Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. 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 . . .
Books
Young Adult Fiction
Storm (Elemental #1)
Storm (Elemental #1) http://www.yabookscentral.com/media/reviews/photos/thumbnail/200x285s/c8/8c/dc/_104010841_1335626405.jpg
Author(s)
Publisher
Age Range
14+
Release Date
April 24, 2012
ISBN
0758272812
Buy This Book
Editor reviews
I don't remember what it was that caught my attention more, the four intense looking guys on this cover or the summary itself, but I thought I'd give this book a try. It's part of an entire series and thought it best to start from the beginning. (If you purchase Storm on Nook, it gives you the first book, Elemental (#0.5) which is a novella, for free.)
OMGoodness! I couldn't put these books down! They both were a surprise hit for me for several reasons...1) The series centers round the Merrick brothers and while I don't mind reading male POV's, I AM surrounded by living, breathing male POV's 24/7 and sometimes, reading about them can be testosterone overload, yanno? 2) The characters all have certain powers that they get from the elements, earth, wind, fire, water and honestly, the first image that popped into my head was "The Last Avatar". (I don't pretend to understand the bizarre workings of my brain, I just go with the flow.) I was a afraid the story would be cheesey but I didn't need to be because it's actually made of awesome!
This story is full of action, adventure, suspense, and let's not forget about the guys. Yeah, they're hot but they're good too and hilariously funny at times. There's also a swoon-worthy romance to balance out all of that "maleness". I enjoyed the alternating POV's which were easy to keep track of and flowed nicely from one chapter to the next and on a personal note, the author nailed the setting. How do I know? Because it's where I grew up! Old Mill High School was a rival of ours, and I've driven on Ritchie Highway a bazillion times and Annapolis Mall was thee place to shop. (It still is.)
The characters were relateable and in fact, Becca and Quinn are strong females who also are a great example of true friendship. And when I think about those Merrick brothers, I feel like this: I loved Gabriel, LOVED.HIM. I totally wanna hang out with him, exchange snarky jabs and blow stuff up. He is the one I would be BFF's with, I would've crushed on Nick, dated Chris and punched Michael in the face (or at least fantasized about it). Basically, I want them to adopt me.
Then there's New Kid aka Hunter. *sighs* He's completely swoon worthy with just the right amount of danger mixed in.
My only complaint is that I wish this series was competed (and available) already because the books end in a cliffhanger and I want to know what happens RIGHT NOW! (is very impatient). I'm really looking forward to Spark, book 2, because it's Gabriel's story...need I say more? ;)
OMGoodness! I couldn't put these books down! They both were a surprise hit for me for several reasons...1) The series centers round the Merrick brothers and while I don't mind reading male POV's, I AM surrounded by living, breathing male POV's 24/7 and sometimes, reading about them can be testosterone overload, yanno? 2) The characters all have certain powers that they get from the elements, earth, wind, fire, water and honestly, the first image that popped into my head was "The Last Avatar". (I don't pretend to understand the bizarre workings of my brain, I just go with the flow.) I was a afraid the story would be cheesey but I didn't need to be because it's actually made of awesome!
This story is full of action, adventure, suspense, and let's not forget about the guys. Yeah, they're hot but they're good too and hilariously funny at times. There's also a swoon-worthy romance to balance out all of that "maleness". I enjoyed the alternating POV's which were easy to keep track of and flowed nicely from one chapter to the next and on a personal note, the author nailed the setting. How do I know? Because it's where I grew up! Old Mill High School was a rival of ours, and I've driven on Ritchie Highway a bazillion times and Annapolis Mall was thee place to shop. (It still is.)
The characters were relateable and in fact, Becca and Quinn are strong females who also are a great example of true friendship. And when I think about those Merrick brothers, I feel like this: I loved Gabriel, LOVED.HIM. I totally wanna hang out with him, exchange snarky jabs and blow stuff up. He is the one I would be BFF's with, I would've crushed on Nick, dated Chris and punched Michael in the face (or at least fantasized about it). Basically, I want them to adopt me.
Then there's New Kid aka Hunter. *sighs* He's completely swoon worthy with just the right amount of danger mixed in.
My only complaint is that I wish this series was competed (and available) already because the books end in a cliffhanger and I want to know what happens RIGHT NOW! (is very impatient). I'm really looking forward to Spark, book 2, because it's Gabriel's story...need I say more? ;)
| Overall rating | 4.0 | |
| Plot | 4.0 | |
| Characters | 4.0 | |
| Writing Style | 4.0 |
A surprise hit.
I don't remember what it was that caught my attention more, the four intense looking guys on this cover or the summary itself, but I thought I'd give this book a try. It's part of an entire series and thought it best to start from the beginning. (If you purchase Storm on Nook, it gives you the first book, Elemental (#0.5) which is a novella, for free.)
