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The Chosen Ones #3
Chains of Ice
For one magic summer, Genny Valente escapes to spend time as a wildlife observer in the untamed mountains. Little does she know that a beast more fearsome than any leopard lurks in the forest...a man, one of the Chosen Ones, betrayed by his gift and tormented by his memories.
John Powell has fled his fate and his duty, yet in Genny he sees his one chance for redemption. He will stalk her, kidnap her, love her as only a savage can. But when a new betrayal threatens, John must call on the powers he swore he'd never use again. Then only Genny's love can save him...if she dares to tame the one man she can't live without...
John Powell has fled his fate and his duty, yet in Genny he sees his one chance for redemption. He will stalk her, kidnap her, love her as only a savage can. But when a new betrayal threatens, John must call on the powers he swore he'd never use again. Then only Genny's love can save him...if she dares to tame the one man she can't live without...
424 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 6, 2010
About the author
Christina Dodd
123 books5,268 followersNew and Newsworthy:
— FORGET WHAT YOU KNOW Out now!
Forget what you know…yet the past remembers.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
— WELCOME TO GOTHIC an audio exclusive https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
— POINT LAST SEEN Out now!
When you’ve already died, there should be nothing left to fear… https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Readers become writers, and Christina has always been a reader. Ultimately she discovered she liked to read romance best because the relationship between a man and a woman is always humorous. A woman wants world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants a Craftsman router, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will make his bald spot disappear.
When Christina’s first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?
Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before she was published. Now her fifty-nine New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels — paranormals, historicals, and suspense — have been translated into twenty-five languages, recorded on Books on Tape for the Blind, been called, “Books To Read If You Love Nora Roberts!”by Bookbub and the year’s best by Amazon and Library Journal. Dodd herself has been a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle (11/18/05, # 13 Down: Romance Novelist named Christina.) Booklist calls her, "Wildly entertaining, wickedly witty."
Christina is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.
Want to know what Christina and The Husband are up to next? Join her mailing list for updates! https://www.christinadodd.com/newslet...
(Source: http://www.christinadodd.com )
— FORGET WHAT YOU KNOW Out now!
Forget what you know…yet the past remembers.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
— WELCOME TO GOTHIC an audio exclusive https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
— POINT LAST SEEN Out now!
When you’ve already died, there should be nothing left to fear… https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Readers become writers, and Christina has always been a reader. Ultimately she discovered she liked to read romance best because the relationship between a man and a woman is always humorous. A woman wants world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants a Craftsman router, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will make his bald spot disappear.
When Christina’s first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?
Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before she was published. Now her fifty-nine New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels — paranormals, historicals, and suspense — have been translated into twenty-five languages, recorded on Books on Tape for the Blind, been called, “Books To Read If You Love Nora Roberts!”by Bookbub and the year’s best by Amazon and Library Journal. Dodd herself has been a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle (11/18/05, # 13 Down: Romance Novelist named Christina.) Booklist calls her, "Wildly entertaining, wickedly witty."
Christina is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.
Want to know what Christina and The Husband are up to next? Join her mailing list for updates! https://www.christinadodd.com/newslet...
(Source: http://www.christinadodd.com )
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
January 30, 2012
The Chosen Ones is really shaping up as a paranormal romance series. And this one is my favorite so far. It has the 'right stuff' to be a good read for me.
My Thoughts:
*I loved John. His powers. His wounded heart. His passion. His goodness. I loved the whole outcast/hermit/mountain man thing he had going on. He was rocking the dreds, overgrown beard, animal skins, and cowboy hat. I know it sounds goofy. But he totally was. And his abilities, the awesomeness!!! How he can control energy and use it to manifest force fields, and make a woman happy in an intimate moment with those powers. I think it's readily apparent that John is one of the most powerful of the Chosen Ones thus far. And he'll make a great leader. I really liked Genny too. She was a good woman, coming out of her overbearing father's shadow. I like that she decided to take control of her life, and she didn't settle for less than she deserved from John or anyone else.
*The storyline was good. How John was once on a team of Chosen Ones with Gary (the dude who was in a coma the first two books). Gary turned out to be a glory-hound loser who got his team killed, although he blamed it on John. But before that, he just had to sleep with John's wife. What up with that? So when John finds out, he's not a happy camper, but he still tries to save both his wife, Gary and the rest of the team on an ill-fated mission. When he fails to save all but Gary, he becomes a dropout, and goes back to the place of his birth, the rasputye in Russia. That's where he meets Genny. Genny's father signed a deal to pay for Genny's trip to Russia to study the endangered lynx cat, something she's always wanted to do. To make up for that, she has to try to recruit John to come back to the Chosen Ones. She really doesn't want to do it, but she doesn't have much choice. When she meets the illusive John Powell, sparks fly. Not only that, she really liked John. He's a nice guy, gentle despite his fearsome reputation and in harmony with the natural world that she loves so much. But the town doesn't trust or like John, because of their fear of the rasputye and those strange folks that come and go from the area. They do the Frankenstein thing, and John and Genny have to flee into that magical world between worlds. And John isn't the sweet guy she thought she knew when he finds out she came to recruit him back to the Chosen Ones. He turns into a real wild man then! That wasn't all bad though. (grins)
*This story felt a lot more linear and coherent than the first two books, although the second one was a lot better than the first, with a better romance story. The romance in this one really shines. I liked that the beginning of the book shows the development of Genny and John's relationship, and the last part of the book shows how they relate to the group of the Chosen. At this point, I am a lot more invested in the team of Chosen, and my mind is speculating on where the storyline will take them.
*The paranormal elements are nicely different from some of the other paranormal series. I particularly like the mythos of the Chosen Ones and the Others. Both children coming from a background of being forsaken/abandoned children with abilities. If they are lucky, the Abandoned Ones get the chance to have a good life, and form bonds that allow them to use their powers for good, becoming the Chosen Ones. If not, they end up on the dark side, serving evil as The Others. And evil is a demanding boss.
Final Thoughts:
Yeah! This series won't have universal appeal. But I really like it. I like the way Christina Dodd writes romance. I must admit that I love her heroes. Her heroines are women you like. And together they are magic. I wasn't sure how well this series would work, but I must say it's working very well. So, five stars for this one from me.
Merged review:
The Chosen Ones is really shaping up as a paranormal romance series. And this one is my favorite so far. It has the 'right stuff' to be a good read for me.
My Thoughts:
*I loved John. His powers. His wounded heart. His passion. His goodness. I loved the whole outcast/hermit/mountain man thing he had going on. He was rocking the dreds, overgrown beard, animal skins, and cowboy hat. I know it sounds goofy. But he totally was. And his abilities, the awesomeness!!! How he can control energy and use it to manifest force fields, and make a woman happy in an intimate moment with those powers. I think it's readily apparent that John is one of the most powerful of the Chosen Ones thus far. And he'll make a great leader. I really liked Genny too. She was a good woman, coming out of her overbearing father's shadow. I like that she decided to take control of her life, and she didn't settle for less than she deserved from John or anyone else.
*The storyline was good. How John was once on a team of Chosen Ones with Gary (the dude who was in a coma the first two books). Gary turned out to be a glory-hound loser who got his team killed, although he blamed it on John. But before that, he just had to sleep with John's wife. What up with that? So when John finds out, he's not a happy camper, but he still tries to save both his wife, Gary and the rest of the team on an ill-fated mission. When he fails to save all but Gary, he becomes a dropout, and goes back to the place of his birth, the rasputye in Russia. That's where he meets Genny. Genny's father signed a deal to pay for Genny's trip to Russia to study the endangered lynx cat, something she's always wanted to do. To make up for that, she has to try to recruit John to come back to the Chosen Ones. She really doesn't want to do it, but she doesn't have much choice. When she meets the elusive John Powell, sparks fly. Not only that, she really liked John. He's a nice guy, gentle despite his fearsome reputation and in harmony with the natural world that she loves so much. But the town doesn't trust or like John, because of their fear of the rasputye and those strange folks that come and go from the area. They do the Frankenstein thing, and John and Genny have to flee into that magical world between worlds. And John isn't the sweet guy she thought she knew when he finds out she came to recruit him back to the Chosen Ones. He turns into a real wild man then! That wasn't all bad though. (grins)
*This story felt a lot more linear and coherent than the first two books, although the second one was a lot better than the first, with a better romance story. The romance in this one really shines. I liked that the beginning of the book shows the development of Genny and John's relationship, and the last part of the book shows how they relate to the group of the Chosen. At this point, I am a lot more invested in the team of Chosen, and my mind is speculating on where the storyline will take them.
*The paranormal elements are nicely different from some of the other paranormal series. I particularly like the mythos of the Chosen Ones and the Others. Both children coming from a background of being forsaken/abandoned children with abilities. If they are lucky, the Abandoned Ones get the chance to have a good life, and form bonds that allow them to use their powers for good, becoming the Chosen Ones. If not, they end up on the dark side, serving evil as The Others. And evil is a demanding boss.
Final Thoughts:
Yeah! This series won't have universal appeal. But I really like it. I like the way Christina Dodd writes romance. I must admit that I love her heroes. Her heroines are women you like. And together they are magic. I wasn't sure how well this series would work, but I must say it's working very well. So, five stars for this one from me.
My Thoughts:
*I loved John. His powers. His wounded heart. His passion. His goodness. I loved the whole outcast/hermit/mountain man thing he had going on. He was rocking the dreds, overgrown beard, animal skins, and cowboy hat. I know it sounds goofy. But he totally was. And his abilities, the awesomeness!!! How he can control energy and use it to manifest force fields, and make a woman happy in an intimate moment with those powers. I think it's readily apparent that John is one of the most powerful of the Chosen Ones thus far. And he'll make a great leader. I really liked Genny too. She was a good woman, coming out of her overbearing father's shadow. I like that she decided to take control of her life, and she didn't settle for less than she deserved from John or anyone else.
*The storyline was good. How John was once on a team of Chosen Ones with Gary (the dude who was in a coma the first two books). Gary turned out to be a glory-hound loser who got his team killed, although he blamed it on John. But before that, he just had to sleep with John's wife. What up with that? So when John finds out, he's not a happy camper, but he still tries to save both his wife, Gary and the rest of the team on an ill-fated mission. When he fails to save all but Gary, he becomes a dropout, and goes back to the place of his birth, the rasputye in Russia. That's where he meets Genny. Genny's father signed a deal to pay for Genny's trip to Russia to study the endangered lynx cat, something she's always wanted to do. To make up for that, she has to try to recruit John to come back to the Chosen Ones. She really doesn't want to do it, but she doesn't have much choice. When she meets the illusive John Powell, sparks fly. Not only that, she really liked John. He's a nice guy, gentle despite his fearsome reputation and in harmony with the natural world that she loves so much. But the town doesn't trust or like John, because of their fear of the rasputye and those strange folks that come and go from the area. They do the Frankenstein thing, and John and Genny have to flee into that magical world between worlds. And John isn't the sweet guy she thought she knew when he finds out she came to recruit him back to the Chosen Ones. He turns into a real wild man then! That wasn't all bad though. (grins)
*This story felt a lot more linear and coherent than the first two books, although the second one was a lot better than the first, with a better romance story. The romance in this one really shines. I liked that the beginning of the book shows the development of Genny and John's relationship, and the last part of the book shows how they relate to the group of the Chosen. At this point, I am a lot more invested in the team of Chosen, and my mind is speculating on where the storyline will take them.
*The paranormal elements are nicely different from some of the other paranormal series. I particularly like the mythos of the Chosen Ones and the Others. Both children coming from a background of being forsaken/abandoned children with abilities. If they are lucky, the Abandoned Ones get the chance to have a good life, and form bonds that allow them to use their powers for good, becoming the Chosen Ones. If not, they end up on the dark side, serving evil as The Others. And evil is a demanding boss.
Final Thoughts:
Yeah! This series won't have universal appeal. But I really like it. I like the way Christina Dodd writes romance. I must admit that I love her heroes. Her heroines are women you like. And together they are magic. I wasn't sure how well this series would work, but I must say it's working very well. So, five stars for this one from me.
Merged review:
The Chosen Ones is really shaping up as a paranormal romance series. And this one is my favorite so far. It has the 'right stuff' to be a good read for me.
My Thoughts:
*I loved John. His powers. His wounded heart. His passion. His goodness. I loved the whole outcast/hermit/mountain man thing he had going on. He was rocking the dreds, overgrown beard, animal skins, and cowboy hat. I know it sounds goofy. But he totally was. And his abilities, the awesomeness!!! How he can control energy and use it to manifest force fields, and make a woman happy in an intimate moment with those powers. I think it's readily apparent that John is one of the most powerful of the Chosen Ones thus far. And he'll make a great leader. I really liked Genny too. She was a good woman, coming out of her overbearing father's shadow. I like that she decided to take control of her life, and she didn't settle for less than she deserved from John or anyone else.
*The storyline was good. How John was once on a team of Chosen Ones with Gary (the dude who was in a coma the first two books). Gary turned out to be a glory-hound loser who got his team killed, although he blamed it on John. But before that, he just had to sleep with John's wife. What up with that? So when John finds out, he's not a happy camper, but he still tries to save both his wife, Gary and the rest of the team on an ill-fated mission. When he fails to save all but Gary, he becomes a dropout, and goes back to the place of his birth, the rasputye in Russia. That's where he meets Genny. Genny's father signed a deal to pay for Genny's trip to Russia to study the endangered lynx cat, something she's always wanted to do. To make up for that, she has to try to recruit John to come back to the Chosen Ones. She really doesn't want to do it, but she doesn't have much choice. When she meets the elusive John Powell, sparks fly. Not only that, she really liked John. He's a nice guy, gentle despite his fearsome reputation and in harmony with the natural world that she loves so much. But the town doesn't trust or like John, because of their fear of the rasputye and those strange folks that come and go from the area. They do the Frankenstein thing, and John and Genny have to flee into that magical world between worlds. And John isn't the sweet guy she thought she knew when he finds out she came to recruit him back to the Chosen Ones. He turns into a real wild man then! That wasn't all bad though. (grins)
*This story felt a lot more linear and coherent than the first two books, although the second one was a lot better than the first, with a better romance story. The romance in this one really shines. I liked that the beginning of the book shows the development of Genny and John's relationship, and the last part of the book shows how they relate to the group of the Chosen. At this point, I am a lot more invested in the team of Chosen, and my mind is speculating on where the storyline will take them.
*The paranormal elements are nicely different from some of the other paranormal series. I particularly like the mythos of the Chosen Ones and the Others. Both children coming from a background of being forsaken/abandoned children with abilities. If they are lucky, the Abandoned Ones get the chance to have a good life, and form bonds that allow them to use their powers for good, becoming the Chosen Ones. If not, they end up on the dark side, serving evil as The Others. And evil is a demanding boss.
Final Thoughts:
Yeah! This series won't have universal appeal. But I really like it. I like the way Christina Dodd writes romance. I must admit that I love her heroes. Her heroines are women you like. And together they are magic. I wasn't sure how well this series would work, but I must say it's working very well. So, five stars for this one from me.
October 15, 2010
Chains of Ice includes all the typical Christina Dodd ingredients: heat, aggressive menz, and, unique to her Chosen Ones series, team members!
John Powell differs from smooth, dangerous Aaron Eagle ( Storm of Shadows ) and loud, brash Samuel Faa ( Chains of Fire ). He's exceptionally calm, sensitive and possessed of sound judgment. He's good leadership material. Following an accident with his team, he's also a little... dangerous. "Crazy," "wild," "violent," they say. Genny Valente's just agreed to bring him out of the woods.
I liked Genny. She's reasoning, intelligent, and warm. She doesn't make a lot of Too-Stupid-to-Live decisions, but she doesn't upstage the hero, the secondary characters, and their mothers at every turn either. I think Dodd's familiar with more cooperative (versus competitive) environments, for which I'm thankful. I liked John (I like John Angry too, huhuhuhu. That's my sleazy laughter.) He's really a sweet fellow. Most of all, I liked them together. Unlike many romance couples, these two actually suit. They're both well-reasoning individuals, if John has issues. I like how she grows. I like that John finally gets his well-deserved happily-ever-after.
Dodd's readers will notice that her ratio of adventure to romance can vary widely. Ice features more romance, although John and Genny adventure often enough in the woods. Still, the mortal danger's not extreme. There are, in fact, no kidnappings. Tension arises from John's and Genny's dynamic, their distrust and trust, secrets and wounds, without melodrama. Further, the romance includes a little woo-woo, but for all that, I enjoyed Ice, and Dodd continues to show us that super powers can be fun. May I applaud you, Dodd, for writing superheroes that know what to do with them. ;)
She is also really exercising her humor in this series, and I am loving it! She has a very down-to-earth, understated sense of humor.
I'm going to give a shout-out here to Samuel, Isabelle, and the rest of the Chosen Ones. I really liked the different personalities conveyed and the team's dynamic, everyone filling a role and welcome despite their differences. I have to admit I was disappointed with Gary White. He showed potential in Shadows.
Some problem pacing and lack of explanation at one or two points detracted a little from the novel, but I am looking forward to Chains of Fire with Romany hero, Samuel Faa, and what she'll do with that brassy mofo, LOL. Note that this series is best read in order, since a few events or mysteries continue from previous books. Check out Storm of Visions from your local library.
John Powell differs from smooth, dangerous Aaron Eagle ( Storm of Shadows ) and loud, brash Samuel Faa ( Chains of Fire ). He's exceptionally calm, sensitive and possessed of sound judgment. He's good leadership material. Following an accident with his team, he's also a little... dangerous. "Crazy," "wild," "violent," they say. Genny Valente's just agreed to bring him out of the woods.
I liked Genny. She's reasoning, intelligent, and warm. She doesn't make a lot of Too-Stupid-to-Live decisions, but she doesn't upstage the hero, the secondary characters, and their mothers at every turn either. I think Dodd's familiar with more cooperative (versus competitive) environments, for which I'm thankful. I liked John (I like John Angry too, huhuhuhu. That's my sleazy laughter.) He's really a sweet fellow. Most of all, I liked them together. Unlike many romance couples, these two actually suit. They're both well-reasoning individuals, if John has issues. I like how she grows. I like that John finally gets his well-deserved happily-ever-after.
Dodd's readers will notice that her ratio of adventure to romance can vary widely. Ice features more romance, although John and Genny adventure often enough in the woods. Still, the mortal danger's not extreme. There are, in fact, no kidnappings. Tension arises from John's and Genny's dynamic, their distrust and trust, secrets and wounds, without melodrama. Further, the romance includes a little woo-woo, but for all that, I enjoyed Ice, and Dodd continues to show us that super powers can be fun. May I applaud you, Dodd, for writing superheroes that know what to do with them. ;)
She is also really exercising her humor in this series, and I am loving it! She has a very down-to-earth, understated sense of humor.
I'm going to give a shout-out here to Samuel, Isabelle, and the rest of the Chosen Ones. I really liked the different personalities conveyed and the team's dynamic, everyone filling a role and welcome despite their differences. I have to admit I was disappointed with Gary White. He showed potential in Shadows.
Some problem pacing and lack of explanation at one or two points detracted a little from the novel, but I am looking forward to Chains of Fire with Romany hero, Samuel Faa, and what she'll do with that brassy mofo, LOL. Note that this series is best read in order, since a few events or mysteries continue from previous books. Check out Storm of Visions from your local library.
October 12, 2010
SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW
I've read the first 2 books in the Chosen Ones series, and I like the idea of the series, very cool new concept (there really is only so much an author can do with the good vs. evil theme).
So, that being said, I might have some small spoilers in here just for the sake of being able to get my feelings across, and for summary purposes (because the back of the book doesn't remotely come close to what happens in this book).
Genny has known about the legend of the Chosen Ones since she was a small girl, and her father worked for the Gypsy Travel Agency (Chosen One's cover operation). Her father stole from the GTA and was caught, so he spent the rest of his life "perfecting" Genny into what he felt she should be to realize his dreams. But poor little Genny, poor little doormat for her father Genny. She wants to be a Park Ranger, not an attorney. But keeping daddy happy is the name of the game. After she graduates, her father does the most surprising, most wonderful thing ever...he actually surprises her with a trip to Siberia to study the linxes there! My goodness did Genny's father actually do something nice?
Don't hold your breath-he wants her to recruit a former Chosen named John Powell who is rumored to be stalking the forests out there.
And btw, John's from the previous Chosen team that was destroyed, leaving Gary in a coma, and John went nuts...supposedly...
So Genny, ever optimistic just thinks about going to Russia and trying to catch a glimpse of the lynx. But she catches a glimpse of John.
Her team members are all there for the lynx as well, or are they?
John is stalking her. And he will get her.
They begin to fall in love as well as lust, and I love how Genny loves John in his "yeti" mountain-man form, and when he cleans up, oh swoon is he gorgeous!
But John was in this random remote Siberian town for a reason, the rasputye (remember where Aeron Eagle's story was? this is a different entrance) are here and he and Genny are chased into them. But not before John finds out Genny was there to find him and bring him back to the GTA. (or so they both think-really it may not have been the Chosen looking for him, but rather the Others!) He feels Genny's betrayal far deeper than that of his late wife and friend Gary, or that of his mother, or his adoptive parents (yep a lot of betrayal for poor yeti-man). So he feels Genny has betrayed him and he hardens his heart even more, and in his anger he takes Genny in a pool behind a waterfall in the rasputye and wow that is hot! Then Genny takes him right back! Man is that hot! Then immediately after, incredibly heartbreaking.
So Genny runs while John is distracted and she leaves the rasputye but the tricky part is, we're not sure when it is. That's right when. And John realizes his bitterness and idiocy have driven Genny from him, so he follows, but time works differently in there, and we don't know when he is spit out. But he sees a local woman and asks her if she's seen Genny.
******SPOILER******
She tells him Genny is dead. Now I didn't believe her at first, but then we are tossed over to New York with the current Chosen and John steps in to take his rightful place...as leader.
Then we fast forward 2 years. this is where my problem with the book lies. We have 300 pages or so out of a 400 page book with John and Genny learning to love each other, and then seven months have passed. Okaay, Big deal, I dealt. Buut then we jump another 2 years?! Really? It seemed so off.
Then we find out Genny is NOT dead. What?! John told her father she was dead! How awful for him! He grieved. He missed her dearly.
One of my favorite scenes however, was when Genny showed up at the Chosen One's mansion, and Charisma said "You're John's Genny?" And no one would let her leave because she was "john's girl." It was cute and funny and soo sweet! Especially since she'd used a different name, but those Chosen knew right away.
The rasputye didn't leave Genny empty-handed, either. She now has her own gifts. Dun dun dun!
When John realized Genny was alive, I was thrilled for him! And the way they got back together was cute, and though I realize Genny needed to find herself, to grow up, to become herself, but I still think 2 years was a bit much. I did like how she was no longer a "doormat" but really she started to grow up when she met John, so maybe that's why I felt the 2 1/2 yrs was a bit much.
I would have added more interaction with the current Chosen throughout the book so that when we do see them, it isn't 300 pages later. It felt like "Genny's dead," then BAM! New York city with characters we haven't seen since the last book. Ruined the pace of the book. I wouldn't have taken out that part, but there could have been small scenes throughout the book with them.
I also think that the ending was too easy. Really, they dealt with demon-possessed people and fire starters, and that was the end?
Buut, that was a small part of a great book. While it may have annoyed me, I still enjoyed the whole book, and will definitely pick up Chains of Fire: The Chosen Ones next time I'm out. I look forward to Samuel and Isabella.
I've read the first 2 books in the Chosen Ones series, and I like the idea of the series, very cool new concept (there really is only so much an author can do with the good vs. evil theme).
So, that being said, I might have some small spoilers in here just for the sake of being able to get my feelings across, and for summary purposes (because the back of the book doesn't remotely come close to what happens in this book).
Genny has known about the legend of the Chosen Ones since she was a small girl, and her father worked for the Gypsy Travel Agency (Chosen One's cover operation). Her father stole from the GTA and was caught, so he spent the rest of his life "perfecting" Genny into what he felt she should be to realize his dreams. But poor little Genny, poor little doormat for her father Genny. She wants to be a Park Ranger, not an attorney. But keeping daddy happy is the name of the game. After she graduates, her father does the most surprising, most wonderful thing ever...he actually surprises her with a trip to Siberia to study the linxes there! My goodness did Genny's father actually do something nice?
Don't hold your breath-he wants her to recruit a former Chosen named John Powell who is rumored to be stalking the forests out there.
And btw, John's from the previous Chosen team that was destroyed, leaving Gary in a coma, and John went nuts...supposedly...
So Genny, ever optimistic just thinks about going to Russia and trying to catch a glimpse of the lynx. But she catches a glimpse of John.
Her team members are all there for the lynx as well, or are they?
John is stalking her. And he will get her.
They begin to fall in love as well as lust, and I love how Genny loves John in his "yeti" mountain-man form, and when he cleans up, oh swoon is he gorgeous!
But John was in this random remote Siberian town for a reason, the rasputye (remember where Aeron Eagle's story was? this is a different entrance) are here and he and Genny are chased into them. But not before John finds out Genny was there to find him and bring him back to the GTA. (or so they both think-really it may not have been the Chosen looking for him, but rather the Others!) He feels Genny's betrayal far deeper than that of his late wife and friend Gary, or that of his mother, or his adoptive parents (yep a lot of betrayal for poor yeti-man). So he feels Genny has betrayed him and he hardens his heart even more, and in his anger he takes Genny in a pool behind a waterfall in the rasputye and wow that is hot! Then Genny takes him right back! Man is that hot! Then immediately after, incredibly heartbreaking.
So Genny runs while John is distracted and she leaves the rasputye but the tricky part is, we're not sure when it is. That's right when. And John realizes his bitterness and idiocy have driven Genny from him, so he follows, but time works differently in there, and we don't know when he is spit out. But he sees a local woman and asks her if she's seen Genny.
******SPOILER******
She tells him Genny is dead. Now I didn't believe her at first, but then we are tossed over to New York with the current Chosen and John steps in to take his rightful place...as leader.
Then we fast forward 2 years. this is where my problem with the book lies. We have 300 pages or so out of a 400 page book with John and Genny learning to love each other, and then seven months have passed. Okaay, Big deal, I dealt. Buut then we jump another 2 years?! Really? It seemed so off.
Then we find out Genny is NOT dead. What?! John told her father she was dead! How awful for him! He grieved. He missed her dearly.
One of my favorite scenes however, was when Genny showed up at the Chosen One's mansion, and Charisma said "You're John's Genny?" And no one would let her leave because she was "john's girl." It was cute and funny and soo sweet! Especially since she'd used a different name, but those Chosen knew right away.
The rasputye didn't leave Genny empty-handed, either. She now has her own gifts. Dun dun dun!
When John realized Genny was alive, I was thrilled for him! And the way they got back together was cute, and though I realize Genny needed to find herself, to grow up, to become herself, but I still think 2 years was a bit much. I did like how she was no longer a "doormat" but really she started to grow up when she met John, so maybe that's why I felt the 2 1/2 yrs was a bit much.
I would have added more interaction with the current Chosen throughout the book so that when we do see them, it isn't 300 pages later. It felt like "Genny's dead," then BAM! New York city with characters we haven't seen since the last book. Ruined the pace of the book. I wouldn't have taken out that part, but there could have been small scenes throughout the book with them.
I also think that the ending was too easy. Really, they dealt with demon-possessed people and fire starters, and that was the end?
Buut, that was a small part of a great book. While it may have annoyed me, I still enjoyed the whole book, and will definitely pick up Chains of Fire: The Chosen Ones next time I'm out. I look forward to Samuel and Isabella.
November 29, 2021
3.5/5.0
Actually the best story yet in this intriguing series! While there are moments of melodrama and cheese and it is definitely just for entertainment (no deep message or lessons, no inner depth to discover), it is just a fun, engaging escape that is both interesting and a bit addicting.
Actually the best story yet in this intriguing series! While there are moments of melodrama and cheese and it is definitely just for entertainment (no deep message or lessons, no inner depth to discover), it is just a fun, engaging escape that is both interesting and a bit addicting.
August 3, 2016
Chains of Ice
4 Stars
Better than the first book but not as good as the second. The characters are engaging and the plot interesting with some exciting action scenes and a development or two in the overall story arc. Nonetheless, there is something missing.
It may be the fact that John and Genny are new characters and the familiar group of Chosen Ones only make an appearance about 70% in. However, this ultimately serves to strengthen the romance as it allows the reader the opportunity of getting to know John and Genny as individuals and as a couple before returning to the conflict between the Chosen and the Others.
John is a great hero, stong and silent. He is very mysterious and powerful, compelling and noble but suffers from some serious trust issues. Genny starts out a naive and trusting innocent who must come to terms with the realities of life in general and her family history in particular. Although they are both likeable and bring out the best in each other (as well as the worst), their chemistry is not at tangible as it could have been, which makes it difficult to completely accept their romance. Moreover, the "all is forgiven and forgotten" ending it too sudden and the love and trust materializes out of nowhere, which is problematic given everything that leads up to it.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this series (and the earlier Darkness Chosen books) is the symbolism. While the overall story arc is furthered, it takes a back seat to John and Genny's story, which is disappointing.
