Elementals

by Matthew Alec

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Genres: Horror

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2017

Reviews

[Tim Pendry · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Elementals' was first published in 1922. It has a slightly formal and fustian feel to it at times. Benet was primarily a poet who also wrote fantasy material and the East Coast Yale man comes through - it lacks the raw energy of pulp fiction. There were times when I was a little bored.

Nevertheless, it should not be dismissed. The story is quite simple - a sociopathic sadistic wealthy man, bored with life, amuses himself by testing the love of a young couple desperate for money in a cruel way derived from an Renaissance exemplar.

The story is clearly derived from the world of Poe who also liked Italianate Gothick themes of cruelty. It is positively nineteenth century in its sentiments about love. Nevertheless, within these limitations, Benet produces a genuinely distressing story of sadistic cruelty.

[Samama Reza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why are fantasy novels always so fantastic? The Elementals was a nice novel. Though I must confess that I didn’t exactly love it from the beginning. The characters were too sarcastic especially in the worst situations, not caring one bit about their sarcasm crashing and burning in the most peculiar ways. Some of the main characters reacted too dramatically to almost everything at first, but they started getting better as the chapters went by.


As you keep reading, you start growing with each and every character and you truly start liking them. Especially Luke. He’s the type of best friend I always wish I had. If you read this book you’ll want to have a friend like him too.


Will you be heartbroken after reading this book? Yes and no. You’ll like this book enough to wish it doesn’t end too rapidly.


I’d give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars, a perfect book for a perfect spring day.


So this book is based on Evelyn Harp, a girl with the ability to control soil, plants, trees and flower – and only her friend Luke knows about her secret power.


After one fateful day everything changes for them. These two friends embark on an adventure beyond their wildest dreams.


They are soon joined by her Elemental sisters in their adventure – with each having powers of the Wind, Fire and Water - where it's revealed that she is a member of the Guardians - powerful warrior women who stretch back through history, who were created with a single purpose. To defeat an ancient evil that rises every few hundred years, intent of enslaving humanity. The Guardians must fulfil their birthright and send him back to the depths of hell.

[Williamsmith19 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas gift from my girlfriend and once I started i couldn't stop- I finished it within days.

It's almost like a tv series- as if the book could be set on the screen. it's descriptive and engaging enough! I really can visualize this in an episodic way.

I loved Evelyn. She's cocky, insecure, defiant and feisty. She isn't the typical doe eyed heroin- she has a fire that's so engaging to read! Her relationship with Luke is wonderful- you really do root for them both!

I really like the elements of the story- I love witches and magic and spells and whilst there is an underlying love, it isn't a romance and that's rare in this genre!
The characters were developed enough and the story was incredibly unpredictable- an entire history and mythology was created! I can almost see a potential prequel being written?

It's a quick read, quite a page-turner- especially when you finish a chapter you need to read on!
The writing style is rather descriptive. It changed from person to person point of view and I haven't read a book that does that yet! It's nice to see what other people are thinking instead of just the main character.
It's incredibly diverse and some of the secondary characters may well just become your favorite!

5* recommendation!

[BookFanMagicMan1989 · Rating 5 out of 5]

At a time when fantasy novels are at an all-time high- I am glad this book came along. I bought this book from Barnes and Nobles in the USA on Aug 2017

It serves as both a faithful continuation to the fantasy genre, but it also subverts it and it is extremely welcomed- it’s not the traditional fantasy novel that you may read.
It is aimed at young adults, and for some themes this seems appropriate, but it is easily readable for both younger and older. The concept isn’t hard to grab, very similar to Percy Jackson or Buffy the Vampire Slayer (chosen people are selected to fight off an evil demon that keeps coming back every few hundred years)
The plot is quick to begin with; diving straight into the action as the four (yes four) main characters all meet up within the first six chapters. Towards the end the story moves at a good pace, culminating in the large battle and a surprising death.
The book is initially written from the first person perspective view of a teenage girl, named Evelyn, in her last year of college. It’s refreshing, and my favourite part of the book, that this girl does NOT want to be a hero. When she learns what her powers mean and she is a part of this (basically) coven who fight demons, she wants no part in it! Even going as far to renounce her *destiny* and refuse to take part until convinced otherwise. Her stubbornness and bad attitude are refreshing (Even when they are pointed out by other characters which make it humourous)! She doesn’t fall into the traditional category of female main characters like Twilight and Mortal Bones who are enamoured with the fantasy and none of the reality! She is pragmatic and practical and it comes across well!
The book changes perspective multiple times from the lead female to any one of the other main characters. It’s a clever move, allows us to see the world created from other people’s eyes, but to also see the main character that you grow to love, from the eyes of other people.
The characters do fall into certain tropes but this is referenced in the book and stated that it has been done for a purpose, for example one of the main characters is traditionally stern and almost 2 dimensional however as the book develops you see her character change and that her ‘stern’ temperament comes from her powers so it’s an interesting twist on modern tropes.
The comic relief character, Luke, will be your all-time favourite character- that I assure you. He is funny, witty, and almost *everyone’s* best friend.
There are some amazing and interesting twists as the book progresses to keep the reader on their toes and gripped throughout!


