Fallen Elements by Heather McVea

Fallen Elements Reviews

• 
  Frank Van Meer

  For some reason, I always get happy when I see a book about witches. And for some reason, I'm always left a bit disappointed. I had high hopes for
  New Harbor Witches: Keepers and that was a long book where for a long time absolutely nothing happens and when the magic finally comes into play, it involves a hamster driving a toy car (true story) and some mind reading and a silly finale.
  
  And the same applies to Fallen Elements.
  
  It takes forever before the word magic even appears in the book. Sure, there are signs something's up, but it's buried in endless descreptions of scenery, drinking games and every day life. Only at about 65% in, we are introduced to what's really going on. Ryan falls madly, deeply and utterly in love with Leah from about page 2 and Leah does her best to keep Ryan at a distance. First it seems the age difference is holding her back (Leah is about 27 years older), then there is a shady family history that is a barrier.
  
  Then there are the diary flashbacks. And to be honest, I thought those were the most intersting parts. It establishes the family history and gives a surprisingly interesting insight in the early days of the colonies, in this case Maryland. Of course, the diary touches the fear of witches and the resulting witch hunts. The justification that those people were doing God's will makes me almost furious, but recent events have shown us that 500 years still in'st enough to get these stupid ideas removed from todays society. But I digress.
  
  Anyways, when all was revealed, again the magic disappointed me (although it was a big step-up compared to New Harbor Witches). Fallen Elements has a sort of HEA,but not quite. What I liked was that Leah had some (very understandable) moral issues with what happened. Ryan, meanwhile, comes to terms with her family's sordid history, but looses a valuable friend. Loosing that friend was of more concern to Ryan than what Leah did.
  
  All in all, the story had some very interesting ideas and, overall, it was a decent story. But I have to tell you something. When I read something contemporary ( even if it's about witches) and the story brings me somewhere or describes something I don't know about, I look it up. Is the story taking place in Baltimore ( in this case) and it describes landmarks, important buildings or it mentions a sports team, I look it up. Is a character drinking something I never heard about, I look it up. I want to know.
  
  But, this book bombards me with names. Shoes, purses, drinks, watches, paintings, buildings and whatever you can think of, this book gives me a brandname. Now, as a male, I pride myself that I even know what Jimmy Choo's are. But seriously, when someone is about to be killed in a most horrific way, does it really matter the culprit wears Cole Haan (forgive me for not looking up that particular designer; I just admitted I knew who Jimmy Choo is) heels? Or a Cartier watch? And it's not an isolated incident either. Every fucking piece of clothing or accessory starts with a brandname. I got tired of that really quick.
  
  Another issue I had is that everyone Ryan meets, but who is of no importance to the story, is described as a 20-something attractive guy or girl. Everyone, from the bus boy to the waitress. The whole worl is beautiful and attractive. Well, after the 25th occurrence I really didn't care anymore.
  
  Also there were some editing issues. The diary entries had some font issues (at least in the Kindle Cloud Reader). At some point, an entry had the wrong date; it jumped from 1628 to 1928 and back again. Ryan's Honda Civic changes into a Subaru and back again (at first I thought Ryan had taken Nicole's car, but when she got home it was a Civic again.).
  
  Ok, I'll stop ranting now :)
  
  Edit:
  I can see the author made this ebook herself, but is it really that difficult to add a TOC?
• 
  Jennifer

  This was a quick easy read and I liked it a lot. Lesbians, witches, and secret family legacies, what's not to like? The only real down side was the author's excessive use of brand names. for me personally, it is enough to know that the character was wearing a blue sweater, I don't need to know it was from the Gap. this was my first book I've read by Heather Mcvae and I am looking forward to more.
• 
  susan

  Great love story.
  
  I wasn't sure what I was reading when I started this one. I was looking for vampires, shape shifters and witches. I really liked the storyline and characters. I was hooked on page one. I would definitely recommend this book.
• 
  Darbie

  I gave it three stars because Plot B was amazing enough to read the whole book.
  
  So our central character, who has been estranged from her mother 'cause homophobia, has to attend her funeral. On the train she meets this enchanting woman and they have some eye contact chemistry. She looses her and can't help but think about her for two more chapters. Enter stage left the horrible family that was her mother's company; sly aunt, air head uncle, handsy male cousin, and dingbat but loveable girl cousin. Low and behold upon this scene, in the background a mysterious person lurks, its train woman. Oh, but what is the mystery of this train woman being at her mothers funeral. SOOOoooooo many chapters to find out the answers in the final breaths, of the final act, by a very Macbethian event. It does take a left turn into a paranormal book that you can kinda see coming because Plot B has alluded to it. It also pulls out a HEA in the last breaths of book.
  
  So, Plot B, the whole reason why I am here for this book? Oh, this is a journal that has been written somewhat parallel to Salem witch trial times by a pregnant lady whose mid-wife is a maybe/maybe not a witch. Central character to Plot A reads this journal and takes no wisdom from the amazing story that is happening. We as readers are catching all the clues.
  
  I recommend this for those who love a tortured lesbian love story or for those who love a juicy colonial page-turner they have to dig through another story to get.
• 
  MJ Lagundino

  Could have been a great story... but Ryan is the most useless protagonist. I liked how she separated herself from her family because they were... just damn and how she wasn't willing to accept being left in the dark when what was happening revolved around her.
  
  Then when the truth came out, she just... floundered? I mean you find out so much about your family and the woman you love, you know what your mother and her sister was capable of and you focus on your relationship status?
  I can't believe it that she couldn't have anticipated it, the dinner with Lucy lying and how Lucy was described to be manipulative should have already set alarms going off for Ryan to do something to safeguard Leah at least in the form of making sure what happened in the past did not happen again.
  
  Instead, she pined. That was very frustrating.
  
  It had potential so... 2.5
• 
  serioshka hellmund

  Good story too many brands
  
  This is a well written story, the plot is entertaining and the ending, though obvious, welcome. The one thing I didn't like is the constant and repetitive use of brand names... it is very annoying, a flaw that is all over her other books as well. Clearly not enough to not make them readable, just bothersome and unnecessary
• 
  Elie

  I was moderately enjoying this, although it had way too many conversations that led nowhere, and the 20 years age difference was bothering me. Then it just got ridiculous and i rolled my eyes through the last 50 pages. I feel like 3 stars is generous for the way i closed the book with a "ugh", but i guess i should take in consideration the early parts.
• 
  Hagar

  Not the best work I've read, the writing is full of redundent details and it's sometimes unclear who is telling the story, sure it has lesbians and supernatural themes, but that's not enuogh to hold the book entirely
• 
  Maxine

  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the fact that the women could still find a love interest even with the age gap between them. An altogether good read.
• 
  Karen Harvey-Griggs

  Finished too soon but that's perfect since I'm definitely coming back for more Heather McVea.
• 
  Tatiana

  Oh lord what a hot mess.
• 
  Brenda Freeman

  Loved Ryan and Leah. Enjoyed the diary from the past and how it related to today's characters. Waiting impatiently for the second in the series.