Chase The Dark is the first book in Annette Marie’s Steel & Stone series. Piper dreams of being a Consul, someone who maintains peace between humans and daemons. But when a top-secret weapon vanishes from the Consulate and she’s blamed for it, her aspirations are ruined. Now, with every daemon in the city after her, she has to team up with two unreliable allies: a bothersome incubus named Lyre and a menacing Draconian named Ash. The advice is: Trust no one. Except, maybe, the people you absolutely shouldn’t.
Why I Picked Up Chase The Dark
I generally avoid Young Adult fiction, but this book caught my attention with its interesting plot. I decided to give it a try, thinking that stepping out of my usual reading habits might be worthwhile.
What I Liked
The interactions between the main characters were great. Their relationships felt real, and it was satisfying to see them develop over the course of the story. The growth wasn’t rushed; it happened naturally as the plot unfolded. Although Piper sometimes acted in ways I didn’t fully understand, I still enjoyed this first book in the series because it delivered on what I look for in a story.
The world was built up gradually throughout the book. It didn’t feel like an overwhelming download of information or forced explanations. Instead, I learned about the setting as the characters did, which made the experience more engaging.
What Could Have Been Better
As the main character, Piper often came across as too naive, unreasonably stubborn, and impulsive without good reasons. These choices didn’t always make sense for someone in her situation. While flawed characters can be compelling, these instances sometimes took me out of the story.
Overall
Even though Piper’s actions were frustrating at times, Chase The Dark kept me hooked. The strong character chemistry and the slow, steady development of the world were more significant than the issues with pacing and the main character’s decision-making.
Who This is For
- Readers who like fantasy stories focused on characters.
- Fans of worldbuilding that unfolds gradually.
- Those who can look past some common YA elements for the sake of strong character dynamics, or those who actually enjoy those elements.
💬 Have you read Chase The Dark? Are you a fan of Young Adult books?