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Elementas #1
Elementas: Yamay
Sold to a monster.
Fated to die.
Let the gods rage.
The gods marked Yamay for death the moment she drew breath.
Sold to the Warden of the West, branded, broken, and bound, she was forged into a weapon that was never meant to turn on its master’s hand.
Then a cursed portal tears her from his chains and hurls her straight into the arms of the one man the gods forbade her to touch.
Yet the gods who sentenced her to suffer are about to discover what happens when the condemned refuses to stay dead.
Fated to die.
Let the gods rage.
The gods marked Yamay for death the moment she drew breath.
Sold to the Warden of the West, branded, broken, and bound, she was forged into a weapon that was never meant to turn on its master’s hand.
Then a cursed portal tears her from his chains and hurls her straight into the arms of the one man the gods forbade her to touch.
Yet the gods who sentenced her to suffer are about to discover what happens when the condemned refuses to stay dead.
- GenresFantasyDark Fantasy
285 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 2019
13 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Haley Anna Marie
3 books48 followersAs a child, Haley Anna Marie’s deafness inspired her to create stories to accompany the pictures in books. After her hearing was restored, storytelling became a lifelong passion.
Haley Anna Marie writes grimdark epic fantasy where love stings and heroes falter. Her Elementas series weaves twisty plots, flawed characters, and elemental magic into emotionally intense, unforgettable journeys.
With a degree in psychology and a minor in criminology, Haley Anna Marie previously worked in forensic interviewing and investigation, experiences that inform her unflinching approach to power, trauma, and survival. She now balances life as a stay-at-home mom to identical twin boys by day and an author by night.
Haley Anna Marie writes grimdark epic fantasy where love stings and heroes falter. Her Elementas series weaves twisty plots, flawed characters, and elemental magic into emotionally intense, unforgettable journeys.
With a degree in psychology and a minor in criminology, Haley Anna Marie previously worked in forensic interviewing and investigation, experiences that inform her unflinching approach to power, trauma, and survival. She now balances life as a stay-at-home mom to identical twin boys by day and an author by night.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 6, 2024
Absolutely gripping fantasy about forbidden love and ancient magic. This debut novel crackles from page 1, swiftly drawing you into the muddy world of Yamay. The best fantasy leaves you chilled and I’m like ice now. Grimdark at it’s finest.
October 3, 2023
A world divided, realms separated to protect two distinct races of people from destroying one another. A young girl, instilled with a power that should have killed her before her first breath, dragged from her home and forced to marry the province’s warden. The brutal man’s love for her is undeniable, but despite her privileged position, she’s little more than a prisoner in his care. As long as she submits, she’s safe, but the years and lies begin to change her into something she’s not.
That is, until she falls through a portal to the other realm and into the arms of a man she can’t stop thinking about…
Yamay is the first in an unfolding series, and serves to set the stage from what I can only assume is an approaching war. As such, it does a great job of world-building, taking the time to discuss and explain geography, politics, and deific influences. This always occurs organically as part of conversation or in response to some event that necessitates further exploration of the setting.
There are only a handful of active characters in the novel, and Marie does a great job of making each feel distinct and interesting in their own ways, and helping to focus the spotlight on the novel’s namesake character – Yamay. Delightfully dark, Yamay’s decisions and circumstances guide the reader along a roller coaster of highs and lows as she navigates her teenage years, with nobility and depravity existing side-by-side. Mature content, for sure, but the spice is more ‘fade-to-black’ than ‘50 Shades’, so I could justify placing this at the upper end of Young Adult.
The novel ends on an unexpectedly interesting point, and left me curious about the direction of the rest of the series. For those of you that like Dark Fantasy, strong female leads, and mature situations and repercussions, I definitely recommend Yamay: Book 1 in the Elementas Series.
That is, until she falls through a portal to the other realm and into the arms of a man she can’t stop thinking about…
Yamay is the first in an unfolding series, and serves to set the stage from what I can only assume is an approaching war. As such, it does a great job of world-building, taking the time to discuss and explain geography, politics, and deific influences. This always occurs organically as part of conversation or in response to some event that necessitates further exploration of the setting.
There are only a handful of active characters in the novel, and Marie does a great job of making each feel distinct and interesting in their own ways, and helping to focus the spotlight on the novel’s namesake character – Yamay. Delightfully dark, Yamay’s decisions and circumstances guide the reader along a roller coaster of highs and lows as she navigates her teenage years, with nobility and depravity existing side-by-side. Mature content, for sure, but the spice is more ‘fade-to-black’ than ‘50 Shades’, so I could justify placing this at the upper end of Young Adult.
The novel ends on an unexpectedly interesting point, and left me curious about the direction of the rest of the series. For those of you that like Dark Fantasy, strong female leads, and mature situations and repercussions, I definitely recommend Yamay: Book 1 in the Elementas Series.
August 12, 2023
An Excellent Book and Screenworthy
As I started this book, I did not know what to expect. I don’t read blurbs, I just jump in. From the beginning we are introduced to the bleak gritty underworld of the protagonist chalk full with poverty and suffering and Yamay being sold to a Lord in a land with snow and blue skies feels like a fresh new opportunity. But very soon we are introduced to the dark. Yamay, being subjected to brutality and abuses is a constant lashing to the heart as the book progresses. Very quickly I found my oppositional-defiant self anticipating what new levels her abuser would sink to and what I was hoping Yamay would do or say, placing myself in her shoes. Perhaps only one other book has been gripping enough to do that to me and the Game of Thrones TV series. Yamay continually and unpredictably defies expectations and kept me in the state of “oh what she gonna do now!?” and “obviously she has to make it through this, right? She’s the main character? Right?” And even then expectations are defied and the tale unfolds right when you think it’s going left. When you think the story can’t go left, right, up, or, down, it then transects the Z axis and blows your mind. This is an excellent tale and would truthfully make a great HBO series or feature film. Though you’d really get a better story out of a series than trying to pack all of the facets of this into a 2 hour film. Great job to the author and I’m really excited to see where the next book and the series at large goes. This author and this book deserves more love. *Standing ovation.*
As I started this book, I did not know what to expect. I don’t read blurbs, I just jump in. From the beginning we are introduced to the bleak gritty underworld of the protagonist chalk full with poverty and suffering and Yamay being sold to a Lord in a land with snow and blue skies feels like a fresh new opportunity. But very soon we are introduced to the dark. Yamay, being subjected to brutality and abuses is a constant lashing to the heart as the book progresses. Very quickly I found my oppositional-defiant self anticipating what new levels her abuser would sink to and what I was hoping Yamay would do or say, placing myself in her shoes. Perhaps only one other book has been gripping enough to do that to me and the Game of Thrones TV series. Yamay continually and unpredictably defies expectations and kept me in the state of “oh what she gonna do now!?” and “obviously she has to make it through this, right? She’s the main character? Right?” And even then expectations are defied and the tale unfolds right when you think it’s going left. When you think the story can’t go left, right, up, or, down, it then transects the Z axis and blows your mind. This is an excellent tale and would truthfully make a great HBO series or feature film. Though you’d really get a better story out of a series than trying to pack all of the facets of this into a 2 hour film. Great job to the author and I’m really excited to see where the next book and the series at large goes. This author and this book deserves more love. *Standing ovation.*
November 20, 2023
This book right here. This book has no reason being this damn good. Elementas: Yamay is a grim dark fantasy novel. A fast paced and highly addictive book that drags the reader through the mud and into the light. Only to drag the reader back through the mud over and over.
Follow Yamays tragic life from infant to adult as she is thrown into challenging situations only to defy all odds. Meet creatures and races never before dreamt of and learn of a world unlike anything you have ever seen.
Follow Yamays tragic life from infant to adult as she is thrown into challenging situations only to defy all odds. Meet creatures and races never before dreamt of and learn of a world unlike anything you have ever seen.
May 13, 2025
The world was imaginative and brimming with history and intrigue. And though it was dark and filled with references to the worst imaginable acts a person can perform, it was clean, which I appreciated greatly.
Overall it was a very fun read. As an Indie book, I expected to find many spelling/grammar/punctuation errors, but I found only a few and seldom got tripped up over wording which is a testament to the authors writing ability.
I struggled with a few of the characters. There were parts where I was told what they thought or stood for rather than showed.
My biggest gripe was with Yamay. As a main character, you’re in her head, but I struggled to understand her morality and motivations, and got whiplash when she was kind, patient, and thoughtful sometimes, and murderous other times. There were times I wanted to root for the heroine of the story but couldn’t due to the heinous acts she performed so nonchalantly.
