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Angel Island #3

Take Them by Storm

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This book is a standalone companion novel to Waiting for the Storm and After the Storm.

Sadie Fitzpatrick has always been different, and not just because she makes her own clothes and would rather stay home watching Doctor Who than party with kids her age. When it’s time to leave Angel Island for college, Sadie is eager to put her old life behind her. Small-minded people and rumors have plagued her for years, but with the love of her adoptive family, the O’Dells, Sadie has learned to embrace who she is. Now she’s not afraid to admit the rumors about her are true: she’s gay.

For the first time in her life, Sadie feels free to be herself. She dives into college life and begins volunteering at the local LGBT center, where she discovers her small-town upbringing left holes in her education about life outside Angel Island.

The world is a bigger and more accepting place than Sadie ever imagined. She’s finally found where she belongs, but with the reappearance of someone from her past, an unexpected new friendship, and a chance at love, Sadie soon realizes she still has a lot to learn about life, friendship, and love.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2015

2 people are currently reading
342 people want to read

About the author

Marie Landry

28 books907 followers
Marie Landry lives and writes in a cozy apartment in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by books and Funko Pops. An avid reader from a young age, she loves getting lost in characters’ worlds, whether they’re of her own making or someone else’s. She particularly loves stories with as much of an emphasis on self-discovery and friendship as on romance...but don’t leave out the romance!

When not doing bookish things, you can often find her taking pictures, cooking, scrolling Instagram (find her at @marielandry.author), daydreaming about frolicking through the Scottish Highlands, or listening to the same music she's loved since the '90s. She's an unapologetic nerd and fangirl, and that, along with her mental health advocacy, is often woven into her books.


Stay up to date with new releases, sales, promos, and other news by signing up for Marie's newsletter and be sure to follow her on BookBub so you never miss a new release!

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5 stars
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13 (26%)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Jessica.
Author 2 books161 followers
August 30, 2015
See more of my reviews on my blog Thoughts At One In The Morning.

Upon finishing, my initial reaction:

I have nothing but adoration for this novel.

Full review to come.

My Thoughts (full review):

How to express my thoughts when it comes to this novel... Well, let's see what we can do.

First of all... let's talk Sadie...

description

Completely one of a kind with her handmade outfits and unique self. She's finally out there in the real world, in college, trying to make something of herself. Make a difference and embrace her true self, all of it. It's definitely something all of us strive for, and Sadie's got the opportunity. Of course, she's going to make a few mistakes along the way with choices she makes.

I really wish I could go into all the details as to why this novel is so amazing. Unfortunately, it's impossible to without getting all spoilery. But, I will tell you this... The people Sadie encounters will make you grin, giggle, and want to hug them. There's so much depth to every character.

Still not enough? Well...

description

Seriously, though.

I loved watching Sadie grow over the first few months of college. She still has much to learn, but she learns a heck of a lot in that short period of time about love, life, friends, and family. Not everything is going to be perfect, not everyone is going to accept her, but she doesn't care. She stands up for herself and for that she deserves this...

description

Take Them By Storm is one of those books that takes you by surprise. Not that I've ever doubted Marie Landry's talent, just that it's a new kind of new adult novel with more to it than just potential romance. It's a journey to discovering yourself and where you fit into the world around you. I loved seeing everyone from the first two books in the Angel Island series again--especially seeing the strong bonds Sadie has with both River and Ella. I would highly recommend this story to anyone and everyone!

My Rating: Exceptional
Profile Image for Kathy Coleman.
Author 2 books38 followers
June 9, 2015
As with any review I do for Marie's books, I will start with the necessary disclaimer: Marie Landry is a long-time blogger friend whom I have known for several years. I do not say this to discredit the integrity of my review, but rather to ensure that all cards are laid on the table when you read it.

That said, what were my thoughts going into Take Them By Storm? First and foremost that I know I'm late to the party. This released a while ago and I was not actively blogging or reading much at that time. Second, that I was pretty sure going in that this book would be a safe bet for me. I've enjoyed everything Marie has written, so I was fairly certain Take Them By Storm would be the literary equivalent of catching up with old friends.

Was I right? Read on and find out...

My Thoughts:

The first thing I can say about Take Them By Storm is that it covered all the things I expect (at this point) from a Marie Landry novel. Relatable characters? Check. Beautiful writing with a natural flow? Absolutely. Gorgeous, descriptive prose complete with a setting so vibrantly realized that it seems like its own character? Without question. I had tried samples of three other books on my June reading list and failed to connect with them. I definitely did not have that problem here.

It was beautiful going back to this story world. (I view all stories as their own worlds, even if they are set in ours.) It was great being reunited with Charlotte, Ella, River and Ezra. It was also wonderful getting to know Sadie better. I had hoped she would get her own story and now that I have read it I feel that hope was definitely justified.

The shift from YA to NA was handled well and felt organic for the characters. The characters from previous books were also consistent with who I knew them to be, while still carrying enough growth and depth for me to believe that a year had passed and they were all headed to work / university / college.

Just as vital as the growth I see in the characters is the growth I see in Marie's writing. She used a plot device that drove me slightly batty in one of her earlier books and then turned it completely on its head. She also managed to have me convinced that was not going to happen until the last minute, which made for some very tense, fidgety, nail-biting reading that I usually don't get from contemporary books.

She also did something extremely clever with the romance here, which was definitely a bold move considering that she was already expanding her horizons by writing a romance with two ladies. I don't want to say much more about what goes on in the romance, as I feel that the way it turns out and is developed over the course of the book is one of Take Them By Storm's most intriguing and memorable aspects. Especially from a writing point of view.

Last, I think it's clever how Marie is tying various places she has set up within her re-imagining of Ontario together. Getting to see Melody and Oliva from The Game Changer was a fun surprise.

Purchase or Pass?:

Do you even need to ask? Take Them By Storm is a great novel in its own right, as well as a continuation of the excellent storytelling and gorgeous writing I have come to expect and enjoy in every Marie Landry novel that I read. If you have not read any of Marie's books and you're a fan of contemporary fiction, do yourself a favor and try one.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,254 reviews186 followers
December 17, 2014
Sadie is a character I have been really looking forward to getting to know better since I first met her and I could not wait to learn more about her, but I also started Take Them By Storm with some hesitation. Every book I have read by Marie has made me cry, and before the first chapter of Take Them By Storm had been read I was crying, which really set the theme for the net few chapters of the book.

Moving away from family and friends is hard, but for Sadie her new family has only just come into her life, and now she is off to college with her best friend River, and leaving the others to attend a different college. For once she is really going to miss her friends, her family, and her new life on Angel Island. But starting a new life, away from Angel Island is Sadie's dream. She can be who she wants to be, and finally get away from the bullying, the name calling, and the general gossip about her. Sadie's first few days in college are eventful, but also calming for her, but soon enough her dream becomes a nightmare when Carmen makes a return.

Initially I was very wary of Carmen, I did not believe that she had changed for the better, and I thought she was up to something. But the more time Sadie spends with her we do start to see a new Carmen and soon enough she starts a relationship with Sadie, however the cracks soon begin to show.

Take Them By Storm is more than just about Sadie though. It's about her friends and their new life away from home together. It shows us how bullying and prejudice can really affect others, and that there are people to talk to, places to go where you can be safe, and where someone listens and understands what you are going through. It's places like this that Sadie wants to help, to volunteer her time, and also to eventually work. The path for Sadie to reach this dream isn't easy, and with the appearance of Carmen, Sadie soon finds it's hard to juggle two worlds, and her innocent lies quickly lead to a break down in her solid friendships. However, even throughout this whole experience, the new life, the jobs, the lies, Sadie's friends are supportive of everything she does, even if they don't particularly like it themselves, and to me this is a real friendship, a real support system that is there no matter what option is chosen.

Take Them By Storm is another fantastic installment to this series, and I read it in a sitting of a few hours. I love Sadie's personality, her dress sense, and her individualism. I have loved getting to see in her mind and seeing how it ticks, I have laughed and cried over her adventures, and have been so excited for her future opportunities. She has gone through so much but has come out a fighter.

Once again Marie has written a book that draws you in, makes you feel like you belong, but has dealt with sexuality and discrimination in a tasteful yet informative way. My only disappointment is that I have no idea what is coming next from Marie, are we getting more from Angel Island, or is she busy writing a new world for us to fall into. I need to know.
Profile Image for Tony Parsons.
4,156 reviews102 followers
January 24, 2015
Charlotte is Ella’s sister. Ezra is her B/F.
The 2 girls Ella & Charlotte’s mother Sarah had died in a car accident a yr. ago.
Fast forward H.S. graduation is history.
Ella is going to St. Lawrence College (Kingston).
Sadie (SW) & River Maracle (addictions counseling) are going to Loyola (Bellevue). They are also roommates.
Charlotte is going to Queen’s University.
Ezra has a new job.
Later Ella & Sadie go out to eat & Padma (f) is eyeballing Sadie.
Sadie is going to do an internship at Bellevue Rainbow Resource Centre (BRRC, LGBT?). Jo Edwards (supervisor, Josephine, Josie, JoJo) greets her. Kit is a BRRC counselor).
Sadie helps with groups, fund raisers & lots of other things.
Carmen (C, Hannah Moon roommate, bisexual) seem to becoming quite intimate.
Sadie had been hurt a lot in life will she finally find a lasting lesbian relationship?


This book brought back a lot of fond memories. What my former clients have to endure. Men are gay & woman are lesbians. Then BT. ? is a newer term, the person does not know what his/her sexual preference is, or even gender like Morphidite. I got to meet & talk to Matthew Shepard’s mom. She came to my undergraduate campus. Guess who was across the street protesting yep the Fred Phelps bunch – him of course, he never participates.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written YA LGBT? book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great YA LGBT? movie, PP presentation or mini TV series (A & E, History channel). There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Profile Image for Robyn.
215 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2015
Finally, the story of Sadie is told. It's the end of Summer and the Angel Island kids are heading off to college. Without giving away anything, this is a story of first love, how that impacts your friendships and if it changes you for the better or worse. Sadie has to figure out what she deserves and get the confidence to take it.

I love River and Ella. I wish I had them as friends growing up. Also, love the addition of Jo and her fabulous family.

This is a great read and I can't recommend it more.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for Linda Rimer-Como.
1,264 reviews4 followers
January 6, 2015
A great addition to the Angel Island series. The storyline is well written and the characters have great depth. Knowing your different, being made fun of growing up, never being able to fully embrace who you are, struggling to find your place in the world! There are new adventures and obstacles to overcome, new friends and mistakes along the way. This is a great read and impossible to put down.

Received copy for review.
Profile Image for Ashley - Book Labyrinth.
1,251 reviews313 followers
January 15, 2015
In full disclosure, Marie Landry is a Canadian blogger who I consider a friend. But you guys know that I am all about YA contemp books, and I don’t say it lightly that her Angel Island series is one of my favourites. So needless to say I was eager for more of these characters, but mostly just excited for another book from Marie.

This book is about Sadie, who we first met in After the Storm . I was really excited to hear her story, especially knowing what a tough time she had growing up. I think Marie did a great job of introducing Sadie to new readers, recapping enough that you can definitely read Take Them By Storm as a standalone, but without making it too repetitive for readers of the series.

I didn’t connect with the romance quite as much as I did for the first two books. It’s hard to talk about why, because it would completely spoil the book, but what I can say is that the romance felt like much more of a side plot. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially when the book has so many other things going for it, but it did stand out to me, mostly because I know how awesome Marie is at writing epically romantic scenes and I wanted more of them!

While there are some sadder parts to this novel, I loved how joyful it was for the most part. I loved seeing Sadie discover even more about herself, owning who she is as a lesbian and as a person. It was so amazing to see her thriving at her college placement and at her design hobby (which led to fun cameos by characters from The Game Changer ). I also enjoyed seeing Sadie explore being in love and having a real relationship.

I loved the spirit of the book, and the fact that friendship plays such a huge part in it. There were such fun nods to the couples from the previous two books. I loved seeing how the couples were doing, as well as the five of them being such close friends. Overall, this is such a great book. I know a lot of people are looking for LGBTQ NA, and this is a fabulous example of one. More than that, this is a great book which shares the journey of one brave, awesome girl.
Profile Image for Jaimie Admans.
Author 27 books704 followers
January 20, 2015
As with every other book in Marie Landry’s Angel Island series, I absolutely loved Take Them By Storm! I’ve been waiting for Sadie’s story since the minute she appeared in the previous book, After The Storm, and it was worth the wait!
Marie has such a knack for making you care about her characters and making them seem like real people, like friends you genuinely care about, and I was so thrilled to once again have the chance to catch up with Sadie, River, and the O’Dells.

This is a wonderful story full of hope and new beginnings, second chances and letting go of the past. I loved watching Sadie change and grow as she starts to find her way in the world. I cheered for her when things started going right, and wanted to shake her when I felt she made the wrong decisions, but as always, I trust the author to make everything turn out right when it needs to! I loved the emphasis on first love and how important it can be, and also the importance of friends and family whether by blood or by choice! It made me laugh and cry, and I can’t say enough good things about this book, and the whole Angel Island series, because they are truly touching, heart-warming, lovely stories

This is completely readable as a stand-alone book, although I highly recommend reading the other books too solely because they’re brilliant!
Profile Image for Tammy (tales.of.tammy).
236 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2021
I am SO SO happy that this last story was about Sadie!!! I loved Sadie right from the moment I was introduced to her in After the Storm and she is such a wonderful character! I love how close together the books in this trilogy take place, and being able to see what each character is doing as they move onto the next phase of their lives!
Personal development, character growth, personal acceptance, and more are some themes found in this LGBTQ+ romance! It is so beautiful to see how far Sadie has come and to have an idea of where she is headed! I personally would love a glimpse of her future (maybe a novella, Marie????) so I know what she is doing and HOW she is doing!
This trilogy is three of my favourites of Marie’s books!!!!!
15 reviews9 followers
December 25, 2015
I wanted to like this more than I did. Unfortunately I found a lot of it unrealistically conflict free and glossing over the issues queer people face. The last 10-15% kind of redeemed it but it just leaves a bit of a bad aftertaste.
Profile Image for Lo.
368 reviews54 followers
July 2, 2017
Once again this could have been good but instead it focused on a weird annoying fake ass bitch "romance" only to get the romance i wanted 5 pages before the end. Why???? I ask. Why. Im sorry about ghis review but im sort of drunk deal with it sorry i love everyone btw
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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