Just because Ella can burn someone to the ground with her mind doesn't mean she should. But she wants to. For ten years--ever since she was a small child--Ella has been held prisoner on an interstellar starship. Now that she has escaped, she needs answers. Who is she? Why was she taken? And who is the boy with the beautiful green eyes who haunts her memories? Is Ella the prophesied Destructor. or will she be the one who's destroyed?
Elemental
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"An original and haunting tale filled with deeper meaning that resonated in my heart." - Kate Kaynak, Author of MINDER
About the Author
Emily White lives in NY, wedged between two Great Lakes and a few feet of snow and ice. She's spent most of her life running away from the cold--even spent a year in Iraq--but now writes her characters into warm, exotic places in faraway galaxies. When not writing, she's usually playing videogames with her husband or peek-a-boo with her kids.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
All in all, Elemental is an engrossing story, with a unique plot line. Ella is an unlikely hero, and we get to experience with her while she becomes aware of who she is and what she can do. Destined to kill a god, having wings without knowing it and being able to control elements. These are all things that Ella had no idea about herself as she was imprisoned on a space ship.
It is quite a journey as she comes to grips with these things. And as new people come into her life, some that she can trust and others that she learns the hard way that she can't. All the while a mysterious guy who makes her feel alive, and heals her with his very presence comes onto the scene. But it can't be perfect for her, because one minute he is distant, and the next she finds out that he's hiding things from her. Cailen is very intriguing character and the memories that she has of his eyes, a friend when she was a child is quite a twist. Because how did he get from that boy to the man in front of her. I really hope that we get more of Cailen and Ella in the sequel Fae. I think it was fitting that romance didn't take a forefront in Elemental, but I hope it can in the next book.
The relationship between Ella and Meir is written beautifully. I love the trust and father/daughter type bond that they have. He is a rock to her and it is refreshing to read about that dynamic.
The terminology in the book kinda threw me for a loop, the different names of religions, gods and the societies, but I pretty much got used to it. I think that I am just not used to it, because fantasy/sci-fi isn't my primary focus.
Elemental is paced well, and there is always something new to discover and new twists being thrown in there. I will say it's pretty violent and Ella is hurt a lot. It doesn't take away from the story really, but it is a bit distracting at times... what will be injured next kind of thing. But I guess that adds to her relatability. She doesn't wake up a superwoman, she has to come into herself, and struggle through the pain. I had so many questions that at the moment I wanted answered right then and there, but I think that in the end that only helped me to bond with Ella more, because I am almost as in the dark as she is, and we discover everything together.
Bottom line: I liked Ella's character and once I just let myself go and enjoy the story she had to tell instead of being so caught up in terminology and unanswered questions, I went on quite a fun and action packed literary journey with her.
It is quite a journey as she comes to grips with these things. And as new people come into her life, some that she can trust and others that she learns the hard way that she can't. All the while a mysterious guy who makes her feel alive, and heals her with his very presence comes onto the scene. But it can't be perfect for her, because one minute he is distant, and the next she finds out that he's hiding things from her. Cailen is very intriguing character and the memories that she has of his eyes, a friend when she was a child is quite a twist. Because how did he get from that boy to the man in front of her. I really hope that we get more of Cailen and Ella in the sequel Fae. I think it was fitting that romance didn't take a forefront in Elemental, but I hope it can in the next book.
The relationship between Ella and Meir is written beautifully. I love the trust and father/daughter type bond that they have. He is a rock to her and it is refreshing to read about that dynamic.
The terminology in the book kinda threw me for a loop, the different names of religions, gods and the societies, but I pretty much got used to it. I think that I am just not used to it, because fantasy/sci-fi isn't my primary focus.
Elemental is paced well, and there is always something new to discover and new twists being thrown in there. I will say it's pretty violent and Ella is hurt a lot. It doesn't take away from the story really, but it is a bit distracting at times... what will be injured next kind of thing. But I guess that adds to her relatability. She doesn't wake up a superwoman, she has to come into herself, and struggle through the pain. I had so many questions that at the moment I wanted answered right then and there, but I think that in the end that only helped me to bond with Ella more, because I am almost as in the dark as she is, and we discover everything together.
Bottom line: I liked Ella's character and once I just let myself go and enjoy the story she had to tell instead of being so caught up in terminology and unanswered questions, I went on quite a fun and action packed literary journey with her.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I did not enjoy Elemental as much as I hoped I would. While it had enormous potential (with intriguing premise), it didn't quite live up to it. Emily White has a great imagination, maybe even too great, cause she obviously had so many ideas, so many world elements that she wanted to include, that it was literally mind-blowing. Unfortunately, not in a good way. I felt extremely overwhelmed while reading this book. Science Fiction is "a literature of ideas", filled with space travels, extraterrestrial beings, futuristic settings, weapons and technology, and while Elemental has all that, it also fails to rationally explain the alternative world it features. All the SF elements are very superficial, they're there, but they're not doing anything for the book. There are no potential solutions nor explanations to the various fictional elements, and therefore I am more willing to call it a space opera with paranormal elements, than an actual SF.
Elemental left me feeling confused and frustrated. I kept thinking that I must have missed something, must have blacked out and forgot a good chunk of the plot, because I just couldn't make sense of it. There are some interesting ideas embedded within its pages - freedom and its meaning, prophecies, dangerous abilities and many different cultures and religions - but inevitably, White's book suffers from near-terminal inability to tame the chaos and get everything organized and arranged in a comprehensive manner. Nothing - and I mean NOTHING - was explained properly, and while some may argue that the plot was purposefully crafted this way, and that SF allows a certain degree of vagueness and mysteriousness, I say: NO! I want to know why the main character was locked up on a prison-ship for ten years and by whom, I need to have more information about the world, the many different races and their cultures, the interspecies politics, and the prophecy that seemed to be the reason behind everything that happened in this novel. I need some answers. And Elemental does not provide any.
As hard as it was for me to follow the random and under-developed plot line, I did recognize the potential it held. Yes, it needs some serious editing, but Emily White created something that - if tweaked and polished - could be a real money-making page-turner. The plot line can be improved. The characters? Well, that's a whole different story. I found it practically impossible to connect with any of the characters, especially Ella. Her weirdly motivated behaviour made me frown and shake my head in bewilderment. One moment she was desperate to escape from the prison, save her life, see the sun and feel the wind on her skin, and then next thing you know she's doing everything to get herself killed. For no reason what-so-ever. Her bipolar personality really got on my nerves. She was childish, ungrateful, and - ultimately - unlikeable. Random people would risk their lives to try and help her and she would second guess their motives and act all crazy. One minute she would hate Malik with burning fierceness, and then next minute she would have a change of heart, rush of remorse and adoration, and she would try to sacrifice herself to protect him. Like I said, totally bipolar. No, I did not like Ella. I liked Malik and Meir much better, but at the same time wished their characters would be more fleshed-out and believable (trust me, no one is THAT patient when dealing with a bipolar basket-case like Ella).
And don't even get me started on the abilities she possessed. All I'm going to say is: After witnessing her handling her own powers, I wish she'd remained locked up. If the entire Universe's fate lies in Ella's hands, then we're all in deep doo doo.
There were, however, some aspects of this story that I really enjoyed. I loved Emily's descriptive prose. When she actually bothered to describe the setting or the character in detail, she did it in the utmost skilful and breathtaking way. Some of the passages are very evocative and vibrant, and I really wished she would include more of them throughout the book. There's no doubt in my mind that Emily White is a very talented, eloquent writer, with plenty of room to grow, and I'm certain that she will yet surprise us with something truly extraordinary.
Overall, Elemental just wasn't for me, but don't let my review discourage you from picking it up. I've seen some great, glowing reviews of this book around the blogosphere, and I'm sure that many people will fall in love with the vibrant, intriguing world that Emily created.
Elemental left me feeling confused and frustrated. I kept thinking that I must have missed something, must have blacked out and forgot a good chunk of the plot, because I just couldn't make sense of it. There are some interesting ideas embedded within its pages - freedom and its meaning, prophecies, dangerous abilities and many different cultures and religions - but inevitably, White's book suffers from near-terminal inability to tame the chaos and get everything organized and arranged in a comprehensive manner. Nothing - and I mean NOTHING - was explained properly, and while some may argue that the plot was purposefully crafted this way, and that SF allows a certain degree of vagueness and mysteriousness, I say: NO! I want to know why the main character was locked up on a prison-ship for ten years and by whom, I need to have more information about the world, the many different races and their cultures, the interspecies politics, and the prophecy that seemed to be the reason behind everything that happened in this novel. I need some answers. And Elemental does not provide any.
