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Prophecy #1
Dust to Dust
Not long ago, Scott Bryant would have described himself as an ordinary guy. But one act of heroism has changed his life forever—or at least until the apocalypse occurs. Because the end of the world is on its way.
Suddenly and inexplicably possessed of superhuman strength, Scott finds himself allied with the enigmatic and alluring Melanie Regan in a quest to find the mysterious Oracle in hopes of averting the absolute destruction that threatens.
Melanie herself has been falling into trances, sketching terrifying visions of future events—and she wants answers. She knows better than Scott where to look for help, but even she cannot fathom the powers that have thrust them together in an epic battle of good against evil.
The earth itself will soon turn against its inhabitants, and now mortal and immortal must join forces if any are to survive.
Suddenly and inexplicably possessed of superhuman strength, Scott finds himself allied with the enigmatic and alluring Melanie Regan in a quest to find the mysterious Oracle in hopes of averting the absolute destruction that threatens.
Melanie herself has been falling into trances, sketching terrifying visions of future events—and she wants answers. She knows better than Scott where to look for help, but even she cannot fathom the powers that have thrust them together in an epic battle of good against evil.
The earth itself will soon turn against its inhabitants, and now mortal and immortal must join forces if any are to survive.
360 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 30, 2009
100 people are currently reading
1235 people want to read
About the author
Heather Graham
584 books6,922 followersAlso published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
September 17, 2020
Who knew the end of the world would be so boring?
Dust to Dust is an easy fast read but that's about it. I was super bored the whole time I was reading it. I never expected this to be a 5 star read but I did think it would be at least a 3 star read.
Dust to Dust is about a guy who discovers that he along with a mysterious group must avert to Apocalypse....also there are vampires. I knew just based on the cover that this was a vampire book but the book treats it like its a shocking plot twist.
I don't plan on ever thinking about this again. To the donate pile you go!
Dust to Dust is an easy fast read but that's about it. I was super bored the whole time I was reading it. I never expected this to be a 5 star read but I did think it would be at least a 3 star read.
Dust to Dust is about a guy who discovers that he along with a mysterious group must avert to Apocalypse....also there are vampires. I knew just based on the cover that this was a vampire book but the book treats it like its a shocking plot twist.
I don't plan on ever thinking about this again. To the donate pile you go!
March 14, 2017
3.5 At first I struggled to get into this book, but by the middle I couldn't put it down. I really liked the characters and the plot was very unique. The action scenes kept it moving and I am always a fan of Heather Graham's writing style. I am disappointed to see that this is the only book written in the series. Hopefully there will be some more!
July 24, 2013
The best method to enable the reader to get anything out of this book is imagine that you are watching one of those cheesy, awfully bad movies on SyFy channel. There, now you don't want to put your head through a plate glass while reading this book. My biggest problems with this book are the completely 2 dimensional characters and the dialogue that is not believable at all. Many of the characters aren't consistent, which I guess would be a very human trait as I don't know anybody that has 1 single patter and never wavers, but I felt as if I don't know any of the characters at all after reading this book. And don't get me started on the inconsistencies on actual life in Los Angeles compared to how its portrayed in this book. I got the impression that the author either has never been to LA, or visited once or twice and wrote based on a few superficial opinions. I'm not giving too much away by saying that an earthquake occurred, and everybody reacted in a way that is not believable.
Not to get all personal about the author or anything, but this example does not give me any confidence that I would enjoy anything that she has ever written, and I'm actually baffled how she became a best selling author. This book reads like a really good high school creative writing project. If I was an 11th grade English teacher I'd probably give the project an A, as I'm sure it's grammatically correct, and it is a creative idea (that's the 2nd star, the 1st one is just for the effort... I'm sure novel writing isn't easy, which is why I don't do it.), but this book just completely falls so very short.
Granted, I listened to the audiobook and the readers were terrible and probably would have made me hate Gone With The Wind.
Not to get all personal about the author or anything, but this example does not give me any confidence that I would enjoy anything that she has ever written, and I'm actually baffled how she became a best selling author. This book reads like a really good high school creative writing project. If I was an 11th grade English teacher I'd probably give the project an A, as I'm sure it's grammatically correct, and it is a creative idea (that's the 2nd star, the 1st one is just for the effort... I'm sure novel writing isn't easy, which is why I don't do it.), but this book just completely falls so very short.
Granted, I listened to the audiobook and the readers were terrible and probably would have made me hate Gone With The Wind.
October 11, 2017
This was supposed to be the first of four books in this series. It was written in 2008 in preparation for the much anticipated and longed for Mayan Apocalypse of 2012. Supposedly the second book was due out in 2010, but along with other reviewers, I have not been able to find evidence of any subsequent books in this series. Maybe she was just as disappointed in the so-called Apocalypse as I was and decided not to waste her time. :<)
I almost gave this three stars, because there were some things I liked about it and I thought the writing was pretty good....but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that if someone asked what I thought of it, I'd just have to say it was okay. Thus the two stars. I generally enjoy apocalyptic type books, and this was a bit better than the typical blah-blah-blah theme, but I groaned when the vampire aspect entered into the story. (I had not read any of the previous books in which the Alliance characters were introduced, so I was caught off guard.) Sorry, I just find vampires so boring (with the exception of the original Dracula!), although I have to say the way she presents them in this book is more tolerable than most recent authors. I do love a good supernatural story, and this one almost made it, but not quite enough for me.
I almost gave this three stars, because there were some things I liked about it and I thought the writing was pretty good....but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that if someone asked what I thought of it, I'd just have to say it was okay. Thus the two stars. I generally enjoy apocalyptic type books, and this was a bit better than the typical blah-blah-blah theme, but I groaned when the vampire aspect entered into the story. (I had not read any of the previous books in which the Alliance characters were introduced, so I was caught off guard.) Sorry, I just find vampires so boring (with the exception of the original Dracula!), although I have to say the way she presents them in this book is more tolerable than most recent authors. I do love a good supernatural story, and this one almost made it, but not quite enough for me.
November 15, 2009
Now, I was surprised, for some reason. The names on the back of the book, especially Melanie's, should've clued me in, but it hadn't, until I cracked open the book. Before getting to the prologue, Heather Graham wrote a note to her readers, explaining that the characters in this novel have been introduced before, in her Vampires series that she wrote as Shannon Drake. There are six books to the series that she wrote as Shannon Drake, and two more that she wrote under her own name. So, the characters were familiar to me. I do think, though, that if you haven't read the series, it won't make that big a difference. You learn who the characters are and what they mean to each other, so you don't really get that 'lost' feeling. At least, I don't think you will. Had I known this before I had suggested Dust to Dust for a mini group read, I wouldn't have, simply because I didn't know how Ms. Graham would bring the characters into the story.
With that said, on to my review.
**Spoiler Alert**
My fave genre, it had all the elements I like in a novel; paranormal, mystery and suspense, interesting characters, and a story line that intrigued me. It's a continuation from her Vampires series, but it is explained well so that you aren't missing anything.
Scott is a new character - he is not in any of the previous novels, so he was new to me. And I liked him, very much. Even after the 'weird' thing happened to him, he's an upstanding guy who does what is morally right, regardless of the danger to him. He isn't out to prove anything, but with the dreams he's having, with the events going on, he knows that he has to do what he must, that it's his destiny.
Melanie is a recurring character. And I still like her. She's a strong woman, very much like Scott, who will do what is necessary to keep people safe. Although she has accepted 'what' she is, her fear is what humans would think of her, of what Scott would think of her.
Many more characters return in this book as well; Maggie and Sean, Jade and Lucien, and Rainier, all characters that I loved from previous books.
Lucien and Scott actually meet in a dream before they meet face-to-face. Since the confrontation in the alley, Scott has been 'transformed'. He is stronger and faster than the average human, and his dreams keep pointing him to his destiny, and what he must do to protect the world. He is immediately attacted to Melanie, wondering who she is.
Melanie is a vampire, one who worries more about other people than herself. She risks herself time and again, to help those who need it, regardless of the danger. But something begins to happen; never able to draw more than a stick-figure, she's suddenly become an artist of museum quality, drawing pictures on everything from napkins, to her boarding pass, to the wall. Very lifelike, her drawings are of things that are either about to happen or of the past. Her destiny is with Scott, and Rainier, whom they run into in Rome, where they are to face an enemy.
While there isn't much of a mystery, they are wondering what is up with the strange dreams and events and why it's all happening. What I found interesting was the details about what was happening, the 'end of the world'. Or rather, the beginning of the end. Scott, Melanie and Rainier, all three signs of earth, need to work and battle together against the evil that threatens to destroy. The action is great. Watching Melanie and Scott fall for each other even better. Watching Scott accept Melanie for who and 'what' she is, after being told by Rainier, was interesting as well. He didn't run screaming, but he did have to figure it out, and I'm glad that it didn't scare him off. They compliment each other very well.
As I said, the details are great, but I was wishing there was more to the story. Obviously, by the time you reach the end of the novel, you know there is more, for the battle has just begun. I'm interested to see what's coming up next.
With that said, on to my review.
**Spoiler Alert**
My fave genre, it had all the elements I like in a novel; paranormal, mystery and suspense, interesting characters, and a story line that intrigued me. It's a continuation from her Vampires series, but it is explained well so that you aren't missing anything.
Scott is a new character - he is not in any of the previous novels, so he was new to me. And I liked him, very much. Even after the 'weird' thing happened to him, he's an upstanding guy who does what is morally right, regardless of the danger to him. He isn't out to prove anything, but with the dreams he's having, with the events going on, he knows that he has to do what he must, that it's his destiny.
Melanie is a recurring character. And I still like her. She's a strong woman, very much like Scott, who will do what is necessary to keep people safe. Although she has accepted 'what' she is, her fear is what humans would think of her, of what Scott would think of her.
Many more characters return in this book as well; Maggie and Sean, Jade and Lucien, and Rainier, all characters that I loved from previous books.
Lucien and Scott actually meet in a dream before they meet face-to-face. Since the confrontation in the alley, Scott has been 'transformed'. He is stronger and faster than the average human, and his dreams keep pointing him to his destiny, and what he must do to protect the world. He is immediately attacted to Melanie, wondering who she is.
Melanie is a vampire, one who worries more about other people than herself. She risks herself time and again, to help those who need it, regardless of the danger. But something begins to happen; never able to draw more than a stick-figure, she's suddenly become an artist of museum quality, drawing pictures on everything from napkins, to her boarding pass, to the wall. Very lifelike, her drawings are of things that are either about to happen or of the past. Her destiny is with Scott, and Rainier, whom they run into in Rome, where they are to face an enemy.
While there isn't much of a mystery, they are wondering what is up with the strange dreams and events and why it's all happening. What I found interesting was the details about what was happening, the 'end of the world'. Or rather, the beginning of the end. Scott, Melanie and Rainier, all three signs of earth, need to work and battle together against the evil that threatens to destroy. The action is great. Watching Melanie and Scott fall for each other even better. Watching Scott accept Melanie for who and 'what' she is, after being told by Rainier, was interesting as well. He didn't run screaming, but he did have to figure it out, and I'm glad that it didn't scare him off. They compliment each other very well.
As I said, the details are great, but I was wishing there was more to the story. Obviously, by the time you reach the end of the novel, you know there is more, for the battle has just begun. I'm interested to see what's coming up next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2009
I really liked this book, this is Heather Graham at her best and at the top of her game. The way she described the "Alliance" and how "they" overcome or overcame their baser desires to be something more. It reminded me of how we humans are in a constant inner sruggle to overcome and be something better.
Although I did wonder about Sister Maria Elizabetas "blood sacrafice" there at the end and how it came down to being the "essence" of holy as the turning point in their fight against Bael. How in every battle to do better, something must be given up to achieve that goal.
I really enjoy "good vs evil" books; doesn't matter if they are normal or paranormal, and how different authors play out this age-old never ending battle. If done well, (and this one is) it will transcend and become more than just another "vampire" book.
The characterizations was done well, although Melanie did get on my reading nerves every once in a great while, I understand she didn't want Scott to know about her being a vampire but after they realized just how important this trip to Rome was, she still held back, frustrating my reading nerves a little.
Overall; simply a good read! The only bad thing I see is that I have to wait (it seems like) forever to read the upcoming installment!
Although I did wonder about Sister Maria Elizabetas "blood sacrafice" there at the end and how it came down to being the "essence" of holy as the turning point in their fight against Bael. How in every battle to do better, something must be given up to achieve that goal.
I really enjoy "good vs evil" books; doesn't matter if they are normal or paranormal, and how different authors play out this age-old never ending battle. If done well, (and this one is) it will transcend and become more than just another "vampire" book.
The characterizations was done well, although Melanie did get on my reading nerves every once in a great while, I understand she didn't want Scott to know about her being a vampire but after they realized just how important this trip to Rome was, she still held back, frustrating my reading nerves a little.
Overall; simply a good read! The only bad thing I see is that I have to wait (it seems like) forever to read the upcoming installment!
August 15, 2013
Oh was this book good.
I raced through it, it was that easy to read and engaging. I mean you just dont want to put it down.
I love that the nature of the main characters, what they truly are is kept secret, just given little hints, till half way through the book. You get to know the characters without any preconceived notions regarding that type of person.
The violence, battle scenes are not graphic not is the love scene..all tastefully done while painting a vibrant picture and connecting you to what is happening to the characters.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
I raced through it, it was that easy to read and engaging. I mean you just dont want to put it down.
I love that the nature of the main characters, what they truly are is kept secret, just given little hints, till half way through the book. You get to know the characters without any preconceived notions regarding that type of person.
The violence, battle scenes are not graphic not is the love scene..all tastefully done while painting a vibrant picture and connecting you to what is happening to the characters.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
July 23, 2012
I finished it. Main male character was a dolt, but had super powers. Main female character was a twit, but had vampire powers. Vampire powers are better except when the world is ending and you need to choke a demon to death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2010
Not a bad bit of fiction. Character names were a little confusing Meg & Mel in to many fast conversations in the start together. Overall, pretty good with a nice moving plot and it built right.
June 27, 2019
I actually liked this book but there were obviously somethings idc for & I noticed idk how many misspellings & wrong use of words which isn’t to bad I guess I mean that didn’t really effect my rating or liking of the book much. I mean no one especially me is perfect. I kinda liked how they ended it explaining how things worked out & how things turned out for each character. But I am disappointed in the fact there was supposed to be a 2nd book back in like July 2010 & there were supposed to be 2 more books after that. So it says in the beginning it’s a standalone but it’s also the 1st book in a 4 book mini-series. That bugged me & still does I wish she would have went through with it. I see not everyone cared for this book but to each their own. I know I would have read the whole series & liked it if not loved it & it would have gotten a better rating from me for sure. Lastly I doubt it but If anyone finds out anything about this series or that she decides to finish this series please lmk I’d greatly appreciate it.
May 29, 2019
I didn’t like the characters, the story was plodding, and the author failed to write the three follow-on books that were foretold. “But other than that, how did you enjoy the play, Mrs. Lincoln?”
Scott and his friends attempt to stop an old couple from getting mugged/killed, and during the fight Scott gets super strength and speed. He starts having really bizarre dreams where skeletons can point and speak, and he can have conversations with other real life people who share the dream, but he can’t rally figure out what’s going on. Apparently he was supposed to find 12 other representatives of the zodiac (he’s Capricorn) and the Oracle, and stop the end of the world as foretold by the Mayans and a bunch of cults. Oh, and he falls in love with a beautiful vampire.
Scott and his friends attempt to stop an old couple from getting mugged/killed, and during the fight Scott gets super strength and speed. He starts having really bizarre dreams where skeletons can point and speak, and he can have conversations with other real life people who share the dream, but he can’t rally figure out what’s going on. Apparently he was supposed to find 12 other representatives of the zodiac (he’s Capricorn) and the Oracle, and stop the end of the world as foretold by the Mayans and a bunch of cults. Oh, and he falls in love with a beautiful vampire.
October 17, 2025
Was I entertained? Yes. Was it well written? Absolutely not. This was like reading a bad horror movie. The dialogue alone made me wonder if this author has ever had a conversation with another human being.
Spoilers:
It seems she started with the concept of using zodiac signs, but got lost halfway through and struggled to find ways to get them to fit into this story. There was a real struggle with juggling the zodiac signs, catholic undertones, and somehow a vampire romance. It was like she started writing and made it halfway through and thought vampires would really spice this story up. Zero connection as to why this random man was chosen to fight the apocalypse when two other vampires were chosen. The whole "Oracle" storyline switching to another character really had zero effect on the story so it was kind of not needed.
That being said, I was having a fun time.
Spoilers:
It seems she started with the concept of using zodiac signs, but got lost halfway through and struggled to find ways to get them to fit into this story. There was a real struggle with juggling the zodiac signs, catholic undertones, and somehow a vampire romance. It was like she started writing and made it halfway through and thought vampires would really spice this story up. Zero connection as to why this random man was chosen to fight the apocalypse when two other vampires were chosen. The whole "Oracle" storyline switching to another character really had zero effect on the story so it was kind of not needed.
That being said, I was having a fun time.
dnf
October 7, 2020I just could not get into this. I made it 100 pages and while I liked the characters I had a lot of trouble keeping the characters and multiple story lines straight. I didn't make it far enough into the story, but the implication is that Scott (I think that's his name although I could be completely wrong) will be paired up with Maggie or Melissa or Melanie (also doesn't help that the two friends both have M names), whichever one is the main character who isn't married and is unconsciously sketching. I kept waiting for their stories to merge but it hasn't happened yet and I have lost interest.
December 13, 2018
There were A LOT of grammar and spelling errors. Melanie was a very unenjoyable and annoying character to me. There are very dramatic scenes that the author made super short. The very end was terrible because it was supposed to be this huge battle of good against evil and they destroyed evil in like 5 minutes. This wasn’t a well written book. It’s almost as if the author wrote it in less than a week. She also got the characters confused a couple of time by writing the wrong name into a scene when that character wasn’t in that scene.
January 30, 2024
If this had been the first heather Graham book i had started to read i am sorry to say i probably wouldn't have continued reading her novels. if you are a person who likes to read about the world coming to a end and vampires are its savior then this book is the one for you.
I am sorry to say that i am not a vampire story favor reading so i couldn't honestly say this was one of my favorite reads.
I am sorry to say that i am not a vampire story favor reading so i couldn't honestly say this was one of my favorite reads.
November 6, 2019
This was an intriguing twist of end of the world, good versus evil, and generally what constitutes good and evil. Plus I'm a sucker for vampire stories too. This is a very good book. I highly recommend it.
April 21, 2022
The plot idea had a chance at being a really good book but instead I was left quite disappointed especially by the anti-climatic ending. At least it was a fast read or in this case listen although would have been nice to have had shorter chapters.
January 24, 2019
Interesting spin on the end of the world and who is needed to defeat the evil.
January 30, 2019
I liked the premise of this book. It's not a bad story, but it is written as if there will be part of a series. Unfortunately, I can't find any books that follow this one.
March 19, 2019
Interesting and quite a bit different from her other books. I rather liked even if I do not tend to like vampire books.
December 26, 2019
Couldn't quite get through the first one hundred pages. Clunky dialogue, convenient plot, and unrealistic reactions to natural disasters? Not for me.
July 10, 2021
Wow! This is a good read!
July 21, 2021
This was 4 stars because I was desperately in need of a fast paced action book full of vampires and sweet angelic nuns working together to overcome the apocalypse! Lol.
Read
August 6, 2021Totally disgusted because she published this in 2009 and there's still no book 2 in sight😠
Read
September 1, 2023Paranormal Romance, Fantasy & Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
Miniseries
The Prophecy (Book #1)
Miniseries
The Prophecy (Book #1)
October 4, 2023
Kind of annoying that the promised 4 book series only contains this one book.
November 26, 2010
As a big Heather Graham fan, I sat down to read this book the instant the postman delivered this. I've read almost all of her books so far & I've only read one that I thought was terrible. It seems that this one is vying for that position, but is only marginally better than "Picture Me Dead".
The story surrounds Scott Bryant, a guy who helps an elderly couple & gains super strength & speed. Immediately after this the story jumps to Melanie, an animal trainer who suddenly gains the powers to draw pictures of future catastrophes- and she's never before had the ability to draw. After a horrible earthquake, Scott & Melanie seem to keep running into each other until ultimately Scott discovers that he's one of several people destined to save the earth from Armageddon & evil beings bent on the destruction of mankind.
The story's biggest flaw is that it takes so long for things to get started & several parts of the story just weren't fleshed out enough. We learn straight away that Melanie is a part of a group called 'The Alliance', which confused me at first. I was given no information about this group or what made it's members special, so at first I flipped through the first few pages wondering if I missed something. We're given more information later on of course, but it would have been nice if there had been a bit more information given earlier in the book. The group's purpose is tied into another part later on in the book, so I get the impression that it's supposed to be a bit of a surprise. (Sadly though, my reaction was more of a "oh, that's why" reaction rather than the surprise it's supposed to be.) What would have been the harm in building up the purpose of the group earlier in the novel?
I just wasn't really liking this as much as I've liked her previous books. I'll give the next book in the series a try, but offhand I think that I might have to give this series a pass. This book was just sorta blah for me. It was just so freaking slow plot-wise that I couldn't really like the characters or empathize with them like I'd normally do with her books.
(ARC provided by amazon vine)
The story surrounds Scott Bryant, a guy who helps an elderly couple & gains super strength & speed. Immediately after this the story jumps to Melanie, an animal trainer who suddenly gains the powers to draw pictures of future catastrophes- and she's never before had the ability to draw. After a horrible earthquake, Scott & Melanie seem to keep running into each other until ultimately Scott discovers that he's one of several people destined to save the earth from Armageddon & evil beings bent on the destruction of mankind.
The story's biggest flaw is that it takes so long for things to get started & several parts of the story just weren't fleshed out enough. We learn straight away that Melanie is a part of a group called 'The Alliance', which confused me at first. I was given no information about this group or what made it's members special, so at first I flipped through the first few pages wondering if I missed something. We're given more information later on of course, but it would have been nice if there had been a bit more information given earlier in the book. The group's purpose is tied into another part later on in the book, so I get the impression that it's supposed to be a bit of a surprise. (Sadly though, my reaction was more of a "oh, that's why" reaction rather than the surprise it's supposed to be.) What would have been the harm in building up the purpose of the group earlier in the novel?
I just wasn't really liking this as much as I've liked her previous books. I'll give the next book in the series a try, but offhand I think that I might have to give this series a pass. This book was just sorta blah for me. It was just so freaking slow plot-wise that I couldn't really like the characters or empathize with them like I'd normally do with her books.
(ARC provided by amazon vine)
November 10, 2014
Despite this being the first book in the Prophecy series, it appears to connect with and contain a number of characters of the Alliance - another group of eight books published by Heather Graham between 1999 and 2007. And the heroes of this new adventure also appear to have extraordinary powers, including impressive strength and speed, while based upon the Zodiac Earth signs - Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo. Intrigued? So was I.
As is often the case, everything starts quite innocently, but the sequence of subsequent events make perfect sense - no matter how strange they appear. In fact, the author manages to reel the reader into the story and make them think, all of this could actually happen. That's how real those tales read and feel.
The new characters are well fleshed out, their actions are completely acceptable as do their backstories - in order to explain how and why they do and act in the various situations they find themselves in. Even those 'people' introduced during the Alliance-series have substance and come to life - with enough detail for the 'new reader' to understand what makes them tick, but without getting too deep into explanations to make them sound boring and/or repetitive to the avid follower of Heather Graham books.
The locations are described vividly and in great detail to make the reader feel as if they are actually there with the heroes of the novel - whether they have ever actually visited those places or not. The author is either very well travelled or really does do her research - chances are, both scenarios apply. Essentially, the story comes alive with intricate descriptions of the surroundings, be that buildings, the environment or the 'flair' and 'essence' of it all. Even the fact that Heather Graham tends to 'jump' from one group to another does not take away from the overall storylines and various plots running succinctly. With her characters often located in different areas, even countries - the connection between them and the part they play within the story is always smooth, well thought through and moves the tale along nicely to its conclusion.
