Released June 7, 2011
Format: Paperback                        352 pages
Publisher: Tor Books; First Edition edition
ISBN-13: 978-0765325778

I'm finally getting around to reading this, even though I've been dying to do so, and before I get complaints, yes, I know there are more than just the 2 stories in this great anthology, but Karen Chance and Rachel Vincent are why I picked up the book and they were all I've had a chance to read thus far. Now time for the actual review.

First up is Karen Chance's In Vito Veritas. It's a Dorina Basarab story, and takes place after the events of Death's Mistress. As always Dorina lands in a bit of trouble through no fault of her own, and the lovely Dhampire quickly thrusts herself deeper, struggling to find a way to outsmart her opponent.

Chance is known for some quick paced and exciting reads, but with her heroine severely battered after her last adventure this book slows down the action just a notch. But that makes it no less fun to read as Dory takes on a Master Vampire in an ultimate drinking contest which ends in a love proclamation that she's kept bottled up tight that's bound to have some fantastic repercussions.

The second offering comes from Rachel Vincent, titled Hunt. Any reason to venture back into the Werecat world, that does not revolve around Faythe and her mind numbing reasoning is welcome, or maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment. This time the focus is on Abby, the young tabby who's not only in college but now a part of hottie Jace's pride.

While out for a run, Abby finds herself in the worst possible situation. Her friends are in danger, which may be all her fault and she has to find a way to deal with the horrific events that took place in Stray and find her inner strength or they're all doomed.

This one isn't one giant tease because it actual delivers a great story. First being thrust back into the werecat world, was like a homecoming, and it takes place in the Appalacian territory which was a nice change of pace, but there wasn't enough Jace. I needed much more Jace, but even without, Abby was a good solid lead, much how Faythe should have been without the stupidity that Marc seemed to have caused her or the irrational decisions she constantly made. Vincent showed just how captivating and enticing her werecat world was, making me long for more, and now I'm just mad I waited so long to read this one.

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Love Karen Chance? Wanna read something new for free? Head on over to her website and snap up "A Family Affair!" I'll be reviewing this one later this week!

http://www.karenchance.com/freebies.html

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Released: 4/3/07                     374 pages                           

Publisher: ROC

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 978-0451461520

With Cassandra, it seems to be much of the same, which is both good and bad. Cassie has some new and unwanted power, a very sexy love interest whose off limits and she’s on the run. Alliances have shifted, and who the bad guys are is a little up in the air at the moment. Everyone’s motivations put them at odds with Cassandra in any given situation.

War mage Pritkin is perfectly acerbic, and I’m sure as the series continues he’s gonna be the guy to watch. He’s not nearly as smooth and sexy as vamp Mircea, but he is a whole new ball of trouble. Cassie’s character development seems to have taken a little back slide.

At the end of Touch the Dark she seemed a little more in control, a little more assertive, but as Claimed by Shadows starts, she’s back to being unsure of herself. This may be in large part to her powers being uncontrollable and stronger than before, so I’ll wait for the next before making an decisions. Even still, Cassie is one of the most likeable heroines who leaps from one disaster to another.

The pacing and action are still incredible fast, and the world is expanding greatly with the bad guys now in Faerie. The Geis puts a damper on things, but if its plot point is done right, it’ll be worth the drag it causes to the story. And the comedy is so pitch perfect, it makes this already great story even better. Warning, do not pick up this series if you’re not prepared to lose hours to it. Once I picked up the book I could not put it down. Another excellent head rush from Karen Chance.

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Released: June 2006                      307 pages                          

Publisher: Roc Books

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 0-45-146093-6

Karen Chance’s Cassandra Palmer is equal parts naïve kewpie, and jinx. Wherever she goes trouble follows. She’s a human clairvoyant who can talk to ghost raised in a vampire court, who’s been on the run from said vampires for the past three years. As the story opens the vampires have found her, and the semi normal life that she’s built for herself has to be left behind if she’s going to survive.

She’s forced into the arms of the Vampire Senate, and as he powers begin to go awry she’s thrust into a world on the brink of war with the ailing Pythia, a powerful seer and time guardian, and her missing heir. People are not who they seem, and the only one she can truly trust is a power leeching ghost. The vampires all want something from her, and their determined to get it one way or another.

This one is one hell of a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. Cassandra is a very likable heroine who isn’t abrasive like many others in the genre. She’s damaged goods just like the rest, but she doesn’t seem to take her life’s hiccups out on the world, in fact she’d be more than happy to just survive. The usage of historical figures is well played, using the history for plausible twists in a world ensconced in magic. The plotting is very tight, and the writing and prose is wonderful.

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Released: 1/5/10 432 pages
Publisher:n Onyx
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0451412768

This is the second book in the Dorina Basarab series, and this one is just as fast paced as the first. Dorina is a dhampir- half human, half vampire, whose lucky to be alive. Most are insane because of their genetic make up, experiencing bouts of rage, violence and blackouts, and Dory is no exception. She just uses the rage to her advantage. And most are murdered just as soon as they are born, but Dory was spared because her father is Mircea Basarab, brother to Dracula, and Radu, and high ranking vampire Senator.

All Dory wants at the moment is some peace and quiet after the mess her life has been, but she gets anything but. Her father hires her to bring in a vampire, one that everyone is after. Her roomate, Claire is back from Fairy with trouble of her own, and Senator/Champion Louis Cesare is stirring up trouble as well. And there's also Dory's drinking of fey wine to control her blackouts. It's magical properties are addictive and said to slowly drive the consumer insane, but that's not all its doing. Besides controlling her blackouts and seizures, its also giving her visions with a touch of the hand.

Karen Chance's books are always so fast paced they give me whiplash. The plots are intricate, and extremely detailed. And even though I try to read them slowly they always end before I'm ready for them to. It's highly explosive, and addictive, very hard to put down. This series interweaves characters from Chance's Cassandra Palmer series as well, so although you don't have to read both series to appreciate the story, it will enhance the experience.

The action is fast, but doesn't feel shallow, the characters are feel real and fleshed out, and the sparks between Dory and Louis Cesare are hot. And I love the inventfulness of her characters, the understated brilliance and the humor. The scenes are so rich that I find myself discovering new things with each read.

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Released 10/7/08            384 pages

Publisher: Onyx

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 978-0451412621

The first book in the Dorina Basarab series, takes place in the same world as Karen Chances’s other series that follows Cassandra Palmer. Because of that series many of the secondary characters are already known to readers. Dorina’s father is the famous Mircea Basarab, brother of Dracula, and she’s asked to track down her uncle, who’s escaped his prison. She agrees to help when her father offers to use his influence to help locate Dory's missing, Claire, who has gone missing, even through Dracula is the only thing that truly scares her.

Dorina is dhampir- half human, half vampire hybrid whose been on her own kicking butt for about 500 years. Unlike Cassie, she knows full well what she’s capable of. The heroine is strong, almost too strong making everyone else seem weak, naïve or incapable at best.

Along for the ride is Louis-Cesare, the dueling champion for the vampire senate. Together there’s tons of heat and chemisty, but more than most others, he comes off as inexperienced. The Frenchmen showed vulnerability in the Cassandra series, but here it was like he was stuck in a miasma of emotions.

Just as with all her other books, this one is extremely fast paced. And while the story works well in this format, the inconsistencies between the two series are a little distracting, but the dialogue is sharp and entertaining.

To new readers, it may be hard keeping track of all the characters and politics without having first read the Cassandra books, but there is enough explanation that they’ll be able to follow the story, though they may feel as if they are missing something. The Dracula storyline works well, those the secondary one concerning Claire is a little inconsistent, mostly being wrapped up with Claire explaining where she was during a battle scene which was probably not the best time. Not my favorite book by Ms. Chance, but a nice first outing for Dory.

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