Friday 3 August 2012

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Review: Fearless by Brigid Kemmerer

Fearless by Brigid KemmererFearless by Brigid Kemmerer - WARNING! I cannot review this book without spoiling the others in the series. Read no further if you're planning on reading this series and don't want it spoiled for you.

Being a force of nature doesn’t keep you safe.

Hunter Garrity is used to watching his back. The kids at school sense something different about him. And they’re right.

Hunter has powers that have nothing to do with how hard he can throw a punch.

Maybe that’s what Clare Kasten is picking up. She’s shy, quiet, and intense, but she’s sought him out. There’s no telling what she wants from him.

But Hunter knows enough to sense a secret when it’s close. And getting close to Clare is a danger he’s ready to face...
From Amazon UK

Being such a huge fan of the Elemental series, I have been super excited to read Fearless, the prequel to Storm that shows some of Hunter's story. I should say now that although Fearless is a prequel, there are spoilers for Storm in it - in other words, things you discover along with the characters in Storm are quite clear from the very beginning of Fearless. You shouldn't read this e-novella unless you've read Storm - and if you haven't you really should stop reading this review now. If you ignored the above warning, don't ignore this one - I will be discussing Storm. You have been warned.

Back to the story. The Hunter we see in Fearless is a very different from the Hunter we see in Storm. In Storm, Hunter seems quite confident and self-assured - though not cocky or egotistical - around girls, or rather  Becca. This is not the case in Fearless. In Fearless, he hasn't even really spoken to a girl before, so when Clare, out of nowhere, suddenly wants to know him, Hunter is not only taken aback, he's a little unsure of how he should act. Despite advice from both his Dad and his uncle about how people are drawn to him because of his abilities as a fifth elemental and probably intends to use him, he refuses to believe Clare is actually after anything. What could she be after? She doesn't even know him. So begins the awkward attempts to keep her wanting to talk to him.

This story is brilliant at helping us learn what led to the version of Hunter we see in Storm. The guy who lies to Becca and keeps track of her, the guy who points a gun at Michael and Gabriel. He learns some valuable lessons from his Dad and his Uncle Jay, and from his experience with Clare. Well, I say valuable - that would be their opinion. Fearless helps us understand that Hunter in Storm is a guy who wants to do his father and his uncle proud, a guy who wants to prove himself, even if they are no longer around. It's so awesome to see his relationship with his father and his uncle, how close they are, how much he admires them. This is amazing considering future events; I have been lucky enough to read an e-ARC of Spark, and now after reading Fearless too, knowing what I now know from reading both stories... wow, I am SO looking forward to Spirit, where Hunter has his own novel. It's going to be incredible.

There is one major difference between this story and all the others in the series I've read so far - it's a single narrative. Hunter tells this story on his own, Clare doesn't get her own voice. But this story is all about understanding Hunter, the guy we meet in Storm, and what led to him being the guy we see. Also, no spoilers, but considering the story, Clare couldn't have her own point of view. You'll see why when you read.

I have to say, with Storm and Spark, I wasn't Hunter's biggest fan, but with this novella, now I understand him, he's grown on me. A fantastic, insightful novella, and one that shows yet again just how awesome this series is! Brigid Kemmerer is definitely right up there with my favourites! I am so excited to continue reading the books and novellas in this series!



Published: 31st July 2012
Publisher: Kensington Books
Buy on Amazon US
Brigid Kemmerer's Website

My other reviews from the series:
Elemental (Elemental Prequel)
Storm (Elemental Book 1)
Spark (Elemental Book 2)

5 comments:

  1. I LOVED getting inside Hunter's head too! To be able to pick part that enigma a little was so rewarding and I'm ridiculously excited for a full-scale story in Spirit. Like you said, it's going to be INCREDIBLE. It's so fascinating to see how his family life influenced him into the boy we see in Storm and Spark. If I'm honest, I think he's one of the boys that interests me the most next to Gabriel.

    I just lovelovelove this series! DON'T LET IT END, JO! I WANT MORE AFTER SPIRIT! Amazing review! <3

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    1. Thank you! Exactly, it's great to see what made Hunter the guy he is. I think I seemed to forget, when reading Storm and Spark, about the death of his dad and his uncle, but also what led to their death - their job... Guards? Guardians? I can't quite remember. I think what we find out about him at the end of Spark, what he did throughout the novel, is understandable because of this, because of what Becca's father is, and that connection. And this story just brings it home a little. It wasn't years ago that his dad and uncle died, it's something like several months? Maybe a year? That is still going to hurt, even during Spark. I think I forgive him.

      And I'm with you, after Gabriel, he's the one I think I want to know more. He has so much going on.

      AND YES! MORE BOOKS AFTER SPIRIT! Please, Brigid? *puppy dog eyes*

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  2. I don't think Fearless spoils the other books too much. The big one is about him being a fifth. But awesome review! I agree that this one definitely helped me understand Hunter better, particularly about him being drawn to people who are drawn to him. That might have been explained a bit in Storm, but I really understood it after Fearless. I just want more but I guess that's why we have the forthcoming Spirit! But I really hope Brigid and Kensington don't stop there - even though Gabriel is my favorite, I still want Nick's story and maybe Michael can get a full story too!

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    1. Thank you! I think the fact that he is a fifth is a big deal, we don't find out for ages in Storm, and I think the reveal is important too. If you already know... I think a first read of Storm will be spoiled.

      Exactly, it was so cool to get a better understanding of Hunter and what has happened in his life. So looking forward to Spirit! I'd love more stories after Spirit too. It would be awesome if this series went on a little longer.

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    2. I really hope so - the series is such a hit and great for KTeen!

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