Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental series is going strong in its fourth full length novel, Secret. This series is incredibly addicting, compulsively readable, and well written. Readers who are a bit burnt from the whole paranormal romance genre should consider giving this series about a band of brothers a chance. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of Secret. Secret will be released by on January 28th.
Description: Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point. Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown. Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—-or he’ll lose his family. Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner. Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.
Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?
Review: Nick Merrick has a secret. He is terrified that when his brothers find out what he is hiding they will despise him and worse, be very disappointed in him. The stress is tying him in knots, while a potential relationship is making him come undone. How long can Nick separate himself as two people and keep his secret under wraps?
It's been far too long since I read a book in a sitting. I had to force myself to put Secret down at times because I knew I was going to burn through the pages and be sad that I would have to say goodbye to these terrific characters after I finish the last page. The pace was terrific considering there is more character development than action in Secret, however, there are battle scenes that heightened the suspense enough that I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was going to happen.
Kemmerer deals with a sensitive issues in this fourth installment of The Elementals Series. She handles it with sensitivity, dignity, and seriously without being heavy handed or preachy. Nick's struggle with his own identity is well written and realistic. Like his other brothers, Nick struggles with his own demons. He is terrified of disappointing his brothers. He is known to be reliable, smart, and the level headed one. He knows what is expected of him, but is that the real him? Is he selfish in wanting his own future that involves college, not working in his brother's landscaping business, and a real relationship? Nick's fear is very real and tangible. Readers like me who understand how debilitating it can be to let the people you love down and disappointed, can understand a little of what Nick is going through. His fear consumes and paralyzes him. He represses his own desires and anger until he can't handle the pressure anymore. Kemmerer stays true to the characters her fans have come to know and love. Their strengths, weaknesses, triumphs, and failures are laid out for us to see from one chapter to the next.
If you've read the novella Breathless, you already know Nick's secret, but Kemmerer has other startling plot developments that keep the readers hooked. this novel has many surprises that I did not see coming.
One of the biggest surprises for me was that my opinion of Quinn has changed. I didn't really care for her as a character. Before this book she came across as an obnoxious and reactive drama queen, but we do get to understand her better in Secret as we witness her broken home first hand. Plus there is an unusual ally that the Merricks find in this book who I never thought to sympathize and like.
Once again The Elemental series proves to be not your ordinary paranormal romance. Characters who could easily be written off as flat and forgettable are transformed into people who tug our heartstrings and make our eyes watery. Secret leaves plenty of questions and I really wish the next book isn't called Sacrifice because it's making me incredibly anxious.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is some strong language including slurs, crude sexual humor, some underage drinking, and a few heavy make-out scenes. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Intertwined series by Gena Showalter, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?
Review: Nick Merrick has a secret. He is terrified that when his brothers find out what he is hiding they will despise him and worse, be very disappointed in him. The stress is tying him in knots, while a potential relationship is making him come undone. How long can Nick separate himself as two people and keep his secret under wraps?
It's been far too long since I read a book in a sitting. I had to force myself to put Secret down at times because I knew I was going to burn through the pages and be sad that I would have to say goodbye to these terrific characters after I finish the last page. The pace was terrific considering there is more character development than action in Secret, however, there are battle scenes that heightened the suspense enough that I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was going to happen.
Kemmerer deals with a sensitive issues in this fourth installment of The Elementals Series. She handles it with sensitivity, dignity, and seriously without being heavy handed or preachy. Nick's struggle with his own identity is well written and realistic. Like his other brothers, Nick struggles with his own demons. He is terrified of disappointing his brothers. He is known to be reliable, smart, and the level headed one. He knows what is expected of him, but is that the real him? Is he selfish in wanting his own future that involves college, not working in his brother's landscaping business, and a real relationship? Nick's fear is very real and tangible. Readers like me who understand how debilitating it can be to let the people you love down and disappointed, can understand a little of what Nick is going through. His fear consumes and paralyzes him. He represses his own desires and anger until he can't handle the pressure anymore. Kemmerer stays true to the characters her fans have come to know and love. Their strengths, weaknesses, triumphs, and failures are laid out for us to see from one chapter to the next.
If you've read the novella Breathless, you already know Nick's secret, but Kemmerer has other startling plot developments that keep the readers hooked. this novel has many surprises that I did not see coming.
One of the biggest surprises for me was that my opinion of Quinn has changed. I didn't really care for her as a character. Before this book she came across as an obnoxious and reactive drama queen, but we do get to understand her better in Secret as we witness her broken home first hand. Plus there is an unusual ally that the Merricks find in this book who I never thought to sympathize and like.
Once again The Elemental series proves to be not your ordinary paranormal romance. Characters who could easily be written off as flat and forgettable are transformed into people who tug our heartstrings and make our eyes watery. Secret leaves plenty of questions and I really wish the next book isn't called Sacrifice because it's making me incredibly anxious.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Words of Caution: There is some strong language including slurs, crude sexual humor, some underage drinking, and a few heavy make-out scenes. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.
If you like this book try: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Intertwined series by Gena Showalter, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
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Yaay, you, Ali and I are review twins (triplets) today! I love how elegantly Kemmerer approached Nick and his issues. She showed such sensitivity and understanding, without overdoing it or making in seem insincere in the least. This is my favorite by far, and I can't wait for Michael's book to come out.
Another great review of this book. Darn it! I still need to read the first book. So need to get on this series. You and Maja really have me wanting to start this series NOW. :)
Oh so glad you liked this one! I forgot I had it to review! And I love Nick!! I've got to play catch up on my review books!! I am glad that Brigid Kemmerer handles Nick's situation with delicacy and tact. Glad you like Quinn better. I didn't have a clear picture of her situation before, but the last novella made things a little understandable with her. I love this series!!
I'm terribly behind on this series, but I'm SO thrilled to see your wonderful review of this book, it's giving me the extra oomph I need to get caught up. The characters in this series are wonderfully written, and I'm so impressed that Kemmerer is able to continue to endear them to readers with each book. You are also the second or third person I've seen who said they could have read this in one sitting and had to make themselves stop, so I'm very excited to read this installment in particular! Wonderful review :-)
*sobs* I'm so happy that you enjoyed this one! It's definitely my favourite book of the series, and while I wasn't a fan of Quinn or her storyline, I loved how Brigid Kemmerer dealt with the dual perspective. And Nick was flawless, I adore him!
I wish this series had come out a few years ago. I think I would have LOVED it, but it's not striking the right chords with me now. I was sent a few copies for review, but I couldn't get into them. I'm happy you're enjoying them though! They sound like a CW tv show, which is a totally good thing.