Interesting start to a new, to me, series

Re-Read in 2021 to complete series

I thought this was pretty good! I would give it a solid 3.5 stars, brought down only because it was clearly a setup into the rest of the series.

This book has an interesting blend of paranormal/conventional elements. There aren't supernatural creatures present, but magic seems to lurk in the air and follow the main character, Olivia/Eden, everywhere.

The main storyline here follows Olivia as she learns that she was adopted as a child. Her birth parents are convicted serial killers, and that knowledge has forced her to go into hiding. She meets her birth mother, Pamela, who begs her to bring the case to someone to investigate it further. Upon looking at some details with sketchy lawyer Gabriel, Olivia becomes less convinced that her parents committed the murders and they begin to dig deeper into the case. During this time, Olivia realizes that she is seeing things that aren't there, and that all of the mysterious sightings have hidden meanings rooted in superstition. Her ability to see these omens (hence the title) helps guide her to some truths.

It's really intriguing to watch Olivia trust her instincts when she doesn't really believe in magic and it isn't a true part of the universe (except perhaps in the town of Cainsville where people believe in everything). There was a little too much packed into this novel in terms of setting the stage for the future, but I'm confident that the other novels following this will be exciting! I'm definitely going to be picking them up.

It's been a very long time since I read a book from start to finish in just a few days, which I think says all about how I feel about this book. Can't wait for the next one_

This novel was not at all what I expected. I adore Kelley Armstrong and this new venture did not disappoint at all. When Olivia Smith-Jones discovers that her biological parents are imprisoned serial killers, her life turns upside down. Severing ties with her wealthy adoptive family and fiance, Olivia returns to the small town of her birth, Cainsville. Cainsville is downright creepy--watchful old citizens, attacking ravens, disappearing gargoyles--and yet, feels just like home. When Olivia is approached by a lawyer (Gabriel) to help her navigate her way to her parents, she is convinced that their arrest and subsequent court decision is wrong. Her entire life has been affected by her deep-seeded belief in omens and these visions begin to dominate the decisions she makes and situations in which she finds herself. I could not put this book down--so please, Kelley, write faster!!

A very quick review:

I am a fan of Kelley Armstrong's work but I was very disappointed in this new venture. The editing seems rushed and the story is unpolished.

The premise is good but the author is in unfamiliar territory (regarding genres) and that carries over in the story. The actions of the main character are childish and completely unbelievable. Basically the character is weakly created as well as the back story.

Having said that, I like the town characters and will be reading the second book. I only hope that the second book is edited a little better as well as a little more polished.

This was my first Kelley Armstrong novel and it was pretty good. The characters were very likable and mysterious. I have already ordered the second in the series to read.