I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Eye of the Sh*t Storm by Jackson Ford Series: The Frost Files #3
Published by Orbit on April 27 2021
Genres: Adult, Science fiction
Pages: 512
Format: Finished paperback
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: More over-the-top, batshit crazy fun from Jackson Ford, and I loved every second of it!
Do I feel bad about hitting so many people on the head? Leaving a trail of concussions and possible brain injuries? Sure. But they started it. And besides, no one gives Batman shit when he beats up a warehouse full of the Joker’s goons.
I knew I could count on Jackson Ford for a really good time, and I’m happy to say the third installment in his Frost Files series delivered on every level. Wow was this a blast! Now, according to the author, you can easily jump into this series in any order you want to, which I sort of agree with, because each book has a self contained story. However, in my opinion it’s better to start from the beginning because the characters have been through so much together at this point, that some of the nuances of their relationships will be lost on new readers. (Apologies to Paul, because I assured him he didn’t need to read book two in order to enjoy this. But after finishing it, I’m changing my mind.) There might be minor spoilers in this review, but I’m going to keep them to a minimum.
The story picks up a mere two months after the conclusion of Random Sh*t Flying Through the Air, when a young boy with the ability to control the earth caused several devastating earthquakes in California, turning the state to rubble and throwing everyone and everything into chaos. Teagan and her friends from the China Shop, a secret, government-run agency that operates under the radar, are still recovering from a terrible loss, not to mention the fact that Los Angeles has become a post apocalyptic wasteland and many people are homeless and out of work. Some enterprising factions have taken advantage of this fact by squatting in abandoned buildings and running illegal operations right under the noses of the police.
When the story begins, Teagan, Annie and Africa have been sent to one such place to do some undercover recon. A biker gang called the Legends is purportedly selling illegal guns, and Moira Tanner, who runs China Shop, wants the three to pretend to do business with them and scope the place out for a future raid. Not surprisingly, their operation does not go well, but there’s no time to dwell on that when Moira gives them a new mission: something strange is going on at a self-storage facility in Glendale. The entire building has been electrified, which doesn’t make sense because electricity cannot travel through concrete or wood. Something fishy is going on, and Teagan suspects that another person with abilities similar to hers is responsible. When she discovers a young boy named Leo inside the building, Teagan makes a choice that could threaten the entire operation.
That’s about all the plot I’m willing to give you, but let’s just say as soon as Teagan and her friends arrive at the storage facility to investigate, shit happens quickly and doesn’t stop until the end. The entire story takes place during one very long day and night, and I can vouch for the fact that it was hard to put the book down once I started. If you’re new to the series, I’ll give you a quick rundown about Teagan. Teagan has an ability called PK (psychokinesis) and can move inorganic objects with her mind. Thanks to her scientist parents, she and her brother and sister were all experimented on and given different abilities (think X-Men). Teagan made a deal with Moira Tanner that she would go to work for her undercover operation, in exchange for protection from a government facility that wants to get their hands on her and use her for their own nefarious purposes.
In this book, Teagan makes the decision to go rogue at one point and not follow directions, and this act fractures the entire team. I actually loved this development because it added quite a bit of tension to the group dynamic and allowed for some very emotional moments between the characters. Jackson really does a great job of balancing the action and the character development, and as much as I loved the fast-paced craziness of the plot, it was nice to see that the characters are all just regular people, trying to find connections and do the right thing. Annie is mad as hell at Teagan and grieving over Paul (from the last book), and their very uncomfortable relationship was one of my favorites. Reggie—the tech brains of the operation, an ex-military pilot who lost the use of her legs in Bosnia and is now confined to a wheelchair—is grappling over her loyalty to Moira (who saved her in Bosnia) and her desire to get the hell out of China Shop and follow her heart’s desire to become an actor. And then you have Teagan’s complicated relationship with ex boyfriend Nic, a Black man who is frustrated with Teagan’s unintentionally racist attitudes but who loves her deep down. In fact, Teagan has a complex relationship with just about everyone she knows—yes, she’s a bit hard to like. But that’s one reason I love her so much, she’s really trying to do the right thing, but she’s too young to understand that her approach is all wrong.
But let’s get to the action, shall we? I have to say, the first four chapters of Eye of the Sh*t Storm are probably the best opening chapters I’ve ever read. I think I held my breath the whole time, these scenes were off the charts ridiculous, but the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I don’t want to spoil your fun, but let’s just say there’s a hysterically funny (but also nail-biting) scene involving a stolen bag of meth and a chase sequence that takes place in the L.A. River. And that’s only the beginning. Ford takes his characters on a dangerous, exhausting journey through a devastated Los Angeles, from the famous concrete L.A. River to Dodger Stadium to Downtown LA, with stops at homeless camps and abandoned buildings along the way, not to mention a bite to eat at Howlin’ Ray’s Hot Chicken. Biker gangs with guns (and plenty of tattoos), evil mad scientists, a scary crazy person called the Zig Zag Man and more are just a few of the obstacles Teagan and her friends must face.
Jackson throws a bit of social commentary into his story to balance things out, like the plight of the homeless in L.A., racism, drug addiction and the great economic divide between the rich and the poor, but it’s all mixed into the plot in such a way as to not be preachy. We also learn more about Teagan’s past and the “School”—the secret government facility that might be responsible for the children with abilities who are wreaking havoc on the city. Jackson drops a bomb at the end—one I should have seen coming but I didn’t!—that clearly suggests that this series isn’t over by a long shot. The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I’m sad that I have to wait for the next book, although now I have time to guess the title of book #4: When the Sh*t Hits the Fan, perhaps? In any case, I can’t wait to see what bonkers scenario Ford comes up with next. I’m betting it’s going to be a good one.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
Another series I have placed firmly on my radar as I hope for some room on my TBR… It’s good to know that it keeps strong and it delivers so many layers of narrative: I really need to read these books, and soon! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…COLLATERAL DAMAGE (ST: TNG), by David Mack
I hope you find time, definitely a lot of fun:-)
Yay! Can’t wait.
Hope you enjoy it!
I love that you’re describing this book as off the charts ridiculous and hysterically funny. Sometimes we just need to read silly books!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Audiobook Review: An Ignorance of Means by Jennifer Oakley Denslow
It’s true! I really needed this book and I wasn’t disappointed:-)
Eye of the Sh*t Storm sounds like a great book in a crazy fun series. Good review!
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…The Odd Writer
It is tons of fun, thanks Priscilla:-)
I keep telling myself no more new series until I finish all of the old ones sitting on my shelves, but this one is so tempting! I love bat shit crazy fun reads, lol.
Ha ha I would never start anything new if I had that rule for myself:-)
Love the titles, and wow, this sounds fun and compelling, Tammy! I hope you are right about the next title too! Terrific review!
Thanks Jenni! I know, those titles!
A lovely, warm-hearted review, Tammy:)). I’m not right now all that tempted to read apocalyptic fiction – even if it is also funny, but I have noted it for when I’m in the mood!
I totally get it. It’s very hard to avoid apocalyptic fiction, it seems to be everywhere these days! But it’s a fun one when you’re ready.
I’ve loved all of your reviews for the books in this series, and I know I need to read them! Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
It’s my yearly reminder to read this series, lol.
What a fun review. I have got to try this series now!
Laura Thomas recently posted…Monkey Bread Business ~ A Cast Iron Skillet Mystery by Jodi Rath
It’s great, definitely recommended:-)
Glad to hear how much you’re enjoying this series, and glad to know this type of story is out there when I find myself in the mood for exactly this kind of crazy fun read.
Yes, we all need stories like this sometimes:-)
I have the first book on hold at the library so hopefully I can get going on this series sometime soon
.Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…Read-along & Giveaway: Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
Hope you enjoy it, Anne:-)
This review!! (I”m downloading it immediately:)
Hope you enjoy it:-)
Oh my, reading this review was pure joy! And I am glad you are enjoying this series so much!! I really hope to start it soon!!
Hope you get the chance, it’s fun:-)
This completely sounds like my cup of tea! And I like already that the author says readers can jump in any time.
It’s so fun, something we all need every now and then:-)
I’m so annoyed with myself for not getting into this series from the start. Who knows, by some miracle I might cram all three of these in one day – especially as you seem to have loved them all so much.
Lynn 😀
I debated whether or not I wanted to read this review right now, since I just picked up the book myself, but I’m glad I did. xD I only started it yesterday and I’m even more excited to find out what happens now! Also apprehensive. Suuuuper apprehensive, which I think is a fair emotion going into one of these books, given everything that’s happened. I look forward to all the character development you talk about. I just love the way these characters interact in general.
Also, that opening? Phew. Definitely one of the best openings I’ve ever read, too! I think I made it through chapter 3 so far, maybe? I miiiight have made it to chapter 4, I can’t remember. So much action and tension right off the bat, one thing after another, but in a funny way, too. The sort that makes you clutch your pearls and then laugh hysterically because you were certain everyone was going to die and maybe they still are and now it’s really just a nervous laugh while you contemplate what you’re doing with your life. xD
I haven’t read this series but the covers have always intrigued me when I see them at my local indie. I’m so glad this was a satisfying end and now I am kicking myself for not reading the books sooner. Great review!
Kal @ Reader Voracious recently posted…ARC Review: The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He
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