REVIEW: Storm (Elemental #1) by Brigid Kemmerer

 

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Series: Elemental

Pages: 353

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Kensington

Amazon: Storm

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

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.

REVIEW: 5 out of 5 stars

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer is the first book in the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer and was a wonderful, engaging read that had me completely engrossed from the very first page.

Becca Chandler’s reputation isn’t all that stellar since her ex-boyfriend and his friends spread nasty rumors about her. She has distanced herself from everyone and remains close to her best-friend only in order to avoid the constant flow of remarks from her peers.

Things change when she saves fellow junior, Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot and she becomes entwined in an ongoing feud in a world she can barely believe and ultimately put herself in danger.

Chris and his brothers, Michael, Nick and Gabriel are what are known as Elementals – they are able to control the elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire and have been watched their whole lives because of the powers they yield. The brother’s story is certainly intriguing as is their individual powers which they are still learning to control. The banter between them was so realistic and had me giggling on a few occasions, they were each so different but all enjoyable to read about (although Gabriel could have done with a few more Becca punches).

I loved Chris as a love interest for Becca, I just wish he would have acted on his feelings before newcomer Hunter got a chance; although I liked Hunter as a character, I questioned his intentions and those mysterious bracelets from the onset. I am not a love triangle fan at all but this one was written really well.

Becca as a main heroine was wonderful! The way she suffered through the bullying was terrible; I despised her ex Drew for what he did but she kept her head high and held on to her dignity. She was strong, independent and cared deeply for those close to her.

Storm was such a wonderful debut for Ms Kemmerer filled with mystery, drama, romance and action as well as a few twists along the way just to keep us guessing. Her writing was brilliant and the characters although flawed were written to perfection, I loved each of them. The world building and the solid plot is what kept me riveted so I am eagerly anticipating the release of the next book in the series, Spark which will be released on the 28^th August 2012.