Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Spark
    Spark
    Spark
    Audiobook10 hours

    Spark

    Written by Brigid Kemmerer

    Narrated by Graham Halstead

    4/5

    ()

    Switch to ebook

    About this audiobook

    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 . . . except he's not doing it.

    And no one seems to believe him. No one but 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, his abilities, and the danger that's right at his heels. But there are some risks he can't help taking.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateApr 14, 2015
    ISBN9781494581084
    Author

    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

    Related to Spark

    Titles in the series (5)

    View More
    View More

    Related audiobooks

    YA Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      SETTLING Scores

      Aug 12, 2020

      SETTLING Scores
      9 min read

    • Article

      SETTLING Scores

      Aug 5, 2020

      SETTLING Scores
      9 min read

    • Article

      The ROCKING CHAIR

      Sep 21, 2022

      The ROCKING CHAIR
      2 min read

    • Article

      ROBIN Redbreast

      Dec 6, 2023

      He was working in the garden of his cottage when Nicola walked past. Handsome, craggy, probably in his late 50s, like her, he was shovelling snow off the path between white-coated shrubs. ‘Hello!’ she called. ‘Lovely day, isn’t it?’ He stopped, glanc

      3 min read

    • Article

      Coffee LOVERS

      Jan 31, 2023

      Coffee LOVERS
      6 min read

    • Article

      I’m Going To KILL YOU!

      Aug 23, 2023

      I’m Going To KILL YOU!
      2 min read

    • Article

      I’m Going To KILL YOU!

      Aug 23, 2023

      I’m Going To KILL YOU!
      2 min read

    • Article

      Everything But The Kitchen Sink

      Oct 10, 2021

      When Mary Little walks into her kitchen on Tuesday morning, the sink is under the window. At first she can’t even find it. She looks at the space where the sink is supposed to be, at the end of the island, and the sink is gone. Her son, Ben, sits the

      18 min read

    • Article

      A WINTER weekend

      Jan 2, 2020

      A WINTER weekend
      6 min read

    • Article

      LOVE Is The Word

      Jan 3, 2023

      LOVE Is The Word
      6 min read

    • Article

      A winter WEEKEND

      Dec 22, 2020

      A winter WEEKEND
      6 min read

    • Article

      They Got Their Show

      Aug 10, 2021

      It is midnight in Ponderosa and Nick Velasquez can’t sleep. The public doesn’t want him to sleep. It’s been like this ever since it hit all the big streaming platforms. The viewers stay up bingeing and he… well, he has been bingeing in his own way. W

      14 min read

    • Article

      Seal of APPROVAL

      Aug 2, 2022

      Seal of APPROVAL
      6 min read

    • Article

      Healing

      Apr 8, 2020

      Healing
      9 min read

    • Article

      Nostalgia, Secrets & Lies

      Aug 12, 2020

      Nostalgia, Secrets & Lies
      7 min read

    • Article

      Never Done THAT

      Oct 20, 2020

      Never Done THAT
      6 min read

    • Article

      “Look Who Found Me”

      Jun 25, 2022

      “Look Who Found Me”
      2 min read

    • Article

      Who We Were WHO ARE WE NOW?

      Apr 8, 2020

      Who We Were WHO ARE WE NOW?
      7 min read

    • Article

      His Past… My Future

      Mar 10, 2022

      His Past… My Future
      5 min read

    • Article

      Nostalgia, Secrets & Lies

      Aug 12, 2020

      Nostalgia, Secrets & Lies
      7 min read

    • Article

      Double DELIGHT

      Dec 29, 2021

      Double DELIGHT
      6 min read

    • Article

      Shower slaying

      Nov 2, 2023

      Shower slaying
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Nanny

      Dec 15, 2019

      There isn’t much in the house,” Mary said. “I’m sorry.” Kayla looked around, shrugged. “I’m not even that hungry.” Mary set the table, bright Fiestaware on place mats alongside fringed cloth napkins. They ate microwave pizzas. “Gotta have something a

      21 min read

    • Article

      NEVER Done That

      Mar 4, 2020

      NEVER Done That
      6 min read

    • Article

      RESIDENT Ghosts

      Jan 15, 2020

      RESIDENT Ghosts
      8 min read

    • Article

      Dark DEEDS

      Jan 20, 2021

      Dark DEEDS
      9 min read

    • Article

      The Mr Darcy MYSTERY

      Nov 23, 2022

      The Mr Darcy MYSTERY
      6 min read

    • Article

      Lost for WORDS

      Sep 23, 2020

      Lost for WORDS
      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Spark

    4/5

    156 ratings31 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Brigid Kemmerer released Spark, her second book in “The Elemental Series,” on August 28th and shows no hint of sophomore slump. Her début YA paranormal Storm was an exciting premiere for the series and Spark picks right up where Storm left off, but moves the focus to Gabriel, the fire elemental of the Merrick family. Turns out, fire is not only his element – it is his entire character.

      Utilizing a third person narrative, Kemmerer switches points of view between hot-headed Gabriel and new character Layne, an introverted, brainiac in Gabriel’s math class. I found myself enjoying both of these characters immensely, and was surprised to find how broken they both were by events in the past. Gabriel was so brash and confident in Storm that it wasn’t until I got into his head in Spark that I realized how much of his persona was an act. He doesn’t lack courage, and has a deep love of family that he finds difficult to express. He is constantly going off half-cocked, or letting his temper get the best of him. Yet he is riddled with insecurities (from his math skills to lack of control over his element) that not even his twin, Nick, sees. Under it all lies the guilt he feels for causing the fire that killed his parents, and for being unable to help Nick when they were attacked by an assassin sent to eliminate them in the previous book. He is the epitome of the bad boy who needs to be fixed, and Layne is just the girl for the job.

      Haunted by an accident that has left her covering up her body in turtlenecks and jeans, and that led to her mother walking out on her family, Layne is struggling with insecurity as well. She has no problem, however, standing up to Gabriel and the bullies at school who pick on her little brother Simon because he is deaf. Like Becca (Storm‘s heroine) before her, Layne is a wonderful mix of strengths and weaknesses. She has plenty of courage when it comes to protecting Simon, but also has what seems to be a slightly unhealthy fear of her father that concerned me a bit. When an outburst late in the story revealed why she was afraid, however, I found myself in total sympathy and thought her anxiousness to please her father came from a completely natural source. Once she took Gabriel under her wing and learned of the arson accusations against him, she found the courage to stand up to her father and demand his help. Her only weakness was one shared by Becca – the underlying need to fit in that ends up with Layne going against her instincts and getting burned (metaphorically).

