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joyousreads132's review against another edition
4.0
Kelley Armstrong’s brand new series jettisons her readers into a mystical town full of secrets and ominous dangers. The town of Cainsville, with its nebula of mystery and equally mysterious townsfolk will have the readers salivating for its seemingly dark history.
If you’re a reader of her previous work (The Women of Otherworld), you will be hard-pressed to find anything substantially supernatural about Omens. As it is the first book of a trilogy, all it has so far are hints and innuendos. That doesn’t mean, however, that this book will reduce you to a yawning, bored reader. It’s just as menacing and gripping.
The book stars a socialite heiress who suddenly found herself in a reversal of fortune of some sort. While she could survive having to live within her means, the fact that she’s just found out she’s the daughter of serial killers might be a little tough to swallow. On the run from the paparazzi who hounded her and abandoned by her family and her former fiancé, she immediately got a taste of what life is like without those she’s counted on for most of her life. But Olivia Taylor-Jones cannot be defeated that easily. With her biological parents’ portentous lawyer’s help, she goes and investigates the murders that her parents apparently committed.
Armstrong has been a pioneer when it comes to creating strong female characters; and Olivia or Eden is pretty much ripped from the same cloth. The woman didn’t even blink or bat an eyelash when she realized she’d had to wait tables for a living while investigating the crimes. The town that she found herself settling in certainly has its charms but what appealed to me more was the different omens and what they represented. It was informative to say the least.
I’ve only been a fan Armstrong’s YA novels so I can’t really say much about her adult paranormal series. What I can glean from them though was her penchant to write romances that are not dictated by trend or what her readers would like. There’s barely any romance here to speak of. What you will be treated to are a couple of headstrong, jousting characters. Sparks fly but not in the way you’d imagine. I’m looking forward to see more developments in this area for sure.
Fans of Women of Otherworld may find this intro to be a sluggish read but new readers will find this a fantastic beginning to what is gearing up to be an exciting, bloody series. Kelley lives for build-up and this book is a testament to that.
If you’re a reader of her previous work (The Women of Otherworld), you will be hard-pressed to find anything substantially supernatural about Omens. As it is the first book of a trilogy, all it has so far are hints and innuendos. That doesn’t mean, however, that this book will reduce you to a yawning, bored reader. It’s just as menacing and gripping.
The book stars a socialite heiress who suddenly found herself in a reversal of fortune of some sort. While she could survive having to live within her means, the fact that she’s just found out she’s the daughter of serial killers might be a little tough to swallow. On the run from the paparazzi who hounded her and abandoned by her family and her former fiancé, she immediately got a taste of what life is like without those she’s counted on for most of her life. But Olivia Taylor-Jones cannot be defeated that easily. With her biological parents’ portentous lawyer’s help, she goes and investigates the murders that her parents apparently committed.
Armstrong has been a pioneer when it comes to creating strong female characters; and Olivia or Eden is pretty much ripped from the same cloth. The woman didn’t even blink or bat an eyelash when she realized she’d had to wait tables for a living while investigating the crimes. The town that she found herself settling in certainly has its charms but what appealed to me more was the different omens and what they represented. It was informative to say the least.
I’ve only been a fan Armstrong’s YA novels so I can’t really say much about her adult paranormal series. What I can glean from them though was her penchant to write romances that are not dictated by trend or what her readers would like. There’s barely any romance here to speak of. What you will be treated to are a couple of headstrong, jousting characters. Sparks fly but not in the way you’d imagine. I’m looking forward to see more developments in this area for sure.
Fans of Women of Otherworld may find this intro to be a sluggish read but new readers will find this a fantastic beginning to what is gearing up to be an exciting, bloody series. Kelley lives for build-up and this book is a testament to that.
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first book that I read by Kelley Armstrong, and it did not disappoint!! I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and how every few chapters there was an “interlude” chapter narrated by side characters. I also thought that Olivia Taylor-Jones was a believable character (for the most part anyway), and her dialogue with Gabriel was great!
This isn’t a hugely intellectual novel by any means, but it is enjoyable and a perfect vacation read. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoy paranormal murder mysteries with a dash of romance (but no real love triangle).
This isn’t a hugely intellectual novel by any means, but it is enjoyable and a perfect vacation read. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoy paranormal murder mysteries with a dash of romance (but no real love triangle).
nickystrickland's review against another edition
4.0
Looking forward to seeing where this new series by Kelley Armstrong is going to head. I also like the "Easter egg" concepts scattered throughout the book (though I didn't act on them as reading - too involved in the story).
arimcewan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
flajol's review against another edition
4.0
First off, I've included this in my paranormal and urban fantasy lists on Goodreads because there are hints of a paranormal underworld that I expect will be explored further on in the series, but for this first installment, there are really just nods towards that world. Omens reads much more like a straightforward thriller, so if fantasy isn't your cup of tea, don't let that classification put you off.
Armstrong has set up an interesting world - Olivia has been raised as the daughter of a leading Chicago family, with all the privilege and wealth that entails. However, shortly before her wedding to a fellow Chicago worthy, she finds out she's actually adopted, and her biological parents are notorious serial killers. Hounded by the press and suddenly abandoned by her emotionally distant adoptive mother, Olivia hides out. Whilst in hiding Olivia decides she's going to try and find out more about her natural parents, and many adventures ensue.
An enjoyable read, and I liked the hints at a darker world lurking in the background. I hope that will be explored further in future books, and I'll be surprised if it doesn't have a direct bearing on the Larsen's case.
Armstrong has set up an interesting world - Olivia has been raised as the daughter of a leading Chicago family, with all the privilege and wealth that entails. However, shortly before her wedding to a fellow Chicago worthy, she finds out she's actually adopted, and her biological parents are notorious serial killers. Hounded by the press and suddenly abandoned by her emotionally distant adoptive mother, Olivia hides out. Whilst in hiding Olivia decides she's going to try and find out more about her natural parents, and many adventures ensue.
An enjoyable read, and I liked the hints at a darker world lurking in the background. I hope that will be explored further in future books, and I'll be surprised if it doesn't have a direct bearing on the Larsen's case.
bellasmom613's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I was a fan of the Darkest Powers and Darkness Rising series, so when I saw this book I was extremely curious to read it.
I was pleasantly surprised with the genre of this book. I was impressed with Kelley's ability to weave an intriguing mystery book. I loved that there wasn't a lot of paranormal aspects to this book. I think that the omens, gargoyles, and animals were nice subtle hints. I enjoyed the short chapters told from the third person point of view. It really added to the overall mystery of the novel. I am definitely excited to read the second book.
I was pleasantly surprised with the genre of this book. I was impressed with Kelley's ability to weave an intriguing mystery book. I loved that there wasn't a lot of paranormal aspects to this book. I think that the omens, gargoyles, and animals were nice subtle hints. I enjoyed the short chapters told from the third person point of view. It really added to the overall mystery of the novel. I am definitely excited to read the second book.
khaleesiwest's review against another edition
5.0
I'm enjoying this story, it's different than what I'm familiar with in her previous works but I really like it. Looking forward tot he next installment in the series.
frawst_disasta_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Kelley Armstrong, as usual, writes a fantastic novel featuring a lovely female character. I LOVE Elena from the Otherworld series, so not as into this new character, probably because she's new. I need time to get to know her.
The writing itself is fast paced. I am excited to see where this series goes. BUT, I did find character development a bit...rushed, in the beginning of this work.
The writing itself is fast paced. I am excited to see where this series goes. BUT, I did find character development a bit...rushed, in the beginning of this work.