Customer Reviews

Through the Storm

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Two young women, bonded by friendship, from two distinct backgrounds. One with a praying Mama, the other with an absent mother and unknown father.

This coming-of-age story will have you on the edge of your seat as you journey along the rollercoaster of Jennifer and Mahogany's lives. The women make choices, sometimes good, sometimes bad but in the end the bonds of their friendship helps them make it through.

It is a reminder that your past is behind you, but with renewed hope you can chart your future.

One key to effective storytelling is being emotionally honest. Showing painful events is the simplest way of doing this.

The author creates sympathy for that character, particularly as she struggles to rise above the tragedy. This emotional honesty, which is the core of Through the Storm, however does not excuse mistakes made throughout the narrative.

The use of common figures of speech is tricky. On the one hand, it conveys the comfortable feeling of hearing an old friend tell a story. Yet, when those expressions are misused it raises questions about whether this is simply sloppy writing on the author's part, or whether it is intentionally reflecting a common misuse of these expressions.

To give a couple of examples, the phrase "window shield" was used instead of the word "windshield" to describe the front window of a car. In addition, when a time is given, the author often says, "the clock struck," even though the time is nowhere near the time a clock's bell would be striking.

This misuse of expressions though is minor compared to the more distracting problem of shifting points of view. A paragraph will start from Mahogany's point of view and shift halfway through to the point of view of whomever she's talking to. Trying to figure out through whose eyes a given paragraph is being told is, at best, disorienting, and at worst, an exercise in frustration.

Despite these flaws, Through the Storm, is a powerful story of the discovery of faith. Mahogany's specific struggles are those that anyone who has tried to find their own path alone through life can understand. In the end, it is a message of hope.

I found myself sometimes laughing, and other times I felt like weeping and felt as if I was in the story right with these wonderful people. Its inspiring, hopeful, real and a story that is relevant for men, women, mothers, grandmothers, fathers, and teens. If you are looking for a book that starts strong and ends even stronger. A book that shows you the fragility of our human lives, then gives you a rock solid solution about how to overcome the storms of our lives through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,then this book is for you. If you need a gift to give to someone to change their life, then this is the book to give them!!!!

Sometimes we think we know more than we do about people, places, and situations. The reality is we know less and the only one that knows all is God. Through the Storm by Sha' Givens is a novel about two young women who find that the very thing that they are running from is the very thing that they need.

Mahogany Malone and Jennifer Jones are best friends. They are bright, young, and beautiful, and think that they have everything under control until life throws a curve ball. Mahogany desperately wants to escape an overbearing religious mother who does everything in her power to protect her. As a teenager, one big mistake sends her on a path that not even her mother can save her from. Jennifer as a teenager has already hardened her heart to love as a result of a horrible incident and pathetic relationship with her mother. The two girls lost contact after Mahogany went to college but a phone call informing Mahogany that Jennifer was in the hospital brought them back together. At this point one begins to change and the other is left standing on the outside looking in. The only link is Mahogany's mother, "Momma" Malone.

This is a story that is full of life's lessons and what God can do. The encounters that each young lady has throughout are situations that anyone reading it could relate to directly or indirectly. Unfortunately the storytelling was deliberate in evoking emotions (I prefer it to be more subtle) and read somewhat like a Christian tract. While as a Christian I have no problem with that, some might find it a bit preachy. Through the Storm would be a great conversation starter for individuals who you know are headed to the land of nowhere because the message is clear: Isaiah 40:31. It was an easy read and I recommend it.

Mahogany Malone and Jennifer Jones were raised in the same world but by totally different methods. Mahogany was raised with a strong religious background, while Jennifer raised herself. As the two grew into adulthood their roles reversed. Mahogany began to run from the truth, after she witnessed an act with her own ears that she could not deny. While Jennifer, after a near death experience embraced God and realized God is what was missing in her life. Her relationship with Mama Malone, Mahogany's flourishes once she turns her life over to Christ.

One look at Mahogany after she was born and her mother knew the name and the beauty behind it was befitting. Throughout the life of Mahogany her mother would often say, "Mahogany, the dancer, a strong woman, unwavering in her faith, with the body of a bird that can soar. I am not sure I saw the strengths of Mahogany as I did her weaknesses. I guess her strengths were profound in the way she persevered at fighting the world alone and running from God. A God her mother taught her long ago, that would not forsake her. Over the years, something happens that causes Mahogany's faith to falter. Her mother tries desperately to help Mahogany see her strengths again. The realization of this will take a tragedy for Mahogany to get back on track.

Sha' Givens spins a wonderful tale of redemption, faith and desperation for love. Through the Storm, is the cold reality of life and what happens when we step away from faith. This was an excellent read however; I had one small issue with the book. Some of the words used were different. For example the author used words like "beef roast" instead of "roast beef." After moments of thinking I realized this did not take anything from the story it only showed diversity in how we express our differences.

Missy
APOOO Book Club

Mahogany Malone and Jennifer Jones, were raised in the same world but by totally different methods. Mahogany was raised with a strong religious background, while Jennifer raised herself. As the two grew into adulthood their roles reversed. Mahogany began to run from the truth, after she witnessed an act with her own ears that she could not deny. While Jennifer, after a near death experience embraced God and realized God is what was missing in her life. Her relationship with Mama Malone, Mahogany's flourishes once she turns her life over to Christ.

One look at Mahogany after she was born and her mother knew the name and the beauty behind it was befitting. Throughout the life of Mahogany her mother would often say, "Mahogany, the dancer, a strong woman, unwavering in her faith, with the body of a bird that can soar. I am not sure I saw the strengths of Mahogany as I did her weaknesses. I guess her strengths were profound in the way she persevered at fighting the world alone and running from God. A God her mother taught her long ago, that would not forsake her. Over the years, something happens that causes Mahogany's faith to falter. Her mother tries desperately to help Mahogany see her strengths again. The realization of this will take a tragedy for Mahogany to get back on track.

Sha' Givens spins a wonderful tale of redemption, faith and desperation for love. Through the Storm, is the cold reality of life and what happens when we step away from faith. This was an excellent read however; I had one small issue with the book. Some of the words used were different. For example the author used words like "beef roast" instead of "roast beef." After moments of thinking I realized this did not take anything from the story it only showed diversity in how we talk.

Missy
APOOO Book Club

This is a compelling story about loss, hope, and redemption. It is an emotinal roller-coaster ride. Pushing one to experience laughter and complete dismay. Showing that if you let go and let God it is never to late.