Release date: December 12th 2013
Purchase: Amazon
Available on Kindle for only $0.99
Synopsis via Goodreads:
Sometimes you can’t see the storm coming until it’s too late...
Severe Storm Warning Tip #1:
Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
Severe Storm Warning Tip #2:
If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
Severe Storm Warning Tip #3:
They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
Situated just outside of Oklahoma City, Calumet County is divided into two drastically different communities: Hope’s Grove and Summit Bluffs. One is the small backward town where dirt roads lead the way to field parties and railroad tracks. And the other, a sprawling suburb where paved drives lead to the landscaped lawns of the wealthy and over privileged.
For five teenagers smack in the middle of Tornado Alley, summer is heating up fast. The winds of change are blurring the invisible line that divides the rich and the rural.
One has a secret.
One has a crush.
One has been lying.
One will get caught.
And one might not make it out alive.
They’re from two different worlds…but one summer is about to change everything.
*Purchased a ecopy on Amazon
Due to a previous book that didn't reel me in as much with that technique, I was a little apprehensive about starting Storm Warning because it involves four different perspectives. Luckily, I had too much of an urge to read the story because I ended up liking the various emotions.
Storm Warning is the first young adult novel I've read in weeks, and as much as there are new adult elements, there's definitely that youthful sense of kids trying to figure stuff out and wanting adults to understand their feelings more.
So let's talk characters...
Cameron and Hayden are my favorites. I have to put that out there first. Both really pulled me in and I found I enjoyed their scenes more. Kyle was an interesting character as well, but Ellie Jane just didn't rub me the right way. I couldn't warm up to her personality. It irked me at times because of how she would react to certain things. I get she's frustrated and tired about a certain guy's continuous efforts to hide his feelings for her, but even when she got over it and was starting fresh with the other, she still displayed annoying characteristics that made me want to throw mud at her. That aside, her having to deal with a lot of changes justified her attitude at times. But it was hard for me to not feel annoyed, even knowing what was going on around her. As for Kyle, the overprotective big brother, I liked him. Being placed instantly in a tough position due to the unfortunate yet shitty move pulled by his father, Kyle was forced to make a sacrifice. In the end, he chose to do what he thought was best for his sister and mother. However, that decision only made it worse for Cami to develop courage.
Cooper, as much as he had a lot going on as well, I just didn't care for his presence. I sympathized with his sadness and all that, but let's just say if he doesn't reappear I won't miss him.
Back to Cameron and Hayden. Both were similar in a lot of ways due to the world where they came from and all the crap they had to endure. Both weren't looking for anything good to happen to them until it did and they changed for the better. I particularly liked how Hayden became fearless in expressing how he truly felt, while Cameron still held on to that fear a bit. In the end, I was thrilled when she finally made that epitome. Sadly, it came at a bad time.
There was so much taking place with these characters and the ending leaves readers on quite a dreadful cliff hanger. Now I have to wait until next Spring to find out what isn't coming back. Though, I already have a good idea.
Overall, Storm Warning is a great book with appealing writing and interesting characters. While I may have my favorites, I did like each of the four and what they brought to the story. I liked the setting and general world building. Everything was well-developed and perfectly plotted. I liked it. And you will too, especially if I'm eager to read the second book.
This is the first I'm reading anything from these two authors but Storm Warning has certainly made me want to pick up their individual works. Tremendous effort indeed.
Born and raised in the middle of a Midwestern cornfield (not literally, that would be weird), I’ve spent my entire life imagining stories. Stories where the right guy always gets the right girl, first kisses are as magical as they are on the big screen and anything is completely possible if you believe.
