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kathydavie's review
4.0
A free short story, 0.5, in the Cassandra Palmer urban fantasy series. This one involves Kit Marlowe when he's still a young vampire and he's working for the Queen in Elizabethan England.
Download it for free (so far) at Karen Chance's website.
My Take
This one is a blip in the early life of Kit Marlowe (as vampire) when he's spying for the Queen and/or mistresses. It doesn't say which queen, so I'm assuming from the text that Chance means Queen Elizabeth.
It's interesting that the Silver Circle seems to be all men while the witches appear to be all women. With the men doing their best to beat all the women into submission. Well, at least their gender is consistent as violence and subjugation is the only route men---in general---understand.
I'd love to know more of Gillian's story!
The Story
Captured. And it doesn't seem as if any kind of future is possible. But Gillian is determined to fight. For herself and for her young daughter. She'll do whatever it takes to flee this place with Elinor.
Marlowe, on the other hand, desperately needs a witch to aid him with his mission. A witch who intends to meet a representative of the Black Circle. And who can blame her really, after what the Silver has done to the English covens!
The Characters
Gillian Urswick is one of a number of witches imprisoned by the Silver Circle. Elinor is her seven-year-old daughter. Winnie is a dwarf and a witch.
Kit Marlowe is a vampire sent on a secret mission regarding the Black Circle.
The Cover and Title
The cover's background looks like a medieval great hall in gray with a tiled floor, gothic widnows, and an upper railing with wood moldings. The red-haired Gillian is dressed for the time period in a square-necked gown with ground-sweeping sleeves, her arms stretched to her sides in supplication with her head raised toward the ceiling.
The title refers to the "battle" through which a Mother must prove herself to her coven.
Download it for free (so far) at Karen Chance's website.
My Take
This one is a blip in the early life of Kit Marlowe (as vampire) when he's spying for the Queen and/or mistresses. It doesn't say which queen, so I'm assuming from the text that Chance means Queen Elizabeth.
It's interesting that the Silver Circle seems to be all men while the witches appear to be all women. With the men doing their best to beat all the women into submission. Well, at least their gender is consistent as violence and subjugation is the only route men---in general---understand.
I'd love to know more of Gillian's story!
The Story
Captured. And it doesn't seem as if any kind of future is possible. But Gillian is determined to fight. For herself and for her young daughter. She'll do whatever it takes to flee this place with Elinor.
Marlowe, on the other hand, desperately needs a witch to aid him with his mission. A witch who intends to meet a representative of the Black Circle. And who can blame her really, after what the Silver has done to the English covens!
The Characters
Gillian Urswick is one of a number of witches imprisoned by the Silver Circle. Elinor is her seven-year-old daughter. Winnie is a dwarf and a witch.
Kit Marlowe is a vampire sent on a secret mission regarding the Black Circle.
The Cover and Title
The cover's background looks like a medieval great hall in gray with a tiled floor, gothic widnows, and an upper railing with wood moldings. The red-haired Gillian is dressed for the time period in a square-necked gown with ground-sweeping sleeves, her arms stretched to her sides in supplication with her head raised toward the ceiling.
The title refers to the "battle" through which a Mother must prove herself to her coven.
cplumma3's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ckjaer88's review
3.0
This could easily have been a full novel - which I actually wish it was. Even though it wasn't as enticing as the Cassie novels, it would have been great to get a better feel of the characters, which I think are great btw. I know KC has a lot going on with both Cassie, Dory and all the shorts, but I really do hope she gets time to write a full Kit Marlowe novel. And if not - then many many many more shorts!
lynseyisreading's review
3.0
The Gauntlet.
The Gauntlet introduces us to a witch named Gillian who is currently in gaol awaiting execution. In steps a familiar (to us, anyway) curly-haired, be-goateed vampire with an offer she would really like to refuse. Madness and mayhem naturally ensues, along with some nice background information on the formation of the Silver Circle in the British Isles. I know it was in the The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 originally, but it's not really a romantic story at all. It's more like one big action scene full of spells, magic and....chickens.
All in all, it was a fun read, but nothing to write home about and not necessary to read for the Cassandra Palmer series to make sense.
3 Stars ★★★
This book is free either on the author's website or Smashwords.
The Gauntlet introduces us to a witch named Gillian who is currently in gaol awaiting execution. In steps a familiar (to us, anyway) curly-haired, be-goateed vampire with an offer she would really like to refuse. Madness and mayhem naturally ensues, along with some nice background information on the formation of the Silver Circle in the British Isles. I know it was in the The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 originally, but it's not really a romantic story at all. It's more like one big action scene full of spells, magic and....chickens.
All in all, it was a fun read, but nothing to write home about and not necessary to read for the Cassandra Palmer series to make sense.
3 Stars ★★★
This book is free either on the author's website or Smashwords.
mousie_books's review
3.0
Cute 😊 Kit Marlowe meets the coven witch, Gillian Urswick, and they escape from the clutches of the Silver Circle.
reading_cat's review
4.0
I didn't know exactly whT to expect, but, wow, I really enjoyed this short story! Oh, I had forgotten how much I like the Cassandra Palmer series! Definitely going to start the second prequel soon!