Thursday 4 October 2012

#157 Book Review: Spark

Spark (Elemental #2)
Release Date: September 26th 2012
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads
Summary from Goodreads:
Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

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.

The fuse is lit…

Cover:
I have a huge crush on the Aussie covers in the series. They are just AMAZING. Love how the title connects both the girl and the boy! Allen & Unwin definitely outdid themselves with the covers. The US covers are awesome too though!

Story:

You’ve met Chris. Now it’s Gabriel’s show time…

Okay, so if you’ve read my review of Storm, you’ll know how much I loved it. I adored every single thing about it, including the overall appearance of the book and the author, Brigid, is a goddess. We, Aussie bloggers, just love LOOOOOVVVEEEEE BRIGID! (and well, it’s not a secret that we have a huge crush on the Merrick brothers too ;)

This is really hard for me to say since I LOVED Storm so much but I think Spark is even better than Storm. From the very first page, I clicked with Gabriel (hey, it’s not only because he’s hot!). The story blew me away. Somehow, I end up reading about a hot guy, fires, firemen, school, basketball and bullying all in one book. This is Brigid’s magic in her writing. The story plot and her realistic descriptions add to the richness of the story. Similar to Storm, this book is also written from two POVs; Gabriel’s and Layne’s. The romance is just sizzling hot it might end up burning the whole book. So yeah, this book pretty much has everything you want in a book. Hot guys, hot romance, hot story plot, you name it, it’s there.

Characters:
If not the story, I think Brigid’s characters completely shine in this book. They’re fantastic, realistic characters who I can easily relate to and clicked with from the very first page. Brigid is absolutely talented. She voices her characters so well I can imagine them sitting next to me and talking to me. 

So, let’s start with Layne! I feel really sad for Layne throughout the book. She has to endure family problems, her brother is bullied by other students in the school and she’s not exactly BFFs with the popular girls in the school. But she’s kind (she offers to tutor Gabriel!), she dresses conservatively although she hides something beautiful beneath her unpretentious appearance. And Gabriel fell for her kindness, beauty and heart. 

GABRIEL. I want to hug you a billion times and never let you go. (geez, how cliché is that!)  Gabriel here, acts like he is a bad boy who doesn’t give a care to anything in the world but there are so much layers to his characters. Brigid unravels them one by one and when we reach the bottom, the ‘true’ Gabriel, I love him even more. He’s literally HOT as well so yeah, no complains here!

Nick! Oh dear, how many times has he made my heart stop beating besides Gabriel? He’s such a swoon-worthy character, kind of like the opposite of Gabriel even though they’re twins. He is like Gabriel said in the book, good. Everything about him screams positive, good and well, good. I love how he truly understands Gabriel and is ready to help him all the time. He also likes Quinn. How cute is that?! 

I’m not going to go deep on other characters but Chris and Becca both make appearance in this book. They’re as loving as ever, completely adorable and Michael’s character becomes more interesting in this book. I want to give Michael thumbs up and high five for being such a great brother! Well, there’s also Hunter and he’s cool since he’s ‘friends’ with Gabriel in this book!

Overall:
Remember how Storm stirred a storm in the world of YA? Well, Brigid is back with Spark, the fantastic and brilliant second novel in the Elemental series. Spark has everything you pretty much want in a book. Hot guys, hot romance, hot story plot, you name it, it’s there. With astounding characters that you can easily click with, Brigid’s magical writing, as I quote from the back of the Aussie edition of Spark, the fuse is lit, guys and you better be ready.
5 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Spark! (But technically, this book needs more than 5 Forget-Me-Not flowers since it's just THAT AMAZING!)
Thank you Allen & Unwin for the review copy!

PS: And just because I can’t help it, GABBBRRRRRIIIEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLL ♥

Check out the book trailer below!

13 comments:

  1. I think Spark is better too! I felt really sad for Layne too and Gabriel became heaps better for me. Definitely a character I would want to hug now too, ha. Glad you loved this, Celine! <3

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  2. I think we might have a hugging tug-of-war with Gabriel. ;) Is it selfish of me to want all the Merrick brothers for myself? :D This is an awesome review, Celine! I loved this book too - even more than Storm. I can't wait to see what Brigid has left to throw at us in Spirit. :)

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  3. I am very tolerant towards my friends who have crushes on the Merricks as long as they stay far away from Michael, LOL.
    Oh, nevermind me, you know I love you. I'd even share him with you for a while if you insisted... maybe... oh, fine, it's unlikely. :)
    Love this review, hon, and I like the Aussie covers better too.

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  4. CELINE CELINE CELINE CELINE CELINE. SPARK. GABRIEL. I. THIS. *SPLUTTERS* *INCAPABLE OF SAYING ANYMORE AS MY MIND IS BEING VIOLATED BY IMAGES OF GABRIEL IN A FIREMAN SUIT*

    *happy sigh*

    I LOVE this series. SO much. I knew I'd love this given that I'm a huge fan of Gabriel, but I love when an author can still surprise me in the best possible way. Brigid did with the depths in which she explored Gabriel. Oh that boy. My heart ached for him and beat uncontrollably with lust. I love his relationship with his brothers (especially seeing him and Michael develop more), the hints of bromance with him and Hunter, and of course the sizzling romance with Layne!!

    Everything you said x12389274839, Celine. Awesome review!! BRING ON SPIRIT.

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  5. You loved this more than Storm? Wow, high praise!

    I'm currently reading Spark and though I'm not far in, (my time has been spent on Buffy, Buffy and more Buffy. It's official, I'm addicted!) I really need to dedicate more time aside and get stuck into it so then I can start swooning with the rest of you bloggers over Gabriele! ♥

    Great review, Celine!

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  6. Yes I'm so glad you loved this too Celine, I was surprised that I enjoyed it more than Storm too, as I thought nothing could top that book or Chris, but now I'm completely torn! A fab review Celine! :)

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  7. Fantastic review, Celine! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! Unfortunately, I still have to say that I liked Storm better than this, but the direction the Merrick brothers' relationship went was brilliantly written in this installment. It's simply so deep and multi-layered and I love how Kemmerer was able to change my mind completely about Hunter especially in this book. I can't wait for the sequel now! :D

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  8. I didn't like Storm that much. I actually just read the first part of it and then scanned the later part. I didn't think Chris was a remarkable character and the plot was meh. BUT, Dude. Gabriel. *Screams like a fangirl* I soooo LOOOOOVE him!!! Even though I don't know the full events in book 1, I'm still going to read this.

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  9. Oooh your cover is way better than ours (US)! I have this one and really need to read it soon. Netgalley is going to shoot me! Wonderful review Celine, glad you enjoyed this one. :)

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  10. Vivian the Spirit says:
    -CRIES!- I still have to read Storm!!

    Fantabulous review, Celine dear!! Glad to hear that you loved this one, and even more than the first one too! I love the sound of the characters of this series. Even though I'm usually not one to enjoy switching POVs, but I need to definitely give these books a shot! Thanks for sharing your amazing review, Celine! I'm definitely sold <3 POOF!

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  11. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! CELINE! YOU LOVE IT YOU LOVE IT YOU LOVE IT YOU LOOOOOVE IT! THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY.

    And the Australian covers? UH. YES. I seriously LOVE them.

    THIS! This is really hard for me to say since I LOVED Storm so much but I think Spark is even better than Storm.
    Seriously, Brigid's outdone herself, huh? I didn't know it was possible, but she made it even BETTER. INCREDIBLE AND AND AND.... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Celine, your review makes me even happier than walking through Paris with Etienne St.Clair... OK... uh, maybe not *quite* as much. But CLOSE ♥

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  12. I just bought this for my kindle because I loved Storm and OMG I am already in love with Spark from your review. I think that I would love Gabriel and Layne's story. And a hot romance? - I am sold, haha. So shameless, I know :D


    Amazing review my darling Celine. Your enthusiasm for this book is so contagious. Thanks for sharing, doll :)

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  13. I definitely loved Spark a lot more than Storm. The explosion of emotions sucks you in (and Gabriel is pretty) but I really liked Layne too and her brother Simon.

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