Cast in Peril

Chronicles of Elantra #8

by Michelle Sagara, Michelle Sagara West

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 was ready to hatch. Actually, that turned out to be lucky, because it absorbed the energy from the bomb that went off in her quarters.... So now might be the perfect time to leave Elantra and journey to the West March with the Barrani. If not for the disappearances of citizens in the fief of Tiamaris--disappearances traced to the very Barrani Kaylin will be traveling with...

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Dragons, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Paranormal

538 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2012

About the author

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 life-long passions, and she is some­times paid for her opinions about what she’s read by the venerable Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. No matter how many book­shelves she buys, there is Never Enough Shelf space. Ever.

She has published as Michelle Sagara (her legal name), as Michelle West (her husband's surname), and as Michelle Sagara West (a combination of the two).

Reviews

[Maria Dimitrova · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Damn! I loved this instalment! At first I was annoyed that we left the investigation into the missing fieflings so Kaylin can travel to the West March but then I got swept away by all the details! I loved the waystations and the dynamics of the Barrani court. But mostly I loved the way Kayling grew up in the last few chapters, how she stood up to Avery despite her fear and misgivings, the way she chose the best way she could fight instead of trying to impress everyone. I adored the epilogue and the chance to see Kaylin through the eyes of someone else.

Severn was amazing in this one. He is so patient and devoted and that's what Kaylin needs to get through her fears. Someone who will always put what she needs (and not what she wants) first, someone for whom she is more than just the Chosen. I can't wait to see if she gives him a chance to be more than just her friend.

[Lacrima · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. I'm not going to attempt to summarize the plot here, since I'm very bad at that to begin with, and having just finished the book, it would be even worse.

But I'll try to point out some things I liked about it:

-This is a Barrani book. Not just because there are a lot Barrani in it, but because we learn a lot about them, and not just as a race, but also about the individuals. We learn more about the Consort and what drives her, and finally part of Teela's background story. I loved finally learning something about a character that has been there for every one of the eight books, but that we knew little about so far.

-The egg, or rather what comes out of it. This, I think, holds some potential, and some potential surprise for future books. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

-There is more, but it's mostly the usual things I love Sagara's books for: The almost lyrical writing style, which is beautiful, but can be tiring at times; the characters, which have an almost confusing number of facets; the worldbuilding, which is complex (and can I just say that I really love the concept of mirrors and shifting, living buildings, and true words?); the whole multiracial thing.

To summarize my rambling review: Despite the frustrating ending, I really enjoyed reading the book, and even though the end made me want to throw things at someone's head, I can't wait for the next one.

[Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Barrani heavy book. I much prefer the dragons.

[layla is a picky reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

*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 race or one part of the city that has part autonomy, now is the time for humans and their story.
Cast in Peril is the next instalment of the Cast in Series. It features Kaylin Neya’s journey to the West March. Against my wishes though, by the end of the book, she doesn’t actually reach it. She spends all her time solving problems and defending the Hallionnes against the Shadows. She does all this with the help of Severn, the interference of Nightshade, the support and friendship of Teela, facing the fury of the Consort and the disdain of the Barrani High Lords. Kaylin is a High Lord herself at the Barrani Court and her mortality makes her a perfect target for the other Lords.
By the way, this book shows her relationship with Bellsudeo, the only female dragon in existence. It reveals what happened to the famous egg and of course, all my favourite dragons (Arkon, Sannabalis, Diarmat, Tiamaris) show up. It also deals with the matter of Avatars (remember Tara?), the Hallionnes being another species of its kind.
As usually, she manages to survive against better odds thanks to her inner comprehension of each race and her new familiar has a big part in it.

I have to say this ARC was long. Almost 540 pages. It took me a whole day to read it and I couldn’t let it out of my hands. I’m still in a daze, it was so rich and condensed. I think the previous books were more clearly written and they didn’t left me with so many questions unanswered. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know why I’m reading this series. I think I’m constantly fascinated by the world and the possibility of so many races coexisting together in one city.
I’m not disappointed per se but I was watching my book; pages were going on and on without Kaylin reaching her destination. I was still hoping even in the last ten pages.
A lovely surprise was the Consort’s perspective at the end of the book. Up until now, everything was written from Kaylin’s POV. I’m glad to see that the first Barrani taken into consideration was the Consort. I like her as a character. I think she could be great friends with Bellsudeo and Kaylin. We’ll see.

Kaylin Neya’s character has developed since the beginning of the series.
I didn’t actually liked her very much in the first book, I can’t figure her out even now. I don’t know if I should put her in the YA category of a heroine or if she’s a mature young woman. In many aspects she’s a delightful mix of both. Another thing that I like about Kaylin is her ability to understand each race and to accept their differences. She can make friends from all species, maybe her Chosen role is to be able to be a liaison for so many.

Although I know that many readers want her to end up with Nightshade I, for myself, like her relationship with Severn. I think he is the only one that really understands her to the bottom of her soul. Nightshade, like all Barrani, is all about power and possession. I had some hopes for him that maybe, in this book, his relationship with Kaylin would deepen but as it is, he proved himself to be a selfish regular Immortal who cared nothing but for his interests. I really felt for Kaylin when she discovered his machinations. He was so very... unappealing .
I really enjoyed her scenes with the Familiar, I like the fact that she managed to converse with him although I wanted her to be more concerned with his safety, each time the translucence of the small dragon was mentioned, I thought that he was so very fragile.
Hallionne Bertolle was such an interesting character. His scenes were very emotional, so alien but, in his loneliness, so very human.

Names and words and feelings, blood and bonds are all put together and used to build this amazing universe. It’s complex and it’s dynamic. There are so many characters and histories and rules.
One concept I liked about this univese is the one of True Words. It’s amazing how one of this kind of word can contain a person, a race or even a world. I wanted to see what’s the deal with the Regalia. I wanted to see more of Lord of West March, I found him (together with his sister) one of the most unique of the Barrani’s.
One point in favor for Sagara is how for all mysteries, she finds a solution so simple: sometimes the things that are needed to solve them are so basic and human in nature. It’s amazing how Kaylin translates the problems and the difficult concepts that she’s facing into mortals day by day life.
I know it’s high fantasy so maybe the emotional aspect isn’t so well emphasized or maybe it doesn’t touch me as other books do. I suppose that’s the main reason keeping me from giving it a five star rating. I would love that the next book in the series will impress me through the emotions that are conveyed.

I’m still frustrated about the end of the book. I can’t actually figure out what happened there? With whom fought the Consort and the Court? Reborns or Ferals? Kaylin was talking with all the people that were kidnapped? What happened with Terrano? The feral whom she took his name was one of the twelwe children?

I hope the next book will explain all these things.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still not a fan of racing around in the ether rather than just solving problems in the “real” world. Yes, it shows off the author’s creativity but it’s freaking annoying, IMHO. Everything else about this book and series is perfect awesomeness.

[Hannah Cobb · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Katy Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 (or she) knows or understands of her but her actual evolution. Depth is added to multiple story lines as well as characters. As tricky as our wonderful tour guide (M. Sagara) is, every word will need to be examined and debated. While that might seem obsessive, and of course I don’t believe it is, just read Cast in Peril and tell me the need isn’t there. I can’t wait until Cast in Sorrow!

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Nov 2024 - re-listened.
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Nov 2023 - re-listened.
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Re-listened August 2021
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Re-listened 2020. This is one of those books that throws up more questions than answers. As usual, the whole thing about words just confuses me more. But it does keep me entertained.
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I really like the "little dragon"...

[C.E. Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaaaah, questions are starting to get answers in Kaylin's world! I WANT MORE ANSWERS NOW NOW NOW NOW N--

ahem.

Good stuff, really. I love Kaylin and the Elantran world Michelle's built, and the deepening complexities of Kaylin's relationships are splendid. Also, there is so much doom on the horizon I just want to squeak. :)

[Estara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Due to today being a national holiday I was able to read the rest of the book in six hours straight through and having read it it confirms that for me personally MSW really writes the most fulfilling, nourishing comfort reads at the moment.

