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Elementary #2
Disruptive Elements
Calista Hogarth, once a research physicist, now finds herself researching how magic works in a fantasy world. Her ideas could change the world, if only she could figure out this one how do clouds work?
- GenresFantasy
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2024
35 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Niall Teasdale
73 books292 followersI was born in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall so perhaps a bit of history rubbed off. Ancient history obviously, and border history, right on the edge of the Empire. I always preferred the Dark Ages anyway; there’s so much more room for imagination when people aren’t writing down every last detail. So my idea of a good fantasy novel involved dirt and leather, not shining plate armour and Hollywood-medieval manners. The same applies to my sci-fi, really; I prefer gritty over shiny.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 20, 2024
A welcome continuation
I was very happy to see a continuation of this series. The concepts in the first book were so unusual that I was anxious to see how they were developed. Also, the first book strongly suggested that Calista is a reincarnation of a lost elemental. The author doesn't seem to want to advance that theme very rapidly.
I share Calista's disinterest in politics, so I was less interested in that part of the story. Still, I enjoyed this book and look forward to a continuation of the series.
I was very happy to see a continuation of this series. The concepts in the first book were so unusual that I was anxious to see how they were developed. Also, the first book strongly suggested that Calista is a reincarnation of a lost elemental. The author doesn't seem to want to advance that theme very rapidly.
I share Calista's disinterest in politics, so I was less interested in that part of the story. Still, I enjoyed this book and look forward to a continuation of the series.
May 19, 2024
I love this story
The dialogue is great. The plot is solid. The characters are real.
The writing is well-done, Niall weaves a tale with interesting dialogue, information and world building.
At no time did my attention drift.
Excellent writing and story. I am looking forward to the book in the series.
The dialogue is great. The plot is solid. The characters are real.
The writing is well-done, Niall weaves a tale with interesting dialogue, information and world building.
At no time did my attention drift.
Excellent writing and story. I am looking forward to the book in the series.
April 19, 2024
Niall's newest series fully meet her high standards of literary excellence. Can't wait for more.
April 23, 2024
Great book!
Another great book by Niall Teasdale, second in the Elementary series. Great story and magic, awesome characters, I can’t wait for the next book!
Another great book by Niall Teasdale, second in the Elementary series. Great story and magic, awesome characters, I can’t wait for the next book!
April 29, 2024
Once again, the author does not disappoint.
May 14, 2024
Not bad, just not a fan of the world and setting.
August 2, 2024
Brilliant read
Great story and very entertaining. Hopefully there is a next book soon.
Thoroughly enjoyed the story line and the characters
Great story and very entertaining. Hopefully there is a next book soon.
Thoroughly enjoyed the story line and the characters
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews