Cast in Conflict

Chronicles of Elantra #16

by Michelle Sagara, Khristine Hvam (Narrator)

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer

A Dragon and ten Barrani wouldn’t be anyone’s ideal roommates if a person wants peace and tranquility at home. The residue of three Draco-Barrani wars can make things pretty awkward - on a good day. Kaylin Neya has run out of good days.

In the upheaval surrounding the Academia, the Tower in the fief of Candallar is now without its lord. The Towers were created to protect Elantra against Shadow. Dragon Bellusdeo wants to captain the Tower and continue a war she’ll never be able to abandon. But Sedarias, leader of the Barrani cohort, wants the Tower for the cohort. And Barrani and Dragons don’t negotiate, even when they’re living under the same roof.

If there were ever a time for Shadow to strike, it’s now, when alliances are fractured and the Tower is vulnerable for the first time in centuries. More than ever, Kaylin needs her friends to work together if they’re going to be able to stop the threat to Elantra.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Magic, Science Fiction Fantasy, Audiobook, High Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published June 29, 2021

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

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this series for over a decade, and I still enjoy it as much now as I did when I started. This is a slow burn fantasy series with a focus on worldbuilding, but enough character growth and interaction to keep me interested (I'm a relationship reader, not necessarily a world-building reader).

Cast in Conflict took a big step forward in terms of plot, and it kept me hooked. As soon as I finished it I was sad that it was over and wanted to keep going.

I recommend this series to fans of wordy fantasy like Tolkien, but particularly for a reader who prefers a gentler, less blood and gore filled battle world. Here the focus is on magic, cultures, friendships, and the power of words, not who's the better fighter; there are action scenes, but they're more introspective.

Start at the beginning with Book 1; this is not a series where you can jump in at the middle and expect to understand what's going on.

[Mistress OP · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always I hate every single person who reads this book before me.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book with a certain amount of dread. I have not enjoyed one of these books since ’Cast in Flight’ and you have to go back nearly ten years to when the series was at its best. I keep going because the first eight in the series are some of the best Fantasy books I have read and I still have an interest in finding out what the author intended by making Kaylin ‘The Chosen’, where was she intending taking this story. Unfortunately one of my main worries is the author has actually forgotten and I may never find out.
I stopped reading after about a hundred pages to take stock of the story so far and basically very little had happened, plus the ridiculous cohort were still involved. In fact this has become the main problem with these books, they take ages to get anywhere and once you are there, you realise the story hasn’t really progressed for over ten years.
There is a lot more action in the last few chapters and this probably saved me from having to give just one star, I just wish the story was going somewhere.

[Krysta · Rating 2 out of 5]

The word that most comes to mind is trudge - this story trudges along for the most part. There is so much being talked at. So little progression of overarching plot. And ultimately so much frustration with the author and disappointment with the rut this series has fallen into.

[Hannah Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one my favorites of her more recent releases. I really like that seems that she has returned to the series' root a bit for this release. We get to interact with Sanabalis *ahem* I mean the Arkon. WE have Tara and Tiamaris. There's others but I don't want to give the whole book away.

Kaylin continues to show her slow but steady growth although she does still struggle with wanting to a problem solver/fixer for her adopted family's problems without any care for her own wellbeing. Poor girl is still a little slow on the uptake when it comes to burgeoning romances around her but we love her anyway.

I like how Nightshade seems to be learning better ways to relate to Kaylin. The Barrani are slow to change until Kaylin gets ahold of them 😉 I wonder if he's wanted to change but wants the convenient excuse of Chosen-related exposure for the personality adjustment. I still love him and ship him with our girl.

The dragon court cracks me up. I swear they're a bunch of ancient dudes who are utterly clueless about females. Specifically, dragon females. In particular, Bellusdeo. They rely on Kaylin to interpret her foreign female ways and seem to hide behind Kaylin because Bellusdeo is less likely to hurt her than them. Poor males.

Overall, I loved it and hate that I have to wait for the next one.

Quote from the book:

--“I’ve called you Sanabalis—Lord Sanabalis—for the entire time I’ve known you. I’m sorry. I’ll get it right.”

Sanabalis’s eyes were orange, but his smile was genuine. “As you were, Private.”

“I’m a corporal!”

“You’ve been a private for the entire time I’ve known you.”

Point to the Dragon.--

Cast in Conflict by Michelle Sagara

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A return to Elantra the further adventures of Kaylin Neya and all her many, many friends and acquaintances, including humans, dragons, barrani, sort of humans, sort of dragons, sort of barrani, buildings, along with a collection of assorted other beings, the latest being a race of giant spider-like creatures. Did I say there were many? I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that she collects another in this book. Maybe if I could read all these books back-to-back, with no gap between them, it would be easier to remember it all. Sagara doesn’t help much. She keeps referring to these characters and situations without any recaps or reminders as to who exactly they are. Sometimes I recall, sometimes I don’t. I’ve almost given up trying.

For all that, the story advances, and more knowledge is introduced about the nature of the world, its history, and its endless conflict with the Shadow lurking in the heart of Ravellon. I keep thinking this is all building up to something big, but I’m starting to wonder. I suppose she could keep adding more bricks to this edifice indefinitely without reaching any climax at all. Still, at what point does it all reach critical mass and even with her notes, Sagara herself has difficulty keeping it all straight. I guess we’ll see because it would seem, I’m sticking with this series.

I’m definitely tempted to give up sometimes, but there’s something about this world and these characters that keep pulling me back in. Obviously, at least where I’m concerned, Michelle Sagara has gotten something very right.

Anyway, until next time, because there will definitely be a next time.

[Mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

The first book of late in which there seems to be a forward movement. Pity it’s not the Private’s who we clearly see, and correctly label as, a child (at moment teen, never an adult, not even a young adult I fear). Only a child refuses to take a stand and here she looks a toddler when some idiots ask her “who do you love more, mummy or daddy?”. Unfortunately here the matter at hand is way heavier and more logical and refusing to take a stand is simply childish. And it’s one example of many.

Still one takes pleasure where one can…

I still find unbearably heavy and useless all the magic mambo-jumbo. But I appreciate the graying of the enemies who are not all black.

[Kat Cloaked · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am sad to report that the over-arching plot makes very little progress in this book.

I enjoy these characters. But this series has become bloated.

Some of the major issues need resolution so the characters can face new dilemmas. Is Kaylin asexual? And if so, does that impact her relationship with Severn? What is the end goal for Kaylin and Nightshade? Why is Kaylin the Chosen, and what purpose is she intended to serve?

I don’t know if the author is afraid of wrapping things up leaving her without future stories, but I am losing interest in these books.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

of Fiefholds, Baranis and Dragons—the tale continues!

There’s an empty tower in the middle of the Elantra fiefs, formally captained by Candallar. That equates to a place where the Shadow can gain a foothold. Kaylin’s Barani misfit Lords want it and it seems so does her friend the Dragon Bellusdeo. Surprise, surprise! The dragon court of course wants Kaylin to keep an eye on Bellusdeo’s movements. They “would like to know where Bellusdeo has been going in the past two weeks.” To Kaylin, “It was clear that the gold Dragon was doing something with her day—something that Kaylin couldn’t see.” The dragon emperor has ordered Corporal Kaylin Neya to accompany Bellusdeo. Severn is sent to support(moderate?) Kaylin.
Bellusdeo has troubled me since the beginning. Why? Because she’s fiercely independent and yet carries the weight of being the last female dragon in Elantra. She arrived from the somewhere Other fleeing the Shadow, and now in Elantra, the continuation of dragonism just might be her burden.
The Emperor has been wise in allowing her distance. Currently Bellusdeo lives with Kaylin in the sentient House Helen. (What else can the Emperor do?) His patience is not measured as others measure. And I ask myself is Bellusdeo a significant part of his hoard? The other dragons are as usual confused by her. Except maybe the Dragon Sanabalis now the Arkon.
Bellusdeo wants to continue to fight the Dark. She wants to take charge of a tower. But then there’s the cohort of Barani’s living (loose term) with Kaylin, and they too are looking for somewhere to go.
Kaylin of course falls from one situation into another. We must remember this is as Severn reminded her, “Kaylin, Kaylin Neya, Lord Kaylin Neya, Corporal Neya or just Corporal”, and we’re never sure, neither is Kaylin, which identity will surface. Lord Nightshade is as ever his sartorial self.
Another great return to Elantra, one of my favorite spaces.

A Harlequin Trade ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming out June 29, 2021.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it that we're already sixteen novels into the Chronicles of Elantra series? It feels like just a few years ago, I found this series and fell in love. Yet here we are, with Cast in Conflict being the latest (sixteenth) addition to the series.

Corporal Kaylin has long been known for having a talent for getting into trouble. Yet this time, no one can pretend that the fault is hers. She's been tasked to follow one of her roommates (and friend), Bellusdeo. As in, the last female dragon.

There's something going on inside Bellusdeo, and it's making all of the remaining dragons nervous. It's making Kaylin nervous too, but she understands that Bellusdeo is more likely to survive whatever it is she's seeking.

"Her reactions were her reactions, yes. They were visceral and instinctive. But her behavior was a choice."

She's done it again. Cast in Conflict is another delight to read, and I have to thank Michelle Sagara for continuously providing adventures to the fans. Kaylin's journey has been a long one, and it feels like she still has quite a ways to go. All I know is that I'll be sticking around for as long as it does.

At this point, I think that the Chronicles of Elantra series is the most detailed series I'm actively reading. Each novel covers a relatively short period of time, as there is simply so much to cover. It's like a slice of life meets fantasy, only with a heavy dose of chaos (courtesy of Kaylin) and politics (courtesy of nearly every other character in the series).

There are many different reasons why I enjoyed this novel. There's the politics, of course. Not only do we see more dragon politics, but library politics (please see the previous installment in this series), as well as how other fiefs function.

Words cannot express how badly I've wanted to see the rest of the fiefs. While there are still so many questions left to be answered (so many!), I'm happy with what I was able to spot here. Furthermore, I feel like this novel worked really hard to push Bellusdeo's plot arc forward while doing justice to her background and needs.

It was tense and a delight to see if I'm honest. It forced readers (and Kaylin) to see a different side of the dragon. Okay, it doesn't hurt that Kaylin is our central perspective, and she wouldn't notice certain emotions if they hit her in the face.

On that note, I do feel like this was the start of something new. My favorite character was present, though perhaps not as much as I would like (is that even possible?). Yet, their presence was deeply felt, especially as specific conversations rose to the surface.

Dare I hope that Kaylin finally realizes something that has been right in front of her face this whole time? Only time will tell. Until then, I will be happily counting down the days to the release of the next sequel, which I'm certain will be worth the wait.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks>

[Jafumbwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tried very hard not to include any spoilers.
*This review is in two parts.
A short review of this book in particular followed by a reflection on the series as a whole up to the this point.

This addition to the Chronicles of Elantra was exciting. Kaylin’s friends are concerned about what to do with the Tower that’s now up for grabs since it’s former Captain is gone (see Cast in Wisdom). As a result of it being located right on the border of Ravellon, it is strategically important and whoever holds it will be the first line of defense against the Shadow. However, it’s Avatar isn’t like others that Kaylin has interacted with. It appears to have a moral ambiguity that is suspicious.

Kaylin and her friends are more interesting. There are new species and Tower Captains to learn about and understand. Kaylin has built a diverse family and home for herself, most of whom are housed in her sentient building, Helen. While not all of them consider her family, that’s pretty much what they are. And just as they’re diverse in species, so are their goals. [I swear, as much as elder races think of themselves as stoic, they really do seem more reactive to base emotions such as anger, fear, embarrassment]. Anyway, they want different things and though Kaylin wants to help them, there isn’t much she can do. Life and relationships are full of change and everyone will have to decide what they can live with and what they can’t live without.

In short, since more artifacts have been recovered, the storyline, which has always been full of action, is progressing in plot and character development. I can’t wait for the next book.

*The series:
I’ve been following the life of Kaylin Neya for nearly 20 years now. While those stories have always been exciting and interesting, Kaylin herself has often been frustrating.

The issue I had was always based her lack of maturity. The series began when she was barely an adult, and very little time takes place between the stories. So, while I grew older, Kaylin barely aged. She’s young. Inexperienced in what a stable life might be, but fluent in surviving. As a character, she is impulsive; not always observant—unless it’s something that looks like it’ll cause death; and for a long time unapologetic about her lack of understanding.

Due to this, there was a point a few years back when I contemplated quitting the series. It felt like dealing with an unrepentant teen who refused to learn from her errors.

But I took a moment to reflect on the entire cast of characters and the events that were taking place. I realized:
1. There is a great deal of trauma that Kaylin experienced growing up and since becoming Chosen.
2. Though she is often surrounded by others with literally centuries of experience they often provide dubious guidance and ambiguous instruction.
*I mean what use are etiquette lessons when she needs to know what being Chosen means?
3. Each time there is trouble, these same people often ask her “what did you do?” Only later to demand that she “do the thing!” that they haven’t helped her learn.

Annnnd…that’s often the nature of growing up. People who know better too often just assume that the young are paying attention enough to just “get it” without instruction. And young people learn that sometimes something as trivial as etiquette could actually come in handy.

