Elemental Magic & Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Rise of the Fifth Order Book 1)

This is a wonderful and very engaging fantasy novel. Autumn is clever with descriptions and her characters, this is one of those rare stories where the events are easily rendered in the mind's eye. She has a fertile and ingenious imagination that will make you jealous you didn't write this first. I expect many more great things from this author and am looking forward very much to the sequel.

I really enjoyed this read. I was looking for something I could read quickly (so I could make my goodreads reading goal) that had an element of fantasy. I love reading books about fantasy worlds with an element of magic and this book had both. Each chapter I read left me wanting to read on. I could hardly put it down!

First of all, I love the ideas of putting the four basic elements of our planet - earth, water, fire, and air - into their own context. Here in this book, they have their own temple, their own super powers, and their own practitioners, called Elementals. This author has a vivid imagination. You can tell she is just bubbling over with ideas, and that she could continue conjuring magnificent scenes as long as her sleep holds out and as long as her computer does not break down!

In a quest reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings, a foursome travels to seek the answers to thwart off an evil curse. The pacing is a little uneven, as we're told at the beginning that the quest is urgent, but then the book slows down in order to give the characters breathing space in order to develop bonds and relationships, which are lovingly explored. The author cares about her characters, and she strives hard to give each of the four major characters equal time and billing. It works: we know a lot about each of the foursome by the time the book ends.

As for Ty, the only male in the posse, I understand the desire to give him a brooding nature, but sometimes his outbursts and hunches seem to be odd. Perhaps digging deeper as to why he feels that way would help us identify even more with his character. For example, he states before the halfway point in the book that he doesn't trust one of the group, Niri, who had initially joined out of urgency, but her actions to date had only protected the group from great harm. While he did have a flashback to recount why he felt that way about members of the ominous "Church," by that point Niri had vastly proved herself. Placing his mistrust squarely at the moment she joined, at the very beginning, might have been a more smooth introduction of his feelings about the "Church."

I agree with another reviewer that there is a little too much description on an ongoing basis throughout the entire book. The battle scenes were great and left me breathless, but there is a little too much recounting of travel in the book, leading to lulls between battle scenes. I felt as if the characters had docked, sailed, headed into port, and re-assembled so many times that I just lost count. On the other hand, Lavinia's sojourn in the Forest of Falin was very nicely done, and I didn't feel that there was any waste of story-telling. The author knows that we need periods of rest between fight scenes to allow the characters room to grow and to establish friendships, and that is what happens in the Forest of Falin.

I loved two battle scenes in particular. The battle at the Temple of Dust and the battle at the Temple of Wind. Fire versus water. Air versus Earth. Thrilling!

A pretty decent read. The character interaction and motivation is a bit stunted and confusing at times, especially in the beginning, but it is still a good read. Interesting idea about the powers and development. I'm glad I got it.

I am in love with this series! It's a non stop adventure and I can't wait to read more. Full, of magic, romance, and exciting battles. The characters are really well developed and and continually growing

I thought this fantasy adventure was well-written drawing in readers with beautiful, visual descriptions of places and characters. The opening chapters got my attention and I wanted to continue following the adventures of the four main characters - Ty, Ria, Lavinia, and Niri.

A pretty decent read. The character interaction and motivation is a bit stunted and confusing at times, especially in the beginning, but it is still a good read. Interesting idea about the powers and development. I'm glad I got it.

I am in love with this series! It's a non stop adventure and I can't wait to read more. Full, of magic, romance, and exciting battles. The characters are really well developed and and continually growing

I thought this fantasy adventure was well-written drawing in readers with beautiful, visual descriptions of places and characters. The opening chapters got my attention and I wanted to continue following the adventures of the four main characters - Ty, Ria, Lavinia, and Niri.

I purchased this book on a whim after a brief interaction with the author on a discussion group. I had no idea what the book was about aside from being in the fantasy genre. Born of Water is a unique and fresh concept and the word and characters are well developed.

I found myself quickly engaged in the storyline. I would have given it five stars but I did struggle a bit with the personality of Ty. The mood swings were not very well explained or justified. Perhaps some of the back story to his personality will be explained in the sequel but there were some moments that his behavior did not make sense.

I am pleased to know there is a sequel. I feel confident that the story will only continue to get better.

Autumn takes us on a very vivid, imaginative journey. ..building a world full of depth and color with characters that are relatable.
Niri's life takes a turn when she can no longer, as a priestess, blindly do the churches bidding in collecting children with special powers. Ria is one of those with special powers but also has something more...something the church wants to stamp out. So they unleash "the Curse" to do just that. Ria's best friend, Lavinia and her brother Ty are there to help their friend. All four set out on a journey they could never have imagined....and the story's not over yet!
I can't wait to read the second book, Rule of Fire, to find out what happens next!

Born of Water is the fits book on The Rise of the Fifth Order series, which is quite unique and, perhaps, even a little complex. First, I wish to compliment the author on her imagination. The world she created, creatures and curses were something amazing and enchanting. In fact, I adding a couple of color maps into the book just helped to make the story even more magical and exciting. Nonetheless, I advise you to devote your whole attention to the story if you are reading it. Otherwise, you will get very confused because it has so many characters telling their problems, worries and adventures that you would even forget who the main one. In fact, I even doubt there is a hero or heroine. In my opinion, all of them battled for the reader’s attention in their own unique ways. First Ria, who has lived a lie all her life. Yes, she who people made her believe and if people find out, it might be the end for her. Then there is Niri, a water priestess who might be the only hope of survival for Ria. Then there are the two siblings that swore to protect Ria from harm’s way. Yes, you will get your time to get to know each one of them and even more secondary characters.
Honestly, having that many characters and trying to give almost equal attention to each of them is very tiring for the reader. Suddenly everything was all Niri, then all Ria, then we jump to the siblings and back again. It was very confusing. However, the strong point is that we get to see the character development of each, to some point. Another thing that I would like to see was a better explanation of the world Ria and her friends are living with. What is the Church? What is an Elemental? I am not saying you don’t get an explanation. All I am saying is that suddenly you are pushed head first into the story without a proper introduction and hints and pieces are just left through the story for you to interpret. I am not saying it is bad, it just isn’t exactly my cup of tea.
Now, I must compliment the way the author mixed mystery, action, romance, and friendship. I kind of had fun trying to figure out the course Ria’s group was going to take. I was even hoping for a couple to develop, it kind of did just not the one I was expecting. Oh well, I love unexpected twists and this plot has a lot. I do believe that aside from originality, the strong point of this book is that was never predictable.

In the buried archives of the Temple of Dust may lie the secret to defeating the Curse, a creature which seeks to destroy 16-year old Ria for the forbidden gifts she possesses. But it is from among the ranks of those who control the Curse where Ria will find her best chance of success.

Only the Priestess Niri can save Ria from the forces that hunt her, if Niri doesn’t betray the girl first. Along with Ria comes Ty and his sister, Lavinia, both bound to defend Ria from the Church of Four Orders. However, Ty has been living a life less than honest and keeping it from his sister. To survive a journey that takes them across the breadth of their world, the four must learn to trust each other before pursuit from the Church and Ty’s troubled past find them.

Born of Water is the first book in the Rise of the Fifth Order Saga full of elemental magic and epic fantasy adventure. Welcome to the mythical world of Myrrah, ruled by the Church of Four Orders - Fire, Earth, Water, and Air.

Great concept for a story, but the book seemed to stutter in the middle, I personally think the next instalment would be better as you have more characters involved.

This was an engrossing read full of adventure, powers, and characters. I enjoy reading books that are not filled with foul language and erotica. The story made me want to continue with the series. Thank you!

Totally intrigued with the idea of this story. Many different authors have used the idea of magic, or power belonging to elements that can be manipulated by people. Most commonly know would probably be "Avatar; The Last Airbender".
Our story developed the talents of several characters, even if they aren't Elementals showing every kind of talent is useful and needed. I enjoyed the interaction between the people as the run from a common enemy and learn just how horrible the Church is. A real eye opener for Niri, a former priestess of the Church. Trials and surprising allies await our seekers as the try to save Ria's life and evade the Curse chasing them.
The story does seem to lag in places, sometimes losing the readers interest for a few pages but Ms. Birth knows how to pull you back in and you are off and running again. I am sure her writing will only get better the more she writes.
Wondrous twists and turn in this story that will keep you engaged. Good job Ms. Birth.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

A great adventure with a good mix of intrigue and a little romance. The concept and story were well done and unique from many of the epic fantasy novels I have read before.

I enjoyed the various lead characters, in particular, Niri.

Born of Water by Autumn M. Birt is a well-crafted fantasy adventure featuring Niri, a priestess of the Church of Four Orders. She seeks to recruit Ria, a girl from Mirocyne rumored to possess mystical powers. Only upon encountering Ria and her comrades, Ty and Lavinia, she discovers kindred spirits who she feels compelled to protect from the dark forces of the universe. They begin an epic journey that takes them across the Forest of Falin to the Great Desert of Ak'Ashanti (and this one comes with maps included, folks). Along the way, they find themselves on a path of self-discovery where Ria and her friends learn as much about themselves as their mystical environment in this coming-of-age novel.

The element of water plays an essential role in the author's narrative. Niri realizes an epiphany in the opening chapter as she sees it as a new horizon, taking her beyond her limited role as a priestess and allowing her to explore a new reality. We also see how it is considered a sacred element by the people, revered for its life-giving qualities as much as its mystery and promise to explorers and wayfarers. For Ria it is a blessing and a curse, a source of power that the diabolical Curse is sent to destroy. It also serves as a metaphor in the subplot as the roguish Ty seeks to redeem himself, washing himself clean of his mottled past in becoming the anti-hero in Birt's story. The author cleverly brings her central theme to mind in developing the storyline, giving it an Aquarian sense of adventure and fidelity with which readers of all ages can identify.

Pick up a copy of Born of Water by Autumn M. Birt and prepare for a trip you won't forget.

The story is about the church and how it takes young elemental from their families and use them for themselves, not always for good!
The story has many strong characters and those who learn to be with the help of other elemental. They have to fight the " Curse" the church created to save Ria. Many of them are from different places and different types of people.
I really enjoyed the book and starting Rule of Fire. The book is well written and has a lot of imagination used in the places they visit and the hardships they have to face.
I was given this book for a fair and honest review.

This is one of those books for which I wish there was a four and a half star option!
I loved this book. The first thing that dragged me in was the gorgeous description. The author is outstanding at painting vivid pictures of both the place and the people within it and I loved that the book travelled all over the shop over the course of it.
The second thing that dragged me in was the main character of Niri. She is both naive and strong which is a winning combination in my book.
I loved the magic and the way it expands in the final third of the book is also very exciting.
The set pieces, from the battle in the desert to the final showdown up in the mountains were great. Well described and exhilarating.
Why would I like to give it four and a half instead of five?
Two small bugbears. In the early parts of the book, the characters swayed back and forth in terms of emotion. Sometimes it worked perfectly and other times it just felt a bit forced. It took a slight leap of faith on my part to stick with them until their motivations became clear.
My other slight issue was a tendency to start a number of chapters in the future for a few paragraphs then jump back in time. It confused me a little until I got the hang of it!
However, those small gripes aside, this book is a wonderful, epic tale I wouldn't hesitate to recommend, particularly to young adult readers.

Siri is an elemental of water, given over to the temple at a long age. She returns to the city of her birth when, she encounters Ria, her friend Lavinia and Ria's brother Ty. In Ria she discovers the potential for magic far greater than her own as the trio are attacked near the docks. Dark forces seek the girl and Niri must save her in a chase that spans the world.

Miss Birt brings a sense of realism to her descriptions born of her experiences abroad, instilling her prose with a descriptive relish of having "been there, done that". It's my expectation that I will find the same flavor in the sequel 'Rule of Fire

This story is an epic travelogue. Most epic adventures have a fair amount of travel, but in this book, I found the travel to be a little to repetitive, especially in the beginning. Once you get halfway into the book, there is less going hither and thither, and more focus on action. I liked the last half a lot.

I got the first book of the series for free after seeing an advertisement on Facebook. From the first page I was hooked! This story has so many twists and turns as you get to know the characters while going on this journey with them. I love the strength of Niri as she is forced to reevaluate what she has always know, the courage of Lavinia to leave everything she knows to help her friend. Even though Ria and Ty annoyed me at first, I was still swept up in what they were going through and they won me over in the end. This book is a wonderful adventure in an exciting world that I just couldn't get enough of.

I really like this book. Yea, there are a few things that just happen a little too easy maybe? And it is a bit of a tall tale. But i could not put it down. A very enjoyable fantasy story. I have bought the rest of the series but it is too late to start tonight. I like the way the story flowed, just kept my interest start to finish. I am looking forward to book 2 tomorrow night!

I have really enjoyed this story. The book is well written. The characters and scenery are great. The story line seems to be well thought out. I am not real good at writing review but I really just wanted to let people know that this is a great story and I can't wait to read the other books in the series.

Four young adults travel by boat, by camel and on foot, to evade the Curse, a winged beast that kills users of forbidden magic and those who use magic outside the rules of `the Church', which is composed of four orders of Elementals.

I very much liked the notion of Elemental magic. Niri's power over water is used imaginatively in the various adventures throughout the journey, and control of air makes for an exciting battle versus the Curse. The story is well-developed and I was genuinely interested in what would happen next. The fantasy world is easy to visualise, with landscapes common to the genre, ranging from tree-dwellings to desert. There are often details that lift the description above the usual; the four temples are well-created and struck me as different.

Details of the sea journeys are especially convincing and you get the feeling that this author really knows about ships and sailing. Of course it helps the journey to have a naiad, Niri, changing the tide from time to time.

The main characters are under 20 (if you don't count the tree-being Darag, who is considered young in his own community) and they are full of angst over boyfriend/girlfriend possibilities and over brother/sister arguments and little jealousies. Romance is innocent and starry-eyed, although the cultural difficulties of falling in love with a tree-person add some welcome dilemmas. I think a young adult reader would identify more with these emotions than I did; I find brother Ty's possessive attitude to sister Lavinia highly irritating. There are times when I would like to remind the group that they are on a mission and that they are wasting time on petty sulks - but that is a reflection on my jaded 57 years.

I do think there are way too many significant looks and gestures, and that cutting three-quarters of these out completely would improve the pace without losing any of the emotion. The reader doesn't need every blink and hand movement described.

The Church of the four , led by the Fire Elementals, take children to the temple as soon it discovered they have the power over one of the four elements. The Priest and Priestesses train them until they reach the limit of their power and then assign them to the place where their power would be most useful. Anyone born with magic is sought out and killed.
Nira, a water elemental, is a trainee Priestess who tries to help a young girl born with magic. They and some friends travel a long way to find a way to save the girl, whilst being pursued by a creature created by the Priests to seek out any magic user and destroy them.
It is a good read and well written. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
They meet different people along the way and learn some suprising things about themselves, the Priests and what really happened in a war long ago.
I enjoyed this book. It was well written

The book is no the longer side so not one I was able to power through in one read. There is so much detail to take in that you have to take time to process what is going on.

The characters and character development is amazing. You feel yourself actually feeling you know there people and connected with their plight, which I have found hard to come by.

Only about 1 out of 20 books I read really compels me to complete and enjoy a series and this is definitely one of them.

In the buried archives of the Temple of Dust may lie the secret to defeating the Curse, a creature which seeks to destroy 16-year old Ria for the forbidden gifts she possesses. But it is from among the ranks of those who control the Curse where Ria will find her best chance of success.

Only the Priestess Niri can save Ria from the forces that hunt her, if Niri doesn’t betray the girl first. Along with Ria comes Ty and his sister, Lavinia, both bound to defend Ria from the Church of Four Orders. However, Ty has been living a life less than honest and keeping it from his sister. To survive a journey that takes them across the breadth of their world, the four must learn to trust each other before pursuit from the Church and Ty’s troubled past find them.

Born of Water is the first book in the Rise of the Fifth Order Saga full of elemental magic and epic fantasy adventure. Welcome to the mythical world of Myrrah, ruled by the Church of Four Orders - Fire, Earth, Water, and Air.

Great concept for a story, but the book seemed to stutter in the middle, I personally think the next instalment would be better as you have more characters involved.

This was an engrossing read full of adventure, powers, and characters. I enjoy reading books that are not filled with foul language and erotica. The story made me want to continue with the series. Thank you!

This is my 2nd fantasy novel ever read. I loved it and couldn't put it down. The characters are developed so you can picture them in your mind as you read. This book would make a great movie that I'd love to see. The action scenes are very visual, as is the whole book. This was a great reading experience.

Totally intrigued with the idea of this story. Many different authors have used the idea of magic, or power belonging to elements that can be manipulated by people. Most commonly know would probably be "Avatar; The Last Airbender".
Our story developed the talents of several characters, even if they aren't Elementals showing every kind of talent is useful and needed. I enjoyed the interaction between the people as the run from a common enemy and learn just how horrible the Church is. A real eye opener for Niri, a former priestess of the Church. Trials and surprising allies await our seekers as the try to save Ria's life and evade the Curse chasing them.
The story does seem to lag in places, sometimes losing the readers interest for a few pages but Ms. Birth knows how to pull you back in and you are off and running again. I am sure her writing will only get better the more she writes.
Wondrous twists and turn in this story that will keep you engaged. Good job Ms. Birth.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

A great adventure with a good mix of intrigue and a little romance. The concept and story were well done and unique from many of the epic fantasy novels I have read before.

I enjoyed the various lead characters, in particular, Niri.

Born of Water by Autumn M. Birt is a well-crafted fantasy adventure featuring Niri, a priestess of the Church of Four Orders. She seeks to recruit Ria, a girl from Mirocyne rumored to possess mystical powers. Only upon encountering Ria and her comrades, Ty and Lavinia, she discovers kindred spirits who she feels compelled to protect from the dark forces of the universe. They begin an epic journey that takes them across the Forest of Falin to the Great Desert of Ak'Ashanti (and this one comes with maps included, folks). Along the way, they find themselves on a path of self-discovery where Ria and her friends learn as much about themselves as their mystical environment in this coming-of-age novel.

The element of water plays an essential role in the author's narrative. Niri realizes an epiphany in the opening chapter as she sees it as a new horizon, taking her beyond her limited role as a priestess and allowing her to explore a new reality. We also see how it is considered a sacred element by the people, revered for its life-giving qualities as much as its mystery and promise to explorers and wayfarers. For Ria it is a blessing and a curse, a source of power that the diabolical Curse is sent to destroy. It also serves as a metaphor in the subplot as the roguish Ty seeks to redeem himself, washing himself clean of his mottled past in becoming the anti-hero in Birt's story. The author cleverly brings her central theme to mind in developing the storyline, giving it an Aquarian sense of adventure and fidelity with which readers of all ages can identify.

Pick up a copy of Born of Water by Autumn M. Birt and prepare for a trip you won't forget.

The story is about the church and how it takes young elemental from their families and use them for themselves, not always for good!
The story has many strong characters and those who learn to be with the help of other elemental. They have to fight the " Curse" the church created to save Ria. Many of them are from different places and different types of people.
I really enjoyed the book and starting Rule of Fire. The book is well written and has a lot of imagination used in the places they visit and the hardships they have to face.
I was given this book for a fair and honest review.

This is one of those books for which I wish there was a four and a half star option!
I loved this book. The first thing that dragged me in was the gorgeous description. The author is outstanding at painting vivid pictures of both the place and the people within it and I loved that the book travelled all over the shop over the course of it.
The second thing that dragged me in was the main character of Niri. She is both naive and strong which is a winning combination in my book.
I loved the magic and the way it expands in the final third of the book is also very exciting.
The set pieces, from the battle in the desert to the final showdown up in the mountains were great. Well described and exhilarating.
Why would I like to give it four and a half instead of five?
Two small bugbears. In the early parts of the book, the characters swayed back and forth in terms of emotion. Sometimes it worked perfectly and other times it just felt a bit forced. It took a slight leap of faith on my part to stick with them until their motivations became clear.
My other slight issue was a tendency to start a number of chapters in the future for a few paragraphs then jump back in time. It confused me a little until I got the hang of it!
However, those small gripes aside, this book is a wonderful, epic tale I wouldn't hesitate to recommend, particularly to young adult readers.

Siri is an elemental of water, given over to the temple at a long age. She returns to the city of her birth when, she encounters Ria, her friend Lavinia and Ria's brother Ty. In Ria she discovers the potential for magic far greater than her own as the trio are attacked near the docks. Dark forces seek the girl and Niri must save her in a chase that spans the world.

Miss Birt brings a sense of realism to her descriptions born of her experiences abroad, instilling her prose with a descriptive relish of having "been there, done that". It's my expectation that I will find the same flavor in the sequel 'Rule of Fire

I got the first book of the series for free after seeing an advertisement on Facebook. From the first page I was hooked! This story has so many twists and turns as you get to know the characters while going on this journey with them. I love the strength of Niri as she is forced to reevaluate what she has always know, the courage of Lavinia to leave everything she knows to help her friend. Even though Ria and Ty annoyed me at first, I was still swept up in what they were going through and they won me over in the end. This book is a wonderful adventure in an exciting world that I just couldn't get enough of.

I really like this book. Yea, there are a few things that just happen a little too easy maybe? And it is a bit of a tall tale. But i could not put it down. A very enjoyable fantasy story. I have bought the rest of the series but it is too late to start tonight. I like the way the story flowed, just kept my interest start to finish. I am looking forward to book 2 tomorrow night!

I have really enjoyed this story. The book is well written. The characters and scenery are great. The story line seems to be well thought out. I am not real good at writing review but I really just wanted to let people know that this is a great story and I can't wait to read the other books in the series.

Four young adults travel by boat, by camel and on foot, to evade the Curse, a winged beast that kills users of forbidden magic and those who use magic outside the rules of `the Church', which is composed of four orders of Elementals.

I very much liked the notion of Elemental magic. Niri's power over water is used imaginatively in the various adventures throughout the journey, and control of air makes for an exciting battle versus the Curse. The story is well-developed and I was genuinely interested in what would happen next. The fantasy world is easy to visualise, with landscapes common to the genre, ranging from tree-dwellings to desert. There are often details that lift the description above the usual; the four temples are well-created and struck me as different.

Details of the sea journeys are especially convincing and you get the feeling that this author really knows about ships and sailing. Of course it helps the journey to have a naiad, Niri, changing the tide from time to time.

The main characters are under 20 (if you don't count the tree-being Darag, who is considered young in his own community) and they are full of angst over boyfriend/girlfriend possibilities and over brother/sister arguments and little jealousies. Romance is innocent and starry-eyed, although the cultural difficulties of falling in love with a tree-person add some welcome dilemmas. I think a young adult reader would identify more with these emotions than I did; I find brother Ty's possessive attitude to sister Lavinia highly irritating. There are times when I would like to remind the group that they are on a mission and that they are wasting time on petty sulks - but that is a reflection on my jaded 57 years.

I do think there are way too many significant looks and gestures, and that cutting three-quarters of these out completely would improve the pace without losing any of the emotion. The reader doesn't need every blink and hand movement described.

The Church of the four , led by the Fire Elementals, take children to the temple as soon it discovered they have the power over one of the four elements. The Priest and Priestesses train them until they reach the limit of their power and then assign them to the place where their power would be most useful. Anyone born with magic is sought out and killed.
Nira, a water elemental, is a trainee Priestess who tries to help a young girl born with magic. They and some friends travel a long way to find a way to save the girl, whilst being pursued by a creature created by the Priests to seek out any magic user and destroy them.
It is a good read and well written. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
They meet different people along the way and learn some suprising things about themselves, the Priests and what really happened in a war long ago.
I enjoyed this book. It was well written

The book is no the longer side so not one I was able to power through in one read. There is so much detail to take in that you have to take time to process what is going on.

The characters and character development is amazing. You feel yourself actually feeling you know there people and connected with their plight, which I have found hard to come by.

Only about 1 out of 20 books I read really compels me to complete and enjoy a series and this is definitely one of them.

This is my 2nd fantasy novel ever read. I loved it and couldn't put it down. The characters are developed so you can picture them in your mind as you read. This book would make a great movie that I'd love to see. The action scenes are very visual, as is the whole book. This was a great reading experience.