Book Review: Earth by Shauna Granger

Earth
by Shauna Granger

Genre: YA Fantasy

Ages: 14 and up

I received an e-copy of this from the author as part of a blog tour with A Tale of Many Reviews.

Description:

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.

My Thoughts:

I found this book to be quite enjoyable and original. Unlike many YA stories, it is not all about romance or discovering strange new powers. The characters already have their powers and are doing their best to use them for good, such as protecting a fellow student from an abusive boyfriend. Shayna, Jodi and Steven are all likable and fairly mature but not above a little bit of fun. The chemistry between the three of them is great.

The introduction of the two mysterious and handsome brothers, Ian and Jensen, was nicely done. Their arrival coincides with somebody attempting to carry out dark rituals, leaving the reader wondering if one of them is the guilty party...or if a romance is going to start. The mystery left me guessing throughout the story.

The only thing that bothered me about this story was that at a couple of points it felt a little too Wiccan for my tastes. However, it was not overwhelming.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes dark mystery, elemental magic and just a hint of romance. Book 2, Air, will be released on Oct. 31st.

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
I rate it a 6.10 for mostly mild to mid-level swearing with a couple uses of the f-word. (All used by the same abusive boyfriend.)

Sexuality:
I rate it a 3.10 for references, hints and attempted rape.

Violence:
I give it a 5.10 for attempted murder, fights, abuse and some bloodiness.

                                      Lieder Madchen