Unseen (Outcast Season, #3)

Mar 02, 2012 Catherine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, djinn-genie, fantasy-paranormal-sci-fi, series, weather-warden, magic-mystical-ability, first-reads-arcs-won-a-copy, fiction-vixen-reviews, excellent, read-2011, read-2012

*Originally read 1/29/11 - 1/30/11*

4.5 Stars

I just finished this book and *sigh* I am even more in love with this series than ever. I’m really glad that Rachel Caine decided to do a spinoff of her Weather Warden series. I enjoyed that series a lot, but this series has quickly surpassed it and become my favorite.

I know a few people who had a problem with Joanne’s personality and the constant rotation of big bads in such a short timeframe in the Weather Warden series. If you’re one of them, you m...more

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Feb 14, 2011 Kathryn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, paranormal-romance

Outcast Season is a spin-off series of Caine's Weather Warden books. The number of readers is so far limited and I hope that changes as I want Caine to write adult urban fantasy, not young-adult, as I have tired of her Morganville books. Outcast is an entertaining series and fans of the Warden books will be happy.

The Warden books are notorious for terrible cliffhanger endings. I am happy that Caine has toned that quality down here. The main plot is still very much unresolved but I feel no stres...more Outcast Season is a spin-off series of Caine's Weather Warden books. The number of readers is so far limited and I hope that changes as I want Caine to write adult urban fantasy, not young-adult, as I have tired of her Morganville books. Outcast is an entertaining series and fans of the Warden books will be happy.

The Warden books are notorious for terrible cliffhanger endings. I am happy that Caine has toned that quality down here. The main plot is still very much unresolved but I feel no stress having to wait another year for the next to be published.

As an urban fantasy story, this series is darker than the Warden books. I did not like this at first. As I've mentioned before, the humor is missing but now that I've finished the 3rd book, I feel invested enough with the characters that I can do without the humor. Caine made a smart decision, as a book that is essentially about experimenting, abusing, and exploiting children is not fertile ground for many humorous moments.

I am still not completely sold on Luis. He was a big male baby. Rashid is by far my favorite character. And there is a monster I really loved. And a rolling sphere which was awesome.

I was internally complaining about the timelines of the Warden series and these books not matching up but it did come together in the end. The next book should be very interesting considering what happens with the djinn.

Luis and Cas are a good balance. I like how their instincts differ so greatly, with Luis wanting to protect and Cas wanting to attack. Joanne's history of being tricked and screwed over by unlikely sources is a quality shared by Cas. Those scenes get under my skin but it all comes together and makes for some memorable action.

Additionally, for a book with numerous young characters, I was not the slightest bit annoyed by any of them. I tend to want to run away screaming from books with kids, as most authors are terrible at characterization and writing believable scenarios and actions. Caine did an excellent job of avoiding the pitfalls which other authors fall into.

I hope Caine does not take forever to publish the next in the series. 4 1/2 stars, the best so far.

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Mar 23, 2011 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011

This is the third book in Rachel Caine's spin off from the Weather Warden series and I would definitely recommend it to Weather Warden fans. I loved the first series but I'm growing to like the Outcast Season books even more, the only disappointment is having to wait a whole year to get my hands on the next (and final) book in the series. I would say you could pick up the Outcast Season books even if you've not read any of the Weather Warden series but I would definitely recommend reading this s...more This is the third book in Rachel Caine's spin off from the Weather Warden series and I would definitely recommend it to Weather Warden fans. I loved the first series but I'm growing to like the Outcast Season books even more, the only disappointment is having to wait a whole year to get my hands on the next (and final) book in the series. I would say you could pick up the Outcast Season books even if you've not read any of the Weather Warden series but I would definitely recommend reading this series in order starting with Undone.

Cassiel is still struggling to fit into her new place in the world - no longer fully Djinn but also not quite human she finds her lack of power and the fact that she has to rely on the Wardens to live frustrating. Working in such close contact with her Warden partner Luis has had a big effect on her though and we are starting to see a much more human side to her, she is more caring and wants to do everything she can to help those suffering at the hands of her enemy. She hasn't had a personality transplant though, she can still be very cool and logical when she needs to be, she will do what needs to be done no matter how much it hurts her to do it. What I really love about Cassiel is that we are seeing a lot of development in her character, she never comes across as one dimensional and although you might not agree with her decisions sometimes you can understand why she makes the choices she does.

I have been really enjoying the developing relationship between Cassiel and Luis but I have to admit I was disappointed with some of Luis' behavior in this installment. I can't really say why without giving spoilers but there were times I wanted to shake him! I will say that he had started to redeem himself by the end of the book so I have high hopes that I'll be back to liking him more again in the next installment. It broke my heart watching Ibby at the beginning but I was so proud of her by end of the book that I wanted to cheer. I'm also very intrigued the snake girl and wonder if we'll see more of her in the future.

I can't wait to get my hands on Unbroken which will be the final installment in this series. Considering the books so far have coincided with the last few Weather Warden books I'm curious to see where we will be in the timeline for the last book, if it runs alongside Total Eclipse there should be some very interesting times ahead for Cassiel and the Djinn. I would recommend this series to any urban fantasy fan, personally I'd say you're better off starting with the Weather Warden series and reading all of the books in order but if you're not sure you should definitely give Undone a try.(less)

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Apr 12, 2011 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, urban

As much as I felt Book Two was a placeholder, UNSEEN was a fast, exciting book that moved the plot forward in several satisfying ways. Normally I dislike books where the love interests are seperated, but Cassiel and Luis seemed to grow deeper in their relationship despite the distance. I found their conflict and interaction gripping, enough so that it compensated for the repetition of Cassiel's spendthrift magical habits (at least once a chapter, and often twice, she would be "dangerously low" o...more

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May 03, 2013 Nisareen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Spoiler Alert! At the end of Unknown, Cassiel and Luis rescued Isabel and a small group of children and Cassiel realised that the threat Pearl posed went deeper than they had anticipated. Programmed and brainwashed against the Wardens, the children’s powers had manifested before their time. Forever altered as a result of their ordeal at the hands of Pearl, they faced a long battle in learning to control their new enhanced powers. In Unseen, Marion Bearheart urges Luis to enrol Isabel at her scho...more Spoiler Alert! At the end of Unknown, Cassiel and Luis rescued Isabel and a small group of children and Cassiel realised that the threat Pearl posed went deeper than they had anticipated. Programmed and brainwashed against the Wardens, the children’s powers had manifested before their time. Forever altered as a result of their ordeal at the hands of Pearl, they faced a long battle in learning to control their new enhanced powers. In Unseen, Marion Bearheart urges Luis to enrol Isabel at her school which has been designed to help the children rescued from Pearl’s camp to control their powers. Luis is reluctant as is Isabel who doesn’t want to be separated from her uncle. Cassiel must make a difficult choice when she realises Isabel needs help and that her own priority must be to stop Pearl at all costs. Isabel resolves to enrol after meeting the half snake half witch, Esmeralda. Luis however, elects to stay and help the other kids but misjudges Cassiel’s desertion as rejection. He in turn betrays her.

While Luis’s betrayal cuts deep, Cassiel remains focused on her mission. With the FBI hot on her trail, Cassiel attempts to penetrate one of Pearl’s cult operations the Church of the New World by infiltrating an FBI camp outside one of Pearl’s complexes. En route to the camp, Cassiel learns that there is a traitor at the school but is helpless to turn back and can only warn Luis. At the camp, Cassiel befriends a fellow camper named Will who she feels an attraction to. To her dismay, Will turns out to be Ashan in disguise, still trying to convince Cassiel to destroy humanity. When he severs her connection to Luis she must take drastic measures. Will she make it in time to stop the traitor at the school? Will she infiltrate Pearl’s complex and stop her once and for all?

There were several surprising twists in Unseen hence the title. The identity of the traitor was someone I had never expected. Also several of the new characters introduced surprisingly end up dead. Cassiel continues to fascinate me. She questions her old beliefs as a Djinn and weighs them against her new experiences as a human. By coming to terms with her humanity she has come to see understand the limits and vulnerable aspects of being human. Unfortunately she comes under fire for some of the choices she’s forced to make but she never wavers from what she believes is right.

Isabel’s transformation from the delightful innocent child first introduced in Undone to the damaged, haunted, troubled girl we now see as a result of her being exposed to evil was heart breaking to read. Cassiel sadly realises she can never go back to the sweet girl she was.

Two highlights of the book for me were the emergence of Ashan and the mysterious Djinn Rashid. The latter’s penchant for appearing in his birthday suit whenever he appears around a flustered Cassiel has me in fits of giggles. Currently it’s anyone’s guess who he answers to. It was interesting to read more about the motivation behind Ashan’s agenda and what he feels should be done about Pearl. Shockingly it appears he has feelings for Cassiel, even saving her life at one point when she takes a beating at the hands of Pearl and her children. I had disliked Ashan intensely in the Weather Warden books, his disdain for humans being a sore point but here I found a shred of sympathy for him. At one point he foretells his own death and appeals to Cassiel to come back to him. Cassiel turns down the chance to become a Djinn again because she has now embraced her humanity, something Ashan had never considered when he cast her out. Esmeralda was also an interesting addition, caught between two different forms it will be intriguing to read how her friendship with Isabel develops in Unbroken.
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Sep 16, 2012 Lorena rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: supernatural-and-fantasy-varied

I wouldn't have started reading this series it if Joanne Baldwin from Weather Warden series hadn't hooked me head straight into this universe of Djinns and elemental powers. When I ran out of Weather Warden books I gave this series a try but it just didn't reach the bar. Regardless of the fact that I have had serious issues connecting to Cass from Book 1 I keep reading it so I suppose I just want to know what happens to this world that seems about to collapse, unravel and go boom for quite some...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Book Binge Blog rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: roc-publishing, urban-fantasy, for-review

I have to admit, I go all fangirl when a new Rachel Caine arrives in my mailbox and Unseen is no exception. Set in the same world as the Weather Warden novels (another rockin' series, if you're into urban fantasy), Unseen is the third in the series featuring the ex-Djinn, Cassiel, and her human Warden, Luis. (Since this is the third in the series, there are some spoilers if you haven't read the prior novels.)

