Cast in Peril (Chronicles of Elantra, #8)

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Cast in Peril (Chronicles of Elantra #8)

4.22 of 5 stars 4.22 · rating details · 1,350 ratings · 172 reviews

It has been a busy few weeks for Private Kaylin Neva. In between angling for a promotion, sharing her room with the last living female Dragon and dealing with more refugees than anyone knew what to do with, the unusual egg she'd been given began to hatch. Actually, that turned out to be lucky, because it absorbed the energy from the bomb that went off in her quarters.…

So n...more

ebook, 384 pages

Published October 1st 2012 by Harlequin Luna (first published September 18th 2012)

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Oct 01, 2012 Lacrima rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Arrgh. This book, in a way, was very frustrating. I can understand why it was a difficult one to write, and given the nice little progress bar kindle offers I was forewarned, but still:
This is only half of the story. We have a beginning, we have a journey, but we have no end. Grrr. That is very, very frustrating, because I just know I'll have to wait another year for the completion of that story.
It's not a cliffhanger, in that sense, but frustrating nonetheless.

All that said, I really enjoyed it...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Layla rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: author-michelle-sagara-west, genre-paranormal-fantasy-urban-sf, 2012-release, part-of-a-series, 2012-august, netgalley-or-edelweiss, rating-4-stars, reviewed, favourites-of-2012

*ARC provided by Harlequin via Netgalley

My rating: 4/5 stars
First line:“The worst thing about having a roommate, in Kaylin’s opinion – and admittedly after only two weeks – was morning.”
Favourite quote: “I will always love you. Had it been a lie? Yes. There was no always for mortals. All their forevers were planted in memory; it was the only place strong enough to shelter them.”
Song of choice: Breath of Life by Florence and the Machine

In each book of the series, the mystery is focused on one rac...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Laura (Kyahgirl) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action-adventure, compelling-characters, dragons, fantasy, magic, mystery, part-of-a-series, sci-fi-fantasy

4/5; 4 stars; A-

This book is different from the others in that Kaylin and Severn are on a road trip with the Barani High Court. There are many evil forces at work, trying to stop them from reaching their destination. In fact, by the end of the book they haven't even reach their destination but they've had a pretty interesting journey. Teela, Nightshade, the Consort, and the new 'Kaylin companion' just add to the excitement.

I thought the concept of the Hallione was fantastic and can envision a fu...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Hannah Cobb rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fantasy

Saving the world always seems to land Kaylin in deeper trouble. After the adventures in Elantra #7 (Cast In Ruin), Kaylin has acquired the only surviving female dragon as a roommate--and embarked on the highly unpleasant lessons in etiquette that came with the dragon. Kaylin is so busy with her usual work--and the large, mysterious egg she rescued, which has take to changing color--that she is more than usually annoyed when sometimes-benefactor, sometimes-enemy Nightshade manipulates her into le...more Saving the world always seems to land Kaylin in deeper trouble. After the adventures in Elantra #7 (Cast In Ruin), Kaylin has acquired the only surviving female dragon as a roommate--and embarked on the highly unpleasant lessons in etiquette that came with the dragon. Kaylin is so busy with her usual work--and the large, mysterious egg she rescued, which has take to changing color--that she is more than usually annoyed when sometimes-benefactor, sometimes-enemy Nightshade manipulates her into leaving the city to accompany the Barrani on an essential quest. Kaylin has never left the city before, and even with Severn's help, she is thoroughly out of her depth with the Barrani, in a setting where words can be weapons and skirmishes involve fancy dresses. And, naturally, an old evil may be awakening--an evil that even Kaylin, Severn, and Nightshade together may not be able to overcome.
I don't mean for this to be a negative review, because fans of Michelle Sagara (who is a truly incredible author) will enjoy this latest instalment in the series. On top of that, I love Kaylin. I loved the first two Elantra books, so much so that I've reread them many times, and I don't often find books I consider worth re-reading. But I have found that the last three or four books in the series have displayed a distressing tendency towards repetition without character development. How many times can Kaylin face some great danger, and tell someone (or something) a story in order to save the world? Kaylin is forever rescuing the city, or the world, or an entire race of beings, but these conflicts never quite touch on the brewing conflicts between the main characters themselves. All of the major character issues (like what Nightshade plans to do with Kaylin, for example, or how the Dragon Emperor will react to all the trouble Kaylin has dropped on his doorstep) have been consistently put off for too long in an already over-long series. I'm still attached to Kaylin, and Severn, and the full cast of truly well-drawn characters, but I'm beyond ready for some closure.
Reviewed on netgalley.com. Publication date September 25, 2012.(less)

