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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very Heartbreaking, April 14, 2011
This review is from: In The Storm (Kindle Edition)
In the Storm is a novella that almost reads as a diary. I felt as if I was being told, not shown what was happening. That is not the style of writing that I particularly love to read. Therefore, I had a difficult time becoming engaged in the story. Having said that, as I got further along, I found it harder and harder to stop reading. I don't know if that is because I became invested in the story or that I was determined to hash through the confusing details of Carly's "storm world". And believe me, when the world is explained, it becomes very confusing.
There were some things that I did really like about In the Storm, though. Karen Metcalf does an excellent job of giving the imagery of the storm world. I found myself visualizing the trees, the angry sky and waves. I felt the raindrops. I felt Carly's despair. Metcalf also does an excellent job of building suspense. I found myself reading at a frantic pace throughout the second half of the book. All the while, I had a building sense of dread. The book has a very heartbreaking, haunting end.
In the Storm was for me, a very disturbing look at abuse. In saying that, I'm not saying "Don't read this. It's upsetting". I whole-heartedly believe that abuse is a subject we should all be conscious of, even when not directly affected. This book made me more sad than anything. But, as I write this, I realize this very haunting, sad book will stick with me for quite some time.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unlike anything else I've ever read., March 27, 2011
This review is from: In The Storm (Kindle Edition)
I am still reeling from just finishing this novella, and let me tell you it's going to stick with me for a while. In the Storm is a book like no others. The 88 pages flew by and I'm left with a feeling somewhere between exasperation at the fact that there is no more left for me to read, and total awe at the whole concept behind the story. This was definitely one of a kind.
Although this is a shorter novella, the characters really come to life. The sheer fact that Karen Metcalf was able to fit so much character development into these pages is what really blew my mind. In a matter of pages I was one with Carly and the immense anger that bubbled underneath her surface. Anger at her life, anger at the circumstances surrounding her, anger at the fact that she couldn't seem to control anything. Carly is definitely not a happy girl, and it shows both in her actions and her words. However despite her deep anger, you can see that there is a wounded Carly there who just wants to reach out to someone. She craves someone in her life to hold onto. Despite my short stint of reading her, I'm happy to say that I really did feel for Carly.
I don't want to give anything away, but the plot of this story is truly what blew me away. In beautiful dialogue between Carly and the mysterious Morgan, Karen Metcalf weaves a story that made me stop and think. Hard. Fate is focused upon heavily in this story, as Carly navigates the reality of the dream world she has so recently found. There were portions of the story that I found myself re-reading and blinking at in amazement. Somehow despite my confusion initially it all clicked into place. Now I can't keep myself from mulling over what my eyes have been opened to. Fiction or not, the way fate is discussed in this book is definitely something to think about.
My one qualm? I want more. I want to know more about why Carly was so important, why her dream world was so vividly created, and why Morgan was so essential to her. Truth be told if the book had been 400 pages I would have read ravenously. The questions that hang in the air at the ending are deliciously maddening.
Long story short, I truly loved this novella. I give it the highest recommendation I can and urge you to pick it up! Perhaps it might have been one that you would glance over normally in favor of books with more buzz, but let me tell you In the Storm is one that you don't want to miss.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing Story, February 19, 2011
This review is from: In The Storm (Kindle Edition)
I found the story very creative and interesting. It dealt with a strong-willed daughter, her younger brother and their drunken step-father. Carly finds her job in this world is to protect her younger brother - which she does. Along the way, she gets drawn into her own world and meets a young man around her age. It may seem like an old story being retold again but, with Ms. Metcalf's edgy writing she puts a spin on it that makes it fascinating.
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