Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Review: Secret by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Secret
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Book Four in the Elemental Series
Published By: Kensington Teen (January 28, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
Nowhere is safe. Not even home…

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?







*Takes a deep breath*
 This is it, the book I have been waiting for. The one I know that will be emotional and unforgettable and lets face it, probably pretty darn terrific if any of the other 3 in the series are any indication. 

But, I also knew this one was going to be hard. With some hard subject matters and filled with lots of surprises. After all, I didn't see any of this coming to begin with and not to sound conceited but I am usually really good at expecting twists and figuring them out ahead of time, not this time. This time Kemmerer knocked me flat on my butt and left me breathless. 

I have so many thoughts and emotions whirling around inside my head right now that it is hard to grasp even one and process it. 

There have been many worries expressed about this release from the many fans out there. Some concerned that this would get too deep into hard subject matters and maybe even be too emotional considering we were all left breathless with Breathless (yes, I know cue cheesy pun here). But really, any fan of Kemmerer's really should have known better. 

Yes we get a really good read that covers some really hard things but we also get all the same things we have come to expect and love from her writing and all the same kick butt characters we have fallen in love with throughout the series. 

And the really great part? Once again, this wasn't just Nick's story, it was Quinn's too. In fact, it wasn't even just theirs, it was the whole clan's story. They all played a big role in this, sometimes in very small ways mind you, but in significant ones as well. We get the family bond from the Merricks that is so uncommon in YA as well as the great friendship that brings them all together and truly makes them family.

I don't want to get into too much detail because I don't want to give anything away. I will say this though, this was a little slower paced than the other books and nothing really big action wise happens until the very end but it was worth it when it did happen, when things finally started to come together and make a whole lot of sense. When all of the characters started to show their true colors and we really get a good feel for them all. 

I am so excited about where this series is going and can't wait for the next book. 






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

26 comments:

  1. I haven't started this series yet so I don't know what emotions this caused but it sounds like it was pretty intense. I also usually always guess where a book is going so being thrown on my butt is always exciting LOL I've heard such great things about this series. Just need more reading time to start it.

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    1. I hope you do start it, it is a really good series!

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  2. I so need to read this series. I read Maja's review last night and the two of you have convinced me that this series is special. Delighted this one made you happy!

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  3. Oh I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this one, always nice when our favorite authors surprise us and catch us off guard!

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  4. YAY! You and Maja both loved this one, that bodes well for my own reaction to Nick's story. I'm a little behind in this series, but I loved the first two books so much and I have always had a soft spot for Nick. I so want him to be happy and I know this is going to be a beautifully painful read as a result of that want. Fabulous review Ali!

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    1. You will definitely like this one Jenny, it has a whole different feel than the last few books.

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  5. I love Nick to bits, I really do, and I really felt his pain in this one. But Michael stole the show for me, as he always does. Who knows what we can expect from the next book! I'm scared!
    Lovely review, Ali! I love being review twins with you today.

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    1. I agree about Michael 100%, in fact, in the last two books he has sort of stole the show. I really hope the next book is about him!!

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  6. I think your excitement is catching. I'm all wound up about the series too. Bad new is I'll wait 'til its done. I need to read from beginning to end without waiting for the author's next installment. :-)

    Anna from Shout with Emaginette

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    1. I don't blame you for that at all, it is hard waiting sometimes!

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  7. I'm a bit behind in this series, but thrilled to see that you loved this, and that you got not just Nick's story, but whole clan's story. I can't wait to get caught up and get to this! Wonderful review :-)

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    1. Oh you need to get caught up Lauren, it really is getting better!

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  8. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about this series and I picked up the first book over the weekend. I'm looking forward to starting this series!

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    1. Yay! I am glad you are going to start it soon Candace!

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  9. I was just reading Maja's review and I see that I must start this series. It sounds so good and it seems to me this gets better with every book. So glad you enjoyed it. Great review :)

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  10. You and Maja have high praise for this series. I think this will be my next YA series to catch up on! So glad this was a great read for you!

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    1. Thanks Heidi, I hope you do start it soon again.

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  11. Dammit. I need to read this series. I have Elemental already, but I think that's just a novella. I need to map out what series I want to start this year since so many are ending.

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  12. I HAVE to read this series! I have always pushed it aside thinking it wouldn't be a book I liked and it seems I was (happily) wrong.

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  13. This one is waiting for me on my kindle and I'm even more excited to start it after reading your review. I love this series and have been really excited to read this one to.

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    1. I hoe you love it as much as I did, I have a feeling you will. ;)

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