Wednesday, September 9, 2015

#Wednesday Review - Visions by Kelley Armstrong (Urban Fantasy)

Series: Cainsville # 2
Format: Hardcover, 448 pages
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Publisher: Dutton
Source: Library
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Omens, the first installment in Kelley Armstrong’s exciting new series, introduced Olivia Taylor-Jones, daughter of notorious serial killers, and Gabriel Walsh, the self-serving, morally ambiguous lawyer who became her unlikely ally. Together, they chased down a devious killer and partially cleared her parents of their horrifying crimes.

Their success, however, is short-lived. While Olivia takes refuge in the old, secluded town of Cainsville, Gabriel’s past mistakes have come to light, creating a rift between the pair just when she needs his help the most.

Olivia finds a dead woman in her car, dressed to look like her, but the body vanishes before anyone else sees it. Olivia’s convinced it’s another omen, a sign of impending danger. But then she learns that a troubled young woman went missing just days ago—the same woman Olivia found dead in her car. Someone has gone to great lengths to kill and leave this young woman as a warning. But why? And what role has her new home played in this disturbing murder?


Olivia’s effort to uncover the truth places her in the crosshairs of old and powerful forces, forces that have their own agenda, and closely guarded secrets they don’t want revealed. 



Visions is the second installment in the Cainsville series by author Kelley Armstrong. 24-year old Olivia Taylor-Jones aka Eden Larsen, is the daughter of notorious serial killers, Todd and Pamela Larsen. It has been 3 weeks since she fled her adopted families home after news about her parentage came out and she found an apartment in Cainsville, Illinois where things aren't exactly what they seem. Olivia is a character who can interpret omens and see portends. Olivia's world is anything but boring. In this story, it appears that Olivia is the main focus of more than a few groups who want her to bend to their will and comes face to face with Cainsville's darkest secrets. 

Olivia's got other problems as well. Her ex-fiance James Morgan once again tries to get her into marrying him since he has his eyes on a Senate run and needs Olivia in order to get the support he needs. He also has a group wanting Olivia to get away from Gabriel. You have the secretive lawyer Gabriel Walsh who has been working on Olivia's real mothers appeal and rushing to her aide almost every time Olivia gets her self into hot water. But, he's also betrayed her several times, and did some rather unforgivable things. But, obviously that isn't enough for Armstrong. She adds yet another character to the ring around the rosie, everyone wants Olivia! His name is Ricky Gallagher, and he is the son of a biker gang leader Don Gallagher and Gabriel's client. You met him in the first book Omens, but this time he comes out with his big guns blazing!

If you are looking for heat aka romance, look no further than that of Ricky and Olivia's sexcapades. I am not sure if it will go anywhere, but Armstrong is notorious for her love triangles and therefore, I expect Ricky to be around until the end of the series which is apparently Five books. Personally, for me, this is all just a testosterone laced  contest to see who has the biggest dick around. I still think that Gabriel is the best match for Olivia, but again, Armstrong likes to tease and torture her readers right until the very last paragraph of her series. So, even though I loathe triangles, I shall try to bite my tongue off.

Olivia/Eden has a whole lot of "revelations" in this novel including finding about her own abilities, and what the town's so called leaders who have been secretive up to this point, have been doing with the children of Cainsville. I hate to say I told you so, but I told you after reading Omens that I figured out why Olivia and the others are different. Good thing that Olivia gets involved in a mystery of Ciara Conway to keep her occupied. Good thing she starts seeing Giant black hounds, visions of the dead, and visions of a time long ago passed to make her aware she's not normal. Good thing that Olivia gets a bit brave and ballsy in her determination not to be lead around by her nose. Good thing Rose is there for Olivia, and Gabriel to ask so many revealing questions!

Next up: Deceptions (Cainsville # 3) 


Other Books in series:



4 comments:

  1. Oh I'd like to get to more of her books. I liked her writing but haven't had the time to squeeze the books in with all others here and life. Thanks for sharing about the series!

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  2. I'm really enjoyed this book. I still need to get to book three.

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