Review: Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Spirit
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Book Three in the Elemental Series
Published By: Kennsington Teen (May 28, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!

Book Description:

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 Thoughts and Review:

Oh how I love this series. Hunter and the Merrick boys are completely wonderful. Kemmerer has managed to create a really fun, action packed series with all male characters that really is exceptional in the YA genre. It is hard to come by a female author that seems to be able to get inside a male's head and create characters that are so realistic it is hard to believe they aren't real people instead of creations from her own imagination.

After reading Breathless and being completely blown away not to mention completely taken by surprise with the turn of events that took place, I was so very eager to start this book. Even though I knew it wasn't going to be about Nick, I knew it was going to have Hunter and the Merrick boys in it and I couldn't wait to delve back into their world. 

Oh Hunter how my heart went out to thee. I think for the first half of this book I wanted to grab Hunter and wrap him up in a great big hug and not let go. He probably would have kicked my butt for doing it but hey, it would have been worth it.

I already knew I liked Hunter, heck I like all the characters in this series male and female alike but once again Hunter stole the show in this book and Michael, yeah, Michael too. I already had a soft spot for him after reading his novella (the prequel to this series) but I like him even more now. It can't be easy raising three Merrick boys and Elementals to boot! He deserves some serious props for that.

Once again I love Gabriel and hit smart ass comments and witty sense of humor. His personality is so much fun and he really gives this book those lighter moments it needs with his witty one liners and quick retorts. I know under all that sarcasm and wit is a big ole fluffy marshmallow.

Poor Hunter. He is so lost and confused in this read. I truly felt for him. He doesn't always make the right decisions but he is good. He wants to be good, he just isn't sure how to be that way. What that even means exactly when he is torn between the illusion of the world he grew up in and the reality of the world he is now living. 

Kate isn't much better. She is a lot like Hunter. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Not sure which way is the right way. What is right and what is wrong. She is feisty and strong and really, a perfect match for Hunter. They push each other to go past what they are familiar with and comfortable with. To learn to love and trust and so much more. I couldn't help but like her. Kemmerer may know how to write a great male protagonist but she is equally talented in writing a female one. 

Once again I am blown away with how much I love this series. Every time I think I have a handle on things Kemmerer will throw in another curve ball and leave me breathless again. 

This was such an emotional read for me. The whole thing really, from start to finish.  And the ending? Well not really the ending ending, but the last 30% of the book  tore my heart out and stomped on it! I am still sitting here in shock, not really sure what to think about all of it. 

All I can really say is, well done Kemmerer, well done. I am once again in awe of your writing talent and ability to throw a curve ball like no other. I once again, didn't see any of that coming. 

*All Opinions are my own and I was in no way compensated for my review*