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The Place Inside the Storm
It’s 2038, and Tara Rivers is fourteen years old, a bit rebellious, and socially awkward. Her family has recently moved to Los Angeles from the Pacific Northwest “rogue” clusters. Tara feels alone and confused. She doesn’t have any friends here, except her cat, Xel, a sophisticated robot with artificial intelligence. The corporation where Tara’s parents work makes an offer they can’t refuse—let them put an implant in Tara’s brain to “cure” her autism and make her neurotypical, or Tara’s father will be prosecuted for manufactured crimes. Tara overhears her parents speaking with the doctors and decides to run away with Xel. She plans to head back to the Pacific Northwest and her grandmother, but first she must escape Los Angeles and the corporation—with all their high-tech locating devices—dodge street gangs and wild dogs, and traverse an unknown wilderness full of unimaginable dangers. Will she ever find a place where she is accepted for who and what she is, or is she doomed to be an outcast from society forever?
- GenresScience Fiction
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2019
4 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Bradley W. Wright
5 books67 followersI am a writer and educational technology professional. I grew up in Seattle but have been slowly migrating southward with stops in Portland, Eugene, San Francisco, and now Los Angeles where I live with my family. My first book Old Gold Mountain was released in March of 2018. My second novel The Place Inside the Storm will be out in April 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 25, 2019
The Place Inside the Storm takes place in the near future, 2038, where the word Autism has been deleted from dictionaries and published papers. Tara is a 14 years old girl who is extremely intelligent and struggles to make friendships. Her only current friend is Xel, an AI that looks like a cat. Her parents moved to LA for better job opportunities, higher salaries, and hopefully better lives for Tara and her sister. But then the corporation her parents work made them choose between inserting an implant in Tara’s brain to make her neurotypical and losing their jobs. Tara doesn’t wait for her parents to take their decisions and decides to run away with Xel.
When Bradley reached out for me to read and review this book and mentioned it was own voices for neurodiversity, I automatically said yes. We don’t get a lot of good neurodiverse representation in YA, and we rarely get ones that are own voices. The Place Inside the Storm is a coming of age, dystopian story of a girl named Tara, who goes on a journey of self-discovery and learns more about neurodiversity and embraces it throughout the story. I pretty much teared up towards the end of the story and highlighted multiple consecutive pages.
I really loved the amount of emotion and well written characters embedded in the storyline. The plot itself is very unique, but the characterization stood out the most. Tara’s voice is so unique, and powerful that it could carry the entire weight of what makes this book so good! I also loved the display of acknowledgment and respect in certain chapters. I really hope humans in real life learn more about humanity and embrace diverse people instead of erasing their voices.
Now, I am not autistic, so I unable to 100% spot any problematic content in the book or even properly highlight what makes The Place Inside the Storm an important, amazing read. So I highly recommend you check out my dear friend’s ( Rachel from the Graceful Goddess) review.
As I write this review, I am being hit with an overwhelming need to contact Bradley to guest post for my WHY I WRITE , so we’ll see how that goes. Also, stay tuned for this month’s Quotes I devoured this Month Quotes I devoured this month to see a glimpse of what made me cry.
When Bradley reached out for me to read and review this book and mentioned it was own voices for neurodiversity, I automatically said yes. We don’t get a lot of good neurodiverse representation in YA, and we rarely get ones that are own voices. The Place Inside the Storm is a coming of age, dystopian story of a girl named Tara, who goes on a journey of self-discovery and learns more about neurodiversity and embraces it throughout the story. I pretty much teared up towards the end of the story and highlighted multiple consecutive pages.
I really loved the amount of emotion and well written characters embedded in the storyline. The plot itself is very unique, but the characterization stood out the most. Tara’s voice is so unique, and powerful that it could carry the entire weight of what makes this book so good! I also loved the display of acknowledgment and respect in certain chapters. I really hope humans in real life learn more about humanity and embrace diverse people instead of erasing their voices.
Now, I am not autistic, so I unable to 100% spot any problematic content in the book or even properly highlight what makes The Place Inside the Storm an important, amazing read. So I highly recommend you check out my dear friend’s ( Rachel from the Graceful Goddess) review.
As I write this review, I am being hit with an overwhelming need to contact Bradley to guest post for my WHY I WRITE , so we’ll see how that goes. Also, stay tuned for this month’s Quotes I devoured this Month Quotes I devoured this month to see a glimpse of what made me cry.
May 25, 2019
3,5 stars / 5
This book was pleasant to read, rather serious in its themes but never boring.
The context was easy to grasp, a near futur, semi post-apocalyptic, semi dystopic. I just frequently wondered why the author had decided to set his story in such a near future, as such scientifically advanced technologies could never be developed in two decades from now on, especially during such dire times!
(Still, the robot-cat was great, not funny but realistic and clever).
One of the strong points was the great characterisation of autism, Asperger particularly, for all its particularities. The moral, in general, is that everybody should be able to be free to be what they are, and that each one of us has special qualities that should be nurtured and used for their advantage, but also for the whole community's benefit. And also if someone tries to oppress you, even for your one good, even people who love you, you still should believe in yourself and trust your own jugement to make the right decision for you and your future. All that is exposed without any exaggeration or teenage angst, every decision made by the heroin is pondered on afterwards, she never forgets to considered all the possibilities and all the consequences of her decisions.
A rather entertaining book, not spectacular, but wise and educational, not in a moralistic point of view but in an intelligent one.
This book was pleasant to read, rather serious in its themes but never boring.
The context was easy to grasp, a near futur, semi post-apocalyptic, semi dystopic. I just frequently wondered why the author had decided to set his story in such a near future, as such scientifically advanced technologies could never be developed in two decades from now on, especially during such dire times!
(Still, the robot-cat was great, not funny but realistic and clever).
One of the strong points was the great characterisation of autism, Asperger particularly, for all its particularities. The moral, in general, is that everybody should be able to be free to be what they are, and that each one of us has special qualities that should be nurtured and used for their advantage, but also for the whole community's benefit. And also if someone tries to oppress you, even for your one good, even people who love you, you still should believe in yourself and trust your own jugement to make the right decision for you and your future. All that is exposed without any exaggeration or teenage angst, every decision made by the heroin is pondered on afterwards, she never forgets to considered all the possibilities and all the consequences of her decisions.
A rather entertaining book, not spectacular, but wise and educational, not in a moralistic point of view but in an intelligent one.
December 29, 2018
3.5
This book caught my eye while perusing the “Read Now” options on my newly-acquired NetGalley account. Since I am constantly seeking new voices in my literary pursuits, I embraced the chance to get to know a neurodivergent character.
What I liked: Tara, though thrust into a really trash situation, manages not to completely break down immediately, as I imagine I would have in her place. Tara’s logic, resourcefulness, and determination shine. She doesn’t always know what to do in social situations, but she can write code well enough to alter the AI software of her pet bobcat, Xel – an impressive feat on advanced technology. Xel, meanwhile, is steadfast and caring, and though his access to the Internet allows him to overcome human limitations in things like navigation, he grows and learns about humans as well.
Tara must survive once she flees the corporation and survive, she does -- with the help Xel, people like who she might have been (casualties of a desire to inflict corporate culture upon individuals), and people who see the indecency and inhumanity in forced brain alteration (luckily, it’s not a small amount). In a book about identity and acceptance that differences don’t need to be assimilated, it’s wonderful to see some neurotypical people accommodating neurodivergent people’s needs, rather than asking them to adhere to societal social standards. It’s interesting to see a space where a lack of eye contact is considered the polite norm, rather than asocial.
The things I didn’t like were perhaps more on my end than anything: I had a hard time suspending my disbelief about an attacking horde of rats in a sewer (which leads to an important plot point), but perhaps my knowledge of rats does not include that behavior. I also thought the time frame (a mere twenty years in the future) seemed far-fetched for some of the technology, world alterations, and attitudes, but I also understand that the world has made some significant changes in the last twenty years so that’s probably me nitpicking. There were parts that could use editing (some grammatical errors, as well as information that I don’t feel needs to be explained every time, like characters bidding “good night”) and overall the writing didn’t have the sort of evocative imagery that I like: descriptions were straightforward and while Tara is said to enjoy reading, she doesn’t describe her environment effusively.
Overall, I appreciated Wright’s handling of Tara’s situation: as far as I could tell, she didn’t seem a caricature of autism and though she receives help from many along the way, she has agency. I liked the respect she encounters from adults in several situations as well: they don’t try to manipulate her or expect that she might do something for them due to age dynamics. While there’s a twisted premise in forced brain alteration to make someone neurotypical, Wright’s portrayal of the resistance to that reads as very human, which is what I want out of a story.
This book caught my eye while perusing the “Read Now” options on my newly-acquired NetGalley account. Since I am constantly seeking new voices in my literary pursuits, I embraced the chance to get to know a neurodivergent character.
What I liked: Tara, though thrust into a really trash situation, manages not to completely break down immediately, as I imagine I would have in her place. Tara’s logic, resourcefulness, and determination shine. She doesn’t always know what to do in social situations, but she can write code well enough to alter the AI software of her pet bobcat, Xel – an impressive feat on advanced technology. Xel, meanwhile, is steadfast and caring, and though his access to the Internet allows him to overcome human limitations in things like navigation, he grows and learns about humans as well.
Tara must survive once she flees the corporation and survive, she does -- with the help Xel, people like who she might have been (casualties of a desire to inflict corporate culture upon individuals), and people who see the indecency and inhumanity in forced brain alteration (luckily, it’s not a small amount). In a book about identity and acceptance that differences don’t need to be assimilated, it’s wonderful to see some neurotypical people accommodating neurodivergent people’s needs, rather than asking them to adhere to societal social standards. It’s interesting to see a space where a lack of eye contact is considered the polite norm, rather than asocial.
The things I didn’t like were perhaps more on my end than anything: I had a hard time suspending my disbelief about an attacking horde of rats in a sewer (which leads to an important plot point), but perhaps my knowledge of rats does not include that behavior. I also thought the time frame (a mere twenty years in the future) seemed far-fetched for some of the technology, world alterations, and attitudes, but I also understand that the world has made some significant changes in the last twenty years so that’s probably me nitpicking. There were parts that could use editing (some grammatical errors, as well as information that I don’t feel needs to be explained every time, like characters bidding “good night”) and overall the writing didn’t have the sort of evocative imagery that I like: descriptions were straightforward and while Tara is said to enjoy reading, she doesn’t describe her environment effusively.
Overall, I appreciated Wright’s handling of Tara’s situation: as far as I could tell, she didn’t seem a caricature of autism and though she receives help from many along the way, she has agency. I liked the respect she encounters from adults in several situations as well: they don’t try to manipulate her or expect that she might do something for them due to age dynamics. While there’s a twisted premise in forced brain alteration to make someone neurotypical, Wright’s portrayal of the resistance to that reads as very human, which is what I want out of a story.
July 19, 2019
A bit simplistic, but full of heart. I would definitely recommend it to older kids and tweens.
The worldbuilding is no more faulty than in a lot of books recommended and enjoyed by that age range, and it sends a really unambiguous message that being autistic (and its associated traits) is not something to be fixed or corrected. That it can be valued, celebrated, and worked into everyday life. The entire plot and emotional arc of the book is based in the autistic main character's self-determination, and the journey she's willing to take not to be cured, which I think is an enormously powerful message.
As for my own personal reading, I related to Tara a lot, especially because of her sensory enjoyment of nature but also how her social relationships were through the internet (or a futuristic equivalent).
It meant a lot to me that Xel, her talking robot cat, was her companion and sounding board throughout her journey. I thought that was an interesting element given that robots or aliens are often sort of stand-ins for neurodivergent characters in sci fi. While Tara was learning her own strengths and learning to accept herself as neurodivergent, Xel was growing alongside Tara and learning to be more empathetic and emotion-driven specifically as a result of Tara's reprogramming. Not sure exactly what to make of it, but I did find their relationship particularly moving.
