An Elemental Origins Novel (The Elemental Origins Series Book 1)

I absolutely love this series! Its been forever since I've found books I cannot put down. I love the mystical stories of these elemental women. And perhaps designed for young readers I am well into adulthood. Perhaps I am just young at heart and these stories help rekindle my imagination.

Thank you for imagining such original and creative books. It brought renewed interest in the paranormal,fiction genre for me. The characters were well drawn but the depth of the research and resulting changes the elemental humans experienced was superb.

I think that most adults would, since that first third is geared towards a younger audience-- school, friendship, boys, and teen angst. Once the young Heroine came into her abilities, however, the pace picked up.

This book was nicely written, had pretty good World Building, and this reader came to care about the characters. I also enjoyed the descriptive Ocean locales. I didn't care much for the adult love interest for the Heroine, but at least things in that romance didn't progress very far.

The ending was a little disappointing, as little was resolved, but at least it didn't end in the middle of an action scene. I do have the next two books in this series, so I will continue with the series at least that far.

My rating: 3 Stars for an adult, likely 4 Stars for a teen. Since its shown as a YA, I give it a low 4.

Book Review: Born Of Water : An Elemental Origins Story by A. L. Knorr

Near the beginning of the story I noticed that the author use passive voice a bit, and more importantly, Knorr seemed to have difficulty deciding if the story was present tense or past tense. However after those few first chapters at most the story settled to past tense.
This story has good flow and put tegether. But I wonder where the rest of it is. There are a series of holes that don't get answered, and you are forced to sit there wondering what is going to happen next. There is more than enough for a next story. But the next story in the series is about a different set of characters. Come on, what is going to happen to our pair of mermaids, and just what biological differences are there between mermaids and elementals. Clearly there are some.
This story does have one plot hole. There are mermaids that suffer from salt flush, and this is suppose to make a mermaid more a creature of instinct than a creature of reason. I would like to point out that a mermaid's need to breed is the only thing powerful enough to drive her out of the ocean. This is an instict, and it's a powerful one. When it hits a mermaids, it becomes a powerful thud inside her. Unless salt flushing renders the mermaid inferitile, the instinct to breed would not be a powerful thud, but an overwhelming force that would leave her with no choice but to get out of the water and go find her mate. Period. A good reason to drive Sybellen to the shore, hu.

The writing and editing are excellent. Sadly, the story is lacking. I was promised Fyre Festival with luxury accommodations and gourmet food. I got a tent and cheese sandwich. Nothing happens for the first 30% of the novel. At 30% the girl has an episode in the ocean and claims her heritage. Before then, nothing. A bunch of teenagers chatting about what they'll do over summer break, boys, girls, and underwater salvage. We don't see any salvage, just an offhand mention that it's there. I really wanted to finish this book, but it has given me no confidence that the next thirty percent is going to be any more engaging than the first 30. It's unfortunate, because the author's skill and talent is very good, but readers can't slog through the first half of a book without getting at least a hint as to some sort of actual plot.

I read the last chapter and I was bewildered... Clearly one must purchase all three books for this to make sense, but goodness this book is unfinished. I do not recommended that you purchase nor read it. Save yourself.

A good read, well written and interesting premises. I liked the way sirens were portrayed and how Targa’s re-birth went. Targa was very mature for her age and I liked her reasoning. The fact she didn’t throw her old life away like her mother wanted was refreshing to read.

The reasoning behind the "science" of the main characters was interesting as were the characters themselves. I enjoyed seeing Targa evolve into her true self. If only this level of logic can continue with the rest of the series it will be awesome, YA or not.

Pros: Interesting
Not a whole lot of books about mermaid children, so that was unique.
Good imagery

Cons: A little predictable.
It felt rushed at the end.
I'm not a huge fan of all the mushy stuff, but that's personal preference

This is a terrific book that builds off characters the author previously penned in the outstanding novella, Returning. Written from the perspective of Targa, the heroine of Returning's novella, we get the rare look at a coming of age teen living her life under extraordinary circumstances. It's hard to be a teen and not feel like you've disappointed your parents, but to work so desperately at redemption and perhaps find some, is the beauty of this novel. The change and growth of Targa is a joy to watch, and I found myself at that point where I was unable to put the book down. Honestly, I was rooting for her until the very end!

Added Abby (AL Knorr) to acceptable Authors List

OK probably should not leave out the whole Elemental series and the O-rice-ran: Kacy series. All were great and very re-readable.
If you liked this DO NOT forget to read the Bonus chapter and the Prequels: Returning I & II and the Wreck of the Sybellen. (It should be at the end of B o W.

There is a corrected version available. Ask the store Support (Help) if you need to. Try removing the book from your Kindle/Device and re-downloading it. If your copy refers to Masthead, not Figurehead (Google them)

I cannot even describe how much I enjoyed the creativity and authenticity in this book. All too often these mermaids stories are pretty cookie cutter with the whole future of the race of merpeople is at stake and on the shoulders of a 16 year old girl. But this is not one of those stories! It is wonderfully mundane and realistic and I loved that the mermaids capabilities and their lifestyle were so well thought and practical! The fantasy was interwoven with reality so well and it was an incredibly refreshing read. Probably one of my favorite mermaids tales yet! There are some inconsistencies with writing and speech, warring between trying to keep the characters sounding young but also mature, as well as some grammatical errors but ultimately the story, plot, characters, and relationship development was all beautiful! Definitely recommend if you love mermaid stories!

The characters were interesting, the writing is decent, and the siren/mermaid concept is a good one. That said, it isn't well-paced--a lot of the action happens at the wrong time and is either drawn out or pushed through in a way that doesn't really work with the story.

Usually, that would put this genre of book around 3.5 stars--not too bad, decent light reading. But the romance is disturbing, honestly. A twenty-something post-college graduate goes after a seventeen year old high school junior, and this is treated as completely normal and even desirable by the narration. It made me question the YA categorization. A 17yo crushing on a twenty-something is normal, but the reverse is just gross.

The reasoning behind the "science" of the main characters was interesting as were the characters themselves. I enjoyed seeing Targa evolve into her true self. If only this level of logic can continue with the rest of the series it will be awesome, YA or not.

This is a terrific book that builds off characters the author previously penned in the outstanding novella, Returning. Written from the perspective of Targa, the heroine of Returning's novella, we get the rare look at a coming of age teen living her life under extraordinary circumstances. It's hard to be a teen and not feel like you've disappointed your parents, but to work so desperately at redemption and perhaps find some, is the beauty of this novel. The change and growth of Targa is a joy to watch, and I found myself at that point where I was unable to put the book down. Honestly, I was rooting for her until the very end!

Added Abby (AL Knorr) to acceptable Authors List

OK probably should not leave out the whole Elemental series and the O-rice-ran: Kacy series. All were great and very re-readable.
If you liked this DO NOT forget to read the Bonus chapter and the Prequels: Returning I & II and the Wreck of the Sybellen. (It should be at the end of B o W.

There is a corrected version available. Ask the store Support (Help) if you need to. Try removing the book from your Kindle/Device and re-downloading it. If your copy refers to Masthead, not Figurehead (Google them)

This is totally slanted in a manner that allows you to wonder about. what a modern Siren would have to do to create progeny.
How would they cope.
I petsonally wonder the connection between Sybalen and Mari. I read howTargah' mother thinks and acts and she is very old. I feel that with the salt exposure she has forgotten several land lives.
It seems clear to me. That while sea salt was necessary to reset a siren"s reproductive processes. The Baltic sea should have allowed Sybalen to stay longer with her land family.
Was it possible for Emun Jr to change.
Because there are legends of Mermen.
Hmm.
I will think about this book for years and wonder.

I cannot even describe how much I enjoyed the creativity and authenticity in this book. All too often these mermaids stories are pretty cookie cutter with the whole future of the race of merpeople is at stake and on the shoulders of a 16 year old girl. But this is not one of those stories! It is wonderfully mundane and realistic and I loved that the mermaids capabilities and their lifestyle were so well thought and practical! The fantasy was interwoven with reality so well and it was an incredibly refreshing read. Probably one of my favorite mermaids tales yet! There are some inconsistencies with writing and speech, warring between trying to keep the characters sounding young but also mature, as well as some grammatical errors but ultimately the story, plot, characters, and relationship development was all beautiful! Definitely recommend if you love mermaid stories!

The characters were interesting, the writing is decent, and the siren/mermaid concept is a good one. That said, it isn't well-paced--a lot of the action happens at the wrong time and is either drawn out or pushed through in a way that doesn't really work with the story.

Usually, that would put this genre of book around 3.5 stars--not too bad, decent light reading. But the romance is disturbing, honestly. A twenty-something post-college graduate goes after a seventeen year old high school junior, and this is treated as completely normal and even desirable by the narration. It made me question the YA categorization. A 17yo crushing on a twenty-something is normal, but the reverse is just gross.

Recommend: Yes! Definitely!

Plot thoughts: Premise is interesting. You just know the girls are going to be special from the synopsis and of course the title. I like that it's not a world ending prophecy. At least not that I'm aware of. It's a journey of discovery and coming into oneself. It's about learning how to use your innate powers and personal sacrifice and making decisions that impact the world, it's people.

Composition: Well written. Nicely edited.

Additional Thoughts/Comments: I didn't want to put it down and yet wanted to hurry through so I could read the next book. 4 friends, each with their own story, happening at the same time, in different parts of the world. On to the next book!

Fantastic story. The author has brought us up to the present day from "Returning" with a daughter, Targa, who feels she is dud. She believes she has disappointed her mother with a lack of siren abilities and thereby forced her into a life she would easily leave behind. With all the turbulence and angst of teenage life and the added stigma of being unworthy, she anticipates the upcoming vacation from school to be a burden to be endured. Not by a longshot. Targa's trials of going from joy to trepidation take us on a roller coaster ride that keep the reader glued to each page. And yet at the end the author still leaves us with tantalizing tidbits that beg to be revealed in future stories. Well conceived storyline, with great character development that keeps the reader engrossed.

Aloha Readers,

Do you want to know more about mermaids? Then read this fantasy book! It gives a new light to what mermaids are, how they are born, and so much more. Yes, some things in this book are what you heard of mermaids. However, this book takes a different twist by seeing this world through the eyes of a mermaid named Targa. Readers will learn about herself, her journeys, and her mom. This is a responsible teenager mermaid. This book has action, fantasy, love, and suspense all mix wonderful together. That is why I give this book 5 stars. It is the best mermaid story! I am looking forward to book two! I received a complimentary copy for an honest review.

Good writing. Only a couple of homophone/homonym mistakes: taught for taut, etc. Really good character development and world-building. Not just a YA novel. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to both adults and teenagers. I would say teens because the little bit of romance is G-rated and some of the angst is teen but I would also suggest it to adults because finding yourself is universal - not just for those under 21. I have read the first 4 books in the series and this is the best but I would give 4 stars to the worst and I'm picky. Read it - it's worth the time and money.