Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Spark (Elemental #2)

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kensington Teen

Release Date: August 28, 2012

Source: Purchased

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

Sometimes he can even control. And something he can't.

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.

And no one seems to believe 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.

So for those who missed it, I absolutely loved Storm by Brigid Kemmerer, and it was no different with Spark. Once I started reading, I wasn't able to stop and I found myself falling for another one of the Merrick brothers.

With his element being fire, Gabriel has always had more problems with control than his brothers. And he likes playing with fire, but that may prove to be his downfall. Someone has been setting fires all over town, and because of his past, everyone is blaming Gabriel for what's happening. But for once, he's not the one doing it, even though no one believes him. The only person who seems to be seeing Gabriel for who he is, isn't who Gabriel expected. Layne seems to know more than she's letting on. And surprisingly for everyone, most of all himself, Gabriel will do anything to protect Layne.

Unlike with Storm, I was totally prepared for Spark. I knew what to expect. But even then, I was taken aback by everything that went down in Spark. Much like with Brigid Kemmerer's first book, it didn't take long, just a few pages, for me to get wrapped up in the story. Though the plethora of hot boys may have had something to do with that. But beyond the boys, I love the concept of Elementals. There just aren't that many stories about elemental control in YA, and this one definitely hits the mark. Brigid Kemmerer really wrote an incredible story so far, and I love all the different layers there are to it. This is a story that I have grown to love and I can't wait to see where Brigid Kemmerer takes it next.

So once again, holy hot boys! While reading, there were definitely moments where I once again found myself wishing that the Merrick brothers were real people. This time I loved getting to know Gabriel and it didn't take long for me to realize there was a lot more to him than I originally thought. I was also happy to be able to see more of Michael, because there just seems to be so much to him. And Layne was so much more than I first thought she was going to be. But I think she was the perfect to balance out Gabriel. As far as the characters are concerned, I just wish I could have seen more of Chris and Becca because I kinda missed them.

Spark was an absolutely fantastic follow-up to Brigid Kemmerer's debut, Storm. After this second installment, the Elemental series has reached the top of my list of series to watch out fore. And I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about the third book, Spirit.