Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer Review

Hello lovely readers!


(Cover photo provided by GoodReads)

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer 
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Publication Date: August 28th, 2012
Source: Both Publisher and Netgallery!!!!!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!
Rating: 4.5 OUT OF THIS WORLD STARS!!!!!!
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Today is a special day when I get to share with you all my opinion of a book in a series that I will recommend to anyone I meet. Brigid Kemmerer is one of my favorite authors ever. Spark is as unforgettable predecessor Storm.  I read through this whole book twice and loved every minute. The first time I read it in only three hours.


I always find it hard to read sequels to books I love because I always find myself continuously comparing the two books to each other. I found some similarities between the two books. Both books were about a strong girl falling in love with one of the Merrick’s brother, a party scene and a huge confrontation. I found Spark had a better and more startling confrontation between Gabriel and the villain of this book. 

Spark also earns brownie points because I connected more with Gabriel then I ever had with Chris in Storm. I found myself feeling sorry for Gabriel as he struggled through math, lack of any real friends, besides his brothers, and faced being blamed for starting fires.

I always wanted a twin.  At least, I always wanted a person who could stand by me no matter what and understand me completely. Nick and Gabriel have that desirable connection. In Spark, they fight and face an estranged relationship. I felt Gabriel’s sorrow and understand his stubbornness to apologize and make up.  He struggles controlling his anger and his bluntness to spit out insults. At the same time, he is loyal and passionate. Gabriel is really one of the most dimensional characters I have ever met. 

And so is Nick. I love Nick; truly, He is so compassionate, friendly, good at heart and determined to succeed. I strongly want to read Nick’s point of view. I want to see how he views the world so much.

Layne is the girl who Gabriel falls in love with. She has many good characteristics that I would want in a friend: independent, strong, kind, loving, brave. I liked her unwavering caring nature for her younger brother Simon. Simon is a great character in his own right. He is deaf but he does not let that disability disable him from reaching his goal to play basketball and help Layne find happiness.

What I like most about Spark is how it dwells into two distinct dysfunctional families. One has parents and one does not, but both face problems that anyone can experience in real life. I found myself being disgusted for Layne’s horrible absent mother, understanding Michael and Layne’s father’s struggle between being too strict and caring for their family. Spark is truly a book about the importance of family that I appreciate. It is always good to remember family. A true family will be there during any struggle no matter what disagreement occured before. 

Overall, Spark is a remarkable story about the wondrous  and dangerous nature of fire, the need for love and loyalty and the bond that binds a true family together.

Thanks for reading!

25 comments:

  1. Awh, even though I didn't see this until now. I nominated you in an award. I understand that you are now an award free blog. however, if you want you can check out the post!

    http://little-red-reads.blogspot.com/2012/07/versatile-blogger-award.html

    xo Stephanie

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  2. I haven't even read the first book yet! Honestly, I hear nothing but good things about this author's books. I hope I can get started on Storm soon. This is a great review! I'm glad there is a strong family element to it. I always enjoy that aspect of books. :)

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  3. I've seen this series around and have been curious about it.
    I think that having a twin would be awesome as well!
    Thanks for review,
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  4. YEAH RACHEL!!!! I love this series so much too! I devoured Storm and as excited as I was to read Gabriel's story I was also really nervous that I wouldn't be able to see past that smart mouth and the temper, but I couldn't have loved Gabriel any more if I'd tried. I thought he was brilliantly depicted, as were all the characters, but Gabriel was definitely my favorite. Can't wait to read about Hunter next!

    Fabulous review:)

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  5. I have got to read this series! I keep reading review after review for Storm and now your review tells me Spark is just as good! I am in a bit of a reading slump so maybe this will perk me up!

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  6. AWESOME review, Rachel! I heard nothing but amazing things about this series, so I may have to pick the first book soon! x) Anything that made you read twice, and still LOVED every minute of it must something amazing, right? You just got me very excited about this book! x)

    Anyway, I share the same view about twins! Oh my gosh, it would be SUPER COOL to have twins! Yay, partner in crime! :P

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  7. Great review! I have not started his series yet but I have heard wonderful things about it!! A book about twins!?!??! Awesome!!! The characters all seem to be so interesting. Thanks for sharing Rachel!

    SeeitORreadit


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  8. It's interesting to read your thoughts on Gabriel as I really, really didn't like him in Storm, so I wonder if I'll change my mind in Spark? And I too love Nick!

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  9. Thanks for sharing a great review :)! I just found your blog & will definitely be following it from now on! I recently started a book blog if you want to take a look: http://heartisinthewriteplace.blogspot.com/
    Thanks again!

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  10. I'm really glad you enjoyed this one, Rachel! Being able to connect with the characters always defines a book for me. Looking forward to picking this one up!

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  11. I haven't read the first novel yet, but the promise of four hot guys is enough to make me want to read the first book and this sequel! I'm really glad you loved this, and I hope I feel the same way about this author as you do. :) Fantastic review! :)

    P.S. I've always wanted to have a twin...

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  12. I always found myself comparing Spark to Storm too, I always thought that no one would be able to compare to Chris, as he became my absolute favourite after reading Storm, but Gabriel totally surprised me with this book. I loved seeing this different side to him. But I still think I prefer Chris a smidge more! Lovely review Rachel :)

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  13. I can't wait to read this after your review, Rachel! I love how these stories emphasize family. Lovely review Rachel. :)

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  14. OMG! YOU READ THIS IN THREE HOURS???!!! AND THEN RE-READ IT??!! You're my book reading Queen. lol

    Um...words can't describe how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS BOOK!!! It's way past FANTASTICO :D

    Great review, friend :)

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  15. Eep! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Rachel! Gabriel is my most favorite among the brothers so I'm really excited to start this one. Wonderful review!

    P.S. I followed you, btw. Looking forward chatting with you! :)

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    1. Thanks Eunice!!!!! I followed you too! I hope you enjoy Spark!

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  16. I am so, SO glad you liked this! Like you, I was worried about the sequel, and it's a relief to know that it was even easier to connect with than Storm. I liked Chris a lot, but I think he, and especially his thought process, were a bit too young for me to feel close to them. Hopefully, Gabe is a bit more mature, and hopefully this book has plenty of Michael scenes in it. :)
    Lovely review!

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    1. Your in luck Maja!!!! There is plenty of Michael in this book!

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  17. OH yay! I'm always a bit wary of sequels too because I've read so many that were just the same as the first so I'm happy that this one stands out. I also love books that delve into dysfunctional families. Excited to read this!

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  18. Fantastic review! :) I'm really interested about the whole dysfuctional families thing, I really like reading about those :) Also, any chance you live near Pennsylvania? Because Brigid's going to this signing with a bunch of other authors on August 4th and I thought you'd like to know if you ARE near Pennsylvania and wanted to meet her :) The site's: yafest.blogspot.com

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  19. Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one Rachel!(: Gabriel was one of my favorite characters in Storm and I am thrilled to read more of him soon. Plus, I think his relationship with Nick will also be interesting to see play out. I hope we still get to see Chris and Becca in this one and your review has definitely made the wait for this novel even more unbearable! ;) Great review! :D

    ~Keertana
    Ivy Book Bindings

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  20. This looks amazing and sounds just as awesome! Going on my TBR list without a doubt. Love you review :)

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  21. I usually have a hard time with sequels, too. I don't think we can help compare them to the first book, but it's always nice to be pleasantly surprised by a great sequel. I've heard a lot about the Merrick brothers, and I'm looking forward to reading this series.

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  22. *hugs your review* You nailed everything I love about this! Gabriel is really one of the most dimensional characters I have ever met. YES! Oh gosh, he is definitely my favourite character in the series. He won me over in Storm, but Spark? Damn. MY EMOTIONS. Brigid really outdid herself, my heart broke so many times for that boy and I love how flawed and COMPLEX he is. There is so much burning behind that sexy, sexy outer layer!

    And DEFINITELY agree with your point on family. I really love how Brigid highlights the messy bonds and makes me fall head over heels for the beautiful and emotional brotherly love <3

    Hehe and I love that you read this in just THREE HOURS and then went back for a second round! Those are the BEST kinds of books. Amazing review, Rachel!!

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