As hard as it was for me to follow the random and under-developed plot line, I did recognize the potential it held. Yes, it needs some serious editing, but Emily White created something that - if tweaked and polished - could be a real money-making page-turner. The plot line can be improved. The characters? Well, that's a whole different story. I found it practically impossible to connect with any of the characters, especially Ella. Her weirdly motivated behaviour made me frown and shake my head in bewilderment. One moment she was desperate to escape from the prison, save her life, see the sun and feel the wind on her skin, and then next thing you know she's doing everything to get herself killed. For no reason what-so-ever. Her bipolar personality really got on my nerves. She was childish, ungrateful, and - ultimately - unlikeable. Random people would risk their lives to try and help her and she would second guess their motives and act all crazy. One minute she would hate Malik with burning fierceness, and then next minute she would have a change of heart, rush of remorse and adoration, and she would try to sacrifice herself to protect him. Like I said, totally bipolar. No, I did not like Ella. I liked Malik and Meir much better, but at the same time wished their characters would be more fleshed-out and believable (trust me, no one is THAT patient when dealing with a bipolar basket-case like Ella).
And don't even get me started on the abilities she possessed. All I'm going to say is: After witnessing her handling her own powers, I wish she'd remained locked up. If the entire Universe's fate lies in Ella's hands, then we're all in deep doo doo.
There were, however, some aspects of this story that I really enjoyed. I loved Emily's descriptive prose. When she actually bothered to describe the setting or the character in detail, she did it in the utmost skilful and breathtaking way. Some of the passages are very evocative and vibrant, and I really wished she would include more of them throughout the book. There's no doubt in my mind that Emily White is a very talented, eloquent writer, with plenty of room to grow, and I'm certain that she will yet surprise us with something truly extraordinary.
Overall, Elemental just wasn't for me, but don't let my review discourage you from picking it up. I've seen some great, glowing reviews of this book around the blogosphere, and I'm sure that many people will fall in love with the vibrant, intriguing world that Emily created.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
ELEMENTAL is an awesome debut novel! I really liked the way Emily White imbedded Jewish/Christian/Islamic elements into the story. Plus how can I not love angels who controls wind, air, and fire. Especially fire. I'm counting the days until the next book, FAE, comes out! Bravo to Emily White!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Suspenseful Read
I think for the sake of keeping the suspense, I'll opt out of recapping this book on any kind of grand scale. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Shawn K. Maravel
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not so much...
I didn't like this book so much. The main character was a little weak for me and the supporting characters were a little thin.
Published 8 months ago by MC
5.0 out of 5 stars
Elemental
I was very into reading Elemental! It held my interest and I wanted to keep reading more to see what was going to happen next! Read more
Published 9 months ago by Lynda S.
5.0 out of 5 stars
My first sci fiction novel. Awesome.
Elemental
by: Emily White
My review:
She's different in all the aspects. Read more
by: Emily White
My review:
She's different in all the aspects. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Betzaida Cartagena Ramirez
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read!
Characters: Ella's character grows with the story. She has been kept prisoner for 10 years, so when she finally escapes and is taken in by Meir, she relies heavily on him and has... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Krista Cubicleblindness
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting book
Elemental is the first book in the Elemental Trilogy by Emily White. It begins with a big mystery. Ella is trapped in a prison. She has been for the last ten years. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Marcella
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, fast paced read
I have to admit I didn't know what a space opera was when I picked this book up. Basically it just means the story takes place in space, and let me tell you that I loved the worlds... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Kelly Hashway
5.0 out of 5 stars
Science Fiction Fairy Tale
I'm writing this as part of the Great Reviews party for Emily White's book!
Elemental is a pounding, relentless story of a young girl facing trouble and terror from all... Read more
Elemental is a pounding, relentless story of a young girl facing trouble and terror from all... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Kendra
4.0 out of 5 stars
The best part is....there's more to come.
I've known Emily for a long time ("Great, another friend review!"), but that's because I knew from early on that she was destined for publication and I wanted to follow her... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Don Hammons
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking
Ella's excape from the prison ship, her relationship with Meir, and the realistic, violent conflicts all work to make this a very good story. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Judy D.
