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Elemental Ride
Rawley isn’t the type to crush hard and fast on anyone, but he’s helpless when it comes to Reign, the new mail carrier. Even his bikes and his job as enforcer for a local motorcycle gang, the center of his world, don’t compare to his interest in Reign. Unfortunately, Reign doesn’t seem to be as interested—but secrets and magic have a way of turning everything upside down and Rawley discovers he not only loves one man, he loves four.
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First published November 8, 2016
11 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Mell Eight
69 books281 followersWhen Mell Eight was in high school, she discovered dragons. Beautiful, wondrous creatures that took her on epic adventures both to faraway lands and on journeys of the heart. Mell wanted to create dragons of her own, so she put pen to paper. Mell Eight is now known for her own soaring dragons, as well as for other wonderful characters dancing across the pages of her books. While she mostly writes paranormal or fantasy stories, she has been seen exploring the real world once or twice.
For more information on Mell’s stories and future writing plans, visit her website.
For more information on Mell’s stories and future writing plans, visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 19, 2016
2.5 stars
The biggest problem with short stories / novellas is that some of them feels undeveloped because of the length limitation. Unfortunately, Mell Eight's upcoming Elemental Ride -- it is part of LT3P's Roughhouse Raiders but I think can be read as stand-alone -- is one of them.
Eight has three plots that I thought brimming with potential. However, because it only clocks in around 21k, I felt like none of them were deeply explored.
First we have a Mayor (of some unnamed city; it isn't clear where) wanting to fix up the bad parts of his city by cleaning up the gangs. One of our MCs, Rawley, is a member of Elementalist Motorcycle Chapter, and the gang has been monitored by the cops. Then one of the ex-member of Rawley's motorcycle gang turns up dead.
Then we have the second plot, of urban fantasy element, because apparently Elementalist club means accepting bikers with elemental sprites under their skin. Elemental what? Elemental sprite. See, this is the world where humans allowed sprites to live in a symbiotic relationship by giving sprites an access to their body, and the humans can use the sprites' power.
On top of that, we have a love interest for Rawley, who apparently has not one, not two, but four separate personalities.
I would be a happy reader if the story focused on one plot -- love story with a person who has separate personalities sounds unique and refreshing, right? I can deal without the added urban fantasy element or the mystery. Instead, I thought the story was rather all over the place, and I was left unsatisfied :(
I gave extra stars for the idea -- even if the execution was lacking -- and that gorgeous cover (Natasha Snow's work, I presume)?
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
The biggest problem with short stories / novellas is that some of them feels undeveloped because of the length limitation. Unfortunately, Mell Eight's upcoming Elemental Ride -- it is part of LT3P's Roughhouse Raiders but I think can be read as stand-alone -- is one of them.
Eight has three plots that I thought brimming with potential. However, because it only clocks in around 21k, I felt like none of them were deeply explored.
First we have a Mayor (of some unnamed city; it isn't clear where) wanting to fix up the bad parts of his city by cleaning up the gangs. One of our MCs, Rawley, is a member of Elementalist Motorcycle Chapter, and the gang has been monitored by the cops. Then one of the ex-member of Rawley's motorcycle gang turns up dead.
Then we have the second plot, of urban fantasy element, because apparently Elementalist club means accepting bikers with elemental sprites under their skin. Elemental what? Elemental sprite. See, this is the world where humans allowed sprites to live in a symbiotic relationship by giving sprites an access to their body, and the humans can use the sprites' power.
On top of that, we have a love interest for Rawley, who apparently has not one, not two, but four separate personalities.
I would be a happy reader if the story focused on one plot -- love story with a person who has separate personalities sounds unique and refreshing, right? I can deal without the added urban fantasy element or the mystery. Instead, I thought the story was rather all over the place, and I was left unsatisfied :(
I gave extra stars for the idea -- even if the execution was lacking -- and that gorgeous cover (Natasha Snow's work, I presume)?
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
July 6, 2021
Promising World-building
I kind of like - no sure yet - this paranormal , motorcycle club , MM romance novella .
It has an interesting and promising urban fantasy world building -if it gets more developed and layered- . I might read other stories set in this world.
Rating falls between a 2:30 and 3 stars.
I just reviewed Elemental Ride by Mell Eight. #ElementalRide #NetGalley
I kind of like - no sure yet - this paranormal , motorcycle club , MM romance novella .
It has an interesting and promising urban fantasy world building -if it gets more developed and layered- . I might read other stories set in this world.
Rating falls between a 2:30 and 3 stars.
