Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: Earth by Shauna Granger (Elemental #1)

Hello gorgeous people!  Welcome to this stop on the Elemental Series Blog Tour :)

Title: Earth by Shauna Granger

Published: May 1^st, 2011 by Shauna Granger

Source: Provided for free for review

Format: eBook

Challenge(s): eBook

Grade rate: B

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 Review

I enjoyed Earth, it was a quick and fascinating read! 

Earth is mostly about magic. It is very interesting the way different believes are mixed in a way to makes sense to the reader, on one hand we have witches/warlocks, magic, herbs, candles, stones and the like; on the other hand we have very structured religious beliefs and even guardian angels.  Of course, there are also bad guys, demons and other things that go ‘bump’ in the night.

Shayna and her friends were born with affinity to the elements.  Shayna is an earth elemental, Steven is a fire elemental, and Jodi has affinity to air and all of them have a strong bond.  Of the three friends Shayna is the stronger ‘witch’ of the bunch.  Shayna is a grounded character, she is selfless, and good to the core; she is loyal to her friends.  However, she doesn’t always make the best decisions; it’s a good think that her friends have her back.  I love Steven the most; he is a lot of fun to be around!  Jodi is okay, but I think she is also jealous of Shayna’s looks and power.

The characterization is really good, although is always disturbing to be how little involvement some parents have in their children’s life. 

The story is told from Shayna’s point of view, and flows effortlessly.  The plot is expertly executed and fairly simple.  I was able to guess who the bad guy is, but that didn’t spoil the fun for me.  It is nice to read a book in which the characters know what they are and what they can do from the beginning.  The writing flows nicely, and it gives the reader enough background to understand all the nuances of the magic being performed.

I definitely plan to read the rest of the series Air and Water. (Besides I’m dying to know what happens with Jensen!)

Here are some non-spoiler quotes:

“…and eventually I found myself, unsurprisingly, at the bookstore.  I loved this place.  It was huge with a coffee shop on the first floor full of my people, coffee drinkers and readers.”

“I wanted to open the door.  I thought of all those horror movies where the girl is home alone in the middle of the night and stupidly opens the door for the crazed killer.  I always yelled at those girls and thought they deserved to die for being so stupid.  Was I going to be that girl?”

About the cover:  It is a beautiful cover, I love the colors and the intensity of Shayna’s eyes.

Find it here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble  

About the Author
I don't do well talking about myself. So as basics go, I have recently self-published the first two books in my Elemental Series, Earth and Air, Young Adult Urban Fantasy novels. Look for the third installment, Water, coming in 2012!
I have been working on the Elemental Series for the last four years and plan for it to be a 5 book series. It was a hard decision to self-publish but it's been an exciting and terrifying ride.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

Here is the information for the giveaway:

Grand Prize:

There is a signed copy of each paperback, Earth, Air and Water and a matching bookmark for each. There is a mini Jack-o-lantern (that I carved) and an awesome, sparkly candle (electric) and some fun Halloween treats that include candy, stickers and copy of one of my favorite Halloween movies, Monster House. (US only)

 3 other winners will also receive a ebook from the series, winner’s choice from Earth, Air or Water.  (Open Internationally)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of YA Bound Book Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by YA Bound  Book Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*