes, the urban fantasy and YA/NA represents well. Yes, sometimes the plot is predictable or there are extra bits that could have been sculpted into a tighter read. But, the development of characters and the chemistry between them (safe for the love interest here) have progressed in strength and enticement. Saxony’s chemistry with Isaia is why I read through this like a wildfire (pun intended; sue me). There are still weaknesses here, yet plot holes or over sharing aside this book rocks. I enjoyed it. I’m grabbing the third. And, while I preferred the magic of book one, I prefer the non-romance chemistry of this book which means I’m sure I’ll find something complimentary to the other books to love in the third. A great series to read if you don’t mind weaker romance but rock solid fantasy of the Canadian urban delight.
4.75. I read this in a day. Okay, so I usually read books like this in a day if compelled, but my point is I’m pretty hard to compel. Yes, this sews nicely into the first book but can also stand solo. Yes, the urban fantasy and YA/NA represents well. Yes, sometimes the plot is predictable or there are extra bits that could have been sculpted into a tighter read. But, the development of characters and the chemistry between them (safe for the love interest here) have progressed in strength and enticement. Saxony’s chemistry with Isaia is why I read through this like a wildfire (pun intended; sue me). There are still weaknesses here, yet plot holes or over sharing aside this book rocks. I enjoyed it. I’m grabbing the third. And, while I preferred the magic of book one, I prefer the non-romance chemistry of this book which means I’m sure I’ll find something complimentary to the other books to love in the third. A great series to read if you don’t mind weaker romance but rock solid fantasy of the Canadian urban delight.
September 16, 2022
Saxony ha sempre pensato di avere un caratteraccio perchè troppo irascibile e impulsiva. Ed è esattamente a questa sua indole di fuoco che sta pensando mentre su un aereo sta volando in Italia, a Venezia precisamente, dove andrà a svolgere un lavoro come ragazza alla pari. Ripensa al litigio con il fratello minore, nel corso nel quale ha perso le staffe ed è stata davvero imperdonabile, ripromettendosi di farsi perdonare al suo ritorno al termine dell’estate.
In questo secondo volume della serie Le figlie degli elementi, la nostra protagonista si ritroverà coinvolta in antichi misteri legati al fuoco e ai suoi prodigi. Tra le calle veneziane la magia è pronta a divampare.
La famiglia che la ospita ha due figli: Cristiano e Isaia. Quest’ultimo ha un dolore che lo avvolge costantemente come una pacata sofferenza che fa stringere il cuore alla ragazza. Un bambino di sei anni che soffre in silenzio. Ma questo suo patimento non è qualcosa di naturale, ha a che fare con la magia e col fuoco che si nasconde in lui.
Durante un terribile incendio Cristiano in qualche modo trasmette questo suo dono a Saxony che diventa una magus , capace di manipolare e controllare il fuoco, rivelandosi un elementale.
Ma qualcuno che trama nell’ombra vuole il suo potere e lei dovrà stare attenta a chi la circonda e cercare alleati leali.
Devo dire che ho trovato la storia molto più accattivante e con tanti più colpi di scena rispetto al primo volume, più monotono. Qui l’azione la fa da padrona, succedono molte cose e non tutto è ciò che sembra. Ho apprezzato molto il legame con la famiglia di Saxony, un affetto pronto a tutto, anche a proteggersi da una segreta organizzazione che cerca persone come lei, per usarle per i propri scopi.
La scrittura è scorrevole e diretta, come la protagonista della storia. I vari personaggi, anche quelli secondari, sono ben tratteggiati anche se poco approfonditi. A mio parere, se c’è una cosa che manca in questo racconto è la profondità, la capacità di farti sentire in totale sintonia con quello che accade. È un po' superficiale e con troppi luoghi comuni ma mai noioso. È un continuo susseguirsi di avvenimenti, sebbene alcuni sono decritti in maniera frettolosa come per esempio, la scoperta della scuola segreta che addestra futuri Magus. Personalmente avrei preferito qualche accenno in più.
Per ora, avendo letto solo i primi due volumi, posso dire che è una storia incentrata sul trovare la propria strada, il proprio posto nel mondo. Una saga che attraverso il potere della natura e dei suoi elementi, instilla coraggio a giovani donne pronte a vivere a pieno la propria vita.
In questo secondo volume della serie Le figlie degli elementi, la nostra protagonista si ritroverà coinvolta in antichi misteri legati al fuoco e ai suoi prodigi. Tra le calle veneziane la magia è pronta a divampare.
La famiglia che la ospita ha due figli: Cristiano e Isaia. Quest’ultimo ha un dolore che lo avvolge costantemente come una pacata sofferenza che fa stringere il cuore alla ragazza. Un bambino di sei anni che soffre in silenzio. Ma questo suo patimento non è qualcosa di naturale, ha a che fare con la magia e col fuoco che si nasconde in lui.
Durante un terribile incendio Cristiano in qualche modo trasmette questo suo dono a Saxony che diventa una magus , capace di manipolare e controllare il fuoco, rivelandosi un elementale.
Ma qualcuno che trama nell’ombra vuole il suo potere e lei dovrà stare attenta a chi la circonda e cercare alleati leali.
Devo dire che ho trovato la storia molto più accattivante e con tanti più colpi di scena rispetto al primo volume, più monotono. Qui l’azione la fa da padrona, succedono molte cose e non tutto è ciò che sembra. Ho apprezzato molto il legame con la famiglia di Saxony, un affetto pronto a tutto, anche a proteggersi da una segreta organizzazione che cerca persone come lei, per usarle per i propri scopi.
La scrittura è scorrevole e diretta, come la protagonista della storia. I vari personaggi, anche quelli secondari, sono ben tratteggiati anche se poco approfonditi. A mio parere, se c’è una cosa che manca in questo racconto è la profondità, la capacità di farti sentire in totale sintonia con quello che accade. È un po' superficiale e con troppi luoghi comuni ma mai noioso. È un continuo susseguirsi di avvenimenti, sebbene alcuni sono decritti in maniera frettolosa come per esempio, la scoperta della scuola segreta che addestra futuri Magus. Personalmente avrei preferito qualche accenno in più.
Per ora, avendo letto solo i primi due volumi, posso dire che è una storia incentrata sul trovare la propria strada, il proprio posto nel mondo. Una saga che attraverso il potere della natura e dei suoi elementi, instilla coraggio a giovani donne pronte a vivere a pieno la propria vita.
August 17, 2017
From the little I read in the other books of the Origins of Elements, I knew that Saxony was going to have some temper. And indeed, we can wonder if the fire found Saxony or if Saxony found the fire. But one thing for sure, they get along just fine. But as happy as I was to discover the girl I also loved the new characters who appears in this book. Isaia was just adorable and I was actually very curious about Dante. Even if at the end the new intriguing character is Enzo. The friends that Saxony made during her stay in Italy might not always remind her of sweet memories, more something bitter-sweet, but what memories!
This time the story was much more mysterious and secretive and I just loved that!
This time the power of element came in a different form from the Earth and the Water. But it seems that it still got to deal with an amazing girl as AL Knorr loves to write them.
So get cozy next to the fireplace (or the air-conditioning) and start read this. Be careful it’s highly addicting!
This time the story was much more mysterious and secretive and I just loved that!
This time the power of element came in a different form from the Earth and the Water. But it seems that it still got to deal with an amazing girl as AL Knorr loves to write them.
So get cozy next to the fireplace (or the air-conditioning) and start read this. Be careful it’s highly addicting!
November 26, 2021
This might sound strange but I feel like I read this book faster but it made less sense for the first 1/2 of the book.
Saxony is an Au Pair in Venice for the summer to watch 2 little boys. The younger boy, Isaia, is sick and has strangely high fevers. For an au pair, Saxony certainly seems to have a good bit of free time. She makes friends, who conveniently all seem to know one another. She is first intrigued by Raf. But when she meets up with her friend Frederica, she meets Dante and quickly flirts and agrees on a date with him. Before that happens, she is caught in a robbery and a fire with Isaia. When Isaia appears to be dying, he transfers his fire into Saxony. This leaves Saxony with strange powers and weaknesses she has little knowledge about.
Dante shows his true colors and that he isn't a good guy but I won't spoil that part of the story. 😉
I enjoyed it but not as much as Brooke's mermaid tale. I'm interested to read how they bring everyone together.
Saxony is an Au Pair in Venice for the summer to watch 2 little boys. The younger boy, Isaia, is sick and has strangely high fevers. For an au pair, Saxony certainly seems to have a good bit of free time. She makes friends, who conveniently all seem to know one another. She is first intrigued by Raf. But when she meets up with her friend Frederica, she meets Dante and quickly flirts and agrees on a date with him. Before that happens, she is caught in a robbery and a fire with Isaia. When Isaia appears to be dying, he transfers his fire into Saxony. This leaves Saxony with strange powers and weaknesses she has little knowledge about.
Dante shows his true colors and that he isn't a good guy but I won't spoil that part of the story. 😉
I enjoyed it but not as much as Brooke's mermaid tale. I'm interested to read how they bring everyone together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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