Elemental Reality (Elemental, #1)

Sep 27, 2011 Erica (daydreamer) marked it as might-read

Shelves: cover-love, love-the-title, intriguing-covers, watch-me-fly, release-in-2011

I'm really intrigued with this cover. Love the rainbow tint, and the light and darkness together, kind of mysterious looking. Title's pretty cool too :)

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Sep 02, 2011 Rebecca added it

With an incredibly pretty cover and a 22 year old protagonist I was sold on reading Elemental Reality. One thing I have been complaining about lately is a lack of protagonists in their early 20's. Luckily, Callie came along and I was hooked.

When I started reading Elemental Reality I didn't realize that it was about faeries so I was really excited to find that out while reading as I absolutely adore books about faeries. In saying that though, these faeries are quite different and unique which is...more With an incredibly pretty cover and a 22 year old protagonist I was sold on reading Elemental Reality. One thing I have been complaining about lately is a lack of protagonists in their early 20's. Luckily, Callie came along and I was hooked.

When I started reading Elemental Reality I didn't realize that it was about faeries so I was really excited to find that out while reading as I absolutely adore books about faeries. In saying that though, these faeries are quite different and unique which is always exciting. As I was reading through Elemental Reality I thought it to be slightly reminiscent of Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley in some aspects which made it really outstanding.

The characters were all really interesting. I loved Callie and thought she was a riot. Oli, is definitely an awesome guy and he speaks with a lot of Aussie slang which is really awesome. I also liked that there was balance between Oli using Aussie slang and speaking in a way more understandable. It was good because when reading a book I like to be able to understand what the characters are saying without spending too long trying to translate it. Callie's best friends Ady and Emery were amazing too. They were so great and I wish I had best friends like that because they just absolutely loved Callie and would do anything for her.

I really enjoyed the storyline of Elemental Reality. At first I wasn't really sure where the book was headed but once the ball started rolling it kept going and I had to keep reading on. I finished it in no time because I had to know what was going to happen next. Then the ending happened. Wow, the ending is quite the cliffhanger and now I really need to know what's going on and what will happen next.

Overall, I really enjoyed Elemental Reality. It was fast-paced and had enough of a mysterious element to keep me reading through the day. If you're looking for something unique and fantastical then I strongly encourage you to read Elemental Reality. That is, if the cover hasn't already sucked you in!
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Oct 30, 2012 Jessica Williamson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

This story was an amazing read. I've been waiting for it for a while, so I was super excited to finally be able to sit down and enjoy it. Cesya's characters are completely loveable from the moment that you meet them, and they're very well written as far as personalities go.

I'm loving the story line, the way the plot is developing and am definitely excited to read more.

I guess I'll be one of those people sitting on the edge of my seat until the next book is published.

I will most likely read it...more

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Aug 28, 2011 Annmarie Ager rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-reviewed

Callie is at one with the elements sometimes this scares her but most the time she feels safe and whole while the elements are around.
Callie life has been Empty after her mother disappeared when she was younger now years later on her birthday thing take a strange twist.
Now Callie and her sister have to face some shocking truth and Danger is waiting around every corner for the girls.

I have to say from the very first few pages the book had me. Callie and her sister were funny and worked really...more

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Oct 12, 2011 Isis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: free-books, 2011-reads, review-editions, first-reads

I'm reposting this since it seems like my original review disappeared from Goodreads.

I came into 'Elemental Reality' with no idea what to think of it. However, once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! What a phenomenal book! From the first page to the last, I wanted to know more about Callie and everything she's going through. I loved seeing her reactions to gaining her powers as well as falling in love with Oli (her soul mate/next door neighbor). They're such an adorable couple and th...more I'm reposting this since it seems like my original review disappeared from Goodreads.

I came into 'Elemental Reality' with no idea what to think of it. However, once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! What a phenomenal book! From the first page to the last, I wanted to know more about Callie and everything she's going through. I loved seeing her reactions to gaining her powers as well as falling in love with Oli (her soul mate/next door neighbor). They're such an adorable couple and their UST had me turning on the fans in my room to cool off!

A lot happens in Elemental Reality, especially since it's the introductory book to a series. After we meet Callie and her friends and family, the plot is slowly revealed. It's Callie's birthday and she's somewhat depressed, since on her birthday many years previously, her mother left the family for no apparent reason. We soon learn that all is not as it seems, and Callie's mother left to protect her two daughters. We also learn that Callie is more than human and has special powers. Quickly after learning about her powers and the truth of her mother's disappearance, Callie goes out to try and save her mother with the help of her family and several new friends, and discovers that she has some powerful new enemies...

Overall, I really enjoyed 'Elemental Reality' and could not put it down! However, I don't like where the book left off and really wish the cliff-hanger hadn't been such a harsh tone to end on. It was jarring and discomfiting to have a somewhat nice ending suddenly turn into something very dark. I feel like that was done in the style of a television show and didn't work in the medium of text.

I really enjoyed seeing Callie come into her powers, as well as her awkward first attempts to use them. It's made ever better by her two best friends who are there for her throughout the entire book. I also really loved seeing how Callie met Oli (short for Oliver) and seeing their relationship begin and strengthen. Not many writers pull off the building relationship as well as Cesya did!

As I stated above, the only thing that threw me as a reader was the jarring end to the story. It felt awkward and uncomfortable.

However, this was such an excellent read and I was so involved with this story, I easily and confidently have to give 'Elemental Reality' 5 stars. It's a fantastic story!(less)

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Aug 21, 2011 Erika rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, fantasy, fiction, young-adult

Character Interview with Callie: http://oneadayya.blogspot.com/2011/08...

Review:

3.5/5

Elemental Reality was a wonderful, fun read. For a book about fae, it had a unique perspective that I really quite appreciated. Instead of dealing with evil faeries or summer court vs winter court, etc., the author here has decided to pit the fae against demons.

Another thing that made this book unique was the bond that Callie shared with her sister. They felt so much like friends, sometimes even more so than Cal...more Character Interview with Callie: http://oneadayya.blogspot.com/2011/08...

Review:

3.5/5

Elemental Reality was a wonderful, fun read. For a book about fae, it had a unique perspective that I really quite appreciated. Instead of dealing with evil faeries or summer court vs winter court, etc., the author here has decided to pit the fae against demons.

Another thing that made this book unique was the bond that Callie shared with her sister. They felt so much like friends, sometimes even more so than Callie and her two BFF's Ady and Emery. It was so refreshing to not have sibling rivalry. Okay, there's a little bit of that but it's more of a teasing relationship than a jealous hatred kind of rivalry. On the same note, Callie and Lola, although different ages also get to share the discovery that they are faeries as well as the training. Some of my favourite scenes from the book are when they are learning together, and working together to show the older adults what they are capable of. Also, I just have to say, Lola may be my favourite character. She is so loveable!

Then there is Oli, who Callie immediately falls in love with because,of their dazelling faerie bond! I will let you discover what that means for yourself. Oli is totally stunning and cute and has all these funny little Aussie terms he uses throughout the book. And Callie and Oli are totally right for each other.

The elemental powers that the faeries have are great too. I loved the way Cesya described them in detail and how they work. It was fascinating to see all the powers in action and made all the battles that happen between the demons and Callie's family all the more interesting.

My only dissappointment is that this book kept going in different directions and none in the directions I was expecting. Usually, that's a good thing because I like a surprise. However, I was already pretty won over by how unique all the faerie elements felt that I kind of just wanted the plot to stay the course instead of having more twists.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great blend of action, romance, sisterly love, and fantasy. It won me over on faeries, which I have been avoiding due to some terrible picks in the past. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next installments.

**As reviewed on One A Day Y.A.(less)

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Aug 29, 2011 Ambur rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've read stories with Feries in them before, and of course, like most children, I've watched Peter Pan. Meaning I've met Tinkerbell...well, the Faeries in Elemental Reality are nothing like Tinkerbell. They aren't tiny, and they don't have pixie dust. :P

That being said, Elemental Reality was incredibly unique. Cesya has created a world where Faeries are subdivided by gender. The males are Conjurers, and the females are the ones you'd call Faeries. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't tell...more I've read stories with Feries in them before, and of course, like most children, I've watched Peter Pan. Meaning I've met Tinkerbell...well, the Faeries in Elemental Reality are nothing like Tinkerbell. They aren't tiny, and they don't have pixie dust. :P

That being said, Elemental Reality was incredibly unique. Cesya has created a world where Faeries are subdivided by gender. The males are Conjurers, and the females are the ones you'd call Faeries. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't tell you what the differences are, but I will tell you that they both have awesome powers where they can control either one element, or multiple elements. In this story, there are five elements, and I loved how they were described with the powers, it was awesome! :D Along with their powers, Faeries/Conjurers also have soul mates, each Faerie has a soul mate in a Conjurer and vice versa. I thought that was pretty cool. :D

Now, onto the characters. I loved Callie. Her full name was Callista, which is a bit of a mouthful, and to be honest, I think Callie suits her much better...or perhaps Kitten suits her best. You'll just have to read it to figure out about the whole "Kitten" thing though. I am sooo not spoiling that for you. I also loved Oli...oh boy am I ever a sucker for accents, and Australian ones are definitely one that I have a particular weakness for, and I loved the slang that he used, so freaking adorable! :D I also loved Callie's best friends, Ady and Emery, their relationship was so awesome, and I loved their inside jokes. I was also impressed that Cesya managed to make me feel like I was on the inside of their "inside" jokes, especially since Elemental Reality isn't that long, but in only 260 pages she managed to make me feel as if I knew them, and that I was one of their best friends too. :)

The settings were fantastic! I loved how they were described. From the bar scenes, to the scenes in the Faerie city, to the scenes in Callie's own house. They were fabulous, and once again, I felt like I was there within the story. Elemental Reality was an easy read, with a very smooth flow, and it's one of those books that you can definitely devour within a sitting or two. Cesya did a fabulous job with this story, and I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the next book! :D(less)

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Sep 11, 2011 Stacey (Sassy Book Lovers) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourites

Holy Moly! What can I say except...I LOVED this book! The cover was the first thing that caught my eye, can you blame me?! *winks* It's simply gorgeous and what lies inside is even more enchanting..

From the very first page I was intrigued, and the more I read the more I became captivated by Cesya's story. Her writing style is fun and awe-inspiring, she brings her characters to life in your mind with each word. Your taken on a thrilling journey, with danger around every corner, many twists and tu...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Star (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Was this a good book, you ask? Yes, it was - the writing style Ms. Cuono has is very enjoyable and things keep going on a fast pace. The characters were each unique and intriguing and the world built for this story was rich and vibrant.

Then why 3.5 Ravens? Well, it's like this - while Callie had been feeling this strong connection with the elements for the past few months, it wasn't until her birthday night out that she met "them" - the man who clouded her thoughts and made her weak and the man...more

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Jan 06, 2012 Misty Baker rated it 3 of 5 stars

It doesn’t take a lot to get me excited. Let’s face it…I’m a pretty simple person. It takes even less to get me excited about a book, so when I run across a book that triggers the “eh” button in my head, obviously it is missing something.

I’m not saying “Elemental Reality” by Cesya Cuono was bad. It wasn’t, if I’m being honest I did enjoy the book. BUT…sometimes a good story could be GREAT with just a little more focus.

