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Thrall #3
Touch of Darkness
KNOW YOUR ENEMIES It’s good advice—and Kate always thought she did. But everything has there’s a new force at the head of the Thrall collective. A force brilliant enough and ruthless enough to hide its sinister plan behind humanitarian work—building and funding halfway houses to ease the victims of drugs and the Thrall back into society. And then Kate discovers that another part of the plan is rescinding the rules of fair play by which the Thrall have always dealt with humans. Kate is no longer Not Prey. Now she is just like everyone Prey. Uncovering the plot is a start, but stopping it is another thing entirely. Kate must not only call on all of her own resources, but all of those that belong to her werewolf boyfriend Tom. But the Thrall collective has a brand new way of getting to a very personal series of attacks designed to tear her from Tom. Kate has to save her relationship with Tom, or save the future from the Thrall?
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 29, 2008
6 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
About the author
C.T. Adams
34 books305 followersAlso known as Cat Adams, a dual-partnership writing team with Cathy Clamp.
She spent seventeen years in the Denver metro area and now resides in Texas with a large dog and pet cats. Office work provided a living while she pursued the goal of becoming a novelist. Forming the partnership with Cathy Clamp was the catalyst that led to publication and the two have enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration, with two series published within the Tor Paranormal Romance line: The Sazi, and the Kate Reilly/Thrall books. In addition they have authored stand-alone novels and participated in several anthologies. Working both as a team with Cathy and individually, Cie plans to be involved in writing novels for years to come.
She spent seventeen years in the Denver metro area and now resides in Texas with a large dog and pet cats. Office work provided a living while she pursued the goal of becoming a novelist. Forming the partnership with Cathy Clamp was the catalyst that led to publication and the two have enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration, with two series published within the Tor Paranormal Romance line: The Sazi, and the Kate Reilly/Thrall books. In addition they have authored stand-alone novels and participated in several anthologies. Working both as a team with Cathy and individually, Cie plans to be involved in writing novels for years to come.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 21, 2009
I'm not sure if "Touch of Darkness" is the last book in the Adams/Clamp 'Thrall' series or not. The ending could certainly be taken as a finale, but in the paranormal world I just can't take anything at face value. In their series, the Thrall is a different take on vampires. Their vampires have a kind of collective mind which is called the Thrall, and they have been after our heroine for quite some time trying to make her another 'Queen' because of her abilities in ESP.
This is an excerpt from their website on the series: "They're a race of sentient parasites with a psychic, hive society that considers everything on earth "Prey." Only a very few humans have achieved the status of "Not Prey"---those who pose a threat to the hive. Kate Reilly is one of those people."
Gives ya goosebumps, eh?
In this third book of the series, Kate comes up against the worst threat yet, an old flame who's been infected and twisted by the Thrall and now declares war on Kate and her loved ones. If that's not enough, Kate's also being stalked by her werewolf fiance's ex who has apparently gone totally wacko. As Kate's life begins to fall apart, she'll need all her allies and abilities to keep from becoming just 'Prey'.
A fine finale (if that's what it really is)! This last book is 418 pages of action and intrigue and most of the cast of secondary characters from the previous books return to help Kate in her fight. A very different and very well written series by the same authors who write the 'Sazi' series. If this is really it for Kate, I'll be a bit sad...but I'll still have the Sazis to keep me warm!
This is an excerpt from their website on the series: "They're a race of sentient parasites with a psychic, hive society that considers everything on earth "Prey." Only a very few humans have achieved the status of "Not Prey"---those who pose a threat to the hive. Kate Reilly is one of those people."
Gives ya goosebumps, eh?
In this third book of the series, Kate comes up against the worst threat yet, an old flame who's been infected and twisted by the Thrall and now declares war on Kate and her loved ones. If that's not enough, Kate's also being stalked by her werewolf fiance's ex who has apparently gone totally wacko. As Kate's life begins to fall apart, she'll need all her allies and abilities to keep from becoming just 'Prey'.
A fine finale (if that's what it really is)! This last book is 418 pages of action and intrigue and most of the cast of secondary characters from the previous books return to help Kate in her fight. A very different and very well written series by the same authors who write the 'Sazi' series. If this is really it for Kate, I'll be a bit sad...but I'll still have the Sazis to keep me warm!
February 7, 2020
I always say that the third book of any series is the hardest to write. You have to keep the series refreshing but yet keep the story flowing to add new material. I wasn’t going to read the third book, the last one just was kinda “eh” in my opinion. But I had to see what was going to happen. I wasn’t disappointed? But it felt like everything was smushed together and then bam! Ending, ok that’s it. They explained the vampires as parasites 🦠 and how they “latch onto people” like the pod people. There wasn’t much background on where they came from but just that they were widely accepted like the werewolves. I think all the books could have used a little more background because it read like a science fiction novel / horror.
August 5, 2017
Loved this series. I adore Tom.
January 27, 2018
Her ex is back and he's trying to take over all the Thrall, Kate has to not only fight him but Tom's crazy ex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2018
better , but I don't think their will be a 4th booki
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
February 17, 2025
The main emotion of this whole series is just anger... and I won't be rereading it.
January 23, 2010
Just finished Touch of Darkness (Thrall, Book 3) by C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp (★★★★). I started reading this series in 2006 with the first book, Touch of Evil. I read the second one, Touch of Madness, in Sept 2007, and bought this one as soon as it came out in August 2008. It's been sitting on my TBR pile ever since. I'm not even sure why I abandoned the series - maybe because I'm not a huge fan of the main character - maybe because I like traditional vampires - or maybe because it just didn't stand out enough in my mind. But most likely it's because the 2nd book in the series was a little less enjoyable for me than the 1st & 3rd ones.
That said, I thought this third & final book in the series was a solid 4-stars. Note that it is more a UF series than PNR. The series takes place mostly in Denver, CO and centers around Kate, an tall, athletic, Irish-Catholic, red-headed, tough-chick, diamond courier. In Kate's world, vampires take the form of a parasitic, hive-minded creature called The Thrall that exist relatively openly in the world alongside humans and werewolves.
In this particular book, Kate is about to get married, but things keep going wrong to put off the wedding. First a freak snowstorm damages Kate's apartment, then there's problems with her fiance's ex-girlfriend, then Kate's ex-boyfriend. Kate's psychic powers are suddenly missing, and everyone around her is having a baby! The question is, how many of these problems are The Thrall behind? And how can Kate stop them?
The series is unique in the form of vampires it presents, but Kate's behaviour and the general storyline is mostly so-so and remniscent of many other series out there right now. Read this series if you like the following: The Cassandra Palmer series, Cat & Bones, Tales of An Urban Werewolf, Anna Strong, & the Nocturne City books.
Note that if shape-shifters are more your thing, these authors also co-write the Sazi PNR series which I also HIGHLY recommend
That said, I thought this third & final book in the series was a solid 4-stars. Note that it is more a UF series than PNR. The series takes place mostly in Denver, CO and centers around Kate, an tall, athletic, Irish-Catholic, red-headed, tough-chick, diamond courier. In Kate's world, vampires take the form of a parasitic, hive-minded creature called The Thrall that exist relatively openly in the world alongside humans and werewolves.
In this particular book, Kate is about to get married, but things keep going wrong to put off the wedding. First a freak snowstorm damages Kate's apartment, then there's problems with her fiance's ex-girlfriend, then Kate's ex-boyfriend. Kate's psychic powers are suddenly missing, and everyone around her is having a baby! The question is, how many of these problems are The Thrall behind? And how can Kate stop them?
The series is unique in the form of vampires it presents, but Kate's behaviour and the general storyline is mostly so-so and remniscent of many other series out there right now. Read this series if you like the following: The Cassandra Palmer series, Cat & Bones, Tales of An Urban Werewolf, Anna Strong, & the Nocturne City books.
Note that if shape-shifters are more your thing, these authors also co-write the Sazi PNR series which I also HIGHLY recommend
August 26, 2008
So, this is the final book of the Thrall trilogy. As the authors say so themselves, it has more romance in it, but without reducing the action we are used to from the previous parts. I agree, though it is not something I approve of The absence of much romance in the favor of action was one of the things that made the Thrall books special.
So I became really annoyed when Kate started thinking and acting like one of those interchangable shallow female 'hero' clones found in most vampire romance series today, with their petty bitching and worrying about outfits, not to mention the cooing every time her man is near. It has just been a bit too much of everything, making this book nothing special any more.
I liked that the action was as fast-paced as before, and though the end of the trilogy came somewhat abruptly, the story remained interesting and original.
However, between chapters 24 and 25 there was a break in the storyline I did not understand. Chapter 24 ends with Kate in the hospital, where she wanted to visit Ruby and her baby and, as suggested by the doctor in the elevator, to see Carlton asap for some important information.
Chapter 25 begins with Kate waking up the next morning at home. No mention of the hospital visit, and wether or not and then why she didn't see Carlton when it was obviously so important to meet him for some information. Only later that day does she go to the hospital - again?! - and I asked myself what happened the day before when she was already there?! Anyone care to explain?
So, as much as I loved this trilogy, the final part was the weakest, which may suggest it was a good thing to have it end here.
So I became really annoyed when Kate started thinking and acting like one of those interchangable shallow female 'hero' clones found in most vampire romance series today, with their petty bitching and worrying about outfits, not to mention the cooing every time her man is near. It has just been a bit too much of everything, making this book nothing special any more.
I liked that the action was as fast-paced as before, and though the end of the trilogy came somewhat abruptly, the story remained interesting and original.
However, between chapters 24 and 25 there was a break in the storyline I did not understand. Chapter 24 ends with Kate in the hospital, where she wanted to visit Ruby and her baby and, as suggested by the doctor in the elevator, to see Carlton asap for some important information.
Chapter 25 begins with Kate waking up the next morning at home. No mention of the hospital visit, and wether or not and then why she didn't see Carlton when it was obviously so important to meet him for some information. Only later that day does she go to the hospital - again?! - and I asked myself what happened the day before when she was already there?! Anyone care to explain?
So, as much as I loved this trilogy, the final part was the weakest, which may suggest it was a good thing to have it end here.
July 14, 2015
And the Adam's struggle to find the ultimate villain reaches its crechendo of sad. Thank god I am not reading this series for a cool baddie or the romance or...why did I read this series? I think it was part sentiment because I adore their Blood Song series and part because it's nice to read a book where the character has friends and does pull her head out of her ass (even if she hates asking for help as I do) and gets some damn help to deal with her situations.
I can see, sadly, why the series didn't get to go on longer. Adam's totally failed to make any long term protagonists since the Thrall collective is a bunch of wimps and now they're...something. And yet Adam's did manage to coral the world into a semblance of order by the end while still leaving room for future interestingness (hopefully with a different cast) if they ever get to return.
In conclusion, read the whole Blood Singer series and skip this one and then wait for the next book in the Blood Singer series to come out with sad tears in your heart because the Adams team has a life and cannot churn them out one after another. Nor should they. Because then where would we get our anticipation spice?
I can see, sadly, why the series didn't get to go on longer. Adam's totally failed to make any long term protagonists since the Thrall collective is a bunch of wimps and now they're...something. And yet Adam's did manage to coral the world into a semblance of order by the end while still leaving room for future interestingness (hopefully with a different cast) if they ever get to return.
In conclusion, read the whole Blood Singer series and skip this one and then wait for the next book in the Blood Singer series to come out with sad tears in your heart because the Adams team has a life and cannot churn them out one after another. Nor should they. Because then where would we get our anticipation spice?
October 14, 2015
Finished several hours prior to sitting down and sharing my thoughts, feelings and impressions left imprinted on me by this last book in the series.
Best one of them all so far, it had me crying with relief and joy at the end on behalf of Kate and Tom, horrified more than once as well as laughing out loud a couple of times.
The story was very much led by disaster after disaster on Kate's part, most of which could not be avoided nor were they easy to live through.
Why did I leave these books unread so long, am going to tackle A Tale of The Sazi series at some point and also the Blood Singer series books as have those on my to-be-read shelves also.
However next am going back to the wild west and reading more about Cora Oglesby in second book She Returns From War.
Best one of them all so far, it had me crying with relief and joy at the end on behalf of Kate and Tom, horrified more than once as well as laughing out loud a couple of times.
The story was very much led by disaster after disaster on Kate's part, most of which could not be avoided nor were they easy to live through.
Why did I leave these books unread so long, am going to tackle A Tale of The Sazi series at some point and also the Blood Singer series books as have those on my to-be-read shelves also.
However next am going back to the wild west and reading more about Cora Oglesby in second book She Returns From War.
August 14, 2011
I really enjoyed this one! I can see how some people didn't like that she got more dependent on Tom, but I say hey she deserved it! After being so tough and hardened to the world, if she wants to melt into an amazing man, let her! The story was solid, I loved the ending. Sometimes, you need a happy ending. I'm sad that they didn't write more about them, but I loved the series.
October 3, 2011
Touch of Darkness is the last book in the Thrall series. Kate Reilly and her boyfriend Tom are finally getting married, but of course they have to face dozens of obstacles.
I thought Touch of Darkness was an awesome ending to the Thrall series. I finished the book in two days and I liked it a lot more compared to the other two books in the series.
I thought Touch of Darkness was an awesome ending to the Thrall series. I finished the book in two days and I liked it a lot more compared to the other two books in the series.
November 8, 2014
The 3 book series comes to a bitter sweet end, bitter for all the vamps that are evil and a sweet ending for Kate, Tom, their families and all the wolves. Even Carlton will have a happy ending that Kate help save. But there will be some losses for Katie, places that met something to her and people that are friends but this was a great ending to a nice series.
December 16, 2011
If I could give a 1/2 star, I would probably rate this a 3.5. The characters and story move along well and interestingly...until the wrap-up. The ending seems rushed. Otherwise, I enjoyed the journey:)
February 21, 2009
Kate and Tom want to get married, run into trouble
January 9, 2010
Amazon preorder
February 26, 2010
I absolutely loved the way they ended this series.
Very heart warming
Very heart warming
May 8, 2011
It's been a while since I read the lst two books in this series, but I think I liked them more than this, which is supposedly the final one. this one had a bit too much filler for me.
June 12, 2011
Book was still as good as the 2nd. The ending may not necessarily be the ending. It could continue if the authors choose. I liked this one as well.
August 5, 2012
I love happy endings.
December 20, 2012
I like the end. It was a surprise for one part. I like good endings...I'm always for deep romance.
March 3, 2014
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED this book. This is the BEST of the series. Felt like I was right there in the midst of the fight.
May 14, 2015
This book was just a bit predictable, and the romance a little too yucky. I am kind of glad that this is the last book in the series. It was a good run though.
June 28, 2016
Ok, so after a bit of an iffy start, I ended up liking this series. Shut up.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews