Book Recommendation: STORM by Brigid Kemmerer
Book Recommendation: STORM by Brigid Kemmerer
So, if you're friends with me, odds are you've probably heard me gush about Brigid Kemmerer's Storm at some point or another. And truth be told, it's actually a bit surreal for me to be writing this book recommendation, because it feels like just yesterday that Brigid was emailing me this book chapter by chapter while she wrote it. And it's even more surreal to actually HOLD this book in my hands! STORM came out last Tuesday, and I totally cleared my schedule to reread it in its final/published form. And let me just say two things: 1) It was one the best afternoons I've had in a while, and 2) Storm was actually EVEN BETTER than I remembered. But before I go into full gush mode, here's a bit about the book:
Storm by Brigid Kemmerer
Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—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.
When Hunter, the mysterious new kid in town, 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...
So....the Merrick brothers? I LOVE THEM. Honestly, I have zero idea how Brigid does it, because the dynamic between the four brothers feels SO REAL. Every scene with them (especially Gabriel!) left me grinning. Grinning, and totally impressed at how vividly I could picture the whole thing. What makes the entire book feel so, so believable is that Brigid doesn't hold back or pull any punches. The characters talk like REAL people--and curse like them, too. Maybe it's just because I have a bit of a potty mouth myself, but I really appreciated that Brigid had characters that curse (and who do it WELL, which is an artform in itself), and that Brigid wasn't pressured to tone down the language (hooray!).
But if hot brothers and realistic dialogue aren't enough to convince you, then let me tell you that the world of the elementals is SO NEAT. I really can't wait to read the other books in the series, if only so I can learn more about the fascinating world Brigid created! Seriously, if you're a fan of The Last Airbender or The Legend of Korra, then the elemental powers/magic in this will be right up your alley! (Side note: if you're a fan of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, then the dynamic with the guys in Storm is totally reminiscent of that!) And if you're STILL unsure if you want to pick up the book, then test out the world by grabbing a copy of Elemental, a prequel e-novella set a few years before Storm (and featuring Michael, the eldest of the Merrick brothers)!
I wish I had a more eloquent way to wrap up this review, but basically... Grab this book. You'll read it in one sitting and smile the whole time. I promise you won't regret it. And then you'll wind up ACHING for the sequel, Spark (it's about Gabriel! YAY!), which releases on August 28th!
And! Because she is super awesome, Brigid is giving away a signed copy of Storm, so be sure to enter the contest (US-only!)! See details below!
Really, though, don't miss out on Storm. It's one of the best YA novels I've read in a while and is a true delight to read. A lot of us at Pub Crawl are big fans of Erica O'Rourke's Torn and Tangled, and if you loved those books, then you will absolutely adore Storm!
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Also, on a completely unrelated note, Bloomsbury is revealing the cover for my debut novel, Throne of Glass, over on the Throne of Glass Facebook page TODAY at 12 PM (noon) EST! Head on over to access exclusive content and win some super-awesome TOG-related stuff (like an ARC of the book)!