Review: Curse the Dawn

Curse the Dawn (Cassandra Palmer, book 4) by Karen Chance

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Curse the Dawn (4)

Cassandra Palmer may be the all-powerful Pythia now, but that doesn’t mean people have stopped trying to kill her. Most of the supernatural power players don’t want the independent minded Cassie as chief clairvoyant—and they’ll stop at nothing to see her six feet under.

The Vampire Senate does support Cassie in her position, but their protection comes with a price: an alliance with the sexy master vampire Mircea, who has claimed Cassie as his own.

But even the vampires will have trouble keeping Cassie alive now that the self-styled god Apollo, the source of the Pythia’s power, has it in for her in a big way. To save her life—and the world—Cassie’s going to have to face down her creator once and for all.

---

Review:

“Stalking a time traveler is hard work, even if you are one.” - Cassandra Palmer

You know what else is hard? Not freaking squeeing! That's right I'm gonna say it: Love triangle done freaking right! This is why I keep torturing myself with bad love triangle after bad love triangle. Because when done right, it's A-mazing. See other authors, it took 4 books to build this spectacular chemistry and FIRE! Bless, you Chance. Bless you. Best part is I love both of the men vying for dear Cassie's heart. Which is pretty darn funny because when I first started the series I actually disliked Pritkin a lot. Talk about character development. Totally-head-over-the-hills-character-development-turn-of-obsession-

All right. I'll stop.

Man Curse the Dawn steps it up to a new level! While there is a moment—OK, many—where I found myself wondering why Cassie would not try to develop her natural gifts on her own. You know you're in a magical world where you're the underdog, use what you've got. The beginning of the book starts off bumpy with Cassie trying to get the previous Pythia to help her out. Or the past version of the old Pythia. Even I could have told her that that is a no-no. While it was cool seeing the two characters together, it felt like a huge waste to the story. Yes, I had fun. But it was one of the first times I felt like Chance was just doing too much when she needed to stick to the point, kind of like with the first book. Adrenaline boredom is a thing, and Chance can create it.

Other then that, this book was pure perfection for me. Ah! The way the time travel ties in may not be as flashy, but it's still at the top of it's game. Cassie is very much on her own, even as she tries to accept people into her life. This is the struggling point. Where she tries to show she is the right person for the job, and not get pushed over. Even though she's pretty much flat out says she doesn't want the responsibility of the office. She's not perfect and that's what I love about a good lead. They're always growing even if they don't want to.

My brain matter can't catch a break. I'm not even going to try and put it back in my skull. Too much boom-ka-boom. Pritkin and Mircea are perfection. There hasn't been a sexier vampire since Anita Blake's Jean-Claude. Nope. Mircea is hotter. And a bit more suave. Pritkin has to be the hottest and most beloved male character that I've gone from loathing to loving. Go Chance!

Now I can't go to in depth on the plot for fear of spoilers. But the death of a god—no I'm not saying which one—was so impressive in its grand simplicity. It always amazes me when Chance simply solves something when everything seems so out of control and unsolvable. That's the beauty of this series. The scale of it is insane, but impressive. So with a impressive mix of character development and insane characters the Cassandra Palmer series cements itself as one of my favorite series. Oh, and another solid entry into the series.

Sexual Content: Oooooo, the tension. *fans self* (Again, this is very much for adults.)

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Touch the Dark (1)  Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7) Ride the Storm (8)	Touch the Dark (1) Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7) Ride the Storm (8)	Touch the Dark (1) Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7) Ride the Storm (8)

Review: Embrace the Night

Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer, book 3) by Karen Chance

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Claimed by Shadow (1)

Clairvoyant Cassie Palmer has inherited new magical powers-including the ability to travel through time. But it's a whole lot of responsibility she'd rather not have. Now she's the most popular girl in town, as an assortment of vamps, fey, and mages try to convince, force, or seduce her—and her magic—over to their side. But one particular master vampire didn't ask what Cassie wanted before putting a claim on her. He had a spell cast that binds her to him, and now she doesn't know if what she feels for him is real—or imagined…

---

Review:

“A weeping angel shattered in a crack of gray dust, sending its wings flying off in two directions. It took a second for me to realize I wasn't dead, and then I dove for the side of a nearby obelisk.” - Cassandra Palmer

My favorite entry yet! Sure I say that about each new addition to this series, but the thing is when I reread the series this title always makes me extra giddy. Probably because this is the title that shows just how epic the time travel is. Things from the first book flawlessly tie in. My. Mind. Boom!

Then the sexual tension. Ka-boom! Boom! Excuse me while I pick up my brain matter. Normally I hate it when authors use the whole, the magic makes them need each other crap! Force them to lust!!! Or we only slept with each other because of the spell. Blah. Blah-blah. Sure it's part of the geas here, but Chance does an expert job showing that there are some emotions below the surface of the geas that could very well be authentic.