OMGoodness! I couldn't put these books down! They both were a surprise hit for me for several reasons...1) The series centers round the Merrick brothers and while I don't mind reading male POV's, I AM surrounded by living, breathing male POV's 24/7 and sometimes, reading about them can be testosterone overload, yanno? 2) The characters all have certain powers that they get from the elements, earth, wind, fire, water and honestly, the first image that popped into my head was "The Last Avatar". (I don't pretend to understand the bizarre workings of my brain, I just go with the flow.) I was a afraid the story would be cheesey but I didn't need to be because it's actually made of awesome!
This story is full of action, adventure, suspense, and let's not forget about the guys. Yeah, they're hot but they're good too and hilariously funny at times. There's also a swoon-worthy romance to balance out all of that "maleness". I enjoyed the alternating POV's which were easy to keep track of and flowed nicely from one chapter to the next and on a personal note, the author nailed the setting. How do I know? Because it's where I grew up! Old Mill High School was a rival of ours, and I've driven on Ritchie Highway a bazillion times and Annapolis Mall was thee place to shop. (It still is.)
The characters were relateable and in fact, Becca and Quinn are strong females who also are a great example of true friendship. And when I think about those Merrick brothers, I feel like this: I loved Gabriel, LOVED.HIM. I totally wanna hang out with him, exchange snarky jabs and blow stuff up. He is the one I would be BFF's with, I would've crushed on Nick, dated Chris and punched Michael in the face (or at least fantasized about it). Basically, I want them to adopt me.
Then there's New Kid aka Hunter. *sighs* He's completely swoon worthy with just the right amount of danger mixed in.
My only complaint is that I wish this series was competed (and available) already because the books end in a cliffhanger and I want to know what happens RIGHT NOW! (is very impatient). I'm really looking forward to Spark, book 2, because it's Gabriel's story...need I say more? ;)
Bad Points
Colorful language
Do You Recommend?
Yes
Was this review helpful to you?
User reviews
Average user rating from: 3 user(s)
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer is one of those books that I thought looked interesting, that I thought I would like, but totally took me by surprise not only in story but also without how much I genuinely loved it.
Storm starts off with a bang. There's enough so I can get a sense of Becca and what her character is like, but then there's action almost immediately and I was immediately sucked into the story because I had to know what was going on in Storm.
I was initially concerned by the fact that there might be some sort of love square or love pentagon or something, because all of the brothers in Storm are smoking. I would have been happy to see Becca with any of them. Luckily, I guess, that of course was just my imagination and it sorted itself out. But man, these brothers. Love them all.
And the story that goes down in Storm? Loved it. Storm is the only real elemental focused book that I can think of off the top of my head, so it was all original and interesting to me. I loved the lore Brigid Kemmerer built up around the brothers - the backstory and lore was definitely well crafted.
I loved the way certain bits of information were revealed. There's some pretty important pieces to the whole Storm puzzle that are only revealed a little at a time and I loved it. Sure, I was a little confused in certain parts, but I loved the guessing and I was shocked when I finally figured it all out.
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer hooked me, you guys. I picked it up yesterday and read half and literally could not stop thinking about it until I was able to pick it up again and finish. The story is exciting, the characters are smoking, and I cannot wait for the second book, Spark! Definitely do not miss Storm - it's an absolutely amazing debut!
Storm starts off with a bang. There's enough so I can get a sense of Becca and what her character is like, but then there's action almost immediately and I was immediately sucked into the story because I had to know what was going on in Storm.
I was initially concerned by the fact that there might be some sort of love square or love pentagon or something, because all of the brothers in Storm are smoking. I would have been happy to see Becca with any of them. Luckily, I guess, that of course was just my imagination and it sorted itself out. But man, these brothers. Love them all.
And the story that goes down in Storm? Loved it. Storm is the only real elemental focused book that I can think of off the top of my head, so it was all original and interesting to me. I loved the lore Brigid Kemmerer built up around the brothers - the backstory and lore was definitely well crafted.
I loved the way certain bits of information were revealed. There's some pretty important pieces to the whole Storm puzzle that are only revealed a little at a time and I loved it. Sure, I was a little confused in certain parts, but I loved the guessing and I was shocked when I finally figured it all out.
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer hooked me, you guys. I picked it up yesterday and read half and literally could not stop thinking about it until I was able to pick it up again and finish. The story is exciting, the characters are smoking, and I cannot wait for the second book, Spark! Definitely do not miss Storm - it's an absolutely amazing debut!
| Overall rating | 5.0 | |
| Plot | 5.0 | |
| Characters | 5.0 | |
| Writing Style | 5.0 |
Hobbitsies Reviews: Took me by surprise
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer is one of those books that I thought looked interesting, that I thought I would like, but totally took me by surprise not only in story but also without how much I genuinely loved it.
Storm starts off with a bang. There's enough so I can get a sense of Becca and what her character is like, but then there's action almost immediately and I was immediately sucked into the story because I had to know what was going on in Storm.
I was initially concerned by the fact that there might be some sort of love square or love pentagon or something, because all of the brothers in Storm are smoking. I would have been happy to see Becca with any of them. Luckily, I guess, that of course was just my imagination and it sorted itself out. But man, these brothers. Love them all.
And the story that goes down in Storm? Loved it. Storm is the only real elemental focused book that I can think of off the top of my head, so it was all original and interesting to me. I loved the lore Brigid Kemmerer built up around the brothers - the backstory and lore was definitely well crafted.
I loved the way certain bits of information were revealed. There's some pretty important pieces to the whole Storm puzzle that are only revealed a little at a time and I loved it. Sure, I was a little confused in certain parts, but I loved the guessing and I was shocked when I finally figured it all out.
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer hooked me, you guys. I picked it up yesterday and read half and literally could not stop thinking about it until I was able to pick it up again and finish. The story is exciting, the characters are smoking, and I cannot wait for the second book, Spark! Definitely do not miss Storm - it's an absolutely amazing debut!
Do You Recommend?
Yes
Was this review helpful to you?
Holy awesomeness! This book was amazing from start to finish. What's not to like about a book with four hot brothers who control the elements?
Becca has been labeled the town slut at school, all because her ex boyfriend spread rumors about her. But her whole world changes when she saves Chris Merrick from being beaten in the school parking lot. I couldn't help but fall in love with Chris. Chris and his brothers Michael and the twins, Nick and Gabriel can control the elements, earth, air, fire and water. These brothers fight like your typical brothers but they also really care about each other and are there for each other. There parents are dead and they are all each other has.
Becca goes on a real journey throughout this story. She learns a lot about who she really is. She seems to have real chemistry with Chris but then the new guy Hunter enters the picture and she seems to have some chemistry with him as well. There is a big love triangle in this book and I loved every minute of it. Usually I find myself only wanting the character with one guy. In this book though I couldn't really decided between Hunter and Chris. I really liked them both.
The characters are so well written and seem so real. There wasn't a dull moment with these characters either. They fight with each other, they fight for their lives and some fight to find out who they really are. I cannot wait to read more books in this series. I am addicted to the Merrick brothers and you will be too.
Review originally posted on my blog: http://www.ramblingsofabooknerd.com/2013/03/review-storm-by-brigid-kemmerer.html
Becca has been labeled the town slut at school, all because her ex boyfriend spread rumors about her. But her whole world changes when she saves Chris Merrick from being beaten in the school parking lot. I couldn't help but fall in love with Chris. Chris and his brothers Michael and the twins, Nick and Gabriel can control the elements, earth, air, fire and water. These brothers fight like your typical brothers but they also really care about each other and are there for each other. There parents are dead and they are all each other has.
Becca goes on a real journey throughout this story. She learns a lot about who she really is. She seems to have real chemistry with Chris but then the new guy Hunter enters the picture and she seems to have some chemistry with him as well. There is a big love triangle in this book and I loved every minute of it. Usually I find myself only wanting the character with one guy. In this book though I couldn't really decided between Hunter and Chris. I really liked them both.
The characters are so well written and seem so real. There wasn't a dull moment with these characters either. They fight with each other, they fight for their lives and some fight to find out who they really are. I cannot wait to read more books in this series. I am addicted to the Merrick brothers and you will be too.
Review originally posted on my blog: http://www.ramblingsofabooknerd.com/2013/03/review-storm-by-brigid-kemmerer.html
| Overall rating | 5.0 | |
| Plot | 5.0 | |
| Characters | 5.0 | |
| Writing Style | 5.0 |
Storm
Holy awesomeness! This book was amazing from start to finish. What's not to like about a book with four hot brothers who control the elements?
Becca has been labeled the town slut at school, all because her ex boyfriend spread rumors about her. But her whole world changes when she saves Chris Merrick from being beaten in the school parking lot. I couldn't help but fall in love with Chris. Chris and his brothers Michael and the twins, Nick and Gabriel can control the elements, earth, air, fire and water. These brothers fight like your typical brothers but they also really care about each other and are there for each other. There parents are dead and they are all each other has.
Becca goes on a real journey throughout this story. She learns a lot about who she really is. She seems to have real chemistry with Chris but then the new guy Hunter enters the picture and she seems to have some chemistry with him as well. There is a big love triangle in this book and I loved every minute of it. Usually I find myself only wanting the character with one guy. In this book though I couldn't really decided between Hunter and Chris. I really liked them both.
The characters are so well written and seem so real. There wasn't a dull moment with these characters either. They fight with each other, they fight for their lives and some fight to find out who they really are. I cannot wait to read more books in this series. I am addicted to the Merrick brothers and you will be too.
Review originally posted on my blog: http://www.ramblingsofabooknerd.com/2013/03/review-storm-by-brigid-kemmerer.html
Do You Recommend?
Yes
Was this review helpful to you?
Storm isn't just about the hot boys. It's full of petty high school rumors, some evil guys, and some boys who show you that the good guys really do exist.
Chris and his brothers can control the elements. And that's something no one is supposed to be able to do. While I sometimes felt like the danger could have seemed a little more threatening, the suspense is kept throughout the entire book. It's something Brigid Kemmerer really knows how to write.
Another thing she really knows how to write are likable, three-dimensional characters. Even in third person, it's easy to get a feel for all of the characters. Becca is perfectly ordinary, just like most girls. She worries about grades and boys, but at the same time, she's tough. She does her best to ignore the terrible rumors about her. And in the end, maybe she's not so ordinary after all. Becca is just a very easy character to relate to, but she's also admirable.
Chris can control water. His personality isn't extraordinary, but maybe that's why I liked him so much. He's not a sex-crazed teenage boy, he's not the sweetest guy you'll ever meet . . . he's ordinary. Kind of a breath of fresh air. He's caring and kind, (and even kind of a hero) but at the same time, he's not perfect. He gets angry. His relationships with his brothers aren't full of sunshine and unicorns.
And, let's face it. I think it's kind of kick-ass that he can basically control the tide when he wants.
Another thing that's done perfectly? The way the relationship between Becca and Chris develops. There's usually a bit of tension, but romance doesn't even come into the mix for quite awhile.
Even the secondary characters are amazing. Chris's brothers - Nick, Gabriel, and Michael - are all people you get strong personalities from, but at the same time, you don't learn everything. You get to be curious for the next books.
Is it weird to say I love the Guild? Because I do. They're the kind of bad guys I love most - the kind that think they're protecting the world from monsters when they're the monsters themselves.
Overall: The characters in Storm are some of the best characters I've ever read. There's suspense and action and even some romance. (And a really cool dog.) Storm isn't anything like the normal paranormal books. (Although to be honest I'm not even sure if it's classified as paranormal. I've been getting my genres confused lately. It's probably more sci-fi. Maybe.) 5 stars.
| Overall rating | 5.0 | |
| Plot | 5.0 | |
| Characters | 5.0 | |
| Writing Style | 5.0 |
One of my favorite 2012 debuts so far.
Storm isn't just about the hot boys. It's full of petty high school rumors, some evil guys, and some boys who show you that the good guys really do exist.
Chris and his brothers can control the elements. And that's something no one is supposed to be able to do. While I sometimes felt like the danger could have seemed a little more threatening, the suspense is kept throughout the entire book. It's something Brigid Kemmerer really knows how to write.
Another thing she really knows how to write are likable, three-dimensional characters. Even in third person, it's easy to get a feel for all of the characters. Becca is perfectly ordinary, just like most girls. She worries about grades and boys, but at the same time, she's tough. She does her best to ignore the terrible rumors about her. And in the end, maybe she's not so ordinary after all. Becca is just a very easy character to relate to, but she's also admirable.
Chris can control water. His personality isn't extraordinary, but maybe that's why I liked him so much. He's not a sex-crazed teenage boy, he's not the sweetest guy you'll ever meet . . . he's ordinary. Kind of a breath of fresh air. He's caring and kind, (and even kind of a hero) but at the same time, he's not perfect. He gets angry. His relationships with his brothers aren't full of sunshine and unicorns.
And, let's face it. I think it's kind of kick-ass that he can basically control the tide when he wants.
Another thing that's done perfectly? The way the relationship between Becca and Chris develops. There's usually a bit of tension, but romance doesn't even come into the mix for quite awhile.
Even the secondary characters are amazing. Chris's brothers - Nick, Gabriel, and Michael - are all people you get strong personalities from, but at the same time, you don't learn everything. You get to be curious for the next books.
Is it weird to say I love the Guild? Because I do. They're the kind of bad guys I love most - the kind that think they're protecting the world from monsters when they're the monsters themselves.
Overall: The characters in Storm are some of the best characters I've ever read. There's suspense and action and even some romance. (And a really cool dog.) Storm isn't anything like the normal paranormal books. (Although to be honest I'm not even sure if it's classified as paranormal. I've been getting my genres confused lately. It's probably more sci-fi. Maybe.) 5 stars.
Do You Recommend?
Yes
Was this review helpful to you?
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