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atrailofpages's review
3.0
I love books about Fae, and so I knew I needed to check this one out!
We follow Shula who works at a circus disguised as a human so that she is not caught since Fae are illegal. When she gets exposed due to an incident, she has to escape, and ends up meeting The Resistance. A group of Fae that are trying to stop the human emperor and restore the Fae lands and their rights.
So, although Shula would drive me nuts at times, I do not blame her for fighting The Resistance basically the entire book. I mean they took her against her will(not cool in my opinion, and the way it was done was also not cool), and they’re not exactly a nice bunch. It was refreshing to have a main character who was rather flawed, and quite literally a coward. Shula truly had to not only learn how she can be afraid, but brave at the same time, but also learn about herself and what she’s capable of.
Although, I’m really not a fan of the other characters(aside from Clay, such a cinnamon roll
We follow Shula who works at a circus disguised as a human so that she is not caught since Fae are illegal. When she gets exposed due to an incident, she has to escape, and ends up meeting The Resistance. A group of Fae that are trying to stop the human emperor and restore the Fae lands and their rights.
So, although Shula would drive me nuts at times, I do not blame her for fighting The Resistance basically the entire book. I mean they took her against her will(not cool in my opinion, and the way it was done was also not cool), and they’re not exactly a nice bunch. It was refreshing to have a main character who was rather flawed, and quite literally a coward. Shula truly had to not only learn how she can be afraid, but brave at the same time, but also learn about herself and what she’s capable of.
Although, I’m really not a fan of the other characters(aside from Clay, such a cinnamon roll
nighteyedreader's review against another edition
5.0
Okay. Wow. I finally have time for this review so here we go.
Let me first start off by saying that this is my first book by Aleera Ceres and it will not be the last. I absolutely loved this book. Absolutely loved.
A Dance With Fire is the perfect book for you if you are a fan of stories that center around fae and fae magic. This book is also for you if you enjoy tropes such as: mates, found family and slow burn.
The main character Shula isn't your typical badass. I mean, she is but, she doesn't particularly start off that way. But, boy does she pop off. Shula's journey is one of self discovery and it is truly wonderful to read.
Ceres does a wonderful job creating not only an MC with character depth but a whole cast of characters that have their own unique abilities, personalities and dare I say, trauma. Ryker is a prime example of this depth, he had so many layers to get through his rough exterior.
Speaking of Ryker. Shula and Ryker and just *chef kiss*. The sexual tension was fire. The desire and pining from a far is enough to have anyone flipping a couple pages ahead to see how long until they just kiss.
Character depth, wonderful fun tropes and sexual tension aside. This book has a wonderful magic system and fantastic world building. The magic used in this book and the lore behind the magic system was so well thought up and well execute. The world and history that Ceres created fits so well and feels refreshing to read.
I could go on about the magic system and the pining and the found family but I won't (mostly cause I need to read book 2 asap).
I highly recommend placing The Fae Elementals on your tbr if you are looking for a fun and easy read to get lost in.
Let me first start off by saying that this is my first book by Aleera Ceres and it will not be the last. I absolutely loved this book. Absolutely loved.
A Dance With Fire is the perfect book for you if you are a fan of stories that center around fae and fae magic. This book is also for you if you enjoy tropes such as: mates, found family and slow burn.
The main character Shula isn't your typical badass. I mean, she is but, she doesn't particularly start off that way. But, boy does she pop off. Shula's journey is one of self discovery and it is truly wonderful to read.
Ceres does a wonderful job creating not only an MC with character depth but a whole cast of characters that have their own unique abilities, personalities and dare I say, trauma. Ryker is a prime example of this depth, he had so many layers to get through his rough exterior.
Speaking of Ryker. Shula and Ryker and just *chef kiss*. The sexual tension was fire. The desire and pining from a far is enough to have anyone flipping a couple pages ahead to see how long until they just kiss.
Character depth, wonderful fun tropes and sexual tension aside. This book has a wonderful magic system and fantastic world building. The magic used in this book and the lore behind the magic system was so well thought up and well execute. The world and history that Ceres created fits so well and feels refreshing to read.
I could go on about the magic system and the pining and the found family but I won't (mostly cause I need to read book 2 asap).
I highly recommend placing The Fae Elementals on your tbr if you are looking for a fun and easy read to get lost in.
deaniewink's review against another edition
4.0
I decided to pick this up after finishing Queenie and the Krakens because I needed more of Aleera’s writing. I’m a big fan of SJM, Holly Black and Fae romances in general and this did not disappoint!
Usually I hate slow burns but there was so much happening in this book that it distracted me from the lack of spice. The main relationship wasn’t quite enemies to loves but it definitely gave similar vibes and I’m a total sucker for that trope.
I was so proud of the journey the main FMC, went through during the story. She really came into her own and I can’t wait to see her make the emperor her bitch in the coming books.
Usually I hate slow burns but there was so much happening in this book that it distracted me from the lack of spice. The main relationship wasn’t quite enemies to loves but it definitely gave similar vibes and I’m a total sucker for that trope.
I was so proud of the journey the main FMC, went through during the story. She really came into her own and I can’t wait to see her make the emperor her bitch in the coming books.
jenakelsey's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️
I’m not sure how I felt about this books. Parts of me absolutely loved it while other parts weren’t that impressed. I really didn’t love the FMC & MMC’s relationship. It felt forced and not organic in the slightest. I understand mating bonds but I just was meh.
As for the magic and storyline/plot. I found it very interesting. I think this series could be wonderful if the future couples are done better haha.
I’m not sure how I felt about this books. Parts of me absolutely loved it while other parts weren’t that impressed. I really didn’t love the FMC & MMC’s relationship. It felt forced and not organic in the slightest. I understand mating bonds but I just was meh.
As for the magic and storyline/plot. I found it very interesting. I think this series could be wonderful if the future couples are done better haha.
inkreads's review
5.0
Absolutely stunning! I was hooked from the first chapter. The story flows beautifully, arcs woven with an intriguing grace and characters that you love to hate, hate to love and just love. Brilliant
char_borninwinter's review
5.0
Aleera blew me away with this! I fell in love with Shula and the band of the resistance entirely. The quest for identity and acceptance is incredibly relatable to myself. I loved the tension, hilarity, twists and character growth.
Just a beautiful read. I can’t wait for book 2
Just a beautiful read. I can’t wait for book 2
alexcamille's review against another edition
4.25
wish it had more spice but i could not put this down
chelyely's review
5.0
Disassociating in 3.2.1
Have you ever sacrificed a part of you in order to live a half-life where you aren't able to be your true self?
Have you ever come to fear and even hate those parts that don't fit the norm?
Been hated for things you can't change about yourself?
Been betrayed when those who you felt were your friends found out those things?
Have you ever encountered people who are like you but haven't had to make the same sacrifices so they don't believe your pain, ,because they chose different or never had to make such hard choices at a young vulnerable age?
This book tore me to pieces, and tbh I don'tknow that I was fully put together by the end, because like Shula, I've been transported back a part of my healing journey I need to revist. I know I say that often.
But Aleera does this thing where she intertwines reality and fantasy making situations transcend realms. Making people of all walks of life see themselves reflected in these flawed, scared, and incredibly brave and strong characters that are so relatable. So human.
I am for, once glad this series is not finished. This is not a book one can just read and immediately recover from and move on.
This is also not a book I can freely talk about because the wounds this touched are still sore and tender and still bleed. The validation I feel right now is freeing.
Have you ever sacrificed a part of you in order to live a half-life where you aren't able to be your true self?
Have you ever come to fear and even hate those parts that don't fit the norm?
Been hated for things you can't change about yourself?
Been betrayed when those who you felt were your friends found out those things?
Have you ever encountered people who are like you but haven't had to make the same sacrifices so they don't believe your pain, ,because they chose different or never had to make such hard choices at a young vulnerable age?
This book tore me to pieces, and tbh I don'tknow that I was fully put together by the end, because like Shula, I've been transported back a part of my healing journey I need to revist. I know I say that often.
But Aleera does this thing where she intertwines reality and fantasy making situations transcend realms. Making people of all walks of life see themselves reflected in these flawed, scared, and incredibly brave and strong characters that are so relatable. So human.
I am for, once glad this series is not finished. This is not a book one can just read and immediately recover from and move on.
This is also not a book I can freely talk about because the wounds this touched are still sore and tender and still bleed. The validation I feel right now is freeing.
daniellem1004's review
2.0
The premise and world building are excellent. And I was taken in by the creepy cult doing rituals and sadistically cutting off elf body parts for trophies. The over arching plot of elementals was great, too. BUT I hated the characters.
Shula had promise at the beginning but became a whiny dolt after being saved by the fae. She had zero gratitude, gumption, or any semblance of a plan. The only point I have for her is that I agree hiding was at first a brave act. But what started out as courageous survival, became cowardly ostrich-like tantrums. Likewise, Ryker was just awful, imo. He wasn't just surly or whatever; it felt like his character had no real depth or evolution. And the two of them together? No chemistry. At all.
The intriguing background plot just did not make up for the shortcomings of the main characters and I cannot recommend this book. Which sucks because this author's mermaid and triton series were pretty good
Shula had promise at the beginning but became a whiny dolt after being saved by the fae. She had zero gratitude, gumption, or any semblance of a plan. The only point I have for her is that I agree hiding was at first a brave act. But what started out as courageous survival, became cowardly ostrich-like tantrums. Likewise, Ryker was just awful, imo. He wasn't just surly or whatever; it felt like his character had no real depth or evolution. And the two of them together? No chemistry. At all.
The intriguing background plot just did not make up for the shortcomings of the main characters and I cannot recommend this book. Which sucks because this author's mermaid and triton series were pretty good
nite0wl29's review
5.0
I’m going to just come out and say it right now: A Dance With Fire is only the beginning and it already blows every published fae series out of the water. This book will make you feel every emotion under the moon. I cried (a lot). My heart ached tremendously for these characters as they endure every hardship thrown at them.
This is such an amazing start to what I can already tell is going to be an epic series. I can’t wait for book 2!!!
This is such an amazing start to what I can already tell is going to be an epic series. I can’t wait for book 2!!!