Search - Category 7

A little disappointing. In the author's note, Bill Evans talks about New York City's vulnerability to a hurricane and how he had hoped to write a scientific book about the potential impact. He was instead encouraged to write a novel.

I was expecting a story about heroism, tragedy, survivors and recovery. Instead, this book is about a terrorist engaged in "weather manipulation" to create a storm while the CIA and a few meteorologists try to decipher and thwart it.

I think I would have liked the scientific study better.

2 stars out of 5

Fascinating idea for a book and possibly movie. The book reads fast but the writing is superficial. Yet, for this type of novel, that's OK. Basically a light action read with minimal character development.

This is a real page-turner as it describes the birth and mutant growth of a record storm aimed at Manhattan. Political subplots galore involve human manipulation of climate. I'm surprised this book hasn't yet become a film; the writing creates horrific special effects images that are tailor-made for the big screen.

CATEGORY 7 is an enjoyable weather-based thriller, although it took me awhile to get into the story, due to all of the unfamiliar terms. Once I got through it, though, I found myself immersed in the story.

The basics: a meglomaniac decides to take revenge on the President by using his creation, the ability to control the weather, to send a massive Category 7 hurricane towards New York City. Panic and devastation ensue, and it's up to a small-town weather reporter and a CIA operative to stop both the hurricane and the bad guy.

Like I said, this really is an entertaining and enjoyable thriller, and once you learn the weather-related jargon, you'll be in for a really good story.