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Elementum Genus #1
Claiming Flame
After years of being shuttled from school to school, Sera has built walls to keep others out, too afraid of being hurt when she has to leave. So, when three boys, all part of the same Genus, take an interest in her, she tries to keep them at arm’s length. Sera tries harder to keep the boys’ away in an attempt to protect them, and trying to stand on her own, when her dorm matron decides she needs a firm hand. The boys refuse to give up and as an important date for any Elementum looms closer, can she learn that her real strength, confidence and courage lie in letting three boys in?
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 14, 2023
Mish-mashed and poorly written
There were quite a few pieces from popular fantasy all mashed together, but nothing was blended very well. There also wasn't much world building to help the storyline. There was no real character development, and Sera's behaviour was inconsistent with her upbringing quite a few times. There was some attempt at relationship building, but it was very rushed and in the end depended on the whole "fated" thing. Honestly, I don't care to read anything else by this author.
There were quite a few pieces from popular fantasy all mashed together, but nothing was blended very well. There also wasn't much world building to help the storyline. There was no real character development, and Sera's behaviour was inconsistent with her upbringing quite a few times. There was some attempt at relationship building, but it was very rushed and in the end depended on the whole "fated" thing. Honestly, I don't care to read anything else by this author.
February 7, 2020
Pages: 198
My rating: 3.5
Read other books by this author in the future: yes
The first book is about Sera starting a new school. Because she got into some mischief in her old school, she is watched closely in this school. On her first day she met a guy, how is supposed to show her around and to keep an eye on her. He comes with a boyfriend and a best friend. And all of them want to get to know Sera better. There is some bullying and other stuff where Sera is the victim. I liked the first book.
March 4, 2018
I first read Claiming Flame as a part of one of the Falling For Them anthologies (no longer available).
Claiming Flame is the first book in a paranormal reverse harem series centered around Sera, an orphan and Elementum with an affinity for the fire element (Ignus). There is a glossary in the front of the book that explains the different terms and their meaning, which I was glad to have read first (instead of skipping over), as the terms aren't really defined in the story itself. Sera is a ward of the overall Elemuntum Concilium, and has been transferred each school year to a new school, which contributes to her inability to make and keep friends as well as her "putting up walls".
The school, the Elemuntum "world" and the "powers" the characters have (I can only think of one time they were even used) are not the focus of the story, but rather Sera's life and her slowly building relationship with the three boys she meets at school. They are, of course, immediately interested in her, and she, in turn, immediately interested in them despite never letting herself be attracted to anyone in the past. She does make the token attempt to keep them away, which they ignore. There is no physical interaction to speak of until after her 18th birthday, at which point it ramps up a little bit. I was ok with the slow build of this, and I like that the "harem" consists of an established m/m relationship, which adds a little bit of difference to a pretty common RH plot/theme. I didn't care for the abusive dorm monitor, and how Sera continually reached to it, followed by ultimately being rescued by the boys. The author has a writing style that consists of not using words like "had" or "that" in sentences where they would normally be present in most books, and I found this distracting, as well as some of the editing errors that were in the final version of the book I purchased, but even so I found the writing better than other RH books I have rated a 3 or 3.5 in the past, so I am bumping up to a 3.75.
Claiming Flame is the first book in a paranormal reverse harem series centered around Sera, an orphan and Elementum with an affinity for the fire element (Ignus). There is a glossary in the front of the book that explains the different terms and their meaning, which I was glad to have read first (instead of skipping over), as the terms aren't really defined in the story itself. Sera is a ward of the overall Elemuntum Concilium, and has been transferred each school year to a new school, which contributes to her inability to make and keep friends as well as her "putting up walls".
The school, the Elemuntum "world" and the "powers" the characters have (I can only think of one time they were even used) are not the focus of the story, but rather Sera's life and her slowly building relationship with the three boys she meets at school. They are, of course, immediately interested in her, and she, in turn, immediately interested in them despite never letting herself be attracted to anyone in the past. She does make the token attempt to keep them away, which they ignore. There is no physical interaction to speak of until after her 18th birthday, at which point it ramps up a little bit. I was ok with the slow build of this, and I like that the "harem" consists of an established m/m relationship, which adds a little bit of difference to a pretty common RH plot/theme. I didn't care for the abusive dorm monitor, and how Sera continually reached to it, followed by ultimately being rescued by the boys. The author has a writing style that consists of not using words like "had" or "that" in sentences where they would normally be present in most books, and I found this distracting, as well as some of the editing errors that were in the final version of the book I purchased, but even so I found the writing better than other RH books I have rated a 3 or 3.5 in the past, so I am bumping up to a 3.75.
May 10, 2023
buyer beware
I read some of the bad reviews, and I thought that the storyline would exceed all the bad points. I went ahead and bought the book and I knew by the third chapter I wasn’t gonna like the book, at all. But I already spent the money, so I read the whole thing through.
Spoilers:
1. I really hate when a lot of things could be avoided, when people can just speak up. She had no reason to lie and cover up things. Just because she was turning 18 and she wanted to be able to prove she can be independent? She can call for help when they take away your cooking privileges or outside privileges. But don’t tell anyone when they beat and burn you? What? huh?. If somebody was getting beaten, their whole life, maybe I would believe them keeping it a secret, because that’s their Norm. But in this book, she was letting someone beat her on her 1st day because she wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. And each encounter with that person, they were described as a total psycho. It didn’t make a lick of sense. If she was a troublemaker all her life at other schools, it is illogical that she would let somebody in authority beat her up and burn her and lie about it to everyone, including her love interests the whole entire book.
2. The writing style is very adolescent. One guy was trying to get her to tell her why she won’t go to a dance. It was literally like a whole chapter dedicated to just finding out why she wouldn’t tell him. Tell me why not? No. Pause…Tell me why not? No. 17 an 18 year olds do not talk like that.
3. Nothing really happened. She went to a new school and met three guys and got abused. Nothing really kept my interest. Nothing really made me want to continue the series at all. I read elemental Academy, and this is not even in the same league as that series.
I read some of the bad reviews, and I thought that the storyline would exceed all the bad points. I went ahead and bought the book and I knew by the third chapter I wasn’t gonna like the book, at all. But I already spent the money, so I read the whole thing through.
Spoilers:
1. I really hate when a lot of things could be avoided, when people can just speak up. She had no reason to lie and cover up things. Just because she was turning 18 and she wanted to be able to prove she can be independent? She can call for help when they take away your cooking privileges or outside privileges. But don’t tell anyone when they beat and burn you? What? huh?. If somebody was getting beaten, their whole life, maybe I would believe them keeping it a secret, because that’s their Norm. But in this book, she was letting someone beat her on her 1st day because she wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. And each encounter with that person, they were described as a total psycho. It didn’t make a lick of sense. If she was a troublemaker all her life at other schools, it is illogical that she would let somebody in authority beat her up and burn her and lie about it to everyone, including her love interests the whole entire book.
2. The writing style is very adolescent. One guy was trying to get her to tell her why she won’t go to a dance. It was literally like a whole chapter dedicated to just finding out why she wouldn’t tell him. Tell me why not? No. Pause…Tell me why not? No. 17 an 18 year olds do not talk like that.
3. Nothing really happened. She went to a new school and met three guys and got abused. Nothing really kept my interest. Nothing really made me want to continue the series at all. I read elemental Academy, and this is not even in the same league as that series.
March 6, 2018
A lot of potential
I enjoyed Claiming Flame, and really liked Sera and her guys. I knew, and was thrilled when they formed a Genus, and since I love RH was happy to see them get together. The reason I gave this book 3 instead of 5 stars was because of Souta and Brooks and their relationship with Sera. I have no problem with bisexual relationships being explored in novels, and thought it was sweet and hot in the beginning that Souta and Brooks were already a couple when Sera arrived, the problem for me came with the lack of “progression” between the two of them with Sera and their clear love for each other. Again, I didn’t mind them being in love with one another as long as they were in love with her too, but it just seemed that there was way too much emphasis on THEIR relationship (Souta and Brook’s) going so far as Souta telling Sera that if not for the ritual that made them Genus he wouldn’t have revealed his affections for her since he already loved Brooks 😒 That bothered me. By definition the RH genre focuses on the FEMALE protagonist. The female lead is loved, adored etc by 3 or more guys, having one guy tell her he’s attracted to her but wouldn’t have acted on it, another say less than 100 words to her in the entire book, left only one guy who was 💯 percent “devoted” / in love with her. It left a sour taste in my mouth. I’m hoping that the second novel (if I decide to read it) will bring the focus onto Sera and her romantic relationships with all 3 of her Genus, and that there will be less talk of how Souta and Brooks love each other and more acknowledgment of how they’ve fallen in love with her, their self proclaimed “heart and center.” If not, I feel as if this series will fail as a RH and merely become a paranormal / fantasy with polyamory.
I enjoyed Claiming Flame, and really liked Sera and her guys. I knew, and was thrilled when they formed a Genus, and since I love RH was happy to see them get together. The reason I gave this book 3 instead of 5 stars was because of Souta and Brooks and their relationship with Sera. I have no problem with bisexual relationships being explored in novels, and thought it was sweet and hot in the beginning that Souta and Brooks were already a couple when Sera arrived, the problem for me came with the lack of “progression” between the two of them with Sera and their clear love for each other. Again, I didn’t mind them being in love with one another as long as they were in love with her too, but it just seemed that there was way too much emphasis on THEIR relationship (Souta and Brook’s) going so far as Souta telling Sera that if not for the ritual that made them Genus he wouldn’t have revealed his affections for her since he already loved Brooks 😒 That bothered me. By definition the RH genre focuses on the FEMALE protagonist. The female lead is loved, adored etc by 3 or more guys, having one guy tell her he’s attracted to her but wouldn’t have acted on it, another say less than 100 words to her in the entire book, left only one guy who was 💯 percent “devoted” / in love with her. It left a sour taste in my mouth. I’m hoping that the second novel (if I decide to read it) will bring the focus onto Sera and her romantic relationships with all 3 of her Genus, and that there will be less talk of how Souta and Brooks love each other and more acknowledgment of how they’ve fallen in love with her, their self proclaimed “heart and center.” If not, I feel as if this series will fail as a RH and merely become a paranormal / fantasy with polyamory.
January 1, 2019
A solid first offering from a new author, Claiming Flame is a sweet, slow-burn new adult novel. It has some rocky moments, but Ms. Lin has put out a solid story and I'm looking forward to more from her!
Claiming Flame is a story set in a world where magic exists and people (Elementums) are born into different elemental classes. Sera is an orphan with an affinity for the fire (Ignus) and a ward of the Elemuntum Concilium. In order to avoid favoritism by the Concilium, she has been transferred to a new school each year, so she's always the outsider and it makes it difficult to open up to other people. Though she's longed to become part of a Genus (bonded quartet of Elementums, each representing one of the four elements), Sera's resigned herself to never being part of a whole. After all, who want's an orphan with no known lineage? At this new school Sera finds herself in over her head, hurt and alone, struggling to survive until her 18th birthday. When three guys, Souta, JJ, and Brooks, begin to break down her walls, they find more than they bargained for. Can the four of them come together as friends to overcome the obstacles Sera's hidden away and learn to love each other?
It's a fun romance, with just the right amount of magic. Though Claiming Flame has a few growing pains, it works well in the context of the story. Desi Lin has given us a fun book, with the promise of more!
Claiming Flame is a story set in a world where magic exists and people (Elementums) are born into different elemental classes. Sera is an orphan with an affinity for the fire (Ignus) and a ward of the Elemuntum Concilium. In order to avoid favoritism by the Concilium, she has been transferred to a new school each year, so she's always the outsider and it makes it difficult to open up to other people. Though she's longed to become part of a Genus (bonded quartet of Elementums, each representing one of the four elements), Sera's resigned herself to never being part of a whole. After all, who want's an orphan with no known lineage? At this new school Sera finds herself in over her head, hurt and alone, struggling to survive until her 18th birthday. When three guys, Souta, JJ, and Brooks, begin to break down her walls, they find more than they bargained for. Can the four of them come together as friends to overcome the obstacles Sera's hidden away and learn to love each other?
It's a fun romance, with just the right amount of magic. Though Claiming Flame has a few growing pains, it works well in the context of the story. Desi Lin has given us a fun book, with the promise of more!
