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Review: Ride the Storm by Karen Chance (Cassie Palmer #8)

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Ride the Storm by Karen Chance // VBCRide the Storm (Cassandra Palmer #8)
Karen Chance
Published: Aug. 1, 2017 (Signet)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Margaret

Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars

Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Touch the Dark.

This book is insane! There’s so much happening—major magic, frenetic action scenes, gods, fae, King Arthur. But essentially, there are two plot threads that continue from previous books. First Cassie and Lord Rossier, King of the Incubi, are trying to catch her bodyguard/mentor Pritkin’s soul, which is traveling back through time. A previous Pythia, thinking Cassie is threatening the timeline, keeps stopping them and sending them back to the present. Meanwhile, in the present, the vampires and mages are gearing up for war to stop a god from returning to this world and destroying all its magic users.

They’ve caught up with Pritkin, more than once, in sixth century Wales and he and Cassie have been involved in one of those marvelous magical chase scenes that they seem to wind up in at least once in every book. (There are actually several in Ride the Storm.) Pritkin, who we learned a few books ago was once known as Merlin, is caught up in a war between Arthur’s court and the fae. I loved Chance’s version of the Arthurian legend and the way she ties it in to Pritkin and Cassie’s story.

I’ve been frustrated that the last two books in the series, while a lot of fun, haven’t made much progress in the overall plot. Cassie goes through so much and winds up in basically the same situation at the end of the book that she was in at the beginning. So I was happy that Ride the Storm finally ties up some of the threads. Cassie gets some long awaited background on both of her love interests. She also learns more about her father and the powers she inherited from him.

I feel like I’m seeing a more mature Cassie in this book. She’s finally starting to figure out what she’s doing rather than bungling her way through her missions. She’s also establishing her support system and she mentioned some interesting possibilities for the future. It looks like things are changing and it’s exciting.

Something about Cassie’s relationship with Mircea has always squicked me out. Cassie finally starts to see why, which is such a relief. I’m curious about how their relationship will change in the next book. Though I’m more excited to see the changes in her relationship with Pritkin. And most of all, I’m happy to see Cassie growing into her magic and taking charge of her life. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does next.

Sexual content: sex, magically influenced sex acts, Cassie witnesses a rape

5 Responses to “Review: Ride the Storm by Karen Chance (Cassie Palmer #8)”

  1. Amy M says:

    Great Review! I’m so happy to hear that things seem to move forward more in this book. Like you, I was beginning to get frustrated that the previous two books hadn’t progressed really at all.

    • Margaret says:

      It’s so hard not to say anything about the “progress” because it’s a huge spoiler. But it’s really good.

  2. Jessica Rice says:

    I’m glad to read this honest review! I’m a fan of the Cassie books, but honestly I was also getting sick and tired of the slow progress of the plot and the fact that there’s SO much action, which can be confusing, and time hopping that essentially nothing happens. Sometimes TOO much action is not good. Where’s the good ol feels??
    I’m not even sure if I can bring myself to read this book, even though I do kinda wanna know what happens… KC has made us wait YEARS just to get here and I’m a bit fed up and bored of waiting. Sometimes an author should just give her readers a break and stop dragging us round by the eyeballs to the next next book!
    So….should I bother to invest my time in this series where I’ve kinda forgotten half the details and actually read this book that maybe promises to give me SOME answers to long awaited questions???? Should I?? I mean, really?

  3. Sara K says:

    I agree with Jessica. the last two books, especially the last one, had no focus unless you like constant running with no resolution of plot or not making any sense. I actually got so lost I thought of not finishing. From the above comments, it sounds like this book will better and I will read it.

  4. Lissa says:

    I am with Sarah and Jessica. I was so excited for this book for years but then was disappointed. There was too much action and I was confused or bored half the time. I ended up skimming the action scenes and trying to skip to the “meat”. I could barely finish. For the most part it felt like a repeat of the last book (if I am remembering right, it’s been so long). I liked the parts that moved the story arc along and the ending. I have always really liked the characters and mythology of the series but I am not sure I can read another long book that is only compelling 10% of the time.

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