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Aug 14, 2012 ♆ BookAddict ~ La Crimson Femme rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, netgalley-reviews, magic, arc

Cast in Peril starts up right after the ending of Cast in Ruins. Kaylin's life does not take a break. Her lovely roommate is still happily living with her. Bellusdeo is determined to stay with Kaylin. This abruptly ends when Kaylin's home is blown up. Not believing it could get worse, Kaylin is proven wrong. The only bright side is the answer to the egg she's been protecting.

Crime does not cease, the now homeless Kaylin still continues to work on cases. Kaylin and Severn are partnered together a...more Cast in Peril starts up right after the ending of Cast in Ruins. Kaylin's life does not take a break. Her lovely roommate is still happily living with her. Bellusdeo is determined to stay with Kaylin. This abruptly ends when Kaylin's home is blown up. Not believing it could get worse, Kaylin is proven wrong. The only bright side is the answer to the egg she's been protecting.

Crime does not cease, the now homeless Kaylin still continues to work on cases. Kaylin and Severn are partnered together again to determine why the humans are disappearing from different fiefs. What they find is startling and casts Nightshade into a negative light. This does not stop the Hawklord from agreeing to pay for the information Nightshade offers in a critical investigation. Unfortunately, the payment is Kaylin's time for at least eight weeks, to travel to the West March.

This is unfortunate as this involves the political and deadly Barrani High court. It's interesting how profound the musings are from Kaylin's mind, yet she is completely unable to navigate this court without pissing off the majority of the High Lords. Although in some senses, it would make sense she causes this kind of trouble since she is almost completely without guile. The Barrani are fascinating because are similar to many versions of the Seelie Sidhe. They are arrogant, plotting to kill each other and they do not speak of how they come to be. In addition, they do not want to ever be in debt to one another, let alone a mortal. For it to be a mortal who owns her own True name and now possesses a magical item mages would kill to own, it is beyond their ability to accept.

More about the Barrani world is revealed and it is not pretty. The back story of some of the secondary characters are forced into the light. It's sad and at times heartbreaking. Is there no happiness in this world? How does Shadow come into existence? What is the end goal? What were the Ancients thinking? The Lords of Law and Lords of Chaos are mentioned. This helps to explain more of non humans Kaylin comes across. Kaylin needs to quickly learn more about every aspect if she is to survive the travel to the West Lands.

The imagery and descriptions used by Ms. Sagara West is amazing. Every scene is clearly visible. She never over describes. She manages to bring her invented locations and creatures into a high definition focus. The colours and scents involved make it into a 3-D type movie for the reader to view in their own mind.

In the previous book, the comparison made of Ms. Sagara West's writing was to an orchestra, featuring the percussion section. In Cast in Peril, it is a fight between the string and brass instruments. The Barrani are the string section holding the line with their melody and entwining harmony. The Shadow and unnamed enemy are the brass section, blasting through with feral magics to overwhelm and absorb the main melody's existence. While it could come across as chaos, this story is a beautiful song comprised of counter melodies which entrance the reader. This reader was enthralled and when the song ended in an unexpected loud note, the silence was jarring. Only longing and yearning remained for the next act. This urban fantasy book is recommended to readers who enjoy intrigue, magic, and above all, ethical choices for the greater good.

*ARC from http://www.netgalley.com/*
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Jun 26, 2012 Scooper Speaks rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Favorite Lines: “Kitling, I don’t know what hopes you have for Lord Nightshade, but hope, among our kin, is not a double-edged blade. It is single edged, and the edge always wounds. Always. He is not mortal. He does not value what you value…He is what he is, Kaylin. Accept that; you will find the Barrani less daunting. He is not mortal and his concerns are not mortal concerns.” (p. 118-119, e-galley)

Yes, it’s that time again. Michelle Sagara has written book eight in her Chronicles of Elantra se...more Favorite Lines: “Kitling, I don’t know what hopes you have for Lord Nightshade, but hope, among our kin, is not a double-edged blade. It is single edged, and the edge always wounds. Always. He is not mortal. He does not value what you value…He is what he is, Kaylin. Accept that; you will find the Barrani less daunting. He is not mortal and his concerns are not mortal concerns.” (p. 118-119, e-galley)

Yes, it’s that time again. Michelle Sagara has written book eight in her Chronicles of Elantra series. (I call it the Cast series.) If you haven’t read the previous seven books, do NOT attempt to begin with Cast in Peril.

