In ‘Runaway Storm’ by D.E. Knobbe, you’re swept along on an exhilarating adventure with Nate who decides to take the fate of his summer into his own hands. Nate, our 17 year old protagonist, has been forced to deal with the misfortune of his parent’s separation. Much to his dismay, Nate has been forced to move away from Canada to New York where his mother took a job and a new boyfriend. Nate is looking forward to him and his father spending the summer together on a much anticipated kayak adventure. However, when Nate finds out that his summer plans have been blown out of the water, he decides to take matters into his own hands.
D.E. Knobbe is a wonderful writer. The words flow together in a wonderful sea of perfection. Knobbe really understands and relays adolescence coming of age in ‘Runaway Storm’.
This book is a page turner that readers of all ages will appreciate. Younger readers will also relate to the feelings portrayed by Nate.
This book screams ‘rite of passage’ as young Nate makes the trip of a lifetime and one that he won’t soon forget. He meets many along the way who help him reach maturity and some who are dangerous. He navigates through one of the worst storms of his life, both physically and mentally.
D.E. Knobbe has a winner with her Runaway Series. This was one of the best, most action packed, heartfelt, realistic books that I’ve read in a long while. I can guarantee that you won’t be dissatisfied with this one. Pick up a copy or two for the young adult in your life. I myself anticipate the release of ‘Runaway Fire’. It can’t come out fast enough and once it does hit the shelves, I’ll be eagerly waiting in line with my copy.
Reviewed on 09/14/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Pamela Leffler
Nate was not a happy camper in more ways than one. His mother was leaving him with him with his father for the summer while she ran off to “do her own thing” in Paris with her newest boyfriend.
The summer had promised fun. Nate’s dad had planned a month of kayaking in the Gulf Islands but at the last minute informed Nate he was canceling their plans because he was needed on “urgent business”. Nate was furious, commenting to his friend Sam, “Tell me what urgent business could a geologist have?”
As the two sat and talked, Nate decided he was going to go to Vancouver anyway and take that kayaking trip by himself. There was no way his mother would cancel her trip and his dad wouldn’t know until he got home. Scrambling to get ready he headed for the garage fir supplies finding much to his surprise he found a beautiful yellow Kayak there. It must have been meant as his birthday present. He was naturally thrilled and had the Kayak, he named Solace, packed for the trip in no time.
With help from friend Mike Watson, he was ready for his adventure. After rigging a contraption to lower the kayak into the water, Nate was off, so far, no one the wiser that he was a minor all on his own.
After kayaking, he stopped at a small island and bought some basics. After some time kayaking Nate met some kids who had no homes and were determined never to go back to foster care. After gaining their trust, they became friends and worked together to keep the camp in good shape and keep out of the watchful eye of the ever wandering Department of Fisheries employees who made routine checks of the area.
As time progressed, all seemed fine until Nate found out that his parents had discovered he was missing. Not wanting to make life harder for his friends because of all the people who were looking for him, Nate decided it was time he left. He slipped into his Kayak and took off heading down river to find a little island or area where he could lie low for awhile.
About the time Nate was thinking things were going to work out, a huge storm appeared and struck with such force that he struggled to keep the Kayak upright and on course. But it rolled and Nate found himself underwater wondering what to do. Then he remembered a maneuver designed to right an upside down Kayak. Despite all his failures at camp practicing, this time Nate got it right and was soon back in the upright position and was searching for a place to settle, rest and think about what to do.
As he began to set up his shelter, he met up with a young girl in a sailboat, sail undone, needing some assistance to make her ship seaworthy. This young girl, dressed all in black, introduced herself to Nate as Kat. They made a trade for help with Nate assisting Kate in putting up her campsite and Nate getting fresh water. It was one that Nate couldn’t resist so he took “Goth girl” (a private nickname he gave her because of her appearance) up on her offer.
Suddenly they spied a sailboat. After a few moments, the motor sputtered and died. Those on the ship, Jimmy, Tanya and Stef rowed to shore to ask for assistance. They all agreed that they would help the three stranded the very next day get help. A bit after this, Nate began to get a strange feeling about the three marooned visitors. Between overheard conversation, flags changing, to the boats name and origin had been changed overnight, Nate came to the conclusion that these three were trouble.
What happens next in the story is exciting, thrilling and downright genius on the part of the author. The predicament Kat and Nate are in is fantastic in suspense and the get away of the three only adds a much needed boost of adrenaline to the reader. But as they say, “all good books must come to an end” and luckily for Nate and Kat they are rescued from the island, the coast guard steps in to deal with Jimmy, Stef and Tanya and Kat gets the medical attention she needs.
This is one book I have to be totally honest when I say, I loved it. Although it is meant for a teenage age group it held my attention and it was totally entertaining from first page to last. So much so, that I will be purchasing several copies of it as gifts as well as donating a copy to our local middle school. As for my copy? That will go on a shelf I have that holds books that have touched me in some special way. And this one did just that. Check for yourself and see if it speaks to you or the teen in your life. I would bet it will and it will find a place on your permanent bookshelf as well.
Reviewed on 02/21/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Susan Pettrone
Runaway Storm
BY: D.E. Knobbe
PUBLISHED BY: Emerald Book Company
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-934572-35-1
Pages: 223
Ages: Young Adult
Reviewed by Billy Burgess
In the first book of the Runaway series, author D.E. Knobbe introduces us to an almost fifteen year-old boy named Nate. He’s a troubled kid who’s having problems adjusting to his parents split and the recent move to New York.
Nate decides he needs a break from his life and comes up with the prefect scheme. He’s going to go kayaking by himself. He tells his mother that his dad wants him to fly to Vancouver while she is away in Paris. He forgot to mention that his dad is on a business trip.
He is quickly on his way to Vancouver with two hundred dollars in cash and his mother’s credit card. When he arrives at his father’s place, he finds his birthday present - a brand new, yellow Kayak. Two of his friends, Mike and Eric, helps Nate buy supplies and help him get to Galiano Island.
Nate launches his Kayak into the waters unaware of the adventures and dangers ahead of him. From drug dealers, to runaways and even a goth girl, this is a journey Nate will never forget.
“Runaway Storm” is an exciting coming to age story. Male readers will easily connect with Nate and relate to some of the problems he faces. I will warn you that there is some mild language in this book. Overall, I enjoyed reading “Runaway Strom” and will look forward to the second installment in the series.
Reviewed on 01/26/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Billy Burgess
