Blizzard

Med Center #5

by Diane Hoh

In the wake of a terrible blizzard, Kate vows to help a homeless family that seeks refuge at the hospital despite Callie's protests, Abby fears for her wheelchair-bound boyfriend, and Sam risks his life to help someone. Original.

Genres: Young Adult, Thriller, Romance, Medical

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Diane Hoh is the author of fifty-seven novels for young adults. She grew up in Warren, Pennsylvania but currently resides in Austin, Texas. Reading and writing are her favorite things, alongside gardening and grandchildren.

Reviews

[Pastel Paperback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly fun little series. Like an episode of ER, staffed with teenage volunteers, brought to life.

Blizzard is the first Med Center I've re-read since the 90s and it was easy enough to jump into book 5 without reading the previous volumes. There are a few references to past emergencies and some obvious character backstory but it didn't hinder my read.

And damn, a lot happened in this book! Each chapter had some sort of major medical emergency: an ADA van with a paralyzed driver getting stuck in the snow, an unhoused family searching for shelter, an ambulance that crashes right into the med waiting room and traps a volunteer under it! Truly, if you're looking for excitement, this is it.

Not overly gory either...definitely some medical stuff described but could have been a lot worse.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, now there's a blizzard in Grant. Just to add to the explosion, the fire, the virus, and the flood.
* Suzannah drives to the hospital even though it's icy and snowing, and nearly crashes her car. She makes it to the hospital though she carries on as normal.
* Kate notices a family in the waiting room and works out that they are homeless and sheltering from the weather. She makes sure they eat, but Callie goes nuts and sends them running.
* Sid is driving the rehab van for the first time alone since not being able to feel his legs, but in the blizzard gets lost, and crashes the van into a ditch. Unable to get the van back out of the ditch, and without a cell phone, he has to wait for someone to rescue him.
* An ambulance loses control and crashes into the wall of the the ER, pinning Kate between the ambulance and the wall. Fortunately, Damon is on hand to get the ambulance off her and she has her wrist plastered.
* Sam is at the hospital because he's after another different girl - Lily, who also works at the hospital. He gets roped into looking for a missing homeless family by Kate, and feels like he's made a difference for once.
* Lily finally notices Sam when she hears about his heroics, and treats him to a cup of coffee. Unfortunately her drunk father interrupts them, and Sam has to send him on his way.
* Sid and Abby find Sid and rescue him. Luckily he doesn't have carbon monoxide poisoning, even though he had the engine running and the exhaust was blocked by snow.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read these when I was a "tweener," and plan to read them again at the and of this summer. I ordered all 6 from Goodwill's across the country, Jenson's Books, Once Upon a Time Books, etc.

It took me YEARS to remember this series! To find it again, ohhh...I am SO elated! 😊😁

I will edit these reviews once I re-read, as it has been almost a quarter century (omg, I'm getting old! XP)

P.S.

Her two books on the Titanic are on my re-read list as well. I bought them this time on Kindle. ;)

Thank you for all the amazing memories, Diane Hoh, and all the new ones that will be made from

[Miki · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time I've read a book in this series. I really enjoyed it and it kept me turning the pages. I kept getting some of the characters confused (there are quite a few to keep up with) but I think that's because this is not the first book in the series where we "meet" the different characters. I still would say this is a recommended read.

[Amanda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rich teens (driving around in their Mercedes Benz convertibles of course) volunteer at an ER while navigating one disaster after another in the throes of a destructive blizzard. This felt like tv’s ER (or Grey’s Anatomy for a more current reference) meets Sweet Valley High. I haven’t read any other books in this series and it definitely felt like I was missing character backstory & development

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I must be this series’s biggest fan. I’ve read all six books dozens of times. Lol

Even though these books were published literally ten years before I first found them, somehow they were still on the bookshelf of my library’s YA section. My middle school best friend and I found them and absolutely devoured them. (Shout out to Meghan, hey remember how the librarians said we were the only ones to ever check them out?)

These books are like Grey’s Anatomy for teenagers. I mean it! There’s all the angst, romantic tension, medical science and just general drama. Obviously, implausible, but incredibly angsty and good.

Blizzard is my fave of the series, for what it’s worth.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of six books in the series and I loved them as a teen; I still pick them up off my shelf and read them. They fascinated me with the medical drama going on with those my age and that teens were able to do procedures that in real life, it wouldn't be allowed. I feel in love with these books and sought them out. If you can suspend your concept of reality, you'll find drama, excitement, romance and more. It is even more enjoyable if you like medical fiction.