I cried the first time when Kaylin slept in what looked like her old flat for the last time. Her realization that - while as a child in the fiefs she hadn't let herself become attached to much more than people - her small flat, rented after having been accepted by the Hawks, after making the cut with Barren, after taking the name Kaylin, had in many ways symbolized her new self to her, which is why she felt so irritated subconsciously by Bellusdeo's nonchalant coopting of the room and her presence: it really resonated with me.

Kaylin's mystical strength continues to come down to midwifing and healing when you ignore the way that it is done via true words - while the birth of the being from the egg needed more than she could provide, she nurtured the egg before its hatching and provided the first food afterwards.

She fumbled towards healing a wrong she can't quite understand but instinctively deal with due to her being Chosen when she saves the first compromised Hallione, she redirects power and words corrupted into a different channel when she can't heal the damage and midwifes the survival of what little past the misused human reborns have left.

Whenever she can she tries to clear away corruption and reinforce choice and sense of self. One of my favourite bits was when she managed to provide two of the Halliones with companionship - one of the occasions being like the return of long lost family.

And in between those action pieces and dangers in this book, there was an exploration of what Bellusdeo sees as her position at the Dragon Court now (and the problems inherent to that), of Kaylin's standing within the Barrani High Court especially regarding its rulers, after the huge upset she dealt them in the last book. I didn't expect to get but was delighted to find out more about Severn's current state of mind and the part of his past that Kaylin didn't share.

Interestingly enough, although this book had Nightshade, the focus of this part of the journey towards the Western March was much more on the Consort and on Teela (fascinating - I especially enjoyed the interludes Kaylin had with both when they were forced to room together in the Halliones). I found Nightshade totally in character and believably in both the positive and negative actions he takes in this book - he is Barrani. So is the consort and so is Teela. They are not human and the fact that MSW makes me feel a distance but sort of allows me to understand that is another part of why I love this series so.

I do not in the least feel cheated of an action arc or a danger arc or an emotional growth arc: all of these are in this book. The multiplicity of worlds may not have directly been in danger this time, but I have the impression that the underlying basis of it - the true words - was in danger and the fight is only in abeyance. There was no clear winner this time, but Kaylin and her group have a breather and more warning now.

In respect to warning: various people of all kinds of mystical knowledge have by now told Kaylin she has to do more than she has done so far to nourish the hatchling from the egg properly (may I say he was an especially delightful part of the book ^^). I expect Cast in Sorrow to not only bring the tale telling of the Western March to some sort of conclusion but also address that dangling danger.

Also: I love the fact that I can feel the fear and danger of the situation and be brought to elation and tears in this series WITHOUT the sacrifice of well-known characters. Kaylin feels the loss and MSW makes me feel it, too. The loss of potential and of future even more than the loss of life.

And a last thought I had, considering I read impressions that this wasn't a full story: why is it fine when Martin or Jordan lay out long ranging plot threads spread over numerous long books which do not allow starting later in the series or you miss a lot of the subthreads, but let a woman writer do so in epic fantasy and she gets complained to?

For some reason people don't mind C.J.Cherryh doing so, or is it because the Foreigner series is sf? Hmm.
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2nd read: Nightshade clearly shows his true colours regarding his valuing of his human fief inhabitants, and Kaylin reacts in character and that is why, my dears, I will never believe that Kaylin loves him unless she gets brainwashed.

Kaylin is emphatic with so many unusual beings; when she is influenced by stereotypes or prejudice and she is shown that those are wrong, she adapts. People... for that matter entities who can feel (or what would you call the elements or the Maker) are always dealt with according to how they present themselves to her and she always will give them the benefit of the doubt if she can afford to.

For Nightshade, outside of his Barrani court ties, everything comes down to power (in many ways like the Dragon Outcaste, though it seems he doesn't want to be Highlord of his caste, hmm. But then he didn't get corrupted in Ravellon, did he). And his connection and devotion to Kaylin does, too.

On this series reread I also realised that we get a NEW point-of-view character for the first time. Usually we always get limited third person via Kaylin and what happens to her. And suddenly in the last few pages we get the consort! I wonder how that will play out in the next book.

[Paradoxical · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 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 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.

[Nafiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I found out at the end of the last novel that Kaylin would be going on a journey with Nightshade, I was happy because I felt that Nightshade would finally get the page time he so richly deserves. I really didn’t expect the novel to turn out as it ultimately does. I really didn’t.

This is not to imply Cast in Peril was bad. Not in the least. The novel delivers on action, further development in some characters and deepening the mystery about the marks found on Kaylin’s body. It just doesn’t deliver what it promised where Nightshade, the character, is concerned. Severin gets more than ample page time as his relationship with Kaylin veers into uncharted territory and Kaylin herself starts to, perhaps, warm to the idea of Severin as more than just the best friend and companion she has cast him as so far. What is lacking for me is the interaction, real honest interaction, between Nightshade and Kaylin. If he is not a contender for her feelings, I would prefer it to be known rather than having the whole thing lingering. I am okay with him as just another character in the wonderful world that Sagara has built up but at this point, I need some development either ways.

So yeah, that’s my gripe with this novel. Another thing that surprised me was that for the first time in the series, a story arc is not completed by the end of the novel. So the next book is a continuation of the adventure from this book and a year is just too long a wait for the next one.

I did like this novel. I know it may not seem like it from my complaints but I would read anything Sagara wrote with a smile on my face. Her word smithery is sheer genius and she instinctively knows how to create situations and characters that are alien to anything human and yet still retain a spark that you can relate to and empathize with. I mean, when you are empathizing with stone buildings, you have to admit the author has talent. You know? I also liked how this novel lets you glimpse the politics behind the dragons and the Barrani. And the familiar, a little dragon who has decided Kaylin belongs to him? Is just beyond cute.

So yes, if you are a faithful reader of this series, it will in turn enthrall you and frustrate you. But you will come back for the next one because if there’s anything this novel proves, it is Sagara’s ability to tell a good story.

[Laura (Kyahgirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 future in the story line where Kaylin has united them with the Towers in the war against the darkness in Ravellon. We'll see where West goes with that.

As usual, there is a part of this book, like the others, where the author goes on too long with a lecture about the power of words. That was annoying but it seems to be a part of each book and I just skim.

[Denisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Go, go Kaylin!


I absolutely love the humor in this series, it never stops being dull. And again, a fast-paced, entertaining story. Worth continuing the series!

[Mimi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle Sagara delivered awesomeness I didn’t know I wanted - a cute magical pet creature for Kaylin! Adorable and I am curious what this will be.

Otherwise, this book takes us on the path to the West March, and a whole lot of Barrani history and politics (plots and politics included). I liked learning more about Teela. And Nightshade - as a character he’s interesting, but his dynamic and role in relation to Kaylin I’m not too fond of. Still, I’m trusting the author to see where it takes us.

I was disappointed to reach the end of the book without the regalia. It felt like an unfinished tale for a lot of smaller and bigger arcs that started here. Guess the finale is big enough for its own book, so onto that!

[J.A. Ironside · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um really not sure what this one adds to the series in terms of story tbh. If you're looking at expanded lore and worldbuilding, then it does a lot. If you're looking for plenty of plot, maybe not so much. For the last couple of books, it's been murmured that Kaylin will be sent to West March on some Berani mission, as part of the Berani & Dragon high court - hence all the etiquette lessons in the last book. This book is about what happens on part of the journey to get to West March. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, there are books where the story is the journey - Lord of the Rings, The Road etc - but this felt almost like the notes behind the next book were published. Maybe that's a bit harsh. Things do happen. There's more sentient structures (like the Towers but not), shapeshifting elemental creatures, a sentient road through the woods leading to sentient inns (because everything Berani a) has an opinion and b) reads your mind) and there's a dress. A green dress that Kaylin finds in an inn wardrobe and puts on. This is bad. Much attention is paid to the dress which confers a special part in the forthcoming gathering on Kaylin. In fact so much is said about the dress that it became THE DRESS and was consequently a character in its own right despite being one of the inanimate objects that wasn't sentient. There is action too and the pace is good, considering that this is a journey - a high fantasy road trip no less - where nothing really happens. Kaylin is still dithering between Sevren and Nightshade - I feel kind of sorry for both of them now. (Seriously, 'no, I don't want to be with anyone, back off' is a perfectly acceptable choice. No need to string them along.) So this isn't a bad book but it is frustrating. By the time you get 80% of the way through, you realise that the characters are not going to reach their destination by the end, let alone do the thing they're going to do. Writers are generally advised to skip the journey unless the journey is the point. I'm really not sure the journey was the point here. If you're massively invested in this series, you might be happy to go along for the ride. I didn't hate this one, but I didn't love it either. I've started Cast in Sorrow so hopefully things will pick up!

[Anne Osterlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaylin has a knack for surviving dangerous situations. But even she can’t take the credit for the fact that she isn’t blown to smithereens by the bomb that explodes in her apartment. No, that particular miracle is due to the small transparent dragon that hatches, in the midst of the bombing, from Kaylin’s egg.

OK, the egg isn’t exactly hers and the dragon isn’t exactly a dragon. But nonetheless, Kaylin is alive. Though between the investigation of the exchequer, the machinations of an outcast lord, and a certain magical green dress that Kaylin should never have put on, her status as “living” may be significantly limited.

Oh! I loved the small dragon, the green dress, the next “installment” in Kaylin and Severn’s agonizingly slow romance. And the very real danger. On to the next book in the series.

[Darkphoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!! 

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

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/*

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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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[Terri Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it 4/5 stars. I received the ARC from Luna Books on NetGalley. I really liked the book, but then I really like the whole series. The world is colorful and rich an so beautifully done. In my opinion, the humor in this book was awesome, and jumped out at me more in this book than previous ones. However, I have a couple of problems with the story that I hope will be resolved soon. I was REALLY hoping that they would reach the West March and undergo the regalia during this book, but alas, it was not to be. Mostly, I have the concerns that alot of people here on Goodreads have. But I now remember that the books happen within a few weeks of each other, which does explain the lack of character and story development a little. It is the 8th book and we still don't know much about the Anceints or what the marks on Kaylin are/are for. Some characters seem to be developing at a snail's pace if at all, such as Nightshade.

Nightshade: We still don't have much information about him, regardless of meeting his younger self in the previous book. There are implications that he is capable of feeling or something akin to love, or at least once was, but we don't know what that means in terms of the future and his desire(s) of Kaylin. The given information about the Barrani race as a whole does not help me, at least, to better understand him.

Severn: The relationship between he and Kaylin is interesting, and gives an insight into Kaylin that we wouldn't otherwise have sexual and emotionally. Good job for being realistic in terms of people who Personally, I like their relationship and I'm rooting for them to work it out.

Teela: I realy love that we learned so much about her because she is such a multi-layered character that is relatively easy to understand, given her race. I think she and the Consort are as close as we're ever likely to get to having Barrani relatable to human standards of emotion.

Kaylin: She is perhaps the easiest character for me to relate to because she is in her early twenties like me, and it really is an in-between age. She's not really an adult but is definitely no child though is easily very childlike. Her solutions to the disaster at hand are simple because her life's experieces are not many in comparison to the imortals around her, whose are.

The addition of Hallionne Bertolle and his brothers were a wonderful delight. And the POV of the Consort at the end was like a breath of fresh air and tastefully done. We spend the entire series from the POV of someone who whose life is the defintion of change to someone whose is the opposite. And this insight made me love her more. I really think that she and Bellusdeo would be best friends if their species didn't hate each other.

Finally, there are just so many mysteries that go unanswered throughout the series that it is enough to make you want to scream. But the following are the ones that matter right now. So were the Shadow/Ferals the Barrani children corupted by the regalia or something else? Is the humans' creation story similar to the Leotines in the sense that they were "upgraded" from another lifeform? Into what were they reborn/ transformed?

[Scooper Speaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.)

[Eileen Troemel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sagara is an excellent writer. Her work in this one is as good as her other books. Unfortunately, she fails the basic in this book. A story has a beginning, middle and an end. This book has a beginning and a middle but no end. It is repetitive and reads more like a character summary than a story - an excellent character summary. The usual characters aren't there and only the Barani are highlighted. While interesting to have an in depth look at the characters, after the same scene repeats but with different characters, it becomes tedious and tiresome to read. Love the rest of the series but this one is a miss, Sagara strayed from her successful format and failed to complete her story. The writing is excellent, the description superb but the story is lacking and slow. It drags along putting the reader to sleep.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 expectation, *grin*! Lord Nightshade is attracted to Kaylin and Sagara allows us to wonder if it's sexual or merely her magical abilities, but she still hasn't revealed which or if it's yet another possibility. He and the Lady certainly reveal their race's lack of concern for those short-lived animals and keep standing me on my head. Then there's the very slow build of Severn's romance. Oh, man, it's a good thing the entire storyline is so interesting…'cause the slow pace on some of the romancing is driving me nuts!

This particular story is, well, not a bridge so much as half of the story that takes us to the West March. I'm assuming that Cast in Sorrow will reveal whether Kaylin succeeds as the harmoniste.

Kaylin is a challenging concept for many of the ruling elite and it's her consistent approach to love and family, her insistence on caring for people that forces the many to re-examine their own beliefs.

Kaylin also needs to be careful what she wishes for! She is so not a morning person and being confronted by one such every frickin' morning is not good for her psyche! Then there's that loss that is all the more poignant for having been her first real home since her mother died.

Someone is playing a vicious game of silly buggers with fieflings.

Sagara has never hidden that the human life span is considered incredibly short by the Dragons and Barrani, but it really came home in Kaylin's request: "Can you hold off on the whole war thing until after I'm dead?"

I hate being the only mortal in a gathering full of Immortals who think killing each other cleverly is the height of good manners.

Oh, ohhh, Kaylin needs pretty dresses for her so-fascinating trip through Barrani space. I enjoyed Sagara's slow reveal of the truth behind the "inns" where the Barrani party stayed. She really does do an amazing job of teasing you along and bit by bit letting drop more clues in this amazing world she's built.

Everybody keeps warning Kaylin to name the little guy, and for all the experience she has with names, I don't understand why she's so resistant.

Evanton, the High Lord and his Consort, Bellusdeo, the Tha'alani all see Kaylin as something important, and yet Sagara still has Kaylin in a menial position making very little money. Contradictions, contradictions, contradictions…

Again, it's Kaylin's words, her stories that save the day. The everyday tales that assuage the fire elemental, that remind the humans of their own lives.

The Story
Lord Nightshade requires payment for the information he provided in Cast in Ruin , 7, and that payment is Kaylin's company to the West March.

You'd think that getting out of town---and in the company of the so-very-powerful Barrani---would mean life was safer for Kaylin. Away from the assassination attempts, the bombings… Nuh-uh. Kaylin's presence simply means that life will always be interesting. Especially with her new baby dragon…

On the plus side, her lessons with Diarmat are having an effect.

The Characters
Known as Elianne as a child in Nightshade, she's now Private Lord Kaylin Neya of the Hawks, the Chosen due to the tattoos on her body, and kyuthe to Lord An'Teela and the Lord of the West March. But now the attention is downright hostile since her egg hatched---an extremely protective glass dragon, a familiar for whom many a Barrani would destroy the world---and the way station chose the blood of the green for Kaylin to wear, making her the harmoniste.

Corporal Lord Severn Handred, a former Wolf who is now a Hawk, cannot be spared from his duties as Kaylin must be. He does however have his own secret assignment.

Lady Bellusdeo is the Dragon Queen, a rebellious golden Dragon who likes and respects Kaylin. Her companionship is very useful at their etiquette lessons: Bellusdeo is too much like Kaylin and yet, the so very punctilious-and-proper Lord Diarmat, Commander of the Imperial Guard ordered to teach Kaylin etiquette, must accept Bellusdeo's questions and mutterings where he'd simply eat Kaylin. Yes, I mean that literally!

Lord Sanabalis is one of four Dragon lords at the Imperial Court and is supposed to be teaching Kaylin how to use her magic. The Arkon is the oldest Dragon at court and the palace library is his hoard; Bellusdeo knew him as Lannagaros. He also has some home truths for Kaylin about Bellusdeo. The Dragon Emperor "was born during the wars between the Barrani and the Dragon flights". Maggaron is Bellusdeo's Ascendant, a Norannir.

The Hawks include:
The Hawks are the investigators headed up by Lord Grammayre, the Hawklord who has a soft spot for Kaylin. Sergeant Marcus Kassan, a.k.a., Ironjaw, a Leontine, is still cursing up a storm over the paperwork and overtime caused by the investigation into the extortionate chancellor of the exchequer. Caitlin is his unofficial second-in-command and she does a great job of funneling most of the paperwork away from Marcus. Clint, a terrified Aerian, is worried that Kaylin won't be around to ruffle his feathers. Teela, a.k.a., Lord An'Tella, and Tain are Barrani involved in the embezzlement investigation.

Lord Tiamaris, a Dragon, is the fieflord of Tiamaris with Tara, the Tower, the gardening Lady, a very hands-on Avatar, especially compared to other fiefs. They make a good pair of rulers---the first to actually care about the people within their fief. Morse is Tiamaris and Tara's second-in-command and very protective of Tara. Yvander is one of theirs and being tricked.

Lord Nightshade, Calarnenne, is an Outcaste Barrani fieflord chosen as the Teller whose methods of profit anger Kaylin. Supposedly, his role prevents other Barrani from killing him. Supposedly. Lord Andellen is the Barrani guard who has become a part of Kaylin's life, and he joins her on the journey to the West March.

The High Lord and his Consort, the Lady, the Mother of the Race, rule the Barrani. And the Lady is still incredibly angry over Kaylin's choices in Cast in Chaos , 6, and now believes it part of a deep-laid plot. She has got to learn to understand Kaylin! Other Barrani Lords on the trip include Lord Evarrim, one of Kaylin's enemies and Teela's cousins and Lord Iberrienne is also a cousin. Lirienne is the Lord of the West March.

The way stations are the Hallionne, the hearts of the green, created by the Ancients
Each being is him- or herself the way station, an Avatar. Able to protect a vast area around them and stretch to provide food and shelter to whomever requests hospitality. Hallionne Sylvanne was the first, the tree. Hallionne Kariastos appears as the water dragon antagonized by Kaylin's familiar. He is awakened by the Lady. Hallionne Bertolle, saved by Kaylin who now knows his name, and Hallionne Orbaranne are under attack. Wilson and Roberts are two of Bertolle's six brothers.

Shadows, similar to the Ferals, but bigger, more lethal, attack them on their journey. And they can speak! Part of the Hallionnes' purpose is to protect against these Shadows. Terrano was one of the children changed, and he intends to kill the Lady. Ynpharion is returned by Kaylin.

Marya is the chief midwife who calls Kaylin out when a birth is going wrong. Miccha Jannoson is a young boy reported missing. Brent is another of the missing.

Lords of Law and Lords of Chaos have one thing in common---the destruction of the other. Otherwise each Lord was unique. The Shadows were created by three of the Lords.

The various divisions within Elantra include:
The Aerians are birdmen with wings who can fly, but they are not shifters. Barrani are the upper class in this society, although not the uppermost. The Leontine are lion shifters. Arcanists are mages who work independently of the Dragon Emperor while the Mages owe him their allegiance. The fiefs in this story---Tiamaris, Nightshade, and Ravellon---are only three out of seven criminal neighborhoods around Elantra. The beings who rule fiefs are the fieflords who provide the name of the fief itself, shape its existence, and protect its boundaries from the Shadows. Ferals are

Outlands are where the portal paths are located.

The Cover
The cover is a background of blue-greens of a forest at dusk with fairy lights while Kaylin in her yellow-green blood of the green gown perches on a moss-covered log cradling her multi-colored egg, the gold bracer on her arm, her peach-toned flesh rising up above the simple horizontal bustline, her dark hair blowing in the breeze almost reflecting the breezy lines of the tattoos on her body.

The title can be taken two ways: literally, since the cast of characters is indeed in peril and/or metaphysically with their world Cast in Peril.

[Chels · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: The Chronicles of Elantra

[James Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[drey · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!