Breakwater (Elemental, #2)

by Shannon Mayer

Pure fantasy at its finest. I would say this is less urban fantasy though than the Rylee Adamson series. Even though it's set in the same world, the Elementals keep to themselves making this a lot more removed from the "normal" world. I think for some readers it will be hard to move between the series - for me personally, I'm a massive "classic" fantasy fan before all else so reading this was like coming home and gave me the same warm fuzzy feelings.

The series isn't really anything new in the genre, the same old fantasy tropes (The Chosen One, quest through different lands, evil foe who has spread through the land and must be defeated, etc) appear throughout - but Mayer hits all the right notes with her portrayal.

Breakwater sees Lark take on the Undines (the Water Elementals) traveling to their home, the Deep. Lark was badass in this. She was brave and smart and determined to fight for what's right not what is easy. Belladonna redeemed herself in this novel. Yeah, she can be a right bitch but she also has been shaped by her circumstances - and frankly her circumstances have sucked. There are also a lot of references to sexual harassment and rape which is rather confronting and probably fairly unnecessary to the degree they're included.

Ash and Lark's relationship is a mess. There's a bit of romance. A bit of friendship. And a lack of honesty and trust which impedes both. Peta was funny, as was Finley. Requiem was creepy af. There was heaps of action and I flew through the pages. Overall an entertaining read.