Elemental (Auri #1)

All in all, Elemental is an engrossing story, with a unique plot line. Ella is an unlikely hero, and we get to experience with her while she becomes aware of who she is and what she can do. Destined to kill a god, having wings without knowing it and being able to control elements. These are all things that Ella had no idea about herself as she was imprisoned on a space ship.
It is quite a journey as she comes to grips with these things. And as new people come into her life, some that she can trust and others that she learns the hard way that she can't. All the while a mysterious guy who makes her feel alive, and heals her with his very presence comes onto the scene. But it can't be perfect for her, because one minute he is distant, and the next she finds out that he's hiding things from her. Cailen is very intriguing character and the memories that she has of his eyes, a friend when she was a child is quite a twist. Because how did he get from that boy to the man in front of her. I really hope that we get more of Cailen and Ella in the sequel Fae. I think it was fitting that romance didn't take a forefront in Elemental, but I hope it can in the next book.
The relationship between Ella and Meir is written beautifully. I love the trust and father/daughter type bond that they have. He is a rock to her and it is refreshing to read about that dynamic.
The terminology in the book kinda threw me for a loop, the different names of religions, gods and the societies, but I pretty much got used to it. I think that I am just not used to it, because fantasy/sci-fi isn't my primary focus.
Elemental is paced well, and there is always something new to discover and new twists being thrown in there. I will say it's pretty violent and Ella is hurt a lot. It doesn't take away from the story really, but it is a bit distracting at times... what will be injured next kind of thing. But I guess that adds to her relatability. She doesn't wake up a superwoman, she has to come into herself, and struggle through the pain. I had so many questions that at the moment I wanted answered right then and there, but I think that in the end that only helped me to bond with Ella more, because I am almost as in the dark as she is, and we discover everything together.
Bottom line: I liked Ella's character and once I just let myself go and enjoy the story she had to tell instead of being so caught up in terminology and unanswered questions, I went on quite a fun and action packed literary journey with her.

I have to be honest, I had absolutely no idea as to what to expect from Elemental!

But this greatly intrigued me...
"Just because Ella can burn someone to the ground with her mind doesn't mean she should."

For the last 10 years, Ella has been imprisoned on a ship since she was 7 years old. Why would a child be locked up in total darkness in an empty metal room from all of civilization for so long?

And, after all these years, why has the ship landed? And where is this mysterious voice coming from urging her to take this opportunity to escape... Ella thinks twice before running - what if it's a trick? Where will she go? But the urge to finally put this nightmare behind her, to be free from the darkness, to go find the boy with the green eyes - her only memory - wins. She is blinded by the smallest beam of light, the sun feels like it's scorching her skin, she is weak from being underfed - she has her doubts and fears, but she is determined to get away and rather die than go back.

Within minutes of her escape, she meets Meir. A kind stranger who instantly takes on a fatherly protective role to Ella. At first I was a bit put off on how Ella and Meir connected so quickly, but once you learn Meir's story and realize how badly Ella is craving to connect to someone, anyone, it completely makes sense.

Ella's escape, even with Meir's help, is not easy. Nothing comes easy for Ella at all throughout this whole book. The story flows quickly, which is a wonderful thing. As you can see, the reader is thrown right in with Ella. We are asking questions and finding things out right alongside her. Ella doesn't remember anything from her past. She is unfamiliar with what is going on around her - what is going on in the galaxy, the different politics, religions - it's all so amazing! I have to honestly say that all of this does remind me of Star Wars a bit! And that's all the sci-fi I know, lol!

As the story moves along, the mystery starts to unfold - we find out more about Ella, she's a faerie who is capable of controlling wind and fire. We also learn where she comes from, why no one was able to find her, who her enemies are, and who are on her side.

And most importantly, we meet the mystery boy with the green eyes - the only memory that she has been clinging to for all these years was truly a memory and not a dream - and his name is Cailen.

The ending is amazing! Yes, a lot of questions do get answered, but we're left with a few and with a small cliffhanger too! Which is amazing and was so perfectly well written! I can honestly say that this is one of those rare books were you are satisfied just enough to be able to wait a bit for that next book to be released!

The only reason why I didn't give Elemental 5 bees is because of my weak stomach and running imagination during 2 or 3 scenes! One of them being... if you can handle bugs creepy crawling all over you, peeling and eating off your skin - then this is definitely a solid 5 bee book :)

Fae the sequel to Elemental is to be released by in 2013.