“When Callie Pierce was ten, her mother disappeared without a trace. On the e...more

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Sep 14, 2011 Krista (CubicleBlindness Reviews) rated it 3 of 5 stars

To be honest this is one of my favorite covers of the year, but the story fell a little short of my expectations.I had read a handful of reviews of the book loving it and the action it contained. I wanted so badly to love this book, I was lucky enough to get to interview the author on the blog tour and she is really nice and had great answers.So when I got the copy for review I jumped in with high hopes.
I am a bit of a picky person when it comes to romance in books. But when the main character e...more To be honest this is one of my favorite covers of the year, but the story fell a little short of my expectations.I had read a handful of reviews of the book loving it and the action it contained. I wanted so badly to love this book, I was lucky enough to get to interview the author on the blog tour and she is really nice and had great answers.So when I got the copy for review I jumped in with high hopes.
I am a bit of a picky person when it comes to romance in books. But when the main character exhibits love at first site and finding her soulmate within the matter of days and chapters I get a bit cynical. It was way too fast and cheesy for me. What I mean by cheesy here is that the boys are referred to as "man meat" more than once and the love interest calls Callie "kitten" whenever talking to her and sometimes she is referred to as kitten as many as 3 times on the same page and repeatedly for the rest of the book. Along with the pet names it seemed as though the main character and her sister never really took their situation seriously, more of a "hey this is cool we get to fly and have powers" lets have fun! Throughout most of the book they are tossing each other joke after joke. I appreciated it in some scenes and it did help lighten the heavy scenes but I think the humorous banter was overused and just a couple comments here and there would have had the effect it needed.

What I did love about this story is that we see a pair of sisters learning together about their past and who they are. In most novels today it's just one person having to grow and discover on their own. I wanted to see a couple more introduction chapters of their everyday lives and who they were before they find out the secret. Maybe a little more mystery to who Oliver is and what, besides being a soul mate and man meat he represents to her. I do believe in love at first site, and having a soulmate, but I also think that it's on a deeper level than Callie and Oliver represent.

It is a very fast read and there is a lot of action. I liked the story and the plot is interesting and different than anything I have read recently. The author was able to find a different twist to what is an overwhelming amount of fairy stories out there today. Even though the characters are in danger and on a quest to save their mother's life, it's told in a very light hearted And comedic tone that is carried through the whole book.

The interesting involvement of both good and evil and who and how the battle has to be fought was a very great twist. I enjoyed the training sessions and the powers that they were able to develop. (less)

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Sep 09, 2011 Tonia Houston rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is red velvet cake drizzled in dark chocolate syrup. Yum. Not everyone likes a sweet story, but the heroine, Callie Pierce, dishes it out with a side of snark, glam/punk rock, and a little sexiness. This is the first of a series, and I am drooling for the second book. I give mad props to the story’s creator, Cesya Cuono. Girl, well done and you earned yourself a die hard fan.

Callie Pierce wakes on her twenty- second birthday, feeling that she has slept her life away. She misses her mo...more

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Sep 07, 2011 Sack Boy rated it 4 of 5 stars

What Worked:

The world building is unique and interesting. The visuals are stunning, and the characters are diverse in personality and lifestyle. There's also a lot of cool definitions for old concepts (I don't want to go further because that would be spoiling the book). A lot of action and swoony boys, makes this a pretty fun and interesting read. And what a cliffhanger! Wow! I'll be picking up book two, that's for sure.

What Didn't Work:

There are a lot of cultural references I didn't quite under...more

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Aug 23, 2011 Olivia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Elemental Reality by Cesya MaRae Cunyo, 260 pgs, Elemental Book #1, Revolution Publishing, Inc.

"When Callie Pierce was ten, her mother disappeared without a trace. On the eve of her disappearance twelve years later, the Earth seemingly comes alive. The elements speak to Callie, and that’s only the beginning. Everything she has ever known was a twisted fabrication to protect her. Now the truth is set free. Callie and her sister are more powerful than any Faerie ever born. Now they have to use th...more Elemental Reality by Cesya MaRae Cunyo, 260 pgs, Elemental Book #1, Revolution Publishing, Inc.

"When Callie Pierce was ten, her mother disappeared without a trace. On the eve of her disappearance twelve years later, the Earth seemingly comes alive. The elements speak to Callie, and that’s only the beginning. Everything she has ever known was a twisted fabrication to protect her. Now the truth is set free. Callie and her sister are more powerful than any Faerie ever born. Now they have to use their powers to save their mother and family from the evil hands of fate that threaten to tear them apart. Welcome to her elemental reality." (story summary)

Early adulthood crests the rise of a multitude of change. Who we have aged to be at the end of childhood now confronts our life in the world beyond sheltered confines. Callie Pierce rises to the awakening of her faery powers on her twenty-second year of life, and it is with these gifts, her sister Lola, and all she knows unraveling that she starts out on a journey to save her mother’s life. So how do you tell a story that has been told multiple times across not just YA fiction, but fiction as a whole? Read on.

Otherworldly concepts are popular across the board in fiction, but what seperates Elemental Reality is the brightness of the storytelling. No over-hanging gothic cliches for Cuono! Of the two sisters, it is Callie’s voice telling the majority of the tale with the use of first person point of view. She is a heroine that is filled with humor, snark, and who’s inner battles you want to become invested in. Additional characters provide tid bits of insight, comic relief, and revelation that drive the story, and not detract. In Elemental Reality, discoveries of power were fun! The darkness presented in the twists and intrigues then became welcome additions due to the fact it wasn’t the overhanging aspect of the reading. The bonds between characters was wonderful to experience, and every emotion authentic to Callie’s experience alongside them. While listed as a YA read, it moves toward the flavor of the older audience ages 17 and upward based on the amount of life experience, and the title character being beyond the teen years herself. This, too, was refreshing. This is my second Revolution read where I find a trend I hope is up kept. It is good to have young adult heroines be actual young adults! There is a wealth of experience with having them 18+ to introduce that allows this brand of fiction to form a bridge over the reader’s earlier years, carrying them with characters to the threshold of true adulthood. There is a lack of wit, substance, and experience in heroines between 18-21 that Cuono and Revolution Publishing, Inc is filling a need for with quality writing.

On the subject of powers, the Fae myth Not only is Callie one with the elements, they bend to her will. This makes her, as well as her sister, the most powerful fairies ever born within the story universe. Pair this with traditional takes on what the reader has come to know of classic fairies from our childhood? Successful.

