Ride the Storm (Cassie Palmer)

The latest in the Cassie Palmer series does not disappoint! As usual, Karen Chance's book was full of action, and when I read through it I was on the edge of my seat, and also wishing Cassie just had a day to rest and eat some soup. I finished it in two days, reading in my spare moments, because I couldn't put it down!

Cassie and Rosier's hilarious banter made me laugh out loud multiple times, and I loved their road trips through time. Also continuing to watch her relationship with Pritkin grow in the past was great. Also enjoyed how this book handled Mircea and the things we find out about him.

This was a good book, but not great, and definitely my least favorite. Maybe the release date getting pushed made me expect more, but I was a bit let down with this one. The very extended journey to get Pritkin frustrated me and when I think I'll get relief, I was left feeling teased. I understand that the author wants to leave something for the reader to look forward to when we next meet Cassie, but come on. I enjoyed the character development and background stories very much; however, for me the story really started about 3/4 through the book. Overall I enjoyed it, but crossing my fingers for more in the next.

I would recommend this book if you like this author. This book is slower than her other ones but it ties in most of the unanswered question we have so far. It still has some action though. Not trying to spoil it!!!!!!! But you need to read it if you LOVE PRITKIN and MIRCEA. Thrre are a few surprises!!!!!

Most urban fantasy series tend to lose me at some point but Karen Chance keeps bringing me back and making me hungry for more. I can't wait to see what comes next in the ever evolving world of Cassie Palmer. My only wish is that I could jump through time to read the next one. Cassie has a lot of decisions to make and I've enjoyed watching her grow as a heroine! The anticipation is stifling.

Great book! Karen Chance does a fantastic job growing her characters, major and minor ones alike. Long time readers finally get some resolution to certain plotlines, with the resolution opening up new adventures.
I can't wait to see what comes next!

I had a hard time staying interested- all the jumping back and forth in time just didn’t hold my interest as well as the earlier books. Not that it is bad - if you like the series and characters you’ll want to read it.

I've following the series, both Cassie's and Dori's and this book lacks of depth in every sense. A bunch of details and descriptions in thing that doesn't really matter for the storyline. I hope in the future Karen Chance sticks to the actual main idea rather than filling out her books with non important scenarios. I waited over a year for this...

I always knew Cassie loved Pritkin.... the way you are transported along with her through her crazy tumultuous life is amazing. The richness and depth of the characters is great to watch them develop...i can't wait for the next installment and how the dynamic between Dory and Cassie....

An incoherent, frenetic, chaotic mess of a book. I felt like it was written by a toddler on speed. Karen Chance was all over the place in this story, with so little of it making sense; chaotic stupid battles that went on for chapters, long pointless conversations that added little to nothing to the narrative. I skipped huge swathes of it, and still felt like I didn't miss anything. I can't remember the last time I felt so irritated reading a book. The series started out wonderfully, but has devolved into a disjointed, muddled mess in the last 3 books. Save yourselves the time and effort required to decipher this drivel, and read something else.

There are probably going to be spoilers.

The book was jammed packed full of action, as usual. Cassie landing in situations that she felt ill equipped to handle, but handle she did, along with some help, finally.
The coven of past and present really stepped up their game. The Circle who? The Coven kicked ass in this book.
There has been a big change in the relationship between Cassie and Mircea, and Cassie and Pritkin. I think she was hurting from Mircea confession that helped her to step over that boundary with Pritkin. I am team Mircea all the way so I am not really liking this little twist.
We got to see a different side of Rosier. The side that loves his son. He made the ultimate sacrifice.
There were a lot of little things that were explained in this book. I would have kind of like the whole series to have been wrapped up. Waiting two years for this book, for me it took something away from the book. I wasn't as interested, I skimmed through a good bit.

Karen Chance has always written a great action scene, but my only complaint with this book is that it is virtually non stop. You are dragged along with cassie from one disaster to another with barely any pause the think or absorb what's happening. It fits the plot and does convey the desperation and exhaustion she's dealing with, but it's also a little hard to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first 575 pages of this 600 page novel. The plot defies summary, but the plot is somewhat secondary to the constantly twisting, fast-paced ride. Her action-packed prose is, I think, Ms. Chance's hallmark and the reason I keep coming back. While I was disappointed in the trailing off ending and thought she jumped the shark at the climax, which comes just pages from the end, no spoilers here. I don't regret the reading; it was enjoyable.

Overall, I truly enjoyed reading this long awaited book. It pulls on many threads from earlier books in the series and wraps them together in clever ways (though not solving everything, of course). Much of the book features Chance's trademark humor mixed in with intense action and mystical/political intrigue. There were a couple of action scenes that went on far longer than they needed to, which is really my only ongoing complaint with Karen Chance's recent work. Despite that I am along for the ride and waiting anxiously for her next book!

Come on two books all about getting Pritkin back... thank goodness it is over!!! Well, I was really on team Mircea but he somehow pushed me to the other side.. I see all the points and she hasn't realized again that the spell works both ways it doesn't amplify just her love when he went crazy it amplified his as well. I think he only wants what he wants for his daughters sake... he's hoping it would pull her to the human side more.... we shall see. I really hope Mircea can redeem himself.

This book was something of a letdown. There are two standout sequences,
first a typical Chance farce with Cassie strapped to a Victorian wheeled
iron bed (with a demon) which becomes mobile, and second a harrowing
battle sequence in Cassie's Vegas hotel HQ. "Does the Pythia Fight Alone?"
indeed.

Away from those set pieces, the book is something of a mess, spending
way too much time jumping back to post-Roman Wales over and over
without ever managing to accomplish the goal, and staying there for
a huge climactic battle that is hard to understand and often sees
Cassie sidelined. Along with that we get too much bafflegab about
new realms outside of time and new ghost capabilities to really focus.

I don't care for the way Mircea is handled here either. We knew he was
on shaky ground as Cassie gradually realized her feelings for Pritkin, but
Chance completely cuts his legs off here

Ms Chance does not understand that less is more. I have loved this series until the last two book, Reap The Wind and Ride the Storm. A good editor would have joined these two books together and ripped huge chunks out of each book. Way too much time is spent with Cassie running around, chronically wiped out on her power and whining about her lack of training. This has been the running theme of this series and frankly it has gotten old. What good is it to write 600 page books if you leave the reader feeling like they are watching a hamster running non-stop in a wheel.

I've read this series since the beginning. I love the cast of characters! The last book I noticed I started to skim. This book went the same way. It's just too much. There's a lot happening, too much. I feel like the action from the older books was a good balance of story/action. This is more pointless action than story. Feel free to skim w/o guilt. I don't feel like I missed anything that I cared too much about.

This is definitely a recycled book, very similar to the previous installment. I keep waiting for Cassie to become the Pythia, but all I get is this skiiny whinny little girl who is so wrapped up in her insecurity she can't grow into her role as Pythia. She has all this power that she is no more capable of using in this book than she could in the 2nd book. There has been no growth in plot or character development. Ultimately I will read the next book because my favorite character is back amd he makes the books worth reading. I am happy that at least one characters storyline was answered in this book because I don't think I could have tead another book of Cassie bumbling through time to accomplish absolutely nothing.

4.5 Stars
Although for Cassie Palmer the last few books have got a time span of a couple of days…for us poor readers we have been waiting years. To try and finally, finally get some resolution to the whole Pritkin getting sent to hell thing….and then Pritkin’s soul being sent back through time thing… All the while, the ancient gods are trying to break back into the world and bring on Armageddon. The only thing stopping all this it seems? Cassie Palmer, chief seer, but who despite having such a lofty title nobody seems to be listening to.

For those of you who follow this series, it’s been at times a frustrating and tiring ride, you think you’ve got somewhere and BOOM another disaster and you are left hanging till the next book 2 years later. In Ride the Storm Cassie is still chasing down Pritkin’s soul and trying to fend off the end of days whilst half the supernatural world are chasing her. It’s exhausting. But, although in true Chance style you can expect another cliffhanger don’t despair, this book does tie up some lose ends.

As with all the books in the Cassandra Palmer series you can expect an action packed adventure packed full of near misses, startling insight and brash acts of bravery from our heroine. Cassie pushing through exhaustion, injury and resistance from every other sects in her mission to help her friends and those that depend on her. It’s an exhilarating ride, which I admit at times leaves me confused and wondering who the hell is shooting at her now. And this is because I have to be reminded all the time. This is the 8th book in the series, but Chance packs so much into each book and there’s always such a long wait between each one. So, when Cassie references something that has happened in the past, which within the story timeline may have only taken place a few days ago but for us it was 3 books and 6 years ago. I need reminding, and these constant refreshers bloats out the book but I would be lost without them. Or maybe this is just me…

However, one thing I never forget is the love triangle between Cassie, Mircea and Pritkin. I normally hate love triangles and one reason I hate them is because it always seems obvious who the heroine is going to pick. So far, I can’t decide who I think Cassie will end up with although I have my preference – Pritkin – but then again, I really like Mircea as well and don’t want to see him unhappy….I can see why Cassie is conflicted. Of course, she’s normally too busy with people trying to murder her to give it all of her attention. But, I think this book brings us one massive step closer to a conclusion on the Mircea and Pritkin dilemma.

If you are an Urban Fantasy fan, then this series is a must read, it’s packed full of so much action you’ll need a nap after reading it, but Chance has also built such a well realised and complex world with vampires, mages, witches, weres and fae; it’s fascinating. Not to mention all the individual characters that she has brought to life and from Cassie our heroine, to the cadre of vampires she’s friends with and her love interests Pritkin and Mircea. This is one of the best UF’s out there and this book is another outstanding addition to the series. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Absolutely worth the wait! The character depth Ms. Chance is able to achieve with literally every single character in this series is nothing short of amazing. It's so easy to sympathize and empathize with Cassie. You can't help but root for her. "Yaaas Queen" is what comes to mind when I think of the progression of Cassie's maturity level. Loose ends are tied up, revelations are finally made OUT LOUD, plots thicken...just an outstanding book through and though. This book only whet my appetite for the next one and makes me more than willing to wait another two years if it means this is what we're in store for!

But I think Cassie just jumped the shark! The insanely hectic pace was unpleasant and unnecessary. Repetitive plot devices no character development. Flipped through a bunch of fight scenes ad nauseam. And now the demon Prince Rosier is "good" and Mircea is "bad". Needed a few more words on the character development to be convincing. Love the series, this installment left me cold.

Copy obtained from Netgalley
I love this series and yes I'm constantly in awe of the authors imagination but I do understand why so many readers feel frustrated with certain things. It seems to me that a particular storyline has been dangling tantalisingly just out of reach for three books now as Cassie jumps here there and everywhere! Hey I don't mind the total mind reeling antics or time jumps and indeed it's been an incredible journey as now we are seeing Cassie stand up and take charge of not just her court but her own desires. For far too long she's been manipulated and placed in situations that better suit others ( yes looking at you Mircea ) yet in this book which takes the reader to Camelot Cassie is going all out to save Pritkin. She might get sidetracked with Mages and Gods trying to take over but this gal is getting much more wily .
Trying very hard here not to ruin this book for others so I will say there's quite a lot less of Mircea here but what there is opens up a whole new can of worms. There's way more Pritkin and boy is he a sneaky one ! I can't say too much but his Fae heritage really makes an appearance here. Fans of Rosier will see him in a whole new light and he's still not all warm and fuzzy but not quite as heartless as he's previously appeared. I loved seeing Cassie embrace and understand her affinity with ghosts and with even more information about her parents the author is really shedding light. Plus it's funny! Yes this book had me laughing at times which is always a good sign. Ok I'm disliking the interfering Pythias and do not understand why their powers seem more controllable than Cassies. The power is infinite and yet she's constantly being burned out so come on all you Mages give her a heads up!
So the big question is does Cassie finally choose and I'm saying yes, YES! Hey it's never going to be easy but oh my are things going to be on fire in the next book.
Action that left my head reeling, darned annoying interfering types who kept causing problems , a huge dilemma and a take that to a certain God! So hopefully the next book will feature more in the present and that means the Fae are going to be in trouble as there's fallout heading their way!
This voluntary review is of an advance copy and these thoughts are my own honest and fair opinion

Karen Chance took me another rollercoaster ride of power, frustration, politics and passion. Yes, it was fast, but that makes the next three re-reads so much more revealing and insightful.

Cassie runs around as much as usual, but she also thinks deep. Which is also in her wheelhouse. Mircea finally comes clean, in a BIG way, as does Rosier.

Overall I loved the Arthurian insights in this one, definitely one of my favorite subjects. Throwing {sexy} magic in the mix just made it that much more enjoyable!

SPOILERS:

Cassie loves Pritkin. There. I said it and I literally went back and read that passage three times in a row. #TeamPritkin for the win! Mircea had his uses, but she belongs with the green-eyed mage.

Ride the Storm by Karen Chance
Urban Fantasy -August 1st, 2017
4 1/2 stars

Ride the Storm is a fast paced, dazzling novel you won't want to put down! Even better than her previous installment, this series keeps going strong.

As the eighth book in the Cassie Palmer series, Cassie is just starting to understand her powers. In this novel, she is determined to save her friend and love interest Pritkin while somehow preventing a fearsome God from taking over the world. As she zips through time at a dizzying pace we learn more about Cassie's parents and Pritkin’s past. And Cassie must be careful because her closest aid, Pritkin’s demon father, Rosier, is a snarky and manipulative devil with and agenda all his own.

First of all, this book is not a stand alone. This series is like a richly layered cake -lots of complexity and definitely to be savored. It starts at a break neck speed and assumes you already have a good handle of Cassie’s world. As Cassie travels through time, I found myself exhausted with her. I wondered if Cassie's health would suffer from all the stress and lack of help from her ‘supposed’ allies. One thing is for sure, Cassie is pretty much on her own unless she agrees to be a puppet for someone else. Rosier brings character and levity to this story and I also enjoyed a surprisingly touching moment with Cassie and Marco. There are also some fun moments with Billy the ghost. And for fans of the powerful vampire Mircea, the author delves into his history and motivations for his close relationship with Cassie. But, of course, the best moments are when Cassie is able to catch Pritkin in time. Their chemistry is what keeps you glued to the pages. Even though Pritkin does not 'know' Cassie (since she meets him in the past before they were officially introduced), the reader can still feel the strong pull they have towards one another. While the previous book had only glimpses of Pritkin, this book has long satisfying sections that will be sure to please fans and solidify their relationship. The only minor issues are that while Cassie's quest is resolved the end leaves a mini cliffhanger and the book is set at a constant ‘frantic’ pace that sometimes I felt I needed to breathe.

Reviewed from Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Cassie is an amazing heroine and truly astounding in her ability to take a "lickin and keep on tickin." I also love all of the characters and the very detailed world. Reading these books feel like coming home. Well home to a frenzied place, but home all the same. There is never a chance for a dull moment despite the incredible lengths of these books, RIDE THE STORM in particular. That being said despite never having said dull moments, this book was almost too much at times. I felt like a few of the plot threads weren't entirely necessary and they could have been removed to lessen some of the frenetic feel. Granted a Cassie book wouldn't feel quite the same without frenzy, but a little less wouldn't have hurt.

Karen Chance is a master at long running plot threads, sometimes so much so. So I was REALLY glad to finally see some of those threads get resolved/answered (PRITKIN!!). There also were some pretty big revelations on the Mircea side of things, but you'll have to read the book yourself to see how everything plays out. Unlike previous books, RIDE THE STORM doesn't end in a killer cliffhanger, but just enough of a tease to make you really want to read the next book. I greatly appreciated not being left hanging this time.

All in all Cassie fans will be more than pleased with this latest installment that will leave readers with a sigh of contentment in the end.

I really like these books, excitement and a great mix of characters! I flew through this book. Nice to see Cassie finally coming into her own, I loved how the story forced her to rely on herself. You can tell this was the second half of the last book and it was a very satisfying conclusion to everything that was going on. Saw the next plot developing in the story line and it really made me anticipate the next book. I'll probably reread the series while waiting.

As usual, Karen Chance doesn't disappoint. I couldn't wait for this book to come out and I couldn't put it down!! It's long, and while others may complain, I for one am glad, because I just can't get enough of Cassie and her crazy life. I'm sad that I'm finished because now I have to wait for the next one! It was fast paced and riveting, and as always, she left me wanting more! I absolutely recommend this series to anyone who hasn't yet given it a try. In fact all of her books are downright amazing, and she makes me laugh out loud for real, and often. Buy it!

Eighth in the Cassandra Palmer urban fantasy series (eleventh in the Cassie Palmer World) and revolving around Cassie, the Pythia they all want and all ignore.

My Take
I was going to give this a "4", but in going through my notes, it has to be a "5". Chance has done such an incredible job of playing with history and mythology, creating such marvelous tension amidst all the humor — and such descriptions!

It's all about the greed for power, and it's not confined to the bad guys! All seen through Cassie's perspective in first person protagonist point-of-view, which makes sense, as it is all about Cassie, and it's her struggles that make the story.

Back history! Omigod, there is so much back history given out! All those twists and turns about what happened with Cassie's parents will tweak your brain, and it all finally makes sense. The twists involving those fey artifacts will have your head spinning.

It's an eye opener with Rosier as well, as we learn the back history on King Arthur and what led Uther's actions. Rosier's discoveries about being a father, and what Rosier continued doing just as his father did.

Rian provides back history on Carlos, a.k.a., Casanova as well. Why he's so ambitious. And she explains why Mircea is so focused on this one thing. Rian also explains Marco and Rosier, using the same theory, one that makes a whole lotta sense.

And Cassie learns that there's no black-and-white, but multiple shades of gray.

Chance does insert some interesting conflicts. That Pythias throughout time can interfere with the Pythia of Cassie's time. Rosier can't use his demon power because of the demon council, and he loses his body in this one. Oh, man, the descriptions of what he, ahem, looks like as he re-grows his body…ick…lol… Supposedly Cassie carries her mother's god powers, but she's always using them up, but I can't do my usual whine about it. 'Cause Cassie genuinely tries to get food and rest but there's never any time. How's that for a trick of Fate? The vamps believe Cassie is theirs to command, and Mircea can be pretty clueless for such a master manipulator. There's that minor issue of the consul's concerns over Mircea's growing influence and power.

It does get tense dang quick. It's bad enough with Cassie trapped by Gertie, but then that hostage situation at Augustine's…and Rhea's sacrifice followed by that incredible battle. Being sold into sex slavery. Surviving the Badlands and King Arthur's court and the battle after that...and on and on.

It's been a fascinating hunt for Pritkin these last few books. Cassie keeps coming across the Pritkin of that time in each timeline she falls into, but he always "gets away". From the fae in Wales, Nimue, the fae armies, the encounter with King Arthur and his Court, and each time a more mischievous Pritkin emerges.

Oh man, Cassie's dad is reminiscing about his "courtship" with her mom. We also get a bit more of Cassie's mother's back history, including the damage she did to Rosier, er, rather, Rosier's dad, and why she was so important. Hoo, boy. There's more back history with Rosier, and it seems that he and Cassie have a whole heckuva lot more in common that she'd've thought. As for Mircea. Whoa, there's a pivotal desire in Ride the Storm that finally explains why Mircea took such care with Cassie!

Then some of those minor funny asides with the most important being Carla Torres and the other journalists ragging away! Oh, YES. And it. Is. About. Time. Jules' story about that sneaky Don and getting around vamp rules, lol. Sneaky boy!

As for the Graeae, I do love them. They're a hideous comic team that add mayhem. Sorry, I should have said "adds MORE mayhem" to the story and quite colorfully, lol. There's more fun with Chance's poking fun at the paparazzi.

It's a good message that Cassie adds in, that power is not good or bad, but what you do with that power. She also lays down the rules, lol. Yep, Cassie is starting to get the hang of ruling.

Argh!! That ending. That cliffhanger of an ending, as Chance teases us with how Cassie might respond…!

The Story
Cassie and Rosier are desperate to intercept Pritkin's soul as it hurtles back to Hell, courtesy of a demon curse. And Gertie has slapped a "serious threat" label onto Cassie.

It's a dance and a half, as Cassie tries to evade Gertie throughout time and battles and ignore Rosier's snark, while hunting for Pritkin. All while trying to keep the ancient gods from getting through.

The Characters
Cassandra "Cassie" Palmer is the world's Pythia, the supernatural world's chief seer and time traveler. Mom, Elizabeth O'Donnell, a powerful clairvoyant — and former god — being groomed to be Pythia, ran away. Dad, Roger Palmer, had been a powerful necromancer who had dealt with ghosts and had been part of a guild of time-traveling utopians trying to improve the world. Dad's a ghost himself now, but imprisoned in the Badlands, a nothingness, a cemetery for ghosts. Daisy is Roger's ghost-possessed golem. A second ghost is the colonel.

John Pritkin is a war mage, and Rosier's son. Ruth is Pritkin's ex-wife and part demon. And it turns out that what happened to her was her own fault! Caleb was a war mage and Pritkin's friend.

Today's Las Vegas is…
…where Cassie and her Pythian Court is based these days in Dante's hotel and casino, which is owned by a possessed vampire, the whiny Casanova (formerly Juan Carlos). Rian is the girlfriend/incubus who possesses Casanova. Billy Joe is Cassie's ride-along, a ghost who lives in a necklace. Rhea Silvanus is Cassie's acolyte, and Jonas and Agnes' daughter who had been part of the old court. Tami is a null (cancels out magic) with a belt in ju-jitsu and Cassie's best friend. Tami's on her own mission to save children, of whom Jiao, a young necromancer, is one and her son, Jesse, is another.

Marco is a six-foot-five-inch hulk of a vampire and now chief bodyguard to Cassie. The other bodyguards include the red-headed charmer Roy; the portly Fred, a former accountant with some amazing power(!); and, the suave Rico.

Françoise is a witch working at Augustine's these days. The ghastly appearing (and mannered) Graeae — Deino, Enyo, and Pemphredo — were supposed to have been a myth. Nope, and they truly do share one eyeball and one tooth. Augustine is a half-fey fashion designer to the supernatural set, and I want some of those garments. They are soo amazing!

The witches who finally show up include the fail-safes: Abigail (Pink Hair) and Hildegarde von Brandt (White Hair); Hildegarde had been a member of Gertie's court and her sister.

The Vampire Senates number…
…six and they control the vampire world. They're eager to control Cassie and part of that strategy was Lord Mircea, a 500+-year-old vampire senator, first-level master, and second-in-command to the North American consul as well as chief advisor, the go-to ambassador, and miracle worker, marrying Cassie. He's now the Senate Enforcer and General of all the senates. Dorina is Mircea's dhampir daughter with his beloved Elena. Horatiu was Mircea's longtime servant. Raphael, the Renaissance artist, had been a vampire in Tony's court and a spy for Mircea.

Jules Fortescue (his real name was Jimmy Tucker) used to be a vampire whom Cassie turned back into a human, which gave the Senate the wrong ideas. Now he's the vampire liaison with the new vamps. Roberto loves to torment the new guys. Louis-Cesare is a new senate member. Kit Marlowe, a.k.a., Argus, is the consul's chief spy.

Anthony is the current European consul and has lots of enemies.

The news media includes…
… Crystal Gazing (the equivalent of the National Enquirer), the Oracle (Grafton was the reporter), the Witch's Companion (think home dec, lol), and Graphology , of which Carla Torres is the senior editor (think New York Times).

The previous Pythian Court had…
…Agnes, Lady Phemonoe, as the Pythia before Cassie, and Agnes had been Gertie's acolyte. Myra was Agnes' heir, but she went rogue. The acolytes in Agnes' court include Elizabeth "Lizzie" Warrender; Amelie; Johanna "Jo" Zirimis, a political appointment who is missing and seems to have more power than she should; and, the rest are dead.

The 19th century Pythian Court is in…
…London with Gertie as this time's Pythia, Lady Herophile, and has she got a burr up her backside about Cassie! Lydia is one of her acolytes.

Another Pythian Court outside Paris where…
…Isabeau is Pythia.

The Pythian Court in Paris
Bezio was a friend of Mircea's, since their days together in Venice. It was that response from Eudoxia, that time's Pythia, that made Mircea reflect. Her acolytes included Athenais and Gwenore.

The Pythian Court in the time of Vlad was…
…based in Constantinople with Berenice, Lady Aristonice, its Pythia. Eudoxia was her chief acolyte.The last emperor was Constantine XI.

The Silver Circle is…
…the leading magical organization (the good guys, supposedly) and led by Jonas, the new Lord Protector. Saunders had been their old, corrupt leader. The War Mage Corps are their soldiers and include Jug Ears and Red Face.

The Black Circle is…
…the antithesis of the Silver with their own horrifying war mages, magic addicts and crazy with it.

King Arthur's Court in…
…Caerlon, Wales. Uther is the battle name for Ambrosius Aurelianus, a.k.a., Riothamus, "king of all the Britons", who was actually a war chief trying to hold Britain together after the Romans pulled out. Igraine was the daughter of the Lady of the Lake, Nimue (the sea witch), but with little of her mother's magic. Igraine was wife to Gorlois, Prince of Cornwall. (Gorlois and Igraine had a daughter, Morgaine le Fey, Emrys' mother, one-quarter fey, and Arthur's half-sister who chose the fey side of her heritage.)

Rosier was in Arthur's time as Myrddin which was Latinized to Merlin, a role Pritkin took over later. Mallt is the laundryman's wife. Pona is a servant at the castle. Xanthippe had been a lion tamer's assistant back in the day. Dyrfrig is one of the guards.

Faerie is…
…just what you think, and not a good place for magic users, as it blocks their powers — but not vampire abilities. It's also where the leaders who want the gods back, including Tony, are holed up. The Alorestri, a.k.a., the Green Fey, are of the forests. The Svarestri are black-armored and hate humans, and they've stolen the staff Cassie is after. Their king is Aeslinn, the King of the Wastelands. The Blarestri, a.k.a., Blue Fey, wear blue or gold with Caedmon as their Sky King. Budic is a slave trader.

Hell is…
…actually worlds of hells with a wide range of creatures. Rosier is one of 'em, a demon, lord of the incubi, a master of illusion, and Pritkin's father. Adra, short for Adaramelech, is the title for the speaker of the council.

The gods include…
…Ares, now that Apollo is useless. The Spartoi are sons of Apollo, demigods.

Seiðer is a communication spell designed by the gods to talk to each other between worlds. A Pythian Court is actually a coven with the Pythia, a bride of Apollo, holding a bit of Apollo's power. That power chooses the next Pythia and guards the timeline with her help. The Tears of Apollo is a rare potion designed to help Pythias access their power. Dhampirs are the bogeymen of the vampires. Laura had been Cassie's young ghost friend when Cassie was growing up in Tony's court, and Eugenie had been her governess. A triskelion is a magic-using person with three elements.

The Cover and Title
The cover is a raging storm with lightning flashing through the author's name (in white at the top below an info blurb) and ripping through the right centered title in red. It's Cassie to the left of the title in a three-quarter profile in a black cap-sleeved dress with a round neckline split by a deep slit at the front, hand on hip. Her long, wavy blonde hair is floating around her with the energy of that storm. Below the title is the series information and a testimonial, both in white.

The title lets Cassie Ride the Storm of all that time travel with Rosier, as well as the storm of that last battle…and it's a doozy.

**Contains Spoilers**

I've been a fan of this series for a long time - it used to be refreshing and fun, with just enough action and drama to make it interesting - but the last three books are just never-ending action with little to no storyline. Seriously, #7 & #8 could have been combined and edited down to actually make sense instead of just battle after useless battle.

I am also really growing frustrated with Cassie. In the beginning I understood why she acted so naive and clueless, and was always playing catchup. It made sense since she was just thrown into the deep end on her own with little guidance. But now, we are 8 books in and...nothing's changed. Her character hasn't developed, she's still running around like a chicken with her head cut off and seems to have less concept of her abilities than before. I expected her character to have evolved more than this.

The situation with Mircea was a letdown (For some reason I've always liked him, I like Pritkin too and think he's a better choice for Cassie but Mircea was never a villain in my mind) It was obvious almost from the beginning of the series that this is what he wanted all along. His wife returned to him alive. However, I have to say I didn't like how he went about it, even if I understand why he did it. I also want to point out that even if Cassie did bring back his wife, Mircea is a vastly different person now then he was then, he might find that the rose-colored glasses he seems to be wearing when he remembers her, is just that. (Not to mention his wife might have a problem with who he has become)

Hopefully the next book with have more character development and less nonsense action.