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Cassandra Palmer #12
Ignite the Fire: Inferno
Ignite the Fire: Incendiary struck a match; Ignite the Fire: Inferno brings a firestorm!
Cassie Palmer, once a down on her luck clairvoyant and now the chief seer of the supernatural world, is in the fight of her life. While on a rescue mission in Faerie, she is kidnapped by a king of the fey named Aeslinn. He is her sworn enemy and has every reason to want to kill her, yet instead he offers a trade: her life for that of her lover, John Pritkin.
Cassie doesn’t know what the king’s game is, only that it involves his alliance with Zeus, the head of the ancient pantheon who used to rule all of Earth and who is determined to do so again. In order to save her lover, and the world, she has to figure out what Zeus and his royal puppet are up to. She also has to stop them, even if it means taking on the king of the gods himself.
Cassie Palmer, once a down on her luck clairvoyant and now the chief seer of the supernatural world, is in the fight of her life. While on a rescue mission in Faerie, she is kidnapped by a king of the fey named Aeslinn. He is her sworn enemy and has every reason to want to kill her, yet instead he offers a trade: her life for that of her lover, John Pritkin.
Cassie doesn’t know what the king’s game is, only that it involves his alliance with Zeus, the head of the ancient pantheon who used to rule all of Earth and who is determined to do so again. In order to save her lover, and the world, she has to figure out what Zeus and his royal puppet are up to. She also has to stop them, even if it means taking on the king of the gods himself.
619 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2022
132 people are currently reading
1017 people want to read
About the author
Karen Chance
62 books5,248 followersKaren Chance is the author of two New York Times bestselling series, plus a number of novellas and short stories, all set in the Cassandra Palmer universe. A full-time writer since 2008, she was previously a university history teacher, which comes in handy when writing the time-travel aspect of Cassie’s crazy adventures. She loves Las Vegas, the main setting for her novels, but currently lives in Florida near her family home. Visit her website or connect with her on Facebook here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
May 23, 2022
*rubs temples* God, I don't even know.
This was definitely a huge novel. A lot happened. Some of it was pretty epic. I can't even complain that there weren't enough quiet moments, because, honestly, there were. There were battle scenes between vampires, demons, fae, and gods, with Cassie Palmer right in the middle of it taking on everybody. Then there were also scenes where Cassie and Rhia would talk about what it meant to be Pythia, or even just have semi-humorous moments in which a magic dress transforms depending on who touched it last.
There was so much, and by the end of it I can't even decide whether I should say this was the best book in the series yet.
What I definitely wanted to talk about is that there is a sexual assault scene relatively early on in the book. Maybe no more than 20, 25% of the way in? So let's get spoilery for a second to talk about that.
The rest of the novel was chock-full of necromancy and demons reshaping the flesh of vampires and Cassie wielding golden whips of god energy. It was kickass. It was a lot. But even at that, with all these action scenes, there was still a scene in which Cassie first met Billy, her ghost. He used to be a main character and one of the few defining characteristics for Cassie early in the series; she wore an ugly ruby necklace with Billy the Ghost trapped inside. So, despite this Apocalyptic magical battle, we were still given quieter flashback scenes for a respite.
This was probably the best book in the series, but I'm not sure if I can say that I loved it.
This was definitely a huge novel. A lot happened. Some of it was pretty epic. I can't even complain that there weren't enough quiet moments, because, honestly, there were. There were battle scenes between vampires, demons, fae, and gods, with Cassie Palmer right in the middle of it taking on everybody. Then there were also scenes where Cassie and Rhia would talk about what it meant to be Pythia, or even just have semi-humorous moments in which a magic dress transforms depending on who touched it last.
There was so much, and by the end of it I can't even decide whether I should say this was the best book in the series yet.
What I definitely wanted to talk about is that there is a sexual assault scene relatively early on in the book. Maybe no more than 20, 25% of the way in? So let's get spoilery for a second to talk about that.
The rest of the novel was chock-full of necromancy and demons reshaping the flesh of vampires and Cassie wielding golden whips of god energy. It was kickass. It was a lot. But even at that, with all these action scenes, there was still a scene in which Cassie first met Billy, her ghost. He used to be a main character and one of the few defining characteristics for Cassie early in the series; she wore an ugly ruby necklace with Billy the Ghost trapped inside. So, despite this Apocalyptic magical battle, we were still given quieter flashback scenes for a respite.
This was probably the best book in the series, but I'm not sure if I can say that I loved it.
January 18, 2022
after reading:
2.5/5
(techically it deserves to be rounded up to 3 stars... If not for a certain thing. You will see)
Oh, if only all the time in Faerie could have been spent on Cassie trying to force Pritkin to make up with his inner demon... I really enjoyed their fight in first chapters. I used to want Cassie books to delve into the Faerie ever since book 2, but now i am sooo done with it. And with fey (never liked them in chanceverse anyway)!
I am glad to announce that #12 is much more Cassie Palmer book than #11. It still wasnt half as perfect as books 1-9, many things were annoying (Cassie whining, some messy fluff, useless Mircea pov flashback, fey, not enough Pritkin) but there were as well some enjoyable ones (Pritkin was there and he was even conscious all the time!!!, Tarot cards are back, Gertie and Rhea stealing my heart, mentions of norse mythology and my sweet boi Loki, some Pythianisms :P, mentions/brief cameos from few of our beloved side characters, Billy Joe flashback!!!)
And let me tell you: THE LAST 20% of this book WERE AMAZING! Exciting! I was so happy - KC mojo seemed to be totally back.
But.
Of course there is a "but", otherwise i would rate it 3 stars and sleep peacefully tonight.
There is something shocking, disgusting and absolutely unimaginable. Something i believed Karen Chance would never tarnish this beautiful and unique series with.
I really, really wish Chance decided to cut it out. It didnt even affect the story.
It truly soured the book for me, and even if i loved the last 20% and enjoyed or was neutral towards most of the ride, I PROTEST! And i round my rating down to 2 stars on Goodreads. It might be nothing, but i will always remember to skip certain part if i ever reread #12 - which is more likely than rereading #11.
On lighter note, Pritkin reuniting with his incubus half was 99% anticlimatic, sadly. If only we got to see more of that dynamic instead of a mess that #11 was!
Still, i am left wanting more. Hopefully next book will be 100% Cassie book.
-------------------------
before reading:
So... I actually HATED book 11, but when i read the first two chapters of #12 it was so fun... Like a normal Cassie book!
Now i know i'm definitely gonna read it. (Pritkin finally woke up from his sack-of-potatoes-plot, come on!)
2.5/5
(techically it deserves to be rounded up to 3 stars... If not for a certain thing. You will see)
Oh, if only all the time in Faerie could have been spent on Cassie trying to force Pritkin to make up with his inner demon... I really enjoyed their fight in first chapters. I used to want Cassie books to delve into the Faerie ever since book 2, but now i am sooo done with it. And with fey (never liked them in chanceverse anyway)!
I am glad to announce that #12 is much more Cassie Palmer book than #11. It still wasnt half as perfect as books 1-9, many things were annoying (Cassie whining, some messy fluff, useless Mircea pov flashback, fey, not enough Pritkin) but there were as well some enjoyable ones (Pritkin was there and he was even conscious all the time!!!, Tarot cards are back, Gertie and Rhea stealing my heart, mentions of norse mythology and my sweet boi Loki, some Pythianisms :P, mentions/brief cameos from few of our beloved side characters, Billy Joe flashback!!!)
And let me tell you: THE LAST 20% of this book WERE AMAZING! Exciting! I was so happy - KC mojo seemed to be totally back.
But.
Of course there is a "but", otherwise i would rate it 3 stars and sleep peacefully tonight.
There is something shocking, disgusting and absolutely unimaginable. Something i believed Karen Chance would never tarnish this beautiful and unique series with.
I really, really wish Chance decided to cut it out. It didnt even affect the story.
It truly soured the book for me, and even if i loved the last 20% and enjoyed or was neutral towards most of the ride, I PROTEST! And i round my rating down to 2 stars on Goodreads. It might be nothing, but i will always remember to skip certain part if i ever reread #12 - which is more likely than rereading #11.
On lighter note, Pritkin reuniting with his incubus half was 99% anticlimatic, sadly. If only we got to see more of that dynamic instead of a mess that #11 was!
Still, i am left wanting more. Hopefully next book will be 100% Cassie book.
-------------------------
before reading:
So... I actually HATED book 11, but when i read the first two chapters of #12 it was so fun... Like a normal Cassie book!
Now i know i'm definitely gonna read it. (Pritkin finally woke up from his sack-of-potatoes-plot, come on!)
December 28, 2022
Cassie gets raped.
And mentally gang raped. While a whole army mentally looks on and literally jerks off to her assault.
It's a disturbing sequence that drags out over several chapters.
It doesn't much drive the plot and there seems to be absolutely no reason to include it. It's a horrible traumatic read, that leaves the reader seemingly more affected than Cassie. She's affected for a few chapters, the next action takes place, and she's back to normal in her own relationship(s).
I mean, Chance can't even bring herself to use the word "rape" after having written such a long scene about it. She just makes Cassie say she doesn't want to talk or think about what happened and we move on (possibly with Cassie presented as feeling stronger for having 'overcome' her feelings around it?). And then puts in another scene later on where Cassie watches as a group strips her seemingly dead body and attempts to rape it.
This ruined everything for me. I have devoted so many years and feelings to this series, but this choice makes me want to quit everything immediately. I have long been annoyed at how often Cassie gets sexually threatened and assaulted, but Chance's world building has been so impressive that I could deal with her not shying away from the darker parts of her universe as long as I felt safe. I no longer do.
I don't feel safe picking up a book from the Cassie, Dorina or the upcoming Lia series.
It's not that I don't get that a read should challenge and excite and, yes, make you fear for your hero's outcome. But not like this. Even for a rape scene, this was so awfully cruelly written and handled. To quote another review "I don't read an awesome fantasy series to see the heroine being raped in book fucking twelve!" https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Edit 28/12/22:
Bile still rise in my throat whenever I think of this. i can't think of anything to do with this literary universe without immediately recalling this.
It is the detail and length of the rape. It is the thoroughly written and detailed, several chapters long build-up. It is the way we get to know the rapist(s) and his motivations, the way it is so much about him.
I have never been affected by a scene from a book like this.
And mentally gang raped. While a whole army mentally looks on and literally jerks off to her assault.
It's a disturbing sequence that drags out over several chapters.
It doesn't much drive the plot and there seems to be absolutely no reason to include it. It's a horrible traumatic read, that leaves the reader seemingly more affected than Cassie. She's affected for a few chapters, the next action takes place, and she's back to normal in her own relationship(s).
I mean, Chance can't even bring herself to use the word "rape" after having written such a long scene about it. She just makes Cassie say she doesn't want to talk or think about what happened and we move on (possibly with Cassie presented as feeling stronger for having 'overcome' her feelings around it?). And then puts in another scene later on where Cassie watches as a group strips her seemingly dead body and attempts to rape it.
This ruined everything for me. I have devoted so many years and feelings to this series, but this choice makes me want to quit everything immediately. I have long been annoyed at how often Cassie gets sexually threatened and assaulted, but Chance's world building has been so impressive that I could deal with her not shying away from the darker parts of her universe as long as I felt safe. I no longer do.
I don't feel safe picking up a book from the Cassie, Dorina or the upcoming Lia series.
It's not that I don't get that a read should challenge and excite and, yes, make you fear for your hero's outcome. But not like this. Even for a rape scene, this was so awfully cruelly written and handled. To quote another review "I don't read an awesome fantasy series to see the heroine being raped in book fucking twelve!" https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Edit 28/12/22:
Bile still rise in my throat whenever I think of this. i can't think of anything to do with this literary universe without immediately recalling this.
It is the detail and length of the rape. It is the thoroughly written and detailed, several chapters long build-up. It is the way we get to know the rapist(s) and his motivations, the way it is so much about him.
I have never been affected by a scene from a book like this.
June 29, 2022
If you have been waiting to read this series until it's over, or have held off continuing it because the wait time between books is so long, when each book ends in a cliffhanger, you can now read it.
Although I don’t think this is the last book, I do believe it ended a lot of major plot holes/story lines and sets up for a new “season”. That is to say this book DID NOT END ON A CLIFFHANGER, but it did leave main story lines that were set up and never followed through on, but not concerning Cassie herself. Possibly they will be finished here or in the Dorina series. Which you also should read. I do hope that Cassie isn’t over.
Don't worry too much about that "trigger scene" everyone is up in arms over. It happens, it drove the plot forward and out of 12 books sometimes stuff like that happens to our characters. It was a bit more brutal than I expected from this series, but like I said, it happened, it was over. Don't put off reading this book or series because of it. It's like skipping out on Game of Thrones because you heard that one of the main characters has a relationship with his aunt - Context makes a big difference.
Every book (except this one at this time) is available at the library on both ebook and audio (that is if your library carries them, all the ones I subscribe to do).
Do not skip books, if you can't read one due to availability, wait until it's available, or buy it. If at all possible, read them within a short timeframe between books since the are all pretty intricate and plot- heavy, relying on incidents in previous books to cary the story forward.
This series is very heavy in action/adventure/humor/machinations/timetravel/vampires/magic/mages/save the world tropes/underdog tropes/romantic tropes.
Some of the action scenes are pages long and read like what you would see in a blockbuster film. The humor often makes me laugh so hard tears roll down my face. Every book has that humor. I have been known to skim a bit when the action goes on a bit too long, or the dialogue/scene feels a bit “filler” for me.
However, all in all this is a solid series and so much better when read in a binge. I get lost between books even if it’s only been a couple of months. I have only read most of them once and then maybe once more right before reading the newest release.
So, again, if you are waiting to jump in at a point where you feel you won't be left hanging or you got tired of reading and waiting just to read yet another book where nothing got resolved, then now is the time. Is this the last of Cassie? Well, not sure. However, after this book things are different.
Although I don’t think this is the last book, I do believe it ended a lot of major plot holes/story lines and sets up for a new “season”. That is to say this book DID NOT END ON A CLIFFHANGER, but it did leave main story lines that were set up and never followed through on, but not concerning Cassie herself. Possibly they will be finished here or in the Dorina series. Which you also should read. I do hope that Cassie isn’t over.
Don't worry too much about that "trigger scene" everyone is up in arms over. It happens, it drove the plot forward and out of 12 books sometimes stuff like that happens to our characters. It was a bit more brutal than I expected from this series, but like I said, it happened, it was over. Don't put off reading this book or series because of it. It's like skipping out on Game of Thrones because you heard that one of the main characters has a relationship with his aunt - Context makes a big difference.
Every book (except this one at this time) is available at the library on both ebook and audio (that is if your library carries them, all the ones I subscribe to do).
