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Return of the Elementals
Shadow Island
Astra would kill for answers. After spending most of her life locked inside her room on an inhospitable planet, the driven seventeen-year-old is thrilled when her twin brother agrees to help her sneak out and interrogate an alien. But her curiosity about what lies beyond the station boundaries shatters when she realizes her parents have been arrested as dangerous insurgents and transported off-world. Swearing to do whatever it takes to make her family whole again, Astra clashes with a mutant beast that leaves her wounded. And after extraterrestrials tell her she must pursue aid from four other isolated, magic-wielding factions, the protective teen grits her teeth to face the impossible task. Can Astra seek out the truth without falling to her doom? Shadow Island is the page-turning first book in the Return of the Elementals YA fantasy series. If you like mystically infused sci-fi, slow-burn romance, and epic world-building, then you’ll love A.R. NITUS’s dystopian coming-of-age.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2022
44 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 7, 2023
Shadow Island by A.R Nitus is a remarkable first novel that takes us into a unique dystopian future. I found the world building and the character development to be quite satisfying. It started out slow but stick with it as it will pick up the pace and keep you turning the pages.
October 8, 2022
Shadow Island by A.R. NITUS is the first book in the return of the elementals series. It is an exciting coming-of-age young-adult dystopian fantasy story.
The story features a dystopian alien planet, filled with action, adventure, twist and turns, some sprinkle of magic, and a dash of slow burn romance. The author has created such a beautiful and complex world with compelling characters and a rich world building full of dangers and challenges being thrown at every turn and a
strong, brave main character who is up for facing all challenges.
I was completely swept away into this incredible alien world. I loved Astra and her group so much. I was rooting for them so hard. I really enjoyed their dynamic and how their relationships evolved and changed, as they fought and overcame so many challenges together.
Overall great story! Can't wait to read the next one!
The story features a dystopian alien planet, filled with action, adventure, twist and turns, some sprinkle of magic, and a dash of slow burn romance. The author has created such a beautiful and complex world with compelling characters and a rich world building full of dangers and challenges being thrown at every turn and a
strong, brave main character who is up for facing all challenges.
I was completely swept away into this incredible alien world. I loved Astra and her group so much. I was rooting for them so hard. I really enjoyed their dynamic and how their relationships evolved and changed, as they fought and overcame so many challenges together.
Overall great story! Can't wait to read the next one!
February 4, 2024
This is a great book. The characters are well written and developed. This picks up about 200 years after Banished and is a great continuation. Definitely shows how bad the elementals have it because the guardian is very cruel. His minions are worthless and incompetent, because they are overconfident it what they think they can do. It took just 1 group of elementals and they wrecked everything on the planet they were banished to. Now we wait and see what happens next.
April 20, 2023
It started off kind of slow, and by that I mean kind of had a couple false starts and then it was back to the beginning and it was like okay where are we going here (you'll get if you read it, trying not to give away any spoilers here). But once you got into the action, I really started to like it. The plot is interesting and the the new characters got more interesting, likable and fun as it went, but then just as we were starting to get to the action, there came an abrupt end to book. Personally, I like for a book, even one in series, to have a beginning, a middle and an end, even if that end is at least wrapping up one sub plot before continuing on to the next book. I understand the appeal of cliff hangers to authors in that they want to entice the readers to read the next book, but if done wrong it can actually be a turnoff and more frustrating, making them question if they should read the next one or if will end in the same abrupt way. This one was somewhere in the middle, because not only did either of the original missions (who am I and saving their parents) really get answered or finished, but it created even more sub plots (why did you not stop/kill the priest when you had the chance, why did you not use your magic to save others, what happened to those trapped, Ma's still somewhere, how about earth, okay your in a volcano now what, did the magic return, is there even going to be bigger mission of saving the worlds- sorry - not trying to ruin it with spoilers), but it left more questions than answers, and it seems like the characters are kind of bumbling or lost at points. Just as it was building and most the characters where starting to get along, they seemed to disappear just as fast, again how are you going to bring all the elements together for the bigger picture if you loose them all before you even start, so again back to the beginning. I do have to say the characters were evolving nicely and I really liked some of them, and hated others who are meant to be hated, so the characters were good (albeit there could be a little less inner turmoil, some is good, but there was a little whiplash from the I can/ I can't self thought -don't think, do). I see the potential for a great story, but I also don't want to be strung along through a bunch of books that are always just bits and pieces, I'd like something - even if just one of the subplots accomplished/answered before we move on to the next book... I would like to see where this one goes, so hopefully the second one does give us readers some victory somewhere in one of the story plots. Once you get into the the plot is interesting and I like that there is a mission (or multiple missions) but they seem to loose their way in accomplishing them, and I am hoping form some happy ending for at least some of the characters, you've got me intrigued, but please don't leave me hanging....
October 3, 2022
Growing up in a cage, taught that the elemental power inside her is sinful, Astra longs to escape and explore the real world.
When her parents disappear, accused of rebellion by the sinister priest who acts as warden of their prison planet, Astra takes it upon herself to assemble a team and cross the water to the forbidden island that holds the portal to Earth.
“Shadow Island” is a fun, exciting dystopian thriller set in a complex and highly imaginative world. I really liked the concept that Astra and her brethren are constantly guilted and gaslit over the undeveloped elemental powers they possess, which are really hidden talents. The world is reminiscent of the Matrix, where malevolent authorities oppress the people in a web of lies so byzantine that its victims doubt their own senses at times. The story feels topical and relevant, and Astra (awesome name!) is an active protagonist who will stop at nothing to save her parents and uncover the truth.
If I had a quibble, it would be Astra’s plan. After progressing all the way to the island in Act I, it felt like going sideways to visit all the stations, recruiting allies at random, before pushing through to the portal. If there had been a gate or something on the island with five locks, and a key at every station that had to be obtained by hook or by crook, then it would have made more sense.
That said, “Shadow Island” is nonetheless a hugely entertaining ride set in a moody, dystopian world that feels relevant and topical while delivering action, adventure and even a bit of slow-burn romance. It will be fascinating to see where Nitus takes this story in the sequel.
When her parents disappear, accused of rebellion by the sinister priest who acts as warden of their prison planet, Astra takes it upon herself to assemble a team and cross the water to the forbidden island that holds the portal to Earth.
“Shadow Island” is a fun, exciting dystopian thriller set in a complex and highly imaginative world. I really liked the concept that Astra and her brethren are constantly guilted and gaslit over the undeveloped elemental powers they possess, which are really hidden talents. The world is reminiscent of the Matrix, where malevolent authorities oppress the people in a web of lies so byzantine that its victims doubt their own senses at times. The story feels topical and relevant, and Astra (awesome name!) is an active protagonist who will stop at nothing to save her parents and uncover the truth.
If I had a quibble, it would be Astra’s plan. After progressing all the way to the island in Act I, it felt like going sideways to visit all the stations, recruiting allies at random, before pushing through to the portal. If there had been a gate or something on the island with five locks, and a key at every station that had to be obtained by hook or by crook, then it would have made more sense.
That said, “Shadow Island” is nonetheless a hugely entertaining ride set in a moody, dystopian world that feels relevant and topical while delivering action, adventure and even a bit of slow-burn romance. It will be fascinating to see where Nitus takes this story in the sequel.
October 7, 2022
A.R. NITUS
Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals - Book #1
I totally match up to the hype any fantasy book would get and when it comes with a blend of genres like dystopian, suspense and YA fiction which creates a world and a plot beyond anybody's imagination and only the author has the wand which gives them the power to create a shape and structured to a story and provide a wholesome and uplifting experience to the readers.
The book by A.R. NITUS
Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals - Book #1 in the Shadow Island series unfolds with an unimaginable incident happened in Astra's life when she got to know her true identity which her own parents have kept secret from here just for the sake for the rest of the world. But now that they have went missing, Astra leaves no stone unturned to find them and even gathers a young team of elementals just like her. She not knowing the secrets that have buried since years, have to face numerous adventures and lots of twist and turns to complete her mission.
The storyline was set in the most unimaginable and incredible world but how it was transformed in the second half which was quite futuristic and the extravagant storytelling by the author justified the timeline aswell. Astra's character was my favourite one and her characteristics shown were quite charming and fierce and also the book cover does absolute justice to the book and the story.
The book has been penned down in a length of around 380 pages or so but was worth every minute of its readers time as the lavish story setting and narration took it into a whole new level.
Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals - Book #1
I totally match up to the hype any fantasy book would get and when it comes with a blend of genres like dystopian, suspense and YA fiction which creates a world and a plot beyond anybody's imagination and only the author has the wand which gives them the power to create a shape and structured to a story and provide a wholesome and uplifting experience to the readers.
