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Fantasy. Fiction. HTML: A recent legacy made Cassandra Palmer heir to the title of Pythia, the world's chief clairvoyant. It's a position that usually comes with years of training, but Cassie's circumstances are a little...unusual. Now she's stuck with a whopping amount of power that every vamp, fey, and mage in town wants to either monopolize or eradicate---and that she herself doesn't dare use. What's more, she's just discovered that a certain arrogant master vampire has a geis on her---a magical claim that warns off any would-be suitors, and might also explain the rather intense attraction between them. But Cassie has had it with being jerked around, and anyone who tries it from now on is going to find out that she makes a very bad enemy..… (more)
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3.5 Stars
With various vampires, mages and fae all vying for control of her newly acquired powers, Cassie Palmer is, herself, on the trail of the vampire she holds responsible for the deaths of her parents. To make matters worse, the rival for her abilities is determined to destroy
***Warning***: Minor spoilers ahead
The action in this installment begins immediately, which is both a good and a bad thing. It is good in the sense that the story is fast paced, but bad as expository information is lacking to the point that it feels as if a novella is missing - it isn’t and the explanations of events in the beginning are forthcoming later in the book.
There are some interesting developments in Cassie’s relationships with the various men in her life -Mircea, Pritkin and Tomas. To begin with the
Pritkin is one of the more intriguing characters in the series. While he and Cassie are obviously at odds on numerous issues and his reactions to her are aggressive and even violent, it is also clear that they are attracted to one another albeit very reluctantly. It will be interesting to see where Chance takes this.
Tomas is the weakest love interest for me. Not only did he
The actual plot is a mixed bag. The time travel elements are entertaining and it is interesting to see the social interactions and mores of the European vampires in London of 1888. In fact, these are the best parts of the book. The threads that focus on Myra’s machinations are exciting and action packed although the resolution is anti-climactic -
In sum, Claimed by Shadows has its ups and downs, but it is intriguing enough to justify continuing with the series.
One of the things about this series of books is that they take place over a very short period of time. Because of this there is seldom a time where there isn't any action in the book. This is a good thing because it keep the reader really involved in the writing. However if you are going to be reading this book in more than one sitting, I might suggest reading a few of the pages you have already read before delving into new material, the action happens so quickly you may need a bit of a refresher.
One thing I would have liked to have seen more of in this book is Mircea, he is by far one of my favorite characters within this series. Although I understand that this book is primarily about the journey Cassie takes, I still wish there had been more of Mircea in the book itself.
As I just mentioned this book is really about Cassie coming into her power. In the previous book Cassie had received the power of the Pythia, but she did not complete the rituals (she needed to no longer be a virgin). I am not going to say who she slept with but I will say by the end of the book Cassie becomes a full blown Pythia.
In a lot of ways this book feels a lot more like a set up for the future of this series. It give Cassie the power of the office of Pythia, with no more chance that it goes to someone else. It also sets up several other scenerios/problems that are going to need to be resolved, and sooner rather than later. Dracula makes an appearance, and it is clear that the vampire community does not want him alive. Dracula is clearly going to play a role in the books to come. Cassie has still not been accepted by the Circle, so there is that to be resolved, or at least hope they stop trying to kill her with every chance they get. A deal was made with the a King that Cassie needs to complete. And of course the geis that caused Cassie so much trouble throughout this book needs to be removed, not just for Cassie's sake but also for the sake of Mircea, if not dealt with it is completely possible that both Cassie and Mircea will be driven crazy.
Overall this book was a much more enjoyable book to read than the first. On top of that it left me wanting to read the third book in order to continue on with Cassie's journey. That is a huge skill for an author, the ability to get the reader to want more. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes Urban Fantasy. I would recommend reading the first before though, the background information contained in the first is invaluable. I hope all of you enjoy this series as much I as did.
The two major plots in this book: that she needs to find and kill Myra and Tony before they kill her and she wants the geis put on her OFF. (This is book 2 in the Cassandra Palmer series, click here for book 1 review.) For the entirity of this book Cassie is trying to get to where Myra and Tony are hiding... just about everything else is happening while she is on her way to their hideout. Cassie needs to stop Myra, an evil sybil, before she can alter history/timelines by killing Cassie's protector- Mircea. Mircea is a master vampire who placed a geis (a very powerful spell) on Cassie when she was young to protect her. However, this spell comes with unwanted side affects.
