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Thursday, September 06, 2012

Daring You To Read...Touch the Dark by Karen Chance

Daring you to read

Daring You To Read is a weekly feature here on Tynga’s Reviews where we dare you to read some of our favorite older releases (at least 6 months old). All the books/series we choose to feature are titles we adored and think you should give them a shot! We think it’s a super awesome way to discover that special book who might have slipped off your radar!

You’ve already read the book? Let’s us know what you thought!
You are accepting the dare? We’d love to know!
Have a dare of your own? Leave a comment ^^

My dare this month is one of the first urban fantasy series I started: Karen Chance's Cassandra Palmer series. I've recommended the first book in this series, TOUCH THE DARK, to a few friends who've quickly run out to get the other books. :)

The main character, Cassandra Palmer, is the epitome of the reluctant heroine. When TOUCH THE DARK starts, she's on the run from a vampire named Tony, but everything starts to fall apart and she's quickly drawn back into the vampire world. From there, we get to learn all about vampire politics and the structures of the magical community, and that Cassie's clairvoyance is even more important than she ever realized.

Karen Chance has created a lovely cast of characters (how alliterative!) for the Cassie Palmer world. Each one has a distinct personality and they all bring something neat to the table. My favourites are Mircea, a powerful vampire that Cassie has connections to, Pritkin, a war mage with a bag full of hate for Cassie, and Raphael, a vampire that Cassie's known since she was a child. Mircea and Cassie have such an interesting relationship and it really evolves not just in TOUCH THE DARK but also in subsequent novels. And Pritkin, well, he's amazing talented and incredibly stubborn so I suppose it's no wonder I enjoy him, even if Cassie doesn't. And of course, Cassie is a great protagonist. I really enjoy the reluctant-heroine-comes-into-her-destiny trope, which is used but also turned on its head in this series. Cassie has a sharp mind and wisecracks like no one's business but my favourite aspect of her character is probably that she just wants to live her life for herself, and not be beholden to or controlled by anyone. The fact that she can communicate with ghosts is just a really cool bonus.

The world building in this book and series is also wonderful. I decided to do the Daring You To Read... post because I recently revisited TOUCH THE DARK and was struck anew by how interesting this world is. There's a vampire senate, led by the Consul, there are different circles of mages, and then there's the Pythia, the big clairvoyant that everyone wants a piece of.

I'd strongly recommend checking out Karen Chance's Cassie Palmer series if you're not already a fan. She's a talented writer who's created a layered and engaging world that you won't be able to resist!

Interested in finding out more? Here's the scoop on TOUCH THE DARK:

Karen Chance Touch the DarkCan you ever really trust a vampire?

Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits -- talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead. The ghosts of the dead aren’t usually dangerous; they just like to talk -- a lot.

The undead are another matter.

Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she’s forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.

The undead senators won’t help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire -- and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay…

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Karen Chance Claimed by ShadowKaren Chance Embrace the NightKaren Chance Curse the DawnKaren Chance Hunt the Moon

Jenn

Born and raised in the Toronto area, Jenn moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, eight years ago for school. She's still in school (thankfully on another degree!), now trapped in her dissertation. When she's not dissertating, which happens more often than it should, Jenn spends her time reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, travelling, and enjoying the local music scene. Her latest addictions: yoga and Almond Crunch cereal.

6 People left their mark' :

  1. I absolutely love this series!!!!!!! Great pick ;)Pritkin.....just saying ^-^

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  2. This was a wonderful series, but I notice from the post that there is a volume I haven't read. Better get on that right away :)

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  3. I'm really liking this series. I've read up to book 2 so far, but one thing that I learned recently about this series is that new releases come out every two years. I'm really not down with that at all. That is just waaay too much time between sequels. :( So I'm really hesitant now to read on. Quite sad really. I really love the characters & world building in this series a lot. *sigh*
    DeAnna Schultz

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  4. This was one of the very first paranormal series I read, a long time ago. I want to re-read them and catch up!

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  5. This is one of my favorite series.

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  6. I LOVE THIS SERIES! They don't come out quick enough in my mind and the Dory Basarab series is just as fab. I so can't wait for the next one to come out next year.

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