The book by A.R. NITUS
Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals - Book #1 in the Shadow Island series unfolds with an unimaginable incident happened in Astra's life when she got to know her true identity which her own parents have kept secret from here just for the sake for the rest of the world. But now that they have went missing, Astra leaves no stone unturned to find them and even gathers a young team of elementals just like her. She not knowing the secrets that have buried since years, have to face numerous adventures and lots of twist and turns to complete her mission.
The storyline was set in the most unimaginable and incredible world but how it was transformed in the second half which was quite futuristic and the extravagant storytelling by the author justified the timeline aswell. Astra's character was my favourite one and her characteristics shown were quite charming and fierce and also the book cover does absolute justice to the book and the story.
The book has been penned down in a length of around 380 pages or so but was worth every minute of its readers time as the lavish story setting and narration took it into a whole new level.
October 12, 2022
📚Book Name - Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals - Book #1
📚Author - A.R. NITUS
📚My rating - 4.6/5
📚If you love the genre, you will fall in love with this, Astra ( the main character of the story ) is on the way to escape and find the real world.
📚The reader is drawn in as Astra and her twin brother, Jasper, voyage from one ethereal world to another, seeking their kidnapped parents, aided by the diminutive and enigmatic critters.
📚I really liked the concept that Astra and her brethren are constantly guilted and gaslit over the undeveloped elemental powers they possess, which are really hidden talents.
📚Astra's parents are accused of rebellion by the priest's of their island and all of a sudden their parents disappear.
📚The story feels topical and relevant, and Astra (awesome name!) is an active protagonist who will stop at nothing to save her parents and uncover the truth.
📚The story feels topical and relevant, and Astra (awesome name!) is an active protagonist who will stop at nothing to save her parents and uncover the truth.
📚What happens next is all to read for? Will she be abe to find her disappearing parents? What obstacles she will face while finding the truth? Can she hide the truth from everyone?
📚My heart ached for what she had to go through with her parents. Loved her strength and determination me. Great story! Highly recommend!
📚Author - A.R. NITUS
📚My rating - 4.6/5
📚If you love the genre, you will fall in love with this, Astra ( the main character of the story ) is on the way to escape and find the real world.
📚The reader is drawn in as Astra and her twin brother, Jasper, voyage from one ethereal world to another, seeking their kidnapped parents, aided by the diminutive and enigmatic critters.
📚I really liked the concept that Astra and her brethren are constantly guilted and gaslit over the undeveloped elemental powers they possess, which are really hidden talents.
📚Astra's parents are accused of rebellion by the priest's of their island and all of a sudden their parents disappear.
📚The story feels topical and relevant, and Astra (awesome name!) is an active protagonist who will stop at nothing to save her parents and uncover the truth.
📚The story feels topical and relevant, and Astra (awesome name!) is an active protagonist who will stop at nothing to save her parents and uncover the truth.
📚What happens next is all to read for? Will she be abe to find her disappearing parents? What obstacles she will face while finding the truth? Can she hide the truth from everyone?
📚My heart ached for what she had to go through with her parents. Loved her strength and determination me. Great story! Highly recommend!
May 10, 2023
Astra has been caged all her life, and not exclusively by the rigid demands of the culture into which she was born. Isolated from peers, her main contacts have been her parents and her brother, Jasper. Still, Astra perseveres and manages to take on a career as a guard. When her parents disappear, Astra is desperate to find and recover them. But mounting an expedition to save them proves more dangerous than expected, and Astra's parents have kept many secrets of their own.
The pacing of this novel was generally well done. The world-building was also very well executed. I thought the premise of the universe and the main plot were very intriguing.
The characters were interesting and the development that was in evidence was well executed. I found there were a couple of times where the dialogue left something to be desired for me.
I do feel that, while it would have slowed the pacing in places, the character development could have benefited from a little extra breathing room. I think, as the events progressed, this would have allowed me to feel a bit more invested emotionally in other characters than Astra (who is the primary focus of the novel).
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and would be interested in reading more in the series.
I received an ARC via the author.
The pacing of this novel was generally well done. The world-building was also very well executed. I thought the premise of the universe and the main plot were very intriguing.
The characters were interesting and the development that was in evidence was well executed. I found there were a couple of times where the dialogue left something to be desired for me.
I do feel that, while it would have slowed the pacing in places, the character development could have benefited from a little extra breathing room. I think, as the events progressed, this would have allowed me to feel a bit more invested emotionally in other characters than Astra (who is the primary focus of the novel).
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and would be interested in reading more in the series.
I received an ARC via the author.
August 19, 2023
Increasingly interesting
I can’t bring 5 stars to an unfinished story, though it’s probably going to deserve them.
It’s a good YA story with great descriptions. A complex and solid new world with several societies and an intricate net of relationships among them.
Though it’s explained in several bits of information, I strongly recommend to read the prequel “Banished” first (the writer gives it for free if you join her newsletter) in order to understand why these elementals are living here, isolated among them and without powers. Specially if, like me, you are not young any more.
I know a lot of grownups who would say “it’s going to be a nonsense story of a bunch of youngsters with more guts than brains, involved and then committed to an almost impossible mission, wich (surprisingly) suscceed to complete”. It’s a description wich fits with most of YA adventures, but then also with The dark matter, The never ending story, Harry Potter, Star Wars or The Lord of the rings.
There are a few holes in the story, but it’s not ended yet, there’s time to fill them.
There’s not a lot of magic yet, but it could be.
The idea of 5 elements is quite original (at least in Europe), it’s worth a shot.
I can’t bring 5 stars to an unfinished story, though it’s probably going to deserve them.
It’s a good YA story with great descriptions. A complex and solid new world with several societies and an intricate net of relationships among them.
Though it’s explained in several bits of information, I strongly recommend to read the prequel “Banished” first (the writer gives it for free if you join her newsletter) in order to understand why these elementals are living here, isolated among them and without powers. Specially if, like me, you are not young any more.
I know a lot of grownups who would say “it’s going to be a nonsense story of a bunch of youngsters with more guts than brains, involved and then committed to an almost impossible mission, wich (surprisingly) suscceed to complete”. It’s a description wich fits with most of YA adventures, but then also with The dark matter, The never ending story, Harry Potter, Star Wars or The Lord of the rings.
There are a few holes in the story, but it’s not ended yet, there’s time to fill them.
There’s not a lot of magic yet, but it could be.
The idea of 5 elements is quite original (at least in Europe), it’s worth a shot.
October 7, 2022
📚Book Name - Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals - Book #1
📚Author - A.R. NITUS
📚My rating - 4.6/5
📚A tale about special powers, if you love the genre, you will fall in love with this, Astra ( the main character of the story ) is on the way to escape and find the real world.
📚Astra's parents are accused of rebellion by the priest's of their island and all of a sudden their parents disappear.
📚And there begins the journey of Shadow Island, Astra decides to find her disappearing parents so she forms a team and crosses the water to reach the island.
📚The journey is full of various adventures starting from the aliens but the team also has to face the wrath of the elements.
📚What happens next is all to read for? Will she be abe to find her disappearing parents? What obstacles she will face while finding the truth? Can she hide the truth from everyone?
📚The book has all emotions in one, it will run you through adventures, emotional at times, suprising in many ocassions. Kudos to the author Nitus for writing such exceptional storyline.
📚Author - A.R. NITUS
📚My rating - 4.6/5
📚A tale about special powers, if you love the genre, you will fall in love with this, Astra ( the main character of the story ) is on the way to escape and find the real world.
📚Astra's parents are accused of rebellion by the priest's of their island and all of a sudden their parents disappear.
📚And there begins the journey of Shadow Island, Astra decides to find her disappearing parents so she forms a team and crosses the water to reach the island.
📚The journey is full of various adventures starting from the aliens but the team also has to face the wrath of the elements.
📚What happens next is all to read for? Will she be abe to find her disappearing parents? What obstacles she will face while finding the truth? Can she hide the truth from everyone?
📚The book has all emotions in one, it will run you through adventures, emotional at times, suprising in many ocassions. Kudos to the author Nitus for writing such exceptional storyline.
October 7, 2022
📕Book Name - Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals - Book #1
📕Author - A.R. NITUS
📕My rating - 4.6/5
📕The story revolves on a prison planet for banished elementals stripped of their magic. Astra finds out she is not a usual elemental.
📕This identity was hidden from the world by her parents, soon after they both went missing and astra decides to form a team and march the journey to an island that holds deep secrets of earth.
📕The journey is not gonna be easy, she has to face and defeat a lot of obstacles in the way starting from the aliens to the wrath of the elements.
📕As the journey unfolds, there are many secrets which were kept as a secret before the birth of Astra. She hopes that she should not fall weak and fulfill everyone's expectations.
📕The tale is very relevant and Astra will do everything to stop the protoganist and will save her parents and uncover the truth.
📕The story has a high drop of imagination. The storyline is fresh and very unique. The writing is superb and narration is beautiful.
📕Author - A.R. NITUS
📕My rating - 4.6/5
📕The story revolves on a prison planet for banished elementals stripped of their magic. Astra finds out she is not a usual elemental.
📕This identity was hidden from the world by her parents, soon after they both went missing and astra decides to form a team and march the journey to an island that holds deep secrets of earth.
📕The journey is not gonna be easy, she has to face and defeat a lot of obstacles in the way starting from the aliens to the wrath of the elements.
📕As the journey unfolds, there are many secrets which were kept as a secret before the birth of Astra. She hopes that she should not fall weak and fulfill everyone's expectations.
📕The tale is very relevant and Astra will do everything to stop the protoganist and will save her parents and uncover the truth.
📕The story has a high drop of imagination. The storyline is fresh and very unique. The writing is superb and narration is beautiful.
May 24, 2023
A dystopian fantasy with portal magic. A clear five stars for the worldbuilding, the unique hero and her Rabi sidekick and the willingness to work beyond prejudice and misconceptions to create a better world among the elementals.
The story begins very clunky with lots of info dumps and a rather whiny heroine. But her journey is as much a coming of age (read: growing up) as it is to save the world. For a while, I thought any character in the story is smarter, more emotionally mature than the heroine and I'm not sure she is all that likeable by the end. I will continue with the series for the slow burn romance between Jasper and Brandon. The side characters of Emma and Glenn were an absolutely delightful "friends to almost lovers" and I hope their story arc isn't over. I mean there is hope, as long as there isn't a body, there is hope.
Ends on a sort of cliffhanger as the characters I care most about are MIA.
Five stars for imagination
Three stars for execution
Average: four stars.
The story begins very clunky with lots of info dumps and a rather whiny heroine. But her journey is as much a coming of age (read: growing up) as it is to save the world. For a while, I thought any character in the story is smarter, more emotionally mature than the heroine and I'm not sure she is all that likeable by the end. I will continue with the series for the slow burn romance between Jasper and Brandon. The side characters of Emma and Glenn were an absolutely delightful "friends to almost lovers" and I hope their story arc isn't over. I mean there is hope, as long as there isn't a body, there is hope.
Ends on a sort of cliffhanger as the characters I care most about are MIA.
Five stars for imagination
Three stars for execution
Average: four stars.
October 8, 2022
The first volume of A.R. NITUS's return of the elementals series is titled Shadow Island.
The dystopian thriller "Shadow Island" is entertaining and fascinating, and it takes place in a rich and imaginative environment.
Astra is a proactive protagonist who will do everything it takes to save her parents and discover the truth, and the story has a current and relevant feel to it.
Their disappearance is shrouded in mystery. Astra therefore took on all of the responsibility to remedy that.
There are many turns in how she discovers her parents.
I eagerly forward the upcoming episode.
In this poignant book, the author wonderfully captures each and every character. Incredible story development.
This book has a compelling narrative that carries you to a delightful experience.
This book contains a captivating story that transports you to a wonderful experience and piques your interest in reading. You will, however, like it in the end.
The dystopian thriller "Shadow Island" is entertaining and fascinating, and it takes place in a rich and imaginative environment.
Astra is a proactive protagonist who will do everything it takes to save her parents and discover the truth, and the story has a current and relevant feel to it.
Their disappearance is shrouded in mystery. Astra therefore took on all of the responsibility to remedy that.
There are many turns in how she discovers her parents.
I eagerly forward the upcoming episode.
In this poignant book, the author wonderfully captures each and every character. Incredible story development.
This book has a compelling narrative that carries you to a delightful experience.
This book contains a captivating story that transports you to a wonderful experience and piques your interest in reading. You will, however, like it in the end.
October 9, 2022
Shadow Island by AR Nitus is the first book in the return of the elementals series. The book is filled with action, adventure, twists, turns and magic with a touch of romance. Growing up in a cage, taught that the elemental power inside her is sinful, Astra longs to escape and explore the real world.
Astra's parents are accused of rebellion by the priest's of their island and all of a sudden their parents disappear and there begins the journey of shadow island. Astra takes it upon herself to assemble a team and cross the water to the forbidden island that holds the portal earth.
This book was a hugely entertaining ride set in a moody, dystopian world that feels relevant and topical while delivering action, adventure and a bit of slow - burn romance. The author has created such a beautiful and complex world with compelling characters. Overall, a great story! Can't wait to read next parts.
Astra's parents are accused of rebellion by the priest's of their island and all of a sudden their parents disappear and there begins the journey of shadow island. Astra takes it upon herself to assemble a team and cross the water to the forbidden island that holds the portal earth.
This book was a hugely entertaining ride set in a moody, dystopian world that feels relevant and topical while delivering action, adventure and a bit of slow - burn romance. The author has created such a beautiful and complex world with compelling characters. Overall, a great story! Can't wait to read next parts.
May 3, 2023
I had received this book in an exchanged for an honest review. Astra and jasper is a twin sister and brother. This story kind remind me of divergent + attack of titan series. Btw the story is not that extreme but my imagination of the world building story is like that. They had been divided to various stations to live. Astra is an elemental and she is different from her race. The story is focused on family bonding where she and jasper and looking for their pa and ma wherebout. I would say the plot twist is not something that i had expect. Especially the jasper part. This book had exceeded my expectation and its so good!
The only downside is I'm bit biased. Hahaha i prefer strong mc which moved alone with/without minimal assistant from others. Astra move had been restrained by her brother, eric and others. She tend to think of others instead of going her way. So i rate 4.5 star because of that.
The only downside is I'm bit biased. Hahaha i prefer strong mc which moved alone with/without minimal assistant from others. Astra move had been restrained by her brother, eric and others. She tend to think of others instead of going her way. So i rate 4.5 star because of that.
October 8, 2022
You'll appreciate this dystopian thriller about a girl with amazing talents if you like the genre.
The action takes place on a world where banished elementals who have lost their magic are imprisoned. Astra learns she is not an ordinary elemental.
Her adventure is action-packed, suspenseful, and full of surprises. Astra is on her way out of the prison to find the outside world.
Astra's birth was the subject of a great deal of secrecy, until one day she discovered the truth. After some time, her parents abruptly vanished.
Will she be able to unravel the truth about what happened to them?
The entire narrative is amazing and pretty interesting. I merely take pleasure in every aspect of it. The authors' weaving of all the protagonists together and the characters themselves are really superb. This should be read by everyone once.
The action takes place on a world where banished elementals who have lost their magic are imprisoned. Astra learns she is not an ordinary elemental.
Her adventure is action-packed, suspenseful, and full of surprises. Astra is on her way out of the prison to find the outside world.
Astra's birth was the subject of a great deal of secrecy, until one day she discovered the truth. After some time, her parents abruptly vanished.
Will she be able to unravel the truth about what happened to them?
The entire narrative is amazing and pretty interesting. I merely take pleasure in every aspect of it. The authors' weaving of all the protagonists together and the characters themselves are really superb. This should be read by everyone once.
April 29, 2023
This story was fun to read and I loved seeing how all the relationships grew between the characters. I love books that have friend groups that slowly grow bigger.
My favorite character, also one most complex in my mind, was the Aiden. I loved watching how him and Astra grow closer. They are a true slow-burn and I can't wait to see more. The side-characters also stole my heart. They were all so unique from each other and I hope they all make it ok in the end.
The plot was fast-paced and made the story feel quick. It was hard to put the book away because I needed to know what happened next.
The world was one of the most unique I have read. The way it was slowly revealed was amazing. I need to know more... like what happened on earth to cause the world to evolve and what the motives of the Guardian is. I can't wait to read the next one to find out.
My favorite character, also one most complex in my mind, was the Aiden. I loved watching how him and Astra grow closer. They are a true slow-burn and I can't wait to see more. The side-characters also stole my heart. They were all so unique from each other and I hope they all make it ok in the end.
The plot was fast-paced and made the story feel quick. It was hard to put the book away because I needed to know what happened next.
The world was one of the most unique I have read. The way it was slowly revealed was amazing. I need to know more... like what happened on earth to cause the world to evolve and what the motives of the Guardian is. I can't wait to read the next one to find out.
April 13, 2023
A.R. Nitus has a great writing style, it worked for the fantasy elements in the book. I enjoyed how good the opening chapter this was for the Return of the Elementals series. The characters worked well overall and I enjoyed getting to know them in this world. It left me wanting to read more in this universe and from the author.
"Here she is.” I heard Dr. Swindel’s voice from much closer this time. His large physique loomed over me, and his tone was far from sympathetic. It dawned on me a little too late that my eyes were wide open, my mind preoccupied with the memories of the attack. There was no more pretending now."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Here she is.” I heard Dr. Swindel’s voice from much closer this time. His large physique loomed over me, and his tone was far from sympathetic. It dawned on me a little too late that my eyes were wide open, my mind preoccupied with the memories of the attack. There was no more pretending now."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 14, 2023
Very difficult not to be drawn in straight away by the story telling here. Shadow Island is the first in what promises to be an epic series fraught with danger, adventure, betrayal, a smattering of young love awakening and revelations to shake the worlds of the players within the story. Well drawn characters who are clearly sympathetic or inherently evil. A bit long in spots but I can honestly say that I never felt the urge to speed read through it, wanting every single passage to be read and understood. Very well done.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
May 21, 2023
This is the first book in the Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals series. Wonderful world building, fleshed out characters and twists and turns in the story. I enjoyed the relationship between the characters and the support they provided each other. The story starts a bit slow, but definitely worth sticking with it. As most of the characters are young (late teens early twenties), at times I did get tired of their repetitive inner struggles. I just skipped over them, as I wanted to see how the story develops.
October 20, 2022
This was a great, page turning read! The story, plot and the character relationships are unique which is something that is hard to find these days in YA dystopian stories. I really appreciated the worldbuilding and the thought that was put into things that were happening "behind the scenes" that we didn't get to see as the reader, but as a result it made the story feel so much richer. I can't wait for the next in the series!
June 25, 2023
Shadow Island is book 1 in the Return of the Elementals by A R Nitus. I found this book to be excellent. It is a SiFi/fantasy/thrilling/I couldn't put the book down story. Astra is complex character and she is special. I really liked how the author wove the story by introducing important characters a little bit at a time. I believe that Shadow Island should be on everyone's reading list… I don't think you will be disappointed. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
October 5, 2022
elemental adventure
I was swept away into this incredible alien world. So many times my heart went out to Astra and her group. I enjoyed seeing how their relationships evolved and changed, as they overcame so many challenges together. My heart ached for what she had to go through with her parents. Loved her strength and determination me. Great story! Highly recommend!
I was swept away into this incredible alien world. So many times my heart went out to Astra and her group. I enjoyed seeing how their relationships evolved and changed, as they overcame so many challenges together. My heart ached for what she had to go through with her parents. Loved her strength and determination me. Great story! Highly recommend!
April 18, 2023
While this is not my first choice of genre's to read, I am completely captivated by this story! The characters are well written and easy to relate to. There are a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming! I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
July 26, 2023
Such a good adventure! The characters were easy to love the budding romance was too cute. Friendships, adventure, hardships, loss of loved ones and struggles to survive and prosper. I loved the building plot and building character development/background. It leaves on such a cliffhanger but just in time for book 2 to be released and ready to read, instant buy!!
May 19, 2023
Very unique story that is intriguing. The characters in unique and likeable. The plot was unique and the slow burn fated mates romance was well done. Keeps the reader wondering if they will get together, or something will go horribly wrong. I look forward to the next book.
June 6, 2023
Shadow Island
The book is a joy to read, well rounded characters and a great plot. I now need to read the next book!! If you can get a copy of Shadow Island I think most people will love it.
The book is a joy to read, well rounded characters and a great plot. I now need to read the next book!! If you can get a copy of Shadow Island I think most people will love it.
June 7, 2023
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action. Nice concept but hard to keep straight in the beginning of the book.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action. Nice concept but hard to keep straight in the beginning of the book.
April 6, 2024
Very unique and interesting plot and world. I liked the story overall, and I felt like the characters were interesting and well developed. The writing for the most part was great but some dialogue felt awkward, which is my only complaint.
October 4, 2022
Great book
Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals by A.R. Nitus is filled with action, adventure, twist and turns, magic, and a touch of romance. Great read.
Shadow Island: Return of the Elementals by A.R. Nitus is filled with action, adventure, twist and turns, magic, and a touch of romance. Great read.
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