Do not skip books, if you can't read one due to availability, wait until it's available, or buy it. If at all possible, read them within a short timeframe between books since the are all pretty intricate and plot- heavy, relying on incidents in previous books to cary the story forward.
This series is very heavy in action/adventure/humor/machinations/timetravel/vampires/magic/mages/save the world tropes/underdog tropes/romantic tropes.
Some of the action scenes are pages long and read like what you would see in a blockbuster film. The humor often makes me laugh so hard tears roll down my face. Every book has that humor. I have been known to skim a bit when the action goes on a bit too long, or the dialogue/scene feels a bit “filler” for me.
However, all in all this is a solid series and so much better when read in a binge. I get lost between books even if it’s only been a couple of months. I have only read most of them once and then maybe once more right before reading the newest release.
So, again, if you are waiting to jump in at a point where you feel you won't be left hanging or you got tired of reading and waiting just to read yet another book where nothing got resolved, then now is the time. Is this the last of Cassie? Well, not sure. However, after this book things are different.
February 7, 2022
Disturbing, Confusing & Disappointing
I initially really enjoyed this series. The last few bioks not so much and this last one I’m sorry i read it. Very dark with disturbing scenes that added nothing to the story. The main character became very whiny & the story was too centered on her & became a confusing & boring monologue.
I initially really enjoyed this series. The last few bioks not so much and this last one I’m sorry i read it. Very dark with disturbing scenes that added nothing to the story. The main character became very whiny & the story was too centered on her & became a confusing & boring monologue.
July 10, 2022
Trigger warning: long graphic rape scene used as a plot device. Cassie is raped so that Pritkin finally embraces his full powers. There is no sensitivity in the writing, and it fails to address the very real, life-long trauma of survivors. None of the other books address PTSD related to Cassie’s MANY sexual assault experiences. The author has shown her true colors, and they are highly disturbing.
January 23, 2022
I spent a lot of time wishing for a better edit and a shorter book. Too much internal monologue and crushing self doubts are not for me. I want the series to be over.
January 24, 2022
Good, but needed some editing to cut out the unnecessary portions. There has been a lot of time spent on explanations that weren't needed in the last two books, because unless you didn't read the previous books in the series (which you should definitely not do with these) you already know these things. Also - this book felt frantic, which I understand, but it was a little too fraught with the indecisiveness and it just felt like there were too many words for every situation. I did like the book, though - it tied up some stuff I was waiting on. I'd have liked more Pritkin! The one thing I really did not like is below in the spoiler.
SPOILER AHEAD...
Rape is not a vehicle for moving the plot forward. It just isn't. I was so very disappointed that it was used in this book as any part of the storyline. I don't feel like it was necessary to the plot at all.
SPOILER AHEAD...
Rape is not a vehicle for moving the plot forward. It just isn't. I was so very disappointed that it was used in this book as any part of the storyline. I don't feel like it was necessary to the plot at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2024
Menudo subidón pegó este libro!. Ya me estaba desmarcando de la saga y este me ha vuelto a traer, agarrada por la nariz.
Y mira que lleva libros en mode ultra hipérbole on y cómo engancha, la condenada. Claro que la muy... no pierde pie en ningún momento, como así le acaba pasando a la inicialmente divertida Charley Davidson. Aquí está todo bien atado, a pesar del inmenso barullo que se ha formado entre los diferentes tiempos mezclados en 2 universos encima (en Fairy, por ejemplo, la magia no sólo funciona diferente, sino que los fantasmas se vuelven corpóreos, así que si te mueres, todavía puedes intentar ir a Fairy (lo que no es tan sencillo) y tomarte unas pintas... siempre que te conviertas en fantastasma, claro. De eso no hay garantías.
Entre los 2 universos, los saltos en el tiempo de unos y otros, los dioses metiendo cizaña, los demonios poseyendo vampiros, los semi dioses comiendo demonios en plan gournet... la que se lió.
Tengo que destacar el precioso cameo de Billy Joe😍🥹
Pero interesantísimo estuvo este (después de los 2 anteriores más flojitos). Así da gusto. Autores en GL Bis
Y mira que lleva libros en mode ultra hipérbole on y cómo engancha, la condenada. Claro que la muy... no pierde pie en ningún momento, como así le acaba pasando a la inicialmente divertida Charley Davidson. Aquí está todo bien atado, a pesar del inmenso barullo que se ha formado entre los diferentes tiempos mezclados en 2 universos encima (en Fairy, por ejemplo, la magia no sólo funciona diferente, sino que los fantasmas se vuelven corpóreos, así que si te mueres, todavía puedes intentar ir a Fairy (lo que no es tan sencillo) y tomarte unas pintas... siempre que te conviertas en fantastasma, claro. De eso no hay garantías.
Entre los 2 universos, los saltos en el tiempo de unos y otros, los dioses metiendo cizaña, los demonios poseyendo vampiros, los semi dioses comiendo demonios en plan gournet... la que se lió.
Tengo que destacar el precioso cameo de Billy Joe😍🥹
Pero interesantísimo estuvo este (después de los 2 anteriores más flojitos). Así da gusto. Autores en GL Bis
November 29, 2024
So. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book beyond: What the Fuck. I was glad to see Cassie reunite with our man Pritkin for a bit. But again we get an entire book basically without him or Mircea in it. We do see her with Marco, Tami and the rest of the Court but overwhelmingly it's Rhea, Cassie and The Shitshow that is this weird convoluted overly busy plot. Just like the first part of this it's TOO MUCH action though. I did actually feel emotionally connected to Cassie again as a reader though especially near the end. But fucking Hell this was a rollercoaster I kinda wanted to get off of several times.
Trigger warning sexual assault and death ahead. SPOILERS AHEAD.
I knew there was rape in this book as I'd read some reviews beforehand. A lot of them said it was gratuitous and horrible. I don't think it was necessary to include but nor was it relegated to a shitty trope of a plot device since it did nothing for the story.
I have to disagree that it was overly graphic. As someone who's been assaulted before I felt like it was very representative of the feeling of violation and helplessness that occurs during the act. It's a bit drawn out as it occurs in stages throughout a chapter and it does say penetration occurs but as always her sex scenes don't use cock, pussy, vagina, dick etc. She doesn't make it lurid. She's almost clinical in the description to be honest. You understand what's occurring, that the predator is enjoying it, and that Cassie is both terrified and frustrated at her inability to stop him. If anything the mental component of him telepathically broadcasting it / others joining in mentally was probably the most insidious part. I think that it was equivalently a telepathic gang rape that gets to most people. The physical aspect wasn't overly gratuitous but the mental and emotional aspects hit pretty hard. My main issue again is that it serves no purpose to include it. None. It fundamentally changes her admittedly but there are other ways to have done that as a writer. She doesn't address what happened to her outwardly to anyone. She doesn't acknowledge it, even to Pritkin who knows what occurred. She dives right back into physical intimacy with him despite his reservations about it and while I know some victims can and do react that way it did feel rushed and disingenuous.
Now the death part. More spoilers ahead.
Cassie dies near the end. Then comes back due to the discovery of her own necromantic powers and then a trip to Faerie which reconstitutes her body basically. But of course now she isn't the Pythia because she dies and the power passed to Rhea.
What the actual FUCK yo? Again: major trauma for no purpose. She literally watched her body be beaten and almost raped AGAIN before her sheer anger activates her necromancy and she possesses her own body. Why the threat of rape again? Why? That's all I have right now. WHY? I sobbed during this scene because I thought this was going to be a huge game changer but they just brought her back without the Pythian power. Which ya thats big but they could have had her drown and be resuscitated instead of drained of blood, beaten to a pulp, almost had her corpse raped, brought back via necromancy, fight like Hell to get to the portal, have a loved one beat on her because they think she's possessed, then finally get through the portal to Faerie and come back to life. Like... *aggressive shoulder shrug*. Seriously I'm so done. I might not read the next book. Since she started self publishing the plot has gone off the deep end and there's grammar and spelling mistakes too. The pacing is reminding me of when my Dad tried teaching me how to drive a car. Go, stop jerkily, go, stop abruptly go TOO FAST STOP NOW. Cassie is still Cassie to me. Still stubborn and sassy but War has definitely changed her in a way but the author hasn't convinced me it's a change that's meaningful to her growth. She's angrier now, which I would be too if I went through that bullshit. But thats it. We all grieve trauma differently but fucking Hell this was a mess. Also no character growth for anyone else because we don't see anyone else. I miss the older books. I think Brave the Tempest was the last one that felt decent in pacing and plot. Here's hoping she figures this all out.
Trigger warning sexual assault and death ahead. SPOILERS AHEAD.
I knew there was rape in this book as I'd read some reviews beforehand. A lot of them said it was gratuitous and horrible. I don't think it was necessary to include but nor was it relegated to a shitty trope of a plot device since it did nothing for the story.
I have to disagree that it was overly graphic. As someone who's been assaulted before I felt like it was very representative of the feeling of violation and helplessness that occurs during the act. It's a bit drawn out as it occurs in stages throughout a chapter and it does say penetration occurs but as always her sex scenes don't use cock, pussy, vagina, dick etc. She doesn't make it lurid. She's almost clinical in the description to be honest. You understand what's occurring, that the predator is enjoying it, and that Cassie is both terrified and frustrated at her inability to stop him. If anything the mental component of him telepathically broadcasting it / others joining in mentally was probably the most insidious part. I think that it was equivalently a telepathic gang rape that gets to most people. The physical aspect wasn't overly gratuitous but the mental and emotional aspects hit pretty hard. My main issue again is that it serves no purpose to include it. None. It fundamentally changes her admittedly but there are other ways to have done that as a writer. She doesn't address what happened to her outwardly to anyone. She doesn't acknowledge it, even to Pritkin who knows what occurred. She dives right back into physical intimacy with him despite his reservations about it and while I know some victims can and do react that way it did feel rushed and disingenuous.
Now the death part. More spoilers ahead.
Cassie dies near the end. Then comes back due to the discovery of her own necromantic powers and then a trip to Faerie which reconstitutes her body basically. But of course now she isn't the Pythia because she dies and the power passed to Rhea.
What the actual FUCK yo? Again: major trauma for no purpose. She literally watched her body be beaten and almost raped AGAIN before her sheer anger activates her necromancy and she possesses her own body. Why the threat of rape again? Why? That's all I have right now. WHY? I sobbed during this scene because I thought this was going to be a huge game changer but they just brought her back without the Pythian power. Which ya thats big but they could have had her drown and be resuscitated instead of drained of blood, beaten to a pulp, almost had her corpse raped, brought back via necromancy, fight like Hell to get to the portal, have a loved one beat on her because they think she's possessed, then finally get through the portal to Faerie and come back to life. Like... *aggressive shoulder shrug*. Seriously I'm so done. I might not read the next book. Since she started self publishing the plot has gone off the deep end and there's grammar and spelling mistakes too. The pacing is reminding me of when my Dad tried teaching me how to drive a car. Go, stop jerkily, go, stop abruptly go TOO FAST STOP NOW. Cassie is still Cassie to me. Still stubborn and sassy but War has definitely changed her in a way but the author hasn't convinced me it's a change that's meaningful to her growth. She's angrier now, which I would be too if I went through that bullshit. But thats it. We all grieve trauma differently but fucking Hell this was a mess. Also no character growth for anyone else because we don't see anyone else. I miss the older books. I think Brave the Tempest was the last one that felt decent in pacing and plot. Here's hoping she figures this all out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2022
I hadn't wanted peace, because peace came at other people's sufferance. I'd had peace at Tony's as long as I did what he wanted. As long as I put my power under his command. As long as I stayed in my chains.I really enjoyed this book—with some caveats.
I hadn't wanted peace, because peace could be taken away. I'd wanted power.
Firstly, there's a monstrously fantastical scene of sexual assault depicted. Cassie is, bluntly, gang-raped through a metaphysical fey consciousness . . . and that's a lot. A lot. Chance doesn't shy away from the act, or its initial trauma. Unfortunately, trauma is sort of a relative term in this universe—something traumatic is always around the corner; Cass can't go three hundred pages without something terrible happening to her or those she loves. So, when Cassie has panic attacks and experiences great distress in the aftermath, it could be attributed to any number of horrors that have happened to her, before or since. And this undercuts the depiction of rape. No one has to worry about being attacked by gods and monsters for obvious reasons, but too many people will experience some form of sexual assault in their lives. I'm not saying that that means topics like rape should be off-limits. However, its inclusion should be about its narrative value—like every other character and event should be. I'm just not sure I see the value of it here. In my opinion, it's not enough to say "people get raped" as justification. In a series like this, where extraordinary calamities are a dime a dozen and Cassie has been violated in a myriad of ways, Cassie's rape easily gets lost in the whirlwind. And I do hate that.
Surprisingly, Mircea's brief appearance this time around is apologetic. He actually expresses regret to Cassie about his monumental selfishness at the first opportunity—for centuries of attempted manipulation of the Pythian line and her—which, yay. What prompts this after a whole series of mental gymnastics arguing to the contrary? An encounter he has with his wife's fey friend about how she's been spending her time during their long separation—namely, acting selflessly for the war effort. We're told this after the fact: the logic is there, sure. The emotional journey feels ad hoc. For comparison, Pritkin is also coming to terms with his incubus side, and basically has the exact kind of after-the-fact revelation to reveal to Cassie. Yet there, the emotional journey is crystal clear.
If I had to pinpoint the exact issue with Mircea's characterisation here, it'd be his perpetual heartthrob status. He was introduced to the series as perfectly poised and seductively deadly, plus wielding enough power in vampire politics to make him answerable to no more than a handful of people. He's the ultimate alpha male love interest. Since then, layers of manipulation and mania have cracked that surface, but still, the story won't quite let go of that initial impression. He hasn't been allowed to evolve in the same way characters like Pritkin have because the role he serves in the series is static.
But these problems are greatly outweighed by the positives: Cassie's relationships with Gertie and Rhea are further explored, there's a late-in-the-game revelation that is then twisted on its head by the end, and an extended death scene that's as imaginative as it is horrifying. Basically, everything I look for in these books.
With the nature of self-publishing, I have no idea if/when the next one will be released. It's got a title, cover and tentative release window of this year, but after the messy releases of these last two, I'm not going to presume anything. Either way, I'll read it whenever.
November 7, 2022
Major trigger (and spoiler?) warning: rape..and not just off screen or saved just in time or gritty reality stuff...group rape and humiliation exhibitionism. And it went ON AND ON for a while! I'm not usually offended by these sorts of scenes, if they serve the plot...not a fan, but...this one just kept going. I finally gave up after it became a group thing where he had to broadcast to his buddies.
The Cassie Palmer series had already gotten very....convoluted, with lots of sudden Deus Ex Machina moments. And weird perspective shifts (a dude named Nigel shows up for a chapter or so, no idea how he related, other than as a means to progress the plot). It's like a soap opera....with "evil" twins and surprise parentage and everything. I had already started to feel iffy about the series, but then Cassie was bound, stripped, and raped, with the rape broadcast to become a magical group rape.
I have very few did not finish books....I usually feel obligated to finish if I get more than a chapter or two in...but this was a big DNF for me, for the book and this particular series.
The Cassie Palmer series had already gotten very....convoluted, with lots of sudden Deus Ex Machina moments. And weird perspective shifts (a dude named Nigel shows up for a chapter or so, no idea how he related, other than as a means to progress the plot). It's like a soap opera....with "evil" twins and surprise parentage and everything. I had already started to feel iffy about the series, but then Cassie was bound, stripped, and raped, with the rape broadcast to become a magical group rape.
I have very few did not finish books....I usually feel obligated to finish if I get more than a chapter or two in...but this was a big DNF for me, for the book and this particular series.
May 15, 2022
I'm mad and disappointed
OMG with the history lessons and the stories, so many stories, unnecessarily long and detailed, made this book soooo long and boring and confusing. The editors should've cut this book in half. Cassie and Dorina's adventures are all about action and crazy scenarios where they beat all odds. This book was nothing like that! And the assault? I don't read about assults for personal reasons and having to read this one, so freaking detailed! That was just plain wrong.
OMG with the history lessons and the stories, so many stories, unnecessarily long and detailed, made this book soooo long and boring and confusing. The editors should've cut this book in half. Cassie and Dorina's adventures are all about action and crazy scenarios where they beat all odds. This book was nothing like that! And the assault? I don't read about assults for personal reasons and having to read this one, so freaking detailed! That was just plain wrong.
February 28, 2022
I was very harsh on book 11, Incendiary, but I can thankfully say this one is definitely a step up. I enjoyed most of Inferno, so that's good. I was getting very sick of faerie and 3 books in Gertie's court in the 1800s was enough, so as soon as we get back to Las Vegas and Marco and the vamps I was happy. We got more Pritkin, which is always a plus, but he disappears again halfway through never to return. We got less of the stupid love triangle, and FINALLY the end of Lover's Knot, but then Karen Chance has to throw in a pointless Meirca flashback, so she can please those fans while never committing. This is a very long book, and so much happens. We always get some good, but eventually some bad too, so 3 stars is a perfect rating IMO.
One serious and traumatic event happens near the beginning of the book () and I saw a lot of readers complaining and outraged it was ever included. I didn't have a problem with the inclusion of this scene per se, since it almost happened several times before to Cassie (in book 2 when she first arrives in Faerie, and also in book 8 when trying to save Pritkin, and possibly other times I can't remember). Sometimes it's important not to shy away from these horrific topics and highlight the aftermath. What annoyed me was how it was written as a plot device and then barely addressed afterwards. First of all, Karen Chance never uses the actual word . Why? You write it, you should acknowledge it. Then we have a few chapters of Cassie being traumatised and "changed", until the next crazy thing happens and it's all back to normal. She didn't react any differently here than she did when overwhelmed in previous books. That was incredibly frustrating and just tainted my reading experience. This is nothing new in the series though; Cassie always gets over things quickly so we can move on to the next wacky sequence. There is no breathing room, and I can kind of understand that, with this type of pacing, but if that's the case it should never have been written in.
Similarly, another major event happened to Cassie at the end of the book and it was treated like a minor thing. Again, I thought this would have been a bigger deal, to every character. If these two events were treated better, I would have given the book a higher rating. I actually loved the twist with Cassie's parents.
We still get long, boring visions/flashbacks of Fae and others, and the villain is dragging on. There were glimpses of greatness in this book, but it was always balanced out with something disappointing. I'm glad it was more enjoyable to the awfulness of book 11. I guess we'll see how book 13 goes. I actually don't know how many more books are left.
One serious and traumatic event happens near the beginning of the book () and I saw a lot of readers complaining and outraged it was ever included. I didn't have a problem with the inclusion of this scene per se, since it almost happened several times before to Cassie (in book 2 when she first arrives in Faerie, and also in book 8 when trying to save Pritkin, and possibly other times I can't remember). Sometimes it's important not to shy away from these horrific topics and highlight the aftermath. What annoyed me was how it was written as a plot device and then barely addressed afterwards. First of all, Karen Chance never uses the actual word . Why? You write it, you should acknowledge it. Then we have a few chapters of Cassie being traumatised and "changed", until the next crazy thing happens and it's all back to normal. She didn't react any differently here than she did when overwhelmed in previous books. That was incredibly frustrating and just tainted my reading experience. This is nothing new in the series though; Cassie always gets over things quickly so we can move on to the next wacky sequence. There is no breathing room, and I can kind of understand that, with this type of pacing, but if that's the case it should never have been written in.
Similarly, another major event happened to Cassie at the end of the book and it was treated like a minor thing. Again, I thought this would have been a bigger deal, to every character. If these two events were treated better, I would have given the book a higher rating. I actually loved the twist with Cassie's parents.
We still get long, boring visions/flashbacks of Fae and others, and the villain is dragging on. There were glimpses of greatness in this book, but it was always balanced out with something disappointing. I'm glad it was more enjoyable to the awfulness of book 11. I guess we'll see how book 13 goes. I actually don't know how many more books are left.
January 20, 2022
Book 12. Well there's the "event" with Cassie that like Bar says, kinda spoils alot of it for me. On the other hand, Pritkin has sorted himself, after many adventures in the first half of the book he's off to try and participate in the Green Fey 'selection' to rule in Faerie (he is Nimune's great grand child after all). Mircea has found his wife, after being trapped with Pritkin in Faerie, and resolves his 'obsession' and discovers he's off to Jottheim (giants world in Norse mythos) to follow his wife and lend support to her efforts win the giants over for a fight in Faerie against Zeus/Aselinn. Cassie's off to do what she does best, in the second half and battle Zeus, and what an epic battle it is! And we find out she's fortune's child so to speak. (An unforeseen wild card that upends all scrying of the future.. where she is, then the forces of luck/chaos are in play and outcomes are not clear). I love the epilouge ending.. for me that's like the best part of the book. And it looks like we are going to be getting more views of the Zeus battles from Pritkin's view and Mircea's views - perhaps that will be in the Dorina book. So, story not ended, but many changes for many characters. I'd give it 2.8. I'd rate it 3.2 if not for the 'event'... I'm kinda with Bar on that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2022
Ok this was good but again there were parts that droned on for me. I know this book and the one previous were meant to be one book but they split it into two. I wish whole sections could have been edited out and/or simplified in both.
I love Marco!
Where are Mireca and Priktin?! Like they were part of the story and then nothing… so no closure or even like a teaser about where they are and what they are doing. Like, here’s a task for you and you and back to Cassie without either of you. Just feels off her dealing with Zeus without them. I thought they were trying to gather troops to help.
I love Marco!
Where are Mireca and Priktin?! Like they were part of the story and then nothing… so no closure or even like a teaser about where they are and what they are doing. Like, here’s a task for you and you and back to Cassie without either of you. Just feels off her dealing with Zeus without them. I thought they were trying to gather troops to help.
March 27, 2022
Spoiler ahead!
I just finished the rape scene and honestly I am disappointed, it has really put me off the whole series.
I just can see myself trusting the author again, it has made me really sad, and angry. I’ve stuck with Dory and Cassie, it has been such a fun ride, but I think this is my line in the sand. I’m out.
I just finished the rape scene and honestly I am disappointed, it has really put me off the whole series.
I just can see myself trusting the author again, it has made me really sad, and angry. I’ve stuck with Dory and Cassie, it has been such a fun ride, but I think this is my line in the sand. I’m out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2024
DNF. Fell off a cliff terrible. AI sounding gd awful audio. No redeeming anything here.
July 19, 2022
"Ignite the Fire" frustrated and bored me in almost equal measure. I get why it had to be broken into TWO 450+ page books. It's melodramatic, full of unnecessary description and detail I didn't give a crap about, self-indulgent and way too wordy. And did I mention it bored me? Oh, I did? Sorry, it bears repeating. I've been reading these books since 2010. I inhaled the first four back to back and I LOVED THEM. Cassie's incessant whining irritated me a little, "I'm not strong enough...I don't know what to do... Nobody listens to me!
but the early stories are so jam packed with excitement and humor I pushed that aside because there is so much to enjoy. These stories are non stop action and snarky as hell. Heaven!
Every new book I hoped Cassie would stop whining and get down to business. And every book I was disappointed. The action amped up. The plot got twistier. Most of the story elements kept me rivited, and it was entertaining as hell. But Cassie was stuck in a spin cycle. I'm not strong enough. I don't know what I'm doing. Nobody listens to me!!!!
OMG... you are The Pythia. Stop waiting for people to listen. Put your foot down and BE the Damned Pythia already! You may not know exactly what you are doing yet, but you can't let them disrespect what you stand for. I got so sick of the pity party I took a six year break after Hunt the Moon then read the next three back to back after they issued. And got more of the same. Non stop action, laugh out loud humor, and Zero, Zip, N A D D A sticking up for herself.
However, I missed something pretty pivotal. Somewhere during the last 900 pages, an epiphany bashed me in the face like a 200 lb frozen halibut. -- Don't ask where; between the sheer volume of self indulgence and melodrama it was a traumatic read and I've blocked a lot of it out. -- Twelve real life years have passed for me since that first read. But story wise a grand total of six months have passed. OH....
All these years I've been mad at Cassie for refusing to grow; when I should have been livid with la belle Chance for taking fifteen bloody years to write SIX months worth of story.
I suppose it
But on the other hand.
We had at least ten books of Cassie's learning curve. You'd think that Chance, having taken what felt like an eon bringing Cassandra to the point of actually knowing what she was doing that we would get a leveling off period. Just a tiny little period of time to adjust to Cassie actually being the badassed Pythia we all wanted her to become. But No! Virtually the moment Cassie Owns the power of the Pythia she has a BOSS.........no THE BOSS FIGHT to end all BOSS fights; gets her assed handed to her, barely escapes with her life and the next thing we know she is trapped in Faery where she Can Not access her powers. At All. She must fight for her life; powerless, hopeless and alone, at the mercy of beings who have virtually none.
How little mercy they posess is detailed in shocking, melodramatic detail. And of course, now is when she begins to process. All the emotions, months of pent up frustration and self doubt come out. Not over the course of a book or two. No, they gush out like a firehose over the course of a few chapters. At one point Cassie wanted to die. And I was right there with her.
Make it Stop!
I might have shrugged off the trauma of being pummeled by that tsunami of melodrama and self pity.
BUT wait, there's more.
-- Emrys, Pritican's demon half; the part of himself he has shut himself off from for almost the entirety of his 1200 or so years of existence has manifested as a separate entity. And if you thought Pritican had demon issues, they are nothing compared to Emry's Pritican issues and Emrys is stronger, more volatile and a hell of a lot less corporative than Pritican.-- Cassie, Pritican and Emrys are essentially a thrupple now; with all the headaches of a polyamorus relationship and none of the fun.
-- And don't get me started on Mircea. Seriously, just Don't. I'm miffed at him. When the Cassie, Pritican, Mircea mess started, the complications arising from Mircea's obsession with his long dead wife were beyond irritating. But as that aspect of the plot developed, his wife became the piece that interested me most. There was a whole 'nother field of interest to follow. Why? How? WTH? I really wanted to see where that thread went. I haven't got any of those answers. (at least to date, who the hell knows what the next decade will bring) What I got was a shell of a vampire who is drowning in regret and possibly, maybe, idaknow... shame?
Like him, or not the Master Vampire is a force to be reckoned with. He's supposed to keep his shit together. I don't care how hexed he is, or how deep the crap gets, Mircea is not allowed to have an existential crisis. He is supposed to put on his big vampire pants and fake it until they believe him.
This book was an assault; on my patience, my emotions and mostly, my temper. Ignite the Fire ignited a fire in me alright. Not a good one, but a big one.
Okay, I think I may be done now.
but the early stories are so jam packed with excitement and humor I pushed that aside because there is so much to enjoy. These stories are non stop action and snarky as hell. Heaven!
Every new book I hoped Cassie would stop whining and get down to business. And every book I was disappointed. The action amped up. The plot got twistier. Most of the story elements kept me rivited, and it was entertaining as hell. But Cassie was stuck in a spin cycle. I'm not strong enough. I don't know what I'm doing. Nobody listens to me!!!!
OMG... you are The Pythia. Stop waiting for people to listen. Put your foot down and BE the Damned Pythia already! You may not know exactly what you are doing yet, but you can't let them disrespect what you stand for. I got so sick of the pity party I took a six year break after Hunt the Moon then read the next three back to back after they issued. And got more of the same. Non stop action, laugh out loud humor, and Zero, Zip, N A D D A sticking up for herself.
However, I missed something pretty pivotal. Somewhere during the last 900 pages, an epiphany bashed me in the face like a 200 lb frozen halibut. -- Don't ask where; between the sheer volume of self indulgence and melodrama it was a traumatic read and I've blocked a lot of it out. -- Twelve real life years have passed for me since that first read. But story wise a grand total of six months have passed. OH....
All these years I've been mad at Cassie for refusing to grow; when I should have been livid with la belle Chance for taking fifteen bloody years to write SIX months worth of story.
I suppose it
But on the other hand.
We had at least ten books of Cassie's learning curve. You'd think that Chance, having taken what felt like an eon bringing Cassandra to the point of actually knowing what she was doing that we would get a leveling off period. Just a tiny little period of time to adjust to Cassie actually being the badassed Pythia we all wanted her to become. But No! Virtually the moment Cassie Owns the power of the Pythia she has a BOSS.........no THE BOSS FIGHT to end all BOSS fights; gets her assed handed to her, barely escapes with her life and the next thing we know she is trapped in Faery where she Can Not access her powers. At All. She must fight for her life; powerless, hopeless and alone, at the mercy of beings who have virtually none.
How little mercy they posess is detailed in shocking, melodramatic detail. And of course, now is when she begins to process. All the emotions, months of pent up frustration and self doubt come out. Not over the course of a book or two. No, they gush out like a firehose over the course of a few chapters. At one point Cassie wanted to die. And I was right there with her.
Make it Stop!
I might have shrugged off the trauma of being pummeled by that tsunami of melodrama and self pity.
BUT wait, there's more.
-- Emrys, Pritican's demon half; the part of himself he has shut himself off from for almost the entirety of his 1200 or so years of existence has manifested as a separate entity. And if you thought Pritican had demon issues, they are nothing compared to Emry's Pritican issues and Emrys is stronger, more volatile and a hell of a lot less corporative than Pritican.-- Cassie, Pritican and Emrys are essentially a thrupple now; with all the headaches of a polyamorus relationship and none of the fun.
-- And don't get me started on Mircea. Seriously, just Don't. I'm miffed at him. When the Cassie, Pritican, Mircea mess started, the complications arising from Mircea's obsession with his long dead wife were beyond irritating. But as that aspect of the plot developed, his wife became the piece that interested me most. There was a whole 'nother field of interest to follow. Why? How? WTH? I really wanted to see where that thread went. I haven't got any of those answers. (at least to date, who the hell knows what the next decade will bring) What I got was a shell of a vampire who is drowning in regret and possibly, maybe, idaknow... shame?
Like him, or not the Master Vampire is a force to be reckoned with. He's supposed to keep his shit together. I don't care how hexed he is, or how deep the crap gets, Mircea is not allowed to have an existential crisis. He is supposed to put on his big vampire pants and fake it until they believe him.
This book was an assault; on my patience, my emotions and mostly, my temper. Ignite the Fire ignited a fire in me alright. Not a good one, but a big one.
Okay, I think I may be done now.
February 2, 2022
3.5 stars
This continuation from book 11 was a much better read for me. There were events happening in the beginning and at the end of the book that were totally unexpected. They held my interest even though uncomfortable to read, and at times I just had a general sense of disbelief that these things were even happening. Having said that, I still struggled a bit with the middle portion of the book.
During the last book, the action scenes felt too chaotic and Cassie never had any down time. Well she finally got a chance to return to her suite in Las Vegas, in her own timeline, to catch her breath and recover. But while this was happening we also witnessed weird inanimate objects coming to life, apparently with murder in their hearts, and Cassie getting attacked by her own underwear. An extended flashback in Mircea's POV (umm why?) was included that seemed completely unnecessary because the majority of it was him ogling Cassie or trying to seduce her. The whole time I'm thinking what the hell does this have to do with anything? Cassie later remembered this same exact event back in the timeline and what its significance was to the current war, so why did we need the POV from Mircea?
We were once again back in Cassie's head for either more lengthy visions of various people in Faerie, or her own internal monologue despairing about the hopelessness of the war, which sometimes got a little tiring. And then there was the quirky holiday party which Cassie didn't really seem to be feeling. None of these things could hold my interest, however, because I just wanted to know what was happening with Pritkin in Faerie, I couldn't wait for Cassie to be reunited with him again but alas it wasn't meant to be at this time. The early moments in the book we did get with Pritkin were pretty great. We got to see raw emotion and vulnerability from him because he was so afraid of losing Cassie. All he wanted to do was protect her. I think a truly great opportunity was missed though when Pritkin became fully integrated with his incubus and we only learned about it when he displayed his greatly increased power. The two had been at odds with each other for so long, I would have loved to have heard about their thoughts/conversations leading up to their reunion when they helped save Cassie. As always, I hope the next book will have more Pritkin (like a lot more) and less of certain court dynamics (yeah, looking at you Hilde).
This continuation from book 11 was a much better read for me. There were events happening in the beginning and at the end of the book that were totally unexpected. They held my interest even though uncomfortable to read, and at times I just had a general sense of disbelief that these things were even happening. Having said that, I still struggled a bit with the middle portion of the book.
During the last book, the action scenes felt too chaotic and Cassie never had any down time. Well she finally got a chance to return to her suite in Las Vegas, in her own timeline, to catch her breath and recover. But while this was happening we also witnessed weird inanimate objects coming to life, apparently with murder in their hearts, and Cassie getting attacked by her own underwear. An extended flashback in Mircea's POV (umm why?) was included that seemed completely unnecessary because the majority of it was him ogling Cassie or trying to seduce her. The whole time I'm thinking what the hell does this have to do with anything? Cassie later remembered this same exact event back in the timeline and what its significance was to the current war, so why did we need the POV from Mircea?
We were once again back in Cassie's head for either more lengthy visions of various people in Faerie, or her own internal monologue despairing about the hopelessness of the war, which sometimes got a little tiring. And then there was the quirky holiday party which Cassie didn't really seem to be feeling. None of these things could hold my interest, however, because I just wanted to know what was happening with Pritkin in Faerie, I couldn't wait for Cassie to be reunited with him again but alas it wasn't meant to be at this time. The early moments in the book we did get with Pritkin were pretty great. We got to see raw emotion and vulnerability from him because he was so afraid of losing Cassie. All he wanted to do was protect her. I think a truly great opportunity was missed though when Pritkin became fully integrated with his incubus and we only learned about it when he displayed his greatly increased power. The two had been at odds with each other for so long, I would have loved to have heard about their thoughts/conversations leading up to their reunion when they helped save Cassie. As always, I hope the next book will have more Pritkin (like a lot more) and less of certain court dynamics (yeah, looking at you Hilde).
July 31, 2022
It’s infuriating to have a Demi goddess who finally starts to own her power literally act like she has none every other scene. I feel like this book is being written as an action film but it isn’t a movie. Stop giving me scene notes and tell the story. Then when we dip back into the present time we are assaulted with cookies and bras attacking which feels inane and while it all “connects” later it still feels like trivial nonsense that shouldn’t be taking over the Pythian court to this degree. It’s been an annoying read these past two books because Cassie has all this power and yet she constantly acts powerless and it never ends even when she gets a boost she still acts helpless. The fact that as soon as she comes to this realization that she needs to act on her own and solve her problems herself she immediately goes to Gertie’s memory palace to hope she solved it all for her. Then they kill her off so that Rhea can have sex with Rico when the Pythian power passes to her. I mean... the ridiculousness is constant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2023
One star, because there is a graphic, detailed description of a sexual assault not even a third of the way through the book, combined with extensive suicide talk and the equivalent of a magically broadcast film of the sexual assault. Yeah, so the main character gets magically gang-raped and then apparently her corpse is defiled and raped again while she watches as a ghost??
I'm done with this series and I'm done with this author. I don't want to read about sexual assaults and I sure as hell don't want to read about a character going through all the thoughts of committing suicide.
Why THE FUCK was there not a trigger warning for chapter 13?
Complete, utter TRASH. The author should be ashamed.
I'm done with this series and I'm done with this author. I don't want to read about sexual assaults and I sure as hell don't want to read about a character going through all the thoughts of committing suicide.
Why THE FUCK was there not a trigger warning for chapter 13?
Complete, utter TRASH. The author should be ashamed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2024
DNF at 50%. I really liked these books, but they were getting faster paced and I decided to put the brakes on it in the middle of this one. Early on in this book there is also a violent r*pe scene and that was difficult to get past. I had to put it down for a while and have decided that I won't be finishing this book anytime soon.
I love Pritkin and Cassie and I hope to come back to them later. They deserve a HEA.
I love Pritkin and Cassie and I hope to come back to them later. They deserve a HEA.
March 17, 2022
Loved this book!
My only real complaint is that there simply wasn’t enough Pritkin for me!! Though their scenes were heart wrenching, especially the scene in the beginning. Ugh. I love them.
I LOVED the flashback with Billy (is there a way to bring him back?? Can Faerie just…bring him back to life?? I live in eternal hope).
Wtf was Elena doing? Is Mircea past his vampy obsession?
Is the goat man gonna become a regular part of the crew??
No Jonas in this book? I really didn’t mind - fuck him.
GERTIE. *sob*
Did the end confirm that the Pythia still has to be a virgin, because I would be overjoyed for a short (or a full!!!) featuring Rhea and Rico, and also poor girl shouldn’t have to live life as a virgin for this power.
I wanted so much more Pritkin - if KC kills him on his quest to become king of the Green Fey, I will R A G E.
Lastly, folks seem to be very upset about the two rape scenes, but I think that while they were shocking - it’s pretty realistic. Many, many women are raped in real life - so why wouldn’t that be something done during war? Men often use rape as a demoralizing and controlling tactic during war - are the Fey really so different?
Additionally, I think it creates a trauma that Cassie CAN’T compartmentalize. She’s so good at compartmentalizing all her trauma due to growing up at Tony’s but she even recognizes she’s never felt Fear before. Her rape is the catalyst for this change in herself, Pritkin reuniting with his incubus, figuring out how to wipe minds, and later - her reclaiming her body after dying. Maybe some of these things could have happened without her rape, but I don’t think the change and growth we see in her would have happened without it. She’s been in fear of her life since her childhood, she’s been on the run and fighting a war for most of her adulthood - she’s been beaten and attacked and nearly killed so many times…but this is what truly evokes a new level of Fear. I’m not sure what else could have done that.
It was also critical to destroy any empathy the reader might have for the Svarestri. Because it’s not just one Svarestri. He talks the younger one into it too - all because it’s his only chance to rape a goddess? And then it’s not just them - it’s the ones he broadcasts too. And then they’re not just observers - they’re going into the woods to *jack off* on her rape. And then they’re not just deriving pleasure from watching, but they *join in.*
And if you’d had empathy for them before - maybe they don’t know everything, maybe they’re scared and they’re forced into this, maybe they don’t have a choice - well how can you have empathy for them now? It truly shows that they aren’t just ignorant foot soldiers without a choice.
So while I didn’t enjoy reading Cassie’s rape and attempted rape - it did make sense for the story.
Still got 5 stars from me, almost entirely because of that beginning scene with Pritkin.
My only real complaint is that there simply wasn’t enough Pritkin for me!! Though their scenes were heart wrenching, especially the scene in the beginning. Ugh. I love them.
I LOVED the flashback with Billy (is there a way to bring him back?? Can Faerie just…bring him back to life?? I live in eternal hope).
Wtf was Elena doing? Is Mircea past his vampy obsession?
Is the goat man gonna become a regular part of the crew??
No Jonas in this book? I really didn’t mind - fuck him.
GERTIE. *sob*
Did the end confirm that the Pythia still has to be a virgin, because I would be overjoyed for a short (or a full!!!) featuring Rhea and Rico, and also poor girl shouldn’t have to live life as a virgin for this power.
I wanted so much more Pritkin - if KC kills him on his quest to become king of the Green Fey, I will R A G E.
Lastly, folks seem to be very upset about the two rape scenes, but I think that while they were shocking - it’s pretty realistic. Many, many women are raped in real life - so why wouldn’t that be something done during war? Men often use rape as a demoralizing and controlling tactic during war - are the Fey really so different?
Additionally, I think it creates a trauma that Cassie CAN’T compartmentalize. She’s so good at compartmentalizing all her trauma due to growing up at Tony’s but she even recognizes she’s never felt Fear before. Her rape is the catalyst for this change in herself, Pritkin reuniting with his incubus, figuring out how to wipe minds, and later - her reclaiming her body after dying. Maybe some of these things could have happened without her rape, but I don’t think the change and growth we see in her would have happened without it. She’s been in fear of her life since her childhood, she’s been on the run and fighting a war for most of her adulthood - she’s been beaten and attacked and nearly killed so many times…but this is what truly evokes a new level of Fear. I’m not sure what else could have done that.
It was also critical to destroy any empathy the reader might have for the Svarestri. Because it’s not just one Svarestri. He talks the younger one into it too - all because it’s his only chance to rape a goddess? And then it’s not just them - it’s the ones he broadcasts too. And then they’re not just observers - they’re going into the woods to *jack off* on her rape. And then they’re not just deriving pleasure from watching, but they *join in.*
And if you’d had empathy for them before - maybe they don’t know everything, maybe they’re scared and they’re forced into this, maybe they don’t have a choice - well how can you have empathy for them now? It truly shows that they aren’t just ignorant foot soldiers without a choice.
So while I didn’t enjoy reading Cassie’s rape and attempted rape - it did make sense for the story.
Still got 5 stars from me, almost entirely because of that beginning scene with Pritkin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2022
What a wild adventure, it was awesomely fast paced from start to finish, with a few sweet pauses in between.
I just rode with all the kinda new stuff, and finally Pritkin and Mircea may be through their own personal hells, to continue on beyond hopefully, although now I can complain about the cliffhanger, of what is happening to those two and their quests.
The end fight was nail biting, and just plain out bonkers. But what happened in the epilogue, what happened with Cassie's power, what is the status???? Another cliffhanger that will have to be resolved in the next book, and I really hope Hijack the Seas will be out as promised in 2022, because the wait will be insufferable.
I just rode with all the kinda new stuff, and finally Pritkin and Mircea may be through their own personal hells, to continue on beyond hopefully, although now I can complain about the cliffhanger, of what is happening to those two and their quests.
The end fight was nail biting, and just plain out bonkers. But what happened in the epilogue, what happened with Cassie's power, what is the status???? Another cliffhanger that will have to be resolved in the next book, and I really hope Hijack the Seas will be out as promised in 2022, because the wait will be insufferable.
February 2, 2022
That was a wild ride. Cassie goes through a lot in this book. But she gets through it and only gets stronger with every book. Loved seeing more of Pritkin and hope to get even more in the next book. Glad that Mircea got some answers about his wife. I really enjoy seeing the relationship between Cassie and Rhea. It feels like they're sisters, each trying to look after the other and making each other stronger. As always Marco is the best and I love his relationship with Cassie.
Can't wait for the next book. The wait is always worth it.
Can't wait for the next book. The wait is always worth it.
September 28, 2023
Hard to get through this one
Between the assault scene and the sheer length of this book, this was my least favorite book of the series. I’ve been reading this series for over a decade, and really loved the characters and plot lines. But this last book was not the page-turner that the earlier ones were.
Between the assault scene and the sheer length of this book, this was my least favorite book of the series. I’ve been reading this series for over a decade, and really loved the characters and plot lines. But this last book was not the page-turner that the earlier ones were.
January 21, 2022
Whew! This is a long book but so so good!! So many twists and turns that just keep enriching the story. I really enjoyed getting a little more back story about some characters and past events. I felt that the author was finally taking a breath and allowing herself the pages to flesh out established characters and events. I also really loved the change in Cassie’s tone. I really didn’t know how or IF she was going to come out of this and it seemed that Cassie honestly felt the same. It felt honest and a realistic perspective to have. Truly I think this is the best yet!!!
January 23, 2022
I love this series! Time-shifting, vampires, evil gods, mages, fey, conscious planets, it's got everything. Action-packed with heroine who gets up after getting knocked down. Such a ride!
January 18, 2022
Reader beware there is a scene where our heroine is raped. It happens for a reason even though I wish it hadn't. It is graphic but I must give Ms Chance huge congrats on her handling of how the trauma affects Cassie and it's not glossed over and forgotten about. She acknowledges how it's changed her and how someone inconsequential in the grand scene of things can have a devastating impact. It happens in the first quarter of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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