Book Review: In the Storm

Abandoned by the world around her, Carly believes she is fated to a life of torment at the hands of her stepfather and is desperate for an escape. When she can bear the abuse no longer and gives in to a thunderous rage, she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, storm world. This limbo between dimensions appears to be her private sanctuary, but it may just be her purgatory.

No one escapes fate without sacrifice, but is the price more than Carly is willing to pay?

–From Goodreads

Cover Inspection:
This cover actually drew me in right away because it is so darkly colored and somber. I kept wondering what this book could be about.

First Thoughts:
To say Carly has a tough life is an understatement. What a brave girl.

My Review:
I am still reeling from just finishing this novella, and let me tell you it’s going to stick with me for a while. In the Storm is a book like no others. The 88 pages flew by and I’m left with a feeling somewhere between exasperation at the fact that there is no more left for me to read, and total awe at the whole concept behind the story. This was definitely one of a kind.

Although this is a shorter novella, the characters really come to life. The sheer fact that Karen Metcalf was able to fit so much character development into these pages is what really blew my mind. In a matter of pages I was one with Carly and the immense anger that bubbled underneath her surface. Anger at her life, anger at the circumstances surrounding her, anger at the fact that she couldn’t seem to control anything. Carly is definitely not a happy girl, and it shows both in her actions and her words. However despite her deep anger, you can see that there is a wounded Carly there who just wants to reach out to someone. She craves someone in her life to hold onto. Despite my short stint of reading her, I’m happy to say that I really did feel for Carly.

I don’t want to give anything away, but the plot of this story is truly what blew me away. In beautiful dialogue between Carly and the mysterious Morgan, Karen Metcalf weaves a story that made me stop and think. Hard. Fate is focused upon heavily in this story, as Carly navigates the reality of the dream world she has so recently found. There were portions of the story that I found myself re-reading and blinking at in amazement. Somehow despite my confusion initially it all clicked into place. Now I can’t keep myself from mulling over what my eyes have been opened to. Fiction or not, the way fate is discussed in this book is definitely something to think about.

My one qualm? I want more. I want to know more about why Carly was so important, why her dream world was so vividly created, and why Morgan was so essential to her. Truth be told if the book had been 400 pages I would have read ravenously. The questions that hang in the air at the ending are deliciously maddening.

Long story short, I truly loved this novella. I give it the highest recommendation I can and urge you to pick it up! Perhaps it might have been one that you would glance over normally in favor of books with more buzz, but let me tell you In the Storm is one that you don’t want to miss.

Book Details
Title: In the Storm
Author: Karen Metcalf
Publisher: Vagabondage Press
Pages: Ebook; 88
Source: Received for review from author.
FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.


Final Rating: 5 Keys to My Heart