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Damaged Climate #2
Drought Warning
Ryan Gibson has finally been reunited with his wife and son in the makeshift refuge of the old church cellar. Harper Springs is still reeling from the devastating tornadoes that have ravaged the town, but the stormy skies have given way to scorching heat, signaling a dangerous shift in the climate. Fear and uncertainty grip the survivors as they contemplate the wrath of Mother Nature and the perilous challenges that lie ahead.As they strive to rebuild their shattered community, Ryan is haunted by the urgent question of how they will sustain themselves as the water supply dwindles and record-breaking temperatures set in. The limited stock of non-perishable food is rapidly diminishing, fueling a desperate need to kickstart their reconstruction efforts.With Cecilia's parents still missing, Ryan embarks on a perilous mission to reunite their fractured family. Entrusting his friend Steve with the responsibilities in Harper Springs, he sets out with his father towards Fox Lake, only to encounter a series of harrowing obstacles that surpass the terror of tornadoes. Blazing wildfires, towering walls of dirt, and the ever-present threat of ruthless thieves and looters turn their journey into a battle for survival. As they bear witness to the widespread devastation and a post-apocalyptic landscape, they realize the daunting truth—the road to recovery may be more treacherous than they ever imagined.Get ready for a relentless rollercoaster ride through a world torn apart by extreme weather, as the characters face the harshest tests of their lives. Will they find the strength and ingenuity to rebuild against all odds, or will they succumb to the unforgiving forces of a damaged climate, forever lost in a post-apocalyptic wasteland?
- GenresFiction
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2016
161 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Tate
42 books23 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 21, 2025
While in college I once has a professor who lectured in monotone. Regardless of what he was lecturing about it was all in one tone and emotionless. This is what it felt like reading this book. The first one was a little like that, but there was a bit more action. This one, not so much. So many of the characters responses seemed unbelievable for the most part. We have Doug, the mc, who had a serious hero complex. He didn't seem to think anyone else was capable enough to handle anything that would help the group. His wife was way to damn calm. His son's reaction to his amputated arm just felt off. I don't know anyone who wakes up with a missing limb and shrugs it off especially a small child. Doug's turnaround in attitude was unbelievable. It's like his resentment blew away with the dust storm while on that trip to rescue his Ryan's wife's parents.
It was the little things like that that turned me off from wanting to continue the series.
It was the little things like that that turned me off from wanting to continue the series.
August 24, 2019
Reunited with his family, Ryan faces the news that Ty's arm is badly damaged and will need to be amputated. He becomes convinced that the lack of rain will soon lead to a terrible drought as the sun gets hotter, and knows they need to try and grow as much food as they can before the drought causes a water shortage. However, his first task is to lead a dangerous mission in the heat to find out what happened to Cecilia's parents and if they are alive, bring them back to Harper Springs. With only his father and Doug for company, Ryan is about to face the most fearful part of the drought in the form of dust storms and wildfires that could threaten both them and Harper Springs.
I love the character of Steve. He is the farmer who was saved by Ryan in the first book and becomes his closest friend. Steve is determined to scavenge seeds and equipment to get things growing as quickly as he can. He is a nice guy who wants to do his bit for the community and put his talents to good use. I just wish he wasn't the sidekick for all Ryan's little scemes as I feel that Steve is the better leader. I also love Darryl because he is also trying to do what he can for the group, and is happy to go out and try to rescue Charlie and Margaret. I liked his friendship with Doug, who really grew on me in this book. I liked seeing him making friends and trying to fit in with the community. Mike fell a bit more into the background as the book went on which was disappointing as I wanted to see what others were doing for the town.
I did like seeing the effects of the changing weather on the community. Everyone had to battle the terrible tornadoes and the flooding that came with it, but now the storms seem to be going and the heat is climbing. At first everyone is enjoying the chance to get out in the sun but soon people are getting too hot and worries about the water supply begin. This book has a whole new set of problems to worry about and I liked reading about the dust storms and wildfires that threaten the survivors. Now that Harper Springs is coming together, it is going to become a target for roving bands of looters who want to take what they have.
Ryan is getting to be a really annoying know-it-all. He went on one weather course but seems to have the knowledge of the most talented weather forecaster ever and is predicting the drought after a few days without rain. He has become focused on finding Cecelia's parents in the town of Fox Lake and persuades his father Darryl to go with them. Darryl insists on taking Doug with them and Ryan spends the whole trip sniping at Doug, even though Doug is just riding along minding his own business and being perfectly pleasant. I get that Ryan doesn't trust Doug after the events of the first book but Darryl is vouching for him and trying to give the man a second chance and a reason to want to integrate with the community rather than remain an outsider. I do understand Ryan's views on him though.
What is really bugging me is the way that Ryan is picking fights with everyone. He argues with the doctor about Ty's treatment when the man is trying to save Ty's life. Despite having a badly infected leg, he refuses to tell the doctor or Cecilia about it. I mean, c'mon you idiot! Your son has lost his arm to infection and you are stubbornly refusing to get your leg treated? When he finally does get checked out, he complains about his treatment and whines about not needing medical help. I wanted to hit him. He argues with the fire chief when Mike refuses to send his men out during a dangerous lightning storm to do something that Ryan wants done. He is always yelling at his wife and his dad when they try to talk sense to him. Ryan just has to be the centre of everything, the man on guard, the man on the rescue mission, the man to save them from doom. His hero complex gets quite frustrating as he doesn't seem to trust anyone else to get anything done, despite the fact that the town got itself together as a community again long before Ryan joined them.
Having really liked the first book in the series, I was a bit annoyed at how poor a character Ryan was becoming. His determination to be the big hero all the time at the expense of everyone else was annoying. While I did like aspects of the book and the challenges that our survivors faced, Ryan's attitude did put a downer on my enjoyment a bit. It was still a decent read though but not as good as the first book. My review of book three will follow.
I love the character of Steve. He is the farmer who was saved by Ryan in the first book and becomes his closest friend. Steve is determined to scavenge seeds and equipment to get things growing as quickly as he can. He is a nice guy who wants to do his bit for the community and put his talents to good use. I just wish he wasn't the sidekick for all Ryan's little scemes as I feel that Steve is the better leader. I also love Darryl because he is also trying to do what he can for the group, and is happy to go out and try to rescue Charlie and Margaret. I liked his friendship with Doug, who really grew on me in this book. I liked seeing him making friends and trying to fit in with the community. Mike fell a bit more into the background as the book went on which was disappointing as I wanted to see what others were doing for the town.
I did like seeing the effects of the changing weather on the community. Everyone had to battle the terrible tornadoes and the flooding that came with it, but now the storms seem to be going and the heat is climbing. At first everyone is enjoying the chance to get out in the sun but soon people are getting too hot and worries about the water supply begin. This book has a whole new set of problems to worry about and I liked reading about the dust storms and wildfires that threaten the survivors. Now that Harper Springs is coming together, it is going to become a target for roving bands of looters who want to take what they have.
Ryan is getting to be a really annoying know-it-all. He went on one weather course but seems to have the knowledge of the most talented weather forecaster ever and is predicting the drought after a few days without rain. He has become focused on finding Cecelia's parents in the town of Fox Lake and persuades his father Darryl to go with them. Darryl insists on taking Doug with them and Ryan spends the whole trip sniping at Doug, even though Doug is just riding along minding his own business and being perfectly pleasant. I get that Ryan doesn't trust Doug after the events of the first book but Darryl is vouching for him and trying to give the man a second chance and a reason to want to integrate with the community rather than remain an outsider. I do understand Ryan's views on him though.
What is really bugging me is the way that Ryan is picking fights with everyone. He argues with the doctor about Ty's treatment when the man is trying to save Ty's life. Despite having a badly infected leg, he refuses to tell the doctor or Cecilia about it. I mean, c'mon you idiot! Your son has lost his arm to infection and you are stubbornly refusing to get your leg treated? When he finally does get checked out, he complains about his treatment and whines about not needing medical help. I wanted to hit him. He argues with the fire chief when Mike refuses to send his men out during a dangerous lightning storm to do something that Ryan wants done. He is always yelling at his wife and his dad when they try to talk sense to him. Ryan just has to be the centre of everything, the man on guard, the man on the rescue mission, the man to save them from doom. His hero complex gets quite frustrating as he doesn't seem to trust anyone else to get anything done, despite the fact that the town got itself together as a community again long before Ryan joined them.
Having really liked the first book in the series, I was a bit annoyed at how poor a character Ryan was becoming. His determination to be the big hero all the time at the expense of everyone else was annoying. While I did like aspects of the book and the challenges that our survivors faced, Ryan's attitude did put a downer on my enjoyment a bit. It was still a decent read though but not as good as the first book. My review of book three will follow.
August 11, 2023
Mild Spoilers
The weather wildly swings from extreme rain to full on drought quickly. Which itself is fine and makes for a tense story. What really frustrates is the MC. Ryan has the biggest hero complex I've ever seen. He frequently argues and fights with other characters in this book when they're clearly right. This man thinks that nothing good can happen to the community unless he personally does it. When someone tries to talk sense to him he responds with anger and lashing out at his family. At least we get the start of a redemption arc with Doug and we get to spend more time with Steve.
The weather wildly swings from extreme rain to full on drought quickly. Which itself is fine and makes for a tense story. What really frustrates is the MC. Ryan has the biggest hero complex I've ever seen. He frequently argues and fights with other characters in this book when they're clearly right. This man thinks that nothing good can happen to the community unless he personally does it. When someone tries to talk sense to him he responds with anger and lashing out at his family. At least we get the start of a redemption arc with Doug and we get to spend more time with Steve.
March 4, 2019
Scary concept
It is a scary concept of the weather getting this bad. This book kept my interest. I kept thinking what would we do if this really happened.
I'm looking forward to book 3. Blizzard. These people just can't get a break.
It is a scary concept of the weather getting this bad. This book kept my interest. I kept thinking what would we do if this really happened.
I'm looking forward to book 3. Blizzard. These people just can't get a break.
July 17, 2017
Interesting SHTF book
It's different from the other Apocalypse stories I have read but it's scary just the same. Our world is really a fragile one if one thinks about it.
It's different from the other Apocalypse stories I have read but it's scary just the same. Our world is really a fragile one if one thinks about it.
July 17, 2017
Drought Warning review
Drought Warning is the second exciting post apocalyptic book in The Damaged Climate series written by author J. R. Tate.
Drought Warning is the second exciting post apocalyptic book in The Damaged Climate series written by author J. R. Tate.
August 2, 2017
Keep reading
As many of my reviews state, I'm not a book spoiler, I will tell you that new characters are introduced. Things seem to be improving or are they.
As many of my reviews state, I'm not a book spoiler, I will tell you that new characters are introduced. Things seem to be improving or are they.
January 3, 2023
This series is becoming one of the best I've ever read. I've laughed, I've cried, I've yelled at the characters... Phenomenal!
October 2, 2017
A Flop of a Second Book
2.75 out of 5 stars
Disclaimer: I love weather books. I’m actually mad that there aren’t more out there that include the weather freaking out and how people are surviving (or not) through it all. So, when I first saw this series I was ecstatic. As I said at the start of my review of the first book: “I love weather stories. I took a meteorology class in college because I wanted to learn more about extreme weather. I also (if you couldn’t tell by my other reviews) love post-apocalyptic books so when I saw that this seemed to combine both of them into one package I was pretty excited.”
Honestly, I’m going to re-use some of my last reviews, because it fits for this book too.
First and foremost — this is a post-apocalyptic book. Not the zombie apocalypse or an EMP strike. But mother nature unleashing her fury and leveling part of the earth. It’s not as much about the weather as it is about the survival of one family. This book especially, because the Tornadoes have passed and they are now left with the destruction of everything and the potential to rebuild. But the sun is beating down on them and zapping all the water they have left.
Tom Kruse’s narration was a little rough. He definitely over-acted the entire book and it made parts of it hard to listen to. A tip that some/most audiobook reviewers won’t give you — speed the book up a little. Sometimes small things that bother me at normal speed go away at faster speeds. That was the case with Tornado Warning. Kruse’s voice definitely became less of an annoyance and more of a narration at faster speeds. I wrote that for the last book and for this book it was exactly the same. Kruse did a good job but definitely overacted some of it. There were scenes that could have used this dramatization, but most of them were just a normal scene that Kruse decided to add a lot of drama.
The biggest issue that I had with this book was HOW THE HECK DID THEY STAY COOL? I know the temps were supposedly around 120 degrees during the day and that they were in a basement, but I promise you I used to live in a basement of a house without AC and it never got to 120 outside, but it was not “comfortably cool” all summer down there. I think that Tate should have covered the issue of heat, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration (even inside) and that would have bumped my rating on this book up a bit.
Overall, an okay story with an okay narration. I noticed that there was a third book in the series and I believe it deals with winter — I’m intrigued but I feel like I should remember: “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
2.75 out of 5 stars
Disclaimer: I love weather books. I’m actually mad that there aren’t more out there that include the weather freaking out and how people are surviving (or not) through it all. So, when I first saw this series I was ecstatic. As I said at the start of my review of the first book: “I love weather stories. I took a meteorology class in college because I wanted to learn more about extreme weather. I also (if you couldn’t tell by my other reviews) love post-apocalyptic books so when I saw that this seemed to combine both of them into one package I was pretty excited.”
Honestly, I’m going to re-use some of my last reviews, because it fits for this book too.
First and foremost — this is a post-apocalyptic book. Not the zombie apocalypse or an EMP strike. But mother nature unleashing her fury and leveling part of the earth. It’s not as much about the weather as it is about the survival of one family. This book especially, because the Tornadoes have passed and they are now left with the destruction of everything and the potential to rebuild. But the sun is beating down on them and zapping all the water they have left.
Tom Kruse’s narration was a little rough. He definitely over-acted the entire book and it made parts of it hard to listen to. A tip that some/most audiobook reviewers won’t give you — speed the book up a little. Sometimes small things that bother me at normal speed go away at faster speeds. That was the case with Tornado Warning. Kruse’s voice definitely became less of an annoyance and more of a narration at faster speeds. I wrote that for the last book and for this book it was exactly the same. Kruse did a good job but definitely overacted some of it. There were scenes that could have used this dramatization, but most of them were just a normal scene that Kruse decided to add a lot of drama.
The biggest issue that I had with this book was HOW THE HECK DID THEY STAY COOL? I know the temps were supposedly around 120 degrees during the day and that they were in a basement, but I promise you I used to live in a basement of a house without AC and it never got to 120 outside, but it was not “comfortably cool” all summer down there. I think that Tate should have covered the issue of heat, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration (even inside) and that would have bumped my rating on this book up a bit.
Overall, an okay story with an okay narration. I noticed that there was a third book in the series and I believe it deals with winter — I’m intrigued but I feel like I should remember: “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
August 13, 2017
The End of the Present
This series brings the Book of Relevation to reality. Makes me think about whether I'm strong enough to survive until Jesus comes again. Very quick read, and thought provoking. Can't wait for the next book.
This series brings the Book of Relevation to reality. Makes me think about whether I'm strong enough to survive until Jesus comes again. Very quick read, and thought provoking. Can't wait for the next book.
February 6, 2017
Another great book!
I read this second book way too fast! I love this trilogy. I wish that it wouldn't end. I'm going to go and read the last book now but am disappointed that its the last one.
I read this second book way too fast! I love this trilogy. I wish that it wouldn't end. I'm going to go and read the last book now but am disappointed that its the last one.
January 5, 2017
Drought alert
The book was very simply written with one bad happening after another, not much depth, however some readers would like it very much" n
The book was very simply written with one bad happening after another, not much depth, however some readers would like it very much" n
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews