Spirit (Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental Series #3)
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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780758272836 |
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| Publisher: | Kensington |
| Publication date: | 05/28/2013 |
| Series: | Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental Series , #3 |
| Pages: | 432 |
| Sales rank: | 698,983 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.80(d) |
| Age Range: | 15 - 17 Years |
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Customer Reviews
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Spirit
4.6 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
43 reviews.
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Awesome Book, Awesome Series !!
* I received this book from the author for an honest review.
Hunter is having a really bad day...night...week. He doesn't know what to do or who his friends are, so he only has himself to rely on. And that's not going too well, either. For awhile he and Gabriel Merrick were sort of friends, but Gabriel and the rest of his brothers are ticked off at Hunter and consider him an enemy, again. Then there's Calla, weird crazy Calla. She's creating a lot of havoc in his life and refuses to leave him alone.
The only person he may have a chance of befriending is the new girl at school, Kate Sullivan. She doesn't know anything about him or his history, so they can start with a clean slate. He likes her, but can he trust her?
And more sinister things are happening around town, things that threaten his community and his way of life. Hunter feels pulled in several directions. How can he do what's expected of him if he isn't sure it's right?
This third book in Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental Series is a powerful story of personal conflict, trusting others, and finding the courage to follow your conscience. Hunter struggles to understand his family, his past and the responsibilities expected of him as a Guide. The few times he's trusted anyone, he's been let down. And he hates that innocent people have to die just because they're born with special abilities. Hunter knows he's barely holding it together. But how can he expect any help or guidance when he doesn't know who to trust?
I'll admit I cried a lot while reading this story. I wanted to take Hunter in my arms, hug him tight, and assure him that everything would be okay. That though he's well-trained in hand-to-hand combat and his ability with a knife is amazing, he's still a 16-year-old struggling with the same hormonal imbalances and maturity issues that other teenage boys experience. I wanted to assure him that he has the strength to overcome his insecurities and the courage to stand up for what he believes is right.
It's a credit to the author's storytelling ability that readers can become so invested in her characters. Hunter, Kate, and the Merrick brothers are so multidimensional that you can't help but care for them and to feel what they feel. Thus the reason for my bucket of tears.
But don't get me wrong. SPIRIT's not a depressing book, at all. Just poignant. It has happy and funny parts too. And it's a great book for the beach or to enjoy during a relaxing evening at home. So get out there and buy this book. Now, if not sooner. It's a great addition to the Elemental Series and to your library.
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A must read series by a very talented author! :D 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!
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!
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!
Wow! Yes, he does know what to do...can I throw myself at him? Please?
And my favorite scene, I think, came at the very end. * 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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For my full review, including favorite quotes from SPIRIT, please visit my blog, TBQ's Book Palace
I received this e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
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This third installment to the Elemental series really threw me for a loop in more than one way. There were a couple of twists and turns that I really never expected, and in a way, I still don't know what I think of them. But it was great to return to the world of Elemental and revisit my favorite characters.
It was great to finally feel like I knew Hunter. He's been something of an enigma in most of the other books and you just never really know what he's thinking. Well, this is his book, and so we get to be inside his head, hear his thoughts and understand him, finally. And I loved him. He's not as cut and dry as I thought he'd be. He has internal struggles that were sad and made me feel for him even more than I always had. He has no one in the world, and has felt that since the death of his father. He doesn't feel he belongs anywhere except with others like him, but can he really trust them either? For this reason, I loved his interactions with the brothers so much and look forward to seeing that dynamic develop further in future books.
Kate... I'll admit, I really had a hard time with Kate. I just didn't like her. I'm not sure what it was about her, except that I didn't feel like I really knew her until near the end. For this reason, there just didn't seem to be anything there for me to grasp onto...nothing to humanize her or make me really care about her. Until near the end. At that point, I changed my mind about her due to a certain event that occurred, and then I did like her. She redeemed herself.
The romance between them was hot, of course, because this author knows how to write hot romance between her characters. So I enjoyed that, even if I didn't feel that Kate was the right girl for Hunter. And considering a certain event that happens near the end of the book, it makes sense why I would feel that way.
The writing in this book was, like all her other books, was phenomenal, so emotional and well done. I felt strong emotions throughout the whole book. She has a way of packing a punch into her books that really makes you care about those main characters. I was feeling a little shocked at the end, and I'm not really sure where the author is going to take things next. I'm having to step very carefully around not revealing something earth-shaking about this ending. It was definitely a cliffhanger and definitely really shocked me.
I don't want you to think, because of the things I said above, that I didn't like this book. I did. It was actually a great installment to this series, but it left me begging for more and wanting to find out what is going to happen next to the Merrick brothers, and to Hunter. Great book.
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Alot of question left unanswered
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All in all I enjoyed Spirit but I did not care for Kate, her attitude bothered me a lot so I had a hard time reading the parts about her.
Hunter struggled a lot in this book, everything seemed to go wrong for him and I felt bad for him most of the time yet he also brought a lot of things upon himself.
The guides seem to be back in full force trying to do in the pure elementals who just want to be left alone.
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Rating: 3.5 / 5
Once again Brigid Kemmerer has created a nice, suspenseful story while keeping everything else in check.
Finally getting a glimpse into Hunter's life and what it's like helps readers to better understand why Hunter is the way he is. The story from Kate's point of view provides readers with enough suspense and mystery to keep the reader engaged throughout the book.
But still the book fell short on the interest level. For some reason, as much as I liked the overall story, I still found some parts of it boring and slow. And also like with the previous two books, this one also ends pretty quickly right after the climax. When I am reading a book, I expect the ending to be a little more detailed and maybe a tiny bit long, unless the author decides to end the book with a cliffhanger, in which case it's fine. This book however isn't like that. Each book in the series are different from the one before it, which is why I feel that the ending should have been a tiny bit longer.
The overall story in the book was really nice, and I was able to understand Hunter way better in this book. In the end, Hunter had officially gained my trust, and now I like him just as much as I like all the Merrick brothers. Although this book wasn't as good as the first two, it was still a satisfying read and I am still looking forward to reading the next book.
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I have been in love with author Brigid Kemmerer’s the Elementals series since I read the first book and had my mind completely blown. Then I read the sequel, my mind gets blown again and was starting to doubt that she could top how awesome Spark was. Silly me, I was only twenty pages into Spirit before I had to stop reading, exclaim loudly how it was my favorite book and how awesome it was, before sitting down, shutting up and reading. I’ll say right now that I would be surprised, very surprised if somehow the next novel in the series managed to top Spirit. It’s just too awesome.
Spirit tells the story of Hunter (finally!) who has some major issues the first being that he’s just about had it with his mother and grandparents. The second being that Calla is threatening to burn down the entire town to the ground unless Hunter can get her the Guides. The third problem, probably the biggest one, is Kate. Kate who is the new girl in school, Kate who is drop-dead gorgeous and badass too. Kate who has come to town with her mentor, Silver, as Guides sent to kill the Elementals. As Kate is sent to find out more about the Merrick brothers she finds herself growing closer with Hunter and the two find themselves caught in a tragic romance.
I loved finally getting to see Hunter’s story. Throughout the series he has come off as a bad guy with angst issues. The story shows who he is as a person, what his deepest thoughts are and it answers a lot of questions that I had about him. After Hunter meets Kate we also get to see what he does when he’s falling in love and while his romance with Kate is very complicated (as she’s with the Guides and has a hidden agenda) it’s also my favorite romance in the series. The two have cute banter, such romantic scenes together and are two badasses falling in love. Totally perfect!
While reading I really enjoyed the chapters in Kate’s POV for a few reasons and I’ll get to each one. Firstly, I liked that Kate was a lot different from the other defenseless girls that the Merrick brothers got as their love interests. Kate knew what she wanted, had to work to get it and was also brooding. A very independent female character. Secondly, I really liked her. Her personality, her flawless appearance, her way of speaking—all of it just made me instantly like her. The third thing: Silver a.k.a. her extremely dangerous and hot-with-a-capital-H mentor.
Spirit takes readers on an emotional roller coaster as so many things happen in the plot. I came for Hunter and stayed for the non-stop action and heart wrenching romance. Right from the opening chapter to the final chapter where I had to sit down, curl up in a ball and cried and accept that the ending was in fact the ending. Honestly, I’ve never been more emotional than I was while reading Spirit. The writing and the plot and the characters, it all takes your emotions on a rollercoaster that you do not want to get off of.
I would recommend the Elementals series to readers who are looking for a romantic teen fiction with some fantasy thrown into the mix. Readers who are looking for addictive reads will eat these books up and anybody who is just looking for some good YA love will definitely love the Elementals.
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Let me start off by saying that this was a good book, but maybe not as good as Spark. It's probably because I think no book will ever be as good as Spark, and also because Gabriel is just too awesome. Though I AM excited for Michael's story! It's probably the only one that I have high hopes for. Anyways, Spirit, the third book in the Elemental Series is about Hunter Garrity. Hunter may not be a Merrick bother, but he is a fifth. I'm not going to explain what a fifth is, because that would just be too complicated. I'm assuming everyone who is reading this review has already read the first and second, or even the first of this series. I'm not sure what exactly made this book not as enjoyable as the ones before it, but I may have a slight idea. It's not that I dislike Hunter as a character. I really was excited to read about his story, but something just felt off.In Spirit, the readers will definitely learn a lot about Hunter, and why he sometimes acts the way he does. Hunter really does lead a disturbed life, and it does hurt to see a 16 year old boy having to go through so much suffering. I guess my problem was Kate Sullivan, the "new" girl in school. It's obvious that a relationship develops between the two, and I guess it wasn't as enjoyable as the others. Kate annoyed me a lot at some points, and I just felt like sometimes she was just too confident that it became cocky. The action in this book was pretty good, but I expected more kick-butt scenes. What I loved the most about this book was the relationship between the Merricks and Hunter. It was just so sweet and so fun to read, I already want more! Overall, Spirit was a great book. It's awesome that readers can now understand Hunter in a personal level, and are able to understand his actions. It was great how all the characters were involved, and YES we got to see Hannah and Layne (YAY)! I seriously cannot wait to read more and more and more of this series, and I really don't even want to think of the journey coming to an end. I just love the Merricks too much. To all those readers who haven't started this series yet, GO! It's full of awesome hot guys and kick-butt scenes! What more do you want?
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Hunter has never really trusted anyone. He’s also never been one that the others felt like they could trust. Much like Gabriel, Hunter has a tough exterior. He guards his heart and doesn’t let anyone get too close. He’s got daddy issues, mommy issues and grampa issues. Basically he has a lot of issues. He struggles with doing what he’s been told, what he thinks he’s been told, what is right, and what his heart feels is right. From my analysis I’m sure you can gather that Hunter is a very conflicted guy. His conflictions and flaws are always what attracted me the most. From the moment Hunter entered the picture in Storm I was intrigued. Regardless of his attempt at centering himself you could tell that there was a lot brewing beneath the surface. Spirit reminded me once again how in love with the Merricks I am. Like the saying goes, the Merricks give dysfunctional a new meaning. But regardless, at the end of each day they’re still a strong and compact unit. A great deal of Spirit focuses on Hunter and his rocky relationship with not just Gabriel, but the rest of the Merricks as well. Through his continual interaction with the Merricks, Hunter makes realizations and does a lot of growing in this novel. He’s always been on the outside looking in when it comes to family. Spirit lets him see that there’s more to life, and that letting people in is a risk worth taking. Kate is the co-MC in Spirit. I loved Kate from the moment she sauntered in. She’s a firecracker with a super confident exterior and a pretty secretive interior. One of the perks to Kemmerer’s writing style is that, because we get multiple POVs the readers learn right away what Kate’s agenda is, or at least, what it starts off to be. Like every character in the Elemental series, Kate is fully dimensional, unique and not easy to read. Each and every Elemental story has pulled on my heartstrings in some way or another. Spirit is no exception. A tear ran down my cheek as I read the last page of Spirit‘s bittersweet ending. Two big themes in this latest Elemental story were redemption and sacrifice. I wouldn’t say that I loved Spirit more than Spark but I definitely loved it to around the same level. All three, Spirit, Spark and Storm have different tones and feels. Their main characters have different personalities and problems. None are greater or lesser. The plots in each Elemental novel and novella never feel like a been there, done that scenario. They’re always fresh, full of twists and standout.
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It was great getting to be in Hunter's head and figure out where he was coming from as well as getting to meet a new character.
Spirit is just as packed with action as the others, and has the emotional hook. There were several scenes where I felt so bad for Hunter. Bad things just happened to him over and over, and I can see where his confusion and not knowing who to trust comes from. I did get tired of the back and forth do I or don't I, but I did completely understand where his head and heart were.
There are some smoking hot scenes in this one too, and I enjoyed them even though they were cloaked in, for the most part, head games.
I mostly just loved being back in the Merrick's world and seeing what is going on with them and the trials that they bond together to overcome. I miss being in their heads though. Hunter I know is an extension of that, but still.
The secrets that come to light in this one are good, and I suspected a few, but others just threw me for a loop.
The pacing was good, and there was always something going on whether the action or some character development or giving a peek into the other characters we'd come to love from the previous novellas and books.
The ending left me yearning for more, and I know there is yet more trouble for the Merricks and assorted characters brewing for the fourth book, that I can't wait to get my hands on.
Bottom Line: Another great installment in the Elemental series.
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First Thoughts
Firstly, you should all be aware of my *cough obsession*, I mean love for the wonderful Merrick brothers. Through my “love for these characters I’ve come to love Brigid Kemmerer as well. So Even though Spirit is about Hunter, not a Merrick my expectations for this book were pretty high.
My Thoughts
You know how you can have a different book boyfriend every other day? Well every time I read another book in this series, that’s exactly how I feel. With Spirit I fell in love with Hunter!!! Before, we had just scratched the surface of Hunter, and now we have a better understanding of his character, and the elemental community as a whole. Spirit was just Incredible!
Characters
One thing I love about Brigid Kemmerer is her ability to make me fall in love with a character, and her ability to now only give me a story with the main character but she explores the supporting characters as well; well portraying how different they are!
Spirit gives us a look into Hunter’s life after his father’s death. His home life sucks, and he’s dealing with major trust issues. Then, in walks the new girl Kate, with her comes a whole slew of problems and feelings. Kate isn’t just the new girl; she has some secrets of her own. Hunter’s life becomes more complicated by the day and he is left wonder whose side is he on. Can I just say I didn’t know if I loved Hunter half the time or wanted to scream at him? Hunter is the perfect brooding bad boy, he has piercing and he doesn’t really fit in anywhere, and he has a lot going on in his head .I loved it!
Kate is the new girl with an agenda. I must say that I liked Kate, not a lot a first but she grew on me. I enjoyed her banter with Hunter and her how Badass she was. What I loved most about Kate was the evolution of her character. She learns a lot in a short period of time and opens up with Hunter.
Other Characters of course are the always delicious Merrick brothers and their hilarious interactions with each other!!! We have quiet Nick (So excited for his story) and lovable Chris! But my favorites are Gabriel because I love his adventurous side and his banter with Hunter; Then Michael because he is just so AMAZING!!! He takes care of his family and still manages to take in Hunter and trust him even after his shady past actions.
Story
So Spirit had a lot of action!! We had crazy Calla causing lots of problems, guides in town coming to do what they do best, and fires being set. This story was so complex; it was by no means lacking any substance. I was drawn in from the beginning and now that I’m finished reading it, I’m still thinking about what all happened. Spirit to me is Brigid Kemmerer’s Best work as a writer. It was fluid, the characters were flawed, complex, and not one dimensional. I felt their emotion while reading it and man was it hard at times. There is one part in the story were I just cried, like I was punched in the gut with feels and it wasn’t pretty.
Overall, Spirit was a great edition to the elemental series and now Hunter is an honorary Merrick Brother!! I RECOMMEND Spirit and the entire series to anyone who loves a good book with a paranormal feel, with lots of action, good family dynamite, and hot boys!
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Great addition to the series. Hunter was a little annoying stupid but overall it great to get back with Becca and the Merricks.
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Brigid Kemmerer whisked me away in her first novella, Elemental, making me a fan of Michael Merrick from the get go. In the first full novel of the series, Storm, I fell in love with all the Merrick’s, learning about their abilities and just how difficult their life was trying to be mainstream. In the novella, Fearless, I was able to see what made Hunter Garrity tick, and I glimpsed a deeper side of him I hadn’t seen before, changing my overall perspective. Then, in the second full novel, Spark, Gabriel Merrick stole my heart, and I was forever transfixed by his brooding nature as his deep-rooted goodness shown through. When I read Breathless, the third novella, I learned that looks can be deceiving and Nick’s yearnings and desires follow a different path than that of his brothers. And now, in Spirit, Hunter Garrity once again takes the forefront, opening his heart and bleeding red among the pages. And I loved it. I loved every last minute of it, and of all the books that came before. Kemmerer is a sheer writing goddess, and her Elemental series is absolutely to die for. Her characters come alive off the pages and endlessly live among the memories and dreams of her readers. At least, they do in mine. And I am already eagerly awaiting the next segment in this amazing series.
Hunter Garrity has been a constant in Kemmerer’s fabulous stories since the first full novel, Storm. We all know him, and at one time or another, we all loved to hate him, but things change, truths are laid bare and, in Spirit, we learn the deep truth about Hunter, about his family, his upbringing, his fears, wants, needs, desires… we learn it all. And, it’s heartbreaking.
Hunter Garrity is very real. Yes, the story is fiction, but the way Hunter carries himself, his heartbreaks, and his disposition are all real attributes that bring him to life in a very real sense. On multiple occasions, while reading, I cried for Hunter—his life is brutal, and to know his background is to understand his past transgressions. If it were possible, I would reach through the pages and give Hunter a hug because, as those of you who have read this astounding novel already know, this boy needs it more than anyone else.
Kemmerer, the master storyteller that she is, weaves a tale that forces readers to feel deep emotions for Hunter, as well as many of the other characters as the events unfold. From unbridled love and passion to the deepest regret, fear, and depression, we feel it all right alongside Hunter, and it takes a true literary genius to really take the reader that deep into the story, to make them one with the characters, and that is exactly what Kemmerer does. I have loved every single one of Kemmerer’s novels to date, but I do believe that Spirit takes the cake. It’s so poignant and breathtaking that I believe I just might have to sit down and read it again.
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3.5...Highs, Lows, but Not to Be Missed
Hunter Garrity moved into a new town with specific intentions in mind: revenge. His father and uncle, both Guides, were murdered before they could neutralize the Merrick brothers. The pure Elemental brothers were not what Hunter expected. Confused, alone, and alienated by his surviving family - Hunter’s loyalties remain in question, but the pressure is on to pick a side. There’s trouble within the Elemental community. His grandfather loathes him. The Merrick brothers think he’s a traitor. The new girl at school appears interested, yet Hunter’s learned from experience there’s always more to people than meets the eye. Who can he turn to when his world comes crashing down?
Spirit is pitched with highs (the Merrick’s) and lows (the Guides). This novels also proves the Merrick’s are truly the heart and soul of this engaging series. Scenes sparkled anytime a Merrick brother entered a scene. The oldest brother, Michael, plays a significant role. His remarkable growth from the surly legal guardian to compassionate mentor marks the evolvement of this family. Michael and Hunter’s interactions are emotionally rewarding. Hunter’s role in this novel also moves the ongoing storyline forward through hits and misses.
Shades of Hunter is what you get. He’s lonely, grief-stricken, vulnerable, confused, and not quite the invincible boy readers are used to seeing. He is knocked to the ground and it’s heartbreaking as pulls himself up. Then, Hunter meets his match with love interest, Kate Sullivan. Anything he can do she can (sometimes) do better. Yet, of all the heroines in the series, she was the hardest to connect with. Kate felt underwhelming when compared to Becca (Storm) and Layne (Spark). Her intent is revealed at story’s beginning, but Kate had deeper aspects that could have used development or could have been credibly demonstrated. There were times where she was too ordinary for her ambitious role.
While this is an emotionally complex series, the villains lack substance. The Guides are an assassin squad of Fifths, Elementals who can manipulate all the elements, who kill Pure Elementals. In a way, they are in a way similar to J.R. Ward’s Lessening Society. Lessers kill vampires because they are bad; Guides kill Pure Elementals because they are bad. It seems there is room for development. Dimension is added with inner turmoil, but it didn’t feel sincere; mainly, it’s a ploy for affect. Hopefully, the Guides’ roles expand or the focus remains on the Merrick’s because they are MESMERIZING! Overall, Spirit is still a must read for Brigid Kemmerer fans. The Merrick Brothers shine and should not be missed! Nick Merrick’s story is next and is sure to put the family in a tailspin, along with a bloody battle on the horizon.
ARC courtesy of Kensington Books via Netgalley
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Amazing installment in an amazing series.
I can't begin to tell you how much I love this series. It is one of my absolute favorites. If you haven't met the Merrick brothera and Hunter Garrity, you are in for such a treat. They are one of the hottest bunch of guys you'll ever want to know. They are Elementals, meaning they are able to control the elements, earth, air, water, air. There are those which are also known as 5th's with the ability to control them all, and this is what Hunter is. Unfortunately, those who are "Pure Elementals," like Michael, the twins Gabriel and Nick, and Chris Merrick, are feared and hunted down, by their own kind, which are called Guides - and they are always 5ths. Things aren't always as black and white as they may seem though, which makes things really interesting.
I have enjoyed getting to know each of the Merrick brothers so much and was really excited to get to know Hunter Garrity better. Though he is present in the earlier novels, he remains somewhat of an enigma, and I was really looking forward to getting inside his head and getting to know him better. We get a glimpse into his past in the novella, Fearless, which is wonderful by the way, and we really get to know him in Spirit. I have totally fallen in love with the other Merrick brothers, and I have to say the same about Hunter Garrity. His story is exciting and it is also heartbreaking. I think his story may have been the most emotional for me so far. I found myself wanting to grab him and hug him, especially with all he has been through and all he goes through in this book. It is quite the emotional roller coaster - but it is a really great ride. He is a total hottie, just as all the Merrick brothers, and he is also pretty badass, which anyone who hangs with Gabriel Merrick would have to be. Hunter is really trying to figure out who he is, what he is supposed to be, who to trust, and he is so wounded and hurt by things that have happened in his life, betrayal, death, things he has done that he isn't proud of. He feels really isolated and tormented. He has to make some hard choices.....choices that rip his heart out (and mine to), but choices that also shape his future.
The love interest in this book is Kate Sullivan and the romance between Kate and Hunter is one of the most intense yet in the series. These two have a lot of trust issues, but they also have chemistry that is smoking hot. I think this is the steamiest romance so far. We also get to see what is going on with the other Merrick brothers, who all play a part in the story. Michael was especially awesome in this book. The camaraderie between these guys is one of the best parts to me and I so enjoyed getting to see this bunch of guys be just that, a bunch of guys that are brothers which fight, joke, and stick up for each other no matter how mad they make each other. Brigid Kemmerer has such a talent for writing from a male POV, which is something I absolutely love. As with all the novels, Spirit is jam packed with action, drama, humor, and romance, and is heartbreaking and heartwarming. Spirit is an awesome addition to an outstanding series. If you haven't started it yet, what are you waiting for. I absolutely loved Spirit, as I have the entire series, and I most definitely recommend it.
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I had a bit of a tough start when beginning Spirit, simply because I had a hard time remembering the big details from 'Spark' (book 2). It had been a while since I read it, so I couldn’t remember why certain characters were mad at Hunter, or what the motivation was from the “bad guys”. However as I kept reading I began to remember some of those details, and I was swept away by the story and the main characters in ‘Spirit’.
Hunter and Kate are intriguing characters, both of them extremely complex and not always likeable. They've been through a lot, they don't know how to trust (even when they should), and they both make a lot of mistakes. What’s interesting about these characters and their connection is that, despite their tough exteriors, both of them really just want peace and a place to belong. This book is very Hunter-centric, and he's still not trusting the Merricks, so it’s a bit of a step back from the family atmosphere of the previous books. That being said, there are definitely still some great moments with each of the brothers (especially with Michael), as well as with Becca and Hannah.
To me this was a book about Hunter finding himself and his place in the whole Elementals world. It’s a tough journey for him, and there are some terrible moments that he has to go through. 'Spirit' really leaves you in a place where the Elemental/Guide war is heating up, and you wonder how things will continue to spiral and how these guys will try to stop it. ‘Spirit’ was a big character journey book that examines wrong versus right, and the different sides of the Elemental conflict. I genuinely enjoyed this read, and I can’t wait to read the next one.
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My son and I have been fans of The Elemental Series from the beginning, so when I requested an advance copy of Spirit on Net Galley, I was thrilled to be able to read it before the release date!
Spirit is by far the most emo-angsty book of the series, but when most of your characters are hormone-ridden teenage boys, what can you expect? Hunter has suffered some devastating losses and isn’t receiving much support on the home front. He’s been taught not to trust anyone, but the time has come for him to learn trust; the problem is, who? Hunter’s circumstances are unusual but, as with most teenagers, his problems seem larger than life and rational thought goes out the window at times, so some of the decisions he makes are the wrong ones. But he’s 16 – you live, you learn. All the confusion, self-doubt, anger, and frustration Hunter feels and the strained relationship with his mother come across as very genuine and offer a deeper layering of his character. He’s truly on a journey of self-discovery.
Having two teenage boys of my own and listening to them with their friends for the past decade plus, the author really nails it with the friend/brother relationship dynamics. I laughed out loud more than once at the conversations between some of the characters. She really seems to “get” the guy relationships.
If you’re trying to get your male teenagers to read (girls too, just boys are less likely), this is a great series. I enjoy reading and discussing them with my son and we’re looking forward to the next book.
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First I wanted to say thank you to the publisher for having the giveaway on Goodreads in which I won this book.
Secondly I wanted to say that I loved it! I believe the books keep getting better! This one focused mainly on Hunter but never fear the Merrick brothers were in it quite a bit along with their lady loves.
In a way I almost feel sorry for Hunter. The way he was brought up, he didn't really trust anybody. He didn't have anybody to talk to since what went down in the last book. That was until Kate showed up to school. She's this confident chick who has a secret agenda. They begin this back and forth flirtation. Throughout the book he has to learn how/who to trust and to choose a side.
Mrs. Kemmerer is the queen of steam when it came to this book and also in Breathless. Something happened in the book that I didn't expect which brought on the tears. That is how I know it's a great book. I get so involved in it, something sad happens I'm crying.
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