Series: Chronicles of the One
Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: Nov. 7, 2017
Preorder Link: Amazon
My Rating: 4 Promising ♥'s
*Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an arc of this book.
Synopsis:
It began on New Year’s Eve.
The sickness came on suddenly, and spread quickly. The fear spread even faster. Within weeks, everything people counted on began to fail them. The electrical grid sputtered; law and government collapsed—and more than half of the world’s population was decimated.
Where there had been order, there was now chaos. And as the power of science and technology receded, magic rose up in its place. Some of it is good, like the witchcraft worked by Lana Bingham, practicing in the loft apartment she shares with her lover, Max. Some of it is unimaginably evil, and it can lurk anywhere, around a corner, in fetid tunnels beneath the river—or in the ones you know and love the most.
As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. At the same time, other travelers are heading west too, into a new frontier. Chuck, a tech genius trying to hack his way through a world gone offline. Arlys, a journalist who has lost her audience but uses pen and paper to record the truth. Fred, her young colleague, possessed of burgeoning abilities and an optimism that seems out of place in this bleak landscape. And Rachel and Jonah, a resourceful doctor and a paramedic who fend off despair with their determination to keep a young mother and three infants in their care alive.
In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. But a purpose awaits them that will shape their lives and the lives of all those who remain.
The end has come. The beginning comes next.
The sickness came on suddenly, and spread quickly. The fear spread even faster. Within weeks, everything people counted on began to fail them. The electrical grid sputtered; law and government collapsed—and more than half of the world’s population was decimated.
Where there had been order, there was now chaos. And as the power of science and technology receded, magic rose up in its place. Some of it is good, like the witchcraft worked by Lana Bingham, practicing in the loft apartment she shares with her lover, Max. Some of it is unimaginably evil, and it can lurk anywhere, around a corner, in fetid tunnels beneath the river—or in the ones you know and love the most.
As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. At the same time, other travelers are heading west too, into a new frontier. Chuck, a tech genius trying to hack his way through a world gone offline. Arlys, a journalist who has lost her audience but uses pen and paper to record the truth. Fred, her young colleague, possessed of burgeoning abilities and an optimism that seems out of place in this bleak landscape. And Rachel and Jonah, a resourceful doctor and a paramedic who fend off despair with their determination to keep a young mother and three infants in their care alive.
In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. But a purpose awaits them that will shape their lives and the lives of all those who remain.
The end has come. The beginning comes next.
Review:
Nora Roberts is one of my favorite go-to authors - one I can count on for a great read in various genres. I discovered her writing years ago, starting with her first book in the Irish Legacy Series and reading my way through her extensive book list written as both Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb. I've enjoyed them all. When I heard the news Nora was stepping out of the box and venturing off in a new direction, I experienced a tingle of excitement and anticipation. An end-of-the-world as we know it fantasy saga from Nora Roberts? Yes please! I couldn't wait to see what she'd come up with. Having just read an arc copy of Year One, I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed.
Year One opens with a happy family gathering on New Year's Eve. And yet, amidst the celebration, something's not right. A premonition of something dark and evil invades the atmosphere, leaving an air of anxiety, of impending doom. A family member falls ill, then another and another. The uncontrollable sickness spreads like rabid wildfire, consuming families, neighborhoods, towns, cities, countries quickly leading to a global crisis and widespread panic. While a large part of the earth's population is wiped out, there are pockets of unique survivors who come out of the darkness and make their way toward the west, looking for answers, purpose, safety, and a new beginning. A story of loss and survival, despair and hope, good vs. evil, this is their journey - one in which they will discover the best and worst in other people, the power and magick within themselves, and the undeniable human desire for survival. I won't go into any story details beyond what is revealed in the blurb as this is a journey you'll want to take for yourself.
One of the things I've always loved and consistently found in Nora Roberts' stories is strong character and character relationship development. This author excels at introducing a variety of characters, showcasing their strengths and weaknesses, and setting them on an often difficult journey of self-discovery and survival. Year One is no different in that aspect. Characters from all walks of life are introduced and challenged with a near impossible task - surviving in a world gone mad. The horrors of death and devastation surround them as the darkness seizes control. The odds of survival are nearly insurmountable, and danger lurks around every corner . . . even disguised as trusted loved ones. And yet through it all, there's always a sense of hope, of finding the light, of discovery of something "more". And that's the feeling I was left with upon finishing this story. A feeling of promise and hope for the survival of goodness over evil, light over dark, and love over hate . . . hope for the survival of mankind in an apocalyptic world.
Year One brilliantly sets the stage for the second book in the Chronicles of One series which can't come soon enough. The shell-shocked cast of characters have set out on the journey of a lifetime, charged with the monumental task of survival while battling unknown forces of evil. In true Nora Roberts style, the plot line picks up each character's story, follows their journey, and eventually intertwines them all into one tightly woven yet unique tapestry. Vivid imagery is prevalent, bringing each scene to life by engaging all five senses - sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch - leaping off the page, pulling readers fighting and kicking into this apocalyptic world. An epic tale of survival, Year One is an intense, breathtaking, blockbuster story that would explode across the big screen! Kudos for following your light, Nora Roberts! I can't wait for more! A Must Read!
My Rating: 4 Promising ♥'s . . . And that's the truth!
Year One opens with a happy family gathering on New Year's Eve. And yet, amidst the celebration, something's not right. A premonition of something dark and evil invades the atmosphere, leaving an air of anxiety, of impending doom. A family member falls ill, then another and another. The uncontrollable sickness spreads like rabid wildfire, consuming families, neighborhoods, towns, cities, countries quickly leading to a global crisis and widespread panic. While a large part of the earth's population is wiped out, there are pockets of unique survivors who come out of the darkness and make their way toward the west, looking for answers, purpose, safety, and a new beginning. A story of loss and survival, despair and hope, good vs. evil, this is their journey - one in which they will discover the best and worst in other people, the power and magick within themselves, and the undeniable human desire for survival. I won't go into any story details beyond what is revealed in the blurb as this is a journey you'll want to take for yourself.
One of the things I've always loved and consistently found in Nora Roberts' stories is strong character and character relationship development. This author excels at introducing a variety of characters, showcasing their strengths and weaknesses, and setting them on an often difficult journey of self-discovery and survival. Year One is no different in that aspect. Characters from all walks of life are introduced and challenged with a near impossible task - surviving in a world gone mad. The horrors of death and devastation surround them as the darkness seizes control. The odds of survival are nearly insurmountable, and danger lurks around every corner . . . even disguised as trusted loved ones. And yet through it all, there's always a sense of hope, of finding the light, of discovery of something "more". And that's the feeling I was left with upon finishing this story. A feeling of promise and hope for the survival of goodness over evil, light over dark, and love over hate . . . hope for the survival of mankind in an apocalyptic world.
Year One brilliantly sets the stage for the second book in the Chronicles of One series which can't come soon enough. The shell-shocked cast of characters have set out on the journey of a lifetime, charged with the monumental task of survival while battling unknown forces of evil. In true Nora Roberts style, the plot line picks up each character's story, follows their journey, and eventually intertwines them all into one tightly woven yet unique tapestry. Vivid imagery is prevalent, bringing each scene to life by engaging all five senses - sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch - leaping off the page, pulling readers fighting and kicking into this apocalyptic world. An epic tale of survival, Year One is an intense, breathtaking, blockbuster story that would explode across the big screen! Kudos for following your light, Nora Roberts! I can't wait for more! A Must Read!
My Rating: 4 Promising ♥'s . . . And that's the truth!
Cross My
Heart . . . xxx
Sandra
2 comments:
Sounds like the beginning of a good series.
I think so, Barb! There's a lot on the line and an "unknown" factor playing out. I didn't discuss it all because I hate spoilers. I can't wait to see what happens!
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