Storm (Elemental: Book One)
Written by Brigid Kemmerer
Supernatural, Urban Fantasy
Edition published April 17th 2014
320 Pages
Thank you to Netgalley and Much In Little books
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Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys, all the ones she doesn't want. When she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot, everything is about to change. Chris is different from the guys at school... Really different. He can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. The brothers are powerful and dangerous. And now that Becca knows the truth, so is she.Becca is the school pariah, the target of endless gossip and lewd comments. So while trying to take back control of her life leads her to an empty parking lot, she never expected to find Chris Merrick being beaten by two thugs. But Chris isn't your average teen and Becca is about to discover how dangerous both their lives will become.
When the mysterious new kid, Hunter, turns up, Becca thinks she can trust him. But when he goes head to head with Chris, Becca's left wondering who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.
My Thoughts
The hype surrounding this series has been resounding, and sadly I just didn't get it. The average girl who struggles with the taunts of malicious teens, an absent father, a mother who seems to put her career first and the vivacious best friend. Yes Becca, you're Nora Grey in disguise. Becca comes across Chris being assaulted by two thugs in an empty carpark after her self defense class, when Chris recovers from being unconscious and seemingly draws strength from the water Becca attempts to provide. But Chris isn't alone.
He's one of four brothers known as the Elementals, drawing raw strength from the Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. Get your dancing shoes on.
Oh yes, that is the original Earth, Wind and Fire. But the Merrick brothers aren't a popular disco band, they're dangerous and being watched by the Guides, a group who police communities of Elementals. Currently the two opposing sides, the Merrick brothers and Guides are at a truce, but when Becca becomes involved with the family, she too becomes a target.
The Merrick brothers are snippy, sassy, sarcastic and realistic. Their use of language isn't toned down, which makes for a refreshing change. Only the four of them remain after they lost their parents when the eldest Michael was only eighteen, and he became an instant parent to the three younger boys. Twins Gabriel and Nick couldn't be more contrasting, one being the token clown and the other the quiet academic achiever. The storyline follows Chris, the youngest and the only brother who is still yet to master his Element.
There's a clear attraction between Becca and Chris, until the new kid Hunter begins to take an interest. Her affections for both boys borders on being nauseating, and it only fuels the impression her peers already label her as. At times with the sexual taunts become too much, either Chris or Hunter are always willing to save the day. Chest beating at it's finest. As Becca is mixed up in their supernatural world, it's not only the Guides who believe that she is no mere mortal. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the Merrick boys and even Hunter, I just couldn't relate to Becca. For a girl who begun as sassy, her personality fizzled out with the introduction of anything attractive with a crotch. The constant blushing was annoying.
Personally, I can pinpoint precisely that it was almost wholly her character which let Storm down. In various situations throughout the book, she puts herself in ridiculous positions. Turning up at the Merrick house uninvited, turning up at the party hosted by the boy who started the rumours about her, only to then wander off on her own with him. At the reappearance of her father she was verging on throwing herself on the floor, not to mention the mistreatment of her supposed best friend.
It was really engaging and Brigid Kemmerer's style of writing reminded me of Victoria Scott, sassy, assertive and the banter and dialogue between each character was realistic. But the storyline felt too chaotic. Becca's failure to learn from each situation and the lack of thought behind her actions left me dismayed. I'll continue on with the series though, I refuse to allow one character to stop me from those Merrick's.
Personally, I can pinpoint precisely that it was almost wholly her character which let Storm down. In various situations throughout the book, she puts herself in ridiculous positions. Turning up at the Merrick house uninvited, turning up at the party hosted by the boy who started the rumours about her, only to then wander off on her own with him. At the reappearance of her father she was verging on throwing herself on the floor, not to mention the mistreatment of her supposed best friend.
It was really engaging and Brigid Kemmerer's style of writing reminded me of Victoria Scott, sassy, assertive and the banter and dialogue between each character was realistic. But the storyline felt too chaotic. Becca's failure to learn from each situation and the lack of thought behind her actions left me dismayed. I'll continue on with the series though, I refuse to allow one character to stop me from those Merrick's.
I read like 20 pages of this book and had to stop. I guess I wasn't really in the mood that time. That NORA GREY IN DISGUISE - I CACKLED! HAHAHA I have to continue this to read more of the brothers sassiness! Sad that Becca sort of annoyed you.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Kelly!
She was just too idiotic for me. She was introduced as sassy, a take no prisoners kind of girl who didn't suffer fools, but at the introduction of a love interest or interests, she became just another predictable young adult character.
DeleteOooh, I actually like the sound of the chaotic storyline with a lot happening, kind of reminds me of the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead. The dialogue sounds like a lot of fun banter as well, but no. No Nora Grey. Maybe a necessary evil? Lovely review hun.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Bloodlines yet, I haven't even finished the Vampire Academy series either. I'm so slack. I'm not sure about necessary as such, but you definitely get more of a feel of those Merrick boys with your attention drawn to them even more so with her stupidity. I think it's more than I loathe the character that loses her identity after meeting the love interest.
DeleteAw it's a shame that you didn't love this one as much as you hoped. I do think they get better as they go--the latest one is definitely my favourite.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Kels! <33
Thanks poppet. I'm definitely going to continue with the series and just hope that there aren't any other Becca type girls who's point of view I have to endure.
DeleteAwww I am so sorry you didn't like this one more. I'd say I definitely agree with everything you've said but for me, I feel like Brigid Kemmerer makes it work in a way where the characters end up being really likeable in spite of the fact that they can sometimes be annoying (*cough* becca *cough*). And I have to say, this isn't as different from some of the other YA out there as one might think but for me, I just love the way Brigid tells the stories, she makes them entertaining and does it so well that each of these books ended up warranting 4 stars from me :P
ReplyDeleteHA hopefully though, you'll end up enjoying some of the other books. (AND ZOMG MICHAEL. MICHAEL)
Lovely review, as always, Kelly!! <:))
Rashika @ The Social Potato
I know, I can't wait to read his story and I've only read this one where he was a secondary character. Becca's character had so much potential, but sadly it didn't eventuate. The Merrick brothers are obviously the draw card of the series and I'll definitely be continuing on.
DeleteI read the beginning of this and the boys intrigued me, although Becca didn't win me over yet. I'm glad you think the series is worth continuing though. I'll try to finish Storm one day. I'm always up for paranormal stories with brothers!
ReplyDelete-P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex
Me neither, she was just annoying but the brothers? All really intriguing, especially Michael. I'm really looking forward to reading his story above all the others.
DeleteGreat review Kelly! I've been seeing this series popping around in bookshops and goodreads for a while, but still haven't been sure whether to pick them up or not. I suppose sometimes it's worth giving it a chance, even if you didn't absolutely love the first book, so I might just give them a go to see what all the fuss is about :)
ReplyDeleteThat was my reasoning too, so many love this series, so wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It was good, not great though. But I've been told they really do get better. Looking forward to seeing what you think of Storm and hope you enjoy it a little more than I did.
DeleteAwww, it's a shame you didn't like this as much as everyone else (including me) did. I see where you're coming from with Becca, but honestly, the story gets waaay better. The best thing about the next books, is that none of them are back in Becca's pov! Spark is my fave, thinking it might be yours too! Love this review.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness, I couldn't stand seeing her featured in the next one too. I wouldn't be reading on with the series if that were the case. Ooh, looking forward to Spark even more so now.
DeleteButbutbut it's about hot brothers who can control the ELEMENTS. I'm so sad this is kind of meh. (Also: A+ gif there.) I want to try this...but then again? Maybe I don't.
ReplyDeleteOh no, the brothers are undoubtedly hot. It's our female protagonist that needs work. Still an entertaining read though and worthy of giving it a go.
DeleteHah, my rating for this series debut was a three star, too! Becca annoyed me to no end, and the plot here really was too fast-paced with so many things going on at once. BUT, for me, that's where the series stopped being sucky, because the next three books are awesome rides from beginning to end, although the female love interests may still grate on your nerves a bit BUT STILL! THE CHARACTERIZATION! THE DRAMA! THE ANGST! They were beautiful. I loved the third book the most, then the fourth, then the second, then the first being last. Hopefully the last and final book, Sacrifice, would top them all :D
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
We're pretty much on the same page with this one Faye. Love that you've enjoyed the series even more as it goes along, gives me even more hope that I'll probably feel the same.
DeleteNora Grey? *cringes* Ugh, I've been trying to read this one for so long! I keep opening the book and giving up after a few chapters--nothing's capturing my attention. Faye and Rashika both enjoyed the series as it went on, but I'm not sure how I can move on if I can't get past the first quarter of book one! D: Sorry you didn't like this one, Kelly.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way and wanted to put it down before I reached a quarter of the way through, I just wasn't enjoying it. The secret that Chris was supposedly hiding was completely obvious and far too drawn out. But it slowly improved and seeing the rest of the series is dramatically better, probably worth sticking with this just so you can move onto the others.
DeleteThe only thing memorable about Nora Grey is her name. I can't, for the life of me, remember what Hush Hush was about. I always confuse it with Fallen! It sucks when the MC annoys you to death. Becca sounds cringe-worthy. But at least you were able to endure it and give it a 3! Let me know when you get to book 2, then maybe if it becomes a 4-star, I'll read this series. :P
ReplyDelete~ Dre @ Sporadic Reads
I'm more than happy to do an very antagonizing recap. Annoying girl meets strange boy, who turns out to be a fallen angel. Enter a love triangle, she's stupid and has no idea how to do anything beyond scratching her own ass. Something happens, and they all live happily ever after. That was disappointing because I actually enjoyed her style of writing as well.
DeleteOh i haven't given this series a shot yet but i was just never interested, you know? It never screamed "READ ME LILY! YOULL LOVE ME" thus, i havent read it! I have to admit i just about laughed out loud when i read that Nora Grey comment! Yup, i'm not missing anything....LOL
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way. I think books call to you, whether it be through reviews or just reading a synopsis that you click with. I gave it a go, and going to continue on with the series and hopefully enjoy book two that much more. I'm really hoping it does improve, or I'll be kicking some asses for telling me to try the next one.
DeleteOMG! Those GIFs are absolutely AMAZING Kelly! <33
ReplyDeleteI've heard nothing but good things about this series, so I'm glad you enjoyed it despite some minor flaws it had. It's a shame you weren't able to fully connect with Becca though! :(
Anyhow, thanks for sharing, and, as always, BRILLIANT review! Definitely going to give this a try!
~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf
Thanks Zoe. It's definitely worth giving it a read regardless, as you said, so many others absolutely adore the series. I'm hopeful as her character won't feature heavily in the remanding books, so looking forward to enjoying those much more than this one.
DeleteI loved this book. I haven't read the others yet but I can't wait to. I didn't mind Becca, from what I can remember. But the brothers, oh how I loved the brothers! Michael was my favourite and I can't wait to read the latest one coming out which is from his perspective. Great review, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying, Becca isn't my favourite of the girls in the series. For me, the books are all about the boys. Not just because I'm obsessed with identical twins who are handsome boys BUT because it's THEIR evolution and THEIR emotions that really struck a cord with me. It's with boys that the magic lies and is where Brigid really shines as an author.
ReplyDeleteThat said I did get along with Lainey (from the next book) a lot better than with Becca.