Brave the Tempest by Karen Chance

 ABOUT THE BOOK 

Cassie Palmer, chief seer of the supernatural world, faces her biggest challenge yet--her own allies! Everything's on the line in the latest thrilling entry in the New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series.

Cassie Palmer has been chief seer of the supernatural world for a little over four months. In that time, she's battled two gods, fallen in love with two men, and confronted the two sides of her own nature, both god and human. So it's not surprising that she currently finds herself facing two adversaries, although they have a single purpose: to wipe out the supernatural community's newest fighting force, leaving it vulnerable to enemies in this world and beyond. 

To prevent catastrophe, the vamps, mages, and demons will have to do the one thing they've never managed before and come together as allies. Cassie has the difficult task of keeping the uneasy coalition intact, and of persuading her own two opposing forces, a powerful mage with a secret and a master vampire with a growing obsession, to fight at her side. She just hopes they can do it without tearing each other apart.

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 REVIEW 

Once you start a Cassie Palmer book, walking away from the story is not an easy thing to do. Every novel in the series proceeds at a breakneck pace, and this one is no exception. Be aware that Brave the Tempest is book nine. All relevant information is summarized when necessary, but it will enhance the adventure if you know these characters. This series is an excellent binge read. Before reading my early copy of Brave the Tempest by Karen Chance, I wish I had time to revisit preceding books.

What I like: Karen Chance combines fantastic wit with pulse-pounding action. These supernaturals stand out. The characters have a unique voice and creative backgrounds that transform typical stereotypes. I relish the twists placed on the urban fantasy genre norms. Cassie Palmer's world is one of the best on the market.

What I don't like:  As an avid series enthusiast, I find that repeated summarization interrupts my flow. That fact is not unique to this book, or even this series, and it is often my biggest complaint in a sequential read by any author. I understand the necessity of it, so I take it in stride. Brave the Tempest was no more bothersome than any of the others I have read. For some, maybe most, I think it will be a great addition. 

Random Spoilery Thoughts.

Cassie has made her opinion well known about how vampires inherently lie and manipulate. Her horrible experience in Tony's Court doesn't give her many reasons to feel differently, but that also makes her biased on the subject. I want to trust Mircea. Doing so is easier for me when reading a Dorina book as opposed to a Cassie book. I don't believe Mircea always does the right thing, especially when it comes to the Pythias, and he is currently making some pretty bold choices. But Cassie declares some critical judgments concerning Mircea, ones I don't regularly accept as truth. Hopefully, I end up more right about Mircea than Cassie before the series is over.  I am, however, pleased with where their partnership is by the end of Brave the Tempest. I really want them to find a solid non-romantic bond. 

Pritkin continues to struggle with his dual-nature.  I understand where he is coming from, but if Pritkin and Cassie learn to harness their power, they will be a formidable force. Pritkin will need convincing. Or most likely, down the line, the necessity will be thrust upon them. Pritkin will have no choice but to trust in himself. I am eager to see how that union transforms them. And I have to give a little yay! Pritkin and Cassie together are oh so satisfying! I eagerly await the next installment in the Cassie Palmer series.