So it’s with a great deal of satisfaction that I continue to experience her learning and growing and trusting more, both herself and her friends.

And isn’t that the point of a great story? To reflect the depth and complexity of life even under nearly implausible conditions?

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 16 in the series.

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, disappointing.

I was so excited when I saw this book was coming out on my birthday, so I pre-ordered it as a birthday present. I happily grabbed my Kindle first thing in the morning on my birthday and started to read with breakfast. It sadly didn't live up to my excitement.

It moved soooo slowly. The first two thirds or so was nothing but talk about shadow, towers and Bellusdeo's past and current unhappiness. And most of that was without Bellusdeo present. Severn was there for most of it, but only as a token "partner" and Nightshade just offers his thoughts. The rest of Kaylin's found family barely made an appearance, except for the squabbling Cohort, most of whom I couldn't care less about, because either they're unpleasant or just not really there.

I do love the offbeat friendship between Bellsudeo and Mandoran, but I'd really like to go back to the main story with less of the Cohort. And I really need to see Kaylin grow a little. Sixteen books in and she's still mostly ignorant about what being Chosen is and what she can do. I understand that time frame-wise, a lot has happened in a very short period, but Kaylin seems to be learning nothing from what has happened to her and her friends.

And there's maybe a bit too much reliance on Hope now? The scene where he tells her there's a problem she could solve, so he'll do it for her annoyed the hell out of me. If she can do it, she should do it, how will she learn otherwise?!

I will keep reading the series, because I am absolutely invested in it after sixteen books, but the next one will come from the library.

[Katyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Review on re-read)
I think I might have liked this even more on the re-read. It was a good dig into some long-standing characters - Bellusdeo, Emmerian, Mandoran, Sedarias - and it was great for them to really get their moment. I love the relationship between Bellusdeo and Mandoran. And I have great hopes for the relationship between Emmerian and Bellusdeo. I really want to see some dragon babies.

But I will admit that I don't like Sedarias very much. I have sympathy for her, but she gives into her worst impulses constantly, while still maintaining this holier-than-thou attitude. It grates a bit.

I would also dearly love to see things move forward with Kaylin and Severn, especially after reading the two Severn prequel books. Kaylin is being an awful combo of oblivious and a coward, and that really needs to end. He deserves better than that.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

The book itself was fine, but delved a lot into everyone else but not Kaylin. While she’s busy fixing everyone else’s situation/ relationships, the push and pull between her, Severn, and Nightshade has been completely shelved. It feels like think keep happening to her without any true character growth from her.

[Mimi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting installment, although the structure is peculiar.

Namely, as I suspected it would be, the focus of the book is the newly vacated Tower. Who will be the new fieflord? The first part of the book delves into lives of Kaylin’s companions, as a conflict between them emerges due to a desire by multiple parties to claim the seat. So, for a big chunk of the book, we follow Kaylin as personal stories, struggles and motivations are examined, the Tower sets its thought-provoking challenge, and various characters and their relationships move forward. It was slow, but I enjoyed the care with which the author handled these questions and considerations, since the characters are well known to us.

We also meet all the Towers/fieflords, which was fun!

But then at the end, there’s a bombastic battle scene, and a lot of magic-speak I failed to understand. I can usually follow the internal logic of the world, although it can get long-winded. But some of the key Kaylin-Shadow interactions were baffling to me this time. Hopefully it becomes clearer later.

As a side note - the series focuses on dragons/Barrani more than the other races of Elantra. It’s not an issue, per se, but it would be nice to shift gears once in a while.

[Karinloos · Rating 5 out of 5]

First can I say I absolutely love the world the author has created and this was another riveting addition ( hence the 5 stars )

However notwithstanding the above, I am having issues with this series.

For example I do feel that in this book there was a lot of "rambling" from the author. I feel that she tends to get lost and caught up in her own words.

Also there plot holes in this book for example: there is a huge battle at the end, Kaylin's life is literally on the line. Teela is as we know super protective of Kaylin, however as soon as Kaylin is safe Teela is nowhere, whereas I expected a huge verbal smackdown from Teela to Kaylin , also I expected at least a small rebuke from Nightshade but its like the author completely forgot that part

Another thing that is bothering me ( not enough not to pick up the books and recommend them) but lets face it, we are at book 16 and there is no real maturity to speak of. Sure Kaylin has grown over the series and in this instalment she showed some character growth, but where is her maturity. To be completely oblivious in terms of romance around book 16 is stretching things a bit to far. I do realize that this author is not good at romance ( referring to example House books or the Sun books) thus I do wonder if there will ever be romance (Nightshade or Severn) in the future. I certainly hope so.

Another burning question is whether the series is building up to a major confrontation with Ravellon? It would seem so, however at this rate that will be at book 30.

Again how many adventures must poor Kaylin have before she "ladies up" and starts to finally learn to read and control the words on her body. When is she going to act like a real Chosen and not just a child learning her alphabet?

All the above are starting to become more and more an issue. I do hope that somehow the author becomes aware of these and does something about them.

[Soo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes:

One big thing happened in this book, but it felt like another transition piece. I'll read it again and see how I feel about it.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m shocked to see so many 5 star reviews? Did any of you read the book? Are you older than 12? It was an effort to read this book of you have more than 2 brain cells. Seriously, could the characters not grow a bit? I would be ok if there was a book without a major catastrophe if if did nothing but have Kaylin get some training on how to be Chosen. If one were to guess at this point , being Chosen is the title giving to someone lazy, uneducated by choice and willingly and happily ignorant. So much mind numbingly emo angst inner dialog that I skipped entire paragraphs. I’m puke sick of listening to her whine about not knowing how to use her marks but she makes zero effort to learn or grow. She continues to bumble through every event like a toddler. I’m beginning to really hate Kaylin. Literally no one on the planet would remain friends with someone who went out of her way every single day to be as stupid as possible.

Why have 50 characters if you can’t develop them? Keep the circle small if character development is not your forte or hire someone to help. Lots of authors use ghost writers.

[Deepthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways I loved this book - there was some resolution and the plot seems to have progressed farther. But in other ways, it's still pretty much the same.

Character growth aside, I would also like to see more of Kaylin's relationship with those close(?) to her - Severn, Nightshade, Teela, Marcus, the Hawke lord..... you know the thousand others who existed before we got swept up in the world of the cohort.

But may be that's because I am used to the traditional fantasies - where millenia pass by in chapters while here, it is days.

No seriously. The next book will most likely start a couple of days or may be weeks after the events of this book. This makes me wonder - will there ever be an end to this series?

Also, I know the relationship between Severn, Nightshade and Kaylin is not really a love triangle. But I really want to know more about what each think of each other and have some kind of resolution there.

Overall, one of the better books in the series in terms of action and plot progression so a solid 4 stars it is.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fantastic, I loved the watching the two ladies both wanting the now unmanned tower! Such a great read and I can't wait for the next one!

[JW USA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Another interesting adventure in this world. Some characters make progress and find their path. I do wish Katlyn would make some in her own relationship.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning: this review contains spoilers.


Cast in Conflict is book 16—16 people—in the Chronicles of Elantra series, by Michelle Sagara. If you have not already read the first 15, I do not recommend starting here. This isn’t one of those series where the author re-caps enough to catch-up a first-time reader. Go back and start at the beginning or you will be dreadfully confused.

The cover is beautiful and epic, and I only wish the book followed the theme. But I go too fast. Let’s start at the beginning. Cast in Conflict opens with Kaylin in a magic lesson with Lord Sanabalis—excuse me—the Arkon. We have not seen Kaylin in her required magic lessons, or doing much with her main employment as a Hawk for several books, because something always manages to get in the way. I can’t help but miss come of the people Kaylin comes into contact with when she is doing her regular job—like Marcus. And once again, the magic lesson is short-lived, because of roommate drama. Bellusdeo has up until now mostly followed Kaylin to her job, to her volunteer work, and into mortal danger. But The events of the previous book left one of the fiefs without a captain, and Bellusdeo decides to try and claim it. The only problem is that the Barani cohort also want control of the tower, to use as a base and safehouse. Kaylin is re-assigned to escort Bellusdeo around the fiefs while she tries to take the Tower of Candallar. The only problem is that halfway thought the book, and all that has happened is that Kaylin has run errands and attended several meetings where some new characters talk to each other. I found this quite boring. It wasn’t the most engaging start, and the only reason I slogged through is because I am a long-time fan.

The best part of the book was the relationship building that got to happen. Bellusdeo has to have baby dragons at some point—we all know this. And close readers, or readers who can do math, should have realized by now that pretty much the only option for Bellusdeo is Emmerian, who also happens to be one of the few dragons Bellusdeo can tolerate. So while this hasn’t exactly been a secret to the reader, this is the first time Emmerian finds out that he is “in the running” per se. Kaylin has to work her way through dragon relationship issues as well as disagreements among the cohort. I feel a real opportunity was missed here to show some character growth. Normally I enjoy the slow-build in this series, because it really give times and reasons for characters to change. There was an opportunity for Kaylin to learn from the relationship between the dragonas and between the cohort and apply it to her own life **cough cough Severn**. But that doesn’t happen here. I have hope that maybe it will in the next book. But for now, the only thing that really happens in this one is that Kaylin looses a roommate. Overall, not my favorite. 3 stars.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are changing for Kaylin and her housemates. Now that Candallar has died his tower is in need of a new captain. Two of Kaylin's housemates want the tower for themselves. Bellusdeo, the only female dragon, wants the tower to continue her war against Shadow since she feels that she failed in her previous battles. She hasn't been happy in Elantra where she feels she has no real purpose beyond being the mother of her race.

Sedarias, the leader of the Barrani cohort, wants the tower to provide a place of safety for the cohort. She is having difficulties with the cohort who are starting to develop their own interests including Serralyn and Valliant who have become students at the Academia. Sedarias feels that she can't protect the cohort anymore if they are all going off in new directions. Her very dysfunctional childhood is coloring all her relationships.

Meanwhile, the tower itself has an ancient dragon at its heart and doesn't seem to be in a hurry to pick a new captain. But threats are growing and the outcaste dragon in Ravellon is eager to take advantage of the confusion to snatch Bellusdeo for his own and spread Shadow in Elantra.

This was a great story. I enjoyed all the information about the towers. I also enjoyed meeting a new race of beings even though their physical appearance of being very large spiders gave Kaylin the creeps. I also enjoyed the discussions of guilt and grief and was glad to see that Kaylin is learning to move past her guilt.

Fans of the series will enjoy this episode and be eager for more.

[Tchula Ripton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment of Michelle Sagara's Cast series. This is entry #15, and is not a good place for new readers to jump into the series. Indeed, much of the evolving mystery involves characters recently met in #14, Cast in Wisdom. A re-read of that novel might be a good idea before diving into this one.

Kaylin, Bellusdeo, Emmerian, and the Barrani cohort all figure prominently, along with new characters, and a new race, the Wevaran, one of whom we met for the first time in the previous volume. The fief Towers, particularly un-captained Candellar, are the primary focus of the plot, and we learn more about how they relate to each other, the Academia, Elantra, and Ravellon. A must-read for those enamored of this series!

[amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So. I enjoyed this one better than the last, which is why it gets a better rating, but it's still missing, um, a lot. I'm still wanting a lot more from the story, & I feel justified by saying that just becos it's been such a long series. We get very little in exchange for lots of text.

I remember at the start of this series I was a huge Kaylin & Severn fan, but now I'm dying for some tension with Nightshade (or even Severn, but alas, my taste has changed, haha). I think my age has made a huge difference; I was around Kaylin's age when I started reading, but now, ten years later, I'm wishing that there'd be some sort of maturity. I know that sounds like my review for the last book, but it still rings true. I think if I go back & re-read the first eight or nine books, the last few books will seem even worse than I initially thought, & that breaks my heart cos I really do love this series.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Epic Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4

*Thoughts*

Cast in Conflict is the sixteenth book in the New York Times bestselling Chronicles of Elantra saga, following detective/mage Kaylin Neya as she struggles to protect the city of Elantra from the darkness that is determined to take root. As the story begins, it appears we can now get rid of the Private before Kaylin Neya, and now call her corporal. Yet, even with a promotion, Kaylin's life is not exactly different. She is still the alleged Chosen, even though nobody has any idea what that means, she still has to deal with magic lessons, which she has no choice but to suffer through.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

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

Kaylin is back and she takes on yet another death defying mission. Into the heart of Ravellon, she finds something completely unexpected. This latest book in the series is yet another epic quest with danger and heartbreak. Just how much has been lost with the battle with the Shadow? What is it that causes Shadow? I'm still in the dark about it (no pun intended).
To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know… I took much longer to read this book because it took much longer to come out. I admit I’ve lost track of the characters. But; I remembered the important ones! I rate this book a 4 / 5 but I wanted to rate it a 3.5 because though I didn’t find it bad… I didn’t find it as good as the others. I did love that Bellusdeo is now finding some form of love with Emmerian; however let’s face it we all want to see who Kaylin is going to choose. Severn or Lord Nightshade.

[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the last one but it still wasn't gripping.