This was really not a book for me, which was disappointing as I have previously enjoyed Lackey's books. First of all, it just took way too long to get started. The pace during the first 30% was glacial. The writing actually also bothered me, It was too long, it felt winded. And the sections were too big, it was just massive clumps of text. Coupled with the fact that nothing of import was written in those clumps, I found myself skipping a lot without ever getting lost.

I’ve enjoyed this series. I like that the series is teen/preteen appropriate. Bad things happen but they aren’t described in gory horrible detail. The message that with power comes responsibility is a good one. It’s also a good message that if you’re minding your own concerns and are attacked defending yourself is okay but you shouldn’t glory in it. The series is well worth reading if you like gentle fantasy and like the sound of the settings. You could read this one as a stand alone though.

Author Mercedes Lackey provides another Elemental Masters magical adventure in her latest book, The Silver Bullets of Annie Oakley. It appears that Annie Oakley is an Elemental Master. I enjoyed reading along as Annie discovers her magical talents and learns how to use them. Her husband Frank Butler his talents too. Since Annie has a gun loaded with silver bullets potential reading can imagine how Annie might use them.

This 16th entry in the Elemental Masters series is okay but nothing special. A lot of it is very similar to the superior From a High Tower, except with an actual historical figure as a protagonist. And the climactic confrontation that the reader is led to expect falls fairly flat.

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

I'm sorry, but I can't say anything nice about this book. It's completely flat, like week-old soda. The characters have no personalities, there is no plot. We don't see any characters from previous books in the series despite being in the same time period and location as a previous book. There are no interesting Elementals, no new magic. It feels like a bad remake of From a High Tower. Normally I love Mercedes Lackey's books but this one is definitely a pass.