Fierce as the Wind, Tara Wilson Redd
Fierce as the Wind, Tara Wilson Redd
List: $23.00 | Sale: $16.10
Club: $11.50

Fierce as the Wind

Author: Tara Wilson Redd

Narrator: Jade Wheeler

Unabridged: 7 hr 42 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/22/2021


Synopsis

Heartbreak pushes one Hawaiian girl to find her strongest self in this authentic and emotional story of personal transformation that's perfect for fans of The Running Dream.

When Miho's boyfriend breaks up with her without warning, all she can see is red--the color of blinding fury and pain, and the color of the fire she sets in an oil drum on the beach, burning every scrap of their memories.

It's spring of senior year in Oahu, and while her friends are getting ready for college, Miho's deep in her misery, delivering pizzas on her bike. But then inspiration strikes: she'll do a triathlon. The training is brutal for a girl who has never even run a mile--though she can bike and swim. With the constant support of her friends and her dad, Miho digs deep to find just how fierce her determination is and how many obstacles she can overcome.

Acclaimed author Tara Wilson Redd explores the intersections of race and class, and heartbreak and hope, with authentic honesty.

About The Author

TARA WILSON REDD, a graduate of Reed College, grew up all over the United States, including in St. Louis, Seattle, and Central Oregon. A lifelong runner, she finally caught the triathlon bug and completed her first Ironman in 2019. She lives in Washington, DC, where she works in libraries (when she's not on her bike). The Museum of Us was her first novel. Visit her online at tarawilsonredd.com and on Instagram and Twitter (@tarawilsonredd).


Reviews

I’m a sucker for any running book, and this didn’t disappoint!!......more

Goodreads review by Tara

A unique sports book about a Hawaiian teen who starts training for a triathlon after a bad breakup. I loved all the elements that dealt with training and perseverance, but I didn't find the breakup to be a believable reason for the start of Miho's training.......more

Goodreads review by Yukai

A 3.5 stars rating . A great story about working hard to achieve a goal. After her boyfriend broke up with her, Miho turns to sports to help her cope with the breakup. When something bad happens to us, we need to find other activities to focus on. Improving herself and working to become better .......more

Goodreads review by Toni

Not only does the story feature how challenging yourself to do something hard builds confidence in other areas of your life but also touched on racism, homophobia and micro-aggression.......more

Goodreads review by Mark

What worked: Miho’s determination to recover from a devastating breakup is the impetus behind the plot. She’s dumped by her “boyfriend” of two years when she learns he’s going to marry another girl he got pregnant. It’s amusing that he’s called Scumbucket for most of the plot. Miho decides to enter H......more


Quotes

Praise for Fierce as the Wind

“A powerful coming-of-age story full of grit.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Redd hones each facet to near perfection." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Miho and her friends navigate privilege, identity, and institutional inequality. These are complex topics, but the main focus is the characters’ goal of loving and supporting a friend." SLJ

“I cheered with Miho with every thrilling mile through the streets and surf of Oahu. What a glorious ride!” —Sarah Deming, author of Gravity

“Tara Wilson Redd’s quick writing style and rich imagery make for an immersive literary getaway that kept me racing through the pages. Strong-willed Miho takes us on an intimate ride around her island hometown as she navigates the flotsam of a broken heart, triathalon training, and adolescence itself.” —Josh Sundquist, author of We Should Hang Out Sometime

“Lessons found in sport: life doesn’t follow a plan, success is achieved through team, a new beginning is often painful. Miho discovers, as I did, that hard work and innovation pave the path to victory in both life and athletics.” —Gwen Jorgensen, 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, 2014 and 2015 World Champion triathlete