The one stipulation had with the story telling was feeling that the pace meant one had to go back and re-read pages so that nothing was missed. Still, once settled in, the fact that the story was so good meant that it was still a wondering of what was to come when the end was reached. Be prepared for a cliff hanger!

A rousing debut from Cuono, the Elemental series will have a fan quite happily waiting for book #2 for further immersion. Until then, book #1 will be re-read to fully ingest the mythology, and for the sake of looking at one of the most gorgeous covers in YA fiction.

Grade: A(less)

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Oct 27, 2011 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars!
I received a signed copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but the blurb sounded good and the cover is beautiful! So pretty, one of my favourites in a long time.
Callie is 22 and has a good life, she lives at home with her dad and sometimes her sister, she has two amazing best friends and a job she is good at. But something is missing, ever since her mother disappeared without trace or reason 12 years prior Callie hasn't felt the sa...more 4.5 stars!
I received a signed copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but the blurb sounded good and the cover is beautiful! So pretty, one of my favourites in a long time.
Callie is 22 and has a good life, she lives at home with her dad and sometimes her sister, she has two amazing best friends and a job she is good at. But something is missing, ever since her mother disappeared without trace or reason 12 years prior Callie hasn't felt the same and wonders what happened. As she turns 22 she starts to experience strange dreams and she feels things more closely, a lit candle on teh other side of the room heats her skin, she can smell rain before it arrives etc. When the truth about her and her sister comes out, her world is turned upside down and she must learn to control her powers to help get her mum back.
I liked Callie as a character, although she acts more like a seventeen year old in places, but then again, I'm only 23 and a lot of her behaviour reminded me of things I would still do now so I guess I'm just as immature. :D
The book is narrated from Callie's point of view and she is a great narrator, funny, sensitive, emotional, crazy, just everything you could want from a character.
Lola is a bit of a mystery to me, some scenes I would really like her and she'd come across quite sweet and sensitive but with a fiery attitude, then others she would turn and I wouldn't like her very much. The cliffhanger ending had me stumped though.
Of course there is a love triangle involved - Cayden the bad boy. I did not like him and wasn't surprised by what happens in the story.
Oli however had me melting straight away. So handsome, sensitive, strong, caring and devastatingly handsome. Can you tell which boy I'm voting for?
The story pace is good and I got through this one quite quickly, my attention has been wandering a bit lately as I have a lot going on, so this book was perfect, it wasn't too long but it captured my imagination again. So thanks for that. :D
I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would and want the next one in the series. The ending annoyed me a little bit as it's so open and a sort of 'gasp!' ending.
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Aug 25, 2012 Theresa ♫ marked it as curious

That.
Cover.
Is.
So.

PREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTYFULL!

It's so pretty...........T_T I wanna read this book now, but...
My library doesn't have it! (*sobs) NO!

And I don't know where to buy it.
But even if I did....I wouldn't. Because I HAVE NO MONEEEEY. ♪ Broke to the BOOOOONE! ♪ (I believe there's a song that goes like that, yes? Or is it "Broken to the bone" because.......I'm broken to the bone, too. Not literally but deep...deep.....DEEP DOWN INSIDE MY HEART BECAUSE I KEEP FINDING ALL THESE ATTRAC...more

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Sep 20, 2011 Cindy rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love the cover on this book, so beautiful! With that said, I can't say the same for the inside in my opinion. This is really not my type of book. In all fairness I did read 107 pages of this book out of the 248 pages. It took 90 or so pages to actually get to the main plot of the story, where they actually find out who, what, where they are/come from. I really did not like these characters especially Callie and her sister Lola, the two main characters. They were whinny, crude (they were lookin...more

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Sep 01, 2011 Jessica at Book Sake rated it 3 of 5 stars

The start of the book is really fun and quirky and all of the characters are one’s you would want to hang out with. The best friends, who are a couple, are friends you’d want over at your place celebrating your birthday with you. The sister and dad are great family members, fun and caring. And the main character is the quirkiness to the story. Sometimes her quirkiness is a bit too obvious and off putting though. For a number of pages she goes on and on talking to herself (as if she had the angel...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Rebecka Vigus rated it 5 of 5 stars

An outstanding book for a first time author. Kudos to keeping me sitting on the edge of my seat. Characters are so well developed as to be real. Not having been a fan of fantasy prior to reading this book, I have totally changed my opinion. I can hardly wait for the next one. This is sure to hit the bestseller charts for YA audiences.

The vivid imagery and the action moves this book quickly along. You hardly have time to catch your breath when something else happens. There is no down time in thi...more

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Sep 02, 2011 ALPHAreader rated it 3 of 5 stars

Callista ‘Callie’ Pierce hates birthdays. They are the day when she remembers her mother’s vanishing and the growing strangeness within her . . . but her 22nd birthday is shaping up to be better than the one’s before. Her best friends and blissfully happy couple, Ady and Emery, have thrown her a surprise party, complete with a night of dancing where Callie meets the dangerously sexy Cayden, and admires from afar her lovely Australian next-door-neighbour Oliver ‘Oli’.

But these two men in Callie’...more Callista ‘Callie’ Pierce hates birthdays. They are the day when she remembers her mother’s vanishing and the growing strangeness within her . . . but her 22nd birthday is shaping up to be better than the one’s before. Her best friends and blissfully happy couple, Ady and Emery, have thrown her a surprise party, complete with a night of dancing where Callie meets the dangerously sexy Cayden, and admires from afar her lovely Australian next-door-neighbour Oliver ‘Oli’.

But these two men in Callie’s life prove to be the harbingers of change. As Callie falls for Oli’s laid-back charm, she starts to notice those changes within herself grow and alter into something strange and other, something Fae. Along with her sister, Lola, Callie will learn more about her mother’s disappearance and where she sits caught in the middle of two worlds.

‘Elemental Reality’ is the debut YA novel from Cesya MaRae Cuono, and the first in a new paranormal romance series.

Not surprisingly, the cover art of ‘Elemental Reality’ was what hooked me. It’s stunningly unique and drool-worthy – eye-catching and hinting at fabulous supernatural shenanigans within. And the cover art does not lie.

‘Elemental Reality’ is a book about Fae or ‘fairies’ (faeries). It’s YA, but leaning towards the older end of the spectrum for 17+ readers with a protagonist whose 22. I loved that the book was oriented towards older-YA readers, a group who are often forgotten when books frequently have protagonists who can’t drink or drive and for whom sex is taboo. I loved this different age-range, because straight away the book is unique. There’s no ‘meeting in biology’ clichés or stealing lust-filled glances in the hallways. Phew! Cuono and Revolution Publishing seem very readership-savvy and understanding that as much as young adult is about ‘reading up’, it’s also a genre that older readers still enjoy coming back to.

The Fae storyline is very well done. It’s not a revolutionary subject (Melissa Marr, Maggie Stiefvater, Aprilynne Pike having charted this fictional territory) but I appreciated that Cuono didn’t get bogged down in Gaelic mythology or strict legendary Gothicism. She really put the fun into the fairy subject as Callie and Lola discover the joy of their powers and take their change in stride.

Something that did grate throughout the book was the poorly written Australian love interest, Oliver ‘Oli’. As an Aussie, I started out mildly amused by Oli’s clichéd speech and Paul Hogan-esque appeal. But it did get to the point where he was so far off the mark it became a little annoying. Take the exchange below, for example.

“Would you like to come in for some tea?” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.
“It’s very nice to meet you too,” he said, looking like some Aussie God. “It’s a little too early for a cuppa tea isn’t it?”
“What?” I asked, confused. “It’s never too early for tea.”
“Oh.” He chuckled. “Sorry, I keep forgetting I’m not home anymore. When someone invites you over for tea in Australia it means supper. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to these Yank customs.”

He’s invited inside for some tea thinking that Callie means ‘supper’ – yet he clarifies by calling it a ‘cuppa’ tea? ‘Cuppa’ means ‘cup of’ – so he’s assuming that Callie means “come inside for a cup of supper”. Um, huh? Never mind that I, as an Aussie, would never use the word ‘supper’ (what is this, the 1800s?) I would call it ‘dinner’ – and we call tea tea over here, plus if it was eleven o’clock in the morning why would he think this crazy American girl is offering him a really early-bird dinner instead of the hot leaf-based beverage his countrymen also refer to as ‘tea’? I know, a flippant little exchange – but those trip-ups were so far off the mark that it did give me pause and took me out of the story while I sat there trying to interpret this pigeon-Aussie-English. Not to mention it had me thinking Oli was a complete moron. He also used the word ‘sheila’ (only a backwoods sheep shearer or thoroughbred bogan would use this word . . . not a young Australian male) and called Callie ‘mate’ at every opportunity (Urgh. You never want a guy to call you ‘mate’, it means he doesn’t like you as anything other than a ‘mate’). And he said ‘Ace’ a lot . . . a lot! I think he was written purely for his Aussie appeal (I get it, people love the Aussie accent, and our guys are pretty smoking!) but his characterisation was that of an Aussie parody – written by someone who has never spoken to a living, breathing person from the land down under. Mind you, all of the above could be explained as Oli being Tasmanian . . . enough said.

Okay, so the love interest didn’t really gel for me – but it’s a testament to Cuono’s dramatic storytelling that even when the very important ‘romance’ element of this paranormal romance didn’t work for me, I still came away from this book with a smile on my face.

Cuono writes high drama for her protagonists’ with a joyful supernatural bent. There are twists and turns through the plot, as Callie learns of the price she must pay for being different. I loved that this was a book for older young adult readers, who are often an after-thought in a genre that is only just starting to realize it has a varying readership!
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Oct 17, 2011 Krystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

If the cover doesn't catch the reader's eye, the plot will. The best part of this novel were the incredibly likable characters. Callie is a fun, sassy character. She marches to the beat of her own drum. I love strong female characters and she fit the bill. Lola, her sister, is just as sarcastic and tough-the reader will take an instant liking to her as well. There is also an Aussie in this book! I thought the author nailed the accent, I enjoyed reading about a foreigner as well.

The events in th...more

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Oct 18, 2011 Ivy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I do not know why I did not read it right when I received this book for review because it is amazingly good!

Cesya takes you on a new Faerie adventure. I really like the idea of keeping the human world and faerie world separate because it is more interesting than having them coincide and live together in just one world. I feel like it is more exciting to get to know the two worlds.

The age of Callie and Lola was very unexpected because they do not act at all their age. They act much more younger....more

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Aug 20, 2011 Andie Z rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, own, read-2011, ebook, blog-tour, arcs-i-own, reviewed, on-my-kindle

Read this review and more on my blog From A to Z

I’ve been looking forward to reading Elemental Reality ever since I first saw the gorgeous cover (isn’t it absolutely stunning??), and I’m happy to say that the story doesn’t disappoint. Faeries may be a very popular subject for YA novels these days, but Cesya puts a fresh spin on it and manages to create an entirely new world.

One of my favorite things about the novel is that unlike many other faerie books, there’s no pervasive feeling of darkness...more Read this review and more on my blog From A to Z

I’ve been looking forward to reading Elemental Reality ever since I first saw the gorgeous cover (isn’t it absolutely stunning??), and I’m happy to say that the story doesn’t disappoint. Faeries may be a very popular subject for YA novels these days, but Cesya puts a fresh spin on it and manages to create an entirely new world.

One of my favorite things about the novel is that unlike many other faerie books, there’s no pervasive feeling of darkness and gloom. Okay sure, there are definitely bad guys and a fast-approaching possible war with Demons, but the novel is just so fun that the overall tone is much lighter and entertaining. Faerie powers! Hot Aussie boy! Wings that actually fly! Elemental Reality shows that it can actually be exciting to be a supernatural being, even when there is also serious stuff going on. I will say that I had some trouble getting into the writing style at first; I was enjoying the novel but it felt a bit unpolished (to be fair I read an ARC, so it is possible that it was not the absolute final version). But after a while I found myself enjoying the breezy tone and just completely devouring it.

