Mandy Reviews: The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum

ISBN #: 978-0452297135

Page Count: 369

Copyright: 2010

Publisher: Plume

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

As a teenager, Karena Jorge always took care of her twin brother, Charles, who suffers from bipolar disorder. Obsessed with the weather and enraptured by its unpredictability that seems to mirror his own impulses, Charles grows increasingly unstable, until Karena finds herself caught between her loyalty for her brother and fear for her own safety. When a terrifying storm chase with Karena ends with deadly consequences, the twins are torn apart, and Karena's life is changed forever. Two decades later, Karena is forced to confront the dark secret from her past and track down her estranged brother before he does further damage to himself or to someone else. She embarks on an odyssey that will test the strength of their sibling bond and give her an unexpected chance at love and redemption.

Mandy's Review:

Cover

An effectual cover, the darkness of the clouds conveys the oppression of the upcoming storm to the reader. Makes you wonder why the children are sitting in the middle of the road, though.

Plot

Because of a phone call from a hospital, Karena decides to use her job, as a reporter, as a semi-ruse to go hunting for her twin brother. Since her brother is a storm chaser, she joins up with a storm chasing company that takes people on week-long expeditions.

After joining the team, Karena begins getting to know people and has several close encounters with her brother ... that she doesn't find out about until it's too late.

Once the week-long trek is over, Karena still hasn't found her brother and is determined to continue looking. With the help of one of the guides, who has decided to stay with her, and a twist of fate, Karena and Charles (her brother) meet up by pure chance ... or so it seems.

After finding each other, Charles goes home with Karena. Being around each other again causes past emotions to rise up and a blow-up ensues. Can Karena and Charles help each other get over their past?

Main Characters

Karena - This lady has some serious emotional baggage, but it's understandable after knowing what she had to endure growing up. She's very independent, but desires to have someone take care of her, too.

Charles - Karena's twin and often needs Karena to help him get out of trouble. He is affected by the bipolar disorder and believes he has a handle on his disease ... until one fateful storm chase.

Kevin - A storm chasing guide that agreed to stay with Karena to help her find Charles. He cares for Karena, but does not do well with drama or lies.

Overall

An enjoyable, emotional and descriptive read. The storms were very realistic and easy to imagine for a non-storm chaser like me. The dynamic between Karena and Kevin was compelling and drew me into their world. I loved their witty, and often funny, dialogue.

If you love fiction that will draw you in emotionally and keep you reading, then pick up a copy of The Stormchasers.