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Curse the Dawn (Cassandra Palmer #4)

by Karen Chance (Goodreads Author)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 9,997 ratings · 341 reviews

“Karen Chance takes her place along with Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, and J.D. Robb.”—SF Revu

View our feature on Karen Chance’s Curse the Dawn.

Cassandra Palmer may be the all-powerful Pythia now, but that doesn’t mean people have stopped trying to kill her. Most of the supernatural power players don’t want the independent minded Cassie as chi...more

Paperback, 1st Edition, 386 pages

Published April 7th 2009 by Onyx (first published April 2nd 2009)

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Sep 06, 2011 Kat Kennedy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kat-s-book-reviews

Series Overview Review

The rest of these books were a solid three-star review for me. They're interesting, sexy, reasonably well-written novels. The fourth novel, Curse the Dawn, is a far better read that the first three. In my opinion. Which is the only opinion that counts because this is my review.

Colbert

PS. Jon Stewart is funnier.

Curse the Dawn is FUNNY. The rest of the series has definite moments of funniness to them but they don't compare to Curse the Dawn.

However, there are several problems with t...more

26 likes · like · see review

Jun 07, 2011 Nichole (Dirty H) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, demons, urban-fantasy, vampires, books-i-own

Whew. As usual, what a ride!
This review is probably going to mostly be a response to a lot of the other reviews I have read of this book. I was surprised by the mediocre-to-poor response this book received. I loved it!

It seemed like most people's complaints fell into two categories: The break-neck pace, and Cassie's intelligence.
So to respond to issue 1, I have two points:
A. This is what the series is. It has always been this way. You're just figuring this out now? (See my roller coaster analogy...more Whew. As usual, what a ride!
This review is probably going to mostly be a response to a lot of the other reviews I have read of this book. I was surprised by the mediocre-to-poor response this book received. I loved it!

It seemed like most people's complaints fell into two categories: The break-neck pace, and Cassie's intelligence.
So to respond to issue 1, I have two points:
A. This is what the series is. It has always been this way. You're just figuring this out now? (See my roller coaster analogy in my review of book 3. This turned out to be a bit more literal in book 4.)
B. I think you may be taking this a little too seriously. I think these books are so cram packed full of action and adventure partly because Chance is such a skilled writer and can get away with it, and partly in parody of the genre. I'm pretty sure she's doing it on purpose, people. It's meant to be entertaining. You're meant to feel dizzy and exhausted at the end, and I think you're meant to laugh a little and say "Whoa, that was insane. And maybe a little ridiculous." It's part of the fun. It's meant to be just a little over the top.
C. Turns out I had a third point - there were actually about two pages (almost a full day for Cassie) where all she did was sleep, play poker and swim in the pool. This is actually more downtime than we've seen in the other three books combined.

As far as Cassie being "dumb as a box of hammers" as one reviewer put it: I don't really know how to respond to this, other than just to say that I disagree. I don't get that impression. I have read more than my share of TSTL heroines and I just don't think Cassie is one of them. She's leaps and bounds beyond Rachel Morgan in this area, if you ask me. I've never gotten the impression that Cassie was dumb. I actually like her a lot. I felt like she was a bit bland and one dimensional in book 1, but by book 2 she had become a very dynamic and interesting character. One of my favorites, in fact. She makes mistakes like anyone would, but I don't think she makes a disproportionate amount of stupid decisions. She's been thrust into a very overwhelming position with zero preparation or training. She has no idea what she's doing, and the people close to her (ahem, Mircea) won't tell her what's going on in order to protect her.
Another reviewer brought up the end of the book with the big "what's going on" reveal and used it as evidence of Cassie's dumbness that people had to explain this to her. Well, 1. This needed to be explained to the reader. I for one hadn't figured it out (I barely had time to try) and 2. It was hardly overexplained. Cassie understood immediately, and at the same time as Pritkin, I might add. He hadn't figured it out either. And it wasn't pages of people having to drill something into her head. It was just the big end-of-book reveal that every book has to have, and was done to exactly the right extent.

So basically - a great book in what's turning out to be a great series. Plenty of action, plenty of funny, a little bit of sexy. It's great.

