The Elementals

The Elementals

By: Francesca Lia Block

Block, F. L. (2012). The elementals. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Summary and Response:
Francesca Lia Block introduces us to Ariel Silverman, a high school student, who is on her way to college. Ariel's friend suddenly goes missing. During her freshman year of college Ariel decides she must go figure out what has happened to Jeni, her best friend. During this journey Ariel meets a group of people who call themselves, "The Elementals."  It is difficult to tell if Ariel is having a dream or if it is completely true. There are numerous sex scenes with John which makes this novel a bit more on the high school end of things,  We finally discover what happens to Jeni and at least this part is sewn up for us. This novel had me baffled, for I could not quite figure out if it was a mystery or fantasy. Either way it was written well and kept me engaged. I wanted to help Ariel myself as I saw her breaking under the grief of Jeni and her mothers cancer. This novel should be used only with teens ages 16 on up.