Thin Air

Joanne’s been in tough spots before, but this is the first time she’s had her memories stolen and been left out to die in the middle of a winter storm. When Lewis and David find her, it doesn’t take long for them to figure out something’s wrong. A demon has awakened, and gained the stunning resemblance of Joanne. One could say she’s almost an exact copy.

After hearing about demons throughout the series and catching glimpses of what they can do, it was great to finally see one awakened. But despite the demon being the main antagonist, very little is seen of it until the end. I would have liked to see a build-up of encounters throughout the story. Instead, a string of events takes Joanne away from the demon, fizzling out the show more conflict before it truly began each time. The only way Joanne knows it is slowly gaining strength is through hearsay from other characters. And while this offered the opportunity for loose ends leftover from the past novels to reach their ends, it also made them feel like filler.

Admittedly Joanne isn’t at her best, without memories she can’t exactly use her abilities, but she’s been resourceful in the past. Those base instincts are still there, even if she doesn’t immediately realize it. This novel shows a new version of Joanne, one that needs help and is willing to take it without much of a fight. Thin Air shows her vulnerability in ways she hasn’t been before. After so many times seeing Joanne take charge and bring down adversaries, seeing her in this new light was what the story needed.

There are also a few twists I didn't see coming. The utter confusion and surprise brought to Joanne were priceless. The new directions these plot developments promise will entice readers to keep reading the series. Knowing how Joanne reacts to people who cross her, I can’t wait to see what the next book brings. Despite a few hiccups, Thin Air was another wonderful addition to the Weather Warden series. show less

What Firestorm lacked, Thin Air has in plenty. This book was such I thrill ride that I stayed up well past midnight on a work night just to get to the end. This book starts with a couple of pages from the end of Firestorm. It sets up the plot where Joanne awakens cold and naked in a forest with no memory. She comes to be rescued by Lewis and David but she can't remember them. Joanne finds out there is a demon that looks like her and has the memories that Ashan had taken from Joanne at the end of Firestorm. Now the demon has her memories, and looks like her, it is slowly taking over Joanne's entire life. Joanne has the ability to get into other people's memories now and we get a peek into Cherise, Kevin, Eamon, and Marion's memories. I show more especially enjoyed these interludes because they weren't long enough to become dull and yet the were good insights into these characters and their perceptions of Joanne. I like the changes Caine appears to be making and hope they will continue to keep the series fresh. By the end of the book there are four different groups that have to agree to work together at least temporarily. Joanne still has the tendency to have to be bailed out of certain dangerous situations, but she fended for herself here a couple of times and the rest can be explained as necessary due to her memory loss. Yet whatever the exact reasons, I absolutely enjoyed this story. I look forward to the next one. show less

After five excellent, fast paced books, this one felt like something of a let down. Having the main character develop amnesia is a lame plot device in many stories, and whilst I could understand its purpose here, it still irritated the heck out of me. I think because to make amnesia work in a story, the reader has to have exactly as much knowledge as the main character retains, with them slowly realising the bigger picture as the character does. Because we are rather used to Jo's life and know all about Eamon and Lewis, David and all the other characters, it just leads to feelings of discomfit instead. Unlike the other books, this one dragged too - the first portion was spend wandering in the frozen forest with very little action or show more much plot development. Watching Joanne be all meek and submitting to other's instruction was somewhat disappointing too.

Not a bad read by any means, and I have the remaining three titles waiting here for me to read them - but either this one was a letdown or I've OD'd on the series, because it did not grip me in the same manner.

And, the fictional town of Seacasket has mysteriously shifted from Maine to New Jersey. Perhaps this was due to the demise of the Fire Oracle? Although, I would say it is more due to the author getting confused. It might not bother Joanne - she's lost her memory, but it sure as heck bothered me - I haven't! It's not even as though the two states are that close to each other. show less

The amnesia trope is done in a creative and unusual manner and it works for me. The first third of the book has good pacing and is very good. The plot slows for awhile at that point and I found it a little annoying but it picked up again after a few chapters and remained strong for the rest of the book. Jo spent a little too much time being rescued this time around but it went withe amnesia and the book set up far more power for her in the future.

Some past characters show up (at least one that really feels superfluous). There are some revelations here and answers to a few of my questions that I've been asking since several books ago. The best part is a major turning point in the series which is always refreshing.

I wanted to deduct a show more star because at one point, with what seems like impending battle, Jo receives what she sees as the perfect clothes for her including three inch heels. But fortunately the battle was just an indoor debate kind of thing and she has been very good about getting her priorities straight in these later books so I'll let it slide. :) show less

The amnesia trope is done in a creative and unusual manner and it works for me. The first third of the book has good pacing and is very good. The plot slows for awhile at that point and I found it a little annoying but it picked up again after a few chapters and remained strong for the rest of the book. Jo spent a little too much time being rescued this time around but it went withe amnesia and the book set up far more power for her in the future.

Some past characters show up (at least one that really feels superfluous). There are some revelations here and answers to a few of my questions that I've been asking since several books ago. The best part is a major turning point in the series which is always refreshing.

I wanted to deduct a show more star because at one point, with what seems like impending battle, Jo receives what she sees as the perfect clothes for her including three inch heels. But fortunately the battle was just an indoor debate kind of thing and she has been very good about getting her priorities straight in these later books so I'll let it slide. :) show less

It wasn't as good as some of the other books in the series but the idea of Joanne getting to view memories from others was an interesting bit of character development and it forms a good bridge for future installments.

A masterpiece that leaves you frustrated and questioning your characters until the last page. I have said before that the fifth book in this series was the absolute best book of the series thus far, although, I still feel it to be the best I have to say this is a close second. I did not know how to respond to this story, everything that I had known from the first five books was yanked out from under me in this book. I had the most undescribable feeling of loss when reading this book; with Joannes loss of memory, the loss of Imara, and the distance with all of her loved ones I was undescribably suffering with the characters. Rachel Caine has totally absorbed me into her stories she is an amazing author. Finally I must add she has out show more done herself again with this story, and I will be continuing this series with Gale Storm. show less