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Elemental Warrior #1
The Shape of Fire
A return of a long defeated threat changes everything for a Master Shaper of the elements.
Serving as the Master of Spirit leaves Tolan with little time for anything beyond teaching. There’s no time for the research he enjoys, no time to explore ancient ruins, and no time to search for strange elementals in the land beyond the bleak waste where no magic can exist.
During a Selection of new students, Tolan uncovers a strange village where the elementals are worshipped, along with power he didn’t believe possible within his homeland.
When a threat all thought long ago defeated returns, Tolan finds his service to the Academy will require more than a Master of Spirit. Stopping this threat will need a master of all the elements—and the elementals, but can he still be that person?
Serving as the Master of Spirit leaves Tolan with little time for anything beyond teaching. There’s no time for the research he enjoys, no time to explore ancient ruins, and no time to search for strange elementals in the land beyond the bleak waste where no magic can exist.
During a Selection of new students, Tolan uncovers a strange village where the elementals are worshipped, along with power he didn’t believe possible within his homeland.
When a threat all thought long ago defeated returns, Tolan finds his service to the Academy will require more than a Master of Spirit. Stopping this threat will need a master of all the elements—and the elementals, but can he still be that person?
- GenresFantasy
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2020
670 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 22, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love all the books written by D.K Holmberg, this new story captivated my imagination and my sense of adventure again. How easily I was swept into the world of magic, where there are people working with the elements and slowly warming up to the elemental world. There is a great world building again, magic that is very powerful but very few can grasp. It will take you to fantastic places and incredible old and new connections with the elementals. If you are interested in elements, this is definitely the book to read.
The way the main character Tolan struggles with his past and what his mother has done to him under the influence of Roland. He is trying to figure out if his enemy Roland is still alive. There are strange movements of the elements that he doesn't understand. He goes on a quest of what this all means but he doesn't get his answers easily. As everything seem to fall away, he unearths something incredible. He encounters incredible alter realities that leaves him shaken. Will he unravel why the bond between the elementals feels so wrong?
This is a fantastic fantasy realm where yo can loose yourself in and have a sense of gaining knowledge of the elementals through Tolan. I definitely going to explore this ongoing saga.
I love all the books written by D.K Holmberg, this new story captivated my imagination and my sense of adventure again. How easily I was swept into the world of magic, where there are people working with the elements and slowly warming up to the elemental world. There is a great world building again, magic that is very powerful but very few can grasp. It will take you to fantastic places and incredible old and new connections with the elementals. If you are interested in elements, this is definitely the book to read.
The way the main character Tolan struggles with his past and what his mother has done to him under the influence of Roland. He is trying to figure out if his enemy Roland is still alive. There are strange movements of the elements that he doesn't understand. He goes on a quest of what this all means but he doesn't get his answers easily. As everything seem to fall away, he unearths something incredible. He encounters incredible alter realities that leaves him shaken. Will he unravel why the bond between the elementals feels so wrong?
This is a fantastic fantasy realm where yo can loose yourself in and have a sense of gaining knowledge of the elementals through Tolan. I definitely going to explore this ongoing saga.
June 3, 2020
Tolan Ethar is studying Elementals at the Terenhall Academy of Shaping. The students of Elementals learn how to gather the power of the Elementals and use it to shape things. Part of his duties were to learn and teach about that. the power released by shaping the Elementals was tremendous. Roland Var was around and that meant trouble and dangerous shaping. Roland wanted to destroy the Academy using the Elementals and the power released through them. This story is about their struggle and the learning that went on during their battles. Along with all the learning and the struggles between Roland and Tolan, there was a lot of magic in play. This tale has a lot of action, a lot of learning, and a lot of discovery of past happenings and what they meant. And a lot of magical battles. Excellent story this is only one part of the story, but it keeps the reader's interest and makes you want more of the story. After reading it I want to read Book 2 next to see how it works out.
July 29, 2020
Decent story. But wow, if Ferrah was as ignored as she was in the text, I would have been miffed too. It’s as like she’s a shadow that we’re barely aware of. And when she is brought along it’s for very little purpose, mostly to prove to her that she still exists. Much of the story is hampered by being described only from Tolan’s mind. His awareness of others is somewhat limited. We don’t get a true conversation until late in the book. This makes this a less satisfying read than some of his other books. But I will read the next. And probably all of his books.
(There were several times some minor detail felt like a continuity error. More likely I just misread an earlier sentence.)
(There were several times some minor detail felt like a continuity error. More likely I just misread an earlier sentence.)
June 17, 2020
Another smashing hit!
A warm and telling story of what can go wrong when we as feeling beings close ourselves off from what we could actually feel of the world, especially of others, that surround us every minute of everyday.
A little philosophical rant - I believe the author is meaning to offer the readers, me and you, the realization that even though we can stand in a crowd, loneliness can still hold us and wrap it’s icy tendrils around us. But, if we open our hearts to other possibilities, the world could be ours to share in happiness.
A warm and telling story of what can go wrong when we as feeling beings close ourselves off from what we could actually feel of the world, especially of others, that surround us every minute of everyday.
A little philosophical rant - I believe the author is meaning to offer the readers, me and you, the realization that even though we can stand in a crowd, loneliness can still hold us and wrap it’s icy tendrils around us. But, if we open our hearts to other possibilities, the world could be ours to share in happiness.
August 22, 2020
Missing part of the story all the way through
I have enjoyed other books by the author. It seemed like this book was an earlier draft than we have normally seen. I enjoyed jumping right into the middle of the story, but there were too many plot jumps. Why did the main character do X? There were times when it was evident. There were other times when there was a nice, appropriate subtlety. There were other times when it was just a plot jump. I’d love to read this again after ,ah ever another revision.
I have enjoyed other books by the author. It seemed like this book was an earlier draft than we have normally seen. I enjoyed jumping right into the middle of the story, but there were too many plot jumps. Why did the main character do X? There were times when it was evident. There were other times when there was a nice, appropriate subtlety. There were other times when it was just a plot jump. I’d love to read this again after ,ah ever another revision.
July 15, 2020
The Shape of Fire
I did enjoy this book. I would have enjoyed it more I think if the beginning had introduced more characters. More in-depth characters.
It seemed to take a while for the story to actually begin, the writing wasn’t as tightly bound as other books by this author.
I do intend to read the second book in the series with hopes of not only knowing the characters better but also liking them better.
I did enjoy this book. I would have enjoyed it more I think if the beginning had introduced more characters. More in-depth characters.
It seemed to take a while for the story to actually begin, the writing wasn’t as tightly bound as other books by this author.
I do intend to read the second book in the series with hopes of not only knowing the characters better but also liking them better.
January 25, 2021
Fantastic fantasy
I started reading and immediately knew that I was missing some backstory, it turns out I was missing and entire seven book series of backstory. I highly recommend reading the Elemental Academy series first because there is an overreaching story arc that spans both series. I about to dive right into the next book because I cannot wait to see what happens next.
I started reading and immediately knew that I was missing some backstory, it turns out I was missing and entire seven book series of backstory. I highly recommend reading the Elemental Academy series first because there is an overreaching story arc that spans both series. I about to dive right into the next book because I cannot wait to see what happens next.
June 12, 2020
What a very intense story. A Academy for learning shaping and controlling magic, Tolan was a Master of Spirit and a teacher of such. The mind sucks up knowledge and is taught by gifted instructors but in the wrong hands, things can go wrong, very wrong. One person, Roland wanted to control everything and would do anything to get what he wanted. Good book.
July 11, 2020
The book started slowly but the pace improved very quickly.
The author needed to establish the newness of this arc and did so with such grace and beauty. Once the foundation was settled he was able to intensify the story line with essentially what was needed to bring about the possibilities inherent in this portion of the new series.
The author needed to establish the newness of this arc and did so with such grace and beauty. Once the foundation was settled he was able to intensify the story line with essentially what was needed to bring about the possibilities inherent in this portion of the new series.
September 17, 2020
Needs a context, but well written
Really well written story. Unfortunately I have not read any of the background story so I spent most of the time wondering who these people are and why are they important?
My recommendation would be to write a preface or a summary to give some context to the events in this book.
Really well written story. Unfortunately I have not read any of the background story so I spent most of the time wondering who these people are and why are they important?
My recommendation would be to write a preface or a summary to give some context to the events in this book.
December 27, 2020
Yet another terrific beginning
I only say that this is a beginning because it is the beginning of a new series. Again we are following Tolan in his struggles to understand and correct the wrongs that he feels. I am pleased with the first book of the series and I’m looking forward to starting the next.
I only say that this is a beginning because it is the beginning of a new series. Again we are following Tolan in his struggles to understand and correct the wrongs that he feels. I am pleased with the first book of the series and I’m looking forward to starting the next.
June 7, 2020
quite different
The story unfolds slowly. At times I felt very confused as to the direction of the story. I want to read the next book. I hope it makes things a little less murky.
I received this as an ARC from the author.
The story unfolds slowly. At times I felt very confused as to the direction of the story. I want to read the next book. I hope it makes things a little less murky.
I received this as an ARC from the author.
June 26, 2021
Shape of fire
Mr. Holmberg continues to write a novel that keeps you turning the pages. I was not sure if I would enjoy this new series but it was similar as the first series that Tolan was in with a twist. Getting ready to read book 2
Mr. Holmberg continues to write a novel that keeps you turning the pages. I was not sure if I would enjoy this new series but it was similar as the first series that Tolan was in with a twist. Getting ready to read book 2
February 6, 2022
Self centered hero
Our hero has not shared spirit understanding and control nor, knowledge of elimentals with his girlfriend. As with his water shaping friend, he Selfishly refuses help others.
Our hero has not shared spirit understanding and control nor, knowledge of elimentals with his girlfriend. As with his water shaping friend, he Selfishly refuses help others.
July 30, 2023
another fantastic series
5/5 stars I loved this book and especially the new characters.I am so enyoing learning more about the elementals and bonds.I think this series is going to be as great as the cloud warrior series,I have downloaded book 2 already
5/5 stars I loved this book and especially the new characters.I am so enyoing learning more about the elementals and bonds.I think this series is going to be as great as the cloud warrior series,I have downloaded book 2 already
June 10, 2020
Great book!
Always enjoy reading about the adventures that Toland has at the Academy and his odd connection that few others have! Can't wait to read the next one!
Always enjoy reading about the adventures that Toland has at the Academy and his odd connection that few others have! Can't wait to read the next one!
June 15, 2020
A little bit slow paced and bland.
July 8, 2020
Ok, not particularly special for this genre.
January 10, 2021
This book was fun. I liked to see what Tolan did after the end of the first series.
June 10, 2021
I loved this series and read all of it very quickly.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews