Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer) [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Karen Chance (Author), Cynthia Holloway (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 24, 2008 | Series: Cassandra Palmer

Recently named the world's chief clairvoyant, Cassandra Palmer still has a thorn in her side. As long as Cassie and a certain master vampire-the sizzling-hot Mircea-are magically bound to each other, her life will never be her own.The spell that binds them can only be broken with an incantation found in the Codex Merlini, an ancient grimoire. The Codex's location has been lost in the present day, so Cassie will have to seek it out in the only place it can still be found-the past.But Cassie soon realizes the Codex has been lost for a reason. The book is rumored to contain some seriously dangerous spells, and retrieving it may help Cassie to deal with Mircea, but it could also endanger the world.

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.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Review

A series well worth getting hooked on Fresh Fiction A grab-you-by-the-throat-and-suck-you-in sort of book with a tough, smart heroine and sexy-scary vampires -- Bestselling Author Patricia Briggs New York Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Tantor Media; Unabridged,Library - Unabridged CD edition (November 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400138191
• ISBN-13: 978-1400138197
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 7 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Karen Chance is a New York Times bestselling novelist, writer of the popular Cassandra Palmer and Dorina Basarab urban fantasy series. For more information, the latest news, free stories, contests and more, visit her website at KarenChance.com or stop by her Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/cassandrapalmerseries.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 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

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This review is from: Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

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! :)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Patience Finally Rewarded, January 28, 2009

By 

Jem (MD, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book strained my patience to the very limits, but my perseverance did pay off. ETN had a lot of back and forth just as book 2 did, which drove me to distraction, but unlike that one the ending has some satisfying resolutions and made me eager for the story to continue. The book does have issues, and it doesn't hold up to the quality of book 1, but it was far better than book 2.

The story starts out as anticipated - Cassie needs to find a way to break the geis Mircea laid on her. Her will to resist is fading, and Mircea is going insane. I have to admit, the author's resolution to the dilemma was smart if extremely simple, and had been hinted at several times to astute readers. Some readers may find it disappointing; I was just glad it was over. The downside is that readers have to wait to the very last chapter for that resolution. Cassie needs Merlin's Codex which should have a counter spell in it. But the Codex has been unwriting itself through the years, and so the complete text can only be found in the past. No problem for a time traveling clairvoyant. Wrong. Everyone either wants the book for themselves because it is so powerful, or they don't want anyone to have it because it is so powerful. Which side of this debate Pritkin falls on is critical to the story. Until that last chapter, Cassie jumps back and forth through time, with small battles sprinkled in here and there, to find it. The action is fast paced and mostly useless, as she skips around like a little girl at a party. The main intent of all these trips is for Cassie to learn just who her allies are (especially Pritkin), but this could have been done in a less muddled and exhausting way. At times I become so frustrated I literally growled at the book! Hopefully, the author will realize that the constant time shifting is distracting and annoying to a reader.

The awesome, and truly clever, revelations about Pritkin made the entire book worth reading. His character was beginning to get beyond aggravating as the author constantly had Cassie (and readers) guessing if he was on her side or not, just as in book 2. Yet, his involvement in the geis is much deeper than suspected, and he becomes a catalyst for the introduction of another powerful, and potentially plot inducing, character - Lord Rosier. Cassie also discovers some twists to her new power (even managing to duplicate Agnes' time freezing trick, by accident of course), and sees how much responsibility it is to be Pythia.

The ending saved this book from being mediocre. My fears that the geis would consume many books to come were laid to rest but the actions surrounding the geis provided lots of cool plotlines and enough resolution to make some progress. Readers learn who the golden god who calls Cassie "Herophile" is and the origin of the Pythia's powers; we learn more about Pritkin's past, the motivations of the Silver Circle; and, just what Mircea and Cassie truly feel. Cassie finally accepts the responsibility as Pythia, and makes alliances to protect herself and the timeline. Now that these things are tied up, the plot should be able to focus on the coming "war." Though book 2 was a disappointment, this makes up for it. I will read Curse the Dawn (Cassandra Palmer, Book 4) and have even ordered Midnight's Daughter (Dorina Basarab, Dhampir, Book 1) to see how she handles a story with a different protagonist. Recommended.

17 of 21 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
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This review is from: Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.