 | Title: Storm
Sexual Content: Rating:
Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying. |
Description
Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—the ones she doesn’t want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.
And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.
When Hunter, the mysterious new kid in town, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all…
Review
Brigid Kemmerer’s new paranormal YA Elementals series is like a baby Black Dagger Brotherhood or Lords of the Underworld series. We’ve got four supernatural brothers with big time alpha blood running in their veins and more than a few chips on their shoulders. They have volatile personalities connected to their elemental powers which is tempered by fierce loyalty and protective streaks, all of which gives each of them a distinct scary but sexy vibe that I always fall for. Throw in a smart, resourceful girl who unwittingly gets caught up in a long standing elemental feud you get an almost perfect storm of a book.
The relationship dynamics between the brothers is so believable as a family. They fight with each other almost violently, but when one of them is hurt they lash out as one against the attacker. And the writing is very well done, especially the scenes involving all four brothers. Group scenes are notoriously challenging, but you’d never know it reading STORM. All four brothers feel distinctive and present in the scenes (and without exception, they are totally crushable). Beyond the brothers, the supporting cast is also very strong, and the worldbuilding comprehensive but simply explained.
I hate having to bring this up since I was having a blast reading STORM until one particularly sensitive subject was brought up: rape. *SLIGHTLY SPOILERISH* Paranormal fiction is no stranger to the topic of rape, but it’s not as common in YA, nor is it usually gang rape. Becca has a slut reputation at school thanks to an incident involving her ex and the soccer team. We find out that she got drunk and let him pass her around at a party…she said she let them at first, but there were so many of them that they couldn’t tell when she started to fight back…she vomited just before someone got to home base. She never told anyone or pressed charges. She goes to parties with these guys and even foolishly goes off with one when he says he wants to apologize which turns into an ambush where the entire soccer team tries to gang rape her. They are stopped, but not nearly soon enough in my opinion. Throughout all this, Becca doesn’t respond at all the way I would expect the victim of this kind of sexual assault would. It’s not just that she keeps quiet(I understand that reaction), but it’s like the whole thing is just a minor issue. It doesn’t effect her beyond crude sexual taunts at school and having to prove to any guy that she’s interested in that she’s not a whore. I couldn’t get past how this monumentally huge issue was treated…even with people trying to kill each other and elemental powers everywhere, it didn’t justify low-key treatment of rape and sexual assault. *END OF SPOILER*
Most of STORM was a blast of hot guys and elemental powers. Paranormal Romance junkies who love adult brotherhood series like those from J.R. Ward, Gena Showalter, and Larissa Ione will definitely want to give this YA series a go. For the intense and exciting plot, the brutally hot brothers, and the engaging writing, I’d give this a 4/5, but the shoddy treatment of the rape/assault subject brought it down to a 3/5. I’m still very intrigued by the Elementals series and already have Gabriel’s story (SPARK which releases in September 2012) on my wishlist.
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We had talked a while ago on twitter (@liddlshortydemo) about the rape issue. I wasn't sure how to approach it in my review, so I referred readers over to your review. Just wanted to let you know, and send you the link if you were interested. Thanks! A Book Obsession..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.abookobsession.com/2012/04/storm-early-review.html
Thanks Kt. I just commented on your review. I'm so glad we were able to chat about this on twitter. I couldn't wrap my head around it by myself :)
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