If anyone would like to get into a Mircea vs. Pritkin debate with me, feel free to comment. This is an excellent love triangle, and one I'm hoping to see a resolution to soon! Or at least some kind of development that will provide some satisfaction. It doesn't have to be a concrete decision, just... something. Throw me a bone, Karen!

Re-read 6/6.(less)

13 likes · like · see review

Nov 24, 2009 Lmb rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-pnr, overrated

I really wanted to love this series but four books in & Cassie is still shrieking (practically everything she says ends in exclamation points) & running around like a chicken without a head.

Four books in & there has been no character growth. No real new developments & each book is still chock-a-block full of major events in which the resolutions are soooo underwhelming in their simplicity, it's left me wondering if the author is purposely trying to paint her MC as an idiot b'c w...more

11 likes · like · see review

Dec 09, 2009 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: supernatural, read-in-2009, read-in-2010

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

3 likes · like · see review

Jun 10, 2011 Suzanne the Mighty ~Satin Seductress~ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1-series-i-am-rabid-about, urban-fantasy, author-goddess-karen-chance, faeries, mages-witches-magic-users, magic, va-va-voom-vampires, smexy-shifters-and-werewolves, action-adventure, fugly-cover, mythology-gods-and-goddesses, why-is-the-us-cover-always-better, time-or-dimension-travel

Come check out the review @ Under the Covers

I think I need a lie down and a nice cup of tea! I have read the four Cassie Palmer books back to back and frankly I am exhausted just reading the damn things! Which, makes me extremely grateful that I am not Cassie, the world's cheif clairvoyant (if they would only listen to her!), who has to put up with a lot of crap, from over protective sort-of husbands to a vengeful god who wants to enslave mankind. It all seems a little over the top when you thin...more
Come check out the review @ Under the Covers

I think I need a lie down and a nice cup of tea! I have read the four Cassie Palmer books back to back and frankly I am exhausted just reading the damn things! Which, makes me extremely grateful that I am not Cassie, the world's cheif clairvoyant (if they would only listen to her!), who has to put up with a lot of crap, from over protective sort-of husbands to a vengeful god who wants to enslave mankind. It all seems a little over the top when you think about it, how can one 5'4" strawberry blonde keep getting herself out of such impossible situations with only a few scars and a massive headache to show for it, well I guess you will have to read the books and find out!

So this was a nother fast and furious week or so in Cassie Palmers life and it doesn't look that much different from the last month, attacked by war mages, check! A dozen near death experiences, check! Wreck Dantes, check! A few out of body experiences, check! Ratchet up the sexual tension between herself and Mircea and herself and Prirkin, double check! Like the other books this was pretty non-stop as Cassie tries to make her wau through the magical world and get others to ackonwledge she is Pythia whilst trying to stay from the vampire senates control.

What I liked about this book was that it told you more of the inner workings of the Silver Circle, which is the organization the mages are under, and it finally allows you to see a way that Cassie can make peace with them. As much as I do enjoy that action in this book, it is going to start bein pretty repeatative unless it gets shaken up a little. We also see more about Cassie's parents which I imagine will have a further role in future books.

Pritkin is an onion, he has many layers and each one makes your eyes water, in this we a little more of the man behind the crazy war mage, and WHAT A MAN! The bits between Cassie and Pritkin were some of my favourite in the book. Not that Mircea is a slouch, but although I like him he doesn't come off the page like Pritkin does.

So I am still trying to catch my breath after the last 4 books! But can't wait to dive in to Cassie's next adventure when I finally get my hands on the book!

Something really hilarious happens in this book, so to give you a clue, here is my favourite quote!

"What's the problem?"
"There's no toilet."
"This is an old house," Pritkin said, like that explained anything.
"And they didn't need to pee in the past?" I demanded.
He groaned and threw an arm over his face. "There's a WC down the hall."
"A what?" I asked, a little desparately.
"A water closet. It's in a separate room."
"Why? Why not put it in the-"
"Because a bathroom is where one goes to bathe, hence the name."
"That's bizzare."
"No, Miss Palmer," Pritkin said savagely. "It isn't. What is bizzare is that I currently have a vagina."(less)

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Jun 25, 2012 ♥ Ashleigh ♥ contrary to popular belief im not actually mad! rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, multi-paranormal-species, psychics-special-abilities, mages, ghosts, vampires, i-own, adult, heroine, reviewed, urban-fantasy, 2011

i loved this book, i thought it was fabulously funny. it was great to get to know pritkin better and for his and cassie relationship to become more closer. billy the ghost was just as funny as always. and the end was a splendid finish to the book, i cant wait till i get my hands onto the next book in cassie palmer's series

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Apr 10, 2009 Felicia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-paranormal, vaginal-urban-fantasy

I dunno about this series. There are a LOT of fun moments, but sometimes Cassie acts too stupid to live. There are many times where she just acts dumb and bad things happen (I think getting your character in trouble is taken to the extreme just to get plot moving, as fun as the ride is)

And THEN ---->

SPOILER ALERT STOP READING IF YOU CARE!!!:
At the peak of the climax it literally takes 3 people to explain to her, for like 2 pages, how she caused everything to go wrong herself. Not only did she...more

7 likes · like · see review

Apr 08, 2009 Mary rated it 3 of 5 stars

Why can't Mircea be in the whole book? Seriously, there is too much inane action going on. Could care less.

5 likes · like · see review

Nov 07, 2012 Kayla rated it 5 of 5 stars

My favourite of the four (not including the fifth book - have yet to re-read).

Pritkin is my favourite character in this series. He felt alien to me in the first two books - I think Chance didn't know yet where she wanted to take his character, or how he was going to influence Cassie and it shows. His character develops in this book, his core character still remains, but it's nice to have Cassie chink away at his armor ever so slightly, he even cracks a joke or two. It's safe to say that if he f...more

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May 06, 2012 Missie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, urban-fantasy

The good: I love the worldbuilding and adventure portions of the series.

The bad: At first, I gave Cassie a pass on her relationship with Mircea (how do you even say that name?) They were under a spell, so...okay. But now? The spell is broken (And it was a lame way of breaking the spell, too. "No, no, I don't want to be under his control....Okay, then, let's do it."). So there are some lingering feelings from the spell, fine. But does the romantic choice always have to be the super-controlling va...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Fangs for the Fantasy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I think that I have a love/hate relationship with this series. At times, the characters, world and plot are absolutely fascinating, and at others, I struggle not to roll my eyes and toss my ereader across the room. Curse the Dawn turned to be more of the same.

At this point, Cassie has been the pythia for one month, but she still has not been crowned, because the circle refuses to acknowledge her right to fulfill this role, though the power clearly chose her. At every turn, Cassie is being manip...more I think that I have a love/hate relationship with this series. At times, the characters, world and plot are absolutely fascinating, and at others, I struggle not to roll my eyes and toss my ereader across the room. Curse the Dawn turned to be more of the same.

At this point, Cassie has been the pythia for one month, but she still has not been crowned, because the circle refuses to acknowledge her right to fulfill this role, though the power clearly chose her. At every turn, Cassie is being manipulated because if a group does not want her dead, they want her under control because of the strength of the office that she holds. I must say that I like the fact that Cassie is particularly resistant to being used and continues to hold onto her moral beliefs despite the fact that everyone around her continually encourages her to put them aside. Even when she is under attack, the one thing that Cassie clearly respects is life and she will go to extraordinary lengths to protect it.

I wish that I could say more good about Cassie. She is clearly devoted to doing what she thinks is right however unfortunately this too often takes the role of spunky agency. She does not think through her decisions carefully and continually runs head long into trouble that in most cases could be avoided with a little bit of forethought. This makes the fact that Mircea keeps her in the dark about his plans perfectly acceptable. It is hard to be upset with fact that both Mircea and Pritkin are condescending and paternalistic because at times, Cassie clearly needs to be lead around just to keep her head attached to her neck. This of course takes away from the whole strong kick ass protagonist thing that Chance has going on. Having a strong female character should mean that the majority of the time she uses the brain God gave her rather than continually rushing brashly along from one crises to another.

With Pritkin the war mage by her side, Cassie travels through ley lines and battles war mages in an attempt to save the world from the return of Apollo, who wants to reassert his power on the earth, by any means necessary. At one point in the story, Pritkin and Cassie change bodies, which leads to some of the most hilarious scenes in the book. How does a woman suddenly transported into a mans body suddenly deal with waking up with an erection that is demanding to be satisfied? Even though this new male body is filled with strength and the ability to heal, it is still male and things like leg hair just don't feel right.

Read More (less)

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Oct 03, 2011 Eggs rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Curse The Dawn much more than the first 3 books in this series (which were 3 star reads for me). CTD suffers from the same problem as the others - endless pages of exposition explaining backstory in WAY too much detail. But it also includes the factors that made the first three books good as well: a fascinating Byzantine plot, great characters, and a fully realized world.

What pulls this up from a 3 star to a 4 for me is the fact that Cassie actually has reasons for her actions in CTD....more I enjoyed Curse The Dawn much more than the first 3 books in this series (which were 3 star reads for me). CTD suffers from the same problem as the others - endless pages of exposition explaining backstory in WAY too much detail. But it also includes the factors that made the first three books good as well: a fascinating Byzantine plot, great characters, and a fully realized world.

What pulls this up from a 3 star to a 4 for me is the fact that Cassie actually has reasons for her actions in CTD. For much of the first 3 books, Cassie seems to make decisions completely at random. It's not just that she doesn't give a thought to what the ramifications of her actions are, she doesn't even have enough self awareness to understand why she made those decisions in the first place. It's like she's too dumb to even understand she's SUPPOSED to have reasons for what she does. This is not the case in CTD. Cassie finally starts thinking about what she wants to do, why she wants to do it and what the ramifications of those actions might be. FINALLY!!

One of the great results of this change is that Pritkin finally starts taking Cassie seriously. Now that he can trust her to think about things, he actually explains to her what's going on, and tries to help her become a more realized person. Pritkin's character also blossoms as a result, and we get to see that not only is he willing to risk his life for her because it's his job, but because likes the person she is becoming, and he's rooting for her to make the full transition from TSTL to a Pythia fully worthy of her own power.

One of the downsides of the change to Cassie's character is that Mircea's character beings to really grate. He started the series as someone who viewed Cassie as a child to be controlled, then a thing to be protected, and then as a person to be protected. By the end of this book, I felt like he had slipped back to his starting position. He made life-or-death decisions on Cassie's behalf without even telling her, let alone discussing it with her before hand. He imprisons her with magical handcuffs on several occasions because he has stuff to do and it's just easier for him to leave her handcuffed with no explanations, than to explain to her what's going on and what she can do to keep herself safe while he's gone. He loves her and protects her, but it's the way you love and protect a small child, not an adult. From this, I can only conclude that he still regards her as a child, despite trying to get into her pants at every opportunity! While this kind of behavior would make sense if Cassie's character was still the TSTL one of the first book, it makes no sense here now that Cassie is a thinking adult with an agenda of her own.

Over all, it's a great book and a fun read!(less)

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Aug 01, 2011 Madame X rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: heroine-can-kick-ass, paranormal-urban-fantasy, breakneck-pacing, vampires, love-triangle

If books #2 and #3 had been rolled into one, and CURSE THE DAWN were #3 in the Cassandra Palmer series, the whole thing would be perfect...I really struggled with #2 and #3, because Cassandra's silly antics weren't balanced out by real progress and plot progression. But this book, CURSE THE DAWN, solved that problem and got me back in the groove of the series.

Yes, the pace is frantic, and yes, Cassie keeps running from one disaster to the next with hardly a moment to catch her breath...but she'...more

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Jun 05, 2011 Sheyla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Book 4 is full of action.
Cassie has a meeting with the Silver Circle, against Mircea's wishes. She gets kidnapped by the Silver Circle and someone wanting revenge wants her dead. Pritkin follows her into the ley line and jumps after her just before it breaks and destroys MAGIC.
She helps save many prisoners with the help of Rafe, Marlowe, a new mage, Caleb and Pritkin.
While trying to save the kids who are taken by the Silver Circle she unknowingly switches bodies with Pritkin, which leads to many...more

1 like · like · see review

May 31, 2011 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: cassie-palmer, urban-fantasy

Without a doubt, this has the best book yet in the Cassie Palmer series. It had all the great characters, action and smexy goodness of the previous books, without any head-scratching time travel conundrums.

Two main things are happening here: 1. The mages are redoubling their efforts to get their hands on Cassie; and 2. Something has destroyed a ley line and the MAGIC center where the North American Vampires had their stronghold.

The mage attacks throw Cassie and Pritkin even closer together than...more

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Jan 11, 2011 Ithlilian rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

A large part of this novel is nonstop action. Everyone is out to kill Cassie, all of the time. The poor girl never gets a break! When she is not running from enemies, she is complaining about not having a teacher to help her with her powers. I'd really like to find out more about the black circle, Pritkin, and Mircea, and hear less from Cassie. I'm not a fan of main characters that complain about the situation they are in. Make the best of it please. Also, constant action with no purpose does no...more

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Dec 17, 2010 Kathy Davie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, paranormal, romance

For person who grew up at a manipulative, evil, violent vampire court, Cassie Palmer is amazingly naive and childish. I'm not sure I'd keep reading this series if not for Pritkin and Mercia. Well, it's also a fascinating world in which she lives.

Admittedly, Cassie's life has been rather topsy-turvy to put it mildly. Protected by a renegade war mage who is never quite sure if he wants to kill her or protect her. "Married" to a master vampire who is himself a target with plans for her future. Thos...more

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Dec 04, 2010 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

~* 3.5 Stars *~
"I Took the Road Less Traveled. Now Where the Heck Am I?"

I've just got to get a bumper sticker with that saying on it!

Karen Chance's latest Cassandra Palmer book, Curse the Dawn, quite literally slams you into action from page one, grabs you by the hair and throat, and half drags, half shoves you along with the story at rocket speeds while you cling desperately to the Kindle (or the pages) and pray you can keep up. At turns hilarious and hair-raising, I found myself laughing out...more

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Nov 13, 2010 Rhianna rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thought I couldn't love any Chance male character more than Mircea, but Pritkin is a close, real close second. This man fell right out of the sky, just as she needed back-up, OUT OF THE SKY. He is too cool. There was body switching, brawls, chases, racing, and all other kinds of near death experiences for Cassie and for Pritkin, thankfully Mircea's all full up on those from the first two books. And we still haven't confirmed her as Pythia, and we still haven't met Tony or Rasputin, we don't kn...more

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Aug 05, 2010 Cherry Mischievous rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: alltimefavorites, favourites, i-ve-read, own

The story-telling quality is quite compelling. The characters stay with you long after you've finished reading the book. Characters which readers can connect with. Like all Cassandra Palmer books, this one is also fast-paced and action-filled. I think the author has refined her writing skills because there is a definite improvement. No more of that annoying tendencies to paint the protagonist stupid just to add a bit more drama to the scene which I find irritating to read in a book. Another thin...more

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Dec 17, 2009 Joanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-urban-fantasy

When I read the first book in the Cassie Palmer series, Touch the Dark, I wasn’t too impressed. I enjoyed the plot, the storyline, the action, but it was very much a first book in a series; some things needed to be explained to the reader that Cassie already knew about, which disrupted the story line for several pages at a time, and left me confused. However, I was urged to continue with the series, assured that the series will definitely get better, and so on the assurance of those people, I pi...more When I read the first book in the Cassie Palmer series, Touch the Dark, I wasn’t too impressed. I enjoyed the plot, the storyline, the action, but it was very much a first book in a series; some things needed to be explained to the reader that Cassie already knew about, which disrupted the story line for several pages at a time, and left me confused. However, I was urged to continue with the series, assured that the series will definitely get better, and so on the assurance of those people, I picked up the next book. And the next. And then this one. Thanks to their encouragement, this series has become one of my favourite urban fantasy series, and Curse the Dawn doesn’t disappoint. Seriously amazing!

If you’ve read previous books in the Cassie Palmer series, you’ll know how busy and action packed they are. Amusing as it sounds, the blurb above barely just scratches the surface of what actually happens in this novel. There are some absolutely hilarious scenes in this book because of the body swap situation, and because of all people, it involves Pritkin, but this book is not all laughter. If you thought things had gotten serious in the other books, just you wait until you read Curse the Dawn!

Karen Chance never fails to blow me away with how many things can go wrong for Cassie in just one book. If someone was to describe the books to me before I had read them as one dangerous action packed problem followed by yet another dangerous action packed problem, and so on, I don’t think I would have picked them up. I’m generally not a fan of books where so much is going on, they get far too busy, and so very confusing. This is not a problem with these novels; Chance is just incredible at making sure every single detail is important, with things like a tiny little detail from a problem earlier on in the book having a huge impact on something else later in the book. These problems are all connected, and flow seamlessly, and create one amazing story!

As I said, things get pretty damn serious in this book. The lives of several characters we’ve come to love are in serious danger, and Cassie is at her wits end trying to make sure that everyone is safe, do her job without any training, and try to work out what a serious of disturbing visions mean, all at the same time. This book is not just the humorous adrenalin rush this series normally is, it’s an emotional rollercoaster when you have no idea how things are going to turn out, and are certain some people will not get out of it alive. I was close to tears at one point, and several times while reading this book, I was sure it was going to be the end of the series; I couldn’t see how there could possibly be a way for there to be a happy ending. And no, I’m not going to tell you if there was or not.

Let’s talk characters; Cassie, Mircea, and Pritkin are all back, and how much I love them! Cassie’s narration, with her sense of humour, is always a joy to read, especially when she manages to make some bad situations something to smile over. Mircea is as charming as ever, and Pritkin is as angry as ever, but I wouldn’t have them any other way. There has always been a slight hint of a love triangle possibly raising its head, and after reading this book, if there aren’t any big love triangle issues in the next book, I’ll be gobsmacked. Personally, I’ll be rooting for good ol’ Pritkin. You’ve got to love that guy, even if he does have anger management issues. He does have a softer side, and softer it shines through in this book. We meet several new characters in this book as well, but I have to mention Jonas Marsden, the ex chief of the Silver Circle. He’s a complete nutter, but he’s just awesome! He puts me a lot in the mind of Myrnin from Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampire series. Marsden is cause for a fair few smiles throughout this novel!

I absolutely love this series, and, perhaps because this book was so emotionally, but I felt really quite sad when I reached the last page. I can’t wait to read the fifth book in the series, which is due to be released spring/summer 2010! I’ve caught up at last! (less)

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 19, 2009 WillowBe rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-heroines

I liked this one probably least of all, though it's not bad. It was another of those books I stopped reading in the middle back in the summer because I was frustrated with the charactar's cluelessness.

It seemed kind of rushed. I didn't feel satisfied at the story's end. On a superficial note, I wish they would choose one model for the book covers. I preferred the first two. The last two, esp the last one was dippy! This one kind of misleads also. plus it does't look like the charactar.

This flir...more

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Apr 10, 2013 La Mala rated it 4 of 5 stars

Este párrafo me terminó de convencer (no es que ya no lo estuviera antes ... desde el segundo libro al menos) de que PRITKIN se roba la serie entera y Cassie tiene que dejar de ser una pelmaza y terminar de una vez por todas con ese triangulo amoroso al pedo (ODIO LOS TRIANGULOS LOS ODIO CON TODO MI SER )

En fin , como decía , este párrafo de Cassie sobre JOHN PRITKIN :

He wasn't that good-looking, he had the social skills of a wet cat and the patience of a caffeinated hummingbird. In between c...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Becki rated it 2 of 5 stars

I've been really enjoying the series...until this book.

