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Elemental #1
Earth
Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start. Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it’s only a ploy to draw her out; she can’t let someone die because of her.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2011
63 people are currently reading
4248 people want to read
About the author
Shauna Granger
22Ìýbooks376ÌýfollowersLike so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. She released the first installment of her Paranormal YA Series, The Elemental Series, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. In December of 2013 she release the first in her Paranormal Post-Apocalyptic trilogy, World of Ash. She is currently hard at work on one too many projects, trying to organize the many voices in her head. It's a writer thing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
February 27, 2015
I would first like to thank Shauna Granger for allowing me to review her book as part of the tour. I really enjoyed reading Earth and plan to read the next two books in the series very soon.
The first thing I loved about Earth, is that it’s not your typical young adult paranormal. It has been overdone and isn’t full of clichés. I really liked that the book is about elementals. Another thing that makes Earth unique is that the three main characters Shay, Jodi, and Steven already know that they are elementals � so we don’t have to go through the standard “woe is me, I have suddenly developed all these crazy powers and I don’t know how to use them � and they’re messing up my life, etc.� The trio of besties already works well together with powers they’ve been developing since childhood.
I also think that the characters are well developed and believable. Shay is a normal teenage girl, with the exception of her magic, which makes her easy to relate to and likable. Jodie and Shay are best friends � but have the usual teenage disagreements and insecurities over who is prettier. Steven is the perfect balance to the two girls and attempts to keep peace. He also adds a lot of humor to the story. In the end, despite disagreements, they are all there for each other when they need each other.
Another thing that I liked about this book is the lack of a love triangle. I am so sick of love triangles. They are so overdone lately. Anyway, there is no love triangle � and the love interest for Shay is Jensen. Shay struggles with whether or not she can trust him � he being a mysterious newcomer and all. The relationship isn’t all googly-eyes and sappineness either. Shay doesn’t let the relationship distract her from the situation at hand.
I also like that these teens are conscientious, mature, don’t wine � and the biggest of all � they ask for help when they need it, don’t know something or in over their heads. There are so many YA books out now where I’m wanting to smack the characters for not asking an adult for help when they are obviously in way over their head.
This book addressed two big ticket issues for me, that I thought was great. Domestic violence doesn’t just happen to married people � or people living in the same household. Dating violence is a big problem that many teens aren’t informed about or prepared to deal with. These types of situations, set the stage for the relationships a teen will seek out in adult life � if not dealt with. I want to give props to Shauna Granger for writing about a topic most people don’t feel comfortable discussing. The other issue which wasn’t as major was the compassion these teens showed to one of the homeless in their community bringing him food and blankets.
Overall, this was a great read and I can’t wait to start book 2. I hope that we get to know Jensen a little better.
The first thing I loved about Earth, is that it’s not your typical young adult paranormal. It has been overdone and isn’t full of clichés. I really liked that the book is about elementals. Another thing that makes Earth unique is that the three main characters Shay, Jodi, and Steven already know that they are elementals � so we don’t have to go through the standard “woe is me, I have suddenly developed all these crazy powers and I don’t know how to use them � and they’re messing up my life, etc.� The trio of besties already works well together with powers they’ve been developing since childhood.
I also think that the characters are well developed and believable. Shay is a normal teenage girl, with the exception of her magic, which makes her easy to relate to and likable. Jodie and Shay are best friends � but have the usual teenage disagreements and insecurities over who is prettier. Steven is the perfect balance to the two girls and attempts to keep peace. He also adds a lot of humor to the story. In the end, despite disagreements, they are all there for each other when they need each other.
Another thing that I liked about this book is the lack of a love triangle. I am so sick of love triangles. They are so overdone lately. Anyway, there is no love triangle � and the love interest for Shay is Jensen. Shay struggles with whether or not she can trust him � he being a mysterious newcomer and all. The relationship isn’t all googly-eyes and sappineness either. Shay doesn’t let the relationship distract her from the situation at hand.
I also like that these teens are conscientious, mature, don’t wine � and the biggest of all � they ask for help when they need it, don’t know something or in over their heads. There are so many YA books out now where I’m wanting to smack the characters for not asking an adult for help when they are obviously in way over their head.
This book addressed two big ticket issues for me, that I thought was great. Domestic violence doesn’t just happen to married people � or people living in the same household. Dating violence is a big problem that many teens aren’t informed about or prepared to deal with. These types of situations, set the stage for the relationships a teen will seek out in adult life � if not dealt with. I want to give props to Shauna Granger for writing about a topic most people don’t feel comfortable discussing. The other issue which wasn’t as major was the compassion these teens showed to one of the homeless in their community bringing him food and blankets.
Overall, this was a great read and I can’t wait to start book 2. I hope that we get to know Jensen a little better.
May 27, 2011
This was not a good for a self pubbed book� This was a great book period. Right from the first page I lost myself in the story, and more than that, the characters. I cannot stress enough, even the writers I beta for, how important it is to write your teen characters� dialogue authentically. I spend my days listening to my son and his friends talk, and this story was like being in the same room as real life teens. The writing was clean and clear, and flowed perfectly. I didn’t pause once and think a sentence could have been written better. And that’s a difficult thing for me not to do lol.
I loved Shayna. She was just a straight up awesome girl. I liked that she and her friends came into the story knowing of their abilities and powers. It gave the story a deeper plot as they had to figure other things out, just not about themselves. I enjoyed the youthful voice of the novel. I laughed out loud so many times as the characters bantered. It was refreshing.
My only issue was there wasn’t enough of Jensen, the lead guy. He was a cool, amazing character, and I just simply wanted him to have more ‘screen� time. Although, scenes like the one of him and Shayna in the restaurant added so much depth to their relationship. The time they did spend together I felt was enhanced by him not being in every scene. And I loved the way they talked to each other. Although Shayna was very attracted to Jensen, she didn’t let that rule her actions. She thought for herself and questions things about him. I liked this very much.
Overall, this was a well-crafted YA with a fresh, unique voice and wonderful characters. I could have used a smidge more romance, but the tension and the implied ‘this isn’t over� there at the end, is enough to make me want to suck down the next book in hopes that I get a little steamy ;) The plot was strong, and it was a great mystery. I recommend this to anyone who likes Wiccan, witchcraft, or Paranormal novels, and is looking for something with great voice and refreshingly authentic characters in YA. Awesome read!
I loved Shayna. She was just a straight up awesome girl. I liked that she and her friends came into the story knowing of their abilities and powers. It gave the story a deeper plot as they had to figure other things out, just not about themselves. I enjoyed the youthful voice of the novel. I laughed out loud so many times as the characters bantered. It was refreshing.
My only issue was there wasn’t enough of Jensen, the lead guy. He was a cool, amazing character, and I just simply wanted him to have more ‘screen� time. Although, scenes like the one of him and Shayna in the restaurant added so much depth to their relationship. The time they did spend together I felt was enhanced by him not being in every scene. And I loved the way they talked to each other. Although Shayna was very attracted to Jensen, she didn’t let that rule her actions. She thought for herself and questions things about him. I liked this very much.
Overall, this was a well-crafted YA with a fresh, unique voice and wonderful characters. I could have used a smidge more romance, but the tension and the implied ‘this isn’t over� there at the end, is enough to make me want to suck down the next book in hopes that I get a little steamy ;) The plot was strong, and it was a great mystery. I recommend this to anyone who likes Wiccan, witchcraft, or Paranormal novels, and is looking for something with great voice and refreshingly authentic characters in YA. Awesome read!
March 22, 2013
The concept off the story was good. I like it. But everything else was just bad. The three main characters constantly got mad at each other, at other people, at everybody. And it was so frustrating that I almost couldn't finish it, but I forced myself cause I thought it will get better. It didn't.
Allot of stuff were obvious. But some stuff just didn't make sense. How did Shay know all this stuff about magic, from who did she learn, and she acted like and old lady all the time, nobody would think she was 16/17. What about their parents? At some point it looked like their parents knew everything, at other like they knew nothing. I was confused through out the whole book. I don't think I'll continue with this series.
Allot of stuff were obvious. But some stuff just didn't make sense. How did Shay know all this stuff about magic, from who did she learn, and she acted like and old lady all the time, nobody would think she was 16/17. What about their parents? At some point it looked like their parents knew everything, at other like they knew nothing. I was confused through out the whole book. I don't think I'll continue with this series.
May 23, 2011
Lately, when you think of self-published authors, you think of scandals over responses to bad reviews or unedited 100 page books filled with typos and formatting errors, but authors like Shauna Granger are slowly helping to counteract those undoubtedly realistic images. I don't know why it always shocks me so much when I read a really awesome self-published book, especially after reading books by Amanda Hocking and a few others lately, but it still amazed me when I realized how great Earth was. It ranks as one of my top reads of the year so far, up there with Abandon by Meg Cabot and The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.
The main character, Shayna, was very realistic and easy to relate to. She read like a normal teenager from SoCal (yay, me too!) except with magic powers. I loved that she started out the book already knowing what she was and what she could do, but not in an annoying I-know-everything kind of way. The whole magic system and Shay's beliefs were explained really well--subtly enough that it didn't feel like an info dump, but also thoroughly enough that I was never confused about what was going on when I wasn't supposed to be. I had a great time trying to figure things (read: mystery and Jensen) out with her!
Her two best friends, Steven and Jodi, were also really awesome! Steven was hilarious and fun and crazy, but it was Jodi who really stood out to me. She was a very well-developed character, not just the loyal best friend that you see in a lot of books. She had her problems and flaws, and she wasn't the best of friends at times, but she came through when she was needed, and she is definitely someone who I would love to get to know in real life.
Shayna's love interest Jensen wasn't in the story all the much, and when he was, sexy time was usually far from his mind (as far as we know), but he still managed to be majorly swoony. I love love loved him! Throughout the book, Shay went back and forth over whether or not she trusted him, and whether she even liked him or not, but that couldn't hold back his sexiness one little bit. I hope to see much more of Jensen in the next book, because I just finished the first a few hours ago and I miss him already! (BTW, Jensen is the most awesome name ever. Reminds me of Jensen Ackles.)
The mystery wasn't all that hard for me to figure out, but it was also definitely believable that Shayna and her friends didn't get it right off the bat. Even though I was pretty certain of what was what for most of the book (and I was right), it was still really fun to watch Shay and the gang figure it all out.
My only problem with Earth was that, unless I missed something, we're never actually given a real description of Shayna or Jodi. We get lots and lots about Jensen's blue eyes and chestnut hair (no complaints here!) and Steven's Hispanic heritage, but the only thing we know about Jodi's physical appearance is that she has her hair bobbed, and we don't even know that much about Shayna. Besides that and the occasional typos/grammatical errors that come along with any self-published book, I didn't see anything wrong with Earth.
If you're looking to read some self-published books, Earth is definitely my first recommendation, and, at only, it's also easy on your wallet, which can be a huge help if you read as much as I do. What are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy now!
The main character, Shayna, was very realistic and easy to relate to. She read like a normal teenager from SoCal (yay, me too!) except with magic powers. I loved that she started out the book already knowing what she was and what she could do, but not in an annoying I-know-everything kind of way. The whole magic system and Shay's beliefs were explained really well--subtly enough that it didn't feel like an info dump, but also thoroughly enough that I was never confused about what was going on when I wasn't supposed to be. I had a great time trying to figure things (read: mystery and Jensen) out with her!
Her two best friends, Steven and Jodi, were also really awesome! Steven was hilarious and fun and crazy, but it was Jodi who really stood out to me. She was a very well-developed character, not just the loyal best friend that you see in a lot of books. She had her problems and flaws, and she wasn't the best of friends at times, but she came through when she was needed, and she is definitely someone who I would love to get to know in real life.
Shayna's love interest Jensen wasn't in the story all the much, and when he was, sexy time was usually far from his mind (as far as we know), but he still managed to be majorly swoony. I love love loved him! Throughout the book, Shay went back and forth over whether or not she trusted him, and whether she even liked him or not, but that couldn't hold back his sexiness one little bit. I hope to see much more of Jensen in the next book, because I just finished the first a few hours ago and I miss him already! (BTW, Jensen is the most awesome name ever. Reminds me of Jensen Ackles.)
The mystery wasn't all that hard for me to figure out, but it was also definitely believable that Shayna and her friends didn't get it right off the bat. Even though I was pretty certain of what was what for most of the book (and I was right), it was still really fun to watch Shay and the gang figure it all out.
My only problem with Earth was that, unless I missed something, we're never actually given a real description of Shayna or Jodi. We get lots and lots about Jensen's blue eyes and chestnut hair (no complaints here!) and Steven's Hispanic heritage, but the only thing we know about Jodi's physical appearance is that she has her hair bobbed, and we don't even know that much about Shayna. Besides that and the occasional typos/grammatical errors that come along with any self-published book, I didn't see anything wrong with Earth.
If you're looking to read some self-published books, Earth is definitely my first recommendation, and, at only, it's also easy on your wallet, which can be a huge help if you read as much as I do. What are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy now!
March 27, 2012
I have very mixed feelings about this book. While there were some things that I thoroughly enjoyed, there were other things that put me off and eventually led to a lower rating. I've read a few books on witchcraft recently. I wanted to read more about Elementals and when this one popped up on Amazon I all but screamed with delight. I wasn't disappointed, I liked the book in general, but there were those few thingies that bothered me.
The final impression of this book was that Shauna spent a great deal of time researching. The rituals and the entire aspect of magic was really detailed and well-described. I loved that. The author payed much attention to how the magic works, what it feels (and tastes) like for Shayna and her friends. That was one of the main reasons why I decided to read it, so a big thank you to Shauna for making the magic come to life.
Another great thing is that the author didn't use cliches that we see too often in YA. No star-crossed lovers, no love triangles. Shauna is doing quite the opposite of what is done in many YA novels-she doesn't force the romance. The resolution of the "romance" between Jensen and Shayna was surprisingly mature and sensible.
My major complaints are directed toward the characters. I have a feeling that the author didn't succeed in capturing the voice of teenagers. They appear too paper-cut-out, too clean and un-spontaneous. (On a related note-I just saw that one reader said there was too much unnecessary cussing-really? I only found it in spot, but I'd like to see anyone not dropping the f-bomb if they were chased by a hell hound). Some of the dialogues sounded artificial and wooden and to be honest, they bored me. Shayna comes across as too bossy, and her patronizing tone was really out of place.
Much as I loved the long descriptions of rituals, they slow down the pacing tremendously and stretch out the story for far too long, so if you're looking for a fast-paced, adventure packed read, I'm not sure you'll find your thrill here.
And last-the word "dude" was definitely abused here.
The final impression of this book was that Shauna spent a great deal of time researching. The rituals and the entire aspect of magic was really detailed and well-described. I loved that. The author payed much attention to how the magic works, what it feels (and tastes) like for Shayna and her friends. That was one of the main reasons why I decided to read it, so a big thank you to Shauna for making the magic come to life.
Another great thing is that the author didn't use cliches that we see too often in YA. No star-crossed lovers, no love triangles. Shauna is doing quite the opposite of what is done in many YA novels-she doesn't force the romance. The resolution of the "romance" between Jensen and Shayna was surprisingly mature and sensible.
My major complaints are directed toward the characters. I have a feeling that the author didn't succeed in capturing the voice of teenagers. They appear too paper-cut-out, too clean and un-spontaneous. (On a related note-I just saw that one reader said there was too much unnecessary cussing-really? I only found it in spot, but I'd like to see anyone not dropping the f-bomb if they were chased by a hell hound). Some of the dialogues sounded artificial and wooden and to be honest, they bored me. Shayna comes across as too bossy, and her patronizing tone was really out of place.
Much as I loved the long descriptions of rituals, they slow down the pacing tremendously and stretch out the story for far too long, so if you're looking for a fast-paced, adventure packed read, I'm not sure you'll find your thrill here.
And last-the word "dude" was definitely abused here.
November 1, 2011
Shayna and her two close friends have a very special bond. They can work with the elements ti do amazing things. Shayna's particular element is earth. While they are learning to master theses forces though, someone rocks their town with dark magic and sacrifices. Shayna and her friends know they have to do something about it. As they learn more information, they realize they may be more closely tied to these events than they thought. On top of that, Shayna keeps having dreams where something is after her. They are so real that she wakes up injured. Someone is trying to tell her something, and Shayna knows she's going to have to take a risk to help other people.
This was a great book! I feel like it was a more "realistic" paranormal fiction than many. The magic was very earthy and natural. Shayna and her two friends were an awesome trio, and they were very smart. This wasn't like a horror movie where the characters are in danger because they are doing things that make no sense. Their actions and reactions were normal. That's almost a breath of fresh air. Another breath of fresh air was getting a little bit of diversity in this book. Having one of Shayna's partners in crime be a secure and confident gay teen was awesome to see. There was a fairly interesting mystery and a tiny hint of romance.
The ending was a tiny bit of a let-down for me as I wanted a little bit more closure. However, I can see why it was done this way. There is clearly room being left for the sequel, and I can't wait to read it. This book is fun, smart, and full of action. This book will appeal to people who like paranormal book and even some who don't normally like them. The more realistic nature of the plot makes everything very believable. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Book provided for review.
This was a great book! I feel like it was a more "realistic" paranormal fiction than many. The magic was very earthy and natural. Shayna and her two friends were an awesome trio, and they were very smart. This wasn't like a horror movie where the characters are in danger because they are doing things that make no sense. Their actions and reactions were normal. That's almost a breath of fresh air. Another breath of fresh air was getting a little bit of diversity in this book. Having one of Shayna's partners in crime be a secure and confident gay teen was awesome to see. There was a fairly interesting mystery and a tiny hint of romance.
The ending was a tiny bit of a let-down for me as I wanted a little bit more closure. However, I can see why it was done this way. There is clearly room being left for the sequel, and I can't wait to read it. This book is fun, smart, and full of action. This book will appeal to people who like paranormal book and even some who don't normally like them. The more realistic nature of the plot makes everything very believable. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Book provided for review.
June 14, 2023
A very good book in the Young Adult/Fantasy genres with 3 main characters that are believable and interact well without a lot of the whinging or teenage angst that seems to be in so many of these sorts of books.
The book focuses on Shayna who controls the Earth elemental and follows her on a journey which starts off as a dream in which she is being chased. It shows you her relationship with the two others; Jodi (Air) and Steven (Fire), which apart from the magical side seems to be a perfectly normal friendship with the usual spats and disagreements but still friends at the end.
As the book progresses, all the characters grow, both naturally and magically but with Shayna obviously making the biggest growth in her powers (it is her book after all!)
There is enough tension and suspense in the book with the mystery that they must solve to save an innocent to keep you happy.
Excellent book to read and book 2 is on my wishlist!
Apr 5, 2012
The book focuses on Shayna who controls the Earth elemental and follows her on a journey which starts off as a dream in which she is being chased. It shows you her relationship with the two others; Jodi (Air) and Steven (Fire), which apart from the magical side seems to be a perfectly normal friendship with the usual spats and disagreements but still friends at the end.
As the book progresses, all the characters grow, both naturally and magically but with Shayna obviously making the biggest growth in her powers (it is her book after all!)
There is enough tension and suspense in the book with the mystery that they must solve to save an innocent to keep you happy.
Excellent book to read and book 2 is on my wishlist!
"Tuesdays are the worst day of the week." Jodi said matter-of-factly. "Think about it, people think Monday's suck because it’s the new week, but you still have the high and energy from the weekend. Wednesdays let you know you're half way through the week, Thursdays mean it’s almost over, and Fridays it is over. But Tuesdays," she drew out the word, "Tuesdays mean the week just started and you've still got a ways to go."
Apr 5, 2012
October 29, 2011
I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book; I never thought I would like it so much given how I felt nothing happened in the beginning. After 50 pages, all I remembered reading about was a typical school day for Shauna and her best friends, Steven and Jodi. I was thinking ‘where’s the plot�, and ‘am I going to have to read about her everyday life for another 200 pages?� But then, sometime after that, I was completely absorbed in the book; the mystery and suspense was gradually building up and I couldn’t wait to reach the end. While I’ll admit some parts were very predictable, and I was hoping for a twist, but the constant action, and secrets waiting to be unravelled diverted my attention away from the expected parts, instead, causing me to focus on exactly what was happening in the present. The writing was just that addictive!
Shayna was a brilliant protagonist! I totally loved her selfless personality, her loyalty to her friends, even ones who she doesn’t know well, and of course, her bravery. What more can you expect? I guess the only issue I had with her was her initial attitude towards Jensen. I mean, how could you verbally attack and then ignore such a hot guy? (haha) Then again, I loved the banter between Shay and Jensen; it was so cute and hilarious, and the unmistakable chemistry between the two had me almost screaming for something to happen between them already! Unfortunately there were only a couple of scenes dedicated to our heroine and her love interest ( *sigh*), but I’ve no doubt the relationship between these two will develop in the next book!
The dialogue between all the characters felt remarkably real. I only just finished reading a book where the dialogue was so poorly written that I felt it was an adult trying desperately to sound like a child. I guess I have an aversion to books with poorly written and unnatural dialogue, so in every book, I pay special attention to the dialogue. I was pleasantly surprised (yet again) about how natural the dialogue sounded. It truly felt like these teens were having a real conversation. There were no unnecessary lines, and the sentences flowed perfectly!
I was especially intrigued by the use of magic in this book. Shayna, Steven and Jodi all have the ability to control and use the elements Earth, Fire and Air respectively, (and water, although I don’t think the character whose element is water has been introduced yet.) The descriptions of Shayna using her magic were so vivid that it captured my entire attention.
Overall, this was an absolutely amazing debut, filled with constant action, relatable characters and a flawless writing style! You will find yourself in another world, experiencing all the adventure with the characters, rather than sitting on the sidelines and reading it word for word. My advice? Enter the giveaway below, cross your fingers and hope you will win an ebook copy of this because really, you won’t be disappointed!
Shayna was a brilliant protagonist! I totally loved her selfless personality, her loyalty to her friends, even ones who she doesn’t know well, and of course, her bravery. What more can you expect? I guess the only issue I had with her was her initial attitude towards Jensen. I mean, how could you verbally attack and then ignore such a hot guy? (haha) Then again, I loved the banter between Shay and Jensen; it was so cute and hilarious, and the unmistakable chemistry between the two had me almost screaming for something to happen between them already! Unfortunately there were only a couple of scenes dedicated to our heroine and her love interest ( *sigh*), but I’ve no doubt the relationship between these two will develop in the next book!
The dialogue between all the characters felt remarkably real. I only just finished reading a book where the dialogue was so poorly written that I felt it was an adult trying desperately to sound like a child. I guess I have an aversion to books with poorly written and unnatural dialogue, so in every book, I pay special attention to the dialogue. I was pleasantly surprised (yet again) about how natural the dialogue sounded. It truly felt like these teens were having a real conversation. There were no unnecessary lines, and the sentences flowed perfectly!
I was especially intrigued by the use of magic in this book. Shayna, Steven and Jodi all have the ability to control and use the elements Earth, Fire and Air respectively, (and water, although I don’t think the character whose element is water has been introduced yet.) The descriptions of Shayna using her magic were so vivid that it captured my entire attention.
Overall, this was an absolutely amazing debut, filled with constant action, relatable characters and a flawless writing style! You will find yourself in another world, experiencing all the adventure with the characters, rather than sitting on the sidelines and reading it word for word. My advice? Enter the giveaway below, cross your fingers and hope you will win an ebook copy of this because really, you won’t be disappointed!
October 16, 2012
Review
I received this book as part of the book tour. Shayna is a empath and also has the ability to control the four elements earth, air, water and fire. Her two best friends Steven and Jodi all inherited their magic from their families. Thanks to Shayna's affiliation to all the elements she's been able to help train Steven with fire, and Jodi with Air. Since they all share nature magic they are closely bonded so they can hear each other's thoughts, as well as feel what the other is feeling. Together they use nature magic to cast spells, while they attend high school as they learn to grow as witches. They each have their own elemental names, Shayna is Terra Steven is Pyro but he's called Drake and then Jodi is Fae so when they talk to each other they use their elemental names.
The trio uses their powers for good and in the start they are working on a spell to help a friend Tracy whose boyfriend Nick is abusive to her but she's one of those girls who can't seem to leave him. The trio sets out to create a spell that will help move past him as well as find a better guy for her. Before the trio can cast the spell Shayna finds Nick beating on Tracy and her earth power causes a earthquake where Nick ends up hurt and in the hospital. Before they can cast their spell new students twin boys show up. Shayna is attracted instantly to one but sense something about them but isn't sure what.
When police find in the forest blood ritual magic the trio worries that someone might be trying to bring something dark into their world. They set out to find out who is threatening to expose them, if the twins really are who they seem and stop the darkness that is looming. They find a girl who they save from being sacrificed, who they happen to go to school with, but they don't know who they are looking for because he runs off. Then their friend Tracy is missing and the trio knows they are running out of time.
I really enjoyed reading Earth it reminds me in a good way like charmed but I prefer the best friends aspect over the sisters. I like that the magic that the trio has is also nature magic I found it unique compared to all the death magic in other books. The story has good amount of back story to it since it is the first I found it helpful in getting to know the trio better and those around them. I started Earth this morning and didn't stop till I was at the last page, because I couldn't put it down. The story flows smoothly and I had no issues following along, the characters are written so that I felt I was there with them maybe looming over their shoulders. This is great because I love a book that will draw me in holding my attention till the end. Earth is filled with adventure, friendships, emotions romance and everything I needed for a great book. Overall it's a great first in the series, and I'm looking forward to starting Air the next book in the series.
I received this book as part of the book tour. Shayna is a empath and also has the ability to control the four elements earth, air, water and fire. Her two best friends Steven and Jodi all inherited their magic from their families. Thanks to Shayna's affiliation to all the elements she's been able to help train Steven with fire, and Jodi with Air. Since they all share nature magic they are closely bonded so they can hear each other's thoughts, as well as feel what the other is feeling. Together they use nature magic to cast spells, while they attend high school as they learn to grow as witches. They each have their own elemental names, Shayna is Terra Steven is Pyro but he's called Drake and then Jodi is Fae so when they talk to each other they use their elemental names.
The trio uses their powers for good and in the start they are working on a spell to help a friend Tracy whose boyfriend Nick is abusive to her but she's one of those girls who can't seem to leave him. The trio sets out to create a spell that will help move past him as well as find a better guy for her. Before the trio can cast the spell Shayna finds Nick beating on Tracy and her earth power causes a earthquake where Nick ends up hurt and in the hospital. Before they can cast their spell new students twin boys show up. Shayna is attracted instantly to one but sense something about them but isn't sure what.
When police find in the forest blood ritual magic the trio worries that someone might be trying to bring something dark into their world. They set out to find out who is threatening to expose them, if the twins really are who they seem and stop the darkness that is looming. They find a girl who they save from being sacrificed, who they happen to go to school with, but they don't know who they are looking for because he runs off. Then their friend Tracy is missing and the trio knows they are running out of time.
I really enjoyed reading Earth it reminds me in a good way like charmed but I prefer the best friends aspect over the sisters. I like that the magic that the trio has is also nature magic I found it unique compared to all the death magic in other books. The story has good amount of back story to it since it is the first I found it helpful in getting to know the trio better and those around them. I started Earth this morning and didn't stop till I was at the last page, because I couldn't put it down. The story flows smoothly and I had no issues following along, the characters are written so that I felt I was there with them maybe looming over their shoulders. This is great because I love a book that will draw me in holding my attention till the end. Earth is filled with adventure, friendships, emotions romance and everything I needed for a great book. Overall it's a great first in the series, and I'm looking forward to starting Air the next book in the series.
July 29, 2012
RATING: 4 JENSEN STARS!
Shayna aka Shay, Jodi and Steven are Elemental’s. They have nicknames for each other. Terra = Shay as she is an Earth Mother. Fae = Jodi as she is an Air Elemental. Drake = Steven , who is Fire. There is a water Elemental, but we don’t meet this character.
Steven is fun, witty and oh so snappy with the makeup touch up, when a girl needs a little touch up in her day. Jodi isn’t as fun as Steven and Shayna appears to be like their leader. They can speak to each other in their heads. Love a bit of Jedi mojo.
The story has this group of three wanting to cast a spell, call forward a Guardian Angel to find the one guy that will treat their friend Tracy right. Tracy is in an abusive relationship with Nick, who is more than a jerk. He leaves bruises and hurts Tracy, but she is too weak to give this fool the flick. I know what I would be doing. He would firstly get a ‘stinky dead fish slap � from me then.....
The story detours a bit from their plan as a set of twins arrive at their school , Ian and Jensen. Ian lays Nick out on the pavement , giving him a taste of his medicine back. We all know medicine doesn’t taste nice.
Meanwhile, Shay is having nightmares and waking up injured from them. She is seeing Jensen in her dreams. Animals are being sacrificed in the woods, which is looking like the wrong kind of magic, by the wrong kind of person, so a little mystery takes off in that direction.
We begin to wonder if Ian and Jensen are involved. Is the gorgeous Jensen a baddie? I picked up they weren’t identical twins? Maybe I got that bit upside down. Shay always seemed to be able to tell them apart easily enough.
Jensen and Ian are a bit mysterious and we see Jensen popping up where Shay is and letting her know he knows what she is. Poor Mike didn’t stand a chance. Awww, Mike was sweet.
The plot thickens and gets a bit darker with what the bad guy or guys are up to.
Shay takes it into her own hands to pull a Nancy Drew and get more information, she gets a bit too close to the source.
We have guardian angels, mystery, a Grimoire ( sounds like a creature but it is a Book of Shadows) , witches, hooded robed man, runes, some action scenes, dreams, sacrifices, light on the romance, and a cousin named........ and...... who knew Steven could look so smexi in his ...........
I enjoyed this first instalment in the Elemental series and look forward to reading Air and reading more about Team Jensen. But, is he a good boy or a bad boy?
Shayna aka Shay, Jodi and Steven are Elemental’s. They have nicknames for each other. Terra = Shay as she is an Earth Mother. Fae = Jodi as she is an Air Elemental. Drake = Steven , who is Fire. There is a water Elemental, but we don’t meet this character.
Steven is fun, witty and oh so snappy with the makeup touch up, when a girl needs a little touch up in her day. Jodi isn’t as fun as Steven and Shayna appears to be like their leader. They can speak to each other in their heads. Love a bit of Jedi mojo.
The story has this group of three wanting to cast a spell, call forward a Guardian Angel to find the one guy that will treat their friend Tracy right. Tracy is in an abusive relationship with Nick, who is more than a jerk. He leaves bruises and hurts Tracy, but she is too weak to give this fool the flick. I know what I would be doing. He would firstly get a ‘stinky dead fish slap � from me then.....
The story detours a bit from their plan as a set of twins arrive at their school , Ian and Jensen. Ian lays Nick out on the pavement , giving him a taste of his medicine back. We all know medicine doesn’t taste nice.
Meanwhile, Shay is having nightmares and waking up injured from them. She is seeing Jensen in her dreams. Animals are being sacrificed in the woods, which is looking like the wrong kind of magic, by the wrong kind of person, so a little mystery takes off in that direction.
We begin to wonder if Ian and Jensen are involved. Is the gorgeous Jensen a baddie? I picked up they weren’t identical twins? Maybe I got that bit upside down. Shay always seemed to be able to tell them apart easily enough.
Jensen and Ian are a bit mysterious and we see Jensen popping up where Shay is and letting her know he knows what she is. Poor Mike didn’t stand a chance. Awww, Mike was sweet.
The plot thickens and gets a bit darker with what the bad guy or guys are up to.
Shay takes it into her own hands to pull a Nancy Drew and get more information, she gets a bit too close to the source.
We have guardian angels, mystery, a Grimoire ( sounds like a creature but it is a Book of Shadows) , witches, hooded robed man, runes, some action scenes, dreams, sacrifices, light on the romance, and a cousin named........ and...... who knew Steven could look so smexi in his ...........
I enjoyed this first instalment in the Elemental series and look forward to reading Air and reading more about Team Jensen. But, is he a good boy or a bad boy?
April 10, 2012
I generally try to avoid YA books as they're not as action packed and gory as I like to read in an adult UF book, but for a freebie on the Kindle I thought I would give this one a shot and I'm glad I did! It was really good and had lots of action - maybe not the same kind as I normally read, but at least this wasn't your usual girl falls in love with boy at first sight kind of YA book that I've read before.
I liked the fact that our 3 main characters, Shayna, Jodi and Steven already had their elemental powers and were using them - none of this "Ooh I've just discovered I'm a witch" kind of thing going on. They were their own little coven, using their powers for little things, such as helping a friend out of a bad situation and being able to speak telepathically when touching each other.
A ritual is found one morning, covered with dead goats, obviously interrupted from casting whatever spell it was and Shayna knows she has to find out what's going on. Things get worse and another site is found - this time the ritual looks like it was almost completed. And to make matters worse the weather is taking a turn and brings floods galore.
At the same time as all this is going on, a pair of twins arrive in the village and go to the same school. Shayna is attracted to one of them, Jensen, but is not completely sure if he's the one doing the rituals or not. He works out she has powers, but doesn't realise the extent of them, nor does he know about her friends.
Shayna is also plagued with very vicious nightmares in which she is being chased by an unseen beast who actually causes her physical harm in the real world as well. I did think it odd that she didn't go to the local witch shop and ask for help with these nightmares, as it was obvious she couldn't fight this beast in her dreams by herself.
When one of their school friends Tracy disappears, the trio realise that a human sacrifice is to be made and they go all out to stop them, but it is not quite who they expect. They draw on their powers and Shayna uses her Earth power to finally beat the demon-possessed witch/warlock.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it! And it's free on the Kindle (atm) so even better! The writing was well written, the characters developed well, although Shayna did get on my nerves a bit at times, but she's just the bossy leader of the group and the others, although they follow her lead, so question her and don't just follow her blindly.
I liked the fact that our 3 main characters, Shayna, Jodi and Steven already had their elemental powers and were using them - none of this "Ooh I've just discovered I'm a witch" kind of thing going on. They were their own little coven, using their powers for little things, such as helping a friend out of a bad situation and being able to speak telepathically when touching each other.
A ritual is found one morning, covered with dead goats, obviously interrupted from casting whatever spell it was and Shayna knows she has to find out what's going on. Things get worse and another site is found - this time the ritual looks like it was almost completed. And to make matters worse the weather is taking a turn and brings floods galore.
At the same time as all this is going on, a pair of twins arrive in the village and go to the same school. Shayna is attracted to one of them, Jensen, but is not completely sure if he's the one doing the rituals or not. He works out she has powers, but doesn't realise the extent of them, nor does he know about her friends.
Shayna is also plagued with very vicious nightmares in which she is being chased by an unseen beast who actually causes her physical harm in the real world as well. I did think it odd that she didn't go to the local witch shop and ask for help with these nightmares, as it was obvious she couldn't fight this beast in her dreams by herself.
When one of their school friends Tracy disappears, the trio realise that a human sacrifice is to be made and they go all out to stop them, but it is not quite who they expect. They draw on their powers and Shayna uses her Earth power to finally beat the demon-possessed witch/warlock.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it! And it's free on the Kindle (atm) so even better! The writing was well written, the characters developed well, although Shayna did get on my nerves a bit at times, but she's just the bossy leader of the group and the others, although they follow her lead, so question her and don't just follow her blindly.
October 18, 2012
This review was originally posted on Big Al's Books and Pals review blog on Tuesday, August 14, 2012.
Shayna is the earth elemental, with empathic abilities, so naturally this book mainly focuses on her. Since it is her blood the caster wants she carries the story and is more fully developed than Jodi or Steven. I assume they will be more fully fleshed out in their own stories and I look forward to that. Shayna's magic speaks to the dirt, plants, and animals, although she can tap into the three other elements. She also seems to be more familiar with her skills than her friends, although her powers are growing fast. Jodi is the air elemental and is taking advanced classes at their high school. I found Steven, who is the fire elemental, to be the most interesting. Not only is he a confident and secure gay teen, he is a practicing Catholic. Because of this, the three of them incorporate religious beliefs and icons into their magic.
I liked the relationship and dialogue between these three friends and the way they dealt with their other classmates; with as much power as Shayna has she could have been an insufferable teenager. The author did an excellent job laying out the details of the magic and research of the occult the teens had to do to find a way to stop the caster and set things right. One thing I thought the author did an excellent job with was the descriptions of the way the magic felt and even tasted while being cast or practiced. It really put me in the moment along with the characters. I thought the plot had a good flow while the teens had to also deal with the mundane of going to school and preparations for parties that had to be attended. Teenagers are very busy people. :)
These characters are not your typical witches and I found the story unique in that respect. I also found the potential friendship and possible romantic interest at the end of the book intriguing. I think this could be a very entertaining series to follow.
FYI:
There is some strong teenage language; a few F-bombs are dropped. This may not be suitable for younger teens.
Format/Typo Issues:
A small number of editing errors.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Shayna is the earth elemental, with empathic abilities, so naturally this book mainly focuses on her. Since it is her blood the caster wants she carries the story and is more fully developed than Jodi or Steven. I assume they will be more fully fleshed out in their own stories and I look forward to that. Shayna's magic speaks to the dirt, plants, and animals, although she can tap into the three other elements. She also seems to be more familiar with her skills than her friends, although her powers are growing fast. Jodi is the air elemental and is taking advanced classes at their high school. I found Steven, who is the fire elemental, to be the most interesting. Not only is he a confident and secure gay teen, he is a practicing Catholic. Because of this, the three of them incorporate religious beliefs and icons into their magic.
I liked the relationship and dialogue between these three friends and the way they dealt with their other classmates; with as much power as Shayna has she could have been an insufferable teenager. The author did an excellent job laying out the details of the magic and research of the occult the teens had to do to find a way to stop the caster and set things right. One thing I thought the author did an excellent job with was the descriptions of the way the magic felt and even tasted while being cast or practiced. It really put me in the moment along with the characters. I thought the plot had a good flow while the teens had to also deal with the mundane of going to school and preparations for parties that had to be attended. Teenagers are very busy people. :)
These characters are not your typical witches and I found the story unique in that respect. I also found the potential friendship and possible romantic interest at the end of the book intriguing. I think this could be a very entertaining series to follow.
FYI:
There is some strong teenage language; a few F-bombs are dropped. This may not be suitable for younger teens.
Format/Typo Issues:
A small number of editing errors.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
June 1, 2013
Let me start by saying that if you are a fan of the television show Charmed (the early years - not near the end) you will enjoy this book. While not at all derivative, it does have a similar "feel" to the characters, and the fact that we start with a trio doesn't hurt that feeling at all.
So - premise wise, the story was interesting: three magical friends with the power to manipulate the elements. While I would have liked to have seen more use and manipulation of those elements, the magic that was practiced did have some new twists, and the addition of old magic into the mix helped to increase the potential danger factor: especially after the bad guy(s) came to town. That mystery element was fairly easy to unravel, but the ride to the end was particularly satisfying and enjoyable, and didn't feel like a major spoiler.
I like that the characters have friends that are non-magical, in fact they are fairly ordinary teens with fairly common concerns and problems, with the addition of the few twists from their magic. It gave the characters more depth, and added to the sense that you could know them: were you in the book.
Grainger has managed to set up the story and the elementals in such a way that you want to continue on with the story: and since there are 5 planned books in the series and 4 are released at present: this is a great weekend read. It was a fun read, easy and not too challenging, perfect for poolside or the beach - or for curling up on a rainy summer day. There are some moments of strong language (the f-bomb is dropped) and some minor editing glitches, but noting dramatically distracting from the overall enjoyment of the story.
I purchased a copy with intention to feature at Children Read week at I am Indeed. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
So - premise wise, the story was interesting: three magical friends with the power to manipulate the elements. While I would have liked to have seen more use and manipulation of those elements, the magic that was practiced did have some new twists, and the addition of old magic into the mix helped to increase the potential danger factor: especially after the bad guy(s) came to town. That mystery element was fairly easy to unravel, but the ride to the end was particularly satisfying and enjoyable, and didn't feel like a major spoiler.
I like that the characters have friends that are non-magical, in fact they are fairly ordinary teens with fairly common concerns and problems, with the addition of the few twists from their magic. It gave the characters more depth, and added to the sense that you could know them: were you in the book.
Grainger has managed to set up the story and the elementals in such a way that you want to continue on with the story: and since there are 5 planned books in the series and 4 are released at present: this is a great weekend read. It was a fun read, easy and not too challenging, perfect for poolside or the beach - or for curling up on a rainy summer day. There are some moments of strong language (the f-bomb is dropped) and some minor editing glitches, but noting dramatically distracting from the overall enjoyment of the story.
I purchased a copy with intention to feature at Children Read week at I am Indeed. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
July 23, 2012
The Elemental Series by Shauna Granger is one of THE BEST series I have read this year. I have read a lot of series and this one blew me away. It took me by surprise and when I heard there was going to be a tour I jumped on board. I have to say that this is one of those series that stays with you long after you finish reading. A Huge Thank you to AToMR Tours for allowing me to be a part of this tour.
In Earth we meet Shayna, Steven, and Jodi. They can manipulate and control the four elements earth, air, water, and fire. They are learning how to harness their gifts when things start to get a little weird in their sleepy town.Shayna is having nightmares and when she wakes she feels tired and bruised like she was actually there in the dream fighting for her life and fighting to save her town from the evil that is lurking.
Then to make matters worse for Shayna a new boy Jensen comes to town and he is showing interest in her. She likes him but keeps him at bay because she is really not ready for a relationship. The feelings she feels towards him are new to her and she is worried because she really doesn't now a thing about him. She will have to put her guards down in order to find out who he is and what he is about.
Thank God she has Jodi who is the bossy one of the three and Steven who is the nurturer of the three. They have a friendship that will stand the test of time and tribulation. So when Shayna finally tells them about the dreams and all the weird things that have been happening in town start to add up to someone using Blood Magic the gang get together to find out who it is and why they are doing it. When they find out who it is it is a shock for them because they would have never suspected this person of such evil.
In Earth we meet Shayna, Steven, and Jodi. They can manipulate and control the four elements earth, air, water, and fire. They are learning how to harness their gifts when things start to get a little weird in their sleepy town.Shayna is having nightmares and when she wakes she feels tired and bruised like she was actually there in the dream fighting for her life and fighting to save her town from the evil that is lurking.
Then to make matters worse for Shayna a new boy Jensen comes to town and he is showing interest in her. She likes him but keeps him at bay because she is really not ready for a relationship. The feelings she feels towards him are new to her and she is worried because she really doesn't now a thing about him. She will have to put her guards down in order to find out who he is and what he is about.
Thank God she has Jodi who is the bossy one of the three and Steven who is the nurturer of the three. They have a friendship that will stand the test of time and tribulation. So when Shayna finally tells them about the dreams and all the weird things that have been happening in town start to add up to someone using Blood Magic the gang get together to find out who it is and why they are doing it. When they find out who it is it is a shock for them because they would have never suspected this person of such evil.
June 4, 2013
I'm so sorry everyone about my extremely long leave of absence. But, it is summer now, and I'm back, hopefully for the long run this time. As is to be expected, I have not been reading in quite a while. But the first book that I picked up is Earth. I definitely do not regret it!
I've always been a fan of mostly any book having to do with the dealing of elements. There are many people that say that it is overused. But, I keep reading these types of books, to find the diamonds among rocks. And Earth is a diamond.
Earth follows the story of Shayna, or Tess (her element name), Steven (Drake), and Jodi (Fae). I loved all of these characters, especially Steven. He reminds me of one of my friends. He's quirky, funny, and fun, and was probably my favorite character in the book.
On the other hand, Shayna, the main character, I had a few problems with. She was a bit too bossy, although considering she is the strongest out of all three of them, it's reasonable, she could treat Steven and Jodi more equally. Hopefully, as the series progresses, she won't let her powers go to her head.
You're probably what their powers are. Well, as I stated before, there powers have to do with the elements. Steven is fire, Jodi air, and as you can probably guess from the title of the book, Shayna is earth. But, there is something more to Shayna, so just your eyes on her while reading. In a way, they are witches, except for Steven, who I guess you could a warlock, but's he pretty much counts as a girl. ;)
I think I have said enough about Earth. I just think you guys should go read it. It's definitely a memorable book, and I can guarantee you will enjoy it.
September 15, 2012
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Let me start by saying I loved this book -- this was another one of those books that I had a hard time putting down! I ignored laundry, a dirty kitchen, a whiny toddler and put off dinner, just so I could read one more chapter...ok, just ONE more chapter....
The main character Shayna is well defined, likable, and feisty. She is an 'Earth Elemental', meaning she has the ability to control and feel the power of the earth. (think dirt, trees, all that jazz) Shayna has 2 best friends who share similar abilities: Jodi is an 'Air Elemental', and Steven is a 'Fire Elemental'. In addition to being elementals, they are also witches. Not the broomstick-riding kind, but the kind who seek to restore balance and promote good karma.
The trio goes through high school and they worry about the same old mundane things, until alarming news reports of satanic worship sites in their small town start to occur. Shayna is plagued with horrifying nightmares where she is being chased by some sort of devil dog, and upon waking, finds that her wounds are real and bleeding. A gorgeous new student (Jensen) starts at her high school, and she is alarmed at the depth of her attraction for him....is he bad news?
I like that the Shayna-Jensen match wasn't a 'done-deal' throughout the book --it didn't seem forced, and it seemed more realistic. BUT!! I sure would like to see some more of Jensen, and I can only hope that he rears his beautiful head in the other 2 books in the series!
Good job, Shauna Granger, and thank you for the opportunity to review your book!
March 14, 2013
I could use the excuse that I read YA books because my 13 year-old is reading them and I want to know what she is reading. But, in this case, I just told her she had to read this book. I did caution her there is some language that she should not repeat out loud.
What did I love about this book? First, the relationships. The featured relationships between the three main characters (Shayna, Jodi and Steven) are solid. They have their issues, but they stick with each other. At times, I wished there was a little more exploration of the friendship between Shayna and Jodi. I felt the attachment between Steven and Shayna. And it was deep. They loved each other, held each other accountable and protected each other. There were moments when I wished Shayna wasn’t quite so emotional, but hey, they’re teenagers. Who wasn’t emotional at 16 and 17?
Shauna Granger, the fabulous author, further distinguishes her books with the use of elemental magic. I’ve read a few YA books about magic and “Earth� was different. It was fascinating to read about the connections each character had with each element. I loved when Shayna described how the earth felt both pain and healing. I hope to learn more about how Jodi controls air or Steven fire. And who will be water? I’m sure that’s coming in the future books.
And, probably one of my favorite things about this book, the lack of a serious love interest. Although, there was hint of one and it may emerge in the future books, this book really focused on the friendships and the crisis at hand.
Bottom line: a fun YA read that blazes its own trail.
What did I love about this book? First, the relationships. The featured relationships between the three main characters (Shayna, Jodi and Steven) are solid. They have their issues, but they stick with each other. At times, I wished there was a little more exploration of the friendship between Shayna and Jodi. I felt the attachment between Steven and Shayna. And it was deep. They loved each other, held each other accountable and protected each other. There were moments when I wished Shayna wasn’t quite so emotional, but hey, they’re teenagers. Who wasn’t emotional at 16 and 17?
Shauna Granger, the fabulous author, further distinguishes her books with the use of elemental magic. I’ve read a few YA books about magic and “Earth� was different. It was fascinating to read about the connections each character had with each element. I loved when Shayna described how the earth felt both pain and healing. I hope to learn more about how Jodi controls air or Steven fire. And who will be water? I’m sure that’s coming in the future books.
And, probably one of my favorite things about this book, the lack of a serious love interest. Although, there was hint of one and it may emerge in the future books, this book really focused on the friendships and the crisis at hand.
Bottom line: a fun YA read that blazes its own trail.
Read
October 29, 2011Reading Earth is like taking an honest look at Mother Nature and how we are connected to it, including the unknown (paranormal). While what I call 'paranormal magic' makes for an entertaining read, 'earth' magic is a part of literature that does not seem to be explored as much. Shauna Granger has excelled at exploring this. At the same time Granger has found the perfect balance of 'earth' magic and teenage reality - you can't help but love Shayna's emotional roller coaster in her attraction to Jensen.
Shauna Granger's ability in character development is phenomenal! Each character, including secondary, are fleshed out perfectly - Granger does not rush to develop her characters, but takes her time, allowing them to show you who they are versus the writer telling you. I love Shayna, Jodi and Steven - each one is very unique but would not be the same without the other one. I love how Granger made this essential to the plot and development. I ALSO fell in love with their banter - she really made their friendship REAL. Granger's style of writing also makes this read very enjoyable and timeless - her writing creates a wonderful and relaxing flow in which you are not rushed to read . I really took my time devouring every page and word, and not because I could not understand her writing or the plot, but because I loved it everything about it THAT MUCH!
One of my favorite things in life is finding new authors who show great promise, especially when they their works are part of a series. Shauna Granger's Elemental series is one of those that every YA fan should read!
Shauna Granger's ability in character development is phenomenal! Each character, including secondary, are fleshed out perfectly - Granger does not rush to develop her characters, but takes her time, allowing them to show you who they are versus the writer telling you. I love Shayna, Jodi and Steven - each one is very unique but would not be the same without the other one. I love how Granger made this essential to the plot and development. I ALSO fell in love with their banter - she really made their friendship REAL. Granger's style of writing also makes this read very enjoyable and timeless - her writing creates a wonderful and relaxing flow in which you are not rushed to read . I really took my time devouring every page and word, and not because I could not understand her writing or the plot, but because I loved it everything about it THAT MUCH!
One of my favorite things in life is finding new authors who show great promise, especially when they their works are part of a series. Shauna Granger's Elemental series is one of those that every YA fan should read!
June 7, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. I've been a bit disillusioned recently with young adult and self published books recently. I'm more of an adult urban fantasy person these days but this was definitely worth a read.
However, I saw this on amazon for about 68p and couldn't resist- I've been on a bit of a witchy craze recently with my reading choices.
I found that the general grammar and spelling in this was pretty good compared to a few ebooks I have read recently, plus the story was interesting enough to keep me reading. The main character Shayna is refreshingly not a whiny or too stupid to live heroine. If I had a criticism of her it would be that she is, very occasionally, just a bit too straight laced and goody two shoes for my personal liking.
I've always had an interest in Wicca, and the book was good as it blended some real aspects of wicca such as elements, casting a circle etc with some more fantastical elements like demons and 'superpowers'.
The dynamic between Shayna and her friends is interesting and is a key focus throughout the book. There are also some romantic aspects to the story but these are minimal enough to add to the story rather than take over and become irritating.
I am looking forward to reading the next one - 'Air'- when it is published.
However, I saw this on amazon for about 68p and couldn't resist- I've been on a bit of a witchy craze recently with my reading choices.
I found that the general grammar and spelling in this was pretty good compared to a few ebooks I have read recently, plus the story was interesting enough to keep me reading. The main character Shayna is refreshingly not a whiny or too stupid to live heroine. If I had a criticism of her it would be that she is, very occasionally, just a bit too straight laced and goody two shoes for my personal liking.
I've always had an interest in Wicca, and the book was good as it blended some real aspects of wicca such as elements, casting a circle etc with some more fantastical elements like demons and 'superpowers'.
The dynamic between Shayna and her friends is interesting and is a key focus throughout the book. There are also some romantic aspects to the story but these are minimal enough to add to the story rather than take over and become irritating.
I am looking forward to reading the next one - 'Air'- when it is published.
July 12, 2011
One thing I enjoyed in this book were the elements used in it. There was magic, drama, guys, etc. All of this put together with a great story line really grabbed my attention. The story line itself is very exciting to read. I loved to get into the magic and feel everything that the characters are going through.
Another thing I like are the characters. Each character is unique and plays an important role. Shay is a great characters. She has a good head on her shoulders, thinks about everything first, figures stuff out, etc. I like how she is loyal to her friends. She is always standing up for them. Her best friends are great too. I like how they all support each other in what they do. They protect each other secrets.
The greatest about this book is the old magic in it. I like how it involved into something evil. Shay had to find out who cast the bad spirit and that was a great reading adventure to be on. I like following clues and figuring out what the motive is. It always makes me giddy.
Earth is great book filled with so much magic! Once you start reading this you will fall into it easily cause of the great storyline and characters!
Another thing I like are the characters. Each character is unique and plays an important role. Shay is a great characters. She has a good head on her shoulders, thinks about everything first, figures stuff out, etc. I like how she is loyal to her friends. She is always standing up for them. Her best friends are great too. I like how they all support each other in what they do. They protect each other secrets.
The greatest about this book is the old magic in it. I like how it involved into something evil. Shay had to find out who cast the bad spirit and that was a great reading adventure to be on. I like following clues and figuring out what the motive is. It always makes me giddy.
Earth is great book filled with so much magic! Once you start reading this you will fall into it easily cause of the great storyline and characters!
July 28, 2011
Earth is a very fresh read that mixes a young adult romance and imaginative magical twist. While witchcraft has been a common experience in the paranormal genre; this book seems to take on a deeper understanding of their abilities and beliefs. Much of this story is detail and character building which gives the story an overall slower pace than what I have come to expect. Although, I feel that this novel laid a very strong basis for the following books to come. The potential is evident in the last eighty pages when the story began to flow and the characters were actively unraveling the mystery laid before them. This also opened the door for the romance that seemed to be missing in the beginning of this novel. The amateur talent that is so common in a first novel was lacking in Earth; creating a detail ridden story that attempts to bring readers to the characters level of knowledge. I look for the next novel to overcome is slow and steady pace bringing an action packed and thrilling ride. Earth is a very inventive and unique story that readers will appreciate, but it will offer some pace and interest obstacles that will require focus to overcome.
January 8, 2012
Earth by Shauna Granger tells the story of Shayna and her two friends Jodi and Steven. The three friends have some power of the basic elements with Shayna being the most powerful by far. When evidence starts to appear of someone doing some heinous black magic rituals. These rituals coincide with the arrival of a set of twin brothers to their town the friends have to figure out if they are behind the dark magic. The fact that there may be a spark between Shayna and one of the brothers adds another layer to the plot.
All three of the main characters are well developed, with a good dynamic between them. They have a very real relationship with emotional depth and humor. There is a bit of a romantic element to the story, but it didn't strike me as what has become the typical pining misery that is often found in books aimed at a similar age group. That is one of the best things about this book in my opinion. I enjoy young adult books and enjoy the genre, but it is very hard to find something that doesn't having a brooding male part and a pining female character. Very well done book and I will continue to follow this series.
Review copy provided by author.
All three of the main characters are well developed, with a good dynamic between them. They have a very real relationship with emotional depth and humor. There is a bit of a romantic element to the story, but it didn't strike me as what has become the typical pining misery that is often found in books aimed at a similar age group. That is one of the best things about this book in my opinion. I enjoy young adult books and enjoy the genre, but it is very hard to find something that doesn't having a brooding male part and a pining female character. Very well done book and I will continue to follow this series.
Review copy provided by author.
October 21, 2011
Honestly, self published books often have a negative connotation. They are seen as not good enough to be published with a publisher.
This book was just as good, if not better than some of the books that have a big name publisher. This book was easy to read and had a great story. I didn't get hung up on any awkward dialect or situations. Congrats Shauna for a fabulous debut novel.
This book is full of adventure and mystery. The main character, Shayna, and her two best friends, Steven and Jodi, are all able to manipulate elements of nature. They are fledgling witches. They do their best to not enter into the darker sides of witchcraft and are dismayed when someone starts to use blood sacrifices in their town.
On top of that, Shayna has nightmares where she is being chased by a beast and wakes up in the morning with claw marks and bruises on her body. Something is not right and the three of them have to figure out what is happening before midnight on Halloween.
There is a little bit of a love interest for Shayna in this book. I hope to see more of the interplay between them in the next book which comes out soon.
This book was just as good, if not better than some of the books that have a big name publisher. This book was easy to read and had a great story. I didn't get hung up on any awkward dialect or situations. Congrats Shauna for a fabulous debut novel.
This book is full of adventure and mystery. The main character, Shayna, and her two best friends, Steven and Jodi, are all able to manipulate elements of nature. They are fledgling witches. They do their best to not enter into the darker sides of witchcraft and are dismayed when someone starts to use blood sacrifices in their town.
On top of that, Shayna has nightmares where she is being chased by a beast and wakes up in the morning with claw marks and bruises on her body. Something is not right and the three of them have to figure out what is happening before midnight on Halloween.
There is a little bit of a love interest for Shayna in this book. I hope to see more of the interplay between them in the next book which comes out soon.
October 28, 2011
This series is going to be really interesting. I love stories about this kind of magic. I also really enjoyed the mystery that surrounds Shayna. She is an earth elemental but she seemed to be so much more. She was more powerful than her friends and I have a feeling that we are not done learning about some hidden talents from her. I bet there is a lot more to come from her.
I liked her two friends more than her sometimes though. Jodi and Steven were so funny and loyal. I loved how they stayed by Shayna's side the entire time! Even when she was being a little bit of a brat. Shayna was so headstrong that sometimes she came off kind of demanding and mean. I hope there is some growth to come for her in the next book. I did appreciate that she was able to admit when she was wrong at least.
Earth is full of magic and mystery and it is perfect for this month. I love reading magical books like this close to Halloween. I flew right through the story and it kept my interest throughout. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next.
I hope to see more of a certain boy in Shayna's future as well. ;) This has all the makings to become a really addictive series.
I liked her two friends more than her sometimes though. Jodi and Steven were so funny and loyal. I loved how they stayed by Shayna's side the entire time! Even when she was being a little bit of a brat. Shayna was so headstrong that sometimes she came off kind of demanding and mean. I hope there is some growth to come for her in the next book. I did appreciate that she was able to admit when she was wrong at least.
Earth is full of magic and mystery and it is perfect for this month. I love reading magical books like this close to Halloween. I flew right through the story and it kept my interest throughout. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next.
I hope to see more of a certain boy in Shayna's future as well. ;) This has all the makings to become a really addictive series.
October 8, 2013
It was hard for me to rate the book. It was good, interesting, the two thirds made me not want to stop reading and after that point I got to the moment where I just wanted to drop it. It got boring. Shayna was interesting, strong, at the moments to strong for her age, she new things and what bothered me we never got an explanation why, she got mad very fast and with all the positives it was hard for me to like her. There was no swearing through the book and close to the end they involved more of the religion, getting high with all the power, praying for the final battle and Bam right the next moment two swear words. It just didn't feel right. After everything they had a Halloween party and the very religious Steven got dressed up as something who they had to fight against. Again it didn't feel right. I think that the last few chapters made me decide that this series is not for me. There are few more things that didn't make sense but at the end I was disappointed :(
4 stars for the first 2/3 of the book and 1 1/2 or 2 for the last part
I also tried the second book to see if it's going to get better but it's not for me
4 stars for the first 2/3 of the book and 1 1/2 or 2 for the last part
I also tried the second book to see if it's going to get better but it's not for me
October 25, 2011
I found this book to be quite enjoyable and original. Unlike many YA stories, it is not all about romance or discovering strange new powers. The characters already have their powers and are doing their best to use them for good, such as protecting a fellow student from an abusive boyfriend. Shayna, Jodi and Steven are all likable and fairly mature but not above a little bit of fun. The chemistry between the three of them is great.
The introduction of the two mysterious and handsome brothers, Ian and Jensen, was nicely done. Their arrival coincides with somebody attempting to carry out dark rituals, leaving the reader wondering if one of them is the guilty party...or if a romance is going to start. The mystery left me guessing throughout the story.
The only thing that bothered me about this story was that at a couple of points it felt a little too Wiccan for my tastes. However, it was not overwhelming.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes dark mystery, elemental magic and just a hint of romance. Book 2, Air, will be released on Oct. 31st.
The introduction of the two mysterious and handsome brothers, Ian and Jensen, was nicely done. Their arrival coincides with somebody attempting to carry out dark rituals, leaving the reader wondering if one of them is the guilty party...or if a romance is going to start. The mystery left me guessing throughout the story.
The only thing that bothered me about this story was that at a couple of points it felt a little too Wiccan for my tastes. However, it was not overwhelming.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes dark mystery, elemental magic and just a hint of romance. Book 2, Air, will be released on Oct. 31st.
July 8, 2012
Earth avoids many of the annoying trends that seem to have appeared lately - there is no excessive whining, no ridiculous love triangle, the characters take responsibility for their actions and do ask for help at logical places. A giant +1 for that. The descriptions of magic and the related rituals performed by Shayna and her friends is detailed and descriptive, and these slower, more descriptive sections are balanced by periods of fast-paced action. This makes it a great book for taking a break - it's not all go-go-go such that you can't stand to put it down for a moment, but still interesting enough to bring you back. Another great aspect is that the major plot and romance points are brought to a resolution by the end of the book - proof that you can properly end a book and still have readers interested in checking out the next one without an annoying cliffhanger. Good read.
November 10, 2012
I loved this book!! The author did thorough research on the content of the book and the storyline is truly unique. This book, from the very beginning, pulled me into the story and would not let me go. The magick that is part of the storyline is researched and written in the true meaning and use of 'white magick' versus 'black magick'. It was also a 'who-done-it' mystery that kept you guessing. Every time I thought
I was on the right track for how I thought the book would end, there was another twist, another turn, another surprise that would challenge my thoughts. It is also a wonderful 'coming-of-age' story for the three main characters as well. I can't wait to get the next books in this series as soon as I can ... I am excited to see what happens next!!
I was on the right track for how I thought the book would end, there was another twist, another turn, another surprise that would challenge my thoughts. It is also a wonderful 'coming-of-age' story for the three main characters as well. I can't wait to get the next books in this series as soon as I can ... I am excited to see what happens next!!
November 13, 2011
I don't often read YA, but as a fan of fantasy and stories with a strong female lead, I decided to give Earth at try. I enjoyed the storyline and the relationship between the three main characters, and found the magical aspects to be quite interesting. I think the author took a new approach to teens doing magic and I found myself drawn in, even though I didn't find the main character all that likeable, at least not until I thought about her a bit. I find myself looking forward to the second book and hoping that the characters are fleshed out a bit more. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. (Side note: the book is set in the city I live in, so that was a fun plus for me!)
March 22, 2012
A breath of fresh air. No angsty love triangles, no whiny melodramatic female protagonist, no moments of woe is me self discovery. Instead you have three self aware southern California teens who are strong, insightful, and so realistic you wish they were your best friends. Add to that a gripping mystery that truly makes one look at the world and how we all connected to it and you have one stellar breakout novel. Before you lump this one in with the other self pubbed YA out there, know that Granger not only knows how to pace a plot arc, but has a decent editor in her corner, you won't find horrific grammar here, only damn fine story telling.
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