Blog Tour: Secret by Brigid Kemmerer (& Giveaway!)

Secret (Elemental #4) by Brigid Kemmerer
January 28th, 2014 · Allen & Unwin
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 375

EARTH. FIRE. AIR. WATER.

Nick Merrick is stretched to breaking point. He's trying to keep his grades sky-high or he won't get in to college. He's trying to keep his brother's business afloat or the Merricks will be out on the street. He's trying to keep the secret of where he's going in the evenings from his twin brother Gabriel - or he fears he'll lose his family. And he's trying to keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who is his 'girlfriend's' partner.

And then Quinn takes to hanging around his sworn enemy, and an Elemental Guide is counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. Storms are brewing. On all sides.

SECRETS IN THE WIND. DANGER IN THE AIR.

Our awesome Aussie edition included the Breathless novella in the front of the book and what a smart idea that was. I hadn't yet read the novella so it was the perfect way to get ready for Secret and gave me the chance to meet Adam. It isn’t necessary but if you plan on reading this instalment, I highly recommend you read the novella first because it really sets the story and puts everything in motion.

I know there's been some backlash when it came out that Nick was gay but when I heard my reaction was a positive one. 1) It was a complete surprise and something I hadn’t seen coming and 2) I was looking forward to seeing how Brigid would handle the LGBT aspect when it came to writing Nick’s novel. As the latter (and as expected), she wrote it with grace, authenticity and I think any fan of LGBT lit (or the Elemental series, for that matter) will be pleased with the honest portrayal.

As for the Elemental storyline, I feel it wasn't as present, like I found Spark to be, but this time I had no complaints. (Maybe because Nick's my favourite of the twins, not to mention him and Michael are currently battling it out for 'the favourite brother' title. Sorry, Chris, you were just a fling.) I'm actually glad Nick's story and the LGBT aspect took precedence because it was the driving point of the story - but that doesn't mean it was any less explosive.

Having only just met Adam when I read Breathless, I am happy to report back that I really liked him as a character. I ship him and Nick so much, I’ll even go as far to say that they are my favourite couple from the whole series. Quinn also played a significant role in the book, with her and Nick’s POV switching between chapters. She’s never been my favourite character and while I probably would have preferred a whole book just on Nick, I feel like I understand her a lot better now after getting to know her, her background and just who Quinn really is.

As for the ending, Kemmerer is the master for tying up loose ends, but leaving the reader wanting more, without making it a big, dreaded 'don't-leave-me-hanging' cliff-hanger. Sacrifice, I'm ready for you. *ponders title* I think?

4/5

Thanks to the wonderful team at Allen & Unwin, you have the chance to win a copy of Secret! This specific giveaway is open to Australian residents only but if you're from the US, you can enter the current Debut Delirium giveaway. Good luck and as always, happy reading!

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