{Review} of The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin

The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Contemporary
THEME: Romance/Family Drama
RECEIVED: Swap
AUTHORS BLOG: Lara Zielin's Site

BLURB:

One summer chasing tornadoes could finally change Jane's life for the better

Seventeen-year-old Jane McAllister can't quite admit her mother's alcoholism is spiraling dangerously out of control until she drives drunk, nearly killing them and Jane's best friend.

Jane has only one place to turn: her older brother Ethan, who left the problems at home years ago for college. A summer with him and his tornado-chasing buddies may just provide the time and space Jane needs to figure out her life and whether it still includes her mother. But she struggles with her anger at Ethan for leaving home and feels guilty--is she also abandoning her mom just when she needs Jane most? The carefree trip turned journey of self-discovery quickly becomes more than Jane bargained for, especially when the devilishly handsome Max steps into the picture.

REVIEW:
The Waiting Sky is a book about a family who has been deeply harmed by alcohol. Author Lara Zielin really focused on how the children struggled but really needed to make the decision that was best for them. It’s a great book for a young teen that may be in a similar situation; it has a great message and makes you hope the best for the characters.

This story follows Jane McAllister a seventeen year old girl who has struggled with her mother’s alcoholism. After her brother left she feels responsible for her mother’s daily life, but when she drives drunk while Jane and her friend were in the car it was time for Jane to get away. She leaves for the summer to be with her brother, helping him with his research team chasing tornados. But they still struggle with their mother’s issues, even from a distance as she calls Jane while away. But the distraction of the storms and a fellow tornado chaser named Max; both helps Jane try a move forward.

Jane has been put in a tough situation, she doesn’t want to be the one to abandon her mother but everyone around her is telling her she’s going to be pulled down by what her mothers doing. I can’t say I understand personally her situation, but I felt that she was so blinded by the damage her mother’s drinking was doing to them. Not being able to pay the bills, Jane having to work long hours to pay the rent. I wish Jane would have opened her eyes, but in the end I think the message was great.

Ethan, older brother and weather enthusiast, he really loves his sister and can’t stand his mother. He was fantastic, really someone who Jane should have been with and not her mother. He’s smart and knows where he’s going with his life and also wants Jane to move in with him. I felt bad for him because he knew what was happening to his mother but couldn’t get his sister to see his point of view. Their relationship was up and down throughout the book but I loved their big bother little sister moments.

Max was a great secondary character and someone who pulled Jane out of her slump and opened her eyes a bit. Their relationship was sweet and grew at a nice pace that felt real. I loved that they were rivals in a way since they were both on different tornado chasing teams.

Overall this was a great book with a deep message. But the secondary story with the storm chasing brought a nice distraction element for the characters. This gives an up-close idea of how dangerous storm chasing is and how much the research could be beneficial for those who live in the path of tornados. If you enjoy a story with family emotions, romance, and a heart pumping secondary story then you’ll want to read The Waiting Sky.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel and coming of age story that touches the subject of Alcoholism. Fans of Jennifer Echols Such a Rush and Gayle Forman’s If I Stay will enjoy The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin.

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