Customer Reviews

The Stormchasers (Wheeler Hardcover)

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Storms are such an apt metaphor for this well-written novel that moves along as if caught in a tornado's cycling winds. There are the actual storms, brought to life with descriptive prose, full of color, fury and passion. Then there are the storms between characters, brother and sister, children and parents, boyfriend and girlfriend. And finally, there is the storm that rages in Charles' head, electric synapses firing in unpredictable sequences, connecting thoughts that do not appear logical and leading him to destructive behavior, both to himself and to others. I found this unifying metaphor to be very satisfying as a reader, it helped me to make connections among nature, human behavior and relationships, none of which are ever completely under our feeble mortal control. The lesson of this book is, in one word, humility, in the face of that which is much bigger than any of us. The sooner we accept that, the more at peace our life will be.

Brava, Jenna Blum!

I absolutely devoured this book -- an intense, whirlwind (tornado?) of a family drama. Blum does an excellent and nuanced job of depicting the complexities of mental illness, and the devastating effects it can have on a family. She also brings the reader deftly into the world of storm chasing, hitting the right balance of detail (you feel like you're learning something) and adventure (you get a vicarious adrenaline rush!)

Blum keeps the stakes high throughout the book, with a sense of danger and foreboding building as the story of Karenna's past is revealed. There's also a delightfully sexy love story in the mix. Or maybe it just seemed extra sexy because of all the tornadoes?

In any case, I found Stormchasers to be a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read. Now, where do I sign up to go stormchasing?

I've never quite understood those insanos who find fascination in chasing a dangerous storm, but now I do. Jenna Blum's The Stormchasers, left me with a rich understanding of the kind of people this hobby attracts and it's not who I thought. Originally, I thought of the Midwestern surfer types who have no ocean, and the washed up scientists hunting for the 'big storm' like a data junkie. The movie Twister already covered that. But Blum's book delves beyond those silly stereotypes to provide a rich community of those who love to be humbled by the raw animal nature of god-like lightning and who get excited by the earthy smell of ozone in the air.

By the last storm, I realized I was completely hooked on chasing down that big storm.

I was surprised by the richness of this metaphor in exploring one of the main character's mental problems. At first, I was like, wild storm = charismatic, crazy guy. Got it. But then as we learn more about the enigmatic Charles through the eyes of his sister Karena, the complexity of the storms matches suit. I was delighted to peel layer of layer off the metaphor to see more similarities between Charles and impenetrable storms. I have never understood the power and chaos of a bipolar disorder.

I expected a romance in the book, but I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. The character of Kevin is completely believable, huggable, and as square and wonderful as you could imagine a high school science teacher to be. The chemistry between Kevin and narrator Karena is really fun to watch unfold, answering the aging-old question, how do you flirt when you're over 30? Fascinating and playful.

I loved Blum's first novel, Those Who Save Us, and was appropriately horrified by some of the sad and beautiful descriptions of brutal inhumanity. I did not know if Blum could pull off writing about a subject with less wild drama than the Nazis.

Turns out, she can.

Read this.

Miss Blum has done it again...she has taken me on yet another emotional journey with her vivid, flowing way of storytelling ... in Stormchasers we are gently careened into the life of Karena Jorge, a journalist who has not seen her twin brother Charles in twenty years. Charles suffers from bipolar disorder. On their birthday-eve, Karena gets an unexpected phone call that sets her on a course to find Charles within his realm of storm chasing, where she finds love and understanding in Kevin. We are then cast into the memory of the secret that has kept them apart for so long.

What can I give other than great praise for this story ...vivid, witty; an emotional web of brilliance. In the midst of the storms (actual and inner), you become the characters; feeling the need and want of each. The story is filled with great dialogue, mainly Charles ... he has wonderful dialogue ...his voice brings you into his disease, giving you a close-up glimpse of this disorder, often rabid and vile, yet innocent and sincere enough to want to hold his hand through it all. "...When you get scared for no reason. Then it gets worse. Everything is - tilted. All the surfaces are untrustworthy. All the familiar things seem hostile, and nothing is safe...That's this tarry, oozy place that traps me and holds me while my brain is raked over and over with a comb made of knives."

One of my favorite passages reflects the many rumbles held within the bindings of The Stormchasers: "Karena has always heard tornado survivors say the sound of a tornado is like a train...People must say this because a train is a noise that can be felt with one's feet, in the stomach, as it rumbles closer." No explanation needed ... this is the truth of how negativity affects the soul ... destroying everything in its path.

I have also read Those Who Save Us by Blum; it is obvious that she takes the time to invest in all of her characters before placing pen to pad, therefore, we as readers become invested as well. ... again, Bravo, Jenna Blum! Bravo! Can't wait to see what comes next.

This book was not on the same level as Blum's previous work, Those Who Save Us. Although I enjoyed this narrative well enough at the beginning, the middle really dragged, and the ups and downs of reading about Karena dealing with obstinate Charles (the twin with severe bipolar illness) wore me out and ultimately bored me.

Although the metaphor of stormchasing and bipolar "storms" was apt, the relentless reminder to the reader of how Charles' illness affected his sister was overdone. I think most readers will be able to predict the outcome of the story once the "secret" is revealed. I did, however, enjoy the technical information about the development and science of storms, particularly tornadoes, since I live in the Midwest where this type of weather is common and often destructive.

Another reviewer has remarked about the fact that the two men in the book rarely use Karena's name. Her brother (and twin) calls her either "K" or "sistah", and her boyfriend refers to her as "Laredo" or some other term. I also found that annoying. I really never felt that I got involved with the characters in this novel -- they were very one dimensional and I found myself becoming irritated at times rather than empathizing with their plight. I was basically just glad to get to the wholly anticlimactic end.

I will wait patiently for Blum's next novel, and see if she can revert to the quality storytelling that made me a fan when I read her first book. Overall, just found The Stormchasers only mildly interesting, a bit disappointing, and would tell those who ask, "It's OK."

The writing about weather in here was a clear five star effort, and the descriptions of the storm-chasers were exhilarating, carrying me through the first 1/2 of the book engrossed and enjoying myself. The burgeoning romance was adorable. But once the revelations began, I found that I stopped liking the book, because I stopped liking Karena. It's as if the writer of this book wanted her to be sympathetic, so she made sure that young Karena was weak and clueless. Blum succeeded a bit too well--Karena is a character without backbone and without nuance. In particular, she seems to lack a basic sense of right and wrong.

I found this coloring my perceptions of her when the story returned to her at 38. I found her weak and dishonest and hypocritical. Her brother is also tremendously difficult to tolerate; yes, he's handsome and brilliant, but his mean side is so repellent that his positive aspects are completely obscured. I didn't like the idea of Karena's romantic interest being involved with either of these messed-up, selfish people.

I don't want to offer spoilers, but the big secret is too obvious too soon. Nothing and no one was redeemed at the end of the book for me, either, despite Blum's best efforts with the epilogue. As a huge fan of Those Who Save Us, I am one disappointed reader.

This story follows two sibling though the ups and downs of life when one that you care about suffers from a destructive disorder. I've read and enjoyed Jenna Blum before and I really admire how well-written her works are. The story is told in parts: present and then a peep at the past. The science of tornadoes and information about the chasers are enlightening but not overwhelming.

I didn't want to love this book but I couldn't help it. In fact, my paperback copy no longer looks like new because I was gripping and bending it as I was reading it. I felt like I was there and felt the gamut of emotions that accompanies that feeling. As I followed Karina and Charles through the roller-coaster that is their relationship, I felt just as invested. I love how realistic this novel is. While there isn't a cliffhanger, it doesn't have a neat ending. I loved everything about these characters and I'm not sure what I would have done in their place. I had a bipolar student in one of my classes and as I read this novel, I realized how little I understood this disorder. If anything, I minimized it and that sticks with me a bit.

This is another instance of a book that I would initially shy away from as too serious but at the end I couldn't believe it was over and I was so glad that I read it.

In 2008, Gail Nelson of the Wichita Medical Center Mental Health Clinic calls Minneapolis Ledger reporter Karena Jorge and tells her that her bipolar twin brother, Charles Hallingdahl was admitted to the hospital due to rapid bipolar disorder mood swings; he refuses medication. She has not seen or heard from her sibling except for photos of Tornado Alley storms in two decades as he left home when they were eighteen following a tragedy. She has searched for him since while he searched for the next storm.

Karena rushes from Minneapolis to Kansas, but the next morning after the call, Dr. Brewster tells her that Charles is gone. She joins the Stormchasers brigade that travels Tornado Alley while praying she finds her brother before he does something harmful to himself and others. She is attracted to storm tour guide Kevin Weibke, but is ignorant that he and Charles share a history.

This is a terrific family drama that uses storms as a metaphor for what happened twenty years ago and for what occurs inside Charles' head. The romantic suspense mystery story line captures the reader's attention from the moment hospital liaison Nelson calls and never slows down as several subplots past and present are explored though at times the flashbacks can be distracting. The Stormchasers is an engaging look at the story nature of people and relationships.

Harriet Klausner

The Stromchasers has been in my TBR pile for a while. However, recently I decided to give it a chance, and boy, was I surprised at the final product, because not only was it fully unique and enthralling, but it presents a complex sibling bond- one that I have never quite seen before.

The Stromchasers opens up the day of Karena Jorge's birthday. For Karena, birthdays have never been the cheeriest time of the year, not only because of the fact she's getting older, but because she's reminded of what she lost all those years ago- her twin brother Charles. However, this birthday is different, because with one single phone call, Karena knows the location of her brother for the first time in years, and it seems he wants her to come after him. With this, she leaves and begins a path like no other- one filled with deadly storms, figuratively and metaphorically, a possible chance at love and redemption, and the chance to make everything good again with her brother. However, what happens when a problem of the past comes into view again? Will it leave Charles and Karena farther apart than ever before, or will it bring them closer together? Only time and more pages can tell in this fascinating tale of twins, love, and disease in their best and worse.

With The Stromchasers came several memorable aspects and one of those was the characters. Complex, interesting, and distinctive, Jenna presented each in a notable way. However, the most interesting out of then would have to be Karena and Charles, not only because of their fascinating bound, but because these two were the ones who had so much to gain as well as loss. With Karena and Charles also came feelings that continually rocketed over the page, making the reader feel for them, even when they were not exactly likable.

Furthermore, the plot in this was also absorbing. I enjoyed the focus on storm chasers, because not only is what they do thought-provoking and dangerous, but it also lead to many thrilling moments in the book, as storms truly represented the trouble that had plagued the characters over their lives with the beauty and the horror. It was interesting and I loved every moment of it. The romanced subplot between Karena and Kevin was also a high point, because it lead to Karena to find yet another missing puzzle piece of her life. Better yet, as I mentioned before, I loved the focus on siblings and the bonds between them in this, and with the fact that Charles was bipolar made it even more interesting.

Lastly, Jenna Blum's writing reached the amount of wealth the characters and storylines had. Truly, she did such a fantastic job of getting the emotions of the characters down and with making the bipolar aspects of Charles's character real and relatable. Better yet, I loved the ending she gave. It was not picture perfect, instead it left off in a place where it could really go any which way and I loved that because life isn't picture perfect.

Beguiling, unique, and startling, Jenna Blum's The Stormchasers is one novel you simply cannot miss! Making things even better, it is now available in paperback!

Grade: A-

After reading Jenna Blum's first novel, "Those Who Save Us", I immediately bought her second book, "The Stormchasers". I was immediately drawn in by her rich portrayal of characters and a fascinating story. Jenna created a world in "The Stormchasers" that is so original and kept me turning pages obsessively to find out what was going to happen next! I love the main character, Karena Jorge. She's so courageous and fun and unpredictable. The story twists and turns like the weather she describes so hauntingly, darkly beautiful. This author was born to write.