Thursday, April 19, 2012

Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

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Storm
Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elementals, #1
Release date: April 24th, 2012
by Kensington

Goodreads / Purchase

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 . . .

*A copy was provided by Brigid Kemmerer for review purposes*
Four Five hot guys and one girl. Does anybody have a problem with this?

As if all this testosterone running rampant isn’t enough, these four brothers can control the elements: Water, air, earth and fire. The seriousness of these powers is made clear several times throughout this novel. It’s a powerful ability to have to be able to control anything from tsunamis and earthquakes, to the spread of diseases; all without raising an ounce of suspicion. Basically, easily becoming an unstoppable, invisible killing machine. I wasn’t sure how exciting a story about element control could be, so I was happily surprised by the constant sensation of danger that I felt while reading this novel. Surround this with a fast pace and intense action scenes, and we’ve got ourselves a pretty riveting plot.

The brothers. Oh boy. They’re quite the eclectic bunch. Each one unique and imperfect, these guys are all exceptionally well developed characters that will grow on you and make a lasting impression. I enjoyed their brotherly banter which never ceases to amuse me. I also found them all endearing even though sometimes I wanted to punch them. Along with these four brothers, we’ve got Hunter – the New Guy – which was my personal favorite of the boys, then Becca’s friends, classmates and parents. Overall, it’s a pretty big cast that Kemmerer incorporates impressively inside the story, giving them each charming personalities and important roles that contribute to the story.

Now on to Becca. Becca has to deal with all this hotness raucous. For a change, it’s the girl who gets to save the day at the beginning, by coming to Chris’s aid and saving his life – which is essentially how she gets sucked into his. Then of course, soon afterwards, she meets Hunter; giving us a love triangle that, even though I’m not a big fan of usually, I quite enjoyed in Storm. First, it’s hard not to like these two well-rounded guys who are both pining for Becca. Second, it’s very rare that I can feel chemistry from both love interests like I did in this novel. I constantly felt torn on who I wanted her to end up with. While I was happy about the straightforward relationship growth with Hunter, I found myself cringing when we got Chris’s reaction to it. Nothing felt forced for the sake of a cliché triangle, it’s truly a well written and complex romantic mess.

Full of constant twists and exceptional characters, Storm proves to be a fantastic debut that lives up to its cover. You’ll find the perfect amount of romance, action, and suspense for a great start to a very promising series.

4 Hot Espressos
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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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31 Responses to “Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer”

  1. Christina

    Oooh, awesome! I was somewhat skeptical of this one, because for some reason I’m not a huge fan of guys on the covers of books. Anywho, I’m really looking forward to it now!

  2. Amy

    This sounds awesome!! Hot guys, controlling the elements, fun banter, and a love triangle that is done good?!!! I am so all about this. Fantastic review!!

  4. Cassie

    AH! I was excited about this book before, but now? My excitement has increased exponentially. What a lovely review! Less than a week away before the 24th.

  5. Danny

    Oh I only heard awesome things about this book and I’m sooo dying to read it and get my hands on it! Glad to see you also loved it so much! And.. damn it 5 hot boys in one book? This has to be good… *sigh*

    The only thing that holds me back a little is the Triangle.. I’m not a big fan of Love Trangles, because just like you I’m constantly torn between the boys… Let’s see!

  8. Sam

    I have heard so much praise for this book in the last few weeks that it makes me wonder why I hadn’t been interested in it before! It sounds better and better every time I hear about it and now I can’t wait to meet all these guys myself. 😉 Awesome review!

  9. Jenny

    Yeah for a girl saving the day in the beginning! WOO HOO! And I, for one, most certainly do not have a problem with 5 hot guys. In fact, I now can’t wait to meet them all and envelop myself in all the hotness. Really nice review Giselle, this is the first one I’ve read for this book and it’s now going on my list!

  11. Giselle

    Thanks ladies!!

    @Danny: I wouldn’t worry about the love triangle it’s one of the good ones! It feels realistic and just different than same old same old!

  13. Tiffany

    I can’t wait to read this one! It sounds so good and I’ve heard nothing but great things about it. This sounds really unique and unlike anything I’ve read before, plus the four brothers sound very interesting. Awesome review 🙂

  14. Amber Hughes

    I love the first sentence of your review! Who would have a problem with that? LOL! 🙂 I’m so looking forward to this one! It’s great to see that you really enjoyed it! Great review!

  16. Carina

    Oh, Giselle, you just made me want to buy a copy of this immediately! I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much and your description of STORM sounds fantastic. I’ve always been intrigued by the sound of this book, but now I want it even more. 😀 Thanks so much for sharing!

  17. Mimi Valentine

    Do I have a problem with five hot guys?? I think you’re asking the wrong girl! x)

    Oh my gosh, Giselle, this book is so high up on my please-please-please-get-here-ASAP list that it shouldn’t even be possible! I’ve been wanting to get to know the Merrick brothers better, but your review also makes me want to meet Hunter since he was your favourite! And how could I resist a story where the girl is doing the saving? 😉 Girl power forever!

    Absolutely AMAZING review, Giselle! I’m SO SO SO excited for this!!!! 🙂 <3

  18. Natalie (Mindful Musings)

    I keep hearing fantastic things about this book, and your review just makes me want to read it even more. I have to admit I was a little hesitant to hear that there were so many important characters in this book because I was afraid that would guarantee at least a little lack of individual character development, but I’ve heard so many good things that I can’t resist adding it to my to-read list!

  19. Lexie

    My problem with this is that I’m not the girl. Because, well, if they look like the guys on the cover . . .

    Hot guys aside, very awesome review. I’ve always been fascinated by the elements, so I would’ve picked this up for that alone. But to hear that the love triangle is decent does my heart good. 😀 I’ve always preferred when both guys are genuinely likable; it may make choosing more difficult, but I’ve always found it easier to understand how the MC could be so infatuated with them both when they’re both real, wonderful characters.

  20. Aneeqah

    I liked the syhnopsis for this book, so I’m really excited to hear that this book is actually good. I mean, a love triangle that’s done well?! That doesn’t happen too often! I’m definitely going to be getting my hands on a copy soon! Great review. =)

    -Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life

  22. Steph (Poetry to Prose)

    I just read another review for this book the other day and I thought it sounded amazing. Now, with yours in the mix, I am going to definitely get my hands on it. I love the idea of controlling the elements and it sounds like the romantic love triangle is done well. Looking forward to it. Thanks for the review!

  25. Sarah (saz101)

    GISELLE! Yes! What you said about chemistry from both love interests? Oh, YES! And not only that, but I felt a different kind of chemistry and pulll between each of them. When she was with Hunter, I was “EEE! HUNTER!”, and when she was with Chris, “LFKHKSG! CHRIS!” Seriously impressed with how Brigid managed it, but I think it’s what makes the book SO good. The characterisation. All of them felt real… the connections they all felt puleld at me. LOVED it.

  26. Suzanne @ Paranormal Book Fan

    I’m glad you liked this Giselle. I have this on my TBR and its one I’m looking forward to getting around to. “Five hot guys and one girl”, who can complain about that? Not too sure how I feel about the love triangle though, think I’m getting a bit fed up with them. Awesome review!

  27. Candace

    I’m glad to hear it all works out well! I was wondering if there were going to be too many characters but it sounds like it didn’t get too confusing.

  28. April

    LOL —> “Five hot guys and one girl. Does anybody have a problem with this?”

    I had to do a double take and make sure this wasn’t an erotica review I was stumbling on.

    I’m not sure what to make of the cover… My first though was boy band? but they look to buff for a boy band, I’m thinking under cover bachelorrette party dancers..

    I can totally see them walking off that cover into a living room, and proceeded to grind on chairs, can’t you? lol