I Am the Storm

by Tash McAdam

Keep your head down. Don’t look anyone in the eye. Never even think about technology if one of those ghostly, grey cars is sliding silently down the road. They’ll see the thoughts inside you, if you let them.

Sam’s a technopath, able to control electronic signals and manipulate technology with his mind. And so, ever since childhood, his life has been a carefully constructed web of lies, meant to keep his Talent hidden, his powers a secret. But the Institute wants those unusual powers, and will do anything to get a hold of him and turn him into one of their mindless slaves.

Sam slips up once. Just once, but that’s enough. Now the Institute is after him in full force. Soldiers, telekinetics, and mind readers, all gunning just for him.

Newly qualified soldier, Serena, doesn’t even know she’s chasing a person, all she knows is that she has to find whatever the Institute is after before they do. But tracking an unknown entity through an unfamiliar city, with inaccurate intelligence, unexpected storms, and Gav Belias, people’s hero of the Watch, on the prowl, will she even survive? Will she get to Sam before the Institute does? His special skills could provide the rebellion with an incredible advantage, but not if they can’t get out of the city, and over the huge wall that stands between them and freedom.

Genres: LGBT, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

237 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2018

About the author

Tash is a Welsh-Canadian author, activist and educator. Their publications include The Psionics (Nine Star Press), and the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections Blood Sport and Sink or Swim (Orca Books). They are also featured in multiple anthologies. Tash is a recipient of the Shoot for the Moon fund for trans writers, and a founding mentor with the Gender Generations Project.

When they’re not writing or reading you can probably find Tash in a lake, lying on the carpet thinking about monsters, or getting a new tattoo. They enjoy regular cups of tea, existential philosophy, and sharp objects.

Reviews

[Alex Jay Lore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this. I Am The Storm honestly read like the queer X- en Dystopia I wish I had been able to read growing up. The pace of this is fast, making I Am the Storm definitely one of those books that grab you and won't let you put it down until you're done and ready for the next book. I can't wait what Sam, Serena, and the rest of the gang get up to in the rest of the series!

[Lianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that introduces exciting, relatable protagonists that you want to root for. It gives you the first glance at a dystopian world where people with special psionic powers are hunted for some as yet unknown reason, and where those that escape from the clutches of those in power need to learn to use these powers just to survive.

[Iman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had potential and I'm so disappointed that it turned out like this. There was so much unnecessary boring description of the surrounding and stretched out internal monologue. I could neither get to know the main character or the characters around them. There was hardly any dialogue and the dialogue that it had were either bland or cringey. There were potentially suspenseful and emotional moments but I didn't feel them because I had no connection to the characters.

This book has alternating POVs in each chapter- Sam and Serena. The first 50% of the book was just Sam trying escape from the dentist. Nothing big happened even after he escaped.

The whole story was just something that would normally happen in the first 50 pages of a book. There was no plotline and it was just really disappointing.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

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[Lori Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the definition of a page turner, from start to finish it is impossible to put down. I’m so excited that this is the first book in a series of four! The characters are all so unique, and I found myself intensely invested in their struggle to evade the Institute and make it out of the city. This book also features one of the coolest characters ever, and I would recommend this book just for him! But seriously this was one of the most fun reads I’ve had in a long time. The world building is so clear and visually detailed that it feels like you’re right there with the characters, especially during action scenes. I can’t wait to see how the journey continues!

[Samantha Brae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I just stepped into a new world. The author painted such a clear picture and made me want to explore more! Also they write the action scenes so well. In other books I’ve read that stuff can feel disjointed but here it was so clear I felt like I was watching it. You were right there with Sam every heart-pounding moment of the escape. Both story lines had me on the edge of my seat and looking forward to the point where they intersect. I was not disappointed. Fantastic read- I want more!

[Steff Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

| Reader Fox Blog |


The problem with I Am the Storm by Tash McAdam is that I just couldn't take this book seriously. Following the stories of a young man called Sam with psionic abilities to control technology as he hides from the government who would love nothing more than to take him, experiment on him, and use him for their own benefit and twisted goals and a young girl with mind reading capabilities desperate to find her younger brother who had unfortunately suffered the very fate Sam is trying to avoid, I Am the Storm had a lot of potential.

And yet, I really didn't like this book.

I was excited to read it at first. Unfortunately, the very beginning completely threw me off, setting the scene for me to grow tirelessly frustrated with the writing, the pacing, the characters, and the overall cheesiness of the language. To begin with, the society uses phrases like, "Google, I hate this," and "Nuke me now." And I suppose this quirkiness could have been fun had I been a little bit more impressed with the rest of the novel.

We're first introduced to this world with a giant info-dump of telling and speaking at the reader, leading up into an ironic assumption that we would understand pieces of the world simply by inferring from the related unnecessary information that is presented. I couldn't stand the way Sam's voice was introduced, how he existed as the sort of character that "thinks" everything readers need to know within the first chapter. And then there are points where, instead of naturally inserting the information into the story, Sam references a word and then gives its definition. I just couldn't stand it.

And unfortunately, that seems to be how a lot of the character development in this novel happened, by the novel simply telling the reader something rather than showing events and experiences that would actually grow the characters. Sam himself was also exceptionally annoying in general. Serena was a little bit more likable, which I appreciated, but there was an unfortunate pettiness in her fight with another character that just left me with a bad taste in my mouth and a dislike for the way the rebellion was organized.

Speaking of the rebellion, it's no surprise that the one thing that could really help them turn things around is Sam's abilities--not that they're aware of who Sam is at the beginning--and so as I progressed through the story it genuinely felt as though literally nothing happened. I think pacing was quite a problem in this novel, sometimes moving too quickly for me to develop any ability to care about the characters and at other times dragging out so much that I grew regularly bored.

While I won't say that this was a horrible novel, but it definitely wasn't good by my standards. I can see a lot of people really enjoying it because the plot was definitely fantastic. The execution could have been better with a little bit more happening throughout the book and less filler. Ultimately, I'm not so sure that the book ended where it should have and it felt as though McAdam was adding a bunch of superfluous scenes in order to drag out and end in a specific spot. I don't foresee myself bothering with the sequel.

I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

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[Mary Fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM THE STORM is the first book of the Psionics series by Tash McAdam, and it really sets things off with a bang! I'd read a previous version of this story, which was originally published as a novella called SLAM, and I remembered it being action-packed and full of tension, as a good dystopian adventure should be. I AM THE STORM expands the novella with a whole new storyline and POV; it takes everything I loved about the novella and built it up into a novel-length escapade.

I AM THE STORM follows two teens living in a dark future where a shady government agency, the Institute, kidnaps and brainwashes kids born with special abilities, turning them into mindless weapons. Kids like Sam, who can control technology with his mind. Despite Sam's efforts to keep his abilities hidden, the worst comes to pass, and he finds himself in the Institute's clutches. But he's determined to escape, and he's willing to do whatever it takes. Meanwhile, Serena's one of the youngest fighters in an underground resistance movement, and when she's sent on her very first mission, she's determined to prove herself. As she and Sam both work against the Institute, dodging dangers and desperately trying to outwit the powerful, their paths eventually collide.

Written in a pulse-pounding style reminiscent of graphic novels and narrated in Sam and Serena's down-to-earth voices, this high-octane adventure will grab you from the start and keep you enthralled. The world-building offers glimpses of a bleak future with promises of secrets and twists to be revealed in the rest of the series. I can't wait for the next book!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book had me hooked from the first chapter and it was shortly after that I found myself utterly engaged. The characters are relatable and funny, and in a world that is unique and engaging. I power read through this book in basically one sitting and can't wait to go back and read through it again. The pacing is spectacular and I was kept on my toes the whole time. I can't tell you how much fun this book was. Well worth a read, and then a re-read.

[Meryl Wilsner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sci-fi is often not my genre and I can struggle through books, but this was a delightfully easy read. McAdam creates an interesting world without bogging the reader down in too much worldbuilding. There is some fatphobia from a character in the beginning that frustrated me, but it gets quickly left behind. My favorite thing was not only is this a good story, but McAdam made me care about the characters so much I'm already excited to see what comes for them in the next book.

[Flossie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed tenewing my acquaintance with the characters of the novella Slam which was a thrilling and compelling read.

[Krusky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book from a phenomenally talented writer <3

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had potential and an interesting premise but didn’t quite get there for me.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy through NetGalley. Some spoilers below but I can't talk about it without giving away some details. Sorry. You've been warned. Over all, it was okay. Not great, not bad; just a few things I had problems with.

Spoilers to follow!

I like the idea of a world with the government using those with telepathic powers for their own gain and a fourteen year old with the ability to control electronics attempting to hide from them. There are some really interesting things in this book. I just didn't think it was as great as it could be. I like the two main characters: though i think it's still Sam's own damn fault for getting himself caught. But I really didn't like Abial-- Serena's love interest-- mostly because of how she uses Serena's worst nightmare against her out of petty jealousy. It disgusts me and made it so I really didn't care what happened to her as the story progressed. If there was some better reconciliation or them actually hashing it out before Abial's death at the end, maybe I would have warmed to her a little more, but she never lets up and I have a hard time forgiving her for that. I was happy that it was made clear early on that Sam was not (or at least not likely) to become Serena's love interest for the story. There are other fun characters but they're never really present for more than a few scenes or a couple of conversations.

The first four or five chapters were mostly info-dumps in some pretty bland ways. We're given an outline of what has happened and who these characters are and their past lives through their own minds which means we don't get the chance to discover or decide on our own. I'm not a fan and it almost made me stop reading. But I pushed through and found I really liked the chapters with Sam just working to survive and how he plans on getting even with the Institute for everything they've put him through. Though I was hoping his father and the Reader would play a bigger part in the story.

The ending feels rushed and incomplete. I would have liked for them to at least make it back to the ARC base, but we're left with them running for their lives in the desert.

Like i said, i like the idea and the main characters. I guess if this is meant for a slightly younger teen, it works just fine (kind of like an Alex Rider book) but I wanted more. It doesn't feel as developed and gripping as Hunger Games, but I did like the originality and inventiveness more than the Maze Runner.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a rewrite of a previous book, SLAM, but as there is 60% new material, it really is a fresh start. I Am The Storm is Part 1 of the The Psionics series.

Part 1, I Am The Storm, is a tense game of cat and mouse as Sam, a Psionic who can control technology with his mind, has to go on the run to avoid being captured by the Institute, who want to harness his skill. He is also being chased by a resistance soldier, Serena, who needs him to help overthrow the Institute’s monopoly over the city.

When they finally meet and realise they are on the same side, we begin to see the human side of the characters, and that was when I really began to connect with them. That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy it beforehand. The book is extremely well-written, and the author knows how to play the tension and choreograph incredibly plausible and fast-paced action scenes.

But it isn’t all about the action. There are also some searing scenes of heartbreaking intimacy too, but I can’t say more than that without adding spoilers. The scenes at the Wall were incredible. I was sitting in a coffee shop reading this and honestly, every sound was drowned because I was so involved in the book. That’s an awesome talent, and those scenes alone were enough for me to decide this is definitely a YA author worth watching. It bodes well for the next book in the series. The ending is satisfying, with enough of a cliff-hanger to lead the story on but not so much that you want to scream for more straight away.

Only a few quibbles, the main one being I wasn’t fully engaged in the beginning and I’m still not sure why. I think it was because of the amount of tell rather than show, which can get in the way when a character is running for their life. Another was the slightly odd way the characters used the word “Google” in the way we would usually say “God.” Ie., Thank Google for that. I get that Google is the new God in this rain-drenched, Dystopian world (isn’t it already?) but it just took me out of the scene for a nano-second each time. I think that’s a personal preference though, and shouldn’t reflect badly on the quality of the writing.

Finally, the world-building is great, convincing and bleak, and the plot doesn’t flinch from difficult issues (death, mainly) and crucially, doesn’t try to be “down with the kids.” This is an intelligent novel, and a really strong start to a fast-paced YA sci-fi series.

[Isabelle | Nine Tale Vixen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy from the author. This does not affect my rating or opinions.

3.5 stars.

After falling sharply and in-the-best-way-painfully for We are the Catalyst (which I received through #ReviewPit), I reached out to the author to see if I could also get a copy of I Am the Storm, and they were nice enough to send me one immediately!

To be honest, I had pretty high expectations since We Are the Catalyst just blew me away; there's nothing with I Am the Storm, but I had trouble getting over how much more I happened to like Catalyst. (While Storm is officially the first in the series, it serves as more of a prequel; there's a good bit of worldbuilding and it follows two characters who play significant roles in, but aren't the center of, Catalyst.)

That's what powers will get you. Total idiocy and inability to think like a regular person.

Sam and Serena are solid protagonists: highly likable, relatably flawed teenagers. Both are fighters, literally and metaphorically, but after all they go through I just want to wrap them in blankets and lock them in their rooms to keep them warm and safe. Alas, their world needs them and they're going to do great things.

Power. It all comes back to power — holding on to it and pushing down those who are at the bottom in order to keep themselves on top.

Since dystopian YA has been making a comeback (between the upcoming Hunger Games prequel and the general recent political climate), I think a lot of readers will enjoy I Am the Storm. It's an action-packed read that definitely sets the tone for the rest of the series, with a well-explained and thoughtfully created world, memorable sympathetic characters, and lots of excitement.

rep: lesbian main character, F/F romance
content warnings: graphic violence, secondary character death(s)

[Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is written in Dual pov (Sam and Serene)
Serena and Kial, despite their broken friendship, work together to rescue Sam, a technopath, who has been caught by the Institute. Much of the story is world building. Sam, to understand his parents' sacrifice and the world he's grown up in, while hiding. Serena, to understand her drive to take down the Institute, and the absence of one to comfort her through the hardships she's had to endure. There is much to lose, but more to gain if they can stay alive and out of the clutches of the Institute and its soldiers that are tracking them down.

I thought the story had a good premise, though most dystopians are similar to me. We are not told why the world is the way it is, just how it works and who is in control. I liked that there was no blasphemy, it was replaced with Google. There was mild cussing, sparsely used, but there. There is violence, fighting and training. There is no sex, but there is unrequited love, both same sex and opposite sex. I did not understand the rain and why there had been none for so long, maybe I missed it while reading. I did find myself skimming in spots. The details just seemed to go on and on in places. The story ends on a cliffhanger, which I'm never happy about. But I am not sure I would consider reading the next book.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSprout in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie GooglyEyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh!! It ends in a cliffy, damnit! LoL
Hopefully the next comes out soon.

This was a thrilling ride featuring 2 young adults. One trained in combat and telekinesis, the other can talk to electronics. The story is told from both perspectives. Serena in one part of the world and Sam from another. Each follows their own story until they finally meet up near the end. Now they're struggling to escape the clutches of the evil government and their soldiers "The Watch".


It's fast paced and action packed and will have up absolutely cheering for these characters. The world building is awesome, and reminds me of a few books I've read in the past, but with their own twists. Like the world is split into sectors and the main city is sealed in by The Wall. (Reminds me of Eden from The Beyond Series by Kit Rocha).

Anyway, there's zero heat in this book, this is not a romance. I've not read one like that in awhile and it was actually kind of refreshing. Highly recommend if badass YA/Dystopian/Adventure/PNR is your "thing" :)

[Di Stefano · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all ‘I am the Storm’ is an exciting, fast moving, unpredictable, even shocking, page turner of a book that keeps you gripped and desperate for Psionics book 2 to be released. Anyone who loves action adventures will love this.
But it is much more than a gripping adventure; it has interesting characters and a fascinating future world begins to unfold as the book progresses.
The protagonists are not picture perfect heroes; they are not initially even necessarily likeable. They have an inner life, emotions and weaknesses; they don’t always get it right, they can fail, even die. One becomes involved with them and to ‘love’ them because of their bravery and determination.
It is obvious that this future world is going to be developed and unfold as the series progresses. Equally obviously the author has meticulously has researched the detail and ‘science’ thoroughly.
I strongly recommend this book.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the suspenseful writing style that Tash McAdam has. Their books are really hard for me to put down. I just want to know what happens next - and next - and next. The chapters switch back and forth between two character povs and storylines that eventually come together, which means that each chapter feels like the return of your favourite show.

This is an engrossing, action-oriented, read. Really, the only reason I gave it only 4 stars, is because at the time of writing this review, I've already read the second book in the series, and its even better - so I needed to mark that SOMEHOW.

[Si Clarke]

In a world where those with powers are outlawed, 14-yo Sam is a technopath, able to to control electronic gadgets and networks. He must constantly hide his gift. Serena's a soldier in the shadowy ARC, working to bring down the group that outlawed people like her.

For me, too much of this novel was spent inside the heads of our two main characters. I feel like I have a deep understanding of who they are as people but no knowledge of what their world and the people around them are like. It prevented me becoming fully immersed in the story, which is a shame as I would have liked to.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am the Storm by Tash McAdam is an amazing story that I have read. I was hooked from the very begining of this story and I am so in love with this brand new series by a brand new author for me. I highly recommend this story to any one who loves reading Sci-Fi and YA book then this one is for you I loved reading it very much.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jayne Ebrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the Storm is an action packed novel from start to finish. The characters, plot and subject matter are well developed, complex, and exciting. It is an absorbing read. Can't wait for the next book.

[Tina]

I really enjoyed this book. Really good plot to the story. Very well written. Would highly recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of stories. Can't wait to read more from this author. Fast paced to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man this was a good read! The characters are great, the action scenes are amazing and everything feels so realistic. I was holding my breath in most of the scenes and couldn't stop reading! The plot is really well developed and I'm ready for the next books!

[Di Stefano · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last the long awaited first full length novel of the Psionics series following on from a number of intriguing short stories and the novella Slam.

[Beth Carlson-Malena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I was riveted by both storylines and main characters, and the world the author wove together.