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laughlinesandliterature's review
2.0
So I have to start this review out by saying that I’ve truly enjoyed Saundra Mitchell’s writing. I’ve read all the books in her The Vespertine series, and was immediately sucked into the world that she created with Amelia and Zora. However, that being said this book was somewhat of a disappointment. There were many things that I enjoyed and loved about The Elementals, but there were also certain aspects that I felt detracted from the story. Let me start by telling you what I did enjoy.
The writing was phenomenal as always. The descriptions were rich and luscious, and both Kate and Julian were characters I could connect with. Kate was mischievous and ambitious, and I loved that she never let the rules of her time confine her. Kate wasn’t afraid to be herself, and I did really enjoy that she was willing to step out on her own. She didn’t really understand what the meant, but she was absolutely fearless in doing it.
Julian was a different story. He was quiet, sensitive, and just a very good person. It hurt to read about him getting looked down upon just because he had a bad leg. A leg that was only bad because of polio! It definitely made me thankful that this is one disease that we don’t have to worry about anymore. I hated the situation that led to Julian leaving the farm. It seemed so unfair to consider him useless, especially because he was a hard worker. I can understand why people who didn’t know him felt that way, but it bothered me that his family and Elise looked at him that way. Still these are all reasons why I liked the book. It made me think and feel for the characters.
However what didn’t work for me was that all of those bits took up most of the book, and really were supposed to be setting up a plot that was resolved in 25 pages. It was difficult to understand how Kate could go from this massive crush on Mollie to suddenly be willing to give up everything for Julian. As a reader I found it hard to believe that after 24 hours they were willing to give up everything for each other. I actually didn’t think the ending was bad, it wasn’t a perfect happily ever after, but that wasn’t the issue for me. It just felt incredibly rushed, and because most of book was set up. It literally went from setting everything up, to Kate and Julian meeting, to the end. It just felt like there was more to the story, and Kate and Julian had a connection that was unrealistic based on the amount of time they knew each other.
There were so many positives in this book. Saundra Mitchell did a great job of writing and creating characters that I cared about. However, I did feel let down because I was waiting for this amazing second half that never happened until the last few chapters. Because of that I feel like this book would get a 2.5 out of 5 stars from me. I feel a little guilty about the rating because everything else was so great, but it was really noticeable when it didn’t work. I still wouldn’t hesitate to read a book by this author, because all of their other works were amazing.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2014/01/the-elementals-by-saundra-mitchell.html*
The writing was phenomenal as always. The descriptions were rich and luscious, and both Kate and Julian were characters I could connect with. Kate was mischievous and ambitious, and I loved that she never let the rules of her time confine her. Kate wasn’t afraid to be herself, and I did really enjoy that she was willing to step out on her own. She didn’t really understand what the meant, but she was absolutely fearless in doing it.
Julian was a different story. He was quiet, sensitive, and just a very good person. It hurt to read about him getting looked down upon just because he had a bad leg. A leg that was only bad because of polio! It definitely made me thankful that this is one disease that we don’t have to worry about anymore. I hated the situation that led to Julian leaving the farm. It seemed so unfair to consider him useless, especially because he was a hard worker. I can understand why people who didn’t know him felt that way, but it bothered me that his family and Elise looked at him that way. Still these are all reasons why I liked the book. It made me think and feel for the characters.
However what didn’t work for me was that all of those bits took up most of the book, and really were supposed to be setting up a plot that was resolved in 25 pages. It was difficult to understand how Kate could go from this massive crush on Mollie to suddenly be willing to give up everything for Julian. As a reader I found it hard to believe that after 24 hours they were willing to give up everything for each other. I actually didn’t think the ending was bad, it wasn’t a perfect happily ever after, but that wasn’t the issue for me. It just felt incredibly rushed, and because most of book was set up. It literally went from setting everything up, to Kate and Julian meeting, to the end. It just felt like there was more to the story, and Kate and Julian had a connection that was unrealistic based on the amount of time they knew each other.
There were so many positives in this book. Saundra Mitchell did a great job of writing and creating characters that I cared about. However, I did feel let down because I was waiting for this amazing second half that never happened until the last few chapters. Because of that I feel like this book would get a 2.5 out of 5 stars from me. I feel a little guilty about the rating because everything else was so great, but it was really noticeable when it didn’t work. I still wouldn’t hesitate to read a book by this author, because all of their other works were amazing.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2014/01/the-elementals-by-saundra-mitchell.html*
joyousreads132's review
3.0
Sadly, that was a disappointing end to a favourite series. Le sigh.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
jane_austyn's review
2.0
The writing was nice, as always. But...the book just didn't do it for me. I liked some of the characters enough (though I mostly felt indifferent at best), but the pacing was all wrong. I found myself skimming through the first 3/4s of the book. I wish Saundra had made that last bit into the last half. And honestly, I would have much preferred a book soley about the parents to this.
I will say I applaud Mitchell for basically writing a bisexual character and not making it her defining point. It was refreshing and very well done. I hope that this becomes the norm for young adult literature, inclusion of bisexual, pansexual, trans*, or asexual characters without dwelling on how *bizarre* they are. The character just is who she is, and it isn't really a big deal.
I didn't hate the book by any means. It just didn't come anywhere close to the expectations I had for it. It left me feeling sad and a little empty, which is not what I expected from a book which followed the Vespertine and the Springsweet, both of which had satisfying endings. Normally, when I read a good book, I'm left almost feeling like I've eaten a good meal. That was not the case with this one.
I will say I applaud Mitchell for basically writing a bisexual character and not making it her defining point. It was refreshing and very well done. I hope that this becomes the norm for young adult literature, inclusion of bisexual, pansexual, trans*, or asexual characters without dwelling on how *bizarre* they are. The character just is who she is, and it isn't really a big deal.
I didn't hate the book by any means. It just didn't come anywhere close to the expectations I had for it. It left me feeling sad and a little empty, which is not what I expected from a book which followed the Vespertine and the Springsweet, both of which had satisfying endings. Normally, when I read a good book, I'm left almost feeling like I've eaten a good meal. That was not the case with this one.
pacey1927's review
3.0
I loved "The Vespertine" and "The Springsweet". They were everything I ever wanted in a novel. I loved the setting and the characters. I enjoyed that although there were supernatural elements to each of the first two novels, they were about so much more. Saundra Mitchell's writing is lovely and engaging. I was swept into her world in each book.
I was thrilled about the final book being released and have anticipated it for ages. I was eager to read about the children of the heroines of the first two novels. But unfortunately "The Elementals" didn't really live up to its potential. The idea behind the book was excellent. I enjoyed both main characters, Julian and Kate. Julian works on his parent's farm and has a bad leg. He can bring back dead animals. Kate is a free spirit who yearns to be a movie director. She finds a muse in an actress named Mollie. The two become friends and run off together to chase their dreams. Kate has more than 'friendly' feelings for Mollie. I want to be clear that I adored Julian and Mollie and I have no complaints with their portrayal in the book other than the fact that there was so much lost potential. The two meet very late in the story and the ending felt rushed.
The ending was very disappointing as well. Maybe if there had been more time for us to see the two grow in their friendship with each other, the ending would have worked for me better. It is quite a shocking ending so maybe not. Either was it seemed to come out of nowhere and was very unsatisfying. The writing was still beautiful, the characterization strong. "The Elementals" is missing some important element of its own.
I was thrilled about the final book being released and have anticipated it for ages. I was eager to read about the children of the heroines of the first two novels. But unfortunately "The Elementals" didn't really live up to its potential. The idea behind the book was excellent. I enjoyed both main characters, Julian and Kate. Julian works on his parent's farm and has a bad leg. He can bring back dead animals. Kate is a free spirit who yearns to be a movie director. She finds a muse in an actress named Mollie. The two become friends and run off together to chase their dreams. Kate has more than 'friendly' feelings for Mollie. I want to be clear that I adored Julian and Mollie and I have no complaints with their portrayal in the book other than the fact that there was so much lost potential. The two meet very late in the story and the ending felt rushed.
The ending was very disappointing as well. Maybe if there had been more time for us to see the two grow in their friendship with each other, the ending would have worked for me better. It is quite a shocking ending so maybe not. Either was it seemed to come out of nowhere and was very unsatisfying. The writing was still beautiful, the characterization strong. "The Elementals" is missing some important element of its own.
dansrusse's review
2.0
I really loved all the books in this series. I even loved this one, up until the last few chapters. And then...it ended. It just...ended. The end of the book was so ludicrous, and left so much unexplained...I really did not like the end. I loved the rest of the book, though! I tore through it in a day. But the end. Was. Not. Good.
julesgou's review
4.0
I was totally not ready for that ending. I didn't see that coming.
Here we get to see the effect that the elements have on Zora's and Amelia's children. You see what happens when two people with element powers have children.
I liked Kate and Julian's story. I thought that it was very different from that of their parents. We get to see how they go out and try to make a life for themselves outside of their parents's homes. They try their hand at jobs and even at love.
I hate to say it, but I don't like this ending for the series. It was a good one, and definitely a unique one. However, I can't stop thinking about Amelia and Zora. How they are going to feel about what has happened here. I hate that part. I'm not totally clear about what happened at the end, but I have a good picture.
Overall, it was a good series with a totally what the heck just happened ending. I'll definitely be checking out more of Mitchell's work.
Here we get to see the effect that the elements have on Zora's and Amelia's children. You see what happens when two people with element powers have children.
I liked Kate and Julian's story. I thought that it was very different from that of their parents. We get to see how they go out and try to make a life for themselves outside of their parents's homes. They try their hand at jobs and even at love.
I hate to say it, but I don't like this ending for the series. It was a good one, and definitely a unique one. However, I can't stop thinking about Amelia and Zora. How they are going to feel about what has happened here. I hate that part. I'm not totally clear about what happened at the end, but I have a good picture.
Overall, it was a good series with a totally what the heck just happened ending. I'll definitely be checking out more of Mitchell's work.
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