The characters in Elemental Reality are all well-developed and extremely likeable, and it was such fun to watch Callie interacting with her sister and friends. Lola cracks me up, she’s so hilarious. And Callie’s interactions with Oli… I don’t really think “fun” is the right word. Probably steamy would be more appropriate. Or hot. Either one works, really. :P The tension between these two was fantastic and I am most definitely looking forward to more from them in the sequel. *waggles eyebrows suggestively*

Elemental Reality is an impressive debut novel, and I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a fun, fast-paced read with awesome characters, sizzling romance, danger, intrigue, and a gripping cliffhanger that will no doubt leave you wanting more.

*Thanks so much to Jennifer Baker at Revolution Publishing for letting me participate in the Elemental Reality blog tour and providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**Cesya is visiting my blog today with an awesome guest post, check it out here!(less)

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Aug 14, 2011 Francie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, fanatsy, faeries, ya, nook, own

I LOVE this book!! I can't wait for the 2nd book!!

When is this coming out??? I can't wait to read it! The cover looks amazing. I'm so happy for you!!

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Sep 19, 2011 Jana Boskey rated it 4 of 5 stars

When Callie Pierce was ten, her mother disappeared without a trace. On the eve of her disappearance the elments speak to Callie, and that's only the beginning. Everything she has ever known was a twisted fabrication to protect her. Now the truth is set free. Callie and her sister are more powerful than any Faerie ever born. Now they have to use their powers to save their mother and family from the evil hands of fate that threaten to tear them apart. Welcome to her elemental reality.

So I have be...more When Callie Pierce was ten, her mother disappeared without a trace. On the eve of her disappearance the elments speak to Callie, and that's only the beginning. Everything she has ever known was a twisted fabrication to protect her. Now the truth is set free. Callie and her sister are more powerful than any Faerie ever born. Now they have to use their powers to save their mother and family from the evil hands of fate that threaten to tear them apart. Welcome to her elemental reality.

So I have been wanting to read this book ever since I first saw the cover on Barnes and Noble's website around 5 months ago. So imagine my surprise when I'm actually FACEBOOK FRIENDS with Cesya and I am blissfully unaware for the entire length of time. Once I found out, of course I flipped, THEN once she asked if there was anyone interested in DRAWING the characters, I jumped on it. So this summer I was given a bit of a sneak preview as I drew them up, I almost felt like I knew them before I ever went and got the book. And of course I fell in love with all them before reading the first sentence of ER.

I'm going to start with the negatives, because I want to end on a good note. I read the word 'Kitten' a bit too many times in the chapters, I know it was a nickname, but it was a bit excessive. It was cute for a while, then in times where I think the name Callie should've been used, Kitten was used instead. It was just personal preference, honestly, and it did NOT take anything away from the story. And I know there are actually people out there who use nicknames this much in a day, so it isn't like it wasn't believable, just a bit...much. And I found it a bit hard to get through the first like 3 chapters, it was slowish, but still entertaining. I was waiting for the big...REVEAL or something huge to go down,.

So the positives? The rest of the book. Period.

I got this book yesterday at like 12, started reading it around like 3, didn't put it down until 1 in the morning, then finished the last 100 pages in like a half hour. It was so hard to put down last night because I just HAD to know what happened next. To me, every chapter ended on a cliff hanger, forcing me to read the next once, just to have to repeat the process again and again. The dialogue was extremely believable, it was like a friend of mine was just telling me a story. The humor kept me laughing in each chapter, the romance between Callie and Oli kept me wanting more and the drive that kept Callie and Lola going kept me entranced and rooting for them to find their mom. There were twists thrown in all the time that had me saying "WHAAAAT?!" and rereading the page over again to make sure I read it right. I was guessing until the last page, and don't even get me STARTED on the cliff hanger ending. It was both unfair and brilliant.

Cesya has found a good balance between serious and fun in her writing. She knows how to keep someone guessing, wanting more and fall in love with the characters. The imagination and creativity in this book is just great, since in today's world those things are in danger of being erased. She also keeps it real when she writes, putting the actual concerns of most people in the book. Instead of chaste thoughts, like most books, there is some sexuality, no much but enough to get the picture. And instead of always worrying about getting a man, Callie and Lola want to save their mom. There isn't anything in here that was too farfetched, too extreme that made me think "That would never happen."

Elemental Reality was a great first book, an amazing beginning the to Elemental series. I'm already dying for book 2. If you want romance, humor, battles and Faeries, I HIGHLY recommend this!!
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Sep 01, 2011 Tishia (Paranormal Opinion) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Elemental Reality centers around Callie – a young woman in her early twenties. One day, odd things start happening to her. Shortly thereafter, Callie finds out that her and her sister are actually fairies – a fact that has been kept from them in order to protect them. Now that Callie knows the truth, she is on a mission to find her mother who has been missing for the past 12 years.

I have a lot of mixed feelings on this book. Because of this, I'm going to do this review a little differently than...more Elemental Reality centers around Callie – a young woman in her early twenties. One day, odd things start happening to her. Shortly thereafter, Callie finds out that her and her sister are actually fairies – a fact that has been kept from them in order to protect them. Now that Callie knows the truth, she is on a mission to find her mother who has been missing for the past 12 years.

I have a lot of mixed feelings on this book. Because of this, I'm going to do this review a little differently than I usually do. I'm going to break this up between what I liked and didn't like. I think I will start off with what I didn't like to get that out of the way.

I thought that a lot of things that happened in this book were just a little too convenient. For instance, Callie and her sister just happen to be the most powerful faeries EVER born. They can do things that no other faerie can do, even though they have no training using their powers. Also, I didn't see how not telling Callie and her sister about them being faeries protected them. I found it funny that their wings just sprouted from their backs right after they found out about what they were. Also, I just wasn't sure what category to put this book in. The main character is 22 – but it had a young adult feel to it. Callie still lives with her dad. Her soul-mate Oli still lives with his parents as well. They didn't go past kissing, and Callie acted like her dad would freak out if Oli was caught in her bedroom. The way Callie acted and talked also seemed like a high school girl.

On the other hand, I liked Callie's snarkiness. I loved the internal banter she had with herself, and also the way she interacted with her sister Lola. There were a lot of funny moments. There were a lot of well developed secondary characters as well, and I liked them all – especially Oli. He is from Australia, and I enjoyed hearing all of his Australian terms. Callie and Oli have some great chemistry together. Also, considering the fact that this is the author's first book – I think she did a great job. For the most part, I enjoyed this book. I think that most of you who enjoy YA paranormal romances would enjoy this book as well. (less)

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Dec 26, 2011 Orchid rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Review taken from my blog, The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia.

First Sentence:
"Once upon a time there was a man and a woman who loved each other unconditionally."

I must admit that I was quite surprised by the age of the main character, Callie. I totally was not expecting her to be in her early twenties, but I thought that it was a nice touch and definitely gave the story a different perspective. Especially given some of the places she went-like a bar.

Once I got past the first fifty pages of Elemen...more

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Sep 03, 2011 Bj Gaskill rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of the best books I've read this summer.

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Jul 22, 2012 Angela rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-like, books-that-disappointed-me

This review and more reviews can be found at: http://framed-in-words.blogspot.co.nz/

Final Rating: 2.5 stars

I really wanted to love this book, I honestly really did want that. But because of several reasons, it prevented me from doing so.

The biggest emotion I felt from reading this book and after I had finished it was confusion.
"Don't start what you can't finish", even the author herself had used this sentence in her book. I really thought she should have taken her own advice. I was so confused...more This review and more reviews can be found at: http://framed-in-words.blogspot.co.nz/

Final Rating: 2.5 stars

I really wanted to love this book, I honestly really did want that. But because of several reasons, it prevented me from doing so.

The biggest emotion I felt from reading this book and after I had finished it was confusion.
"Don't start what you can't finish", even the author herself had used this sentence in her book. I really thought she should have taken her own advice. I was so confused at so many parts of the story! I think the author expected us to use too much inference or experience the situation as the characters did, but there was just simply not enough clues to figure things out! I felt that most situations like that should have been better explained, the descriptions could have prolonged a bit more. For the most parts, the author was in danger of describing too little instead of otherwise. Sometimes, I have to re-read parts of the book to see if I can glimpse any other little details I have left behind in order to understand the series of events. This confusion annoyed me and exhausted me during my time reading Elemental Reality.

It was quite a typical and very predictable Young Adult novel. When I said "typical" here, I didn't mean it in a good way. It can be said as original in the way the author manipulated the plot and character, but it wasn't a necessary innovation (not sure if you got what I meant...). Even though the circumstance is different because of different characters and background, the main idea of this story seemed to have been written numerous times. I really hoped for some variety and originality from this book.

The characters were a positive about the book. I quite liked many of the characters. The two characters I loved the most in the book were Ady and Emery. They were the main character Callie's best friends. They really were the best friends ever! They were like those true friends who could cheer you up no matter what and will always be by your side. When no one else believed Callie on some truths she found out in the story, Ady and Emery believed her and trusted her. They looked out for her too, and really cared for her. No matter what, Ady and Emery were a big reason why I finished the book and still liked it a fair bit. If I had friends like that I would be happy and miss them heaps when we are away from each other just like Callie, Ady and Emery. But I didn't like the big-headedness of Callie or Lola (the two sisters). Some of the situations were just too easy and expected. None of the characters developed over the course of the book. It was as if they were all the same from beginning to end.

Cayden was a confusing and contradicting character. The author wrote quite a few descriptions about him which I didn't know what to think of. One second he seemed good, the next apparently he was evil?! You really don't know which to believe. All of these perceptions were from the main character, who wasn't a very reliable narrator. So if she was confused, the readers were even more confused. What I really wanted to know was whether Cayden was all dark-side or what?!

The ending was also something that greatly puzzled me. I had no idea about some "realisations" at the end. It ended on a very strange note, and it made me so frustrated that I was pulling my hair out over that one trying to get some facts straight about certain characters. It didn't seem a like a good note to finish on and it was a huge cliffhanger. I guess it was a way to keep the readers on their feet and count down to when the next book comes out, but it just felt weird to end on that note for me.

The writing style was very simply, at times it even slightly childish. It felt like the author was just recording a day's events straight off the top of her head at some points. There wasn't enough description and the vocabulary was also quite restricted. The writing was not fluid, there was no fluidity in the joinning of sentences or sometimes paragraphs. It felt awkward to read sometimes and not enough pauses were added in dialogues. But I have to give her some credit on making up quite a pretty story world which made me manage to finish the whole book. I liked some of the ideas of the different types of Faeries and Conjurers, and the colours associated with their elemental abilities I could imagine while reading certain parts of the book. Some relationships were also valuable and worthy rooting for. But I didn't really find the "Soul mate" part overly believable. Maybe everyone had a soul mate, but they way and age which they "feel" their soul mate just seemed a bit weird. I guess you have to read to understand what I was talking about, as I don't want to ruin much of the story.