      Secondary characters shine just as brightly as the two leads (with two exceptions I’ll get to shortly). I did find myself missing Chris and Becca, as they slipped to the background in Spark, but oldest Merrick brother Michael moved forward and was fleshed out a bit more. I really like the way Kemmerer is slowly rounding out his character (after his introduction in the novella Elemental) and revealing the difficulties he faces raising three brothers after the death of their parents. Becca’s friend Hunter continued to be a quiet, confident force and the unexpected friendship he developed with Gabriel – as he helped him try to control his fire power – was an interesting twist. Layne’s younger brother Simon, though, was my favorite secondary character. This new addition to the series is a kid with guts and a deep-seated anger who recognizes a kindred spirit in Gabriel. Both share a love of basketball, and the only thing holding Simon back is how other people relate to his hearing impairment. The way Simon and Gabriel bonded over basketball was heartwarming. The family dynamics that came into play between Layne, Simon and their attorney father were fascinating and the way Kemmerer was able to use those dynamics to completely change my negative opinion of Mr. Forrest from being a frightening, cold father into one who is ultimately a decent person was brilliant.

      Spark is swiftly paced and engaging. Once I started this book, I found it impossible to put down. Even though I had my work alarm set to go off at 5:00am, I was up until 2:00am that morning finishing the story. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” or “I’ll just finish up this one section,” but it was never enough. I had to know what happened next and tore right through the narrative. Despite the fast pace, however, Kemmerer takes the time to let the romance between Gabriel and Layne build gradually. Both are so defensive that it would be unrealistic for them to fall in love instantly, and it was more satisfying to see them slowly dropping their guards and getting to know each other.

      The arson mystery that popped up about halfway through the book felt a bit disjointed when it first came into play, but once Gabriel was officially accused everything just dropped into place and really moved. It was slightly repetitive to have Nick once more in danger from outside forces (this time the arsonist), but considering the circumstances and his elemental power it was necessary to the narrative – and an exciting fire sequence was the result. I found myself surprised by the motivation behind the arson, and the identity of the arsonist; I love when I don’t see a major plot point coming and discover it along with the characters. Seeing the way certain events played out, though, it looks like a major confrontation between Elementals and Guides is on the horizon, with the Merricks and their loved ones caught in the middle.

      Like Storm before it, one of the weaknesses of this entry to the series is the underdevelopment of the characters Nick and Quinn (Becca’s best friend) – the two exceptions I mentioned above. Happily my prediction in my review of Storm that these two appeared to be heading towards a romantic relationship was correct, so I continue to hold out hope that they will become more developed when Nick’s book hits stands. Also I’m still confused by the Guides, and where they fit into everything. Guides have powers of their own and yet they are used to police and eliminate, if necessary, the regular Elementals. I also apparently had them mixed up with the Fifths in the first book. What am I missing? What makes them different from regular Elementals? What are the Fifths? Maybe I’m just a little slow picking up clues (I have been in the past), but I wish Kemmerer had put a little more development into the Guide and Fifth plot points so I had a clearer understanding of them.

      With its many twists, engaging characters, and exciting storyline, Spark is just as strong as its predecessor Storm. Brigid Kemmerer shows a flair for action, drama, slowly building romance and overall character development that sucks readers into her stories and refuses to let them go. According to the author, we'll be getting both Nick's and Hunter's stories in 2013 and I can hardly wait!
    • 3/5
      This is Gabriel's story in the series, the brother whose element is fire. As you'd expect, Gabriel is the bad boy, the tempestuous one who fits his element. Layne, a brainy girl in one of his classes, isn't afraid to call him out and calm him down. The story is fine; people in town suspect Gabriel when a rash of arson fires hit. Gabriel and his brothers try to solve the mystery as well as Layne. It was probably a little too YA for me, but it's a quick read.
    • 4/5
      My Thoughts:Fair warning, if you haven't read Storm, you are going to want to stop right now.  There will be spoilers for that book.  It's kind of impossible to review a sequel without giving away what happened in the prior book.

      In this installment, we get to see a lot more of Gabriel.  He seems to be dealing with a lot of guilt over what happened to his brothers and his inability to have done more to prevent things or to help them more.

      At first, I had a little trouble with the fact that we were reading from a different point of view in this book, and this seems to be something more and more common in YA series' lately.  I am not sure if it is something that I like or not, but I digress.  And then, of course, the point of view shifts around a little in this book.

      We meet a lot of characters that you learn to love, and a lot more characters that you learn to hate.  What's more, we learn a bit more about the characters we already knew and gain a bit of a different perspective about them.  My eyes really opened on quite a few of the characters in this installment.  Of one thing I am absolutely certain, however.  Taylor and her cronies need to die a slow and painful death.  And Ryan Stacey is the devil incarnate.

      I think the biggest shock for me though was the revelation about who was really behind the fires.  I totally didn't see that coming but in hindsight, part of me thinks I should have.

      The relationship that develops between Gabriel and his love interest took me by surprise, to be sure.  I was glad to see it though because it showed a side of him that I didn't think could exist after how his character was playing out in the beginning.  Really, the same with Michael.  Who would have thought Michael could have a soft side?

      Then of course there is the developing friendship between Gabriel and Hunter.  After everything that happened in Storm with Hunter, I never would have thought any of them would have trusted him.

      All in all, I think Spark was an even bigger roller coaster ride than Storm and I was once again left with more questions than answers.  I am sitting here ready to devour more of this series and I get the feeling I will be left with a sense of loss when I get to the end.  If you haven't read these yet, you really should!

      This review was originally posted on
    • 4/5
      I'm giving Spark a 3.5 star rating, like I did with Storm, for pretty much the same reasons. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it, but I'm still enjoying the world that's been developed here. Maybe because it's a secret, I'm not sure.I was surprised, picking up this second book from the Elementals series, that this wouldn't follow Becca and Chris. After Storm, I just expected it to. But then I settled into Gabriel's shoes and read his story. His voice is completely different from Chris' - as it should be. I've said before that I thought the Merrick brothers were very well developed characters. I stand by that. Gabriel is angry and rash, and Layne I thought was similar. They're both closed off their real selves from the outside world, are very quick to jump on the defensive and make rapid judgments before they know what's going on. I understand why Gabriel is so worked up all the time, but his attitude and quite frankly, his rudeness, hasn't done him any favours. He needs a chill pill, for lack of a better expression.I thought the storyline of the arson, the fires, was well done - I didn't pick the culprit! This series is surprising me in little ways like that. The romance wasn't my favourite and I'm worried these books are going to follow a formula. In this case it's the Elemental boys meeting normal girls (except Becca wasn't), but it feels like the formula is already decided - they get the girl in the end. Maybe I've been too quick to judge, after just two books. I hope I'm wrong. I'm intrigued enough to read on.Still having a little trouble with the way girls are presented in these books. The girl who is the main focus is perfect, maybe with some little flaw or insecurity but nothing that can't be fixed with a few kisses from WonderBoy - and all others are horrible. Please. The real world is not like that. Why did Layne's best friend turn out to be a bitch? Why couldn't she have been supportive, rather than use it as her elbow into the popular circles? The boys in this book, other than the Merrick boys and Hunter, have also been displayed in a similar light. Every other boy in the school, it seems, thinks its fine to force himself on a girl, video/photograph it and share it, while laughing at all her imperfections. While I did not go to school in America, I find it hard to believe that everyone's like this. But I guess the ones that aren't, aren't worth mentioning for the purposes of this story. I'm finding it a little annoying but I guess Kemmerer doesn't want to draw focus away from the main romance to introduce characters with a little compassion and no other motives.My issues aside (as I always have issues), I'm on to the next one! Curious to see where it goes. Look out for my next review :)  
    • 4/5
      I have to say, I find these books utterly addictive. The other night I was up until 2am (knowing full well my three year old would most likely get me up at 6am) reading them, and I think it is because the brothers, The Elementals, despite their special "powers", are so damn realistic. I could imagine teaching these guys. They are moody, they funny, they fight, they are vulnerable but proud, they protect those they love and they are total shits to their older brother who is their guardian. I think if I were a teenage girl I might be a little bit in love with these guys.
    • 5/5
      Just how good can this series get? Seriously.

      I must say that after reading all three books (so far) in this series, Spark remains to be my favorite. I love Gabriel and his hot attitude way too much. I love his 'don't mess with me' glare and I don't think any of the other brothers could ever take his place. He is simply unique.

      Gabriel runs hot. Always. Not only because his element is fire, but also because he's always up to something dangerous and reckless. No one can copy him or be quite like him. Not even his twin, Nick.

      And to top it all, Gabriel has got a really sweet heart. He helps the needy and protects whose who could and do get harmed. He isn't afraid to get in a fight if that will protect people he cares for.

      When Layne enters the picture, Gabriel's blood runs even hotter than usual. She isn't the super hot mess Gabriel is used to, but she is sweet and attractive. Also, without the glasses and a little make-up and care... well she could be hotness personified. Top this with genius brains and you may just get close to imagining her sort of correctly.

      Unfortunately, pretty, smart girls never have much confidence. Especially when there are a bunch of family problems involved. You can't believe how happy I was that Layne caught Gabriel's attention. Not because he's all the way up on that pedestal, but because she could and did make him more approachable, kinder, understanding and also gave him a reason to work hard. The slacker that he was needed a serious push.

      Then there was the mysterious arson, who burned several houses in town. Why would everyone (including Gabriel's brothers) blame him for the fires is completely beyond me though. I mean, he does act like a hard-core jackass most of the time, but seriously? At least Nick should've known it could never be Gabriel.

      Spark was so full of passion, devastation, happiness, anger and even fear that I found myself laughing hard in one place, then on the verge of tears in another. It was a brilliant roller-coaster of emotions that I'm definitely going to revisit.
    • 4/5
      Originally reviewed at Witchmag's BoekenplankIt was a greet feeling to be, once again, in the world that Brigid Kemmerer created. Although I was only slightly disappointed that the focus this time was on a different couple ( I grew a bit attached to Becca), it’s still fantastic to read this book. Especially after I bonded with Gabriel. A real bad guy, a guy with obvious problems. A guy who’s being tormented, who’s afraid of everyone who’d be able to breach his shields. Everyone misinterprets him, until…. Oh this is my kind of story ^^ I loved seeing him grow, slowly lowering those shields of his and getting to know people. Such a shame I couldn’t be the one to give him a hug though ;)Layne, too, didn’t have it easy growing up. Although there is less emphasis on her story. I got the feeling that Gabriel was the focus, instead of Layne. Not that I hated getting to know Gabriel, on the contrary! It’s just that I’d love to have known Layne a bit better. At the moment her character felt a bit “flat”, a bit dull. Just like how I felt about Chris in book one. There the focus was more on Becca instead of Chris, so I got to know her better instead of him. While both Becca and Gabriel where great to read about, I still wish I could have learn more about their counterparts.I also got the feeling that this book was more a psychological journey than an action packed book. It’s an expedition to come to terms with the past. It still has its more “active moments,” but this story is mainly about the developments, the growth that both Gabriel and Layne go through. All in all quite interesting to read about, but I kinda missed my breathless reactions at times. Or my breath that got caught in my throat. I kinda wished I felt those a bit more. And a bit more use of elemental powers. You’ve got them, so why don’t you use them?Conclusion4 HEARTS. A great book to read about, including a tormented protagonist. Who has a way to worm himself inside your heart in a matter of seconds. Because of his mayor issues, the problems of the other protagonist felt less important to me and she stayed a bit on the dull side. This was more of a psychological story, with lots of character growth than an action packed one. I also missed the use of elemental powers. At times it was as if I was reading a contemporary story? What happened to the paranormal part? All in all it was an amazing book to read and I’m only nitpicking on the little things I didn’t like. I can genuinely recommend this book to everyone who likes paranormal!
    • 4/5
      So much fun.
    • 3/5
      Spark is the second book of Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental series. It is a world on which certain facilities and individuals are given the powers to control the elements - Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. The Merrick brothers are a family who call upon the Elements, though their past is both tragic and heartbreaking. Gabriel Merrick is one of these brothers and he calls upon the element of fire... Well. He's trying to learn to control his power.

      In Storm, Gabriel is seemingly your typical bad boy - angry, untrusting, and careless. In Spark it was interesting to see how many layers this particular character showed throughout the book. To his family, he was seemingly loose end, threatening to expose their secrets to not only the Guides who are constantly watching them, but also to the world. To young Simon, he is an inspiration as not only a star athlete, but also as a man. To Layne, he is just another high school student that sees her as nothing... Until one day, he isn't. He turns out to be everything that she expected that he wouldn't be, and she finds herself falling for him - secrets and all.

      Gabriel and Hunter work to improve his controlling of fires, and they do that by entering houses that are on fire... Something that seems to be occurring much more often in their little town. Until Gabriel is framed for arson... And even more mysteries begin to show regarding the Elementals not only in town, but outside as well.

      Spark is a solid continuation to Storm, but it did not capture me as the latter did. I felt that Layne and Gabriel's story was not described enough in depth, and I did not feel the emotional attachment between the two as I did Chris and Becca. I also would have liked for more interactions between the Merrick brothers, because I felt that that was a key aspect of the first book.

      Nevertheless, Spark showed Gabriel's development throughout and that is what I was looking for. It sets up for the follow up Spirit very well... The plot thickens, and I can't wait to get to Hunter's story in Spirit.
    • 3/5
      Fun and sexy. This book is action packed and very hot. Fans of young adult and paranormal romance will like it.
    • 4/5
      It took me a bit to get connected and warmed up to Gabriel. It didn't make me want to put the story down or anything because I was definitely looking forward to more in this paranormal world. It helped though with the characters of Layne and Simon. They are amazing secondary characters and I loved what they added to the story. I related with Layne because of hiding from popularity and adored the fact she was a brainiac. Simon is an athlete, but he's labeled a retard because he's deaf. The connection that he and Gabe form over basketball is amazing and it really transforms both of them. Layne pointed out though that Gabriel lashed out when he thought people was on to him--the real him hidden under the gruff and rude at most times exterior. I thought that was really deep, and it was neat to see him internalize it and start to change. I also got to know Hunter more in Spark because of his friendship with Gabriel, and I think that its cool that he helped Gabriel to come out of this shell as well. I hated how his family doubted Gabriel at times in Spark, but I also was frustrated with him that he didn't let them in. But on the other hand, I totally got why he didn't want to tell them. He was finally doing something good with his power and learning control, so he didn't want to be forced to stop. It was also sad that he and Nick went through separation in here, but I know that in the end helped Gabriel to learn more about himself as an individual. There was also this great epiphany about how they all saw themselves as weak, with the least control, and as a liability to the others. Brigid has such a great style of writing. There is an amazing dynamic within the Merrick family and chemistry between the guys and the girls they like. The action scenes especially the ones with fire here in Spark are very vivid and beautifully and terrifyingly well done. While it wasn't a cliffie, there are definitely more questions that I need answered, and tied up. But we got answers and a semblance of a hea for Gabriel and his love. Bottom Line: Sparked a flame in my heart for Gabriel; great 2nd book in the series.
    • 4/5
      Spark was well written. The characters were believable. I found the hero Gabriel a little obnoxious in the beginning but he grew on me. Layne was also a flawed but more sympathetic character. The plot was interesting and I found myself drawn in and wondering what would happen next. I cannot stand cliffhanger endings so I was glad that this did not end in one. It is obvious with the amount of things left unresolved that there will be another story but there was enough closure in this book in the series that I was satisfied. All in all, a well written tale by Brigid Kemmerer and I am looking forward to reading more in the series. Thank you to librarything for my free review copy. I enjoyed reading and reviewing this book.
    • 5/5
      I was so excited to receive this book from Early Reviewers. I absolutely loved the first book, and this one was just as good! I'm so intrigued by this series. There are so many paranormal young adult series out now, but for me this one is unique and just really stands out. I can't wait to read any future books as well. Brigid Kemmerer writes a very genuine story.
    • 2/5
      Let me just first admit that I am outside the demographic of this book. That being said whether I am older than "young adult" or not, I can still appreciate a good story. I gave this 2 stars and maybe if I had read the first book it would have been 3, but I didn't so I have to rate fairly on the fact that they refer to events and their conclusion, no back story though in case you missed it and need to catch up. I might also have understood this family better if I had read the first book. The whole family is one dimension, there is no depth to them at all. There is no real emotion or feeling between them,the lead character Gabriel is a twin and execpt for one implied (it gets one sentence and then moves on) break down with his twin you would just assume he's another kid and no relation.The story is about Gabriel. He is angry. All the time, about everything. I found little about him to like, he has a need for fire and so he gets what he needs by helping people escape fires but there really isn't anything about the kid that even makes it seem like he cares. He just needs the burn for his element and the playing in these fires results in bringing some people out.I don't really mean to put this down but it's such a flat story. I liked Layne and the dynamics around her family but they were just a side story and couldn't really carry the book. I have seen that others have rated this book quite highly so maybe it is my being older than the demographic but I couldn'd understand him or why everything with him was so angry and secretive. I think the idea of this family having these gifts and hiding in plain site is a good idea, this book however didn't do much for me.
    • 4/5
      I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Spark through LibraryThing, and I am so glad that I did. I have to admit that chapter one contained a lot of references to the previous book which I have not read that confused me a little. However I was quickly pulled into Spark's storyline and became invested in all of these characters. Kemmerer does a great job with her character development making the reader get a good picture of all the main characters while propelling Gabriel and Layne's story. These four brothers capture your interest from the very beginning and that interest never wavers as this family is tested beyond measure. Gabriel and Nick, twins who have always been close, find themselves with a rift between them, but that rift allows Gabriel to finally open himself up to someone besides his twin. Layne also has growth as she comes out of her shell and allows someone to finally see the real her. The heart of this story is the characters and their relationships with each other which I really enjoyed. Throw in some supernatural elements and mysterious fires, and you got a suspenseful page turning mystery. Overall this was a great read that I would definitely recommend.
    • 4/5
      Even better than the last one! Storm was great, but Spark was WOW! Loved it!I didn't think I would like this book or this series very much, but it has some seriously awesome reviews so I tried it. I'm not a fan of books that change main characters every volume so I was hesitant to start Spark. I'm glad I did.Changing characters always confuses me and 99% of the time the author makes the old characters look bad. I feel like Chris and Becca acted differently in this book and that's probably because Gabriel is narrating now. Gabriel is different now too. We see a sweeter side of him.Lots of action in this one and plenty of romance too. I loved Gabriel and Layne's relationship. They are awesome characters. Simon, Layne's little brother, would make a great main character if Kemmerer ever decided to write a book about him.Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and I really with there were more books about them. Not sure how I feel about Nick's story up next.
    • 4/5
      Gabriel Merrick is a high school senior with an affinity for fire. Sometimes he can control it. Mostly he can't -- yet anyway. There is an arsonist in his town, and even though it's not him, he won't even bother to deny it to his brothers (who want to believe him). Gabriel lots other problems: he feels guilty over his parents death, he has trouble controlling his temper, he's now fighting with his twin, Nick, and he doesn't get trigonometry. Nick had been helping him, but the teacher finds out Nick is taking Gabriel's tests for him. Mostly this book is about Gabriel learning to trust someone other than his twin Nick. Like the girl in his trigonometry class who tutors him. She is ahead of her year in math, and not very popular since she's smart, and doesn't wear designer clothing like many of her classmates. She has family and trust issues and well, and it interesting to watch them deal with high school problems and learn to trust and love each other. I thought their romance was quite sweet.I really liked the characters in this book, and felt they were realistic teenagers, and not just stereotypes. The banter between the brothers made me laugh out loud a couple of times. There are some surprises at the end, so it wasn't too predictable.Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know the characters. I hadn't read the first book in the series, but I didn't feel lost. I will have to pick up the first book now, and will watch for a sequel.
    • 5/5
      Oh man, I LOve LOVe LOVE this series! It's so funny and so good it just sucks you in. And to top it off Gabriel is my favorite of the brothers so I really couldn't put this book down. The best thing about the writing is the dialogue, both between characters and their internal thoughts, because it's so real. The brothers interact and speak exactly like every guy I've ever known and it kept me laughing since of course it included plenty of ribbing lol. The story is about 4 teen brothers who were orphaned but their oldest brother managed to gain custody so they could continue living as a family together. Aside from the problems they have trying to keep their lives on track without parents, the brothers also share a family secret: they are elementals, or humans with strong supernatural affinities that can be very dangerous for people around them. This book is Gabriel's book and he's one of the twins whose element is fire, hence the title Spark. If you haven't read book 1 or the ebook shorts you won't be lost (I myself still havent read Hunter's e-novella yet) but I highly recommend doing so because it really adds depth to the characters and their backgrounds. Plus, they were just as much fun to read as this book.The only aspect I didn't like about this story was a detail in the plot's turning point. ****But Spoiler Alert****do not read rest if you don't want a spoiler**********The part I personally didn't like was when Layne's scars are supernaturally wiped away. When I first learned about her scars and how they made her who she is I liked that she wasn't perfect and was learning to find who she really is. And I liked that Gabriel was able to show his true character when she shared that part of herself with him. So when she suddenly lost the scars I felt a little cheated out of that aspect of the story, those parts of the characters.Regardless, I still loved the book. It was hilarious to be in Gabriel's head and nice to see him grow and find friendship and love with Layne.
    • 5/5
      I was very excited when I got this book and I was not disappointed! When I found out I was getting this book and it was the second in a series I did have to read Storm first, and I also read Elemental and Fearless. I also have to say I am not a young adult and read for enjoyment. I really enjoyed this book and the whole series, now I cannot wait until Spirit comes out next summer. So, if you are looking for a good series that has a lot of action, romance and great characters I strongly suggest reading these books. Enjoy!!!
    • 5/5
      A few months ago, I raved about Brigid Kemmerer’s debut novel, Storm. I loved the characters and the cool Outsiders vibe I got from this book and have been really looking forward to the second book in the Elemental series, Spark. Guess what guys, Spark is even better than Storm! I am a very character driven reader and the characters in Spark are fantastic. The plot centers around the four brothers who can control the elements: fire, air, water and earth, and a fifth boy who controls all four elements plus spirit. I love how Kemmerer keeps the focus on the boys’ family dynamics and their friendships. Some of my favorite parts of this book were Gabriel’s interactions with his brothers. And speaking of characters, I love Gabriel! True to his fire element, Gabriel is a sarcastic hot head with major issues but Kemmerer makes it work so well. Gabriel is officially one of my favorite book boys for the year! There is romance in Spark and it is sweet, perfect and like everything else about this book, very well developed. While I thought Becca was a decent female lead in Storm, I love Layne in Spark! Spark is fast paced and with a different enough focus from Storm to make it fresh even though it is the second book in the series. If you are looking for a paranormal novel that’s fresh, funny, fun, well written with awesome character development and a great plot, Spark (and the Elemental series) is for you. I cannot wait to read Spirit, the next book in the series which comes out in May 2013, and pretty much anything else Brigid Kemmerer writes! Content: Heavy profanity, underage drinking, bullying, sexual assault, kissing and violence. More appropriate for older/more mature teens and adults.
    • 5/5
      Let me just start off by saying that I really enjoyed this book. Spark is an excellent follow-up to Storm, and I loved getting to know Gabriel better. That being said, Nick really irritated me in this novel, and there were times when I just wanted to beat him in the head with my shoe. I've also firmly decided that I hate Quinn with an intense passion and hope she gets killed off very soon. Other than those two things, Spark is amazing. It's non-stop action, and just like with Storm, the story ended too soon. After the pages ran out, I still wanted more of the world Kemmerer created. I'm definitely looking forward to Spirit, which comes out in June of NEXT YEAR. I may die before then. For me, Gabriel's story is much more emotional than Chris'. He is going through so much, and his own twin even seems to be against him. Of course, Nick is only against Gabriel because of Quinn. I do not like Quinn, but Nick's choosing her over his own brother seems pretty realistic for how most teenagers behave. With Nick out of the way, Gabriel at least got to learn who he was on his own, and that made for an interesting story. Nick redeems himself a bit in the end, but I really hope that if he gets his own book, then Quinn is already killed off or they're broken up by then. I will not be able to read an entire novel about that girl. She's horrible. Anyway, moving on... Spark has a raw emotional feel to it, and because of that, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for Gabriel. He never came across as whiny, just resigned to his fate. Gabriel grows a ton in this story. I could relate to his hatred of math, so I immediately felt some connection with him. I also felt a connection to Layne because my middle name is Lane and my mom calls me that a lot. Layne is an intelligent, albeit purposefully plain girl, which means she's totally not Gabriel's type. He starts off being really rude to her, but once he gets a glimpse of who she really is, he slowly begins to warm up to her. It's really endearing seeing the two of them break down each others' defenses. I feel like their relationship was a bit more natural and moved at a better pace than Chris' and Becca's did. Seeing what goes on in Gabriel's head and seeing how he is with Layne really shows what a good person he is. It also illustrates how much self-hatred he has. That broke my heart for him. This book is about Gabriel finding his way, though, and throughout the course of the novel, he learns to accept himself. He also finds his path in life. The ending made me so happy because I felt Gabriel really finds his calling in life. Things are left a bit open-ended, though. He still has to find the confidence to go after what he wants. One of the things that I loved about Spark was that I had no idea who the bad guy was. I could not figure it out for the life of me. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I'd be like, "well no, that doesn't make sense. How could that person do that?" It's very rare that an author has me completely confused about who is behind something, but Kemmerer managed to keep me clueless for the entire book. These surprises also set up Hunter's book quite well. There is a lot of action in this book, but not as many fights, which is surprising because this is Gabriel's book. The action has more to do with Gabriel's element, and his attempts at learning to control it, than anything else. Most of the parts are not half as dramatic as Storm, but they're still just as captivating. The pacing is perfect, and everything happened at a natural pace. I was definitely hooked throughout the entire novel, and I didn't get bored once. Also, Kemmerer still has the same anti-bullying messages placed subtly into the narrative, but the message is never overpowering. I think it's wonderful that she's keeping that as a part of the series. Stuff like that needs to be brought to the forefront more often.Overall, I'd recommend Spark to anyone. It doesn't suffer from second-book-syndrome like many second books do. It's an intense and emotional read, and the world, characters, and plot are just as captivating as the first book's are. Kemmerer is well on the way to becoming a powerful voice in YA literature. You won't want to miss the second installment to the Elementals series.
    • 4/5
      Gabriel is a hot head. He is quick to loose his temper and quick to jump head first into any danger or problems he finds. He literally loves to play with fire and it gets him into a lot of jams. He seems to always feel like the outcast even though he has a twin brother and other brothers that love him. His powers are way out of control and book two SPARK is his journey to learn to control them better. Layne is a brainiac and often overlooked by others. She prefers it that way. She is reserved and shy but super smart and I could not think of a better match for Gabriel. Layne and Gabriel knock heads quite a bit throughout the book but when they finally get in sync they do wonders for each other. I love the world that Kemmerer has created for her characters, the plots of each book are interesting and full of adventure. I love that the characters rotate from book to book but we still see them regularly when their book is over. SPARK happened at a great pace with interesting reveals and hints to what will come next.
    • 5/5
      Spark is the second full length book in the Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer about four brothers that each have their own special ability to control a certain element.Spark picks up where Elemental left off. Except this time we get to focus more on Gabriel. Oh Gabriel, how can I ever say enough about Gabriel?Gabriel's element is fire which suits him perfectly. He's hot and hard to handle but also beautiful. When an arson epidemic breaks out in town all the evidence seems to point to Gabriel and it seems the only person who believes his innocence is a shy girl named Layne.I absolutely fell in love with Gabriel  in Spark. We get to see a whole side to the tempermental bad boy. Under all that sarcasm is really just guilt from blaming himself for their parent's death and shame that he can't indulge in and control his element better. Layne really helps us see the true Gabriel and I love her for that. Altough we realize Layne has a few secrets of her own. I also really liked the unlikely friendship that forms between Hunter and Gabriel. They both really needed someone and they make each other stronger.There were a few times I wanted to kick the brothers for not believing in him more. But that just goes to show you how connected I felt to him in this book.Brigid Kemmerer once again proves how complex and appealing her character's are. You can't help but get drawn in by them and sympathise for them. I can't wait to see what's in store for them.*review originally posted on my blog bookhoardermom.blogspot.com
    • 5/5
      When I read Spark I couldn't believe it was from the same author that wrote Storm. They are as different from each other as the boys they are written about. But, Brigid Kemmerer is a talented author and the emotion in Spark is so raw and on the surface just waiting for you to rub it the wrong way so Gabriel can lash out at you. He wears a heavy cloak of guilt for something that happened when he had no control over his powers, when he was still a kid. And he blames himself every single minute of the day and believes all of his brothers do, too. Especially Michael, his oldest brother who is more parent to the boys than anything. This is a really hard review for me to write as I loved this novel and read it in a few hours. I never write the best reviews of the books I love. It's not one that's easy to put down. Gabriel could be off putting if you didn't know how much he was really hurting inside. In some ways, he's never gotten past that day his parents died in the fire he started. The one he lost control of, that killed them. And he feels like everything is his fault. Nicky is the good twin. Gabriel feels like he's the bad one. He brought all the trouble down on them. He's the reason Michael has to be their parent instead of their brother. And instead of waiting around to hear it, he goes on the offensive and is obnoxious at times, picking a fight with anyone he can to keep from hearing what he already thinks he knows.One of those fights is over Nicky's new girlfriend who doesn't just sit and listen, she fires back. And for the first time in his life Nicky and Gabriel aren't talking to each other. In fact, Gabriel is barely staying at home. He crashes at Hunter's (yeah, he's in this one too). Unbelievably, Hunter becomes a friend to Gabriel. They hang out and play X-box. They don't talk about feelings, they just work out and do guy stuff. Then Layne enters Gabriel's life. She's the girl that everyone thinks is a freak because she wears turtlenecks all the time. She sits next to Gabriel in math and he asks in a not too nice way to borrow a pencil after he breaks his in frustration. They have to trade papers to grade a quiz and she sees that all his answers are wrong, but knows he always gets A's (because he and Nicky trade places on test days). Something makes her change his answers so he gets a better grade and he doesn't understand why. This intrigues him. Then, unknowingly, he helps her brother from getting beat up and she agrees to tutor him. Things are off to a rough start. Layne has her own secrets and her own emotional scars.Gabriel and Layne make a great couple, a balm for each other's wounds but they are both so defensive, the dance they play "are you hurting me or being cautious" takes a long time for them to learn. Accusations about the arson fires come from his brothers and more hurt is added on top of the already soul deep wounds. I'd be staggering under the weight of the hurt Gabriel carries around with him, but he is astoundingly strong. Layne has a strong belief in his innocence. And she risks her father's anger to get him help.The romance is sweeter, gentler in Spark despite the title. But for two damaged people, the healing that happens is more the fire. I loved this novel as much as Storm but in different ways. While Storm was smoking hot in the romance and the adventure was fast paced, Spark was slower paced and an emotional, heart tugging novel. There was still a huge amount of adventure but there was a lot of emotion. I wanted to gather both main characters up and hug them.
    • 4/5
      I’m glad to report that the long anticipated sequel to Brigid Kemmerer’s Storm does not disappoint in the least! Spark is a whirlwind adventure full of action and intrigue, and a sweet romance.I love the idea of following the same group of characters for a series, but telling each book from a different point of view. While I loved Chris when I was reading Storm, I was burning with curiosity about his brothers, and am glad that Spark gave me the opportunity to get to know Gabriel, who is possibly the most misunderstood of the Merrick brothers. Gabriel, whose element is fire, is literally all fire and heat – quick to anger and difficult to control, but steadfast in his ways and incredibly romantic. In some ways, I liked Gabriel more than Chris, because I empathized with him more.The love story in the novel burns hot – I loved every interaction between Layne and Gabriel and couldn’t enough of them. Layne doesn’t let the jock push her around and stands up to him admirably, while simultaneously unlocking parts of Gabriel I doubt he even knew existed. I like Layne more than Becca, simply because I have more in common with her. She and Gabriel are a very cute couple, and I loved them. They also made an effort with each other’s families – Layne got to know the Merrick boys and Gabriel is amazing with Layne’s younger brother, which is incredibly sweet in my opinion, and shows the strength of their love more effectively than any make out scenes!The plot of Spark is thrilling and kept me guessing until right at the end. I had a few theories, but they kept changing until I was just dying to know what was going on, and when everything was revealed I was left reeling. I’m not sure if I completely missed some obvious clues, but I thoroughly enjoyed being in the dark and guessing, and love Brigid’s brilliant writing for providing that.A wonderful and explosive addition to the Elemental series, I think Spark is in many ways better then Storm and shows the growth of Kemmerer’s writing. I highly recommend this series to those who enjoy YA and elemental magic, as well as those who are looking for a quick, entertaining read.A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic.
    • 5/5
      I loved the first book in this series, Storm, but I loved Spark even more! In Storm we were introduced to all the element wielding brothers and focused in on Chris. He was learning to control his element and attempting to win the heart of Becca. The two of them were also being chased by someone out to hurt them and while it was exciting, I still enjoyed the storyline in Spark more. In Storm, Brigid needed to take the time to develop all the brothers characters and in Spark we really got to focus in on Gabriel and understand what made him tick. We do get to see all of the brothers again in Spark and learn more about each of them, but since their backstories were already known to us, Brigid did not need to devote that much time to it again.In Storm we follow Gabriel who is tormented and keeps everyone at arm’s length. He tries to hide his depression with his cruel words and “I don’t care” attitude, but he has a lot of issues that he needs to work through. He is popular at school and at first glance you would think he has lots of friends, but as his brother Michael points out:“Michael sighed. “I’m just saying. You’re friends with half the school, but you don’t have any real friends. You’re with a different girl every week, but you never have a girlfriend…”He shuts out everyone he can when they get too close to learning more about him. He has become very good at it, so good in fact he is starting to keep his brothers in the dark as well. He is also struggling with his element, fire, and is looking for an outlet where he can learn to control it better.Layne likes to fly under the radar and does not like getting noticed. She hides a secret that keeps her that way and does not want people to know much about her. She and Gabriel actually share that in common. She has not had an easy life either and while she is a wallflower, she is not afraid to voice her opinion when she feels strongly about something. I enjoyed watching her stand up to Gabriel and pry his secrets from him, even when he did not want to give them up.The action and the romance share equal page time in Spark and I loved the balance that Brigid maintained between the two. Fires are being spread all over town and since Gabriel has always been a bit of a rebel, his brothers are assuming it is him causing trouble. Beyond hurt, but wanting to help, Gabriel goes to the fires but tries to stop them and save those who are getting struck inside them. While he is trying to get to the bottom of who is starting the fires, he is also trying to figure out his feelings for Layne. He feels like he can open up to her and is desperate to share everything he is going through with somebody. Gabriel had a difficult road to travel. There were quite a few touching moments that I did not expect and my heart broke for him as he tried to work through them. He and Laney do take things slowly and it was so sweet to watch their relationship bloom. They are both very insecure with the secrets they hide and struggle with how to let someone in, without getting burned.So far this series is only going to be three books and I was not sure how I felt about not getting a story for Nick or Michael, but luckily Brigid gives us plenty of insight into them as well I Spark. We do not get their point of views, but they are big part of Gabriel’s story and we learned more about both of them through Gabriel’s story. We especially see more of Michael and how hard transitioning from brother to parent has been on him. There are quite a few issues going on behind the scenes with custody issues and the landscaping business and it has not been easy on Michael. I enjoyed getting more insight into what Michael was thinking. It helped me to understand some of the reasoning behind his actions in the previous book. We also get insight into Nick and what he really thinks about Gabriel. The two of them are twins, but they are at the point in their lives where they are going different directions and they are struggling with that. We also get to see Nick dating, which I found very interesting. Maybe he won’t get his own book, but we still a better understanding of him in Spark.Overall, I am just in love with this series! Spark kept me glued to the pages and I engulfed the entire thing in one afternoon! Brigid has created an exciting world with four incredible brothers that will easily capture your heart and make you wish they actually existed. Brigid has renewed my faith in young adult novels and has proven she is an author worth watching. She has claimed my undying devotion and I am eager to see what she has in store for us when Hunter’s book, Spirit, releases next year!
    • 4/5
      Review courtesy of All Things Urban FantasyThings seem to burn around Gabriel Merrick. He’s hot headed, hot tempered, and just plain hot—literally since the guy can manipulate fire. Both are volatile, dangerous, and once out of control there’s nothing anyone can do to stop it. In SPARK, the second book in Brigid Kemmerer’s Elemental series, Gabriel is slowing destroying everything in his life by lashing out viciously at his twin and the rest of his brothers, his teachers, and the girl who inexplicably tries to help him. He’s such a delicious jerk–but there’s that layer of vulnerability hiding right below the surface that makes him oh so redeemable.Layne sees that layer, and isn’t cowed by Gabriel’s harsh words. She’s fierce in her own right having had to endure her own bullies and the ones that target her younger deaf brother. She keeps her head down and tries to avoid attention as much as possible…until she catches Gabriel’s eye. The relationship between these two started out without even a spark of attraction or even interest. They each had an opportunity to step in and help the other—she with his math, and he with her brother–and things spiraled wonderfully out of control from there.One of the many things I’m beginning to love about this series is that Kemmerer doesn’t feel the need to completely resolve her romances by the end of the book. There aren’t crazy cliffhangers, but like in real life, her characters are figuring things out as they go. Gabriel and Layne still have a lot to work through. Layne’s father would sooner see Gabriel in jail than near his daughter (my absolute favorite scene in SPARK was when Layne’s father catches them in an accidentally compromised position and goes ballistic. Gabriel immediately mouths off in what has to be the top worst things you could ever say to a girl’s father including telling Layne not to forget his box of condoms when she’s grabbing his stuff), and Gabriel’s got a team of hunter’s on his tail and the fact that he occasionally sets things on fire.Packed with the same smoking hot brothers, supernatural secrets, and rich character driven plots, SPARK is a consuming read that burns brightly from beginning to end. The romantic development reminded me a lot of Simone Elkeles’s writing–though with less sensuality. There was nothing easy or instant about Gabriel or Layne, but it was obvious from that first inauspicious meeting that they would bring out the best in each other. I’ll be eagerly waiting for Hunter’s story in FEARLESS coming in May 2013.Sexual Content:Kissing, mild sensuality. Sexual assault
    • 5/5
      This is an amazing book! With the readers getting a chance to look at the second brother Gabriel we're finally getting a glance at his dark side.What I enjoyed most about this book is Gabriel's dark side. Gabriel is the twin of Nick but always in the shadow of him. Gabriel finally reaches his boiling point and he explodes. Gabriel has a hard time controlling himself of fire and manages to find him in the whole world of trouble. The author wrote a flawless character that is well... flawed. Gabriel's secret get so intense throughout the story. The more he can't control it, the more angrier and scary Gabriel gets. The plot of the book revolves mostly around Gabriel, but the reader gets a good insight on what it going on with the other characters as well. We see more about the oldest brother, (FYI: Can't wait for that story) as well as some more information on the others.Gabriel manages to find a girl that I believe suits him well. This love starts off rocky and grows slowly. I enjoy it. Seeing Gabriel being peeled back piece by piece as well as Layne. Layne is fighting some demons of her own. When author brings these two together they are perfect. Shining and helpful to each other, the truly burn with passion.Igniting a whole new Spark, Ms. Kemmerer second installment is awesome! I love following the darkness of Gabriel and watching Layne bring him to the light. Fierce and amazing, Spark shoots off like a rocket!
    • 5/5
      Brigid Kemmerer delivers another awesome story in the Elemental series with Spark. We were introduced to the Merrick brothers in Elemental, which centered on Michael, the eldest of the four brothers, who is an earth Elemental. Storm primarily focused on the youngest of the Merrick brothers, Chris, who is a water Elemental, but we got to know all four of them a whole lot better. In Fearless, a novella, we get to find out more about their friend Hunter and his background. In Spark, the story focuses on Gabriel, one of the twins, who is a very powerful fire Elemental. His twin brother Nick, is an air Elemental. Unlike his brothers, Gabriel's element is far more difficult to harness and control, which often leads to "mishaps." Chris has Becca now, and Nick is dating Quinn, which sometimes makes Gabriel feel left out. After a big fight with Nick, Gabriel and Hunter begin to hang out together more. A new math teacher also figures out that Gabriel and Nick have been switching places to take tests, and Gabriel is forced to either learn the math or get off the basketball team. Layne, who seems like the nerdy super smart type, becomes a source of interest for Gabriel and ends up helping to tutor him. Gabriel discovers that behind that braid, glasses, and turtleneck is a beautiful girl and he is falling hard for her. Layne has her own secrets and issues to deal with. Unfortunately, her father can't stand Gabriel and has ordered both Layne and her little brother to stay away from him. As Hunter and Gabriel get more involved in a series of suspicious incidents that are occurring, things get turned around and Gabriel ends up under suspicion himself. As the situation escalates, hidden threats emerge and once again, the lives of the Merrick brothers and those they love are threatened. I have to say I absolutely love the Merrick brothers, all of them. They are such hotties. Brigid Kemmerer has outdone herself again in Spark. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Gabriel more in this book. There is so much more to him that he lets on in Storm. Sometimes I wanted to shake him, and other times I just wanted to hug him. I really liked Layne to. Despite all the the hard things life has dealt her, she still goes on. The relationship between Gabriel and Layne was really sweet, but also hot. They are perfect for each other. We get to see some new characters/villains come into play in this story also. Despite the tension in Gabriel's relationship with his bothers, they really came through for him. True to form, Brigid Kemmerer has provided her readers with nonstop action, mystery, romance, and plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing. Spark is another great addition to the Elemental series and is something you won't want to miss.
    • 4/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: A fierce sequel to the Elemental series, that tells us it’s not always a bad thing to play with fire. Opening Sentence: Gabriel Merrick stared at the dead leaf in his palm and willed it to burn. The Review: Elementals roam the world, and in Storm, the first book by Brigid Kemmerer, we are introduced to the Merrick family. We have Chris, Michael, as well as Nick and Gabriel, the twins. Storm was a force to be reckoned with, pun intended, and Spark is no different. Kemmerer’s second installment in the series fulfills the promises of everyone who was a fan of Storm. I for one thoroughly enjoyed each moment, and I think you will as well. As twins, Nick and Gabriel expected to come into their powers together, but that wasn’t the case. Nick was the first to manifest into his power in the first book, leaving Gabriel feeling helpless and only having his brothers to rely on. In Spark, we see Gabriel’s power manifest. There are fires wreaking havoc throughout the town, an all signs point to Gabriel. Gabriel and Nick are two of the luckiest twins in the world. Nick is a math genius, a brainy type with a quick wit, and Gabriel is the sports champ, proving to also have a strong personality. They were targeted for their Elemental abilities, something they were all prepared for, but because of a deal struck by their parents, they were kept alive. Unfortunately, that deal led to Nick and Gabriel’s parents death. With the help of Chris, their older brother, they were able to keep the deal into place, until a few weeks ago, when some of the weaker Elementals attacked him. They would have succeeded, if not for Nick calling the storms to protect them all. And afterwards, Nick paid the consequences, suffering a broken leg. But Gabriel couldn’t do anything to help his brother. But that all changes in Spark. Gabriel was a favorite of mine ever since Storm. He has the gift to control fire. For an element, I’d say this one is the most dangerous, like a beastly roaring inferno. And funny enough, that describes Gabriel. It’s not a secret that Gabriel is the most ill-tempered out of his three brothers. And with the recent events, life just seems to test him, time and time again. Layne was my favorite. She was written to be the underdog, but did she excel. She exceeded my expectations, and fortunately, Gabriel’s as well. I love when kismet plays a part in stories and when two good people are brought together. She’s shy, intelligent, and a perfect balance to Gabriel’s personality. She has many secrets, some she is ashamed of, but this is why she connected with Gabriel. Once they both let their guards down, they were perfect for each other. Spark, as well as Storm, has a unique and interesting world. From the culture of the Elementals, to the dangers of the Guides, Kemmerer presents a world that showcases it in a beautiful and ugly nature. Kemmerer’s prose is wonderful, and continues in Spark. Her pages contain razor-sharp humor as well as well-thought out dialogue. The pacing was perfect and I never felt like there was a dull moment. Everything seemed effortless, and that is an amazing feat for an author. Notable Scene: Gabriel hesitated. He did—and he didn’t. It was addictive, drowning in fire every night. And it was helping his control. He was getting stronger; he could feel it. But he eventually would kill someone if he couldn’t manage his element better than this. He was going to get caught. He looked out the window. “I don’t know,” he ground out. Hunter fell silent again, pulling his Jeep onto the main road. But after a while, he glanced over. “Maybe we’re going about this all wrong.” “What does that mean?” “You’re a sports guy. You don’t just go out and play a game—you practice, right?” “This isn’t a game, Hunter.” “Still. Practice makes perfect.”FTC Advisory: Kensington Teen provided me with a copy of Spark. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.