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rellwood74's review against another edition
4.0
Well, I finally got around to reading this. I had pre-paid for it and thought that I would re-read the series before starting it, however that was an undertaking I did not have time for. So I just re-read the one before. I started out kind of nervous because the last few books have been all about running the protagonists ragged but getting no resolution or character growth, plus cliff-hanger endings. So wasn't looking forward to that.
It was only after reading a recent review here on GR that I decided that maybe I could give it a chance. Previous beta reviews all said that the book was a big mess of action but again, no resolutions. I'm guessing a massive rewrite took place since this book was so pushed back in release dates.
The upside - some arcs are resolved, some answers were given, many backstories were revealed and detailed, there were more than a few sexy-times, and character motivations were revealed..
The downside- Again Cassie is basically thrown into every possible crappy death situation, she is knocked down so hard that I couldn't believe she got up. Also, she is bening given so many arbitrary obstacles that I just about tossed my Kindle across the room. Couldn't she just get a damn break? However, Rossier made for a lot of comic relief. Also note, it was such a convoluted story with so many things going on at once, and for so long that I found myself skimming because there is just so much detailed descriptions of melee fighting that I could endure. Also, you will find that the book is long, and so you think so much is going to get resolved, but it is basically a crap-ton of filler for what shouldn't have taken so long.
You can skim through some things, but there is backstories and snippets that will prove helpful later in the book, so do it with that in mind if you must.
All in all? I liked it, but don't think I could do it again.
It was only after reading a recent review here on GR that I decided that maybe I could give it a chance. Previous beta reviews all said that the book was a big mess of action but again, no resolutions. I'm guessing a massive rewrite took place since this book was so pushed back in release dates.
The upside - some arcs are resolved, some answers were given, many backstories were revealed and detailed, there were more than a few sexy-times, and character motivations were revealed..
The downside- Again Cassie is basically thrown into every possible crappy death situation, she is knocked down so hard that I couldn't believe she got up. Also, she is bening given so many arbitrary obstacles that I just about tossed my Kindle across the room. Couldn't she just get a damn break? However, Rossier made for a lot of comic relief. Also note, it was such a convoluted story with so many things going on at once, and for so long that I found myself skimming because there is just so much detailed descriptions of melee fighting that I could endure. Also, you will find that the book is long, and so you think so much is going to get resolved, but it is basically a crap-ton of filler for what shouldn't have taken so long.
You can skim through some things, but there is backstories and snippets that will prove helpful later in the book, so do it with that in mind if you must.
All in all? I liked it, but don't think I could do it again.
avid_reader_96's review against another edition
3.0
What more could be in store for Cassie? I guess for a Pythia, the options are limitless. I felt like the ending was kind of. . . unresolved. Yes, a lot of plotlines were tied up including a major one that's been dragging for 2 or 3 books now. And Cassie sort of made a choice regarding her love life which I feel will be rescinded in the next book. Karen could drag this love triangle out for a while. I also felt like the pace for the first half of the book was different from the second. Perhaps more could have been accomplished if not for the useless action scenes ever 5 pages or so. For instance, where the hell does Pritkin and Cassie stand now? Anyways, I'll probably read the next one in this series despite this one being one of my least favorite.
grishreads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
saphibella's review against another edition
4.0
The title is Ride the Storm, and what a ride this was.
After the first read I must say that I have mixed feelings about this book, even though I love this series to bits.
This might be due to me just waiting for the one single thing to happen; Cassie saving Pritkin (who knows if it happens?), and not being able to focus on anything else since the only thing my brain could come up with was "Pritkin, what happens to Pritkin, PRITKIN!".
But even though I was so focused on that single thing happening, I felt that there were some plot holes and inconsistencies, and definitely not major ones. But they always took my attention away from what I reading and instead making me think of what had happened pages before.
Either this was because of my mind focusing too much on Pritkin and not always paying super much attention to the things happening or it is because Karen Chance gets so excited telling the main story in a high tempo that some things just aren't explained, or details are not kept straight.
And believe me I love books with this kind of pace to them keeping me fastened to the seat just trying to get to the end of an awesome read, that never has a boring moment, and keeps track of a lot of story lines that match up and with time travel in the mix that is quite the thing to achieve.
So maybe when I re-read this book with the knowledge of what happens I will actually enjoy the book because there will no "Pritkin, Pritkin, PRITKIN" in my mind. Because this story should be enjoyed, it is so awesomely good and intricate, and Karen being able to have a story arc over several books and still keeping the quality of story telling up and tying up loose knots, it is impressive as hell.
So for the first read I give it 4 stars, but I will come back to this book again because this was an actually awesome story, with a lot happening that just needs to be experienced, and we have all waited a long time for some of the things happening.
Some honorable mentions
* Rosier gains a lot more depth
* Mircea and Cassies relationship moves forward instead of the stagnating pace it has been going at for quite a while now, and boy does it take a turn at least I did not expect (I love when authors fool me)
* Dory's (or should I say Dorina's?) storyline begins to play into the story of Cassie
It was all something a lot of fans of both the Cassie Palmer and Dorina Basarab series will enjoy immensely.
But still the damn plot holes are taking some of my enjoyment away, and therefore the five stars must wait until I read this again hopefully.
After the first read I must say that I have mixed feelings about this book, even though I love this series to bits.
This might be due to me just waiting for the one single thing to happen; Cassie saving Pritkin (who knows if it happens?), and not being able to focus on anything else since the only thing my brain could come up with was "Pritkin, what happens to Pritkin, PRITKIN!".
But even though I was so focused on that single thing happening, I felt that there were some plot holes and inconsistencies, and definitely not major ones. But they always took my attention away from what I reading and instead making me think of what had happened pages before.
Either this was because of my mind focusing too much on Pritkin and not always paying super much attention to the things happening or it is because Karen Chance gets so excited telling the main story in a high tempo that some things just aren't explained, or details are not kept straight.
And believe me I love books with this kind of pace to them keeping me fastened to the seat just trying to get to the end of an awesome read, that never has a boring moment, and keeps track of a lot of story lines that match up and with time travel in the mix that is quite the thing to achieve.
So maybe when I re-read this book with the knowledge of what happens I will actually enjoy the book because there will no "Pritkin, Pritkin, PRITKIN" in my mind. Because this story should be enjoyed, it is so awesomely good and intricate, and Karen being able to have a story arc over several books and still keeping the quality of story telling up and tying up loose knots, it is impressive as hell.
So for the first read I give it 4 stars, but I will come back to this book again because this was an actually awesome story, with a lot happening that just needs to be experienced, and we have all waited a long time for some of the things happening.
Some honorable mentions
* Rosier gains a lot more depth
* Mircea and Cassies relationship moves forward instead of the stagnating pace it has been going at for quite a while now, and boy does it take a turn at least I did not expect (I love when authors fool me)
* Dory's (or should I say Dorina's?) storyline begins to play into the story of Cassie
It was all something a lot of fans of both the Cassie Palmer and Dorina Basarab series will enjoy immensely.
But still the damn plot holes are taking some of my enjoyment away, and therefore the five stars must wait until I read this again hopefully.
cassiewbee's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5
You know what to expect.
If you're looking at this review, chances are fairly high that you've read the other books in the series, so nothing will surprise you about this installment.
I'm not entirely sure how I got to book 8 of this series. I'm pretty sure I only gave the first book 2 stars, but here we are.
From memory I got onto this series originally because I enjoyed reading the Sookie Stackhouse series and I thought I might like other urban fantasy titles.
*Shakes head vigorously*
Nope.
But this series has at least kept me entertained and I've come to enjoy the characters. Although, seriously, Karen Chance give the poor girl time to breathe. It's non stop drama. Sookie was at least given time to go to the library and get a tan.
This has become a bit of a guilty pleasure. It's that book you take on a long plane trip or pick up just before falling asleep for something light and easy to read.
You know what to expect.
If you're looking at this review, chances are fairly high that you've read the other books in the series, so nothing will surprise you about this installment.
I'm not entirely sure how I got to book 8 of this series. I'm pretty sure I only gave the first book 2 stars, but here we are.
From memory I got onto this series originally because I enjoyed reading the Sookie Stackhouse series and I thought I might like other urban fantasy titles.
*Shakes head vigorously*
Nope.
But this series has at least kept me entertained and I've come to enjoy the characters. Although, seriously, Karen Chance give the poor girl time to breathe. It's non stop drama. Sookie was at least given time to go to the library and get a tan.
This has become a bit of a guilty pleasure. It's that book you take on a long plane trip or pick up just before falling asleep for something light and easy to read.
eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review against another edition
3.0
While somewhat better than the previous two, this book still has that annoying tendency to get interesting narrative going and then suddenly rip you away to some overblown action scene. The first half of the book exhausted me. The second half finally started actually moving the story along, but too little and too late. I would like to read one of these where more than a day or two pass and more is accomplished to move the story along. Still, this book was good enough to keep me on the fence about continuing to read the series.
leabookjoy's review against another edition
5.0
* ARC non-spoiler review *
(review with spoilers will come after publication =))
If you haven't read the previous books yet, well read them before reading this review =)
First of all, know that to read this book and appreciate it in all its greatness, it's better if you read before the Dorina Basarab series.
Not 5 stars but a galaxy of stars =)
Between regaining the soul of Prikin who went back in the past at full speed and finding a way to stop the gods that are becoming more and more pressing, Cassandra definitely has no longer time to breath. And with both the vampire and mage shenanigans, she is far from being helped in her task ! But while Cassandra does everything to save her friend, the gods are more determined than ever. Whether it's in Vegas or Camelot ...
OMG I waited SO long to have this book and I loved EVERY SINGLE page / paragraph / sentence / word of this book !! I squealed, cried, yelled and laughed (I probably traumatized my bonzai xD)
The writing
As usual, I love Karen Chance's writing style : the pace of the book is fast, full of actions (I read quite a few reviews where people said the pace was too fast and there's too much actions ... He that has never skipped endless descriptions among you, let him first cast a book at me !!), of epic battles and twists but also humor (I recognize a good book when I can't read it in public because I laugh out loud when I read it =)) and romance (And steamy sex scenes >< <3)
The universe
I have always had a weakness for stories with mythology whether it's Indian, Chinese, Roman or Native American but I must admit that the Greeks have always been my favorites x) Karen Chance has been able to include all the richness of the Greek mythology in a universe of urban fantasy with vampires (one of my other favorites), fae and mages etc etc ... And it works very well =D Add to it Arthurian legend and it's love at first sight =)
The plot
For me, this book is almost the end of a cycle of subplots. The main plot of the return of the gods seems far from being over but we finally get answers to many of our questions (I can't believe I'm going to write it but I kind of became attached to Rosier ><)
Characters
Cassie remains one of the heroines with whom I identify most : she is not the kind of badass super powerful heroines, super confident who are never hurt, who catch all the hotties and for whom life is easy.
Cassie is human ! She suffers, falls in love, makes mistakes, is tired, hurt, afraid, she laughs, she fights and sometimes she fails. She is funny, a little crazy, not always rational but above all, she grew up.
The Cassie of the first books is no longer the one of the last books : she has become more mature, more sure of herself, and she no longer fears caring about people.
The other more or less main and secondary characters are very numerous and each has its importance and its role : I admit to have a soft spot for Caleb the mage and friend of Pritkin but also Rhea (she's very brave and endearing and I perceive some great things in her future =D) and Marco the big-hearted bodyguard =)
I must admit I didn't really care about all the Pythias that we met (and I didn't find them very useful) but I loved the journalists who made me laugh SO MUCH =D
Romance
Let's get to the heart of the matter.
I have never been a huge fan of love triangles because for me, heroines hesitating for 15 books between two hot guys have always irritated me ... But Cassie with Mircea and Pritkin is an exception.
First because we don't have instantaneous love at first sight and then because like Cassie, I loved Mircea before falling totally in love with Priktin without really being aware of it. So I totally understand why she can't choose !!
If Mircea is not a very original character (although he's one of my favorite vampires ever =)), Pritkin is quite unique : a character very secondary at first, badass mage send to eliminate the Pythia, he moved from kind-of-ally in spite of himself to temperamental bodyguard, then unconditional protector, then friend and finally, MUCH more. He is a rather mysterious and complex character who has revealed himself throughout the series with his secrets (Hello Merlin), his more or less dark past, his loyalty, his humor and his passion.
Anyway in this book, after waiting for 7 books :
* Drum rolls*
CASSIE CHOSE !!! Well kind of anyway ><
I'll not say anything more but just one thing : the last page of chapter 59 <3
The End
OH MY GOD !!!! A cliffhanger who leaves us excited and dying to have the next book !!
I would say nothing except :
- PFIOULALALALA this smile <3
- YOU AWFUL MAN !!! Reconsider like hell !!
In short, it is probably the best book in the series and it probably ruined me for any other book for at least a month <3
I recommend it (as well as the whole series) to all fans of romance and mythology
(review with spoilers will come after publication =))
If you haven't read the previous books yet, well read them before reading this review =)
First of all, know that to read this book and appreciate it in all its greatness, it's better if you read before the Dorina Basarab series.
Not 5 stars but a galaxy of stars =)
Between regaining the soul of Prikin who went back in the past at full speed and finding a way to stop the gods that are becoming more and more pressing, Cassandra definitely has no longer time to breath. And with both the vampire and mage shenanigans, she is far from being helped in her task ! But while Cassandra does everything to save her friend, the gods are more determined than ever. Whether it's in Vegas or Camelot ...
OMG I waited SO long to have this book and I loved EVERY SINGLE page / paragraph / sentence / word of this book !! I squealed, cried, yelled and laughed (I probably traumatized my bonzai xD)
The writing
As usual, I love Karen Chance's writing style : the pace of the book is fast, full of actions (I read quite a few reviews where people said the pace was too fast and there's too much actions ... He that has never skipped endless descriptions among you, let him first cast a book at me !!), of epic battles and twists but also humor (I recognize a good book when I can't read it in public because I laugh out loud when I read it =)) and romance (And steamy sex scenes >< <3)
The universe
I have always had a weakness for stories with mythology whether it's Indian, Chinese, Roman or Native American but I must admit that the Greeks have always been my favorites x) Karen Chance has been able to include all the richness of the Greek mythology in a universe of urban fantasy with vampires (one of my other favorites), fae and mages etc etc ... And it works very well =D Add to it Arthurian legend and it's love at first sight =)
The plot
For me, this book is almost the end of a cycle of subplots. The main plot of the return of the gods seems far from being over but we finally get answers to many of our questions (I can't believe I'm going to write it but I kind of became attached to Rosier ><)
Characters
Cassie remains one of the heroines with whom I identify most : she is not the kind of badass super powerful heroines, super confident who are never hurt, who catch all the hotties and for whom life is easy.
Cassie is human ! She suffers, falls in love, makes mistakes, is tired, hurt, afraid, she laughs, she fights and sometimes she fails. She is funny, a little crazy, not always rational but above all, she grew up.
The Cassie of the first books is no longer the one of the last books : she has become more mature, more sure of herself, and she no longer fears caring about people.
The other more or less main and secondary characters are very numerous and each has its importance and its role : I admit to have a soft spot for Caleb the mage and friend of Pritkin but also Rhea (she's very brave and endearing and I perceive some great things in her future =D) and Marco the big-hearted bodyguard =)
I must admit I didn't really care about all the Pythias that we met (and I didn't find them very useful) but I loved the journalists who made me laugh SO MUCH =D
Romance
Let's get to the heart of the matter.
I have never been a huge fan of love triangles because for me, heroines hesitating for 15 books between two hot guys have always irritated me ... But Cassie with Mircea and Pritkin is an exception.
First because we don't have instantaneous love at first sight and then because like Cassie, I loved Mircea before falling totally in love with Priktin without really being aware of it. So I totally understand why she can't choose !!
If Mircea is not a very original character (although he's one of my favorite vampires ever =)), Pritkin is quite unique : a character very secondary at first, badass mage send to eliminate the Pythia, he moved from kind-of-ally in spite of himself to temperamental bodyguard, then unconditional protector, then friend and finally, MUCH more. He is a rather mysterious and complex character who has revealed himself throughout the series with his secrets (Hello Merlin), his more or less dark past, his loyalty, his humor and his passion.
Anyway in this book, after waiting for 7 books :
* Drum rolls*
CASSIE CHOSE !!! Well kind of anyway ><
I'll not say anything more but just one thing : the last page of chapter 59 <3
The End
OH MY GOD !!!! A cliffhanger who leaves us excited and dying to have the next book !!
I would say nothing except :
- PFIOULALALALA this smile <3
- YOU AWFUL MAN !!! Reconsider like hell !!
In short, it is probably the best book in the series and it probably ruined me for any other book for at least a month <3
I recommend it (as well as the whole series) to all fans of romance and mythology
hollydoesstuff's review
3.0
I love Cassie and her merry band of misfits. I even loved a little bit of Dorina in this book. But the overall story was a bit confusing at times, and then a bit too simple at others. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I feel like I waited a long time for this, and it was just not as satisfying as I wanted it to be.