A Vision of Fire

Renowned child psychologist Caitlin O'Hara is a single mom trying to juggle her job, her son, and a lackluster dating life. Her world is suddenly upturned when Maanik, the daughter of India's ambassador to the United Nations starts speaking in tongues and having violent visions. Maanik's parents are sure that her fits have something to do with the recent assassination attempt on her father--a shooting that has escalated nuclear tensions between India and Pakistan to dangerous levels--but when children start having similar outbursts around the world, Caitlin begins to think that there's a stranger force at work.In Haiti, a student claws at her throat, drowning on dry land. In Iran, a boy suddenly and inexplicably bursts into flame. On the Pakistan border, a young man feels a burning in his chest and, against his will, opens fire on Indian troops. With Asia on the cusp of nuclear war, Caitlin must race across the globe and uncover the supernatural links between these seemingly unrelated cases in order to save her patient--and perhaps the world.ReviewThis is the first novel for television and movie actress Gillian Anderson. I admit I gave A Vision of Fire a shot because I am a huge fan of the actress's work. Yes, I'm a total X-Files nerd!Jeff Rovin has co-authored with other science fiction alumni like William Shatner and Adam West, as well as writing several Tom Clancy novels.This science-fiction thriller collaboration is well paced and full of surprises. The main character, Caitlin O'Hara is a strong, independent, single Mom, with a successful career as a renowned child psychologist. She is a giver at heart, in her introductory scene O'Hara is negotiating with the World Health Organization for a modular house that would accommodate twenty souls sweltering or freezing in decaying tents for months.Establishing early on that O'Hara is aware of political bureaucracy and the inner circles of the United Nations, O'Hara is called by a translator friend to assist in a medical mystery surrounding the teen daughter of Ambassador Ganak Pawar. The Indian Ambassador is in the middle of tense negotiations between India and Pakistan and Pawar is proposing Kashmir be made into a protectorate state, the distraction of his daughter's illness is putting the negotiations at risk.O'Hara immediately jumps in and the journey begins.Told mainly from O'Hara's point of view the book is layered and focused, seamlessly tying together each thread, willingly pulling you into the mix. A good mix of science, psychology, adventure and even some romance keep the plot moving forward with no lulls. Very interesting from the very beginning, I found myself enthralled and unable to put the book down. Lots of subtle little clues, hints along the path helping us, as the readers, to jog along. I'll admit to also very easily seeing Gillian Anderson as Caitlin O'Hara, and the visual assisted in the tale this book offers.Without giving anything away, as the plot rolls along we see where the path leads and you begin to wonder if the authors are going to go there. Guess what? They do, and the presentation is grounded, believable and full of imagination.Overall, very well written, enjoyable and definitely a worthy read. Gillian Anderson and Jeff Rovin make a great team. This is book one in a three book series. It can stand alone with no problems, but I will admit to be very excited to read the next!

"A Vision of Fire," the first book in the Earth End Saga works is a compelling first attempt by the actress and star of The X-Files, Gillian Anderson. Yes, she does write with a partner--but not as I am sure many hoped her partner in the series David Duchovny, AKA Mulder. Not sure of the division of labor on this endeavor but I will say that it is a pretty good read up until the end when things get a little muddled as the actual reason for all the terrifying events illustrated during the novel are somewhat explained but not rectified. As this is Book One, don't expect any resolution, only a segue into the next middle part of the saga.The story does involve a Scully like character--a psychiatrist whose specialty is children. When a UN representative's teenage daughter goes into a catatonic state after a traumatic experience where her father almost died, Caitlin is called in to confer on the advice of an old friend. What Caitlin discovers leads her to explore similar isolated incidents around the world and to connect the dots while pushing the envelope of her beliefs to understand the larger picture. When she succeeds, the impact presses her to view the upcoming threat as reality and to try to figure out a solution.The novel uses a typical frame for such adventures; the authors employ a few different vantage points but primarily return to main character Caitlin's point of view. The writing style is good; the point is gotten across with interesting language. Nonetheless, the story becomes a bit nebulous during the sequences in Haiti and in Iran where the reader is an onlooker who does not quite understand what is happening until Caitlin sums it up for him/her. At the point in the story where Caitlin reviews similar cases with a Scully-ish desire for science to intervene, the storyline becomes instantly familiar and the punch looses some of its strength. Te reader understands where the first book will lead--a crisis of conscience, the tearing down of belief walls--the opening of the mind towards another door of perception. Okay. Got it.Whether or not this type of story works for you as a reader depends on what you are looking for . . . like the premise? You're probably in the mood for such a tale. You might not want to read the next two in the series as you can almost figure out where its all going once the formula kicks in.....Bottom line? A worthy effort in the popular sci-fi/end of the world genre of literature with a little green philosophy and greedy world domination chastisement thrown in. Recommended as a relaxing read.Diana Faillace Von Behren"Buzzard's Eye View"

Book is in excellent condition. I even took it to get it signed by the author herself (Gillian Anderson).

I couldn't get enough and found myself struggling to to put it down. There was a lot going on with the past cultures at some stages, but I could really see it working as a film trilogy. Looking forward to reading the next two.

Gripping , Thrilling, exciting!!Sat up all night to read it. Loved it! Kudos to Gillian Anderson & Jeff Rovin. Waiting eagerly to read the second instalment!!!

I really enjoyed this. Definitely a page turner with a great sci-fi basis for the story.

i got this book because of the author gillian anderson form the x files (mulder and sculy) the story started ok but never went any place you had the mystery but you never found out what caused it. the story had a lot of mumbo jumbo that made no scene i kept reading hoping it would get better but it did not i was very disappointed i can not recommened this book