What do you think?
Rate this book
Chronicles of Elantra #13
Cast in Deception
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?
Private Kaylin Neya thought her home couldn’t possibly get more crowded. But when one of her housemates, Annarion, decides to undertake the Barrani Test of Name, his friends refuse to let him face his task alone—and Kaylin’s sentient home, Helen, is the only structure capable of shielding the rest of Elantra from the magnitude of their power.
Annarion and Mandoran almost caused the destruction of the High Halls once already. Add nine of their closest friends, and the danger is astronomically higher—especially since these guests are at the heart of a political firestorm. Imprisoned almost a millennium ago, their recent freedom threatens the rulership of several prominent Barrani families, and the machinations of those Lords make it almost impossible to tell friend from foe.
As political tensions ramp up, the shadows beneath the High Halls are seeking a freedom that has never been possible before. Kaylin must find a way to keep those shadows from escaping, or that freedom will destroy her city, the empire and everything she holds dear.
Private Kaylin Neya thought her home couldn’t possibly get more crowded. But when one of her housemates, Annarion, decides to undertake the Barrani Test of Name, his friends refuse to let him face his task alone—and Kaylin’s sentient home, Helen, is the only structure capable of shielding the rest of Elantra from the magnitude of their power.
Annarion and Mandoran almost caused the destruction of the High Halls once already. Add nine of their closest friends, and the danger is astronomically higher—especially since these guests are at the heart of a political firestorm. Imprisoned almost a millennium ago, their recent freedom threatens the rulership of several prominent Barrani families, and the machinations of those Lords make it almost impossible to tell friend from foe.
As political tensions ramp up, the shadows beneath the High Halls are seeking a freedom that has never been possible before. Kaylin must find a way to keep those shadows from escaping, or that freedom will destroy her city, the empire and everything she holds dear.
506 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2018
231 people are currently reading
3062 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Sagara
54 books1,800 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 240 reviews
February 10, 2018
Very long and a lot of traveling. I felt underwhelmed with no singular villain, more multiple possibilities - like conspiracy theories. I also thought this would be about the cohort taking the test of the name; it wasn't. It's about the cohort traveling to Elantra. No big battle in this either, lots of skirmishes.
February 1, 2025
I really love this series. I've been reading it so long that it's become a cozy read for me now. The series is really a slow build and I'm not sure if there's an end in sight. I can see the direction it's going, but each new book mostly adds more to the world building instead of feeling like you're preparing for the final conflict. For some people that could be frustrating, but I like revisiting the world and the characters and just enjoying my time there.
**I received the egalley of this book from NetGalley**
**I received the egalley of this book from NetGalley**
January 5, 2023
Holy crap.
I love this series. I loved this book. But this ending ... or rather, cliffhanger non-ending ... nearly killed me.
Also, I feel positive that the box that Alsanis gave to Kaylin Bets, anyone?
I'm not going to do a big review, because 13 books in, you either know the series and love it (because who goes 13 books in to a series they don't love?) or you haven't started the series (fools) and wouldn't really understand what I'm talking about unless I gave a pile of background and spoilers for earlier books. So I'll just say this:
My quibble with the series, for the last few books, is that there is no evolution in how the secondary characters treat Kaylin. She's young, yes. But her instincts are superb, and she is connected with her magic in a way that - while she can't explain it - rarely leads her wrong. She has saved the city, and saved her friends, on many occasions. Which all means that the fact that every book starts out with people belittling her ("it's above your pay grade") or demanding that she stay out of a problem because it is too dangerous for her (which, lol)... it is tedious, frustrating and becoming a problem.
I *do* understand that some of why they keep her in a low position (still Private, which is so insulting) is because it gives her more freedom - she can make decisions as she needs to, and is generally shielded by her bosses. But I feel like this is a polite fiction - woven by the people who are trying to shield her - that has played itself out. At this point, the Emperor understands her, her choices, and that she is always going to make the decision out of a desire to help... never rooted in ego or politics. Which makes this a charade that is tiresome. And that only applies to stuff with Marcus and the Hawklord. The reaction of her friends, belittling her ability to help and treating her as if she's constantly causing problems, when the reality is that being Chosen means she is ALWAYS going to be drawn into - or in this book's case, thrown into - major problems because the power she has is meant to be used to fix said problems, is frustrating.
It has to change, before it becomes a poisoned apple that rots the barrel for me.
But at this point, it's a quibble, because while it is annoying as hell in the first 20% of the book, once we jump into the actual situation, it utterly disappears.
WTB the next book, please...
I love this series. I loved this book. But this ending ... or rather, cliffhanger non-ending ... nearly killed me.
Also, I feel positive that the box that Alsanis gave to Kaylin Bets, anyone?
I'm not going to do a big review, because 13 books in, you either know the series and love it (because who goes 13 books in to a series they don't love?) or you haven't started the series (fools) and wouldn't really understand what I'm talking about unless I gave a pile of background and spoilers for earlier books. So I'll just say this:
My quibble with the series, for the last few books, is that there is no evolution in how the secondary characters treat Kaylin. She's young, yes. But her instincts are superb, and she is connected with her magic in a way that - while she can't explain it - rarely leads her wrong. She has saved the city, and saved her friends, on many occasions. Which all means that the fact that every book starts out with people belittling her ("it's above your pay grade") or demanding that she stay out of a problem because it is too dangerous for her (which, lol)... it is tedious, frustrating and becoming a problem.
I *do* understand that some of why they keep her in a low position (still Private, which is so insulting) is because it gives her more freedom - she can make decisions as she needs to, and is generally shielded by her bosses. But I feel like this is a polite fiction - woven by the people who are trying to shield her - that has played itself out. At this point, the Emperor understands her, her choices, and that she is always going to make the decision out of a desire to help... never rooted in ego or politics. Which makes this a charade that is tiresome. And that only applies to stuff with Marcus and the Hawklord. The reaction of her friends, belittling her ability to help and treating her as if she's constantly causing problems, when the reality is that being Chosen means she is ALWAYS going to be drawn into - or in this book's case, thrown into - major problems because the power she has is meant to be used to fix said problems, is frustrating.
It has to change, before it becomes a poisoned apple that rots the barrel for me.
But at this point, it's a quibble, because while it is annoying as hell in the first 20% of the book, once we jump into the actual situation, it utterly disappears.
WTB the next book, please...
January 27, 2018
Well...huh. I'm a big fan of the Chronicles of Elantra series. Michelle Sagara's prose leaves me breathless at times and she creates such appealing characters even when they're the "bad guys." Khristine Hvam has the characters' personalities and voices firmly in place, making listening to the dialogue an absolute pleasure and "living" in Kaylin's head while our main character is thinking can be a joy thanks to these two talented ladies. And despite what I say below, I think the author IS talented enough that I will stick around a year to see what she does in the next book.
Sadly, though, while I was counting the days until this book released, I find myself sorely disappointed. I missed Severn and Nightshade, Marcus and the Hawks, though spending time with Bellusdeo was a treat. The main thing is that very little happened in this book. Loose ends were left flapping in the wind. Are former friends now enemies? Were they ever friends/comrades? The "Cohort" plays the major role in this book but seriously, it shouldn't take an entire book to get them from one place to another, even traveling through the outlands. This was simply a set-up for something to come. Nothing like a 500 page book that ends like a serial.
Sadly, though, while I was counting the days until this book released, I find myself sorely disappointed. I missed Severn and Nightshade, Marcus and the Hawks, though spending time with Bellusdeo was a treat. The main thing is that very little happened in this book. Loose ends were left flapping in the wind. Are former friends now enemies? Were they ever friends/comrades? The "Cohort" plays the major role in this book but seriously, it shouldn't take an entire book to get them from one place to another, even traveling through the outlands. This was simply a set-up for something to come. Nothing like a 500 page book that ends like a serial.
June 5, 2021
I have read and enjoyed these books, passed them on to others...but this book didn't work for me.
The title should have been Bickering Barrani. Nothing much happens in this book, except Barrani bickering, the reason for all the bickering doesn't happen, and leaves this book feeling like filler.
The action pieces, an assassination attempt, a couple of war bands, enraged dragons, all regulated to the back round.
The title should have been Bickering Barrani. Nothing much happens in this book, except Barrani bickering, the reason for all the bickering doesn't happen, and leaves this book feeling like filler.
The action pieces, an assassination attempt, a couple of war bands, enraged dragons, all regulated to the back round.
January 24, 2018
Sagara's Elantra novels are just so visceral!
I didn't think I would be giving this latest Elantra novel 5 stars when I was a quarter of the way through. But but the end I was saying Yes, Yes, Yes!
Once again we plow through acres of the in between portal paths with Kaylin (Private Neya) and Bellusdeo (Dragon Lord), in search of the Barrani Cohort, the lost one, Teela's companions in her testing. And no this this did not start off as choice! Kaylin and Bel were literally thrown into the situation by the elemental water.
As Kaylin described to Helen, her sentient living space,
' "we have a Barrani war band, the threat of war, a High Court in revolt, Barrani Lords in collusion with a fief lord to enter Ravellon, and an elemental water that’s terrified enough of something that she grabbed me and threw me at the West March. And at the heart of it all: Ravellon.”'
Those left behind who are now wanting to return are at the heart of the matter. Teela's is up in arms, Tain close behind, and all of Elantra is tense.
On the way we have a new creature well met, a creature Kaylin names in an entirely Kaylin way, 'Spike.'
And yes the ending has me waiting not so patiently for what more is to come.
Another riveting read joins the series I love.
A NetGalley ARC
I didn't think I would be giving this latest Elantra novel 5 stars when I was a quarter of the way through. But but the end I was saying Yes, Yes, Yes!
Once again we plow through acres of the in between portal paths with Kaylin (Private Neya) and Bellusdeo (Dragon Lord), in search of the Barrani Cohort, the lost one, Teela's companions in her testing. And no this this did not start off as choice! Kaylin and Bel were literally thrown into the situation by the elemental water.
As Kaylin described to Helen, her sentient living space,
' "we have a Barrani war band, the threat of war, a High Court in revolt, Barrani Lords in collusion with a fief lord to enter Ravellon, and an elemental water that’s terrified enough of something that she grabbed me and threw me at the West March. And at the heart of it all: Ravellon.”'
Those left behind who are now wanting to return are at the heart of the matter. Teela's is up in arms, Tain close behind, and all of Elantra is tense.
On the way we have a new creature well met, a creature Kaylin names in an entirely Kaylin way, 'Spike.'
And yes the ending has me waiting not so patiently for what more is to come.
Another riveting read joins the series I love.
A NetGalley ARC
January 27, 2018
4.5 Stars
There are a lot of reasons why I love this series but the biggest one is the way Sagara portrays emotions. It's hard to describe feelings in a way that makes sense. Emotions are simple but layered complexities. Within this fantasy world, the idea of family and love is explored in ways that engages my mind and heart.
I hate to see this series end because some of the things that I want to see explored are not and may never be.
From the start, Kaylin's tale was about making a place for herself. Toss in magic, political wrangling between various races, opinionated companions that are powerful and clashing desires--it makes a great story.
Over time, Kaylin has become more than a reckless healer, blunt detective and mascot. She's grown into her own skin and found a place she can call home. She has a family of mismatched individuals who are all capable of squashing her into paste but don't because they're her family.
Here she has to find a way to keep the ones her chosen family want to protect. If they're important to her friends, they are important to her. It's simple logic but a hard one to keep a float.
I loved this book because it gave a great look at the relationships that makes up Kaylin's life and several important details about the Shadows.
There are a lot of reasons why I love this series but the biggest one is the way Sagara portrays emotions. It's hard to describe feelings in a way that makes sense. Emotions are simple but layered complexities. Within this fantasy world, the idea of family and love is explored in ways that engages my mind and heart.
I hate to see this series end because some of the things that I want to see explored are not and may never be.
From the start, Kaylin's tale was about making a place for herself. Toss in magic, political wrangling between various races, opinionated companions that are powerful and clashing desires--it makes a great story.
Over time, Kaylin has become more than a reckless healer, blunt detective and mascot. She's grown into her own skin and found a place she can call home. She has a family of mismatched individuals who are all capable of squashing her into paste but don't because they're her family.
Here she has to find a way to keep the ones her chosen family want to protect. If they're important to her friends, they are important to her. It's simple logic but a hard one to keep a float.
I loved this book because it gave a great look at the relationships that makes up Kaylin's life and several important details about the Shadows.
January 26, 2018
That was wonderful. When is the next book?
Admittedly it doesn't advance the overall plot arc but really fleshed out the cohort & Kaylin's life.
Admittedly it doesn't advance the overall plot arc but really fleshed out the cohort & Kaylin's life.
January 29, 2018
The book started strong. I was so very excited to be getting back to the Barrani and maybe getting some more Nightshade and plot movement on what exactly his plan is other than getting his brother back. The first 20 to 50% was wonderful. Then I started to realize we were introducing like 3 to 4 major plot elements, most of them revolving around politics, but also portends of something cataclysmic occurring but NOTHING IS RESOLVED. The only thing that happens (minor spoilers) is the cohort is lost then found. Oh and Kaylin makes some decisions that support her adopted family and could and did potentially piss off a lot of people on the political front. That's it.
