Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

3.5 rounded up to 4

This was a really amazing debut novel. T.M. White did a really amazing job at writing complex characters and a really interesting and unique plot. The Elementalist is what I would consider a fantasy-scifi mash up and it was really well done in the joining of the two genres.

This book is long. This book is descriptive. This book is packed full of different names, terms and verbiage that the author has created themselves. Amazing, yet makes for a dense read. There was a good part of the book I was confused and constantly righting to remember who was who and who was what and so on. There were a few times the book felt extremely info dumpy and I felt my reading pace decrease exponentially due to this.

The book deals with dark themes, or complex themes. Including but not limited to colonialism, race, religion, addiction, mental health and so on.

The characters were well done, even if I didn't enjoy the main character. Though I didn't enjoy Voi's character at all, I can still appreciate the complexity of her and her story. I did like Callahan and almost found his story and past to be much more interesting and almost wish he was the main character. Voi though was supposed to be roughly 26? But at many points of the book I felt like I was reading from a teen's perspective, she felt overly immature and extremely naive. If you combine these two parts of her personality with her constant "wanting" and selfishness, with a bit of vulnerably thrown in, you get a really aggravating character. She never thought of those around her and the consequences of her actions and how they would also impact the people around her.

Many of the character interactions felt off, forced almost. And though a good amount of the characters that were well done, some weren't flushed out enough. This made for really unbelievable interactions and character relationships and it made the plot feel a bit disjointed because it was hard to tell who each character was supposed to be and how each was supposed to fit into the plot.

The relationship in this book. Not a romance, a relationship. Unique, yet aggravating. The man Voi starts to 'see' in the book if disgusting, vial, predatory, racist and she DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE. Voi is constantly going back and forth, seems to have no idea what she feels and doesn't take the time to figure it out before she just jumps in feet first. She repeatedly talks about how she doesn't hear from one character so she deems it okay to play around with another. Makes her feel demeaning and like she's settling for attention. Given her past, I can see why, but ew. Voi's character deals with trauma and how being an elementalist has effected her life up to this point, so how she acts is justified, yet difficult to read at times.

I do like how sexuality is spoken about in this book. The author includes different sexualities that most readers wouldn't consider the 'norm', but they are spoken about in such a matter of fact way. It was refreshing to read about other sexualities and experiences without them being made into a big deal, but just a part of life.

The book was long. And by the end of the book I felt like the ending could had happened three or four times but the author kept thinking up new scenes and wanted to add them. I felt like this book has multiple ending and though it worked, I think the transition from the end fight scenes to the conclusion of the book could had been a bit smoother.

I certainly have a few grievances with this book, but it was a really well done debut. Long, yes. But complex and unique in a lot of ways. I do hope that some of what I had issues with is explored more in the later books in the series, but besides that I think it was a solid book. It's also nice to see an author trying to breach the "new adult" genre, which is where I would classify this novel.

I enjoyed this book so much, The writing was done really well; the world building and character building was incredible. It felt like fantasy met Alias, and I loved it. This book sucks you in, and immerses you in the story and the characters lives. All the details were amazing, but not so overdone you felt lost in them. The storyline was interesting, and had me on the edge of my seat. It was not a story I have read multiple times; it was new, and exciting, and unique. There were twists and turns, and I look forward to (impatiently) waiting for the next installments. I received a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It grabbed me from the beginning, but it took me a while to read (not a bad thing, but not a quick book to pass a day or two with!). The world that this story is based in is really interesting and I can't wait to read book 2 to see where it goes.

This book is part high fantasy, part thriller and perfect for anyone looking for a fast-paced plot that does not sacrifice character development. There is a lot going on but it all makes sense. Our main character Voi, is somewhat relatable and the world building is immersive enough to make this a novel that you don’t want to put down.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the free book.*

Voi is a former pilot who's suffering from a condition that will drive her insane eventually. When she is convinced by a mysterious agent to become a spy and find a cure for her condition. Because Voi has elemental powers she could learn to control. So the aviatrix is caught in a web of political intricacies, espionage, and learning how to controls her powers and the desires that come with them...

I liked many things about this book, I had certain Blade Runner vibes, because Callahan was Decker in my mind and Voi Rachel style-wise, but I was mostly confused and I was really annoyed because Voi gets really horny because of her powers and of course everybody wants her. It was just so...male gaze even though it was written by a woman. Really weird and even though I enjoy novels that positively affirm female sexuality, this didn't really work for me.

All in all, the story didn't really manage to keep my attention. I found Voi annoying, I hated André, and I liked Ronny, but was annoyed the same time. I didn't really get the different countries and fractions and then I didn't really care any more. But well done for a debut novel, world-building had cool ideas, but not sure whether I'll pick up the next one...

3 Stars

I was drawn to this book because of its interesting cover. The story had potential but there was so much unnecessary fillers That i really struggled getting though the book. At times i found it quite boring and the main character was flat and annoying. I ended up skimming through the 2nd half of the book. There was far to much aviation jargon that i was basically lost reading the paragraphs.

Another sci-fi fantasy eARC from #Netgalley! Thank you so much to the publisher and author T. M. White for the early copy.

Whilst I've realised recently that sci-fi really isn't my thing, I really liked the premise of the fantasy/sci-fi combo, and a strong female protagonist is always welcome 😊

Occult science and 'elemental' magic work get all the thumbs up and I love a good thriller, but The Elementalist: Rise of Hara didn't completely gel for me, probably because I didn't totally engage with Voi and Callahan. It was also really long and I found myself skimming over some of the slower paced sections.

That said, its well written and hugely original, I just don't think it's 'my thing'.

2.5-3 ✨✨✨

Interesting concept and a well written book. It didn’t particularly grab me to keep me desperately reading but it was entertaining enough!

T.M. White clearly put a lot of time and effort into their debut novel, The Elementalist: Rise of Hara. The world building is solid, and the characters have their own, clear voices. This book isn't fast paced, but instead unravels slowly in the manner of a classic gumshoe story. The magical elements are original, and the diesel-punk spy element makes for a very unique reading experience. If you're looking for a different kind of fantasy novel, this one's for you!

The Elementalist: Rise of Hara mixes fantasy with a spy thriller plot. 

In the book Vol is our leading lady, she is a disgraced pilot with a condition called emelesia. This condition is treated as a mental illness with most people ending up in an Asluym by their 25th birthday. But emelesia is a side effect of not using their Elementalist gift. But the government keep the fact it magically abilities secret unless the person becomes of use to them. 

I liked Vol as a character, her world is turned upside down and she is trying to keep to her own moral code. When she has people are telling her to do something that goes against it. 

The whole government aka the League and its treatment of emelesia make me question who is the good guys, As the book progress this questioning ho is in the right gets more confusing. This felt very true to life where everyone is the hero of their own story. 

T.M, White has created an immense world in The Elementalist: Rise of Hara. Although interesting to read it did for me slow the pace of the book. As the story has to lay down the groundwork to get to the action, and then wraps everything up and leads it to the next books. 

Another character that piqued my interest was Ron Callahan. He is Voi handler ho has psychic ability. He reminds me of the spy/ journalist you would see in old Hollywood films. I wouldn't have been surprised if he said, "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine."

The ending of the book has left me intrigued to see what trouble Voi and Ron will get up to next. 

My rating for The Elementalist: Rise of Hara is 3.6 out of 5.

The book brought out a whole different side of fantasy books and honestly, I was not ready. You have a brave pilot (Voi) for the main character, a very charming yet a bit clumsy spy, Callahan, as the second main. But the story-the book- is not bound to these characters. There are many with their own story (although obviously related to the main one)

This is the author's first published book but it definitely doesn't feel like it. I mean everything about this book is so good

This eARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed here are my own.
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I was very much looking forward to this one as the enticing blurb combined with the beautiful cover pulled me in.

While the premise was promising, I believe it could have been executed better.

The plot seemed to wander without an exact goal in mind, making the reader feel lost. I also thought that the chapter titles seemed very childish at times. I think White attempted to put levity into the chapter titles which can be done very well in books/series aimed for adults (Chris Wooding's The Ketty Jay series comes to mind), but the titles chosen in this book came off as childish.

The world-building could have been executed a lot better. Places were named without any information given about them that could actually flesh out the setting.

Overall, this series has an interesting premise but I do hope it is improved in the coming installments.

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I wasn’t keen on this, there just seemed to be too much chaotic world building, overly confusing and not clear at all. The plot, well what can I say I don’t think it knew where it was going, because I certainly didn’t. The characters were uninspiring and the side characters were more interesting than the main character, overall it just felt unfinished and unpolished. Sorry just not for me without more work editing.

trigger warning
<spoiler>hospitalization
mental illness</spoiler>

dnf at 22%

Everything is not as it's supposed to be: Our protagonist Voi faces worsening of her health condition that might make her psychotic and reserve her a place at a local asylum while her business endeavors don't go according to plan.
Then, she's approached by a journalist, asking her what she'd be willing to do to change her future.

Turns out, she is not ill, not really. Voi has the ability to use elemental magic, but if she doesn't use her gifts, there are hideous side effects. Normally, people with that ability are urged to take meds and are told there is nothing else that will help them, but as our protagonist has the rare training needed for a certain mission, they're willing to help her add to her skillset and show her the hidden parts of the universe, or at least some of those.

I have had quite a few problems with this.
It starts with the world building. Far too many names of places are dropped on you, some without any connotations and then a place called Windsor. The people from Windsor are snotty, have weird accents, and think themselves to be above anybody else. ...okay.
As I read quite a bit of fantasy, I don't really have problems with made up places, but in this case there are far too many introduced at once without any kind of explanation. To be honest, it kinda felt like the author was not really sure, they were only names. Same happened with the characters multiple times - they seem like the idea of a person, not a threedimensional character. One instance that particularly annoyed me was with her best friend Paul, and I'd think a best friend deserves a better treatment than that of a paper cut-out.

All in all, it felt too rough, unfinished - which might be because the copy I read was an unedited proof copy, so I really have no idea what the finished novel will be like.
The story I have here is nothing I want to read for additional over 400 pages.

I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Elementalist was a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, I liked the premise--the spies/fantasy blend had great potential--but the pacing badly let it down. This book was way longer than it needed to be. I kept wanting to put on my editor hat and make cuts, as there were times when the action slowed so much I started skimming. Then something interesting would happen and I would perk up, but then we'd plod again. Careful cutting to remove about a third of the word count and tighten the prose and I think this would have worked better. In conclusion, a great story idea but too much going on and issues with pacing caused problems.

DNF at 42%. Between muddled worldbuilding, an annoying protagonist, and constant promises of action and adventure that still hadn't been fulfilled, this just wasn't for me.

There are three layers to the worldbuildng. Layer one is a fantasy secondary world, complete with continent map. The western not-quite-half of the continent has cultures with analogies to France or possibly Italy, and (judging by the names) to Ireland, but they're called something else. The eastern more-than-half has unaccountably (given its huge coastline) been enforcing a policy of isolation for years, now thawing, and (again, judging by the names) appears to have analogs of China and the Middle East. I'm never a big fan of basing fantasy cultures on real cultures, but I understand why people do it. The geography and history are, of course, not those of our world or anything close to it.

Somehow (again), the western part has had the industrial revolution and is all the way up to dieselpunk. This is where the second layer comes in.

The second layer of worldbuilding, at odds with the first, is set dressing that comes straight out of the 1920s or 1930s US, complete with fedoras, trench coats, and jazz. Early on, I noted a car stopped at a red light as challenging my suspension of disbelief (since that's a very arbitrary signal); I didn't know the half of it yet. This secondary world with a completely different history is fully furnished in a job lot of scenery and props straight out of the Jazz Age. It's like you were filming a fantasy epic and just decided to use the sound stage left over from The Great Gatsby.

On top of that is the third layer, which is the speech and attitudes of the characters. These are from contemporary USA, with no visible attempt to go for the 1920s or 30s as anything more than furniture. A nurse is more like a modern nurse practitioner, the status of women seems approximately as it is today, there are college protests against hate crimes and racism towards immigrants, and numerous small attitudes and turns of speech put us firmly in the early 21st century.

I was going to ding the book half a star for muddled worldbuilding, but it wasn't chock full of the usual sloppy mechanical errors, and there kept being promises (in the situation, and in what the protagonist was being trained for) that it would be a thrilling adventure later on, so I kept reading.

Ah, the protagonist. My personal favourite kind of protagonist is one who is strongly motivated by a personal commitment to do the right thing, and will persevere through any challenge, displaying competence and sound judgement and winning allies to her cause (because I do prefer female protagonists). Preferably, she's someone who isn't the most talented or the most gifted (and definitely not fated or prophesied as the Chosen One); she's an underdog, making up with strength of character for being ill-equipped to meet the scale of challenge she's presented with.

Voi, the protagonist of this book, is pretty much the exact opposite of all of this, except that she is a young woman. She constantly huffs, pouts, broods and sulks; she resists her training; she resists being recruited to the cause (probably quite rightly, but it makes her an unpromising protagonist); she has no self-discipline to go with her awesome powers of awesomeness that are better than anyone else in the history of talent. When she does make a decision, it's almost always an ill-judged one. I disliked her as a person and found her constantly annoying as a protagonist. Finally, when she had dangerous sex with a complete stranger because her powers were (for some reason) making her horny, I was done. Even though the many promises of action and adventure were finally (nearly halfway into the book) looking like they might start to pay off, that was just one too many negatives for me.

This book is very likely to the taste of quite a number of people, but I am not a part of that number, I'm afraid.

I enjoyed this book so much, The writing was done really well; the world building and character building was incredible. It felt like fantasy met Alias, and I loved it. This book sucks you in, and immerses you in the story and the characters lives. All the details were amazing, but not so overdone you felt lost in them. The storyline was interesting, and had me on the edge of my seat. It was not a story I have read multiple times; it was new, and exciting, and unique. There were twists and turns, and I look forward to (impatiently) waiting for the next installments. I received a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My review in a few sentences:
Me: Do something, Voi!
Voi: does something stupid.
Me: That's not what I meant.

I wanted to like this book. People with powers being repressed by their government and trying to find out whether to fight against or work with the government as spies. But the world building made me struggle with understanding the countries. There are many different countries surrounding the main country but the names blurred together. There were no characteristics that distinguished between them.

The main character is a hotshot pilot with untrained air powers. She gets recruited on a spy mission against a psychic who wants the repression of superpower people to end. The main character is just along for the ride. There were side characters that were more interesting and strong. The main character just doesn't want people to die without having a full understanding of any situation.

And there is a not wanted or needed love triangle because the main character is that desirable.

An excellent start for a new fantasy series.
I found it engrossing and entertaining, with a great and fleshed out cast of characters, and an amazing world building.
Can't wait to read the next instalment.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.