Review of Elementals
Posted: 20 Sep 2021, 16:30
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Elementals" by Tayma Tameem.]
In a small village in the Water Kingdom, a little girl, Ember, awoke after a nightmare to find that she couldn't remember anything about her past. She also didn't know the man, Dimitrius, or his wife, Brook, who claimed to be her parents, let alone the children introduced as her siblings. However, they took good care of her, so they might well be her family. But she couldn't understand why some kids in the village bullied her and told her she didn't belong with them. An adult even accused Dimitrius of being a traitor because of her. Could it be because her skin was lighter or that they knew something about her she couldn't remember?
Ember finds out that her father could wield water, just like the other folks in the Water Kingdom, and learns to do the same. However, she is even more powerful and has not yet mastered her powers. She meets an old hermit from whom she finds out that there are other kingdoms. She also meets an orphan boy, Kelp, who becomes her friend even though he detests talking about his background. Despite Ember's efforts to have the people in her village accept her, it seems she is truly an alien among them and is yet to uncover the truth about who she is. Are Dimitrius and Brook her parents? Can Kelp be trusted? And who is this man that keeps trying to find her in her recurring nightmares? Begin to find the answers to these questions and more in Elementals: Ember by Tayma Tameem.
This title is the first installment in the Elementals series. And honestly, I can't wait to read the other books in the series. I have always wished for the opportunity to read one of Tayma's books, as I have read many positive reviews for her publications. Fortunately, this title didn't disappoint. Her writing style is impeccable, and I love how readers of different ages would enjoy this book. This tale is an intriguing and well-written epic fantasy that would thrill lovers of coming-of-age stories with suspenseful narrations and unpredictable twists.
What I like most about this book is its characterization. It's so easy to relate to the characters and understand their feelings. While Ember is lovable and my favorite, I also liked Dimitrius' character. He is kind, articulate, and brave. Since this book is the first installment in a series, the backstories for the characters gradually start coming towards the end of the story, which is one of the reasons I can't wait to read the next one. Nevertheless, I still found the characters to be lifelike. The dialogues are also natural, and I must commend the author for making the kids' conversations in the book mature with them.
Furthermore, the author's worldbuilding ability is fascinating. We are yet to explore the Fire, Air, and Earth Kingdoms, so my fingers are crossed for that in the coming installments. And considering the author's work with the Water Kingdom, I expect a good job. More so, the supernatural elements in the book made the book alluring. For example, no one knew where the old hermit lived, but he found a way to show up when needed. I loved that!
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and didn't dislike anything about it. Tayma's language is also simple, and the book's editing is praiseworthy, as I found only two errors throughout my read. Therefore, I happily rate Elementals: Ember 4 out of 4 stars. However, prospective readers should expect a cliffhanger ending that intriguingly sets the tone for the next installment. Having 308 pages, I believe classing this publication under children's books is a mistake. Hence, I recommend this book to epic fantasy lovers who enjoy coming-of-age stories, especially those with strong female protagonists.
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Elementals
View: on Bookshelves
In a small village in the Water Kingdom, a little girl, Ember, awoke after a nightmare to find that she couldn't remember anything about her past. She also didn't know the man, Dimitrius, or his wife, Brook, who claimed to be her parents, let alone the children introduced as her siblings. However, they took good care of her, so they might well be her family. But she couldn't understand why some kids in the village bullied her and told her she didn't belong with them. An adult even accused Dimitrius of being a traitor because of her. Could it be because her skin was lighter or that they knew something about her she couldn't remember?
Ember finds out that her father could wield water, just like the other folks in the Water Kingdom, and learns to do the same. However, she is even more powerful and has not yet mastered her powers. She meets an old hermit from whom she finds out that there are other kingdoms. She also meets an orphan boy, Kelp, who becomes her friend even though he detests talking about his background. Despite Ember's efforts to have the people in her village accept her, it seems she is truly an alien among them and is yet to uncover the truth about who she is. Are Dimitrius and Brook her parents? Can Kelp be trusted? And who is this man that keeps trying to find her in her recurring nightmares? Begin to find the answers to these questions and more in Elementals: Ember by Tayma Tameem.
This title is the first installment in the Elementals series. And honestly, I can't wait to read the other books in the series. I have always wished for the opportunity to read one of Tayma's books, as I have read many positive reviews for her publications. Fortunately, this title didn't disappoint. Her writing style is impeccable, and I love how readers of different ages would enjoy this book. This tale is an intriguing and well-written epic fantasy that would thrill lovers of coming-of-age stories with suspenseful narrations and unpredictable twists.
What I like most about this book is its characterization. It's so easy to relate to the characters and understand their feelings. While Ember is lovable and my favorite, I also liked Dimitrius' character. He is kind, articulate, and brave. Since this book is the first installment in a series, the backstories for the characters gradually start coming towards the end of the story, which is one of the reasons I can't wait to read the next one. Nevertheless, I still found the characters to be lifelike. The dialogues are also natural, and I must commend the author for making the kids' conversations in the book mature with them.
Furthermore, the author's worldbuilding ability is fascinating. We are yet to explore the Fire, Air, and Earth Kingdoms, so my fingers are crossed for that in the coming installments. And considering the author's work with the Water Kingdom, I expect a good job. More so, the supernatural elements in the book made the book alluring. For example, no one knew where the old hermit lived, but he found a way to show up when needed. I loved that!
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and didn't dislike anything about it. Tayma's language is also simple, and the book's editing is praiseworthy, as I found only two errors throughout my read. Therefore, I happily rate Elementals: Ember 4 out of 4 stars. However, prospective readers should expect a cliffhanger ending that intriguingly sets the tone for the next installment. Having 308 pages, I believe classing this publication under children's books is a mistake. Hence, I recommend this book to epic fantasy lovers who enjoy coming-of-age stories, especially those with strong female protagonists.
******
Elementals
View: on Bookshelves