The Hands of Time

Wow, I can't believe it's over! I have been anticipating the final installment of the Elementals series since the end of the first book. These characters have grown so much since we first met them, but I was invested in their fate from the very beginning.<br /><br />This is one of the most fast paced and action packed YA fantasy series that I have ever read. Each book is like a short action movie that keeps you glued to your seat until you reach the end. Michelle Madow may want to consider writing movie scripts, because I think she would be phenomenal at it.<br /><br />Elementals 5: The Hands of Time picks up where every book in this series does, right where the last one left off. I love that, because we never have to miss one moment of the action. After obtaining everything they need to stop Typhon from rising and the portal to Kerberos from being opened, the elementals are faced with a heartbreaking decision that will require the ultimate sacrifice. Nicole, Blake, Chris, Kate, and Danielle have consistently given their all, and never quit despite the seemingly insurmountable odds they have been faced with. What happens when that's not good enough? What happens when you really are out of options and you are forced to make a choice that will change someone's life forever? <br />           <br />What an awesome journey we have been on over the course of the 5 books in this series! It certainly has been a long, perilous, and exhilarating adventure. This amazing group has traveled throughout our world, into other dimensions, and even through time. <br /><br />I enjoyed watching these kids grow into the heroes they were destined to be. None of the characters are perfect by any means. They have realistic human reactions, emotions, desires, and faults. That is part of what makes them relatable, and in a book full of fantastical things, it's nice to still be able to relate to the characters.<br /><br /> The end of this series left me with a smile on my face, but it was also bittersweet. I am glad to see the way everything turned out, but I am sad to say goodbye at the same time. :(  All in all, the author delivered a satisfying conclusion without leaving anything hanging. If you are a fan of YA fantasy, this is a must read!! <br />

The Hands of Time is the fifth and final book in the Elementals series by Michelle Madow. The book picks up right where the action left the readers in the fourth book in the series, The Portal to Kerberos. The entire series is a fast paced young adult fantasy adventure heavily based on Greek Mythology.<br /><br />In this series we have been introduced to five teens who have elemental powers and have been sent on an adventure to close the portal to Kerberos and save the world. Each book has led to a high intensity action packed adventure along their journey with this latest being no exception to that. <br /><br />At book five there isn't much left for me to say about this series other than wow, what a great way to end it all. I've really enjoyed reading the entire series and love the adventures in each of the books based on Greek Mythology as the group tried to save the world. Still would definitely recommend giving this series a try. <br /><br />I received an advance copy of this book from the author. <br /><br />For more reviews please visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress.com/">https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....</a>

This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.<br /><br />I remember reading the first four books in this series and liking them well enough. This book, the final book of this series, did not have the same effect on me that the first books did. I don't know if I have grown as a reader or if my expectations have just become fastidious and refined over time. Perhaps both. While I was glad to find out the conclusion of this series, I did not much enjoy the journey.<br /><br />The most positive thing about this book is the premise. The author has molded mythology with the supernatural to develop her own brand of fantasy. In this series, witches are descendants of the ancient Greek gods and goddesses. So this touches on both mythology elements and those of magic. I think that this is very creative, and I have not read or heard of any other books that have these combined elements. I am always a stickler for creative story foundations.<br /><br />The entire book felt too rushed. The characters were always rushing off to do things without much thought. There is not really much time to get to know the characters or have any character growth with so much action. The characters felt very flat and I did not connect with any of them. I was reading this story, but I did not care what happened because the characters were so dull. <br /><br />The dialogue was very stiff. It sounded more like a textbook than people actually having conversations in today's society. Some of the words that were used sounded too proper and many of the dialogues felt forced. And every time some of the characters did something, there was always a point made that these happenings are told to the other characters. I felt that it was unnecessary to continuously declare that character A explained to character B everything that happened to her while they were apart. <br /><br />The story was way too predictable. The foreshadowing was not executed very well at all. I could see what was about to happen from a mile away. The storytelling felt very amateur. <br /><br />The final scene at the end of the book was very emotionless. Everything had been building up to this final moment, and then the moment just came and went. It happened in the blink of an eye and there was no struggle at the end at all. I was rather disappointed. I was expecting more of an ending. <br /><br />Overall, I have to give snaps for the premise but the storytelling needs some work. This book felt like fluff to me. The characters were lifeless and I felt bored with the story. If you are a fan of fast-paced fluffy reads then this may suit you, but it did not work for me. I will still give Madow's other books a shot and see where they will take me. This is her first series, so I can only imagine that her writing skills will improve the more she writes. <br /><br />More reviews on my blog: <a href="http://novelnerdfaction.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Novel Nerd Faction</a>

An amazing greek mythology retelling series. Perfect for the fans of Percy Jackson. Even though the first book started out kind of slow, I am super glad that I continue on. This series is just so much fun and exciting. I cannot put it down and end up finishing the entire series within a week. The character development was wonderful too. Overall it was a great read. <br /><br />PS. Yeah, yeah. I know that I only gave this book a four star, but trust me, it really is super good. Just that I don't give out five star often, and I feel like this book is just missing that one piece that make it a five star (though I can't really tell you what piece it is). <br /><br /><blockquote>Back then, my biggest concerns had been getting the top spot on the tennis team and wondering if my crush returned my feelings. I’d never seen death, and I certainly never thought that I would ever kill a living creature. Now, so much had changed. I’d fought and killed to save the lives of people I loved. I’d seen people die. I’d been given so much responsibility, and I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. If we failed at this quest, the world as I knew it wouldn’t exist anymore.</blockquote><br />

<i> <b>I received an ARC of this book from the author or publisher in exchange for an honest review, this doesn't in any way influence my thoughts or opinion of this book</b> </i><br /><br />This series has come a long way, and I have been with it from the very amazing beginning. The Elemental series has been a favorite of mine and it was bittersweet to let it go. <br />It started with action as usual. Nicole made a decision that while it sucked she had to do it, I totally understand why she did. From there on, it was a wild thrilling ride of nonstop heart pounding action, adventure and intrigue. <br />I won't spoil it too much but a lot of events happened, old characters coming back, new interesting characters introduced, danger as usual for our protagonists, lots of portal travelling, a trip to the Underworld etc. <br />The Hands of Time has it's usual treats of monsters, romance, sorrow, drama and Greek gods. I absolutely loved this book and it was very nice to see how everyone ended up. Really sad and heartbreaking things happened but while I'm not entirely happy at the events themselves, I respect the way it was handled. <br />Michelle Madow once again proves that she is a wordsmith capable of weaving a fantastic tale of magic, adventure, romance and action. I will always love the fast pace of her writing, it always keeps me on my toes. I can't wait for her next book Collide. <br />The Hands of Time is a perfect ending to the bewitching Elementals series.

I can't believe it's over already! Thank you Michelle Madow for letting me read it early! This was such an exciting, fast paced adventure. I really loved how the books were full of action and adventure, but also some romance without the romance taking over the story. I feel like the story ended well even though it was an emotional roller coaster. All the loose ends got tied up.. except maybe a spin off with Danielle..? Maybe? ;) ;)

I enjoyed this series, I feel as if this last book was rushed abit as it wasn't as engrossing as the others or as in-depth and that's a great shame.

This conclusion to Michelle Madow's Elementals series is very well done. I was excited to see how the group that we had left would be able to close the gate to Kerberos as well as defeat Typhon. The end of book 4 left us wondering if all that they had done so far would be enough. If the losses they'd suffered would not be in vain. If the final tasks would be surmountable. The way Madow lays the story out is done in a well-thought out way, without any sort of cheating or unsatisfactory tying up of loose ends. If you haven't read the first four in the series, you can go back and read my reviews of each of them, because I can't promise to not give any spoilers for the first four in my review of this final book.<br /><br />1. The Prophecy of Shadows<br />2. The Blood of the Hydra<br />3. The Head of Medusa<br />4. The Portal to Kerberos <br /><br />To read my full review, go to <a href="http://misclisa.blogspot.com/2016/11/review-hands-of-time-elementals-5-by.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Lisa Loves Literature</a>.

Expected more

WOW !!! I cannot believe this is the end of the series.. but it ended with a BANG! I have loved seeing these characters grow, mature and learn their powers. The love between Nicole and Blake is beautiful and I found myself crying quite a few times during this novel. I really loved how Michelle was able to wrap up this exciting adventure so well. And Kate.. ahh beautiful comeback...Chris, words can't describe how tragic and heroic he is as a character...and Rachel was heart breaking. Michelle's writing is so beautiful and haunting, that scene will definitely be sticking with me. Erebus, so in love... he's awesome :)! I really enjoyed the scenes with Persephone, and the Underworld... that was really cool. I had a feeling that Danielle was going to do what she does... but I still cried. It's been amazing seeing this series grow and develop into the kick-ass adventure that it is. I can't wait to read Michelle's next book that is a thriller !