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Weather Warden #2
Heat Stroke
Book by Rachel Caine
389 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2004
204 people are currently reading
3805 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Caine
218 books19.3k followersRachel Caine was a pen name of Roxanne Longstreet Conrad.
She has also published as:
Roxanne Longstreet
Roxanne Conrad
Julie Fortune
Ian Hammell
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She has also published as:
Roxanne Longstreet
Roxanne Conrad
Julie Fortune
Ian Hammell
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews
July 1, 2010
Heat Stroke begins chronologically almost immediately after Ill Wind. It starts out rather like a paranormal romance. A lot of time is devoted to Joanne's relationship with David, who has made her into a djinn, since she died horribly in the last book. Although they don't come out and say it, there's definitely a strong emotional tie between them that I'd call love. David seems a little more committed than Joanne, and I'm not sure how I felt about that (Joanne is still sorting out her feelings). They spend a lot of time getting to know each other, with the major objective of David trying to teach her to be a djinn.
Joanne loves her connection with David, and likes being a djinn, although it's very intense--their perceptions are a lot more intense than humans, and it throws her for a loop. Rahel, a djinn that Joanne had a few run-ins with in Ill Wind shows up. Her task is to escort Joanne and David to David's friend, and the most powerful djinn in the world, Jonathan, where she finds out the enormous price David paid to save her life. Jonathan is not too happy with Joanne, but out of his loyalty to David, he gives her one week to learn to exist as a djinn without drawing on her connection to David. If she can't adjust, then her number is up.
Unfortunately, learning to be a djinn doesn't turn out to be the biggest of Joanne's problems. There is a huge imbalance in the forces that control the weather, fire, and the earth, causing potentially major catastrophes to occur. With some odd anomalies in the aetheric, which is sort of an intangible layer in the upper spheres of the atmosphere where the Wardens and djinn manipulate the earth forces to control them, that turn out to be very dangerous, especially to the djinni. And then, there's a very wicked woman who wants control of David, and is willing to use Joanne to get that control. Yikes. Things get pretty wonky in this book.
Admittedly, Heat Stroke started out slowly. Don't get me wrong. I love my romance, but not as so much of the focus in an urban fantasy book. Frankly, I was starting to wonder when the action was going to start. I suppose that Ms. Caine planned it that way, because I was thrown for a loop with what happens next. Joanne finds out the hard way the worst part about being a djinn, when she gets claimed by a very troubled teenaged boy, under the guidance of the stepmonster from Hell, a woman that David hates with a burning passion.
Ms. Caine manages to skillfully weave this story with a rich mix of action, angst, sensuality, and the power of loves lost and found. Joanne is a good protagonist. She has some aspects that lend her narrative voice to chick lit, but at the same time, she has the credibility to be a good action heroine. She's quick thinking, and courageous, dealing with some pretty hairy situations, and trying to work around her new master, Kevin, who inspired a complex combination of sympathy and disgust within me (he has very poor hygiene, but it's for a reason which made me very sad).
I really liked the djinn aspects. It brought to mind the sly wit of "I Dream of Jeannie", but also the origin folklore of djinni (which I appreciate even more). The humor is good, and I liked the biting sarcasm, wry humor, and fashion-oriented voice of Joanne. Of course, I love David. He's quite a co-star in this book--with the potential to steal the show. Lewis (who I also love), Joanne's old flame and friend, and the most powerful Warden on Earth, has a big role, which looks like it will play out heavily in the next book.
So, despite the slowish start, and the fact that some of the atmospheric lingo and physics went over my head (although it was kind of interesting at the same time), this turned out to be a very good read. Ms. Caine more than delivers the goods with this second installment in the Weather Warden series. I'm not quite sure where she'll go with this story, but I'm definitely invested. The next book is definitely going to deal with some huge implications, based on the crazy cliffhanger in this book. I like the science and folklore aspects, and the message about how great power has even greater consequences, both in the right and wrong hands. I'd recommend this book to urban fantasy fans, but don't give up if the beginning drags a little.
Joanne loves her connection with David, and likes being a djinn, although it's very intense--their perceptions are a lot more intense than humans, and it throws her for a loop. Rahel, a djinn that Joanne had a few run-ins with in Ill Wind shows up. Her task is to escort Joanne and David to David's friend, and the most powerful djinn in the world, Jonathan, where she finds out the enormous price David paid to save her life. Jonathan is not too happy with Joanne, but out of his loyalty to David, he gives her one week to learn to exist as a djinn without drawing on her connection to David. If she can't adjust, then her number is up.
Unfortunately, learning to be a djinn doesn't turn out to be the biggest of Joanne's problems. There is a huge imbalance in the forces that control the weather, fire, and the earth, causing potentially major catastrophes to occur. With some odd anomalies in the aetheric, which is sort of an intangible layer in the upper spheres of the atmosphere where the Wardens and djinn manipulate the earth forces to control them, that turn out to be very dangerous, especially to the djinni. And then, there's a very wicked woman who wants control of David, and is willing to use Joanne to get that control. Yikes. Things get pretty wonky in this book.
Admittedly, Heat Stroke started out slowly. Don't get me wrong. I love my romance, but not as so much of the focus in an urban fantasy book. Frankly, I was starting to wonder when the action was going to start. I suppose that Ms. Caine planned it that way, because I was thrown for a loop with what happens next. Joanne finds out the hard way the worst part about being a djinn, when she gets claimed by a very troubled teenaged boy, under the guidance of the stepmonster from Hell, a woman that David hates with a burning passion.
Ms. Caine manages to skillfully weave this story with a rich mix of action, angst, sensuality, and the power of loves lost and found. Joanne is a good protagonist. She has some aspects that lend her narrative voice to chick lit, but at the same time, she has the credibility to be a good action heroine. She's quick thinking, and courageous, dealing with some pretty hairy situations, and trying to work around her new master, Kevin, who inspired a complex combination of sympathy and disgust within me (he has very poor hygiene, but it's for a reason which made me very sad).
I really liked the djinn aspects. It brought to mind the sly wit of "I Dream of Jeannie", but also the origin folklore of djinni (which I appreciate even more). The humor is good, and I liked the biting sarcasm, wry humor, and fashion-oriented voice of Joanne. Of course, I love David. He's quite a co-star in this book--with the potential to steal the show. Lewis (who I also love), Joanne's old flame and friend, and the most powerful Warden on Earth, has a big role, which looks like it will play out heavily in the next book.
So, despite the slowish start, and the fact that some of the atmospheric lingo and physics went over my head (although it was kind of interesting at the same time), this turned out to be a very good read. Ms. Caine more than delivers the goods with this second installment in the Weather Warden series. I'm not quite sure where she'll go with this story, but I'm definitely invested. The next book is definitely going to deal with some huge implications, based on the crazy cliffhanger in this book. I like the science and folklore aspects, and the message about how great power has even greater consequences, both in the right and wrong hands. I'd recommend this book to urban fantasy fans, but don't give up if the beginning drags a little.
August 12, 2015
[2.5 Stars] This one was pretty meh. I wanted more weather wardens, less djinn, more character development, and a plot that connected things together better. This really didn't give me any of the above. Some scenes I loved, but I missed a lot of the things I loved about the first book. Like the way we got to know the characters and the way the little plot points came together. This just didn't seem as well thought out, and I don't unfortunately think I'm going to continue with the series.
February 8, 2024
At the end of Ill Wind Jo, our protagonist, dies and is brought back as a Djinn by David — the other half in this week-long situationship. I had a few issues with this ending.
Namely, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Weather Warden Jo; we hadn’t gotten much of the organisation due to her being a fugitive from page one. Her Djinn-ing around with David didn’t hold the same interest for me. Also, the ending where Jo and David can be together forever as Djinn felt too easy, too neat of a conclusion.
Thankfully, Heat Stroke goes out of its way to complicate that conclusion.
Jo isn’t a Djinn; she’s half a Djinn. David doesn’t have infinite Djinn-making abilities; he’s just powerful enough to be able to quasi-sustain them both in a half-Djinn limbo — and even that’s up for debate.
To me, not having important ties to the world after centuries presumably living in it is a billboard sized red flag.
Introducing Jonathan fixes that issue for me, and a few others actually. Not only is his connection with David unfathomable to Jo, this fact is treated with respect rather than used as petty competition.
Jonathan happens to be the leader of the Djinn, which places Jo under his purview. The Djinn are heading for war and David’s rash act of guilt (and love) has cost them their second MVP as he’s now no better than a rank-and-file Djinn. In fact, the act might cause a Djinn-ending catastrophe.
I love how Caine can switch things up really fast without sacrificing established characterisation or storytelling. She has a knack for knowing when the status quo has run its course. In the spirit of that, she drops this new plot on our laps and flings Jo and David in different directions.
The tentative “love triangle” between Lewis, Jo and David is still odd, even with Lewis present this time. Lewis seems generally removed from the situation; David is too concerned about Jo; and Jo is slutshaming herself for enjoying hugging Lewis while in an unspecified sexual relationship with David.
Its not so much a triangle as Jo beating herself up because she’s trauma-bonded with David in two weeks. As if that means her long history with Lewis has to be erased. Caine is oddly harsh on Jo in my opinion.
Now, lets get to the plot. Jo is supposed to be mentored by Patrick, a Djinn that was turned in similar circumstances to Jo. After brief tutorials, Jo consents to being claimed by Lewis — who immediately gets distracted by an attractive woman grinding on him, long enough for her sixteen year old son to wrest control of Jo’s bottle.
Before this, I was excited to see more of Lewis.
Before this.
Because of Lewis, Jo is held captive by a teenager. Kevin is written with such repugnance its actually difficult to get behind Caine as she attempts to dismantle the perceptions of him she built for the reader.
His stepmother, Yvette, sexually abused him. He’s as much of a victim of her as Jo is, but having Jo actually empathise with him is still painful, especially as he continues to victimise her.
Similar to the last book, our initial antagonist, Yvette, isn’t terribly interesting, but Kevin makes up for a lot of that. How he pendulums between truly pathetic and childishly vicious is where the book mines most of its tension. So, ending on Kevin stealing Lewis’s powers and controlling the most powerful Djinn in existence is an effective way of ratcheting up the tension for the next book.
Lastly, Caine’s handling of the Warden/Djinn dynamic is still frustrating. She’ll attempt to argue it can be symbiotic as Djinn can access their full potential when claimed, but then we’ll have David explicitly call it “rape”.
The tricky part is that he uses that word when he’s being forced to do something sexual rather than an indictment of the entire power imbalance. When Jo claims David at the end of the book, he’s positively ecstatic. Hell, the relationship between Patrick and his Djinn, Sara, is treated as a perfectly authentic love story despite it happening under a master/slave dynamic.
It’s uncomfortable reading as Caine speaks out of both sides of her mouth about something so serious.
Namely, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Weather Warden Jo; we hadn’t gotten much of the organisation due to her being a fugitive from page one. Her Djinn-ing around with David didn’t hold the same interest for me. Also, the ending where Jo and David can be together forever as Djinn felt too easy, too neat of a conclusion.
Thankfully, Heat Stroke goes out of its way to complicate that conclusion.
Jo isn’t a Djinn; she’s half a Djinn. David doesn’t have infinite Djinn-making abilities; he’s just powerful enough to be able to quasi-sustain them both in a half-Djinn limbo — and even that’s up for debate.
A flash came and went fast in Jonathan’s eyes, and sparked something in response in David. Silent communication, and very powerful. Ah. Whatever was between these two wasn’t hate. It looked a lot — uncomfortably — like love.I’ve always hated when ageless characters like David — characters that canonically have lived multiple lifetimes — only have a consequential past and a present life that is treated only as an obstacle to the love interest. Even books I love have this sometimes.
To me, not having important ties to the world after centuries presumably living in it is a billboard sized red flag.
Introducing Jonathan fixes that issue for me, and a few others actually. Not only is his connection with David unfathomable to Jo, this fact is treated with respect rather than used as petty competition.
Jonathan happens to be the leader of the Djinn, which places Jo under his purview. The Djinn are heading for war and David’s rash act of guilt (and love) has cost them their second MVP as he’s now no better than a rank-and-file Djinn. In fact, the act might cause a Djinn-ending catastrophe.
I love how Caine can switch things up really fast without sacrificing established characterisation or storytelling. She has a knack for knowing when the status quo has run its course. In the spirit of that, she drops this new plot on our laps and flings Jo and David in different directions.
The tentative “love triangle” between Lewis, Jo and David is still odd, even with Lewis present this time. Lewis seems generally removed from the situation; David is too concerned about Jo; and Jo is slutshaming herself for enjoying hugging Lewis while in an unspecified sexual relationship with David.
Its not so much a triangle as Jo beating herself up because she’s trauma-bonded with David in two weeks. As if that means her long history with Lewis has to be erased. Caine is oddly harsh on Jo in my opinion.
Now, lets get to the plot. Jo is supposed to be mentored by Patrick, a Djinn that was turned in similar circumstances to Jo. After brief tutorials, Jo consents to being claimed by Lewis — who immediately gets distracted by an attractive woman grinding on him, long enough for her sixteen year old son to wrest control of Jo’s bottle.
Before this, I was excited to see more of Lewis.
Before this.
Because of Lewis, Jo is held captive by a teenager. Kevin is written with such repugnance its actually difficult to get behind Caine as she attempts to dismantle the perceptions of him she built for the reader.
His stepmother, Yvette, sexually abused him. He’s as much of a victim of her as Jo is, but having Jo actually empathise with him is still painful, especially as he continues to victimise her.
Similar to the last book, our initial antagonist, Yvette, isn’t terribly interesting, but Kevin makes up for a lot of that. How he pendulums between truly pathetic and childishly vicious is where the book mines most of its tension. So, ending on Kevin stealing Lewis’s powers and controlling the most powerful Djinn in existence is an effective way of ratcheting up the tension for the next book.
Lastly, Caine’s handling of the Warden/Djinn dynamic is still frustrating. She’ll attempt to argue it can be symbiotic as Djinn can access their full potential when claimed, but then we’ll have David explicitly call it “rape”.
The tricky part is that he uses that word when he’s being forced to do something sexual rather than an indictment of the entire power imbalance. When Jo claims David at the end of the book, he’s positively ecstatic. Hell, the relationship between Patrick and his Djinn, Sara, is treated as a perfectly authentic love story despite it happening under a master/slave dynamic.
It’s uncomfortable reading as Caine speaks out of both sides of her mouth about something so serious.
March 2, 2012
I need the next book!
The Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine is not like any other urban fantasy series. There are no werewolves. No vampires. This series focuses on a talented group of people known as the Weather Wardens. Their mission: to control the weather and ensure the least amount of damage to people and property. The Weather Wardens are assisted by powerful djinns (genies).
The world building in this series is well done. Rachel Caine has the ability to describe almost every particle and atom of existence and make it interesting. Her depictions of malevolent storms are fascinating. Her storms have character, strength, and destructive powers. I loved her depiction of the aetheric and the cold light and blue sparks. Beautiful.
The plot moved along quite quickly and I enjoyed watching the main character Jo’s transformation. Jo needs to make some adjustments to her new situation. The author captures Jo’s frustrations and fears well, adding in subtle touches of humor: Jo can’t seem to get her hair right, no matter how hard she tries.
The Weather Wardens is an exciting addition to the long list of urban fantasy series out there. The good news – this series is complete, with a 4 book (so far) spin-off series so you can read at your leisure. The bad news – this book ends in a cliffhanger.
Off to read Chill Factor (book 3)!
Review posted on Badass Book Reviews.
The Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine is not like any other urban fantasy series. There are no werewolves. No vampires. This series focuses on a talented group of people known as the Weather Wardens. Their mission: to control the weather and ensure the least amount of damage to people and property. The Weather Wardens are assisted by powerful djinns (genies).
The world building in this series is well done. Rachel Caine has the ability to describe almost every particle and atom of existence and make it interesting. Her depictions of malevolent storms are fascinating. Her storms have character, strength, and destructive powers. I loved her depiction of the aetheric and the cold light and blue sparks. Beautiful.
The plot moved along quite quickly and I enjoyed watching the main character Jo’s transformation. Jo needs to make some adjustments to her new situation. The author captures Jo’s frustrations and fears well, adding in subtle touches of humor: Jo can’t seem to get her hair right, no matter how hard she tries.
The Weather Wardens is an exciting addition to the long list of urban fantasy series out there. The good news – this series is complete, with a 4 book (so far) spin-off series so you can read at your leisure. The bad news – this book ends in a cliffhanger.
Off to read Chill Factor (book 3)!
Review posted on Badass Book Reviews.
November 28, 2020
Rachel Caine's one of my favorites and this is the first of hers I've picked up since she's passed away. For that reason, it was tough to easily fall back into this sequel. That being said, I definitely preferred Heat Stroke to book one of the Weather Warden series. I particularly enjoyed the djinn elements as well as the meteorological parts as well. Plus, the characters are great as well. I'm looking forward to book three, Chill Factor. RIP Ms. Caine.
December 21, 2009
If you haven't read Ill Wind(book 1) this review may contain spoilers. If you have, read on!
Heat Stroke is the second installment in the Weather Wardens series by Rachel Caine. Joanne, once a powerful, yet impulsive Weather warden is now a Djinn. David turned her and now he's trying to teach her the ropes. Jo now must leave all things human behind(which she finds easier said than done) and learn how to be a djinn. What she doesn't realize is what Daivd had to go through to create her and now things are upside down in the rift.
She finally meets Jonathon(the one powerful god of the Djinn) and is told she must learn to harness power on her own or it won't just be her that will face the coincidences. She has to be assigned to another Djinn to be trained and than Djinn is Patrick.(The only successful human-to-djinn transformation.) During her study with Patrick, Lewis asks permission for Joanne to be his Djinn to help him fix the rift, but doesn't succeed. Joanne is then captured by a horrible woman who will use her in ways she would never choose willingly.
I found this book a little more slow at the start, but the action and twists just before half way through made up for it. Again like the first book, I love the idea of the Weather Wardens and really find this series fresh and unique. The covers didn't draw me to it particularly, but like the old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by it's cover!" I really enjoyed the twists in this book. And like the first book, it ended on a cliffhanger with Joanna's new existence.
Synopsis:
Mistaken for a murderer, Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin is hunted down and killed by her colleagues. Reborn as a Djinn, she senses something sinister entering earth's atmosphere-something that makes tomorrow's forecast look deadly
Heat Stroke is the second installment in the Weather Wardens series by Rachel Caine. Joanne, once a powerful, yet impulsive Weather warden is now a Djinn. David turned her and now he's trying to teach her the ropes. Jo now must leave all things human behind(which she finds easier said than done) and learn how to be a djinn. What she doesn't realize is what Daivd had to go through to create her and now things are upside down in the rift.
She finally meets Jonathon(the one powerful god of the Djinn) and is told she must learn to harness power on her own or it won't just be her that will face the coincidences. She has to be assigned to another Djinn to be trained and than Djinn is Patrick.(The only successful human-to-djinn transformation.) During her study with Patrick, Lewis asks permission for Joanne to be his Djinn to help him fix the rift, but doesn't succeed. Joanne is then captured by a horrible woman who will use her in ways she would never choose willingly.
I found this book a little more slow at the start, but the action and twists just before half way through made up for it. Again like the first book, I love the idea of the Weather Wardens and really find this series fresh and unique. The covers didn't draw me to it particularly, but like the old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by it's cover!" I really enjoyed the twists in this book. And like the first book, it ended on a cliffhanger with Joanna's new existence.
Synopsis:
Mistaken for a murderer, Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin is hunted down and killed by her colleagues. Reborn as a Djinn, she senses something sinister entering earth's atmosphere-something that makes tomorrow's forecast look deadly
April 5, 2010
I'm sorry. I'm sorry because I blew about $35 on 4 of these books at once on the say so of an enthusiastic fan who insisted that I "must buy" the first 4 because they run together and I'd regret it if I didn't. I'm sorry because I see a lot of people like these...but I am beginning to wonder if $35 is reason enough to slog through more of this. This one is starting out as silly and uninteresting as the first.
Oooooh...she's not human anymore....oooooh she still likes to drive fast....ooooh she's vulnerable because she's now a "free Djinn" and could be "claimed....ooooh, you get the idea. I'm this close to flinging all 4 into my to be sold box leaving the last 2 unopened.
I'll let you know.
AFTER READING TO PAGE (almost)40.
ENOUGH!
I got through 40 pages, Joanne has gone from being an overly romantic rather dense woman to being an overly romantic dense Djinn. The book is beginning with attempts at foreshadowing done through hinting at another past relationship etc., etc, etc. I'm sorry, it's not worth it. I am not dragging myself through another long pointless road trip being told how much Joanne likes to drive fast and the way her car acts (and of course feels) about it. I am not interested in how difficult it is for Joanne to "turn off or down" her sexual senses and reactions now that she's "no longer human".
I've read that Ms. Caine has written other novels. I hope with all my heart that they are better than this.
I have learned my lesson...don't buy books on the insistence of a mega-fan of the writer. I assume I fell prey to someone who is a romance fan...but it has cost me money from my "limited book budget". I was told that if I liked the Butcher Dresden books I'd like these...not so. I rate the Dresden books as some of my favorites...these, the last 2 will join the first 2 in the "to be sold box" without being read.
I've run on this problem once before...if you liked the Dresden books then you'll like, whatever. Apparently Jim Butcher transcends a lot of other tastes. I am sadly disappointed with these books and will be very careful about what I buy on the advice, "if you like Harry Dresden you'll like these" in the future.
1 Star..and it's a gift from me. Maybe you like these, and if you do I'm very happy for you, I don't.
Oooooh...she's not human anymore....oooooh she still likes to drive fast....ooooh she's vulnerable because she's now a "free Djinn" and could be "claimed....ooooh, you get the idea. I'm this close to flinging all 4 into my to be sold box leaving the last 2 unopened.
I'll let you know.
AFTER READING TO PAGE (almost)40.
ENOUGH!
I got through 40 pages, Joanne has gone from being an overly romantic rather dense woman to being an overly romantic dense Djinn. The book is beginning with attempts at foreshadowing done through hinting at another past relationship etc., etc, etc. I'm sorry, it's not worth it. I am not dragging myself through another long pointless road trip being told how much Joanne likes to drive fast and the way her car acts (and of course feels) about it. I am not interested in how difficult it is for Joanne to "turn off or down" her sexual senses and reactions now that she's "no longer human".
I've read that Ms. Caine has written other novels. I hope with all my heart that they are better than this.
I have learned my lesson...don't buy books on the insistence of a mega-fan of the writer. I assume I fell prey to someone who is a romance fan...but it has cost me money from my "limited book budget". I was told that if I liked the Butcher Dresden books I'd like these...not so. I rate the Dresden books as some of my favorites...these, the last 2 will join the first 2 in the "to be sold box" without being read.
I've run on this problem once before...if you liked the Dresden books then you'll like, whatever. Apparently Jim Butcher transcends a lot of other tastes. I am sadly disappointed with these books and will be very careful about what I buy on the advice, "if you like Harry Dresden you'll like these" in the future.
1 Star..and it's a gift from me. Maybe you like these, and if you do I'm very happy for you, I don't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2016
Ok - Had I not been recommended this book, I'm not sure I would have read it. And, that would have been a loss. I delayed forever because I didn't like the way the first one ended. When I finally DID start, there is a massive sex scene right at the beginning, and I (wrongly) feared it was going to be jam packed with sex, sex, sex . . .
SOOOO - once I *got* started, I couldn't put the darn thing down. Joanne is so full of snark and nonsense that I really don't see how I could NOT love her. She is also *extremely* fashion conscious. I mean seriously. Like, I feel like she would not be impressed with my so not designer wardrobe . . .
A very interesting part of this story is the David and Jonathan relationship. Made me tilt my head and think twice. Also made me more interested in the entire series. Just a teensy thing to think about.
As to the story itself, there were many times that I saw things coming - and several that I kicked myself because I *should* have seen them coming. I didn't really read it for the amazing plot points, but just for the joy of spending time with Joanne.
One of the failures (at least to me) was the whole "we fixed the world in the last book, but what we did broke the world again" syndrome that appears to me to be happening in this series. This really annoys me - if you fix the world, doggone it, FIX THE WORLD.
Really though - I loved it. I loved Joanne. I loved David. I loved Lewis. I wanted to hug Kevin. $ stars from me.
SOOOO - once I *got* started, I couldn't put the darn thing down. Joanne is so full of snark and nonsense that I really don't see how I could NOT love her. She is also *extremely* fashion conscious. I mean seriously. Like, I feel like she would not be impressed with my so not designer wardrobe . . .
A very interesting part of this story is the David and Jonathan relationship. Made me tilt my head and think twice. Also made me more interested in the entire series. Just a teensy thing to think about.
As to the story itself, there were many times that I saw things coming - and several that I kicked myself because I *should* have seen them coming. I didn't really read it for the amazing plot points, but just for the joy of spending time with Joanne.
One of the failures (at least to me) was the whole "we fixed the world in the last book, but what we did broke the world again" syndrome that appears to me to be happening in this series. This really annoys me - if you fix the world, doggone it, FIX THE WORLD.
Really though - I loved it. I loved Joanne. I loved David. I loved Lewis. I wanted to hug Kevin. $ stars from me.
February 18, 2021
Action packed with twists, complex characters and vivid world building I can see why this series is a fan favorite.
Every year I choose a series on my TBR/Wishlist to complete. This time it’s the Weather Warden series. There are nine audiobooks and I plan to listen to one a month.
After the world wind start of Ill Wind, I was eager to find out what happened. Caine has created a vivid world with elements, Djinn and council. Because of events and the story arc, it is essential that you listen to these books in order.
Joann barely has time to understand what she is, before she is swept into the ethers with David. The Djinn are interesting, and David will soon have you rethinking the whole genie in a bottle thing.
The pacing was intense from training, to discovering the world is in serious trouble. I loved the romance, new characters, and dynamics of the storyline.
As Jim Butcher said, “these are fun reads” and I throughly enjoyed listening. Now this audio was produced in 2010 and Dina Pearlman did a fantastic job giving voice to the characters. The sound is a little like listening through a tin can, but I am sure it was a high quality for its time. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Every year I choose a series on my TBR/Wishlist to complete. This time it’s the Weather Warden series. There are nine audiobooks and I plan to listen to one a month.
After the world wind start of Ill Wind, I was eager to find out what happened. Caine has created a vivid world with elements, Djinn and council. Because of events and the story arc, it is essential that you listen to these books in order.
Joann barely has time to understand what she is, before she is swept into the ethers with David. The Djinn are interesting, and David will soon have you rethinking the whole genie in a bottle thing.
The pacing was intense from training, to discovering the world is in serious trouble. I loved the romance, new characters, and dynamics of the storyline.
As Jim Butcher said, “these are fun reads” and I throughly enjoyed listening. Now this audio was produced in 2010 and Dina Pearlman did a fantastic job giving voice to the characters. The sound is a little like listening through a tin can, but I am sure it was a high quality for its time. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
April 5, 2011
I liked this book better than Ill Wind. Not so many weather facts but the aetheric planes, and misting, and on-and-on. Boy, when Rachel grabs onto a subject, she chokes it like it's the last drop in her favorite bottle of moisturizer and then sticks a Q-tip in even after she's done. Another example where when they made their way to the aetheric planes, I skimmed.
But as with the first book, after skimming (to me) boring stuff, the rest of the book was really good. Is Kevin redeemable? I have no idea, but can't wait to find out.
But as with the first book, after skimming (to me) boring stuff, the rest of the book was really good. Is Kevin redeemable? I have no idea, but can't wait to find out.
January 7, 2023
Well ok now I have to say this one made more sense.
Jo is learning who she is with the help from David, Lewis and Johnathan.
Its interesting and intriguing. I am glad I kept with it. A lot happens in this book.
I still don't really know who is the force they are fighting against. Kevin and his stepmoster are pretty evil, but it also seems like someone or thing is pulling the stings.
I guess we will see what happens in the next book.
Jo is learning who she is with the help from David, Lewis and Johnathan.
Its interesting and intriguing. I am glad I kept with it. A lot happens in this book.
I still don't really know who is the force they are fighting against. Kevin and his stepmoster are pretty evil, but it also seems like someone or thing is pulling the stings.
I guess we will see what happens in the next book.
August 1, 2019
This series is good fun. I also feel like I've learned a lot about weather patterns. lol
September 11, 2010
I liked this one better than the first, mostly because I wasn't completely and utterly boggled by the ending.
I feel like this series has incredible potential, but just hasn't... dug down and grabbed it yet. Things feel oddly chaotic and unrooted. It just feels off.
In addition, there are a couple things that just continue to agitate me. Lewis, like the rest of the series as a whole, feels like he just can't get it together. It is weird and undermining for someone this badass to be... almost meek. He has been rescued, by my count, 4 times in 2 books. What the heck? I like Lewis, I really do. But I feel like it is time to ... well, to be crass, shit or get off the pot. He needs to take control of his life, put himself in the driver's seat, and stop just being a passenger. He also needs to make some connections, real connections, because the lone ranger thing clearly isn't working out so well for him. Nor is he happy.
The Wardens all - ALL - piss me off. I hate the whole lot of them, and can only pray that, since the storm didn't finish them off this book, next book Mother Nature will try dropping tactical nukes. I'll be honest, I am having a really difficult time with the fact that they are all self-righteous, self-assured moronic douchecanoes. Every single decision they make is the wrong one, and it is becoming tedious. Having them pop up to constantly accuse Jo of being a villain and carrying this looming threat of lobotomy... frankly, they are becoming ridiculously caricatured inept villains.
And the Djinn are just the other side of the same coin. I have sympathy for them, because the enslavement is HORRIBLE. As this book clearly demonstrated, it is rape. But then at the same time, they behave like they are twins to the Wardens. Equally full of themselves, equally positive that the sun shines out of their collective asses and they aren't capable of a wrong decision.
I am tired of having every single character in this book be an enemy. Even ones who don't intend to be - Lewis, David - still cause harm by making decisions that have horrible repercussions for Jo (let me bind you to my bottle, it's safe, I promise; let me tear the universe asunder for you, I am sure that can't be as bad as it sounds, right?). It becomes depressing, and a little emo, to watch her continually beat down by everyone around her. She's surrounded by people who either leave her dealing with consequences not of her own making (Lewis, David, Jonathan), or think she's the Devil Incarnate and is single-handedly calling down the End of Times (all the Wardens, a good handful of djinn, and even herself on occasion with all the "it's my fault" whining... though really, who can blame her for feeling that way, given all that is going on around her).
That said, I love the universe. I love the powers. I love the sentient nature. I love the possibilities. I think this series could be AMAZING if it would just get it's shit together. So I will keep reading, and keep my fingers crossed.
I feel like this series has incredible potential, but just hasn't... dug down and grabbed it yet. Things feel oddly chaotic and unrooted. It just feels off.
In addition, there are a couple things that just continue to agitate me. Lewis, like the rest of the series as a whole, feels like he just can't get it together. It is weird and undermining for someone this badass to be... almost meek. He has been rescued, by my count, 4 times in 2 books. What the heck? I like Lewis, I really do. But I feel like it is time to ... well, to be crass, shit or get off the pot. He needs to take control of his life, put himself in the driver's seat, and stop just being a passenger. He also needs to make some connections, real connections, because the lone ranger thing clearly isn't working out so well for him. Nor is he happy.
The Wardens all - ALL - piss me off. I hate the whole lot of them, and can only pray that, since the storm didn't finish them off this book, next book Mother Nature will try dropping tactical nukes. I'll be honest, I am having a really difficult time with the fact that they are all self-righteous, self-assured moronic douchecanoes. Every single decision they make is the wrong one, and it is becoming tedious. Having them pop up to constantly accuse Jo of being a villain and carrying this looming threat of lobotomy... frankly, they are becoming ridiculously caricatured inept villains.
And the Djinn are just the other side of the same coin. I have sympathy for them, because the enslavement is HORRIBLE. As this book clearly demonstrated, it is rape. But then at the same time, they behave like they are twins to the Wardens. Equally full of themselves, equally positive that the sun shines out of their collective asses and they aren't capable of a wrong decision.
I am tired of having every single character in this book be an enemy. Even ones who don't intend to be - Lewis, David - still cause harm by making decisions that have horrible repercussions for Jo (let me bind you to my bottle, it's safe, I promise; let me tear the universe asunder for you, I am sure that can't be as bad as it sounds, right?). It becomes depressing, and a little emo, to watch her continually beat down by everyone around her. She's surrounded by people who either leave her dealing with consequences not of her own making (Lewis, David, Jonathan), or think she's the Devil Incarnate and is single-handedly calling down the End of Times (all the Wardens, a good handful of djinn, and even herself on occasion with all the "it's my fault" whining... though really, who can blame her for feeling that way, given all that is going on around her).
That said, I love the universe. I love the powers. I love the sentient nature. I love the possibilities. I think this series could be AMAZING if it would just get it's shit together. So I will keep reading, and keep my fingers crossed.
August 6, 2009
Spoiler Alert: Please do not read this review unless you have already read the first book in this series, Ill Wind. The events of this book are strongly based on the ending of the last and I would hate to give anything away. I do have a review of Ill Wind that I posted in July.
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Heat Stroke essentially picks up right where Ill Wind left off. Joanne Baldwin was transformed from a human Weather Warden to a Djinn in order to preserve her life. Now she must learn to use her new abilities while navigating in social circles where she does not understand the rules. There is also a new, unknown rift threatening to tear the world apart.
Heat Stroke is another fast-paced book. Joanne barely has time to cope with one crisis when another strikes. She is again unable to gain her footing and often acts impulsively on whatever little information she has to go on at the time. Joanne is definitely not a big-picture girl and fails to see how all the pieces fit together until it is nearly too late. In this, she is a very flawed heroine. However, without this impulsive nature most of the action in these books would not take place.
I am enjoying the Weather Warden series as quick, entertaining reads. I am not strongly invested in the characters, although I am hoping to see some growth from Joanne in future books. Although both books in the series so far have focused on disasters of large scale significance. the books have enough light moments to keep from becoming too heavy.
*******************************
Heat Stroke essentially picks up right where Ill Wind left off. Joanne Baldwin was transformed from a human Weather Warden to a Djinn in order to preserve her life. Now she must learn to use her new abilities while navigating in social circles where she does not understand the rules. There is also a new, unknown rift threatening to tear the world apart.
Heat Stroke is another fast-paced book. Joanne barely has time to cope with one crisis when another strikes. She is again unable to gain her footing and often acts impulsively on whatever little information she has to go on at the time. Joanne is definitely not a big-picture girl and fails to see how all the pieces fit together until it is nearly too late. In this, she is a very flawed heroine. However, without this impulsive nature most of the action in these books would not take place.
I am enjoying the Weather Warden series as quick, entertaining reads. I am not strongly invested in the characters, although I am hoping to see some growth from Joanne in future books. Although both books in the series so far have focused on disasters of large scale significance. the books have enough light moments to keep from becoming too heavy.
February 13, 2020
Original Review @ Naomi’s Reading Palace
After reading the first book, Ill Wind, you bet that I was going to dive into the next book immediately! I was so hooked by the end of that book that I needed to see what happened next. Heat Stroke was definitely more exciting right from the beginning as Jo started her new life as a Djinn.
I liked that David and Jo's relationship continued to grow, although she didn't fully understand how she came to be. As the story unfolded I was able to see the full picture to David's actions. I liked meeting new characters and villains that I loved to hate!
Although Joanna was no longer in the Weather Warden world anymore, I could see that she was missing it. She would meddle even though she wasn't supposed to, and events would drag her back into it. I liked seeing Jo as a Djinn, and seeing her learn her powers, and when she was claimed, it certainly made it interesting!!
There were a few twists thrown into this one and I loved every second! Rachel Caine wove the tale perfectly and I cannot wait for more. It was intense, exciting with plenty of action that is going to continue into the next book! As you can tell, I am excited!
After reading the first book, Ill Wind, you bet that I was going to dive into the next book immediately! I was so hooked by the end of that book that I needed to see what happened next. Heat Stroke was definitely more exciting right from the beginning as Jo started her new life as a Djinn.
I liked that David and Jo's relationship continued to grow, although she didn't fully understand how she came to be. As the story unfolded I was able to see the full picture to David's actions. I liked meeting new characters and villains that I loved to hate!
Although Joanna was no longer in the Weather Warden world anymore, I could see that she was missing it. She would meddle even though she wasn't supposed to, and events would drag her back into it. I liked seeing Jo as a Djinn, and seeing her learn her powers, and when she was claimed, it certainly made it interesting!!
There were a few twists thrown into this one and I loved every second! Rachel Caine wove the tale perfectly and I cannot wait for more. It was intense, exciting with plenty of action that is going to continue into the next book! As you can tell, I am excited!
January 30, 2010
I think I'm in love with this series now. I'd gush more about it but I'm buried under a mountain of homework again. I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning the other night just to finish this book and lost a lot of sleep over it. But it was totally worth it.
December 15, 2020
3.5 stars, but not good enough to be rounded up to 4.
By the way, this review is going to contain spoilers for book 1, okay? If you are thinking of reading that and don't want spoilers, stop now.
After dying and being reborn as a djinn at the end of the previous book, Joanne is spending time with her djinn boyfriend David, learning how to use her new abilities. but there's a problem, in fact, more than one. One problem is the fact that Joanne's re-birth has torn away a huge chunk of David's power, another is a new owner - djinn, you see, can be claimed by wardens, stuffed into small glass bottles until they're needed, and ordered to carry out their master's (or mistress's) wishes. Joanne's first owner is an unpleasant sixteen year old boy who fits the stereotype of an unwashed, unpleasant thug in training to a T. Some of her adventures are mildly amusing, a lot are more unpleasant and the stakes rapidly escalate as the whole ecosystem the wardens protect starts breaking down, with megastorms, forest fires and earthquakes on the horizon.
I enjoyed it, just not as much as the first one - Joanne as a human was more fun than Joanne as a djinn, at least to me. Still, it was a fast read, and entertaining, just not spectacular. I'm reading the third one next.
By the way, this review is going to contain spoilers for book 1, okay? If you are thinking of reading that and don't want spoilers, stop now.
After dying and being reborn as a djinn at the end of the previous book, Joanne is spending time with her djinn boyfriend David, learning how to use her new abilities. but there's a problem, in fact, more than one. One problem is the fact that Joanne's re-birth has torn away a huge chunk of David's power, another is a new owner - djinn, you see, can be claimed by wardens, stuffed into small glass bottles until they're needed, and ordered to carry out their master's (or mistress's) wishes. Joanne's first owner is an unpleasant sixteen year old boy who fits the stereotype of an unwashed, unpleasant thug in training to a T. Some of her adventures are mildly amusing, a lot are more unpleasant and the stakes rapidly escalate as the whole ecosystem the wardens protect starts breaking down, with megastorms, forest fires and earthquakes on the horizon.
I enjoyed it, just not as much as the first one - Joanne as a human was more fun than Joanne as a djinn, at least to me. Still, it was a fast read, and entertaining, just not spectacular. I'm reading the third one next.
January 18, 2019
I have to say, at the end of Ill Wind, I wasn’t really sure how Rachel Caine would continue with the Weather Warden series. After all, the main character wasn’t even a Weather Warden anymore. Maybe it should’ve been called the Weather Warden Turned Djinn series… Or maybe something a little snappier. But I am happy to say that be author did not disappoint. And while there is definitely a different feel here, I tore through this book in no time at all. I blinked and it was already over. Not because it was short, but because I was so engrossed in what was happening, I did not realize how much I had read.
If you did not read the first book in the series, do yourself a favor. Don’t start here. Realistically, I’m not sure this review is going to drive too many people to jump into a series that started 15 years ago, but I can’t be the only one late to the party and I I am enjoying the ride. Maybe you will too, especially if you missed it the first time around.
Anyway, spoiler alert, Joanna is now a djinn. David saved her at the very end of the last book, somehow turning her into this new form before she died. The how of it is really a major part of this story, so I won’t go into details. We kick off almost immediately on the heels of the events from Ill Wind. Joanna has to learn how to handle her new body, and this is no small feat. Adding pressure, Jonathan, the ruler of the djinn is furious about her creation and puts a clock on her learning process. Either she figures out how to maintain her new form or he will take her out. He puts her under the care of the only other djinn who started as a human and it all goes downhill from there.
Obviously this is a story primarily told through the eyes of the djinn. We learned about their race, how they originated, and how their power works. But what really drives the book is Joanna‘s desperate attempts to mend a tear in the world and do it while forced under the control of an unsavory human. I probably already I’m giving away too much, but Caine did a phenomenal job of creating some spectacular villains here. There were so many people I hated and, honestly, only one of them was not at least a little nuanced. I hated Patrick, the djinn who was supposed to be teaching Joanna, for the things he did, but I understood him. I hated the teenager who held power over her, but I understand how he became so damaged.
There is so much action and angst. All right in my lane. David and Joanne were separated much of the book, which was dictated by the plot. But the thing is, while I like David and I love the way he loves her, I don’t feel totally vested in the romance. I believe in the author. But she keeps dangling Lewis around like he is some kind of contender for Joanna‘s affections. And maybe he is the end game, maybe he’s a red herring. But it is kind of hard to think of a possibility where David‘s love and sacrifice may not be enough for a happily ever after.
I’m not even sure 100% what I want.
I will say, that the ending was unexpected and it entices me to want to jump straight in to book three. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
Rating: B+
If you did not read the first book in the series, do yourself a favor. Don’t start here. Realistically, I’m not sure this review is going to drive too many people to jump into a series that started 15 years ago, but I can’t be the only one late to the party and I I am enjoying the ride. Maybe you will too, especially if you missed it the first time around.
Anyway, spoiler alert, Joanna is now a djinn. David saved her at the very end of the last book, somehow turning her into this new form before she died. The how of it is really a major part of this story, so I won’t go into details. We kick off almost immediately on the heels of the events from Ill Wind. Joanna has to learn how to handle her new body, and this is no small feat. Adding pressure, Jonathan, the ruler of the djinn is furious about her creation and puts a clock on her learning process. Either she figures out how to maintain her new form or he will take her out. He puts her under the care of the only other djinn who started as a human and it all goes downhill from there.
Obviously this is a story primarily told through the eyes of the djinn. We learned about their race, how they originated, and how their power works. But what really drives the book is Joanna‘s desperate attempts to mend a tear in the world and do it while forced under the control of an unsavory human. I probably already I’m giving away too much, but Caine did a phenomenal job of creating some spectacular villains here. There were so many people I hated and, honestly, only one of them was not at least a little nuanced. I hated Patrick, the djinn who was supposed to be teaching Joanna, for the things he did, but I understood him. I hated the teenager who held power over her, but I understand how he became so damaged.
There is so much action and angst. All right in my lane. David and Joanne were separated much of the book, which was dictated by the plot. But the thing is, while I like David and I love the way he loves her, I don’t feel totally vested in the romance. I believe in the author. But she keeps dangling Lewis around like he is some kind of contender for Joanna‘s affections. And maybe he is the end game, maybe he’s a red herring. But it is kind of hard to think of a possibility where David‘s love and sacrifice may not be enough for a happily ever after.
I’m not even sure 100% what I want.
I will say, that the ending was unexpected and it entices me to want to jump straight in to book three. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
Rating: B+
December 10, 2011
Heat Stroke is the second installment in the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine. It picks up where Ill Wind finishes and follows Joanne Baldwin, former Weather Warden turned Djinn, and her Djinn lover David, as they begin a new journey together, as free-range, unclaimed Djinns. Before Joanne was a powerful Weather Warden who possessed a Demon Mark and died becoming a hero.. but what nobody knows (except for Lewis) is that she was reborn into a Djinn thanks to David. Now that the damage has been done, she must learn the ropes to harnessing and using her newfound powers (which are pretty cool!).
Danger in the form of a rift in the aetheric finds their way to David and Joanne, who both are stumped and clueless when they come across coldlight (aka blue glitter/sparklies) that is both unheard of and questionable, leaking from the rift. Trouble calls when they are both ordered to see Jonathan - the first and most powerful Djinn (aka their god). Turns out the consequences of David breaking laws and turning Joanne into a Djinn must be paid. What Joanne doesn't know is that David's actions caused him to become weaker and weaker ('suicide by girl') as he continues to pour his energy into sustaining Joanne as they are both just half a Djinn. She has a week to learn the hard way how to fully adjust by learning under the tutelage of Patrick - the only other human who successfully changed into a Djinn. She can no longer rely on David's help as he's now under Jonathan's control.
Learning from Patrick is not the hard part - it is escaping being claimed when the pair, along with Lewis, are paid an unexpected visit from Yvette Prentiss - a beautiful female version of Bad Bob - and teenage stepson Kevin. As it turns out, Patrick owes her a favour and that favour is repaid by taking Joanne. Joanne is now claimed for the first time by her horny, lecherous stepson. But she's only a means to an end. Yvette is really after David, and has been for a long time. This is when the action starts to escalate as Joanne must find a way to save David (as he eventually comes to save Joanne and gets reclaimed by the evil, sadistic Yvette to pay the price for her freedom), free herself from Kevin, and help repair the rift - oh and save the world at the same time, with very limited help.
The Weather Warden series is fast becoming one of my favourites. The storylines are not always enticing but the plot really does thicken and the action kicks in about halfway through this book. Joanne is a spectacular force to be reckoned with. She's smart, lethal, heroic, and has nine lives. She's also witty, sarcastic, fearless and isn't afraid to question authority. As far as heroines go, she's likeable and well-rounded and remains constant, although the other characters around her change and grow. I definitely recommend this series to any romance/paranormal/urban fantasy/adventure fans. I have very few complaints. You really get sucked into Joanne's world and as a reader, find it pretty hard to get your head out of the book! 4.5/5 stars.
Danger in the form of a rift in the aetheric finds their way to David and Joanne, who both are stumped and clueless when they come across coldlight (aka blue glitter/sparklies) that is both unheard of and questionable, leaking from the rift. Trouble calls when they are both ordered to see Jonathan - the first and most powerful Djinn (aka their god). Turns out the consequences of David breaking laws and turning Joanne into a Djinn must be paid. What Joanne doesn't know is that David's actions caused him to become weaker and weaker ('suicide by girl') as he continues to pour his energy into sustaining Joanne as they are both just half a Djinn. She has a week to learn the hard way how to fully adjust by learning under the tutelage of Patrick - the only other human who successfully changed into a Djinn. She can no longer rely on David's help as he's now under Jonathan's control.
Learning from Patrick is not the hard part - it is escaping being claimed when the pair, along with Lewis, are paid an unexpected visit from Yvette Prentiss - a beautiful female version of Bad Bob - and teenage stepson Kevin. As it turns out, Patrick owes her a favour and that favour is repaid by taking Joanne. Joanne is now claimed for the first time by her horny, lecherous stepson. But she's only a means to an end. Yvette is really after David, and has been for a long time. This is when the action starts to escalate as Joanne must find a way to save David (as he eventually comes to save Joanne and gets reclaimed by the evil, sadistic Yvette to pay the price for her freedom), free herself from Kevin, and help repair the rift - oh and save the world at the same time, with very limited help.
The Weather Warden series is fast becoming one of my favourites. The storylines are not always enticing but the plot really does thicken and the action kicks in about halfway through this book. Joanne is a spectacular force to be reckoned with. She's smart, lethal, heroic, and has nine lives. She's also witty, sarcastic, fearless and isn't afraid to question authority. As far as heroines go, she's likeable and well-rounded and remains constant, although the other characters around her change and grow. I definitely recommend this series to any romance/paranormal/urban fantasy/adventure fans. I have very few complaints. You really get sucked into Joanne's world and as a reader, find it pretty hard to get your head out of the book! 4.5/5 stars.
January 4, 2022
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Heat Stroke
Being dead has its advantages, like wiping the slate clean of all criminal charges. But now that Joanne has been brought back as a Djinn, she must learn how to control her power. Not to mention avoid being claimed by the wardens she once worked among. Let’s not forget that she’s also supposed to be dead to the human world. And now something is brewing in the etheric, evoking natural disasters of epic proportions. The wardens can barely hold it together and their Djinn can’t help. Joanne won’t sit idly by and watch innocents die.
Joanne is such a powerful figure in the weather warden series. And not just in her magical abilities, but her resolve and dedication. Despite the treatment, she’s endured from the wardens, she will still stay in the fight to prevent disasters from overcoming the Earth. This time around she is severely limited in her ability to help, but she still finds ways to work around her situation to do what is right. Though she may not always make the correct choice, she thinks on her feet and is a reactive character. Joanne can be both crisp and biting, yet sultry and demure depending on the situation.
And while Joanne is a brilliant character to follow, the antagonist of the story, Yvette Prentiss, was brutally written. Rachel Caine painted a manipulative and oily villain in Yvette, slowly working her wickedness into the plotline. Bit by bit it was revealed how disgusting of a person she was and it made Joanne’s resolve to bring her down all the more satisfying. Readers will feel strong emotions towards the situations Yvette puts characters in and be cheering Joanne on to bring her down.
Heat Stroke is one of those urban fantasy series with non-stop action. Whether it’s manipulating the elements, dodging Djinn, or fighting back against Yvette, there is never a dull moment. Events are set in motion from page one and will bring the reader into a world like no other I’ve read before. Not to mention the chemistry between David and Joanne hikes up a notch in this second novel which will entice those who enjoy steamier bits. The amount of story and potential in this series is enough to make me forgive the heavier romance elements. Urban fantasy and supernatural romance readers will both enjoy Heat Stroke.
Being dead has its advantages, like wiping the slate clean of all criminal charges. But now that Joanne has been brought back as a Djinn, she must learn how to control her power. Not to mention avoid being claimed by the wardens she once worked among. Let’s not forget that she’s also supposed to be dead to the human world. And now something is brewing in the etheric, evoking natural disasters of epic proportions. The wardens can barely hold it together and their Djinn can’t help. Joanne won’t sit idly by and watch innocents die.
Joanne is such a powerful figure in the weather warden series. And not just in her magical abilities, but her resolve and dedication. Despite the treatment, she’s endured from the wardens, she will still stay in the fight to prevent disasters from overcoming the Earth. This time around she is severely limited in her ability to help, but she still finds ways to work around her situation to do what is right. Though she may not always make the correct choice, she thinks on her feet and is a reactive character. Joanne can be both crisp and biting, yet sultry and demure depending on the situation.
And while Joanne is a brilliant character to follow, the antagonist of the story, Yvette Prentiss, was brutally written. Rachel Caine painted a manipulative and oily villain in Yvette, slowly working her wickedness into the plotline. Bit by bit it was revealed how disgusting of a person she was and it made Joanne’s resolve to bring her down all the more satisfying. Readers will feel strong emotions towards the situations Yvette puts characters in and be cheering Joanne on to bring her down.
Heat Stroke is one of those urban fantasy series with non-stop action. Whether it’s manipulating the elements, dodging Djinn, or fighting back against Yvette, there is never a dull moment. Events are set in motion from page one and will bring the reader into a world like no other I’ve read before. Not to mention the chemistry between David and Joanne hikes up a notch in this second novel which will entice those who enjoy steamier bits. The amount of story and potential in this series is enough to make me forgive the heavier romance elements. Urban fantasy and supernatural romance readers will both enjoy Heat Stroke.
May 23, 2008
Wow. Rachel Caine wasn't kidding with the end of Ill Wind. And the second Weather Warden book, Heat Stroke, takes that unexpected ending and runs with it. Wild. And Jo doesn't get much more of a breather than the reader does as she's plunged headlong into life as a Djinn. Or one half of a Djinn. Or a Djinn in training. Who can tell for sure?
Good thing the lovely David is there to help her get a grip on her new reality. Unfortunately, it turns out David broke a few not-so-minor rules when he saved her life and the head Djinn Jonathan isn't happy with him. No, sir. Jonathan's not a bit happy. Before she can catch her breath, he turns Jo over to the rather dubious (but hilarious) Patrick to complete her training. In a week. Or die. And if Jo dies? Yep, you've got it. David'll be gone too. *sob* Of course, it's Jo we're talking about here. So the words "fighting chance" actually mean something. Plus, where Jo is, Lewis can never be very far. And with Lewis lurking about, waggling his fingers at the cosmos, channeling a grown up Charles Wallace Murry like nobody's business, chances of surviving an apocalypse are slightly better.
Even so, nothing is as it seems in this book and you can't necessarily trust who you thought you could. I've tried to avoid spoilers for the following books in the series, so I don't know where Caine is going with all this mayhem, but I kind of dig it. Gives the whole series an unsettling, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants feel while keeping the characters consistent and very, very interesting.
Good thing the lovely David is there to help her get a grip on her new reality. Unfortunately, it turns out David broke a few not-so-minor rules when he saved her life and the head Djinn Jonathan isn't happy with him. No, sir. Jonathan's not a bit happy. Before she can catch her breath, he turns Jo over to the rather dubious (but hilarious) Patrick to complete her training. In a week. Or die. And if Jo dies? Yep, you've got it. David'll be gone too. *sob* Of course, it's Jo we're talking about here. So the words "fighting chance" actually mean something. Plus, where Jo is, Lewis can never be very far. And with Lewis lurking about, waggling his fingers at the cosmos, channeling a grown up Charles Wallace Murry like nobody's business, chances of surviving an apocalypse are slightly better.
Even so, nothing is as it seems in this book and you can't necessarily trust who you thought you could. I've tried to avoid spoilers for the following books in the series, so I don't know where Caine is going with all this mayhem, but I kind of dig it. Gives the whole series an unsettling, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants feel while keeping the characters consistent and very, very interesting.
December 15, 2010
Mistaken for a murderer, Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin is hunted down and killed by her colleagues in Las Vegas. Reborn as a Djinn, thanks to energy that was given by David, she senses something sinister entering earth's atmosphere-something that makes tomorrow's forecast look deadly.
Heat Stroke is the second story in the Weather Warden series and finds Joanne trying to figure out her new Djinn powers. Even though David tries to hide it from her, Joanne quickly finds out there are consequences for him saving her. The leader of the djinns, Jonathan, gives her a week to learn how to support her own power or both David and her will lose their lives. Jonathan sends her Patrick for training.
Barely has she begun her schooling of hard knocks when Jo's old friend Lewis turns up wanting a favor namely, Jo to seal a continuum rift. It's dangerous, but she's the only one for the job. Then, Patrick betrays Joanne leading to her enslavement by seventeen year old Kevin.
We learned more about what djinns really are. It takes conscious effort to take maintain human form, something Joanne really struggles with at first. Her battles with reforming without nudity make for some comedic scenes. the sadistic sociopath Yvette uses Joanne as bait to lure David into a trap. While Joanne battles her enslavement, the rip in the inter-dimensional Void widens causing the deaths of a Djinn and more problems for the Wardens.
I like this series, but at times, Joanna can be a hard headed fool. No wonder a majority of Wardens want to see her gone forever.
Heat Stroke is the second story in the Weather Warden series and finds Joanne trying to figure out her new Djinn powers. Even though David tries to hide it from her, Joanne quickly finds out there are consequences for him saving her. The leader of the djinns, Jonathan, gives her a week to learn how to support her own power or both David and her will lose their lives. Jonathan sends her Patrick for training.
Barely has she begun her schooling of hard knocks when Jo's old friend Lewis turns up wanting a favor namely, Jo to seal a continuum rift. It's dangerous, but she's the only one for the job. Then, Patrick betrays Joanne leading to her enslavement by seventeen year old Kevin.
We learned more about what djinns really are. It takes conscious effort to take maintain human form, something Joanne really struggles with at first. Her battles with reforming without nudity make for some comedic scenes. the sadistic sociopath Yvette uses Joanne as bait to lure David into a trap. While Joanne battles her enslavement, the rip in the inter-dimensional Void widens causing the deaths of a Djinn and more problems for the Wardens.
I like this series, but at times, Joanna can be a hard headed fool. No wonder a majority of Wardens want to see her gone forever.
July 25, 2012
WOW what an exhilarating ride! Heat Stroke was a way slicker book than the first one, fast-paced and easier to get into than simply a road trip and reminiscing about the times which was pretty much sums up Ill Wind.
I absolutely love the cool factor of both Joanne and her powers, either as a Djinn or Weather warden. This book contains descriptions of meteorology that border on being too scientific, but wow they just blow my mind! Not to mention the descriptions of how Djinn draw their power. The author holds great imagination and skilfully conveys something which seems to be difficult to understand into such a readable, easily digested format.
A thing I am loving so far about this series: it's so incredibly addictive, with a writing style so natural that it flows easily. That's probably a flow on from Rachel Caine's YA writing.
I absolutely adore the male leads in Joanne's life, David, the sexy Djinn and Lewis, the world's most powerful weather warden. Joanne's wit, charisma and sheer determination just matches both of these men well, and she can definitely keep up with them.
Later on in the book, you do meet some twisted and disturbing characters, but it does lead to an epic finale in the end. I was totally hooked into this book from the start and it was difficult to put down.
If I didn't have so many other books lined up to read for the next month, I'd be reading Chill Factor in an instant!
Check out my blog here for more reviews!
I absolutely love the cool factor of both Joanne and her powers, either as a Djinn or Weather warden. This book contains descriptions of meteorology that border on being too scientific, but wow they just blow my mind! Not to mention the descriptions of how Djinn draw their power. The author holds great imagination and skilfully conveys something which seems to be difficult to understand into such a readable, easily digested format.
A thing I am loving so far about this series: it's so incredibly addictive, with a writing style so natural that it flows easily. That's probably a flow on from Rachel Caine's YA writing.
I absolutely adore the male leads in Joanne's life, David, the sexy Djinn and Lewis, the world's most powerful weather warden. Joanne's wit, charisma and sheer determination just matches both of these men well, and she can definitely keep up with them.
Later on in the book, you do meet some twisted and disturbing characters, but it does lead to an epic finale in the end. I was totally hooked into this book from the start and it was difficult to put down.
If I didn't have so many other books lined up to read for the next month, I'd be reading Chill Factor in an instant!
Check out my blog here for more reviews!
July 25, 2012
The first book in Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series was on my DNF shelf for a long time before I finally made it through it. When I did, I thought it was decent, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue the series. Then I read some reviews for Heat Stroke and thought I should give it a chance because sometimes whether or not you like a series can’t be based just on the first book. Sometimes first books are bumpy and not that great, but the remaining books are solid and wonderful. That’s really what happened here. Heat Stroke is so much better than Ill Wind; so much so that I am actually excited to move on to Chill Factor.
In Heat Stroke, Joanne’s world has changed completely from where it was in Ill Wind. She’s no longer the same person…or even the same species. We see a lot of the same faces from book one and meet a couple of seriously creepy bad guys. So much happens in this book that I was not as annoyed by the fact that the book only has 3 chapters like I thought I would be. I also stayed up way too late to finish it because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The end set up so much for Chill Factor and I am really looking forward to seeing how Joanne adapts to these new changes in her life.
In Heat Stroke, Joanne’s world has changed completely from where it was in Ill Wind. She’s no longer the same person…or even the same species. We see a lot of the same faces from book one and meet a couple of seriously creepy bad guys. So much happens in this book that I was not as annoyed by the fact that the book only has 3 chapters like I thought I would be. I also stayed up way too late to finish it because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The end set up so much for Chill Factor and I am really looking forward to seeing how Joanne adapts to these new changes in her life.
June 30, 2012
I think i'm addicted to this series...at least for the time being :)
So far, so good.
In this book, Joanne Baldwin's life continues chaotic as always. After dying in the last book, and being brought back by David as a Djinn, you would think, she would have an easer life..
Yeah, right.
So being a Djinn is not as easy as it would seem. Bringing her back from the dead, has taken it's toll on David. He is continualy being drained of energy, as a way to keep her alive, and as a result, he is getting himself weaker by the minute. Situation that the most powerful of Djinn's, Jonathan, is not willing to put up, any longer. So Joanne is given a week to learn the basic ropes of Djinn life...or else. Being placed "at the care"( i'm laughing) of Patrick, who like her used to be a human, who got himself transformed by his former Djinn lover, proves to be....very insightful and dangerous. Soon Joanne finds herself facing Djinn's biggest fear: To be enslaved, and at the command of a Master. With David unable to help her, will she able to save herself, and that one.
The last pages of the book were...tremendous, Jesus! I couldn't read fast enought..it was amazing!
So yes, i will be sure to keep on reading this series.
So far, so good.
In this book, Joanne Baldwin's life continues chaotic as always. After dying in the last book, and being brought back by David as a Djinn, you would think, she would have an easer life..
Yeah, right.
So being a Djinn is not as easy as it would seem. Bringing her back from the dead, has taken it's toll on David. He is continualy being drained of energy, as a way to keep her alive, and as a result, he is getting himself weaker by the minute. Situation that the most powerful of Djinn's, Jonathan, is not willing to put up, any longer. So Joanne is given a week to learn the basic ropes of Djinn life...or else. Being placed "at the care"( i'm laughing) of Patrick, who like her used to be a human, who got himself transformed by his former Djinn lover, proves to be....very insightful and dangerous. Soon Joanne finds herself facing Djinn's biggest fear: To be enslaved, and at the command of a Master. With David unable to help her, will she able to save herself, and that one.
The last pages of the book were...tremendous, Jesus! I couldn't read fast enought..it was amazing!
So yes, i will be sure to keep on reading this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2022
I didn't love this. The first half was tiresome. I had trouble getting into it.
I like Jo and David. I really don't like Kevin. I don't think there is any redeeming him. He needs to go. I'm sad for Patrick and Sara.
The last 1/3 was pretty good and made me want to read the next book. We will see if I do.
I like Jo and David. I really don't like Kevin. I don't think there is any redeeming him. He needs to go. I'm sad for Patrick and Sara.
The last 1/3 was pretty good and made me want to read the next book. We will see if I do.
June 3, 2016
After almost 4 years, I finally got around to continuing this series - that just goes to show how very backed up my TBR is. After getting hunted down and killed by her colleagues in Ill Wind, former Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin now has a whole new set of problems on her hand: David saved her by turning her into a Djinn, apparently breaking a bunch of rules in the process. Not ony does Jo now have to get the hang of this whole Djinn thing, but something strange and potentially deadly is going on in the aetheric and both Jo and David accidentally end up being claimed by people who definitely have nothing good in mind for them.
I found it astonishingly easy to get back into the story despite the long time it's been since I read the previous one. Fast-paced, lots of action, and altogether a highly entertaining read. This time, I'm fairly sure it's not gonna take me anywhere near as long to pick up the next installment.
I found it astonishingly easy to get back into the story despite the long time it's been since I read the previous one. Fast-paced, lots of action, and altogether a highly entertaining read. This time, I'm fairly sure it's not gonna take me anywhere near as long to pick up the next installment.
May 10, 2012
Random thoughts, not a full review:
This book was a slight disappointment after the first book. First off, I was turned off by the beginning of the book with Joanne's constant sensual experiences as a new Djinn. I'm happy this portion of the book finally ended and got on to some real content. There is nothing worse then a boy crazy heroine that does nothing for herself. And yes, I realize she was new to her body/form and needed to learn, but some of it was over the top and too much about boys/sex.
My second complaint, how many times is Jo going to die? It's book two and she has died at least twice now and changed form twice. What next? Will she magically discover she has Earth powers now instead of storm powers? Will she end up more powerful then Lewis? Will she die and become a fire fighting bunny?
Overall I still enjoyed the story line and will continue to read the series. I simply don't have high hopes for the next book. I hope that I'm proven wrong.
This book was a slight disappointment after the first book. First off, I was turned off by the beginning of the book with Joanne's constant sensual experiences as a new Djinn. I'm happy this portion of the book finally ended and got on to some real content. There is nothing worse then a boy crazy heroine that does nothing for herself. And yes, I realize she was new to her body/form and needed to learn, but some of it was over the top and too much about boys/sex.
My second complaint, how many times is Jo going to die? It's book two and she has died at least twice now and changed form twice. What next? Will she magically discover she has Earth powers now instead of storm powers? Will she end up more powerful then Lewis? Will she die and become a fire fighting bunny?
Overall I still enjoyed the story line and will continue to read the series. I simply don't have high hopes for the next book. I hope that I'm proven wrong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2011
I really disliked the main character. She would get in one situation after another where she had a chance to make a difference and take responsibility for problems that were either in part or wholly her fault, each time she balked and as a result things got worse. I guess I just can't get into a character that is so self absorbed and irresponsible. Maybe she grows through out the series and learns from her mistakes but, I doubt it.
After reading one of Rachel Caine's short stories in an anthology I had high hopes for this series. Perhaps I will try one of her later pieces.
After reading one of Rachel Caine's short stories in an anthology I had high hopes for this series. Perhaps I will try one of her later pieces.
December 6, 2016
I didn't enjoyed the first book on this series but I really liked this one. It was something new and refreshing.
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