Element Unknown by Brittani S. Avery is described as:

"In fifteen-year-old Rex Marshall’s mystical world, beings are classified by and can harness the powers of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Light, and Darkness. When Rex, the rebellious son of an abolitionist councilman, impulsively purchases the freedom of Meenal, a peculiar blue slave, they discover a deep connection over one commonality: both don’t know who—or what—they are."

The plot sounds like it has the potential to be interesting but unfortunately the author is unclear in the decisions she makes while writing. The writing level and tone is monotonous and resembles that of a fifth grader. This is at odds with the misogyny present within the text. Descriptions of naked slave girls and brutal violence against women at the hands of their owners. I'd like to believe that this was social commentary but I don't think it is. Even Rex, the main character who "saves", Meenal, the blue-skinned former slave, is not exempt from raising a hand against her on occasion. Something which is excused by the explanation that he is a fire elemental and it's in his nature. There are no female characters that are not there to directly serve the purpose of a man and even Leeni, the only independent female character in the book is a servant and is therefore not truly independent. There are also racist and ableist undertones present within the novel. I couldn't even finish the book for these exact reasons, even though I valiantly tried. Regardless of these major issues, the author does not even have the ability to weave a compelling story as all her sentences seem forced and shoved next to each other haphazardly.

I also have an incredibly hard time believing that if Rex and his father, Kadmus are such determined abolitionists, that they still keep servants, and female ones at that, who are expected to bow to them. Finally, the plot takes a back seat to the misogyny and none of the promised story is delved into in any detail.

I can only give this 1 star ⭐️ and even that's pushing it!