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git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I can confirm that I will read everything written by Kelley Armstrong. She had me at DIMESTORE MAGIC in 2006 and I've read much of that series since. I've re-read some as audiobooks. I've read her YA series Darkest Powers as well as the Nadia Stafford series about the assassin for hire. The rest of her books are on the WWBL or on Mt Git'r'Read. Not many authors can write like this, several series and each with a unique voice.
I can only hope that the Cainsville series comes out in audio format at some time as I would gladly listen to OMENS. This is suspense + dark fantasy excellence.
Most outstanding is how strong the main character, Olivia, is. She finds out she's adopted and her true parents are notorious convicted serial killers. She discovers that she has a knack for research and investigation. She is stubborn and is definitely not a pushover. She can make a go of it even after removing herself from her adopted family's wealth and her life of luxury that has been all she's known.
She's scared but she keeps pushing forward. She battles the media, her family, families of the victims of her birth parents, the perceptions of the general public. She's always known she's different than her wealthy peers, but now she's getting to know just how different she is.
She doesn't exactly embrace it, but she grows to accept her enhanced difference.
The book reads as a suspense mystery with a tinge of magic and dark fantasy.
Definitely recommend.
I can only hope that the Cainsville series comes out in audio format at some time as I would gladly listen to OMENS. This is suspense + dark fantasy excellence.
Most outstanding is how strong the main character, Olivia, is. She finds out she's adopted and her true parents are notorious convicted serial killers. She discovers that she has a knack for research and investigation. She is stubborn and is definitely not a pushover. She can make a go of it even after removing herself from her adopted family's wealth and her life of luxury that has been all she's known.
She's scared but she keeps pushing forward. She battles the media, her family, families of the victims of her birth parents, the perceptions of the general public. She's always known she's different than her wealthy peers, but now she's getting to know just how different she is.
She doesn't exactly embrace it, but she grows to accept her enhanced difference.
The book reads as a suspense mystery with a tinge of magic and dark fantasy.
Definitely recommend.
traecrochet's review against another edition
4.0
This book was not what I was expecting at all. Its definitely more of a mystery with some hints of paranormal. I cannot wait to read the next one and learn more about Olivia, Gabriel, and Cainsville.
davecapp's review
4.0
I picked this book up on a whim, not being a fan of urban fantasy or books in related genres. But the story line sounded interesting and I was looking for a change of pace. What a pleasant surprise. The story line is compelling, and easily extends into multiple tracks (a long series), and the main character (2) development is detailed and believable. What’s most interesting is that the story may revolve around 2 main characters, but when you sit back and really think about it, the town of Cainsville is the 3rd character in the story, and by far the most complex, with many many more secrets to reveal. I look forward to book 2.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
4.0
Omens was a great read. It gave me slight Arcadia Bell by Jenn Bennett vibes with the town of Cainsville reminding me of the Morgansille vampires but delivered with Kelley Armstrong's distinctive style. I enjoy how she writes her characters. They don't see the world in black and white but see see all the colours in the morality rainbow. They have their own code of ethics and it's not static but changes as the world around them changes. I loved the little tidbits about the characters which didn't overall add much to the plot but helped flesh them out as people - these are the kinds of books I love to read because I am more interested in the characters than the adventures they go on.
Olivia is more than what she seems to be and it was fun getting to know who she really is as she works it out for herself. The town of Cainsville and its inhabitants are quirky and oh so mysterious. I can tell this series is only going to get more interesting as we find out more about them and I'm excited for that.
The plot was well paced and I loved how it came it together. It didn't rely on coincidences and everything worked in a way which felt natural for the story. I didn't expect all the things but it felt right to the plot and the characters. I'm curious for the future and will definitely be reading the next book as soon as I can.
Olivia is more than what she seems to be and it was fun getting to know who she really is as she works it out for herself. The town of Cainsville and its inhabitants are quirky and oh so mysterious. I can tell this series is only going to get more interesting as we find out more about them and I'm excited for that.
The plot was well paced and I loved how it came it together. It didn't rely on coincidences and everything worked in a way which felt natural for the story. I didn't expect all the things but it felt right to the plot and the characters. I'm curious for the future and will definitely be reading the next book as soon as I can.
bookswithlukas's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting start to a series.
Kelley Armstrong is mostly known for her supernatural urban fantasy series, 'The Women of The Otherworld' and judging from some of the one star reviews I see here, I think that people were kind of expecting the second coming of that. Instead, this is much closer in relation to her 'Nadia Stafford' female assassin series. Although this one does have a slight paranormal undertone.
The plot here deals with a rich, upperclass woman suddenly finding out that she was adopted by her current family at the age of two, and her biological parents are actually two of America's most notorious serial killers, think Bonnie and Clyde, but with some ritualism thrown into the murders.
I liked the main character here as she grows throughout the novel. In the beginning she is a rich, upperclass woman and by the end she is independent and supporting herself. Sure, the turnaround may come a little quickly, and she doesn't really do it all herself, but I appreciated that the author tried to stimulate some character growth throughout. It is clear that the author wants you to relate to the character, and obviously most people will find it hard to relate to someone who gets everything served to them on a silver platter.
The love interest was okay for me, which is pretty much a compliment since the love interest is usually the thing I hate most about these novels. He still fits that dangerous bad boy pedigree that surrounds this genre, but he has more personality and isn't as cheesy as most which I appreciated. There was a little plot line with a biker that doesn't go anywhere in this novel, and hopefully won't pop up in the next one. I don't want a love triangle here, please.
If there are any drawbacks to this novel, I will say that having recently read some of the authors other series, a few of the plot lines seem to have been re-used. The main character leaving an engagement to a suddenly unsuitable man was extremely similar to Elena in 'Bitten'. Also, the idea of the love interest being a lawyer who represents the MC to feed his reputation, but slowly falls for her was used in 'Dime Store Magic'. If these little plot repeats can be dropped, I think this will go on to be another addictive series for the author.
Overall, if you're looking for a more crime focused story with a slight pinch of the paranormal, this is a good find. The inclusion of welsh mythology also makes it a little more unique than most stories out there, and definitely separates itself from the pack.
Kelley Armstrong is mostly known for her supernatural urban fantasy series, 'The Women of The Otherworld' and judging from some of the one star reviews I see here, I think that people were kind of expecting the second coming of that. Instead, this is much closer in relation to her 'Nadia Stafford' female assassin series. Although this one does have a slight paranormal undertone.
The plot here deals with a rich, upperclass woman suddenly finding out that she was adopted by her current family at the age of two, and her biological parents are actually two of America's most notorious serial killers, think Bonnie and Clyde, but with some ritualism thrown into the murders.
I liked the main character here as she grows throughout the novel. In the beginning she is a rich, upperclass woman and by the end she is independent and supporting herself. Sure, the turnaround may come a little quickly, and she doesn't really do it all herself, but I appreciated that the author tried to stimulate some character growth throughout. It is clear that the author wants you to relate to the character, and obviously most people will find it hard to relate to someone who gets everything served to them on a silver platter.
The love interest was okay for me, which is pretty much a compliment since the love interest is usually the thing I hate most about these novels. He still fits that dangerous bad boy pedigree that surrounds this genre, but he has more personality and isn't as cheesy as most which I appreciated. There was a little plot line with a biker that doesn't go anywhere in this novel, and hopefully won't pop up in the next one. I don't want a love triangle here, please.
If there are any drawbacks to this novel, I will say that having recently read some of the authors other series, a few of the plot lines seem to have been re-used. The main character leaving an engagement to a suddenly unsuitable man was extremely similar to Elena in 'Bitten'. Also, the idea of the love interest being a lawyer who represents the MC to feed his reputation, but slowly falls for her was used in 'Dime Store Magic'. If these little plot repeats can be dropped, I think this will go on to be another addictive series for the author.
Overall, if you're looking for a more crime focused story with a slight pinch of the paranormal, this is a good find. The inclusion of welsh mythology also makes it a little more unique than most stories out there, and definitely separates itself from the pack.
hlizmarie's review against another edition
4.0
I pretty much read this in two days. I'm still not entirely sure of what the supernatural things are that play a big role in Cainesville but I'm loving that. There is plenty more story to tell here and I'll definitely along for the ride.
lemcclain8's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book. I had an incredibly hard time putting it down. I felt the same about two of her other books I've read as well. I'm always just propelled to figure out what happened next and next and next..
universalbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I am writing this review after re-reading this novel for the second time in preparation to read the fourth book in the series; before the fifth book comes out soon. So, contextually, I was more aware of the on-going side ploys and easter eggs this time around.
First, I would like to offer a suggestion for those just starting this series. Try to read the books sequentially. There is a lot of depth, complexity, and tongue in cheek irony you may miss by not reading the novels within one right after the other. I personally felt quite lost trying to read the third book a year after I'd read the second.
Now, for the story line. It's intriguing and unique, very fast paced and exciting. Armstrong fans will recognize a few of her favourite tropes - government conspiracies, brusque male characters with troubled backgrounds but soft hearts, and lots of mythology. For the most part I think the plot jives, even with an ending that leaves many a questions unanswered. The real standout for me with this series is the weaving in of welsh and gaelic dialect as clues to the overarching mystery.
Also, I have to say, fae and serial killers? An incredibly interesting premise.
First, I would like to offer a suggestion for those just starting this series. Try to read the books sequentially. There is a lot of depth, complexity, and tongue in cheek irony you may miss by not reading the novels within one right after the other. I personally felt quite lost trying to read the third book a year after I'd read the second.
Now, for the story line. It's intriguing and unique, very fast paced and exciting. Armstrong fans will recognize a few of her favourite tropes - government conspiracies, brusque male characters with troubled backgrounds but soft hearts, and lots of mythology. For the most part I think the plot jives, even with an ending that leaves many a questions unanswered. The real standout for me with this series is the weaving in of welsh and gaelic dialect as clues to the overarching mystery.
Also, I have to say, fae and serial killers? An incredibly interesting premise.