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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.
lassarina's review
5.0
This is one of the best books in the series so far. Bellusdeo is absolutely a treasure; the dragon is THE BEST; all of the everything that is happening so much made me squeak and clap my hands all the way through. I like the continuing fallout from choices earlier in the series. I loved the interplay between the Consort and Nightshade, and also finally getting to see more of Teela than "drinks, fights, trolls" (though those things are also great.)
chllybrd's review
3.0
CAST IN PERIL is the 8th installment in the Chronicles of Elantra series. We have met many characters and witnessed many events. I would not recommend starting the series from anywhere but book 1.
With CAST IN PERIL being book 8 I'm not going to go into to much background detail but will leave this review with my main thoughts. There is a lot of over explaining. I felt myself drifting off sometimes with the excessiveness of it. I know Kaylin had really rough teen years and some horrible things happened to her but I really wish she would try to move on from it with Severn. He is extremely patient and loves her a lot and I'm kinda getting annoyed that they are not "together" yet. I understand that its hard to move past something like that happening to you but she doesn't try. Love the glass dragon AKA little dragon. He is a fantastic addition to the story. I do however think that his "development" is going way to slow.
CAST IN PERIL is my least favorite installment in the Chronicles of Elantra Series but I am still interested to see how Kaylin's story ends.
lavendermarch's review
4.0
Not as good as usual. Still good, but the end goal didn't happen. A little confused on that. Sadly, I only have four books left (released, I mean). I liked that the POV of the epilogue was in the Consort's POV. It was nice to see her perspective on Kaylin. :)
Reread May 5th, 2022
I liked this better than the first time around. I did feel like the first half was stronger than the second half; Sagara has a tendency to get a bit lost during the climatic scenes and lose some of the tension. That aside, I really enjoyed getting to know Teela and the Consort better in this installment of the series, as well as getting a better grasp on the Barrani as a whole. I also found the Hallione quite interesting, although I miss some of the usual cast of characters (read: the dragons). Overall, this was a decent installment in the series, even if it wasn't my favorite, and I'm glad that I reread it since I remembered so little of it. 4 stars.
Reread May 5th, 2022
I liked this better than the first time around. I did feel like the first half was stronger than the second half; Sagara has a tendency to get a bit lost during the climatic scenes and lose some of the tension. That aside, I really enjoyed getting to know Teela and the Consort better in this installment of the series, as well as getting a better grasp on the Barrani as a whole. I also found the Hallione quite interesting, although I miss some of the usual cast of characters (read: the dragons). Overall, this was a decent installment in the series, even if it wasn't my favorite, and I'm glad that I reread it since I remembered so little of it.
Spoiler
I just can't seem to hate Nightshade, and I can't help but like the Consort.shai3d's review
5.0
Just love this series! Ms Sagara has done a wonderful job of creating characters that come alive, grow & change. And the narration is excellent.
bookworm5732's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
thechaoshour's review
3.0
More of a Barrani heavy book, which wasn’t my fav. It’s kind of annoying that this book ended like that. We had the beginning of a journey, the middle of the journey, and then the end will be in the next book. Not my favourite way of doing things. I’ll be happy to get back to the dragons I think!
raygina's review
2.0
I enjoyed the beginning. The rest of the book just dragged for me. Nowhere near my favorite in this series.
drey72's review
4.0
Kaylin, Kaylin, Kaylin. What’s a girl to do with a roommate? Especially one of the dragon variety? In her teeny tiny little apartment, to boot? Then again, it’s not like she has to worry for too long – somebody blows up that teeny tiny little apartment, into teeny tiny little smithereens. And Kaylin now has quarters at the Imperial Palace.
Kinda scary, really, when you think about it. I mean, she’s still taking etiquette lessons, after all… Who knows what could happen if she runs into the Emperor himself? So she tries her best not to.
And this “jaunt” Kaylin now has to take to the West March definitely fits in with that plan. Unfortunately, it also means that she’s traveling in the company of Barrani – because it’s for a Barrani ritual, after all – including the Consort, Lord Nightshade, and Kaylin’s favorite mage, Lord Evarrim. Do you feel sorry for her yet? I did…
After all, Kaylin’s road trips have never been uneventful. And this one isn’t any different.
Cast in Peril adds more to the Barrani culture. Their rituals are impressive, their motives less so, and while they think of humans as mere insects scurrying about in their oh-so-brief lives, they can’t help but be impacted by Kaylin’s presence. Which is good, for Kaylin. I think.
Michelle Sagara continues to keep me guessing. Every book in the series so far has been unexpected in plot and storyline. And every book in the series so far has left me waiting – anxiously! – for the next. Combine that with characters I love, who continue to grow, and I’m not surprised when I end up re-reading these books, which I do at least once a year. This one’s for fantasy fans who also love a sense of humor (or snark), racial diversity, mystery (Kaylin has to have something to investigate, after all), and a heroine with a definite sense of right and wrong – regardless of what society or convention dictates.
I loved Cast in Peril, and I cannot wait for Cast in Sorrow.
drey’s rating: Excellent!
Kinda scary, really, when you think about it. I mean, she’s still taking etiquette lessons, after all… Who knows what could happen if she runs into the Emperor himself? So she tries her best not to.
And this “jaunt” Kaylin now has to take to the West March definitely fits in with that plan. Unfortunately, it also means that she’s traveling in the company of Barrani – because it’s for a Barrani ritual, after all – including the Consort, Lord Nightshade, and Kaylin’s favorite mage, Lord Evarrim. Do you feel sorry for her yet? I did…
After all, Kaylin’s road trips have never been uneventful. And this one isn’t any different.
Cast in Peril adds more to the Barrani culture. Their rituals are impressive, their motives less so, and while they think of humans as mere insects scurrying about in their oh-so-brief lives, they can’t help but be impacted by Kaylin’s presence. Which is good, for Kaylin. I think.
Michelle Sagara continues to keep me guessing. Every book in the series so far has been unexpected in plot and storyline. And every book in the series so far has left me waiting – anxiously! – for the next. Combine that with characters I love, who continue to grow, and I’m not surprised when I end up re-reading these books, which I do at least once a year. This one’s for fantasy fans who also love a sense of humor (or snark), racial diversity, mystery (Kaylin has to have something to investigate, after all), and a heroine with a definite sense of right and wrong – regardless of what society or convention dictates.
I loved Cast in Peril, and I cannot wait for Cast in Sorrow.
drey’s rating: Excellent!