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The Elm Stone Saga #2
Scarred
Sometimes we survive unscathed. Other times we are left scarred.
Following an unforeseen attack, the White Elm council is depleted but even more determined to find and prosecute their former member, Lisandro, and his followers. Suggestions of a spy within the council ranks, however, cast doubt and suspicion every which way, and trust is suddenly a commodity no one wants to afford.
Following an unforeseen attack, the White Elm council is depleted but even more determined to find and prosecute their former member, Lisandro, and his followers. Suggestions of a spy within the council ranks, however, cast doubt and suspicion every which way, and trust is suddenly a commodity no one wants to afford.
634 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
About the author
Shayla Morgansen
10 books81 followersHi! I'm Shayla, and making stories is the basis of everything I love and do. I write lengthy books about magical happenings in ordinary places, and the supernatural crossing paths with the everyday. My favourite themes to explore in these fantasy story worlds are interdependency, found families, us-against-the-world, and a good helping of angst.
At home in Brisbane where I'm a happy little hermit, I'm married and a mum to our whirlwind preschooler and two naughty white cats. In my working life, I have been a schoolteacher, an editor, an assistant publisher and a lecturer. I'm too easily roped into study and have a PhD in Creative Writing & Fanfiction Studies, a Masters in Editing & Publishing, and a Bachelor of Primary Education.
At home in Brisbane where I'm a happy little hermit, I'm married and a mum to our whirlwind preschooler and two naughty white cats. In my working life, I have been a schoolteacher, an editor, an assistant publisher and a lecturer. I'm too easily roped into study and have a PhD in Creative Writing & Fanfiction Studies, a Masters in Editing & Publishing, and a Bachelor of Primary Education.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 29, 2018
A riveting read from beginning to end. And no, I have no association with the author. I'll be sure to read whatever else she has written. It annoys me when self-published work of this rare quality gets shafted by traditionally published crap just because it's marketed better (and I've read some whoppers lately).
July 13, 2021
That ending!!!
July 31, 2021
The second book in the series and the plot thickens! The cluck chickens! The Charles Dickens...? (now I am just rambling). Was this book as good as the first? Absolutely. Better even. The magic is more magical, the mysteries more mysterious, the marshmallows...already eaten.
The stakes are higher. The dangers are greater. The school girls are bitchier (as if Aristea did not already have enough to deal with). Things are heating up. The search for the missing council members grows ever more desperate. Scriers are scrying. Patsies are dying. Suspicions are flying (almost exclusively at Renatus, of coarse). And our young, vulnerable protagonist finds herself caught in the middle of it all.
If you are deliberating on whether or not to read this book, or the series as a whole, let me assure you, it is most definitely worth your time.
The stakes are higher. The dangers are greater. The school girls are bitchier (as if Aristea did not already have enough to deal with). Things are heating up. The search for the missing council members grows ever more desperate. Scriers are scrying. Patsies are dying. Suspicions are flying (almost exclusively at Renatus, of coarse). And our young, vulnerable protagonist finds herself caught in the middle of it all.
If you are deliberating on whether or not to read this book, or the series as a whole, let me assure you, it is most definitely worth your time.
June 17, 2021
Wow! I really enjoyed this book. The character development, amazing! The twists that I definitely did not see coming, incredible!
I keep asking my self why it has taken me so long to read this book. Starting the third book now because I got to know what happens next!
I keep asking my self why it has taken me so long to read this book. Starting the third book now because I got to know what happens next!
did-not-finish-or-start
July 15, 2021DNS 7/15/2021
June 6, 2023
Great story! I enjoyed reading from the different perspectives and how each character received/interpreted events in different ways.
October 30, 2016
For more of my reviews, and to read an interview and guest post from the author herself, check out my blog!
My Rating: 5 Stars
I think one of my favorite things about reading the first series an author has written, is witnessing the development of their writing style. I posted a review of Chosen yesterday (yes, I read the books this quickly – I’m already halfway through the third book. They’re THAT good) and rated it 4.75 stars, only because the pacing was a bit off for me. In this, the second book of the Elm Stone Saga, the pacing was fantastic. I couldn’t put this book down for anything.
My favorite thing about this book was the rapport between Aristea and Renatus. I found myself looking forward to their interactions – they are both so stubborn and strong willed that each conversation was interesting and tension filled. In Chosen, Aristea made the decision to be Renatus’ apprentice. For her, this means that she will be tied to Renatus for life, and when he steps down from his position as Dark Keeper, Aristea will fill the role automatically. It also guarantees Aristea the first spot on the council that opens up after her 20th birthday. The ceremony itself was so well written and completely original – in an effort to avoid spoilers, I won’t go into too much detail, but it was one of my favorite chapters.
Another thing I enjoyed about the book was the wholly unique way that Morgansen describes the magic all of the characters in the series are connected to. As someone who enjoys primarily Fantasy novels, I am used to magic just kind of being something that the main characters “reach for”. In the Elm Stone Saga, each act of magic is done and needs to be viewed in a different way. For example, when Aristea is Scrying, she has to access a part of her mind that in the first book was hidden from her. However, for Displacement, Aristea has to look at the fabric of the world, and manipulate it. For me, this made the book feel more “real” if that makes sense – I’m not ashamed to admit, I may have spent a few minutes trying to find the part of my brain that harbors my ability to Scry. I mean, if Aristea had trouble accessing her abilities, maybe that has been my problem my whole life. Right?? (It didn’t work, and Socks looked at me like a freak, but what does he know?)
My Takeaway: This book was filled to the brim with action, adventure, deception, and twists. It kept me guessing until the very last page, and upon finishing it, I immediately reached for the next book in the series. There is a very good chance I will pay for shipping from Australia just to have this series in hardcover on my favorites shelf.
My Rating: 5 Stars
I think one of my favorite things about reading the first series an author has written, is witnessing the development of their writing style. I posted a review of Chosen yesterday (yes, I read the books this quickly – I’m already halfway through the third book. They’re THAT good) and rated it 4.75 stars, only because the pacing was a bit off for me. In this, the second book of the Elm Stone Saga, the pacing was fantastic. I couldn’t put this book down for anything.
My favorite thing about this book was the rapport between Aristea and Renatus. I found myself looking forward to their interactions – they are both so stubborn and strong willed that each conversation was interesting and tension filled. In Chosen, Aristea made the decision to be Renatus’ apprentice. For her, this means that she will be tied to Renatus for life, and when he steps down from his position as Dark Keeper, Aristea will fill the role automatically. It also guarantees Aristea the first spot on the council that opens up after her 20th birthday. The ceremony itself was so well written and completely original – in an effort to avoid spoilers, I won’t go into too much detail, but it was one of my favorite chapters.
Another thing I enjoyed about the book was the wholly unique way that Morgansen describes the magic all of the characters in the series are connected to. As someone who enjoys primarily Fantasy novels, I am used to magic just kind of being something that the main characters “reach for”. In the Elm Stone Saga, each act of magic is done and needs to be viewed in a different way. For example, when Aristea is Scrying, she has to access a part of her mind that in the first book was hidden from her. However, for Displacement, Aristea has to look at the fabric of the world, and manipulate it. For me, this made the book feel more “real” if that makes sense – I’m not ashamed to admit, I may have spent a few minutes trying to find the part of my brain that harbors my ability to Scry. I mean, if Aristea had trouble accessing her abilities, maybe that has been my problem my whole life. Right?? (It didn’t work, and Socks looked at me like a freak, but what does he know?)
My Takeaway: This book was filled to the brim with action, adventure, deception, and twists. It kept me guessing until the very last page, and upon finishing it, I immediately reached for the next book in the series. There is a very good chance I will pay for shipping from Australia just to have this series in hardcover on my favorites shelf.
July 23, 2015
Shayla Morgansen's Scarred is the 2nd book of her series the Elmstone saga and continues the story from where Chosen was left off.
Overall rating 4.5 stars.
Overall this book was a very enjoyable read and i found myself often wanting to pick it up or theorising what might happen.
Scarred gives us more insight into the villain Lisandro and Renatus and how they have grown from the past. Overall i found the book to be thrilling and exciting and i would definitely read the rest of the series.
I did find some things in the book to be drastic such as the relationship between Renatus and Ariesta. i felt the but i did enjoy some characters such as Declan and hope to see more of him in the next books.Most of the events seemed to lead up to the battle at the end, which, though interesting from Ariesta's point of view, would be good to see from another perspective and to go on longer and focus on more characters emotions and reactions to .
My only issues were some of the phrasings in this book (some didnt make sense or took a few re-reads to understand)and the confusing Audience change. when i first read Chosen i went for Middle-grade and maybe Young-Adult at a stretch. In Scarred however, the language became more young-adult (which i dont mind it just confused me) and even hinted at rape (but not really giving detalis).
Renatus' reveal also seemed a little rushed and i would have loved a little more drawn out just to keep my curiosity alight and i slightly guessed I also love the mysterious links to Renatus and Ariesta.
Despite the flaws i found the book thrilling, creative and engaging and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Overall rating 4.5 stars.
Overall this book was a very enjoyable read and i found myself often wanting to pick it up or theorising what might happen.
Scarred gives us more insight into the villain Lisandro and Renatus and how they have grown from the past. Overall i found the book to be thrilling and exciting and i would definitely read the rest of the series.
I did find some things in the book to be drastic such as the relationship between Renatus and Ariesta. i felt the but i did enjoy some characters such as Declan and hope to see more of him in the next books.Most of the events seemed to lead up to the battle at the end, which, though interesting from Ariesta's point of view, would be good to see from another perspective and to go on longer and focus on more characters emotions and reactions to .
My only issues were some of the phrasings in this book (some didnt make sense or took a few re-reads to understand)and the confusing Audience change. when i first read Chosen i went for Middle-grade and maybe Young-Adult at a stretch. In Scarred however, the language became more young-adult (which i dont mind it just confused me) and even hinted at rape (but not really giving detalis).
Renatus' reveal also seemed a little rushed and i would have loved a little more drawn out just to keep my curiosity alight and i slightly guessed I also love the mysterious links to Renatus and Ariesta.
Despite the flaws i found the book thrilling, creative and engaging and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
June 24, 2015
This is one of the best books that I have read in a very long time. Morgansen has written a book that seamlessly flows from her first book, Chosen. The characters seem to come alive from the page like I am watching a movie. Buy the book and read it now.
April 14, 2016
Great sequel... Characters developing well and am intrigued as to where the story will go. Looking forward to book 3.
August 28, 2016
Can't wait for the next book! Devoured this one in a few days!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews