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The Ransomed Soul Series #2
The Elementalist
Deceased Alisa Callahan thinks nothing could be worse than watching the boy she loves move on in his life without her… until she is ripped from her less-than-peaceful existence in Elysium to be trapped… in someone’s else’s body. Seventeen-year-old Claire Balister wants only one thing. To master the art of Elementalism. To accomplish this, she must learn to control a damned soul. Her old classmate and suicide victim, Alisa Callahan, is the perfect candidate. But when the spell goes wrong, Claire finds herself in the worst possible situation… sharing her body with an unwanted guest. Everything swirls out of control when Alisa learns the terrifying truth about her entrapment. Her only hope rests with a boy who can’t remember her, his past, or more importantly, who he really is… One of the bad guys. The Elementalist is the much-anticipated sequel to Reluctant Guardian.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 10, 2015
**A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
It was a couple of years ago when I read the first book in this series – Reluctant Guardian. What I remember from it is its cliff hanger ending. I mentioned in the review I wrote for it is I really wanted to read book two. That became especially true after seeing the cover for The Elementalist. Now that I've stated that, what I can say is that it picks up a year after the closing events of Reluctant Guardian. If you're interested in this series, I highly recommend reading book one, as it will make reading book two make more sense, and establishes the main characters and their background stories.
A lot of the main characters return: Alisa, the guardian, who has continued her training, and Brecken, the teenager she was assigned guardianship over. There's the introduction of several new characters, including Claire, the titular Elementalist. I wasn't sure what to think of her at first, but the further into the book I read, the more I began to like her. I think there's potential there, and I'm hoping that if there's a third book, we'll get to see more of her and her mother. There are a lot of chapters in this book, but they're short and I think the book flowed rather well.
Raphael returns as well. This book reminded me of why he's one of my favorite secondary characters in the series. There are also some new revelations, and the ending of the book is open enough that there's there's room for a third book in the series. If so, I really want to read it as well.
My rating of The Elementalist is 4/5 Platypires.
It was a couple of years ago when I read the first book in this series – Reluctant Guardian. What I remember from it is its cliff hanger ending. I mentioned in the review I wrote for it is I really wanted to read book two. That became especially true after seeing the cover for The Elementalist. Now that I've stated that, what I can say is that it picks up a year after the closing events of Reluctant Guardian. If you're interested in this series, I highly recommend reading book one, as it will make reading book two make more sense, and establishes the main characters and their background stories.
A lot of the main characters return: Alisa, the guardian, who has continued her training, and Brecken, the teenager she was assigned guardianship over. There's the introduction of several new characters, including Claire, the titular Elementalist. I wasn't sure what to think of her at first, but the further into the book I read, the more I began to like her. I think there's potential there, and I'm hoping that if there's a third book, we'll get to see more of her and her mother. There are a lot of chapters in this book, but they're short and I think the book flowed rather well.
Raphael returns as well. This book reminded me of why he's one of my favorite secondary characters in the series. There are also some new revelations, and the ending of the book is open enough that there's there's room for a third book in the series. If so, I really want to read it as well.
My rating of The Elementalist is 4/5 Platypires.
February 19, 2015
I have read both volumes, therefore I will do a series review for this book tour, rather than just the second volume.
The series focuses on the afterlife of Alisa. She is a deep character, or at least that’s how she was at the beginning. With such a terrible past, Alisa manages to mature during the books, something, which requires much strength. Yet, while reading the second book, there were some moments, where she annoyed me with her childish antics. Towards the end of the first book, she seemed to have matured a lot, yet towards the beginning of the second one, I felt like she didn’t pass through all the changes. I was extremely pissed at her (yes, I do get angry with my characters), for breaking the rules, and going to the wrong place. You, my friend, shouldn’t go to a creepy basement, where a group of people have formed a circle, holding hands, calling a certain “Elementalist”! I do understand that she was given an opportunity to live again, something she couldn’t have, but yet she shouldn’t have accepted everything without doubting.
The books had some eerie, creepy moments, something I deeply appreciate since it made the story a lot more interesting. Also I love the fact that the books keep you hooked until the very end, and the action is not missing either. I know the genre is not horror, but I love it how these books still give you some chills. The whole setting of the afterlife is unique, like nothing I have ever read. Who would think of purgatory as a school?
Overall, these books were more than just a good, easy read. Dramatic, paranormal, slightly eerie, and packed with action!
The series focuses on the afterlife of Alisa. She is a deep character, or at least that’s how she was at the beginning. With such a terrible past, Alisa manages to mature during the books, something, which requires much strength. Yet, while reading the second book, there were some moments, where she annoyed me with her childish antics. Towards the end of the first book, she seemed to have matured a lot, yet towards the beginning of the second one, I felt like she didn’t pass through all the changes. I was extremely pissed at her (yes, I do get angry with my characters), for breaking the rules, and going to the wrong place. You, my friend, shouldn’t go to a creepy basement, where a group of people have formed a circle, holding hands, calling a certain “Elementalist”! I do understand that she was given an opportunity to live again, something she couldn’t have, but yet she shouldn’t have accepted everything without doubting.
The books had some eerie, creepy moments, something I deeply appreciate since it made the story a lot more interesting. Also I love the fact that the books keep you hooked until the very end, and the action is not missing either. I know the genre is not horror, but I love it how these books still give you some chills. The whole setting of the afterlife is unique, like nothing I have ever read. Who would think of purgatory as a school?
Overall, these books were more than just a good, easy read. Dramatic, paranormal, slightly eerie, and packed with action!
April 13, 2015
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alisa Callahan is a guardian angel who falls madly in love with the boy she is sent to Earth to guard, Brecken. Brecken is the Great Undoer of the underworld. A powerful demon given a second change by an archangel to prove himself to be worthy to switch sides and leave the depths of hell for good. Claire is a regular human girl who practices elementalism, something that her grandmother died doing. She summons spirits to earth and during a spell gone wrong she traps Alisa in her body. The three teens have to work together to destroy a powerful demon who is taking over heaven. Alisa falls into the wrong hands and her only hope rests with the very boy whom has started the war between heaven and hell.
Ok first of all, I could not put this book down. It is very well written. Definitely a page turner. It is an exciting story and although I never read the first book I really hope there is a sequel to this one. I loved all the characters. Alisa was so amazing, willing to give up all that she loved to let others live their own life. All the ladies in this book are so great. Full of courage, ambition and love. Total heroines. When it comes to the boys they were both attracting, loving and caring yet at the same time they were powerful and completely badass. Melissa J.Cunningham made me want to live in the wonderful world she created. She writes with great finesse and intrigue. What a great read!
Alisa Callahan is a guardian angel who falls madly in love with the boy she is sent to Earth to guard, Brecken. Brecken is the Great Undoer of the underworld. A powerful demon given a second change by an archangel to prove himself to be worthy to switch sides and leave the depths of hell for good. Claire is a regular human girl who practices elementalism, something that her grandmother died doing. She summons spirits to earth and during a spell gone wrong she traps Alisa in her body. The three teens have to work together to destroy a powerful demon who is taking over heaven. Alisa falls into the wrong hands and her only hope rests with the very boy whom has started the war between heaven and hell.
Ok first of all, I could not put this book down. It is very well written. Definitely a page turner. It is an exciting story and although I never read the first book I really hope there is a sequel to this one. I loved all the characters. Alisa was so amazing, willing to give up all that she loved to let others live their own life. All the ladies in this book are so great. Full of courage, ambition and love. Total heroines. When it comes to the boys they were both attracting, loving and caring yet at the same time they were powerful and completely badass. Melissa J.Cunningham made me want to live in the wonderful world she created. She writes with great finesse and intrigue. What a great read!
February 26, 2015
I had really enjoyed watching Alisha grow and become more responsible in The Reluctant Guardian so I was eager to lose myself in this book in order to follow Alisha on her path of redemption. While I generally enjoyed the storytelling, I became frustrated with some of her insanely stupid actions. I feel like she lost much of the hard-earned maturity she had found earlier.
I loved the way in which the author continued to expand Alisha’s afterlife. There were many creepy and scary scenes in this book which made it darker than the first one. I particularly became enthralled by the depictions of the soul prison and the way in which those locked within suffered.
For me, the on and off romance between Alisha and Brecken was the least interesting aspect of the story. All the characters in this novel are plagued by past and present mistakes that just keep piling up; and all must come to terms with flaws and old issues that they would rather keep buried. I reveled in the action and adventure scenes that, fortunately for me, took center stage.
This is another read that kept me entertained even as it forced my mind to think about how the choices we make can have far-reaching ramifications on ourselves and on those close to us.
This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review
Reviewed by Laurie-J
I loved the way in which the author continued to expand Alisha’s afterlife. There were many creepy and scary scenes in this book which made it darker than the first one. I particularly became enthralled by the depictions of the soul prison and the way in which those locked within suffered.
For me, the on and off romance between Alisha and Brecken was the least interesting aspect of the story. All the characters in this novel are plagued by past and present mistakes that just keep piling up; and all must come to terms with flaws and old issues that they would rather keep buried. I reveled in the action and adventure scenes that, fortunately for me, took center stage.
This is another read that kept me entertained even as it forced my mind to think about how the choices we make can have far-reaching ramifications on ourselves and on those close to us.
This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review
Reviewed by Laurie-J
March 4, 2015
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Reluctant Guardian. It was thought provoking, exciting, and had a beautiful love story. I couldn't wait to dive into The Elementalist. And I liked this one even more!
At the end of Reluctant Guardian, we leave Brecken and Alisa in a less than optimal situation. They prevail only to find out they must be separated once again. Ugh! But not even death can keep them apart.
One of the things I loved about this one was that the plot grew a lot. The first one was more focused on Alisa and Brecken's relationship. There was still plenty of plot, but it mostly set up what is happening in this book. The demons are making their move, and Brecken and Alisa are unwittingly at the center of everything.
The plot kept me engaged, and I liked the new characters introduced. Claire and Alisa's relationship was interesting to say the least, and I loved Jamie. My one big gripe is that i didn't like the switch from 1st person to 3rd person POV. I'm not a fan of 3rd person anyway, and I found the back and forth very distracting. It affected the flow and took me out of the story. Other than that I really enjoyed it though and the cover is gorgeous!
4 stars
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Reluctant Guardian. It was thought provoking, exciting, and had a beautiful love story. I couldn't wait to dive into The Elementalist. And I liked this one even more!
At the end of Reluctant Guardian, we leave Brecken and Alisa in a less than optimal situation. They prevail only to find out they must be separated once again. Ugh! But not even death can keep them apart.
One of the things I loved about this one was that the plot grew a lot. The first one was more focused on Alisa and Brecken's relationship. There was still plenty of plot, but it mostly set up what is happening in this book. The demons are making their move, and Brecken and Alisa are unwittingly at the center of everything.
The plot kept me engaged, and I liked the new characters introduced. Claire and Alisa's relationship was interesting to say the least, and I loved Jamie. My one big gripe is that i didn't like the switch from 1st person to 3rd person POV. I'm not a fan of 3rd person anyway, and I found the back and forth very distracting. It affected the flow and took me out of the story. Other than that I really enjoyed it though and the cover is gorgeous!
4 stars
December 19, 2015
This is a series right? Meaning more two books? With the way this book ended, it had better be. It seemed like the story spent so much time ramping up to the fourth blood moon day and then bam. That's it. You're cut off. THE END. I don't know if there was meant to be some kind of spiritual fulfillment found through that ending, but it was terribly unsatisfying. It was so sudden and incomplete that it felt like the author decided to just quit in the middle of the story rather than making a cliff hanger. Prior to this abrupt stop, the story was working itself out fairly well. The pacing was quick, Alisa was more mature and it showed, her inner voice still there and acting her age of course, but a little more grown up, Claire had room to grow and was doing it, Brecken also had room to grow and was doing it (though had seemed much softer than I recalled), and then reveal after reveal happened and then Cunningham cuts you off. The potential stopped and left me wincing. I really hope this series continues otherwise I am going to be a frustrated reader whenever I think of it.
