Review: The Cassandra Palmer Series

Cassandra Palmer Series
Author: Karen Chance

I've Read:
1. Touch the Dark
2. Claimed by Shadow
3. Embrace the Night

Summary: Cassandra Palmer has been in hiding for three years since she escaped Antonio, the master vampire who raised her after he had her parents killed when she was only four. A gifted clairvoyant, Cassandra was Antonio's useful tool until she discovered his complicity in her parents' deaths and fled his estate. Tony has finally caught up with her, but he isn't the only one.

I bought my the first Cassie Palmerbook this summer, then the next two in the fall. Since then I have ran across some odd comments about the books ranging from "boring" to "too complicated". I can only imagine that these readers picked up the book but weren't fans of the genre perhaps? I'll give you my opinion and you can be the judge.

I would consider the Cassie Palmerbooks Urban Fantasy, a little like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Yes, a lot is going on from page one of the first book. Cassie's life is complicated. Karen Chance has created a world for her that is full of dangerous and sexy good guys and bad guys, some whom you can't really tell which side they will jump to at any given moment. Black and white are not often the colors of choice in her world. That would be too simple and much less fun.
Elvis has performed at Dante's, a club we experience with Cassie many times in the books. No, the books don't take place in the 1960's or 70's. Elvis is a zombie entertainer at the club. Go figure. Shrunken heads call out food orders in the restaurant too. All is never as it seems. There are ghosts, vamps, mages, zombies and fae, among other things. Some real. Some fake. These books are fast paced with action scenes galore, including time travel.

Cassie is a reluctant heroine who is only now learning what she can do with her mad skills. She doesn't know who she can trust because it changes in a split second. She's creative, kind-hearted, loyal to those who earn it, and has a sarcastic wit. She takes things as they are thrown at her and uses whatever and whomever she can to get those around her out of harm's way.

I will say that you DO have to pay attention when reading these books. There are a lot of details, but that's what makes Cassie's world so cool. It's never dull. I would recommend this book to those who love urban fantasy similar to the Dresden Files or Kim Harrison's books. It's a fast paced, fun read with a lot of action.

Extra Notes: Yes, there is sex, but it's not over the top or excessive for those who like to be forewarned. Reading the books in order is a must.

To Read Chapter One go here: http://www.karenchance.com/books2.html

~Moonsanity