I just reviewed Elemental Ride by Mell Eight. #ElementalRide #NetGalley
June 29, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Elemental Ride is a near-future semi-dystopian novella from Mell Eight. Although it’s a shorter work, Eight works in multiple threads to pique a reader’s interest. Of course, there is the insta-attraction between Rawley and Reign and that shifts into a variation on the classic love triangle when Leif also catches Rawley’s eye. Much later in the book, when more of the dynamic and backstory for Reign, Leif, Ashe, and Skye gets addressed, it opens up into a potential polyamory situation. While the romance drama is building and unfolding, Rawley and his gang are trying to figure out a more permanent housing situation that won’t end up disenfranchising their less-well-to-do members.
The story is told in third person omniscient from Rawley’s perspective. This works well for some aspects of the world building—like how Rawley can compare his layman’s experience of getting sprites injected under one’s skin to harness their magical power to Reign’s different experience. The downside for me is how much of the detail feels perfunctory, simply serving as a means to an end, and some details feel entirely superfluous.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Elemental Ride is a near-future semi-dystopian novella from Mell Eight. Although it’s a shorter work, Eight works in multiple threads to pique a reader’s interest. Of course, there is the insta-attraction between Rawley and Reign and that shifts into a variation on the classic love triangle when Leif also catches Rawley’s eye. Much later in the book, when more of the dynamic and backstory for Reign, Leif, Ashe, and Skye gets addressed, it opens up into a potential polyamory situation. While the romance drama is building and unfolding, Rawley and his gang are trying to figure out a more permanent housing situation that won’t end up disenfranchising their less-well-to-do members.
The story is told in third person omniscient from Rawley’s perspective. This works well for some aspects of the world building—like how Rawley can compare his layman’s experience of getting sprites injected under one’s skin to harness their magical power to Reign’s different experience. The downside for me is how much of the detail feels perfunctory, simply serving as a means to an end, and some details feel entirely superfluous.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
January 11, 2017
Rawley has a thing for his new mailman, Reign, but he’s not quite sure what to make of him. The first time he sees him his nametag says Reign and he had blue eyes. The next day his nametag said Leif and he has green eyes. Weird. Rawley figures, after talking to the president of his MC that Reign probably has Sprite poisoning and that’s why his eyes turn color.
Rawley, unfortunately, can’t spend all of his time thinking about Reign/Leif. His MC needs to find a new neighborhood to live in that they can all afford and still stay centrally located to each other. The place they live currently is one step up from a shithole and they’re sick of it. On top of that one of his customers is dead and there’s a weird preppy dude walking around asking questions and something’s just not right. Luckily he has Reign/Leif to make him smile.
The world that Rawley lives in is a strange one. The humans have sprites living in their bodies and these sprites give the humans powers. The sprites can’t live on their own until they mature so they’re injected into those who purchase them and keep them for ten years. It certainly was an interesting twist to an otherwise pretty normal world. I would have liked to have gotten into that a little more but hopefully we’ll get more info in future books.
Reign/Leif was an interesting character. I’m not going to tell you about him too much because reading about him is half the fun of the book. I really liked him, though, and was enjoying seeing him and Rawley starting on their first steps to a relationship.
The book was good but I just needed more. Fifty-six pages was just not long enough for me. I was just starting to really get into things and…it was over. Hopefully Mell Eight will write more in this world and more about Rawley and Reign/Leif. If she does I’ll cross my fingers that the next story will be longer.
Rawley, unfortunately, can’t spend all of his time thinking about Reign/Leif. His MC needs to find a new neighborhood to live in that they can all afford and still stay centrally located to each other. The place they live currently is one step up from a shithole and they’re sick of it. On top of that one of his customers is dead and there’s a weird preppy dude walking around asking questions and something’s just not right. Luckily he has Reign/Leif to make him smile.
The world that Rawley lives in is a strange one. The humans have sprites living in their bodies and these sprites give the humans powers. The sprites can’t live on their own until they mature so they’re injected into those who purchase them and keep them for ten years. It certainly was an interesting twist to an otherwise pretty normal world. I would have liked to have gotten into that a little more but hopefully we’ll get more info in future books.
Reign/Leif was an interesting character. I’m not going to tell you about him too much because reading about him is half the fun of the book. I really liked him, though, and was enjoying seeing him and Rawley starting on their first steps to a relationship.
The book was good but I just needed more. Fifty-six pages was just not long enough for me. I was just starting to really get into things and…it was over. Hopefully Mell Eight will write more in this world and more about Rawley and Reign/Leif. If she does I’ll cross my fingers that the next story will be longer.
June 28, 2021
I received a copy of Elemental Ride by Mell Eight via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. I almost did not request this book because I’m not a fan of motorcycle club (MC) stories but did anyway due to the author. I’m so glad I did, as this was a really intriguing tale. While the MC plot was important, it took second place to the interactions of Rawley, the motorcycle mechanic and second-in-command in the MC, and Reign, the mysterious mail carrier. I did not see the twist that provided for most of the conflict in the story and made me read the book in one sitting. This is another world I wish the author had used for more than one book.
June 22, 2021
Elemental Ride is a quick read with a feel-good ending.
I enjoyed the characters in Elemental Ride, and Reign/Lief/Skye/Ashe certainly intrigued me. The fantasy elements kept me entertained, even if I did find it odd a gang of bikers was riding mostly Yamaha, Suzuki, and Ducati bikes. There wasn't a lot of action or heat, but the story contained in the short novella was good. I'd love to read more books set in this world.
If you want a happily-for-now ending in a bite-sized book you can finish during your lunch break, Elemental Ride is a perfect choice.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the characters in Elemental Ride, and Reign/Lief/Skye/Ashe certainly intrigued me. The fantasy elements kept me entertained, even if I did find it odd a gang of bikers was riding mostly Yamaha, Suzuki, and Ducati bikes. There wasn't a lot of action or heat, but the story contained in the short novella was good. I'd love to read more books set in this world.
If you want a happily-for-now ending in a bite-sized book you can finish during your lunch break, Elemental Ride is a perfect choice.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2021
I loved the mix of fabulous worldbuilding and interesting characters in this short story. I liked Rawley and how the four men he falls for work together as one, despite having very different personalities.
The idea of a world where magical sprites have a symbiotic relationship with humans isn’t one I’ve come across before. I enjoyed seeing the different kinds of magic the sprites were able to share with their hosts.
Rawley is an interesting character, and I liked the way Reign’s true identity unfolded and played into the plot. I liked the family vibe of the motorcycle chapter and how they looked out for one another. Although this was a standalone story, I’d love to see more of these characters and their world as there is a lot of potential still to be explored.
The idea of a world where magical sprites have a symbiotic relationship with humans isn’t one I’ve come across before. I enjoyed seeing the different kinds of magic the sprites were able to share with their hosts.
Rawley is an interesting character, and I liked the way Reign’s true identity unfolded and played into the plot. I liked the family vibe of the motorcycle chapter and how they looked out for one another. Although this was a standalone story, I’d love to see more of these characters and their world as there is a lot of potential still to be explored.
June 22, 2021
Rawley is a motorcycle mechanic. His club is his life. He’s looking for a better neighborhood to move the club into. Reign is a mailman who intrigues Rawley.
I have read several of the authors books so I expect them to be little snippets of something interesting. This book has elementals who inhabit peoples bodies. It made for an interesting story but this time it was not quite enough. The book had insufficient information to create a viable story for me.
That said, if the author does more books set in this world I would definitely read them.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
I have read several of the authors books so I expect them to be little snippets of something interesting. This book has elementals who inhabit peoples bodies. It made for an interesting story but this time it was not quite enough. The book had insufficient information to create a viable story for me.
That said, if the author does more books set in this world I would definitely read them.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
July 6, 2021
Promising World-building
I kind of like - no sure yet - this paranormal , motorcycle club , MM romance novella . It has an interesting and promising urban fantasy world building -if it gets more developed and layered- .
I might read other stories set in this world.
Rating falls between a 2:30 and 3 stars.
I just reviewed Elemental Ride by Mell Eight. #ElementalRide #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
I kind of like - no sure yet - this paranormal , motorcycle club , MM romance novella . It has an interesting and promising urban fantasy world building -if it gets more developed and layered- .
I might read other stories set in this world.
Rating falls between a 2:30 and 3 stars.
I just reviewed Elemental Ride by Mell Eight. #ElementalRide #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
September 11, 2021
Elemental Ride does not say that it is the beginning of a new series, but I hope it is.
Mell Eight has once again created a world that I want to spend time in. Elemental Ride is based on hot motorcycle riders who have magic. Seriously, who doesn’t want to read more about that?
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
Mell Eight has once again created a world that I want to spend time in. Elemental Ride is based on hot motorcycle riders who have magic. Seriously, who doesn’t want to read more about that?
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
June 17, 2021
Interesting idea. The world is filled with sprits who go into contracts with humans to be in their bodies for ten years, allowing the humans to use their powers. It’s one of those stories that needs to either be a series or a novel to really let you get to know the world, the magic and the love story. However, it was still sweet, and I liked both characters and the whole world.
