BadAss Week & Giveaway: One Badass War Mage
When the idea of a Male Badass Week was approached, I was all like “Hell Yes!” I mean who doesn’t want the chance to squee and discuss and generally gush over one of their favorite male char… wait! What? ONLY FREAKING ONE?! You have got to be kidding me! They’re like Pringles, nobody has just one.
As the girls have shown this week, not a ONE of them (even Suz – I know you have tons of others woman :p) were able to choose! I myself have tons of badass men I can think of off the top of my head… like Bones from Jeaniene Frost‘s Night Huntress series… Or Curran from Ilona Andrew‘s Kate Daniels…Or Jean-Claude from Laurell K. Hamilton‘s Anita Blake…Or Jericho Barrons from KMM‘s Fever series… Or Eric Northman from Charlaine Harris‘ Sookie Stackhouse series.. Or.. I think you get the idea. Having to choose just one is cruel and unusual punishment – who would I choose?
In the end, I went in a different direction. I went with the one who snuck up on us. The one that when we first met him, we were wondering when the time would come that someone would finally slap some humbleness into him, make him laugh and wipe that frown right off his face and for fucking sakes, help him find a comb! He’s that one, that in the end, turned out to be that badass male that deserves all the rewards that badassery can get you.
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| Pritkin from www.karenchance.com |
Name: (Known as) John Pritkin
Age: Undetermined
Eye Color: Emerald Green
Hair Color: Blond
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 180lbs
(Stats are from Cassie Palmer series)
(From www.karenchance.com)
John Pritkin is from the Cassandra Palmer series. He was a war mage–a member of the supernatural community’s police force–with a specialization in demon killing. But then his bosses sent him on a new mission–to kill the upstart pretender to the Pythia’s throne, one Cassie Palmer. They didn’t want an unknown taking such a powerful position and possibly interfering in their affairs. And they didn’t think a demon-hunting assassin would have a problem with a spot of political murder.
They thought wrong.
Now Pritkin is a former war mage and the Pythia’s new bodyguard. So far, the move has brought him no pay, long hours, constant stress and has almost gotten him killed at least a dozen times. He’s shown here about to embark on a demon hunt to get a little rest.
- maybe because they never seem to match my imagination -
so I had some friends help me out and here’s who they chose:
| David Beckham |
MAJOR shout out to locketlove, Mrs. Leif and Bamafever for finding these delectable shots for me. This pic of David Beckham comes the closes to matching my John Pritkin…
| Tobias Cameroon |
and Tobias Cameroon here is coming dangerously close, but the truth is, not even Cassie sees Pritkin as someone swoon worthy… well that is, until later:
He wasn’t all that good-looking, he had the social skills of a wet cat and the patience of a caffeinated hummingbird. In between crazy stunts and, okay, saving my life, he was just really annoying. When we’d started working together, I’d assumed it would be a question of putting up with Pritkin; then suddenly the stupid hair was making me smile, and the sporadic heroics were making my heart jump and the constant bitching had me wanting to kiss him quiet. And now I cared more than was good for me. – Curse the Dawn pg. 71
There are TONS of fantastic “OMFG WTF” trivia to learn about Pritkin (think somewhere similar to Jericho Barrons) however with Pritkin, we get satisfaction. Information is divulged slowly, to be enjoyed and savored as each piece is unraveled. So needless to say, I have to leave out the juiciest bits about this badass character for spoiler reasons, but I will tell you what I can.
When we first meet Pritkin in Touch the Dark, he’s a downright self-righteous ass with a case of extreme paranoia. As the Silver Circles leading war mage in demon hunting, he’s the man they called on when the shit hit the fan and there couldn’t be a better reason than having an untrained Pythia usurper taking the throne for the Silver Circle to send in the big guns. The first thing Cassie notices when she sees him for the first time isn’t the color of his eyes or his physique, it’s his hair – like an alien entity on it’s very own doing its best to defy gravity – and the fact that he seems to dress for war 24/7 with guns, knives, ammunition, spells and potions – enough to make Rambo jealous – covered by a floor length duster. The man is a veritable armory. My favorite of his weapons are his 5 deadly knives that swarm like a bunch of angry bees. While he’s shooting at one beasty, his knives are slicing and dicing their way through the two that snuck up behind him.
Eventually we learn that we should never judge a book by it’s cover. There’s more to John Pritkin than meets the eye but watching him work would still be something because in all that bronzed; hard muscle is the deadly fluidity of a fighter: all leashed strength and readiness. A skilled sleek deadly predator that smells of gunpowder and magic who has an unhealthy addiction to caffeine.
One of the most fascinating things about this character is the fact that he isn’t the strongest with alpha male syndrome, or the richest or even the sexiest character vying for Cassie’s attention and saving her ass. He’s the guy, while you weren’t watching, crept into your heart. His vulnerability paired with his badass attitude and skills become heart stopping. One minute your happily reading along, waiting for what’s going to happen next to Cassies and then *BAM* John Pritkin is there and your wondering when did that happen? When will he be on page next? What will he do? What will we learn?
Have you had a character sneak his way into your heart?
hadn't heard of this book either but wow the eye candy :)
Okay I'm thoroughly intrigued I'm going to have to check this series out!
Kittn- I had to stop my day when I saw your link on FB.
Where do I start? I love Curran, love Bones, love Eric(that is where my handle comes from after all) But John Pritkin has stole my heart.
Those beautiful electric green eyes and that hair that I wish I could touch. The war mage (plus something else) is my top bad ass. Karen Chance makes you want to slap him in the first book, then he becomes Cassie's bodyguard. Later, he learns to respect her and treats her like an equal and by Hunt the Moon you adore him and want him as the HEA. He is always armed and ready for a fight. Yes, I am definitely in love with this war Mage. I agree with you – I usually don't attach an actor or famous guy to a certain character, because they are always better in my imagination, but some of the ones we found were good for Pritkin, specially DB's Locketlove pic
@BLHmistress I am a maven of the eyecandy! There is never too much!
@Miranda I hope you enjoy it! If you enter our Badass Giveaway; there's a chance to win the latest Cassie Palmer "Hunt the Moon"
@Mrs Leif And you weren't even going to keep reading them! I'm so glad you caved, but remember – PRITKINS MINE! I thought I told you: MINE. :P
Well you know I got upset after her mistake in book two. In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman- "Huge Mistake". Luckily I had friends like Locket, Beach Kimba, Bama and you to tell me to keep reading….
I started this series and haven't gotten around to book 2 yet. Looking forward to continuing though!
@Mrs.Leif I was right there with you! How could she? After what he did, she should of shot him. LOL
@Lisa Continue reading! They get sooo much better and the fifth in the series just dropped last Tuesday.
Lisa- don't stop after book 2 (I did for 2 yrs) I was mad at Cassie) Keep reading.
@Kittn- Pritkin is mine
Pritkin!!!!!!!!! Yummo!
I'm new to this series but I'm already finding myself drawn to the mysterious mage.
Now I seriously have. to. read.
Thanks Kitt!
@Noa you *seriously* need to read asap so you can do the series review with me!
@Mrs. Leif watch it! I'm a dirty fighter.
Kitt you make a persuasive argument. I know you have told me to read these books before, but I never listen well sometimes…. Oh okay I can be taught. Think I’ll pick these up. Next time just beat me upside the head with the book, might work faster. Thanks!
Great post and agree with you, kitt! I was a Mircea girl (and I still like him) until this last book. Now, I want more Pritkin! Love the war mage with the crazy hair!
The DB pic is closest to my Pritkin too. :)
This is so well written it could make me rethink my Mircea position….naaaaaaaa.
hahahaha Well done! Much enjoyed.
I haven't read any books in this series, so this is definitely added incentive to pick them up! Great post Kitt!
@stina about freaking time! Lol
@locketlove he just pushes his way doesn't he?
@Suz :p the fabulous thing about these two men is that it IS difficult to choose between the two, it's all about preference. Mircea still has a special place in my heart, but I just love Pritkin more.
@Day one of my most favorite series for UF, in the top 5.
I enjoyed BadAss Week very much. There's an actor I think would fit in y'alls photo pics very well – Yannick Bisson who starred in the Murdoch Mysteries series. Thos not a BadAss, loved that character!
Yummy! I would say Dimitri from the Vampire Academy series definitely found his way into my heart.
Another series that is new to me! Wow, this week is full of unexpected goodies. If the characters are as badass as you all describe I think I have found a new obsession! Thank you
The Cassie Palmer series has been on my TBR list for quite sometime, but every time I've been into the bookstore I keep forgetting to pick up the first book *sigh* However, after this post I will definitely have make sure that the next time I get to do a big book shopping spree I have it at the top of my list!
Love how everyone seems to be choosing David Beckham as who could play the character or who the character brings to mind.
This character seems like another good one. I'm going to have to find this series at my local library after I finish the two books I just picked up.
Wow, I had never considered David Beckham hot before but that pic makes an excellent Pritkin!
And for those of you who haven't read the series – DO IT! You will not be dissapointed :D
This is one of my favorite series, thanks for highlighting one of the funniest and creative characters in the books!!
I had totally forgotten about him. He seems to sneak in and out of my memory… And now I have to read the books again ^^
I love Pritkin! He is much better for Cassie than Mircea!
Curran of the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews was sneaky that way… sneaked into my heart and before I knew it, he is lodged there firmly… but he is a main protagonist… Pritkin… is just sneaky all on his own league…. :)
Oh yeah…..another badass to love! Going to B&N; online now.
Wait! I hope you all realize I've spent a chunk of change with B&N; online this week as I've discovered new hot men to drool over.
*thinks to self….Gotta hide the bill when it gets here*
I love Pritkin! The Cassie Palmer series by Karen Chance is one of my favorite series of all time. I can't think of a better war mage.
Too many characters to name have a place in my heart & the books sit proudly on my keeper shelf. Love the pictures.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This was probably my favorite so far!!! Seriously….hot post.
I see about Cassandra Palmer series at my friend's blog (Their blog is Under The Cover blog), and they have fantasy cast for this series! They choose a hot guy for Mircea and John Pritkin. While I find Mircea is sexy, I always intrigued with Pritkin. Read this post, increased it, and yeah, I want to know how bad-ass Pritkin can be.
Thanks for this wonderful post, it's a great way to attract new readers (like me) to read this ons ;)
I am right there with you! Pritkin kind of snuck up on me. In Touch the Dark he was downright annoying, but as time progressed you just start liking him more and more.
I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read it, but there are a couple of scenese between Cassie and a "sort of Pritkin" that started to change my mind.
lol pringles…so true :) I am so excited because I just got the first two books in this series and am going to have to get sarted on them asap!!!