Storm

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kensington Books
• Release date: Oct 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9780758280053

Brigid Kemmerer

Brigid Kemmerer is the author of the New York Times bestseller Defy the Night, the New York Times bestselling Cursebreaker series, which includes A Curse So Dark and Lonely, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, and A Vow So Bold and Deadly, and Forging Silver into Stars. She has also written the contemporary young adult romances Call It What You Want, More Than We Can Tell, and Letters to the Lost, as well as paranormal young adult stories, including the Elemental series and Thicker Than Water. A full-time writer, Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her family. www.brigidkemmerer.com @BrigidKemmerer

Book preview

hat.

C

HAPTER

1

The self-defense class had been a waste of sixty bucks.

Becca hadn’t felt like a victim going in, but she sure did now. When she’d seen the flyers around school advertising a three-hour session with a women’s defense specialist, she’d been eager to sign up. But the instructor—really just some college kid named Paul—had been texting half the time, happy enough to pocket their cash in exchange for halfhearted instructions about body blocks and eye gouges. She’d lose another Saturday scrubbing kennels to make this money back.

She’d left her cell phone in her locker, so after class she went to get it. Her best friend had left fourteen texts about some drama with her mom, so Becca stood in the shadowed corridor to write back. Quinn wasn’t exactly patient.

The night air bit at her flushed skin when she slid out the side door, making her wish she’d brought a heavier jacket—but at least the promised rain had held off. Darkness cloaked the now empty parking lot, and her car sat alone near the security lamp in the middle of the cracked concrete.

This was exactly the kind of situation Paul had warned them about: secluded and solitary, offering little visibility. But Becca welcomed the darkness, the silence. She almost wished she smoked, so she could lie on the car’s hood, flick a lighter, and make up names for the constellations while nicotine burned her lungs.

You should be so cool.

Her key found the lock, but the door handle to her aged Honda refused to release. She muttered the obligatory prayer, but nothing happened. Sometimes it took a curse.

Then she heard a muffled shout, a distant scuffle on pavement.

She froze, more curious than afraid. A fight? Here? She saw the combatants, just at the edge of the security light over by the east wing. Three guys fighting, two on one, it looked like. One caught another in a headlock, and the third swung a fist at the captive’s midsection while he struggled.

They weren’t saying anything, making the violence cartoonish and unreal, like watching an action movie on mute.

The kid in the headlock twisted free, his liberty quickly rewarded with a fist to the head, sending him into a stagger. Another punch brought him to the ground.

Then he didn’t move. One of the other guys kicked him in the stomach.

She heard that. And the sound made her remember that she was just standing in the middle of a parking lot, watching.

Becca dropped beside her car. Breath whistled into her lungs. She didn’t want to open the door and have the sound or the light draw their attention. She’d call the police. An ambulance. The whole frigging cavalry.

She thrust her hand into her bag for her cell phone.

Dead.

Damn Quinn and her fifty bazillion texts. Becca swore and punched the phone against the pavement. The cover snapped off, skittering away under her car.

Helpful, Bex.

She peeked around the front bumper. The fallen boy lay in a crumpled pile.

They kicked him again.

Get up, she whispered.

He didn’t.

She tried to make out who the kids were. Some senior boys got off on violence. She knew a few of them firsthand—some only by reputation. The Merrick twins, maybe?

They were circling now, like vultures. One nudged the fallen boy with his foot.

Then he kicked him. Get up.

Yeah, said the other one. How’d you get rid of them?

The voices were sharp, cruel. She held her breath, wishing she could help somehow. But what could she do? Run at them with her water bottle and the splintered plastic of her cell phone? Maybe she could practice that confident woman’s walk Paul had demonstrated.

If only she had a weapon, something to level the playing field.

You idiot. You do have a weapon.

Her car.

Adrenaline made for a good ally. She’d barely thought it before she was crawling through the back door and climbing into the driver’s seat, driving straight at them.

She had the satisfaction of watching her headlights illuminate their panic; then they were scrambling, diving to get out of the way. Not the Merrick twins, not anyone she could make out at all. Her foot punched the brakes at the last second, jerking the car to an abrupt stop.

I called the cops! she shouted out the window, feeling her heart kick against her ribs. They’re on their way!

But the boys were already bolting into the darkness.

Her fingers refused to release the steering wheel for the longest moment. She finally pried them free, and, leaving the engine running, eased out of the car.

She wished she’d turned the car differently, because the boy was mostly in shadow, away from the headlights. He lay face-down, the thick dark hair on his head matted with blood at one temple. They’d done a number on his face: More blood glistened on his swollen brow. Abrasions scored his cheek in various directions, as though he’d met the pavement intimately, and more than once. His black hoodie had taken a beating, and his jeans weren’t much better, sporting a tear down the side of one leg. He was breathing, a rattle of air pulling into his lungs, ending on a slight wheeze each time.

She’d never seen someone beaten so badly.

Hey. She gave his shoulder a little shake. He didn’t move.

Those boys had run off on foot. She had no idea if they’d stay gone.

Now what, genius?

She left her car engine running, its headlights cutting a path in the darkness. She reached inside the door and pulled out her half-empty water bottle. She crouched beside him, feeling the cold grit of the pavement through her jeans. Then, using her hand to slow the flow, she trickled water down the side of his face.

At first, nothing happened. She watched in macabre fascination as the water pulled blood across his jaw, trailing over his split lip.

Then he came to with a vengeance.

Becca wasn’t ready for that, for him to explode off the ground in a fury, his fists swinging before his eyes were open.

She was lucky he was injured. She barely got out of his way.

His momentum didn’t last long, however. He staggered to a knee, planting a hand against the pavement. He coughed and it shook his body; then he spit what looked like blood.

Now that he wasn’t lying on the ground, she recognized him. Christopher Merrick. Chris. He was a junior, like she was, but she couldn’t think of two words they’d ever exchanged. He was the Merrick twins’ younger brother, the type of guy who’d slouch in the back of the classroom and stare at the teachers with disdain, daring them to call on him. People left him alone, but that’s how he seemed to like it. An outsider by choice.

Unlike her.

You gave me water, he rasped, his head down.

His voice startled her, made her realize she was just standing there, clutching her water bottle so hard it made the plastic crackle.

Yeah, she said. Those guys—they could come back—

Are you stupid?

The derision in his voice was like a punch to the chest. Funny. I was just asking myself that.

No. I just—I could have hurt— Chris coughed again, then pressed his forehead to the ground, making a low sound in his throat. He spit blood again. She felt like she was standing in the middle of one of those cable crime dramas—the kind where the violence is too much for network television.

Do you have a cell phone? She cast a quick look out into the darkness, but the night remained still. You need an ambulance.

I need a damn rainstorm. He seemed to laugh, but it choked him. A drizzle. Fog even.

He was delirious. Can you get into the car? I can drive you to the hospital.

No. Home.

"Whatever. Climb in the car. Those guys could come back, and I’m not—"

A hand closed on her arm, hot and meaty and painful. A voice spoke from the darkness. Did you think we wouldn’t wait and see?

Big surprise. The other voice now. No sirens.

That hand swung her around. This guy didn’t go to her school. He looked older. College, maybe. Short blond hair framed a severe face, all angles and lines.

Something scraped on the pavement. This is going to suck, said Chris.

The other one was dragging him to his feet.

Becca knew how to swallow pain and keep emotion off her face. Let me go. I didn’t call the cops, but he did.

Those sharp features cracked into a smile. We took his phone.

Good try, said Chris. He coughed again. The other guy punched him in the side, and he dropped to the pavement.

The one on her arm shoved her up against her car. It hurt. She squealed before she could help it.

You should have driven away, sweetheart.

Nah, said the other, his dark hair making him look sinister. That right there is dessert.

Then she recognized his voice. Seth Ramsey. A senior. And part of the reason she’d been in that self-defense class.

His friend reached out to cup her chin. Yeah. Dessert.

Maybe it was Seth’s presence; maybe it was the implication in their words. Whatever, her mind didn’t think, her body just moved. The water bottle went flying and her arm swung.

Eye gouge.

Something squished under her fingers. He dropped her arm like a hot potato, shoving her away, flying back to put a hand to his face. Bitch! You bitch!

Holy crap! It works! She was choking on her breath, but she was free.

"Shut up, Tyler, Seth hissed. She might not have called the cops, but you’re gonna—"

Freeze. Right there.

At first she thought the cops had shown up. But it was Chris, her water bottle in his hand. He’d found his feet somehow, and though he looked a little unsteady, their assailants went still.

Chris drew a shaky breath. Back off. Or I’ll mean that literally.

Mean what literally?

Yeah, right, said Seth. It’s one bottle.

Chris shook it. The water sloshed. Try me.

He had to be out of his mind.

But they backed off. Chill out, man, said Tyler. We’re just screwing around.

Yeah. Chris gave that harsh laugh again, then swiped at his swollen lip. Feels like it. Take another step back.

They did.

She stared at Chris, as if her water bottle had somehow morphed into a gun, or a switchblade, or anything more intimidating than a plastic cylinder that read Aquafina.

Becky, he said. Get in the car.

Becca, she corrected automatically. Her voice was breathy, her hands still clenched in fists.

For god’s sake— His eyes slid left. Just get in the car.

She scrambled into the driver’s seat, her hands fumbling for the seat belt. Just when she wondered if he was going to get in, he yanked the back door open and almost fell into the car.

Drive.

Her foot smacked the accelerator and the car shot forward, swerving toward the building. Her heart beat on the back of her tongue, and she yanked the wheel. The car fishtailed before straightening out.

Chris swore. Drive without killing me. He coughed. I should have clarified.

She swung the car out of the parking lot and onto the main road, accelerating like a bank robber. Her breath was loud in the confines of the car. Houses whipped by, but she had yet to pass another vehicle.

She barely hesitated at the stop sign at the end of Old Mill Road, screeching through the turn.

Hey. Chris’s voice was quiet. Take it easy. Their car was on the other side of the cafeteria. You can slow down.

She eased her foot off the pedal. What did they want? That one guy doesn’t go to our school.

Not anymore. He paused. Thanks.

She swallowed. What was the right response? You’re welcome didn’t quite seem to cover it. Then again, his thanks didn’t, either. Do you want me to take you to the hospital?

Nah. Home. His breath hitched, and she took a glance at him in the rearview mirror. His eyes were half closed, his voice ironic. If you don’t mind.

She didn’t think that was a good idea, but what was she going to do, wrestle him into the ER? Aren’t your parents going to freak when they see you?

That rough laugh again. "I’d probably freak if I saw them. A peal of thunder interrupted his words. Raindrops appeared on the windshield. Figures, he muttered. Now it rains."

Maybe he had a head injury. Where do you live?

Just north of the fire station. On Chautauga. We’re the blue house at the end of the court.

She nodded, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. He fell silent for a while, and she glanced in the rearview again to find his eyes on her. Blue eyes. Nice eyes, she noticed, sharp and intelligent under that fringe of dark hair.

Then he smirked. With the cuts and bruises on his face, it made him look a little scary. You’re probably thinking I owe you my life.

She jerked her eyes back to the road. No, she snapped. Just sixty bucks.

You charge for the hero act?

His voice sounded light, but she still heard the wheeze behind the words. Another quick glance in the mirror revealed his head had fallen back against the seat.

I really think I should take you to the hospital. You probably have broken ribs. And a concussion. They can call your parents from there.

Why? You think they have a Ouija board?

She glanced at him worriedly, and his eyes opened fully. "My parents are dead, Becca. Do you think you could open a window?"

Maybe the fresh air would help. She pushed the button to drop his window a few inches, not wanting to let the rain in.

He sighed. Thanks.

He fell silent for a mile, and when they came to the red light by the community college, she turned in her seat. His eyes were closed.

Chris?

He didn’t answer.

Chris.

Nothing.

Damn it, she whispered.

C

HAPTER

2

The blue house at the end of Chautauga Court stood two stories high on half an acre of land. It was easily twice the size of her own, the kind of property better suited to Labrador retrievers and backyard barbecues than clotheslines and broken-down vehicles. Lights blazed in the windows of the main level, a clear sign someone was home.

He’d said his parents were dead. Did he and his brothers live with grandparents?

She parked behind a mini-SUV in the driveway, one of those newer hybrids. Dark red and gleaming in the light over the garage, the car didn’t seem like a grandparent kind of vehicle. Vibrant landscaping enhanced the front of the house, the expensive kind, lush and modern. Thick, sculpted shrubs and greenery crawled along the walkway, giving way to rhododendron bushes and clusters of mums beside the porch steps.

Someone took good care of this yard. Maybe this wasn’t the right house. But it was the only blue one. Could she really knock on the door and say some kid was bleeding and unconscious in her backseat?

Chris still sat upright, but his breathing sounded worse, a rush and whistle before the wheeze. She shoved on the driver’s side door until it gave, jammed her hands into her sweatshirt pockets, and hunched her shoulders against the cool September rain.

As she approached the house, she prepared herself for either young, hip grandparents or maybe a middle-aged aunt and uncle. Instead, a rough-cut guy in his early twenties yanked open the door.

Becca stood there in shock for a moment, feeling rain drip from her hair down her collar.

He looked a little like Chris, she supposed, with dark hair and a strong jaw. But Chris’s hair was short, his clothes fitted and current, while this guy looked like he woke up in the morning and didn’t give a crap. His hair was longer, pulled into a haphazard ponytail, his tee shirt faded and worn. Calling his jeans threadbare would be a compliment. She wasn’t surprised to see his feet were bare.

His eyes—brown, not blue—narrowed. A little old to be selling cookies, aren’t you?

Jerk. Does Chris Merrick live here?

Yeah. He gave her the up-and-down again, and she wasn’t a fan of his expression. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but settled on, He’s not home.

No kidding. He’s unconscious in my backseat.

"He’s what? His eyes narrowed and finally seemed to focus on her. Without waiting for an answer, he leaned back to yell into the house. Nick!"

Then he put a hand on her shoulder, moved her to the side—not gently, either—and strode off the porch. She was torn between following him and waiting, but the sky split and flashed with lightning, followed by a crack of thunder. She shivered and rubbed her arms, then backed up to stand closer to the house.

Scared of storms?

She jumped. The voice had come from behind her, and she forced her hands to her sides, ready to feign nonchalance. No, she lied, starting to turn. I’m just—

Face-to-face with hotness.

Her tongue stumbled for a minute. She’d seen the Merrick twins around school, of course. But catching a glimpse down the hall wasn’t the same as being six inches away from one of them, getting an eyeful of the way his long-sleeve tee clung to muscled shoulders, or of the faint shadow of stubble along his jaw, or the depth of blue in his eyes.

Eyes that studied her a little too closely just now, a spark of amusement there.

Nick Merrick knew exactly what he looked like, and he knew she was looking.

She squared her shoulders and pretended she couldn’t feel the flare of heat on her cheeks. Your brother got in a fight. She gestured to her car, to where the scruffy guy was half kneeling on the backseat, one leg braced on the driveway. I brought him home.

Nick looked past her and sighed, almost with exasperation. Damn it, Gabriel.

His twin. She shook her head. Chris.

He’d been moving toward the steps, but stopped short and looked at her. Chris?

Yeah. Your brother. Chris. Could she possibly stop sounding like an idiot? He was in a fight behind the gym, and—

Boom! Thunder shook the house. She flinched and lost her words.

Nick wasn’t listening to her anyway. He jumped off the porch to sprint down the walk, and was now helping the other guy pull Chris out of the car. Somehow they got him supported between them, leaving her car door open to maneuver him onto the walkway. Chris seemed to be trying to help, his feet catching the pavement.

Can I help? she called.

The ponytailed guy glared up at her. No. You’ve done enough.

Nick swore. Leave her alone, Michael.

Like she’d been the one to beat Chris to pieces. "Look, I wanted to take him to the hospital—"

Thunder cracked. The sky opened up.

The rain fell loud and hard, a blanket of white noise that filled her ears and trapped her on the porch. The three on the walkway were drenched immediately. Rain caught the blood on Chris’s face and pulled it down his chin. Lightning flashed, making his skin paler, his bruises darker. In the two minutes she’d been standing on the porch, she’d forgotten how bad it was. He’d taken a lot of damage.

They wrangled him up the steps. His knees buckled as soon as they were under cover.

Nick grunted and caught his weight. Come on, Chris.

Where was he tonight? the other guy snapped. I thought he was at school. If Gabriel got him into—

He was at school, she offered. In the parking lot—

Yeah? Now Michael turned that glare on her. "And what were you doing there?"

Save it for later, Michael. Water was dripping from Nick’s hair into his eyes. He wasn’t looking at her, but at the other guy, and he jerked his head toward the doorway. Let’s just get him upstairs.

They mostly carried Chris through the doorway, leaving her fidgeting on the porch. She put a hand on the doorframe, wondering if they expected her to come in, to wait, to explain.

You’ve done enough.

Ingrate.

The back door to her car was open anyway, rain probably soaking the seat. She pulled her collar up against her neck and sprinted down the walkway, feeling rain beat against her hair and slap her cheeks.

Half her backseat was drenched. She swore and slammed the door, then fought with the handle of the driver’s side door.

Lightning lit up the sky. Hey.

The voice spoke out of the darkness, just beside her ear. She whirled, flattening against her car, thinking of Tyler and Seth and what they’d threatened to do.

But it was just Nick, his eyes dark this far from the lights on the porch. You want to come in for a minute?

He seemed to speak right through the rain, his voice intense, as if they weren’t near strangers standing in the middle of a downpour.

His eyebrow raised, and he pushed wet hair off his forehead, making it spike a little from the rain. How about it?

Becca swung away to fight with her door handle. Save it. The other guy didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat.

He reached out a hand and held the door closed—like it needed the help. Michael’s okay. Look— He hesitated, and she watched the water sluice down his forearm. Tell me what happened to Chris.

There. True concern. Enough to make her turn back around and swipe the rain out of her eyes. It made her think of Chris’s half-lucid statements from the parking lot. I need a frigging rainstorm.

She stared up at his brother. I’m getting soaked.

So come in. Dry off. His expression darkened, along with his voice. Tell me whose ass we need to kick.

Nick gave her a towel.

He flung it, really. She was dripping on his kitchen tiles, and he tossed it from the doorway.

Let me change my shirt, he said. You want me to get you something?

She stared at him for a second, wondering whether he meant food or something to wear. When she realized her mouth was working but nothing was coming out, she quickly shook her head.

Then she was alone, long enough that she finally dropped into a chair and shivered. No woman lived in this house; she could tell that just from the kitchen. The paper towel holder sat empty and a stack of dishes hid in the sink. A pot of coffee had been made at some point, left to cool in the carafe long ago. But the counters appeared mostly clean, simple granite that still had a shine and didn’t sport any spilled food. No curtains hung over the windows by the sink, no soft hand towels hung on the oven.

Becca’s mom rarely had a chance to cook, but her kitchen was a place of warmth, with fresh fruit always spilling out of a bowl on the counter, a snack drawer that never went empty, and a feeling of welcome that never went cold.

This kitchen should have been nice, with a set of French doors leading out to a back porch and enough space for a large table and a cooking island. But the lack of family touches left it feeling institutional.

She gave her hair a cursory squeeze with the towel. She’d never been one of those girls who looked sexy with wet hair. Her dark strands weighed heavy on her neck, clumped and tangled from the water. She finger combed them away from her face, knowing it would leave her cheeks stark and pale, making her gray eyes appear huge. She zipped her damp sweatshirt all the way up, though it seemed to seal the cold to her body. Sitting in a house full of boys in a wet tee shirt didn’t seem the best way to uphold her reputation.

Reputation. Ha.

The front door slammed, followed by heavy, clomping footsteps in the hallway. She sat up straighter, rolling the towel into a ball in her lap. Would this be a real adult, someone older and more authoritative than Michael? Nick wasn’t back yet, and she had no idea how to explain her presence.

Those footsteps came all the way to the kitchen. No adult. Just a flash of déjà vu: Nick’s twin.

Since they were identical, he was every inch the looker his brother was. But Gabriel was filthy, his hair wet and disheveled, a streak of dirt across one cheek. His wet hoodie had seen better days, and his shorts fared little better. Old Mill High’s colors of bright red and blue tried to peek through grass stains and mud, but it was a losing battle. He wore shin guards and cleats, and he’d tracked dirt and bits of grass into the kitchen.

Her mother would have had a fit.

Becca opened her mouth to explain herself, expecting him to be surprised, to introduce himself, to ask what she was doing there.

She’d have settled for his acknowledging her presence.

He barely glanced at her on his way to the refrigerator. She watched him pull a jug of red Gatorade off the shelf and drink half of it while he surveyed the rest of the refrigerator contents.

Hi, she said, just in case there was any way he’d missed the living, breathing female sitting in full view of the doorway.

He didn’t turn. ’Sup. Then he swung the refrigerator door closed, slapping the Gatorade bottle on the counter while he riffled through cabinets. He must have been satisfied when he came up with a package of chocolate chip cookies, because he grabbed his drink and dropped into the chair across from her.

He smelled like grass and dirt and sweat, and he looked so much like Nick that she had to stop herself from staring.

He ripped open the package and pulled three out for himself, then shoved the cookies toward the middle of the table. Want some?

I’m good. Thanks. She had to clear her throat to state the obvious. You’re ... ah ... probably wondering what I’m doing here.

Nah. He took a swig of Gatorade, then wiped his mouth on his sleeve. Finding a girl in the kitchen isn’t exactly an oddity around here.

Charming.

He glanced up at that, a glint of wicked humor in his eye. "I’m sure you’re special, though."

It should have pissed her off, after Michael’s brusque attitude and Nick’s hey-baby-why-don’t-you-come-inside. But Gabriel’s teasing was straightforward, challenging, in a way. He expected her to girl it up, to huff and fold her arms. She could tell.

Not special at all. She changed her mind and leaned in to take a cookie. I just heard my number called and thought I’d better show up.

He grinned. No way you’re here for Nicky.

Was that an insult? She frowned. No. I brought Chris home.

Shouldn’t that be the other way around? He pulled a fourth cookie from the pack.

She shook her head and opened her mouth to explain, but his eyes narrowed, his gaze turning more appraising. Wait. I know you from somewhere.

Probably, if he was on the soccer team. Drew McKay was the team captain, and thanks to Drew and his friends, she’d been the subject of locker room speculation since school started a few weeks ago.

She took another cookie. Great detective work, Sherlock. We go to the same school.

He made a dismissive gesture. That’s not it. What’s your name?

Of course he wouldn’t know. She got a quick flash of how this would go.

Becca, she’d say. Becca Chandler.

His sharp eyes would darken in recognition, and that smile would turn into a smirk, and she’d spend three minutes listening to idle commentary about her supposed talents.

Maybe not three minutes. She’d gotten better at walking away.

Becca, she said. Then, knowing boys rarely gave up a chance to talk about themselves, she quickly added, You play soccer?

He nodded and took another swig of Gatorade. Well, technically, Nick does. You’re not allowed to play on more than two varsity teams per year.

She raised an eyebrow. You pretend to be your brother? And no one has a problem with that?

Who would have a problem with it?

The principal. The school board. The team. She stared at him. Do people know you do it?

Maybe. He shrugged. Who could prove it?

Me. Nick came through the doorway, wearing dry jeans and a black tee shirt. He pulled out the chair beside his twin and slid into it.

You don’t care. Gabriel didn’t glance at him, just slid the cookies over. Nick pulled out three.

She wanted to ask how Chris was, but she didn’t know him that well and asking felt awkward. She fidgeted with the wet sleeve of her sweatshirt.

Nick was watching her. Chris is pretty banged up. He paused. Thanks for bringing him home.

Gabriel turned. What happened to Chris?

Nick nodded her way. Ask her.

Becca pushed wet hair behind her ear. I only caught the tail end of it. Some guys were beating the crap out of him.

Gabriel’s anger flared like a flame on a match. That easy smile vanished and he came halfway out of his chair. "Some guys were beating the crap out of Chris? Who? Where?"

His vehemence took her by surprise, and it took her a second to get it together. Becca was glad to have an answer to give him. Ah ... behind the gym. Seth Ramsey was one of them. The other one doesn’t go to our school, but Chris said he used to. I think his name was Tyler.

Tyler. Gabriel cracked his knuckles, then rolled his shoulders. I swear to god, Michael should have killed that stupid prick when he had the chance—

Easy. Nick grabbed his brother’s arm. Chris was awake?

Yeah. They were both looking at her a little too intently, and she remembered why she’d first considered that they might be the aggressors in the parking lot. She wanted to push her chair back a few feet. Well, he was unconscious when I chased the guys off, but I gave him some water—

You chased them off? Gabriel’s voice was incredulous. He gave her a once-over. By yourself?

You gave him water? said Nick.

Yes. She wet her lips and glanced between them.

Reviews for Storm

[ssperson_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this book ridiculously quickly. Like, ignore the rest of the work quickly.

I obviously enjoyed this book. Lots of swoony boys, some intrigue, and magic. All good things. I thought Quinn was going to turn out to be evil, but she didn't (at least not yet). I wasn't at all surprised by the identity of the bad guy, not by Becca's discoveries about herself. I don't think figuring those things out detracted from the story.

[readingbeader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting twist on the paranormal romance genre. I bought these for the hs so I thought I'd read them. Action, adventure, drama, a little romance.

[debbiemccauley-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well developed characters and a good storyline.

[crashmyparty · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm giving this book 3.5 stars, leaning away from the 3 star rating, closer to the 4. I had a few issues with it but I was so intrigued by it that I'm going to buy the next book.Becca, as a character, didn't do much for me. I see her mainly as a catalyst but she's not particularly useful although not overly stupid either. She's not quite the strong female character I like to see in YA novels, but I did like her best when she stood up to the boys and slammed the door on them, etc. She has some potential. However, the Merrick brothers are fascinating and I'm enjoying the secret world building that's been happening. I don't care that they are ZOMGGG SO HOT (please shut up) and it frustrates me that this was the first thing mentioned about any of the main male characters, Hunter included. I want to know something more interesting than how good looking the boys are. Once we got past that, you could see the depth of character of the four brothers and their history was well developed. The author had clearly spent time on their characters, more time than on Becca or any other secondary characters, and I look forward to see how they develop over further books.My issues arose, as mentioned before, the wonderful hotness of all boys involved. I'm sick to death of boys being described that way like that's all that is important, and also how girls (Becca was very guilty of this) just seem to lose control around them while boys keep their cool. It seems a very dominant thing and in this novel, Hunter particularly was very protective of Becca in an Edward sort of way. Boring and annoying. Let her do what she wants. And yet he let her go off with Drew, with whom she was in the most danger. Go figure.This book also seems very 'boys club' - the four Merrick brothers, Tyler and Seth, Hunter. All the boys are special or different in some way, they have these Elemental 'powers' for lack of a better word - but where are the girls? The girls are dramatic, like Quinn, or bitches, like Lilah. Where are the girls with the cool powers? (view spoiler) I only hope that this is something to be developed in further books, although I can see Becca getting jealous if any other girls show themselves to be like the brothers. I hope I'm wrong, but at the moment that's what I'm predicting.Still, I'm interested enough to want to go and buy the next book to see where it goes. 

[lrhubble · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult Annapolis, MarylandBecca Chandler is finding herself getting all the guys especially the ones she doesn’t want. It started when her ex-boyfriend spread lies about her. Then Becca finds Chris Merrick getting a beating and manages to save him. Chris is different. More different than she could possibly imagine. He can control water just like his brothers that can control wind, fire, and earth. The brothers are powerful and dangerous. They are also marked for death. Now that Becca knows the truth she is also marked for death.When your life is at stake keeping secrets becomes a lot more difficult. Then a mysterious new kid turns up around the school and seems to have a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time. Becca thinks she can trust Hunter because of that. When Hunter and Chris go head-to-head Becca has to wonder who is hiding the most dangerous truth. This is a fast place story that keeps up until the very end. It gives a twist to the paranormal genre that proves to be all its own. The reader will find themselves sucked into a story that is different from other paranormal stories and proves to be very engrossing. The characters are fascinating and watching how they are dealing with their lives and the tragedies that have happening in each of their lives proves to be a story that the reader gets lost in as they read to see just what will happen to each and every character. This is the first book in a series that if the others are like this one will be one series that will have readers wanting to re-read it over and over.

[rettaryan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Storm is the first installment in the Elemental series about the four Merrick brothers, each with a special gift that allows them to control the four elements-Water, Fire, Air and Earth. Storm is about Chris Merrick the youngest of the four brothers and his struggle with his ever increasing power to control water and his relationships with a girl named Becca, his brothers Michael, Gabriel and Nick and the new boy in town, Hunter. Loved the book so much went straight out and bought the other three books in the series, Spark about Gabriel-Fire, Spirit about Hunter-a full elemental and Secret about Nick-Air. I also pre-ordered the final installment in the series Sacrifice about Michael-Earth.A reading war between myself and my 14 year old son was created because of this series, each one of us trying to out read the other to get to the next installment first.We both loved this series and it created a lot of talk around our dinner table which was fantastic. Enough to peak the interest of my 12 year old (who really struggles with reading) to want to read them as well. Because of this I give this book and the complete series five stars.

[alcarinqa_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I’ll admit that I picked this book up because I heard that it has four hot brothers in it. Yes I am that shallow. But Storm impressed me because of the cool mythology it uses and the relatable relationships it depicts. The brothers have the power to control the elements - air, fire, earth and water. There is also a fifth power, the power to control spirit. Now this, in itself, is a pretty old idea, but Kemmerer spicesit up; firstly, by adding the dreamy Merrick brothers, and then by adding a group of ruthless killers who are charged with eliminating individuals who show too much power.The brothers steal the show in this book - although Becca seems to be mildly attracted to Chris, who is of an age with her, she becomes increasingly nervous and giggly around his older brother Nicholas (I can’t blame her there). Between them, the Merrick brothers control four of the elements, and while this sounds pretty cool, it becomes clear that their powers have unforeseen consequences: controlling air means one has control over anything in the air, including diseases! The powers are strongly tied to the emotions, so when the boys get angry, it’s wise to find cover.Becca came across as a typical YA heroine to me - trusting when she shouldn’t really be, too eager to hang out with the strange hot brothers, and generally lacking a sense of preservation. However, she is the catalyst for all the action in the novel - she jumps in and saves Chris when he is in danger and knows how to defend herself (those are the best moments in the book, when Becca defends herself against all these huge guys). Although she trusts Chris quickly enough, Becca develops feelings for Hunter, the rebel, gothic type new-kid at school. The ensuing love triangle is not only sweet, but believable, as Chris gracefully accepts that Becca isn’t interested in him at the moment and gives Hunter and her some space.Storm is a quick, fun read that I read in one sitting (until 3 am), and I recommend it to those looking for a light YA read. I will defiantly be keeping my eye out for the sequels Spark and Spirit, and I hope to read the novellas Elemental (#0.5) and Fearless (#1.5) soon. You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic.

[iris0boekenplank · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Read the full review at Witchmag's BoekenplankAfter reading Elemental (won’t write a review about it, it’s only 50 pages long), which ended in a huge cliffhanger, I immediately wanted to read the next book: Storm. Fortunately for me it just came out ^^ And I loved this book even more than Elemental! It’s kinda obviously I read this book in one go, with the 5 hearts I gave it, isn’t it? ;) Although it did cost me some of my sleep time (but that’s okay if you’re reading an amazing book ;) )I’ve always been fascinated by stories about the 4 elements. It just seemed so cool to be able to control the wind, or summon fire. And from now on this will be one of my favorite stories about them. The how and the who and the what is explained in a credible story: it’s all about where you’re born, astrologically speaking. If you’re closer to one of the elements you get to receive its power. The closer you’re born to an element, the more power you receive ^^ I really want to find out what my spot is, although I’m not hoping much…Brenda is a kick-ass heroine. Even though she ends up in life threatening situations, she still keeps her head cool. Or at least is able to remember her self-defense lessons and save the day. It was really nice to read a book where the man is the damsel in distress and needs to be rescued time and time again. I’d actually prefer to read this kind of story once in a while ^^ It’s much more fun ^^There’s only one thing that disappointed me a little bit. Although Storm is a sequel, it starts a couple of years after the cliffhanger in Elemental. So much happened in the meantime, I’d much preferred to have finished Michael’s story first, although I was a little shocked after I found out what exactly happened in the years between. It helps explain how Michael made such a huge change for the worse, but at the same time I wasn’t that happy with it. I hope he gets another chance in his own (full, Elemental is an extra) book. I do recommend everyone to read Elemental first, it explains the entire situation a bit more and gives a glimpse of what happened in the past.Conclusion5 HEARTS. It’s just not possible to give this book any less. It has lots of my favorite things: Elements, Romance, Good Story and Delicious Hunks ^^ Besides reading this story makes you want to read more and find out more about the brothers and their magical world. I can’t wait to get my hands on Gabriel’s story!

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Storm" is better than most paranormal romances and is the first in a new series, "Elemental." There is lots of action and suspense which makes it a page turner, creepy baddies and an attempted rape scene. With four hot brothers who can control the elements and the usual love triangle (although it did keep the reader guessing who Becca would end up with), I can see this being a popular series amongst teenage girls.

[readsalot81 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Borderline crackalicious. The explanation of the powers wasn't very well done, imo.. 2 guys going for the same girl is pretty standard and trite. The best parts of the book were the scenes between the brothers.

[daffimere · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A book that I am torn up about I wanted it to finish so that I knew what had happened and yet I didn't want it to end. Storm is an interesting take on those with the 'powers of the elements'. And the fractions within the community.

[trigstarom · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I pretty much adored this book - and all the characters. I couldnt put it down! The brothers can use elements, and the girl is an average human.



Im alittle too lazy to write a full review so: I hated that Becca ends up being an elemental/her dad is the Guide. Seemed a bit too easy of an answer.

I also hated that book two isnt a continuation of this story. I want to know what happens to this clan through Becca and Chris' eyes. I hate series that jump around from person to person - it ruins the ENTIRE story for me.

[renrav · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Storm was a lot of fun to reread knowing what was going to happen and watching for certain things. My only issue is since I still don't like Hunter I pretty much skimmed most of the parts involving him. I hope to get another short story with Becca and Chris at some point.

[eomalley_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow, wow, WOW!

Storm is the first book in the extremely promising Elemental Series by début young adult author Brigid Kemmerer. As you can probably surmise from my reaction above, I LOVED this book and am ready to share my favorable impressions.

In Storm we are introduced to Becca Chandler and Chris Merrick, both of whom are carrying secrets. When Becca finds Chris being beaten up by two bullies in the school parking lot, she jumps in to rescue him. She manages to get him into her car and drives him home, where she meets his three brothers – twins, Gabriel and Nick, and older brother/guardian, Michael. Gabriel is the hot-head, Nick is the peacekeeper, Michael is struggling to keep his brothers in-line so they aren’t taken away from him, and Chris is the baby of the family. After Becca and Chris escape from another incident with the bullies, she learns that Chris and his brothers are Elementals and that each is drawn to a specific natural element – water (Chris), fire (Gabriel), air (Nick), and earth (Michael). She also discovers there is a special group of Elementals called Fifths who command all four natural elements plus a fifth – spirit – and that they are trained to eliminate other Elementals.

Chris is not the only boy to notice Becca, however; there is a new student at school named Hunter, who has moved to town with his mother after the death of his father and uncle in a car accident. He is strong and confident, but gentle, as he realizes Becca has been traumatized by an incident that occurred over the summer. Helping build her confidence, he teaches her some self-defense so she will not be victimized again. But Hunter has secrets of his own that will set him on a collision course with the Merrick brothers, and Becca is caught between.

The story is told in the third person narrative which I know may turn some readers off right away, but I felt like I got to know all these characters very well even without the first-person experience. Kemmerer shifts viewpoints throughout the novel between Becca and Chris, which really helps the reader identify with the characters. We see the brothers’ lives through Chris’ eyes, while Becca helps us relate to Hunter. Becca’s relationships with Chris and Hunter build slowly, which gives us the opportunity to create connections with all three characters. There is some serious tension in the Merrick household and we see it from both an insider and an outsider perspective. I would have to say that the brother who really popped out (after Chris, of course) was Gabriel, with his fiery temper and strength of character. Michael and Nick are developed to a lesser extent, but I felt like I had a solid lock on Michael’s character by the end; Nick, however, was still a bit of a mystery.

Becca is a great heroine and I found her to be a well-rounded character with strengths and weaknesses. She has been hurt in the past, but is trying to fight her fears. She is brave, caring, intelligent and, when she makes a mistake, she owns up to it and apologizes. The loyalty between Becca and her best friend, Quinn, is admirable as well. Quinn stands by Becca as the lies her ex-boyfriend told spread, while Becca supports Quinn through her troubles at home. However, Becca is clearly a teenager; she is hostile to her absentee dad when he finally reappears, and she has a serious desire to fit in. Unfortunately, this desire to fit in is what led to the incident involving her ex-boyfriend and left her reputation in tatters. She has learned to be wary, which makes her actions when jumping in to help Chris all the more courageous.

The relationship between Becca and Chris is a bit of a contrast with the one she develops with Hunter. Chris blows hot and cold, while Hunter is steady. Chris will fight to protect her, while Hunter shows her how to protect herself. The loss of a parent has effected both boys, but on a more emotional level with Hunter than with Chris. When trouble is drawn to Becca, though, it is more often Chris who is there to help her through.

Secrets abound in this book and just enough is revealed that I really felt I had everything figured out. It turns out that I was wrong; I really didn’t expect the circumstances of Becca’s past to unfold the way they did, while I was only partially right regarding the Fifth who had been sent to eliminate the Merricks. I love surprises, so finding out that everything I believed wasn’t completely accurate increased my enjoyment of this story.

There were two reasons, though, that I dropped half a star from my rating. The first was because I felt a couple of characters could have used a bit more development – namely Quinn and Nick. Quinn obviously has some serious family issues that have contributed to her need for attention, but they are brought up quickly and then left behind. There is more development with Nick, but since he is such a quiet character compared to his brothers I didn’t feel as deep a connection to him. A comment by Becca regarding Nick’s notice of Quinn during an acrobatics routine makes me wonder if Kemmerer is planning to have these two in a relationship in the future; if so, that will probably be where the depths of both characters are explored. I just wish a little more of that exploration had occurred in this book. Secondly, I was a bit confused by the Fifths. They seem to be the most powerful Elementals since they are able to harness all the natural elements, yet they aren’t feared the way the Elementals who only harness one element are. They are held up as threatening characters, but it is then revealed that they have a great deal of compassion for those around them. I don’t really understand how they were chosen as executioners and I’m hoping this is revealed in later books.

Packed with relatable characters, secrets, and four fascinating brothers with some very interesting powers, Brigid Kemmerer’s Storm is a strong start to an exciting new young adult paranormal series. While I would have liked a bit more character development of two of the secondary characters, it’s only because everyone else was so well-defined that I felt they were short-changed. The romance is built slowly and carefully, while the secrets have just enough of a twist to keep an element of surprise as they are revealed. I enjoyed this book so much that I added book 2, Spark (Gabriel’s story), to my list of upcoming releases so I can be ready to purchase it as soon as it is available in September.

[yabreviews_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What is it about Chris Merrick that would cause Becca to help him? That is how this story started. Chris was getting beat up by some guy outside of school and Becca rushes to help him. She eventually gets him away from them and takes Chris home. If she thought she was in the clear, she was wrong. The Merricks include Chris, twins Nick and Gabriel and Michael. Nick and Gabriel both go to her school and they are “hot” according to Becca. When she brings Chris home unconscious from the beating, the Merricks instantly think something is wrong with what Becca tells them that happened. Michael scares her and she leaves. There is something different about the Merricks. They are elementals. They can control the elements. Chris’ element is water, so when Becca gave him water during the fight, it revived him. Becca doesn’t know this when she brings him home. Michael Merrick thinks that she does and that is why she gave him the water. It is also suspicious that Becca doesn’t want to tell them who exactly she is. The reason for that is because her ex-boyfriend spread nasty rumors about her and now everyone wants to “date” her.There have been threats for a long time that the Guides would be called in on the Merricks. The guides are the people who monitor elementals. They are the “judge, jury and executioner.” There are symbols that are used to indicate they were called. The problem is that it was painted on Becca’s garage and she isn’t an elemental.Then, there is this new kid who shows up in school, Hunter. Becca isn’t sure about him in the beginning. She kinda wants to see him, but he is snarky. Who is Hunter and why has he shown up at school? What is up with his white hair? What is going to happen between the Merricks and the guides? Will Becca be involved in that and how?I was looking forward to this book ever since I read Elemental. I was instantly fascinated by the Merricks and elementals in general. I love how each of the Merricks have a different ability. Something that is not usual. At first, Becca is afraid of them, not because they are elementals, but because they are big, burly guys who are threatening. I liked that after she got to know them, they tolerated her a little better. Michael, the eldest, is always looking out for his brothers, sometimes a little too much. The younger Merricks needed a brother as much as a parental figure. After reading Fearless, Spark is next on my list to read about the Merrick brothers.

[alwaysyaatheart · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Storm picks up about 5 years after where Elemental leaves off. Four totally hot brothers, Michael, the twins Gabriel and Nick, and Chris Merrick are not only to die for, they also have the ability to control the elements, earth, air, fire, and water. When leaving school late one evening after a class, Becca Chandler notices a guy getting beat up in the parking lot. She intervenes, and manages to help save the youngest of the Merrick brothers, Chris. Chris is beaten up pretty badly, and she is able to get him home, only to find that the oldest brother, Michael, is rude, questions her motives, and kind of scares her a little bit, especially when she mentions that she gave Chris some water. Chris is a water Elemental, and just like his brothers, a very powerful one. The last thing the Merrick brothers need is to break their agreement not to use their powers and have the town call in the Guides to deal with the issue. Try as she may, Becca can't seem to stay away from Chris. Then a new boy, Hunter, appears on the scene, who also seems very interested in Becca. Hunter seems like a really nice guy, but are Hunter's motives pure? On top of that, Becca's father who left her and her mother has popped back into her life, but is his reason for suddenly appearing really about Becca, or is there more to the story? I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book. These four guys are such typical guys, hot guys mind you, that have supernatural powers. The characters are superbly written and you just can't help but fall in love with each of the brothers. Sure, they fight with each other, like you would expect brothers to do, but they fiercely love and protect one another also. Brigid Kemmerer has outdone herself in writing these characters and making them seem so real. Then there is Becca. I really loved Becca. She has had a really rough time, especially since her ex-boyfriend has spread lies about her, and now everyone picks on her all the time. She and Chris have some real chemistry going on, and Becca even ends up discovering a lot about herself and who she really is. Hunter is the new kid that enters the picture in this novel. He's hot, he's nice, he says and does all the right things, sometimes he seems to good to be true, and he is interested in Becca also. Actually, I liked Hunter a lot, and I kept being torn between which guy I wanted Becca to be with. So yes, there is plenty of romance in this book. There is also plenty of action, pretty much nonstop action. From fighting for their lives to fighting with each other over trivial things, these brothers never have a dull moment. Needles to say this story is fast-paced, the plot is great, and there are twists and turns around every corner. If you are a YA reader, then Storm is one of those books that you are not going to want to miss. I loved it and I highly, highly recommend it.

[annesanse · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! I loved this book! The story was very interesting, and the characters were great. I really liked Becca and felt sorry for her situation. I also thought the dialogue was great. Right from the beginning I really liked Chris, so I wasn't expecting to also really like the other guy in the picture. I just loved all of the interactions between Becca and Hunter. They were so cute and awkward and genuine feeling. (and witty) I honestly couldn't decide which guy I wanted her to end up with. The idea of Storm was very interesting. It was definitely something different than everything else out there right now, and I couldn't get enough of it. I must say that I figured out the twists before they were revealed, but overall, it was suspenseful and action-packed. I'm definitely excited to read more in this series!

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kemmerer has created an interesting world with people who can control the elements and the rivalries among them. Becca gets involved in it when she rescues Chris Merrick from some attackers when she is going home from her first self-defense class. Becca has just started her junior year with a bad reputation. Her ex-boyfriend is spreading lies and rumors about her. Since he is a star on the soccer team, Becca doesn't have support for her side of the story except for her best friend Quinn who has major issues of her own. Becca is an angry person. Not only is she rightfully angry and Drew and the other guys who are slandering her, she is angry at her father for abandoning her when she was eleven. She lives with her mother who is a nurse in the Emergency Room and works lots of nights. Her father has had the habit of phoning every six months but Becca is responsive to his feeble at communication.By rescuing Chris, Becca gets involved in a world she didn't know existed. Chris is his three older brothers are Elementals. Chris has an affinity for water, Nick for air, Gabriel for fire, and Michael for earth. They have such strong affinities that the other Elementals in town want them dead. Pure Elementals like Chris and his brothers are supposed to be killed by the Guides. Before they died, Chris's parents made a deal with the other Elementals in town to not turn in the boys. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that the Elemental contemporaries of the boys can't harass them though to try to force them to use their gifts in such a way that the Guides will be called in.Chris and Becca are forming a tentative friendship when a new guy comes to town. Hunter has lost his father and uncle in an accident and his living with his mother at his grandparents. This guy has lots of secrets but he also befriends Becca. The plot is complex; the action is non-stop; and there are lots of surprises in this one. Readers who want to read about high school life, romance triangles and a unique paranormal setting will enjoy this one.

[annejhoyce · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This has been in my TBR shelf for so long. Due to the high ratings and the undeniably appealing cover, I just had to give it a shot. Just like most readers, I think I died and gone to literary heaven when I heard that there we're 4 good-looking brothers within the pages of this book. I can't say I was disappointed but it definitely did not live up to my expectations. I wanted a nice introduction to their Elemental world but all I got was confusion. With nearly everything. The elementals, Becca's school situation and the past. It's like I walked into the middle of a movie and I'm just left trying to figure out what's happened. A lot of the motions set into place we're mostly cause of what happened beforehand. It would have been nice to at least half of the backstory explained in full detail but no, I was left with itty bitty pieces of it for me to stitch up to get a full understanding the situations. That was frustrating for me! I didn't feel any connection with the characters either. They felt dead to me. Especially the guy protagonist! Honestly, I didn't see the appeal of the Merrick brothers anymore. It's a damn shame because I really thought they ALL could have been amazing ones. There were hardly any lines, mouth-watering descriptions or even wits for me to at least swoon over. Not to mention, I found most of them are jerks. Granted they went through what they went through but how am I supposed to like a guy who's pissed or indecisive half of the time? There were some points we're I liked them but other than that, I didn't really care for them.I kind of liked Becca. I found myself sympathizing with her but not as much as really liking her character. I kind of liked Hunter too but after I got to the end? Not really as much.I guess one of the things that kept me reading was because I was trying to figure out who Becca was going to end up with! I was going for Hunter then to Chris then to Hunter then to Chris. I don't really care for "love triangles", usually they annoy the crap out of me. This one was bearable although there wasn't a lot of romance to begin with. The relationship between the characters we're pretty hard to distinguish.Past halfway throughout the book, an actual story picked up and I found myself invested. There was enough mystery and I was actually shocked for a second or two when we got to couple of twists.Overall, I liked it enough to finish it but BARELY. Maybe it went too slow or too fast, I really don't know. It feels like everyone liked this book and I'm missing out because I feel otherwise! Brigid Kemmerer tackled too many interesting subjects for this story; A normal one and a fantasy, a couple then a love triangle. I'm sorry to say, that for me, it all felt short. Even reaching the end, too many questions we're left unanswered. But at least, Becca did end up with a guy or….. did she? Agh, I don't know.

[amberfib · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brigid Kemmerer is a refreshing new voice in YA literature. Storm has a lot going on, and all of it is fantastic. The plot is intriguing, action-packed, and unique. The characters are wonderfully flawed, fully developed, and easy to relate to and care about. Storm is one of those books that I could not put down. I read it all in one sitting, and my only thought at the end was, "it can't be over! I want more!" This is one of the best debuts I've read all year, and I cannot wait to read Spark, the sequel. This is a book that cannot be missed. Becca, the female lead, has had a rough life. Because of this, she is extremely paranoid around people, especially males. Her reactions may seem a bit extreme at first, but as her story unfolds, the things she does start to make sense. She just wants to protect herself, but she feels like she'll never be safe again. Her past and the fact that she always wants to help others, even though she can't help herself, make her a character who is easy to care about. I connected with her almost instantly, and I was rooting for her the entire time. Also, she is a strong character. She has been through a lot, but she is able to continue facing adversity. She rarely complains, too, which is nice. Chris, the male lead, has also had a rough life, but in a different way. The poor guy is also socially stupid at times, and I wanted to smack him on more than one occasion for saying something stupid. However, it's clear that he has a good heart and he doesn't want to hurt anyone. He just wants to be able to live his life without people constantly threatening him and wanting to kill him and his brothers. I have no idea what it would be like to live like that, but I still found myself sympathizing with him. He is a likable, albeit socially clueless, character. The secondary characters are also extremely well-developed, though I can't wait to learn more about Gabriel in Spark. I felt like I knew Michael already from the novella, and Nick and Hunter are also two characters I want to see more of. I wasn't a huge fan of Quinn, Becca's best friend, but I didn't hate her either. She is just more typical and generic than the others. There is nothing special about her, at least nothing I could see. The plot is action-packed from the beginning, and as the book progresses, the situations escalate and become more dire. By the end of the novel, I was white-knuckling my Kindle, furiously clicking the "next page" button in order to see what would happen next. Also, the plot is unique. I've never heard of an idea quite like this one, where people can control the elements in the way that these kids do. The reasoning behind who has power and who doesn't is also interesting. I hope to learn more about it in the following installments. Another thing that I loved is the fact that there is no insta-love between Becca and any of the male characters. Everything develops naturally from friendships. That's a nice change from how most YA novels operate. There is a love triangle, but it's not that dramatic. It's just enough to keep you guessing. And Becca has a good reason for choosing who she chooses. There is none of this, "oh, but I love you both," crap. I respected her for that. Additionally, the pacing is perfect. Nothing felt rushed, and nothing dragged. Furthermore, I loved the alternating POVs in this novel.The POV is third person limited, and it switches between Becca and Chris. Sometimes I don't like that, but for this novel, it worked. I really enjoyed being able to see things from both Becca's and Chris' perspective. It helped me get to know them better. I felt like I understood both of them more clearly than I would have had the novel just focused on one character. It was also interesting to me how Kemmerer seemed to weave messages into the story without being obvious about it. I'm not sure if this was intentional or if it was just how the story played out. The entire thing was natural. There seemed to be an anti-bullying undercurrent within this novel, as well as the "don't judge what you don't understand," and "you never know what someone else has been through" philosophies. Kemmerer did not use a character as a mouthpiece against these things, in fact, these issues were barely mentioned. However, the novel shows what happens when people judge, hate, and bully for no good reason. It shows how things like that affect entire communities and not just specific people, and it shows how much damage is truly done when things like that occur. It also illustrates how bullying can get out of hand and become extremely dangerous. Again, I'm not sure if she intended for this to happen, or if this is just how the story played out, but it was all extremely realistic. Nothing felt forced, and nothing felt preachy. Whether or not these messages were intended, I am glad they are in there. People need to be more aware of how they treat others, and I feel that art, literature, media, and music are places that can draw attention to these problems and make a difference, especially when the situation is handled in a subtle and classy manner. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone. The plot is fantastic, the writing is top notch, the characters are amazing, and the messages within the story are inspiring. If you haven't read Storm yet, you are missing out.

[darkfaerietales_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: This book is overdramatic, underwhelming and somewhat confusing with the lore being the most tolerable parts of the novel.Opening Sentence: The self-defense class had been a waste of sixty bucks.The Review:If you love numerous hot male characters with interesting elemental based powers, then this is the series for you. Maybe I just find overdramatic love triangles and complicated characters at every turn a bit tiring, but I just did not enjoy this novel very much. Almost every male character is exceedingly handsome, mysterious, aloof, and alluring in some way, and always has a dark past. I know a lot of people may disagree with me on this if any of the other reviews I have read for this book are proof, but you’ll have to make your own decision when choosing what to read. I just had a hard time getting through the novel, and it seemed like every chapter ended on some minor overdramatic note.The novel begins when Becca Chandler breaks up a fight in the school parking lot between the mysterious Chris Merrick and two thugs out for blood. By unknowingly aiding his supernatural talent and saving his life, Chris tries to become closer to Becca to show his gratitude, but she pushes him away. They both have secrets they are not yet ready to share. Becca, I was surprised to find out, had a more meaningful secret than I originally guessed. Chris is one of four orphaned brothers with supernaturally strong elemental powers. Each brother has a distinctly different personality Becca finds attractive at some level, and it doesn’t hurt that each guy is totally gorgeous. Pretty much every guy Becca encounters who isn’t bad in some way is extremely attractive and Becca can hardly contain herself. I found the descriptions boring and repetitive, but then again I don’t particularly enjoy romance novels.Becca finds out all the Merrick brothers have strong powers tied to the four elements. As she starts to believe in their abilities, the new guy Hunter throws it all into confusion with his hidden talents. Becca doesn’t know what side to be on, and finds out she might have more abilities than she ever dreamed of. The basic elemental lore was interesting enough to keep me reading to the end.There were too many characters that seemed to blur together even though they had different personalities and the vague plot left me confused sometimes. Overall, I finished the book because I had to, and do not have any interest in reading anything else from this series.Notable Scene:Becca trudged beside Hunter, following the plume of Casper’s tale as he bounded ahead of them through the underbrush.“We’ve already come this way,” she said, just to break the silence.“Looks like an army came through here,” Hunter answered, though she had no idea how he could tell the difference. Just looked like a bunch of brush and branches to her. “Maybe Casper can pick up a second trail.”She didn’t understand how he could be acting so normally, as if he dealt with things like guns and violence and missing Elementals on a daily basis.Then again, maybe he did.“So are you going to tell me?” she said.“Tell you what?”Was he deliberately being infuriating? “You said you’re not an Earth,” she said. “So which one are you?”He laughed and gave her a sidelong glance. “Come on, Becca.”“Come on what?” she said. “Just—no more games. No more lies. Just tell me.”Hunter stopped and turned to look down at her. A line appeared between his eyebrows. “You’re serious.”“Yeah.”“But—“ He frowned. “The way people hassle you at school. You work with dogs. I mean—your mom’s a nurse, for god’s sake. And then, you said Drew tried—on the field last night.”He ran a hand through his hair. “I never thought what it would be like for a girl, but—“God, she wanted to punch him! “What the hell are you talking about?”“He’s a Fifth,” said Michael, stepping up beside her.“Yeah.” Hunter glanced at him, then back at her. That line still hung between his brows. “Like you.”The Elemental Series:0.5. Elemental1. Storm1.5. Fearless (July 31, 2012) 2. Spark (August 28, 2012)3. Spirit FTC Advisory: Kensington provided me with a copy of Storm. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[truly_bookish · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I first read the summary for Storm by Brigid Kemmerer, I really, really hoped it was going to be good. It had all the ingredients for a fantastic paranormal story, namely hot boys with cool super powers and I simply could not wait to read it. I’m happy to tell you that Storm delivered and then some! Think The Outsiders with the Merrick boys being like the Curtis brothers but having the ability to control the elements. Yes guys, it’s like that!When our main character, Becca, sees Chris Merrick being beaten up by two older boys, she steps in to help him and inadvertently becomes caught up in an ongoing feud involving the Merricks and some other families in their town.I started reading Storm expecting very cool paranormal elements and I got them. Chris controls water and Kemmerer does an awesome job describing how he communicates with his element. This book focuses on Chris so we learn the most about his ability but we do get to see his brothers use their powers as well. What I did not expect were some subplots in story involving sexual assault and bullying. The issues were handled well and made the story more rounded. Becca is a strong main character who has made some poor decisions but is doing her best to deal with them. Chris, the youngest brother (think Ponyboy) is a likable male lead. There is a love triangle involving new boy Hunter (don’t worry, it’s well done), so technically, Storm actually has five swoon worthy boys instead of four.While I don’t have brothers myself, I can’t help but think that Brigid Kemmerer captures the conflicts and issues that come up among brothers, especially when an older brother is the one doing the parenting. I don’t usually like bad boys but Gabriel (who controls fire) is my favorite brother in all his hot headed, rude, snarky, jerky glory. I’m so happy that the next book in the series, Spark, will focus on him. Storm is very fast paced, filled with a lot of action and awesome paranormal elements. I raced through this book and cannot wait to read Spark which thankfully comes out in September. Even though Storm does not end with a cliffhanger, it’s the type of book that makes you want to read the sequel as soon as you are done with the first! This is a great start to an exciting new series and Kemmerer is definitely one to watch.Content: Kissing, sexual discussions, heavy profanity, underage drinking and violence. Due to the issues of sexual assault and the nature of the bullying, I would recommend this book to older/more mature teens and adults.

[pollywannabook · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Review courtesy of All Things Urban FantasyBrigid Kemmerer’s new paranormal YA Elementals series is like a baby Black Dagger Brotherhood or Lords of the Underworld series. We’ve got four supernatural brothers with big time alpha blood running in their veins and more than a few chips on their shoulders. They have volatile personalities connected to their elemental powers which is tempered by fierce loyalty and protective streaks, all of which gives each of them a distinct scary but sexy vibe that I always fall for. Throw in a smart, resourceful girl who unwittingly gets caught up in a long standing elemental feud you get an almost perfect storm of a book.The relationship dynamics between the brothers is so believable as a family. They fight with each other almost violently, but when one of them is hurt they lash out as one against the attacker. And the writing is very well done, especially the scenes involving all four brothers. Group scenes are notoriously challenging, but you’d never know it reading STORM. All four brothers feel distinctive and present in the scenes (and without exception, they are totally crushable). Beyond the brothers, the supporting cast is also very strong, and the worldbuilding comprehensive but simply explained.I hate having to bring this up since I was having a blast reading STORM until one particularly sensitive subject was brought up: rape. *SLIGHTLY SPOILERISH* Paranormal fiction is no stranger to the topic of rape, but it’s not as common in YA, nor is it usually gang rape. Becca has a slut reputation at school thanks to an incident involving her ex and the soccer team. We find out that she got drunk and let him pass her around at a party…she said she let them at first, but there were so many of them that they couldn’t tell when she started to fight back…she vomited just before someone got to home base. She never told anyone or pressed charges. She goes to parties with these guys and even foolishly goes off with one when he says he wants to apologize which turns into an ambush where the entire soccer team tries to gang rape her. They are stopped, but not nearly soon enough in my opinion. Throughout all this, Becca doesn’t respond at all the way I would expect the victim of this kind of sexual assault would. It’s not just that she keeps quiet(I understand that reaction), but it’s like the whole thing is just a minor issue. It doesn’t effect her beyond crude sexual taunts at school and having to prove to any guy that she’s interested in that she’s not a whore. I couldn’t get past how this monumentally huge issue was treated…even with people trying to kill each other and elemental powers everywhere, it didn’t justify low-key treatment of rape and sexual assault. *END OF SPOILER*Most of STORM was a blast of hot guys and elemental powers. Paranormal Romance junkies who love adult brotherhood series like those from J.R. Ward, Gena Showalter, and Larissa Ione will definitely want to give this YA series a go. For the intense and exciting plot, the brutally hot brothers, and the engaging writing, I’d give this a 4/5, but the shoddy treatment of the rape/assault subject brought it down to a 3/5. I’m still very intrigued by the Elementals series and already have Gabriel’s story (SPARK which releases in September 2012) on my wishlist.Sexual Content: Kissing, sexual assault, attempted gang rape (see spoiler section), crude sexual dialogue.

[bookswithbite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

BEEP! BEEP! This is a warning from the National Weather System, be advised that a large storm is forming...We ask that you seek shelter immediately....Yeah, this book is totally sweet! Let me tell you that once you read the first page you are their control and there is no way out. The plot line of this book rocked. Four brothers all elemental, smokin' hot with I don't give a crap alpha attitude and you fall in love. I like that each brother is unique in their voice and their characters.Their attributes to who they are just fall off the pages!I love that even though this book focuses mainly on Chris, the reader can learn more about the other brothers without giving too much away. It's like she leaves the reader a clue as to what brother to expect in the next book. The reader is left will just enough of what brother is like to fall in love with him and eagerly await for their book.The love interest certainly takes a whole new spin. I like that this girl is made to fit Chris. She is like his polar opposite. I really adored how fate really worked in Becca life. They always managed to meet at the same time, same place,etc. They were meant to be.Storm is an fantastic start to a new series. With a whole new fresh spin on paranormal and love, Kemmerer will take you like a Storm. Sweeping the reader fast and furious, hold on tight. This Storm is a strong one!

[taleofnight · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

First, some back story. I followed Brigid's blog before she got this book deal, so I was very interested in reading her book. But then I saw the cover and didn't want to read it (it happens). But then! I started to see a lot of reviews stating how great it was, so I decided to give it a go.I don't really know what happened between me and Storm. We started off really well, but then it seemed to go down hill from there. For the most part, I did enjoy Storm, but I had a hard time wanting to pick it up and read, but once I would start reading I ended up enjoying it.I would say Storm suffered greatly from the There's A Lot of Other Shiny Books Sitting On My Shelf That I Would Rather Be Reading Right Now syndrome because I think I started and finished reading 2 or 3 books while reading this one.I did enjoy the Merrick brothers though. I really liked the banter between them, and they always seemed to have great one-liners that made me laugh. "'Nick,' he said. 'I think I'm going to need you to bite my arm.' 'I think I'm going to need you to run that by me again.'" – page 340I also really like Hunter's dog, Casper. "The New Kid stopped. He gave her a smile over his shoulder before looking at the dog. 'Casper, she said someone has to hold your leash.' The dog barked. Then he dipped his head, picked up the end of the leash in his mouth, and trotted after his master." – page 60I mean, who wouldn't want a dog that awesome?I also really like the whole elemental's thing. I found it very intriguing.But then there were some things I didn't like. Like Becca and Hunter's relationship. It didn't feel real to me. I felt like Becca was only talking to Hunter because she didn't want to like Chris and admit her feelings for him. But it was so obvious that Becca and Chris liked each other, and it got frustrating after a while. I love slow burn relationships, but this one rubbed me the wrong way for some reason. Maybe because Becca was "dating" Hunter in a way, and it was annoying.There was also the case of Becca's reputation at school. I kind of wished we were told right away what happened to make Becca's reputation that bad, but it's only revealed in the last 150 pages or so. And then there is an almost rape scene with the same guy who ruined Becca's reputation. I'm not really sure how I felt about all that. It was just really strange. I understand why Kemmerer would want to include a hot issue like bullying and rape, but it seemed a little out of place to me.And then there was the way the story was written. I really didn't like the 3rd person POV and the way it shifted from Becca's to Chris's. It messed with me, because sometimes the only thing that indicated a POV shift was a line break. I really wish the focus was only on Chris or Becca, not both.I'm disappointed I didn't like this book more. I was so relieved when I finished Storm. I don't even know if I want to continue with the series because I don't want to get in the same rut that Storm put me in.

[abookwormshaven · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When this book arrived on my doorstep I will admit that I had not heard of it. I have no idea how it was not already on my radar, but I am very thankful that the publisher sent it to me because it has all the elements I love in my books! It is a young adult paranormal romance and has four awesome brothers that rival many of the boys I see in my adult paranormal romance novels. They have a great sense of humor, unique voices and are very lovable. Storm is a paranormal romance, but the core of the story is the relationship between the four brothers. Sometimes in books the voices of characters who are related to one another can blend together and it is hard to tell them apart. That is not the case at all in Storm, while we focus in on Chris in this book all four brothers have very distinct personalities and it is easy to tell who is speaking when dialogue floods the page. Even in action sequences when things can get confusing, Brigid did an amazing job of differentiating the brothers’ voices. We get a back story on these guys and all of them appear in the story enough to give us a glimpse into all of their heads. I appreciated getting well developed secondary characters and it has made me that much more anxious for all of the brothers stories.There is romance in this story, but it takes the back burner for most of the novel and lets the action take center stage. There is also a love triangle. I am not such a fan of those. I went into Storm knowing this though, so I was prepared for Becca to be torn between two guys. I gravitated toward Chris and just had to keep fingers crossed that Becca came to see how great he really was in the end as well. Not that Chris makes it easy for her since he is trying to push her away to protect her. I understood his reasons, but I still wanted to shake him at times and get him to fight for Becca. Don’t get me wrong, Hunter seemed to have his heart in the right place, I just did not trust him fully. I have a feeling though that Hunter is going to be making an appearance in future books and I am interested to see what role he will play in this world. There is a scene that I need to bring up that was uncomfortable to read. I have seen it mentioned in other reviews and feel I have to just address it as well. There is an almost rape in this book, it is not an easy scene to read at all. I have seen rape in paranormal fiction, but do not see it in young adult very much. I think Brigid did handle it delicately, but I still think Becca downplayed the issue just a little too much. I understand that some people handle traumatic situations differently, but I did want Becca to react more than she did, especially since it happened to her twice, by the same guys. As for the action in this book it was awesome! The scenes when they were fighting each other and the enemy were so rich and vivid I could see everything going on very clearly in my head. Brigid gave us just enough detail to keep us engaged, but kept the action moving forward at a rapid pace. I was so engrossed in this story that I devoured it in just one sitting. I started one Sunday afternoon and was finished by later that same evening. I had to know what was going to happen and who the person hunting them really was. I had my suspicions from the beginning, but still enjoyed the mystery Brigid wove for us to riddle out.The mythology was also really intriguing. It was a subject I had not seen explored before and I liked that Brigid did not dump all the information on us all at once. She eases us into this world and reveals bits and pieces to us gradually. Many times the first book in the series can throw a lot of information at you and it hard to absorb it all, but that is not the case in Storm. The mythology is peppered throughout so you do not feel lost, but soak in every detail when it is given to you. Overall, I really enjoyed Storm. Brigid made it easy to fall in love with these four brothers and root for them. It will be impossible for me to walk away from this series now. I am too invested in the lives of the Merrick’s and the people who came in and out of their world. I know the next book comes out in September and I will be eager to get my hands on it to continue along in this world.

[vanyadrum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well, let me tell you that after I read Storm, I just went on straight ahead and read Spark and Spirit as well. Because they were that good! So, I'm writing this review kind of in a retrospect, analyzing all three books and mainly focusing on Storm.

One thing I noticed, and to tell you the truth, it's quite amazing, really, is how Kemmerer has been able to capture and match the tone of each novel to the personality of the lead male character. For example, Storm features Chris Merrick, who has affinity to water. The voice of the book is calm and relaxing, like flowing water.

Spark features Gabriel, whose talent is to work with fire and well, the tone of that book is passionate, irrational and well.. fiery.

Then there's Hunter's voice in Spirit. And it's so emotional, going hot and cold all the time, it's utterly incredible!

And to think that the author could come up with individual writing styles for each boy's book... well that's pure talent.

Anyway. So, Storm.

it's beautiful. It's full of mystery (though the reader is privy to it all). it's the story of Becca, an average girl, living in an average tow, who finds herself at the wrong place in the right time. She saves Chris Merrick from nearly being killed and that's how the saga begins.

Unfortunately (or rather fortunately for us readers) it's definitely NOT where it ends. There are yet more secrets that are revealed gradually. There are relationships that get developed and others that get broken. New people come, new things happen. Who's who is incredibly difficult to tell.

And in the midst of it all, love springs to life where least expected. Brothers' ties are broken/mended/developed.

One thing is sure. The ride is exhilarating and will blow your mind.