What I love about a Cassie Palmer book is that there is so much plot! You have to pay attention. And when you reread them there are so many tidbits you pick up. From “Gods” with secret agendas, Dark Mages, Light Mages (AKA the Silver Circle which seems just like a bunch of evil mages), kidnapped kids, a vigilante, a geas gone totally wrong, and soooooooo much more. Some plot threads get tied up, some start, and some keep going. However, Chance has a gift to know when to end certain plots so that readers don't become tired.

Cassie is slowly growing. She's been a woman alone all her life, everyone she's ever loved dies. While many readers who have disliked the books find her winey and cold, I don't! Cassie is witty and very sarcastic. Which is funny because sarcasm is pretty much a requirement for Urban Fantasy. Cassie despite having great survival skills puts herself on the line again and again for those she loves. Even though being responsible for others scares the living daylights out of her, it's clear she already has the wits to lead. If not the confidence or courage quite yet.

The cast of characters in Embrace the Night, no in the whole Cassie Palmer series, are amazing. Everyone from villains to good guys, and the ones we can't label, are fleshed out expertly. It's amazing to feel so invested and interested in characters that will clearly be there for the long haul, or even ones that will briefly be present. This is not a beach read, where readers can zone in and out. You need to be paying attention from the first book. The insanity of this book—well crafted insanity mind you—is why the Cassandra Palmer series is one of my top favorite series in the Urban Fantasy department.

Sexual Content: Yummy, yummy sex. Sexual humor . . . this is for adults.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Touch the Dark (1)  Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7) Ride the Storm (8)	Touch the Dark (1) Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7) Ride the Storm (8)	Touch the Dark (1) Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7) Ride the Storm (8)

Review: Claimed by Shadow

Claimed by Shadow (Cassandra Palmer, book 2) by Karen Chance

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Claimed by Shadow (1)

Clairvoyant Cassie Palmer has inherited new magical powers-including the ability to travel through time. But it's a whole lot of responsibility she'd rather not have. Now she's the most popular girl in town, as an assortment of vamps, fey, and mages try to convince, force, or seduce her—and her magic—over to their side. But one particular master vampire didn't ask what Cassie wanted before putting a claim on her. He had a spell cast that binds her to him, and now she doesn't know if what she feels for him is real—or imagined…

---

Review:

Any day that stars off in a demon-filled bar in a casino designed to look like Hell isn't likely to turn out well. - Cassie

Claimed by Shadow has always been a favorite entry of mine in the Cassandra Palmer series. OK, so it's book two. But Chance hits everything right! Gosh it feels so good! The pacing is perfect matching the present day scenes with time travel perfectly! This is the title that will show readers what this series has to offer with some of the best time traveling plotting ever. No really. And the fact that it only gets better and better with each addition to the series makes it perfect!

Cassie is still reluctant to take on the role of Pythia. Who wouldn't be daunted by the task of being guardian of the time line? Much like Oracle of Delphi, but with way more cool tricks. Oh, not to mention that each powerful magic group wants to have total control of the reigning Pythia and might still knock her out of the running to get a more amiable heir in position. What I love is the reasoning behind why Cassie decides she should take up the role of Pythia, even if it's the last thing she ever wants. And as Pritkin says:

“No one who wants power should ever be allowed to wield it.”

On top of that is plenty of drama! The ritual for Pythia entails Cassie to lose her virginity ASAP, but her—secretly placed—magical chastity belt is giving her a magical whammy to only be with one particular vampire . . . Everyone wants poor Cassie to seal the deal. All Cassie wants to do is find Myra, the rival heir, and get things set so she doesn't have to protect the timeline from her. The fat vampire, Tony, is still out there probably wanting revenge and gloating over her paperweight dad. And so many other things! What I love is that every thing is balanced out so well, and Chance does not try to dump everything in at once. Because there is way more going on here then I could put down.

Ah! All of the characters new and old are soooo cool. I loved that Casanova is a incubus who possesses bodies throughout time and is currently in a vampire’s body. (Strange politics!) It's so fun seeing the twists on historical figures that we love, or hate. Oh, and the gargoyles—tee-hee—there are not enough words to express how much I love them!  And-and-and, I could keep on gushing! Some of Chance’s takes are so original on the mythology and mythological creatures that it just makes me giddy. Pritkin has turned into a much more tolerable character as the book goes along and I don't want him to die. He gets interesting. Which is great considering how annoying he was in the first book. Mircea and Cassie's time line tango is so hot, and just plain cool. It's going to be a treat to watch their relationship crash-clash-unite, and develop their relationship. Thomas also gets some redemption, but what I like is that he's not a white knight. And I can't say he's horribly bright. He is what he is, and Cassie—and readers—truly don't know him. Which makes it all the more fascinating.

The dark side of the Cassandra Palmer universe is definitely here. Now, I'm not saying the last book was sunshine and roses. But this brings the fear and the horrors of all factions. This is a world where everything is a power play and if I was in it I'd like to be one of those silly humans on the side lines with no clue. (OK, after I had my way with some of the characters.) Despite that there's a perfect balance with the humor and character banter that makes the darkness wonderful.

At this point Claimed by Shadow will let you know whether this series is for you. It's all polished up and shiny! Which, as said before, only gets better. These books are not ones that you can skim or just kind of pay attention to. They need your full attention because there are plenty of juicy tidbits sprinkled through out them, and not all the time traveling events will be wrapped up in one sitting. The books are connected, one of my favorite things about a good series. Cassie still has the vampire senates, Black and Silver circles, Faye, and so many other factions to deal with. Can't wait to have my head go topsy turvy with the next installment!

Sexual Content: An almost rape scene that is pretty chilling, sex, and sexual humor. This is an adult title.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Touch the Dark (1)  Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7) Ride the Storm (8)	Touch the Dark (1) Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7) Ride the Storm (8)	Touch the Dark (1) Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7) Ride the Storm (8)

Review: Touch the Dark

Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer, book 1) by Karen Chance

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Touch the Dark

Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits—talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead. The ghosts of the dead aren’t usually dangerous; they just like to talk…a lot.

The undead are another matter.

Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she’s forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.

The undead senators won’t help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire—and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay....

---

Review:

“I knew I was in trouble as soon as I saw the obituary. The fact that it had my name on it was sort of a clue.” - Cassie Palmer

The first time I read that sentence of Touch the Dark I was hooked. Many years, and many rereads later, that line gets me every time. Well, that and one of the single most unique stories—Ok series—that I have had the pleasure of reading in the Urban Fantasy genre. (Also fond memories of being the first book that I waited for the book store employees to put out on the shelf on the release date.) Touch the Dark is one of my favorite blends of magic from Greek mythology to voodoo, satyrs to haunted jewelry, magical warded tattoos to the coolest vampire feeding styles ever! Let's be honest Touch the Dark—basically the whole Cassandra Palmer series—is all kinds of messed-up-totally-awesome-fun-with fantasy and mythology.

The most important part is how totally awesome the time travel plays into the storyline. A lot of time traveling books can over play it to the point where it's boring, or so tedious that it actually doesn’t fit into the story. Cassie also has the gift of Sybil, those able to see into the past and future. Again another thing that rarely gets used well enough in paranormal books. Usually meaning authors use it so heavily it kills the book. Chance is one of the few authors that can use time traveling and foresight so magically! The best part is when Cassie changes the time line and the ripples are immediately seen. Things can have amazing and horrible ramifications.

Touch of Dark does suffer from some bad pacing, but it's not distracting enough to take away from the book. (At least for me.) This book is ambitious, and I have no disillusions on how hard it had to be for Chance to find her rhythm. There's a lot of history here—literally—and in the way of back story. This world is rich. From Cassie's tragic past, to pretty much every character that steps onto the page. It was fun playing guess the famous people. From the man in the iron mask to Eve herself. I have mad respect to any author who would have Jack the Reaper and Shakespeare on the same counsel! Chance does a beautiful job giving enough information to make readers love her characters, but not entering into information overload.

Cassie is one of my favorite characters! It's strange that readers who don't like her say she's whiny, but her humor is simple sarcasm. Which a lot of characters within the Urban Fantasy genre utilize. That humor never failed to make me laugh and put a content smile on my face. Cassie is a character that I'd love to be friends with in real life. She’s a tough independent woman who does what she needs to do to protect said independence. Despite the tragedies of her life she still remains compassionate when she needs to and is smart enough to know when to step in. Unlike many characters in the genre she can muddle with politics of the world. Though she may not be so handy with weapons. She's a different kind of hero. But I still have mad respect for her.

Really I don't think I can fully do this book, or series justice, with words. It's a fantastic blend of a little bit of everything. It's sexy and humorous, reminding me why I love long haired male vampires so much. The time travel here is a great example of why there is a niche in the genre for that kind of thing. Because when it's done right it is: Freaking. Amazing. Not to mention that world history just got a lot more interesting with Chance’s fun twists. The best part is how great all the characters are. Billy Joe is one of my favorite ghosts. Come on who doesn't love an Irish cowboy who's gambling issues led him to an early grave? Mircea is one of the top 10 hot vamps of the genre in my book. And now I know that Chance has the skills to take a character that I actually had hoped would die while reading Touch the Dark—Pritkin—and make me totally-fan-girl-cray-cray later in the series. It's refreshing to have an author who can develop characters as the series progresses. This is a wonderful series to invest in. Even if the first book doesn't blow you away, like it did for me, the next books only get better.

Sexual Content: Sex and sexual humor, clearly an adult title.

 
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

---

Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Touch the Dark (1) Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7)	Touch the Dark (1) Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7)	Touch the Dark (1) Claimed by Shadow (2) Embrace the Night (3) Curse the Dawn (4) Hunt the Moon (5) Tempt the Stars (6) Reap the Wind (7)