Chasing the Darkness

Written by Cassie Sanchez

Narrated by Dryw McArthur

Pain is inescapable. Suffering is a choice.
Azrael, the Angel of Death, knows pain. The deaths of his mother and sister, as well as his harsh experiences in the Watch Guard at age twelve, have brutally shaped him into the most feared assassin in all of Pandaren.
Azrael's role as a Hunter requires him to search for those with magic, called Spectrals, which he is happy to do. Hunting allows him to pursue his true goal--exacting revenge on the Fire Spectral who altered the course of his life.
Azrael's obsession with revenge and power leads him to undergo an experimental procedure that gives him magic, but when this procedure has unexpected and dangerous side effects, he becomes a liability to the Hunters and the Watch Guard.
Rescued by the people he has sworn to eliminate, Azrael finds himself questioning everything he once believed as years of secrets and lies are exposed. His very nature is challenged as he battles unfamiliar emotions and navigates relationships that contradict the heart of a killer.
Can the Angel of Death have a conscience? Can Azrael?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author's Republic
• Release date: Aug 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781950144716

Cassie Sanchez

Cassie Sanchez grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, graduating from the University of New Mexico with a degree in marketing. As an avid learner she studied the craft of writing by attending classes in person and online, joining Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and reading many books on the trade. She’s a member of SouthWest Writers and SFF Chronicles. Her passions in life are her faith and family, and now writing—creating worlds where magic awaits. Cassie enjoys golfing with her husband, coffee, and pestering her two adult children.

Reviews for Chasing the Darkness

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely love this book. Instantly, I was drawn into this fantasy world that Cassie built. The story starts 0ut with just the right amount of backstory to allow readers to understand Azrael's mission and what he is up against. Which you know is going to be a wild journey as the Angel of Death has a conscience. Cassie really infuses life and dimension to all of her characters. I was fully invested in everyone and how they interacted with each other. It was like there was a movie playing in my head as I was reading this book. My other favorites besides Azrael are brother and sister, Kord and Kenz. They help Azrael. As another reader mentioned, it is hard to believe that this is Cassie's debut novel. It reads like her fifth book; thus it is no surprise this book is a finalist in the 2021 American Fiction Awards for Fantasy. Chasing the Darkness is not to be missed as Cassie takes readers on a journey that they will not soon forget with engaging characters!

[lilyroseshadowlyn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an addicting story! The 'hero' is an assassin known as The Angel of Death, the world is well-developed, and all the characters are memorable. The pacing was smooth and quick enough for things to never get dull, but not so fast that you can't keep track of what's going on. I loved all the twists involved, but my favorite part of the book was Azrael’s journey. From cold-hearted assassin to finding out what drives him was based on lies, and trying to figure out his new place in the world when everything changes. A brilliant and unique fantasy read.