Reviews

Don't Call Me a Hurricane by Ellen Hagan

izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition

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2.0

2/5

I was excited going into this book, but I got bored with the plot. The thing that made me keep reading was the "flashbacks". I also thought this book was long and very slow, my eBook verson was almost 600 pages

kthornette's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

I will say that because this book is told through poetry and verse with some prose (I guess cause it sounded as such), it’s better to listen to the audiobook rather than reading a physical. However, I think the story would’ve been better if the writing style stuck to one style. I still enjoyed it nevertheless.

marieintheraw's review

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3.0

Every so often I pick up a novel in verse. Sometimes they are hits or misses. But oftentimes, I find myself longing for more like I did with this work. There were parts that absolutely hit hard, but when you compare those to the whole you feel overwhelmed by the potential.

I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.

sienna_canread's review

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3.0

I wish it was more interesting, the author could’ve made the book interesting but it was so boring I was thinking about dnf’ing this book a few times.

bluebell4's review

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It was written it a different way that I’m not used to and it kinda took me off guard. Plus I’ve read some reviews on it and it doesn’t really seem like something I’d like that much

mythos05's review against another edition

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2.0

2/5 stars
The reason why the rating is so low is that it was very different from what people were expecting. I was expecting a detailed story about a teenager having to deal with the effects on her hometown due to climate change. I was wrong. Instead, it focused on a group of teenagers who hate tourists (the people who visit during the summer) as well as on love. I believe that the main character was crushing on one of the tourists. I was completely unaware that it was written as poetry. I wouldn't typically have a problem with this writing style except that I felt that I was missing parts of the story. Either because of a lack of detail or because it was placing too much emphasis on something that wasn't even going to be relevant in the story later on.

I wouldn't recommend this book. I'm sure there are people who enjoy both the writing style and the plot of the story, but I am not one of them.

krpolaski's review against another edition

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2.0

Had a lot of promise in terms of the themes but was very disappointing in execution. I wanted to read about climate change and gentrification and families of choice but was instead forced to read about stupid rich Milo with his top knot and stunning lack of personality. Another entry into the pantheon of YA novels that abandon their actually interesting premises to write torrid boring and predictable romance plotlines instead.

thenextgenlibrarian's review

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3.0

“It’s up to us. We make the change.”

ferdireads's review

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3.0

*sighs* i really expected this to be better but it was honestly really mid.

the characters were barely fleshed out, and felt as plain as cardboard, including the main character and her love interest. i guess it's because of the fact that the book is written in verse, but i dont really see that as an excuse.

i also found it weird how quick eliza's parents were to literally disregard her and everything she has worked for in a matter of seconds. they were so quick to shit on her the second money was involved. like that is so fucked up.

there's also the fact that i find it so weird how this gives off alt leftist x alt rightist vibes bc of how the story is set up, especially with the "i can change him" shit.

save yourself the trouble from reading this tbh

100pagesaday's review

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5.0

Seventeen year-old Eliza Marino just wants to enjoy her summer before senior year. Her small, island town of Holgate, New Jersey was ravaged by a hurricane five years prior. Eliza's family barely survived and had to rebuild. Now, Eliza is in therapy to help with the trauma and is an avid climate activist with her friends. They are fighting to keep development away from Holgate that will threaten the sand dunes, cause erosion and damage to turtle habitat. When Eliza meets Milo at a party, she believes she has found love, but Milo is harboring a secret that is against everything Eliza is fighting for.

Don't Call Me a Hurricane is a brave book about teens fighting for their home and the planet. Eliza and her friends are climate activists who are dealing with the destruction of their home as well as facing climate anxiety and an uncertain future. Written in verse, the emotional impact of the writing was strong. I could feel Eliza's fear in the flashback scenes during the hurricane as well as her anxiety and need in the present day to do something to help her home. Eliza's passion, fear, confusion and spirit continuously shines through in the writing. I enjoyed watching Eliza and her friends organize for climate activism, how they found help and advice from outside sources, listened to those who have succeeded before them, planned fundraising, sit-ins, and protests while still making some mistakes along the way. Eliza and Milo's romance was realistic and integrated well into the story. Milo introduced conflict and challenge for Eliza as she had to reassess some of her beliefs, think about what was important to her and grow in ways she didn't know she could. Don't Call Me a Hurricane is an important book for the current world as teens and young adults face impending climate disasters and climate anxiety.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.