Overall, it was an OK read, a book which you can read and maybe will like when you've time to waste or when you are bored. It had a good idea forming but the way the writing was presented dimmed it a little. I liked it but it's not a book I will re-read or really wish to own. If you like Faeries and elemental abilities, feel free to give it a go, but don't have too high an expectation when you start. Who knows, you might love it! I'm still interested to see where the second book will lead to though. Fingers-crossed it will not be more forthcoming and well paced! :)(less)

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May 04, 2012 marcosbooks rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: released-2011, favorite-covers, read-2012, c-faeries, genre-ya, genre-urban-fantasy, book-reports, 3-enchanting, series, lang-english

Liebes Elemental Reality,

Ich weiß nicht wo ich genau anfangen und aufhören soll. Deine Geschichte hätte interessanter geschrieben sein können, jedoch war sie interessant genug um mich am lesen zu halten. Mir war Anfangs klar das es sich bei dir um ein Buch über Feen handeln würde, dass sie aber so komplett anders sind als wie in anderen Büchern, war mir nicht klar. Und das spricht für dich. Deine Feen haben glitzernde Flügel und die Haut von ihnen kann leuchten, zudem können die "Alkuaine Faries...more Liebes Elemental Reality,

Ich weiß nicht wo ich genau anfangen und aufhören soll. Deine Geschichte hätte interessanter geschrieben sein können, jedoch war sie interessant genug um mich am lesen zu halten. Mir war Anfangs klar das es sich bei dir um ein Buch über Feen handeln würde, dass sie aber so komplett anders sind als wie in anderen Büchern, war mir nicht klar. Und das spricht für dich. Deine Feen haben glitzernde Flügel und die Haut von ihnen kann leuchten, zudem können die "Alkuaine Faries" fünf Elemente beherschen. Das Aussehen der Feen hat mir sehr zugesagt, ich mag dieses ganze Geblinke und Strass, Steine und Glitzer. Teilweise musste ich an Tinkerbell von Peter Pan und an Winx Club denken. Und da ich beide Animationen mag, mochte ich auch deine Feen. Zudem gibt es Dämonen und sogenannte Conjurer, männliche Feen die auch Elemente beherschen. Die Idee mit den "Sou Mates", also das eine Fee und ein Conjurer Seelenverwandt sind und dadurch stärker werden hat mir auch gefallen. Callie die Hauptprotagonistin hat ihren Soulmate in Oli gefunden, mich hätte interessiert welchen Soulmate Lola hat, aber vielleicht erfährt man das in deiner Fortsetzung (ich hoffe es).

Wie oben schon erwähnt weckt deine Geschichte das Interesse des Lesers, fesseln kann es aber nicht. Dein Tempo im Geschichtenerzählen ist doch etwas langsam, sodass man manchmal genervt und gelangweilt von endlosen Wörtern die aneinander gekettet wurden, dich zur Seite legt. Der Anfang konnte mich nicht überzeugen, es war mir alles zuviel drumherum. Die wirklichen wichtigen und interessanteren Geschehnisse tauchen erst gegen Mitte wenn nicht sogar gegen Ende auf. Und auch erst dann hatte ich Lust und Spaß daran dich zu lesen. Man hätte dies bestimmt besser umsetzen können, denn wenn ein Buch direkt von Anfang an Spaß macht dann hat man auch Lust auf mehr, so musste ich mich erstmal vorarbeiten um dich zu mögen. Und nicht jeder macht sich diese Mühe. Die Idee mit den Feen und den Dämonen, den Elementen, das Alkuaine Faeries fünft Elemente bescherschen und Dämonen das Blitzelement fehlt und es so zum Krieg kommen könnte, und auch das es Soulmates gibt, hat mir gut gefallen. Deine eigentliche Story, nämlich das Callie und Lola versuchen mithilfe ihrer Familie, Freunde und ihren Trainern ihre Mutter aus den Fängen der Dämonen zu befreien ist nichts besonderes und hat mich nicht vom Hocker gehauen. Du bist gut für zwischendurch zu lesen, aber um gefesselt zu werden, suche ich mir ein anderes Buch aus.

Womit du aufjedenfall aber punkten kannst, sind deine Figuren. Ich finde Callie, Lola sowie Oli und Cayden sehr authentisch. Es macht Spaß zu lesen wie Callie und Lola versuchen ihre Elemente zu beherschen und zu trainieren, man wird in die magische Welt von dir dadurch hineingezogen. Auch die Verwandlung in eine Fee fand ich schön von deiner Mama beschrieben, und wie geschrieben, mag ich dieses ganzes Twinkle und Rhinestone. Die Dämonen wie z.B. Apryll oder die beiden fiesen Dämoninnen Mia und Layla weisen interessante Charakterzüge auf, besonders hat mir Aprylls Vergangenheit gefallen. Aber auch die Trainer die Callie und Lola helfen wie z.B. Kat, Trixie, Bri, Noelle und Jennie (die beiden Erdzwillinge) haben mich angesprochen, sowie die Elder's Mace und Nevaeh die doch Dreck am stecken haben. Obwohl mir Oliver manchmal doch etwas zu schnulzig rüberkam habe ich ihn und auch den Vater von Cal und Lola gemocht. Wie geschrieben, du punktest aufjedenfall durch deine sympathischen und interessanten Charaktere.

Deine Aufmachung ist ein wahrer Augenschmaus. Dein Cover ist wirklich toll gemacht worden, vom Model bis hin zur Schrift und den Effekten gefällst du mir sehr gut. Auch dein Innenleben ist sehr schön gestaltet worden, z.B. mag ich sehr deine Muster bei jedem Kapitelanfang. Da ich das Cover von deiner Schwester schon kenne "Battle Scars" weiß ich das es sogar noch besser geht, aber ich bin vollends mit deinem Cover zufrieden.

Im großen und ganzen bist du ein gutes Buch was zu unterhalten weißt. Auf längere Sicht würde ich dich nicht empfehlen da einfach die benötigte Spannung und die verbesserungswürdige Geschichte in dir fehlen. Für kurze Zeit bist du aber gut gewählt und deine Charaktere wissen aufjedenfall zu überzeugen. Die Grundidee mit Feen, Dämonen, Elementen und Conjurers ist toll, hätte aber besser mit der Story zusammen umgesetzt werden können. Trotzdem bin ich gespannt wie es um den Kampf zwischen Tehoka City und Palon weitergehen wird. Ich hoffe deine Schwester gleicht deine Minuspunkte aus und kann dann richtig durchstarten. Mir hat es Spaß gemacht dich zu lesen, war aber trotzdem ein klein wenig erleichtert als ich dich schließlich zur Seite legen konnte, um mich einem anderen Werk zu widmen. (less)

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