After 13 books I am getting really tired of not getting answers to anything. Just more people and more difficulties. More chances to increase the number of people who can understand Kaylin's familiar when she can't. More chances to see that while Kaylin is improving in her understanding of the world, she's still really far behind. Still no answers to questions raised in book 1. Still no signs that Kaylin is figuring out what it means to be Chosen while the world keeps on expecting her to save it. It gets harder to keep going yet somehow I do. I may be doing so through the library now and not my own money.
After 13 books I am getting really tired of not getting answers to anything. Just more people and more difficulties. More chances to increase the number of people who can understand Kaylin's familiar when she can't. More chances to see that while Kaylin is improving in her understanding of the world, she's still really far behind. Still no answers to questions raised in book 1. Still no signs that Kaylin is figuring out what it means to be Chosen while the world keeps on expecting her to save it. It gets harder to keep going yet somehow I do. I may be doing so through the library now and not my own money.
January 24, 2018
Severn is staying! I really hope that means there is some progression in the next book in his relationship with Kaylin. Also, wow with all the twists in this book. I'm not even sure I understand what all happened, but I fully enjoyed the story. I'm really wanting to punch the Consort at the moment. Exactly how much longer until the next book???
Read
September 27, 2015Oh God. 13 books!?! Why? *whines like a child* Book 2-13 better be better than book 1.
February 28, 2021
This episode of the Chronicles on Elantra focuses on the Barrani. It especially focuses on the cohort of young people who were sent, millennia ago, to take part in a ceremony that would give them great power or kill them. They didn't die but they didn't return either. Kaylin's friend Teela was the only one who made it home at the time of the ceremony. Two others made it back to Elantra more recently and have taken refuge in Kaylin's home because their time away changed them greatly.
Now, one of the two is determined to take the Barrani Test of Names and the rest of his cohort are determined to come to Elantra to take it with him. If this happens, it will greatly disrupt the political landscape of the Barrani since at least three of them are the rightful heirs to their family holding. Getting them home isn't going to be an easy task nor are they the people who left.
Kaylin is the last person that anyone would choose for a political task but she is dropped in the middle because she has invited them to be her house guests too. Since she already shares her home with a dragon - Lord Bellusdeo - and dragons and Barrani were ancient enemies, the political consequences are real.
While the complications of this plot would be enough to keep Kaylin busy, it is not the only concern. It is learned that someone in the High Court of the Barrani is dealing with Shadow which is the ancient enemy of all the races of Elantra.
This story takes place in a complex world. There are a variety of different races of beings with the humans like Kaylin being one of the least. The Empire is controlled by dragons with the Emperor considering the whole Empire as his hoard. Bellusdeo is an orphan dragon out of time who is of great interest to the Emperor because she happens to be the only female dragon. The Barrani are immortal and live in a caste system defined by politics. There are Leontines and other races too. The elements - earth, air, fire and water - have a sort of sentience and are kept in control by the Keeper. The world contains ancient sentient buildings like Kaylin's house Helen. Kaylin herself is the Chosen who has a number of marks all over her body that are words of power. She also has an acute sensitivity to magic.
Around the complex political plot are woven discussions of friendship and family, loneliness and loss, love and treachery. Each of the races has their own definitions of these and Kaylin, whose own basis for decision making is the law, struggles to understand the beings she considers her friends.
This was an excellent story that demands a sequel. I can hardly wait to read it.
Now, one of the two is determined to take the Barrani Test of Names and the rest of his cohort are determined to come to Elantra to take it with him. If this happens, it will greatly disrupt the political landscape of the Barrani since at least three of them are the rightful heirs to their family holding. Getting them home isn't going to be an easy task nor are they the people who left.
Kaylin is the last person that anyone would choose for a political task but she is dropped in the middle because she has invited them to be her house guests too. Since she already shares her home with a dragon - Lord Bellusdeo - and dragons and Barrani were ancient enemies, the political consequences are real.
While the complications of this plot would be enough to keep Kaylin busy, it is not the only concern. It is learned that someone in the High Court of the Barrani is dealing with Shadow which is the ancient enemy of all the races of Elantra.
This story takes place in a complex world. There are a variety of different races of beings with the humans like Kaylin being one of the least. The Empire is controlled by dragons with the Emperor considering the whole Empire as his hoard. Bellusdeo is an orphan dragon out of time who is of great interest to the Emperor because she happens to be the only female dragon. The Barrani are immortal and live in a caste system defined by politics. There are Leontines and other races too. The elements - earth, air, fire and water - have a sort of sentience and are kept in control by the Keeper. The world contains ancient sentient buildings like Kaylin's house Helen. Kaylin herself is the Chosen who has a number of marks all over her body that are words of power. She also has an acute sensitivity to magic.
Around the complex political plot are woven discussions of friendship and family, loneliness and loss, love and treachery. Each of the races has their own definitions of these and Kaylin, whose own basis for decision making is the law, struggles to understand the beings she considers her friends.
This was an excellent story that demands a sequel. I can hardly wait to read it.
January 30, 2018
I'm such a fan of this series. The world-building, magic system and engaging characters, especially the main character, are so well done. This latest installment had plenty of action and rich character development. Some books in this series have been slow going (Cast in Honor being my least favorite, but still interesting), but this one starts off with a scene that pulls you right into the story, and the pace doesn't let up. I loved this book. My only complaint is that it ended too soon. I want MORE. I particularly want to see more Nightshade. Yes, I'm a greedy and demanding fan. : )
October 31, 2024
Still enjoying this series immensely! In this installment we get to meet the “cohort” or the other children of Teela’s past. Although the overall plot doesn’t really progress past that, it was an enjoyable read.
February 9, 2019
4.5 stars
January 26, 2018
Originally published at Reading Reality
I originally said that the Chronicles of Elantra series was urban fantasy in a high or epic fantasy setting. Our point of view character is Private Kaylin Neya, a member of the Hawks, meaning law enforcement, in the city of Elantra.
Elantra is populated not just by humans, but also by Leontines, Aerians, Thallani and Barrani (read elves, sort of) and ruled by Dragons. While only the Barrani and the Dragons are immortal, even the non-immortals make the reader think more of epic fantasy than urban.
At the same time, Kaylin’s very lowly position among the local equivalent of the police did put her in the way of solving crimes and mysteries in her city. But even though that’s where she started, that’s not where she is now.
Instead, Kaylin has become a wild card among the political movers and shakers of Elantra. Not because she wants power, but because they began by seeing her as too ephemeral to cause any problems, only to discover that it’s her mortality that makes her so interesting.
One of the problems with being immortal is that everything gets boring after a while. Being around Kaylin is never, ever boring. Often dangerous, frequently chaotic, occasionally life threatening, but never dull, not even for a second. Kaylin is such a chaos magnet that she actually makes boring look desirable in comparison.
The story in Cast in Deception, like all of the stories in the Chronicles of Elantra, is about Kaylin dealing with the unexpected consequences of her previous actions – hopefully before someone gets killed, war breaks out, or both.
But as the events of this story are the results of so many that came before it, this is a series where it is probably impossible to get in at this point. Events, and people, in this series layer upon each other, well past the point where the only way into Elantra is from the very beginning, with Cast in Shadow. Kaylin’s life and her world, or at least her perspective of it, were much simpler back then.
It is also possible to start with the prequel novella, Cast in Moonlight, which tells the story of how Kaylin became a Hawk – which was not what she intended. Kaylin’s actions often result in things which she did not intend, frequently to the dismay of anyone else even tangentially involved.
The scope of events of the series have become epic, but it is epic in a way where the author does not seem to be leading toward some ultimate battle between good and evil. Not that there are not evil forces, but rather that those evil forces don’t seem to be personified, or at least not yet. In some ways, it seems as if the evil force they are resisting is entropy, the winding down of the universe, rather than true evil. This may be resolved later in the series.
The story in Cast in Deception relates directly to events in Cast in Peril where Kaylin rescued a group of young Barrani from centuries of an imprisonment designed to increase the power of their families. It was a ceremony that backfired spectacularly, and Kaylin rescued the much changed young people who emerge.
But that cohort of people have become threats to the High Halls of the Barrani, and there are forces both within and without that are attempting to keep them from claiming their birthrights. Some of those forces are embodied in people that Kaylin thinks of as friends, and others may be part of the dreaded Shadow.
But all of it is politics as usual among the extremely political, immortal Barrani. And if there’s one thing Kaylin hates more than anything else, it’s politics. Which doesn’t stop her (as nothing ever does) from rushing in where angels fear to tread to pull her friends out of grave danger, even if that merely puts her in danger with them.
As usual.
Escape Rating A-: I absolutely adore this series, and wait eagerly for each installment. At the same time, this is a world creation that has become very, very dense, with lots of characters and epic amounts of backstory, and it always takes me a little ways (and a bit longer each time) to get into the book to feel myself catching up. Then, of course, it takes me an equally long time to emerge from the book hangover. Elantra is difficult to get into, and equally difficult to leave.
As much as I love this series, and this particular entry in it, this particular story feels like it doesn’t take up a lot of “world time” and it feels like not much gets resolved by the end. At the beginning, the cohort of formerly lost Barrani were lost again on their way to take up their birthrights. By the end of the story, they have managed to make their very dangerous and nearly deadly way to Elantra, but the political challenges are all still yet to come. But as always, I was happy to travel along on Kaylin’s journey.
Hopefully in the next book, hopefully next year. And now the countdown begins!
I originally said that the Chronicles of Elantra series was urban fantasy in a high or epic fantasy setting. Our point of view character is Private Kaylin Neya, a member of the Hawks, meaning law enforcement, in the city of Elantra.
Elantra is populated not just by humans, but also by Leontines, Aerians, Thallani and Barrani (read elves, sort of) and ruled by Dragons. While only the Barrani and the Dragons are immortal, even the non-immortals make the reader think more of epic fantasy than urban.
At the same time, Kaylin’s very lowly position among the local equivalent of the police did put her in the way of solving crimes and mysteries in her city. But even though that’s where she started, that’s not where she is now.
Instead, Kaylin has become a wild card among the political movers and shakers of Elantra. Not because she wants power, but because they began by seeing her as too ephemeral to cause any problems, only to discover that it’s her mortality that makes her so interesting.
One of the problems with being immortal is that everything gets boring after a while. Being around Kaylin is never, ever boring. Often dangerous, frequently chaotic, occasionally life threatening, but never dull, not even for a second. Kaylin is such a chaos magnet that she actually makes boring look desirable in comparison.
The story in Cast in Deception, like all of the stories in the Chronicles of Elantra, is about Kaylin dealing with the unexpected consequences of her previous actions – hopefully before someone gets killed, war breaks out, or both.
But as the events of this story are the results of so many that came before it, this is a series where it is probably impossible to get in at this point. Events, and people, in this series layer upon each other, well past the point where the only way into Elantra is from the very beginning, with Cast in Shadow. Kaylin’s life and her world, or at least her perspective of it, were much simpler back then.
It is also possible to start with the prequel novella, Cast in Moonlight, which tells the story of how Kaylin became a Hawk – which was not what she intended. Kaylin’s actions often result in things which she did not intend, frequently to the dismay of anyone else even tangentially involved.
The scope of events of the series have become epic, but it is epic in a way where the author does not seem to be leading toward some ultimate battle between good and evil. Not that there are not evil forces, but rather that those evil forces don’t seem to be personified, or at least not yet. In some ways, it seems as if the evil force they are resisting is entropy, the winding down of the universe, rather than true evil. This may be resolved later in the series.
The story in Cast in Deception relates directly to events in Cast in Peril where Kaylin rescued a group of young Barrani from centuries of an imprisonment designed to increase the power of their families. It was a ceremony that backfired spectacularly, and Kaylin rescued the much changed young people who emerge.
But that cohort of people have become threats to the High Halls of the Barrani, and there are forces both within and without that are attempting to keep them from claiming their birthrights. Some of those forces are embodied in people that Kaylin thinks of as friends, and others may be part of the dreaded Shadow.
But all of it is politics as usual among the extremely political, immortal Barrani. And if there’s one thing Kaylin hates more than anything else, it’s politics. Which doesn’t stop her (as nothing ever does) from rushing in where angels fear to tread to pull her friends out of grave danger, even if that merely puts her in danger with them.
As usual.
Escape Rating A-: I absolutely adore this series, and wait eagerly for each installment. At the same time, this is a world creation that has become very, very dense, with lots of characters and epic amounts of backstory, and it always takes me a little ways (and a bit longer each time) to get into the book to feel myself catching up. Then, of course, it takes me an equally long time to emerge from the book hangover. Elantra is difficult to get into, and equally difficult to leave.
As much as I love this series, and this particular entry in it, this particular story feels like it doesn’t take up a lot of “world time” and it feels like not much gets resolved by the end. At the beginning, the cohort of formerly lost Barrani were lost again on their way to take up their birthrights. By the end of the story, they have managed to make their very dangerous and nearly deadly way to Elantra, but the political challenges are all still yet to come. But as always, I was happy to travel along on Kaylin’s journey.
Hopefully in the next book, hopefully next year. And now the countdown begins!
January 25, 2018
24.1.2018 - 4,5*
“Yes, attempts at murder are often misunderstandings. Unless it involves armies, in which case it’s diplomacy.”
March 1, 2018
2.5 stars
Ugh, well this book was not exactly terrible, but honestly I was sort of waiting for the book to end while reading. And not because I was so exited to see what the ending looked like, but just to have it over with. Not good. Especially as I really used to love this series.
Pros:
We got to read about our favourite characters (I am guessing anyone who is reading book 13 is a fan of the series).
Terrano- once a villain in the series but now we learn about the thoughts behind his actions and get to see his personality. He has depths to him and he is amusing! About the only amusing thing in this book. And that is about it on the pros side.
Cons:
Nothing really happened in the book. Just a lot of wandering around and moving from conversation to conversation with different people. You know, like those annoying kids computer games where you speak to one character and maybe do a small task and then that character leads you to the next and so on and on and on until you finally solve the mystery. Who can be bothered! Where is the action? Long explanations are annoying! They just got boring in this book.
Even the mystery was sort of half-washed. A bunch of people went missing and now of course Kaylin went in search of them. And it was not an exiting kidnapping situation where the hero kicks villain butt. No, instead
Also what has started to really get on my nerve with this series is the condescending tone Kaylin's friends use with her when she doesn't know something. She really is sort of young and has lived in many ways an insular and hard life with almost no schooling. So what if she is not a genius or a know-it-all bookworm - where on earth would he have had the chance to become one? When she was struggling to survive on the streets, or perhaps she should have gone to a night school after her job fighting crime, oh and lets not forget all the world saving and midwifery either! And truly, when children or those less fortunate then us don't know something, you don't speak down to them and make fun of them for not knowing. Gosh, I wonder if her friends feel superior when they speak to her like that, or what? Wow, I would think that immortals with centuries of wisdom and schooling would be a little bit more mature! Also, one of those people is Severn, who is not an immortal and knows how bad Kaylins life was from personal experience and should have more sympathy! Besides not all of us like or are good at book learning!
So all in all, the book was pretty boring and irritating to me. But I am hoping it is meant as a building block for the next one, which is hopefully more fun to read. Next book better have some action in it! And some romance would also be nice. I know she had a terrible experience in the past, but can't we have her at least try working through that?! That would be something truly inspiring. Not just surviving in body but healing the spirit as well and not shying away from experiences that make life a wonderful thing. Also more Nightshade please! Pretty please!
Ugh, well this book was not exactly terrible, but honestly I was sort of waiting for the book to end while reading. And not because I was so exited to see what the ending looked like, but just to have it over with. Not good. Especially as I really used to love this series.
Pros:
We got to read about our favourite characters (I am guessing anyone who is reading book 13 is a fan of the series).
Terrano- once a villain in the series but now we learn about the thoughts behind his actions and get to see his personality. He has depths to him and he is amusing! About the only amusing thing in this book. And that is about it on the pros side.
Cons:
Nothing really happened in the book. Just a lot of wandering around and moving from conversation to conversation with different people. You know, like those annoying kids computer games where you speak to one character and maybe do a small task and then that character leads you to the next and so on and on and on until you finally solve the mystery. Who can be bothered! Where is the action? Long explanations are annoying! They just got boring in this book.
Even the mystery was sort of half-washed. A bunch of people went missing and now of course Kaylin went in search of them. And it was not an exiting kidnapping situation where the hero kicks villain butt. No, instead
Also what has started to really get on my nerve with this series is the condescending tone Kaylin's friends use with her when she doesn't know something. She really is sort of young and has lived in many ways an insular and hard life with almost no schooling. So what if she is not a genius or a know-it-all bookworm - where on earth would he have had the chance to become one? When she was struggling to survive on the streets, or perhaps she should have gone to a night school after her job fighting crime, oh and lets not forget all the world saving and midwifery either! And truly, when children or those less fortunate then us don't know something, you don't speak down to them and make fun of them for not knowing. Gosh, I wonder if her friends feel superior when they speak to her like that, or what? Wow, I would think that immortals with centuries of wisdom and schooling would be a little bit more mature! Also, one of those people is Severn, who is not an immortal and knows how bad Kaylins life was from personal experience and should have more sympathy! Besides not all of us like or are good at book learning!
So all in all, the book was pretty boring and irritating to me. But I am hoping it is meant as a building block for the next one, which is hopefully more fun to read. Next book better have some action in it! And some romance would also be nice. I know she had a terrible experience in the past, but can't we have her at least try working through that?! That would be something truly inspiring. Not just surviving in body but healing the spirit as well and not shying away from experiences that make life a wonderful thing. Also more Nightshade please! Pretty please!
February 3, 2018
3.5
Probably my least favorite book in the series. I had a surprisingly had time finishing it for some reason, and kept picking it up, reading a few chapters, and putting it down again.
Probably my least favorite book in the series. I had a surprisingly had time finishing it for some reason, and kept picking it up, reading a few chapters, and putting it down again.
January 29, 2018
3+ stars
I have to admit that I had trouble remaining engaged with this book. In the beginning I felt like I needed to go back and listen to the last one or two so I could refresh my memory. That feeling passed after a while, but I never really remained completely engaged throughout the course of the book. I feel pretty confident that I missed a lot of the story.
I'm not sure where this series is going. For a while I thought the MC was getting introduced to all the various different races and that would somehow come together to some sort of climax, but it still doesn't seem to be going anywhere and these books are starting to feel like slice of life stuff rather than actually having a long arc.
In spite of this it's still a rich world with interesting characters. This entry just felt a bit old hat to me.
I have to admit that I had trouble remaining engaged with this book. In the beginning I felt like I needed to go back and listen to the last one or two so I could refresh my memory. That feeling passed after a while, but I never really remained completely engaged throughout the course of the book. I feel pretty confident that I missed a lot of the story.
I'm not sure where this series is going. For a while I thought the MC was getting introduced to all the various different races and that would somehow come together to some sort of climax, but it still doesn't seem to be going anywhere and these books are starting to feel like slice of life stuff rather than actually having a long arc.
In spite of this it's still a rich world with interesting characters. This entry just felt a bit old hat to me.
