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A review by peterpanda
Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan
4.0
-I won this book through a goodreads first win-
The concept of Arkana is what really dragged me right into this story. A wormhole that transports a person into another world. A world that is deemed to be more peaceful, a place where nature and people can live in harmony. A world that actually seems more advanced and more beautiful then that of Earth. After watching a show called Starcrossed on the CW that was cancelled after one season I was eager to find a book that could have some similar pattern. Now, this story wasn't at all like Starcrossed except for the fact that in some ways Arkana has 'aliens.' if that's what one wants to call them, however, it's not exactly clear if they really are all 'aliens' ..as some are crossbreeds, and some are arkanians, and some are human. As it'd just be crazy if Molly aka the main character was the first to find this place.
So. Yes, this plot was such a wonderful idea. It was very promising. I loved the world. I love the story line. I loved the moment of Molly meeting Weston and then being enveloped into this Arkana world. The way the author writes about this world is just wonderful. I found it entertaining how Victor didn't trust her at first and then he realized she wasn't one of the bad humans.
I, however, if I must admit did find myself rather disappointed in the development of Molly and Victor. At first I liked the set-up and how he didn't trust her at first, how she had to in ways win over his trust. I saw Molly's obsession with him at first as just a school girl crush. I was expecting to see more of an outline of them working together to build-up to a romance. Instead what I found disappointing was that he just said he was watching her, and then, his views on her changed. Their romance just happened too fast for me to find it too believable. Also, a lot of times the way they spoke to each other was hard for me to find believable as well. I actually almost liked the sideline romance of Ann and Weston better.
As much as Victor and Molly's romance may have disappointed me it didn't take away from the actual story for me. As I mentioned I loved Arkana. I loved learning about the lighteaters, and how Arkana came about. I loved seeing all this newer technology in the story. I loved watching Victor compete in the games against Weston and winning, except the 'for you molly.' was quite cheesy. I thought it'd be a nice tough if it was for her when I was reading it, but something that would have been mentioned later on and him telling her that she'd been his motivation.
I also adored Molly's family. Her dad was so endearing and I loved her interactions with her brother Nick. Her family aspect seemed so real and I loved that they were included in the book. I also loved seeing her friends inside the story. Of course, I wouldn't consider them 'real' friends, but they were nice to see and all. Even with her one friend not being nice to her all the time it was always good to see Molly embrace her with a warm heart. I've always said sometimes the not so nice people are dealing with a lot more then one can even imagine and her one friend was a prime example of this.
What I didn't like as I mentioned was a bit of Molly and Victor's romance and how it was made out. I still liked them, a part of me couldn't help but to like them. I also struggled with the ex-boyfriend, but I know he was made not to like. Lastly, was the whole superpowers thing coming into play so randomly at the ending. Victor being able to erase memories just made me cringe. It just seemed so sudden, out of place, and then, almost just a convenient to ditch the ex-boyfriend. That and Molly having him take care of her friend at the ending also irritated me as I really felt she was risking WAY TOO much and should have called the ambulance instead. Also, I wonder how her friend thinks she lost the baby? Or, what Chris thinks as the baby won't be mentioned again? I don't know. I think I'll get used to the memory erasing later on though. At some parts it felt as if the book was a longer read, but not much happened, with as many pages as there were.
As much as some parts made me cringe I still enjoyed the book for the most part. I still very much plan on reading the rest of the series as I'd like to see where these characters head next. A reason I may have struggled with this story is... well, I wasn't a huge Twilight fan. And, I saw similarities, but I know the author has mentioned Twilight before as inspirations. I usually don't give Twilight similar books a try, but the plot line just made me want to grab a hold of these and I'm still glad I did. I really could see these books becoming a movie someday, as well. I'd def. pay to see them. I'd love to see the Arkana world come to life.
I would recommend these books to others without a doubt. I'd recommend them to people that love fantasy novels with some romance thrown in there. Anybody that liked Twilight would devour these books as well.
4/5 for my love of Arkana.
The concept of Arkana is what really dragged me right into this story. A wormhole that transports a person into another world. A world that is deemed to be more peaceful, a place where nature and people can live in harmony. A world that actually seems more advanced and more beautiful then that of Earth. After watching a show called Starcrossed on the CW that was cancelled after one season I was eager to find a book that could have some similar pattern. Now, this story wasn't at all like Starcrossed except for the fact that in some ways Arkana has 'aliens.' if that's what one wants to call them, however, it's not exactly clear if they really are all 'aliens' ..as some are crossbreeds, and some are arkanians, and some are human. As it'd just be crazy if Molly aka the main character was the first to find this place.
So. Yes, this plot was such a wonderful idea. It was very promising. I loved the world. I love the story line. I loved the moment of Molly meeting Weston and then being enveloped into this Arkana world. The way the author writes about this world is just wonderful. I found it entertaining how Victor didn't trust her at first and then he realized she wasn't one of the bad humans.
I, however, if I must admit did find myself rather disappointed in the development of Molly and Victor. At first I liked the set-up and how he didn't trust her at first, how she had to in ways win over his trust. I saw Molly's obsession with him at first as just a school girl crush. I was expecting to see more of an outline of them working together to build-up to a romance. Instead what I found disappointing was that he just said he was watching her, and then, his views on her changed. Their romance just happened too fast for me to find it too believable. Also, a lot of times the way they spoke to each other was hard for me to find believable as well. I actually almost liked the sideline romance of Ann and Weston better.
As much as Victor and Molly's romance may have disappointed me it didn't take away from the actual story for me. As I mentioned I loved Arkana. I loved learning about the lighteaters, and how Arkana came about. I loved seeing all this newer technology in the story. I loved watching Victor compete in the games against Weston and winning, except the 'for you molly.' was quite cheesy. I thought it'd be a nice tough if it was for her when I was reading it, but something that would have been mentioned later on and him telling her that she'd been his motivation.
I also adored Molly's family. Her dad was so endearing and I loved her interactions with her brother Nick. Her family aspect seemed so real and I loved that they were included in the book. I also loved seeing her friends inside the story. Of course, I wouldn't consider them 'real' friends, but they were nice to see and all. Even with her one friend not being nice to her all the time it was always good to see Molly embrace her with a warm heart. I've always said sometimes the not so nice people are dealing with a lot more then one can even imagine and her one friend was a prime example of this.
What I didn't like as I mentioned was a bit of Molly and Victor's romance and how it was made out. I still liked them, a part of me couldn't help but to like them. I also struggled with the ex-boyfriend, but I know he was made not to like. Lastly, was the whole superpowers thing coming into play so randomly at the ending. Victor being able to erase memories just made me cringe. It just seemed so sudden, out of place, and then, almost just a convenient to ditch the ex-boyfriend. That and Molly having him take care of her friend at the ending also irritated me as I really felt she was risking WAY TOO much and should have called the ambulance instead. Also, I wonder how her friend thinks she lost the baby? Or, what Chris thinks as the baby won't be mentioned again? I don't know. I think I'll get used to the memory erasing later on though. At some parts it felt as if the book was a longer read, but not much happened, with as many pages as there were.
As much as some parts made me cringe I still enjoyed the book for the most part. I still very much plan on reading the rest of the series as I'd like to see where these characters head next. A reason I may have struggled with this story is... well, I wasn't a huge Twilight fan. And, I saw similarities, but I know the author has mentioned Twilight before as inspirations. I usually don't give Twilight similar books a try, but the plot line just made me want to grab a hold of these and I'm still glad I did. I really could see these books becoming a movie someday, as well. I'd def. pay to see them. I'd love to see the Arkana world come to life.
I would recommend these books to others without a doubt. I'd recommend them to people that love fantasy novels with some romance thrown in there. Anybody that liked Twilight would devour these books as well.
4/5 for my love of Arkana.