Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

Published: May 28th, 2013

Publisher: K Teen

Pages: 301

Copy: Netgalley/Publisher

Summary: Goodreads

With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

Spirit is the newest title in Brigid Kemmerer's Merrick Brothers series.  So far I have enjoyed them all -  3 Novellas:  Elemental, Breathless and Fearless and 3 full length novels: Storm, Spark and Spirit- and this one was no exception.  Each book is about a different brother and we get to see some great action in each one, along with wonderful character growth.

Spirit is a little different because the main character is NOT a Merrick brother.  Hunter Garrity is actually a hunter of elementals, which is of course what the brothers are,  and it is interesting to see how circumstance collide to turn his life upside down.  How Hunter comes to realise that all is not as he has been told makes for a great read.

The books each have an intriguing mystery and some great action. If you haven't tried this series yet give them a go.  Four misunderstood hot brothers?  What's not to love?

Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer - A mini review

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they are more than you dream.

As an air Elemental, 17-year-old Emily Morgan doesn’t have much power. That’s okay—she knows what happens to kids who do.

Like Michael Merrick. He’s an earth Elemental, one with enough power to level cities. Which makes him sexy. Dangerous. And completely off limits. At least according to Emily’s family.

But her summer job puts her in close contact with Michael, and neither of them can help the attraction they feel. When forces of nature like theirs collide, one misstep could get someone killed. Because Emily’s family doesn’t just want her to stay away from him.

They want him dead.

The novellas that go with this series are just so much fun.  This one introduces us very briefly to Michael, the oldest of the Merrick Brothers.  Ah, the injustice of it all.  I wanted to give Michael a hug and tell him it would be alright. I love the fact that we can get a glimpse of their lives before the series starts proper.  It explains a little about why they behave the way they do.   Poor Michael - he is judged by everyone based on his potential and not his actions.   Kind of sad really.  I loved the tentative beginnings of a romance here between Michael and Emily.   Elemental is one of three novellas that go with the Merrick brothers series, the others being Breathless and Fearless.  Try them out and then go get the novels.

Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer - A mini review

Published: April 30th, 2013

Publisher: Kensington Teen

Pages: 65

Copy: Publisher via Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

Too many secrets. Not enough time.Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic.

But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive.

His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark.

He can feel it—-the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace.


A mini-review for a mini book - ok a novella then!  I hope you read Special K's thoughts on novellas a couple of days ago.  I have to admit, it made me realise just how much I enjoy them as well.  They're a bit like having a treat bag of chips - not what you want, but ultimately enough to keep you satisfied for a while.

That's what Breathless is.  A little taste of what's coming in the story about Nick.  Here we get a quick glimpse into Nick's life, and it may just surprise you.  The entire series is beautifully character driven, but with lots and lots of action to keep you going. We've got four hot brothers, each with control over a different element.  If you haven't tried these books yet, give yourself a treat.  Start out with one of the novellas - yep there's more than one.  As well as Breathless, there's Elemental and Fearless and you can pick up the ebooks for under a couple of bucks most places. Ty them out and see. I'm off now to read Elemental.

Spark: Elementals 2 by Brigid Kemmerer

Published:; August 28th, 2012

Publisher: Kteen

Pages: 432

ecopy: Courtesy of publisher and Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

Spark is smokin', in more ways than one.  Four hot brothers, four budding romances and an arsonist.  Is it Gabriel, the brother who can control the element of fire? No it's not, but I'm not telling who it is.  And I didn't even have a glimmer of a guess until almost the end of the book.  My initial suspicions were waaay off - not even close.

Unfortunately I have not read the first title in this Elementals series: Storm, and I really wish I had.  Not that it was difficult to follow along at all - Ms Kemmerer did a very good job of filling in some back story where needed, but this book was all about Gabriel.  As the first book appears to have been all about Chris the youngest brother, my not reading it did not seem to impact my enjoyment of Spark. 

Gabriel is hurting.  He's suffering from a major case of guilt and his actions make him appear like the logical choice for the arsonist.  His anger and frustration seemed genuine, and while I've never understood the teenage males' propensity for violence, my son tells me it rang true. (I've always been more of a 'use your words' kind of person.)  Layne is a fragile girl, who hides her beauty behind her brains, and tries never to stand out.  There is a very disturbing scene of teen bullying, that to my mind fully illustrated some of the negative things that are going on in high schools today.  In fact there are several such scenes, but again, my son tells me that's what happens.  They were each integral to the story, and helped to illustrate the types of people we are dealing with in the story.

Spark is one of those tales where you are almost sure you know what is going to happen, but the getting there is all the fun.  Gabriel, Nick, Chris and Michael are very convincing as brothers and Layne, Quinn, Becca and Hannah were all wonderful in their own way.  Yes, Spark is romantic, but it's the tension over the fires that will keep you reading.  It is a fun, exciting paranormal mystery and I for one will be back for more.