Kaylin is about to depart on a new journey. This one will take her into the heart of he Barrani. She has no idea how many secrets she’ll uncover or the danger she’ll face. Kaylin’s ability to tell stories and use true words will be needed as she learns truths about those who surround her. Fortunately, she has a new ally which hatched before the trip.

I enjoyed this installment, but I had a few issues. For the first time Kaylin irritated me with her cluelessness. I’ve watched her grow over the weeks that which were written about in books one through seven. She may not have caught on to the events immediately, but she always learned and retained what she learned. While reading Cast in Peril I wanted to shake Kaylin. Over and over she was told the need to do certain things, but by the end of the books she had yet to do so. It was like all adventures she’d recently faced made no impact at all.

Despite my irritation with Kaylin, I enjoyed the story. I have a feeling that others will not be pleased with the lack of progress made in the story though. The journey begins in Cast in Peril, but by the final page turn the characters have yet to reach their destination. I feel like the story ends without ever reaching the climax and the idea of waiting a year to find out what happens is going to drive me bonkers.

On the Severn and Lord Nightshade note, I think Kaylin is beginning to lean toward one person in particular. I could be wrong, but she discovers some information which infuriates her. It bothered me too, but I need more. I want some romance thrown in and the reader is still being teased about who means what to whom. The thing to remember is Kaylin and Severn are humans playing an unknown game with immortals. What makes sense to long-lived creatures, does not always seem “right” to the human who “would only live a handful of years.”

Cast in Peril is not my favorite book in the series, but I still rank it higher than the average book. I will re-read it and am excitedly waiting the next book, Cast in Sorrow.
Scooper Speaks (less)

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Jun 26, 2012 Katy Holder rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I’ve followed Kaylin since the very first book in the series Cast in Shadow. I have read and re-read every word so many times that her tale has become intertwined with my own. I worried when I’d heard Michelle Sagara had to split the intended adventure into two books; how would I survive not knowing the entire story? It wasn’t a problem. I refuse to include spoilers but I will say that this book is the finest of the series so far. It encompasses Kaylin in her entirety, not just want the reader (...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Jessie Potts rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, romance

What it's about: This is the eighth in the Chronicles of Elantra, and I highly recommend you read the first one before jumping into this book. Kaylin Neva is dealing with quite a bit on her plate. She's rooming with the last living female Dragon, and has been overrun with refugees. Humans are disappearing from different fiefs in alarming numbers. To obtain information, something must be traded … that something is eight weeks of Kaylin's time as she journeys to the Barrani High Court.

Why you shou...more

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Aug 24, 2012 E. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The stories in this series are a wonderful melding of magic and politics involving fantastical and exotic beings. The creativity and imagination that keeps building on a society that contains both dragon beings and various other predators who can shift their shapes continues to provide an exciting and unpredictable read. The complex rules and relationships attendant with the multiple races who populate this well-built world give texture and depth to a read that will delight both young adult and...more The stories in this series are a wonderful melding of magic and politics involving fantastical and exotic beings. The creativity and imagination that keeps building on a society that contains both dragon beings and various other predators who can shift their shapes continues to provide an exciting and unpredictable read. The complex rules and relationships attendant with the multiple races who populate this well-built world give texture and depth to a read that will delight both young adult and adult readers. It is fascinating watching Kaylin continue to mature as more power and more burdens complicate her life. The multiple complex alliances with and around the heroine continue to keep the story flowing as it continues to expand Kaylin’s world both literally and figuratively. It was startling to reach the end of this book and discover how much was yet to be resolved yet have been so enthralled that the only disappointment is that the sequel is not yet available. Another mesmerizing addition to a creative series.

“Cast in Peril” by Michelle Sagara is part of her ‘Chronicles of Elantra’ series. Private Kaylin Neya experiences an overwhelming Arcane attack that destroys her home but unexpectedly facilitates or coincides with the hatching of the egg she has been tending. The remarkable entity who seems to have adopted her as his charge (or is that vice versa?) startles everyone who sees it although many feel that he is a familiar and as such should not be attached to the feisty young Hawk. Kaylin is caught in the rituals that the Barrani consider vital to their existence and her allies (including fellow Hawk Teela who juggles her Barrani obligations) may not act in her best interests as she sets out on a trip to West March. Gradually, accompanied by Severn who is acting as a Wolf in pursuit of quarry, the Barrani High Court begins its journey that is going to entail radical changes that will startle her fellow travelers as Kaylin receives gifts that one of them expects to receive in her stead. A major struggle involving the beings known as Hallione and threats from traitorous Barrani threaten to end the journey before it reaches its goal but Kaylin has never been one to flee from a fight.

© Night Owl Reviews

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.(less)

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Sep 19, 2012 Stacy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

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 h...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Kathy Davie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, urban-fantasy

Eighth in the Chronicles of Elantra urban fantasy series for young adults.

My Take
I am so enjoying Sagara's storyline! I picked this installment up at the library and started reading it on the way home. I simply could not wait. And as soon as I write up this review, I'm planning to re-read it. One of the intriguing pulls this series exerts on me is that Sagara doesn't have her characters react like regular humans. Well, sure, most of them aren't human at all, but I still keep having that expecta...more

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Mar 20, 2013 James Stone rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is so good on so many levels that it is difficult to write a review that honors Michelle Sagara's talent and love for what she does. She is, in the truest sense of the word, a story teller and the Chronicles of Elantra a most magnificent story, which, in my opinion, takes a place in the top ten grand stories in this genre.
I'm not going to go into detail about the plot other than to say it has evil, greed, and lust for power. The villain goes about his/her business in a manner most nefa...more This book is so good on so many levels that it is difficult to write a review that honors Michelle Sagara's talent and love for what she does. She is, in the truest sense of the word, a story teller and the Chronicles of Elantra a most magnificent story, which, in my opinion, takes a place in the top ten grand stories in this genre.
I'm not going to go into detail about the plot other than to say it has evil, greed, and lust for power. The villain goes about his/her business in a manner most nefarious, yet often subtle but very powerful in effect.
MS' skill at creating characters and developing them over time is one of her greatest strengths as a writer.
Let me be clear, this is a grand adventure of which MS tells and this is one of the best entries into the "Chronicles." It is full of excitement, danger, surprise, humor and mystery. There are lots of blood and guts, and if that is how the reader wants to keep it, this book will work for them grandly.
For me, however, it is how our story-teller shows the reader the nature of meaning and the nature of truth. Just as in ordinary reality, the same event can be seen by a number of people and it is likely that when listening to them relate what they saw, some of the reports will be vastly different from each other. That is the nature of meaning; it is always "meaning-for-me." What each person perceives is unique because it must pass through the filter of any given observer's life experience, maturity, sense of place in the world, and willingness to allow for the meaning of a given event to unfold and even morph over time as it becomes more and more contextualized.
I have no idea if she meant to do so but in this series, more and more, she enters the world of heuristics, exegesis and epistemology. For this reader, as MS Sagara goes about her wonderful, delicious story-telling, she takes the reader into the heart of meaning. I don't think I have ever read anything quite like what she accomplishes in this book. And she does this while introducing several new characters and entities and deepening and filling out the personae of her characters. By this time, the eight entry (really the ninth if you include her novella) in the series, the reader feels as if s/he knows these people. MS gets the reader up close and personal with her characters and their belief systems, their Weltenschaung, if you will. Her imagination seems boundless as does her creativity. This is a wonderful book with a heroine who is among the butt-kicking best in the genre. Kaylin and Severn are people the reader will want to get to know personally, to go out for a beer with them, to just be with them.
This is a very very good book and it comes with my highest recommendation.(less)

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Mar 08, 2013 Andrew rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kaylin gets out of the city! Due to political machinations (see previous book), she is required to attend a tedious Barrani ceremony way off in the West March. When I say "tedious", I am applying massive sarcasm. We already know (see earlier books) that Barrani ceremonies involve (a) Barrani plotting to kill each other (b) possible extinction-level disasters. This remains true.

In this volume, we are reminded that the Barrani are really not human. Barrani architecture is also not human, but it *i...more Kaylin gets out of the city! Due to political machinations (see previous book), she is required to attend a tedious Barrani ceremony way off in the West March. When I say "tedious", I am applying massive sarcasm. We already know (see earlier books) that Barrani ceremonies involve (a) Barrani plotting to kill each other (b) possible extinction-level disasters. This remains true.

In this volume, we are reminded that the Barrani are really not human. Barrani architecture is also not human, but it *is* opinionated. And I appreciated the tension between Teela, Kaylin's drinking buddy since book one, and Teela, the immortal Barrani Lord who has been watching the mortal world for centuries.

Note that this book, unlike the previous ones, is not a standalone. It seems to be part-one-of-two. (The series still has episodic pacing, but this begins a two-parter.) So when you start to run out of pages and the ceremony hasn't started yet, don't be surprised.

Maybe the author has said this explicitly somewhere, but if not, I'll infer it: Kaylin Neya is an attempt to build *every single* Mary Sue trope into a character, but as narrative strengths, not indulgences. Let us list: she has unique healing magic; she has two hot guys lurking after her (one human, one immortal); she is explicitly The Chosen One. In the first few books she is acclaimed a Lord of the High Court, an elementalist mage, and gains friends, allies, and roommates from every powerful faction in the Empire. In this book, to nearly round out the list, she gains a *magic fire lizard*. Okay? Point made.

No, point taken: this is, like every other element in Kaylin's plot arc, a hazard (initially); a responsibility (ultimately); and *sometimes* a benefit (occasionally, never reliably). All of these fantastic things are indeed fantastic, but the stories aren't about how fantastic they are; the stories are about how *hard* they are.

(The one missing element is violet or silver eyes. Most of the non-human races in Elantra have awesome color-changing eyes already, though, which makes it hard to work in for Kaylin. Maybe there will be some further magical disaster which mucks up her eye color. If so, it will hurt like hell and then turn out to mortally insult someone dangerous.)
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Feb 21, 2013 Darkphoenix rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Its been sometime since I have been this invested in a series. I’m usually a little wary of starting a series when it is already about 8 books down and in part I started reading it because I thought that the 9th book would probably be the last in the series, but having read the rest of them, I don’t think that’s very likely. But I am very glad I did because it is one of the most intense series I’ve read in a while, very well written and the world and the characters in it are so well conceived.

T...more Its been sometime since I have been this invested in a series. I’m usually a little wary of starting a series when it is already about 8 books down and in part I started reading it because I thought that the 9th book would probably be the last in the series, but having read the rest of them, I don’t think that’s very likely. But I am very glad I did because it is one of the most intense series I’ve read in a while, very well written and the world and the characters in it are so well conceived.

This review is very hard to write because there are just so many things happening in the books and so many characters that I have no idea where to start and how much to mention because I don’t want to give away any plot points. But I’ll try and I hope it makes sense to those of you who take the time to go through this muddled mess. Here goes.

I read them back-to-back and this can sometimes be a bad thing because the intensity becomes tiresome and repetitive. Thankfully, that didn’t happen here. The writing style definitely helped, it was very descriptive and the world the characters inhabit grew more detailed with each passing book. Also it didn’t hurt that the problems that had to be overcome in each of the books bordered on the apocalyptic.

The main protagonist of the series is Kaylin Neya. At 20 years of age, she is a private and serves the Hawks. This is the investigative wing of the Halls of Law, which also includes the Swords (peacekeepers) and the Wolves (Empire sanctioned assassins and man-hunters sent in search of fugitives and criminals) But what makes Kaylin very different from the rest of the populace of Elantra (I’ll get to the other races in a bit) are the strange marks on her body. The significance and meaning of these marks becomes more apparent as the books progress.

She is one of most ‘human’ characters that I have read in popular fiction. Kaylin had a very tough childhood growing up in the ‘fiefs; these are the relatively lawless and unregulated lands that border the Empire of Elantra but they’re outside the purview of the Emperor. All kinds of activities that would be illegal in the Empire, flourish here. Naturally then, the fiefs are no place for the young and protected. Kaylin, when she lived in the fiefs, was both, orphaned at a young age, she survived because she found help in the form of other fieflings but that survival came at a price, one that defined her choices well into adulthood.

And I loved that despite those challenges she retains spark and spunk and a healthy dose of sarcasm. She is stubborn and loyal (to a fault.) She has strong prejudices but is unwilling to let them dictate her actions. That she rushes into dangerous situations without any concern for herself. And of course, her absolute inability to reach anyplace on time. Something a lot of my friends also have trouble with unfortunately.

The world of Elantra is inhabited by very different beings ranging from the immortals races of the Dragons and the Barrani (tall and pale beings and they have pointy ears), to the mortal ones of the humans, Leontines (lion-like but stand upright), Aerians (human in appearance except they have wings growing out of their back and can therefore fly) and Thala’ani (also human in appearance except they have 2 stalks growing out of their heads.)

Each of the books more or less focuses on one of these races and this was great because it gave the readers an insight into that particular race’s culture, history and quirks. There are many secondary characters in the series. Normally when you have so many of them, more often than not, they tend to get lost as the narrative progresses or are so poorly conceived that they retain no personality of their own. This was not the case here. The secondary characters here were an absolute treat and made the series so much fun. They are such a great foil for Kaylin and her growth results not just from her experiences but also from her interaction with these characters.

As far these secondary characters go, it was very hard to really dislike them and I think that just goes to show just how well envisioned they were. Ok, that’s not completely honest, there was one character that I absolutely couldn’t stand but when you have a list of characters this long, this is saying something. Some of the more important characters are Severn (Human), Teela (Barrani) (she became one of my favourites early on) Marcus (Leontine), Tiamaris, Sanabalis, the Arkon (all of them Dragons), Nightshade (Barrani). There are others but I don’t want to give out their names and reveal something without meaning to. What is really striking about this series, is that these characters grow just as Kaylin does and we learn more about them as we read on. The villain in most of these books is a Dragon Makkuron and slowly his story is also emerging and giving us a better sense of who he was.

My only grouse is that, throughout the series, we heard a lot about the Dragon Emperor but he hasn’t made an appearance yet. I thought maybe we would finally meet him in the 8th book, but alas, no such luck. And I doubt that he’ll make an appearance in the next installment Cast in Sorrow. The silver lining? The series doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon, so maybe we can hope that it won’t be long before we meet him. The dark cloud? Now, I’ll have to wait till the next book and then after reading that, for the one after that and so on… UGH!! So not looking forward to that! Cast in Sorrow will at least release in 2013 but I don’t think it’ll be anytime before August because so far the release date only says 2013. So we have a bit of a wait ahead of us.

This review doesn’t really do these books justice at all. I loved the series and it’s very highly recommended. Also before I forget, there is some great fan art that I stumbled upon by this guy called Mathia Arkoniel. Be sure to check them out. His chibi illustrations are especially funny, although they may not make a lot of sense to you if you haven’t read the 7th and 8th books. Enjoy reading!! 
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Feb 20, 2013 Jenn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Michelle Sagara's Chronicles of Elantra is one of my favourite fantasy series. It's this neat hybrid of high fantasy and urban fantasy and I've been in love with this author's world and characters since I read the first page of CAST IN SHADOW a few years ago. If you want the scoop on the overall series, I suggest you check out my Daring You To Read... post from November. But in case you don't want to click over, here's the (really) short version from the author's website:

These [books] follow the...more Michelle Sagara's Chronicles of Elantra is one of my favourite fantasy series. It's this neat hybrid of high fantasy and urban fantasy and I've been in love with this author's world and characters since I read the first page of CAST IN SHADOW a few years ago. If you want the scoop on the overall series, I suggest you check out my Daring You To Read... post from November. But in case you don't want to click over, here's the (really) short version from the author's website:

These [books] follow the adventures of Private Kaylin Neya, a young woman who serves the Hawks in the towering Halls of Law. She’s Elantra’s version of a police officer, a mortal in a city ruled by Dragons.

There is, of course, a bit more to it than that, and this is one series that you should definitely read in order. There are references to previous installments in each book, the mythology is rich and layered, and the characters grow and change significantly over the course of the series (and it's not done yet!). These books are more like chapters in one bigger story so I wouldn't recommend jumping in here. That being said, I think you'd have the most success jumping in with this one, since much of the history between the characters is referenced and Michelle Sagara has, as always, done an exemplary job of reminding readers of the key facts about her world and its history. Plus, by removing the story from Elantra, many of the familiar faces are gone and we're all meeting some new characters.

In CAST IN PERIL, the eighth novel in the series, Kaylin actually has to leave the city of Elantra and the surrounding fiefs behind as she goes on a Barrani pilgrimage. She's not excited about her journey to the West March, even though her friend and fellow Lord of the Barrani Teela will be with her. I, on the other hand, was very excited because this was our first chance to really explore the world outside of the city and the fiefs. I've been curious about the rest of the world for some time and it was so great to finally see what else is out there. This made the book extremely interesting for me and I think that's one of the reasons that this one may be my favourite in the series so far.

And even though the world has begun to grow for Kaylin, there are some wonderful things that remain constant, including Kaylin's prickly personality and her complicated relationships with Severn and Nightshade. She's out of her natural environment in CAST IN PERIL but she always perseveres, sometimes through sheer mulishness. How can you not love her? CAST IN PERIL is also an opportunity to learn more about Severn and what he did when he was a Wolf (the more clandestine arm of the law in the Empire). I thought that was really neat because he's so much more comfortable away from Elantra than Kaylin is, and because it shows us how much more there is to learn about his life when he and Kaylin were apart.

In case you haven't guessed, I adore the characters and the world that Michelle Sagara has created and I'm always excited to get my hands on each new book. Kaylin's story is becoming more and more epic and I have no idea where her journey will take her (and us). I can't recommend this series enough!

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Dec 31, 2012 drey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, fantasy

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...more 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!(less)

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Dec 27, 2012 Dorri rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: high-fantasy

This is the eighth book in the Chronicles of Elantra series by Michelle Sagara. Slower paced than the first seven books, I still loved it. And I hated it too. Mainly because this books seems to have been written as a one large book that the publisher, Harlequin Luna, split into two books. As a result the action stops right in the middle with no wrap up of two distinct storylines. We have to wait until the next Chronicles of Elantra book (#9) to find out what happens! If I had known that, I would...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Ju Transcendancing rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: awesome-female-protagonist, feminism, owned-ebooks

What a cliffhanger!! I can't wait for what comes next, and I believe this is the only book so far of the series where the story it started to tell isn't completed by the end of the book... And yet, the ending was neat as well, I can't wait to find out what happens, but there's still something self contained about the story told. Love that we're spending more time with Teela and learning about her, also the Lady of the Barrani. Love the Hallionne how they are not just avatar-charged way stations,...more

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Dec 28, 2012 SueM rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, favorite-series, favorites, abrupt-ending, magic, dragons

Another great read from one of my favorite authors, yet, once again, it sort of ends in a cliffhanger, leaving me entirely frustrated as I can't wait to find out what happens next to Kaylin, Severn, Lord Nightshade, Teela, etc. (I dealt with the frustration by re-reading the three most recent novels in the series... :D )

More of Kaylin's unusual abilities are explored in this novel, as she is once again, thrust into the heart of Elantra's latest troubles; troubles in part sparked by Lord Nightsha...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Lucy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, library-book, series

As usual in Private Kaylin's life there is so much going on that it gets very confusing. She has a female dragon as a roommate, she's baby-sitting a perhaps-dragon egg, she keeps up her errands with the Guild of Midwives, she's continuing her magic lessons, and has added etiquette lessons. And she continues in her duties as a Hawk, or policeman on the streets of Elantra.
Things get even more complicated when her apartmen is blown up while she and Bellusdeo (her dragon roommate) are in it. Through...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: canadian-connection, fantasy

Argh! I just finished reading this, literally minutes ago, and am currently working to keep myself from throwing breakable objects at hard surfaces!

I love this series. You can go back and read my reviews for the rest of the books if you want to know why. All of those elements are still here, in spades.

But it feels like half a book. The whole point in the start was to make the trip to the West March. (view spoiler)...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Nikita Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I found the entire collection great! I love the authors idea's surrounding the metaphysical construct of the universe that Elantra and its makup entail. Very well thought out. Can't wait for the next instalment on the "Recitation at the West March", it will be very interesting to see. I'm hoping Kaylin manages to hasten the naming of her familiar before the set recitation, hopefully the name she retrieved from the fallen Barrani in the outlands may have the sufficient life force required for Kay...more

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Apr 20, 2013 Meghan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What? No u didn't just end it like that? Go into this book prepared to be frustrated. It is good and barrani dudes are funny. There is a line about staring contests with trees that is hilarious! Not good when reading at night and everyone else is asleep to be chortling at your kindle app.

Tension, oh it's there. Awesome. But doesn't over power the book. I love that.

Evarrim is growing on me as a like-able bastard. I like the bad guy, but not the baddest guy in the room angle. Pseudo danger. It w...more

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Dec 12, 2012 Erisel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

I hate hate hate waiting. I'm a horribly impatient person from childhood to now. But this book, this series? I will wait for it. Mumford and Sons has a song called "I Will Wait" and that is practically my theme song for anything that has to do with Kaylin and the world she lives in. Thanks to Madam Sagara, I have found a kindred spirit in someone just as snarky, sarcastic, ignorant but oh so very trying to do the right thing because they believe in fairness, and hope and doing something to help...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Cheyenne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed most of this book but the ending was really weird. Well, the ending is usually weird (and a little vague) but this one was a little harder to follow. This series has always been philosophical in nature to me, which is why I always thought it would make a better anime than live action series. (That, of course, does not mean that I wouldn't watch it should anyone decide to make it into anything.)

The action in Cast in Peril was plenty and great and I loved that Kaylin got to spend...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Courtney rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: g-paranormal-series, 2012, g-sci-fi, l-i-own, pnr-dragon, pnr-breed, r-authors-i-like, r-favorite, m-series, s-magic, s-dystopia-post-apoc-alternate-univ

Loved it! But what a cliff hanger, ugh!

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Feb 27, 2013 Marlie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I find it ironic that these are published by Harlequinn. It's only about now in books 7 and 8 that we've had any focus on the romantic aspects of the main characters relationship. I think thats a part of what makes me love this books os much. I burned through these in a wekkend because a lot of thought an detail went into building the world and universe of Elantra, down to the rules of its universe and the philosophy of its people. I 'm just disappointed that I have no idea how long a wait I'm i...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was divided into two (Cast in Peril is Part 1). I completely understand why it was divided as there is a whole lot of detail that would have been lost if it was cut down so it would fit in a single book. The only part that sucks is that we have to wait almost a year for the next part. While this is common with a lot of books these days, Michelle's cast series usually spoils us with standalone books with characters and relationships that evolve throughout the series. We don't usually ha...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Alexis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: why-am-i-addicted, victory-to-nightshade

I thought I reviewed this one before, but evidently I was mistaken.

As always, I don't have much to say about it. It was good, I liked it. Like the last . . . seven, I think . . . books in the series, it didn't bring much new material to the table. The plot was predictable, the characters were predictable, the conversations were ninety-eight-percent just about stuff I'd read in previous books.

I do like the familiar though, he's adorable. And as always, Nightshade is completely amazing. (view spoi ...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Jo Oehrlein rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Arrgh! I've finished all available Elantra books and this one left me completely in the middle of the story! SO much of the story is about the recounting in the West March, but the story stops just before people step into the West March.

The transparent dragon-ling reminds me of Daine's glass dragon in the Immortals series by Tamora Pierce, but of course this one has magic. Does the fact that Kaylin's hatchling appears to be a familiar mean that she's a sorcerer? What do they mean that it has no...more

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About Michelle Sagara

See also:

Michelle Sagara West
Michelle West

Michelle is an author, bookseller, and lover of literature based in Toronto. She writes fantasy novels as both Michelle Sagara and Michelle West (and sometimes as Michelle Sagara West). You can find her books at fine booksellers.

She lives in Toronto with her long-suffering husband and her two children, and to her regret has no dogs.

Reading is one of her...more

More about Michelle Sagara...

Books by Michelle Sagara

Cast in Shadow (Chronicles of Elantra, #1)

Cast In Courtlight (Chronicles of Elantra, #2)

Cast In Secret (Chronicles of Elantra, #3)

Cast in Fury (Chronicles of Elantra, #4)

Cast in Silence (Chronicles of Elantra, #5)

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Quotes from Cast in Peril

“i'm never going to understand the Barrani."
"You needn't sound so morose, Lord Kaylin. They are unlikely to understand you either."
"Yes, but I'm unlikely to try to kill them for fun.” — 4 people liked it

“Can you hold off on the whole war thing until after I'm dead?” — 3 people liked it

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Cast in Peril (Chronicles of Elantra #8)

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