November 21, 2018
Seraphina is an Ignis, the fire elemental. Her life has not been easy; she's the only orphan on record being raised by the Councilum. She's had to change schools every year. She has built walls to protect her heart, but it's a lonely life. She has a reputation as a troublemaker. Now at her most recent school, the dorm matron is physically abusive. The only bright spot in her life are the three boys, Souta, Brooks, and JJ, who refuse to leave her alone, despite her attempts to push them away. They believe she is the 4th element of their group, the one to complete their Genus (water, fire, earth, air elementals). Will she be able to let her guard down and let the boys into her life? Will she even get the chance to? This is a truly wonderful story. The characters are great. JJ is adorable, Brooks and his quiet perfection are perfect for Sera, and Souta's energy and enthusiasm are contagious. I wasn't sure about the relationship between Souta and Brooks. I am not opposed, but the depth of their love for one another didn't seem like it would be as open to including Sera completely. I'm afraid that it will be 2+2 sometimes equals 4 but sometimes stays 2+2. Still, I was drawn into this wonderful world with these wonderful characters and can't wait for more. The birthday section was perfection!
Read originally in the Falling For Them Anthology.
Read originally in the Falling For Them Anthology.
March 8, 2018
Claiming Flame, the first book in the Elementum Genus series, was an fun and engaging read.
Sera is an orphan who has been moved around every year, constantly changing schools and not really bothering to make friends. When she arrives at a new school and meets three guys, she tries to deny their friendship, but they're pretty persistent with her *laughs*
I really liked that two of the guys were already in a relationship with each other when Sera meets them. While they are attracted to her and later in the book begin to develop relationships with her, they are still in love with each other. Sera isn't quite the focus of their relationship yet, but I hope that within the next few books they'll come to love her just as much as each other. There is definitely insta attraction, but not quite insta love.
What I wasn't crazy about in this book was the crazy dorm matron lady who was insanely abusive towards Sera. Later on in the book it is mentioned that this is out of normal behavior for her, causing me to assume that maybe it is personal.... maybe something about Sera's mother or father who we don't know ;)
Overall this was a great start to a new series and I'm excited to see where the author will take us with the next book!
Sera is an orphan who has been moved around every year, constantly changing schools and not really bothering to make friends. When she arrives at a new school and meets three guys, she tries to deny their friendship, but they're pretty persistent with her *laughs*
I really liked that two of the guys were already in a relationship with each other when Sera meets them. While they are attracted to her and later in the book begin to develop relationships with her, they are still in love with each other. Sera isn't quite the focus of their relationship yet, but I hope that within the next few books they'll come to love her just as much as each other. There is definitely insta attraction, but not quite insta love.
What I wasn't crazy about in this book was the crazy dorm matron lady who was insanely abusive towards Sera. Later on in the book it is mentioned that this is out of normal behavior for her, causing me to assume that maybe it is personal.... maybe something about Sera's mother or father who we don't know ;)
Overall this was a great start to a new series and I'm excited to see where the author will take us with the next book!
March 1, 2018
I loved it. It's Reverse Harem, and it was different for RH. In that Sera is the center of this relationship but there is also an MM relationship with the Genus, a well setup relationship, but knowing their fourth would turn up.
Sera isn't out to make friends, it's too hard when she has to move later, as a ward of the council. But when she moves to the new Elementum school and abusive dorm matron (how that didn't get picked up before I don't know. She's in charge of little kids that LIVE at the school)
I LOVED JJ, he definitely broke through Sera's shields and i think Brooks and Souta were just what she needed. They start off as friends and Sera tries to keep them away to protect them. From herself and the crazy abusive dorm matron. And she has an important event coming up with being an Elementum but not a happy one.
I'm excited to see how the relationship develops. Definitely want to read the next one
Sera isn't out to make friends, it's too hard when she has to move later, as a ward of the council. But when she moves to the new Elementum school and abusive dorm matron (how that didn't get picked up before I don't know. She's in charge of little kids that LIVE at the school)
I LOVED JJ, he definitely broke through Sera's shields and i think Brooks and Souta were just what she needed. They start off as friends and Sera tries to keep them away to protect them. From herself and the crazy abusive dorm matron. And she has an important event coming up with being an Elementum but not a happy one.
I'm excited to see how the relationship develops. Definitely want to read the next one
March 1, 2018
Desi has a wonderful voice and I enjoyed her characters. She created a very interesting world and she did a great job for her first book and as the first book in a series. I'll definitely read more. My only issue were some of the over the top problems, like with Matron Aquirre, the warden. The situation in dealing with her felt too over the top for me. Like how has she been able to get away with the abuse for so long, and I just felt like how she reacted and the things she did wasn't justified enough. What I really like is that I usually have issues when something is labeled an RH but then there is a bxb relationship. I think having that in there changes the dynamics that I love about an RH, where the girl is the center and the focus, but Desi did a great job handling adding that aspect in there and is probably one of the few where I didn't care about the other relationship being in there.
March 6, 2018
I first read Claiming Flame as part of the Falling For Them anthology and found it to be a very enjoyable read. I appreciated Desi Lin's take on an element based magical society and enjoyed the personalities and chemistry of her characters. I found myself frustrated with the MC a good handful of times throughout the book where I didn't feel like her motivations were well explained; there were many decisions and assumptions that were very obviously necessary for plot movement, but given no other foundation. I also thought it was a bit deliberately obtuse that she never even considered she might end up in the Genus. I get the desire for some surprise/shock, but it was so heavily foreshadowed it would have been better, IMO, for the MC to acknowledge the possibility and dismiss it for one reason or another, rather than ignore it entirely. Overall a solid 3 stars; I'll read more in the series for sure.
February 28, 2018
I first read Claiming Flame in the Falling for Them Anthology. I liked it. The characters were likable, except for that one dorm matron, she was a real wench. I loved the relationship between Brooks and Souta, however I'm not sold on the relationship between Sera and Brooks and Souta. It almost felt forced. JJ and Sera were cute as heck though. I love reverse harems especially the ones where there is MM MFM MMF and all the other combos, but I feel like this one was a little awkward and I'm not sure I can really pinpoint an exact reason. Maybe there just wasn't enough relationship development? Still it is worth the read.
March 28, 2018
Great book!
Characters: Sassy heroine. Likable male leads.
Setting: YA/HA/paranormal
Plot: Girl discovering herself and her band of misfits (her harem) ; )
RH: low heat slow burn with m/m (part of the storyline)
This is a cute, likable paranormal slow burn RH. I really enjoyed this story and the characters and I would love to read book two. This story was originally published in an anthology, so I’m eager to see what and how the author expands the characters and story.
Recommend - Yes!
Reread - Yes!
Characters: Sassy heroine. Likable male leads.
Setting: YA/HA/paranormal
Plot: Girl discovering herself and her band of misfits (her harem) ; )
RH: low heat slow burn with m/m (part of the storyline)
This is a cute, likable paranormal slow burn RH. I really enjoyed this story and the characters and I would love to read book two. This story was originally published in an anthology, so I’m eager to see what and how the author expands the characters and story.
Recommend - Yes!
Reread - Yes!
March 2, 2018
I first read this title in the Falling For Them Anthology. It was an enjoyable story with an interesting MC and I liked her guys. The relationship is a bit more than just your basic RH with some MM action in it too but I don't mind that. I found the Matron and her abuse a bit much cause it seemed a bit extreme but it gets handled. Overall it was a good story and worth reading, will definitely continue.
March 2, 2018
Despite an unfortunate start and an at-times questionable MC, Desi Lin's Elementum Genus series seems like it will be a great, creative and emotional roller-coaster.
Romance ways, I'd score it an 8/10. If MM is not for you, then neither is this book. A slow starter reverse harem which doesn't go from 0 to 100 in 10 pages, this was a brilliant read.
While the beginning of the book does seem juvenile (what with the anger and teenager-ness), it is definitely worth the initial cringe.
Romance ways, I'd score it an 8/10. If MM is not for you, then neither is this book. A slow starter reverse harem which doesn't go from 0 to 100 in 10 pages, this was a brilliant read.
While the beginning of the book does seem juvenile (what with the anger and teenager-ness), it is definitely worth the initial cringe.
