
Imagine fire as a power embodied in a hellhound or in flying dragons. Brenden, a gardener who knows little of his power, and less of other people, must find answers to many questions about his earth magic if he is to experience love and connection.įire finding in Fire: Tales of Elemental Spirits by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson. How can magic with plants be used in battle? Briar, a young plant mage, must find answers to this question in a hurry when he is caught in a war.Įarth exploring in Od Magic by Patricia A. Quite simply, I selected my examples from the many available primarily because these books were a pleasure to read.Įarth exploring in Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce.

Others include an element in less tangible ways. Some are concrete, depicting characters with elemental powers. These authors approach the elements from different angles, conceptualizing them in interesting ways. Here, I’ve listed eight fantasy works featuring one or more of the classical elements. It’s not surprising then that many fantasy authors use them when creating the special powers exercised by an individual character. Thus, they lend themselves to explorations of power and self within the world. These elements are always present in our lives – sometimes quietly, and at other times, as mighty forces. Numerous authors tell diverse kinds of stories incorporating earth, fire, water and air.

Which one best represents who you are? Or, if you were to tell a story using one of these elements, which element would you select – particularly if you were telling a story about yourself and your life?

Consider the four classical elements: earth, fire, water, air.
