FIREBRAND

The second installment of the Elemental series sees Thomas and his friends leaving Hatteras Island for new dangers (Elemental, 2012).

Having rescued both themselves and the Guardians from the pirate captain Dare, Thomas, his brother, Griffin, and the other Elemental castaways sail their way south toward a refugee camp at Fort Sumter, near Charleston, S.C. The body count on their ship is steadily rising, however, and their supernatural powers—the ability to harness the different elements such as fire, water and wind—are fading the further they move away from Hatteras; readers know there’s more peril to come. John’s ability to spin a good plot has improved since the first installment, and this sequel moves briskly, particularly on the perilous voyage from Hatteras to Fort Sumter, where the danger and drama run high. What’s curious, however, are his choices of historical landmarks for the setting. Readers may find themselves struggling to see connections between the two, since the events that took place there are so many years apart. Though there’s some back story provided to explain the displacement of the Elementals, less information is given as to why these settlements have arisen in this new dystopian world hundreds of years later. 

Perhaps all will be revealed in another sequel.