March 20, 2018
Best nickname . . . Firefly!! Wow. At first I thought this might be confusing with the glossary at the beginning, but it was a non-issue once I started reading. I loved the characters. Of course there was one we really didn't. A bit extreme, but hopefully we will find enlightenment in the next book. I am looking forward to see what is next as this world unfolds.
March 21, 2018
So it was a pretty standard girls is abused as the guys save her just in time, I think the abuse was a little more then I have seen but for some reason I still could not put it down every story May have some of same things but still a different direction it goes a different storyline and I cannot put it down read in couple of hrs.
March 26, 2018
have to admit I first read this in the falling for them anthology I've read it a couple of times since then to whilst I really enjoyed it I wouldn't say I loved it
now don't get me wrong this was an awesome read and one ill read again I just think that it has more potential then what was used im hoping book 2 takes it all the way and brings out that something that this one was missing
now don't get me wrong this was an awesome read and one ill read again I just think that it has more potential then what was used im hoping book 2 takes it all the way and brings out that something that this one was missing
January 28, 2020
I read the first book in this series in the falling for them anthology. I had to find out what happens to sera and ber boys! The book is definitely a good read I recommend it for sure my only problem is Sara is kinda always in her head I'm hoping it will just be in this book and that things were resolved and we can move on and the the characters develop. Again definitely a good read !
December 3, 2022
Okay
An okay read but couldn't help but want to see more of their powers at play. Instead we get a traumatised teen with a lot of angst, she barely speaks for the first few chapters but we are told she's sassy.... Eeerm.
If we'd had more of the supernatural included rather than info dumps I'd be more interested in book 2.
An okay read but couldn't help but want to see more of their powers at play. Instead we get a traumatised teen with a lot of angst, she barely speaks for the first few chapters but we are told she's sassy.... Eeerm.
If we'd had more of the supernatural included rather than info dumps I'd be more interested in book 2.
January 29, 2022
Interesting Story
Another clever way to do the Reverse Harem and fated connection idea. I did not like the physical abuse part and not sure why it was needed for the storyline. Looking forward to Sera finding her father and developing her relationships with her men.
Another clever way to do the Reverse Harem and fated connection idea. I did not like the physical abuse part and not sure why it was needed for the storyline. Looking forward to Sera finding her father and developing her relationships with her men.
December 29, 2022
3/5 stars
This book was alright. It’s really late, so I don’t have much to say.
It held my attention, but by the end I was glad it was over. It wasn’t long, and I probably won’t start the next book in the series.
This book was alright. It’s really late, so I don’t have much to say.
It held my attention, but by the end I was glad it was over. It wasn’t long, and I probably won’t start the next book in the series.
February 27, 2018
This story is absolutely amazing! I really like this book, and hope with all my heart there will come more!
Read
January 31, 2020Enjoyed
I enjoyed reading this book the characters are easy to love. I look forward to reading the next one. I liked how the characters integrated with each other.
I enjoyed reading this book the characters are easy to love. I look forward to reading the next one. I liked how the characters integrated with each other.
March 10, 2020
Great start!
I was quickly sucked into this story. The mc is a mixture of strong and fragile. I love the guys and the plot is something new.
I was quickly sucked into this story. The mc is a mixture of strong and fragile. I love the guys and the plot is something new.
September 14, 2022
good read
Wow that lady was absolutely psycho I mean she was / is deranged absolutely nuts poor Sara . I can’t wait to read book 2.
Wow that lady was absolutely psycho I mean she was / is deranged absolutely nuts poor Sara . I can’t wait to read book 2.
March 19, 2018
This was so cute! It was also sad. There were parts that broke my heart and others thatbi was holding my breath because it was so sweet. I really enjoyed that this was a book about untraditional relationships. The guys were so freaking sweet and I can't wait to learn more about them!
February 7, 2020
this is a great start to a new series, I'll be following for more.
if your into RH or just enjoy fantasy I'd give it a try.
if your into RH or just enjoy fantasy I'd give it a try.
March 1, 2018
i liked this book it was different from other rh books like some relationships didnt click right away yet i could see it work i would recommend this book
March 18, 2018
I first read this in the Falling for Them Anthology. I enjoyed reading this book. It was a little different because 2 of the guys already had a relationship but I think the author wife it into the story well. Good read!
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