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lanayagraham's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I read this with my 11 year-old and we both enjoyed it! An age appropriate, racially-diverse, fantasy about 12 year old twins and their friends who can shape-shift into wolves and dragons. Great plot, well written, and enjoyable for older readers, too!
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
I almost didn't read this when I saw it was middle school level. It's hard, I'm a well aged adult, yes well aged. I like to think I'm mature and need adult level book to be entertained. But, I really loved the Illuminae Files she wrote so I dove in. I am not not mature or this was really good writing. I loved it.
The story follows two orphans, twins as they struggle to live free in a world separated by war and hate. There are humans who need protection, wolves who provide it and dragons who cause all the trouble. When one twin changes and the other goes another way the questions start forming and the truth slowly starts to unfold. One goes to be sacrificed one goes to a magical military school. There are a lot of unknowns, lies, hidden secrets and magic all new to them. One of the twins struggles with the need to save the other twin and new friendships who to trust. Meanwhile something is not adding up, and the teachers know more.
I got Harry Potter like vibes from this. Young magical child who never knew he held magic, finds he is so much more and attends a school for other like him, where a smart loner type girl befriends him. That is were the likeness ends. I think fans of Harry Potter might really enjoy this. There is no sex, no romance.
The story follows two orphans, twins as they struggle to live free in a world separated by war and hate. There are humans who need protection, wolves who provide it and dragons who cause all the trouble. When one twin changes and the other goes another way the questions start forming and the truth slowly starts to unfold. One goes to be sacrificed one goes to a magical military school. There are a lot of unknowns, lies, hidden secrets and magic all new to them. One of the twins struggles with the need to save the other twin and new friendships who to trust. Meanwhile something is not adding up, and the teachers know more.
I got Harry Potter like vibes from this. Young magical child who never knew he held magic, finds he is so much more and attends a school for other like him, where a smart loner type girl befriends him. That is were the likeness ends. I think fans of Harry Potter might really enjoy this. There is no sex, no romance.
joanna1905's review against another edition
4.0
I really wasn't sure what to expect with this book, I'm a huge Illuminae and Aurora fan but I wasn't the biggest fan of Amie's other YA books - not because anything is actually wrong with them but they're just too ya tropey for someone my age whose grown out of that phase of my reading life.
But I was intrigued by the premise of these books and I was interested to read my first books from Amie that are solo works and damn if I didn't think this book was really good.
I really liked the whole concept and I think it was really well executed, the magic system is simple enough for the intended audience but still well developed and multi-faceted and not at all underdeveloped just because it's intended for a younger audience.
I really loved the whole sibling accidentally ending up on opposed sides and how *hopefully* they're going to be the ones to figure out what is actually going on and uniting the wolves and dragons and ending the conflicts between them.
It's funny to me how I wasn't a big fan of her ya because it felt too young for me but that I loved her middle grade that's intended for an even younger audience.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of fantasy, even if middle grade isn't usually your thing I think a lot of people would love this story once you get past its intended audience.
But I was intrigued by the premise of these books and I was interested to read my first books from Amie that are solo works and damn if I didn't think this book was really good.
I really liked the whole concept and I think it was really well executed, the magic system is simple enough for the intended audience but still well developed and multi-faceted and not at all underdeveloped just because it's intended for a younger audience.
I really loved the whole sibling accidentally ending up on opposed sides and how *hopefully* they're going to be the ones to figure out what is actually going on and uniting the wolves and dragons and ending the conflicts between them.
It's funny to me how I wasn't a big fan of her ya because it felt too young for me but that I loved her middle grade that's intended for an even younger audience.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of fantasy, even if middle grade isn't usually your thing I think a lot of people would love this story once you get past its intended audience.
story_singer_101's review against another edition
3.0
My problems with Elementals: Ice Wolves has very little to do with the writing style or the characters. I didn’t see anything that really bothered me. However, I didn’t see anything that really impressed me either. The plot arc was pretty predictable, and the world was neither completely stereotypical nor adequately original. In the book’s favor, the protagonist experienced real development, and the characters were likeable and distinct. Unfortunately, the book’s ending landed the story firmly into the realms of stereotypical fantasy, and once again the kids always knew better than the adults. On the whole, the book was entertaining, but it wasn’t stunning fiction.
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I had high hopes for Kafuman’s newest, even though it was a departure for her: a middle grade fantasy. I actually ended up reading the first 50 pages while in line at her signing with Jay Kristoff (it was a long line), and I was thoroughly pleased with the engaging storyline. But then I had quite a few review books I needed to read, so I ended up putting this book aside for awhile and picking it up again over a month later. This could have spelled doom for the book—usually if I set a book down for so long, it sort of ruins the flow—but in this case, I was no less excited about the book when I started reading again. That, in itself is a ringing endorsement!
Anyway, this book ended up being a really fun middle grade fantasy, filled with shape-shifting dragons (and wolves!) and a whole lot of adventure! Sure, it had a few predictable elements, but I was engaged with the story and the characters were fun and well-developed. We had a little bit of mystery, a few nice revelations, and an MC you couldn’t help but love (as a mom, I just wanted to give the kid a hug!). I’m excited to keep reading this series! I give this first book an easy 4/5 stars.
I had high hopes for Kafuman’s newest, even though it was a departure for her: a middle grade fantasy. I actually ended up reading the first 50 pages while in line at her signing with Jay Kristoff (it was a long line), and I was thoroughly pleased with the engaging storyline. But then I had quite a few review books I needed to read, so I ended up putting this book aside for awhile and picking it up again over a month later. This could have spelled doom for the book—usually if I set a book down for so long, it sort of ruins the flow—but in this case, I was no less excited about the book when I started reading again. That, in itself is a ringing endorsement!
Anyway, this book ended up being a really fun middle grade fantasy, filled with shape-shifting dragons (and wolves!) and a whole lot of adventure! Sure, it had a few predictable elements, but I was engaged with the story and the characters were fun and well-developed. We had a little bit of mystery, a few nice revelations, and an MC you couldn’t help but love (as a mom, I just wanted to give the kid a hug!). I’m excited to keep reading this series! I give this first book an easy 4/5 stars.
whatsmacksaid's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really great story--my only disappointment was how abrupt the ending felt. Make sure you have book two within easy reach!
thebookishunicorn's review against another edition
4.0
"Just because you're adding something to who you are doesn't mean you have to give up who you used to be."
kittylover2014's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes