As I'm a fan of things Irish, I stumbled across Morgan Llywelyn's books some time ago. I hang my head and admit that I haven't read them all. Then again, I'm not sure I've read all of any author's books.
That's beside the point.
I bought The Elementals on the offchance that I'd like it. I'm sort of a nature sort, and I figured anything dealing with the elements could be entertaining. After all, I've toyed with writing them on my own.
And, for the most part, with this book, I wasn't disappointed.
The book consists of four sections for, you guessed it, the four elements: Water, Fire, Earth and Air. To be honest with you, if I'd been the editor in charge of this book, I'd have done things differently. Meaning, I'd have set up the stories differently.
I wasn't the editor.
The book begins with Water, and the tale of what amount to prehistoric peoples fleeing the floodwaters, and finding a new place to live. It's dry, it draws on, and it made me put the book down more than once. Buuuut, I muddled through, and finished it. Not a strong start, in my opinion.
From there on out, the book's a lot more fun, and more entertaining to read. Fire takes place near Atlantis and deals with the Minoans. Earth takes place in the nineteenth century, and deals with Annie, a New England homesteaders wide. And Air, the last installment, deals with George and a unique solution to the global warming and air pollution problems that loom over us all today.
Was the book worth the reading, and worth the money? I'd say yes. Was it a page-turner from start to end? No. If you're like me, and have trouble getting through a book if it starts slowly, skip the first story. The other three will keep you going.
Recommended:
