The Prophecy of Shadows (Elementals #1) by Michelle Madow ~ Review

Mythology fans get ready for a new adventure.

I'd been seeing this book's gorgeous cover plastered all over my wonderful friend Library Luv's Twitter page for some time...when one day it popped up on Netgalley. Needless to say I knew I had to give it a read, pronto!



 In The Prophecy of Shadows Nicole Cassidy and a few of her friends (and not-so friends!) are gifted powers over the elements. Knowing that, I thought the book was going to go one of two ways: either this would be a Percy Jackson-esque squad or we'd be steering into X-Men territory both of which are awesome directions to go in btw. 

But Michelle Madow surprised me and created a magic system that had unique elements of its own...whilst being just as badass as the aforementioned franchises! Three cheers for girl power because Nicole kicked some serious bad-guy ass in this book, people.



So if you're ready for some magic, mystery, and a sprinkle of romance, read on for my thoughts on the book + a sneak peek...

Rating:

Book cover: Did this cover give me a serious case of hair envy? You guys have no idea how much! I'm pretty sure I'd do almost anything in order to achieve the ethereal locks the cover model is rocking. 

Plus her hair glitters. Or, more correctly, it creates glittery sparkles that float around her like a shimmering halo of awesomeness. I wish my hair was a glitter machine but nope I'm stuck with regular brown strands that refuse to emit even a lousy confetti particle.

Not only is the cover model's makeup game on point, but her eyes have me all kinds of hypnotised. They're doing that Dominic Sherwood-esque two colours trick plus they're framed by the longest lashes known to man.

I'm pretty sure that if you stare into these eyes for longer than a second, you'll become her eternal slave. 

Glitter hair like something out of a Barbie movie. It SPARKLES. Need I say more?!

Thoughts: Nicole Cassidy is life.

You're probably thinking: "Booknut, you need a life" "Booknut, why are you utterly obsessed with this fictional female you've only known for a mere month?"

First of all, when I say Nicole is life what I really mean is 'life goals'. Not that she's perfect, or drop-dead gorgeous, or super rich and successful, etc. She hasn't done anything that would put her in the running for the Nobel Peace Prize YET guys, just wait a few years! 

But what she does do is that she sets an example for YA females.

Nicole's top lesson: Doesn't matter how hot a guy is. Or how much he says he cares. Sometimes he's just not that into you.

This lesson makes me so, so happy. Because Nicole doesn't delude herself into thinking that a combination of intense gazes, passionate kisses, and good looks = love. Nicole realises that real love is love that tries, is truthful, is loyal and that acts. No matter how many words of love a guy is saying, it's just not enough if his actions don't back them up.

Nicole doesn't settle. She values herself and knows that she is worth fighting for.

She's a heroine who has sorted out her priorities, despite her young age. Saving the world and dealing with the crisis facing them as a team is more important than finding sometime to spend Valentine's Day with. Nicole refuses to sacrifice the harmony of their super squad in order to appease a guy's fickle affections. She's a girl boss!

Girl power rant complete. Now on to the plot!

I loved how Madow integrated the mythology into the modern day setting of the book. Despite mythology having been used in a similar way by other authors (e.g. Rick Riordan) Madow made hers feel fresh and entertaining through her unique writing style and colourful cast of characters.

The moral of this review: if you need a good read with a great message, The Prophecy of Shadows is the book for you :)

Favourite quote:

Have you read The Prophecy of Shadows? If you could control any of the five elements - air, fire, earth, water, or spirit (aether) - which would it be and why?

Let me know in the comments below!

Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance, Elementals is the first in a new series that fans of mythology will love!

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly ... she's apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers--and, to her dismay, by Blake--the school's notorious bad-boy. 

Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle's wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance. 

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers over the elements. But the comet has another effect--it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it's up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town ... and possibly the world.

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Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the following review are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.