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Elemasters
Not yet published
Expected 8 Sep 26423 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 8, 2026
About the author
Gintsuki Shikibu
3 books2 followersGintsuki Shikibu is a sci-fi and fantasy author whose work blends myth, action, and heartfelt queer storytelling. Drawing inspiration from his Black and East Asian heritage, he creates worlds centered on diverse heroes, with a particular focus on m/m relationships and characters navigating identity, power, and belonging.
A lifelong fan of epic storytelling in all forms, Gintsuki’s influences include video games like Mass Effect, Japanese tokusatsu series such as Kamen Rider and Super Sentai, as well as superhero comics and larger-than-life adventures. His stories combine explosive spectacle with intimate character journeys, celebrating heroes who don’t always get to see themselves at the center of the story.
A lifelong fan of epic storytelling in all forms, Gintsuki’s influences include video games like Mass Effect, Japanese tokusatsu series such as Kamen Rider and Super Sentai, as well as superhero comics and larger-than-life adventures. His stories combine explosive spectacle with intimate character journeys, celebrating heroes who don’t always get to see themselves at the center of the story.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
One of the most refreshing and wonderfully emotionally complex stories I have encountered in a long time.
Basically, if She's The Man (2006) and Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers (2017) had a baby that was very, very gay, it would be this - something that is so quintessentially 2000s with teenagers getting powers that they don't understand and don't know how to handle, being guided by a long dead mentor who is extremely loveable, all while trying to navigate their own identities and the struggles of life as a queer, non-white teenager in a severely judgmental, mostly white, mostly rich small town. Jason had it easy compared to Dustin Ying, but let's not make a contest.
Each of the main characters has such a distinct personality, and it's genuinely so amazing to see such a well rounded, interesting, funny, distinct cast. From two girls who feel fully fleshed out and actual form a strong friendship with each other, defying any 'mean girl' tropes that saturated media during the 2000s time setting and would have had the women clawing at each other's necks over a boy, or would have had them demanding that they're 'not like other girls' with a dirt smudge on their cheek while still wearing flawless mascara, these girls get to embrace each other in friendship while embracing their femininity. It's genuinely beautiful to see the girls in this group with distinct personality and autonomy.
And on the opposite side of the coin, the male characters get to show emotion without being overly aggressive, and they get to go through a true arc of dealing with their problems rather than just taking out their emotions with violence. This story shows one of the most beautiful brother and brother relationships I have seen in fiction in a long time. Many stories that attempt to display brothers either throw around this term as a way to de-sexualize non-blood related queer relationships to attempt to dissuade people from seeing a romantic relationship between two characters, or they take two characters that ARE blood related and kill one of them before any kind of satisfying development can form. But this piece shows a true, real, deep sibling dynamic that must come from a place of deeper emotions with the author - seeing two characters compared and contrasted with their flaws, seeing how they were once so close and now they barely speak, seeing how their flawed relationship with their parents deeply effects them... it evokes such genuine emotions while reading, and you wouldn't necessarily think that a story staring magical elemental rings would be such a perfect backdrop for such a beautiful story about sibling rivalry coming into a grand forgiveness and self discovery, but it works SO WELL. Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is forgive yourself, and forgive someone else, and on top of that, love them. And as cheesy as it sounds, that is the most powerful magic of all.
If this were ever turned into a film, I would be camped outside waiting for tickets. This is stunningly beautiful, peak emotions and the magic breaks up the tensions of all those emotions so perfectly. Plus, if you love annoying 'fuckboy' characters with a loveable side, Chris Ying will have you down bad in a moment.
Basically, if She's The Man (2006) and Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers (2017) had a baby that was very, very gay, it would be this - something that is so quintessentially 2000s with teenagers getting powers that they don't understand and don't know how to handle, being guided by a long dead mentor who is extremely loveable, all while trying to navigate their own identities and the struggles of life as a queer, non-white teenager in a severely judgmental, mostly white, mostly rich small town. Jason had it easy compared to Dustin Ying, but let's not make a contest.
Each of the main characters has such a distinct personality, and it's genuinely so amazing to see such a well rounded, interesting, funny, distinct cast. From two girls who feel fully fleshed out and actual form a strong friendship with each other, defying any 'mean girl' tropes that saturated media during the 2000s time setting and would have had the women clawing at each other's necks over a boy, or would have had them demanding that they're 'not like other girls' with a dirt smudge on their cheek while still wearing flawless mascara, these girls get to embrace each other in friendship while embracing their femininity. It's genuinely beautiful to see the girls in this group with distinct personality and autonomy.
And on the opposite side of the coin, the male characters get to show emotion without being overly aggressive, and they get to go through a true arc of dealing with their problems rather than just taking out their emotions with violence. This story shows one of the most beautiful brother and brother relationships I have seen in fiction in a long time. Many stories that attempt to display brothers either throw around this term as a way to de-sexualize non-blood related queer relationships to attempt to dissuade people from seeing a romantic relationship between two characters, or they take two characters that ARE blood related and kill one of them before any kind of satisfying development can form. But this piece shows a true, real, deep sibling dynamic that must come from a place of deeper emotions with the author - seeing two characters compared and contrasted with their flaws, seeing how they were once so close and now they barely speak, seeing how their flawed relationship with their parents deeply effects them... it evokes such genuine emotions while reading, and you wouldn't necessarily think that a story staring magical elemental rings would be such a perfect backdrop for such a beautiful story about sibling rivalry coming into a grand forgiveness and self discovery, but it works SO WELL. Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is forgive yourself, and forgive someone else, and on top of that, love them. And as cheesy as it sounds, that is the most powerful magic of all.
If this were ever turned into a film, I would be camped outside waiting for tickets. This is stunningly beautiful, peak emotions and the magic breaks up the tensions of all those emotions so perfectly. Plus, if you love annoying 'fuckboy' characters with a loveable side, Chris Ying will have you down bad in a moment.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ten out of ten recommend. As someone that reads one rare occasions i couldn't put this book down. Everything is so well written and expressed in such vivid details. The character details are PERFECT. There are no dull or bland characters. They are all so well written. And if you are one for nostalgia this book has alot of that as well. While reading i genuinely feel as though I have teleported into the book and have seen every detail of ingenious writing. Every character is easy to connect to. They are so relatable. I'm absolutely obsessed and would read it again and again. I recommend not only this book but this author. So absolutely talented and brilliant. You will NOT regret reading anything they have created.
July 24, 2026
ARC provided via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.
Finished this last night and just sat there for a while. That's the review, honestly.
Five kids inherit the elements, an emperor who won't stay dead comes for them, and every chapter is named after an emo song like the book's daring you to not take it seriously. Don't fall for it. It's spectacle and mythology and powers, and then it keeps stopping to say something real about being eighteen and gay and stuck in a town that already decided who you are.
The romance is why I'll be first in line for book two. A gay love story and a bi awakening in the same book, both earned, both hot, neither one treated like a lesson. I could not put it down.
One of the leads gets insufferable in the middle and I almost threw my Kobo. Then it clicked that that's the point — he's avoiding what he wants until it turns him into an asshole, and when he comes back it lands. Not a flaw. A build.
Best book I've read this year and it's not even out yet. Go in cold.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Finished this last night and just sat there for a while. That's the review, honestly.
Five kids inherit the elements, an emperor who won't stay dead comes for them, and every chapter is named after an emo song like the book's daring you to not take it seriously. Don't fall for it. It's spectacle and mythology and powers, and then it keeps stopping to say something real about being eighteen and gay and stuck in a town that already decided who you are.
The romance is why I'll be first in line for book two. A gay love story and a bi awakening in the same book, both earned, both hot, neither one treated like a lesson. I could not put it down.
One of the leads gets insufferable in the middle and I almost threw my Kobo. Then it clicked that that's the point — he's avoiding what he wants until it turns him into an asshole, and when he comes back it lands. Not a flaw. A build.
Best book I've read this year and it's not even out yet. Go in cold.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was truly a 10/10 read I definitely felt a lot of emotions while reading this book it was funny witty but also dark, also shares some history while also giving a bit of Romance I truly loved this book
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews