Tuesday 21 February 2012

Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine **Review**


Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine
Series: Weather Warden #2
Pages: 389
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Release date: 23rd June 2008
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones

Goodreads synopsis:
I contain a spoiler. If you have not read the first in this series yet, but intend to, do not read this synopsis.
The review is spoiler free.


Accused of murder, Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin was chased across the country - and killed - by a team charged with hunting down rogue Wardens. Five days later, Joanne had a lovely funeral and was posthumously cleared of all charges. Her human life was over, but she had been reborn into Djinnhood. Now, until she masters her enhanced powers, Joanne must avoid being 'claimed' by a human. But when a hazard that only a Djinn could sense infiltrates Earth's atmosphere, Joanne must somehow convince someone to do something about it - or the forecast will be deadly. So who said being all-powerful was going to be easy?



Just to give you an idea of how gripping I found this novel - I didn't even mean to start reading it - not really, anyway. I was sorting out my new bookcase, onto which I put this series, and I was just having a look through. Before I really knew what I was doing, I'd picked this one up and was already over 50 pages of the way into it. Well, you can't just stop reading when you're that far in, can you? Added to that is the fact that this series is seriously addictive - I had to keep reading, even if I hadn't intended to start.

I read the first in this series, Ill Wind, about a year and a half ago, and I really loved it. For a few days afterwards, I didn't look at the weather in the same way - it became something alive and sinister. I know it's not really, but this is the effect that this novel has on its reader, if you allow yourself to be drawn in by it.

Heat Stroke was just as good, if not better, than Ill Wind though! I honestly love Jo's character, and if you think she had a tough time of it before, wait until you see what she's put up against here. Her character sustains it all, takes it in her stride, and loses none of her trademark feisty attitude along the way. She is the definition of a strong female character.

As for the plot, it certainly keeps you guessing! I knew that Jo had to survive the dangers that this instalment in the series threw at her - there are 7 books following it, after all - but how she would survive, I had no idea. It was certainly another close call, and I was wiping metaphorical sweat from my brow by the time the novel ended. And what an ending - what a cliffhanger - it literally launches you straight into the third book, Chill Factor, which I'm definitely looking forward to getting around to very soon!

Caine creates such a unique and exciting world in the Weather Warden series, that you can't help but live in the novel while you're reading it.
An unputdownable novel and series that I highly recommend to any and all fans of urban fantasy - especially if you're looking for something that stands out within the genre! 



16 comments:

Getting Your Read On said...

I haven't read any books in this series yet. They sound fantastic. I'm for sure adding them to my list. Thanks for the review!

Christina Fiorelli said...

This is a completely new creature!

Sounds exciting:))

In Julie's Opinion said...

I, too, read the first book in this series about a year ago and I don't know why I didn't continue reading it then because I really enjoyed it! After reading your review I am definitely going to go to the library and get Heat Stroke! Thanks for the reminder and the great review:)
jwitt33 at live dot com

Sofija Kapranova said...

I love this series. But I always was team Lewis (also he can be an asshole sometimes).

primrose said...

7 books? Dear me..I hope you'll tell more about the other books. This looks interesting.

roro said...

This looks interesting. lovly review

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review! I have Ill wind and Heat Stroke on my bookshelf currently and I keep looking at them and umming and ahhing then picking up something else. This review has got me more excited for them, i'm looking forward to reading them now. Thanks

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this review. I haven't read anything by Rachel Caine but this series sounds really good!

Just Another Teenage Bookworm said...

I should probably read this series.
The Morganville Vampires is on of my all-time favourites, mainly due to Caine's writing.
Thanks for the review.

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

This was a fabulous book. I highly recommend the whole series!

SacredmOOn said...

I've just started Rachel Caines The Morganville Vampire Series. I haven't heard about this one though. Well, till now that is. Great review! I'm sure it is as amazing as her Morganville Series!!
Thanks for sharing!
DeAnna Schultz

Emily said...

Love this book I finished it a couple of days ago and book 3 is waiting on my bookshelf. Rachel Caine is AMAZING!

alena said...

I love morganville vampires and I think is time to read another series of Rachel Caine

Gaby said...

That is an interesting cover... I really want to read this series, but I have her Morganville Vampire series on the go and figure I should finish that first!

Samantha Stewart said...

I've been debating about whether to read this series for a while. The Morganville Vampires series is one of my all time favourite series and I keep meaning to pick up the weather wardens series but I always get distracted. But after reading this review, I am definitely gonna make time to read this series because it sounds awesome!

Unknown said...

I did like this book, but I feel that it perhaps didn't have quite the immediacy of her first offering. The writing is great fun as always, well-paced and humorous in many places, and so it is worth a read.

Mica
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