Storm (Elemental, #1)

by Brigid Kemmerer

[Jo]

After wanting to read this book for ages, since reading rave reviews from various Aussie bloggers, I was so excited to have won a copy. And it turns out those Aussie reviews were right - Storm is one hell of a ride!

Despite reading the rave reviews, Storm wasn't what I expected - it was so much more! There is a large amount of emotion flying through this novel - and not just the kind you get when you suddenly have two hot guys in your life. There is emotion coming from everyone, and Brigid Kemmerer doesn't shy away from tough or serious issues. Pretty much every teenager in this book has parental issues, whether it be that they just don't get on, or there are dead parents. Anger and grief touches most people, and emotions run high. Harrassment also plays a part in people's emotions - though "harrassment" or "bullying" don't really seem strong enough. In various situations, the harrassment becomes something much more sinister and dangerous. There is no way to read this book without having your heart strings tugged at or feeling disgusted. There were moments when I felt like I wanted to put the book down because, god, I didn't want to read anymore, it was just painful. Which only goes to show the strength of Kemmerer's writing.

But it's not all bad! There are, of course, the Merrick brothers - specifically the Merrick twins, Gabriel and Nick! Anyone who fails to love those two.. well, I don't even know what to say to you. Gabriel's constant flirting, and how they both take the mick out of Chris in front of Becca, you can't help but laugh! Those boys are just awesome, the type of guys you'd want to hang out with because you'd never stop laughing. They're hot too, which helps. They just ooze sex appeal! Twice. The. Fun! Though I can't tell you who I prefer. Gabriel's the kind of guy who's attention would get you all flustered and scrambling your words, but he has a mean temper and it's kind of scary. Nick has the same effect as Gabriel, but I'd say he's more likely to look at you as a person as well as a girl. He seems real nice! But doesn't has less of that bad boy attitude that Gabriel seems to have. I can't choose!

Michael is.. wow. That guy can be scary. But having read Elemental before Storm, and finding out what happened after Elemental ended, well, I can completely understand it. Having to become parent to three young boys when you're 18 would be hard enough, but add on top of that the stress of having a bunch of people after you and your brothers for what you can do.. it's tough. The boys are teenagers, so act rashly which just adds to it all. He just wants to keep everyone safe, which is difficult with rebellious teens on your hands.

Then you have Chris. Lovely, sweet Chris, who's never entirely sure what he feels about what. About Michael, about Becca, about how he wants to deal with the situation they're in. But he can't deny the attraction he feels for this girl who saved his life. There are some real tender moments between the two, but the boy has communication issues! Although we, the readers, know how he feels and what he's thinking, he never really says it, so Becca cannot be blamed for getting her wires crossed when he's suddenly huffy with her for seemingly no reason. And well, when there's an uncomplicated guy who doesn't have a problem making it clear he's into you, and is actually real, real nice... what do you expect, Chris? What do you expect?

I actually really loved Hunter. Like really. The way he treated Becca, like she was this special, important, fragile thing! Oh my god, I may have fallen in love with him just a little bit. But Chris! Chris was also pretty damn awesome! I didn't have a team, there were no sides! I loved the moments Becca had with each guy. There was just too much hotness going on in this book, and I think Kemmerer wants to torture us all!

This book isn't all guys, no. There is Becca, our female protagonist, and she is freaking awesome! The way she deals with all the crap that comes her way is admirable. Granted, she shouldn't have to, but I'm pretty sure I would have broken if it was me. But she's so strong! Then she has to deal with he fact that people have power to control the elements, and because she saved a guy from a beating, the people that want them dead are now after her too. It's too much! But it makes for such great reading. Becca is just so relateable and normal, she's hard not to love, and you're egging her on, willing her to get through the crap that is currently her life. She's wonderful!

Then there was all the excitement! Woah. The power these Merrick guys have is unbelievable! And when the Guide comes along and is shooting ligning at them and slamming wind into cars, and oh my god, people are in danger! This is edge of your seat stuff! I flew through the second half of the book when the action really started to pick up. Oh my word, it was just amazing! This is the kind of thing that needs to be on the big screens! I want to be an Elemental! I don't care which I have, I just want to do something awesome and fight too! Hot guys with immense power? You really can't go wrong!

There were some interesting revelations towards the end that are killing me! Not exactly cliff hangers, but still! I want to know the consequences of such revelations! And I have no idea how that's going to work in the sequel, Spark; although Becca and Chris will be in that book, it's Gabriel's story, not theirs. If I had my way, this series would be split up. There would be the Water Elemental series, and then the others, because I want more! I feel so sad to be leaving Chris and Becca's point of views behind. And sad to have finished the book so quickly after wanting it for so long.

An absolutely amazing debut! After riding the Storm, I'm eager to feel the burn of Spark!