If you’re looking for something different, cute and sweet, then this is the story for you
If you’re looking for something different, cute and sweet, then this is the story for you
July 23, 2021
Rawley is a bike mechanic for his motorcycle gang in a treacherous city. This is a land of humans, though sprites of all elements also live here. Rawley is host to all four elemental types of sprite: air, fire, water and earth, keeping the various sprites sequestered to different areas of his body. Having these sprites in his skin gives Rawley powers that enable him to be a big bad biker, and keep from being attacked.
In this treacherous area the mail is not regularly delivered, so Rawley has a private service–which is also irregular. He hasn’t had a delivery in weeks, but suddenly Reign appears being all cute and capable and bearing packages. Rawley is unexpectedly attracted, and it seems like Reign might also be interested–but the next time he sees “Reign” his eye color is different and he’s going by the name Leif. Is he the same man? Or is Rawley meeting someone with elemental poisoning?
This is such an engaging and creative story–that seems to have a future as Rawley and Reign/Leif (among others) find common ground, escape evil scientists and discover a new area to settle the bike gang into. I was totally intrigued by Reign’s mysterious origins, as well as his sad story. I loved how Rawley and Reign bonded over puppy love, and finding unexpected partnership as they navigate difficult living environments.
I would gladly read on if more stories are coming.
In this treacherous area the mail is not regularly delivered, so Rawley has a private service–which is also irregular. He hasn’t had a delivery in weeks, but suddenly Reign appears being all cute and capable and bearing packages. Rawley is unexpectedly attracted, and it seems like Reign might also be interested–but the next time he sees “Reign” his eye color is different and he’s going by the name Leif. Is he the same man? Or is Rawley meeting someone with elemental poisoning?
This is such an engaging and creative story–that seems to have a future as Rawley and Reign/Leif (among others) find common ground, escape evil scientists and discover a new area to settle the bike gang into. I was totally intrigued by Reign’s mysterious origins, as well as his sad story. I loved how Rawley and Reign bonded over puppy love, and finding unexpected partnership as they navigate difficult living environments.
I would gladly read on if more stories are coming.
December 15, 2017
Elemental Ride by Mell Eight is a urban fantasy and romance novella. Rawley isn't the type to crush hard and fast on anyone, but he's somehow helpless when it comes to the new mailman. Even his bikes and his job as enforcer for a local motorcycle gang, the center of his world, don't compare to his interest in Reign. Unfortunately, Reign doesn't seem to be as interested—but secrets and magic have a way of turning everything upside down.
Elemental Ride is a short tease into a fantasy world I want to know more about. It seems to be part of a larger ongoing series by the publisher- but no links to this series are clear on Goodreads, so I will have to do some hunting. As a novella, there is much to squeeze into a short bit of text, but I think it handled very well. I feel like I got to know Rawley fairly well, and understood him as a character- as well as his fascination with his new mailman. I liked the way the world and supernatural aspects are revealed- although I feel like I need a novel set in this world to make me really happy. The story is complex despite the shortness, and has a few layers and surprises. I really enjoyed the unique take on magic and the elements as sprites, and the character of Reign, Leif, and so on satisfied me.
Elemental Ride is a fast and entertaining read. My only disappointment is in the fact that it was a novella, and I want more. I will be taking a look at Less Than Three Press to see if I can find the rest of this series and enjoy it as a whole.
Elemental Ride is a short tease into a fantasy world I want to know more about. It seems to be part of a larger ongoing series by the publisher- but no links to this series are clear on Goodreads, so I will have to do some hunting. As a novella, there is much to squeeze into a short bit of text, but I think it handled very well. I feel like I got to know Rawley fairly well, and understood him as a character- as well as his fascination with his new mailman. I liked the way the world and supernatural aspects are revealed- although I feel like I need a novel set in this world to make me really happy. The story is complex despite the shortness, and has a few layers and surprises. I really enjoyed the unique take on magic and the elements as sprites, and the character of Reign, Leif, and so on satisfied me.
Elemental Ride is a fast and entertaining read. My only disappointment is in the fact that it was a novella, and I want more. I will be taking a look at Less Than Three Press to see if I can find the rest of this series and enjoy it as a whole.
December 30, 2016
I would have loved for it to be a longer story because the world and the premise here are super interesting and unique, and we don't really get to see the romance develop in any meaningful way. Still, this must be one of the weirdest things I've read this year and I really liked it. I'm looking forward to reading more books from the same author.
My tags are a vague approximation of what actually happens in the book though :)
My tags are a vague approximation of what actually happens in the book though :)
June 8, 2017
Love it
Brilliant book, I loved the symbiotic relationship with the sprites, and the fledgling romance between the main characters. I think its a good book that a solid series could be built on (which I'm hoping for). There's room for a lot more detail and world building and I really want to see how the relationship between the MC's progresses as it was in very early stages at the books end.
