Windburn (The Elemental Series) (Volume 4)

I have received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review. This is book four in the series so don't start with this one...but make sure you start it! Fabulous series with a strong female character. She's flawed, and while she's not human, she feels like one. The story is fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. I don't want to give any of the story away, so this review will be vague. Ms. Mayer writes people that I would like to meet, and does it so well you feel like you are with them on their quests and during their struggles. Lark does "kick ass" even better than Rylee (another great series) and you can't help but cheer her on! She suffers from some of the decisions she has to make, but I think she comes into her own during this book. We don't know what happened to everyone, but I felt that Lark arrived at where she needs to be. When I finished the book I was filled with anticipation to see what will happen next. I highly recommend this book both for the story and for the writing. I read between 4-7 books a week, and nothing ruins it more than scenes that disconnect, or dialogue that doesn't sound natural. Ms Mayer succeeds at keeping the story flowing and the conversations believable (even when they are taking about the supernatural). It was a pleasure to read, and I look forward to doing it again.

I've enjoyed this series from the first book to this one, but I must say, this one wasn't my favorite. The love triangle, not doing it for me. The connections to her Rylee Adams series isn't needed either. I missed Ash in this book and Cactus was annoying. I'd just like to see the story told. I enjoyed the read, but the ending left me empty. I hope the next installment will bring it back. While all of those seem to be complaints, I did enjoy the story and will definitely read the next book. I hope it comes sooner than later. Just curious, most of the reviews are from those who received the book for an honest review. I'd like to see those who purchased it share their views.

This series is an incredible ride. I first became a huge fan of Shannon Mayer and her writing when I was introduced to her Rylee Adamson series by another author. Since that first book I've jumped on board and never looked back. For readers that enjoy a supernatural adventure (think the early books in the Anita Blake series) there isn't a better series for you to pick up than the Rylee Adamson series. Through the course of the Rylee series, we are introduced to Larkspur, an Earth Elemental. She is fascinating and another flawed, yet strong, heroine tasked with an enormous mission. From this character we are brought to the Elemental Series, which serves as the "origin story" of Larkspur as she becomes the character we met in the Rylee series. Although it is chronologically out of order, I would recommend reading the Rylee series first, followed by the Elemental series. Of course, this might only be because that's the way I read them and am therefore totally biased. Needless to say though, you can't go wrong with these two series. While you're at it, check out the Blood Borne series that unites two of my favorites (Denise Grover Swank and Shannon Mayer). I heartily recommend these series and I nearly never write reviews, but I loved this book so much I decided to share it with you. Sit down, buckle up, and give yourself plenty of time because once you start reading, you won't want to stop!

Windburn is the 4th installment in the Larkspur Elemental series. I can safely say, it's my favorite thus far. The continuing saga of Lark and her band of traveling companions Ash, Peta, Blackbird and Cactus. This time, Lark is on a quest to find her missing father who also happens to be the King of the Rim. In the process, we get an awesome cross over from the Rylee series, when Lark enlists the aid of a tracker. Finally! We get some backstory on Trackers, and boy is it worth the wait. Why is this my favorite so far? I love the cross over. I love the story when they travel to the next realm, Eyrie, and meet the leaders. I love the bond between Peta and Lark as it deepens and stories are revealed. The story is full of action, surprises, and revelations with little lag time and leaves you wanting for more. I smiled and laughed at parts. I ugly cried at parts. Overall, if you like the other books, you will love this one. If you like Rylee's series, you will love this one. If you like action, adventure and just plain ole fun, you will like this one.

I am lucky enough to have received an Arc in exchange for an honest review but have purchased my own copy as I have done with all of Shannon's books because they are that good. This is an excellent continuation to this series.The descriptions of the characters are so detailed and the flow of the scenes are so well done that It plays out like a movie as I read. It's a great story with the added bonus of some of the colorful characters that we met in her previous series and there is so much more to Lark than I could have ever imagined. She is amazing and I am so happy to have another strong hero to cheer for after Rylee. Ash, Cactus and Peta have all the qualities you could wish for in companions for our heroine and they throw in that bit of comedy that even out the darker parts of the story. It leaves us with the message to always try to do what's right. I highly recommend this very entertaining book and look forward to book five! So Thank you Shannon for another stellar read, you have made a forever fan out of me.

This story is slightly different from the other elements (covered in book 1-3), as it only touched lightly on the air elementals’ world and their power. Unfortunately this book left me somewhat wanting. Not sure if the timeline was a bit forced to fit in with the Rylee Adamson Novel series, but the (spoiler alert!) two-year time jump was a bit of a shocker. Don’t get me wrong, a great plot, very evil foes, lots of fast-paced action and interesting developments, but the latter part of the book felt a bit rushed. … and I’d prefer it if Ash featured more (yup, a big fan of this strong silent man!). That being said, it is still a joy to join Larkspur on her journey of discovery

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review of Windburn. What a great chapter in Larkspur’s story Windburn turned out to be. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting; that is just how good it is! Windburn continues Lark’s journey as she struggles to do what is right, and sometimes, what is necessary, all while trying to learn where she fits into the scheme of things. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, Ms. Mayer throws you for a loop, and you have to sit back and go, “wow!” Windburn picks up where Firestorm leaves off, with Lark heading out to the Realm of the Sylphs (Air Elementals) to find out what happened to her father. Personally, I would just let him rot wherever he is, but Lark needs to find her father so that the Rim can have stability brought back within its borders. I guess Lark is a better person than I am. During her journey, Lark meets new friends and new enemies, and even travels through the Human world, where you will also run into some familiar faces and names. Secrets come out, truths (and sometimes lies) are told, and even the Mother Goddess isn’t quite all you thought she was. Windburn does not scrimp on action, emotion and intrigue. In addition, Ms. Mayer also begins to weave Lark’s and Rylee’s lives together, and provides some much wanted (and needed) background information that makes everything start to make sense between the two storylines. For me, Lark’s adventures are turning into a magnificent tapestry; one that I cannot wait to see unfold in glorious technicolor over the next four books. Ms. Mayer is an engaging storyteller, with a vivid imagination that just reels you in, and then leaves you hanging on the hook, desperately waiting for the next installment. You become so invested in her characters and their lives, that they become family to you. I don’t know what I am going to do when this series ends, and I sincerely hope she is already planning something new for us. My final thought here is, if you are new to Ms. Mayer’s world, I would read the Elemental Series first, starting with Recurve, before picking up the Rylee series to read. While it is not necessary, I just think that story lines, character relationships between the two, and other important, but subtle parts of Rylee’s story will be so much clearer once you have read the Elemental Series first. Happy Reading!

I have received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was first introduced to Larkspur during the Rylee Adamson series (kick a$$ books, btw), Recurve (book 1) didn't catch my interest right away. Not like Rylee's books did. But I'm forever faithful to Miss Shannon Mayer, so I kept reading and I'm sooooo glad I did! I've come to absolutely LOVE Lark, Peta, Ash (DEFINITELY Ash! ;) ) and the rest of her friends. This is not really a standalone book as it picks up where book 3 left off. Like Rylee, Larkspur drew the short s***ty end of the life stick and it didn’t really get any better in this book. Lark spends the whole book looking for her father, STILL dealing with the after effects of Cassava’s evil doings, meeting new allies and getting a new familiar. During her travels Lark meets Gizelle (she’s from the Rylee books) for the first time and a few Trackers that have ties to our most favorite Tracker, Rylee Adamson. In the first three books Shannon Mayer spent a good amount of time writing about Larks experience in the different elements; Earth, Water and Fire. Lark and her friends do spend some time in the Wind element, but not nearly as much time as the others. So I was left wanting to learn more about them, her time there was too short and rushed. Overall it was a great book and it helped answer some questions I had while reading the Rylee books. My only complaint: Not. Enough. Ash. ☺

Great series enjoying it so much

These books have been brilliant I've really enjoyed reading them, fantastic action, packed full with brilliant ideas that carry on throughout this story telling. Definitely going to recommend these books to everyone who reads these kind of books!

I received this book as an arc for a honest review... I loved this book.. Windburn is the 4th in the series and continues on exactly where Firestorm finished.. I Love that Shannon is going back to the beginning of Larkspur story and giving us a complete picture of how Larkspur and Rylees lives intercept and how big of a part Larkspur has played and will play.. There is a twist in the book that will have you gobsmacked... This book answers a lot of questions, but there are plenty more questions that need to be answered.. I can't wait until book number 5 😀...

excellent book

Thus series has fast become one of my all time favourites, the characters are entirely engaging, strong but quirky in the best way.