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Dorina Basarab #4.5
Dragon's Claw
A new novella in the New York Times bestselling Midnight's Daughter series!
Everyone knows that vampires are hard to kill. But when Dory Basarab is called to a crime scene in a smelly basement in Queens, she discovers that that may no longer be the case. Somebody has developed a new weapon, a vamp killer, and left her plenty of clues to follow. One of them leads her to the other side of the world, and to a city like no other, where the paranormal is normal and where death stalks the streets. Can she defeat a clever killer before he kills again, and on an unprecedented scale?
Everyone knows that vampires are hard to kill. But when Dory Basarab is called to a crime scene in a smelly basement in Queens, she discovers that that may no longer be the case. Somebody has developed a new weapon, a vamp killer, and left her plenty of clues to follow. One of them leads her to the other side of the world, and to a city like no other, where the paranormal is normal and where death stalks the streets. Can she defeat a clever killer before he kills again, and on an unprecedented scale?
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2018
161 people are currently reading
1366 people want to read
About the author
Karen Chance
62 books5,231 followersKaren 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
September 16, 2018
One hell of a chaotic ride. It packs the usual mess that you find in a Cassie Palmer book in a long novella about Dori.. It's.. painfully confusing at times.
I love Dorina and as such I liked this story too, but I'm starting to wonder how the author can keep the series separated or if she wants to. I stopped reading Cassie Palmer and I don't plan to go back. Other people may have never read it, but the storylines are now starting to merge while at the beginning there was only the world building in common and Mircea. Now you see that the stories run parallel and interweave. And it is confusing as things get hinted out, things that clearly happened somebook else.
And this thought brought me an other: how is it possible that Cassie and Dorina don't know anything about the other?
Still it is a Dorina story... :D
I love Dorina and as such I liked this story too, but I'm starting to wonder how the author can keep the series separated or if she wants to. I stopped reading Cassie Palmer and I don't plan to go back. Other people may have never read it, but the storylines are now starting to merge while at the beginning there was only the world building in common and Mircea. Now you see that the stories run parallel and interweave. And it is confusing as things get hinted out, things that clearly happened somebook else.
And this thought brought me an other: how is it possible that Cassie and Dorina don't know anything about the other?
Still it is a Dorina story... :D
October 3, 2018
Another excellent addition to the Dorina Basarab series. Chance just keeps hitting them out of the park! Dragon’s Claw is a novella set after the fourth book in the series Shadow’s Bane with an awesome appearance by Pritkin from the Cassie books!!! I seriously got so excited when he showed up cause we got to see what he’s like after the events of Ride the Storm. We also get to see how Dory is doing with her vampire nature being a lot more dominant and more humorous scenes with Marlowe.
Loved it!!
Read more reviews and other bookish content on my blog https://elainehowlin.wordpress.com
Loved it!!
Read more reviews and other bookish content on my blog https://elainehowlin.wordpress.com
April 1, 2024
Jolín, qué penísima me dio el Irin!. Todavía estoy en shok. Este fue muy corto y triste. Y aclarador. Cada libro trae una pieza más de este puzzle que se va haciendo más complejo cada vez. El final fue un alivio pero el precio fue muy alto. Estoy tristona. Autores en GL Bis
October 8, 2018
This was a fun short story taking place pretty much straight after the events in the last main book in the series. It had all the action and great fun little scenes id expect from Dory. It was nice to see the start of the Dory/Dorina symbiosis and sharing powers and lives, it was also nice to see a little of Pritkin. Its sometimes easy to forget these books are set in the 'past' if you've finished the full Cassie series as the links between them are often a lot less than you'd expect.
A fun little short that left a very interesting little nugget to chew on for the next book maybe.
A fun little short that left a very interesting little nugget to chew on for the next book maybe.
April 21, 2025
French & English reviews
Une nouvelle d'une centaine de pages qui se passe juste après les événements de Shadow's Bane et qui devrait aider tous les accro de Karen Chance à patienter jusqu'au prochain livre
(nan c'est faux en réalité ça n'aide pas, ça ne rend que l'attente plus cruelle ><)
Ce que j'ai particulièrement aimé :
- voir les deux mondes de Cassie et Dory se croiser, avoir une nouvelle vision des vampires et des mages, avec toutes les intrigues avec les démons, les dieux, les différents Sénats, les mages ... (savoir que )
- la nouvelle relation entre Dory et Dorina qui rend les choses tellement plus intéressantes ><
- voir Pritkin !!!!! Dès que j'ai lu "mage blond" et "yeux verts", j'ai halluciné (et peut-être un peu couiné xD) Qu'est-ce qu'il fait là ?? Où est Cassie ?? J'ai adoré le voir avec ses
- bon c'est vrai on ne voit pas du tout Louis-Césare dans ce livre (et pourtant j'aurais adoré le voir avec Dory post-morsure <3) ou Caedmon mais revoir tous ces anciens personnages secondaires comme Sheng, Marlowe, Ray ou l'Irin (d'ailleurs j'ai été très intrigué par la façon dont la réaction de Dory au Dragon's Claw et la réaction de l'Irin ... Je me demande si Karen Chance ne nous réserve pas quelques surprises concernant la généalogie de Dory ...) valaient largement le coup =D
(j'ai bien aimé les passages avec l'Irin notamment parce quand il fait allusion à l'héritage de Pritkin qu'il devrait bientôt devoir assumer ... POPOPOPO !!!)
Un petit défaut : comme souvent avec Karen Chance, certaines parties étaient un peu trop chaotiques : beaucoup d'infos et de descriptions à la fois surtout lors des scènes de bataille ... Je dois avouer que j'ai toujours un peu de mal quand je lis ces passages là ><
Bref, pour conclure j'aimerais pouvoir dire que j'ai adoré le livre et que maintenant, tout va bien mais en vrai JE NE SAIS PAS COMMENT JE VAIS POUVOIR ATTENDRE jusqu'en décembre pour avoir le POV de Pritkin !! Je veux dire, déjà que j'ai adoré le voir du point de vue de Dorina mais alors l'inverse ... <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A hundred-page novella just after the Shadow's Bane events that should help all Karen Chance addicts wait until the next book
(nah it's wrong actually it doesn't help at all, it only makes the wait more cruel ><)
What I particularly liked :
- seeing the two worlds of Cassie and Dory crossing, have a new vision of vampires and mages, with all the intrigues with the demons, the gods, the different Senates, the mages ... (to know that)
- the new relationship between Dory and Dorina that makes things so much more interesting ><
- seeing Pritkin !!!!! As soon as I read "blond mage" and "green eyes", I hallucinated (and maybe squealed a little bit xD) What is he doing there ?? Where is Cassie ?? I loved seeing him with
- well it's true we don't see at all Louis-Césare in this book (and yet I would have loved to see him with Dory post-bite <3) or Caedmon but seeing all these old secondary characters like Sheng, Marlowe, Ray or the Irin (by the way I was very intrigued by Dory's reaction to the Dragon's Claw and the Irin's reaction ... I wonder if Karen Chance doesn't hide some genealogy surprises for Dory ...) was very well worth it =D
(I liked the passages with the Irin especially because when he refers to the legacy of Pritkin he should soon have to assume ... POPOPOPO !!!)
A little flaw : as often with Karen Chance, some parts were a little too chaotic : a lot of info and descriptions at a time especially during battle scenes ... I must admit that I always have a little trouble when I read these passages ><
In short, to conclude I wish I could say that I loved the book and that now everything is fine but in reality I DO NOT KNOW HOW I CAN WAIT until December to have the POV of Pritkin !! I mean, already I loved seeing him from Dorina's point of view but then the opposite ... <3
Une nouvelle d'une centaine de pages qui se passe juste après les événements de Shadow's Bane et qui devrait aider tous les accro de Karen Chance à patienter jusqu'au prochain livre
(nan c'est faux en réalité ça n'aide pas, ça ne rend que l'attente plus cruelle ><)
Ce que j'ai particulièrement aimé :
- voir les deux mondes de Cassie et Dory se croiser, avoir une nouvelle vision des vampires et des mages, avec toutes les intrigues avec les démons, les dieux, les différents Sénats, les mages ... (savoir que )
- la nouvelle relation entre Dory et Dorina qui rend les choses tellement plus intéressantes ><
- voir Pritkin !!!!! Dès que j'ai lu "mage blond" et "yeux verts", j'ai halluciné (et peut-être un peu couiné xD) Qu'est-ce qu'il fait là ?? Où est Cassie ?? J'ai adoré le voir avec ses
- bon c'est vrai on ne voit pas du tout Louis-Césare dans ce livre (et pourtant j'aurais adoré le voir avec Dory post-morsure <3) ou Caedmon mais revoir tous ces anciens personnages secondaires comme Sheng, Marlowe, Ray ou l'Irin (d'ailleurs j'ai été très intrigué par la façon dont la réaction de Dory au Dragon's Claw et la réaction de l'Irin ... Je me demande si Karen Chance ne nous réserve pas quelques surprises concernant la généalogie de Dory ...) valaient largement le coup =D
(j'ai bien aimé les passages avec l'Irin notamment parce quand il fait allusion à l'héritage de Pritkin qu'il devrait bientôt devoir assumer ... POPOPOPO !!!)