February 1, 2018
I usually really enjoy this series. This time, by an hour or so after I was done reading I was trying to remember if anything big had happened. So much of it was politics, which Kaylin is terrible at. None of the other obstacles seemed like a big deal. I'm hoping this is just sort of a middle book kind of thing, where now the setup is done and the next one can be great.
Reading it as part of the series it was enjoyable, but not as much fun as usual. There wasn't a lot of action and the big mystery wasn't resolved.
Reading it as part of the series it was enjoyable, but not as much fun as usual. There wasn't a lot of action and the big mystery wasn't resolved.
June 8, 2024
I think that we are nearing the "too much" point of no return (that moment in which the author keeps adding and adding, more action, more mysteries, more happenings, more twists, more creatures, more of everything, in order to keep the series going. And yes, that's bad) in this series too, and that would be bad. I love this series, and I love the characters, even if I wished for more Severn around, lately, he is more a wallflower than anything else and it is a shame, in part because he is a great character on his own, and in part because he is the perfect counterpoint to Kaylin (but, to be honest, almost all the characters are a good counterpoint for her, every single one of them balances her in some ways and they are perfect together. This is quite a hard thing to achieve, but the author makes it seem effortless. Kudos for that!).
Anyway, I enjoyed this book, even if I think it's one of my least favorite in the series, but that's not to say that it is bad. It's just that, as I was saying, it is nearing the too-much zone. Still, we finally see things progressing with the cohort (yay!) and we get to see the Halionne again (double yay!). I hope to enjoy the next one more, and I am looking forward to it!
Anyway, I enjoyed this book, even if I think it's one of my least favorite in the series, but that's not to say that it is bad. It's just that, as I was saying, it is nearing the too-much zone. Still, we finally see things progressing with the cohort (yay!) and we get to see the Halionne again (double yay!). I hope to enjoy the next one more, and I am looking forward to it!
January 25, 2018
“The Chronicles of Elantra” series is definitely not one where it’s easy to jump into the middle of the series. Many of the books will not make much sense unless you have read the previous books and that is the case here. In “Cast in Deception”, the cohort of Barrani rescued by Kaylin have begun their attempts to reclaim the lives and positions that were taken from them by the events detailed in “Cast in Sorrow”. When Annarion, Nightshade’s brother and one of two of the Barrani cohort who returned to Elantra with Kaylin, decides to undertake the Barrani Test of Name, his friends refuse to let him face this task alone The imminent return to Elantra of the members of the cohort who had remained behind in the West March trigger a series of events that promise to throw the Barrani High Halls into chaos.
“Cast in Deception” is another one of the Elantra novels that doesn’t go where you think it will at the start. And while some of the Elantra series contain plot arcs that are mostly complete within one book, others are clearly part of a broader arc. “Cast in Deception” is one of the second type. Many of the immediate events and crises that take place in “Deception” are resolved, but other issues that arise in this book are left to be resolved in future ones, and some of them are major.
Four stars because it felt a bit like half of a book instead of a whole one, but will be anxiously awaiting the next release in the series!
“Cast in Deception” is another one of the Elantra novels that doesn’t go where you think it will at the start. And while some of the Elantra series contain plot arcs that are mostly complete within one book, others are clearly part of a broader arc. “Cast in Deception” is one of the second type. Many of the immediate events and crises that take place in “Deception” are resolved, but other issues that arise in this book are left to be resolved in future ones, and some of them are major.
Four stars because it felt a bit like half of a book instead of a whole one, but will be anxiously awaiting the next release in the series!
Read
May 2, 2018It can be hard to build book to book momentum this far into a series, but with CAST IN DECEPTION Michelle Sagara manages to do just that. Titanic forces are moving, and the lives of Kaylin, her friends, and perhaps the whole kingdom are on the cusp of change.
CAST IN DECEPTION is also one of the most linear adventures of the series, which is not a criticism. Kaylin gathers clues and bread crumbs, and the biggest surprises lay in who adds themselves to her band of allies by book’s end. There is the inevitable moment where magical theory got a bit over my head and There’s a lot of pausing to ruminate on the nature of family and trust, but overall I enjoyed this sorry quite a bit.
While many things are accomplished and resolved in this book, the ending feels more like a rest before the action to follow in the next book than a resolution within this one. A treat for fans of the series, CAST IN DECEPTION points towards high stakes and monumental changes for Kaylin’s world.
Sexual Content: None.
CAST IN DECEPTION is also one of the most linear adventures of the series, which is not a criticism. Kaylin gathers clues and bread crumbs, and the biggest surprises lay in who adds themselves to her band of allies by book’s end. There is the inevitable moment where magical theory got a bit over my head and There’s a lot of pausing to ruminate on the nature of family and trust, but overall I enjoyed this sorry quite a bit.
While many things are accomplished and resolved in this book, the ending feels more like a rest before the action to follow in the next book than a resolution within this one. A treat for fans of the series, CAST IN DECEPTION points towards high stakes and monumental changes for Kaylin’s world.
Sexual Content: None.
February 22, 2018
A simple trip to the Keeper’s store ends with Kaylin and Bellusdeo in the West March. The rest of the lost Barrani children, while attempting to travel to Elantra, lose contact with Terrano, Annarion, Mandoran, and Teela. A fateful meeting with Terrano, Kayla, and Bellusdeo aids the discovery and the rescue of the cohort [the lost Barrani children]. With politics at the foreground, Kaylin and Bellusdeo are placed in very dangerous positions. Kaylin’s honor leads to a safe return of all of the cohort to Helen’s. It is going to be an excruciatingly long period until the next book is published.
Quotes I liked from this book: Terrano speaking to Sedarias, when she refuses to answer Kaylin’s questions about the attack, “She’s [Kaylin] is going to find out who they were anyway. We have one corpse. Lord Kaylin is kyuthe to the Lord of the West March, and the Lady is waiting in one of the Hallionne to speak with her. If you think you’re keeping anything to yourself given events here, you are hopelessly optimistic.”
Find Cast in Deception at the Westminster Public Library.
Quotes I liked from this book: Terrano speaking to Sedarias, when she refuses to answer Kaylin’s questions about the attack, “She’s [Kaylin] is going to find out who they were anyway. We have one corpse. Lord Kaylin is kyuthe to the Lord of the West March, and the Lady is waiting in one of the Hallionne to speak with her. If you think you’re keeping anything to yourself given events here, you are hopelessly optimistic.”
Find Cast in Deception at the Westminster Public Library.
April 28, 2025
Like the duet where the West March and the Cohort got introduced, this book seems part I of a follow-up tale about them.
The Cohort are about to take the Test of Name, trying to get to Elantra, when they disappear. It triggers a series of events - involving a threat of war, lots of backstabbing Barrani politics, a new plot from Ravellon, the West March, and more. Much is set up, and little resolved, but I enjoyed the ride, and getting to know the Cohort better.
Spike seems like a cool addition to Kaylin’s menagerie. Also, I like that Kaylin’s abandoned lessons are mentioned again, and that she’s starting to realize the importance of guarding her thoughts better.
The Cohort are about to take the Test of Name, trying to get to Elantra, when they disappear. It triggers a series of events - involving a threat of war, lots of backstabbing Barrani politics, a new plot from Ravellon, the West March, and more. Much is set up, and little resolved, but I enjoyed the ride, and getting to know the Cohort better.
Spike seems like a cool addition to Kaylin’s menagerie. Also, I like that Kaylin’s abandoned lessons are mentioned again, and that she’s starting to realize the importance of guarding her thoughts better.
January 15, 2019
re-read 1/7/19end
I re-read all 13 books in preparation for book 14 being published this month. Sadly, I read the books too fast and I still have to wait weeks to get my next book, sigh.
This book was great. I was surprised to find that I had forgotten a lot of details from my 1st read. In the end I cried because I really felt the emotions Michelle was trying to convey. Amazing world. Wonderful characters. I just adore this series! To me it has perfect balance of action, adventure, fantasy, and romance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to Self:
Spoilers:
Kaylin Neya (20yo,Private,Elianne,mortal,Hawk(groundhawk),partner,Chosen,magic apprentice, healer, volunteer midwife, Nightshade fiefling,orphan,Lord of Barrani High Court, kyuthe,pal) &
Hope(small glass lizard/dragon,familiar,like an elemental but shadow)+
Corporal Severn Handred(30/31yo,mortal,Hawk, partner,Lord of Barrani High Court,ex-Shadow Wolf,Nightshade fiefling, orphan,pal),
Annarion(Barrani,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,Nightshades younger bro, bloodline heir)
Helen(Avatar building,Kaylin's home)
Mandoran(Barrani,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,bloodline heir)
Teela(An'Teela,Hawk,Barrani High Court Lord,immortal,cousin,1 of 12 Barrani changed,ex-Arcanist,partner,pal),
Tain(Hawk,Barrani,immortal,partner,pal),
Sedarias(female Barrani,Teela's year mate,leader cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,bloodline heir),
Karian(Barrani,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,bloodline heir),
Eddorian(Barrani,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,Iberrienne's older bro),
Hallionne Alsanis(avatar West March, Barrani way station,ex-lost,ex-exiled),
Eternal Emperor(Lord,Dragon Court),
Arkon(Lannagaros,Dragon Lord,head of Imperial Library,Librarian, Archivest,oldest),
Clint(Hawk, Aerian, Halls of Law guard),
Tanner(Hawk,Halls of Law guard),
Sergeant Marcus Kassan(Leontine,Hawk),
Caitlin(Hawk,mortal,Marcus' office assistant),
Moran dar Carafel(Hawk,Aerian,Sergeant,infirmary)
Lord Grammayre(Hawklord,Aerian),
Hanson(Hawk,mortal,Hawklords aide)
Bellusdeo(Lady Dragon,ex-Norannir Queen,Kaylin's roommate,pal)+Maggaron(Norannir, Ascendant),
Lord Nightshade(Calarnenne,Outcast Barrani High Court,fieflord,Kaylin's namebound,Annarion's older bro),
Evanton(Keeper of the elemental garden,mentor,pal),
Grethan(Tha'alani,deaf,Keeper's apprentice)
Consort(Lady,Barrani High Court,middle sis,Keeper of the Lake,ex-pal),
High Lord(Lord of the Green,older bro,Barrani High Court),
Lord of the West March(Lirienne,Consort's younger bro,Barrani High Court,Kaylin's namebound, pal),
Terrano of Allasarre(ex-Barrani shadow,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,Barrani High Court),
Ynpharion(Barrani Lord,ex-shadow,Consort's guard,Kaylin's namebound),
Lord Evarrim(Arcanist,Barrani High Court,Teela's cousin),
Lord Diarmat(Dragon,Capt.,Commander Imperial Guard,etiquette teacher),
Sanabalis(Lord,Dragon Court,mage,mentor),
Ybelline(Tha'alani castelord,pal)
Hallionne Orbaranne(avatar West March Barrani way station,originally human)
Lord Barian(Barrani,Warden West March,Teela's cousin)
Hallionne Bertolle(bro)
Spike(ex-Barrani, freed Shadow)
Allaron(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Valliant(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Fallessian(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Serralyn(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Torrisant(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Winston(bro Hallionne Bertolle's)
Tara(Avatar,tower of Tiamaris,pal)
Tiamaris(Dragon Lord,fieflord,ex-Hawk,Court youngest member,ex-Sanabalis' student,pal)
Candallar(Barrani,outcast,fieflord)
Mentioned only;
Margot(mortal,Elani St. fortune teller,oracle)
Corporal Danelle(Hawk)
Corporal Tagraine(Barrani,Hawk,assassin,died(?))
Corporal Canatel(Barrani,Hawk,injured(?))
Joey(Hawk),
Lord Andellen(Barrani High Court,Nightshade's guard),
Lord Emmerian(Dragon Court)
An'Mellarionne(Barrani,Sedaris younger bro)
Iberrienne(Barrani High Court Lord,Arcanist,ex-shadow,Outcast,cousin to Evarrim,bro to Eddorian, now broken)
Maybe Mentioned only;
Hallionne Kariastos(avatar Barrani way station,water dragon 2nd form,awake),
Hallionne Bertolle(avatar Barrani way station,true form rock,has 6 brothers,awake,sentient),
Hallionne Sylvanne(avatar Barrani way station,true form tree,sentient),
Not mentioned, notes to self;
Marrin(Leontine, Foundling Hall owner and manager,pal),
Marya(head of Guild of Midwives)
I re-read all 13 books in preparation for book 14 being published this month. Sadly, I read the books too fast and I still have to wait weeks to get my next book, sigh.
This book was great. I was surprised to find that I had forgotten a lot of details from my 1st read. In the end I cried because I really felt the emotions Michelle was trying to convey. Amazing world. Wonderful characters. I just adore this series! To me it has perfect balance of action, adventure, fantasy, and romance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to Self:
Spoilers:
Kaylin Neya (20yo,Private,Elianne,mortal,Hawk(groundhawk),partner,Chosen,magic apprentice, healer, volunteer midwife, Nightshade fiefling,orphan,Lord of Barrani High Court, kyuthe,pal) &
Hope(small glass lizard/dragon,familiar,like an elemental but shadow)+
Corporal Severn Handred(30/31yo,mortal,Hawk, partner,Lord of Barrani High Court,ex-Shadow Wolf,Nightshade fiefling, orphan,pal),
Annarion(Barrani,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,Nightshades younger bro, bloodline heir)
Helen(Avatar building,Kaylin's home)
Mandoran(Barrani,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,bloodline heir)
Teela(An'Teela,Hawk,Barrani High Court Lord,immortal,cousin,1 of 12 Barrani changed,ex-Arcanist,partner,pal),
Tain(Hawk,Barrani,immortal,partner,pal),
Sedarias(female Barrani,Teela's year mate,leader cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,bloodline heir),
Karian(Barrani,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,bloodline heir),
Eddorian(Barrani,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,Iberrienne's older bro),
Hallionne Alsanis(avatar West March, Barrani way station,ex-lost,ex-exiled),
Eternal Emperor(Lord,Dragon Court),
Arkon(Lannagaros,Dragon Lord,head of Imperial Library,Librarian, Archivest,oldest),
Clint(Hawk, Aerian, Halls of Law guard),
Tanner(Hawk,Halls of Law guard),
Sergeant Marcus Kassan(Leontine,Hawk),
Caitlin(Hawk,mortal,Marcus' office assistant),
Moran dar Carafel(Hawk,Aerian,Sergeant,infirmary)
Lord Grammayre(Hawklord,Aerian),
Hanson(Hawk,mortal,Hawklords aide)
Bellusdeo(Lady Dragon,ex-Norannir Queen,Kaylin's roommate,pal)+Maggaron(Norannir, Ascendant),
Lord Nightshade(Calarnenne,Outcast Barrani High Court,fieflord,Kaylin's namebound,Annarion's older bro),
Evanton(Keeper of the elemental garden,mentor,pal),
Grethan(Tha'alani,deaf,Keeper's apprentice)
Consort(Lady,Barrani High Court,middle sis,Keeper of the Lake,ex-pal),
High Lord(Lord of the Green,older bro,Barrani High Court),
Lord of the West March(Lirienne,Consort's younger bro,Barrani High Court,Kaylin's namebound, pal),
Terrano of Allasarre(ex-Barrani shadow,Teela's year mate,cohort/1 of 11 ex-lost children,Barrani High Court),
Ynpharion(Barrani Lord,ex-shadow,Consort's guard,Kaylin's namebound),
Lord Evarrim(Arcanist,Barrani High Court,Teela's cousin),
Lord Diarmat(Dragon,Capt.,Commander Imperial Guard,etiquette teacher),
Sanabalis(Lord,Dragon Court,mage,mentor),
Ybelline(Tha'alani castelord,pal)
Hallionne Orbaranne(avatar West March Barrani way station,originally human)
Lord Barian(Barrani,Warden West March,Teela's cousin)
Hallionne Bertolle(bro)
Spike(ex-Barrani, freed Shadow)
Allaron(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Valliant(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Fallessian(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Serralyn(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Torrisant(Barrani cohort,Teela's year mate,1 of 11 ex-lost children)
Winston(bro Hallionne Bertolle's)
Tara(Avatar,tower of Tiamaris,pal)
Tiamaris(Dragon Lord,fieflord,ex-Hawk,Court youngest member,ex-Sanabalis' student,pal)
Candallar(Barrani,outcast,fieflord)
Mentioned only;
Margot(mortal,Elani St. fortune teller,oracle)
Corporal Danelle(Hawk)
Corporal Tagraine(Barrani,Hawk,assassin,died(?))
Corporal Canatel(Barrani,Hawk,injured(?))
Joey(Hawk),
Lord Andellen(Barrani High Court,Nightshade's guard),
Lord Emmerian(Dragon Court)
An'Mellarionne(Barrani,Sedaris younger bro)
Iberrienne(Barrani High Court Lord,Arcanist,ex-shadow,Outcast,cousin to Evarrim,bro to Eddorian, now broken)
Maybe Mentioned only;
Hallionne Kariastos(avatar Barrani way station,water dragon 2nd form,awake),
Hallionne Bertolle(avatar Barrani way station,true form rock,has 6 brothers,awake,sentient),
Hallionne Sylvanne(avatar Barrani way station,true form tree,sentient),
Not mentioned, notes to self;
Marrin(Leontine, Foundling Hall owner and manager,pal),
Marya(head of Guild of Midwives)
January 3, 2018
One of the most linear adventures of the series, which is not a criticism. The ending feels a bit unfinished, more of a rest between the action than a resolution, but that supports the weight given to the monumental forces at play. There’s a lot of pausing to ruminate on the nature of family and trust, but overall I liked this development of Kaylin’s ragtag band of overpowered immortals.
Full review to follow.
Sexual Content: None.
Full review to follow.
Sexual Content: None.
November 18, 2024
3.5 stars.
Nov 2024 - re-listened.
________________________
Dec 2023 - re-listened.
________________________
Re-listened in Aug 2021. To me, this is one of those bridging books just to get the Cohort back into Elantra. Nothing seems to be resolved.
________________________
Re-listened in 2020. Well, at least now I can continue to the next book. But I do like the reappearance of Winston and his brothers, they are so cute and flexible. :)
________________________
I found this installment a bit of a mish-mash. The central theme was about the Cohort wanting to come back to Elantra to take the Test of Names but disappearing on their way. As usual, Kaylin became involved.
I thought there was too much philosophizing / lecturing. And the political maneuverings in the Barrani High Court were never made clear. The ending was a bit of a fizzle. I guess it's the author's way of making us hang out for the next book. :(
Nov 2024 - re-listened.
________________________
Dec 2023 - re-listened.
________________________
Re-listened in Aug 2021. To me, this is one of those bridging books just to get the Cohort back into Elantra. Nothing seems to be resolved.
________________________
Re-listened in 2020. Well, at least now I can continue to the next book. But I do like the reappearance of Winston and his brothers, they are so cute and flexible. :)
________________________
I found this installment a bit of a mish-mash. The central theme was about the Cohort wanting to come back to Elantra to take the Test of Names but disappearing on their way. As usual, Kaylin became involved.
I thought there was too much philosophizing / lecturing. And the political maneuverings in the Barrani High Court were never made clear. The ending was a bit of a fizzle. I guess it's the author's way of making us hang out for the next book. :(
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews