Thursday, June 13, 2013

[Review]: "Spirit"


Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: K-Teen (May 28, 2013)
Series: Elemental, 3
Genre: YA Paranormal


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

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

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

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









 


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My Review:



Hunter...oh, Hunter! My heart broke for him many times in this book. Many times. How can I not love Hunter? He's been through so much, doesn't know what he is suppose to do, who he can trust... As much as it pained me to see him struggle, I loved watching him slowly find himself in Spirit. It was a long, painful journey, but he did it. Does that mean his life is now perfect and easy? Hell no! But he knows who he is, what he believes in, and, more importantly, that trusting the right people (like the Merricks) does not make him weak.



Spirit is just as great as the previous books in the series, and yet this book is very different from the others. I loved every moment of it. I cried along side Hunter when he couldn't hold up his fake front anymore. I cried for his losses. I cried over his lack of trust, and friendship and love. Yet I also cheered for him, even laughed with him a time or two. Kemmerer has a talent, writing action packed novels with a heart---and I don't mean the romance, thought that is always nicely done, too. The heart I refer to is emotions, being able to find yourself, to find a connection with another person, whether it's a budding romance or a brother-like bond with the Merricks. Well done, Kemmerer, well done!


Gabriel stood and held out a hand. “Come on. You can crash in Nick's room.”

Hunter peered up at him. “What? Why?”

Because he's got more floor space for an air mattress.”

“What about all this crap about not trusting me?” Hunter took the hand and pulled himself to his feet.

“Keep your enemies closer, right?” said Gabriel.

But the tension, the challenge and aggression, was gone from his voice.

“Thanks.” Hunter said. “Maybe just one night.”

“Stay as long as you need to.”

Hunter was surprised by the sudden lump of emotion in his throat. He couldn't say anything.

But then Gabriel smiled. “Besides. If you fuck with me or my brothers again, I'll just let Nicky suffocate you in your sleep.”



Gah, I love the interactions between the Merrick brothers, as well as the scenes with the Merricks and Hunter. They're not all huggy and nice, they're real. They are guys. Emotions? Pfft, push those aside and pretend they don't exist, but secretly yeah, they do have them. :) Love it! The sarcasm, the fights and arguments. And then the small “make up” scenes when they agree to be friends. Or, at the very least, not complete enemies. Even amongst the brothers, this happens often. They love each other, of course, but that doesn't mean they get along all the time!




And one more example:



“If I'd let you die, I couldn't have kicked your ass for going after Noah Dean.”

Hunter propped himself up on his elbows. “Of everything, why are you still pissed about that?”

For the first time, Gabriel's expression showed true fury. “Because, jackass, you should have taken me with you.”

Hunter dropped back on the pillow, wondering if he should punch Gabriel or hug him. “So that night you knocked me down the stairs—you weren't mad that I might have been screwing over your family. You were made that I left you behind?”

“Hell, yes! Nicky never wants to do that stuff.”

Hunter was touched. “I'm getting all misty.”

“Fuck you.”




Really, the conversations between Gabriel and Hunter are great. They're guys—they say one thing out loud, but really want to say something else. Stubborn men! But I loved every minute of it. Plus, you know I love Gabriel!



And the passion--- Oh, Hunter! Very lively and sexy; no complaints from me!


He turned and caught her arms. She tensed to retaliate—but then she realized she didn't need to fight him off.

Because he was kissing her.

She lost a moment to sheer surprise. His hands were strong and gentle at the same time, sliding under her jacket to trap her waist—not that there was any danger of her going anywhere right this second. She couldn't read him at all today. First, she'd thought he hated her, then he was brutalizing that kid, and now . . . now . . .

Her back hit the side of his jeep before she even realized he'd turned her. The heat of the sunlight became a living thing, tracing power down her skin to match the sparks from his lips against hers. He was pressed against her, almost full length, his hands creeping up her sides to send heat through her body in a way that had nothing to do with sunlight or power. Silver could have had a fun trained on her right that instant, and she wouldn't have cared.

Hunter tasted like cinnamon and smelled like the woods, pine and bark and something very male. His mouth was so sure, and when his tongue brushed hers, a sound escaped her lips. He did it again, letting his thumbs trace over her breasts so lightly that she found herself arching into him. Suddenly she wished they were somewhere else, somewhere private, with curtains and less clothing and—

Hunter broke the kiss. Her breathing was quick, loud and desperate in the space between them.

He closed his hands on her waist again, and turned her away from his car.

Her brain was spinning its wheels, trying to find traction.

Hunter leaned close. “Just to be clear: I'd know exactly what to do if you threw yourself at me.”

Then he was in his car, starting the ignition, leaving her in the parking lot, nothing more than a melted puddle of hot, bothered and seriously pissed off.




Wow! Yes, he does know what to do...can I throw myself at him? Please? Earlier in the book, Kate taunted him about this. He makes good on his answer here!



And my favorite scene, I think, came at the very end:



Hunter held out his arm for the blood pressure cuff.

She tightened the Velcro, then traced a finger lightly over the tattoo above his elbow. “Ah,” she said. “My favorite proverb.”

“It was my dad's, too.” Hunter said.

“Did he serve in Afghanistan?”

“Yes. Just six months.”

“Wait a minute,” she Gabriel. “Someone knows what the secret tattoo says?”

Hunter gave him a look. “It's not a secret. It's on my arm.”

“Enough with the suspense already. What does it say?”

“Nothing important,” said Hunter.

The nurse smiled and released the pressure in the cuff. “It says, The first day you meet, you are friends. The next day, you are brothers.”

Gabriel lost the smile.

Then he clapped Hunter on the shoulder.

Hunter frowned at him. “What was that for?”

“Brotherhood,” he said. “Welcome to the family.”



* sigh * I blinked back more than a few tears at this part. Wake up, Hunter—you're not alone in the world, the Merricks are there for you, and Gabriel needs you as a friend as much as you need him! :D



4.5 STARS! Once again, Brigid Kemmerer has blown me away! Hunter's book both surprised me and yet gave me everything I expected! This is one series, one author, you do not want to miss. It's not just another paranormal, romance, it's not “just a YA” book. Kemmerer's books are so much more than that. Gabriel, barely, beats Hunter as my favorite Elemental, but I love Hunter, too, and Spirit is definitely going on my keeper shelf!



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I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion. After reading it, I order my own copy though! :)

*Note: The quotes used belong to Brigid Kemmerer; TBQ's Book Palace does not claim them.

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If you haven't read Brigid Kemmerer's work yet, I *highly* suggest you pick up the books. NOW! I know, I know, you're thinking "But it's YA!" So? This series is amazing, Gabriel and Hunter's books especially. I promise, you won't regret it!






Enjoy!   


Until Next Time,



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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

2 comments :

Wickedly Delicious said...

Beautiful Review. Reading it now and loving it. Only about 25% into it.

The_Book_Queen said...

;) Let me know what you think!
Enjoy,
TBQ