Un petit défaut : comme souvent avec Karen Chance, certaines parties étaient un peu trop chaotiques : beaucoup d'infos et de descriptions à la fois surtout lors des scènes de bataille ... Je dois avouer que j'ai toujours un peu de mal quand je lis ces passages là ><
Bref, pour conclure j'aimerais pouvoir dire que j'ai adoré le livre et que maintenant, tout va bien mais en vrai JE NE SAIS PAS COMMENT JE VAIS POUVOIR ATTENDRE jusqu'en décembre pour avoir le POV de Pritkin !! Je veux dire, déjà que j'ai adoré le voir du point de vue de Dorina mais alors l'inverse ... <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A hundred-page novella just after the Shadow's Bane events that should help all Karen Chance addicts wait until the next book
(nah it's wrong actually it doesn't help at all, it only makes the wait more cruel ><)
What I particularly liked :
- seeing the two worlds of Cassie and Dory crossing, have a new vision of vampires and mages, with all the intrigues with the demons, the gods, the different Senates, the mages ... (to know that)
- the new relationship between Dory and Dorina that makes things so much more interesting ><
- seeing Pritkin !!!!! As soon as I read "blond mage" and "green eyes", I hallucinated (and maybe squealed a little bit xD) What is he doing there ?? Where is Cassie ?? I loved seeing him with
- well it's true we don't see at all Louis-Césare in this book (and yet I would have loved to see him with Dory post-bite <3) or Caedmon but seeing all these old secondary characters like Sheng, Marlowe, Ray or the Irin (by the way I was very intrigued by Dory's reaction to the Dragon's Claw and the Irin's reaction ... I wonder if Karen Chance doesn't hide some genealogy surprises for Dory ...) was very well worth it =D
(I liked the passages with the Irin especially because when he refers to the legacy of Pritkin he should soon have to assume ... POPOPOPO !!!)
A little flaw : as often with Karen Chance, some parts were a little too chaotic : a lot of info and descriptions at a time especially during battle scenes ... I must admit that I always have a little trouble when I read these passages ><
In short, to conclude I wish I could say that I loved the book and that now everything is fine but in reality I DO NOT KNOW HOW I CAN WAIT until December to have the POV of Pritkin !! I mean, already I loved seeing him from Dorina's point of view but then the opposite ... <3
February 1, 2019
If one wishes to experience the book version of an adrenaline rush, one need go no further than the Dorina Basarab series. Trouble finds Dory without her even trying- well, not much. She is a paranormal investigator and trouble shooter. This latest venture has her starting out investigating the suspicious deaths of some vampires in NYC and ending up on a wild and dangerous mission to save Hong Kong. I was thrilled with this in between entry in the series.
Dragon's Claw is a novella and is #4.5 in the Dorina Basarab world which runs parallel to the author's other series, the Cassie Palmer series. In fact, there was a few main crossover characters for this one. It is part of an ongoing Urban Fantasy story between the two series and does not make a good place to jump in.
This one picks up almost literally on the heels of the previous Dory adventure and Dory is still recovering from the fallout of the latest win in the war against the those set on dominating or destroying earth whatever comes first. There are vampires, mages, weres, fey, and demons lined up on both sides of the battle and some days Dory wants to call time out and slip off to the side for a bit of personal time with Louis-Cesare. Unfortunately, that iisn't in her cards when a new dangerous weapon is discovered and she is needed to track it down and track down the one who is murdering vamps wholesale.
