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!

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

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Source: Won from the fabulous Beverley!
Publisher: Kensington
Format: Paperback, 353 pages
Release Date: April 24, 2012

Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys - all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming.

If you visit any of the same places that I do, I'm sure you've heard of Storm. Words like 'amazing' and 'breathtaking' are being thrown around so often that they've become synonymous with the book in my head. Do you know what's even better? I COMPLETELY AGREE.

Brigid Kemmerer's characters are so compelling. The heroine, Becca, sure doesn't have it easy at the moment but she is such a fighter. She stands her ground in a way that I couldn't help but admire and she easily reached my list of favourite heroines! There's a vulnerability that's apparent when reading Becca's thoughts but hell if she's going to let her ex-boyfriend and the cruel kids at her school ruin her life.

And then the boys. THE. BOYS. Chris, Nick, Gabriel, Michael, Hunter... I just want them alllll. The way that the Merrick brothers in particular are with each other just was so wonderful. They're hilarious and charming and infuriating, they get at each other's throats and have some real, burning tension between them, but at the end of the day, they're SUCH a family. I loved how they looked out for each other and cared for each other and just ahhh. Plus, their individual hotness didn't hurt....

Oftentimes, I have a part of the story that's my favourite, whether it be the characters, plot, writing, etc. But for Storm? I just can't choose! I loved ALL OF IT. The story itself is such a heart-pounding adventure, more so because I was so in love with the characters. Brigid paints bullying in such a gritty, raw light, even though it's not the main focus of the novel. All of the elements in Storm are so wonderfully intertwined that it just all makes for one of the BEST books I've read this year.

HIGHLY recommended!

Cover Comments: Weeeell, I'm certainly not complaining... *bats eyelashes at Merrick brothers*

(So, as you can see from the excessive use of capitals... I kind of loved this book)

5 Golden Crowns!