A review by littlefoot10
The Elemental Trial by J. a. Armitage, Claire Luana

5.0

Another book I read it feels like forever ago and when I wrote down my thoughts, I never put them on GoodReads.

This book was so action packed and I actually cried, sobbing tears when someone dies in this book and the reaction that is received from this death (didn't want to spoil it for anyone that is looking to pick up this second installment).

I really enjoyed the opening of this novel. Sometimes I find in a second novel... the author doesn't know where to start, like to start recapping the previous book or diving into something just crazy. I thought the magic bunny was adorable and the potted dirt flying everywhere was also hilarious.

The reminder of Cass is always there in the pages of this novel too. I like that as a reader so much is going on in these pages but we know that Jacq is so focused on Cass and finding her.

My first note on this chapter really was how much I liked Jacq's friendship with Ben because it just seemed so natural and human.

In this chapter when Jacq is avoiding her parents because she is worried about how they will react and how to tell them about Cass was such a painful moment. When she does speak with them and it makes her feel better it was almost a sigh of relief for me as it was just a nice and normal moment that she doesn't really have the time to experience now that she is in the world of Fae.

There are so many secrets that still need to be revealed in this world, so I had no idea who it might be trying to harm Jacq. At this point I'm thinking it's everyone out to get her and Orin.

Jacq's using her self defense skills is very empowering to read, because she is so strong physically and mentally. The Brotherhood is everywhere; and what do they want. What is their end game. It is such a huge secret that it is killing me (not really, but I need to know what is going to happen next).

My favourite moment from Chapter 5 was when Jacq is buzzyfrom the cider and she and Orin are on their way to the Library -- and she sees the sheep and gets really excited. I am totally the same way. Seeing sheep, cows, horses...really any animal it just makes the travelling journey so much better for me.

Realizing how corrupt the Brotherhood is and wanting to destroy the Hedge so each world is together and combined is really scary. All of the things over the Hedge are not people friendly, it would be a bloodbath.

And with all great novels, this book literally me laughing out loud. So many cute moments and somehow Claire is still able to bring out lighthearted moments in the best way possible during this book.

When Orin says "...I'm your idiot". That had me grinning like a fool. And really just cemented to me, that he is a complex character and I am so down for him and Jacq. They compliment each other really well, and go through so much in this novel and the previous one.

Orin almost admitted to Jacq that he has fallen for her. This is the moment I have been waiting for, and that fact that it takes them almost the entire book to finally admit it.. I was along for this ride this entire novel; hoping they would finally realize that it is them for each other. This feeling I have when reading a novel like this, I grin like a weirdo while I read, I blush, and I laugh. I love novels that can make me really feel for them and look back on moments in my life that may have had me feeling that same thing.

The last leg of the task is going to be underwater and that just terrifies me to no end. I have always had such a weird fascination with the underwater world. I love Sharks, Dolphins...just the peacefulness, the way that the water has a life of it's own and will do whatever it wants. But it's also very scary at the same time before of all of that.

I cannot wait to see what is going to happen next. I can't wait to officially meet Cass and see what is going on, and how her character is different and relate-able to Jacq.