Book Review: A Vision Of Fire by Gillian Anderson and Jeff Rovin

A Vision Of Fire
Earthend Saga #1
Authors: Gillian Anderson | Jeff Rovin
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: October 7 2014
Review Source: Simon & Schuster

The first novel from iconic X-Files star Gillian Anderson and New York Times bestselling author Jeff Rovin: a science fiction thriller of epic proportions.

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. Caitlin is 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 teenagers around the world start having similar outbursts, Caitlin begins to think that there’s a more sinister force at work.

In Haiti, a student claws at her throat, drowning on dry land. In Iran, a boy suddenly and inexplicably sets himself on fire. Animals, too, are acting irrationally, from rats in New York City to birds in South America to ordinary house pets. With Asia on the cusp of nuclear war, Caitlin must race across the globe to uncover the mystical links among these seemingly unrelated incidents in order to save her patient—and perhaps the world.

Caitlin is a psychiatrist whose firm belief is in anything that is scientifically proven. Her faith is tested when thrown into a case that is unlike anything she has ever worked on. Realizing that her patient, Maanik, is linked to other cases of people having visions of fire and the end of the world from around the earth Caitlin is pushed to her limits. Is this just a new psychotic disorder or is this something out of our world?

I have some confessions to make-I only read this book because of Gillian Anderson. I have always been in love with Agent Scully even though The X-Files gave me nightmares when I was a kid, so I haven't really been up to date on the TV show but I knew of her because my parents loved the show. I also don't usually like scientific alien books; they usually lose me in the scientific aspect leaving me wanting in the alien part of the story but feeling completely unsatisfied. This book was the complete opposite of that. I am completely happy that I wanted to read this book because of Agent Scully, as I know Anderson, because I think I have found one of my favorite book series to date. As well because of this book I have started to binge watch The X-Files-partly because of Anderson, but mainly because after reading this book I want to immerse myself in alien lore, no matter what form.

The first few chapters had me worried when I realized that there were going to be many scientific parts of the story. I am not one for scientific anything, so I tend to stay away from it. But I stuck through it-I wanted to believe that the story would hook me and make me want to finish it, no matter how many words I would have to look up. I loved Caitlin, and she reminds me of Scully so much from X-Files-which doesn't really surprise me but I have to say it was a nice touch. One thing that I really liked too was Caitlin's romance with Ben. It wasn't a dominant part of the story but it was there, meaning, you were always rooting for them to get together but you never fully realized it until the characters did. Anderson and Rovin wrote an intriguing book, and I cannot wait for the rest of the series. Their writing style is a scientific one that keeps you entertained and on the edge of your seats.