Five (Elemental Enmity Book I) [Kindle Edition]

Christie Rich (Author), Amber McNemar (Illustrator)

Book Description

Rayla Tate dreams of escaping her ordinary world for a bright future in the art world. Throw in an overbearing aunt who is keeping major secrets, a disgruntled best friend tagging along to college, and a bunch of fae warriors waiting in the wings to claim her the minute she leaves her sleepy little town, and Rayla’s dreams are about to shatter.

She soon discovers she is a coveted Elemental with power she never knew she possessed—a power that could change the world. Everywhere she turns another man tries to woo her. The weird part is she’s drawn to each one of them. Who are these strange men, and what dark power do they hold over her? Rayla must quickly learn to fend off these beautiful and seductive pursuers using any means necessary or find herself lost to the fae world forever.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Christie Rich does an amazing job in making her characters emotionally well-developed. She also really does a great job describing the setting, and situation and makes you feel like you are actually there, right next to the characters. I love that. I found myself feeling what she felt, all the emotional ups and downs, they felt like they were my own. I really didn't want the book to end. I will have to get the next few books soon as I am able, as I really want to see how this story will unfold. I see great things to come, for sure... People who like the paranormal, and fae fantasy types (like the Iron Fey for example) will love this. It's a unique story, and its suspenseful, and a fast easy interesting read."--Michelle's Paranormal Vault

"WOW!! What an incredible read!!!

I love it when I'm surprised! So many things happened in this story that I had to re-read several paragraphs just to make sure I got the full scope of what was going on. There was a pseudo love tri-angle - I normally hate those, but this one was very well written, so much so that (gasp!) I was cheering for BOTH men! How is that possible?
Rayla is a great heroine! She's smart, independent, sarcastic (one of my favorite traits) and I got to discover her life right along with her!! I found this book after it was a Sample in the "Dark Muse" Indie Sampler, and have to say - Christie Rich is an exceptional author.

I've already purchased the second book in this series, Dark Matter, and cannot wait to start reading it!!!"--Nancy Straight, author of the Destiny Series and the Touched Series

From the Author

The Elemental Enmity Series came to me in stages.  The first glimpse I had was of a little pixie named Fexlie.  She flitted into my mind one afternoon on my way home from work.  Fexlie introduced me to Rayla Tate, a feisty yet naive girl that has a lot to learn about life and love.  I chose to tell this story from Rayla's point of view because I like the intimacy of first person narrative.  Rayla's journey is filled with twists and turns, self discovery, and a world she could have never imagined filled with gorgeous men that want her for many reasons, among them her power.  Each lord has a unique story that is told throughout the series.  I hope you enjoy Elemental Enmity as much as I enjoyed writing it.  This is a fae story without the wings and sparkly things.  My fae are humanized with emotions and politics, just like good old earth.

I love to hear from readers, so be sure to find me at your favorite social media site.  I love new friends and hope to hear from you soon.

Best,

Christie Rich

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 709 KB
• Print Length: 316 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005GVR4Y8
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,382 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #19 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Teens > Literature & Fiction
  • #50 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Five an engaging and emotional ride February 25, 2012

By Elizabeth Gorski

Format:Kindle Edition

Five is a coming-into-her-own/paranormal romance novel written by Christie Rich. As Rayla Tate is just beginning to figure out who she is and what she may want out of life, she also finds that life and the fae may have alternate plans in store for her.

When I first began reading Five, I wasn't a fan. Christie Rich was incredibly detailed and descriptive when giving the reader as much of the back story as possible, without giving away any plot twists and turns that may be in store later on. While those are typically both good things to have in a novel, they just seemed to make the first few chapters sluggish and slow-moving. However, I later found myself reflecting back on every "sluggish and slow-moving" detail as I read-on.

Once the momentum picked up, it kept up a steady and engaging pace throughout the rest of the book. I found myself hanging on every detail, every description...essentially, everything that had irked me in the beginning now had me hooked. Christie Rich's characters are very relatable and emotionally well-developed. She also has an ability to describe a setting and make you feel as if you are actually there, right next to the characters. I found myself experiencing the emotional ups and downs right along with Rayla as her life unfolds before her.

In the end, I found that I didn't want Five to end. In fact, I have to keep stopping myself from going back and checking the end of the book...just to make sure I didn't miss anything or there wasn't more to read that I somehow over-looked. For me, that's the sure sign of a truly great book, when it has the ability to get its hook in me so effectively that I convince myself there is more there, that I missed something. I know one thing; Christie Rich has made a fan out of this reader. And I know where I'll be, on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next "Christie Rich novel" to be released.

"Love should be the great leveler: The thing that obliterates all other emotions into the insignificant rubble they are." Rayla Tate, Five, written by Christie Rich, Chapter Sixteen, page 170
(I was given a copy of this book to read and review.)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Fae Lords Everywhere! February 27, 2012

By Leanne

Format:Kindle Edition

*Received e-book through Read It and Reap program from the Shut Up and Read! Goodreads group from author;
**More like 3.5 stars; also posted on Smashwords

Five is told by the point-of-view of Rayla, a young woman running away from her overbearing aunt to college, who suddenly discovers she is an Elemental - one who can bond with a fae lord in order to combine their powers to rule. Because the lords can sense Elementals, she becomes the object of pursuit of five fae very quickly. These fae each have a specialty in an element of which there are five: water, earth, fire, air, and ether (spirit), and they bond for five of a human's lifetimes (hence, the three-fold meaning to the book's title). Rayla must figure out firstly, if she wants to bond and secondly, which one to bond to. This is despite the strong compulsion she feels for each one and that, at any time, they can kidnap her to Faeresia to bond against her will.

Rich opens up with this intriguing premise, but I started getting a little frustrated with the character development. I noticed Rayla was too accepting of the existence of Elementals and fae (ascertained on a phone call from her aunt), and not suspicious enough of the new men in her life, especially Zach. She was unrealistically too trusting of him and did not question his reluctance to tell his entire knowledge of and personal connection to the fae, which are at odds with her vulnerable position. In addition, I felt her relationship to her best friend, Cassie, was disingenuous, and seemed more antagonistic than anything. Lastly, the sudden romances that emerges with certain characters appeared forced and manufactured, almost like convenient filler material.

On the other hand, I did like certain components of Five and it did improve with further chapters. I liked the characters of Adam, Jessica, and Natalie, who were more authentic and compelling, and I hoped for more storyline with them. Likewise, the last few scenes with Luke, a fae lord, seemed quite sincere and captivating - I found myself supporting him to be bonded with Rayla and through these scenes, Rich was able to bring in more background information on fae history and realm. In addition, I especially appreciated Rich's introduction of a secret human alliance with the fae for the procurement of Elementals and conversely, a secret Elemental group to protect and hide themselves from the fae. I thought this gave the plot a much needed depth to the world-building, and tension to the plot, helping to set up the sequel.

Overall, Five was a fast read and an ambitious attempt by Rich at a first novel in a new series. I think it did have an interesting world concept and enough unanswered questions and plot developments to warrant reading the next book in the series. I would recommend this to young adult readers, who are fans of paranormal/fae romances, but not necessarily older adults.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Journey Into Hidden Worlds August 26, 2011

By jt kalnay

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Five (Elemental Enmity) was my first journey into the world of the Fae. And what a journey it was! Readers will become instantly attached to Rayla and her struggles to understand herself and the worlds around her, both seen and unseen. Beautiful prose will sweep the reader into Rayla's world and into the world of the Fae. Will Rayla succumb to newly awakened desires? Will she learn the truth of her birth and childhood? And to whom will she choose to be bonded, if anyone? I suspect that Five is just the start of Rayla's journey and thus I can't wait to find out what happens next as Rayla stands on the brink of her destiny!

JT Kalnay
Author of Mina's Eyes and The Pattern

More About the Author

I live in a small town with my husband, two kids, spastic dog, and two lazy cats. I love delving into fantasy. Whether it is reading a book, watching a great movie, or recently, writing something I absolutely love.

I have been focusing on the paranormal, and my first published novel, Five, is a paranormal romance. It is the first book in the Elemental Enmity Series and is about a girl that discovers her role in an age old battle for world dominance between the fae and humans.

One thing I have discovered about myself through this exciting journey of publishing is that I love to see a world I've created come to life. The experience of writing is much more enjoyable than reading for me and that is saying a lot. LOL.

I hope you enjoy my books as much as I do. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will again. I'd love to hear from you. Reach me on www.christierich.com, Twitter, Facebook, goodreads, and my blog.

P.S. If you enjoy my books the best way you can support me is to leave an honest review, and tell your friends if you think they will enjoy my stories. I appreciate your support and feedback.