I'm also a fan of long journeys on foot in fiction, and of self-sustaining communities, so those aspects both worked for me. I especially appreciated that the commune blended 'traditional' or 'natural' materials and occupations with computers, programming, and other information technology.
I was perplexed and disappointed by the book's handling of Loki, Tara's new friend and companion whose 'cure' failed and left him even worse for wear. You don't hear much from Loki at all, he doesn't really have a lot of agency, and suddenly there's one scene where it's brought up that he's been feeling afraid and tense for a good portion of time. It was really cool how that was signaled by Loki having a break in his regular routine, which Tara notices and comments upon. That rang really true especially for a character that's not used to communicating about his own interiority. I wish this had served as a springboard for us getting to know Loki better, but alas. No such luck.
The worldbuilding is no more faulty than in a lot of books recommended and enjoyed by that age range, and it sends a really unambiguous message that being autistic (and its associated traits) is not something to be fixed or corrected. That it can be valued, celebrated, and worked into everyday life. The entire plot and emotional arc of the book is based in the autistic main character's self-determination, and the journey she's willing to take not to be cured, which I think is an enormously powerful message.
As for my own personal reading, I related to Tara a lot, especially because of her sensory enjoyment of nature but also how her social relationships were through the internet (or a futuristic equivalent).
It meant a lot to me that Xel, her talking robot cat, was her companion and sounding board throughout her journey. I thought that was an interesting element given that robots or aliens are often sort of stand-ins for neurodivergent characters in sci fi. While Tara was learning her own strengths and learning to accept herself as neurodivergent, Xel was growing alongside Tara and learning to be more empathetic and emotion-driven specifically as a result of Tara's reprogramming. Not sure exactly what to make of it, but I did find their relationship particularly moving.
I'm also a fan of long journeys on foot in fiction, and of self-sustaining communities, so those aspects both worked for me. I especially appreciated that the commune blended 'traditional' or 'natural' materials and occupations with computers, programming, and other information technology.
I was perplexed and disappointed by the book's handling of Loki, Tara's new friend and companion whose 'cure' failed and left him even worse for wear. You don't hear much from Loki at all, he doesn't really have a lot of agency, and suddenly there's one scene where it's brought up that he's been feeling afraid and tense for a good portion of time. It was really cool how that was signaled by Loki having a break in his regular routine, which Tara notices and comments upon. That rang really true especially for a character that's not used to communicating about his own interiority. I wish this had served as a springboard for us getting to know Loki better, but alas. No such luck.
January 16, 2019
As dystopian stories go, The Place Inside the Storm is an average read. The plot is intriguing. The characters are likeable. Overall, however, something is missing. Perhaps the story line could have been tighter and the characters more substantial. Overall an okay read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2019
The Place Inside is a YA science fiction novel about a young girl on the run. Tara is mildly autistic, socially awkward and prefers her computers to interacting with others. When her mother takes her in for a “check-up” Tara goes on the run when she learns the truth behind the doctors wanting to see her. Her activities have been monitored and they view her as a problem and want to take care of it. Tara makes a snap decision to go on the run. Her journey won’t be an easy one, but she’ll learn quite a bit on the way.
This is an engaging story overall about this young girl. We get a brief glimpse of life before her family moves, but the author does show the gap in information Tara has in her life. She doesn’t know much about the differences between L.A. and the Pacific Northwest, where she originally lived before her parents were promoted. Tara is an overall interesting character. I like her interactions with her robotic cat Xel. Thanks to her doing some tweaking with his system he’s above what he normally would be. The interactions that they both have with other characters are well done and overall kept me engaged throughout the story.
This is a good story, but I wanted more. I wanted more background. Things seem to skip and jump in places. I wanted some lead up to what prompts Tara’s parents to take her to the doctor. I think that if we had been given a meeting of her parents with their bosses that it would have helped create a lead-up to the big situation/transition of them taking her in. I have to admit that I’m disappointed that they don’t at least try to resist the idea of their daughter getting an implant in her head and changing who she is essentially.
I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. The overall storyline is engaging, but I wanted more background in certain situations. I feel that this book could have used more depth and that it would have helped the overall flow.
This is an engaging story overall about this young girl. We get a brief glimpse of life before her family moves, but the author does show the gap in information Tara has in her life. She doesn’t know much about the differences between L.A. and the Pacific Northwest, where she originally lived before her parents were promoted. Tara is an overall interesting character. I like her interactions with her robotic cat Xel. Thanks to her doing some tweaking with his system he’s above what he normally would be. The interactions that they both have with other characters are well done and overall kept me engaged throughout the story.
This is a good story, but I wanted more. I wanted more background. Things seem to skip and jump in places. I wanted some lead up to what prompts Tara’s parents to take her to the doctor. I think that if we had been given a meeting of her parents with their bosses that it would have helped create a lead-up to the big situation/transition of them taking her in. I have to admit that I’m disappointed that they don’t at least try to resist the idea of their daughter getting an implant in her head and changing who she is essentially.
I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. The overall storyline is engaging, but I wanted more background in certain situations. I feel that this book could have used more depth and that it would have helped the overall flow.
February 13, 2019
You can read my full review here on my blog
April 25, 2019
The Place Inside the Storm is a YA, sci-fi novel mature and entertaining enough for readers of all ages. The voice was authentic, Tara genuinely endearing, and the plot exciting with twists and turns that remained believable. The world, not so far off from our own, was established well and remained consistent, catching my attention immediately.
Storm had an excellent balance of conflict and resting moments. I wasn’t sure when the action would come next but I was never exhausted by it, or bored waiting for it. As in the best sci-fi, the world felt familiar in a way that leaves me slightly wary of what’s around the corner. The story’s core message leant a strong sense of self, and kept the stakes high without interfering with character growth or plot.
I enjoyed watching Tara learn and explore, and in the final pages of her story I felt as triumphant as she did. Every character that helped Tara on her journey had individual quirks and, while I would have appreciated a little more individuation, they each felt strong enough to stand on their own if they needed to.
My main complaints were small. I was engaged and invested in the story, but I didn’t feel like I was holding my breath or on the edge of my seat. There was a slight emotional disconnect between myself and the story. I struggled to decide how much of this was intentional and a reflection of Tara’s character and how much was an actual flaw. I can certainly point to moments where this wasn’t the case, and the story still had emotional pay off, but something was missing.
I also felt that the story was a little heavy on narration and I would have preferred some more dialogue. Again, this makes sense for Tara’s character, but a chance to see Tara and her companions in conversation, sharing with each other, would have only made her arc of growth stronger and more visible.
Most of the problems I had could had been effectively worked through with a stronger first act. I wanted to see more of Tara’s “ordinary world” before she escapes. This would have amplified our desire to see Tara escape and heightened the stakes by better establishing the consequences of her leaving. As it was, we got a brief introduction to the story’s major players, but the opening of the story could have helped build us toward a more triumphant or desperate escape and establish her starting point for growth. We would get not only her internal motivation to escape but an external drive as well.
Still, I enjoyed The Place Inside the Storm thoroughly. I was excited to pick it up again each time I put it down and recommend it to fans of YA, sci-fi, and those looking for an adventure novel with a big heart.
Storm had an excellent balance of conflict and resting moments. I wasn’t sure when the action would come next but I was never exhausted by it, or bored waiting for it. As in the best sci-fi, the world felt familiar in a way that leaves me slightly wary of what’s around the corner. The story’s core message leant a strong sense of self, and kept the stakes high without interfering with character growth or plot.
I enjoyed watching Tara learn and explore, and in the final pages of her story I felt as triumphant as she did. Every character that helped Tara on her journey had individual quirks and, while I would have appreciated a little more individuation, they each felt strong enough to stand on their own if they needed to.
My main complaints were small. I was engaged and invested in the story, but I didn’t feel like I was holding my breath or on the edge of my seat. There was a slight emotional disconnect between myself and the story. I struggled to decide how much of this was intentional and a reflection of Tara’s character and how much was an actual flaw. I can certainly point to moments where this wasn’t the case, and the story still had emotional pay off, but something was missing.
I also felt that the story was a little heavy on narration and I would have preferred some more dialogue. Again, this makes sense for Tara’s character, but a chance to see Tara and her companions in conversation, sharing with each other, would have only made her arc of growth stronger and more visible.
Most of the problems I had could had been effectively worked through with a stronger first act. I wanted to see more of Tara’s “ordinary world” before she escapes. This would have amplified our desire to see Tara escape and heightened the stakes by better establishing the consequences of her leaving. As it was, we got a brief introduction to the story’s major players, but the opening of the story could have helped build us toward a more triumphant or desperate escape and establish her starting point for growth. We would get not only her internal motivation to escape but an external drive as well.
Still, I enjoyed The Place Inside the Storm thoroughly. I was excited to pick it up again each time I put it down and recommend it to fans of YA, sci-fi, and those looking for an adventure novel with a big heart.
May 4, 2019
With the topic of early biomarkers and pre-natal testing popping up more often in autism research, the topic of the erasure and alteration of neurodiverse minds seems both ideal as a concept within a dystopian future and realistic possibility of something which could happen. In 'The Place Inside The Storm', the reader follows Tara Rivers and the journey she undertakes after learning that her parents intend to give the go-ahead for an implant (created by The Corporation) to be put in her brain that will change her behaviour and thoughts.
Feeling like she has no other choice, Tara and her AI in the form of a cat, Xel, make a run for it. With no real direction or plan, a chance encounter leads them to Loki and Aeon and when it becomes clear that Loki has also suffered at the hand of The Corporation Tara, Xel and Loki embark on the long journey back to where Tara used to live, seeking help for Loki. Along the way, their destination and plans change, and they become part of something bigger.
The book is easy to read and engage with, with quick paced action scenes interspaced with slower sections or sections with more dialogue. There is a sense of struggle in many scenes, and even though Xel can literally access information from all over the place, they still come up against obstacles and barriers they cannot completely avoid and have to scrap their way out of.
The characters are likeable and interesting, with Xel being a stand-out character as both Tara's friend and protector. The bond between Tara and Xel and their interactions were done in such a way that their friendship was undeniable, yet you never forgot that Xel was a robot cat - and it worked. The corporation also felt like a character - it's oppressive presence being felt and referenced throughout the book.
Without succumbing to stereotypes, the author creates a realistic portrayal of an autistic teenager. His descriptions of Tara's impending meltdowns and her sensory overload come across as genuine and real, and while she Tara does refer to eye contact (or lack of) a few too many times - in that it becomes noticeable - the scenarios in which it is discussed make sense. Later in the book, there is a section where information about autism is provided to Tara in a manner which ends up being a bit too "info-dumping" and stilted and it jars the flow of the book for a few pages. Overall though, the rep is solid.
Alongside the physical journey that Tara undertakes, there is a co-running emotional journey that Tara makes towards understanding and accepting herself in a world that doesn't accept people who are too different.
Overall, definitely enjoyed reading this.
Feeling like she has no other choice, Tara and her AI in the form of a cat, Xel, make a run for it. With no real direction or plan, a chance encounter leads them to Loki and Aeon and when it becomes clear that Loki has also suffered at the hand of The Corporation Tara, Xel and Loki embark on the long journey back to where Tara used to live, seeking help for Loki. Along the way, their destination and plans change, and they become part of something bigger.
The book is easy to read and engage with, with quick paced action scenes interspaced with slower sections or sections with more dialogue. There is a sense of struggle in many scenes, and even though Xel can literally access information from all over the place, they still come up against obstacles and barriers they cannot completely avoid and have to scrap their way out of.
The characters are likeable and interesting, with Xel being a stand-out character as both Tara's friend and protector. The bond between Tara and Xel and their interactions were done in such a way that their friendship was undeniable, yet you never forgot that Xel was a robot cat - and it worked. The corporation also felt like a character - it's oppressive presence being felt and referenced throughout the book.
Without succumbing to stereotypes, the author creates a realistic portrayal of an autistic teenager. His descriptions of Tara's impending meltdowns and her sensory overload come across as genuine and real, and while she Tara does refer to eye contact (or lack of) a few too many times - in that it becomes noticeable - the scenarios in which it is discussed make sense. Later in the book, there is a section where information about autism is provided to Tara in a manner which ends up being a bit too "info-dumping" and stilted and it jars the flow of the book for a few pages. Overall though, the rep is solid.
Alongside the physical journey that Tara undertakes, there is a co-running emotional journey that Tara makes towards understanding and accepting herself in a world that doesn't accept people who are too different.
Overall, definitely enjoyed reading this.
May 1, 2019
Futuristic story filled with current issues
Tara is a 14 year girl in the year 2038 who is dealing with the adjustment of her family's move to a new section of the country. Tara is not comfortable in social situations, making the new home and her new school even more difficult. She does have one big comfort in her live, though: her AI cat named Xel.
When Tara overhears a conversation between her parents and a new doctor where they discuss implanting a device in her brain to make her more social, she immediately is afraid and decides there is no way she is going to allow it to happen. Here begins the journey between two best friends, Tara and Xel, who will stop at nothing to ensure Tara's safety.
This story is endearing and the characters are intriguing. I honestly did not expect to become so engrossed in this book, bit I could not put it down and read it in one sitting. There are many deeper messages within making it a great read for more than just young adults!
Tara is a 14 year girl in the year 2038 who is dealing with the adjustment of her family's move to a new section of the country. Tara is not comfortable in social situations, making the new home and her new school even more difficult. She does have one big comfort in her live, though: her AI cat named Xel.
When Tara overhears a conversation between her parents and a new doctor where they discuss implanting a device in her brain to make her more social, she immediately is afraid and decides there is no way she is going to allow it to happen. Here begins the journey between two best friends, Tara and Xel, who will stop at nothing to ensure Tara's safety.
This story is endearing and the characters are intriguing. I honestly did not expect to become so engrossed in this book, bit I could not put it down and read it in one sitting. There are many deeper messages within making it a great read for more than just young adults!
March 17, 2020
I received a free ARC of this book some time ago in exchange for an honest review.
I don't typically read much YA but I genuinely found it a very engaging YA dystopian with a brilliant (and nuanced) neurodiverse character.
Winding down my Netgalley reviews for the next couple of months but I didn't want to leave a blank review for this one!
I don't typically read much YA but I genuinely found it a very engaging YA dystopian with a brilliant (and nuanced) neurodiverse character.
Winding down my Netgalley reviews for the next couple of months but I didn't want to leave a blank review for this one!
April 26, 2019
Inside the Storm is a thoughtful book about a complex, sensitive issue. While one could say that the story is about autism, in reality it's an engaging, heartfelt, adventure story that explores questions of identity, family, community , and what "normal" really means. The near-future dystopian setting feels hauntingly realistic, and the character arcs are well-done and satisfying.
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June 12, 2019My review on Bogi Reads the World:
http://www.bogireadstheworld.com/nove...
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Source of the book: Print ARC from the author
http://www.bogireadstheworld.com/nove...
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Source of the book: Print ARC from the author
June 16, 2019
Title: The Place Inside The Storm
Author: Bradley W. Wright
Publisher: Black Opal Books
ISBN: B07MMFJSN9
Buy Link: http://www.bradleywwright.com/#
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
It’s 2038, and Tara Rivers is fourteen years old, a bit rebellious, and socially awkward. Her family has recently moved to Los Angeles from the Pacific Northwest “rogue” clusters. Tara feels alone and confused. She doesn’t have any friends here, except her cat, Xel, a sophisticated robot with artificial intelligence. The corporation where Tara’s parents work makes an offer they can’t refuse—let them put an implant in Tara’s brain to “cure” her autism and make her neurotypical, or Tara’s father will be prosecuted for manufactured crimes. Tara overhears her parents speaking with the doctors and decides to run away with Xel. She plans to head back to the Pacific Northwest and her grandmother, but first she must escape Los Angeles and the corporation—with all their high-tech locating devices—dodge street gangs and wild dogs, and traverse an unknown wilderness full of unimaginable dangers. Will she ever find a place where she is accepted for who and what she is, or is she doomed to be an outcast from society forever?
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Tara lives in a dystopian future where everyone is supposed to fit into the a cookie cutter mold set up by the governmental corporation. At first Tara and her family lived in the Pacific Northwest where they mostly fended for themselves and Tara at least had one friend who accepted her with all her differences. It wasn’t until her parents were offered a chance to move to Los Angeles that Tara’s differences became an issue. Tara’s problems in social settings and focusing were hard enough, but when she used her coding skills to upgrade her pet cat Xel, an advanced AI, that things went wrong. The company informs Tara’s family she needs an implant to “fix” her issues and they need to return Xel to factory specs. Thus begins their struggle escape the fate in store for them.
It was interesting how no one seemed to understand that Tara’s “differences” meant that she had autism. Instead of trying to help anyone who struggled they pushed them to conform or have an implant. Now is their travels Tara met Loki a boy her age who lived hidden away from the corporation. Loki had faced the same problem as Tara, but his outcome took a horrifying turn leaving him injured in a way that isn’t easily fixed. Banding together, Loki, Tara and Xel go in search of Tara’s grandmother who she knows will help her.
This story was filled with many unexpected twists leaving the reader wondering how it would all turn out. Tara’s search for her place in her world took her to places she never imagined finding help in unexpected places.
Author: Bradley W. Wright
Publisher: Black Opal Books
ISBN: B07MMFJSN9
Buy Link: http://www.bradleywwright.com/#
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
It’s 2038, and Tara Rivers is fourteen years old, a bit rebellious, and socially awkward. Her family has recently moved to Los Angeles from the Pacific Northwest “rogue” clusters. Tara feels alone and confused. She doesn’t have any friends here, except her cat, Xel, a sophisticated robot with artificial intelligence. The corporation where Tara’s parents work makes an offer they can’t refuse—let them put an implant in Tara’s brain to “cure” her autism and make her neurotypical, or Tara’s father will be prosecuted for manufactured crimes. Tara overhears her parents speaking with the doctors and decides to run away with Xel. She plans to head back to the Pacific Northwest and her grandmother, but first she must escape Los Angeles and the corporation—with all their high-tech locating devices—dodge street gangs and wild dogs, and traverse an unknown wilderness full of unimaginable dangers. Will she ever find a place where she is accepted for who and what she is, or is she doomed to be an outcast from society forever?
Total Score: 5/5
Summary:
Tara lives in a dystopian future where everyone is supposed to fit into the a cookie cutter mold set up by the governmental corporation. At first Tara and her family lived in the Pacific Northwest where they mostly fended for themselves and Tara at least had one friend who accepted her with all her differences. It wasn’t until her parents were offered a chance to move to Los Angeles that Tara’s differences became an issue. Tara’s problems in social settings and focusing were hard enough, but when she used her coding skills to upgrade her pet cat Xel, an advanced AI, that things went wrong. The company informs Tara’s family she needs an implant to “fix” her issues and they need to return Xel to factory specs. Thus begins their struggle escape the fate in store for them.
It was interesting how no one seemed to understand that Tara’s “differences” meant that she had autism. Instead of trying to help anyone who struggled they pushed them to conform or have an implant. Now is their travels Tara met Loki a boy her age who lived hidden away from the corporation. Loki had faced the same problem as Tara, but his outcome took a horrifying turn leaving him injured in a way that isn’t easily fixed. Banding together, Loki, Tara and Xel go in search of Tara’s grandmother who she knows will help her.
This story was filled with many unexpected twists leaving the reader wondering how it would all turn out. Tara’s search for her place in her world took her to places she never imagined finding help in unexpected places.
July 14, 2019
This was a really good book. Before I started reading it I wasn't sure if I would like it. There are a lot of ups and downs, with suspense and risk-taking, along with normal teenage things like crushes. This is about the underdog overcoming.
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have read this book if I hadn't been choose to review it, but I'm so glad I did. I really think most anybody will enjoy this book.
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have read this book if I hadn't been choose to review it, but I'm so glad I did. I really think most anybody will enjoy this book.
October 19, 2019
Plucky and affirming. As another review says, even just the robot cat was worth it.
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