This book started as a three star book and slowly went down. Ten pages before the end it was going to get 2.5 but the last 5 pages made me round down. But I'll get to that later. I had a lot of issues with 'The Light Tamer'. Before I even get to plot, there were serious grammar issues. I felt like the book hadn't been proofread. Now, keep in mind I was reading on a kindle (it was free last week) and I do find those have more errors than a hard copy book. The dialogue felt stilted and awkward. I can look past that if it doesn't lead to confusion but this is not the case. 16 year olds would be dropping contractions every where in their speech. These characters speak to formally. Now that can work, take 'The Mysterious Benedict Society', for example, but in 'TMBS' these are the smartest 12 year olds in the country, not an average 16 year old. (Wow, I'm one to talk about grammar issues. That was quite the run on!) My next issue was with the Shakespeare quotes. There was one at the beginning of every chapter, and unlike other books (sorry, couldn't think of one.) it didn't really work or relate to the story. Next, the action scenes in this book moved much to quickly. I didn't really understand what was going on (with the exception of one scene). The Light Tamer is about Jessie and Caleb who are Light Tamers and have the ability to control light. They are 'bonded' (think imprinting in Twilight) and spend most of the book developing their powers and making out. They also have the Twilight 'gifts'. You now know as much as I know about the plot. The plot in this book develops very fast. We need to see what kind of person Jessie is and how her life is different without Caleb, BEFORE they start making out on page 15. We need to see how Caleb changes her as a person. (If we agree that this is a romance book, then that's what needs to happen.) So since Jessie is such a strong Light Tamer and she and Caleb are bonded, Jessie can 'think' to Caleb, or Caleb can read her thought. This pretty funny, especially in the beginning of the book when Jessie thinks about how hot Caleb is. Again, there are errors. Caleb should be able to read ALL her thoughts. So if the exposition says that Jessie wonders what Amber's issue is, CALEB SHOULD HEAR IT. There were a lot of these inconsistentses. Now *semi-SPOILER* in the middle of the book they drop this big "and it's from mythology." What? No. It's not. That just doesn't work in the story. 'The Light Tamer' had several spoilers like this and they just don't feel real. I can't read near my family because I drive them crazy: "And person has amnesia!" *Gasp!* I didn't do that with this book, until around page 200. (When someone actually got amnesia) That twist almost brought the book up to three stars and would have if it anded there. However, it shouldn't take 200 pages for me to be surprised by a twist. And this twist was immediately resolved. The book should have ended with Clark and Jessie being jerks. Not with a lover's reunion. This actually was an ok book but it didn't feel real enough. I know this is a trilogy but I don't see any need to read book two. Cliffhangers bug me, but they keep me guessing and in anticipation. Sorry for the super long review! Thanks for reading!

I worried I wouldn't be able to meet the deadline when this was an ARC, but it looked so interesting. I'd love to read it now!!

Oh cool! The first two Princess Academys were great. I can't wait to find out what happens between Miri and Peder!

I'm up to the 4th book in the Elemental series (Secret) and, so far, this is my favorite. Each time a new character is featured it gives them amazing background. This is especially true with Gabriel. In Storm (book 1), all we really knew about Gabriel was that he was Nick's twin, a bad boy, a sports star, a fire elemental, and kind of a jerk. While he's still kind of a jerk, this book gives him much more depth. Like a fire, he's aggressive (I guess?) and his mood changes suddenly. I love his friendship with Hunter (but seriously boy? Get it together! I just want to slap him sometimes.) and how everyone thinks he's doing something bad but, really he's doing something good for the first time. I love his relationship with Layne. It's so sweet. This book did a great job of holding my attention and I recommend it to anyone. Well, almost anyone. As my mom says, "There's a bit too much touching for a teen book." Fair warning: It's not a "And they kissed. And she was happy. The next day..." book. No. They're kissing for 2-3 pages and shirts are coming off. I think this book is (maybe) 15+.

I'm up to the 4th book in the Elemental series (Secret) and, so far, this is my favorite. Each time a new character is featured it gives them amazing background. This is especially true with Gabriel. In Storm (book 1), all we really knew about Gabriel was that he was Nick's twin, a bad boy, a sports star, a fire elemental, and kind of a jerk. While he's still kind of a jerk, this book gives him much more depth. Like a fire, he's aggressive (I guess?) and his mood changes suddenly. I love his friendship with Hunter (but seriously boy? Get it together! I just want to slap him sometimes.) and how everyone thinks he's doing something bad but, really he's doing something good for the first time. I love his relationship with Layne. It's so sweet. This book did a great job of holding my attention and I recommend it to anyone. Well, almost anyone. As my mom says, "There's a bit too much touching for a teen book." Fair warning: It's not a "And they kissed. And she was happy. The next day..." book. No. They're kissing for 2-3 pages and shirts are coming off. I think this book is (maybe) 15+.

Ok, if you have read my reviews you know I don't like gay characters thrown in just to be there. *cough* Nico *cough* However, I think this book does a good job of not just throwing it in. It makes sense. It has good background. So, this book won points with me by not just putting a gay character in. Next, I really liked the depth it gave Quinn as a character (though she is one of the ones I want to slap sometimes). However, I'm starting to notice a pattern. A love story and a seriously messed up life. I mean, do you have to have a tragic backstory to be in this book? I know that makes characters more exciting, but still. The prologue to this book was very interesting but it didn't really matter until the last chapter of the book. Contrary to the book before where the main plot is the Guides and the horrible mess they're in, this book is definitely very heavy on the romance and less so on the big mess. Until you get to the last chapter, that is...

I was so impressed to discover that the sequels did not disappoint. Don't most sequels? Kierra Cass is now in my top author rankings with J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien!