What do you think?
Rate this book
The Elements #1-4
Elements Series
Hold your breath...
The future is three miles underwater. And Jazwyn Ripley's time has come.
Earth’s atmosphere will only support a few more generations, and most of advanced society has already relocated to the sea. To survive, only one option remains for the Topsiders—get into Gaia Sur, the elite academy on the ocean floor.
But after Jazwyn Ripley trains a lifetime for the chance, something is wrong in the interviews. Her evaluation isn’t like those of her soul-rattled classmates, and now, Arco Hart is desperate to protect her from something he won't talk about.
Cryptic messages coming from the earth's core.
A charming, but infamous rival who knows why.
Everything is telling her to walk away, but for the struggling class at the bottom, there’s nowhere to go but down.
The road to everything the cadets ever wanted turns out to lead somewhere they never intended to go, and one decision will change the course of their lives for good:
Continue on the scripted path, or chase something deeper?
✔ Adrenaline rush action.
✔ Heart-stopping romance.
The future is three miles underwater. And Jazwyn Ripley's time has come.
Earth’s atmosphere will only support a few more generations, and most of advanced society has already relocated to the sea. To survive, only one option remains for the Topsiders—get into Gaia Sur, the elite academy on the ocean floor.
But after Jazwyn Ripley trains a lifetime for the chance, something is wrong in the interviews. Her evaluation isn’t like those of her soul-rattled classmates, and now, Arco Hart is desperate to protect her from something he won't talk about.
Cryptic messages coming from the earth's core.
A charming, but infamous rival who knows why.
Everything is telling her to walk away, but for the struggling class at the bottom, there’s nowhere to go but down.
The road to everything the cadets ever wanted turns out to lead somewhere they never intended to go, and one decision will change the course of their lives for good:
Continue on the scripted path, or chase something deeper?
✔ Adrenaline rush action.
✔ Heart-stopping romance.
1308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2019
24 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Korn
20 books56 followersTracy Korn is a USA Today bestselling YA / Speculative Fiction author and all around science geek who may or may not have a "Lip Smackers" chapstick addiction. When she’s not inventing dystopian worlds (and subsequently saving them or wrecking them more), she reads about other people doing it, practices her newbie cinematographer skills, and dreams of someday meeting James Cameron.
To be the first to hear about new releases, giveaways, and if Tracy ever really does meet James Cameron, sign up for her VIP list at bit.ly/TracyKornNL. Also, follow the platforms below for impromptu giveaways and bonuses!
Website: www.TracyKorn.com
Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorTracyKorn
Twitter: twitter.com/TracyKornAuthor
Instagram: instagram.com/tracy_korn
Amazon: amazon.com/author/tracykorn
Bookbub: bit.ly/TracyKornBookBub
Goodreads: bit.ly/TracyKornGoodreads
To be the first to hear about new releases, giveaways, and if Tracy ever really does meet James Cameron, sign up for her VIP list at bit.ly/TracyKornNL. Also, follow the platforms below for impromptu giveaways and bonuses!
Website: www.TracyKorn.com
Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorTracyKorn
Twitter: twitter.com/TracyKornAuthor
Instagram: instagram.com/tracy_korn
Amazon: amazon.com/author/tracykorn
Bookbub: bit.ly/TracyKornBookBub
Goodreads: bit.ly/TracyKornGoodreads
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 20, 2020
This is the full boxset of The Elements, including Aqua, Terra, Aer and Ignis. This is set in a future where those on the surface have only a few more generations before the atmosphere becomes too toxic to support life. The main characters live in stacks, struggling to survive day to day, but there are others who have it much worse. Those on the Fringe, the Fishers and the Tinkers. Then there are some who have all the privileges and are genetically engineered to be better than others. All of them have a chance to get into the only future there is, three miles down on the ocean floor in a place called Gaia Sur. An academy for the best students, to be relocated to the ocean floor and work amongst all the habitats along the ocean floor in lots of different roles. Most of the privileged and rich have already relocated, others have to vie to be the best to get a chance.
The main Topsider characters are a group of friends, Jazz (Jazwyn) and her twin brother Jax, Arco, Liddick, Ellis, Myra and Fraya. They have all been studying for years to be in the top ten in their school, for their chance to get into Gaia Sur, with their families earning a stipend from their new position, allowing them to survive on the surface a little easier. Hundreds of students turn up for the interviews for a place in Gaia, but only a few will be chosen. The top ten from another region include a set of triplets from the Clouds, Teig, Pitt and Dez. Added to the ten from the SkyBoard North are Joss a Fisher and Vox a Fringe person as the others call her. Not someone from the Badlands, who most of them consider as cannibals.
These ten get to travel to Gaia, the day after their successful interviews, most of which left the interviewees wasted and wrung out. Two of them, Jazz and Liddick, had very different interviews and see things that aren’t even there. They can hear each other’s thoughts, although it turns out Liddick has been brushing up his skills for years, watching cines (futuristic interactive films) and seeing/hearing messages from his older brother, Liam. This has driven him for years until the interviews. Once they receive their bracelets for Gaia, linked with their ID and DNA, they attend a celebration and this is when Jazz first hears something odd. A marlin turns and talks to her from the buffet table. She freaks out and it is only Liddick that manages to get her out and calm her down. He can also hear and see it, as well as Vox, but Vox is making fun of her instead of comforting her.
This linking between these three only increases as they enter Gaia and find they all have various roles and future roles in the new society beneath the waves. Jazz continues to receive strange visions and messages as they start their training. Her new roommate is the last person she wants to be mixing with, but they have more in common than she knows. They are only a few days into their training when something goes drastically wrong with one of their training missions and they lose a couple of their close friends.
Matters snowball after that as some of them blame some for leaving their fellow students behind, while others know that there was nothing they could do. This strange link some of them seem to have, which has been enhanced since they arrived in Gaia, leaves thoughts that the missing students are still alive and the others plot a mission to rescue them. Some like Liddick have a reason to be there, believing their family members are being experimented upon and that Gaia Sur is not what it seems. The students will soon find out a lot of this out for themselves, but will have to travel through the core of the planet almost, to fins others who can assist them and then travel over seven dangerous biomes designed with weather and creatures all engineered to kill them.
A trip to an ancient culture hidden deep underground, across dangerous biomes, into the labs of the scientists under the mountain, into space, taking part in these cines tracking glitches in a code and many other strange and wonderful scenarios. Some may be lost to the surroundings, but others will pull through. One side is trying to bring down the other and a huge battle will need to take place to find out which side will persevere. There is first love and a bit of romance, but also lads being lads. The students must work together to survive what is happening to them and to be re-united with those they thought they may have lost.
Parts of the storyline are pure action and epic adventure. Once the students were in Gaia Sur, I kept getting really confused as you had started to learn the names of all the main characters, only to then find them all being addresses by their surnames by the teachers in the academy. That made it harder to follow along with which character was being talked about, plus you had all their different designations to learn as well. Who was an Empath, a Coder, a Navigator, etc. One of the latter books changes how the story is told, with different characters giving their POV, but repeating just about everything the previous character said, with just some minor changes, which was a bit annoying.
The books are really long in length and so take some time to get through. The first two are setting up a lot of what is happening, while the third book has the characters trying to save others and sort out a way of bringing down the corporation behind all the experiments. The last book has them separating and having to work on a different method to take down those in charge and again going on adventures in strange locations and through dangerous scenarios to survive and try to win the battle. A thoroughly enjoyable boxset, which you certainly need to leave yourself enough time to read, as there is a lot to understand and comprehend as the action continues. The more I read, the more involved I was with a few of the main characters and following the story through their characters. There are some you will love and others you really can’t stand, which is a great contradiction of characters to have in the mix. This is certainly a good adventure to read, especially if you like them set in a dystopian future. I received an ARC copy of this boxset from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the boxset above.
The main Topsider characters are a group of friends, Jazz (Jazwyn) and her twin brother Jax, Arco, Liddick, Ellis, Myra and Fraya. They have all been studying for years to be in the top ten in their school, for their chance to get into Gaia Sur, with their families earning a stipend from their new position, allowing them to survive on the surface a little easier. Hundreds of students turn up for the interviews for a place in Gaia, but only a few will be chosen. The top ten from another region include a set of triplets from the Clouds, Teig, Pitt and Dez. Added to the ten from the SkyBoard North are Joss a Fisher and Vox a Fringe person as the others call her. Not someone from the Badlands, who most of them consider as cannibals.