There are some smaller niggles like the lack of continuation. Lets face it Cassie gets naked enough in this series but the Gecko tattoo is never mentioned again?? Same with Pritkins sword, we don't really hear much about it, even when she was checking out his nude body she'd never mentioned it. Also, the deal she had with the Fey. Pretty sure they realized they've been double crossed by now! And they were sheltering Tomas for her yet she see...more

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Jun 03, 2010 Janine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

If there were an award in the Urban Fantasy genre for action scenes—whether it be for the sheer number of them or how wild and unpredictable they are—I think Chance would win with this series. Not that I've even come close to reading everything in the genre, but there's nothing else that I have read that compares to the unrelenting pace of these books. And while that makes them a fun read, it's almost too much of a good thing at times—kind of in the same way (for me) that Kill Bill's Crazy 88 fi...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Cece rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, wishlist

Loved it!! The funniest book in the series so far! I'd read a review making the same claim but I didn't believe it after reading Claimed By Shadow. Man was I wrong. I'm really beginning to think this series is going to be added to my favorites. Seriously a MUST READ. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have continued reading this series.

I don't know if anyone else felt this way but while reading this book I began to feel like Cassie was living two somewhat separate lives. One that involved Mirce...more

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Sep 16, 2011 VampireNovelFan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy, shifters, vampires

I'm sorry, but after that ending this has to be the sorriest excuse for a love triangle I've ever read.

Rant ahead...
(view spoiler)...more

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Apr 22, 2009 Dorri rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, sexuality, vampire, magic-ties

From page one, you run. You run until you're ragged and you're begging for more. This book is a compliment to the first three. I know when I put it down, I was already on-line seeing if Karen had posted a release date for the next one. Full on adrenaline rush, I want more.

Cassie tries so hard to learn about her new station in life as the Pythia, but it's hard when everyone wants her dead. With the exception of Mircea and Pritkin. Anyone else would have cashed in on the bounty on her head. Francq...more

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Nov 07, 2011 Debora rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: da_autori_e_caseeditrici, fisicamente_posseduto, read_2011

È arrivato nelle nostre librerie il quarto libro della serie urban fantasy dedicata alla veggente più potente e sfigata del mondo: Cassandra Palmer.

La nostra povera Pitia, trascinata in questo ruolo complesso dalla precedente Pitia in carica senza uno straccio di addestramento, si ritrova a dover fronteggiare niente meno che il crudele Dio Apollo. Infatti, nel precedente volume, se da una parte riusciamo finalmente ad avere per la prima volta un quadro abbastanza chiaro delle forze in gioco in c...more È arrivato nelle nostre librerie il quarto libro della serie urban fantasy dedicata alla veggente più potente e sfigata del mondo: Cassandra Palmer.

La nostra povera Pitia, trascinata in questo ruolo complesso dalla precedente Pitia in carica senza uno straccio di addestramento, si ritrova a dover fronteggiare niente meno che il crudele Dio Apollo. Infatti, nel precedente volume, se da una parte riusciamo finalmente ad avere per la prima volta un quadro abbastanza chiaro delle forze in gioco in campo (scopriamo la vera natura del Dio, delle origini di Pritikin, dell’equilibrio del potere delle pitie…), dall’altra ci ritroviamo condividere lo scetticismo della giovane Cassandra: come può una Pitia priva di addestramento vedersela con Apollo?

Cassandra infatti, in barba ad ogni istinto di sopravvivenza, rifiuta di sottomettersi al Dio Apollo e si ritroverà, ovviamente, ad infoltire il suo carnet di nemici. Povera ragazza!

Da una parte riuscirà ad avere un po’ di tregua, infatti il geis con Lord Mircea è stato rotto e il Senato dei Vampiri è dalla sua parte, dall’altra la sua instabilità come Pitia non fa altro che crearle problemi, questa consapevolezza la spingerà a cercare qualche risposta nel passato…

Il romanzo riparte proprio da qui, infatti vedremo la nostra Cass, a spasso nel tempo, alla ricerca della Pitia che l’ha messa nei casini. L’idea sarebbe stata quella di farsi dare qualche risposta, se non altro un piccolo corso accelerato sui compiti, i poteri ed i trucchetti delle pitie, peccato che Agnes non sembra particolarmente felice di conoscere la sua futura (almeno per la ragazza) designata e si limita a spararle. Nel didietro, letteralmente.

Cassandra si ritroverà ad affrontare anche in questo libro una vasta gamma di rocambolesche avventure che la porteranno un passo più vicina all’annientamento di Apollo, anche se con molte difficoltà.

Partner di questa avventura è Pritikin e Lord Mircea verrà relegato nelle retrovie per quanti tutto il romanzo; appare piuttosto chiaro che il triangolo fra questi tre complessi personaggi è ormai ben amalgamato con l’intreccio fantasy. Cassandra risulta essere sposata – almeno per il mondo dei vampiri – con Lord Mircea ma il suo rapporto con Pritikin continua a crescere e, fra un salvataggio e un deliziosamente ilare siparietto (ne leggerete davvero, davvero delle belle!), non potremo non chiederci chi avrà la meglio fra i due uomini. L’autrice per adesso non sembra essersi sbilanciata verso nessuno dei due, ma è ancora presto.

C’è da dire che, nonostante la scarsa presenza, ancora una volta Lord Mircea si dimostra manipolatore e decisamente incline ai sotterfugi, è tutt’ora molto difficile comprendere i suoi veri sentimenti. Se di “sentimenti” si parla, ovviamente.

Ad ogni modo, come abbiamo detto, questa volta tocca a Pritikin ad affiancare Cassandra e l’aiuterà a sfuggire ad una trappola particolarmente ben congeniata del Cerchio, convinto di poter mettere le mani sulla Pitia per farla fuori ed eleggere una ragazza più “controllabile”. Salvataggio che si concluderà con la catastrofica distruzione della sede della MAGIC, con il rapimento dei bambini speciali che Cass aveva portato al Dante’s, strane crisi di gelosia nei confronti di Mircea, Apollo che torna sulla terra, il Senato che sembra – stranamente! – collaborare e tanto altro.

Un altro volume che, confermando l’impennata positiva del terzo libro, riconferma la validità di questa serie. Se nei primi due libri la confusione regna sovrana e annienta un po’ la determinazione del lettore, in questi due romanzi, seppur sempre sensibili agli infodump e allo stile poco concreto dell’autrice, il lettore riuscirà comunque a destreggiarsi fra gli svariati personaggi (che vanno a delinearsi sempre maggiormente), gli schieramenti ed i vari salti spazio-temporali.

Sarà un volume decisamente rivelativo, questa volta, per quanto riguarda la famiglia e la natura stessa di Cassandra Palmer. Le risposte saranno molte e, alla fine, molti nodi verranno al pettine lasciandoci, per una volta, soddisfatti.

La serie può senza dubbio migliorare e, viste le premesse, le conferme non tarderanno ad arrivare; da leggere ed apprezzare. Un plauso particolare va alla casa editrice Fanucci per il prezzo incredibilmente vantaggioso e la copertina molto “matura” dai toni più americani e sicuramente lontana dalle banalotte e spesso imbarazzanti cover italiane. Ottimo!(less)

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Jul 21, 2011 Samina ~ Escapism~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-pdf, urban-fantasy, favorites

What can I say about this book that already hasn’t been said. This edition of Cassie Palmer is funny, action packed and filled with emotional drama. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her new adventures. When this series started it left a lot to be desired but it seems like Karen Chance had been listening to the negative criticism and improving her writing. The story and world keeps improving with each book and now you seem to care about each one of them and have an interest to see them to the end.

The...more

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About Karen Chance

Karen 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...more

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Quotes from Curse the Dawn

“He smiled at that, and then his gaze shifted to a spot over my shoulder and it faded. 'These doubts wouldn’t have anything to do with the company you’re keeping of late, would they?'
I didn’t get a chance to answer before the shop door was thrown open and a furious war mage stomped in. Pritkin spotted me and his eyes narrowed.
'You shaved my legs?!'
Mircea looked at me and folded his arms across his chest. I looked from one unhappy face to the other and suddenly remembered that I had somewhere else to be.” — 235 people liked it

“And I just couldn't take it anymore. I closed the distance between us, slammed him back against the chair and kissed him, holding his head still with both my hands buried in that stupid, stupid hair. I half expected more resistance, because Pritkin had never met an argument he didn't like. So it was a shock when he ran his hands down my sides, cupped my hips and slid us both to the floor.
"I'm going straight to hell for this," he muttered.
"At least you'll know a lot of people," I said breathlessly. ” — 215 people liked it

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Curse the Dawn (Cassandra Palmer #4)

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