Action-Adventure / Suspense / Climate Change / EcoThriller

Publisher: Milford House Press, an imprint of Sunbury Books, Inc.

Date of Publication: February 6, 2024

Number of Pages: 215 pages

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable odyssey that might just be a suicide trip.

“Reap the Wind is a bold, bracing and blisteringly original take on the legal thriller form. Joel Burcat has fashioned a seminal tale focusing on the nightmare of all road trips in which a storm raging outside the car is matched only by the storm raging within. Burcat dares to tread on the hallowed ground of John Grisham and Scott Turow and ends up blazing a fresh, daring literary tale of his own. Not to be missed!”

Amazon │ Sunbury Books

Joel Burcat is an award-winning author of three environmental legal thrillers: Drink to Every Beast (illegal dumping of toxic waste), Amid Rage (a coal mine permit battle), and Strange Fire (a fracking dispute). His most recent book, Reap the Wind, is about three lawyers trying to drive from Houston to Cincinnati in a climate change-induced hurricane.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book from Lone Star Literary in exchange for my honest review.

“Reap the Wind” by Joel Burcat is a suspenseful and thrilling action novel with a touch of romance. The story follows Joel Goldberg, a Philadelphia native who finds himself in Houston for a legal conference organized by his boss, Diane, to enhance their business reach. While attending the seminars, Joel struggles to concentrate as his pregnant fiancé, Kiesha, flies back home alone. Unfortunately, a tropical storm hits their paths, causing delays and complications. Kiesha encounters an unexpected person from her past while waiting in a hospital room, far from home. Meanwhile, Joel embarks on a perilous journey to make it to Kiesha before she gives birth.

The book starts with a gripping prologue that introduces the storm discussed throughout the story. The first chapter starts with Joel at the conference, pondering over his relationship with Kiesha. The chapters alternate between Joel’s and Kiesha’s perspectives. The author skillfully describes the various storms and weather variations Joel encounters with his team, making the journey adventurous with unexpected twists and turns. Kiesha faces her challenges as she waits anxious and alone. The aftermath of the storm affects the areas it hits, as well as Kiesha and Joel’s relationship.

Overall, “Reap the Wind” is an engaging, well-written, and captivating novel that keeps readers on edge from beginning to end. This quick read captured my attention from the start, and I was drawn to the prologue and the epilogue. Joel Burcat does a great job writing a book that has descriptive and inviting language. The plot was well-developed with planted moments in the novel that kept me turning pages. The ending wasn’t what I expected, which I enjoyed, and I enjoyed the backstory of the relationship between Kiesha and Joel and the supporting character roles. I could tell the author took time to ensure this was a well-rounded novel and ensured the information presented about storms was accurate.

Of course, when the dust settles and the rain stops, the sun will shine again. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in an environmental thriller.