Shitty Beer

Cassandra Palmer World #2.5

by Karen Chance

Deleted scene/novella of conversation between John Pritkin and Mac.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fantasy, Short Stories, Magic, Fiction, Vampires

23 pages, ebook

First published December 29, 2015

About the author

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 Florida near her family home. Visit her website or connect with her on Facebook here.

Reviews

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shitty Beer is a short story within the world of Cassandra Palmer. It's numbered as 2.5, but really it's happened during and after Claimed by Shadow. But honestly, you could probably read it whenever you wanted to.
It's also one of the only times we get to see things from Pritkin's perspective, which I do appreciate. Pritkin is by far one of my favorites though, so I'm probably a little bit biased there. The whole short story is following Pritkin and his reactions to certain events that happened during Claimed by Shadow. And I think this might be the first time in the series that we really get to see Pritkin's more emotional side.
I'll confess that I actually had never read this short story until now – I'm actually missing a lot of the short stories, so I'm hoping to get them during this read through of the series. I honestly had no idea what I was missing here, and wish I had read it sooner.


Shitty Beer was brilliantly written, but it also completely broke my heart. Pritkin's telling of what happened to Mac, and how he felt about it...it was rough. It was also something we needed to see; the loyal and caring side of Pritkin.
I know we didn't really get that much of a chance to get to know Mac, but I really liked his character. And I still miss him to this day. So this was a bit of salt on the wound, but mostly in a good way. It was nice to see that Mac was and is missed. Not just by Pritkin, but by other mages as well (I can only interpret Pritkin's safe passage as a way of honoring Mac).
This story was so emotional, and even knowing how it was going to turn out (meaning that we knew Mac wasn't coming back from the mission), it didn't really help reduce the blow. I guess some part of me is always going to hope that he'll magically come back.
Also, it really hit me during this read that Mac was truly Pritkin's friend. And quite possibly one of his only trustworthy friends to boot. That's a hard loss. So I'm glad we got to see more of how well (or poorly) Pritkin took it).
And then of course we finally got to the infamous scene where Pritkin described Cassie to Mac. That was pure gold, and also went a long way in hinting at his true feelings.
I loved everything about this short story, and I'm actively looking forward to reading the rest of them as well. If they're even half a solid as this one, I know they'll be great reads.

Tarot Card: None mentioned, but it is from Pritkin's perspective so it's not surprising really.

Favorite chapter/scene/plot point: The final scene, where Pritkin found a drink waiting on the counter for him.

Favorite quote: “John watched as his friend held his own brew up to his shoulder, where a painted jaguar sprang at it, grasping it between its paws and gnawing it enthusiastically. Only to spit the sadly mangled bottle cap into the dirt a moment later, a smug look on its tiny face.”

MVP (not including Cassie): Am I allowed to say Mac?

Interesting bits I noticed this time 'round: This was actually my first time reading this one, believe it or not! I missed a lot of the short stories that went along with the series. This read through I'm not going to miss them though!

What further research did this book inspire (historical, mythological, etc): None.

Unanswered questions: Not an unanswered question as much as a wish. I would have loved to see more of Mac and his tattooing process in general. I really do miss his character, despite the relatively short appearance he had.


For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

“I like shitty beer”.

Relato corto que trascurre en mitad del segundo libro de la saga. La verdad es que me ha parecido interesante, aunque no aporte mucho. Podemos entender la perspectiva de ciertos personajes secundarios. Sin embargo, creo que en cuanto a escritura deja un poco que desear.

[Choco Con Churros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relato cortísimo de una conversación entre Pritkin y Mat sobre la pitia antes de que éste la conociera y después lo que hizo Pritkin tras los acontecimientos acontecimientos de Mat el libro anterior. Da penuca.

[Kristin Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mac, gone too soon. Short story/ deleted scenes were not nearly long enough.

[The Flooze · Rating 4 out of 5]

::sniffle::

[Cher · Rating 2 out of 5]

too short to judge

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shitty Beer is kind of a short story from Pritkin’s POV but mostly an off-stage scene from Claimed by Shadow. Do not read before CbS!

I loved another look at Mac and getting to know him better. As short as his screen time is, he’s one of my favorite characters from the series. And of course you can never have enough Pritkin!!

There isn’t much I can say about this short without spoilers so here’s two of my fav quotes from the story.

“[Pritkin] stared at his hand, suddenly feeling more than slightly off balance. Like the world had tilted, or like he’d blinked and it had changed. Maybe because it had, shattering in a million pieces just this morning, when his life took less of a turn and more of a jack knife.”

“[Cassie was] all alone. Just a tiny figure in that ridiculous [bright yellow happy face] t-shirt, with no weapons and no one at her back. Yet she’d been defiant. Obviously terrified, yet unbending, staring the embodiment of death itself in the face. And not blinking.”

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read from my all time favorite author. This Cassandra Palmer short was a lovely discovery as it allowed me to spend a little extra time with Mac, one of my all time favorite extras. It is also a great glimpse into John Pritkin’s mind, giving another angle on the chaotic happenings in this wonderful series. Loved it!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story or a couple scenes from book 2. Its a fun insight of Pritkins POV. Its between Pritikin and Mac, another War Mage and Pritkins old partner. You can get it on Karen's web site. You learn how Pritkin describes and talks about Cassie.

[JW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pritkin annoyed me in the first book. I was starting to warm up to him in the second book. This short story (free on the author's website) provided me with a much better understanding of his perspective. His POV let me see beyond his prickly exterior, and now I'm extremely curious about him. A must read if you're new to the series.

[Aira · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of my favourite shorts since it includes 2 of my fave war mages

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

exactly why I am Team Pritkin

[♥ Ashleigh ♥ Contrary to popular belief I'm not actually mad! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the usual shorts

[Rikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not crying, you're crying. T___T

Oh, Mac. Good, sweet, wise Mac. I'm really glad she wrote this, that a fan had written to her and prompted the writing of this. It's really cool to see this side of Pritkin, particularly from the perspective of several books later. It makes me wonder how much the plot is premeditated and how much of it is "let's see where this goes."

I wasn't expecting the ending, but what a great addition. And the fact that the other mages not only let him be, even with the bounty on his head, but that the bartender served him without prompting--and then that Pritkin ordered a shitty beer--oh man.

That was good.

Favorite parts:

- The description of Mac having "absorbed [Nevadan desert] into his genes."
- Mac's reasoning for why he had come to love shitty beer
- Pritkin's internal struggle between his emotional constipation and budding feelings for Cassie (better understood from the perspective of having read the next few books)
- Mac knowing Pritkin so well that he can see right through Pritkin's bullshit and can guess pretty accurately about his feelings for Cassie, likely well before Pritkin was aware of them himself
- Mac's goodness. What a wholesome character.
- The damn pin scene. God damnit.

[Joscelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this to be a deleted scene from the Cassandra Palmer series "Claimed by Shadow." Karen wrote this in response to a reader's question “I’m rereading Claimed by Shadow again and I’m
curious, how exactly did Pritkin describe Cassie to Mac? I’ve always wondered.”

I feel like this really speaks to Pritkin's character. As someone who had not been fully accepted by any of the communities, Pritkin belonged to, he doesn't have many friends. I think this scene shows his sense of loyalty to those he cares for, which tend to be misfits just like him.

Pritkin is probably my favorite character in the series, which is hard because I love so many of them! I love getting to see more of what goes on in his head and the trouble he gets into along the way.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, there's not much to rate since this was a very, very short snippet/deleted scene. I liked it though because it gave a little insight on what Pritkin thought about Cassie when they first met. And there's Mac, a war Mage I liked and missed. It was nice and felt like taking a peek behind the scenes.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is set from John Pritkin's point of view and gives a lovely look into his relationship with Mac. This story also offers a brief look into Pritkin's past, hinting at things to come. Most importantly it offers a look into Pritkin's decision at the end of Claimed by Shadow.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A scene of Pritkin meeting Mac and discussing what has been happening. This is before Cassie’s arrival at the tattoo shop. I love that this was from Pritkin’s POV. It shows a side of Pritkin that we haven’t really seen yet.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great extra material!

[Corina · Rating 5 out of 5]

good story.

[Captmashpea · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was really good. I love to getting Pritkin's perspective but it was also really really nice and sweet to get some closure for Mac.
(eBook one-shot)

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, listed as a cross between a deleted scene and a short story by author. It was nice seeing an alternative view point.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a couple of deleted scenes from Claimed by Shadow featuring Pritkin and Mac.

[Daniela Romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buena. Es una historia corta. Es un agradable vistazo a la mente de Pritkin.

[Thenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC

[Laurla2]

reread.
free on authors website. http://karenchance.com/free_stories.html

pritkin and mac discuss shitty beer and the new pythia.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read when first released. Reread January 2022.

My husband laughed at me for crying, even at a reread. But MAC!! I wish he could have been a part of the world a little longer.

[Chandni · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty pointless short story about Mac and Pritkin. Doesn't add anything to the series or to Pritkin's character.

[CONNIE BALTHROP · Rating 4 out of 5]

You do need to read the Cassie Palmer series, to really enjoy and understand the short stories.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

That gutted