Customer Reviews

The Five Elements (The Alchemancer: Book 1)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Scott Marlowe has created some straight-forward, fast paced escapism. This is a skillfully written fantasy adventure that gallops along to a satisfying conclusion. The characters are expertly crafted and the fast moving action takes place in an ever-changing imaginative world that keeps you entertained. If you like to be pulled off into another world with a highly unique cast of characters that bounce in and out of the action, then you will enjoy this read.

This is a very good book that is a fun quick read. The characters are very well developed and believable. The plot is very well developed and the world that Mr. Marlowe has created is rich and complex. With surprising twists in the story and a climactic ending, I strongly recommend this book to anyone. I eagerly await Mr. Marlowe's next book.

Wow - just wow. I added this book to my TBR list because of 'the elemental power' aspect which I incorporate into my own books. I was curious to see another author's take on it. What I didn't expect is to be sucked into the book to where I was forced to shirk all work, parental, and clean-up responsibilities just so I could find out what happened next in this world Scott Marlowe created! He is, as far as I know, a relatively undiscovered author - but give it time, people.

Although this book is appropriate for maybe PG-13 audiences, the writing is a little more sophisticated and the description of setting, characters, and action is superb. Without posting any spoilers, I have to say I caught on to the 'twist' at exactly the right moment. Many of the mysteries and questions Scott created keeps the plot moving and sets a good pace.

As an epic fantasy adventure, Scott blends magical realism, elemental powers, alchemy and mechanics into a fascinating story. And for the moment - 'The Five Elements' is free! Seriously, get it now.

Book Blurb:

Learned men once endeavored to blend scientific machinery and elemental magic. Their ultimate goal in this never came to fruition as the hierocracy they'd separated from judged their actions blasphemy of the worst kind. These 'elementalists' were offered no mercy. Hunted down and killed to the last, their machines were thought destroyed along with them.

Until, some five hundred years later, a devastating elemental attack is launched on the city of Norwynne. Aaron, scholar, alchemist, and sorcerer's apprentice, survives, only to bear witness to the resulting fallout and to his dearest friend, Shanna, as she is swept into oblivion. Aaron thinks Shanna killed, while Aaron himself is forced to flee for his life. For Shanna, who survives that fateful night, the greatest adventure of her life is about to begin. Only the worst of nightmares awaits Aaron: pursued by dwarves, hell hounds, and a demon who will not stop until he is dead, the only thing keeping him alive is his own resourcefulness and an eslar mercenary whose reputation as a killer might make him the worst threat of all.

Though Aaron and Shanna travel different paths, their purpose is joined when they individually learn of the mysterious Fifth Element. Shanna sees it as the final piece in the puzzle that is her destiny. To Aaron's logical mind, it is an impossible ambiguity. Whatever the answer, the Fifth Element draws them back together and into a final confrontation not as allies, but as adversaries.

The Five Elements is an enveloping story that drags you in and doesn't let go. I enjoyed it immensely. The characters come to life and tell their story in a way that shows the authors passion for the subject matter. I myself do not have any background or knowledge of alchemy and yet the story is written such that I had no trouble following along and cheering the heroes on through every step of their journey. Well done Mr. Marlowe.

This is an interesting take on the concept of the four elements of classical antiquity, with a well-realised world and some likeable and intelligent main characters. It is let down, however, by pacing problems, some over-long descriptive passages, and a lack of proof-reading.

The beginning and the end held my attention, but the middle was a slog. When I'd finished a chapter or two in the middle, I wasn't as eager to return to the book as I would've liked to be. (This is a common problem in début novels, so much so that it has a name - the "muddle in the middle".)

The author has an unfortunate tendency to choose words that are not quite the ones he (presumably) wants - I noticed two occurrences of "corroborate" that should be "collaborate", for example. There are also many occurrences of "it's" that should be "its", which is inexcusable.

I note that this book is listed as "volume 1", so I assume a sequel is in the works. I would like to spend more time with these characters and in this world, but the problems I've mentioned make me reluctant to do so.