Karen Chance

This series has been pretty uneven for me since the first book, "Touch the Dark". That book was very good and sucked me in, but books 2 and 3 were just blah. This one didn't start out well. Another Amazon customer described the series as "lots of running from one disaster to the next, not a lot of thinking and planning" (mlle.x). The damsel in distress routine is really old, and everyone treats Cassie like a rebellious teenager. Chance's character development is good - most, even supporting show more characters, are believable and three-dimensional. Except Cassie was not a strong protagonist. In the first book of a series, I can understand a hero/heroine being immature or naïve. However, by the fourth book the protagonist needs to have grown and developed - Cassie did not. Also, Mircea and Cassie as a couple hasn't been working because Mircea sees her as a child that should obey him, and she constantly acts like one rebelling against daddy. Case in point: Mircea takes her on his jet and magically handcuffs her inside to keep her out of danger. She promptly "shifts" back to the hotel (attached to a sofa) only to be greeted by the "babysitters" he left there. For too long Cassie has not been the heroine - she's been a pawn.

However, the second half of the book completely redeemed the series for me. Cassie FINALLY started to grow and learn. She accepts her responsibility; she understands that she doesn't know as much about vampires and mages as she needs to, and she finally stands up to them all as The Pythia. Additionally, Pritkin also evolves - finally seeing things from her point of view when they switch bodies. Now, this gag has been used countless times in tv and books, and while it went on a bit too long here, it actually affected character development and the plot. And yes, it is downright hilarious at times when Cassie is confronted with the "joy" of being male! Conspiracies are revealed, questions are answered and instead of just rushing into disaster - the final battles have some strategy and are downright exciting. I finished this book with a strong sense of satisfaction that I haven't felt since book one. Plus, the new development of a possible love triangle for Cassie was surprisingly appealing.

The first half was only 3 stars, but the second half was definitely 5. I gave it that extra half star because the conclusion was so good. Overall, I'm excited to read the next installment and, I don't think the next book will sit on the shelf like this one did. I want to know what happens! Highly recommended. show less

This was a fabulous read for me - an great blend of action, mystery, a bit of romance and a lot of attitude. Almost impossible to put down, I was happily dragged along on Dorina's race from one disaster to another. Not only was the plot intriguing and strong, the characters are well crafted, even minor ones. And Ray was just perfect here for light relief and underscoring the general mayhem of Dory's life. Dory is so much more than a kick ass asassin and there is real personal conflict and show more growth which makes her all the more interesting and appealing.Chances' world building is excellent I love the mix of supernaturals and realities. I haven't yet read the Touch the Dark series so i have no idea of the tie ins but neither do i feel i am missing anything.I had to give Death's Mistress 5 stars because I couldn't find anything that I didn't like. show less

Hunt the Moon ended up the best of the series by far. I LOVED this book.

There’s plenty of time with Mircea, at the beginning especially, and these scenes were awesome. Some hotness, some interesting dialogue exchange and humorous moments. More is revealed about their bond. I find it so strange he hasn’t mentioned to her yet about having a daughter. There’s a whole other series out there about him and his daughter so this isn’t a secret or spoiler. We learn some more of his show more backstory. The other characters are great as well. Marco is so amusing and great to have around as a bodyguard type. He’s definitely a favorite of the series. I’m getting more resentful of the control of the vampires, though, their rules and restrictions and keeping her housed up in the apartment when they can.

The developments with Pritkin made me officially switch teams. Mircea is still divine but he’s been replaced in my fangirl thoughts. It’s not truly a strict love triangle but there are hints in it here and there. I know this bugs some people but I think the way it’s done is done well. Pritkin reveals some major things about himself and his past. There was an amazingly hot scene too – woolala. Both men get to shine with their stories and scenes in Hunt the Moon.

As always, I’m intrigued by the ghost angle and Billy, but feel they are underused.

There’s plenty of action but I think it’s evened out in consistency with some genuine emotion too and works better now. Sometimes the scenes do go on a bit long with action sequences, as before, but I think this has improved some. I’m only so-so on the development with her parents and the back story with that, but I can understand it and the revelation. There’s plenty to be discovered there, things I was surprised to learn.

The ending battle finale was epic, strong, and the cliffhanger, very ending where there is a surprising sacrifice, was heart numbing. Cassie’s reaction was awesome in its power and exciting, even if my heart was reeling from everything else going on. It made me basically trip over myself to grab the next book, which thankfully I had waiting for me on the bookshelf.

Humor is strong in the books, so you can expect to have a few laugh out loud moments that make people around you shoot weird looks in your direction. These are heavy on action and adventure – I can totally picture Cassie as a female version of Indiana Jones. The writing is excellent, especially the dialogue as quirky and convincing. I dig how the author sets Cassie apart as not being extraordinarily beautiful; instead she finds herself feeling inferior and plain.

Excellent book that keeps climbing up in success – excellent action sequences and even if they exhaust me some at times, they’re balanced out with humor and clever characterization. The ending is such a haunting note that refuses to leave my membrane and leaves a last impression. Excellent stuff, the series continues to improve. show less

I long ago lost track of how many times I’ve read these books. Touch the Dark is the doorway to an amazingly detailed and fantastic world of characters and chaos of which I’ve yet to see the equal.
Cassie is a wonderfully ‘real’ heroine with her personal flaws, insecurities and honest reactions. She is supported by a cast of characters so rich and vivid that any one of them could carry a series all of their own (...and I sincerely hope that they do!!) I love the emotional depth of the show more characters connections and Karen’s chaotic ‘warts and all’ approach to creating a wonderfully 3 dimensional read (4 if you count time travel!!) show less