Eye of the Storm: Eilida's Tragedy

Ruthless Storm Trilogy, Book 1

By: Elle Klass

Narrated by: Belle Burkhart

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

A disturbance at her neighbor's house piques Eilida's curiosity. What she discovers is so shocking it sends her running through the mountainous woods during a thunderstorm. She slips on the wet ground, plummets down Mount Wilde, and slams into a large boulder beside River Freedom. Eilida is transported to Lyden, where Sunshine, a receptionist at the local paper becomes engrossed in her story. The further Sunshine delves into Eilida's life, the more entangled their lives become. Paranormal events, frightening dreams, and terror-filled memories draw the women together into an unthinkable web of horror.

©2014 Lisa Marie Klaes (P)2015 Lisa Marie Klaes

Critic reviews

"Author Elle Klass creates a compelling story using tragedy, survival, guilt, repressed memories, visual triggers and storms to create a tale that encompasses so much more than you expect." - Michelle Randall, Reader's Favorite

"In the first book in The Ruthless Storm Trilogy, Klass's sinister tale is replete with a small but well-developed cast, many of whom function as foils to enhance the principal characters, Eilida and Sunshine. Of course, included in the mix are a tight handful of antagonists who throw all sorts of twists and turns into the plot." - Anita Lock San Francisco Book Review

A slow burner.

I have to admit that this book was a slow start for me. I almost gave up at one stage because I felt a little lost as to what was happening, but then there was the "ah ha" moment and it clicked!! I figured some things out, (though I wasn't right where I thought the plot was going!), and bam, the book took off. It was awesome!!!

I'm not going to summarise the plot because it is much better for you to go into it blind and because I could spoil something easily, so all I'll say is that it's a psychological thriller that brings it's A game! You think you know what is going to happen, but let me tell you that you don't!! There were times when I was reading and I was thinking to myself... what is going on here, but then the author throws a curve ball and it's like a light bulb going off!!

The characters were all well written too, though I did find myself confused at times between Eilida and Sunshine and who was doing what! But that was the fun of the plot!!! It made me think and kept me on my toes.

In all, this was quite the surprise to me. I haven't heard of this before and didn't know what to think going into it! What I got was a well written thriller that kept me hooked till the very end. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Belle Burkhart read this well. Her tones and cadences were really good and she was able to draw me in. She had plenty of tones and voices for the characters and was clear and concise. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance.

I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.

Eye of the Storm is a brilliant, intense, and shoc

What did you love best about Eye of the Storm: Eilida's Tragedy?

Sunshine is the epitome of her name. Her life is perfect—from her job at the local newspaper despite a few annoying co-workers to her wealthy boyfriend who is days from proposing—and full of sunshine until a “Jane Doe” shows up at the local hospital and sends her life into a tailspin. Not only does the woman’s appearance become the main focus of the newspaper, but she become Sunshine’s. Feeling attached to the woman somehow, Sunshine sets out to find out who she is and what happened to her.

In her pursuit to find out all she can about this woman, Sunshine begins to suffer memory loss, hallucinations, and dreams of a life she didn’t live. Her connection to Eilida, the woman in the hospital, becomes apparent, but the how they are related remains a mystery to Sunshine.

Things happen in the novel that seemingly don’t make sense, like how can Eilida’s boyfriend not know she is in the hospital when Eilida’s roommate, parents, and school all know, and they frustrated me at first because I honestly thought they were holes in the plot. I was wrong, boy was I wrong. Okay, so if I say much more, I’ll be giving too much away, and you have to read this for yourself to find out the big twist ending.

One more thing, the epilogue will definitely, leave you wanting the next book in the trilogy. Speaking of…

Oh, I forgot to mention that I listened to the audio version of this novella (a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review), and the narrator made a perfect Sunshine. At first I thought she sounded too young, but once I got to know Sunshine and just how sweet and innocent she is, I knew the narrator was perfect for her.

a psychological thriller / horror...

This is a good Psychological Thriller written in the paranormal category but is more a horror. The book is well written and the plot is bizarre, but something was missing for me in the excitement area. This is my first read by the author, Elle Klass. It is an enjoyable story, however, I didn't care for the narrator, Belle Burkhart. To me it sounded like a little girl was reading it. She delivered the story well enough, just the little girl voice was off for me. I did like the poem at the beginning of the story - very clever!

This audio book was gifted to me from a book event contest.

Amazing upon Amazing

What did you love best about Eye of the Storm: Eilida's Tragedy?

It is a great story with an awesome narrator

Any additional comments?

First of all, I read this as an ebook and thought that it was absolutely amazing. Elle Klass weaved a wonderful and masterful paranormal tale that begins with “Twas the Night Before Death.” As a book with her writings alone, I could see exactly what she was trying to say, every nuance, every setting, etc..

Now, add narrator Belle Burkhart’s voice onto a substantial story filled with intrigue and you’ve got yourself an audiobook that you’ll want to play over and over again, finding something new each time to capture you in suspense and never let you go.

Give it a listen.

You won’t be sorry.

Awesome!!!

Very creepy and very unpredictable! I tried to unravel the story as I went along but couldn't. It kept me on the edge of my seat as I listened tying to piece it all together. Excellent story and great narration! Looking forward to he rest of the series!

Eye of the storm

What was one of the most memorable moments of Eye of the Storm: Eilida's Tragedy?

This psychological paranormal thriller, is a tale with mystery and intrigue. Told through the viewpoint of two different individuals, just when you think you have an inkling what the link between them might be another surprise comes out of nowhere, drawing you deeper and deeper into this bizarre tale. A bizarre horror story

Eye of the Storm review

First of all, let me state that it was enjoyable listening to this. The characters interesting, the narrator, pleasant, it was well worth the time. Five stars, and look forward to more of this series.

Creepy and Mysterious!

A journalist takes on a story of a mysterious accident . As the story went on it seemed strange things were happening and I had no clue the ending would turn out like it did. The story is well written and keeps your attention as you try to figure out what happened. If you love paranormal psychological thriller books then this is for you!

I received this audiobook review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The ending ruined it for me.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yeah, it was great till the end, which felt rushed and unsatisfactory.

Would you be willing to try another book from Elle Klass? Why or why not?

Yeah I want to find out what happened to the characters from this book. It says it's a trilogy. I hope it continues with this storyline.

What does Belle Burkhart bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I can see people being annoyed by her voice. Its super high-pitched and annoyingly cheery, but it was perfect for Sunshine. I would never have attached quite that pitch to her character but I think Belle Burkhart did a great job.

Was Eye of the Storm: Eilida's Tragedy worth the listening time?

Yes, again until the end. For me at least.

Eye of the storm

I enjoyed this book.It was a bit screwy at spots,but mostly made sense...in a round about way.Eilida discovers a tragedy and while running away,she takes a tumble ,putting her in a coma.The likeness between her and the receptionest at the local news office is too close for comfort for Sunshine,the receptionist.She digs and may not like what she finds. Belle Burkhart was a fine narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'