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breezy610's review against another edition
Good fantasy novel and some nice action in some parts. but it was kind of dry. You kind of have to fight to turn the pages in these one. I wish she would come out with a guide to this world she created, so you could understand it a bit better.
arisofia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
First in the Chronicles of Elantra fantasy series. It's thirteen years since events in "Cast in Moonlight", and Kaylin has been a Hawk for a few years in the city of Elantra.
My Take
This really is good. I'd love it even more if Sagara would be a bit more clear as to who is doing what to whom for what purpose. It is at least a tiny bit more clear than the prequel, "Cast in Moonlight", and does leave us with more of a sense of ending this particular adventure. Although, Sagara is wicked with leaving hints for the future. It's creepy, fascinating, intriguing, and I can't wait to get my hands on Cast in Courtlight to find out what happens next!
There is so much that occurs within this story...I'm feeling breathless just thinking about it! Sagara provides us with a backstory on Kaylin as well as Severn, and she doesn't hesitate to create yet more drama and tension for future installments. Nicely done.
Arghh, Sagara is making me crazy, teasing with the bits and pieces she's dribbling out about the markings on Kaylin! She gives a little and teases more. It's going to be a long, slow road to finally learn everything I need to know!
I like Kaylin. She does her best to do right by everyone. She's willing, for the most part, to be polite, but she definitely forges her own path in some very trying circumstances.
The Story
It's a flashback to the horror of her childhood. Children being marked. Killed horrifically. Worse, Severn is back. He's a traitor. A murderer and the Hawklord is forcing her to partner up with him to investigate this fresh spate of murders that bring it all back.
The Characters
Private Kaylin Neya, the former Elianne, was adopted by the Hawks some thirteen years ago, when she was thirteen. Her abilities are still kept secret to keep her safe. That side job of hers could see her dead.
The Hawks include:
Iron Jaw, more formally known as Sergeant Marcus Kassan, a Leontine Hawk. Tanner and Clint are Aerians (Kaylin loves touching Clint's forbidden wings); Sesti is Clint's wife and they've just had a baby. Tain and Teela are Barrani. Red---never call him Reginald---is their medical examiner. Moran, an Aerian, is one of the Hawks' medics.
Corporal Severn Handred has transferred to the Hawks from the Shadow Wolves, and it's only the Hawklord's disapproval that keeps Kaylin from killing him. Steffi and Jade were part of their family.
Lord Tiamaris will be their third partner in this investigation in the fiefs. A dragonshifter with high-level magic and access. A powerful being with whom Sergeant Kassan has issues. Lords Diarmat, Emmerian, and Sanabalis are all Dragons. Maukron the Black is the only outcaste Dragon. Ybelline is Tha'alani, but one that Kaylin could be comfortable with. But she is the emperor's.
Marrin is Leontine and she runs the human orphanage in Elantra. Catti is one of her young charges and desperately ill. Dock is another. Amos is the foundling home's guard.
Callantine is one of the powerful pompous, and arrogant Imperial mages who shows up for the autopsy. Burlan Oaks runs a tavern that Severn frequents. Lord Evarrim, an Arcanist, is a Barrani lord who takes an undue and threatening interest in Kaylin.
Lord Nightshade is an outcaste Barrani fieflord who has lent his name to his fief. Where Severn and Kaylani once lived. Brecht is a drunk and a pub owner, used to catch the Hawks' attention.
There are three peacekeeping forces and three Lords of Law: the Lord of Hawks, Lord Grammayre, the Hawklord, heads up the Hawks which are the city's eyes and ears; the Lord of Swords and his men are the peacekeepers; and, the Lord of Wolves and his people are its hunters and killers. Think of the Aerians as birdmen, not shifters. Barrani are the upper class in this society. Vicious, cruel and seem to have the appearance of what I would consider Fey. The Leontine are lion shifters. Tha'alani, a.k.a., Truthseekers, are mind readers. Their touch is NOT delicate. Arcanists are mages who work independently of the Dragon Emperor.
Fieflords are independent rulers of large neighborhoods outside the city proper. Theft and murder is a way of life in the fiefs.
The Cover
It's a cold turquoise cover with a bricked floor under roomy arches forming a tunnel into the light, an entire city built atop it. It's a serious Kaylin all dressed in black with her tattooed arms (kind of looks like brown and turquoise plaid sleeves).
I suspect the title refers to Kaylin's past, Cast in Shadow, with her interpretation of events.
My Take
This really is good. I'd love it even more if Sagara would be a bit more clear as to who is doing what to whom for what purpose. It is at least a tiny bit more clear than the prequel, "Cast in Moonlight", and does leave us with more of a sense of ending this particular adventure. Although, Sagara is wicked with leaving hints for the future. It's creepy, fascinating, intriguing, and I can't wait to get my hands on Cast in Courtlight to find out what happens next!
There is so much that occurs within this story...I'm feeling breathless just thinking about it! Sagara provides us with a backstory on Kaylin as well as Severn, and she doesn't hesitate to create yet more drama and tension for future installments. Nicely done.
Arghh, Sagara is making me crazy, teasing with the bits and pieces she's dribbling out about the markings on Kaylin! She gives a little and teases more. It's going to be a long, slow road to finally learn everything I need to know!
I like Kaylin. She does her best to do right by everyone. She's willing, for the most part, to be polite, but she definitely forges her own path in some very trying circumstances.
The Story
It's a flashback to the horror of her childhood. Children being marked. Killed horrifically. Worse, Severn is back. He's a traitor. A murderer and the Hawklord is forcing her to partner up with him to investigate this fresh spate of murders that bring it all back.
The Characters
Private Kaylin Neya, the former Elianne, was adopted by the Hawks some thirteen years ago, when she was thirteen. Her abilities are still kept secret to keep her safe. That side job of hers could see her dead.
The Hawks include:
Iron Jaw, more formally known as Sergeant Marcus Kassan, a Leontine Hawk. Tanner and Clint are Aerians (Kaylin loves touching Clint's forbidden wings); Sesti is Clint's wife and they've just had a baby. Tain and Teela are Barrani. Red---never call him Reginald---is their medical examiner. Moran, an Aerian, is one of the Hawks' medics.
Corporal Severn Handred has transferred to the Hawks from the Shadow Wolves, and it's only the Hawklord's disapproval that keeps Kaylin from killing him. Steffi and Jade were part of their family.
Lord Tiamaris will be their third partner in this investigation in the fiefs. A dragonshifter with high-level magic and access. A powerful being with whom Sergeant Kassan has issues. Lords Diarmat, Emmerian, and Sanabalis are all Dragons. Maukron the Black is the only outcaste Dragon. Ybelline is Tha'alani, but one that Kaylin could be comfortable with. But she is the emperor's.
Marrin is Leontine and she runs the human orphanage in Elantra. Catti is one of her young charges and desperately ill. Dock is another. Amos is the foundling home's guard.
Callantine is one of the powerful pompous, and arrogant Imperial mages who shows up for the autopsy. Burlan Oaks runs a tavern that Severn frequents. Lord Evarrim, an Arcanist, is a Barrani lord who takes an undue and threatening interest in Kaylin.
Lord Nightshade is an outcaste Barrani fieflord who has lent his name to his fief. Where Severn and Kaylani once lived. Brecht is a drunk and a pub owner, used to catch the Hawks' attention.
There are three peacekeeping forces and three Lords of Law: the Lord of Hawks, Lord Grammayre, the Hawklord, heads up the Hawks which are the city's eyes and ears; the Lord of Swords and his men are the peacekeepers; and, the Lord of Wolves and his people are its hunters and killers. Think of the Aerians as birdmen, not shifters. Barrani are the upper class in this society. Vicious, cruel and seem to have the appearance of what I would consider Fey. The Leontine are lion shifters. Tha'alani, a.k.a., Truthseekers, are mind readers. Their touch is NOT delicate. Arcanists are mages who work independently of the Dragon Emperor.
Fieflords are independent rulers of large neighborhoods outside the city proper. Theft and murder is a way of life in the fiefs.
The Cover
It's a cold turquoise cover with a bricked floor under roomy arches forming a tunnel into the light, an entire city built atop it. It's a serious Kaylin all dressed in black with her tattooed arms (kind of looks like brown and turquoise plaid sleeves).
I suspect the title refers to Kaylin's past, Cast in Shadow, with her interpretation of events.
yodamom's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 I loved the plot, really wanted to know more of several characters. I really enjoyed the parts of the book I read when I knew who was talking. That was the major problem, I did not know who was talking or what they were talking about more than a few times. I found myself just skimming through the muddle to get to an understandable section. I compare the premise and plot to one of my favorite series The Tarien Soul series-but the author lost me, for many pages and it did not seem to hurt the story ? I needed more direction on who said what, clarity of voice. I have never been so lost while reading a book, so much muddle.. I will read the next book, to see if this improves.
southwestsam's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent series of books kept me up each night waiting to get to the end and then wanting the next book. Highly recommend if you're looking for a new world to get lost in.
agirlandherlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
(YouTube Review due to be released 29.4.21 - here: https://youtu.be/NC_EJKzlgb8)
I made it 27% of the way through the book before giving up, again. It's no good, I just cannot get through the minefield of information that doesn't really give me any idea of the world I am thrown into. I understand the premis of where the girl and her two companions are going, but with a lot of new words to digest and understand like 'fiefdom' etc., it's a little higgeldy piggedly... I honestly don't care about the group, I am a little intrigued about the character 'Nightshade' who runs the Nightshade Fiefdom and what's going on there, but not enough to keep reading. I wonder if I will ever try again, but I doubt it, sometimes books with large worlds gel quickly, sometimes they don't, but nearly 1/3rd of the way through the book I expected to be less in the dark about where I was than I actually was, if that makes sense.
Sorry, but I couldn't get into this book at all. Despite trying 3 times.
I made it 27% of the way through the book before giving up, again. It's no good, I just cannot get through the minefield of information that doesn't really give me any idea of the world I am thrown into. I understand the premis of where the girl and her two companions are going, but with a lot of new words to digest and understand like 'fiefdom' etc., it's a little higgeldy piggedly... I honestly don't care about the group, I am a little intrigued about the character 'Nightshade' who runs the Nightshade Fiefdom and what's going on there, but not enough to keep reading. I wonder if I will ever try again, but I doubt it, sometimes books with large worlds gel quickly, sometimes they don't, but nearly 1/3rd of the way through the book I expected to be less in the dark about where I was than I actually was, if that makes sense.
Sorry, but I couldn't get into this book at all. Despite trying 3 times.
heidi_mcj's review against another edition
3.0
Good entertainment book. Nothing spectacular but enjoyable.
moggle's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It was ok! Interesting world. I did not like the protagonist. I would read another book in the series, though, to see how I like it.
elyse_ellis's review
The author couldn't pull me into the boom and when I tried I found the storytelling a little sporadic and jumpy.
The story plot seems like a good one, but it also seems rushed. I couldn't really connect with the characters because there wasn't a lot of character building.
Perhaps the story gets better later in the book, but I'd prefer not to commit to this book any further.
The story plot seems like a good one, but it also seems rushed. I couldn't really connect with the characters because there wasn't a lot of character building.
Perhaps the story gets better later in the book, but I'd prefer not to commit to this book any further.
katyanaish's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't review this originally, other than the rating. Probably because I just plowed straight into the second book. So I'll give it a little bit of a review now, having just finished a re-read.
I came into this after reading the 2 books of Severn's prequel - it made me want to keep going again from the beginning. They don't segue together super well, mostly because Severn is such an asshole in the beginning. But now, with his prequel books under my belt, as well as all 17 books in the series, I recognize it as the defensive wall it really is. What a horrible road he has walked. What horrible choices he's been forced to make ... as a CHILD! No good options, only horror in every direction.
I love this series, it is a firm favorite. But as I said in my review of the latest book, it isn't for everyone. There's a real stream-of-consciousness flow to the narrative that I love - I don't pause and analyze it, I flow with it like I'm floating in a river. It is a unique style, at least in my experience, and I love it... but I also get that other will find it offputting. The primary downside to it is that it can feel like it slows the action down. Like, you're in Kaylin's head as she's thinking / intuiting her way through the battle, and it can be pages of narrative ... literally mid-battle. But again, it works for me (most of the time) because in those high-adrenaline situations, with your blood pumping and your brain over-firing, seconds can stretch into what feels like hours. I know, I've been there. And so these pages of Kaylin's inner narrative are happening in a fraction of a second, but it is like we're there with her, flowing down the path of her intuition as she makes rapid decisions in the battle.
YMMV, but I love it, and I can't believe it has taken me this long to re-read.
I came into this after reading the 2 books of Severn's prequel - it made me want to keep going again from the beginning. They don't segue together super well, mostly because Severn is such an asshole in the beginning. But now, with his prequel books under my belt, as well as all 17 books in the series, I recognize it as the defensive wall it really is. What a horrible road he has walked. What horrible choices he's been forced to make ... as a CHILD! No good options, only horror in every direction.
I love this series, it is a firm favorite. But as I said in my review of the latest book, it isn't for everyone. There's a real stream-of-consciousness flow to the narrative that I love - I don't pause and analyze it, I flow with it like I'm floating in a river. It is a unique style, at least in my experience, and I love it... but I also get that other will find it offputting. The primary downside to it is that it can feel like it slows the action down. Like, you're in Kaylin's head as she's thinking / intuiting her way through the battle, and it can be pages of narrative ... literally mid-battle. But again, it works for me (most of the time) because in those high-adrenaline situations, with your blood pumping and your brain over-firing, seconds can stretch into what feels like hours. I know, I've been there. And so these pages of Kaylin's inner narrative are happening in a fraction of a second, but it is like we're there with her, flowing down the path of her intuition as she makes rapid decisions in the battle.
YMMV, but I love it, and I can't believe it has taken me this long to re-read.