Book Review: Visions by Kelley Armstrong

Title: Visions
Series: Cainsville, Book 2
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Sensuality Rating: Sensual
Source: bought
Published: August 19, 2014 by Dutton

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.

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Reviewed by: Lesley

Why I Read This Book: I enjoyed the first book in this series, Omens, and was excited to jump back into this world and hopefully get some answers to many of the questions left open in book one.

What I Liked: This series just keeps getting stronger. Thankfully, this book gives some answers about what’s going on in Cainsville and who, or what, the residents are. The paranormal elements of this series are closer to the surface in this book, which I liked.

I really like the way that Kelley Armstrong uses occasional, short chapters told from other characters’ POVs to reveal bits of information. Since the majority of the story is told first person from Olivia’s POV, we usually only know things as she learns them. Throwing in a few hints of other characters’ viewpoints and thoughts lets the reader in on some of the secrets in a way that enhances the plot rather than spoiling it.

I like that, although there are some stumbling blocks and they do step on each other’s toes, Gabriel and Olivia actually start becoming friends in this book. Also, more of Gabriel’s backstory is revealed which makes watching the way he navigates interacting with Olivia more entertaining. And I am so, so happy that Gabriel/Olivia/Ricky didn’t really turn into a messy and irritating love triangle, at least not yet.

What I Didn’t Like: I don’t have any major complaints about this one. There were moments where Olivia and Ricky’s relationship comes off a little odd, but it’s still in keeping with the plot and character motivations. I also would have liked a bit more time spent on Olivia’s parents and their innocence/guilt, but I still felt the plot was strong and in keeping with the series story arc regardless.

Overall Impression: A great addition to the Cainsville series. I would definitely recommend reading Omens first or you’ll miss a lot about what’s going on and important information about the characters. Visions is a wonderful Urban Fantasy read: unique characters, a good mystery plot, a touch of romance, and a spooky little town with lots of secrets.

Lesley’s Rating: