Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

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Source: From publisher for review
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Format: Paperback, 345 pages
Release Date: August 28, 2012

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

The fuse is lit…

5 Reasons Why You Should Read Spark

1. hot boys

2. hot boys

3. hot boys

4. hot boys

5. hot boys

Alright, fine, there's more than that. But don't tell me that doesn't draw you in ;)

1. Loved the characters in Storm? Well here they get EVEN BETTER!

I fell hard for the characters in Storm but even so, my love for them somehow reached even higher levels in the sequel! Many of them seem a lot more complex to me now than they did when I first started the series and I think that brings more of a sort of appreciation from me. I am so, so invested in these characters. One that I particularly LOVED in Spark was Hunter. I liked him in the previous book but there was nothing to make me love him. In Spark? Problem solved.

2. Meet Gabriel Merrick, the most wonderfully complex character ever.

Oh my goodness, this boy. There are about seven thousand layers to Gabriel... he is remarkably like a real person. He misunderstands things, speaks out of turn and loses his temper easily. He doesn't make it easy for people to help him. And yet, it is SO CLEAR that he's trying to do the best that he can. There are so many fears and insecurities underneath the surface of Gabriel and all of them co-exist amongst the most beautiful, genuine and caring parts of him. I love love love love love loooooooove his character!

3. E-M-O-T-I-O-N

I cried and I laughed while reading this -- for me, this is generally a good sign! Brigid Kemmerer has this ability to get right under your skin with her words and make you feel emotions for the things that seem so insignificant. The changing POVs in this story (Gabriel and Layne, who, by the way, is FABULOUS) worked flawlessly and really maximized the emotional connection that I had to the story. Also with the emotion? The romance. I could FEEL the chemistry between Gabriel and Layne.

4. Brigid doesn't skirt around the tough stuff

Just like in the previous novel of the series, there is some focus on a very serious issue. Bullying is a prevalent topic in the novel and I found it very well-written. It honestly broke my heart to see some of the things that were going on in the school and it's hard not to feel the horror and disgust that they actually do happen.  

5. Family <3

I have probably said it enough times to make you all sick but I LOVE FAMILY STORYLINES. The Merrick brothers don't seem like the most perfect family in this book but oh, it killed me to watch them. All of their interactions seem so personal and charged with a dozen different emotions. Just as with the individual characters, the dynamics of this family unit are layered and complicated and I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, okay, maybe I'd be up for a nice big group hug every now and again.

(bonus: hot boys!)

So basically: This author needs to be on your to-read list if she's not already. The Merrick brother await you!

Cover Comments: Hellooooo Gabriel!

5 Golden Crowns!