These ten get to travel to Gaia, the day after their successful interviews, most of which left the interviewees wasted and wrung out. Two of them, Jazz and Liddick, had very different interviews and see things that aren’t even there. They can hear each other’s thoughts, although it turns out Liddick has been brushing up his skills for years, watching cines (futuristic interactive films) and seeing/hearing messages from his older brother, Liam. This has driven him for years until the interviews. Once they receive their bracelets for Gaia, linked with their ID and DNA, they attend a celebration and this is when Jazz first hears something odd. A marlin turns and talks to her from the buffet table. She freaks out and it is only Liddick that manages to get her out and calm her down. He can also hear and see it, as well as Vox, but Vox is making fun of her instead of comforting her.
This linking between these three only increases as they enter Gaia and find they all have various roles and future roles in the new society beneath the waves. Jazz continues to receive strange visions and messages as they start their training. Her new roommate is the last person she wants to be mixing with, but they have more in common than she knows. They are only a few days into their training when something goes drastically wrong with one of their training missions and they lose a couple of their close friends.
Matters snowball after that as some of them blame some for leaving their fellow students behind, while others know that there was nothing they could do. This strange link some of them seem to have, which has been enhanced since they arrived in Gaia, leaves thoughts that the missing students are still alive and the others plot a mission to rescue them. Some like Liddick have a reason to be there, believing their family members are being experimented upon and that Gaia Sur is not what it seems. The students will soon find out a lot of this out for themselves, but will have to travel through the core of the planet almost, to fins others who can assist them and then travel over seven dangerous biomes designed with weather and creatures all engineered to kill them.
A trip to an ancient culture hidden deep underground, across dangerous biomes, into the labs of the scientists under the mountain, into space, taking part in these cines tracking glitches in a code and many other strange and wonderful scenarios. Some may be lost to the surroundings, but others will pull through. One side is trying to bring down the other and a huge battle will need to take place to find out which side will persevere. There is first love and a bit of romance, but also lads being lads. The students must work together to survive what is happening to them and to be re-united with those they thought they may have lost.
Parts of the storyline are pure action and epic adventure. Once the students were in Gaia Sur, I kept getting really confused as you had started to learn the names of all the main characters, only to then find them all being addresses by their surnames by the teachers in the academy. That made it harder to follow along with which character was being talked about, plus you had all their different designations to learn as well. Who was an Empath, a Coder, a Navigator, etc. One of the latter books changes how the story is told, with different characters giving their POV, but repeating just about everything the previous character said, with just some minor changes, which was a bit annoying.
The books are really long in length and so take some time to get through. The first two are setting up a lot of what is happening, while the third book has the characters trying to save others and sort out a way of bringing down the corporation behind all the experiments. The last book has them separating and having to work on a different method to take down those in charge and again going on adventures in strange locations and through dangerous scenarios to survive and try to win the battle. A thoroughly enjoyable boxset, which you certainly need to leave yourself enough time to read, as there is a lot to understand and comprehend as the action continues. The more I read, the more involved I was with a few of the main characters and following the story through their characters. There are some you will love and others you really can’t stand, which is a great contradiction of characters to have in the mix. This is certainly a good adventure to read, especially if you like them set in a dystopian future. I received an ARC copy of this boxset from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the boxset above.