Brilliant book, I loved the symbiotic relationship with the sprites, and the fledgling romance between the main characters. I think its a good book that a solid series could be built on (which I'm hoping for). There's room for a lot more detail and world building and I really want to see how the relationship between the MC's progresses as it was in very early stages at the books end.
December 2, 2021
This book had such a cool concept! The magic system is based around symbiosis with element spirits. I really wish this had been developed more as, overall, the story seems quite rushed. The length of the story might appeal to people looking for a quick read but I think there are plot elements that could have benefited from being expanded on.
November 5, 2016
Good, but so short. I wanted more!
September 13, 2017
4.5 Stars I really wish this was a series! Very enjoyable. :)
December 30, 2018
I enjoyed learning about the elements and what made a full/pure elemental. I liked the bit of mystery injected and getting to know the characters.
July 10, 2021
2.75 stars. I wanted to be able to rate this higher. I really really liked Rawley, the writing style was approachable, and the world building (what there is) seems very unique. At the end of the day this just felt like a draft that needs a lot more meat added to the bones and some editing. I want to know so much more about elementals, Rawley’s motorcycle club, their problems with the Mayor and watch the development of the relationship with Reign/Leif et al. But none of that got even half the attention it desperately needed with so few pages, it all needed more depth. I got to the epilogue and was confused since nothing was wrapped up in any way to be ready for an epilogue.I’d definitely try this author again though and hope there’s more in this world. Thank you #Netgalley and Ninestar Press for this arc. #ElementalRide
June 26, 2021
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book, my thoughts are my own.
This was okay, nothing mind blowing but a nice short story in between the books I am currently reading. It has a happy ending which was perfect, since it is 98 pages long and I didn't want anything to drag out. Overall nothing I will deeply remember or re-read but enjoyable.
A nice 'biker' romance in an urban fantasy setting/paranormal setting, which was fun to learn about, but too short to truly care about the characters or the interesting entities that inhabit human bodies called elementals, overall nice but too short to really do something or have a real storyline. Promising for future longer books by the author however.
2.5-.75/5 stars
Bookarina.
This was okay, nothing mind blowing but a nice short story in between the books I am currently reading. It has a happy ending which was perfect, since it is 98 pages long and I didn't want anything to drag out. Overall nothing I will deeply remember or re-read but enjoyable.
A nice 'biker' romance in an urban fantasy setting/paranormal setting, which was fun to learn about, but too short to truly care about the characters or the interesting entities that inhabit human bodies called elementals, overall nice but too short to really do something or have a real storyline. Promising for future longer books by the author however.
2.5-.75/5 stars
Bookarina.
October 6, 2025
I'm unsure how to process this story. . .great characters, but strange plot.
All in all, while there were dark and definitely questionable elements to the storyline & details, the universal theme of beginning & growing a relationship, building on trust, loyalty, eventually love, is glaringly present. Rawley is open to having a regular relationship with Reign/Leif/Skye. & Ashe...there is so much possibility for a positive outcome at the end that I was left with a fair amount of hope. Therefore, I suppose I liked the story in spite of my initial discomfort over the unusual aspects that were included. Four stars.
All in all, while there were dark and definitely questionable elements to the storyline & details, the universal theme of beginning & growing a relationship, building on trust, loyalty, eventually love, is glaringly present. Rawley is open to having a regular relationship with Reign/Leif/Skye. & Ashe...there is so much possibility for a positive outcome at the end that I was left with a fair amount of hope. Therefore, I suppose I liked the story in spite of my initial discomfort over the unusual aspects that were included. Four stars.
November 12, 2016
I hate to give such a low rating, but the book seemed unfinished. When reading the story there was a sense of only getting glimpses from the much larger book that I wasn't aware of. The premise for a fantastic tale was there, but at the end is when I was just beginning to enjoy what I was reading.
2.5 rating with a wish for this being expanded into a full novel with all the characters showing more depth and personality.
2.5 rating with a wish for this being expanded into a full novel with all the characters showing more depth and personality.
June 24, 2021
A short story with undeveloped characters due the length limitations about Rawley and Reign/Lief/Skye/Ashe. Rawley falls for the new guy and things move fast. What is up with the new guy? Is a cop? Is he hiding something? What is it about him and why does he turn Rawley on? Did I mention there are sprites and motorcycles? A full novel would be very interesting , this short story not so much.
November 8, 2017
Copy from netgalley
The problem with short stories is that sometimes they lack the development that they could have had...and this is that book. I think it would have been a great story if it had been longer but I just wanted more than I got.
The problem with short stories is that sometimes they lack the development that they could have had...and this is that book. I think it would have been a great story if it had been longer but I just wanted more than I got.
November 6, 2022
This author really knows how to draw me in. Reign and Rawley were wonderful characters, I loved the connection between them. I enjoyed this so much and I would love to read more about this group.
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley*
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley*
November 3, 2016
I thought the concept was unique but not well put together. There was just too many ideas in this book and not enough explanation or backstory to tie everything together.
November 17, 2016
Book – Elemental Ride
Author – Mell Eight
Star rating - ★★★☆☆
No. of Pages – 65
Cover – Nice
POV – 3rd person, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – No
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
I was looking forward to this one, after dipping into some of the other Roughhouse Raiders collection, unfortunately it just didn't quite keep up with the other.
This was mainly for one reason – this is an incomplete story. At least, that's how I read it. Why? First off, there's some strange phrasing that didn't feel comfortable with the characters or the contemporary feel of the story. The storytelling of the first half of the story – until around the time Rawley is with his MC brothers – is very stilted and uncomfortable, as though the author is trying very hard to fill in some time, just to prolong the first half of the story some more, which was completely unnecessary.
Then there was a heck of a lot of unnecessary repetition and description. For example, if the MC Rawley woke up at the beginning of a chapter to the doorbell ringing one more time, I might have killed the damn thing myself. There was a whole lot of detail about things in his apartment, almost to prove how poor he was and how rundown the place was, while less than half of that was needed to get the point across. We even got continually reminded of how poor everyone was, what a terrible neighborhood it was and how brazen or stupid Reign must be to deliver the mail in that hard-core area. It was all a little too much overkill for me. This is a care where less is more.
On top of that, there was no mention of the Elemental side of things until around 8%, which is a long time for a short story, and even then it was a confused description of what it meant, how Rawley was connected and what use it was for. I also found the explanation of his “blue teardrop shape” to be a little incredulous, as the way it was described meant it had to cover half of his upper torso, though it didn't come off as being described as that big. So either that was something I failed to grasp, something not well explained or it was just explained in the most awkward way. Either way, it felt confusing and didn't fit with the description.
When it came to characters, I actually really loved Reign, Skye, Ashe and Leif. They all had their own personalities and they all worked independently of each other, never melding into one character. Skye and Ashe were a little over the top, but I really liked it when Reign and Leif were allowed out to play.
Rawley, on the other hand, I didn't like so much, which is a problem when he was the MC of the entire story and the only one giving his POV. He was portrayed as this tough as nail, hard core MC, but was a push over and pretty self involved, too.
The big downer for me was that Rawley had more of a relationship with his own hand during the entire story than he did with Reign. The build up to the romance was huge – constantly flirting, Rawley fantasising about it, even heading off against his President about Reign – yet it never went anywhere. In the end, he shared one brief kiss with Reign that wasn't even romantic and there wasn't anything more than a vague hint that they might have a relationship in the future.
There was also a huge deal made out of the fact that Reign was something special, Elementally, but that was never followed through on. For me, the story felt incomplete because of it. More like the beginning of a longer novel, setting the scene, than a complete story.
I really liked the overall idea of the plot, but the sloppy execution and the writing style didn't work for me. This wasn't a cohesive story in any way. It was too haphazard in the amount of time and attention it spent on things (more time given to Rawley constantly jacking off than the relationship supposed to be budding between him and Reign) and far too descriptive about things that didn't matter and could have been easily and quickly explained in another way.
I think that if it were ever to be made into an actual novel, with more attention given to Reign and some more editing, then I'd give it another shot, but right now it's just a bit too all over the place for me.
Author – Mell Eight
Star rating - ★★★☆☆
No. of Pages – 65
Cover – Nice
POV – 3rd person, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – No
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
I was looking forward to this one, after dipping into some of the other Roughhouse Raiders collection, unfortunately it just didn't quite keep up with the other.
This was mainly for one reason – this is an incomplete story. At least, that's how I read it. Why? First off, there's some strange phrasing that didn't feel comfortable with the characters or the contemporary feel of the story. The storytelling of the first half of the story – until around the time Rawley is with his MC brothers – is very stilted and uncomfortable, as though the author is trying very hard to fill in some time, just to prolong the first half of the story some more, which was completely unnecessary.
Then there was a heck of a lot of unnecessary repetition and description. For example, if the MC Rawley woke up at the beginning of a chapter to the doorbell ringing one more time, I might have killed the damn thing myself. There was a whole lot of detail about things in his apartment, almost to prove how poor he was and how rundown the place was, while less than half of that was needed to get the point across. We even got continually reminded of how poor everyone was, what a terrible neighborhood it was and how brazen or stupid Reign must be to deliver the mail in that hard-core area. It was all a little too much overkill for me. This is a care where less is more.
On top of that, there was no mention of the Elemental side of things until around 8%, which is a long time for a short story, and even then it was a confused description of what it meant, how Rawley was connected and what use it was for. I also found the explanation of his “blue teardrop shape” to be a little incredulous, as the way it was described meant it had to cover half of his upper torso, though it didn't come off as being described as that big. So either that was something I failed to grasp, something not well explained or it was just explained in the most awkward way. Either way, it felt confusing and didn't fit with the description.
When it came to characters, I actually really loved Reign, Skye, Ashe and Leif. They all had their own personalities and they all worked independently of each other, never melding into one character. Skye and Ashe were a little over the top, but I really liked it when Reign and Leif were allowed out to play.
Rawley, on the other hand, I didn't like so much, which is a problem when he was the MC of the entire story and the only one giving his POV. He was portrayed as this tough as nail, hard core MC, but was a push over and pretty self involved, too.
The big downer for me was that Rawley had more of a relationship with his own hand during the entire story than he did with Reign. The build up to the romance was huge – constantly flirting, Rawley fantasising about it, even heading off against his President about Reign – yet it never went anywhere. In the end, he shared one brief kiss with Reign that wasn't even romantic and there wasn't anything more than a vague hint that they might have a relationship in the future.
There was also a huge deal made out of the fact that Reign was something special, Elementally, but that was never followed through on. For me, the story felt incomplete because of it. More like the beginning of a longer novel, setting the scene, than a complete story.
I really liked the overall idea of the plot, but the sloppy execution and the writing style didn't work for me. This wasn't a cohesive story in any way. It was too haphazard in the amount of time and attention it spent on things (more time given to Rawley constantly jacking off than the relationship supposed to be budding between him and Reign) and far too descriptive about things that didn't matter and could have been easily and quickly explained in another way.
I think that if it were ever to be made into an actual novel, with more attention given to Reign and some more editing, then I'd give it another shot, but right now it's just a bit too all over the place for me.
February 14, 2017
Review can be read at It's About The Book
Rawley has things to do and he just wants to sleep so he can wake up to do them. Rawley is, understandably, less than pleased when he’s awakened early by someone at the door. It’s the mailman. Ugh. Well, okay, it’s a very sexy mailman with big blue eyes, but it’s the mailman. Rawley gets more sleep and is able to start his day. One of the members of his club tries to get some repair work on his bike without paying Rawley for the work. As it turns out the guy is also not paying his girlfriend for food. Rawley keeps his bike as collateral. Of course the guy tries to get his bike back. However, the sexy green eyed mailman puts a stop to that. But… didn’t he have blue eyes? And didn’t his name tag say Reign but it now says Leif? Are there two sexy mailmen? Rawley and Leif go on a lunch date. Rawley really likes Leif. Leif is also Reign. He’s also a couple of other people. It’s complicated. When Rawley is next woken up by Leif to help save a puppy he begins to really understand Leif, Reign, Ashe, and Skye. Unfortunately, Rawley isn’t the only person interested in Leif, Reign, Ashe, and Skye. Add to it Ashe isn’t really all that personable, but Rawley isn’t letting anyone touch his mailman.
This book is about magic not mental health. Leif, Reign, Ashe, and Skye are separate beings housed in one body, they are not personalities. I appreciate multiple personality disorder is touched upon in this book and is rightfully called a serious condition, as that’s what it is. However, this book isn’t about health, it’s about magic and elemental sprites living in people. Now, having said that, Rawley really finds himself enchanted by a couple of the sprites in his mailman, one of them not so much. Ashe makes sense and Rawley can see that. Ashe is wary. The personalities Rawley encounters could have easily overwhelmed the story but they didn’t. In spite of the very startling information about the mailman, there is a plot. The plot is about the mailman, but other stuff happens, too. The book was well balanced, charming, and sweet. It’s a great afternoon read.
Rawley has things to do and he just wants to sleep so he can wake up to do them. Rawley is, understandably, less than pleased when he’s awakened early by someone at the door. It’s the mailman. Ugh. Well, okay, it’s a very sexy mailman with big blue eyes, but it’s the mailman. Rawley gets more sleep and is able to start his day. One of the members of his club tries to get some repair work on his bike without paying Rawley for the work. As it turns out the guy is also not paying his girlfriend for food. Rawley keeps his bike as collateral. Of course the guy tries to get his bike back. However, the sexy green eyed mailman puts a stop to that. But… didn’t he have blue eyes? And didn’t his name tag say Reign but it now says Leif? Are there two sexy mailmen? Rawley and Leif go on a lunch date. Rawley really likes Leif. Leif is also Reign. He’s also a couple of other people. It’s complicated. When Rawley is next woken up by Leif to help save a puppy he begins to really understand Leif, Reign, Ashe, and Skye. Unfortunately, Rawley isn’t the only person interested in Leif, Reign, Ashe, and Skye. Add to it Ashe isn’t really all that personable, but Rawley isn’t letting anyone touch his mailman.
