Book Review: Reap the Wind

Reviewed by Chelsey Tucker

A thrilling American odyssey through a risky record-breaking storm in the name of love, duty, and honor

Reap the Wind follows Josh, an environmental lawyer from Philadelphia, as he treks halfway across the country in some of the worst weather in history. 

In late November, he is attending a conference hosted by his law firm in Houston, and accompanying him on this trip is his eight-months-pregnant fiancée, Keisha, who’s taking a brief vacation before the impending arrival of their baby. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when a hurricane sets its course toward Houston and through the eastern United States.

Feeling uneasy about being stranded far from home in the late stages of her pregnancy, Keisha makes the difficult decision to head back early. Despite Josh’s attempts to persuade her to travel together, she reassures him that she will be fine. Unfortunately, Keisha’s flight is diverted to Cincinnati, and shortly after, she finds herself in a Cincinnati hospital rather than home in Philly.

Josh weighs his options, knowing that driving through the storm is risky and possibly foolish. But when he learns that Keisha’s obstetrician-gynecologist is her tall, dark, and handsome ex-boyfriend, someone she still keeps pictures of, Josh decides that “no one in their right mind wants to drive through a freakin’ hurricane. But I don’t want to leave her alone with him for any longer than necessary.” He makes soon arrangements to brave some of the most severe weather conditions known to man, driving through the storm to be by her side.

Josh’s best friend, Geoff, agrees to go with him, at least to Nashville, where he will visit his sister before flying the rest of the way home. Diane, their boss, manages to wriggle her way into joining them on the dangerous road trip too. The scenarios they encounter are beyond their expectations; they don’t even make it 60 miles down the road before they dance with death—an occurrence that would repeat itself multiple times on their journey.

Reap the Wind is an excellent option for enthusiasts of environmental fiction and those seeking a hero’s journey through modern America. The incorporation of environmental law and discussions about climate change within the book adds depth to the perilous weather outside, transforming it from just one journey into a symbol of more catastrophic weather to come.

The prologue and epilogue, featuring different characters from the main crew, feel detached from the main storyline. The primary narrative effectively conveys the dangers of climate change without relying on these sections.

Reap the Wind unfolds as a narrative centered on self-respect and “Integrity. Hanging on. Never giving up, no matter how much you’ve been beaten down.”  This is a tale of resilience, persistence, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity. It delves into encounters with mortality, navigating the roller coaster of friendships and relationships, and the revelation of one’s true character. In the midst of a whirlwind of action and character development, the environmental themes are gracefully established in a thoughtful underlying tone.

---

Thank you for reading Chelsey Tucker’s book review of Reap the Wind by Joel Burcat! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.