The Elemental Origins Novels

Born of Water

My mother is a creature of the deep; a siren, a mermaid, and because her daughter is human, she can never go home.

A mysterious shipwreck could unlock ancient powers… or send her to a watery grave.

Targa MacAuley feels more at home on dry land than in the watery realm of her mermaid ancestors. After 17 years on solid ground, she fears she’ll never grow into the creature her mother hoped she’d become. To keep her mom’s homesickness and true identity under wraps, Targa signs on for a mysterious salvage dive in the Baltic Sea.

Her plan to blend in with the rest of the crew is spoiled when she catches the eye of a handsome local. A freak accident and a strange connection to the ancient shipwreck below attract even more unwanted attention. With both her mom’s secret—and her life—in danger, Targa must finally find the courage to unleash the currents surging deep within.

Born of Water is a Readers Favorite Gold Medal Winner and the first book in The Elemental Origins, a captivating nonlinear series of YA urban fantasy novels, now updated in celebration of its 5th anniversary. If you like new twists on mermaid lore, simmering romance, and close-knit mother-daughter bonds, then you’ll love A.L. Knorr’s nautical adventure. Embark on a deeper dive into the story's lore with The Wreck of Sybellen, a companion novel included with the book.

Born of Fire

Welcome to the world of fire magi, where what doesn’t kill you (literally) makes you stronger.

Saxony Cagney counts herself lucky when she wins a position as an au pair in Venice for the summer. It’s her responsibility to take care of two young boys - speak to them in English, make sure they get to their swimming lessons on time. Piece of cake, right?

She unexpectedly forms a strong bond with the youngest boy–Isaia. She also meets two Italian men… both are smart, successful, sexy. So far things are going her way. Who doesn’t like options?

When she discovers Isaia is actually dying, and his mom is trying to keep it a secret from his dad, things get a violent shove into complicated…

And then contagious––She’ll never be the same again.

Just when she’s got more on her plate than she can handle, she accidentally gets tangled up with the most powerful crime family in Venice.

Will Saxony survive long enough to learn the secrets of her new abilities, or will they kill her?

Born of Fire is the second book in The Elemental Origins Novels, a series of captivating YA urban fantasy novels which can be read in any order. This is the updated 5th anniversary edition which includes the novella Pyro, renamed as Part III. If you like strong female characters, amazing (slightly out-of-control) supernatural abilities, and a touch of romance, then you’ll love A.L. Knorr’s teen fantasy adventure series.

Born of Air

In a desert full of danger, the ancient sands whisper her name.

All Petra Kara wants in life is to study Archaeology at the University of Cambridge. And she's so close. She's got the grades, she's got the ambition. All she needs now is an outrageous sum of money and experience on an Old World archaeological excavation. If only she could find a way to get rid of her annoying low-grade telepathy. There's nothing Petra hates more than a cheat and a liar and it's too easy to cheat when you can read people's minds.

When Petra spies an ad for a volunteer position on an excavation to North Africa, she knows its meant for her. But there is more waiting for her in Libya than broken pottery and human remains. A heart-pounding race through the desert under a sky full of stars with Jesse, her sexy dig-mate and newfound crush, ends when Petra slides into an ancient cave-system with strange stones embedded in the walls.

That's where her life changes forever.

As her powers manifest, there are those who think they have a good reason to destroy her before she becomes too powerful.

Will she survive long enough to learn who she is and what she's really capable of?