As is often the case, everything starts quite innocently, but the sequence of subsequent events make perfect sense - no matter how strange they appear. In fact, the author manages to reel the reader into the story and make them think, all of this could actually happen. That's how real those tales read and feel.
The new characters are well fleshed out, their actions are completely acceptable as do their backstories - in order to explain how and why they do and act in the various situations they find themselves in. Even those 'people' introduced during the Alliance-series have substance and come to life - with enough detail for the 'new reader' to understand what makes them tick, but without getting too deep into explanations to make them sound boring and/or repetitive to the avid follower of Heather Graham books.
The locations are described vividly and in great detail to make the reader feel as if they are actually there with the heroes of the novel - whether they have ever actually visited those places or not. The author is either very well travelled or really does do her research - chances are, both scenarios apply. Essentially, the story comes alive with intricate descriptions of the surroundings, be that buildings, the environment or the 'flair' and 'essence' of it all. Even the fact that Heather Graham tends to 'jump' from one group to another does not take away from the overall storylines and various plots running succinctly. With her characters often located in different areas, even countries - the connection between them and the part they play within the story is always smooth, well thought through and moves the tale along nicely to its conclusion.
November 3, 2009
for amazon vine review...
Author Heather Graham is a NY Times best-selling author of more than a hundred novels in the romance and sub-genres of romance. Her books have been on the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. She’s currently the VP of the Horror Writers’ Association. She resides in Florida.
One act of heroism had changed Scott Bryant’s life forever. Now, with superhuman powers, Scott has teamed up with the alluring Melanie Regan after both having mysterious dreams about finding a woman known as the Oracle. With prophesies claiming end of days in 2012, both Melanie and Scott need to find the third earth sign to complete their union and stop their part against evil. Because now the mortal and immortal must join forces if anyone is to survive.
This is book one in The Prophesy series, with four books in total. Though this book stands alone, I don’t think I could stand not reading the rest Book two is set for release in July 2010.
I can’t fathom how much research it must have taken to write this fictional book. It delves in to cultures from all over the globe and various religions, as well as prophesies claimed by them. With true accounts, I was most pleased that this book followed an idea that all religions, cultures, mortals, and immortals must come together to save humanity, also claiming that no one is wrong or right, that we all choose to have faith in different ways. This book follows the three earth signs- Virgo, Taurus, and Capricorn- as they fight the first of four battles for earth. I’m fascinated by all the references to twelve also, (prophesies, astrological chart, months, moons). Where this sounds overly eccentric and religious, the book was not. It was a fantasy and/or paranormal romance. A well written one, as Heather Graham rarely if ever lets her fans down. A must read!
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
Author Heather Graham is a NY Times best-selling author of more than a hundred novels in the romance and sub-genres of romance. Her books have been on the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. She’s currently the VP of the Horror Writers’ Association. She resides in Florida.
One act of heroism had changed Scott Bryant’s life forever. Now, with superhuman powers, Scott has teamed up with the alluring Melanie Regan after both having mysterious dreams about finding a woman known as the Oracle. With prophesies claiming end of days in 2012, both Melanie and Scott need to find the third earth sign to complete their union and stop their part against evil. Because now the mortal and immortal must join forces if anyone is to survive.
This is book one in The Prophesy series, with four books in total. Though this book stands alone, I don’t think I could stand not reading the rest Book two is set for release in July 2010.
I can’t fathom how much research it must have taken to write this fictional book. It delves in to cultures from all over the globe and various religions, as well as prophesies claimed by them. With true accounts, I was most pleased that this book followed an idea that all religions, cultures, mortals, and immortals must come together to save humanity, also claiming that no one is wrong or right, that we all choose to have faith in different ways. This book follows the three earth signs- Virgo, Taurus, and Capricorn- as they fight the first of four battles for earth. I’m fascinated by all the references to twelve also, (prophesies, astrological chart, months, moons). Where this sounds overly eccentric and religious, the book was not. It was a fantasy and/or paranormal romance. A well written one, as Heather Graham rarely if ever lets her fans down. A must read!
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
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