Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

  Title: Storm 

  Author: Brigid Kemmerer

  Publisher: Kensington

  Publication date: April 24th 2012

  My rating: 4 stars

 After all the glowing reviews for Storm, I was a little afraid that it may not live up to my expectations.  Looks like I didn't need to worry!

Let's just get this confession out of the way: I heard "four hot boys" and I just knew I had to read this.  The four we're talking about are the Merrick brothers, born with special elemental abilities, able to draw up power and control the forces of nature.  Each brother has a specialization: air, fire, water, earth (and yes, they are all HOT!).  Because of their exceptionally strong powers, the Merrick's are viewed as a potential threat.  Technically, they should be reported and killed, but the Merrick's parents made a deal long ago to keep them safe, as long as they don't use their powers.  This has made them the subject of constant bullying because the neighbors in the community who know of their abilities are fearful and envious.  Also, they know they can do whatever they want without the brothers fighting back.  But this is about to change.

This installment focuses on Chris Merrick, the youngest of the brothers, and Becca, a girl in his school.  These two are thrust together after Becca comes to the aid of Chris, who was being attacked by these cruel bullies.  She scares them off, and in the process, becomes a target as well.  Becca has had her own problems with these bullies after her ex-boyfriend spread some nasty rumors to the whole school about her.  She just wants the situation to go away, but her intentions of lying low are ruined after helping Chris.  The enemies of the Merrick's feel she must either be an elemental also, or she's on their side.  Either way, she's in the middle.  At first, Becca is far from being on their side.  When she takes the battered Chris home, she gets nothing but flack from Michael, the oldest brother and guardian of the brothers.  She plans on washing her hands of all those surly and ungrateful men!  Unfortunately, circumstances continually throw them together.  Added to the mix is the mysterious new guy, Hunter (yes, he's hot too!), who shows up at school, intent on getting close to Becca.  Hmm….

This story read like an action/adventure movie, a non-stop thrill ride.  If I had more time, I could've easily sat down and read this in one sitting.  It's one of those stories where you want to keep turning the page to find out what happens next.  I loved all these brothers, and it was fun to see Becca deal with them and stand up to their teasing and snarky remarks.  She definitely wasn't a pushover.  Here's a fun quote:

Gabriel: "Finding a girl in the kitchen isn't exactly and oddity around here." Becca: "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.----I just heard my number called and thought I better show up."

I loved the gradual build between Chris and Becca.   I wasn't really thrilled with her getting close to Hunter because I'm not a fan of love-triangles but this one wasn't too frustrating.   

This story was a little on the predictable side, but even so, it was very entertaining.  I guess we get a short story with Hunter in Fearless, and then Gabriel's story in Spark.  Can’t wait!