Taquoma is award-winning author Kevin D. Miller’s fourth novel. I have thoroughly enjoyed and admired his previous works and Taquoma is no exception. I would describe it as a high-octane action adventure thriller with an apocalyptic overlay. Once I started it, I couldn’t and didn’t put it down.

I immediately related to the main character – Yara Del Rey, a volcanologist on the brink of receiving her PhD. Of both Hawaiian and Mexican descent, Yara is a strong young woman who stands by her principles in the face of disenfranchisement from her university supervisor and other renowned scientists. She endures arrest for disagreeing with this group in their plan to deal with a possible eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera – one of the most powerful and destructive volcanoes on earth.
Her arrest leads her to meet Jerry Red Sky, a Native American who agrees with her stand about “Mother Earth” and bails her out of jail. She is desperate to conduct further research into the true state of the Yellowstone Caldera so he introduces her to his son, Clayton Red Sky. He operates a hot-air balloon business. She hires him to take her up to view and photograph the caldera from the air.

Their trip aloft is the beginning of non-stop, edge-of-your-seat drama, danger, and action that carries you through the rest of the book. Sensitive to spoilers, I’ll only add that Yara has a six-year-old daughter Kalani who has a cat named Shasta. When they came onstage they wormed their way into my heart and remain major characters in the narrative that follows.
Taquoma is a unique read in my experience. Though it is high-action, Miller’s provocative and well-written book embodies love in many forms, human resilience, and a message about the earth we take for granted. I highly recommend Taquoma to all fans of a great story that may well grab you by the throat.

This book takes you on an amazing journey. Finished it in less than 2 days I could not put it down.
I highly recommend it. Kevin Miller knows how to draw you in and keep you there.

A thrilling ride

I have thoroughly enjoyed every title that I have read from this talented author, and this book was definitely no exception. I feel like this book was special because it was almost like a complete trilogy all in one volume. The characters were endearing and complex, and the action was nonstop. I have often wondered what might happen if our beloved Yellow Stone were to erupt, and this story probably comes pretty close to being accurate. It is obvious that much research was done before writing this novel. I highly recommend it to all readers.

A Wild Ride

Another great book by Kevin D. Miller! Kevin’s books always have characters to root for, and stories that surprise you every step of the way. This book is no exception! Another impossible-to-put-down story.
As a side note, the author clearly did a ton of research; while the story was entertaining, it was also quite educational.

Kevin D. Miller is a master storyteller!

Taquoma is a spell-binding tale with non-stop twists and turns including earthquakes, volcanoes, nuclear attacks, and confrontations with island natives. Vivid language places readers in the middle of the action from start to finish.

If you’re looking for an entertaining adventure, that hopefully will remain fiction, Taquoma will exceed your expectations and leave you waiting for Miller’s next novel.

Amazing!

This book takes you on an amazing journey. Finished it in less than 2 days I could not put it down.
I highly recommend it. Kevin Miller knows how to draw you in and keep you there

Gripping from start to finish
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2023

Gripping from start to finish. Miller knows how to get his audience involved and keep them reading. Relevant with what's going on today

“Taquoma” by Kevin D. Miller is a read that will immerse you into history, mythology, volcanology, expedition, and devotion, all at once. It is intensely researched and well-illustrated to perfection, with drama and high-stakes conflict that draws the reader straight in. The main character is an incredibly dedicated amateur volcanologist, whose thinking and perspective make her a fan favorite early into the read.

The writing throughout is superb: solidly researched and vividly detailed, and will provoke lots of reflection regarding morality, honor, and human decisions. Conclusively, if you want a breathtaking disaster thriller that will send you on a wild adventure, then look no further. “Taquoma” wins on all fronts!

Don't mess with Mother Nature!

Kevin Miller keeps you enthralled with the adventurous journey of a volcano expert. Each chapter produces a creative plot that makes the reader keep going. I read it in one day. It culminates with what mother nature is capable of doing (hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, flooding, etc.) It relates to current-day greed and human-caused pollution that could make this story a reality.

“Taquoma” by Kevin D. Miller is a high-octane adventure thriller, with an apocalyptic overlay of earthquakes, volcanoes, nuclear attacks, and confrontations.

Yara Del Rey is a Ph.D. student who grew up in Washington State, and whose fixation with volcanos has its basis in fearsome fables that sparked her profound fascination at a young age. As she goes about collecting data for her dissertation in geology, Yara is alarmed by the arrival of strangers who have been allotted a duty by the head of the United States Geological Survey, to locate and transport her to the airport for an urgent mission. As she later comes to learn, her prowess has placed her in the sights of the USGS and NASA authorities, who have recommended her as a reputable member of a team of scientists who are carrying out an emergency task for the country.

Yara can’t believe her ears when the lead scientist mentions an imminent eruption at Yellowstone, which may be one of a kind in the history of human existence. The team’s idea to drill around the volcano to help cool the magma chambers not only sounds outlandish and perilous to the likable volcanologist, but a ludicrous plan that would catalyze the eruption immensely. However, little known to Yara is an existing agenda that the rest of the team appears eager to ratify, begging the question of why they are more focused on the benefits therein, why the previous volcanologist walked away, and why Yara was specifically recruited as a replacement.

“Taquoma” by Kevin D. Miller is a read that will immerse you into history, mythology, volcanology, expedition, and devotion, all at once. It is intensely researched and well-illustrated to perfection, with drama and high-stakes conflict that draws the reader straight in. The main character is an incredibly dedicated amateur volcanologist, whose thinking and perspective make her a fan favorite early into the read.

The writing throughout is superb: solidly researched and vividly detailed, and will provoke lots of reflection regarding morality, honor, and human decisions. Conclusively, if you want a breathtaking disaster thriller that will send you on a wild adventure, then look no further. “Taquoma” wins on all fronts!