Year One by Nora Roberts

Year One (Chronicles of the One, #1)

by Nora Roberts

With one drop of blood, the old world is gone for ever. And in its place, something extraordinary begins...They call it The Doom - a deadly pandemic that starts on a cold New Year's Eve in the Scottish countryside. There's something mysterious about the virus and the way it spreads. As billions fall sick and die, some survivors find themselves invested with strange, unexpected abilities. Lana, a New York chef, has the power to move things and people with her will. Fred can summon light in the darkness. Jonah, a paramedic, sees snatches of the future in those he touches. Katie gives birth to twins, and suspects that she has brought fresh magic into the world, along with new life. But The Doom affects people differently. Along with the light, a dark and terrifying magic will also rise. As the remaining authorities round up the immune and the 'Uncannies' for testing, Lana, Katie and others flee New York in search of a safe haven. The old world is over, and Year One has begun.

Reviewed by Leigha on

2 of 5 stars

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It’s the end of the world as we know it in Nora Robert’s first fantasy book.

I purchased this novel on release day. I was so excited about her tackling a new genre, particularly fantasy. I think the first couple of books of her In Death series, considered mysteries, are some of her best works. I expected a new life and energy that’s been lacking in her recent romances. But after finishing this book, I wished I saved myself some time and money.

It’s boring, slow, and unoriginal. I could keep adding to this list, but those are the primary reasons. For a book about the end of the word, not all that much happens. The world ends. People come together to make a new version of it. Bam, that’s it. That’s the plot. This particular version of the world includes people with magical abilities. Not just your standard witches and wizards deal, it’s going to include pixies and elfs too. Only, we’re not going to focus on those interesting ones. We’re going to center our story around witches. *sigh*

Let’s talk about the characters. The synopsis makes it sound like this book will include multiple points-of-view. It’s not entirely misleading. However, the POV narrows down to one particular character in the last third of the novel. The one character I don’t find all that interesting. Although, I didn’t find the other supposedly “main” characters to be interesting or dynamic either. Honestly, this book is only backstory. It seems to me Roberts is more interested in exploring Fallon’s story, the baby born from Lana and Max. I suspect Fallon will eventual reconnect with the New Hope group, most likely finding a love interest in one of Katie’s twins. So disappointing it hurts.

tl;dr An unoriginal, boring first fantasy novel written by Nora Roberts.

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  • Started reading
  • 1 December, 2017: Finished reading
  • 1 December, 2017: Reviewed