All in all, not a bad addition to the series and I look forward to Samuel and Isabelle's story next.
4 Stars
Better than the first book but not as good as the second. The characters are engaging and the plot interesting with some exciting action scenes and a development or two in the overall story arc. Nonetheless, there is something missing.
It may be the fact that John and Genny are new characters and the familiar group of Chosen Ones only make an appearance about 70% in. However, this ultimately serves to strengthen the romance as it allows the reader the opportunity of getting to know John and Genny as individuals and as a couple before returning to the conflict between the Chosen and the Others.
John is a great hero, stong and silent. He is very mysterious and powerful, compelling and noble but suffers from some serious trust issues. Genny starts out a naive and trusting innocent who must come to terms with the realities of life in general and her family history in particular. Although they are both likeable and bring out the best in each other (as well as the worst), their chemistry is not at tangible as it could have been, which makes it difficult to completely accept their romance. Moreover, the "all is forgiven and forgotten" ending it too sudden and the love and trust materializes out of nowhere, which is problematic given everything that leads up to it.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this series (and the earlier Darkness Chosen books) is the symbolism. While the overall story arc is furthered, it takes a back seat to John and Genny's story, which is disappointing.
All in all, not a bad addition to the series and I look forward to Samuel and Isabelle's story next.
March 19, 2013
Setting: cave revealed by melting iceberg in Andes, Chile; wilds/village/mystic crossroads of Raputye, Russia; 2 houses, 1 hospital of New York;
Theme: good vs evil; sacrifice/paying for past mistakes; guilt; prophecy; love to unite; faith; duty; leadership;
Characters:
John Powell: Chosen, last group; kinetic power; questioning Gary’s gangbuster/glory finding ways; good man, willing to sacrifice self to save the others;
Kim Sun Hee: Chosen, last group; she resists Gary’s charms and chooses John – but after a year of marriage, succumbed to Gary’s seduction;
Gary White: Chosen, last 3 groups; glory hound; the dangerous the better; leader; compelled to seduce the women; was in a coma for 3 years, though mind still aware he couldn’t communicate with anyone (just the drip drip drip of the IV); Osgood offers to free him and for him to do his bidding;
Amina Berhane/Max Novak/Sophie Moore/Bataar Lohar – part of the last group of the Chosen;
Genesis ‘Genny’ Valente: father an employee of the Gypsy Travel Agency in the past; he embezeled artifacts, was caught and fired; wife left him; he manipulated daughter, trying to get her to be in a business position to take advantage of and put him in the high class – all how she could benefit him; Genny agreed to most, wanting to please her dad, and maybe earn his love; she signed a contract with what she thought was the Gypsy agency to pay her schooling for one favor –though she crossed out favor and wrote in a monetary figure; graduated from business school and willing to take job her father got her even though knew she would be unhappy; never dated, no time – and men seem a bit silly to her; was excited by a lecture by Koslov describing her work studying a small group of thought extinct Ural lynx; father sent her to join Koslov for her summer exploration – with the contingency that she try to locate John Powell and convince him to return; somewhere along the way she develops a philosophy of saving the planet one animal at a time;
Lubochka Koslov: studying the Ural lynx for which students and interested parties pay to join her;
Misha Sokolov/Reggie Caverlock/etc: others studying the lynxes.
Brandon Lam: rich, bored guy on his 3rd trip to the lynxes; not because of a passion for it, but because sees it as an easy way to satisfy his parents and keep his trust fund going; immature; ‘loves’ Genny, but like a little boy torments her – especially with stories of the yeti (John Powell); succumbs to Anyi, of the Others, to her drugging/sabotaging of his thinking;
Isabelle Mason/Samuel : of the current Chosen; great sexual tension between them, but nothing yet.; Isabelle elegant, Samuel of the streets;
Charisma Fangorn/Aleksandr Wilder: of the current Chosen; goth girl / computer geek & student
Vidar Davidov: bartender, that brings John Powell to the rest;
Aaron Eagle/Rosamund: of the current Chosen and his mate/ the librarian.
Jacqueline Vargha D’Angelo / Caleb D’Angelo: seer; he of the current Chosen and his mate.
McKenna and Martha / Dina: M & M servants/family of Irving; Martha and Dina sisters – but Dina of the Others; Irving left Dina – a story untold; Dina daily comes outside his home, sending messages telepathically through the Chosen; she goes to his deathbed, and is keeping him alive, communicating with him.
Irving Shea: realizes that his poor judgment in trying to prosper the agency and exploiting artifacts has led to the disarray of the Chosen, and he is willing to sacrifice himself to try and balance the books.
Osgood: leader of the Others, fallen angel, has been biding his time; merciless with failure (put Gary back into his drip, drip, drip coma); expects to win
Avni Patel: of the Others; part of Sokolov’s group – 2nd year; also wants John – but can’t get to him, so uses Brandon (and keeps using him 2-1/2 years later);
Summary:
After spending 8 months looking for Genna, he returns to the Gypsy Agency, remembering her telling him that he should use his gifts. Gary had stepped in to lead the team, but they did not like the risks he was forcing them into, or his objectives (goods, risk, glory)… and are happy to turn things over to John – they work together for 2 years, making some headway, consolidating as a team;
And Irving makes the sacrifice – setting it up for John to push him down the stairs – he is in the hospital, getting operated on and Genna shows up at Irving’s house… and Isabelle and Charisma welcome her, recognize her as John’s true love, and keep her there. Genna gives them the bag of bones she pulled out of the lake… they add it to the ones they have… it still doesn’t reveal the prophecy to Isabelle – bones are missing… Genna remembers her dad had a bag of bones he’d stolen… she goes to his house… to find Gary, Brandon, and Avni there… John shows up there 2 hours later (as soon as he heard that she was there) to rescue her… together they kill the 3 of them, find the last bag of bones, and then join together with the 7, their mates, M & M, Dina in Irving’s room. It appears Irving is not going to recover… the bones are put together…Isabelle gets her prophecy. Irving seems to rally a bit (does he survive? Next book)
And John takes Genna to his home… and makes love to her… ahhhh
Memorable scenes:
John using his powers to creates a bubble of energy to stave off the melting iceberg to save his team… and then against the volcano, but the volcano too much, and he lost his team when he passed out – felt guilty, and was thought to be guilty as he had caught Gary and his wife together the day before… but when with Genny, she makes him confront what happened, to question why Gary would still be alive, and to see the truth that Gary took him where they should not be, and that he did his best.
John taking Genny to see the momma lynx and her 2 kittens – playing with them… and then taking her to meet the male who is nearby keeping them safe;
John’s sad childhood story – his mother (raised/abused by the Others) giving birth to him at the crossroads, and places him on an iceflow, telling him if he survives he will have her gift and his own – and then she drowns herself; fished out by fishermen who thought he was dead, one sailor takes him home to Raputye where he lives in the winter, but they sell him to a freak circus during the summer – where he is starved, poked, and pushed to use his telekinesis to bring food to himself until old enough to make the stick he is poking him with beat the man; then he escapes, and eventually makes his way to America and to the Chosen.
After John feels betrayed when he learned the truth of Genny’s other reason to be there (to contact him), and she warns him the villagers are after him, he takes her to the Raputye to hide… she runs from him, and ends up at a lake/waterfall (where she finds an old bag that includes some finger bones – that he tells her are a gift from the Raputye to her) – he angrily joins her in the water, overwhelms her with lust (adding in his electrical impulses to entice her), has passionate sex with her… and then he feels a bit of remorse, she is lying in the healing mud, she pulls him to her, makes love to him… telling him words of truth – that he should use his gifts for good, that he did everything he could to save his friends, that she loves him… but after they have sex again, and he still has lingering doubts about her, she leaves him (when he is fighting with Brandon), steps out into a snow storm… and survives, travels, fights in a revolution, successfully uses her business skills to orchestrate a wildlife rescue organization…
A sweet scene with John and Irving… John goes to visit Irving, who doesn’t leave his home (too weak) and he makes John tea – who drinks it, though he doesn’t like tea, and feels awkward with the china cups; they have their heart to heart (saying their looking for the rest of the finger bones – important to Isabelle), John tells him of the bones Genny found, and Irving helps him see that Genny doesn’t deserve for him to feel betrayed, it wasn’t so bad what she did (at the behest of her father) and that he was looking to be betrayed. And then after John leaves, Irving laughs – knowing that John doesn’t like tea, but does so out of kindness and respect – he likes pulling one over on him.
Theme: good vs evil; sacrifice/paying for past mistakes; guilt; prophecy; love to unite; faith; duty; leadership;
Characters:
John Powell: Chosen, last group; kinetic power; questioning Gary’s gangbuster/glory finding ways; good man, willing to sacrifice self to save the others;
Kim Sun Hee: Chosen, last group; she resists Gary’s charms and chooses John – but after a year of marriage, succumbed to Gary’s seduction;
Gary White: Chosen, last 3 groups; glory hound; the dangerous the better; leader; compelled to seduce the women; was in a coma for 3 years, though mind still aware he couldn’t communicate with anyone (just the drip drip drip of the IV); Osgood offers to free him and for him to do his bidding;
Amina Berhane/Max Novak/Sophie Moore/Bataar Lohar – part of the last group of the Chosen;
Genesis ‘Genny’ Valente: father an employee of the Gypsy Travel Agency in the past; he embezeled artifacts, was caught and fired; wife left him; he manipulated daughter, trying to get her to be in a business position to take advantage of and put him in the high class – all how she could benefit him; Genny agreed to most, wanting to please her dad, and maybe earn his love; she signed a contract with what she thought was the Gypsy agency to pay her schooling for one favor –though she crossed out favor and wrote in a monetary figure; graduated from business school and willing to take job her father got her even though knew she would be unhappy; never dated, no time – and men seem a bit silly to her; was excited by a lecture by Koslov describing her work studying a small group of thought extinct Ural lynx; father sent her to join Koslov for her summer exploration – with the contingency that she try to locate John Powell and convince him to return; somewhere along the way she develops a philosophy of saving the planet one animal at a time;
Lubochka Koslov: studying the Ural lynx for which students and interested parties pay to join her;
Misha Sokolov/Reggie Caverlock/etc: others studying the lynxes.
Brandon Lam: rich, bored guy on his 3rd trip to the lynxes; not because of a passion for it, but because sees it as an easy way to satisfy his parents and keep his trust fund going; immature; ‘loves’ Genny, but like a little boy torments her – especially with stories of the yeti (John Powell); succumbs to Anyi, of the Others, to her drugging/sabotaging of his thinking;
Isabelle Mason/Samuel : of the current Chosen; great sexual tension between them, but nothing yet.; Isabelle elegant, Samuel of the streets;
Charisma Fangorn/Aleksandr Wilder: of the current Chosen; goth girl / computer geek & student
Vidar Davidov: bartender, that brings John Powell to the rest;
Aaron Eagle/Rosamund: of the current Chosen and his mate/ the librarian.
Jacqueline Vargha D’Angelo / Caleb D’Angelo: seer; he of the current Chosen and his mate.
McKenna and Martha / Dina: M & M servants/family of Irving; Martha and Dina sisters – but Dina of the Others; Irving left Dina – a story untold; Dina daily comes outside his home, sending messages telepathically through the Chosen; she goes to his deathbed, and is keeping him alive, communicating with him.
Irving Shea: realizes that his poor judgment in trying to prosper the agency and exploiting artifacts has led to the disarray of the Chosen, and he is willing to sacrifice himself to try and balance the books.
Osgood: leader of the Others, fallen angel, has been biding his time; merciless with failure (put Gary back into his drip, drip, drip coma); expects to win
Avni Patel: of the Others; part of Sokolov’s group – 2nd year; also wants John – but can’t get to him, so uses Brandon (and keeps using him 2-1/2 years later);
Summary:
After spending 8 months looking for Genna, he returns to the Gypsy Agency, remembering her telling him that he should use his gifts. Gary had stepped in to lead the team, but they did not like the risks he was forcing them into, or his objectives (goods, risk, glory)… and are happy to turn things over to John – they work together for 2 years, making some headway, consolidating as a team;
And Irving makes the sacrifice – setting it up for John to push him down the stairs – he is in the hospital, getting operated on and Genna shows up at Irving’s house… and Isabelle and Charisma welcome her, recognize her as John’s true love, and keep her there. Genna gives them the bag of bones she pulled out of the lake… they add it to the ones they have… it still doesn’t reveal the prophecy to Isabelle – bones are missing… Genna remembers her dad had a bag of bones he’d stolen… she goes to his house… to find Gary, Brandon, and Avni there… John shows up there 2 hours later (as soon as he heard that she was there) to rescue her… together they kill the 3 of them, find the last bag of bones, and then join together with the 7, their mates, M & M, Dina in Irving’s room. It appears Irving is not going to recover… the bones are put together…Isabelle gets her prophecy. Irving seems to rally a bit (does he survive? Next book)
And John takes Genna to his home… and makes love to her… ahhhh
Memorable scenes:
John using his powers to creates a bubble of energy to stave off the melting iceberg to save his team… and then against the volcano, but the volcano too much, and he lost his team when he passed out – felt guilty, and was thought to be guilty as he had caught Gary and his wife together the day before… but when with Genny, she makes him confront what happened, to question why Gary would still be alive, and to see the truth that Gary took him where they should not be, and that he did his best.
John taking Genny to see the momma lynx and her 2 kittens – playing with them… and then taking her to meet the male who is nearby keeping them safe;
John’s sad childhood story – his mother (raised/abused by the Others) giving birth to him at the crossroads, and places him on an iceflow, telling him if he survives he will have her gift and his own – and then she drowns herself; fished out by fishermen who thought he was dead, one sailor takes him home to Raputye where he lives in the winter, but they sell him to a freak circus during the summer – where he is starved, poked, and pushed to use his telekinesis to bring food to himself until old enough to make the stick he is poking him with beat the man; then he escapes, and eventually makes his way to America and to the Chosen.
After John feels betrayed when he learned the truth of Genny’s other reason to be there (to contact him), and she warns him the villagers are after him, he takes her to the Raputye to hide… she runs from him, and ends up at a lake/waterfall (where she finds an old bag that includes some finger bones – that he tells her are a gift from the Raputye to her) – he angrily joins her in the water, overwhelms her with lust (adding in his electrical impulses to entice her), has passionate sex with her… and then he feels a bit of remorse, she is lying in the healing mud, she pulls him to her, makes love to him… telling him words of truth – that he should use his gifts for good, that he did everything he could to save his friends, that she loves him… but after they have sex again, and he still has lingering doubts about her, she leaves him (when he is fighting with Brandon), steps out into a snow storm… and survives, travels, fights in a revolution, successfully uses her business skills to orchestrate a wildlife rescue organization…
A sweet scene with John and Irving… John goes to visit Irving, who doesn’t leave his home (too weak) and he makes John tea – who drinks it, though he doesn’t like tea, and feels awkward with the china cups; they have their heart to heart (saying their looking for the rest of the finger bones – important to Isabelle), John tells him of the bones Genny found, and Irving helps him see that Genny doesn’t deserve for him to feel betrayed, it wasn’t so bad what she did (at the behest of her father) and that he was looking to be betrayed. And then after John leaves, Irving laughs – knowing that John doesn’t like tea, but does so out of kindness and respect – he likes pulling one over on him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2010
I'm really loving this series. And I was so happy to finally get a copy of Chains of Ice.
When the world was young, twins were born by a vein and fickle woman, the woman thought the children were too ugly and decided to discard them, she threw the boy into the forest and tossed the girl into a running stream and turned her back on both children in doing so the children died and came back to life changed, gifted and these children were the first Abandoned Ones.
The boy brought light to a dark world and the girl brought darkness and danger. They gathered other Abandoned Ones around them, men and women destined to use their gifts for good or evil. Through the ages and eons the battle was joined between the Chosen Ones and the Others. Today, their descendents walk the earth as the Chosen Ones and the ultimate battle is about to begin.
For one magic summer, Genny Valente escapes to spend time as a wildlife observer in the untamed mountains. Little does she know that a beast more fear...more
Chains of Ice is all about the seventh Chosen One John Powell. He fled his fate and his duty as a Chosen One scared of his gift and tormented by his memories as a survivor from his group of Chosen Ones. Powell returned to the land he was born and lives his life as a hermit. Until Genny Valente receives a graduation gift from her father, to spend one summer as a wildlife observer but she has to do her father a 'favour' while she's there. Find John Powell and ask him to return to New York. But the Others have caught up with John and Genny and now there in a battle for their lives.
I really enjoyed reading Chains of Ice, I feel that this book was the turning book for me in the series and I feel like more has been explained and we're moving along on the stroyline. So much happens in Chains of Ice it was pretty hard to put it down.
I liked the relationship between Genny and John and how protective John became over her and how they spent their time together. Until it ended badly, these two are my second favourite couple so far!
While reading Chains of Ice after 3/4 of the way through the book I knew I a) really badly wanted Gary to die, b) didn't want Irving to die and c) wanted to know who the weird lady was, with the split nose that has been present through all three books so far in the series.
And boy do you find out some things. Trying really hard not to give too much away! I will say however that John takes over from Gary by becoming the leader, (at the end of book #2 Storm of Shadows Gary wakes up from his coma and walks into the Chosen Ones home) and the book skips two years while John is in charge of the Chosen Ones, which works out the seven years with the seven characters because Isabella and Samuel get together which then just leaves two years for Charisma and Aleksandr to find their true love.
I'm really enjoying this series and would really recommend it to any paranormal fans who fancy trying something different.
When the world was young, twins were born by a vein and fickle woman, the woman thought the children were too ugly and decided to discard them, she threw the boy into the forest and tossed the girl into a running stream and turned her back on both children in doing so the children died and came back to life changed, gifted and these children were the first Abandoned Ones.
The boy brought light to a dark world and the girl brought darkness and danger. They gathered other Abandoned Ones around them, men and women destined to use their gifts for good or evil. Through the ages and eons the battle was joined between the Chosen Ones and the Others. Today, their descendents walk the earth as the Chosen Ones and the ultimate battle is about to begin.
For one magic summer, Genny Valente escapes to spend time as a wildlife observer in the untamed mountains. Little does she know that a beast more fear...more
Chains of Ice is all about the seventh Chosen One John Powell. He fled his fate and his duty as a Chosen One scared of his gift and tormented by his memories as a survivor from his group of Chosen Ones. Powell returned to the land he was born and lives his life as a hermit. Until Genny Valente receives a graduation gift from her father, to spend one summer as a wildlife observer but she has to do her father a 'favour' while she's there. Find John Powell and ask him to return to New York. But the Others have caught up with John and Genny and now there in a battle for their lives.
I really enjoyed reading Chains of Ice, I feel that this book was the turning book for me in the series and I feel like more has been explained and we're moving along on the stroyline. So much happens in Chains of Ice it was pretty hard to put it down.
I liked the relationship between Genny and John and how protective John became over her and how they spent their time together. Until it ended badly, these two are my second favourite couple so far!
While reading Chains of Ice after 3/4 of the way through the book I knew I a) really badly wanted Gary to die, b) didn't want Irving to die and c) wanted to know who the weird lady was, with the split nose that has been present through all three books so far in the series.
And boy do you find out some things. Trying really hard not to give too much away! I will say however that John takes over from Gary by becoming the leader, (at the end of book #2 Storm of Shadows Gary wakes up from his coma and walks into the Chosen Ones home) and the book skips two years while John is in charge of the Chosen Ones, which works out the seven years with the seven characters because Isabella and Samuel get together which then just leaves two years for Charisma and Aleksandr to find their true love.
I'm really enjoying this series and would really recommend it to any paranormal fans who fancy trying something different.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2015
This was disappointing. First of all what threw me off was the description on the back of the book. The blurb on the back is very misleading, the back blurb teaser is not all what happens in the book (a pet peeve of mine) and in all honestly that and the COVER is what caught my interest and convinced me to read it. Eh...
**SPOILER ALERT**
I loved the character of John Powell. He's interesting very mysterious BUT.... the whole 'grizzly man' who stalks women and takes them to his cabin to give them the BEST SEX EVER was a bit over the top and I'm sorry to say this but total exaggeration. When you put a set up like that well you are expecting what the author promises. Apparently the best sex ever is giving off power waves that go off for miles and gives off colors of the rainbow. The skittles commercial comes to mind ("Taste the Rainbow!"). -_- Let's just say not what I was expecting.
I did like how he ended up meeting Genny, it was very cute and endearing. The starting was great but it's everything after they meet and come together that goes downhill for me. This would have been a 3 star or probably 4 star if it weren't for the second half of the book. I just couldn't understand or wrap my head around why Genny would want to run away from him after he helped save her and clearly feelings were there between them yet she ran away from him like he was the devil himself. It was a bit contrived for me the reasoning behind her running off. I felt like I was missing something and needed a major clue. And then to carry on and fake her death so he would leave her alone. That just turned me off completely and made her seem so fickle and heartless to do that to him. I couldn't grasp or understand why she was so hellbent on running from him. The last time I checked he wasn't the bad guy.
I guess that's my biggest issue with this book and the author's style of writing. It's not for me. I don't like how she writes her heroines. I've noticed the same pattern in all her books I've read. After the couple get together, the heroine runs off refusing to believe her guy loves her in return. My big question is WHY??? Isn't there another clever way of coming up with angst for a couple other than having the woman turn insecure, guilt ridden or indecisive? It's incredibly irritating and not the kind of heroine I want to root for. For me it's anticlimactic and disappointing to say the least and makes the heroine look clueless and so fickle. Then to jump forward 5 months later eeeh I just felt it was a rushed way of getting to the next point, summarizing what happened then bring in other characters. I don't like when authors flash forward to months, years later in the middle of a book. It's choppy and disjointed and I feel like I missed so much. I'm a reader who'd rather have dialogue then a bunch of summarization. I want action not description. I wish I could say I was interested enough in reading the other books in this series but I think I'll pass.
**SPOILER ALERT**
I loved the character of John Powell. He's interesting very mysterious BUT.... the whole 'grizzly man' who stalks women and takes them to his cabin to give them the BEST SEX EVER was a bit over the top and I'm sorry to say this but total exaggeration. When you put a set up like that well you are expecting what the author promises. Apparently the best sex ever is giving off power waves that go off for miles and gives off colors of the rainbow. The skittles commercial comes to mind ("Taste the Rainbow!"). -_- Let's just say not what I was expecting.
I did like how he ended up meeting Genny, it was very cute and endearing. The starting was great but it's everything after they meet and come together that goes downhill for me. This would have been a 3 star or probably 4 star if it weren't for the second half of the book. I just couldn't understand or wrap my head around why Genny would want to run away from him after he helped save her and clearly feelings were there between them yet she ran away from him like he was the devil himself. It was a bit contrived for me the reasoning behind her running off. I felt like I was missing something and needed a major clue. And then to carry on and fake her death so he would leave her alone. That just turned me off completely and made her seem so fickle and heartless to do that to him. I couldn't grasp or understand why she was so hellbent on running from him. The last time I checked he wasn't the bad guy.
I guess that's my biggest issue with this book and the author's style of writing. It's not for me. I don't like how she writes her heroines. I've noticed the same pattern in all her books I've read. After the couple get together, the heroine runs off refusing to believe her guy loves her in return. My big question is WHY??? Isn't there another clever way of coming up with angst for a couple other than having the woman turn insecure, guilt ridden or indecisive? It's incredibly irritating and not the kind of heroine I want to root for. For me it's anticlimactic and disappointing to say the least and makes the heroine look clueless and so fickle. Then to jump forward 5 months later eeeh I just felt it was a rushed way of getting to the next point, summarizing what happened then bring in other characters. I don't like when authors flash forward to months, years later in the middle of a book. It's choppy and disjointed and I feel like I missed so much. I'm a reader who'd rather have dialogue then a bunch of summarization. I want action not description. I wish I could say I was interested enough in reading the other books in this series but I think I'll pass.
July 12, 2010
WOW! A good series just got great with the third installment in the Chosen series. John & Genny are great characters. The Chosen from the previous two books do not show up until about 300 pages into the book. John is actually a Chosen from the previous seven. He exiled himself into the Russia wilderness after a horrific event to his entire team. Genny has been gifted a graduation trip to the Russia wilderness to follow & study the Ural Lynx. Her father who betrayed the Gypsy Travel Agency has only one favor to ask in return for the trip, to talk John into coming back. Genny’s father is a shady character who is only out for himself, has no care about the well being of his daughter. John and Genny are absolutely amazing, the characters they are at the beginning of the book and the characters they evolve into have really wowed me. I was very impressed with this book. I did not care for the second book of this series & almost did not buy this one due to that.
December 7, 2015
This was a really good book and kept me really interested. I would most definitely like to read more in this series. Strong and unique characters, written well, page-turning, suspense, emotions, imagination, and leaves you wanting more but still with a good HEA. Another set to read and I'm ecstatic about it. Keep 'em coming Dodd. Totally Enjoy!
November 4, 2017
Genny, daughter of a former employee of the Gypsy Travel Agency, has continually tried to do things her dad will approve of after he is caught stealing from his employer and her mother walks out. She majors in the programs he chooses at the college he chose for her. She gives up her desires in an attempt to please her father, not realizing she never will. Until he day of her college graduation when he gives her an opportunity to go on a wildlife observation expedition.
John Powell is a former member of The Chosen, a society of people who were abandoned by their parents at birth and received magical powers as a sort of cosmic trade-off. Five years ago, John was part of an expedition for The Chosen that resulted in the loss of most of his team, one of whom was his wife. To keep himself free of personal interaction, John returns to the area of his childhood and lives in a hermitage in the woods.
As Genny watches the lynxes she is there to observe, John is watching her. The two meet and become involved. Due to some high-handedness on John's part, Genny ends up running away from him. During this time, she becomes her own person and John returns to civilization. It was a little jarring to have a two-year time leap in the middle of the book. Although it did adequately allow for the personal changes both Genny and John had to go through to become the best they could for each other.
There are definitely some turns and unforeseen events in this fantasy adventure, but love and good overcomes much in this novel.
John Powell is a former member of The Chosen, a society of people who were abandoned by their parents at birth and received magical powers as a sort of cosmic trade-off. Five years ago, John was part of an expedition for The Chosen that resulted in the loss of most of his team, one of whom was his wife. To keep himself free of personal interaction, John returns to the area of his childhood and lives in a hermitage in the woods.
As Genny watches the lynxes she is there to observe, John is watching her. The two meet and become involved. Due to some high-handedness on John's part, Genny ends up running away from him. During this time, she becomes her own person and John returns to civilization. It was a little jarring to have a two-year time leap in the middle of the book. Although it did adequately allow for the personal changes both Genny and John had to go through to become the best they could for each other.
There are definitely some turns and unforeseen events in this fantasy adventure, but love and good overcomes much in this novel.
September 13, 2021
Book 3 in The Chosen Ones series.
Definately a book in two parts. Part one is the story of a romance between young and idealistic Genesis and the incredibly powerful, yet tormented loner John.
There is great chemistry between the two and the setting in the mysterious wilds of Russia is complex and interesting.
Genesis is coerced by her devious father to accept a deal to pay for her university tuition by promising a future favour to a group she believes to be the company her criminal father embezzled from. When the favour is called in, she is sent to far flung Russia to make contact with a man named John Powell. All she needs to do is to convince him to attend a company meeting in New York City.
John is haunted by the force and failings of his gift of extreme power. His last mission as a member of the Chosen left him the only one to walk away alive. He is burdened by guilt and loss.
He is immediately drawn to the sweet natured and interesting Genny and her love of wildlife and the outdoors.
Part two returns the reader to New York and the current team of the Chosen Ones. They are finding their footing and building themselves into a cohesive group. But that elusive prophesy is still beyond their reach. When an opportunity arises to gain the artefact they need, everyone is involved. All while the evil Others are infiltrating and weakening the team and threatening the lives of the people they love.
This is my favourite so far in the series.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
Definately a book in two parts. Part one is the story of a romance between young and idealistic Genesis and the incredibly powerful, yet tormented loner John.
There is great chemistry between the two and the setting in the mysterious wilds of Russia is complex and interesting.
Genesis is coerced by her devious father to accept a deal to pay for her university tuition by promising a future favour to a group she believes to be the company her criminal father embezzled from. When the favour is called in, she is sent to far flung Russia to make contact with a man named John Powell. All she needs to do is to convince him to attend a company meeting in New York City.
John is haunted by the force and failings of his gift of extreme power. His last mission as a member of the Chosen left him the only one to walk away alive. He is burdened by guilt and loss.
He is immediately drawn to the sweet natured and interesting Genny and her love of wildlife and the outdoors.
Part two returns the reader to New York and the current team of the Chosen Ones. They are finding their footing and building themselves into a cohesive group. But that elusive prophesy is still beyond their reach. When an opportunity arises to gain the artefact they need, everyone is involved. All while the evil Others are infiltrating and weakening the team and threatening the lives of the people they love.
This is my favourite so far in the series.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
July 26, 2020
This felt like it was scripted by two writers with a deadline looming. The first part was promising, it checked all my boxes - the forest setting, the sightings, the mountain man - and then suddenly, in the second part, everything crashed back to a warped "reality" - New York city, a set of "gifted" people being exploited as gold diggers, and some bossman who, like the proverbial mom, knows best.
The romance was unsatisfying. There was so much space to build, space for angst - the years of separation, for instance. But noooo - when the H realises that the h has been alive and kicking all these years, he simply nods and asks for a refill. Sort of.
Umm... really?
Or maybe this should not be read as a standalone? Maybe there was a lot of subliminal angst going in there that I was oblivious to because of my mistimed entry? Possible. But not probable. But possible nevertheless.
Just trying to give the bene of doubt.
The romance was unsatisfying. There was so much space to build, space for angst - the years of separation, for instance. But noooo - when the H realises that the h has been alive and kicking all these years, he simply nods and asks for a refill. Sort of.
Umm... really?
Or maybe this should not be read as a standalone? Maybe there was a lot of subliminal angst going in there that I was oblivious to because of my mistimed entry? Possible. But not probable. But possible nevertheless.
Just trying to give the bene of doubt.
July 22, 2017
This is truly my favorite of all the Chosen stories. It is a wonderful and fantastic book, easy to follow well written and I definitely enjoyed both characters. John sounds amazing , my dream of a man and what a man should be like as a friend, partner and protector. Not only is he gorgeous, strong sexy and powerful, but his sexual powers are unbelievable. In and out of bed, he is a force to be reckoned with.
John and Genny are strong characters and great as a couple. Great job Ms. Dodd.
John and Genny are strong characters and great as a couple. Great job Ms. Dodd.
June 13, 2019
This book was much more complex than I expected, and I absolutely loved it. Many unexpected twists. I cannot wait to read more in the series and other series by Dodd. This was my first read of hers and I'm officially HOOKED!
November 12, 2022
Suspenseful
This book leaves you on your toes one chapter and screaming at it in frustration the next. You want the good to win and it seems impossible at some points then others you relax because it worked out somehow. Love love love this series!
This book leaves you on your toes one chapter and screaming at it in frustration the next. You want the good to win and it seems impossible at some points then others you relax because it worked out somehow. Love love love this series!
June 28, 2017
This book kept me intrigued from start to finish. The characters just came alive.
March 16, 2021
4 stars The Chosen Ones series is one of my favorites.
May 1, 2021
The beginning of this book was slow and confusing. Hence the 3 stars. However if you can stick it out the book really picks up. About half way through I started to enjoy the story line.
Read
June 9, 2021Q
November 26, 2022
4* for the first 60%. Then the plot goes through a blender - 2*.
June 30, 2010
Favorite Quote: "What are you thinking now?
"I was thinking that before I met you I was dead inside."
Genny Valente gets a reprieve one summer from her overbearing father and heads to the outbacks of Russia to observe wild leopards in their natural habitat. But there is a price to pay for her freedom. She must convince John Powell to come back. Back to the Chosen Ones. But John is more dangerous then any best she has ever encountered. He will kidnap her, seduce her, and betray her. But when all hope is lost, will Genny make the ultimate sacrifice and save John from himself?
Genny Valente's father betrayed the Chosen Ones and was stripped of everything. He attempts to remake himself by molding Genny into the perfect money making machine. After years of his mental abuse, he offers Genny the chance of freedom. A trip to do the one thing she's always wanted...observe wildlife in the outback, IF she does him a small favor. She must "convince" John Powell to return to the states no matter what.
Once Genny arrives in Russia she is bombarded with stories of the Chosen legend and the role she & John play in it. From the moment Genny sees John, everything else fades and all she wants is to be his. But John has exiled himself to Russia after being brutally betrayed by his former Chosen One commander and his wife. Nothing can or will force him back to the fold nor to use his powers again. When John realizes that Genny is there to try and convince him to return he feels betrayed all over again and strikes out at her in the only way he knows how. Through his powers. After thinking he has lost Genny for good, John goes back the Chosen Ones only to realize that he and Genny were both pawns in an evil scheme by a nemesis from John's past.
Read rest of my review at Smexybooks
"I was thinking that before I met you I was dead inside."
Genny Valente gets a reprieve one summer from her overbearing father and heads to the outbacks of Russia to observe wild leopards in their natural habitat. But there is a price to pay for her freedom. She must convince John Powell to come back. Back to the Chosen Ones. But John is more dangerous then any best she has ever encountered. He will kidnap her, seduce her, and betray her. But when all hope is lost, will Genny make the ultimate sacrifice and save John from himself?
Genny Valente's father betrayed the Chosen Ones and was stripped of everything. He attempts to remake himself by molding Genny into the perfect money making machine. After years of his mental abuse, he offers Genny the chance of freedom. A trip to do the one thing she's always wanted...observe wildlife in the outback, IF she does him a small favor. She must "convince" John Powell to return to the states no matter what.
Once Genny arrives in Russia she is bombarded with stories of the Chosen legend and the role she & John play in it. From the moment Genny sees John, everything else fades and all she wants is to be his. But John has exiled himself to Russia after being brutally betrayed by his former Chosen One commander and his wife. Nothing can or will force him back to the fold nor to use his powers again. When John realizes that Genny is there to try and convince him to return he feels betrayed all over again and strikes out at her in the only way he knows how. Through his powers. After thinking he has lost Genny for good, John goes back the Chosen Ones only to realize that he and Genny were both pawns in an evil scheme by a nemesis from John's past.
Read rest of my review at Smexybooks
August 4, 2011
Chains of Ice (The Chosen Ones #3) by Cristina Dodd. 5 out of 5 stars. I have to say I loved this book. One of the random ones of ordered from my library not knowing that it was part of a series. This is the first book I've read by this authors and I gotta say I'm happy I found her. Yeah I know I started the series on the third book, bu the lovely words on the back had me glued to it.
http://darkelvengirl.blogspot.com/201...
"As a wildlife observer in the untamed mountains, Genny Valente had no idea that a beast more fearsome than any leopard lurked in the forest-a man, one of the Chosen Ones, betrayed by his gift and tormented by his memories. John Powell fled his fate and his duty, yet in Genny he sees his one chance for redemption. He will stalk her, kidnap her, and love her as only a savage can."
Oh yeah I was stuck. John Powell and Genny Valente are the two main characters in this story. John Powell is known as the Yeti where he lives because he tends to wear animal skins and is really hairy. His past had horrible events happen in it, and that helped case him go into his isolation. As Genny puts it he ran away. While Genny is also confused about who she is because she let her father push her around for the last years of her life. I say the guy was a complete jerk. He talks her into going on a trip because he had her sign a contract for a loan, so she could go to collage. Now she has to do a favor for the people to have them forget the debt. Genny goes on the trip with both her heart in it, and the purpose to pay back the debt of course she never knew that she'd fall in love.
Even the bad guys are are well written. I understood what was going on without giving away that much of the book as I read. There were little hints from events that I think might have happened in the first two books.
http://darkelvengirl.blogspot.com/201...
"As a wildlife observer in the untamed mountains, Genny Valente had no idea that a beast more fearsome than any leopard lurked in the forest-a man, one of the Chosen Ones, betrayed by his gift and tormented by his memories. John Powell fled his fate and his duty, yet in Genny he sees his one chance for redemption. He will stalk her, kidnap her, and love her as only a savage can."
Oh yeah I was stuck. John Powell and Genny Valente are the two main characters in this story. John Powell is known as the Yeti where he lives because he tends to wear animal skins and is really hairy. His past had horrible events happen in it, and that helped case him go into his isolation. As Genny puts it he ran away. While Genny is also confused about who she is because she let her father push her around for the last years of her life. I say the guy was a complete jerk. He talks her into going on a trip because he had her sign a contract for a loan, so she could go to collage. Now she has to do a favor for the people to have them forget the debt. Genny goes on the trip with both her heart in it, and the purpose to pay back the debt of course she never knew that she'd fall in love.
Even the bad guys are are well written. I understood what was going on without giving away that much of the book as I read. There were little hints from events that I think might have happened in the first two books.
March 23, 2013
I have really been loving this series by Christina Dodd – the way she writes has always worked really well for me. This is the third book in her series “The Chosen Ones”. I haven’t read the 2nd one yet, but I have read and reviewed the first book “Storm of Visions".
With this story, we continue our quest with the Chosen ones and their battle to fight the evil lurking all around. They continue to face evil in unexpected places – and especially in unexpected characters!
Genny is a girl who has spent her life striving to live her father’s dreams and make up for failures that have happened throughout his career. When she gets the chance to make the trip of a lifetime out to the “untamed mountains”, she knows it may be her last opportunity to really hit the wild before she has to buckle down to the business job she’ll never love.
John Powell has been deeply affected by his rough history with the Chosen ones. In hopes of removing himself from his memories and any opportunities to hurt those he cares for, he has isolated himself into the mountains. Living his life in solitary fits his needs just fine – until Genny shows up and throws him off his game.
Genny and John have to find a way to get around the obstacles between them in order to work together and overcome the evil in their midst. Hopefully, before any people or wild animals come to harm.
So far, this series has been a consistent ★★★★ for me.
Looking forward to the next books in the series!
Novel Creativity
With this story, we continue our quest with the Chosen ones and their battle to fight the evil lurking all around. They continue to face evil in unexpected places – and especially in unexpected characters!
Genny is a girl who has spent her life striving to live her father’s dreams and make up for failures that have happened throughout his career. When she gets the chance to make the trip of a lifetime out to the “untamed mountains”, she knows it may be her last opportunity to really hit the wild before she has to buckle down to the business job she’ll never love.
John Powell has been deeply affected by his rough history with the Chosen ones. In hopes of removing himself from his memories and any opportunities to hurt those he cares for, he has isolated himself into the mountains. Living his life in solitary fits his needs just fine – until Genny shows up and throws him off his game.
Genny and John have to find a way to get around the obstacles between them in order to work together and overcome the evil in their midst. Hopefully, before any people or wild animals come to harm.
So far, this series has been a consistent ★★★★ for me.
Looking forward to the next books in the series!
Novel Creativity
July 20, 2016
Samuel Faa and Isabelle Mason are both Chosen, he has the power to control minds and she has the gift of healing, but that’s where their similarities end. He hasn’t led an easy life, whereas she comes from a wealthy and privileged family. They learned during a short affair that a relationship between a Gypsy and a socialite doesn’t work, but they can’t deny the attraction between them. Only on a mission, they finally have to face not only their enemies, but also that their feelings can’t be ignored any longer.
Ms. Dodd delivers with CHAINS OF FIRE another masterpiece of paranormal romance. I have been a long time fan of Ms. Dodd’s work and she never disappoints me and this book is no exception. From the first page onward my interest was caught and I couldn’t put down the book till I reached the last page.
The readers first met Samuel and Isabelle in STORMS OF VISION and now they finally get their own story. They are a really intriguing couple because they are so different and not only from their background but also their character.
CHAINS OF FIRE is the fourth book of Ms. Dodd’s successful Chosen Ones and I highly recommend that you read the books in order, so that you get the full depth of information about the whole conflict etc.
I can hardly wait to read the next book!
CHAINS OF FIRE is a book that I can highly recommend to all fans of paranormal romance stories!
Ms. Dodd delivers with CHAINS OF FIRE another masterpiece of paranormal romance. I have been a long time fan of Ms. Dodd’s work and she never disappoints me and this book is no exception. From the first page onward my interest was caught and I couldn’t put down the book till I reached the last page.
The readers first met Samuel and Isabelle in STORMS OF VISION and now they finally get their own story. They are a really intriguing couple because they are so different and not only from their background but also their character.
CHAINS OF FIRE is the fourth book of Ms. Dodd’s successful Chosen Ones and I highly recommend that you read the books in order, so that you get the full depth of information about the whole conflict etc.
I can hardly wait to read the next book!
CHAINS OF FIRE is a book that I can highly recommend to all fans of paranormal romance stories!
October 2, 2013
"Chains of Ice" by Christina Dodd. Book 3 in the Chosen Ones series.
Really enjoyed this book. I was a little sceptical about the main character John, at first. Only because he was only mentioned once in the last book right at the end so their was no background on him what so ever. But as the story progesses, I really liked the main characters of John and Genny (Genesis).
John is a Chosen One. But he no longer uses his powers. He has exciled himself after a terrible mission gone horribly wrong. He no longer trusts himself to be in society. But after meeting Genesis, can he forgive himself enough to fullfil his mission as a Chosen One?
Genny has been given the graduation gift of a lifetime from her father. She gets to go to Russia to study the Ural Lynx. But this "gift" comes with a price. Genny is asked by her father to recruit John Powell back into the fold of the Chosen Ones. If she does it, then all her school debt will be paid. How can she say 'no' to her dream?
Really excellent story line in this book. At one part, I was like, "WHAT!?! NO!! How the hell is this going to go?" The story jumps forward two years in the middle of the book and it's quickly glossed over as to what happens in those two years but the story makes complete sense with the time lapse. Genny and John are a good match. The developement of their characters is well played out. I enjoyed it a lot.
On to the next book!
Really enjoyed this book. I was a little sceptical about the main character John, at first. Only because he was only mentioned once in the last book right at the end so their was no background on him what so ever. But as the story progesses, I really liked the main characters of John and Genny (Genesis).
John is a Chosen One. But he no longer uses his powers. He has exciled himself after a terrible mission gone horribly wrong. He no longer trusts himself to be in society. But after meeting Genesis, can he forgive himself enough to fullfil his mission as a Chosen One?
Genny has been given the graduation gift of a lifetime from her father. She gets to go to Russia to study the Ural Lynx. But this "gift" comes with a price. Genny is asked by her father to recruit John Powell back into the fold of the Chosen Ones. If she does it, then all her school debt will be paid. How can she say 'no' to her dream?
Really excellent story line in this book. At one part, I was like, "WHAT!?! NO!! How the hell is this going to go?" The story jumps forward two years in the middle of the book and it's quickly glossed over as to what happens in those two years but the story makes complete sense with the time lapse. Genny and John are a good match. The developement of their characters is well played out. I enjoyed it a lot.
On to the next book!
July 10, 2010
The back of the book is a little misleading. There's not a lot of capturing going on here. I liked the story. It moved pretty fast and kept my interest. I do think that I should have read the other books in this series first. About 2/3rds of the way through the book all of the sudden we were reading about characters who I had no idea who were. If I had read the others in order, this might not have seemed so out of left field. Also if some scenes with them had been included earlier in the book sprinkled in then it might not have been so hard to accustom myself to. I liked the hero, pretty tortured guy and a bit different from your average alpha hero. The heroine was a bit wimpy at first but she grew on me and she grew up a bit. I will probably go back and read the first two books since I am fond of this author even though at the time the blurbs on those two didn't pull me in.
The world building seems pretty solid. I found the hero's name to be odd in that he had a totalling English speaking world based name and was from Russia. Can't be many John Powells in Russia. Some of the magical elements were very intriguing. I really liked the Rasputye that was a magical land out of time. Like a holding area, you never knew where or when you would be when you came out of it. Nifty idea.
This book wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed reading it.
The world building seems pretty solid. I found the hero's name to be odd in that he had a totalling English speaking world based name and was from Russia. Can't be many John Powells in Russia. Some of the magical elements were very intriguing. I really liked the Rasputye that was a magical land out of time. Like a holding area, you never knew where or when you would be when you came out of it. Nifty idea.
This book wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed reading it.
January 25, 2016
Chains of Ice (The Chosen Ones #3)
by Christina Dodd (Goodreads Author)
I have to say that paranormal isn't my favorite genre and its not something I read regularly. But there are some books that I've really enjoyed, e.g Dream Man, Now You See Her.
I think that Chains of Ice was interesting and entertaining.
Although I do think that I should have read the other books in this series first. At one point (2/3 of the way through the book) all of the sudden I was reading about characters who I had no idea they were. If I had read the others in order, this might not have seemed so confusing.
The largest part of the book takes place in Russia, the habitat of the lynx and where John Powell has come to hide since he left the Gypsy Travel Agency. The heroine, Genny Valente gets to spend time as a wildlife observer in the untamed Russian mountains because her father sends her there, so she could contact John.
I liked the hero, pretty tortured guy. Quite different from your average alpha hero. The heroine was a bit wimpy at first (no backbone to stand up for her father) but she grew on me.
I will probably go back and read the first two books.
by Christina Dodd (Goodreads Author)
I have to say that paranormal isn't my favorite genre and its not something I read regularly. But there are some books that I've really enjoyed, e.g Dream Man, Now You See Her.
I think that Chains of Ice was interesting and entertaining.
Although I do think that I should have read the other books in this series first. At one point (2/3 of the way through the book) all of the sudden I was reading about characters who I had no idea they were. If I had read the others in order, this might not have seemed so confusing.
The largest part of the book takes place in Russia, the habitat of the lynx and where John Powell has come to hide since he left the Gypsy Travel Agency. The heroine, Genny Valente gets to spend time as a wildlife observer in the untamed Russian mountains because her father sends her there, so she could contact John.
I liked the hero, pretty tortured guy. Quite different from your average alpha hero. The heroine was a bit wimpy at first (no backbone to stand up for her father) but she grew on me.
I will probably go back and read the first two books.
February 27, 2016
Chosen Ones: Chains of Ice (No Spoilers)
I hadn't read any Christina Dodd books before I read this series and I probably won't read any of her non paranormal books simply because they aren't the books I usually read but I did like this series and the concept. The books are based on the idea that people are born with gifts and that these can either be used for good (Chosen) or used for bad (Others).
This is the third book in the series and by far my absolute favourite. This book centers around John Powell who was previously a chosen with the last set of them until most of his team died. Genny Valente is sent out into the wilderness to locate him and bring him back but John doesn't trust anyone and doesn't want to go back. I loved John's character, loved that he is totally wild yet at the same time gentle (with the baby cubs). I loved the scenes where John introduces Genny to the baby wolves and defend her against the mother wolf. Again a really good story-line that I enjoyed - the best installment in the series yet.
Edit 27/02/2016:-
I did like the concept of the books however after re-reading the first four books for the second time round and a few years later than when I originally read them, they were not as good as I originally thought they were. An okay read but not a series I have continued with or will probably by looking to continue in the future.
I hadn't read any Christina Dodd books before I read this series and I probably won't read any of her non paranormal books simply because they aren't the books I usually read but I did like this series and the concept. The books are based on the idea that people are born with gifts and that these can either be used for good (Chosen) or used for bad (Others).
This is the third book in the series and by far my absolute favourite. This book centers around John Powell who was previously a chosen with the last set of them until most of his team died. Genny Valente is sent out into the wilderness to locate him and bring him back but John doesn't trust anyone and doesn't want to go back. I loved John's character, loved that he is totally wild yet at the same time gentle (with the baby cubs). I loved the scenes where John introduces Genny to the baby wolves and defend her against the mother wolf. Again a really good story-line that I enjoyed - the best installment in the series yet.
Edit 27/02/2016:-
I did like the concept of the books however after re-reading the first four books for the second time round and a few years later than when I originally read them, they were not as good as I originally thought they were. An okay read but not a series I have continued with or will probably by looking to continue in the future.
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