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The Gauntlet

Cassandra Palmer
by Karen Chance
The Gauntlet (Cassandra Palmer) by Karen Chance
not yet rated

A short story.

The Gauntlet is a Kit Marlowe short from The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 and a companion piece to The Queen's Witch.

The story is available for free on Karen Chance's website.

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Your Rating
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Standard Shelves
Updated 05/05/2025
Category: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Ghosts
Release date: October 2010

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Karen Chance

Karen Chance

Karen Chance has a rare gift for blending the supernatural with high-stakes action, creating worlds where magic pulses just beneath the surface and danger lurks in every shadow. Known for her Cassandra Palmer series and the Dory Basarab spin-offs, Chance has built a loyal following of readers who crave fast-paced urban fantasy with sharp characters, compelling plots, and an ever-present sense of intrigue.

Born with a fascination for the mystical and the unknown, Chance’s early love for fantasy and history shaped the worlds she would go on to create. From the very beginning, she was determined to write stories that felt both thrilling and deeply emotional, where characters weren’t just facing external challenges but battling their own inner demons as well. Her writing is marked by a distinctive blend of suspense, wit, and adventure that keeps readers hooked, page after page.

Read more ...

Chance’s Cassandra Palmer series is a cornerstone of the urban fantasy genre, weaving together elements of mythology, magic, and paranormal politics into a compelling narrative about a young woman struggling to accept her extraordinary powers while navigating a dangerous supernatural world. Through Cassandra’s journey, readers encounter not only vampires, warlocks, and gods but also a complex exploration of power, identity, and survival.

One of Chance's trademarks is her ability to create complex, nuanced characters who are far from perfect but entirely relatable. Her heroines are strong yet vulnerable, their growth mirrored by the magical and often violent worlds they inhabit. The pacing of her books reflects the breakneck pace of her characters’ lives—full of danger, twists, and emotional highs and lows that never let up.

Her writing doesn’t just stay within the lines of urban fantasy; it also plays with the boundaries between different genres, often blending elements of romance, mystery, and suspense into her plots. This makes her books not only perfect for fans of supernatural thrillers but also for those who crave a deep emotional connection with the characters they encounter.

Chance’s books are often recognized for their intricate world-building, rich mythology, and the layered dynamics between her characters, but it’s her ability to balance tension and humor that truly sets her apart. She writes with an understanding of the human condition that shines through, even in the most fantastical scenarios.

Through her work, Chance has carved out a niche for herself as a writer who isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of fantasy, tackling complex themes like destiny, free will, and the true cost of power, all while delivering a thrilling, action-packed narrative. Whether you’re lost in the pages of her books or eagerly awaiting the next installment, Karen Chance’s stories invite you to step into a world where the impossible feels just within reach—and where the next twist could change everything.

Photo: Karen Chance

Cassandra Palmer

In a world where magic is as dangerous as it is powerful, Cassandra Palmer is no stranger to the chaos that comes with it. Gifted with a rare and volatile ability—clairvoyance—she's spent her life running from forces that want to control or destroy her. But everything changes when she is thrust into the role of Pythia, the chief seer of the supernatural world, a position that brings with it unimaginable power and even greater peril.

Read more ...

Set in a world brimming with ancient magic, vampires, gods, and secrets older than time itself, the Cassandra Palmer series is a fast-paced urban fantasy that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. From dark, smoky alleys to hidden realms of magic, every corner of this world holds mysteries that will leave you breathless. As Cassie struggles with her newfound responsibilities, the line between friend and foe blurs, and the enemies she faces are often more complicated than they first appear.

What sets this series apart is its unrelenting pace and its unapologetically complex characters. Cassie is no perfect hero—she’s flawed, uncertain, and constantly battling the forces that want to manipulate her power. And yet, her resilience, determination, and wit make her someone readers root for, even when she’s at her lowest. Alongside her, a cast of intriguing characters—including immortal vampires, charming rogues, and unpredictable allies—make each twist and turn of the story unpredictable and rewarding.

At the heart of the Cassandra Palmer series is an intricate world that blends the supernatural with rich political intrigue. From the politics of vampire courts to the dangerous covenants between gods, Karen Chance crafts a universe that is as complex as it is fascinating. The stakes are always high, and with every book, the world deepens, revealing more layers of magic, mythology, and the consequences of wielding power.

Whether you're drawn to the suspense of urban fantasy, the complex magic systems, or the characters who feel as real as they are mythical, Cassandra Palmer offers a gripping journey that will keep you coming back for more. The world is vast, the mysteries are endless, and Cassie’s fight for survival has only just begun. Step into a world where nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and the truth is a luxury few can afford.


Cassandra Palmer consists of fourteen primary books, and includes ten additional books that complement the series but are not considered mandatory reads — series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Main series Cassandra Palmer Universe

Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer #1)
  ★ 7.62 / 8
Claimed By Shadow (Cassandra Palmer #2)
  ★ 8.34 / 6
Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer #3)
  ★ 8.26 / 4
Curse the Dawn (Cassandra Palmer #4)
  ★ 9.34 / 3
Hunt the Moon (Cassandra Palmer #5)
  ★ 6.00 / 3
Tempt the Stars (Cassandra Palmer #6)
  ★ 4.66 / 3
Reap the Wind (Cassandra Palmer #7)
  ★ 5.00 / 1
Ride the Storm (Cassandra Palmer #8)
  ★ 5.00 / 1
Brave the Tempest (Cassandra Palmer #9)
not yet rated
Shatter the Earth (Cassandra Palmer #10)
  ★ 9.00 / 1
Ignite the Fire: Incendiary (Cassandra Palmer #11)
  ★ 7.00 / 2
Ignite the Fire: Inferno (Cassandra Palmer #12)
not yet rated
Hijack the Seas: Seismic (Cassandra Palmer #13)
  ★ 10.00 / 3
Hijack the Seas: Tsunami (Cassandra Palmer #14)
  ⧗ 8.00 / 1
Cassandra Palmer Book 15 (Cassandra Palmer #15)
  ⧗ 8.00 / 1
The Day of the Dead (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated
The Queen's Witch (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated
The Gauntlet (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated
A Family Affair (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated
The House at Cobb End (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated
Shadowland (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated
Masks (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated
Updating Pritkin (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated
Black Friday (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated
Skin Deep (Cassandra Palmer)
not yet rated


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