February 1, 2020
Excellent Dystopian Academy Series
I have to admit that I really enjoy dystopian academy series, perhaps more than any other type of academy series. (Like most, I got hooked on that sub-subgenre with Harry Potter and then the Divergent series.) This one certainly brought the Divergent series to mind, but this one takes place under the ocean. How intriguing! The book opens with a scene that can happen in just about any YA novel, not just a dystopian or an academy one. Immediately, I got a sense of some of the characters and their interactions. These young people were believable and relatable, and I was certainly intrigued enough by the hints at what their world was like to want to progress to find out more about it and to find out what would happen to these characters. I was not disappointed. I loved that this was a box set so I didn't have to wait to find out more. Good books certainly make you want to not have to even pause to buy the next one! LOL. If you enjoy dystopian academy series that have a rich depth of character, complexity of storyline, and lots of action, you should definitely check out this box set.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
I have to admit that I really enjoy dystopian academy series, perhaps more than any other type of academy series. (Like most, I got hooked on that sub-subgenre with Harry Potter and then the Divergent series.) This one certainly brought the Divergent series to mind, but this one takes place under the ocean. How intriguing! The book opens with a scene that can happen in just about any YA novel, not just a dystopian or an academy one. Immediately, I got a sense of some of the characters and their interactions. These young people were believable and relatable, and I was certainly intrigued enough by the hints at what their world was like to want to progress to find out more about it and to find out what would happen to these characters. I was not disappointed. I loved that this was a box set so I didn't have to wait to find out more. Good books certainly make you want to not have to even pause to buy the next one! LOL. If you enjoy dystopian academy series that have a rich depth of character, complexity of storyline, and lots of action, you should definitely check out this box set.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
January 20, 2020
From the moment I saw the cover and read the synopsis, I knew I would love this series. And I really did! The series is described as 'The adventure of Hunger Games, the scope of Maze Runner, and the heart of The Selection, all under one ocean!' I was very curious to see if it could really be that good and I didn't see how The Selection fit together with The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner, but wow it's actually true! The story was very well-written, I loved the characters and the world building was fantastic. I could really imagine what it would be like thanks to the author's writing. There were no boring parts in the book, even when they explained technology. Sometimes you had to pay attention to understand everything, but I really liked that. It was definitely not too much. On the contrary, it was really interesting to read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a story with action, great world-building and a bit of romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2020
Amazing read
This is not my usual genre but, I sure am glad I read it. I thought I'd get bored with the books as they explain things in great detail but, the author does it in a way that is not boring. Now, the characters are great. I couldn't decide who I'd choose if I were Jazz. I kept hoping they would let her pick both guys because come on, it's a book. Vox was not the kind of person I'd want on the other side. She's harsh and a little scary but, gets the job done. So, if by the description you decide this book is not for you, I'm telling you read it anyway. There is love, friendship, sabotage, murder, adventure and just about everything you can think of in this book. Can't wait to read more from this author.
This is not my usual genre but, I sure am glad I read it. I thought I'd get bored with the books as they explain things in great detail but, the author does it in a way that is not boring. Now, the characters are great. I couldn't decide who I'd choose if I were Jazz. I kept hoping they would let her pick both guys because come on, it's a book. Vox was not the kind of person I'd want on the other side. She's harsh and a little scary but, gets the job done. So, if by the description you decide this book is not for you, I'm telling you read it anyway. There is love, friendship, sabotage, murder, adventure and just about everything you can think of in this book. Can't wait to read more from this author.
January 21, 2020
The Elements: The Complete Dystopian Academy Series include Aqua, Terra, Aer and Ignis. This is an intriguing read of a future dystopian world where Earth's population will soon have to move underwater.
I don't normally read a lot of dystopian stories but found this one to be an intriguing mix of sci-fi, fantasy, action, and adventure. The characters are well developed, strong, and intelligent. The storyline is well written and captured my interest from start to finish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I don't normally read a lot of dystopian stories but found this one to be an intriguing mix of sci-fi, fantasy, action, and adventure. The characters are well developed, strong, and intelligent. The storyline is well written and captured my interest from start to finish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 8, 2020
This is the complete series in one convenient boxed set! A most intriguing dystopian fantasy that follows the intrepid young heroine Jazwyn who makes it in to the elite academy only to discover a more sinister agenda waiting for her... and the other "lucky" students. Action packed suspense that will keep you reading until the very end. I loved being able to move seamlessly from book to book. Nicely done!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2020
Wow! Tracy has written an amazing story. While technically it is four stories, I was so caught up that I just read it like it is one. Can't wait for the story to continue.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 19, 2020
This is a great box set. I really enjoyed reading this series. Each book is well written and the characters are well developed and likable. I would recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 26, 2020
This is an awesome box set by one of my favorite authors. This set of books is a great binge read during a long weekend. All of these books are awesome.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 3, 2020
Even though it is a box set, each book is its own fabulous story. It does overlap and would be much better to read as a complete set! Well written and characters draw you in.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
February 11, 2020
This box set was interesting. It was also intriguing to read. The author did a good job writing this series because it kept drawing you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 1, 2020
Great storyline and character development made this book a hot and enjoyable read! I could not put it down it was that good!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 10, 2020
Great reading.
Nothing lacking in suspense. A must read. Couldn't keep away, had to keep reading. Great concepts in the tech. Puts the thrill back in reading.
Nothing lacking in suspense. A must read. Couldn't keep away, had to keep reading. Great concepts in the tech. Puts the thrill back in reading.
October 12, 2021
See individual titles for my reviews - no spoilers in any!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews