Review: Into The Tempest (The Storm Boys Series Book 2) by N.R. Walker

Rating: 5🌈

Into The Tempest moves the story and our characters from the rain drenched lowlands wilderness of Kakadu National Park to the sunny port of Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. The switch in locations brings us to Tully Larson’s home, where his family and his family’s shipping business is situated, giving the reader and Jeremiah another perspective on this seemingly simple, yet complex man.

It’s also allowing Jeremiah a new opportunity, however unsought at first, for being in charge of Darwin’s Bureau of Meteorology, an antiquated tiny satellite branch of that agency that time seems to have forgotten.

Walker’s stunning continuation of her Storm Boys series is no less remarkable, suspense filled or adrenaline driven by having removed itself from a naturalistic landscape to that of the port city of Darwin.

The romance between Tully and Jeremiah is firmly intertwined with the meteorological phenomenons central to each book’s narrative. Here it’s Tropical Cyclone Hazer bearing down on Darwin, with Jeremiah’s small, decrepit station, full of outdated instruments, at ground zero. It’s the station for all the area’s emergency data and meteorological information going out to the public and other agencies. And it’s all done manually , by one person.

I’m not sure if Walker has weathered through a cyclone or how she’s able to get to the heart of this storm in the manner that she has, because , through her amazing writing, Cyclone Hazer becomes a major narrative catastrophic event that creeps into the literal air , moment by moment, energizing the characters, and then the community.

The sheer power of vivid imagery, the violent nature and intensity that builds throughout the story of the impending disaster is felt, not just by Tully, worried about his family and community, but by Jeremiah, feeling the weight of responsibility for things outside of his control, and for characters like the constantly retiring meteorologist Doreen and her wife, Suri, whose PTSD is being triggered.

There’s more fascinating and compelling elements here. That of family, lighting, romantic relationships, and commitments. And a community that will need to be rebuilt at the end. Plus a baby Magpie.

But this story belongs to Tropical Cyclone Hazer, Tully, Jeremiah, Doreen, and Bruce, Doreen’s small ever present dog. That small group that heard the frantic beeping that starts it all, that turns this book into a narrative powerhouse.

I can’t imagine it ending at a third story. Tully and Jeremiah are so strong, so complex and moving a couple, that surely it will take more than just one more book to finish their arc. I could spend 10 novels with them and not be done.

Yes I’m highly recommending this book , but pls read them in the order they are written to understand the characters and relationship growth.

The Storm Boys:

✓ Outrun The Rain

✓ Into The Tempest

◦ Touch The Lightning-July 18, 2023

Second Chance at First Love: Prequel to The Storm Boys

Buy link:

Into the Tempest (The Storm Boys Series Book 2)

Description:

Jeremiah Overton is now in charge of Darwin’s Bureau of Meteorology, and his storm chaser boyfriend, Tully Larson, couldn’t be happier. For Tully, it means watching summer storms with the love of his life but for Jeremiah, it means relearning everything on equipment that’s older than he is.

But summer storms also mean it’s cyclone season. While Tully’s no stranger to tropical storms and the occasional cyclone, for Jeremiah, it’s a first.

As Tropical Cyclone Hazer bears down on the city, Jeremiah and Tully prepare to stay behind. Jeremiah knows what to expect, theoretically, but living through it is a different story.

If they live through it at all.