I read the initial version way back when this book was completed (I prefer binging on completed books!) and thought that it was pretty good. It certainly wasn't polished and it didn't bridge all to well but it had potential nonetheless. It certainly gave me insights on the author's thought process putting this elaborate world together. Something I truly appreciate and have come to love even more now that he has gone back and made significant changes to the flow without losing the core essence of the story line. This is one of the few books I use as a goto when I need to unwind and unplug.
Having read another reviewer's lengthy review 😒, I felt compelled to leave my own. Firstly, I love the main protagonist. He is the reason I followed the series. I like that the author drops just enough information about each character for the reader to imagine for themselves what those characters would look, sound and feel like. The same goes for the world building. The cliffhangers to me were well placed. Most of all, I like that the story line was generally dramatic yet most characters weren't overly dramatized.
The mix of realism and fantasy to me is what makes this book stand out. I don't binge read fantasy to get a dose of realism.. I have reality for that! So in other words, the balance struck by the author worked for me! I like that intuition was the goto for the main protagonist as his powers developed (I don't need another X-men teen struggling to figure out how to control their powers and dealing with their psychological issues).
Having said that, I would have preferred the Alpha's friend and mentor (James if memory serves me right) playing an important role in helping the main protagonist learn more about his abilities especially in the initial stages of becoming an Elemental. I also have to agree that the 'Lycan' word is loosely used in this book. Lycan refers to canines, more specifically, wolves. So the Lycan Council rightfully governs only wolves.. this technicality can easily be rectified but calling them the Shifter Council also loses it's ring if you know what I mean 😛!
As for the author, my hats off to your story telling ability! I'm impressed you squeezed so much into 50 chapters on book 1. Book 1 alone could be split to 3~4 books with sufficient back stories and slow character development but in the process you might lose the magic and continuity which to me was a route you avoided allowing us to get into the heart of the story telling quicker and wanting more following Book 1! I do hope there is a Book 5 coming soon.. 😏
