By: Cesya MaRae Cuono
Publisher: Revolution Publishing
Release Date: August 21, 2011
Genre/Age: YA Paranormal/Fantasy
Pages: 260
Source: ARC from Revolution Publishing*
When Callie Pierce was ten, her mother disappeared without a trace. On the eve of her disappearance twelve years later, the Earth seemingly comes alive. The elements speak to Callie, and that’s only the beginning. Everything she has ever known was a twisted fabrication to protect her. Now the truth is set free. Callie and her sister are more powerful than any Faerie ever born. Now they have to use their powers to save their mother and family from the evil hands of fate that threaten to tear them apart. Welcome to her elemental reality.
I’ve been looking forward to reading Elemental Reality ever since I first saw the gorgeous cover (isn’t it absolutely stunning??), and I’m happy to say that the story doesn’t disappoint. Faeries may be a very popular subject for YA novels these days, but Cesya puts a fresh spin on it and manages to create an entirely new world.
One of my favorite things about the novel is that unlike many other faerie books, there’s no pervasive feeling of darkness and gloom. Okay sure, there are definitely bad guys and a fast-approaching possible war with Demons, but the novel is just so fun that the overall tone is much lighter and entertaining. Faerie powers! Hot Aussie boy! Wings that actually fly! Elemental Reality shows that it can actually be exciting to be a supernatural being, even when there is also serious stuff going on. I will say that I had some trouble getting into the writing style at first; I was enjoying the novel but it felt a bit unpolished (to be fair I read an ARC, so it is possible that it was not the absolute final version). But after a while I found myself enjoying the breezy tone and just completely devouring it.
The characters in Elemental Reality are all well-developed and extremely likeable, and it was such fun to watch Callie interacting with her sister and friends. Lola cracks me up, she’s so hilarious. And Callie’s interactions with Oli… I don’t really think “fun” is the right word. Probably steamy would be more appropriate. Or hot. Either one works, really. :P The tension between these two was fantastic and I am most definitely looking forward to more from them in the sequel. *waggles eyebrows suggestively*
Elemental Reality is an impressive debut novel, and I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a fun, fast-paced read with awesome characters, sizzling romance, danger, intrigue, and a gripping cliffhanger that will no doubt leave you wanting more.
*Thanks so much to Jennifer Baker at Revolution Publishing for letting me participate in the Elemental Reality blog tour and providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**Cesya is visiting my blog today with an awesome guest post, check it out here!
Ooh great review, Andie! This sounds really good. I actually didn't know this book was about faeries, clearly I missed that in the synopsis! But now I'm even more excited. Faeries AND demons AND a hot aussie boy?! OH SWOON! We do breed our boys well here :D Cannot wait to read this now!
ReplyDeleteThank you for an awesome review and for participating in the blog tour!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, this sounds like a really good read and I am going to have to add this to my list.
ReplyDeleteAlso wanted to tell you I really like your blog and nominated you for a liebster award http://thereadinggeek.blogspot.com/2011/08/liebster-blog-award.html