I always have a good time tagging along with Dory, the dangerous and sometimes crazed dhampir who is daughter to one of the most powerful vampires in the world and calls the late Vlad Dracula her late uncle- yes that one. She is tough and has a wry sense of humor even while she kicks butt in a tough, gritty paranormal world hidden in plain sight from the humans. She's got a go bag of magical lethal goodies and a loyal group of misfit friends and followers who help her when she's in a jam. In this situation, she has Ray her very misfit vampire second, one of Marlowe the spymaster's vamps, and a war mage who is more than he seems called John Pritkin (and all the Cassie Palmer series fans go woohoo).
I loved that this latest adventure took her to Hong Kong and it was fun to see how the author could work her description magic in turning the large Asian city into a paranormal wonderland Far Eastern-style. The magical building graffiti ads were far out.
Naturally, it was pulse-pounding excitement nearly the whole time and Dory had a few tight corners to retrieve herself from. I loved that huge twist at the end.
Joyce Bean was a new to me narrator. It took some getting used to her voicing of this cast of characters that I've been following in print version for years. It isn't the narrator's fault, but I had a real struggle because the voices of my imagination were different particularly the male voices. I was fine with her Dory voice and liked how she distinguished when Dorina was the one speaking. She definitely caught the pace and spirit of the story and I was well-captivated.
So, all in all, this was another fab entry in the series. It ended abruptly leaving me with a few questions, but I have no doubt this was intentional and the next Cassie or Dory books will tease that out. Urban Fantasy fans really should give this series a go if they haven't started yet.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dragon's Claw is a novella and is #4.5 in the Dorina Basarab world which runs parallel to the author's other series, the Cassie Palmer series. In fact, there was a few main crossover characters for this one. It is part of an ongoing Urban Fantasy story between the two series and does not make a good place to jump in.
This one picks up almost literally on the heels of the previous Dory adventure and Dory is still recovering from the fallout of the latest win in the war against the those set on dominating or destroying earth whatever comes first. There are vampires, mages, weres, fey, and demons lined up on both sides of the battle and some days Dory wants to call time out and slip off to the side for a bit of personal time with Louis-Cesare. Unfortunately, that iisn't in her cards when a new dangerous weapon is discovered and she is needed to track it down and track down the one who is murdering vamps wholesale.
I always have a good time tagging along with Dory, the dangerous and sometimes crazed dhampir who is daughter to one of the most powerful vampires in the world and calls the late Vlad Dracula her late uncle- yes that one. She is tough and has a wry sense of humor even while she kicks butt in a tough, gritty paranormal world hidden in plain sight from the humans. She's got a go bag of magical lethal goodies and a loyal group of misfit friends and followers who help her when she's in a jam. In this situation, she has Ray her very misfit vampire second, one of Marlowe the spymaster's vamps, and a war mage who is more than he seems called John Pritkin (and all the Cassie Palmer series fans go woohoo).
I loved that this latest adventure took her to Hong Kong and it was fun to see how the author could work her description magic in turning the large Asian city into a paranormal wonderland Far Eastern-style. The magical building graffiti ads were far out.
Naturally, it was pulse-pounding excitement nearly the whole time and Dory had a few tight corners to retrieve herself from. I loved that huge twist at the end.
Joyce Bean was a new to me narrator. It took some getting used to her voicing of this cast of characters that I've been following in print version for years. It isn't the narrator's fault, but I had a real struggle because the voices of my imagination were different particularly the male voices. I was fine with her Dory voice and liked how she distinguished when Dorina was the one speaking. She definitely caught the pace and spirit of the story and I was well-captivated.
So, all in all, this was another fab entry in the series. It ended abruptly leaving me with a few questions, but I have no doubt this was intentional and the next Cassie or Dory books will tease that out. Urban Fantasy fans really should give this series a go if they haven't started yet.
My thanks to Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2018
Dory and Dorina grow more in sync, Ray matures, and Marlowe's still having a bad week
Dragon's Claw starts off with Ms Chance's trademark humor but quickly becomes darker, rife with mystery, chaos, war, and death. Dory and Dorina begin to work more fluidly with each other, albeit communication between the two can still be somewhat unsatisfactory from Dory's viewpoint. Ray comes into his own as Dory's second, a position that others in their world likely found preposterous but in which he has increasingly demonstrated his worth over the series's preceding novels. He also gets some measure of payback for his ill treatment at his former master's hands (yes!). Marlowe's very, very bad week that started with Louis Cesare continues with Ray's Lord Cheung, and an intriguing figure from Dory's recent past (Fury's Kiss) makes an appearance. In addition, Dory's world and that of Cassie Palmer's begins to intersect, drawing these two women ever closer, in the forms of our favorite mage John Pritkin, as well as opponents formed of an alliance between unusual allies.
