Review: Earth

Title - Earth
Author - Shauna Granger
Series or Standalone - Book 1 in the Elemental Series
Genre Young Adult Paranormal
Published May 1st 2011
(Goodreads) & (Amazon)
Rating 4 out of 5

Synopsis

Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start. 

Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it's only a ploy to draw her out; she can't let someone die because of her.

Review

I received this book as part of the YA Bound Book Tour. Shayna is a empath and also has the ability to control the four elements earth, air, water and fire. Her two best friends Steven and Jodi all inherited their magic from their families. Thanks to Shayna's affiliation to all the elements she's been able to help train Steven with fire, and Jodi with Air. Since they all share nature magic they are closely bonded so they can hear each other's thoughts, as well as feel what the other is feeling. Together they use nature magic to cast spells, while they attend high school as they learn to grow as witches. They each have their own elemental names, Shayna is Terra Steven is Pyro but he's called Drake and then Jodi is Fae so when they talk to each other they use their elemental names.

The trio uses their powers for good and in the start they are working on a spell to help a friend Tracy whose boyfriend Nick is abusive to her but she's one of those girls who can't seem to leave him. The trio sets out to create a spell that will help move past him as well as find a better guy for her. Before the trio can cast the spell Shayna finds Nick beating on Tracy and her earth power causes a earthquake where Nick ends up hurt and in the hospital. Before they can cast their spell new students twin boys show up. Shayna is attracted instantly to one but sense something about them but isn't sure what.

When police find in the forest blood ritual magic the trio worries that someone might be trying to bring something dark into their world. They set out to find out who is threatening to expose them, if the twins really are who they seem and stop the darkness that is looming. They find a girl who they save from being sacrificed, who they happen to go to school with, but they don't know who they are looking for because he runs off. Then their friend Tracy is missing and the trio knows they are running out of time.

I really enjoyed reading Earth it reminds me in a good way like charmed but I prefer the best friends aspect over the sisters. I like that the magic that the trio has is also nature magic I found it unique compared to all the death magic in other books. The story has good amount of back story to it since it is the first I found it helpful in getting to know the trio better and those around them. I started Earth this morning and didn't stop till I was at the last page, because I couldn't put it down. The story flows smoothly and I had no issues following along, the characters are written so that I felt I was there with them maybe looming over their shoulders. This is great because I love a book that will draw me in holding my attention till the end. Earth is filled with adventure, friendships, emotions romance and everything I needed for a great book. Overall it's a great first in the series, and I'm looking forward to starting Air the next book in the series.