Storm of Visions

Storm of Visions
3 Stars
Synopsis:
The Chosen are men and women destined to use their powers for either good or evil. Jacqueline Vargha has always rejected her gift but now that Caleb D'Angelo has forced his way into her life, she can no longer deny her destiny.

Review:
An intelligent premise and an intricately constructed world. Nevertheless, it was difficult to get into the story and I eventually read it on my second attempt.

The beginning is very appealing and pulls you right in but the plot starts to lag once the Chosen Ones get together. It eventually picks up just past the middle and the ending is action packed. One of the most entertaining aspects is the sabotage subplot, which has enough red herrings to keep you guessing right up until the end. The paranormal elements are subtly woven into the characterization and the fact that each member of the Chosen Ones has their own unique ability is compelling.

Where Storm of Visions falls completely flat is with the romance, perhaps due to the fact that a large portion of the book is dedicated to world building rather than developing the relationship between the leads. In any case, Jacqueline and Caleb do have chemistry but this fails to compensate for their inability to make me care about them as a couple They both come off as cold and unfeeling, and it took too long for their backstory to be revealed (I might have liked them better if it had been forthcoming earlier). Jacqueline in particular is immature and annoying, and she does a sudden and inexplicable about face in terms of her feelings for Caleb that left me completely unconvinced.

The secondary characters fare a little better, and I am particularly interested in Samuel and Isabelle’s connection and in finding out the role of the “dead man” in subsequent books.

In sum, the writing is good and the underlying themes are interesting enough for me to continue reading the series. ( )

Very poor character development. Too many gaps and attention to worthless conversations. The storyline has good potential but she could not give it any depth or explanation. I did finish the book, so it gets two stars instead of one. She will not be someone I read again soon. ( )

I made an attempt to read this book and put it down for awhile. I finally completed reading approx a month later after I had read other books in between. I found it difficult to read without clarifying up front the talents of so many different characters. I found the book to be too mysterious, jumped around all over the place and did not make too much sense. When I started reading the second, I gathered more of an interest. I enjoyed how the book ended and am curious enough to read the second book. look forward to seeing whether or not the plot becomes clearer in the second book ( )

The Chosen series by Christina Dodd is good. How good? I read the first four in four days.

The contemporary concept is completely original in this world of cookie cutter paranormal romances. I liked it! The heroes, while not exactly normal like you and me, deal with some fairly normal issues not just pertaining to the paranormal world. How often do we see the hero overcome their doubts, get the girl and save the day? All the damn time. But is that real? Not to me. Floored, I read how the characters fight not only bad guys but themselves as well as they struggle to save the day. I loved it and you will too! ( )

Centuries of conflict stretching back to the earliest days of the Roman Empire have resulted in a present-day stand-off between the forces known as the Others and the Chosen. The Chosen, seven heroes with special powers, are selected from a group of orphans known as the Abandoned Ones every seven years. And for seven years they stand committed to oppose the machinations of the Others, who serve the Devil.

Unfortunately for this particular group of newly Chosen, the company known as the Gypsy Travel Agency - their cover - is nothing but a smoking hole in New York City skyline. With little help and only the most basic idea of the task ahead of them, seven strangers must learn to work together to save the world.

The opening novel features reluctant seer Jacqueline Vargha whose love for her mother's bodyguard may save her - or see her dead.

Not exactly strong. But an interesting enough premise that I tracked down the sequel. ( )