The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
2.0
It was okay. I only really liked one of the stories though.
1.9/5
1.9/5
jmbz38's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tameekahre's review against another edition
3.0
Snapshot: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Loaded: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Aloft: âď¸
Rain: âď¸âď¸âď¸
Loaded: âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Aloft: âď¸
Rain: âď¸âď¸âď¸
carlywinn's review against another edition
3.0
I liked these stories because they were very unique and truly terrifying. That being said, Loaded was personally too much for me in terms of gun violence and Aloft was a little tooâŚabstract? I had a hard time putting my finger on why this story was hard for me to connect with honestly. Overall probably worth a read but this isnât my favorite book of his.
universalbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellent anthology. As expected, I liked some stories better than others. However, I didn't dislike any of the stories and I loved "Loaded".
The first story in Strange Weather is Snapshot. It's the tale of a young teen who reconnects with a housekeeper/nanny that is now suffering from memory loss and displaying symptoms of Alzheimer's. Ofcourse, because this is a Hill novel, Alzheimer's is not the true culprit. I really liked this story. It encourages introspection, especially about your childhood. Also, the Solaroid is a very unique device.
The next story is Aloft. A man ends up stuck on a cloud after a sky diving mishap. This one was more bizarre than any of the others, and I found the protagonist to be relatable if a little annoying. There were definitely some cliches in his motivations that bugged me. However, it was interesting and I liked to ending.
Loaded, the third story, is my favourite of the anthology. It was the most surrealistic, especially in comparison to Aloft and Snapshot. I was constantly waiting for the breaking point, because with a character like Officer Kellaway, you know there's going to a horrible breaking point. I also really loved Lanternglass, the ethical journalist with a history of revealing racist police officers. She was an engaging character that I was rooting for the entire story. It's a great short, even if I didn't agree with the ending.
The last story, Rain, is the most interesting one. A devastating rainstorm begins to drop razor sharp crystal shards in the US (and later much further), and all hell breaks lose. It's a dystopian tale, absolutely; but because the horror relies mostly on a scientific premise, I found myself questioning whether it was possible. It reads more like science fiction than the other stories which made it very realistic, but less horrifying. However, I really liked the read. Especially the layers of depth which include: a cult, capitalism in chaos, and Russian spies.
I strongly suggest this anthology. The theme of Strange Weather is cleverly weaved into the stories, and each one was interesting and heart pounding in turns.
The first story in Strange Weather is Snapshot. It's the tale of a young teen who reconnects with a housekeeper/nanny that is now suffering from memory loss and displaying symptoms of Alzheimer's. Ofcourse, because this is a Hill novel, Alzheimer's is not the true culprit. I really liked this story. It encourages introspection, especially about your childhood. Also, the Solaroid is a very unique device.
The next story is Aloft. A man ends up stuck on a cloud after a sky diving mishap. This one was more bizarre than any of the others, and I found the protagonist to be relatable if a little annoying. There were definitely some cliches in his motivations that bugged me. However, it was interesting and I liked to ending.
Loaded, the third story, is my favourite of the anthology. It was the most surrealistic, especially in comparison to Aloft and Snapshot. I was constantly waiting for the breaking point, because with a character like Officer Kellaway, you know there's going to a horrible breaking point. I also really loved Lanternglass, the ethical journalist with a history of revealing racist police officers. She was an engaging character that I was rooting for the entire story. It's a great short, even if I didn't agree with the ending.
The last story, Rain, is the most interesting one. A devastating rainstorm begins to drop razor sharp crystal shards in the US (and later much further), and all hell breaks lose. It's a dystopian tale, absolutely; but because the horror relies mostly on a scientific premise, I found myself questioning whether it was possible. It reads more like science fiction than the other stories which made it very realistic, but less horrifying. However, I really liked the read. Especially the layers of depth which include: a cult, capitalism in chaos, and Russian spies.
I strongly suggest this anthology. The theme of Strange Weather is cleverly weaved into the stories, and each one was interesting and heart pounding in turns.
fantasmariana's review against another edition
4.0
Este libro se compone de cuatro "novellas" (cuatro cuentos largos). Tres de ellos nos presentan con eventos insĂłlitos: una cĂĄmara que te roba los recuerdos, una nube alienigena y una lluvia mortal de clavos. Solamente el tercero, titulado Loaded, carece de elementos sobrenaturales aunque no deja de ser inquietante pues trata el tema de la posesiĂłn de armas en Estados Unidos. Esta historia nos demuestra como un solo disparo puede desencadenar mĂşltiples desgracias.
Me gustaron.
Me gustaron.
ryleighou's review against another edition
4.0
Technically closer to 3.5, simply because I couldnât get into âAloftâ - that part took me the majority of my day as I kept losing focus. The remaining 3 stories were wonderful!
nicolaspratt's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting mix of stories, definitely darker than much of Joe Hill's father (Stephen King's) work, but along the same lines of horror. I appreciated the addition of "otherworldly" elements in some of the stories. The debate on gun violence was brought to the forefront in one of the stories, in a chilling but accurate manner. Overall a good book, with a vague theme running through the 4 stories.
karieh13's review against another edition
3.0
I love short stories. When done well â they are wonderful, easily digestible, extra-tasty (wow â I must be hungry!) bits of fiction goodness. âStrange Weatherâ is an example of a variety pack of great short novels.
The first story, âSnapshotâ was my favorite. It was wonderfully creepy, while remaining strongly connected to the humanity of the main character. There is love, care, grief and helplessness all wrapped up in a scary package of âwhat if?â And those two elements being perfectly mixed is what makes this story so strong. âAlmost from the first, I felt it was important not to do anything to alarm her. There was no obvious reason for caution â but a lot of our best thinking takes place well below the level of conscious cogitation and has nothing to do with rationality. The monkey brain absorbs a great deal of information from subtle clues that we arenât even aware weâve received.â
Then in the apocalyptic âRainâ â Hill demonstrates an excellent sarcastic take on the crazy times in which we live⌠(after mass death) âŚâ then a teenager standing beside her asked if I wanted large fries or an Egg McMuffin and told me that McDonaldâs wanted to express their sorrow for my loss. It was the end of the world, but you could still hit the drive-thru on your way to oblivion.â
I must admit, I was less fond of âLoadedâ â but that was just because that subject matter is hard for me to handle. It was well written â but just too much for me.
But at the end of it, I took from âStrange Weatherâ â the true humanity in unreal circumstances. âIâll face whatever blows in on the wind. It may come to blow gales of pure sadness instead of air and leave us all taking shelter from grief. Maybe time itself will begin to crest and drop instead of temperature. We may have the nineteenth century for winter. For all we know, we mightâve already slipped into the future without knowing it.â
Indeed, I think we may have. And itâs not a good one.
The first story, âSnapshotâ was my favorite. It was wonderfully creepy, while remaining strongly connected to the humanity of the main character. There is love, care, grief and helplessness all wrapped up in a scary package of âwhat if?â And those two elements being perfectly mixed is what makes this story so strong. âAlmost from the first, I felt it was important not to do anything to alarm her. There was no obvious reason for caution â but a lot of our best thinking takes place well below the level of conscious cogitation and has nothing to do with rationality. The monkey brain absorbs a great deal of information from subtle clues that we arenât even aware weâve received.â
Then in the apocalyptic âRainâ â Hill demonstrates an excellent sarcastic take on the crazy times in which we live⌠(after mass death) âŚâ then a teenager standing beside her asked if I wanted large fries or an Egg McMuffin and told me that McDonaldâs wanted to express their sorrow for my loss. It was the end of the world, but you could still hit the drive-thru on your way to oblivion.â
I must admit, I was less fond of âLoadedâ â but that was just because that subject matter is hard for me to handle. It was well written â but just too much for me.
But at the end of it, I took from âStrange Weatherâ â the true humanity in unreal circumstances. âIâll face whatever blows in on the wind. It may come to blow gales of pure sadness instead of air and leave us all taking shelter from grief. Maybe time itself will begin to crest and drop instead of temperature. We may have the nineteenth century for winter. For all we know, we mightâve already slipped into the future without knowing it.â
Indeed, I think we may have. And itâs not a good one.
zakura317's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0