This book is about magic not mental health. Leif, Reign, Ashe, and Skye are separate beings housed in one body, they are not personalities. I appreciate multiple personality disorder is touched upon in this book and is rightfully called a serious condition, as that’s what it is. However, this book isn’t about health, it’s about magic and elemental sprites living in people. Now, having said that, Rawley really finds himself enchanted by a couple of the sprites in his mailman, one of them not so much. Ashe makes sense and Rawley can see that. Ashe is wary. The personalities Rawley encounters could have easily overwhelmed the story but they didn’t. In spite of the very startling information about the mailman, there is a plot. The plot is about the mailman, but other stuff happens, too. The book was well balanced, charming, and sweet. It’s a great afternoon read.
February 9, 2017
I received one copy of this book from NetGalley at no charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own. Review first posted on my link text.
Okay, to summarize Elemental Ride by Mell Eight very briefly, you have two main characters. Rawley is the motorcycle mechanic for a biker gang. He seems like a decent guy even if he is a bit rough around the edges. He lives in a world where sprites (tiny mystical beings) live symbiotically with humans and provide them with certain magical powers. He gets a new mailman. This is interesting because the area he lives in is so bad, mailmen won’t come deliver there at all. He is fascinated with Reign from the very beginning and is even more intrigued when he realizes that his new mailman is actually 4 personalities tucked into one gorgeous package.
In addition to the romantic interest, you have a motorcycle gang nervous because the city mayor promises to clean up the area. That doesn’t really bode well for the gang at all and they are looking for new accommodations so that they can all manage to stay together.
To add a magical twist, you have the intrigue of the sprite/human relationship. The paranormal aspect of the story was unique and captured my attention quickly.
So, the hugest problem with this story and why I gave it such a low rating is that I do not consider this a whole book. Honestly, it felt like the first 5 chapters of a full-length novel. You do not get enough information about any of the three main ideas to be satisfied. Rawley has barely met a few of Reign’s personalities and there is zero heat because basically, they just met! The motorcycle gang has just barely found a new place to live but hasn’t actually finalized anything. And while you learn a bit about the sprites, their role in this story is obviously not done at all.
Honestly, Elemental Ride by Mell Eight is one giant unfinished plot. I’m sure there will be another book after this that will continue the story but that sort of thing really bugs me. I really wanted a book that had a beginning, middle, and END.
So, while I enjoyed Elemental Ride by Mell Eight, I don’t think I will be reading any more of this author’s short stories. I don’t really like having to wait months for the ending of a book that barely felt like it got started.
Okay, to summarize Elemental Ride by Mell Eight very briefly, you have two main characters. Rawley is the motorcycle mechanic for a biker gang. He seems like a decent guy even if he is a bit rough around the edges. He lives in a world where sprites (tiny mystical beings) live symbiotically with humans and provide them with certain magical powers. He gets a new mailman. This is interesting because the area he lives in is so bad, mailmen won’t come deliver there at all. He is fascinated with Reign from the very beginning and is even more intrigued when he realizes that his new mailman is actually 4 personalities tucked into one gorgeous package.
In addition to the romantic interest, you have a motorcycle gang nervous because the city mayor promises to clean up the area. That doesn’t really bode well for the gang at all and they are looking for new accommodations so that they can all manage to stay together.
To add a magical twist, you have the intrigue of the sprite/human relationship. The paranormal aspect of the story was unique and captured my attention quickly.
So, the hugest problem with this story and why I gave it such a low rating is that I do not consider this a whole book. Honestly, it felt like the first 5 chapters of a full-length novel. You do not get enough information about any of the three main ideas to be satisfied. Rawley has barely met a few of Reign’s personalities and there is zero heat because basically, they just met! The motorcycle gang has just barely found a new place to live but hasn’t actually finalized anything. And while you learn a bit about the sprites, their role in this story is obviously not done at all.
Honestly, Elemental Ride by Mell Eight is one giant unfinished plot. I’m sure there will be another book after this that will continue the story but that sort of thing really bugs me. I really wanted a book that had a beginning, middle, and END.
So, while I enjoyed Elemental Ride by Mell Eight, I don’t think I will be reading any more of this author’s short stories. I don’t really like having to wait months for the ending of a book that barely felt like it got started.
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