Review ~ This Same Earth ~ Elizabeth Hunter

This Same Earth by Elizabeth Hunter
Series: Elemental Mysteries #2
Published by Selfpublished on December 2, 2011
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 291
Format: Kindle
Source: Library

When the world as you knew it has changed forever, is there any way you can turn back?

Beatrice De Novo thought she had left the supernatural world behind... for the most part. But when the past becomes the present, will she leave her quiet life in Los Angeles to follow a mystery she thought had abandoned her? Where has Giovanni Vecchio been, and why has he returned? Giovanni has his own questions, and he's looking to her for answers.

I was thrilled to be able to continue this series as a buddy read with my COYER friend, Lenore! It makes for more exciting reading when you can actively discuss the book while you’re reading it.

This Same Earth picks up 5 years after the end of the first book. B is now a research librarian living in California and dating. Gio is never far from her thoughts, much to her dismay since he left her, but life is good. Then one day while working, B gets a whiff of a familiar scent and she’s once again being drawn into a world she thought she’d left behind…and back to Gio.

Even though most of it’s been done off-page, I could see how B had matured. She’s now much more a woman who knows her own mind. And heart. She’s strong and smart, witty, too. She knows she still has strong feelings for Gio but she’s hesitant. Rightfully so since he’s left her on her own for years. I understand why he left – even if his arrogance played a part in it – but still. He’s back though, with every intention of winning her back.

The secondary cast got an addition in This Same Earth, that of Ben. A child Gio adopted, removing him from a neglectful and abusive home. His presence added much needed comic relief but also provided a child’s insight to certain situations with Gio and B. It’s amazing how simple a child can make things by breaking htem down. There were other additions to the cast as well, Gemma and Terry specifically, that supplied depth to the story overall.

I appreciated EHunter giving us the prologue and epilogue. You’ll have to read it to understand why but it added layers to B’s character as well as fleshing out, if only a little, B’s dad, Stephen. I didn’t mention the variety of supe this series has in my review of book 1 because it’s not mentioned in the synopsis and it was neat discovering it myself while reading. However, This Same Earth‘s blurb makes it known so I wanted to comment on the unique powers EHunter’s vampires have. You might can guess because of the series name but they’re Elementals, meaning they can control an element. There are Earth vamps, Water vamps, etc., and I like the similarity to The Last Air Bender, which I’m familiar with thanks to my kiddos.

This Same Earth focuses a bit more on the romance since Gio has his work cut out for him in winning B back but that focus didn’t come at the expense of the action or the forward progress of the overarching plot. There was action, suspense, angst, heartbreak… it was a roller coaster of emotion and I enjoyed every moment of the ride. So much so that Lenore and I are starting book 3, The Force of Wind, next week! lol

 

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• COYER 2022

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