March 7, 2015
Ok, I ended up really enjoying this book, but I'm going with a 4 because some stuff was too weird for me toward the end and I spent a good portion of this book yelling at Alisa...like my kids were asking me if I was ok because I was verbalizing her stupidity constantly. I feel like we were taken on this journey with her in the first book where she finally started growing up and being less stupid, then at the beginning of this book she was right back where she started. Some things are just too stupid- being anywhere near a basement with people doing rituals in a circle. There is NO WAY she could ever think that was a good idea with what she went through in the first book. Ugh. I liked the rest of what happened. It wait, her blindly trusting Adam...? That was too creepy and wrong for words. Anyhow, so much of the story was interesting, dark, engaging, creative and suspenseful that I really did enjoy it and would absolutely read another story!
November 7, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in The Ransomed Souls book. Alisa is told she can no longer be with Brecken, that he must be free to live a full life as a mortal. Claire is an Elementalist, messing with dark powers she does not understand at all. Claire performs a ritual and ends up with Alisa trapped inside Claire's body with her. Both do not understand they are players in a much larger good versus evil game, with evil leading the charge.
The beginning is slower, but faster paced than book one, and the end was action packed. I was still frustrated with Brecken acting too much like a teenager than the age-old former demon he is. He has retained all those memories, and I understand the the weakness of mortality affected him, but to constantly fall for a new girl, disregard Alisa, and not think things through was irritating.
This is the second book in The Ransomed Souls book. Alisa is told she can no longer be with Brecken, that he must be free to live a full life as a mortal. Claire is an Elementalist, messing with dark powers she does not understand at all. Claire performs a ritual and ends up with Alisa trapped inside Claire's body with her. Both do not understand they are players in a much larger good versus evil game, with evil leading the charge.
The beginning is slower, but faster paced than book one, and the end was action packed. I was still frustrated with Brecken acting too much like a teenager than the age-old former demon he is. He has retained all those memories, and I understand the the weakness of mortality affected him, but to constantly fall for a new girl, disregard Alisa, and not think things through was irritating.
Read
July 10, 2016Alisa is stuck in her area of Elysium without Brecken. She ends up paired up, or rather being trapped inside a body with Claire- a person that she doesn't even like. This turns out to be a play by the demons to keep Alisa out of the way so they can take over Idir Shaol!!
She manages to get back to Brecken, however almost as soon as they find each other his memory of her is wiped!
Holy crap on a cracker this book is amazing! I love the witty banter between Claire and Alisa. It's hilarious to see the two alpha personalities pair off against one another in the same body.
I was wondering the whole time if two ethereal entities could fist fight!
The pace is perfect, and I felt the frenzy building as the demons came closer to fulfilling their plan.
It hurt my heart in places, some of the sacrifices that are made in the name of goodness.
Excellent book, and I highly suggest that you read this series!!
~Dowie
She manages to get back to Brecken, however almost as soon as they find each other his memory of her is wiped!
Holy crap on a cracker this book is amazing! I love the witty banter between Claire and Alisa. It's hilarious to see the two alpha personalities pair off against one another in the same body.
I was wondering the whole time if two ethereal entities could fist fight!
The pace is perfect, and I felt the frenzy building as the demons came closer to fulfilling their plan.
It hurt my heart in places, some of the sacrifices that are made in the name of goodness.
Excellent book, and I highly suggest that you read this series!!
~Dowie
January 2, 2016
Due to the fact that I loved reading the first book, I was dying to get my hands on this book......
And it was awesome!! I enjoyed every minute of it. There was so much edge of your seat twists and turns in this book, along with some shocking secrets. The author did a phenomenal job of allowing us to get to know the main characters some more and falling in love with their story. The characters were so awesome and the plot was strong and very well written. I loved how the characters showed us how much love could conquer no matter what got in the way. This is a great story and I highly recommend it!! I am very excited and anxious to see what the next great adventure will be by this author.
The author provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only. No remuneration was exchanged.
And it was awesome!! I enjoyed every minute of it. There was so much edge of your seat twists and turns in this book, along with some shocking secrets. The author did a phenomenal job of allowing us to get to know the main characters some more and falling in love with their story. The characters were so awesome and the plot was strong and very well written. I loved how the characters showed us how much love could conquer no matter what got in the way. This is a great story and I highly recommend it!! I am very excited and anxious to see what the next great adventure will be by this author.
The author provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only. No remuneration was exchanged.
April 17, 2016
I liked and enjoyed it but not as the first one. I liked Alisa's growth in the first book Reluctant Guardian but some of her choices she made me think I'm really reading about her. It was funny when she was stuck in Claire's body. The plot was cool and got hooked to it.
I liked Claire in some parts and didn't liked in some but I liked her by the end. Brecken knows who he is and I didn't like him at some parts, it's just felt he was a little arrogant, I really don't know but it is a part of him, his past who he was which I know why when I read The Undoer but he is just adorable not to like him.
Liked it very much that I finished it in a day. Got the book in exchange of an honest review.
I liked Claire in some parts and didn't liked in some but I liked her by the end. Brecken knows who he is and I didn't like him at some parts, it's just felt he was a little arrogant, I really don't know but it is a part of him, his past who he was which I know why when I read The Undoer but he is just adorable not to like him.
Liked it very much that I finished it in a day. Got the book in exchange of an honest review.
July 3, 2015
Book two moves on a lot from how I remember book one being... this instalment to the series is more action-packed and fast-paced as opposed to the thought-provoking first book. We start off one year after book one ended as the two main characters are once again reintroduced when Alisa starts to possess the body of an elementalist. Finally she can take the opportunity to revisit Brecken. However, there are larger forces at work as Alisa becomes a pawn to capture Brecken.
A must-read second instalment to Reluctant Guardian!! Happy reading :)
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for a honest review.**
A must-read second instalment to Reluctant Guardian!! Happy reading :)
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for a honest review.**
March 4, 2015
This is the sequel that Reluctant Guardian fans have been waiting for! You get some of the answers that you have been waiting for since the first book but wow what a journey you have to go on. Melissa does a wonderful job of mixing in the current world with the various places in the afterlife and certainly makes you think about what might be out there.
I love that YA authors are taking this sort of path and whilst this is a paranormal YA so may have a touch more leeway it brings things such as teen suicide to the surface and possibly opens the door for conversations because ALL actions have consequences.
5 out of 5 stars from me! V""V
I love that YA authors are taking this sort of path and whilst this is a paranormal YA so may have a touch more leeway it brings things such as teen suicide to the surface and possibly opens the door for conversations because ALL actions have consequences.
5 out of 5 stars from me! V""V
April 29, 2017
Battle between Good and Evil
I am not sure how I feel about this series, at this point. I know I am driven to finish it....but it is about demons and angels, heaven and hell..and sometimes it is a bit troubling to me. It is very well written and hard to put down..I am just not sure how I feel about it. It is clean..it is suspenseful..and totally does not fit my views of an afterlife...but I am compelled to read it because the characters have become friends..if you know what I mean. I guess I will know more how I feel about it when I finish the next one!!
I am not sure how I feel about this series, at this point. I know I am driven to finish it....but it is about demons and angels, heaven and hell..and sometimes it is a bit troubling to me. It is very well written and hard to put down..I am just not sure how I feel about it. It is clean..it is suspenseful..and totally does not fit my views of an afterlife...but I am compelled to read it because the characters have become friends..if you know what I mean. I guess I will know more how I feel about it when I finish the next one!!
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September 23, 2016Entertaining read
I read this book because I had read book 1 and enjoyed it. I'm not a fan of teenage romance and at moments I was afraid that is what the series was turning into but as a whole I think its better than that, deep down. Over all an entertaining read, good to fill those idle moments, I look forward to starting book 3.
I read this book because I had read book 1 and enjoyed it. I'm not a fan of teenage romance and at moments I was afraid that is what the series was turning into but as a whole I think its better than that, deep down. Over all an entertaining read, good to fill those idle moments, I look forward to starting book 3.
February 11, 2016
I couldn't get into this book, I knew at the ending of the first book that the second one was going to be the same old thing. After overcoming all odds a couple finds each other and falls in love. Of course they must spend the second book apart and depressed. Boring
January 14, 2021
Probably more of a 3.5, but since it was a nice clean YA book I decided to up it to a 4...
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