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jesslynh's review
4.0
Love this series. While this is not in any way a cliffhanger, it is not as 'complete' a story as the previous books. I wouldn't be surprised to find that it was a huge volume that Harlequin split in half.
I am now glumly setting out to find out when the next one will be published--grimly resigned to the fact that it will probably be out over a year from now.
I am now glumly setting out to find out when the next one will be published--grimly resigned to the fact that it will probably be out over a year from now.
mary_soon_lee's review
5.0
This is the eighth novel in the fantasy series "The Chronicles of Elantra," a series that I'm enjoying very much. The books have a very likable heroine, very likable recurring supporting characters, strong found-family and friendship themes, intriguing magic and worldbuilding, high stakes, and some notably dark content. I think the books would be best read in order, because later books have comparatively little recapitulation of previous events.
I enjoyed "Cast in Peril" very much. Spoilers ahead.
I note that the book ends with the current plot arc still unresolved, making it less self contained than most of the entries in the series.
Four and a half out of five West-Marching stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
I enjoyed "Cast in Peril" very much. Spoilers ahead.
Spoiler
The Hallionnes are a splendid new addition. Kaylin is as likable as ever. Severn is as wonderful as ever, though less prominent than in most of the books. I particularly liked the extra history given to Teela's character. I love how each new book builds on the content from earlier volumes. I love how Kaylin slowly matures without losing the core of what makes her Kaylin. I found several parts of this very moving.I note that the book ends with the current plot arc still unresolved, making it less self contained than most of the entries in the series.
Four and a half out of five West-Marching stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
sparklingreader's review
4.0
Michelle Sagara continues her marvelous series in this book. We once again meet up with Kaylin - in trouble as usual. In addition to being the roommate of the female dragon, she acquires another companion who is determined to stick with her through everything (nope, not going to give away the spoiler). These books are complex - that is the easiest and truest way to describe them. The characters, the world building, the situations - everything is so intertwined and done so well.
If you've read the others in the series, definitely pick this one up. If not, you can still enjoy a really good book without having read all the previous ones. For fans of fantasy books, pick up the series and sit back for a wild ride.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing the free arc for this review.
If you've read the others in the series, definitely pick this one up. If not, you can still enjoy a really good book without having read all the previous ones. For fans of fantasy books, pick up the series and sit back for a wild ride.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing the free arc for this review.
livarleth's review
5.0
How am I going to wait for the next one!?! The story wasn't even finished!!!
Love for this series ^^ and Kaylin is wonderful :)
Love for this series ^^ and Kaylin is wonderful :)
chawlios's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ashkwtf's review
3.0
It was an enjoyable read but at some point Kaylinn is going to have to do more than barely prevent the world from being destroyed through luck and innate True-Word-reading talent. There was very little character development in this one. Only the most immediate conflict was resolved, which wasn't even the one the build-up seemed to point to. So sort of meh but still a necessary read for fans of the series.
atinydisaster's review
4.0
Review originally posted at ReaWrite.com
I can't believe I have been with this series for eight books already, it definitely doesn't feel like it. I really, really love these books and absolutely look forward to each new installment, so when I saw I could get this next chapter early via NetGalley, there was some extreme excitement on my part. I never have any trouble jumping back in to the world of Elantra, and this book was no exception... I was hooked right away! Cast in Peril offers a little bit of every element that makes this series so unique so if you've enjoyed this series in the past, I'm confident you'll find something you like here.
In this series time passes pretty slowly, there have been eight (big!) books so far and I would guess that at the most a couple of months have passed since book 1, but I could be wrong. Cast in Peril is a little different from the books that came before it, in that more time seems to pass but there is less of a major change to the overall arc of the series. Not that nothing happens, you will definitely be on the edge of your seat, but there is less progression and at one point he book even jumps over three whole days, which is pretty unusual for The Chronicles of Elantra. The plot of this story will actually carry through to the next book Cast in Sorrow.
Despite all this, we do get some answers on some longer running plot points of the series. Most notably, Teela and the mystery egg Kaylin has been keeping an eye on. I won't give anything away but there are a couple of great scenes between Kaylin and the Barrani. These scenes and some of the more creative elements (this series has so much imagination, it really is a must read for those looking for traditional fantasy with a twist) have made this my favorite book in the series so far.
It did take a little while to really feel like I knew where this particular book was headed. It is in no way a quick read and there is definitely a lot going on. At times I felt bogged down in details with too many character and place names to remember that I know I've forgotten the details of some important points of previous books. For me that was pretty minor though and I'm sure a lot of readers out there are much better at keeping everything straight in their minds as they are reading though. Once the series is complete I will probably do a second read through will less extreme gaps between books and I'm sure that will help a lot.
Overall, a fantastic addition to a great series. If fantasy is your thing, then I highly recommend you check out The Chronicles of Elantra, and if you've already started this series then it is time to start jumping up and down because this next book will not disappoint.
I can't believe I have been with this series for eight books already, it definitely doesn't feel like it. I really, really love these books and absolutely look forward to each new installment, so when I saw I could get this next chapter early via NetGalley, there was some extreme excitement on my part. I never have any trouble jumping back in to the world of Elantra, and this book was no exception... I was hooked right away! Cast in Peril offers a little bit of every element that makes this series so unique so if you've enjoyed this series in the past, I'm confident you'll find something you like here.
In this series time passes pretty slowly, there have been eight (big!) books so far and I would guess that at the most a couple of months have passed since book 1, but I could be wrong. Cast in Peril is a little different from the books that came before it, in that more time seems to pass but there is less of a major change to the overall arc of the series. Not that nothing happens, you will definitely be on the edge of your seat, but there is less progression and at one point he book even jumps over three whole days, which is pretty unusual for The Chronicles of Elantra. The plot of this story will actually carry through to the next book Cast in Sorrow.
Despite all this, we do get some answers on some longer running plot points of the series. Most notably, Teela and the mystery egg Kaylin has been keeping an eye on. I won't give anything away but there are a couple of great scenes between Kaylin and the Barrani. These scenes and some of the more creative elements (this series has so much imagination, it really is a must read for those looking for traditional fantasy with a twist) have made this my favorite book in the series so far.
It did take a little while to really feel like I knew where this particular book was headed. It is in no way a quick read and there is definitely a lot going on. At times I felt bogged down in details with too many character and place names to remember that I know I've forgotten the details of some important points of previous books. For me that was pretty minor though and I'm sure a lot of readers out there are much better at keeping everything straight in their minds as they are reading though. Once the series is complete I will probably do a second read through will less extreme gaps between books and I'm sure that will help a lot.
Overall, a fantastic addition to a great series. If fantasy is your thing, then I highly recommend you check out The Chronicles of Elantra, and if you've already started this series then it is time to start jumping up and down because this next book will not disappoint.
paradoxically's review
3.0
I am absurdly fond of the Chronicles of Elantra series for some reason, even if I think that personal growth and the character plot on the part of Kaylin goes about the same speed as molasses spreading out on a horizontal table. In the middle of winter. Don't get me wrong. She has changed since the first book until now, but so much hasn't that it's a bit disappointing in that regard. On the plus side
At least we find out what's inside the egg in this book. I actually enjoy what's inside the egg, except for little niggling things like
This book is also one story split into two. A first for this series, as the previous books were at least self contained stories. This was actually rather frustrating, even if the book could have ended on even more of a cliffhanger than it did. So if you're not a fan of this, then I suggest waiting for the next book and reading them both at once. Because now I have to wait. Boo.
I was also rather confused by the end, when all this action happened and all these explanations are thrown around and it's about 2am at night and I'm blearily squinting at the page and mouthing, "Wait. What." at myself. I'm still not quite sure what happened. It might be the time of night and my sleepiness, but it's still a bit jumbled.
You get a new situation, where Kaylin is on a journey to the West March with a group of familiar (and not so familiar) Barrani. There's also the case of people who have gone missing from the fiefs, and somehow it all mixes in with the trouble with the Exchequer. It's very Barrani heavy, which made me happy, and you find out a lot more about Teela. You'll meet a few new cast members and the author fleshes out her world just that little bit more, which is what I think Sagara excels at the most. Also, Nightshade. But, unfortunately, he was kind of bland for me this time around, which just made me sad.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I didn't love it. It felt pretty top heavy and I just wasn't as interested this time around. 2-3 stars, rounding up to 3.
Spoiler
she at least manages to light that goddamn candle. Not that... anything is really done with that bit of information other than Kaylin jumping around happily.At least we find out what's inside the egg in this book. I actually enjoy what's inside the egg, except for little niggling things like
Spoiler
the familiar is more a tool than anything else. Kaylin doesn't exactly interact with it other than to cart it around and try to make it do things. Or it does things and she has to deal with the consequences. I don't feel any sort of relationship between Kaylin and the familiar and that just makes me sad.This book is also one story split into two. A first for this series, as the previous books were at least self contained stories. This was actually rather frustrating, even if the book could have ended on even more of a cliffhanger than it did. So if you're not a fan of this, then I suggest waiting for the next book and reading them both at once. Because now I have to wait. Boo.
I was also rather confused by the end, when all this action happened and all these explanations are thrown around and it's about 2am at night and I'm blearily squinting at the page and mouthing, "Wait. What." at myself. I'm still not quite sure what happened. It might be the time of night and my sleepiness, but it's still a bit jumbled.
You get a new situation, where Kaylin is on a journey to the West March with a group of familiar (and not so familiar) Barrani. There's also the case of people who have gone missing from the fiefs, and somehow it all mixes in with the trouble with the Exchequer. It's very Barrani heavy, which made me happy, and you find out a lot more about Teela. You'll meet a few new cast members and the author fleshes out her world just that little bit more, which is what I think Sagara excels at the most. Also, Nightshade. But, unfortunately, he was kind of bland for me this time around, which just made me sad.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I didn't love it. It felt pretty top heavy and I just wasn't as interested this time around. 2-3 stars, rounding up to 3.