Elemental Secrets (Essential Elements #1)
by Elle Middaugh
Published by: Pronoun
Publication date: February 27th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
With her mother long deceased and her father recently deployed, Valerie Moore is sent to live with her eccentric aunt in a tiny town nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Being a Navy brat has made her into a bit of a loner, and making friends isn’t high on her list.
Time with her aunt, however, soon convinces her that a life of loneliness really isn’t what she wants. So, she opens up and makes a few friends – friends with secrets.
Her love life quickly becomes a mess. Torn between the conflicted heartbreaker next door, the persistent jock at the top, and the rugged college bad boy, Valerie finds it almost impossible to choose just one guy.
Romance isn’t her only problem, though.
Secrets are revealed about her family, her friends and relationships, and her whole world…
But the biggest secret of all is unveiled when Valerie discovers she has Elemental powers, unleashing a rapid chain of irreversible events.
Review:
I really liked Elemental Secrets, it gave me the same vibes I had when I was reading Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein.
It is really a slow start and it allows Elle to set the story and discover things little by little the same way Val does in the book. We all know that my usual preference is to dive in as quickly as possible but the slower pace of discovery works out really well.
We have teenage hormones, secrecy and a lot of other things going on that we get to see unfold as Val’s story progresses and it is pretty good if I may say so.
A love triangle which kinda shifts into a quad, I mean I suppose so since all the guys are described as pretty much McHotties! As I mentioned earlier, it does take quite a bit for the story to start unfolding and what an unfolding it is!
I gotta say, even I was a bit stunned at the great display of torture, so just be weary cause it is quite a bit gruesome.
However in itself, I suppose it had to happen so we hit the right turning point for the group.
I like Val, she is a nice kid and really relatable and existing in some extraordinary circumstances. Out of all the boys, I cannot say that I have made up my mind in terms of the one I like best. I do kinda like the college bad boy, but he is the one we know the least about so not sure. I have yet to decide on their actions in the next book.
I will know for sure by next book and keep you all posted!
I am not sure if this is a Duology or a Trilogy to be honest with you, but there is a lot that needs to take place in the next book and I am expecting fireworks people!
I have really enjoyed Elemental Secrets and highly recommend it, I cannot wait for book 2 to be out and see what happens next!
About the Author:
Elle Middaugh lives in the Allegheny Mountains outside of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, with her wonderful husband and three beautiful children. Most of her time is spent raising kids, writing stories, playing video games, reading, and attempting to keep a clean house.
She’s a proud Navy wife, a frazzle-brained mother, a fan of health and fitness, a lover of hot tea and iced tea, and a believer in happily ever afters.