What do you think?
Rate this book
Chronicles of Elantra #18
Cast in Atonement
In the City of Elantra, only one holds the key to peace—or eternal darkness.
At the end of three long wars, Bellusdeo is the last of her kind, the sole surviving female Dragon in the City of Elantra. When she appears one evening on the doorstep of her former roommate, Corporal Kaylin Neya, her demeanor is dreadful—more so than what’s expected of the Dragons’ notoriously tempestuous temperament. Kaylin’s new roommate, Mrs. Erickson, is quick to see the reason for Bellusdeo’s despair—the eight ghosts of the Dragon’s dead sisters, chained to her and unseen. Pleading for release, revenge and, above all, peace.
Now Kaylin and Mrs. Erickson must embark on a perilous journey, from the hallowed halls of the Academia to the depths of forbidden magic, to confront the very essence of mortality itself. Can Kaylin help release the untapped power within Mrs. Erickson to save Bellusdeo’s sisters…or will unlocking the past plunge the realm into an unfathomable darkness forever?
At the end of three long wars, Bellusdeo is the last of her kind, the sole surviving female Dragon in the City of Elantra. When she appears one evening on the doorstep of her former roommate, Corporal Kaylin Neya, her demeanor is dreadful—more so than what’s expected of the Dragons’ notoriously tempestuous temperament. Kaylin’s new roommate, Mrs. Erickson, is quick to see the reason for Bellusdeo’s despair—the eight ghosts of the Dragon’s dead sisters, chained to her and unseen. Pleading for release, revenge and, above all, peace.
Now Kaylin and Mrs. Erickson must embark on a perilous journey, from the hallowed halls of the Academia to the depths of forbidden magic, to confront the very essence of mortality itself. Can Kaylin help release the untapped power within Mrs. Erickson to save Bellusdeo’s sisters…or will unlocking the past plunge the realm into an unfathomable darkness forever?
480 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2024
129 people are currently reading
2909 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Sagara
54 books1,805 followersSee 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).
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).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
August 12, 2024
Return to Elantra!
As always I’m transfixed by Corporal Kaylin Neya and the menagerie she gathers around her. Corporal Severn Handred, the cohort of Barrani rescued from the marshes, Lord Bellusdeo the gold dragon who much to the dragon’s ire has become the hope of the Dragon future. Add to this Mrs. Erickson, who it turns out is a lovely lady but a necromancer, who’s living with Kaylin so that Helen might contain and protect her. Then there’s the supposed dead dragon Azoria An’Berranin, whom everyone thinks is dead but who might be in some place else.
The garden is disturbed and the Keeper Evanton disappears.
To cap it all off, Mrs, Erickson sees the ghosts of five of Bellusdeo’s sisters!
Everyone’s disturbed from the Dragon Emperor to the Academia and somehow it’s all resting on Kaylin’s shoulders. Sure she’s the Chosen but now what?
Another far reaching episode in the Elantra series.
A Harlequin ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
As always I’m transfixed by Corporal Kaylin Neya and the menagerie she gathers around her. Corporal Severn Handred, the cohort of Barrani rescued from the marshes, Lord Bellusdeo the gold dragon who much to the dragon’s ire has become the hope of the Dragon future. Add to this Mrs. Erickson, who it turns out is a lovely lady but a necromancer, who’s living with Kaylin so that Helen might contain and protect her. Then there’s the supposed dead dragon Azoria An’Berranin, whom everyone thinks is dead but who might be in some place else.
The garden is disturbed and the Keeper Evanton disappears.
To cap it all off, Mrs, Erickson sees the ghosts of five of Bellusdeo’s sisters!
Everyone’s disturbed from the Dragon Emperor to the Academia and somehow it’s all resting on Kaylin’s shoulders. Sure she’s the Chosen but now what?
Another far reaching episode in the Elantra series.
A Harlequin ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
May 31, 2024
Cast in Atonement follows two major plots. The first is a direct follow-up to book #17, and continues the story of Mrs. Erickson, her ghosts, and the Ancient; much of it taking place in Mrs. Erickson's house and the hidden-house parallel to it. The 2nd plot continues the story from book #7, where we're introduced to Bellusdeo and her lost sisters.
The story opens with Mrs. Erickson's new ghosts creating a bit of havoc in Kaylin's home and is quickly followed by more excitement when Mrs. Erickson can see the 8 dead sisters attached to Bellusdeo.
When I first read the description of Atonement and read about Bellusdeo's sisters being a major element to the the story, I got really excited - and the book didn't disappoint. I couldn't have imagined the direction that story was going to take, but it was fantastic, and I can't wait to see the changes for Bellusdeo reflected in future books. Mrs. Erickson's story, with the new ghosts and the Ancient, was also enjoyable and it'll be interesting to see how this affects the world building.
As always, I highly recommend this series, but you definitely cannot start with this book. This is a series where you have to start at the beginning. If you're a fan of long-running series, especially those that keep growing the world and the characters, then this is a great option. And now that "cozy fantasy" is becoming a growing and popular genre, I would go so far as to say that this series was cozy fantasy before cozy fantasy was cool.
Thanks to Mira and Edelweiss for the advance e-galley.
The story opens with Mrs. Erickson's new ghosts creating a bit of havoc in Kaylin's home and is quickly followed by more excitement when Mrs. Erickson can see the 8 dead sisters attached to Bellusdeo.
When I first read the description of Atonement and read about Bellusdeo's sisters being a major element to the the story, I got really excited - and the book didn't disappoint. I couldn't have imagined the direction that story was going to take, but it was fantastic, and I can't wait to see the changes for Bellusdeo reflected in future books. Mrs. Erickson's story, with the new ghosts and the Ancient, was also enjoyable and it'll be interesting to see how this affects the world building.
As always, I highly recommend this series, but you definitely cannot start with this book. This is a series where you have to start at the beginning. If you're a fan of long-running series, especially those that keep growing the world and the characters, then this is a great option. And now that "cozy fantasy" is becoming a growing and popular genre, I would go so far as to say that this series was cozy fantasy before cozy fantasy was cool.
Thanks to Mira and Edelweiss for the advance e-galley.
August 2, 2024
Actual Rating: 3.5
Received from NetGalley
Received from NetGalley
August 12, 2024
This series is a long time favorite, and I'm always happy to jump back in and visit with the fabulous cast of characters.
I didn't realize it was going to be so tightly connected to the previous book, though, and I wish I'd re-read it to refresh my memory because I was grasping for details at a couple points in this book. Still, I enjoyed it, and appreciated some of the forward movement.
I didn't realize it was going to be so tightly connected to the previous book, though, and I wish I'd re-read it to refresh my memory because I was grasping for details at a couple points in this book. Still, I enjoyed it, and appreciated some of the forward movement.
September 1, 2024
Here is my issue: This never should have been its own book. It, and the last book, should both have been cut in half and combined to make one cohesive story. Back when Kaylin and company first went to the West March, Sagara managed to convince her editor that she needed two books to get the job done. To me, that’s when the quality of the series took a nosedive. It’s just gotten worse and worse and worse.
I continue to read them, complaining to my husband about the sunk cost fallacy. I loved the early books, but these later ones are a slog. There is far too much repetition, which leads to me skimming. I’m reading the entire book, just so I can read the mental conversations between Kaylin and Severn. That is really the only thing I cared about in this book.
It’s just such a pity. I’ve always loved the characters and the setting, but it feels like that love is in spite of the author instead of because of her.
I continue to read them, complaining to my husband about the sunk cost fallacy. I loved the early books, but these later ones are a slog. There is far too much repetition, which leads to me skimming. I’m reading the entire book, just so I can read the mental conversations between Kaylin and Severn. That is really the only thing I cared about in this book.
It’s just such a pity. I’ve always loved the characters and the setting, but it feels like that love is in spite of the author instead of because of her.
August 14, 2024
This was more a continuation of the story in #17, Cast in Eternity. I hadn't read that one since it was published in 2022. So, 21 months and many books later, I had to remind myself what happened. I gave it a 3 because I didn't feel like anything in the storyline moved forward. I should say, anything I cared about. I really want to say grow up Kaylin and see that Severn loves you. Be a big girl. You can't stay a child or teenager forever. I was tired of Bellusdeo's angry attitude in this one and wished that she had to leave. Evanton has to stay but I'm fed up with his rudeness to Kaylin. Someone needs to stand up for her and she needs to stand up for herself. That would be a good book.
August 12, 2024
Blah….blah……blah….. so much potential, so disappointing. 90% of the time characters are sitting around talking. 10% actually doing something. I haven’t been so bored since high school math class.
September 3, 2024
Intricately woven fantasy adventure
I may not catch the subtle nuances of the story on my first read, but I always understand the character relationships are the most important part of Sagara's storytelling. Atonement is a shining example of relationships: chosen, familial, friendly, adversarial, immortal, and mortal. Emmerian might be my favorite Dragon. Mrs. Erickson has become a loved character. And I'm excited about the possibilities inherent in some new characters. Anyone new to the series should definitely start at the beginning to get the full understanding of the intertwined character relationships. I read a library book, but I will be buying the ebooks as my budget allows.
I may not catch the subtle nuances of the story on my first read, but I always understand the character relationships are the most important part of Sagara's storytelling. Atonement is a shining example of relationships: chosen, familial, friendly, adversarial, immortal, and mortal. Emmerian might be my favorite Dragon. Mrs. Erickson has become a loved character. And I'm excited about the possibilities inherent in some new characters. Anyone new to the series should definitely start at the beginning to get the full understanding of the intertwined character relationships. I read a library book, but I will be buying the ebooks as my budget allows.
December 6, 2025
2.5 stars
I feel we backslide somewhat in this book compared to the previous few.
Lots of detailed explanation of previous book, repetitive dialogue and “Kaylin is incompetent “ commentary. The actual plot seems more like bits and pieces of tying up loose ends of the previous story. I wonder whether the author couldn’t quite weave those disparate strands strongly enough into a single plot but still thought they were important to address?
There was progress with worldbuilding as it relates to the ancients and necromancy, and Belledsuo experiences meaningful changes.
I feel we backslide somewhat in this book compared to the previous few.
Lots of detailed explanation of previous book, repetitive dialogue and “Kaylin is incompetent “ commentary. The actual plot seems more like bits and pieces of tying up loose ends of the previous story. I wonder whether the author couldn’t quite weave those disparate strands strongly enough into a single plot but still thought they were important to address?
There was progress with worldbuilding as it relates to the ancients and necromancy, and Belledsuo experiences meaningful changes.
August 7, 2024
magical
Kaylin is magical to me as a reader. Damaged, flawed, broken, yet she managed to create a life for herself and healing, through the darkest of circumstances she thrives, because of those that surround her. Kaylin has the precious Mrs. Erickson living with her and the cohort, but there is a disturbance in the force.
A select group of friends go with Kaylin and Mrs. Erickson to her former home to find the evil Azoria’s influence is still active. A chain of events is triggered, Evanston the Keeper disappears and Bellusdeo learns her sisters are still attached to her as ghosts, and somehow it all seems tied to gentle, elderly Mrs. Ericsson’s magical abilities to see the dead. This is a call to adventure and A life changing journey takes place for these intrepid companions.
I adore Michelle Sagara and this series and this mesmerizing novel was read on one sitting. An enthralling book, fascinating characters and an absolutely worthwhile read
Kaylin is magical to me as a reader. Damaged, flawed, broken, yet she managed to create a life for herself and healing, through the darkest of circumstances she thrives, because of those that surround her. Kaylin has the precious Mrs. Erickson living with her and the cohort, but there is a disturbance in the force.
A select group of friends go with Kaylin and Mrs. Erickson to her former home to find the evil Azoria’s influence is still active. A chain of events is triggered, Evanston the Keeper disappears and Bellusdeo learns her sisters are still attached to her as ghosts, and somehow it all seems tied to gentle, elderly Mrs. Ericsson’s magical abilities to see the dead. This is a call to adventure and A life changing journey takes place for these intrepid companions.
I adore Michelle Sagara and this series and this mesmerizing novel was read on one sitting. An enthralling book, fascinating characters and an absolutely worthwhile read
April 14, 2024
Oh, loved reading this book, loved the updates, and it was such a great story!
October 30, 2024
Seriously, I started this book yesterday and couldn’t stop until I finished it today. Michelle’s Cast Series has been highly enjoyable for me. I always look forward to the next book in the series.
August 28, 2024
Amo a esta autora, cerro de manera inesperada los lazos sueltos del libro anterior.
Gran crecimiento de personaje para varios , sobretodo Bellusdeo
Gran crecimiento de personaje para varios , sobretodo Bellusdeo
June 9, 2025
Not my favorite of the series, but still my favorite series so well worth the read! Wishing Nightshade was included!
August 14, 2024
I absolutely love this series. I will continue to buy and read each instalment .
That being said this one I could only give 4 stars, mainly due to the fact that the beginning was rather jumbled for lack of a better word. I almost felt I was missing something. I must admit I have not read the book about the Academia so maybe that was the problem.
It seems that all Kaylin's connections ( via True names) are glaringly absent in this book. I seriously couldn't understand why at least Nightshade was not featured in the previous and this book, or in fact the Warden in this book considering the whole thing with the Green. I do hope that we will get to see some of them again in future books.
Kaylin has grown in the last few books and had some character development in that she is no longer a completely clueless child, but she still comes across in a slightly childlike manner. I do hope she will continue to mature . I am unsure where the author is taking the relationship with Severn, from his perspective it seems he does love Kaylin in the romantic way. But I could be wrong, I am still getting a big brother / baby sister vibe from them. Also can we be done with Mrs Erikson already now, I mean she is sweet and all but enough already.
None the less I still enjoyed the story. This is a continuation of the previous Cast book so if you haven't read that one (about Mrs Erikson , her ghosts and Azoria) you will be a little lost in the storyline, so I would highly recommend you read it first. ( IN fact if you are just coming into this series without have read any previous book I would say start at book 1.
All in all I wish the author brought out more Cast books in a year , they are my favorite books.
That being said this one I could only give 4 stars, mainly due to the fact that the beginning was rather jumbled for lack of a better word. I almost felt I was missing something. I must admit I have not read the book about the Academia so maybe that was the problem.
It seems that all Kaylin's connections ( via True names) are glaringly absent in this book. I seriously couldn't understand why at least Nightshade was not featured in the previous and this book, or in fact the Warden in this book considering the whole thing with the Green. I do hope that we will get to see some of them again in future books.
Kaylin has grown in the last few books and had some character development in that she is no longer a completely clueless child, but she still comes across in a slightly childlike manner. I do hope she will continue to mature . I am unsure where the author is taking the relationship with Severn, from his perspective it seems he does love Kaylin in the romantic way. But I could be wrong, I am still getting a big brother / baby sister vibe from them. Also can we be done with Mrs Erikson already now, I mean she is sweet and all but enough already.
None the less I still enjoyed the story. This is a continuation of the previous Cast book so if you haven't read that one (about Mrs Erikson , her ghosts and Azoria) you will be a little lost in the storyline, so I would highly recommend you read it first. ( IN fact if you are just coming into this series without have read any previous book I would say start at book 1.
All in all I wish the author brought out more Cast books in a year , they are my favorite books.
October 27, 2024
I think I officially quit this series. If the author's note is to be believed there were editors involved, but if they were they didn't do anything to help the painful slog through over 500 pages that only achieved about 100 pages of actual plot movement.
We are along for the ride when the group goes back to visit Azoria's lair, why then are we along for every iteration of recapping that experience in excruciating and mind-numbing detail? I also get very tired of everyone's eye color being shared. (Too reminiscent of LKH) I understand that in this society the eyes are like a mood ring, but truly when you already state that these entities are angry, why do you need to confirm it with whether there are flecks of orange or copper which means almost nothing in terms of the actual story and plot?
I was repeatedly told the story of Mrs. Erickson. How many times was I as a reader told how old she was, how many times were we taken through her powers, how many times did I have to read about her character and how she visited the Hawks simply because the author kept repeating herself over and over in conversation with other characters and even in internal dialogues. I find it convenient that none of the other characters who can mind speak with her ever showed up during this one because they would have been so bored of repeating the same scenes over and over.
I was repeatedly told about Bellusdeo not wanting to be a mother, her issues with Emmerian, and her sisters. Over and over. Ad nauseum.
We had to walk through her visit to Azoria's so many times. Now it's fine if that occurs in the world she built; HOWEVER, you do not need to force your reader to read that same story over and over. It was infuriating. I again am not seeing much character growth from Kaylin and all I got from this book is that now Bellusdeo will be willing to have babies. Ta da.
Also as a side note why is Kaylin unable to afford a second set of clothing- why is she broke at all when she has performed many services for the Emperor, significantly ensuring the dragons won't die out as a species, so why is she still paid so little and why do you think we as readers aren't annoyed listening to her whine about a lost set of clothes when she legitimately should not be so broke and it doesn't make sense anymore.
We are along for the ride when the group goes back to visit Azoria's lair, why then are we along for every iteration of recapping that experience in excruciating and mind-numbing detail? I also get very tired of everyone's eye color being shared. (Too reminiscent of LKH) I understand that in this society the eyes are like a mood ring, but truly when you already state that these entities are angry, why do you need to confirm it with whether there are flecks of orange or copper which means almost nothing in terms of the actual story and plot?
I was repeatedly told the story of Mrs. Erickson. How many times was I as a reader told how old she was, how many times were we taken through her powers, how many times did I have to read about her character and how she visited the Hawks simply because the author kept repeating herself over and over in conversation with other characters and even in internal dialogues. I find it convenient that none of the other characters who can mind speak with her ever showed up during this one because they would have been so bored of repeating the same scenes over and over.
I was repeatedly told about Bellusdeo not wanting to be a mother, her issues with Emmerian, and her sisters. Over and over. Ad nauseum.
We had to walk through her visit to Azoria's so many times. Now it's fine if that occurs in the world she built; HOWEVER, you do not need to force your reader to read that same story over and over. It was infuriating. I again am not seeing much character growth from Kaylin and all I got from this book is that now Bellusdeo will be willing to have babies. Ta da.
Also as a side note why is Kaylin unable to afford a second set of clothing- why is she broke at all when she has performed many services for the Emperor, significantly ensuring the dragons won't die out as a species, so why is she still paid so little and why do you think we as readers aren't annoyed listening to her whine about a lost set of clothes when she legitimately should not be so broke and it doesn't make sense anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2024
The nineteenth book in the Chronicles of Elantra series has a lot to do with ghosts. Mrs. Erickson has moved into Helen at Kaylin's request. She's a shaman and likely a necromancer. She's also a kind, gentle and lonely old woman who has made friends in the Hawks. And she's a woman who can see ghosts and who as a child couldn't tell ghosts from the living apart.
For many years she lived with the ghosts of four children who became ghosts when Azoria an'Berranin, an evil Barrani, separated their souls from their bodies. Azoria had big plans for Mrs. Erickson too but couldn't manage to take over her body. Azoria is dead now, but the problems she created in her quest for power continue.
Bellusdeo has a problem or two too. The only female dragon has moved out of Helen to take control of one of the sentient towers that watch out for incursions of Shadow but she is being troubled by ghosts too. She once had eight sisters, but all died in the battles against Shadow. Only they aren't gone and aren't happy. Mrs. Erickson would really like to help her but first she has to deal the Ancient who is troubling the garden of elements Evanton where Evanton is the Keeper.
This was an engaging episode in a long-running series. It is a complex fantasy world where questions of death and reality are often at stake. Kaylin is the Chosen of this generation even though she doesn't know what that means or what she can do with the powers she isn't at all sure she wants. She almost always finds herself in situations where she is obliged to use her instincts to save the world. This episode was no exception.
While I wouldn't recommend starting the series here, fans will be engaged with this latest episode.
For many years she lived with the ghosts of four children who became ghosts when Azoria an'Berranin, an evil Barrani, separated their souls from their bodies. Azoria had big plans for Mrs. Erickson too but couldn't manage to take over her body. Azoria is dead now, but the problems she created in her quest for power continue.
Bellusdeo has a problem or two too. The only female dragon has moved out of Helen to take control of one of the sentient towers that watch out for incursions of Shadow but she is being troubled by ghosts too. She once had eight sisters, but all died in the battles against Shadow. Only they aren't gone and aren't happy. Mrs. Erickson would really like to help her but first she has to deal the Ancient who is troubling the garden of elements Evanton where Evanton is the Keeper.
This was an engaging episode in a long-running series. It is a complex fantasy world where questions of death and reality are often at stake. Kaylin is the Chosen of this generation even though she doesn't know what that means or what she can do with the powers she isn't at all sure she wants. She almost always finds herself in situations where she is obliged to use her instincts to save the world. This episode was no exception.
While I wouldn't recommend starting the series here, fans will be engaged with this latest episode.
August 14, 2024
While I absolutely adore this series, this felt like a bit of a filler book, tying up loose ends from the previous one, rather than really developing anything new.
April 11, 2025
I love the series. I love the world that Elantra is set in.
The last few books have been disappointing. This one too, unfortunately, has failed to buck the trend.
I will list the few things I have missed in this book, reasons that have caused me to follow closely an 18-book long series:
1) Closer interaction with the other Castes or species in the novel - the Leontines, Aerians..
2) Cases that directly included Kaylin's work as a Hawk in the Halls of Law.
3) Kaylin's chutzpah. Her strong spirit.
- One grows tired of an ignorant & forever self-sacrificing protagonist that shows no interest in bettering herself. Frankly, her character seems to have regressed. Someone who survived the fiefs couldn't have done so without being a good learner who knew how to adapt. Yet, she still doesn't want to learn magic, its rules, communicate with her familiar or research about the True language.
4) A strong storyline.
5) Progress in Kaylin & Severn's relationship.
The last few books have been disappointing. This one too, unfortunately, has failed to buck the trend.
I will list the few things I have missed in this book, reasons that have caused me to follow closely an 18-book long series:
1) Closer interaction with the other Castes or species in the novel - the Leontines, Aerians..
2) Cases that directly included Kaylin's work as a Hawk in the Halls of Law.
3) Kaylin's chutzpah. Her strong spirit.
- One grows tired of an ignorant & forever self-sacrificing protagonist that shows no interest in bettering herself. Frankly, her character seems to have regressed. Someone who survived the fiefs couldn't have done so without being a good learner who knew how to adapt. Yet, she still doesn't want to learn magic, its rules, communicate with her familiar or research about the True language.
4) A strong storyline.
5) Progress in Kaylin & Severn's relationship.
November 29, 2024
3 stars.
We're back to Kaylin and the "I see dead people" Mrs. Erickson. When Mrs. Erickson meets Bellusdeo, she sees the crying ghosts of Bellusdeo's sisters and wants to help them. And of course, there are the ghosts she picked up from the Imperial Palace in the previous book Cast in Eternity that are still at Helen's. The Keeper Evanton believes something is affecting the Elements in his garden and thinks it's got to do with Mrs. Erickson's house.
I felt there was a lot of repetitiveness where Kaylin would have very similar conversations, just with different characters at different times. I just wished there was more editing. It seems to me that there was only a couple of major scenes in the book, the rest is just repetitive conversations. And the resolution of all the ghostly issues is quickly condensed into the last chapter.
Nightshade and the Lord of the West March are both missing from Kaylin's head, which seems strange when they are dealing with the Green. And no mention of Robyn, Raven, the warrens or the Human caste court when they were at the Academia with the Chancellor and Killianas, even though Teela and the Cohorts were involved in both books. I'm not sure the deliberate disassociation of the main series with the Academia spin-off is working for me.
We're back to Kaylin and the "I see dead people" Mrs. Erickson. When Mrs. Erickson meets Bellusdeo, she sees the crying ghosts of Bellusdeo's sisters and wants to help them. And of course, there are the ghosts she picked up from the Imperial Palace in the previous book Cast in Eternity that are still at Helen's. The Keeper Evanton believes something is affecting the Elements in his garden and thinks it's got to do with Mrs. Erickson's house.
I felt there was a lot of repetitiveness where Kaylin would have very similar conversations, just with different characters at different times. I just wished there was more editing. It seems to me that there was only a couple of major scenes in the book, the rest is just repetitive conversations. And the resolution of all the ghostly issues is quickly condensed into the last chapter.
Nightshade and the Lord of the West March are both missing from Kaylin's head, which seems strange when they are dealing with the Green. And no mention of Robyn, Raven, the warrens or the Human caste court when they were at the Academia with the Chancellor and Killianas, even though Teela and the Cohorts were involved in both books. I'm not sure the deliberate disassociation of the main series with the Academia spin-off is working for me.
June 22, 2024
I enjoyed this story - book 18 in the Elantra series- but not quite as much as some of the other books. There was a lot of talking and less action, although the action there was, was excellent and the epilogue was wonderful. With so many books, the world is now a very rich and complex place with a lot of characters and past events to keep in mind, but I was happy to see so many characters and events from earlier books come back to the forefront.
Both Bellusdeo and Evanton have big roles in this story and I was happy to have them, the cohort, and the rest of the dragons back again. I also really love Mrs. Erickson's character and abilities and she was a big part of the story as well.
Kaylin is her usual self in this story - a determined, stubborn, inspired, loyal chaos bunny.
The storyline follows directly from the previous book, Cast in Eternity and it would be confusing, I think, to read this series out of order. So start with the first, Cast in Shadow and enjoy the ride!
Both Bellusdeo and Evanton have big roles in this story and I was happy to have them, the cohort, and the rest of the dragons back again. I also really love Mrs. Erickson's character and abilities and she was a big part of the story as well.
Kaylin is her usual self in this story - a determined, stubborn, inspired, loyal chaos bunny.
The storyline follows directly from the previous book, Cast in Eternity and it would be confusing, I think, to read this series out of order. So start with the first, Cast in Shadow and enjoy the ride!
January 17, 2025
I desperately want to read this, I love the whole series, but the Kindle edition is set to cost twice as much as the next most expensive book in the series!
This series is usually order-on-sight for me, but this kind of inflation is getting hard to bear…
This series is usually order-on-sight for me, but this kind of inflation is getting hard to bear…
Want to read
January 26, 2024Coming out Aug. 6, 2024.
July 8, 2024
Private Kaylin Neya is a Hawk, a law enforcement officer working for the Halls of Law. She’s mortal, in a city ruled by Dragons. When Kaylin was a child, mysterious runes appeared on her skin, and have never left. Throughout the series she learns about these markings and their power, tries to keep her city safe, and becomes increasingly entangled in the politics of races far more powerful and magical than herself.
It's hard to give a plot summary 18 books in without spoilers, so I’ll just say that I really enjoy this series, despite some flaws, mostly due to world building. If you’ve read Sagara’s other work then you’ll be very familiar with her style, and if you enjoyed the House War books (written as Michelle West) then you’ll love these.
It’s fairly slow paced, even during action scenes, and there’s a lot of talking, characters lecturing and philosophizing. This is not a world with hard and well defined magic rules. This is explained away by Kaylin not understanding the marks so we don’t understand the rules, but she often just goes by instinct and waves a hand and something new and wild happens and just works. Normally I hate this in fantasy, but here I love Elantra, the Dragons, Barrani, Leontine, etc and it makes up for the flaws.
In this entry we get a lot of Bellusdeo (yay!) and not nearly enough Severn. (Boo.) The last several books seem to lack Severn, who used to be a pretty major character, and I’d love to see more with him and Kaylin.
If you prefer a fantasy world with well defined rules and a concrete magic system, this probably isn’t the one for you. But if you want a character that’s clawed her way out of the slums and made a life for herself, and you don’t mind a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief, then I’d recommend this series. It’s a dessert book for me – it’s not a filling dinner, but it’s a perfect dose of sweetness that I’ll consume in one sitting and I’ll enjoy the whole thing.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin/MIRA for a copy in exchange for an honest review! Cast in Atonement is out Aug 6!
It's hard to give a plot summary 18 books in without spoilers, so I’ll just say that I really enjoy this series, despite some flaws, mostly due to world building. If you’ve read Sagara’s other work then you’ll be very familiar with her style, and if you enjoyed the House War books (written as Michelle West) then you’ll love these.
It’s fairly slow paced, even during action scenes, and there’s a lot of talking, characters lecturing and philosophizing. This is not a world with hard and well defined magic rules. This is explained away by Kaylin not understanding the marks so we don’t understand the rules, but she often just goes by instinct and waves a hand and something new and wild happens and just works. Normally I hate this in fantasy, but here I love Elantra, the Dragons, Barrani, Leontine, etc and it makes up for the flaws.
In this entry we get a lot of Bellusdeo (yay!) and not nearly enough Severn. (Boo.) The last several books seem to lack Severn, who used to be a pretty major character, and I’d love to see more with him and Kaylin.
If you prefer a fantasy world with well defined rules and a concrete magic system, this probably isn’t the one for you. But if you want a character that’s clawed her way out of the slums and made a life for herself, and you don’t mind a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief, then I’d recommend this series. It’s a dessert book for me – it’s not a filling dinner, but it’s a perfect dose of sweetness that I’ll consume in one sitting and I’ll enjoy the whole thing.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin/MIRA for a copy in exchange for an honest review! Cast in Atonement is out Aug 6!
September 15, 2025
I have been following this series since the first book, and while I enjoyed book 18, it didn't turn out to be one of my favourites of the series. I'm finding the characters more predictable and stuck in a rut now. We have lost Marcus as a regular character, and with the addition of Helen, Kaylins move has brought more characters, the cohort, into regular rotation. Sadly, that means that a lot of the more recent stories have taken place with a heavy emphasis on the Barrani, and the average Hawk investigation have fallen more into the background noise of the story (while the midwives guild and the orphanage have virtually disappeared).
This case was interesting, fast paced and had enough fun moments that I devoured it in one sitting. Nothing overly amazing, although we do find out more about the Keeper, so there's that. My one big gripe with the series is that, once again, Kaylin still gets treated as lesser and her questions and even her presence dismissed by the others. Mortal does not mean weak or stupid, but Kaylin just seems to be treated like a nuisance... until they need her Chosen abilities, and even then it's more often under sufferance and suspicion. Perhaps this is just a 'me' thing, but I'd really like Kaylin to just blow her stack, tell everyone to sod off and just take a sabbatical for a month or two. Let the others sort out their own problems.
Anyway, I will eagerly await the next book. Hopefully this one is not so expensive (Kindle $29.02, pbk $37.28 on Amazon Au).
3.75 stars
This case was interesting, fast paced and had enough fun moments that I devoured it in one sitting. Nothing overly amazing, although we do find out more about the Keeper, so there's that. My one big gripe with the series is that, once again, Kaylin still gets treated as lesser and her questions and even her presence dismissed by the others. Mortal does not mean weak or stupid, but Kaylin just seems to be treated like a nuisance... until they need her Chosen abilities, and even then it's more often under sufferance and suspicion. Perhaps this is just a 'me' thing, but I'd really like Kaylin to just blow her stack, tell everyone to sod off and just take a sabbatical for a month or two. Let the others sort out their own problems.
Anyway, I will eagerly await the next book. Hopefully this one is not so expensive (Kindle $29.02, pbk $37.28 on Amazon Au).
3.75 stars
March 30, 2025
Several plot arcs got some progress in this volume, and we dealt with the fallout from the last book.
I’m glad that we will finally get some balance for Bellusdeo’s character. She has been way too self-indulgent and immature in her lack of control of her temper for several books and it was making her less likeable.
There were a couple of continuity errors that distracted me. The two trapped people in the previous book were mortal slaves of the villain, and once freed did not want to live in the high halls. In this book they are living in the high halls and they’re Barrani. I guess the author regretted her earlier idea of having them live with Kaylin. Likely she figured the house was already getting too crowded! lol
The second error has to do with events from book 2. Kaylin took a name and a piece of a name from the lake during the test of name. The name is hers, the piece belonged to the Barrani who became the High Lord. She did not take a name and give it to Severn. She shared her name with him to they can communicate with thoughts, but he doesn’t have a name. In this book it said she took a name for him too. Sigh.
ETA: the price of the book jumped steeply between the previous book and this one, so I had to borrow it from the library. $17 is too much for an ebook!
I’m glad that we will finally get some balance for Bellusdeo’s character. She has been way too self-indulgent and immature in her lack of control of her temper for several books and it was making her less likeable.
There were a couple of continuity errors that distracted me. The two trapped people in the previous book were mortal slaves of the villain, and once freed did not want to live in the high halls. In this book they are living in the high halls and they’re Barrani. I guess the author regretted her earlier idea of having them live with Kaylin. Likely she figured the house was already getting too crowded! lol
The second error has to do with events from book 2. Kaylin took a name and a piece of a name from the lake during the test of name. The name is hers, the piece belonged to the Barrani who became the High Lord. She did not take a name and give it to Severn. She shared her name with him to they can communicate with thoughts, but he doesn’t have a name. In this book it said she took a name for him too. Sigh.
ETA: the price of the book jumped steeply between the previous book and this one, so I had to borrow it from the library. $17 is too much for an ebook!
September 17, 2024
-4 stars. couldn't put it down. at times got a little frustrated with all her question asking and pondering in her head as she worked things out. but i love this world and the characters in it.
"is she whining again?"
"of course. it's how we know she's awake."
"she has nothing to feel guilty about!"
"sadly, that is not the way guilt works."
"we all have limitations, Killianas. we are not measured by those limitations; it is in our attempts to understand them, accept them, and work with them that we shine."
"they try to match the experiences and emotions of others with those they themselves have experienced. if they can find a match, they feel sympathy or empathy. sometimes they overlay their own fears on the experiences of others: fear of abandonment, fear of loss. if another person experiences losses that they fear, they feel a very deep sympathy. this is what you do, when you are trying to understand others; you reach for your understanding of yourself first."
"safe isn't the same as happy; it only looks that way when things are dangerous."
"is she whining again?"
"of course. it's how we know she's awake."
"she has nothing to feel guilty about!"
"sadly, that is not the way guilt works."
"we all have limitations, Killianas. we are not measured by those limitations; it is in our attempts to understand them, accept them, and work with them that we shine."
"they try to match the experiences and emotions of others with those they themselves have experienced. if they can find a match, they feel sympathy or empathy. sometimes they overlay their own fears on the experiences of others: fear of abandonment, fear of loss. if another person experiences losses that they fear, they feel a very deep sympathy. this is what you do, when you are trying to understand others; you reach for your understanding of yourself first."
"safe isn't the same as happy; it only looks that way when things are dangerous."
August 13, 2024
This is overall one of the more enjoyable installments in the continuing adventures of Kaylin Neya and her growing collection of friends.
As usual, we continue to absorb vast amounts of lore and there are many characters and backstories that I’ve given up even trying to keep straight. I feel like all this should be leading to one heck of a payoff at the end of this series. I’m not sure if we’ll ever really get there but I can’t help feeling that way. I also think Kaylin’s character arc is moving along way too slowly and she deserves far more respect than she gets. I mean, how many times has she saved the world by now? What do all those powerful and wise immortals owe her by now? It’s kind of frustrating.
Anyway, I think I’ll stick with this series for the time being.
As usual, we continue to absorb vast amounts of lore and there are many characters and backstories that I’ve given up even trying to keep straight. I feel like all this should be leading to one heck of a payoff at the end of this series. I’m not sure if we’ll ever really get there but I can’t help feeling that way. I also think Kaylin’s character arc is moving along way too slowly and she deserves far more respect than she gets. I mean, how many times has she saved the world by now? What do all those powerful and wise immortals owe her by now? It’s kind of frustrating.
Anyway, I think I’ll stick with this series for the time being.
August 19, 2024
Cast in Atonement by Michelle Sagara is the latest book in the long running Chronicles of Elantra series. This time, Kaylin's new housemate Mrs. Erickson meets Kaylin's last housemate Bellusdeo.
Mrs. Erickson, for those who have not read the last Chronicles of Elantra book Cast in Eternity, sees ghosts. The Dragon Bellusdeo had lost all of her eight sisters during the Shadow Wars. Mrs. Erickson finds eight ghostly sisters firmly attached to Bellusdeo.
To make it worse, Mrs. Erickson can not only see each sister clearly, but she can speak to and listen to the answers from each sister, whereas Bellusdeo can do neither.
Of course, Kaylin finds herself in the middle of yet another crisis in this latest book (bk 19). So Bellusdeo's sisters' predicament has to wait, for now.
Highly recommended for all Michelle Sagara fans, Chronicles of Elantra fans, series fans, urban fantasy fans, and fans of well told stories with plenty of character-driven action!
Mrs. Erickson, for those who have not read the last Chronicles of Elantra book Cast in Eternity, sees ghosts. The Dragon Bellusdeo had lost all of her eight sisters during the Shadow Wars. Mrs. Erickson finds eight ghostly sisters firmly attached to Bellusdeo.
To make it worse, Mrs. Erickson can not only see each sister clearly, but she can speak to and listen to the answers from each sister, whereas Bellusdeo can do neither.
Of course, Kaylin finds herself in the middle of yet another crisis in this latest book (bk 19). So Bellusdeo's sisters' predicament has to wait, for now.
Highly recommended for all Michelle Sagara fans, Chronicles of Elantra fans, series fans, urban fantasy fans, and fans of well told stories with plenty of character-driven action!
August 20, 2024
I love the character of Mrs. Erickson, the old lady who can see and converse with ghosts. She features in this story once again, as Kaylin and company continue to investigate what happened in the last book. The Keeper asks to examine Mrs. Erickson's house, because something is disturbing the elements, and he believes it is related to their recent experiences. In addition, when Mrs. Erickson meets Bellusdeo, she sees the ghosts of Bellusdeo's sisters attached to her.
Once again Kaylin as the Chosen is called upon to exercise her powers though she has no idea of what to do and how to help, only that she needs to if the world is to be kept from being destroyed by the "dead" Ancient being that had been disturbed.
Eighteen books in, this series is still going strong, with engaging and fascinating characters both old and new that are a total delight to read about, as well as creative world-building that fires the imagination.
Once again Kaylin as the Chosen is called upon to exercise her powers though she has no idea of what to do and how to help, only that she needs to if the world is to be kept from being destroyed by the "dead" Ancient being that had been disturbed.
Eighteen books in, this series is still going strong, with engaging and fascinating characters both old and new that are a total delight to read about, as well as creative world-building that fires the imagination.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews