I rarely find authors who really grip me from first to last in a book. Most fizzle out with a strong opening that steadily goes downhill, or a nice ending to an otherwise blah book. The Cassandra Palmer series is the exception. All of the books start strong and stay that way throughout, making for a very enjoyable read. I really liked the first in the series and was happy to see that the sequel had all of my favorite characters back and in better form than ever. Love Billy, Cassie's crazy ghost sidekick, and of course, Mircea the master vampire. Pritkin is even starting to grow on me, which was a surprise. I have Embrace the Night in my tbr pile and will shortly be getting to it as I really want to know where this series is going.

I love this book. Karen Chance has great ideas and such. I love her characters. But in some parts of this book, I had to re-read because it's was confusing. It seemed bundled together.
But overrall... Great novel. I recommmend it.

I read the first in the series (Touched by Dark) when it first came out in 2006, and I remember liking it, but not what it was about. Chance did a great job revisiting the first story without it being redundant or obvious. This was a great paranormal romance. It has the tension of possibility but doesn't focus only on that. The story has action out the wazoo with the heroine being on the run at the same time chasing down her own ghost and trying to save lives. I like the fact that even though she has the power to kill, she doesn't devalue life and chooses not to kill. Even those who seem deserving. I'm looking forward to reading the third.

This book is like a bad casserole. Everything you ever heard about in the paranormal genre is here messing around and making a conglomeration
that is not only hard to swallow, but annoys the mental digestion. So we got a friendly ghost over here, an unfriendly golem over there, we gotcha' basic dark fae and light fae, we got houses that fly like in the Wizard of Oz and of course, vampires and too many war mages too count. But what we don't have is a plausible story line that one can follow in any kind of linear fashion. We don't have a clear vision of who the bad guys/good guys are and finally, why the heck do we care about any of these people? Where are the EDITORS out there?? Still, I was interested enough to buy this book and the next one--so cha-ching--who's the bigger fool?

Hands-down the best fantasy-romance with a slightly, but not obnoxiously, dark and twisted sense of humor I've read recently. It's the aspect of Laurell Hamilton's early books that I miss so much in her current stuff, and in most of her heirs in the dark fantasy and vampire romance genres.

Undead Elvis was missing half his cranium during his act and the women in the audience DIDN'T NOTICE! The King was amusing, but the description of the audience was so much funnier. Plus the fact that a secondary character kept giving the heroine drinks throughout the scene because the alcohol would help with the after-effects of dimensional travel...

I thought it was great. Can't wait for the next book.

I was not a fan of the first book mainly because of the quality of the writing, although the story line seemed fresh and original. In this book I have the opposite issue - the writing was better and less awkward, but it was the plot I had issue with. This book continues from where the last one left off and pretty much consists of the same plot - Cassie running for her life and going back in time to save people. To me there is nothing distinguishable between the first and second book (kind of like the first two Halloween movies). While I enjoy all of the magical creatures and objects Chance has created, the story really didn't keep my interest this time around. Cassie is a good heroine-even though she does not want the job she manages to save a lot of people. But I am really disappointed in the romance. I think there was a lot of potential there but it kind of fell flat. I really wanted to like this series, but I think I'm giving up.

I actually read this over a year ago when it first came out. I had forgotten the cover and no longer actually had the book in my possession. anyhow, I should have been reading the sequel only it's not out until next month or so.

I consider reading a paranormal book to be escapism. I spend a little bit of time forgetting about my day immersed in an alternate world where vampires, werewolves, faeries, and magic exist. If this brand of escapism appeals to you, read Claimed by Shadow and its predecessor--Touch the Dark.

The main character, Cassandra, is not a perfect heroine. Her devotion to revenge comes across as self-indulgent and some of her actions are ill-advised. However, Cassie matures and becomes more interesting as the story develops. The secondary characters are equally fascinating. It is difficult to not be intrigued by sexy master vampires, intense war mages, beer-swilling ghosts, and demon-possessed historical figures.

I thoroughly enjoyed Claimed by Shadow and am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

Cassie is still trying to evade the forces trying to control her, while attempting to find a way out of her role of Pythia. Along the way she discovers that she has had a geis for much of her life because of a vampire who claims her a his She has to then deal with the power of the Pythia fighting with the geis's influence, while trying to keep alive and not cause to much trouble with the time stream. There are obviously many twists in the plot, and several times, it seems to circle upon itself like a dog that has lost the scent. The loyalties and motives of most the characters are still uncertain and seem to be ever shifting. I am looking forward to the next book although I do hope that some of the loose ends can be tied up.

This was an enjoyable book with non-stop action, you never knew what was going to happen next!

I read books for the fun & enjoyment, but after reading some these long winded reviews, it seems some people read books just to nit-pick at every little thing they can come up with, they are totally over thinking the whole "read books for fun & enjoyment" thing. (plus I just don't like bad reviews on books I like, ha ha)

I usually love these kinds of series, but after forcing myself to plow through the first two books, I don't think I'll be reading any more of this series. The characters lack depth, but to make up for that it seems like the author has decided to throw them at the reader in droves. The plot is minimal and is overshadowed by the constant, disjointed action. It never grabbed my imagination.

I love this book so much that it was too hard to put down! check out the next one in the series, its great!

There's not too many books that let me see the characters and the action almost like I'm watching a movie, but this one does. The details are amazing, and the characters are genuine in a way I haven't come across in a long time. It's weird to say about a fantasy world, but this read like a real place. Kudos to the author for being able to pull that off, and for pulling me in. I'm ready for the sequel, now please.

I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. It is action packed and kept me on the edge of my seat.

This book is exactly what I was expecting it to be: a wonderful second part. In there, we find Cassandra still looking for the malevolent master vampire who killed her parents, and also we have her struggling with her new power. Does she want it? Dares she to complete the ritual? Does she really wants to become Pythia?

Cassandra is alone, because he's run from Mircea and all the other vampires of the Senate, who want her with them because of her powers as Pythia. Also, she's running from the Circle, taht also wants her for reasons somewhat different: they want her power but they don't want it in her hands. They want ffor it to pass into somebody more brainwahsed by them, to have control of this power.

Ironically, is a mage, Pritkin, the one who will end stuck with ther in this new adventure that will take them to the Fey Realm.

This book is as good an fullfiling as the first one was, and I still want to know what will happen between Cassie and Mirce, what will happen with her powers, with Antonio, with Tomas... and a large list of things that I hope she'll deliver some answer to!

Great second part, recommended lecture for everyone! (well, especially for those who like dark fantasy, vampires, clairboyants, mages and the such ;-) )

This book is exactly what I was expecting it to be: a wonderful second part. In there, we find Cassandra still looking for the malevolent master vampire who killed her parents, and also we have her struggling with her new power. Does she want it? Dares she to complete the ritual? Does she really wants to become Pythia?

Cassandra is alone, because he's run from Mircea and all the other vampires of the Senate, who want her with them because of her powers as Pythia. Also, she's running from the Circle, taht also wants her for reasons somewhat different: they want her power but they don't want it in her hands. They want ffor it to pass into somebody more brainwahsed by them, to have control of this power.

Ironically, is a mage, Pritkin, the one who will end stuck with ther in this new adventure that will take them to the Fey Realm.

This book is as good an fullfiling as the first one was, and I still want to know what will happen between Cassie and Mirce, what will happen with her powers, with Antonio, with Tomas... and a large list of things that I hope she'll deliver some answer to!

Great second part, recommended lecture for everyone! (well, especially for those who like dark fantasy, vampires, clairboyants, mages and the such ;-) )

I'll be honest, I'm kind of meh...about paranormal romances; I dig certain aspects of them (the paranormal...vamps, werewolves, witches, etc.) and don't like other aspects (mainly the romance). Don't get me wrong if the sex is well done and not the defining characteristic of the story, it can be a big bonus. I don't necessarily want a love story with every paranormal book I pick up, but that's my personal preference. I really dug the first book (Tough the Dark, 2006) and I think in my review of it I billed it as Otherworld meets the Soprano's and said it was wonderfully complex and entertaining and I was certainly looking forward to reading the next in the series when it came out. As fate would have it, I didn't manage to get a copy until recently. As it turns out, that was probably for the best as this second book in the series is decidedly inferior to the first.

In Claimed by Shadow, we pick up shortly after the events of the previous novel with Cassie on the run from the Vampire Counsel and stoically avoiding taking on the duties of the Pythia (she just wants a normal life after all). In the first book Cassie has spunk...she was a butt-kicking heroine who gave as good as she got...in Claimed by Shadow...not so much. Cassie has devolved to a whiny, confused girl who can't figure out her powers. In the previous book I enjoyed watching her growing skill with prophecy...this time out it seemed like there really wasn't any skill, she spent all her time screaming at various characters about how she didn't know how to use the powers and more importantly that she didn't want them at all. In the end, she who puts up a lot of struggle and energy into NOT becoming the Pythia comes to a lame conclusion...this entire section of the storyline ends poorly (very anti-climatic).

As with the previous book there was an assortment of vampires, mages, witches, fey, shrunken heads, satyrs, ghosts...and what should have been the lovely addition of Dark Fey (this could have been a very interesting addition to this growing world, but in the end...not so much). We were also introduced to incubi (very charming, if a bit over played), gargoyles (I would have liked to see more of them), the Graeae pulling a special guest appearance (very amusing and appreciated), and with Elvis and Hendrix in interesting cameo rolls (I won't spoil it for you...but it was funny)! Even with all of this, this world manages to fall flat in the sequel...it doesn't have that gritty dark urban fantasy feel...it's muddled and confusing and the many plot lines were hard to sort out in the end and I had trouble liking Cassie as the book progressed.

This is billed mainly as a "paranormal romance," and as I said when I started out here, I can take them or leave them and I prefer the paranormal to the romance...for me to really enjoy a book of this type, it needs to be weighted toward the paranormal, which this mostly was. The twist and play up of the sexual tension through the use of a Geis was potentially interesting, but I found that halfway though the book I really wanted to slap Cassie (and/or the author) around because in the end what could have been a nicely played sexual tension with a side of bittersweet lust became one of the most annoying plot devices I think I have had to keep reading about.

Overall...I have to agree with other reviewers, the first book was far superior and the sequel is almost (but not quite) a tired "rehash" of the original. In my opinion this is not a true continuation of the story line, the author spends 374 pages treading over the same territory again and again....I'll certainly try the third in the series when it comes out in 2008 (every series has a book or two that aren't on par with the others), but if there isn't significant improvement that'll be the end of this series for me. I rate it at 3 stars (and feel that is generous), if you like paranormal romance, you'll likely find this amusing and fun...if your like me and prefer the paranormal to the romance...this is likely to fall short of the mark for you. This is definitely one to check out of the library.

I'll be honest, I'm kind of meh...about paranormal romances; I dig certain aspects of them (the paranormal...vamps, werewolves, witches, etc.) and don't like other aspects (mainly the romance). Don't get me wrong if the sex is well done and not the defining characteristic of the story, it can be a big bonus. I don't necessarily want a love story with every paranormal book I pick up, but that's my personal preference. I really dug the first book (Tough the Dark, 2006) and I think in my review of it I billed it as Otherworld meets the Soprano's and said it was wonderfully complex and entertaining and I was certainly looking forward to reading the next in the series when it came out. As fate would have it, I didn't manage to get a copy until recently. As it turns out, that was probably for the best as this second book in the series is decidedly inferior to the first.

In Claimed by Shadow, we pick up shortly after the events of the previous novel with Cassie on the run from the Vampire Counsel and stoically avoiding taking on the duties of the Pythia (she just wants a normal life after all). In the first book Cassie has spunk...she was a butt-kicking heroine who gave as good as she got...in Claimed by Shadow...not so much. Cassie has devolved to a whiny, confused girl who can't figure out her powers. In the previous book I enjoyed watching her growing skill with prophecy...this time out it seemed like there really wasn't any skill, she spent all her time screaming at various characters about how she didn't know how to use the powers and more importantly that she didn't want them at all. In the end, she who puts up a lot of struggle and energy into NOT becoming the Pythia comes to a lame conclusion...this entire section of the storyline ends poorly (very anti-climatic).

As with the previous book there was an assortment of vampires, mages, witches, fey, shrunken heads, satyrs, ghosts...and what should have been the lovely addition of Dark Fey (this could have been a very interesting addition to this growing world, but in the end...not so much). We were also introduced to incubi (very charming, if a bit over played), gargoyles (I would have liked to see more of them), the Graeae pulling a special guest appearance (very amusing and appreciated), and with Elvis and Hendrix in interesting cameo rolls (I won't spoil it for you...but it was funny)! Even with all of this, this world manages to fall flat in the sequel...it doesn't have that gritty dark urban fantasy feel...it's muddled and confusing and the many plot lines were hard to sort out in the end and I had trouble liking Cassie as the book progressed.

This is billed mainly as a "paranormal romance," and as I said when I started out here, I can take them or leave them and I prefer the paranormal to the romance...for me to really enjoy a book of this type, it needs to be weighted toward the paranormal, which this mostly was. The twist and play up of the sexual tension through the use of a Geis was potentially interesting, but I found that halfway though the book I really wanted to slap Cassie (and/or the author) around because in the end what could have been a nicely played sexual tension with a side of bittersweet lust became one of the most annoying plot devices I think I have had to keep reading about.

Overall...I have to agree with other reviewers, the first book was far superior and the sequel is almost (but not quite) a tired "rehash" of the original. In my opinion this is not a true continuation of the story line, the author spends 374 pages treading over the same territory again and again....I'll certainly try the third in the series when it comes out in 2008 (every series has a book or two that aren't on par with the others), but if there isn't significant improvement that'll be the end of this series for me. I rate it at 3 stars (and feel that is generous), if you like paranormal romance, you'll likely find this amusing and fun...if your like me and prefer the paranormal to the romance...this is likely to fall short of the mark for you. This is definitely one to check out of the library.

Reading over the reviews that have been left, it seems to me that people either get what the author is doing or they don't. Flat out. I'm one of the former, having only just discovered a new series that really works for me. I don't agree with the reviewer that thought this was a paranormal romance, however. I don't read romances because I've never thought they had much of a plot. These books have plot in spades, and while the romance angle is there, it's not the main focus. I also liked the way the plotlines of the two books neatly play off each other. If you enjoyed Touch the Dark, you'll probably enjoy this one, too. I did, and I'm on board for the next.

I loved Touch the Dark, and the ending left me looking forward to reading more about psychic Cassie Palmer's adventures. I was very excited to discover that there was a sequel, and that it picks up a lot of the threads I enjoyed in the first installment and runs with them.

When the book opens, Cassie is trying to get rid of the powers that were thrust upon her at the end of Touch the Dark. She's the new, and very reluctant, pythia, the magical community's head seer. But the power that comes with the office makes her a target for everybody from assassin war mages to vampires to the former leading contender for the role, a seer named Myra. Cassie isn't interested in power-she'd prefer to save her skin. But while she tries to figure out how to decline the position, Myra has come up with a clever plan to remove her competition-permanently.

This book hits every single one of the elements I enjoy in a novel: it has well rounded characters with real personalities, it's dark but has a good deal of humor, too, it has a feisty heroine, a dose of romance and it is never predictable. I read it in one (very long) sitting because I didn't want to put it down! I am eagerly awaiting the third book in the series, Embrace the Night, to be released in April of 2008.

I did not read the first book, but I picked this one up because it looked good. I just did not get into it like I normally do with books of this genre. The main character just seemed whiney to me. I could see no real reason that she wouldn't want to accept her power. Maybe it is explained in the first book. The shifting through time was interesting as well as the Dracula references. Over all I counsider this book ok and I will not read the others in the series.

In book one, Cassie was smart, savvy, and running for her life. In book two she is still running for her life, but she doesn't know what's going on. On the whole, I believe a protagonist with a clue is more fun than one without one. The supporting cast from 'Touch the Dark' is still here, but with switched around loyalties that aren't always well explained. I liked the first volume better, but the second isn't that much worse. 'Claimed By Shadow' gave me the sense the author was trying too hard with her plot, as things become very tangled at the expense of characterization. This could have been wonderful if motivations were shown instead of told in dialogue.

In short, this novel was fast and suspenseful without being great. A nice quick read if you go for vampires and magic. It felt much more like paranormal romance than fantasy.

I loved the first book (Touch the Dark) and anxiously awaited the sequel. I was thrilled to find it was even better! Smart, sexy, funny, intense, like nothing else in the genre. Can't recommend it highly enough for fantasy, mystery or thriller fans.

I'm a huge paranormal romance fan - it's almost the only thing I read these days - so I was excited to think I had found another author to add to my list. Unfortunately, Ms. Chance doesn't make the cut.

This is the first book of hers that I have attempted to read, and I have to say it doesn't motivate me to try again. Frankly, I haven't even finished it. She lost me in the first chapter. I have continued to slog about halfway through the book, but the pacing of the book is frenzied and the characters, while fairly well developed, seem out of control of their own lives. Too much back story is needed from the previous book (which I wasn't aware existed when I purchased this one) to really understand this one.

The feeling I get from this book is that the author is trying too hard. She seems to be attempting to achieve a Harry Dresden style, but is just flat out trying too hard. Too much in too short of a time. She's rushing and I'm not enjoying the ride.

Basically, I've lost any interest in these characters and don't really care what happens. I expect I will eventually finish this book when I don't have another one and am desperate for something to read. I can only hope it suddenly improves.

I loved this book! I've read many fantasy/vampire tales, but none that were as original and just plain fun as this series. I really enjoyed Touch the Dark, which turned out to be unexpectedly substantial (I had initially thought it would be a fairly basic vampire romance book). And this one was equally surprising. Fun, funky, yet strangely meaty, for lack of a better word. There's a solid plot in there amidst all the madness! And I was very surprised by the final denoument. I can't wait for the sequel.

I loved this book! I really like all the neat new fantasy elements Chance presented, the character interaction and the universe. It's all really out there, yet weirdly believable, too. Maybe because the characters seemed so real, even the paranormal ones. Really great stuff.

I liked this book but as I was reading it, it had a different feel from the first book. I thought it was ok but could have been better.

Not at all sastified with the writing of this second part of Cassandra. Truly I felt like blah throughout the whole reading until almost the end. Not as good as the first and Cassandra in this book shied alot from accepting herself and that can and will become infuriating when you wish she would just break down and be what could become a great character. It is a well written read and some parts are interesting but if you read the first you definitely might want to skip the second.

This book has everything that a paranormal romance lover could want! As with the first installment of the series this book has vampires, mages, clairvoyants,ghosts, satyrs and witches. But we have new characters in the creapy Dark Fey,the charming incubi, gargoyles that remind me of gremlins, and the weird sisters from mythology.

Cassie, our heroine, is back at the vampire owned Vegas casino Dante's to try and find the hiding place of Antonio, the master vampire who wants her dead, and more importantly Myra, the other clairvoyant or sybil who wants her job and so therefor wants her dead. At the casino she learns from the incubi that apparently Mercea, extremely powerful vampire and Cassie's near lover, had placed a geis (spell) on her when she was a child so that she would feel love for him and he would be able to protect her. But something has now gone wrong with the geis and she and Mercea are nearly obsessed with each other. Oh and the White Circle of Mages has decided they don't want her as Pythia and are making a power grab, which means their all about to try and kill her. Is their anyone who isn't trying to kill her?

Apparently yes, as help arrives in the unexpected form of Pritkin, the oddly powerful mage who likes to sneer at Cassie.Add to that the the power of Cassie's new role as Pythia( basically the Queen of clairvoyants and an extremely powerful position) wants her to solidify her power base by having sex with someone and things get steamy between these rivals. With help from a ghost, a golemn, a magical tattoo artist, and even a few vampires the two set off on an adventure to Fairy to find Myra- with a sidetrip to save Tomas, her vampire crush/bestfreind who betrayed her!

This was a very good book! Cassie does finally take a lover which I kind of found anti-climactic. She does loose people whom she cares for. Some of the things in my description may make you think this book is going to be too Tolkenesk but trust me this book is main stream cool with surprises. If your an adult who secretly really likes the Harry Potter books but also loves a good romance, you'll definitley want to pick this book up and you won't be disappointed!

This stands alone but I recomend reading Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 1) first. Cassandra is the Pythia who is in charge of policing the time line and preventing massive changes or paradoxes. The plot starts out kind of liner but winds up with some good twists. The characters are well done and compelling. There is quite a bit of sly humor; I liked the finger sandwiches and the illegal aliens. One nicely done errotic scene central to the plot.

Well thought out and consistent overall although the author introduces a lot of different magic and critters she is so far consistent.

I would recommend reading the first book first; otherwise there is a lot to soak up in this book. These books are rich in complexity and imagination; with lots of interesting critters, not just the relatively pro forma vampire/were.

Excellent reads highly recommended!

The first book was very good. She was strong,smart,and street wise. What happen to her in the second book? She became a fraidy cat with a meandering story line that was kinda of boring. I didn't even finish the book because it really wasn't going anywhere. I'll wait and read reviews before I think about buying the third one. Hopefully, Cassie will find herself, but I am gone.

I've read many, many vampire books, but I haven't enjoyed any of them as much as I did Touch the Dark and Claimed by Shadow. Cassandra is tough without being bitchy, smart without being all-knowing, independent, and really just loads of fun. Billy Joe is a great sidekick, the Graeae are hilarious, and I loved the historical figures who kept popping up (like Mircea and Raphael). But my favorite thing about the books is that they are so wonderfully unpredictable. There are plot twists and turns everywhere, and they never ended up the way I thought they would, which I like. I am SO excited to read the next book... April 2008 seems way too far away!

I got hooked after the first book, but like many other authors at the moment I am waiting for the next one! I am reading four different series at the moment and am waiting on all books....but I digress....the book is fast paced and has the hint of romance in the background. It still leaves mystery there so that I am going to have to buy the next one just to see what happens. Would recommend it to everyone!

"Claimed by Shadow" centeres on a young lady with clairvoyant powers, who is half-way to becoming "the" magical time-travel cop -- against her will. Her enemies include vampires and mages who wish either to control her every move or see her dead. Rather than succuming, she chooses to risk it all, and confront her main enemy, the vampire who raised her. She picks up two mage "alies" with their own agenda along the way. Expect time travel, surprises, and complex personalities.

This novel is a wonderful surprise, enjoyable throughout. Developments along the way are fun and entertaining in their own right -- this isn't the sort of book where you can read the last chapter and pretty much have read the whole book. I liked it much better than the first, and it can certainly be read in isolation. There is quite a bit of graphic adult topics (aka lust & sex) that will offend sensitive readers; and this cannot be avoided as it is sprinkled throughout the book.

You can really just see Ms. Chance growing as an author in leaps since the first book. The plotline was engaging and the suspense was so well integrated that I didn't even notice it right away! I couldn't put the book down and am overly antsy for the next one. The character development was commendable and overall it is definitely worth all the praises/blurbs you read about it. Grab this one. It's already on my favorite shelf.

This is the second book about Cassandra Palmer, a clairvoyant raised by vampires. Now she has , through "accidental" events in book 1, become the Pythia, The worlds greatest clairvoyant position.

... woops! This is not something Cassie is fond of however, as the girl who was "supposed" to be the heiress (although she did get discreditet before that, so she really wouldn't have gotten it anyway) keeps trying to kill her by going back to past.....

I love the book, it's fast paced, intruiging and has some interesting turns I didn't see coming.

I await the next installment with the patience of a thrre-year old

CLAIMED BY SHADOW picks up shortly after TOUCH THE DARK as Cassie Palmer is now the reluctant Pythia. Myra, the supposed heir to the Pythia, was rejected by the powers in TOUCH THE DARK but that hasn't stopped her deviousness. After all, if Cassie is killed before the ceremony is completed, the powers of the Pythia will go to someone else. Cassie certainly doesn't want the powers for herself, but she also doesn't want to see these powers in the hands of the wrong person either.

The Senate is also chasing after Cassie and she finds herself teamed up with the war mage, Pritkin. Meanwhile, Cassie's wards are failing and she has a geis on her that is making her separation from the vampire Mircea more difficult by the moment. Who can Cassie trust when it seems there is danger lurking in every direction she turns?

CLAIMED BY SHADOW is one high speed thrill ride! I couldn't stop turning the pages as the story sped along, chock full of exhilirating action coupled with superb characters. Karen Chance takes the series to new heights with her sophomore effort as CLAIMED BY SHADOW keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The various twists and turns of the plotline are fiendishly clever!

Karen Chance has produced some extraordinarily memorable characters. Who can't help but love Mac? The unusual aspects of both his store location and his numerous tattoos make him stand out but it is his steadfastness and heart of gold that make him so beloved. Billy, the ghost, of course returns and Ms. Chance has quite the surprise in store for him.

Karen Chance proves that she is a force to be reckoned with in CLAIMED BY SHADOW. Just one note of caution: this series should most definitely be read in order as the underlying plots continue throughout both books and there are threads still left to be finished even upon the conclusion of CLAIMED BY SHADOW. Don't miss out, however, as CLAIMED BY SHADOW is one book you won't be able to put down!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Claimed by Shadow picks up a little after Touch the Dark and Cassie is in far over her head more than ever. Trouble seems to follow her like the plague since she is destined to be the Pythia. Of course there is still one thing left she has to do before she can gain that power. You'll never guess who "helps" her with that. Then she still has to deal with Myra, who is planning something big to try to take the power of Pythia for herself. Cassie must go through time and find the right time when Myra plans to do the deed (which I don't want to give away). She also has a geis on her that comes from that very vampire, the geis is sort of like a claim on her to tell others to back off. This geis is a problem for her and she tries to find a way to remove it. But Cassie is still on the outs with the Vampire Senate and ends up getting help from an unlikely ally.

I just read both Touch the Dark and Claimed by Shadow twice and probably will read them a third time later. I read them both in two days that was how good I thought they were. I wanted to read more and since the next book isn't out yet I read them again to satisfy my need to get lost in a very good way in a wonderful fantasy world. It isn't the run of the mill type of fantasy world, but really outside the box in a very good way, with a new and refreshing take on vampires, witches, ghosts and so many other things! I am waiting with baited breath for the sequel to Claimed by Shadow to see exactly how Cassie starts to set things right.

At least, that seems to be the consensus among the people I know who really enjoy the paranormals. I'm surprised Roc billed it as a fantasy. To me, "Claimed by Shadow" does not stand up to Chance's first novel.

Success is hard to follow. The singer Joni Mitchell once said, "No one ever told Van Gogh to paint Starry Night again," but that's not necessarily true. When an audience comes to expect a certain style from an artist, they're disappointed when the creator doesn't deliver.

In that vein of thought, a second novel should be very much like the first. Wooddavis' review stating that the novels are running in place is spot on thematically. Both novels have the same plotline with some variation.

The problem is, in my opinion, the second novel was not quite up to the standard of the first. Most writing instructors and editors will advise newbie writers not to use flash-forwards and flash-backs at the beginnings of their careers. While these devices are very useful and evocative, they can often lose the reader. While Cassie's time-shift capability was an interesting new development, Chance did not handle these episodes with the same finesse that author C. E. Murphy uses in her Walker Papers series when Joanne goes vision-questing.

The time-shifting skill is definitely an interesting talent in conjunction with clairovoyance. Aside from the paradoxes Cassie can create, she can also effect her own predictions--nulling and creating new ones as need arises. I'm not sure Chance has sufficiently prepared her girl with the strength and decisiveness to be that dangerous an opponent.

Cassie also seems more indecisive in this story. She's definitely entitled to these emotions, but that indecisiveness doesn't make her as likable as the stronger butt kicking heroines we're used to in fantasy. Also, the episodes of 'what do I do' tend to derail the forward motion of the plot and stall the reader out. These are spots where I as a reader get frustrated and tend to want to just skip. While I read the entirely of "Chained" I'm pretty certain I will skip the third book.

i just finished this book the other day and i have to say, compared to the first book in the series, it was just ok. i'll have to agree with other reviewers that cassandra has become boring and whiny and not able to take care of herself. there were so many times in the book where i wanted to materialize in her world and slap her. she kept just making incredibly wrong decisions, especially towards the end.
i would say, read the book if you liked the first one, because it's not awful. i'd just maybe get it from the library instead of buying it.

It was billed as "Roc Fantasy" and I think that's somewhat of a misnomer. Chance's work falls more into the paranormal romance area. The geas placed on Cassie falls pretty solidly into more a romantic-erotic angle. If you're a fan of the latter Laurell K. Hamilton novels, you'll probably enjoy "Claimed by Shadow."

I'm not going to give a summary either....plenty have already done that, and have done it very well. I'm just going to share my thoughts. If possible I'd give it a 3 ½ stars. It was readable, but I have to agree with some of the others that the story didn't progress as much as I would have liked. I thought the first book, Touched the Dark was great, and I was hopefully that this would be another great series, but now I'm a bit wary. I was very much looking forward to Claimed by Shadow but I think it fell short, and to be honest I'm disappointed. Is it unreadable? No, it was okay. Will I read the 3rd book (I'm assuming there will be one)? Yes. BUT...If the 3rd book falls as short as Claimed by Shadow...I think I'll give up on Karen Chance.

In anticipation of this novel, I re-read the first in the series, Touch The Dark. Fresh, different, original writing style, and a not so subtle hook that insured I'd buy the next book. At the end of that book, Cassie had received a new and unwanted mantle (Pythia), a sexy love interest was left at the altar (so to speak), and she was running from things that go bump in the night.

After finishing Claimed by Shadow, I was a little annoyed to find that I was pretty much in the same fix. Cassie has a new and unwanted power, the sexy love interest is still off limits, she's still running from things that go bump in the night. It may be too soon to judge, and I will read the next book in the series, but I'm sensing a pattern here.

Claimed by Shadow does introduce more fascinating aspects of the world she has created, but her new powers are still unexplained, and likely to remain so for some time. Whipping through history is interesting, but can she do anything else with the title of Pythia? Charging into situations she doesn't understand, with "allies" that have shown themselves to be less than trustworthy in the first book is also interesting, but seriously makes me question her basic common sense. Worse, I no longer know who the good guys and the bad guys are. Except for Tony, everyone seems to have reversed roles. As for the Geis... big sigh, annoying and becoming redundant quickly.

Either I'm losing it (always a very strong possibility), or the author is losing me, I'm not sure which. I'll hang in there for another installment, but if this doesn't start going somewhere soon, I might just as well get on my treadmill for entertainment rather than brave the elements.

This was a great book! I just finished it, and I really think it may be the best fantasy I've ever read. I reread the first one a couple of weeks ago while waiting for this one to come out, and it was very cool to see how well plotted the story is. Things I wondered about in the first book ended up being major plot points in this one. And the twists and turns in the story constantly kept me guessing! I love it when a book can surprise me, and this one totally did. Highly recommended.

As the current heir to the title of Pythia, the world's chief clairvoyant, life has become much more complicated and dangerous for Cassie Palmer. Normally, the Pythias are given years of rigorous training to master the massive power that accompanies the title, not the least of which is the ability to time shift. But Cassie had nothing but raw talent to aid her after the former Pythia decided to make her the new heir (over her vociferous objections). Now she finds herself far more popular than she would like as every preternatural creature from vampires to war mages seeks to kill or control her and the power she wields.

Cassie knows that using power always comes with a price tag and, until she knows the cost, she doesn't dare use hers except as a last resort.
This decision leaves her very vulnerable to attack, however, especially from Myra, the former heir, who believes that she will be reinstated if Cassie is removed. Myra decides that the easiest way to destroy her rival is to take out master vampire Mircea, Cassie's longtime protector. Cassie finds herself being dragged through a series of time jumps in order to go to Mircea's aid, and thereby preserve her own life as well.

Magic in all its many guises moves this dark tale of power, betrayal and painful attraction along at a lightening pace. Most of the characters from the first book make an appearance, along with a number of welcome new additions. It was a pleasure to read about a strong, capable heroine taking charge while attempting to balance right and wrong in the face of nearly impossible odds.

I'm not here to write a summary, read the one provided. This review is meant to defend the book from what others have mentioned. It was claimed basically (I am only paraphrasing) that Cassie is a weak willed, wimpy, good for nothing heroine. I'll come out and say it, she's no Anita Blake (even if you no longer like them, just think of the first 9 or so books), but she's not meant to be. Cassie reacts like a normal person, she doesn't want to be a superhero, and this book allows her to grow into her power somewhat and to begin to accept it. I feel that it is a good follow up to Touch the Dark and look forward to the next in the series.
Before you judge her actions, put yourself in her shoes. If as much power as she has to deal with was dumped into your lap, would you take it in stride? Or would you been sitting in a corner, rocking back and forth, crying for Mommy? Honestly, it's probably somewhere in between the two.
So, for realistic coping with huge powers and great danger, pick up the book.

I loved the first book. It's actually on my keeper shelf. When this book came out I went back to the bookstore, fought for a park and bought this book. I am extremly disappointed with this book. The only character I half way liked was Pritkin. Everyone else took up too much space. Cassie, made so many wrong choices. She refuses to make sensible choices, she refuses to see the big picture and refuses to solve her own problems. I finally put the book down and I refuse to read any more. I don't care about Cassie - in fact I wish Agnes came back possessed Cassie and took over the next book. I hate books that require the heroine to sit back and wait for someone to save her. Learn to use weapon for god's sake. Go to firearms school or learn to use a gun. A lot of people tried to compare this series to early Anita Blake- please!!! She is a wimp, waiting for her wards to finally kill the big bad vampire. She refuses to see how her power could help the fey, witches and others. I refuse to read anymore!!!

I love this series! It keeps getting better, especially now that Cassie is starting to claim her position. I liked her a lot better in this book even than in the first, and I loved the first. She saves the day twice (I won't give details, but two main characters would be dead without her). She also takes on a huge new responsibility, one that will change her entire life, and is understandably nervous about it. She'd be crazy not to be. But when she decides to do it, she really goes for it! She didn't whine or complain, she just got busy. This book filled in a lot of information about things I wondered about in the first book and introduced some great new characters. I loved Pritkin, Billy Joe, Mac, the Graeae-basically everyone in it. I can't wait to see where she goes from here!

In anticipation of this novel, I re-read the first in the series, Touch The Dark. Fresh, different, original writing style, and a not so subtle hook that insured I'd buy the next book. At the end of that book, Cassie had received a new and unwanted mantle (Pythia), a sexy love interest was left at the altar (so to speak), and she was running from things that go bump in the night.

After finishing Claimed by Shadow, I was a little annoyed to find that I was pretty much in the same fix. Cassie has a new and unwanted power, the sexy love interest is still off limits, she's still running from things that go bump in the night. It may be too soon to judge, and I will read the next book in the series, but I'm sensing a pattern here.

Claimed by Shadow does introduce more fascinating aspects of the world she has created, but her new powers are still unexplained, and likely to remain so for some time. Whipping through history is interesting, but can she do anything else with the title of Pythia? Charging into situations she doesn't understand, with "allies" that have shown themselves to be less than trustworthy in the first book is also interesting, but seriously makes me question her basic common sense. Worse, I no longer know who the good guys and the bad guys are. Except for Tony, everyone seems to have reversed roles. As for the Geis... big sigh, annoying and becoming redundant quickly.

Either I'm losing it (always a very strong possibility), or the author is losing me, I'm not sure which. I'll hang in there for another installment, but if this doesn't start going somewhere soon, I might just as well get on my treadmill for entertainment rather than brave the elements.