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Chasing Demons: Book Two: Mistress of Beasts Saga
The fantasy book Chasing Demons takes place a year after the conclusion of the first Mistress of Beasts book, Wizard's Secrets. Our friends, Castin, Katrina, Drestin, and Cypris find themselves the target of a sorceress bent on revenge. Using magic, cunning, and sword-play, they struggle to learn trust and overcome betrayal as they out-wit the sorceress.
After choosing to stay in Arconia instead of returning to Earth, Katrina settled with Castin in a small cabin in the Black Forest to lead a secluded life away from the problems of the rest of the races. Trouble comes calling, when a sorceress kidnaps Katrina and sends her to Earth, using a powerful spell to make her think she's been in a coma. Quickly forgetting her time in Arconia, she tries to pick up her life where she'd left off before being taken to the magical land by her griffin father. But strange occurrences, memory lapses, and nightmares quickly make her and others question her sanity, landing her in an asylum.
Castin and Drestin follow, searching for her on Earth. Unable to use his natural druid magic, Castin begins his own journey of self discovery, relearning to use abilities from his elven upbringing. After facing off with local law enforcement and a beast in the guise of Katrina's ex-fiancé, the group realizes that the sorceress has cut off their means of returning to Arconia, leaving them with the question of how to get home.
Left behind, Cypris and Rueben, druid apprentice, travel the lands searching for the troublesome sorceress. But the only way to track her is for Rueben to sync his mind with the sorceress', unwittingly giving her the ability to know where they are as well, and she is more than happy to take advantage of the knowledge. They begin to wonder if they'll reach her before being killed by some nasty trap she's set.
After choosing to stay in Arconia instead of returning to Earth, Katrina settled with Castin in a small cabin in the Black Forest to lead a secluded life away from the problems of the rest of the races. Trouble comes calling, when a sorceress kidnaps Katrina and sends her to Earth, using a powerful spell to make her think she's been in a coma. Quickly forgetting her time in Arconia, she tries to pick up her life where she'd left off before being taken to the magical land by her griffin father. But strange occurrences, memory lapses, and nightmares quickly make her and others question her sanity, landing her in an asylum.
Castin and Drestin follow, searching for her on Earth. Unable to use his natural druid magic, Castin begins his own journey of self discovery, relearning to use abilities from his elven upbringing. After facing off with local law enforcement and a beast in the guise of Katrina's ex-fiancé, the group realizes that the sorceress has cut off their means of returning to Arconia, leaving them with the question of how to get home.
Left behind, Cypris and Rueben, druid apprentice, travel the lands searching for the troublesome sorceress. But the only way to track her is for Rueben to sync his mind with the sorceress', unwittingly giving her the ability to know where they are as well, and she is more than happy to take advantage of the knowledge. They begin to wonder if they'll reach her before being killed by some nasty trap she's set.
- GenresFantasy
308 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2009
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 22, 2009
When I first picked up Chasing Demons, I was looking for a fun fantasy read; something with plenty of action, a little romance (not too steamy please), and certainly nothing too serious. After finishing the book, I am pleased to report that it was just what I was hoping for.
Chasing Demons is the second in the Mistress of Beasts series by R. L. Geerdes. I haven't had a chance to read the first book yet, so I can say it isn't absolutely necessary to read the first book before picking this up, but it might save you some frustration in the end. Reading this book certainly did make me wish that I had read the first book in the series, Wizard's Secrets, as there were plenty of references to the action that took place in that book.
Chasing Demons is the story of Katrina, a modern Earth woman, who escaped a deadly car crash by taking a portal into a fantasy world called Arconia. It has now been two years since the accident, and Katrina is living in a remote forest cabin with Castin, the half-elven druid she loves. Katrina is kidnapped by a mysterious sorceress, and taken back to Earth, where she awakens to the news that she has been in a coma following her car accident. Supposedly, only six months have passed, and Russell, the fiancee she believed to have perished in the accident, appears alive and well. Katrina finds herself wondering if she imagined Arconia, and questioning her own sanity. Meanwhile, back in Arconia, those who love Katrina are working to get her back. Castin, in the company of Katrina's father Drestin, follows Katrina through the portal to Earth, determined to find the woman he loves. Cypris, a close friend of Castin and Katrina, uses his bounty hunting skills in an attempt to locate the unknown sorceress.
I enjoyed reading Chasing Demons, and found it to be a satisfying fantasy read. The author did a great job of pacing the novel as the action really never let up, although I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed. I was impressed by the author's explanations of the magic that Drestin and Castin used, as well as some of her more exotic characters. It was nice to read a fantasy novel that wasn't limited only to humans, elves, and dwarfs. At times I was a little put off by the dialogue, especially that of the characters in Arconia who seemed to use a lot of cliches. Still, it didn't take me long to get past this feeling of annoyance and get sucked into the story. I am anxious to read Wizard's Secrets. If I were deciding again, I think I would wait and read the books in order. There were plenty of times as I was reading this novel that I found myself wishing I knew more of the back story, especially that of Castin and Katrina.
In conclusion, Chasing Demons feels like the continuation of a series, not a stand alone novel. There aren't a lot of questions answered in this book, but I'm hopeful that the next book will wrap things up nicely. This is the solid second offering in what feels like a trilogy.
Chasing Demons is the second in the Mistress of Beasts series by R. L. Geerdes. I haven't had a chance to read the first book yet, so I can say it isn't absolutely necessary to read the first book before picking this up, but it might save you some frustration in the end. Reading this book certainly did make me wish that I had read the first book in the series, Wizard's Secrets, as there were plenty of references to the action that took place in that book.
Chasing Demons is the story of Katrina, a modern Earth woman, who escaped a deadly car crash by taking a portal into a fantasy world called Arconia. It has now been two years since the accident, and Katrina is living in a remote forest cabin with Castin, the half-elven druid she loves. Katrina is kidnapped by a mysterious sorceress, and taken back to Earth, where she awakens to the news that she has been in a coma following her car accident. Supposedly, only six months have passed, and Russell, the fiancee she believed to have perished in the accident, appears alive and well. Katrina finds herself wondering if she imagined Arconia, and questioning her own sanity. Meanwhile, back in Arconia, those who love Katrina are working to get her back. Castin, in the company of Katrina's father Drestin, follows Katrina through the portal to Earth, determined to find the woman he loves. Cypris, a close friend of Castin and Katrina, uses his bounty hunting skills in an attempt to locate the unknown sorceress.
I enjoyed reading Chasing Demons, and found it to be a satisfying fantasy read. The author did a great job of pacing the novel as the action really never let up, although I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed. I was impressed by the author's explanations of the magic that Drestin and Castin used, as well as some of her more exotic characters. It was nice to read a fantasy novel that wasn't limited only to humans, elves, and dwarfs. At times I was a little put off by the dialogue, especially that of the characters in Arconia who seemed to use a lot of cliches. Still, it didn't take me long to get past this feeling of annoyance and get sucked into the story. I am anxious to read Wizard's Secrets. If I were deciding again, I think I would wait and read the books in order. There were plenty of times as I was reading this novel that I found myself wishing I knew more of the back story, especially that of Castin and Katrina.
In conclusion, Chasing Demons feels like the continuation of a series, not a stand alone novel. There aren't a lot of questions answered in this book, but I'm hopeful that the next book will wrap things up nicely. This is the solid second offering in what feels like a trilogy.
November 1, 2011
I was sent Chasing Demons by R.L. Geerdes right around the time when I first became unemployed in the summer of 2009. Although I read the book that year the review got lost in the shuffle of finding work, working a whole bunch of odd jobs and going back to school.
Chasing Demons is the second in the Mistress of Beasts series. I haven't read the first book. The book opens with Katrina waking in a hospital room. She's been in a coma ever since her car accident. She's told that all of her experiences in Acorna were dreamed up while she was unconscious.
Now usually I'm all for getting the plot rolling but this book had the plot on fast-forward to the point of pulling me right out of an initially interesting set up. Katrina should need physical therapy and some time to get her strength back after waking up. No; she's sent immediately home!
I just couldn't get around that plot point. I tried three times to finish the book but couldn't connect with Katrina or the plot in either Acrona or on Earth. If Earth is supposed to be an illusion to trick Katrina, that point needs to be made more obvious and concrete.
Chasing Demons is the second in the Mistress of Beasts series. I haven't read the first book. The book opens with Katrina waking in a hospital room. She's been in a coma ever since her car accident. She's told that all of her experiences in Acorna were dreamed up while she was unconscious.
Now usually I'm all for getting the plot rolling but this book had the plot on fast-forward to the point of pulling me right out of an initially interesting set up. Katrina should need physical therapy and some time to get her strength back after waking up. No; she's sent immediately home!
I just couldn't get around that plot point. I tried three times to finish the book but couldn't connect with Katrina or the plot in either Acrona or on Earth. If Earth is supposed to be an illusion to trick Katrina, that point needs to be made more obvious and concrete.
March 8, 2012
I enjoyed this book completely! From the beginning it twists and returns, never letting up. I was not excepting the story to make such a thrilling turn. The author takes you on a great adventure with the old favorite characters and introducing many new ones. Suspense and passion never let up. This book can easily be read without reading the book before it (Wizard's Secrets) although I wouldn't suggest it because it's a good one as well.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews