The Day of the Dead

by Karen Chance

[Quirky Cat]

The Day of the Dead is yet another short filling out the world of Cassandra Palmer. Written by Karen Chance, you just know that this piece is going to be full of action and memorable characters.
This particular short story focuses on Tomas – remember him? The first vampire we got to know in Cassie's story, and one who has been notably absent for several novels now. Well, here we finally get to see what on hear he has been up to ever since he was forced to leave.
This novella fits in after the events that occur during Embrace the Night. Though really, you can read this story at any point, since his plot is so far away from the major events in Cassie's life and series.
After being forced to flee to Faerie, it would seem that Tomas has decided to take fate – and revenge – into his own hands. Not content to just sit on the sidelines, Tomas has instead decided to go after the big bad in his life: Alejandro.
Alejandro is a master vampire, and he gives all other masters a bad name. He's vile and malicious and absolutely adores to play with his food. So I don't blame Tomas one bit for wanting to get revenge on this guy. However, there's little chance that Tomas can do the deed on his own. That's where his new and unexpected team comes in handy.

“He'd had three masters in his life, but had never been master himself. The idea of being free was like an old photograph now, faded and dog-eared, and Tomas didn't think he could even see his face in it anymore. All he wanted now was to end this.”

I had honestly forgotten how much I adore Tomas, and thus how much I missed him. I'm so glad that I was encouraged to read this short story (thanks to the Karen Chance street team, love them!), because I really needed this.
Day of the Dead basically functions as a standalone piece, for now. And it answered all of my questions about what Tomas has been up to since we last saw him. And it turns out he hasn't been relaxing it up in Faerie. What a shock.
I adored the atmosphere in this novella. Setting it during the Day of the Dead, and then turning it into something more sinister and personal was an interesting choice, but one that absolutely paid off. It set the tone for Tomas' vendetta and everything else that followed.
The new character introduced, Jinx, is perhaps one of my favorite characters yet. Or more accurately, I adore her ability. It's not something I've seen before, and I'm finding myself a little bit desperate to see more of it. I really do hope that these two somehow find themselves involved in the main plot at some point...
It was so much fun getting to see a different side of the Chancerverse (as the fans call it). And it was also a good reminder for how awful the Silver Circle can make daily life for those magically inclined that the Circle does not approve of.

For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks