Spark

Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Format: eBook
Print Length: 432pages
Publisher: K-Teen
Published: August 28, 2012

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.
Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

My Thoughts

Spark is an intriguing story that will captivate the reader.  Gabriel may burn hot then cold but when it involves Layne he is sizzling. When we last left the Merrick brothers, they had just had a really bad week.  A guide had been sent to eliminate them.  Nick had been badly injured, but they were alive and for the most part well.

Spark picks up a few days after Elemental had ended.  Gabriel is wallowing in guilt over Nick’s leg and taking his emotions out on everyone in sight.  Unfortunately, the one way that Gabriel use to tame his emotions was well cut in half.   With Nick’s injured leg he cannot play his varsity sports, okay so Nick doesn’t actually play but Gabriel pretends to do be him.  Now the injury makes it so they cannot trade places- in sports and in math.

On top of his already sucky month, Gabriel’s math teacher takes an extended break.  The sub figured out something that 5 certified high qualified math teachers did not.  Nick had been doing Gabriel’s math work.  Once caught, graduation is in danger and so eligibility to play any sport.

In his math class is a nerdy sophomore, Laney that keeps to herself.  This is due to an accident she had as a child.  She notices that Gabriel is struggling and offers help.  Gabriel unsure but seeing no other way out does take her up on it.

This series just keeps getting better.  Gabriel’s reaction to Nick’s injury is so realistic that you almost want to cry for him.  The fact that Hunter becomes his friend as his relationships with his brothers go from mild to bad in about 4.2 second is also telling of both characters.  But mainly it is his reaction to Laney that draws me to him.  For some reason even when he is mean to her, he is gentle with her.  His mouth can get him in trouble and more often than not does.  His reaction to what he says to upset or anger Laney is telling of his true character.  The one that he keeps hidden from all others.  Laney, is about as realistic as they come.  She does not hide her feelings from Gabriel or walk on eggshells around him.  The best part is that she doesn’t follow him and try to boost his ego all the time.  I love that Laney will stand up to him and for him.  She does not back-down, and that is just the kinda gal that Gabriel needs.

My Rating 4.5 stars out of 5

Other Characters

Nick- Gabriel’s twin brother, the non-screw-up one
Taylor- Resident mean gal, high school cheerleader to boot
Simon- Layne’s brother, this is his first year in public school.  He is deaf but plays some mean basketball.
Mr. Forrest- Layne’s dad, a lawyer who is extremely protective.