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Elements
“What would you do if you suddenly discovered that nothing about life was as you thought it was and all your choices seem to have been made for you centuries before you were born? That’s the reality young Alexa faces, and how well she copes will determine the fate of her world and that of the preternatural. Now, if only someone would explain what is going on!”
For eighteen year old Alexa finding a place to put down roots after being forced into a nomadic life by her paranoid mother was not as simple as she had believed. Her attempt to settle down in the coastal town of Beverly comes to an abrupt halt. Within months an explosion levels her apartment building, and all her preconceived ideas of her world come to an end.
Now on the run, Alexa can only follow Bet, her roommate, into the unknown, where the worlds of the Sidhe race of faeries, warlocks, daemons and shadows, threaten her very existence. Pulled into a prophecy that she together with Aidan, the Sidhe Prince, would right their worlds, Alexa finds herself fighting against the prophecy’s telling of her being bound to Aidan. What makes it worse is her increasing attachment to his brother Liam.
With her destiny set centuries ago, can she save their worlds in time, does she have a choice in who to love, or will choosing her own path lead to their destruction?
For eighteen year old Alexa finding a place to put down roots after being forced into a nomadic life by her paranoid mother was not as simple as she had believed. Her attempt to settle down in the coastal town of Beverly comes to an abrupt halt. Within months an explosion levels her apartment building, and all her preconceived ideas of her world come to an end.
Now on the run, Alexa can only follow Bet, her roommate, into the unknown, where the worlds of the Sidhe race of faeries, warlocks, daemons and shadows, threaten her very existence. Pulled into a prophecy that she together with Aidan, the Sidhe Prince, would right their worlds, Alexa finds herself fighting against the prophecy’s telling of her being bound to Aidan. What makes it worse is her increasing attachment to his brother Liam.
With her destiny set centuries ago, can she save their worlds in time, does she have a choice in who to love, or will choosing her own path lead to their destruction?
ebook
Published March 2, 2017
38 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Nia Markos
18 books59 followers I write about Sidhe faeries, magic, daemons and shadows, quests and prophecies, with mythological elements in The Crystal Series. My next book, Sudden Shock, comes out September, 2018.
Young Adult and New Adult reads.
My books can fall under either category.
https://niamarkos.com/
Professional Bio:
Nia Markos, born in Montreal, Canada to Greek parents who loved to indulge her with tales of mythology and history, draws inspiration from their stories and combines them with her love of the paranormal.
For over thirty years she worked in the financial sector. An avid, ferocious reader of practically anything written, be it historical, fantasy, thrillers or spy novels, her preferred reading has been in the young adult paranormal genre. Writing is a passion, one which she discovered later in life.
Her first book release, Elements (The Crystal Series Book One), has garnered great reviews. Three books later, the complete trilogy is available. The final installment of The Crystal Series, released in late 2017, brings a conclusion to that part of the story. Her new continuing series, The Elleanor Stone Collection, builds on that world, adding new characters and taking them on to greater adventures.
Young Adult and New Adult reads.
My books can fall under either category.
https://niamarkos.com/
Professional Bio:
Nia Markos, born in Montreal, Canada to Greek parents who loved to indulge her with tales of mythology and history, draws inspiration from their stories and combines them with her love of the paranormal.
For over thirty years she worked in the financial sector. An avid, ferocious reader of practically anything written, be it historical, fantasy, thrillers or spy novels, her preferred reading has been in the young adult paranormal genre. Writing is a passion, one which she discovered later in life.
Her first book release, Elements (The Crystal Series Book One), has garnered great reviews. Three books later, the complete trilogy is available. The final installment of The Crystal Series, released in late 2017, brings a conclusion to that part of the story. Her new continuing series, The Elleanor Stone Collection, builds on that world, adding new characters and taking them on to greater adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 10, 2018
This was an intriguing read that kept me turning the pages. There were lots of plot twists and unexpected diversions that kept me guessing. I warn readers that this is just the 1st in a series, so don't expect full resolution at the end, but it's a great beginning to a grand fantasy!
December 24, 2020
As an indie author, I like supporting other Indies by buying, reading, and reviewing their work. I took a look at The Independent Author Network looking for fantasy to read. I found Elements (The Crystal Series Book One) by Nia Markos. Here are my thoughts!
Synopsis (from the author):
“What would you do if you suddenly discovered that nothing about life was as you thought it was and all your choices seem to have been made for you centuries before you were born? That’s the reality young Alexa faces, and how well she copes will determine the fate of her world and that of the preternatural. Now, if only someone would explain what is going on!”
For eighteen-year-old Alexa finding a place to put down roots after being forced into a nomadic life by her paranoid mother was not as simple as she had believed. Her attempt to settle down in the coastal town of Beverly comes to an abrupt halt. Within months an explosion levels her apartment building, and all her preconceived ideas of her world come to an end.
Now on the run, Alexa can only follow Bet, her roommate, into the unknown, where the worlds of the Sidhe race of faeries, warlocks, daemons, and shadows, threaten her very existence.
Pulled into a prophecy that she together with Aidan, the Sidhe Prince, would right their worlds, Alexa finds herself fighting against the prophecy’s telling of her being bound to Aidan. What makes it worse is her increasing attachment to his brother Liam.
With her destiny set centuries ago, can she save their worlds in time, does she have a choice in whom to love, or will choosing her own path lead to their destruction?
What I liked about Elements:
There is much to like about Elements. It has a familiar feel to it (though I haven’t read any of Nia Markos’ work before). Being of Irish and Scot descent, stories of the Sidhe fascinate me and the way Nia Markos worked them into the story was excellent. Alexa is a good character, and Aidan plays his role well. Liam, too, figures prominently into the story. All told, an entertaining fantasy novel and a good start to the series.
What I didn’t like about Elements:
Although I enjoyed the story, Alexa and Aidan approach to their relationship and the constant reference to it got a bit old. In addition, Eliana’s character was too flat to me and needed to be fleshed out more.
Overall impression of Elements:
Nice story, good characters, the underlying conflict, and Alexa’s growth into her powers made Elements an enjoyable book! If you like YA fantasy, read this one!
My rating:
4 Stars
Synopsis (from the author):
“What would you do if you suddenly discovered that nothing about life was as you thought it was and all your choices seem to have been made for you centuries before you were born? That’s the reality young Alexa faces, and how well she copes will determine the fate of her world and that of the preternatural. Now, if only someone would explain what is going on!”
For eighteen-year-old Alexa finding a place to put down roots after being forced into a nomadic life by her paranoid mother was not as simple as she had believed. Her attempt to settle down in the coastal town of Beverly comes to an abrupt halt. Within months an explosion levels her apartment building, and all her preconceived ideas of her world come to an end.
Now on the run, Alexa can only follow Bet, her roommate, into the unknown, where the worlds of the Sidhe race of faeries, warlocks, daemons, and shadows, threaten her very existence.
Pulled into a prophecy that she together with Aidan, the Sidhe Prince, would right their worlds, Alexa finds herself fighting against the prophecy’s telling of her being bound to Aidan. What makes it worse is her increasing attachment to his brother Liam.
With her destiny set centuries ago, can she save their worlds in time, does she have a choice in whom to love, or will choosing her own path lead to their destruction?
What I liked about Elements:
There is much to like about Elements. It has a familiar feel to it (though I haven’t read any of Nia Markos’ work before). Being of Irish and Scot descent, stories of the Sidhe fascinate me and the way Nia Markos worked them into the story was excellent. Alexa is a good character, and Aidan plays his role well. Liam, too, figures prominently into the story. All told, an entertaining fantasy novel and a good start to the series.
What I didn’t like about Elements:
Although I enjoyed the story, Alexa and Aidan approach to their relationship and the constant reference to it got a bit old. In addition, Eliana’s character was too flat to me and needed to be fleshed out more.
Overall impression of Elements:
Nice story, good characters, the underlying conflict, and Alexa’s growth into her powers made Elements an enjoyable book! If you like YA fantasy, read this one!
My rating:
4 Stars
January 10, 2019
This book came highly recommended, so I started reading it with high hopes and ready for entertainment. Even when a book is part of a series, I love them best when they are stand-alone books. This book did not meet those criteria.
First, we see a very troubled love affair between Alexa and Aiden and Alexa’s infatuation with Liam, Aidan’s brother. We see the secretive life of Eliana, the Queen of a world hidden from the human world, but which a spell opened to the humans. Elsam, the bad, who wants nothing but to find and control the Kaemorra and use it to destroy the world. The Kaemorra, the force that kept this world invisible to humans until it was stolen and hidden away for centuries. Now they need Alexa to help them find it.
The story had a beginning, a middle, but no end to it. I suppose that this is so because it is the first of a series. As much as I could see the essence of this story and predict some of the events, like when Ben was pregnant, and it took Alexa time to figure out what was wrong with her, the story dragged on with no end in view. The “ing” words that were constant throughout the story weakened the narrative.
In all, I would have enjoyed this story more if it was not so obviously leading to some future end. I find it very stressful when authors, in an effort to make readers read their series, let their stories hang in the air instead of landing them down to some final conclusion. I have reservations about this story.
First, we see a very troubled love affair between Alexa and Aiden and Alexa’s infatuation with Liam, Aidan’s brother. We see the secretive life of Eliana, the Queen of a world hidden from the human world, but which a spell opened to the humans. Elsam, the bad, who wants nothing but to find and control the Kaemorra and use it to destroy the world. The Kaemorra, the force that kept this world invisible to humans until it was stolen and hidden away for centuries. Now they need Alexa to help them find it.
The story had a beginning, a middle, but no end to it. I suppose that this is so because it is the first of a series. As much as I could see the essence of this story and predict some of the events, like when Ben was pregnant, and it took Alexa time to figure out what was wrong with her, the story dragged on with no end in view. The “ing” words that were constant throughout the story weakened the narrative.
In all, I would have enjoyed this story more if it was not so obviously leading to some future end. I find it very stressful when authors, in an effort to make readers read their series, let their stories hang in the air instead of landing them down to some final conclusion. I have reservations about this story.
November 5, 2023
Wasted read..no cohesion to the plotline
This had potential but lacked directions. Too confusing without concrete plotline. There was the bond/mate idea, then the love triangle idea, add the clueless and weak FMC, then about a stone in a cave, and add in being a goddess.
Then end it with the cliffhanger with the h leaving feeling betrayed by the pathetic heroine. There was no chemistry, cohesion to the plotline, characters development. What a wasted time spent trying to read this book. Can't recommend this book.
This had potential but lacked directions. Too confusing without concrete plotline. There was the bond/mate idea, then the love triangle idea, add the clueless and weak FMC, then about a stone in a cave, and add in being a goddess.
Then end it with the cliffhanger with the h leaving feeling betrayed by the pathetic heroine. There was no chemistry, cohesion to the plotline, characters development. What a wasted time spent trying to read this book. Can't recommend this book.
April 16, 2018
Alexa is a teenage girl whose life changes dramatically as she learns the truth of her existence and purpose in life. This is the first book of the Crystal Series and I am anxious to read the other two books based on how well written Elements was. The plot is gripping, characters are well described and believable, and the magic of fantasy is wonderful.
December 31, 2019
Loved it
I love everything about this book and cannot wait read next one. The characters, story and the twists and turns keep you wanting more.
I love everything about this book and cannot wait read next one. The characters, story and the twists and turns keep you wanting more.
September 30, 2017
Young Adult Fantasy Thrill Ride of Fun!
With its weaving of supernatural elements and fantasy, Nia Markos's "Elements" takes readers on a thrill ride into magic, witchcraft, a mysterious new world, intrigue, and young adult romance. The pacing throughout Markos's first installment of her Crystal Series sets the tone for books to follow and allows readers to dive headfirst into a new world of danger that doesn't let up.
The book follows Alexa as she is thrust into a world beyond her normal life and all that it entails. We are also introduced to Aidan, a powerful supernatural being that has an almost unreal connection to Alexa and all she stands to gain and lose throughout the book. Reading through we are also introduced to a cast of supporting characters, all with their own backstories and more than one with some shadowy influence as to their overall intentions for both Alexa and Aidan, not to mention our world.
Markos's first installment is a thrilling young adult novel that should do well for lovers of fantasy, magic, secret worlds, and a love triangle that would rock the cosmos. Her characters, for the most part, are well written and are ones you can clearly see getting behind and rooting for, however, there are many supporting characters within the novel that tends to lead to some confusion when they are in a larger setting/gathering. The novel also has the reader enter the minds of Alexa and Aidan on a rotating chapter basis, which generally was easy to follow, but sometimes felt cut short as I wanted to stay in one character's mind a little longer to dig deeper into their personal experiences, but it made sense for the flow of the book and once I got past it, it worked.
"Elements" is a fine read and a wonderful addition to the young adult fantasy genre and one that could easily be made into a blockbuster movie as the detail and setting supplied by Markos would do well to gather audiences. A good read with some minor flaws, I enjoyed it overall and am interested to see where Alexa and the other characters end up as Markos clearly set up a rising hill to a grand climatic finish with additional installments.
With its weaving of supernatural elements and fantasy, Nia Markos's "Elements" takes readers on a thrill ride into magic, witchcraft, a mysterious new world, intrigue, and young adult romance. The pacing throughout Markos's first installment of her Crystal Series sets the tone for books to follow and allows readers to dive headfirst into a new world of danger that doesn't let up.
The book follows Alexa as she is thrust into a world beyond her normal life and all that it entails. We are also introduced to Aidan, a powerful supernatural being that has an almost unreal connection to Alexa and all she stands to gain and lose throughout the book. Reading through we are also introduced to a cast of supporting characters, all with their own backstories and more than one with some shadowy influence as to their overall intentions for both Alexa and Aidan, not to mention our world.
Markos's first installment is a thrilling young adult novel that should do well for lovers of fantasy, magic, secret worlds, and a love triangle that would rock the cosmos. Her characters, for the most part, are well written and are ones you can clearly see getting behind and rooting for, however, there are many supporting characters within the novel that tends to lead to some confusion when they are in a larger setting/gathering. The novel also has the reader enter the minds of Alexa and Aidan on a rotating chapter basis, which generally was easy to follow, but sometimes felt cut short as I wanted to stay in one character's mind a little longer to dig deeper into their personal experiences, but it made sense for the flow of the book and once I got past it, it worked.
"Elements" is a fine read and a wonderful addition to the young adult fantasy genre and one that could easily be made into a blockbuster movie as the detail and setting supplied by Markos would do well to gather audiences. A good read with some minor flaws, I enjoyed it overall and am interested to see where Alexa and the other characters end up as Markos clearly set up a rising hill to a grand climatic finish with additional installments.
September 30, 2017
What a great story. The story was great from the very beginning. A young woman, whose life was a series of moves and disconnection, leaves her controlling mother to attend college. Her life is sent into turmoil when her apartment is destroyed in an unexplained explosion. Her roommate convinces her to leave school and go with her to an unknown location, for her own protection. It is here that Alexa discovers she is not any ordinary college student. Though her questions are not quickly or easily answered she follows the instructions of those in the safe house. Her new friends swear to protect her from the people attempting to take her life, to stop her from fulfilling her purpose. She starts on an adventure to save humanity and discover her true identity.
This was an excellent read, I finished it in about 2 days, which for me is great. The book does end with no resolution, only questions but I do not fault the author in her tactic. If you enjoy the book, you will read the others. If not, it was still a good story. If you enjoy fantasy, magic, mythology, and mystical creatures, Elements is for you.
This was an excellent read, I finished it in about 2 days, which for me is great. The book does end with no resolution, only questions but I do not fault the author in her tactic. If you enjoy the book, you will read the others. If not, it was still a good story. If you enjoy fantasy, magic, mythology, and mystical creatures, Elements is for you.
December 22, 2017
Wow! The first installment of The Crystal Trilogy by Nia Markos is simply amazing 💞 It was a unique ,well crafted and spellbinding novel📚 This book was gripping from the first page and was beautifully written fantasy with a rich ,compelling plot and enchanting characters🧚♀️🧜🏻♀️The story was well paced and suspenseful ,with charming romances and thrilling adventures .....from witches🧙🏻♀️, nymphs🧝🏼♀️ and elementals to a complicated love triangle , the story was unpredictable with some marvelous unexpected revelations. The characters had great chemistry with each other and it was interesting to see how their relationships developed throughout the book 📚.
Overall this book was a stunning 😍 I read this within a day and couldn’t put it down. 🌺Thank you to the talented Nia Markos who wrote a beautiful 🌺Supernatural Fantasy Romance book which had me engrossed to the last page and left me wanting more and definitely can’t wait to read the next installment of this series!😊
Overall this book was a stunning 😍 I read this within a day and couldn’t put it down. 🌺Thank you to the talented Nia Markos who wrote a beautiful 🌺Supernatural Fantasy Romance book which had me engrossed to the last page and left me wanting more and definitely can’t wait to read the next installment of this series!😊
August 14, 2018
This book was fantastic! It took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but it kept my attention after that. I really enjoyed the characters and each of their internal struggles. The author did a wonderful job of weaving the story so that the reader doesn't really know who to trust. I'm really good at predicting endings, and I'm even questioning certain characters. Lol!
This is very much a journey-style book, where the main character must go on a journey to discover her powers while also trying to stay alive. Oh, and she's torn between two hot brothers for most of the book. Some of those scenes bothered me, but it didn't deter me from enjoying the story line. The book ends in a cliff-hanger, which is something that I love! I'm looking forward to reading book 2! :-)
This is very much a journey-style book, where the main character must go on a journey to discover her powers while also trying to stay alive. Oh, and she's torn between two hot brothers for most of the book. Some of those scenes bothered me, but it didn't deter me from enjoying the story line. The book ends in a cliff-hanger, which is something that I love! I'm looking forward to reading book 2! :-)
July 13, 2017
This book has all the elements of a great read for young adults and adults alike. With its combination of supernatural elements, a complicated love triangle, danger and intrigue, it was very difficult to put down. The characters were well crafted, the plot strong and I really can't wait to find out what happens next in book 2 of the series.
February 28, 2017
An extremely engaging book about magic, strange worlds, incredible powers and adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all the fantastic characters, and can't wait to read the next book in the series!
July 13, 2017
Thoroughly entertaining read. The characters are realistic, interesting and come to life. The story manages to successfully merge reality with fantasy. Loved it.
January 4, 2022
Well written, good romance without getting into the profane.
I enjoyed this one quite a lot. It wasn't the most gripping story of the year just a good tale told well.
I enjoyed this one quite a lot. It wasn't the most gripping story of the year just a good tale told well.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews