Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Storm (Elemental, #1)

by Brigid Kemmerer

"This book will take your breath away." --Kim Harrington, author of Clarity and Perception

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. . .

"Five hot guys, one tough heroine, plenty of romance and non-stop action. . ..Elemental is the new series to watch." --Inara Scott, author of The Marked

"Magic, suspense, and enough twists to keep you reading until sunrise." --Award-winning author Erica O'Rourke

Reviewed by celinenyx on

4 of 5 stars

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It's been a while since I last read a YA PNR, but Storm reminded me that I actually like the genre if done well.

Becca meets Chris when he gets his ass kicked in a parking lot by some guys. From there she meets his three other brothers, and discovers a dangerous and alluring world she knew nothing about.

Storm features four magical brothers. Think Black Dagger Brotherhood for young-adults. They're all hot and dangerous and super strong. Enter Becca, (generally) innocent girl that gets mixed up in their messes and discovers what they are.

I'm not going to go pretend that Storm's premise is very unique. In the acknowledgements the writer says the brothers used to be vampires in her early versions, and it's clear that Storm fits the YA PNR glove perfectly. There even is a love triangle. The stand-offs between the two love interests are typical testosterone behaviour with them acting as cave men and sometimes even go as far as punching each other in the face. The plot is predictable and the plot twist I saw coming a few chapters in.

Why oh why did I rate it four stars then? Mainly because Storm is just pure brain candy and that just feels so good. There is no real offensive situation, and the author even dealt with the rape theme reasonably well. Just like Black Dagger Brotherhood, I'm sure this series has a huge potential to spark "THIS BROTHER IS THE BEST ONE" discussions. The interactions between the brothers are what made the book for me.

Sadly, as always, I was rooting for the wrong guy in the love triangle. Bummer.

Storm was the perfect read in a stressful week, with just enough drama and intrigue without being too complicated. Becca can think for herself most of the time, and there were no instant declarations of eternal love. Storm takes the clichés that actually work, and makes them its own.

It seems as if the next book in the Elemental series will feature Gabriel's story. I'm looking forward to see how Ms Kemmerer will handle the multiple story lines in Spark, and to settle down with the Merrick brothers and forget the world for just a second.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 24 April, 2014: Finished reading
  • 24 April, 2014: Reviewed