Forbidden Elemental

Elemental Trilogy #3

by Toni Cox

Dragons, Elves, and Magic. What more could you want from a fantasy trilogy?

Two battles are behind them and now the true war with the Vampyres is about to start. Elveron will succumb unless the Prime Elementals can become as one.

Maia deserts her people to find Blaid, for only as one will they have the power to defeat the Vampyres amassing at Greystone. It is Forbidden for them to be together and yet their connection is all that stands between victory and eternal defeat. With her dragon, Midnight, Maia sets off on a journey that will change the future for everyone.

Lord Longshadow, the Lord Regent, invokes the Rule of Kings and travels to every country of Greater Grildor. He needs the Lords to pledge their armies. Jaik Longshadow rules in his father’s stead and faces the greatest test of his life, while Aaron Nightingale, believing he is the reason Maia left, races across Grildor to find her.

The arrival of winter means the Vampyres will be less active. Amid snow and ice, it is time for Elveron to prepare. But the Vampyres have a different agenda and winter will no longer stop them. As desperation and fear takes hold, Maia understands that to save her people she needs a new plan.

Will Blaid help her? Will she have enough time?

“I fell in love with this world and its characters and became utterly invested in their trials and tribulations. Toni Cox has a wonderfully rich imagination and brings Elveron and the Elves, and Midnight the dragon, to glorious life. Utterly entrancing.” Elaina J. Davidson

622 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2018

About the author

Born in Germany in 1976, Toni Cox moved to South Africa in 1991. Although she has spent much of her working career in the timber wholesale business, she is also an accomplished horse rider, has a diploma in project management, photography, and nutrition, and has a passion for books and all things fantasy.

From a young age, her dream had always been to put her imagination into words - give the stories life. When she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2013, she decided life is too short not to follow her dream. So, with the support of her husband and three children, she began writing book 1 of the Elemental Trilogy in January 2015.

Toni Cox writes Epic Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Dystopian Fantasy, and Dark Fantasy. She is a firm believer in dragons.

Reviews

[Sian Claven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I was a writer, I was a reader.
Before I loved to horrify fans, I lived in fantasy worlds.

The standard by which I measure a fantasy authors writing is set so high that not even the like of George R. R. Martin manages to get up there, at least not yet. Not so long ago I was requested to read Elemental Rising and my words were, "Expected to be torn to pieces, expect me to hate it. There is no fantasy writer that I love that is greater than Tolkien in my opinion, and you'll be lucky to get three stars out of me."
I read it.
I fell in love.
I fell in love with a new world that could only be contained in the magical pages of Cox's books. She introduced me to something new, something wonderful and she did something that no one has been able to do in a long time.
She took me on an adventure.

I watched Maia grow and learn and love and break and build herself all up again. I have been through war, through travels, through diplomatic meetings and through flights with dragons. I have felt the sting of Lava Bats on my skin, the fear of a Werewolf snapping at my face and the sight of a vampyre riding towards me as everything I fight for lay behind me.

Facing impossible odds.
Conquering insurmountable obstacles.
Finding love in darkness.

Cox has created a world that is no longer rivalled by Middle Earth, she has introduced me to a nation that I belong to and casts Middle Earth to the furtherest regions of my dusty memories never to be visited again. She gives me a home of my own, and on Elveron is where I would most like to spend my days. Amongst the Elder Trees that are so tall, you can build houses in them, on the back of a fiery stallion as I race up and down the gathering grounds or around a fire sipping on hot tea as we recall the stories of our ancestors.

So, Tolkien, you were good but I have a new favourite and with good reason.

Cox is an amazing and talented author concluding the Elemental Saga and leaving me longing for more adventure, more love and more magic.
May the Mother smile upon you

[Elizabeth Lavender · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the entire trilogy in under a week after coming home from work each day. It was just that good. I was hooked once I started reading the first book. It is an incredible world Toni Cox has created and the reader can see and feel the world that has been brought to life for us. What is more, we are introduced to characters that we gradually we care about, we are afraid for them, we struggle with, and we grieve with as they fight and suffer lose. Yet we celebrate with them as well for there are moments of hope always even in wartime when one sees they still have some to give when nothing seems left. I loved the world she created, but even more I loved the people she introduced us to in her story. It was beautifully woven together, just an amazing read. (There are intimate scenes between two of the characters throughout the series, but that relationship is important to the story. However, every reader has a different line for those type of scenes. Personally because it was important to the story I didn't mind it).

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is too good to stop now!

Please write another book about Maia and Blaid! I would love to read about their wedding, and perhaps children.
Toni Cox I read on a daily basis, your series has been a page turner for me. (I realize that people don't usually share personal issues, but I don't think you will be offended, I have leukemia and go for treatments weekly.)
The cancer center has free WiFi, so I always bring a Kindle with me . It truly has helped me with the time I spend in the infusion area. I am going to read some of your other books as I am sure they be "almost similar to the FORBIDDEN ELEMENTAL" .
Thank you for the joy you have given me and your other fans, reading fantastic books!

[Elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! In this final volume, Maia takes a stand and leaves her people in order to do what she must to save them.

I loved this book. It follows multiple paths as various players prepare for the final battle with the Vampyres. It is now or never; Elveron faces annihilation. As the tale unfolds, the various threads tie together, and suddenly, as a reader, you’re hoping they did enough to prepare for the final confrontation.

Maia travels to Blade’s country, and discovers something unexpected. Midnight becomes a true leader. Family and friends everywhere face not only the darkness on approach, but also their own inner demons.

Absolutely awesome! Recommend reading the entire series!

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The finale of the trilogy. Still lots of action and battles. This time there was character development along mutiple themes (not only for Maia) which was quite nice. The ending almost felt rushed once it came and I still don't quite understand why "the plan" ultimately worked. As an aside, if you haven't read (or, in my case, can't remember) the "Jasmin in Love" story, the references to that will probably irritate you. It was a good ending, although part of me feels like it could have been more.

[Nancy Fagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume one started off a little slow, but once you get into the story, it was well worth it. I didn't stop reading until I had read the whole trilogy. Elves, dragons, vampires, what more could you want! (Too bad you have to eat and sleep)
I highly recommend this trilogy.
I received volume one from the author through Voracious Readers Only.

[Lisa Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book more than the first two. I was waiting for Maia and Blair to finally get together and see where their story was headed.
This book had me skipping a few less pages than the others.