Just like the first novel in this series, this book starts out fast paced and continues to be action packed through to the very last page. (This is BRILLIANT, you won't be able to put it down!) Cassie soars from different times in history to plunging head first into the Realm of Fairies and back again to current time. How does this heroine have time to breath!? There wasn't much character development in this novel when it came to Cassie, but I think there is still a lot of time for that as this is only the second in the series and the first one really laid out a great montage of complex characters.
It is disappointing that Cassie's decisions were ill thought out and mostly came to her out of her stubborness in some crisis. Are we sensing our Cassie is becoming a little self-absorbed? Haha. That's ok, it doesn't help to be selfless ALL the time...
The majority of the characters in the first novel are brought back in this one. You have to love the warrior mage Pritkin. He becomes Cassie's ally along with Billy the ghost, Tomas, Mircea...
I absolutely love the world that Karen Chance is creating- there are some great new characters with neat abilities. (Just to name a few- moving tattoos, Magical Bombs, Talismans, Incubi, Gargoyles, Zombies, Portals...) There was a LOT of action in this novel, maybe a little too much. Instead of stretching the story to the max, she crammed in a million awesome ideas and it kinda made you forget the goals/plots. As the action is a wee bit overwhelming, it is still an awesome book and I suggest it to anyone that loves good action.
This book has me hooked- I've gotta find out what happens to Cassie and Mircea!
This book has the same pace as the first one, fast, furious, and hilarious. More trips to the past with Myra also there as well. Pritkin the Warmage and the Circe also make a larger appearance in this novel as well. another shocker, Pritkin is on Cassandra's side. There's even a travel into Farie. Magic plays a bigger role in this novel as Pritkin this time is forced to protect Cassie. Even playing on her side. This is a great sequel to the first book. It also leaves some room for yet another book. It was exciting and entertaining all the way.
I liked this book
In Claimed by Shadow, we pick up shortly after the events of the previous novel with Cassie on the run from the Vampire Counsel and stoically avoiding taking on the duties of the Pythia (she just wants a normal life after all). In the first book Cassie has spunk…she was a butt-kicking heroine who gave as good as she got…in Claimed by Shadow…not so much. Cassie has devolved to a whiny, confused girl who can’t figure out her powers. In the previous book I enjoyed watching her growing skill with prophecy…this time out it seemed like there really wasn’t any skill, she spent all her time screaming at various characters about how she didn’t know how to use the powers and more importantly that she didn’t want them at all. In the end, she who puts up a lot of struggle and energy into NOT becoming the Pythia comes to a lame conclusion…this entire section of the storyline ends poorly (very anti-climatic).
As with the previous book there was an assortment of vampires, mages, witches, fey, shrunken heads, satyrs, ghosts…and what should have been the lovely addition of Dark Fey (this could have been a very interesting addition to this growing world, but in the end…not so much). We were also introduced to incubi (very charming, if a bit over played), gargoyles (I would have liked to see more of them), the Graeae pulling a special guest appearance (very amusing and appreciated), and with Elvis and Hendrix in interesting cameo rolls (I won’t spoil it for you…but it was funny)! Even with all of this, this world manages to fall flat in the sequel…it doesn’t have that gritty dark urban fantasy feel…it’s muddled and confusing and the many plot lines were hard to sort out in the end and I had trouble liking Cassie as the book progressed.
This is billed mainly as a “paranormal romance,” and as I said when I started out here, I can take them or leave them and I prefer the paranormal to the romance…for me to really enjoy a book of this type, it needs to be weighted toward the paranormal, which this mostly was. The twist and play up of the sexual tension through the use of a Geis was potentially interesting, but I found that halfway though the book I really wanted to slap Cassie (and/or the author) around because in the end what could have been a nicely played sexual tension with a side of bittersweet lust became one of the most annoying plot devices I think I have had to keep reading about.
Overall…I have to agree with other reviewers, the first book was far superior and the sequel is almost (but not quite) a tired “rehash” of the original. In my opinion this is not a true continuation of the story line, the author spends 374 pages treading over the same territory again and again….I’ll certainly try the third in the series when it comes out in 2008 (every series has a book or two that aren’t on par with the others), but if there isn’t significant improvement that’ll be the end of this series for me. I rate it at 3 stars (and feel that is generous), if you like paranormal romance, you’ll likely find this amusing and fun…if your like me and prefer the paranormal to the romance…this is likely to fall short of the mark for you. This is definitely one to check out of the library.
I guess i was just
I spent a week trying to listen to this book, and had to keep returning to previous chapters because I had tuned it out.
This book is boring boring boring, made worse by a narrator with a monotonous voice.
It is one battle after another, again and again. I finally tried to cut to the end
Not imaginative, not compelling, not entertaining, not gripping.
I would recommend this book only to SERIOUS followers of the author or the series; I can't imagine anyone else getting through to stultifying dullness.
It wasn't bad, it took me a while to remember some of the background, and in many situations I didn't get a great sense of place or time, not the best read but not a bad read. I'm not pushed to get the next book in the series but I wouldn't reject the idea of reading it.
After reading the first book in the series, Touch the Dark, I thought this can only get better. I was a bit disappointed. I mean, yes it was action packed. And yes, there was never a dull moment. But the plot didn't really progress until the last 10 pages or so. Also, I love Mircea, and I hated how he was barely in this book. He showed up briefly in the present, but only for short periods of time in the past. Also, the whole thing with Tomas at the end was weird. I did like Cassie's spirit in this book. No matter how many times she was knocked down, she just got right back up again. All she wants is to find her father, kill Tony, and live a normal life. But everyone else wants something from her. They are all one-step ahead of her. Even though the odds are in no way stacked in her favor, she keeps on fighting for what she wants. Honestly, I like the series so I'll keep reading. I want to find out how it ends.
I felt rushed through the book, and I found myself confused several times wondering if I missed something but after rereading realized I didn't miss anything. By the end of the book I got the gist of what happened, however I was still lost. Both in this book and the first I felt like I was thrown into the middle of it and was left to figure out what was going on.
Cassie is still trying to work out about the Pythia, hunted by magi, vampires etc. There are twists galore - Cassie is under a geas, the circle magi are blocking access to her ward, she's got allies who might be
The story romps along quickly, and has a satisfactory end to some story lines, while opening some new ones, and leaving some unresolved. Roll on the next book!
Cassie's power is different and intriguing, but has become something of a trap for the author. Cassie's main adversary here is Myra, who wants to be Pythia. Because clairvoyance is not an offensive weapon, but we still want it to be cool, Cassie spends a lot of the book time traveling to the past to stop Myra from disrupting the timeline. At first, this is interesting as she meets Mircea way before she was born, and learns about events that shape her present. Only, it got old pretty quick. Back and forth, back and forth. Myra understands these powers far more than Cassie so it always seems to be sheer luck that Cassie thwarts her at every turn.
Despite this, the book does cement Cassie as Pythia and there were some well done action scenes. The new twist of a geis put on her by Mircea could be fun if she doesn't go too far. Does she love him, or is it just the spell? And what about his feelings? I like it as a tool for sexual tension, but pushed too far it will take over the story (kind've like the ardeur - sex becomes compulsive not choice). I also liked that we got more information on the mages, in addition to the vampires. Pritkin is an annoying prick, but I suspect that he'll become more sympathetic in book 3. I agree with other reviewers that I would like to see her get a solid ally besides Billy. Someone she can trust who doesn't keep her constantly guessing at their motivations.
Overall, this entry wasn't nearly as strong as I had hoped, but I enjoyed it enough to want to read more of Cassie. The world is exciting, and her political landscape more and more interesting. Hopefully, "Embrace the Night" will grab me by the throat and not let go. Otherwise, there are other vampires in the urban landscape.
Worldbuilding:
Sooooo
Character development:
Cassie didn't really have the time to think about all the implications of being the chosen heir for the Pythia, she's too busy saving herself, Mircea or her friends. That said, she rolled with the punches, learning as she went.
I had totally forgotten about Mac (this is a re-read) and his tattoos. Such a cool guy :) So it was strange to see him being friends with Pritkin, who was, for once, not trying to kill Cassie (well...ish).
While Mircea was in the picture a lot, it was mostly in the 1880s where Cassie had to save his ass from Myra, her evil co-Pythia heir. I have to say though that I liked it that he was so much like his modern self even that long ago, for me it means that he managed not to get jaded (too much) and held on to his core beliefs and principles... go Mircea! (*swoon*)
Pacing and flow:
Well, there was a lot of action, I don't even know if there was a time where Cassie and the gang couldn't just relax and take a breather (well, okay, that one time, but that doesn't count). So yes, a lot of action! Fortunately, there was a good balance between everything going on and conversations and the transitions felt smooth.
The book:
The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There is sex described (if that is important to you).
The book is 374 pages long, spread over 15 chapters and from Cassie's POV (point of view).
All in all:
I'm happy I'm re-reading this series to pick up where I left off since I just can't remember a single thing from this instalment! I loved it! :D