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The Cassidy Chronicles #1A
Run Like Hell
When they said marriage can be murder, they didn't expect this!Buckle up for a thrill ride like no other in this electrifying tale where love, danger, and secrets collide! When Kendra, Aiyana, and Derek's wedding turns into a fight for survival, they're thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse. With assassins hot on their trail and mysteries lurking around every corner, they'll need all their cunning and courage to uncover the truth. From the streets of their besieged city to the flooded depths of New Orleans, follow this dynamic trio as they race against time to unravel a conspiracy that threatens not just their lives, but the fate of entire worlds. Strap in and hold on tight – because this adventure is about to take you on a rollercoaster journey of twists, turns, and jaw-dropping revelations!JM Leitch, author of The Zul Enigma, said "Run Like Hell doesn't fall into the weighty adventure sci-fi type of novel I usually choose - it is also a light-hearted futuristic romance - but having said that it's beefed up with good science and is a well constructed and well-written book. The main characters are charming and original and dazzle the reader with their quick and witty repartee. Set 100 years in the future, the book opens with the wedding of two female friends, Kendra (Ken) Foster-Briggs exotic actress and film producer, Aiyana Cassidy (Cass) half Irish/half Native American graduate from MIT with a Doctorate in Optical Engineering, and Derek James, a man of independent means. The only problem is instead of the Reverend marrying them he pulls a gun on them, forcing them to Run Like Hell. Surviving a second attack the two ladies leave Derek behind and after working out Cass is the target, Ken arranges new identities and a safe place for them both to lay low until they can sort out the mess they find themselves in. I won't give away any more of the plot but I will say this is a fast-paced page-turner and worthy of the 5 stars I have given it." This volume can be purchased as part of The Cassidy Chronicles, which is an omnibus edition of Run Like Hell, A Deadly Quest, and A Desperate Gambit. If you already have The Cassidy Chronicles, you do not need to purchase this book separately to have the full series.But thank you for considering it!
120 pages
Published October 23, 2012
7 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Adam Gaffen
77 books114 followersCome for the starships. Stay for the soul.
Adam Gaffen is the award-winning author of the Cassidyverse, a genre-blending universe where science fiction, fantasy, romance, and rebellion intertwine. His books span centuries and genres but share a common thread: characters with grit, stories with heart, and futures worth fighting for. Recognized across multiple indie award platforms, his work includes sweeping sagas, pulse-pounding missions, and mythic romances with cosmic consequences.
Every book stands on its own—each a gateway into a world where chosen family matters, love defies expectation, and change is always possible.
Start anywhere. You’ll find your people.
Adam Gaffen is the award-winning author of the Cassidyverse, a genre-blending universe where science fiction, fantasy, romance, and rebellion intertwine. His books span centuries and genres but share a common thread: characters with grit, stories with heart, and futures worth fighting for. Recognized across multiple indie award platforms, his work includes sweeping sagas, pulse-pounding missions, and mythic romances with cosmic consequences.
Every book stands on its own—each a gateway into a world where chosen family matters, love defies expectation, and change is always possible.
Start anywhere. You’ll find your people.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 3, 2023
I'm sorry to have to do this but wow this was just not good. I have so many notes. This was just not even a complete book, even though I own the three book bound copy the fact that this book has existed on its own makes it a little worse because there is no actual conclusion. We don't find out anything. We never actually find out the real reason they are being chased across the country. They are working off of pure speculation. I went into this worried there would be fetishization of lesbians and while there were no graphic sex scenes, the description of the women was clearly in the male gaze. Then I was told this book was poly but the women who are together with a man in the beginning literally ditch him because he was freaking out over the fact that one of the characters literally snaps a guys neck in front of him. So yeah, he should have freaked out but they ditch the so-called man they love and don't think about him again until page 109? And only for half a page.
The world building was weak. The characters were one dimensional. Kendra is a Mary Sue to the extreme. She's an actress. But really she's a porn actress. But wait she's actually a secret agent. and Also she has infrared vision just naturally? All obstacles are conveniently taken care of in two seconds and Cass is never upset at her supposed love for all the lies, deceit. She just goes with it. There is never any conflict. There's just nothing.
Also I don't know why the punctuation in this is British standards when this is an American written/set book.
I have so many notes but I'm really sad to be disparaging this novel but I just can't endorse it. I've met the writer, he's a super cool fun dude but this is just a bad novel that needed way more fleshing out than we got. It also needs an actual conclusion to the story arc.
The world building was weak. The characters were one dimensional. Kendra is a Mary Sue to the extreme. She's an actress. But really she's a porn actress. But wait she's actually a secret agent. and Also she has infrared vision just naturally? All obstacles are conveniently taken care of in two seconds and Cass is never upset at her supposed love for all the lies, deceit. She just goes with it. There is never any conflict. There's just nothing.
Also I don't know why the punctuation in this is British standards when this is an American written/set book.
I have so many notes but I'm really sad to be disparaging this novel but I just can't endorse it. I've met the writer, he's a super cool fun dude but this is just a bad novel that needed way more fleshing out than we got. It also needs an actual conclusion to the story arc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2021
Due to some strange machinations of the universe, I have had rather a lot of futuristic sci-fi/dystopian books cross my review desk lately. I am perfectly alright with this, as they are a favourite of mine. One of these books to become involved in this weird phenomenon is Run Like Hell, the first book in the Cassidy Chronicles by Adam Gaffen. And, by golly, the title says it all.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book takes place some couple hundred years into the future, when the current United States has evolved into several different countries and collectives, some at war, all with different levels of rules and currency and the like. The main characters are Aiyana Cassidy and Kendra Foster-Briggs, and the book starts with their wedding. Before the vows can be said, someone tries to kill Cass and things, naturally, devolve from there. Now, Ken and Cass go on the run while trying to figure out what’s going on, while also not getting killed. Old secrets come to light and our main characters may be in for more than they expected.
The plot in this book moves very quickly. That is to be expected, given both the nature of the plot (run away, someone’s trying to kill me) and the title. However, despite the fact that it moves very quickly, I never felt overwhelmed. The plot was very well structured, with the salient points precisely where I would expect them to be. And, given the drama of the ending, I fully expect the pace to continue into the next book.
2. Thoughts on the characters
It can be occasionally difficult to have two main characters of the same gender unless their personalities are wildly different, even opposites. The main characters here were not opposites, yet I think they were both very distinct and fun to read. I liked the dynamic of their relationship, with each pushed the other just enough for growth without turning into a problematic argument or situation. I will say that I wish there were just a bit more growth to the characters as they moved through the story. Generally, they did change and develop, but after about the thirty percent mark, they stayed relatively static. However, given the vast nature of the series, I think that the growth I want is likely to happen further into the books, when the situations become more involved/intense and more information about the situations is presented.
3. Favourite part
The car. Oh, stars. That car!
4. Critique
I really liked this book, with all its adventure and fast pace, so the critique is slightly ironic in that sense. Most of the plot was portrayed to the reader through character dialogue. There was very little narration, very little action, that was not shown with dialogue. This is a very valid style, and it did work well given how swiftly things needed to move in this book, but I wish there were just a little more narration outside of dialogue. Mostly to do with character interaction, simply because I think body language and movement is equally important as dialogue. It’s a fairly minor issue, but i did notice it.
Overall, I think that Run Like Hell was a very good book with interesting characters and a premise that was fascinating to explore. I enjoyed the situations, the plot, the drama, and the characters, and would recommend this book to any interested. A very good book.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book takes place some couple hundred years into the future, when the current United States has evolved into several different countries and collectives, some at war, all with different levels of rules and currency and the like. The main characters are Aiyana Cassidy and Kendra Foster-Briggs, and the book starts with their wedding. Before the vows can be said, someone tries to kill Cass and things, naturally, devolve from there. Now, Ken and Cass go on the run while trying to figure out what’s going on, while also not getting killed. Old secrets come to light and our main characters may be in for more than they expected.
The plot in this book moves very quickly. That is to be expected, given both the nature of the plot (run away, someone’s trying to kill me) and the title. However, despite the fact that it moves very quickly, I never felt overwhelmed. The plot was very well structured, with the salient points precisely where I would expect them to be. And, given the drama of the ending, I fully expect the pace to continue into the next book.
2. Thoughts on the characters
It can be occasionally difficult to have two main characters of the same gender unless their personalities are wildly different, even opposites. The main characters here were not opposites, yet I think they were both very distinct and fun to read. I liked the dynamic of their relationship, with each pushed the other just enough for growth without turning into a problematic argument or situation. I will say that I wish there were just a bit more growth to the characters as they moved through the story. Generally, they did change and develop, but after about the thirty percent mark, they stayed relatively static. However, given the vast nature of the series, I think that the growth I want is likely to happen further into the books, when the situations become more involved/intense and more information about the situations is presented.
3. Favourite part
The car. Oh, stars. That car!
4. Critique
I really liked this book, with all its adventure and fast pace, so the critique is slightly ironic in that sense. Most of the plot was portrayed to the reader through character dialogue. There was very little narration, very little action, that was not shown with dialogue. This is a very valid style, and it did work well given how swiftly things needed to move in this book, but I wish there were just a little more narration outside of dialogue. Mostly to do with character interaction, simply because I think body language and movement is equally important as dialogue. It’s a fairly minor issue, but i did notice it.
Overall, I think that Run Like Hell was a very good book with interesting characters and a premise that was fascinating to explore. I enjoyed the situations, the plot, the drama, and the characters, and would recommend this book to any interested. A very good book.
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December 7, 2021Wow. That ending!
I read this book twice and could not out it down. I love the hard work that went into developing the world and its characters. I also appreciate the representation of various walks of life and lifestyles from the characters. They are all the more relatable and enticing.
I read this book twice and could not out it down. I love the hard work that went into developing the world and its characters. I also appreciate the representation of various walks of life and lifestyles from the characters. They are all the more relatable and enticing.
April 21, 2023
Run Like Hell
Adam Gaffen has written a super high octane thriller! This is definitely the first sapphic book I’ve ever read by a straight man. I love the two women who marry while on the run from, we don’t know. The heat between the women is tame but their love for each other shines through. I want to know where the adventure leads them for book 2.
Adam Gaffen has written a super high octane thriller! This is definitely the first sapphic book I’ve ever read by a straight man. I love the two women who marry while on the run from, we don’t know. The heat between the women is tame but their love for each other shines through. I want to know where the adventure leads them for book 2.
December 30, 2020
It wasn't what I thought it would be. However it was entertaining and I read on all three books. I got all three from the author and this is my voluntary and honest review.
February 11, 2013
Basics:This book is set in the future, during Aiyana's wedding the pastor tries to kill her. She goes on the run with her best friend and her boyfriend. Leaving the boyfriend in the dust Aiyana, who is referred to as Cass and Kendra, who is referred to as Ken, go on a quest to not only stay alive but to find out who is trying to kill Cass, and why. This book is written in a very different style then I am used to. I have to say, it was kind of refreshing once I got used to it. It's in the form of a conversation. It's got suspense, mystery, action, comedic moments and keeps you guessing. The characters and the plot were well developed and enjoyable. I liked it and will most definitely check out the next book.
January 5, 2013
Quite a good story so far that I'm really enjoying and can't wait to find out what happens. Normally I don't read a whole series, might read the first book but I won't bother with the others but that's just me. There's enough action and intrigue that the story rivets me. Do believe I'm getting the rest of the series in this case.
I was given a copy as a result of a drawing and decided to review it.
I was given a copy as a result of a drawing and decided to review it.
November 28, 2012
Awesome story...loved how most of the book was a conversation. Loved Ken and Cass! Liked how even when they were trying to be serious it was still funny i dont think i stopped laughing.
April 19, 2013
Cass, Ken and Derek just think they have the perfect relationship. The three decide to get married and all hell breaks loose. This is a fast paced read based in the future. WaAR
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews