Ratings Overall: 4 Sensuality: 3 Fantasy Element: 9

This is an Official Review by a Fantasy Romance Writer Official Reviewer

Review for Elemental Magic (Anthology)
Author: Sharon Shinn ,
Rebecca York,
Carol Berg,
Jean Johnson.
Date of Review: 09/17/07
Reviewed by: Stacy Cooper

Reviewer Comments: Elemental Magic is an anthology written by Sharon Shinn, Rebecca York, Carol Berg and Jean Johnson that incorporates the four elements of water, air, fire and earth.

Air is found in Sharon Shinn’s retelling of Cinderella. The story is in first person by a servant who tells the reader about the action. For me this made the story hard to get into because it left me feeling removed. I also felt disconnected from the characters.

Earth is found in Jean Johnson’s journey of a princess on her way to enlightenment. She is searching for an answer as to who is the first born, she or her twin sister. Along the way she meets a mage who travels with her. The story works to make unbelievable situations believable. The author explains problematic situations before a problem can arise. Making a short story more realistic and adding an erotic thread to the story.

Carol Berg introduces the purification of water. In a tale that is more fantasy than romance, she introduces a student protecting her country from a spy. Magic is extremely important in this book and the use of fire equals the use of water. The difference is that fire is used to disguise and hide while water shows truth. The story is interesting and the words create a vivid world. The characters seemed less important than the setting though and I was left feeling unsatisfied with the growth of the characters.

Fire is finally brought out by Rebecca York who brings a shapeshifter to the book. In a disturbing manner we meet a world that is divided into cities that thrive upon slavery. We follow a woman into bondage and life in a new city. She is a spy but she something holds her back. She is able to correspond through the fire to her superiors for a short while until she begins to have feelings for her new master. This story troubled me. It is hard to cope with a world where slavery is acceptable and the details of bondage are not obscured. If you can take this story and pretend it is a fairy tale you may like it more. I had a problem believing in the relationship between the main characters because it evolved in three days. It’s hard to root for a couple who has just met but are already in love.