Cassiel is growing more comfortable in her human skin, experiencing emotions on a level...more I have to admit, I go all fangirl when a new Rachel Caine arrives in my mailbox and Unseen is no exception. Set in the same world as the Weather Warden novels (another rockin' series, if you're into urban fantasy), Unseen is the third in the series featuring the ex-Djinn, Cassiel, and her human Warden, Luis. (Since this is the third in the series, there are some spoilers if you haven't read the prior novels.)

Cassiel is growing more comfortable in her human skin, experiencing emotions on a level she never felt as a Djinn, and actually growing to love the humans she's surrounded by. She's not entirely sure she likes this new compassion. It makes her vulnerable in ways she never was when she was a Djinn. This includes caring for and loving humans like little Ibby and, of course, Luis. However, she never loses her practicality and willingness to do what's necessary, no matter what the consequences might be (oh, and there are some serious consequences).

Speaking of that hot Weather Warden Luis, things are moving along quite swimmingly between Cass and Luis. As in, they're finally getting a piece of each other (ooh, and what a nice shower scene that was!). Oh, thank all that is good—the sexual tension between the two of them was about to kill me! Except, despite the ongoing tension and their every-growing feelings for each other, Luis's first priority is his niece, Ibby, and protecting her from the psychotic Djinn Pearl, and Cass's priority is stopping Pearl without offing all of humanity. While that seems like that would go hand-in-hand, it doesn't. Those crazy kids. I have faith they'll work it out, especially considering they really do care for one another and, despite their differences, they just have such a fantastic connection.

Added into the mix are Djinn from Cass's past: Rashid and Ashan. Rashid has always fascinated me, popping in unexpectedly, interfering in Cass's now-human life, and lending aid when least expected but most needed. Then disappearing. And then there's Ashan. If you've read any of the Weather Warden series, you're familiar with Ashan and his distain for human-kind. He's perfectly comfortable ordering Cassiel to wipe out the human race in order to stop Pearl and then turning Cass into a human as punishment when she refuses. So, when he pops up back on her radar, she's somewhat unsure how to deal with him, especially with all those new-to-her human emotions roiling around in her brain. I have the feeling we'll be seeing more of him in the very near future.

Rachel Caine seems to take inordinate pleasure in torturing her characters. She takes the writers' maxim of making characters' lives miserable to a higher level. I'm awed—and a little scared—every time I pick up a book to find out what torture is in store for the characters. Cassiel gets dumped on hard core. Characters die right and left (Just a little warning—don't get attached to anyone new. Most of them don't make it very long in the Outcast world.). Ibby grows up way too fast and is forced to make decisions no one under seven should ever have to make. Unseen is a super-fast, tension-filled story that will have you reading late into the night.

Rating: 4.75/5.0

This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Mary.(less)

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Feb 18, 2011 Ghadeer A rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

what a great character Cassiel is!
i just love her .she is like a robot but with a human heart :)
this book was packed with action you don't have time to breath
and sometimes i just want to hit Luis on his head he makes me so mad because he does not understand Cassiel and expect her to act HUMAN when she is not..
alot of surprises in this book too.and i can happily and honestly say i have no idea how this series is going to end..but i can't wait for the next book..

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Sep 08, 2012 Nicole R rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: genies, paranormal-supernatural, 2012

I really liked Unseen. I just love seeing Djinn (or genies) and how there's a serious battle ahead. I just love her determination to destroy Pearl while in a human body. And seeing her change over the series has been interesting.

She has the chance to become a Djinn again, but passes, because she is much sympathetic to humans now. It turned out to be a good move on her part, at least at the end of the novel. But who knows how it will turn out in Unbroken?

There's a lot of action in this one, which...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Star (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

I loved the Weather Warden series and the Outcast Season books, which are set in the same world, are also exceptional! Cassiel has some tough choices to make and unfortunately, she's feels like the only one who can do what it takes to stop a child-stealing monster. Even when it breaks her heart to leave Luis and Ibby - but losing them entirely along with every other human on the planet is unconscionable to her. I like the evolution that we've seen in Cassiel from Undone through Unseen. She start...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Kt from A Book Obsession.. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession..

Now that Cassiel and Luis have rescued Ibby, his niece, they realize that pearl's threat goes so much deeper than they ever realized. The horrors of what was done to these children, and what the rescued ones must still face comes at a killing blow to them. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Cassiel must find a way to get into one of Pearl's cult operations, even if is means sacrificing everything she holds dear. Failure is not an option....more Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession..

Now that Cassiel and Luis have rescued Ibby, his niece, they realize that pearl's threat goes so much deeper than they ever realized. The horrors of what was done to these children, and what the rescued ones must still face comes at a killing blow to them. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Cassiel must find a way to get into one of Pearl's cult operations, even if is means sacrificing everything she holds dear. Failure is not an option.

While the previous book focused more on romantic development than forward plot momentum, the complete opposite can be said for Unseen. The plot was thrown into hyper drive, with plenty of intense action. Meanwhile, my heart was thrown into a blender as Cassiel experiences her first taste of heartbreak. I should have know everything couldn't have stayed all roses between the two of them. I realize things could have been worse, but that really doesn't make it much easier, especially when all I want to do is strangle Luis for his behavior. Somehow Cassiel, takes all of the blame upon herself, even though she is the one making the touch choices. I mean news flash, if she didn't there wouldn't be a world much longer. How could she just let everything she has grown to love slip through her fingers rather than stand up and fight? She can't and she doesn't, yet it costs hers more than she could have ever realized, so my heart bled right along with hers.

It has been a very long time since I have despised a villain as much as I despise Pearl. My anger is almost all consuming, to the point where I am desperate to get my hands on the final installment just so I can yell: "Ding Dong the Wicked (b)witch is Dead!" At least I hope I will get that satisfaction, Rachel Caine couldn't be quite so cruel to let that psychotic, manipulative creature succeed, right? That being said, I have absolutely no idea how Cassiel could possibly win in the end as she has been thwarted at every attempt and basically demolished each and every time. Not that really is a bad thing as it promises for a completely unpredictable and entertaining final installment.

It still amazes me just how different this series is from the Weather Warden series, yet somehow still can tie into that world so well. The emotions and stakes are so very different that what was experienced before. I can imagine it was no easy feat to accomplish this, so my hat goes off to Rachel Caine for yet again knocking my socks off and thoroughly impressing me with her creative genius. (Even if she does drive me a little batty with her love of cliffhangers. Evil Author! Seriously, I met her on tour and she has the evil laugh perfected. It is quite creepy.) That all being said, I do feel like a little bit of a hypocrite as I flew through Unseen as fast as possible in trying to get one step closer to the resolution, yet I know I will be very sad to say goodbye to another set of awesome characters that I have come to love. It really is a catch 22 situation, but that just shows how enjoyable the books are. (less)

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May 22, 2012 Vanessa rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: disappointing-reads

With a heavy heart, I cannot give Unseen, more than two stars.. Only because Ms. Cane's previous Weather Warden Ill Wind books are on my all time favorite Urban Fantasy series. If you have not picked them up, I highly recommend them, they are f****** outstanding. I had extremely high levels of expectations due to my love of her previous books, but oh my, this series just fell short and flat for me. The first two books were good, though not great. This third book continually made me feel unsympat...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Cara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Before I start the summary let me start out by saying I STRONGLY recommend you read the Weather Wardens series first. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86... There is a link to the first book in it. I have noticed a lot of people complaining about the Outcast Season series (Cassiel's story), but the problem with their complaints is that they are confused because they haven't read the Weather Wardens series. If they had read that series they would be a lot less confused, and have a lot less to c...more Before I start the summary let me start out by saying I STRONGLY recommend you read the Weather Wardens series first. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86... There is a link to the first book in it. I have noticed a lot of people complaining about the Outcast Season series (Cassiel's story), but the problem with their complaints is that they are confused because they haven't read the Weather Wardens series. If they had read that series they would be a lot less confused, and have a lot less to complain about. Now back to the book at hand.

Summary: Okay, so this book starts off as Isabel, Cassiel, and Luis are saving people from a fire that was started by one of the militant kids that Pearl trained. They had warned the FBI not to keep them in their offices, but of course the FBI didn't listen.
The first problem that they come across, is that Marion Bearheart, an Earth Warden, has started a school for the children that have been rescued from Pearl's camps. They are trying to keep from having to take away their powers, and ultimately killing them. They can not survive without their powers it is too ingrained in who they are. So the wardens are hoping that if they can train the children to control them, they will be able to survive longer. So Marion calls Luis and tells them he has to hand over Isabel or they will take her by force. Of course, Luis doesn't want to hand her off, and Isabel doesn't want to be separated from him either. So Cassiel has to talk her into going, in order, to convince her she needs to learn how to control her powers.
Now that they have convinced Isabel to go to the school. Luis decides he wants to stay and help the children that are at the school. Cassiel knows that she shouldn't stay, because her fight wasn't at the school. Her fight is on the outside against Pearl. So she leaves the school. Luis throws a fit, and acts like a baby, and basically tells Cassiel how evil of a person she is leaving them at the school. Luis ends up betraying her as she leaves.
The FBI is hot on her trail, because essentially they want to take her and force her to tell Warden and Djinn secrets. So instead of letting them catch her, she goes to one of the FBI camps outside of one of Pearl's complexes. She convinces the FBI to let her go with one of their agents to get inside of the camp. Long story short she makes it in. The camp she realizes is actually not too bad of a place to live; everyone is happy and nice. She quickly learns, that the peaceful and serene camp is really just another trick. She makes fast friends with a fellow camper named Will, who she has a sudden attraction to. This attraction scares her, because she is still in love with Luis. Things at the camp don't stay perfect for too long....I don't want to go into anymore of it, well, because I do not want to ruin the rest of the surprises.

Review: Cassiel is continuing to have to be one who has to do all the hard work. Luis is too busy being a big baby. I really did not like his attitude in this book. It reminds me how much more I like David from the Weather Wardens series. So for 3/4 the book he sulks, while Cassiel gets out there and finds out more about Pearl. I'm very happy that Rashid is in the book again, I really like him. I like that we get to see Isabel in this new light. She's very kick ass. She is like Cassiel, in the fact she knows what needs to be done, and she will take care of it. Where as I was complaining about the second book being slow, this one definitely picks up on the action. We also get to learn more about the kids that they have rescued. It is actually pretty sad what you find out about them, and how long they actually have to live. It makes me want Pearl dead even more. Cassiel doesn't grow very much as a person in this book. She makes a couple of new revelations about humanity, but nothing really big. She did so much growing in the first couple of books, it makes sense that she would need to slow down though. We get to see Ashen again in this book, and it's interesting what we learn about him, and we get to see more of Cassiel's thoughts towards him. Overall, I think this was a pretty good book, definitely worth continuing the series for it. There is only one book left in the series, which I am reading at the moment.

Feel free to visit, and follow my blog. Let me know if you follow mine, so I can follow yours. :) http://readingpassion03.blogspot.com/
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Aug 12, 2011 Jenn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I went from love-love-loving this series to reaching the end of this book with a big fat WTF expression on my face. Child assassins? Really?

The emotional battle between Cassiel & Luis was enjoyable but this whole kidnapping/mutating baby warden powers has left me with a big "Where the hell is Lewis in this?" Seriously! The whole MIA thing made me roll my eyes. Don't get me wrong, I'll read the final book because I want to know how the hell they're going to kill someone Cassiel can't kill. D...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Jenny Delandro rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: alternate-universe, fantasy

TBR 439
Luis & Cassiel are told to take Ibby to a safe school... the are not given any option. they don't want a fght so Cass takes Ibby to meet theSnake girl, Esmeralda. After meeting her Ibby wants to go... but once there Luis will not leave.
(view spoiler)...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2012, urban-fantasy

Unseen by Rachel Caine was enjoyable but at the same time very unfulfilling. Quite simply I wanted it more. That doesn’t mean the book was dull or poorly written.

Unseen is the third book in the Outcast series and this book does a fair amount of set up for the Weather Wardens books. I knew Luis and Cassiel from Total Eclipse (the final book in the Weather Wardens series). So it was nice to see a book where they are the main characters.

Luis and Cassiel are ordered to bring Ibby (Isabel) to a schoo...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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

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Apr 09, 2012 Kathy Davie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, urban

Third in the Outcast urban fantasy series revolving around Cassiel, a former Djinn.

This feeds off the Weather Wardens series which starts with Ill Wind .

My Take
Ah, well, a mistake on Ashan's part. Turning Cassiel human. It means that she learns what being human means. The emotions. The need. The desire. Part of that desire is for Luis. A greater part is the need to protect the children.

When Cardenas delivers the message that they are to hand Ibby off to Bearheart, he gives them a map to her loca...more

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Oct 05, 2012 -RadioActiveBookWorm- rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: anything-and-everything-paranormal, awesome-characters, adult-fiction, spiritual-souls, super-poweful-superpowers, telekapathical-magical-powers, the-end-is-near-apocolyse

What do I think about this book? Well. It's just like the others in the series. I'm not really sure if that's a good thing though, because I'm kind of getting tired of the whole idea.. After powering through the Weather Warden's series that just kept getting worse, I'm kind of finding that that's what I'm doing in this series. It's pretty much the same. Which isn't fun for me. You'd think that she would've gotten her fill of writing in this world with the .. what was it? like. twelve books of th...more

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Jun 17, 2011 Ami rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal-futuristic

If I am not mistaken, this will be the book BEFORE the final one in the series and the threat just escalates to a point where I (as reader) prepare myself for an apocalyptic kind of conclusion in book #4. Pearl shows why she is probably one the most evil villains I have ever encountered. Her plan is so cunning, so destructive, I wonder how humanity will survive.

Cassiel definitely showing more and more human quality; her refusal to return to her Djinn glory, because she has experienced (and lived...more

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Apr 15, 2011 ALPHAreader rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It has been months since Cassiel ‘Cass’ was ripped from the Dijn world to have humanity thrust upon her. Since then Cass has witnessed the slaying murder of her Weather Warden, Manny, and his wife, Angela. She has seen their little girl, Isabel, be kidnapped and used as a ticking time-bomb weapon of mass destruction. Cass has fallen in love with Manny’s Warden brother, Luis. And Cass has been shamed by the fact that a fallen Dijn sister called Pearl was behind Isabel’s kidnapping, and the kidnap...more It has been months since Cassiel ‘Cass’ was ripped from the Dijn world to have humanity thrust upon her. Since then Cass has witnessed the slaying murder of her Weather Warden, Manny, and his wife, Angela. She has seen their little girl, Isabel, be kidnapped and used as a ticking time-bomb weapon of mass destruction. Cass has fallen in love with Manny’s Warden brother, Luis. And Cass has been shamed by the fact that a fallen Dijn sister called Pearl was behind Isabel’s kidnapping, and the kidnapping of hundreds of other talented Weather Warden children . . . because Pearl is building an army. An army of future Weather Wardens who can control earth, fire, wind and water. And she will use them to execute the most awful take over imaginable, unless Cass can stand in her way.

‘Unseen’ is the third book in Rachel Caine’s spin-off Weather Warden series.

Caine’s Weather Warden series came to an end last year with the final book ‘Total Eclipse’. I was both sad and elated to read the last instalment to Jo Baldwin’s harrowing adventures . . . but I have to admit, the sting is lessened somewhat by Caine’s continuing ‘Outcast Season’, and the journey of former Dijn, Cassiel.

I love, love, loved ‘Unseen’ because it’s a book of big concepts and dramatic changes. The first of these revolutions is in Cass’s relationship with Luis Rocha . . . for two books now; Luis has been uneasy and somewhat horrified by his attraction to Cassiel. He would be fighting his lust one moment, and throwing barbed comments the next. But in ‘Unseen’ Luis has his wanting under control. He and Cass have been through too much – Manny’s slaying and Isabel’s kidnapping – and he has come to trust her completely. They share some intimate and transformative moments, and their sweetness rival that of even Jo Baldwin and Dijn David.

But there is also a backlash to these character revolutions. Cass is slowly starting to understand and embrace her humanity, the good and the bad. This book is really about Cass coming to terms with the limits and dismal aspects of being human. She realizes that when you open yourself up to love, you also welcome heartache. She finds that caring leads the way to losing what you care about. And being mostly human means she is dispensable in this grand battle.

For all of their sweet moments, Cass and Luis also experience an incredible turn-about in their relationship. One that will leave you gob-smacked and pained on Cass’s behalf.

“Cass . . .” He sighed. “Damn, girl, I never know which way to jump with you. When it’s all action and danger, we’re synced like a sound track; when it’s just you and me, I never know what you’re thinking, or what you’re feeling, if you’re feeling anything. I look at you and you just . . .”
“Just what?”
He shrugged, frowning. “You just reflect,” he said. “Like steel.”
That surprised me, and it hurt a little. “I am not steel.” I said. “I am human. Blood and bone and muscle, heart and feeling and vulnerability. Don’t I show that?”
“Not even a little. Not here.” He sounded almost apologetic about it.

I also loved ‘Unseen’ because Caine brings back a favourite secondary character we first met in ‘Unknown’. Rashid is a mysterious Dijn who is fascinated with Cass and currently under command of an unknown master. He is as beautiful as a Greek God, and has a penchant for wearing his birthday suit around Cass, because he loves flustering her. I am so smitten with Rashid! I was thrilled to read his return in ‘Unseen’. He’s like dark chocolate – wickedly good and bitter. I can’t figure him out, but I love reading his interactions with Cass. I would love it if, when the ‘Outcast Season’ comes to an end, Rachel Caine could do a spin-off of a spin-off and write Rashid’s story!

‘Unseen’ also marks the beginning of the end. This book reveals a lot about Pearl and her grand plan . . . and it’s spine-tinglingly awful. Caine is definitely setting up Pearl’s long-game, and preparing Cass and Luis for an epic battle. I don’t want to give anything away, but Pearl’s devilish plan is chillingly villainous.

‘Unseen’ is yet another brilliantly thrilling instalment in Caine’s ‘Outcast Season’ spin-off series. Jo Baldwin and ‘Weather Warden’ may be done and dusted, but Caine’s still got a lot to offer in Cassiel and Luis. This is a transformative book for all characters – Cass comes to terms with the downfalls of humanity, and Pearl reveals her villainous grand-plans. It is epically glorious, and exactly what fans have come to expect from Rachel Caine’s brilliant paranormal pen.(less)

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Jul 13, 2011 MaryBookSwarm rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have to admit, I go all fangirl when a new Rachel Caine arrives in my mailbox and Unseen is no exception. Set in the same world as the Weather Warden novels (another rockin' series, if you're into urban fantasy), Unseen is the third in the series featuring the ex-Djinn, Cassiel, and her human Warden, Luis. (Since this is the third in the series, there are some spoilers if you haven't read the prior novels.)

Cassiel is growing more comfortable in her human skin, experiencing emotions on a level...more I have to admit, I go all fangirl when a new Rachel Caine arrives in my mailbox and Unseen is no exception. Set in the same world as the Weather Warden novels (another rockin' series, if you're into urban fantasy), Unseen is the third in the series featuring the ex-Djinn, Cassiel, and her human Warden, Luis. (Since this is the third in the series, there are some spoilers if you haven't read the prior novels.)

Cassiel is growing more comfortable in her human skin, experiencing emotions on a level she never felt as a Djinn, and actually growing to love the humans she's surrounded by. She's not entirely sure she likes this new compassion. It makes her vulnerable in ways she never was when she was a Djinn. This includes caring for and loving humans like little Ibby and, of course, Luis. However, she never loses her practicality and willingness to do what's necessary, no matter what the consequences might be (oh, and there are some serious consequences).

Speaking of that hot Weather Warden Luis, things are moving along quite swimmingly between Cass and Luis. As in, they're finally getting together-together. Oh, thank all that is good—the sexual tension between the two of them was about to kill me! Except, despite the ongoing tension and their every-growing feelings for each other, Luis's first priority is his niece, Ibby, and protecting her from the psychotic Djinn Pearl, and Cass's priority is stopping Pearl without offing all of humanity. While that seems like that would go hand-in-hand, it doesn't. Those crazy kids. I have faith they'll work it out, especially considering they really do care for one another and, despite their differences, they just have such a fantastic connection.

Added into the mix are Djinn from Cass's past: Rashid and Ashan. Rashid has always fascinated me, popping in unexpectedly, interfering in Cass's now-human life, and lending aid when least expected but most needed. Then disappearing. And then there's Ashan. If you've read any of the Weather Warden series, you're familiar with Ashan and his distain for human-kind. He's perfectly comfortable ordering Cassiel to wipe out the human race in order to stop Pearl and then turning Cass into a human as punishment when she refuses. So, when he pops up back on her radar, she's somewhat unsure how to deal with him, especially with all those new-to-her human emotions roiling around in her brain. I have the feeling we'll be seeing more of him in the very near future.

Rachel Caine seems to take inordinate pleasure in torturing her characters. She takes the writers' maxim of making characters' lives miserable to a higher level. I'm awed—and a little scared—every time I pick up a book to find out what torture is in store for the characters. Cassiel gets dumped on hard core. Characters die right and left (Just a little warning—don't get attached to anyone new. Most of them don't make it very long in the Outcast world.). Ibby grows up way too fast and is forced to make decisions no one under seven should ever have to make. Unseen is an action-packed, tension-filled story that will have you reading late into the night.(less)

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Mar 27, 2011 ♆ BookAddict ~ La Crimson Femme rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, djinn

This is a 3.5 star, not just a 3 star.
Ms. Caine does not write happy books. Every book I've read of hers puts me into a tailspin of depression. I'm starting to wonder if Ms. Caine is Chinese hiding in a white woman's body. I say this because every Chinese story or movie I've watched contains violence and betrayal against the hero or heroine. In Unseen, Ms. Caine continues this lovely tradition when Cassie's friends, family, allies and enemies attack her physically and psychologically. The blows...more

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Oct 17, 2012 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

10/16/12: Ha, ha, ha! I just read my first review and it makes me giggle. This is a tougher read because there are more struggles in it and as I mentioned in my review of book #2, the relationship between Cass and Luis is a bit more strained. But that's life! It totally didn't bother me this time. I definitely think it's best to read the Weather Warden series before these because it just makes more sense. It's so much easier to understand where Cass is coming from and why her convictions are so...more

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Feb 09, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sadden as I am about the Weather Wardens ending, I am still eager to return to the same world Rachel Caine has created and follow Cassiel around, the Djinn turned human. Cassiel is becoming more human as the books move on and her Djinn ways and attitude are almost a thing of the past. Unseen is a great addition to the series and I am eager to see where Cassiel's journey is going to take us!

But the war that has been brewing is not over, in fact, this book takes place around the time of Cape Storm...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: z2011_read_list, fiction, supernatural-paranormal-fic

As if there wasn’t enough crazy going on – now Cassiel and Luis have a small child who has been mentally tortured and who has world-ending cosmic powers. Okay, that may be overstating it, but only by the smallest amount.

I still really love Cassiel and the way she is coming into owning her feelings, but still being able to analyze them at arm’s length. She makes some amazingly tough calls in this book, because they are the smart and logical things to do, even as she realizes she may hurt people s...more

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Apr 12, 2011 All Things Urban Fantasy added it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed-by-julia

Sometimes an author can do their work all too well when creating a villain for protagonists to overcome. As in the Jane True series (where I felt I would never be truly satisfied until Jarl was dead), my dislike for the rogue djinn Pearl has now reached fever pitch. Her cult-like followers, cultivated through a combination of magical manipulation and murder, are heartbreaking enough on their own. Add an army of children being trained as holy warriors and cannon fodder, and I’m out for blood.

Out...more

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Feb 10, 2011 Sofija rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It was good as always. I am a huge fan of Rachel Caine and I read all of her series and liked them all. Her books are always interesting, with great characters and a lot of action. And “Unseen” is not exception to this.
I find Cassiel an excellent character. She is unusual and memorable in this huge amount of urban fantasy lead heroines. And what I think is making her distinctive is the way she thinks. Other characters often use “cold” to describe Cassiel. But she is not. She is just very logical...more

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Mar 11, 2011 Shelley aka Gizmo's Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-releases, urban-fantasy

This story actually takes place at the same time as the events of Cape Storm and Total Eclipse from the Weather Wardens series featuring Joanne Baldwin.

I guess I am one of those who has to be different in my opinion about this story. Cassiel IS an interesting character, but those around her like Isabel (Ibby) and Luis make this series worth continuining to read. In part, she reminds me a little of Joanne in that her decisions aren't always that fun to read about. Cassiel was once a powerful Djin...more This story actually takes place at the same time as the events of Cape Storm and Total Eclipse from the Weather Wardens series featuring Joanne Baldwin.

I guess I am one of those who has to be different in my opinion about this story. Cassiel IS an interesting character, but those around her like Isabel (Ibby) and Luis make this series worth continuining to read. In part, she reminds me a little of Joanne in that her decisions aren't always that fun to read about. Cassiel was once a powerful Djinn, a being as old as the earth herself. Thanks to Ashan, the leader of the so-called True Djinn, she lost all her powers and must rely on the charity of the Wardens themselves for her survival. Her powers are Earth Wardens, like her partner Luis Rocha.

Rocha now appears to have an affinity for not only Earth, but Fire as well; same as his niece Ibby. Cassiel and Luis get to know each other horizontally in this book, while Ibby is sleeping. Of course, this doesn't last long as Warden Marian Bearheart, from the Warden Series, demands that Luis bring Ibby to a school in Montana where they are trying to help those stolen by Pearl, the evil former Djinn who was once killed, or so it was thought, by Cassiel herself. Bearheart was hurt so badly in the war between the Djinn and Wardens, that she'll never walk again.

Cassiel makes a decision after arrival that, in my opinion, she should have done before now; go after Pearl and the children she's mind raped. Save them, kill her. Seriously, you can say that's what she did to these children because they have absolutely no control over themselves and their powers are extraordinary powerful. They've become nothing more than a pawn for Pearl against the Wardens, and Humans overall. Ibby's powers are so powerful that she could eventually die prematurely.

I like Ibby's character, especially at the end when she and another Pearl abused child named Gillain take a stand, and decide that it's time to take Pearl out. I also love the addition of Esmeralda the snake girl who Ibby called and asked for help from.

Another shocker? Ashan was actually likable in this story, even though he clearly has an agenda which is the elimination of humankind from the planet in order to stop Pearl, and to save Mother Earth from destruction. Ashan has true feelings for Cassiel, and even goes as far as saving her after Pearl and her children beat her to a bloody pulp. Ashan even fore-tells his destruction in this book, and asks Cass to come back to him. (If you haven't read the last few books in the Warden Series, I suggest you do so.)

What's interesting is, there are actually several real villians in this story. One, you don't see coming until the end. She hides in plain sight as it were, turning the children against those like Marian and Cass. The second group is a cult-like group calling itself the Church of the New World. They are blind followers to Pearl, and kidnappers of Warden children. Of course, there's Pearl who really needs to be stopped soon. Maybe in the last book of the series?

Overall, I shall give this book a 3.5 rating and only because the last 100 pages were actually enjoyable to read, and that's were all the action was as well.(less)

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Feb 26, 2011 Marsha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Adults

Cassie was a Djinn. However, their ruler, Ashan dispelled her from their world in human form to bring about the end of human life. After falling in love with Warden Luis Rocha and his neice, Ibby she is unable to do so. Additionally, she is plague with trying to rid the world of Pearl, another Djinn who set on ending all live on earth (Djinn and human)by using awakening powers in children who do not have the maturity and experience to handle them.
I love all of Rachel Caine's series and this o...more

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Unseen (Outcast Season #3)

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