A flaw that I noticed is the main villain, an embodiment of Sin, isn’t developed on too much- he spends the first few chapters in which he appears possessing someone else, and when he appaesr in his one true body, he only appears in a few chapters and the final battle. I would love for the villain to take a larger role on future books as he is meant to have thousands of years of history so this could be expanded on.
The book is well written and described in beautiful detail. I hope there are more books in the future, but I agree with other comments that I wish some smaller characters are given a larger role. The books is left on a cliff-hanger so I assume further books are being written, in which I hope other characters can share the spotlight.

[TheSpillingQuill · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is targeted towards teenagers but I think it is more suited towards 7-11 year olds, seeing as Alec has a simple writing style and a good, but basic concept. The main plot is similar to Percy Jackson e.g. teenagers with special abilities must band together to overcome an evil force. The way the story is written is clear but also bland. The plot is initially fast-paced (making this quick to read) but becomes prolonged towards the end due to the continuous encounters the characters have with the villain.

‘Elementals’ is told from multiple perspectives which is great because we get to know the other characters. However, the first character we encounter is Evelyn, who is not likeable as she is selfish and hypocritical. Although her irritating behaviour is pointed out by other characters later on in the book, encountering her character first is off putting. I believe it would be better if Alec alternated the viewpoints with every chapter as remaining on the same character for successive chapters makes the book monotonous.

Alec manages to create a range of characters with the best character voices coming from Luke and Mai Yun. They are easy to warm to and their dialogue flows smoothly. Sadly, we only hear a little from them. Alec does fit some characters into a stereotype, making them less authentic. Pandora is the embodiment of a typical high school mean girl and Evelyn is the moody daydreamer who wishes for a more exciting life. Ethan is the handsome British boy whom Evelyn has a crush on and this is presented in a way that may make the reader cringe. There are characters of different appearances and nationalities which I appreciate but they are not given enough of the narrative.

Alec writes female rivalry in a mis-perceived way. The dynamic between the Pandora and Evelyn does not make sense, for example, Evelyn dislikes Pandora but insists on going to her party to prove she does not care what Pandora thinks about her (and to avoid her Guardian responsibilities). Another unlikely scenario is when Pandora acts vulnerable and honest in front of Evelyn, despite disliking her.

Alec has moments where he describes objects and scenes nicely. There are some comic moments (thanks to Luke’s character) and there are some great surprises and twists in the plot that Alec reveals effectively.

A spirit world is mentioned but this world is not built up. I do not get a sense of how it works, what it looks like or any specific details. Seeing as Alec can describe well, it would have been nice to hear more about the spirit world.

The backstories for Jessica (fire Guardian) and Amara (air Guardian) are written well and I like how emotional they are when recounting their past. It would have been nice to read from Raina’s perspective, considering her intriguing backstory. Amara’s links into our world and the reader gets to quickly know more about both of the characters. I like how the metal from Avarice’s tomb is the same metal each of the Guardian’s carry in their pendant and use to form a compass – a clever feature of the story.

Alec often shows and tells in his writing when showing is sufficient. This series is worth continuing, provided the minor characters such as Amara and Luke are given more of a voice.

[EthanHolland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely 5 * a book review but this book was great. Debut novel from unknown author and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book mixes fantasy and teenage angst in a great way. The main character is the perfect mix of sarcastic and heroic, with the type of attitude that strangely makes her endearing. It's rare to find a main character who you like because she is almost, albeit only initially, unlikeable. Her best friend does fall Into the comic relief role which is well received as he manages to break the tension during most chapters. The other two main characters, who could be classed as secondary characters as they aren't introduced until at least 20% of the way in, are almost stereotypical in their roles as the brains and the leader, but this fact is picked up on in an almost metafiction way, once again by the main character- these traits are picked up on. Both characters are expanded on ad their histories flesh them out well.

The plot does have many twists and turns, with the ending being particularly shocking. The story follows the plot of these character having to head to war with an ancient demon, but this is told in a way that isn't convoluted and well expanded upon. There is a *spoiler* dramatic death scene at the end that does come as a shock but the epilogue does imply a second book.

The book is written well, from a new author, with an interesting, fresh and new story.

Well worth a read- thoroughly enjoyed.

[Lisa Salway]

I won't rate this as I didn't realize it was for teens when I picked it up. But it was a good concept, I liked how the story unfolded, good cliffhanger ending - even though the FMC is insufferable, and the writing is not great.

[LaureChilvers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually LOVED this.
It's the first book where the POV changes every couple chapters so i feel like i got to know every character individually such a smart move! x