Book review: Strange Weather by Joe Hill

Strange Weather by Joe Hill (first published in 2017 by Gollancz)

Whether you just want a quick fix, like variety in your reading, or just have a short attention span, Strange Weather will meet your needs.

Four novellas together form a collection of weird and wonderful tales where things are not as they seem, any anything is possible. Hill is a master of twists, and these stories are as unpredictable as they are enjoyable.

Linked by meteorological phenomena and excellent writing, Snapshot, Loaded, Aloft, and Rain all concern the horrors of both human and nature, with characters thrown into unlikely situations and horrors.

The length of the stories and commonality in theme gives Strange Weather a graphic-novel kind of vibe, exploring the strange and brutal.

Varied characters, plots, and storylines also testify to Hill’s versatility as a story teller, with each of the four worlds pulling the reader in headfirst.

From a supernatural camera with a tendency for thievery, mass shootings and gunfights, to alien clouds and terrorism delivered by clouds, there’s a little bit of everything in this book.

Hill really has a talent for creating unusual worlds and circumstances.

Yet he does it with such style – his worlds are immersive, his characters possess a depth that’s admirable in so few pages, and his pace is both satisfying and addictive.

Strange Weather would serve as a wonderful introduction to the world of supernatural and horror fiction, but is also a perfect treat for fans of the author or the genres.

Basically, it’s a book for everyone and you should absolutely read it. In fact, stop what you are doing and go get a copy, I insist.

WATCH: Joe Hill on Strange Weather

Purchase a copy of the book from Raru.co.za.

Read more of Samantha’s reviews on her book blog and check out her Instagram account.