Firestorm

This was a very fast paced book. It seems that Jo, David and now Imara just can't catch a moment to breathe. I loved Jo and Imara's mother/daughter interaction. I wish we could have more of them. David seems the most lost this time around. I hope in Thin Air Jo and Dave can get breathier. I was pretty upset at what happened to Imara at the end. I really hope the situation is not going to stay that way. The book is unclear about what's going to happen to Dave and Jo in the future. I really hope things turn around for them.

Why did I give Firestorm 5 stars? Why do I love it so much more than some of the other reviewers? First, I do not necessarily like my books soft, sappy soap operas that always have a 100% happy ending. I love adventure, adversity, excitement, humor, depth of character and a plot that encourages me to read the novel again and again to catch the nuances I missed the first time (and let's not forget sheer paranormal coolness - reading about the "magic" of the earth, fire and weather wardens is hair-raising fun). FIRESTORM has all of the characteristics I love in a paranormal fantasy and more. Second, Joanne, David and to a lesser extent Lewis grew in this book because Rachel Caine didn't spend so much time fleshing out side characters. Don't misunderstand me, I adore Rahel and Paul, and I loved Jonathan and so many others (you hear the "but" coming, don't you?) but I was tired of the continuously growing list of characters that detracted from Ms. Caine's ability to develop Joanne, David and Lewis and the world in which the Wardens and Djinn live and the (now changing) rules by which they operate. In each of the previous books, we learned more and more about the side characters - enjoyable, of course - leaving less time for the key characters and long-range plot development. In Firestorm, Ms. Caine is getting back to basics and that's a Good Thing. You will be amazed at the changes in the Warden & Djinn Rulebook (my phrase, not hers). Remember those commercials in the 70s with the catchphrase "It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature!"? That phrase should be the subtitle of Firestorm. I stand in awe of Ms. Caine's imagination and creativity in this novel - she's changing the rules on us, but the new rules are so fascinating I not only don't mind, I'm looking forward to reading the new playbook. Personally, I love the tension in the Weather Warden series - in fact, it's easy to see why Jim Butcher (the Harry Dresden novels, and quite possibly my favorite author) loves Rachel's books - since his books are similarly action-packed. I also recommend visiting Ms. Caine's website, where you can read what appears to be two chapters in the sixth book, Thin Air, due August 2007. Although part of this work is contained at the end of Firestorm, more is found at Ms. Caine's website. It's worth reading, especially if you're like me and can't wait for August to arrive. Lastly, some good news - I believe ROC has agreed to publish three more Weather Warden books after Thin Air. Go Rachel, you deserve it!

I must be the only person who's reviewed this book so far who doesn't think it moved too fast or rushed through it. And I certainly don't think Joanne has become a bad character. FAR from it. Well ok, Windfall (the previous book to this) is the best Weather Warden book to date, but this is my second favourite, purely because it has lots of Jo and David scenes in it. Windfall was lacking a lot of their relationship, so to have lots of them makes this book awesome. If you've read the other reviews, you'd know the plot - it's continuing on from Windfall's exciting cliffhanger, and you get thrown in the deep end straightaway. If you didn't read Windfall, you won't have a clue what's going on. But here it is simply: Jonathan, the head Djinn of them all is now dead, and Joanne's lover David has taken his place. David told Jo to warn the Wardens that the Djinn/Warden relationship is now over and that the Djinn can no longer be claimed. Jo, along with her trusty sidekick Cherise heads for New York City to Warden HQ. Also accompanying her is her newly born Djinn child, Imara, who was born grown up and in Jo's words dresses like a Victoria's Secret fashion model (ie better then she does). Jo and Imara's relationship is just adorable - they are so cute together. They have the usual mother/daughter arguments but always get along. What happens to Imara in this book is heartbreaking, and you really feel for Jo. There is also a sidestory of Jo's sister Sarah and her evil boyfriend Eamon - he'd kidnapped Sarah and will kill her if Jo doesn't get him a Djinn. You find out why he needs one later in the book. Jo has to put up with this along with the fact that the world might be coming to an end and she is the only one who can stop it. As always, the characterization is excellent - Jo is (as always) our feisty fun heroine, and I don't think (as a previous reviewer said) that she is turning into a damsel in distress. She takes care of business in her own stylish way and she never gives up. All the favourite characters are back - David, Lewis, Marion, Cherise, Rahel and there's a couple of new faces. Jo and David's relationship, like I mentioned before, takes a place in the spotlight for this book and I love it. All the scenes where they are together are riveting reads, and one of my favourite bits is where they have an argument about Jo's car, it's very cute. Jo delivers her narration with wit and personality and keeps you reading. The worst thing about Firestorm? The ending. It's another cliffhanger, and it's about a million times worse then Windfall's one. We have to wait till August to see what happens in Thin Air, and it can't come quick enough for me. Overall, this is another strong Weather Warden book and a fine addition to this absolutely magnificant series. Rachel Caine is an amazing author (and a very nice person to boot) and it shows in this book. Bravo, Rachel! Another winner, a definite 5 stars from me.

The Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine has just been a delight to read! It's definitely worth reading them in order as otherwise they might get rather confusing but the standard of the writing is consistent throughout. Book 5 starts where book 4 (Ill Wind) left off - the Djinn have been released from their bond with humanity and Mother Earth is waking up. David, Joanne's lover, has now become head honcho of the Djinn and his and Joanne's baby has been born - as a full grown adult, Imara. Firestorm carries on the theme of the other books - there is a lot of long-distance driving, loving description of flashy cars, injuries, confusion, weather changing, fires, Djinn... everything that we loved about the previous books is here. Paul, Lewis, Marion and others appear again - as does Joanne's sister Sarah and her evil lover. In fact, Joanne seems to have no end of things on her plate in this book at the same time - not only is she trying to save the world, she's also trying to help her daughter feel worthwhile, to rescue her sister, to look after her friends... the list is endless. I feared at the end of the last book that David wouldn't be part of the story now, or would be a baddie - fortunately that's not so. We have the ready-made baddie Ashan, of course, who gets a bigger part in this story, plus the three Oracles who are new characters and very significant. When starting this book I wondered if it would tie up all the loose ends and finish the series, knowing that Rachel Caine has now started the Morganville Vampires series. But no, this book ends up with more loose ends, not less, at the end, and the sample chapter of the next book shows it's going to be fascinating. What do I like so much about these books? I think it's the heroine - she's such fun! She has to make some pretty major decisions in this book and I like the fact that things don't go all right for her all the time. Still, it's amazing she's still alive with all the hardships she faces. Read this book - it's a great way to spend an afternoon!

Rachel Caine's phenomenal Weather Warden series continues with the fifth installment, FIRESTORM. FIRESTORM picks up right where WINDFALL left off as Mother Nature is awakening and she is very angry. Meanwhile, the tenuous alliance between the Djinn and humans has been broken and it looks like all of humankind is in dire jeopardy. Joanne Baldwin, newly reinstated as a Weather Warden, hopes to avert global disaster while addressing her own issues. After all, Joanne's lover, David, is now the leader of the Djinn and can no longer guarantee her safety- even with him. Plus, she finds herself in the role of mother to Imara, who is fully grown and possesses traits of both Djinn and human but isn't fully either one. Joanne sets off on her quest to save the world. She intends to petition Mother Earth through the Oracles. Instead, Joanne discovers that the situation is even worse than she or the other Wardens thought. Will Joanne be able to rally the resources to appease Mother Nature or has the apocalypse finally arrived? Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series only improves with each new book. Joanne Baldwin's feisty personality and willingness to sacrifice for others has established a new kind of hero. Joanne is neither perfect nor invincible but her selflessness makes others willing to do whatever is necessary to help her. FIRESTORM provides further complications in her relationship with David as David is now forced, as leader of the Djinn, to put others ahead of Joanne-and yet his love for her is very apparent, even as he tells her not to trust him. Readers will find themselves both cheering and crying as Rachel Caine cleverly progresses the storyline. FIRESTORM is not a stand alone novel although Rachel Caine does provide a brief history of what has previously transpired. This serves more as a refresher to fans of the series than as a starting point for new readers of the Weather Warden series. Rachel Caine's complex world building would make it difficult for readers new to the series to start with FIRESTORM as each book builds upon the previous one. In act, FIRESTORM picks up on the cliffhanger ending from WINDFALL and ends with yet another cliffhanger. FIRESTORM proves yet again the genius of Rachel Caine. The Weather Warden series makes the seemingly boring topic of the weather both exciting and invigorating. Each character portrayed plays an integral role in the overall storyline and Ms. Caine's world building is definitely among the best in the industry. FIRESTORM is sure to delight and is easily recommended! COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES