Chase the Dark

Steel & Stone, Book 1

De: Annette Marie

Narrado por: Melissa Moran, Tim Paige

Piper Griffiths wants one thing in life: to become a Consul, a keeper of the peace between humans and daemons. There are three obstacles in her way.

The first is Lyre. Incubus. Hotter than hell and with a wicked streak to match. His greatest mission in life is to annoy the crap out of her, but he isn't as harmless as he seems. The second is Ash. Draconian. Powerful. Dangerous. He knows too much and reveals nothing. Also, disturbingly attractive—and scary. Did she mention scary?

The third is the Sahar Stone. Top secret magical weapon of mass destruction. Previously hidden in her Consulate until thieves broke in, went on a murder spree, and disappeared with the weapon.

And they left Piper to take the fall for their crimes.

Now she's on the run, her dreams of becoming a Consul shattered, and every daemon in the city gunning to kill her. She's dead on her own, but there's no one she can trust—no one except two entirely untrustworthy daemons. See problems one and two.

©2024 Annette Marie (P)2024 Tantor Media

Can’t wait for book two!

This story dragged me in and wouldn’t let go. Interesting characters and slow burn romance. Loved it!

A New Take

As someone who could probably recite Chase the Dark in my sleep (with dramatic flair, thank you very much), diving into this newly narrated version was like visiting an old haunt that’s been redecorated—familiar but surprising in all the right ways.

First off: yes, there are some differences in pronunciation and tone—some characters sound a little different, maybe sassier, maybe more broody, depending on the chapter. It took a few scenes to settle in, especially if your brain is hardwired to the OG cadence, but once you vibe with the new flow, it works. The narration is solid, well-paced, and the inclusion of the other POV adds depth that feels fresh rather than forced. It’s like getting bonus content baked right into the cake, rather than as a separate dessert later (looking at you, companion novels).

Some scenes hit differently—reframed dialogue, subtle tweaks to dynamics—which I appreciated more than I expected. It’s not a total overhaul, more like a thoughtful remix for longtime fans who know where all the emotional landmines are buried. If you’re new to the series, you might not notice, but if you’ve listened to the original release more times than you’d admit in polite company, you’ll catch them.

While I quite enjoyed this version, I’ll admit the original still owns a comfy, nostalgic corner of my soul. Time will tell which becomes my favorite, but it’s a win either way. This version doesn’t erase the old; it enhances the world in a new light.

Looking ahead, I’m very hyped for the upcoming book that ties both series together. That said, I’m perfectly happy to wait if it means we get the quality storytelling Annette Marie always delivers. Rushed endings are like undercooked brownies—nobody wants that.