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Storms
Eight-year-old Annie Ryan and her siblings are promised a trampoline for Christmas, but receive a Kingswood, a caravan, and a trip around Australia instead.
Leaving their home in Brisbane, Australia, at the height of the 1974 floods during intense cyclonic weather, the Ryans set off on their epic journey, traveling ahead of the storms everywhere they go.
But storms of the heart are more difficult to navigate, and Annie faces more tragedy and heartache in this one year than a young girl should in a lifetime.
Award-winning author, Phoebe Wilby, was raised in Australia. She has lived in several countries and considers herself a ‘citizen of the world’.
Storms is her debut novel, following two short story collections and a memoir. Storms falls in the genres of Women's Fiction and Fictionalised Memoir.
Leaving their home in Brisbane, Australia, at the height of the 1974 floods during intense cyclonic weather, the Ryans set off on their epic journey, traveling ahead of the storms everywhere they go.
But storms of the heart are more difficult to navigate, and Annie faces more tragedy and heartache in this one year than a young girl should in a lifetime.
Award-winning author, Phoebe Wilby, was raised in Australia. She has lived in several countries and considers herself a ‘citizen of the world’.
Storms is her debut novel, following two short story collections and a memoir. Storms falls in the genres of Women's Fiction and Fictionalised Memoir.
498 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2024
About the author
Phoebe Wilby
4 books23 followersPhoebe Wilby currently lives in the Republic of Ireland with her husband She has been writing since childhood, including horror stories, humour, and poetry, usually about life as she saw it then.
While studying for her Bachelor of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology, Phoebe also worked temporarily as editor of Kids In Brisbane, a newspaper-style magazine aimed at parents of under 12s in Brisbane and the surrounding regions. In 2002, also while still studying, she won the Literary Achievement Award for Excellence in Fiction from the Golden Key International Honour Society, of which she is a lifetime member, for her fictionalised treatment of the September 11, 2001 tragedy in New York.
Her chaotic lifestyle now lends itself to the writing of short stories and poetry and she continues to do this sporadically, interspersed with a full-time job, admin duties for a stable of psychiatrists, arranging music for children’s songs written by a friend, voluntary work for her Church and of course, family commitments.
She claims she doesn’t have the attention span to write a novel. However, she is currently working on a trilogy – and rather than finish them one at a time, is working on all three stories at once!
While studying for her Bachelor of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology, Phoebe also worked temporarily as editor of Kids In Brisbane, a newspaper-style magazine aimed at parents of under 12s in Brisbane and the surrounding regions. In 2002, also while still studying, she won the Literary Achievement Award for Excellence in Fiction from the Golden Key International Honour Society, of which she is a lifetime member, for her fictionalised treatment of the September 11, 2001 tragedy in New York.
Her chaotic lifestyle now lends itself to the writing of short stories and poetry and she continues to do this sporadically, interspersed with a full-time job, admin duties for a stable of psychiatrists, arranging music for children’s songs written by a friend, voluntary work for her Church and of course, family commitments.
She claims she doesn’t have the attention span to write a novel. However, she is currently working on a trilogy – and rather than finish them one at a time, is working on all three stories at once!
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 20, 2025
"Storms" by Phoebe Wilby is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it. Reading it feels like being pulled into the mind of young Annie Ryan curious, observant, and far more aware of the world’s dangers than any child should have to be. The setting alone is vivid: a family caravaning across Australia during the 1974 floods, literally and emotionally outrunning storms.
What struck me most was how Wilby captures childhood innocence while still confronting trauma head-on. The story doesn’t shy away from dark moments, but it never feels sensationalized. Instead, everything is filtered through Annie’s perspective, which makes it even more impactful she notices everything, even when she doesn’t fully understand it.
The pacing mirrors a real road trip: sometimes slow, sometimes tense, always unpredictable. There are beautiful moments of wonder and family closeness, but they’re balanced with scenes that are genuinely heartbreaking.
Overall, "Storms" is raw, atmospheric, and deeply human. It’s not a light read, but it’s a powerful one perfect for anyone who appreciates character-driven stories that explore the complexities of family and resilience.
What struck me most was how Wilby captures childhood innocence while still confronting trauma head-on. The story doesn’t shy away from dark moments, but it never feels sensationalized. Instead, everything is filtered through Annie’s perspective, which makes it even more impactful she notices everything, even when she doesn’t fully understand it.
The pacing mirrors a real road trip: sometimes slow, sometimes tense, always unpredictable. There are beautiful moments of wonder and family closeness, but they’re balanced with scenes that are genuinely heartbreaking.
Overall, "Storms" is raw, atmospheric, and deeply human. It’s not a light read, but it’s a powerful one perfect for anyone who appreciates character-driven stories that explore the complexities of family and resilience.
July 31, 2025
After reading Phoebe Wilby’s Storms, I found myself holding a bittersweet kind of admiration for the raw and emotionally-charged journey she’s captured through the eyes of young Annie Ryan. This novel is a coming-of-age memoir wrapped in the chaos of a family road trip across Australia in the 1970s. It begins with a Christmas promise, the anticipation of a trampoline, which unravels into a year-long caravan trek brought on not by choice, but by a father’s authoritarian rule. Told through the lens of an eight-year-old girl, the book balances nostalgia and grief, humor and heartbreak, and manages to say quite a bit about resilience, fractured families, and the loss of innocence.
I was immediately struck by how honest and unfiltered Annie’s voice felt. There’s a heartbreaking tension between her childlike enthusiasm and the creeping understanding that not everything is fair or safe in her world. The writing is straightforward, sometimes poetic, but never pretentious. Wilby captures the complexities of a blended family, especially one hiding behind the thin veneer of normalcy, with such brutal clarity that at times I had to put the book down and just sit with the weight of it. Some parts were hard to read, especially the subtle and not-so-subtle dynamics of control, silence, and emotional neglect. Still, Annie’s wit and insight cut through the darkest moments, making her impossible not to root for.
At times, the pacing slowed, especially in the middle of the journey, but it somehow worked, mirroring the long and exhausting nature of the trip itself. What carried me through was the deeply personal way Wilby described everything: the weather, the landscape, the moods, the subtle shifts in family dynamics. Her use of metaphor, especially around storms both literal and emotional, felt ike something she’d been carrying a long time. I felt angry. I laughed. I felt sad. That kind of emotional whiplash is rare and a sign of good storytelling.
Storms is not fast or flashy. It doesn’t wrap anything up neatly. But if you’ve ever grown up feeling like a bystander in your own family, or if you’ve ever carried the weight of being too old for your age, this book will resonate with you. I’d recommend it for readers who love memoir-style fiction, who want something thoughtful and real, who don’t mind a few emotional bruises along the way.
I was immediately struck by how honest and unfiltered Annie’s voice felt. There’s a heartbreaking tension between her childlike enthusiasm and the creeping understanding that not everything is fair or safe in her world. The writing is straightforward, sometimes poetic, but never pretentious. Wilby captures the complexities of a blended family, especially one hiding behind the thin veneer of normalcy, with such brutal clarity that at times I had to put the book down and just sit with the weight of it. Some parts were hard to read, especially the subtle and not-so-subtle dynamics of control, silence, and emotional neglect. Still, Annie’s wit and insight cut through the darkest moments, making her impossible not to root for.
At times, the pacing slowed, especially in the middle of the journey, but it somehow worked, mirroring the long and exhausting nature of the trip itself. What carried me through was the deeply personal way Wilby described everything: the weather, the landscape, the moods, the subtle shifts in family dynamics. Her use of metaphor, especially around storms both literal and emotional, felt ike something she’d been carrying a long time. I felt angry. I laughed. I felt sad. That kind of emotional whiplash is rare and a sign of good storytelling.
Storms is not fast or flashy. It doesn’t wrap anything up neatly. But if you’ve ever grown up feeling like a bystander in your own family, or if you’ve ever carried the weight of being too old for your age, this book will resonate with you. I’d recommend it for readers who love memoir-style fiction, who want something thoughtful and real, who don’t mind a few emotional bruises along the way.
April 4, 2025
Promised a trampoline for Christmas, the Ryan children are disappointed to find that the money has instead been spent on a caravan to travel around Australia in. Leaving the comfort of their home in Brisbane, the family set off through the floods of 1974 on what’s supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime!
Reading this well-crafted and emotive novel, I had every sympathy for eight-year-old Annie, her siblings and their mother, who didn’t seem invested in the trip at all. The father of the family comes across as a controlling and domineering presence, who always wants things to work out his way. The atmosphere in the car as they travel feels tense and claustrophobic.
The journey is not without moments of joy, such as the witnessing of beautiful and lush scenery, which they hadn’t experienced at home. There is also happiness to be found when the family find work in a vineyard, run by a lovely Italian couple, and during their time staying in Adelaide.
The book also features dark and distressing scenes featuring physical, emotional and sexual abuse, of which I would advise caution to those who may be triggered by such subjects. These issues are handled in a sensitive manner by the author.
Despite all the storms, tragedy and turmoil they face on route, the Ryan family manage to weather them in their own way. Annie, who serves as our narrator for their story is a wonderful presence, full of curiosity and clever observations.
By the time their journey has concluded, the Ryan family are left forever altered by the events, people and situations they experience along the way. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Annie’s story, when the sequel is published. I’ve no hesitation in awarding this heartfelt book 5 stars.
Reading this well-crafted and emotive novel, I had every sympathy for eight-year-old Annie, her siblings and their mother, who didn’t seem invested in the trip at all. The father of the family comes across as a controlling and domineering presence, who always wants things to work out his way. The atmosphere in the car as they travel feels tense and claustrophobic.
The journey is not without moments of joy, such as the witnessing of beautiful and lush scenery, which they hadn’t experienced at home. There is also happiness to be found when the family find work in a vineyard, run by a lovely Italian couple, and during their time staying in Adelaide.
The book also features dark and distressing scenes featuring physical, emotional and sexual abuse, of which I would advise caution to those who may be triggered by such subjects. These issues are handled in a sensitive manner by the author.
Despite all the storms, tragedy and turmoil they face on route, the Ryan family manage to weather them in their own way. Annie, who serves as our narrator for their story is a wonderful presence, full of curiosity and clever observations.
By the time their journey has concluded, the Ryan family are left forever altered by the events, people and situations they experience along the way. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Annie’s story, when the sequel is published. I’ve no hesitation in awarding this heartfelt book 5 stars.
December 23, 2024
A Thrilling Ride
Author Phoebe Wilby has written a Winner.
We've all heard of Australians 'going walk-about' a journey often taken alone in the outback.
This novel, Storms, takes the reader on a similar quest, but involves a headstrong father, his entire family and a camper van.
Braving Storms left, right and centre, both atmospheric and emotional, they criss-cross Australia in the most adverse conditions imaginable.
Annie is the real hero in this tale. Young though she is, we experience family crisis, joyful events, first romantic crush and terrifying monsters through her niave but perceptive eyes.
I was on the edge of my seat and literally couldn't put the book down. Believe me, this is a mystery thriller you'll be glad to solve!
Author Phoebe Wilby has written a Winner.
We've all heard of Australians 'going walk-about' a journey often taken alone in the outback.
This novel, Storms, takes the reader on a similar quest, but involves a headstrong father, his entire family and a camper van.
Braving Storms left, right and centre, both atmospheric and emotional, they criss-cross Australia in the most adverse conditions imaginable.
Annie is the real hero in this tale. Young though she is, we experience family crisis, joyful events, first romantic crush and terrifying monsters through her niave but perceptive eyes.
I was on the edge of my seat and literally couldn't put the book down. Believe me, this is a mystery thriller you'll be glad to solve!
July 20, 2026
Storms is a heartfelt story about family, resilience, and growing up through life's unexpected challenges. Annie's journey is both emotional and inspiring, with beautiful descriptions of Australia's landscapes and a moving exploration of love and loss. A compelling debut that stays with you long after the final page.
November 7, 2025
A tender, unforgettable coming of age story.
Phoebe Wilby captures the innocence of childhood and the heartbreak of loss with stunning grace. Storms swept me up from the first page a journey through Australia that mirrors the storms within every human heart.
Phoebe Wilby captures the innocence of childhood and the heartbreak of loss with stunning grace. Storms swept me up from the first page a journey through Australia that mirrors the storms within every human heart.
July 20, 2026
This book took me by surprise. What starts as an exciting family road trip becomes a touching story about love, loss, and resilience. Annie is a memorable character, and her story stayed with me long after I finished reading.
July 20, 2026
A wonderful coming-of-age novel with relatable characters and plenty of heart. The mix of family adventures, dramatic weather, and emotional moments kept me turning the pages. A fantastic debut from Phoebe Wilby.
July 20, 2026
A touching story that perfectly captures the ups and downs of family life. Annie's perspective is heartfelt and authentic, making every triumph and heartbreak feel real. An enjoyable and emotional read.
July 20, 2026
I loved how this book blended adventure with genuine emotion. The journey across Australia is fascinating, but it's Annie's courage and growth that make this story unforgettable. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy heartfelt family fiction.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews