Latest Read: Spirit

Here are the basics ...
Spirit (Elemental #3) by Brigid Kemmerer
Publication date: August 8, 2012
Publisher: Kensington Books
Category: Young Adult - Paranormal
Source: Netgalley (Thanks!)

Summary: 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. (Adapted goodreads.com)

My thoughts…

The good: I am really loving this world of elementals. I've been reading through this series like crazy! From Storm, to Spark, to Spirit and all the novellas in between. I just love this idea of people who can control earth, air, fire and water. And then there's Hunter, a spirit elemental who can complete the circle of the four elements to boost or use their combined powers. I was surprised that this book was from his point-of-view, mostly because I expected the series to move onto the next Merrick brother. Hunter was an interesting choice since he's a character that I (and I'm sure a lot of other readers) feel ambivalent about. Almost every other chapter makes you question whether or not you can trust him and seeing the chaos of the Merrick brothers / Becca / the Guides situation through this eyes provided a lot of insight. He's still hard to like though.

We finally learn why Hunter is the way he is. His father instilled in him this belief that everyone was out to use him, betray him or worse. So every time Hunter makes a decision, it's like he hears his father's voice in his head telling him that he has to look out for himself at all costs. And let me tell you, this leads Hunter to make some very questionable decisions which were frustrating to read. But at the same time, I saw where he was coming from. He keeps secrets but then people end up keeping secrets from him as a result and then he thinks that they're going to use him (which has happened). It's a vicious cycle! One that I kept rooting for him to break. Especially as he starts spending more time with the Merrick brothers again and meets Kate Sullivan who he seems to have an immediate connection with. I wanted so badly for him to trust or communicate or let himself be cared for.

Spirit also introduces a lot of new insights into the Guides and what exactly it means to be a spirit elemental. It made me even more curious to learn the background of the guides, everyone's "powers" and even what it means for Becca since she's a spirit elemental too. Three books in and it's just enough to hook you in but also the right amount of questions that make you want more. (Plus I want more of the brothers! Just saying.)

(Some) reservations: As I said, Hunter is hard to like and even though I understood him better, he's still not my favorite character. And his romance with Kate was a tad anti-climactic. Some things I really loved - their flirtations and how they got to know each other. But then things get a little crazy to say the least and my jaw dropped at this one scene at the end. Obviously I respect the author's decision but I wish things hadn't ended up that way.

Do I recommend?: Yes! If you haven't started the series at all, I suggest you do. And if you've already read Spark, pick up Spirit!

Happy reading!