The novella Siren's Song, which shows the major events from Dragon's Claw from Pritkin's POV, will be released December 1, 2018. Of course, I'm eagerly anticipating this one too.
Dragon's Claw starts off with Ms Chance's trademark humor but quickly becomes darker, rife with mystery, chaos, war, and death. Dory and Dorina begin to work more fluidly with each other, albeit communication between the two can still be somewhat unsatisfactory from Dory's viewpoint. Ray comes into his own as Dory's second, a position that others in their world likely found preposterous but in which he has increasingly demonstrated his worth over the series's preceding novels. He also gets some measure of payback for his ill treatment at his former master's hands (yes!). Marlowe's very, very bad week that started with Louis Cesare continues with Ray's Lord Cheung, and an intriguing figure from Dory's recent past (Fury's Kiss) makes an appearance. In addition, Dory's world and that of Cassie Palmer's begins to intersect, drawing these two women ever closer, in the forms of our favorite mage John Pritkin, as well as opponents formed of an alliance between unusual allies.
The novella Siren's Song, which shows the major events from Dragon's Claw from Pritkin's POV, will be released December 1, 2018. Of course, I'm eagerly anticipating this one too.
October 7, 2018
I really disliked the previous book Shadow’s Bane, so why did I read this book? Dorina was one of my favourite heroines and I hoped this story might go back to what originally made this such a great series.
After reading the first three chapters I had a headache trying to follow what was happening and who were all the different characters. This seems to be a problem will all this author’s books over the last few years, she just packs in everything she can think of and just creates a confused mess. She is definitely writing for the Grand Theft Auto/Assassin’s Creed/Tomb Raider generation, where the story doesn’t matter, only the action.
I’m afraid, with some regret, I have now finished with Karen Chance.
After reading the first three chapters I had a headache trying to follow what was happening and who were all the different characters. This seems to be a problem will all this author’s books over the last few years, she just packs in everything she can think of and just creates a confused mess. She is definitely writing for the Grand Theft Auto/Assassin’s Creed/Tomb Raider generation, where the story doesn’t matter, only the action.
I’m afraid, with some regret, I have now finished with Karen Chance.
July 24, 2020
I thought this was a direct lead in to the next Dory story.... but apparently not. 😅
Very fun, action and humor packed as usual.
Very fun, action and humor packed as usual.
September 4, 2018
Wonderful fast moving, action packed story!
September 24, 2018
Based on this novella, things are definitely going to be heating up with the war. I loved Dory and Dorina working together...definitely proves Mircea wrong.
September 6, 2018
Another awesome piece of this awesome story
I love this series. If you're reading any of it, please dont forget to read all the novelletes like this one because they add much to the series. They aren't just stand alone fluff! And of course this little book lived up to the quality of the rest, with packed action, unique plot and very vivid and fun characters. Whoop! Can't wait for more!
I love this series. If you're reading any of it, please dont forget to read all the novelletes like this one because they add much to the series. They aren't just stand alone fluff! And of course this little book lived up to the quality of the rest, with packed action, unique plot and very vivid and fun characters. Whoop! Can't wait for more!
September 19, 2018
Dragon’s Claw is a novella set in the same world as Cassie Palmer and Dorina Basarab. Okay, that last bit should be fairly obvious, considering the main character is Dorina herself. Still, a novella set in that world, what more could a girl ask for? Just wait until the twist, aka surprise character cameo is revealed. It’s more than I could have ever hoped for.
Even without knowing the main focus on this novella, it’s probably safe for everyone to assume that it’ll be pure chaos, but in a good way. I mean, this is Dori we’re talking about. The girl is pretty talented when it comes to getting herself in over her head, but on the bright side her sassy attitude seems to help her get through it all.
If you’re not up to date on both series, I strongly urge that you wait to read this novella. At the very least read Midnight’s Daughter first, as this will have major spoilers for it, and trust me, you don’t want that book getting spoiled on you.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Even without knowing the main focus on this novella, it’s probably safe for everyone to assume that it’ll be pure chaos, but in a good way. I mean, this is Dori we’re talking about. The girl is pretty talented when it comes to getting herself in over her head, but on the bright side her sassy attitude seems to help her get through it all.
If you’re not up to date on both series, I strongly urge that you wait to read this novella. At the very least read Midnight’s Daughter first, as this will have major spoilers for it, and trust me, you don’t want that book getting spoiled on you.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
January 3, 2019
I LOVED this book! We get hilarious characters and Dory meets Pritkin (and his ass omg I now have a slight Pritkin butt fetish perhaps)!! That was just too exciting for me. I love seeing how these two storylines and separate characters I’ve adored for years are starting to intermingle. Perhaps one of my absolute favorite things about this book is how Karen describes Hong Kong and its magical just-past-this-realm breaktaking otherworldlyness. Honestly, the way it was written is stunning. And we get to see all this new magic and feel wonder as Dory feels wonder. I shouldn’t be surprised that Karen Chance expands this world of magic and events so effortlessly, but I am, pleasantly so. I can’t wait for the second part!
September 7, 2018
2 Chaotic stars
September 7, 2022
Yowsa! What a Ride. It's a good thing for me this is a novella. The pace is so fast and the action so furious a full length novel might have killed me.
September 4, 2018
Caution: This review contains minor spoilers
I read this book with high expectations as I knew that it would feature two of my favourite characters from Chance's series: Dory and Pritkin. To say that the book exceeded my expectations is to put things mildly. I loved this book!!!!! Reading it felt like all my christmases and birthdays had come at once; mainly because this book answered so many questions I had about the series and tied the two plots together so well. I cannot wait for the next Dory and Cassie books and I only wish Karen would write faster! I do not know how I am going to be able to wait 1 year until the next Cassie book, let alone 2 years until the next Dory book! Thank goodness for the next short story later this year.
I read this book with high expectations as I knew that it would feature two of my favourite characters from Chance's series: Dory and Pritkin. To say that the book exceeded my expectations is to put things mildly. I loved this book!!!!! Reading it felt like all my christmases and birthdays had come at once; mainly because this book answered so many questions I had about the series and tied the two plots together so well. I cannot wait for the next Dory and Cassie books and I only wish Karen would write faster! I do not know how I am going to be able to wait 1 year until the next Cassie book, let alone 2 years until the next Dory book! Thank goodness for the next short story later this year.
September 17, 2018
4.5/5 (B+)
February 11, 2019
I absolutely loved this story! I cannot wait to read the next, which is from another prominent character's point of veiw. Karen Chance is whitty, comical and does a wonderful job of keeping you wanting more.
September 8, 2019
Very much lacking in Louis Cesare, but...
Pritkin! And Dory! Together!!
Pritkin! And Dory! Together!!
December 27, 2019
Excellent pacing, action and magic blended together. Cool setting, in a magical version of Hong Kong. I especially liked the crossover bits when Dorina met Pritkin.
December 19, 2020
It was OK. One thing I really dislike is a story that's full steam 100% action and then it just ends. Hmpf.
September 12, 2018
Very Cassie-like
This read to me very much like a condensed Cassie Palmer novel. Especially the whole end-battle.
Don't get me wrong: Dory is very much Dory -and it was nice to see her and Dorina at last trying to work together, even if so far it is as much miss at it is hit.
Either way I very much enjoyed this, and am looking forward to reading Pritkin's story when it comes out.
This read to me very much like a condensed Cassie Palmer novel. Especially the whole end-battle.
Don't get me wrong: Dory is very much Dory -and it was nice to see her and Dorina at last trying to work together, even if so far it is as much miss at it is hit.
Either way I very much enjoyed this, and am looking forward to reading Pritkin's story when it comes out.
February 17, 2020
Dory and Ray adventures are in fact my fave adventures
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April 25, 2021Karen Chance - Dragon’s Claw
I normally enjoy her novels. But, as she adds books it feels like the editors do less and less editing. They are becoming more choppier. The transitions aren’t smooth. The way she does vampires is getting to be ridiculous.
Her action sequences are hard. Nothing is given it’s due so you are left going, “What? Wait! What just happened?”
I read this book after binging my re-reads of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake & Merry Gentry series. So, it is a struggle a little bit transitioning from authors sometimes after a huge binging session. However, there were enough issues I have with those series I didn’t think it should be an issue. But, I do like to make sure I put all disclaimers.
This was a novella it shouldn’t have taken me long to read. But, I couldn’t commit. I kept putting it down and doing other things. Which isn’t normal for me. When I am engrossed in a book...well, nothing else matters. When it came down to this book, everything mattered but this book.
There was a real discontent because it seems very forced.
Overall, I have already purchased a few of her books so I will read those. But, unless something drastically changes...I am cancelling any pre-orders, finishing the ones I already purchased, and no longer picking up any more books by this author.
I normally enjoy her novels. But, as she adds books it feels like the editors do less and less editing. They are becoming more choppier. The transitions aren’t smooth. The way she does vampires is getting to be ridiculous.
Her action sequences are hard. Nothing is given it’s due so you are left going, “What? Wait! What just happened?”
I read this book after binging my re-reads of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake & Merry Gentry series. So, it is a struggle a little bit transitioning from authors sometimes after a huge binging session. However, there were enough issues I have with those series I didn’t think it should be an issue. But, I do like to make sure I put all disclaimers.
This was a novella it shouldn’t have taken me long to read. But, I couldn’t commit. I kept putting it down and doing other things. Which isn’t normal for me. When I am engrossed in a book...well, nothing else matters. When it came down to this book, everything mattered but this book.
There was a real discontent because it seems very forced.
Overall, I have already purchased a few of her books so I will read those. But, unless something drastically changes...I am cancelling any pre-orders, finishing the ones I already purchased, and no longer picking up any more books by this author.
August 10, 2018
UPDATE:
Our awesome author overlord Karen Chance announced that this diamond is going to be longish and up and running by the end of August. ＼(°ロ＼)(／ロ°)／
OLD UPDATE: Now, everyone knows that i'm an utter sucker for anything even remotely involving Dory.
Because Dory is the shit.
.
..
...
As in,
Especially since Karen Chance is one of my top 3 favorite authors and i have indeed promised her on twitter my firstborn for writing these masterpieces.
Which trust me, it's quite a feat when you have a bookworm such as myself, with over 10000 books devoured because apparently i have an addiction and it does not involve smoking.
Now, knowing all this, imagine how i'm feeling when i cannot put my grabby paws on this diamond because no online store has it.
Again, because this gem is in progress of being born.
Yea... i'm in a very dark place right now.
I may need professional help.
Or the book.
Preferably the book.
And i don't have the book yet.
Our awesome author overlord Karen Chance announced that this diamond is going to be longish and up and running by the end of August. ＼(°ロ＼)(／ロ°)／
OLD UPDATE: Now, everyone knows that i'm an utter sucker for anything even remotely involving Dory.
Because Dory is the shit.
.
..
...
As in,
Especially since Karen Chance is one of my top 3 favorite authors and i have indeed promised her on twitter my firstborn for writing these masterpieces.
Which trust me, it's quite a feat when you have a bookworm such as myself, with over 10000 books devoured because apparently i have an addiction and it does not involve smoking.
Now, knowing all this, imagine how i'm feeling when i cannot put my grabby paws on this diamond because no online store has it.
Again, because this gem is in progress of being born.
Yea... i'm in a very dark place right now.
I may need professional help.
Or the book.
Preferably the book.
And i don't have the book yet.
September 5, 2018
A fabulous thrill ride of action, magic and fun!
Wow! I think this might be my favorite Dory book so far, and that is saying a lot. So much great action. So many unexpected plot twists! Fa orite characters old and new.
So much clever, fun magic! Dragons and tigers and pandas and roucans and monkeys and giant ocrupus.
This book is a fabulous rollar coaster ride full of with and wonder. Who could ask for anything more?
Wow! I think this might be my favorite Dory book so far, and that is saying a lot. So much great action. So many unexpected plot twists! Fa orite characters old and new.
So much clever, fun magic! Dragons and tigers and pandas and roucans and monkeys and giant ocrupus.
This book is a fabulous rollar coaster ride full of with and wonder. Who could ask for anything more?
September 23, 2019
Loved reading this again after reading Siren's Song! Knowing what was going on in Pritkin's head, I had to read this one again! Such a great story!
*First read September 11th, 2018*
This novella was hilarious! Loved the plot, and the graffiti! So hilarious! And that Pritkin is in it, and is getting his own novella, yeah, so great! Loved it so much! But a bit sad ending!
*First read September 11th, 2018*
This novella was hilarious! Loved the plot, and the graffiti! So hilarious! And that Pritkin is in it, and is getting his own novella, yeah, so great! Loved it so much! But a bit sad ending!
January 24, 2024
The poor Irin. I didn't even get to know his name.
May 31, 2019
Unlike her counterpart Cassie Palmer, Dory Basarab has not only a core group of characters for her to interact with in hilarious ways—Marlowe, Ray, Radu—but ones who love her unconditionally—Louis-Cesare, Mircea, Claire, Horatiu—that draw her out and shake her up, partners who join her to fight whatever needs fighting. As a result, we readers connect to her with greater understanding and intimacy despite the chaos that so often engulfs Chance’s stories. After reading, Lover’s Knot, the latest full-length DB novel, and this one in quick succession, Dory/Dorina has developed a sweet vulnerability, a compassionate unapologetic strength to add to the kick-ass, punch-first-ask-later woman we first met. Is it any wonder I feel more drawn to this series than I do loner Cassie’s despite having twice the number of novels about her?
This novella is first Dory and Marlowe up to their usual schtick driving each other crazy while investigating a crime and driving each other crazy (which never gets old). But it is left to Dory/Dorina and Ray to save the day as they rush to Hong Kong to find and stop the latest villain trying to derail the Senate and its allies in the war against those who are trying to bring back the old gods. As usual, Chance’s imaginative love of chaos beyond comprehension reigned through much of the latter half of the story, but still managed to provide us with several poignant human moments to keep us anchored. Adding to the interest for Chance fans of both series is the surprise arrival of a certain cranky war mage named John. The interaction is priceless, though we are left up in the air as to what happened to him, Cheung and Zheng-zi by the end.
A minor beef: Dory has now encountered both the two major characters she is not related to by blood in the Cassie Palmer series, but despite the acrimonious and for Dory confused interaction with Cassie during Mircea’s incapacity, as well as the unsatisfying resolution of that scene in the Cassie novels, in 2 novellas and one novel, other than Dory’s passing antagonistic thoughts about the unnamed Pythia, readers are not privy to any conversations with Mircea about who this woman is who stole him away, why she had the right to abscond with an unconscious Mircea or any of a zillion questions Dory would characteristically have. It is a bizarre omission. Dory still appears to have no idea that Cassie in vampire terms is her step-mommy, nor does Cassie know that Dorina is Mircea’s daughter not lover. Why tease us with these cameos only to do nothing with them? One thing these two characters have in common is insatiable curiosity, yet neither pursues answers. Balderdash!
This novella is first Dory and Marlowe up to their usual schtick driving each other crazy while investigating a crime and driving each other crazy (which never gets old). But it is left to Dory/Dorina and Ray to save the day as they rush to Hong Kong to find and stop the latest villain trying to derail the Senate and its allies in the war against those who are trying to bring back the old gods. As usual, Chance’s imaginative love of chaos beyond comprehension reigned through much of the latter half of the story, but still managed to provide us with several poignant human moments to keep us anchored. Adding to the interest for Chance fans of both series is the surprise arrival of a certain cranky war mage named John. The interaction is priceless, though we are left up in the air as to what happened to him, Cheung and Zheng-zi by the end.
A minor beef: Dory has now encountered both the two major characters she is not related to by blood in the Cassie Palmer series, but despite the acrimonious and for Dory confused interaction with Cassie during Mircea’s incapacity, as well as the unsatisfying resolution of that scene in the Cassie novels, in 2 novellas and one novel, other than Dory’s passing antagonistic thoughts about the unnamed Pythia, readers are not privy to any conversations with Mircea about who this woman is who stole him away, why she had the right to abscond with an unconscious Mircea or any of a zillion questions Dory would characteristically have. It is a bizarre omission. Dory still appears to have no idea that Cassie in vampire terms is her step-mommy, nor does Cassie know that Dorina is Mircea’s daughter not lover. Why tease us with these cameos only to do nothing with them? One thing these two characters have in common is insatiable curiosity, yet neither pursues answers. Balderdash!
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