If Touch the Dark was your chaotic magical intro to the Cassandra Palmer series, Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance kicks everything up several notches. This sequel throws Cassie deeper into supernatural politics, adds more heat and heartbreak, and pushes her further into the role of reluctant Pythia, whether she’s ready or not.

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What is Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance all about?

In Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance, Cassie Palmer has inherited powerful time-bending abilities and the title of Pythia, but she’d really rather not. Unfortunately, the supernatural world doesn’t care. Now caught between factions of vamps, fey, and mages, Cassie’s every move is scrutinized, especially by one master vampire who’s magically bound her to him.

Cassie Palmer just can’t get a break. A week after the events in Touch the Dark and Cassie is on the run from both the vampire Senate and the mages Silver Circle, both either wanting to use her or kill her. But that isn’t when where her problems end they just keep on piling up; Myra the crazy sybil and Pythia-wannabe is still trying to kill Cassie and has found a new way to do it, removing Mircea’s protection by killing him; she can’t trust her unlikely ally the tenacious and slightly crazy war mage Pritkin and then there is the geis, the part protection spell and part love/devotion/loyalty spell that seems to have seriously backfired.

Now that I have gotten used to this world and everything in it I have found that I enjoyed this book more then the first one. Like the first one Cassie bounces from life threatening situation to near death experience making this once again a fast paced and exciting read; you are never likely to get bored reading these books as so much is happening! In this book we enter Faery, travel to the 1880’s three times, wreck a brothel and a casino, bust out of jail and fly away in a tatto parlour, just to mention a few of the interesting things that happen in this book!

I love reading from Cassie’s POV, I know first person isn’t most peoples favourite POV but I find I like seeing the action and discovering new things from Cassie’s eyes. Once again she was a great character tough and practical but not that over-the-top-i-have-a-hidden-penis kind that some UF heroines can sometimes get, she also is compassionate and vulnrable in a world where she is almost always the weakest person in the room.

Then there is Pritkin and Mircea, I know she is going to pair up with one of these characters, but I can’t decide which one I prefer, I think I sway slightly to the mysterious war mage Pritkin, but then Mircea shows his gorgeous face and all bets are off. I guess I will have to read on!

Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance doubles down on the fast-paced, high-stakes energy of the first book while deepening the emotional pull between Cassie and her vampire entanglement. With spells, chases, and unexpected plot twists, this book makes it clear the Cassandra Palmer series is only getting wilder from here.

Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance Book Review

Here are a few words of wisdom about the laments of being a ghost from my favourite spook Billy Joe:

There was once a ghost named Billy who got in a jam rather silly. He found a beautiful lass, and quick made a pass. Forgetting he only had mist for a willy.

About the Cassandra Palmer Series by Karen Chance

The Cassandra Palmer series blends urban fantasy, supernatural politics, and messy magical powers into one high-energy ride. With time travel, seductive vampires, and a heroine constantly in over her head, this series is perfect for fans of Fever, Kate Daniels, or Anita Blake, but with more timeline chaos.

FAQ: Should I read Claimed by Shadow in order?

Yes—you should definitely start with Touch the Dark by Karen Chance. Each book in the Cassandra Palmer series builds directly on the one before it. Thanks to the time travel elements, the full series spans a short window of in-universe time, so reading out of order will leave you lost in the magical mayhem.

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