Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Returning from Touch the Dark and Claimed by Shadow, Cassie Palmer has finally become Pythia, the supernatural community's all-knowing oracle. She's struggling with her new powers (such as shifting back and forth through time) and is stuck between good and evil factions of the paranormal community. Her main concern, though, is to figure out how to reverse a pesky spell that threatens her independence: the geis, once placed on her for protection, is now trying to bind her to the handsome master vampire, Mircea, with results detrimental to them both. The only solution is to find the fabled book that has the counterspell—find it in space and in time. Cassie—in her struggles between her passionate need for independence, her burgeoning feelings for Mircea and her conflicts with her new role as Pythia—is a well-rounded character, and the intensity and complexity of the plot puts her through her paces physically, emotionally and psychically. (Apr.)
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Review

“Returning from Touch the Dark and Claimed by Shadow, Cassie Palmer has finally become Pythia, the supernatural community’s all-knowing oracle. She’s struggling with her new powers (such as shifting back and forth through time) and is stuck between good and evil factions of the paranormal community. Her main concern, though, is to figure out how to reverse a pesky spell that threatens her independence: the geis, once placed on her for protection, is now trying to bind her to the handsome master vampire, Mircea, with results detrimental to them both. The only solution is to find the fabled book that has the counterspell—find it in space and time. Cassie—in her struggles between her passionate need for independence, her burgeoning feelings for Mircea and her conflicts with her new role as Pythia—is a well-rounded character, and the intensity and complexity of the plot puts her through her paces physically, emotionally and psychically.”
--Publishers Weekly

"Karen Chance will enthrall you with her world of vampires, mages, and a fair maiden tough enough to kick their butts."
-USA Today bestselling author Rebecca York

"A great writer of supernatural fantasy that is on a par with the works of Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, and Kelley Armstong."
-Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Roc (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451461991
• ISBN-13: 978-0451461995
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,489 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 3 in The Cassandra Palmer Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Entry in the Series Yet, April 3, 2008

By	Theresa (Arizona) - See all my reviews

The third entry in the Cassandra Palmer Series, Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 3), kept me enthralled until the last word. What an incredible adventure this book was - I was breathless throughout!

First, let me say that the Cassandra Palmer series has been one of my favorite series since I read the first book.

The author, Karen Chance, wrapped up a bunch of open storylines in this book, but left some big ones open as well for future books in the series. The book has wonderful character development and continuity from the first two books.

The jumping back and forth in time didn't confuse me, but I suppose it could confuse some people. I love books with time travel in them, but sometimes I get irritated when authors ignore paradoxes. This book (and series) tackles time travel paradoxes head on and it was very believably handled. I didn't find any flaws with how the author handled the time travel and its consequent effects.

There was a lot of character development for Cassie, Mircea, and Pritkin in this book. There is a lot of history explained for each individual which continued to help to flesh them out.

I loved this book and can't wait for the next one in the series! In particular, I can't wait for more Pritkin - I adore his character! :)

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Embrace the Night delivers more of the pulse pounding excitement that Karen Chance is becoming famous for, April 23, 2008

By	Kelley Hartsell "Kelley" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Cassie Palmer has only had a few weeks to get used to her new position as Pythia, chief clairvoyant of the world and as such, the "official" head of the supernatural society, a position she inherited against all her wishes.

Cassie's latest is to track down the legendary Codex Merlini, a book of spells written by Merlin himself. She needs this book to find the only spell that can break the geis magically binding her to Mircea, (see Claimed by Shadow) one of the most ancient and powerful vampires around, brother to Vlad himself. If the geis isn't broken soon, Mircea will be driven insane and his second death will soon follow.

Cassie must jump through time and space to find the Codex, break the geis and save Mircea's life. Her only ally is a former enemy, War Mage John Pritkin, who has many secrets of his own. As she continues her search for the Codex, she begins to discover there is a very good reason why it has been missing for so long. If the wrong beings get their hands on it, it could bring about the destruction of all mankind, human and supernatural. And what is the huge secret Pritkin will do just about anything to protect?

I adore the Cassie Palmer series and I eagerly look forward to each new installment. Embrace the Night delivers more of the pulse pounding excitement that Karen Chance is becoming famous for. Keep in mind though, this is a series best read in order. Each book expands on the universe Chance has created, making many references to preceding books. While the stories do stand somewhat on their own, many of the delicate nuances to the story would be lost without knowledge of the earlier books.

Action begins immediately on the first page and the drive to the conclusion is so fast paced you'll be out of breath just from reading about it. The beginning to end of the story's timeline is quite short, covering about a week or so of time but with Cassie's shifting through time and space makes it seem like more time passes. We also have the pleasure of seeing Cassie grow in strength and pride, coming into her own magically. She also continues to explore her abilities, uncovering new talents at the exact times she needs them most. Unfortunately, her control of same abilities is lagging far behind, which makes for some lively scenes.

Fast paced adventures, physical attraction between characters that is positively electrifying, engaging characters, a whole passel of supernatural creatures from demons to fairies and everything in between, these are trademarks of Karen Chance's books. Embrace the Night more than meets the expectations of readers like me who have become fascinated with Cassie's story. I loved my most recent visit with Cassie, Pritkin, Mircea, and even Radella they warrior fairy. We have a very satisfying conclusion to the book though I sure hope we don't have to wait too long to visit again!

© Kelley A. Hartsell, March 2008. All rights reserved.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book in an excellent series, April 22, 2008

By	G. Robinson "Extensive reader" (CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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Cassie is the Pythia who is in charge of the time line. She has had a geis placed on her that she has to break while contending with: the Vampire Council, the silver circle of mages, and the black mages.

Lots of complex goings on with good action and characters. Some humor along the way, I particularly liked the fashion show for witches with the leopard bag slinking along beside the model.

The erotic scenes are well motivated and much better written than recent LKH.

The authors view of time fits well with The End of Time: The Next Revolution in Physics a theroretical physics book which requires only basic trig for math but which is conceptually difficult.

Frankly this series needs to be read in order otherwise you wind up as confused as some reviewers. Start with Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 1) and then Claimed By Shadow (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 2). They are particularly good reads.