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Storm of Shadows (The Chosen Ones #2)

by Christina Dodd

3.93 · rating details · 1,032 ratings · 58 reviews

When the world was young, twins were born. One brought light to a dark world; the other, darkness and danger. They gathered others around them, men and women destined to use their powerful gifts for good or evil. Today, their descendants walk the earth as the Chosen, and the ultimate battle has begun.

THE CHOSEN ONES

Brilliant but proper and predictab...more

Mass Market Paperbound, 374 pages

Published September 1st 2009 by Signet Book

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Feb 03, 2011

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" rated it

Recommends it for: Readers who are looking for a different storyline in paranormal romance

Shelves: favorite-or-autobuy-author, paranormal-romance, owned-copy, favorites, warrior, nerd-prof-scientist-genius-geek, quest, part-of-a-series, hero-i-loved, possessive-and-or-jealous-hero, heroine-i-loved, native-american, interracial-romance, prophecy, exotic-setting-jungle-island-desert, modern-virgin-heroine

Although this wasn't perfect (but what is perfect in life?), I enjoyed it a lot. I liked the messages here, about grabbing onto love, even if nothing is guaranteed; facing your fears head on; choosing to do the right thing, even when walking away or being selfish is easiest; and finding value in something you might have overlooked. I could go on.

I feel that Ms. Dodd is finding her feet in the paranormal genre. I thought the first in this series, Storm of Visions, was rather awkwa...moreAlthough this wasn't perfect (but what is perfect in life?), I enjoyed it a lot. I liked the messages here, about grabbing onto love, even if nothing is guaranteed; facing your fears head on; choosing to do the right thing, even when walking away or being selfish is easiest; and finding value in something you might have overlooked. I could go on.

I feel that Ms. Dodd is finding her feet in the paranormal genre. I thought the first in this series, Storm of Visions, was rather awkward, the world-building taking precedence over the romance. I did not feel that way with this book. I felt there was a smooth integration of romance and paranormal storytelling here. Some things are still a bit shaky, but I think this series will become more solid with each book. Even still, I like the different sort of story she has here. The Chosen Ones, banding together to fight the Others. The pervasive presence of evil that the Chosen Ones face (both in human and supernatural form). I like how they were abandoned and unwanted, but have incredible gifts that can tip the balance of power. I'm still coming to know each Chosen One, yearning to know what their role will be, and that will keep me reading. I want the answers, and I want to see who they end up with!

Aaron was infectiously likeable as a hero, despite the fact that he didn't always come off as favorable in the narrative. He burned with raw intensity, but had a confidence, an urbane polish that allowed him to be utterly at home in high society and academia, even if he looked like a warrior in his GQ finery. However, he had some self-knowledge to face in this story. His beginning was heartbreaking and horrifying, and the path of his life wasn't an easy one by any stretch. He had to fight for everything he had in life, not always making the right choices. Aaron had to come to like and respect himself, and that journey made him so loveable. His chemistry with Rosamund was very appealing. Rosamund also did a lot of growing in this book, as well. I was glad that Ms. Dodd tricked me a little. I have some issues with makeover stories, and I was kind of worried this would turn into one where the heroine has to become a glamorous swan to be worthy of the hero. Not so. Long before her makeover, and long after, Aaron noticed the real Rosamund, the one he fell in love with, and it was kind of funny that he was annoyed that she seemed able to overlook him. Rosamund is a real, 100% bonafide nerd. I loved her for it. She is so immersed in her work and studies that she forgets about things like buying new clothes when her old ones get faded and frayed, she has no clue how to flirt, and I like how Aaron has to fight to earn her attention. It's a nice change. Deep down, though, Rosamund did notice Aaron, but it scared her, because her attraction to him had the power to rip away the barriers against hurt she had built when her mother and father died. It was easier to bury herself in the past, and to avoid love and emotions, but Aaron made that impossible for her. I love to read about intelligent, learned heroines, and that's definitely Rosamund. However, she is clueless about real life, and it was very endearing, others having to help her with the normal stuff, even though she is extremely smart about antiquities and ancient history. I liked that Aaron liked her knowledge and her intelligence. He didn't want to throw that away just for the outer package, although he did recognize the unpolished beauty she had from the beginning. So, with both the hero and the heroine in this book, I loved them, flaws and all. Like people in real life, I was able to care about them, even if they did things I didn't like. I thought they were a great couple together.

Dodd has a way of writing a delicious hero for this reader. Aaron wasn't so different. His layers appealed to me. I loved how protective he was of Rosamund, how she confounded him, how he was completely jealous of the other men who were all over her. He knew the real Rosamund, and that was the woman he wanted, and he wasn't afraid to fight for her. When Rosamund comes to accept how much Aaron means to her, in a pivotal, heartbreaking moment, I was completely plugged into this book, waiting to see what would happen next.

It's nice to read concise, straightforward writing, and that's Ms. Dodd's writing style. Even for its simplicity, the deeper levels were here. The mythology/lore was intriguing, and a little horrific at times. The story of the prophetess, and her ugly journey, where it led; the Sacred Cave, and how that related to Aaron from his birth, very fascinating elements. The people that Rosamund and Aaron encounter on their quest, and the dangers they faced. It kept me reading, even though the romance also appealed.

Although the paranormal aspects still need some polishing and developing (in my opinion), I thought this was a very enjoyable read, and the romance was wonderful. It's just short of five stars (because I am pretty picky about rating paranormal romance), but it definitely earned a 4.5/5.0 star rating.(less)

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Dec 27, 2009

Debbie rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance

The goal was to find a reputable and learned antiquities and linguistic expert to help find a prophecy that their seer thought would give them an edge in the battle against the Others. Aaron Eagle had known Dr. Hall from previous dealings, but walking into the museum style basement of the library and finding a younger, female Dr. Hall and then finding out that one of the Others had already contacted her had put him in a difficult mood. Finally convincing Dr. Rosamund Hall to take a look at Mr....moreThe goal was to find a reputable and learned antiquities and linguistic expert to help find a prophecy that their seer thought would give them an edge in the battle against the Others. Aaron Eagle had known Dr. Hall from previous dealings, but walking into the museum style basement of the library and finding a younger, female Dr. Hall and then finding out that one of the Others had already contacted her had put him in a difficult mood. Finally convincing Dr. Rosamund Hall to take a look at Mr. Irving Shea’s personal collection, the two made there way to the mansion where all of the new recruits were staying after an explosion wiped out most of the Chosen Ones. With a little bit of convincing, Aaron and Rosamund set out on a journey that would hopefully end with the information that they all needed to save the world from the Others, even if along the way they had to make some of the biggest sacrifices they ever thought they would.

Book 2 ….. I love a good series and this is turning out to be just that. While I didn’t enjoy the first book of this series as much as I did this one, it is still necessary to read it first. It is a true series - you probably (in my opinion) will not understand a lot of this one without the first one. The characters are all taking more shape and since the first book was heavy in the what and whys, this one can focus more on the who and whats. The prophecy is obvious especially after the search for it, but they do leave wondering if there is more to it. I am happy with Rosamund as an addition to their little group and the introduction of Davidov opens the door for so many more questions. The return of the main group is expected and the whole adventure of this book, while almost unnecessary, brings to light a lot of strengths and weaknesses to some of the individual as well as the group on a whole. I can only hope that this series keeps getting better, the better we get to know the characters. I am looking forward to the next of the series (according to Amazon.com it is: “Chains of Ice” - due out July 6, 2010 and “Chains of Fire” - due out September 7, 2010).(less)

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Aug 10, 2010

new_user rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, racially-diverse

Second book in Christina Dodd's Chosen Ones series, Storm of Shadows exceeds expectations. After the Storm of Visions disappointment, I was wary. Dodd bounces back with Shadows, story of Aaron Eagle and Rosamund Hall.

What illustrious names, you say! Rosamund's archaelogical parents named her after an English king's famously beautiful mistress, but while Rosamund follows in her parents' scholarly footsteps, she hardly considers herself "The Fair." Plain and a little frumpy,...more

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Nov 29, 2009

Cindy rated it

Good read although the series has yet to win the heart the way that the Darkness Chosen series did. That said, I'm still buying the books...

I liked Aaron and Rosamund He's all the 'gentleman thieves' we've loved from Robin Hood through the Saint. She's the 'absent mind professor' so wound up in her work that she'd miss Armageddon. When she manages to notice the real world she is socially clueless and can't figure out what the excitement is supposed to be about.

Althoug...more

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Nov 08, 2009

Kaleigha rated it

When I read the first book in the series, Storm of Visions, I gave it 3 stars. While I found it to be an interesting read with lots of potential for the storyline, there wasn't much romance. There was so much of the series plot to be established that the relationship between Jacqueline and Caleb had to take a back seat. In the second book, since the world of the Others has already been set up, Christina Dodd now has the luxury of focusing on the romantic side of things.

Aaron Eagl...moreWhen I read the first book in the series, Storm of Visions, I gave it 3 stars. While I found it to be an interesting read with lots of potential for the storyline, there wasn't much romance. There was so much of the series plot to be established that the relationship between Jacqueline and Caleb had to take a back seat. In the second book, since the world of the Others has already been set up, Christina Dodd now has the luxury of focusing on the romantic side of things.

Aaron Eagle is one of the Chosen, albeit a reluctant one. With his gift of being able to turn to black mist, he made a very good living as an antiquities thief. That was until the Gypsy Travel Agency stepped in and blackmailed him into being one of the Chosen Seven. This fledgling group of young heroes is all that is standing in the way of the Others destroying the world. When one of Aaron's tasks is to find an expert to track down a prophecy about the Chosen, he is led to Dr. Rosamund Hall. The frumpy and eccentrically brilliant Rosamund is like no one Aaron has met before. Despite his best moves, the good Doctor seems completely oblivious to his charms. And when Rosamund is lured back to Irving's mansion (the Chosen's home base) with the promise studying ancient artifacts and scrolls, Aaron is even more confused. While Aaron can't get Rosamund off of his mind, she doesn't seem to notice him at all.

Rosamund has devoted her life to study...and what she studies is so much more interesting than things like fashion. Or makeup. Or men. Well, most men. But while she becomes increasingly attracted to Aaron, she can't see how he would be interested in her. She knows she is smart, but she also knows that she is not his normal type. Even as she believes his interest in her is only to get information out of her, she gets more deeply involved in his world. As she and Aaron travel the world in search of a mysterious prophecy regarding the Chosen, she begins to live the life of adventure and romance she never thought she would have. But all of that comes with a great price...one that they will all have to pay.

I very much liked this one. Rosamund and Aaron are a great couple, and the buildup to their relationship is very well done. While usually the whole cliche of the frumpy but secretly beautiful just needing a makeover heroine gets on my nerves, I didn't mind it here at all. Maybe because Rosamund has a truly sweet nature, or maybe becuase Aaron seems to genuinely not care what Rosamund looks like, but it made me like her more. Aaron had a tragic past, but unlike some books where tragedy makes the hero cold and bitter until the love of a good woman changes him, Aaron was more subtle than that. He had his pain, he lived it, dealt with it, and moved on. I don't want to give too much away plot-wise, but there is plenty of action and drama, too. We learn a bit more about the fate of the seven, now six, Chosen, and have a very interesting new character come into the mix in the form of Vidar Davidov. I am not sure who's story is up next, but I will be on the lookout for it.(less)

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Mar 05, 2010

Jaime Atkins rated it

Shelves: read-in-2010

I gave the first book in this series, Storm of Visions, three stars. I would give this book 3.5 stars if I could. The second book started out better than the first, but still, I had a hard time getting the point of this series..... until the prophecy was revealed (AT THE END!!!). Then I said, "OK...NOW I get it."
I wasn't that crazy about Rosamund. I think for someone who was so smart, she was really dumb. The conclusive conversation between Rosamund and Aaron brought eve...more

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Sep 27, 2010

L.w. added it

I'm having a horrible time getting through this book...it's boring me to tears and I'm very disappointed....so far I haven't made it to page 100 because it's work to plow through it...I hope it picks up or this will be the first dud I've read from Ms. Dodd

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Dec 04, 2011

Diana rated it

Shelves: supernatural, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 03, 2011

Mary rated it

Dull and stereotyped. The librarian who is naive and doesn't realize she's really attractive, the Native American from the Sacred Cave, the old mentor, just feel like I've seen it all before and this didn't add anything new. Why is it there can only be 7 Chosen and 7 Others at a time? Is this like a hockey game or something? And Rosamund didn't seem smart; more like an idiot savant who is focused on her work. She does so many stupid things and doesn't learn from her mistakes that you just th...more

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Jul 18, 2010

Ally rated it

Shelves: 2010

Storm of Shadows takes place five days after Storm of Visions ended, it's a slow start to Storm of Shadows but slowly and surely the storyline does picks up.

Aaron Eagle has gone to speak to Dr Hill about prophies for the Chosen Ones but gets more than he bargains for as the previous Dr Hill has died and his daughter Rosamund has taken over from him. Aaron isn't the only Abandoned One to seek out Rosamund, the Others have beaten him to it. Now Aaron has to use his charm and skill to d...more

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Nov 23, 2009

Elena Reeds rated it

Shelves: supernatural-suspense

I do love Christina Dodd.

I liked this book a lot more than the first of the series but I am sad to say this series holds not flame to the darkness chosen series and I still don't really understand how they sort of fit together other than the presence of Alexandre (remember him? With memorable lines such as "mama don't squish" now he's all grown up!) but it is nothing new for Dodd to use minor characters from other series, she does it all the time.

Cute coupling i...more

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Feb 22, 2010

Shannon (Savhage Temptrest) rated it

I was amazed and thrilled at this sequel to Storm of Visions in the Chosen Ones Series! It was more fast-paced and action-packed read than the first, and the world of the Chosen and the Others was expanded just a bit more. Loved the humor and mystery in this book as well!

It also had a lot more romance and sexy scenes between the hero and heroine. Oh, I'll never look at champagne the same way! *blushes* I did like Aaron and Rosamund together as a couple. They offset one another...more

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Jul 27, 2010

Stacie added it

Rosamund is works at a library university with antiquities. Arron is one of the Chosen with special powers. He comes to Rosamund to use her talents to interpret prophecies made by the ancient. Rosamund pretty much ignores Arron while chasing after a handsome man named Lance. But then discovers that Lance is one of the Others full of evil and that he is just using her. Arron is being driven crazy because he is attracted to Rosamund and has never had anyone ignore him before.

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Dec 20, 2011

Marcia Berg Haskell rated it

Shelves: love-the-series, mystery, paranormal, romance, want-to-keep, series

"When the world was young, twins were born. One brought light to a dark world; the other, darkness and danger. They gathered others around them, men and women destined to use their powerful gifts for good or evil. Today, their descendants walk the earth as the Chosen, and the ultimate battle has begun.

THE CHOSEN ONES

Brilliant but proper and predictable, Rosamund Hill has lived her life buried in universities and libraries, discounting the legend of the Chosen as a my...more

· see review

Mar 12, 2010

Maria rated it

Shelves: science-fiction-fantasy

Although less confusing than the first book in the series, this book is still not quite there. I got moments in both books that seem to be reminiscent of a cross between X-Men and Harry Potter. Aaron Eagle's story is more condensed to the two main characters, Aaron and Rosamund, than Jaqueline's story was with Caleb, and the introduction of Davidov is intriguing, but I'm not yet taken with the series.

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Mar 30, 2011

Frankiea20 rated it

Having read the first book I knew I would love Aaron. He is dark and mysterious and gives off that bad bit vibe.
Because I am such a nerd I related well to Rosamund. Someday I hope my dream man finds me too, though I know it won't be in an antiquities library.

I preferred this book over the first one. The story line seemed much smoother and the background was much easier to follow.

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Nov 16, 2011

Evelyn rated it

I love Christina Dodd, whether it's one of her historical, paranormal or contemporary romances. For some reason I could not get into the first in the 'Chosed Ones' series ('Storm of Visions'), but the 2nd in the series (this book) made up for it. Both main characters are great, alot of action and locations in this book as the two hunt down a prophecy.

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Feb 25, 2011

Michele bookloverforever rated it

Shelves: paranormal-rom-series

I like the central female character. I like the hero. I like that both grow personally while undergoing their trials and tribulations. I like the peripheral characters. I like the love scenes. I just like this book! It's a bit humerous and thoroughly enjoyable if you like a good love story that occurs in the midst of chaotic evil.

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Oct 11, 2009

Book rated it

I continue to love this series and can't wait until she gets to the book that tells us more about the grown up child from the dark chosen one series. He is great in this! What makes this series so good is all the characters and a complex story line. I loved the traveling in this and the love story was very enjoyable.

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Feb 03, 2010

Laura Ritchie rated it

Shelves: fantasy, romance

This series just isn't nearly as entertaining as Darkness Chosen. There are too many plot problems, and I find myself often distracted. I did find the hero's ability to phase into a fog kind-of interesting.

Though I didn't love either novel so far, I will most likely read the rest of the series to see where things end up.

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Sep 24, 2009

Danica Avet rated it

I think I liked this book more than Storm of Visions because the heroine was just so different. I loved that she didn't fawn over the hero, driving him insane. It was a great story and I was sorry to see it end *pout*. I always hate for good books to end!

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Apr 28, 2010

Laura rated it

I recommend reading this one IMMEDIATELY after the first one. It's been a few months and I felt almost lost. The time frame picks up the day the first book ends Storm of Visions
But this one was also a much better book. I wouldn't have continued on after the first book, if this one hadn't been given to me. I am surprisingly glad I did. It's not that Storm of Visions was bad, by any means, but it wasn't so fantastic I wanted to read more. I will now make it a point to finish the series. The ...more

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Jan 14, 2011

Ai No rated it

In this second book from the Chosen Ones, the author has cleared one thing and that is, in order for the Chosen ones to succeed, they have to find their true love. I gave the book 4 stars for that reason only.

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Oct 16, 2010

Laura Ellis rated it

I like these books.. my guilty pleasure. I guess its better than watching reality television. and they take me a day to read. really they are like paranormal porn. haha

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Feb 05, 2010

Bridget rated it

Ooh i loved this book from the minute i picked it up until the last page! so good!! Aaron Eagle you little heart breaker...Can't wait to read the rest of them!!

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Feb 13, 2011

Lunasea rated it

Shelves: at-local-library, read-in-2011, sci-fi-fantasy, romance

Para Normal romance. I get my sci-fi/fantasy fix with a dash of romance. Only 4 stars due to the fact I thought the male lead needed more personality.

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Oct 05, 2011

Carol rated it

Recommends it for: Lovrs of PNR

Recommended to Carol by: self

Love it, picked up from where I can't recall but I liked the cover & it turns out to be a keeper. Will get the rest on my kindle.

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Nov 02, 2009

Becky rated it

Was slower than the first. Main characters had no spark. I do want to read the next one just because the story line is good.

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Sep 27, 2011

Samantha Bates rated it

· review of another edition

Although i liked it, i didnt find it as exciting as the previous series. Good story line and interesting characters.

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Jul 06, 2011

Heather rated it

This book was better than the first one, I really liked this story and the pacing was done very well!! I love Aaron and Rosamund!!!

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About Christina Dodd

Readers become writers, and Christina Dodd has always been a reader. As she was growing up, she read everything, but discovered, because she likes humor, that she liked romance best. In romance, the relationship between one man and one woman holds center stage, and that’s always good for a laugh.

A woman wants things like world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationshi...more

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