Also, I’m probably alone in this critique so only read on if you want the ramblings of an overly critical ass—
But in a world of nobles and peasants and a caste system as set up by the author, a peasant girl, would likely not reject wholesale the idea of arranged marriage to a noble. She saw the life her mother had to live, selling her body for food and what not, and she’s like “do I want to be loved and have power, and money, and comfort? I’ll do it cuz I have to but I’m grumpy about it!” In this world (and I’m making some assumptions based on typical medieval and fantasy archetypes) it’s pretty common that women are married off too young. And while gross and terrible to our modern sensibilities. To her, it was probably the best life she could have ever realistically dreamed of.
Overall it was a very fun read. As an Indie book, I expected to find many spelling/grammar/punctuation errors, but I found only a few and seldom got tripped up over wording which is a testament to the authors writing ability.
I struggled with a few of the characters. There were parts where I was told what they thought or stood for rather than showed.
My biggest gripe was with Yamay. As a main character, you’re in her head, but I struggled to understand her morality and motivations, and got whiplash when she was kind, patient, and thoughtful sometimes, and murderous other times. There were times I wanted to root for the heroine of the story but couldn’t due to the heinous acts she performed so nonchalantly.
Also, I’m probably alone in this critique so only read on if you want the ramblings of an overly critical ass—
But in a world of nobles and peasants and a caste system as set up by the author, a peasant girl, would likely not reject wholesale the idea of arranged marriage to a noble. She saw the life her mother had to live, selling her body for food and what not, and she’s like “do I want to be loved and have power, and money, and comfort? I’ll do it cuz I have to but I’m grumpy about it!” In this world (and I’m making some assumptions based on typical medieval and fantasy archetypes) it’s pretty common that women are married off too young. And while gross and terrible to our modern sensibilities. To her, it was probably the best life she could have ever realistically dreamed of.
January 27, 2024
A gripping grimdark fantasy that explores violence, poverty, brutality, defiance and survival. In a world of darkness, Yamay must endure a forced marriage, torment, abuse, and corruption, and find her escape to freedom, discovering a new realm and forbidden love along the way.
With meddling Deities, creative worldbuilding, threatening confrontations, morally grey characters and gritty content this story keeps you on your toes.
Unpredictable ending, excited to see more from this series!
With meddling Deities, creative worldbuilding, threatening confrontations, morally grey characters and gritty content this story keeps you on your toes.
Unpredictable ending, excited to see more from this series!
September 21, 2023
Violence! Strong female main character who is morally gray. More violence! This epic grimdark fantasy is not for the faint of heart with an unpredictable ending.
June 8, 2024
Again, I lead with a full confession, followed by a somewhat startling revelation. This book is proudly grimdark, a genre I don’t normally seek out. I get enough darkness and despair just opening my eyes and navigating a normal day. Prior to this, I have only read a couple of others in this genre, and they served to confirm my rather blanket assumption of what grimdark was—not that there isn’t an audience for these kinds of stories. So, imagine my surprise when I discover that this is nothing short of a classic love story—set in a grimdark world, for sure, but fairly comparable to the Shakespearean tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, and in a very good way.
Yamay was never intended to survive her own birth into her realm of darkness. The Dharkeri are gifted with the ability to harness electricity and discharge it at will, or at least as well as individual skill permits, and Yamay is extraordinary in this respect. The illegitimate daughter of a disreputable underworld slag who tends to barter her sexual favors as currency, Yamay quickly learns to steal what she needs to survive as well as to contribute to the only family she has ever known. This family consists of a dimwitted dullard half-brother named Darin (…I pause for a lengthy scowl…) and the aforementioned uncaring mother, whose previous sins are about to change Yamay’s destiny forever. When Drayker, the warden of the cities of the West, comes to collect a long-overdue debt from Yamay’s mother, Yamay is offered as a sacrifice by the woman to save her own skin, despite the fact that Yamay isn’t of legal age to bond with a mate. Captivated by Yamay’s beauty and fiery spirit, Drayker accepts the offer, knowing full well how to obfuscate Dharkeri laws and customs to keep Yamay as his bride.
That is, once he’s broken her spirit.
It’s a task far easier said than done, and Yamay is subjected to merciless beatings and torture to wear her down. Over time, Yamay learns to play to Drayker’s ego and build a tenuous trust, always looking for a way out of the prison life she’s been traded into. One night, while passing time in Drayker’s elaborate garden maze, a voice beckons to her, drawing her to a secret portal to another world. She soon discovers another realm, one she always discounted as legend, where the Lihtari rule and the citizens live aboveground. The two factions have been sworn enemies as far as the legends go back, but once Yamay meets Prince Garan, first in line for the throne of his province, it is practically love at first sight. The two begin to question everything they have ever been taught about the rift between races in a desperate attempt to find a way to be together.
Haley Anna Marie has created a wonderfully disparate cast of characters to navigate the proceedings in her exceedingly grim fairy tale, with a heroine who is furiously bada** and unrepentant, and a hero who is willing to take her at face value, regardless of what legend has pounded into his head. Drayker is written as a three-dimensional villain, showing tenderness and real affection for Yamay when he’s not raging like a lunatic with childlike bursts of temper and violence, fueled by possessiveness and jealousy. His unpredictability makes him far more fearsome than some cardboard cartoon foe.
The story unfolds along a parallel track from both Yamay’s perspective as well as Garan’s, moving along at a steady clip with lots of action and surprising twists until it reaches its unexpected and satisfying conclusion. The only quibble I had, and it’s a small one, was the frequency with which the word “smirk” (or any variation of it) was used. Midway through the book, its mention became a drinking game, and fairly soon, I lost half a week and shaved one of my eyebrows off. 🙁
Still, I have to give Haley credit. She redefined grimdark for me, making me appreciate the genre in a way I hadn’t considered, and it served as a reminder that all books should be approached with an open mind. Otherwise, you may never know what you’re missing.
This is the first in a projected six-book series, and I look forward to reading more.
Yamay was never intended to survive her own birth into her realm of darkness. The Dharkeri are gifted with the ability to harness electricity and discharge it at will, or at least as well as individual skill permits, and Yamay is extraordinary in this respect. The illegitimate daughter of a disreputable underworld slag who tends to barter her sexual favors as currency, Yamay quickly learns to steal what she needs to survive as well as to contribute to the only family she has ever known. This family consists of a dimwitted dullard half-brother named Darin (…I pause for a lengthy scowl…) and the aforementioned uncaring mother, whose previous sins are about to change Yamay’s destiny forever. When Drayker, the warden of the cities of the West, comes to collect a long-overdue debt from Yamay’s mother, Yamay is offered as a sacrifice by the woman to save her own skin, despite the fact that Yamay isn’t of legal age to bond with a mate. Captivated by Yamay’s beauty and fiery spirit, Drayker accepts the offer, knowing full well how to obfuscate Dharkeri laws and customs to keep Yamay as his bride.
That is, once he’s broken her spirit.
It’s a task far easier said than done, and Yamay is subjected to merciless beatings and torture to wear her down. Over time, Yamay learns to play to Drayker’s ego and build a tenuous trust, always looking for a way out of the prison life she’s been traded into. One night, while passing time in Drayker’s elaborate garden maze, a voice beckons to her, drawing her to a secret portal to another world. She soon discovers another realm, one she always discounted as legend, where the Lihtari rule and the citizens live aboveground. The two factions have been sworn enemies as far as the legends go back, but once Yamay meets Prince Garan, first in line for the throne of his province, it is practically love at first sight. The two begin to question everything they have ever been taught about the rift between races in a desperate attempt to find a way to be together.
Haley Anna Marie has created a wonderfully disparate cast of characters to navigate the proceedings in her exceedingly grim fairy tale, with a heroine who is furiously bada** and unrepentant, and a hero who is willing to take her at face value, regardless of what legend has pounded into his head. Drayker is written as a three-dimensional villain, showing tenderness and real affection for Yamay when he’s not raging like a lunatic with childlike bursts of temper and violence, fueled by possessiveness and jealousy. His unpredictability makes him far more fearsome than some cardboard cartoon foe.
The story unfolds along a parallel track from both Yamay’s perspective as well as Garan’s, moving along at a steady clip with lots of action and surprising twists until it reaches its unexpected and satisfying conclusion. The only quibble I had, and it’s a small one, was the frequency with which the word “smirk” (or any variation of it) was used. Midway through the book, its mention became a drinking game, and fairly soon, I lost half a week and shaved one of my eyebrows off. 🙁
Still, I have to give Haley credit. She redefined grimdark for me, making me appreciate the genre in a way I hadn’t considered, and it served as a reminder that all books should be approached with an open mind. Otherwise, you may never know what you’re missing.
This is the first in a projected six-book series, and I look forward to reading more.
January 21, 2024
A VERY Grimdark experience! Imo, this is a gem in the genre that's not to be missed. As someone who is addicted to the gritty and intricate depths of dark/grimdark fantasy/scifi, this book was a captivating ride from start to finish.
Marie crafts a world that's both brutal and beautiful. Yamay's journey from the gritty underworld to the complex surface world is a profound exploration of resilience and adaptability. The character of Yamay herself is a standout--fierce, flawed, and fascinating. Her strength in the face of relentless adversity was extremely inspiring, despite the darkness of what she expriences.
What really got me hooked was the world-building. The divided realms, the Dharkeri, the political and social intricacies--it's all so richly detailed yet never overwhelming. Marie has a knack for weaving lore and setting into the narrative seamlessly, making the world of Elementas feel alive and utterly immersive.
In true grimdark fashion, this isn't your typical tale of good versus evil. It's nuanced, with layers of moral ambiguity that leave you pondering long after you've turned the last page. The romance element, while present, never overshadows the core story. I found it to be a perfect blend of heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments.
As a first book in a series, it sets an incredibly high bar. The ending is satisfying yet leaves you craving more, a tricky balance that Marie nails perfectly. If you're into dark fantasy that's rich in character and world-building, Elementas should definitely be on your reading list. Can't wait to see where this series goes!
Marie crafts a world that's both brutal and beautiful. Yamay's journey from the gritty underworld to the complex surface world is a profound exploration of resilience and adaptability. The character of Yamay herself is a standout--fierce, flawed, and fascinating. Her strength in the face of relentless adversity was extremely inspiring, despite the darkness of what she expriences.
What really got me hooked was the world-building. The divided realms, the Dharkeri, the political and social intricacies--it's all so richly detailed yet never overwhelming. Marie has a knack for weaving lore and setting into the narrative seamlessly, making the world of Elementas feel alive and utterly immersive.
In true grimdark fashion, this isn't your typical tale of good versus evil. It's nuanced, with layers of moral ambiguity that leave you pondering long after you've turned the last page. The romance element, while present, never overshadows the core story. I found it to be a perfect blend of heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments.
As a first book in a series, it sets an incredibly high bar. The ending is satisfying yet leaves you craving more, a tricky balance that Marie nails perfectly. If you're into dark fantasy that's rich in character and world-building, Elementas should definitely be on your reading list. Can't wait to see where this series goes!
January 9, 2024
I have to admit -- I was a tad nervous undertaking this book. I haven't read much grimdark genre. While I pride myself in reading a wide range of fiction these days, I have a hard time with books that are excessively negative/violent/dark.
But that's not what Elementas: Yamay is. Yes, it IS dark and at times things feel very bleak. But it's not all gloom and doom. In the title character alone, we see incredible courage and strength. Yamay starts off her life in the grimiest, ugliest of settings. Her original world is so bleak, it made me anxious to read about it. Then she's plucked away into a world less dirty but just as vile.
There are times she succumbs to the darkness around her. There are times she does ugly things to survive. But never once did my faith in her falter. She is an incredibly strong character worth rooting for. She shows a wide range of characteristics and personality. Her relationship with her attendants is particularly poignant.
Along the way, Yamay finds added motivation for escaping from her shackled life...and that's when the book gets even better. It's a tale of forbidden love -- which is a common fantasy theme and yet it feels very fresh here.
This is the first book of an intended six book series, and I'm really excited about that. The author builds a fascinating, unique world that is so worth exploring. I won't say if this book ends positively or negatively, but I found the ending thoroughly satisfying.
Top notch world building and storytelling.
But that's not what Elementas: Yamay is. Yes, it IS dark and at times things feel very bleak. But it's not all gloom and doom. In the title character alone, we see incredible courage and strength. Yamay starts off her life in the grimiest, ugliest of settings. Her original world is so bleak, it made me anxious to read about it. Then she's plucked away into a world less dirty but just as vile.
There are times she succumbs to the darkness around her. There are times she does ugly things to survive. But never once did my faith in her falter. She is an incredibly strong character worth rooting for. She shows a wide range of characteristics and personality. Her relationship with her attendants is particularly poignant.
Along the way, Yamay finds added motivation for escaping from her shackled life...and that's when the book gets even better. It's a tale of forbidden love -- which is a common fantasy theme and yet it feels very fresh here.
This is the first book of an intended six book series, and I'm really excited about that. The author builds a fascinating, unique world that is so worth exploring. I won't say if this book ends positively or negatively, but I found the ending thoroughly satisfying.
Top notch world building and storytelling.
February 11, 2024
When worlds collide
This was a really enjoyable story, start to finish. The pacing is fantastic, the detailing is completely engaging, and the writing is smooth. The closest I could compare this to, without spoilers, is a Romeo and Juliet theme, but with races of darkness and light, neither are innately good or evil. For fellow fans of lightning, I think it’s easy to root for the Dharkeri, but you get the impression that the two races are unknowingly two sides of the same coin. It will be interesting to find out for sure in War of the Gods.
What I really have to applaud in Haley Marie’s dark tale, is that she does not fall into common place cliches and tropes. Yamay is a survivor against impossible odds, and I easily root for a character who has that trait. She has flaws, commits crimes, but she is not afraid to own them and account for herself.
I think my favorite character dynamic is the sibling chemistry between Garan and Loria. I would elaborate, but I highly encourage anyone to pick up this series, and discover for yourself.
Well done! I’ll be excited to see how this series plays out.
This was a really enjoyable story, start to finish. The pacing is fantastic, the detailing is completely engaging, and the writing is smooth. The closest I could compare this to, without spoilers, is a Romeo and Juliet theme, but with races of darkness and light, neither are innately good or evil. For fellow fans of lightning, I think it’s easy to root for the Dharkeri, but you get the impression that the two races are unknowingly two sides of the same coin. It will be interesting to find out for sure in War of the Gods.
What I really have to applaud in Haley Marie’s dark tale, is that she does not fall into common place cliches and tropes. Yamay is a survivor against impossible odds, and I easily root for a character who has that trait. She has flaws, commits crimes, but she is not afraid to own them and account for herself.
I think my favorite character dynamic is the sibling chemistry between Garan and Loria. I would elaborate, but I highly encourage anyone to pick up this series, and discover for yourself.
Well done! I’ll be excited to see how this series plays out.
October 8, 2023
Because of parental debt, Yamay is sold to the local Warden, where she is offered a life that reflects her; powerful. But not all is as it seems in the world in which her warden thrust before her is built on lies.
An utterly captivating read filled with twists and turns that blindside the reader. Utterly brutal and suitably grim. Elementas; Yamay is the perfect read for those who like their romances gritty and their smut fade-to-black.
The main character Yamay is powerful and has many levels to her character - much like the rest of the cast, and she is captivating to read about. How she copes with all the plot twists (or doesn't) makes for an un-put-downable read and the tension keeps getting higher and higher as the stakes are raised. I'm already eager to read the next book in the series.
My only gripe about the whole thing is that the book cover doesn't sell the book off to its full potential. While its current one is relevant, I am sure Elementas: Yamay would reach a lot more readers if the cover looked more professional.
An utterly captivating read filled with twists and turns that blindside the reader. Utterly brutal and suitably grim. Elementas; Yamay is the perfect read for those who like their romances gritty and their smut fade-to-black.
The main character Yamay is powerful and has many levels to her character - much like the rest of the cast, and she is captivating to read about. How she copes with all the plot twists (or doesn't) makes for an un-put-downable read and the tension keeps getting higher and higher as the stakes are raised. I'm already eager to read the next book in the series.
My only gripe about the whole thing is that the book cover doesn't sell the book off to its full potential. While its current one is relevant, I am sure Elementas: Yamay would reach a lot more readers if the cover looked more professional.
December 10, 2023
This was a very strong intro to the series, I felt engaged in the world from the off. I have to admit the first person style was a little jarring to me initially, such that I had to almost covert it to third person for a while. However, it eventually clicked, and it's always good to try an unfamiliar style. The world building particularly was really interesting, the realms, magic system, religion etc well fleshed out, albeit I have to admit it took me two reads of the final section to wrap my head around it! This isn't a genre I would otherwise have known about but will definitely be seeking out more and have already purchased book two to read next! Despite her flaws I really felt engaged by Yamay, a well rounded central character. I would very much recommend giving this a go, though bear in mind it gets pretty dark at times, though not graphically so. I would say minimum young adult level. Look forward to reading the next book!
December 27, 2025
Elementas: Yamay was a page turner from start to finish. It was a fantastically written Grimdark epic fantasy. A tale of forbidden lovers. Yamay is quite the FMC. She is strong in every way imaginable with Garan a great MMC. The two different kinds of beings the Dharkeri and the Lithari are so interesting and exact opposites. I want expecting that the next 2 books on the series are already out on KU, since I read this one as an advanced reader copy. But, I'm very excited to jump right into book 2. Haley Anna Marie has quite the imagination to come up with the storyline. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2024
This was great. I was gripped from beginning to end and i never new how it was going to go or how it was going to end.
Despite making a couple of the same mistakes several times I really liked Yamay, she was so complicated and different.
Garan was a bit more bland and predictable but normally love interests like that really annoy me and he was fine, though i didn't didn'y his chapters as interesting as Yamay's.
Overall great worldbuilding and character development and i'm curious where the next book will go with these ideas.
Despite making a couple of the same mistakes several times I really liked Yamay, she was so complicated and different.
Garan was a bit more bland and predictable but normally love interests like that really annoy me and he was fine, though i didn't didn'y his chapters as interesting as Yamay's.
Overall great worldbuilding and character development and i'm curious where the next book will go with these ideas.
May 18, 2024
Dark with unexpected glimmers of light!
The world of Yamay is unique in its setting, but hauntingly familiar in its dark themes. Yamay herself is a contradiction. One moment she is defeated and afraid, the next she is fierce and murderous. Everything about this book is a study in contrasts. The author does an amazing job of showing the best and worst in all of her characters. You are left wondering, right up to the end, if there is truly a light at the end of that long dark tunnel.
The world of Yamay is unique in its setting, but hauntingly familiar in its dark themes. Yamay herself is a contradiction. One moment she is defeated and afraid, the next she is fierce and murderous. Everything about this book is a study in contrasts. The author does an amazing job of showing the best and worst in all of her characters. You are left wondering, right up to the end, if there is truly a light at the end of that long dark tunnel.
November 4, 2023
Not what I expected
Trying to decide how to review this book without giving away all the juicy details.
I loved Yamay. She is a chaotic, strong, life embracing character.
I still haven't decided if I like Garan though I found his character interesting.
Fast paced and exciting with plenty of "edge of your seat" action.
I'm interested to see where this goes and will definitely be picking up the next book in the series.
Trying to decide how to review this book without giving away all the juicy details.
I loved Yamay. She is a chaotic, strong, life embracing character.
I still haven't decided if I like Garan though I found his character interesting.
Fast paced and exciting with plenty of "edge of your seat" action.
I'm interested to see where this goes and will definitely be picking up the next book in the series.
January 20, 2025
🦉⚡️🏰 🪻🐦⬛ Grimdark Fantasy & Forbidden Romance - Best magic / fantasy book I've ever read! Captivating - The vivid descriptions and world-building were beautifully written - The characters were so resilient and fascinating - The plot was so suspenseful and creative - No spice, but an epic read! Needs to be a movie! - Obsessed with the book cover! 🩸🌌🐉🗡❄️ - 5⭐️
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May 20, 2024Vivid and brilliant
Oh man I'm going to be thinking about this book for a while. Written vividly, sharply. I'm obsessed with Yamay, the light and dark of her. Brilliant characters, brilliant world building, brilliant story.
Oh man I'm going to be thinking about this book for a while. Written vividly, sharply. I'm obsessed with Yamay, the light and dark of her. Brilliant characters, brilliant world building, brilliant story.
August 3, 2024
I’ve been interested in reading this book for awhile now, as the author is local to me and I had been seeing the cover picture via a sponsored ad on my IG feed - I’m a sucker for purple-black color palettes and hauntingly well-placed owls. Recently I was fortunate enough to pick up a copy in person, and I dived in eagerly.
I don’t read too much fantasy usually, being more of a sci-fi reader on the fiction side, but I’ve read enough to know what the usual tropes are. Happily this book was unique and unconventional in many respects, and kept me very involved the entire time. The overall tone of the world, to me anyway, spoke to an older and more primal sort of mythos; beyond a few structural elements, not much in the story made me explicitly think “medieval”, which I found very refreshing. Honestly the vibe felt more along the lines of an obscure reconstructed Proto-Indo-European root, albeit in an obviously non-Earth fantasy context. The worldbuilding aspect felt very exotic but not so much as to be unrelatable.
Thematically, there are definitely some implicit content warnings that occur early on, involving being trapped in highly abusive relationships as well as some pretty explicit descriptions of extreme cruelty. It’s a dark read in that respect, but I felt that these themes (abuse, trauma, soul-damage, etc.) were handled in a very adept and tactful way, without sacrificing either the explicit descriptiveness or the implied need (which was eventually granted to Yamay) for a way out of such difficult dysfunctional situations.
Love, of course, is the obvious redemptive answer here - but it is neither simple nor easily attainable without struggles, and Yamay has to struggle from her very birth. She is very much the epitome of a self-made woman, and as such is extremely empowering and inspiring. Having come from an abusive family structure myself, I feel like Yamay’s character would be strongly relatable to anyone who has had to struggle through harsh adversity especially as a young child. “Forbidden love” is an oft-used trope but it was handled very deftly here, in what I felt was a very compelling context. Balancing it out is a hint of young love’s reckless hubris, which likewise is very relatable.
I also liked that nothing in this story was scripted along simplistic “good vs. evil” lines. Reality is a lot more nuanced, and so were the characters and plot here. Additionally, using Light and Dark as the basic reality structure made the book oddly relatable in ways I did not expect, as these opposed realms and their associated qualities elicited many internal associations for me. The narrative of a primal division or cut in reality speaks to something extremely deep within the human psyche.
Overall, Elementas: Yamay evoked in me memories of the magic of something new, the immediacy of adolescence (which we so often forget in adulthood), and that sense of epiphany that turns one’s world upside down upon learning a crucial new piece of knowledge or information. It was a very compelling and engrossing read, and I’m very much looking forward to the sequels!
I don’t read too much fantasy usually, being more of a sci-fi reader on the fiction side, but I’ve read enough to know what the usual tropes are. Happily this book was unique and unconventional in many respects, and kept me very involved the entire time. The overall tone of the world, to me anyway, spoke to an older and more primal sort of mythos; beyond a few structural elements, not much in the story made me explicitly think “medieval”, which I found very refreshing. Honestly the vibe felt more along the lines of an obscure reconstructed Proto-Indo-European root, albeit in an obviously non-Earth fantasy context. The worldbuilding aspect felt very exotic but not so much as to be unrelatable.
Thematically, there are definitely some implicit content warnings that occur early on, involving being trapped in highly abusive relationships as well as some pretty explicit descriptions of extreme cruelty. It’s a dark read in that respect, but I felt that these themes (abuse, trauma, soul-damage, etc.) were handled in a very adept and tactful way, without sacrificing either the explicit descriptiveness or the implied need (which was eventually granted to Yamay) for a way out of such difficult dysfunctional situations.
Love, of course, is the obvious redemptive answer here - but it is neither simple nor easily attainable without struggles, and Yamay has to struggle from her very birth. She is very much the epitome of a self-made woman, and as such is extremely empowering and inspiring. Having come from an abusive family structure myself, I feel like Yamay’s character would be strongly relatable to anyone who has had to struggle through harsh adversity especially as a young child. “Forbidden love” is an oft-used trope but it was handled very deftly here, in what I felt was a very compelling context. Balancing it out is a hint of young love’s reckless hubris, which likewise is very relatable.
I also liked that nothing in this story was scripted along simplistic “good vs. evil” lines. Reality is a lot more nuanced, and so were the characters and plot here. Additionally, using Light and Dark as the basic reality structure made the book oddly relatable in ways I did not expect, as these opposed realms and their associated qualities elicited many internal associations for me. The narrative of a primal division or cut in reality speaks to something extremely deep within the human psyche.
Overall, Elementas: Yamay evoked in me memories of the magic of something new, the immediacy of adolescence (which we so often forget in adulthood), and that sense of epiphany that turns one’s world upside down upon learning a crucial new piece of knowledge or information. It was a very compelling and engrossing read, and I’m very much looking forward to the sequels!
January 7, 2026
Fast paced, fun, new.
I enjoyed it!
I enjoyed it!
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