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Wolves of Elantra #2
Sword and Shadow
Beyond the Emperor's law
In exchange for information about his past, Severn Handred joins a Barrani lord on a mission to the West March—an enclave well outside the boundaries of the Empire. Granted a leave of absence from the Wolves, Severn is in danger the moment he steps outside the reach of Imperial law. But the instincts that led him to the Wolves and the sense of duty that keeps him there can’t be discarded as easily as the tabard he wears.
In the heart of the West March, enmeshed in a tangled web of secrets that have been kept for centuries, Severn's belief in justice is going to be tested. There are murders to solve, people to protect, and truths to uncover. It's one mortal man and his single Barrani friend against a community of immortals who will die and kill to keep their secrets. But they’re up against the Wolves now.
In exchange for information about his past, Severn Handred joins a Barrani lord on a mission to the West March—an enclave well outside the boundaries of the Empire. Granted a leave of absence from the Wolves, Severn is in danger the moment he steps outside the reach of Imperial law. But the instincts that led him to the Wolves and the sense of duty that keeps him there can’t be discarded as easily as the tabard he wears.
In the heart of the West March, enmeshed in a tangled web of secrets that have been kept for centuries, Severn's belief in justice is going to be tested. There are murders to solve, people to protect, and truths to uncover. It's one mortal man and his single Barrani friend against a community of immortals who will die and kill to keep their secrets. But they’re up against the Wolves now.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2022
114 people are currently reading
796 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Sagara
54 books1,801 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).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
February 19, 2022
Originally published at Reading Reality
Once upon a time, there was a book. I remember reading the first book in the Chronicles of Elantra series, Cast in Shadow, at night, in a place we lived for just one year – among a string of such places. It was late in 2011, and I’d had the book, in fact the first half dozen books in the series, on my shelves since it was published in 2005.
I’d put off starting it, but once I was in, I was hooked. But those first ten or so were the best. Not because they are objectively better, but because the world of Elantra is complex and convoluted and densely packed and highly political. There are a LOT of threads to this multi-pronged story, and more with every single book. I read those first ten close enough together that I still remembered all the plot threads each time a new one came out. By the point of the latest, Cast in Conflict, I couldn’t get myself into that same mindset or bring back enough of everything to get deeply embedded again. I had to put it down for a later read.
And now I want to pick it back up again. Very much so. Because the Wolves of Elantra series, The Emperor’s Wolves and especially this latest book, Sword and Shadow, have brought me back to the beginning – actually before the beginning – of the series that I so loved. And instead of finding myself neck deep in complexities that I don’t remember, I’m back at the very beginning of things, where what I learned in the Chronicles gives some events future weight – but doesn’t depend on that knowledge to be immersive all over again.
Because this prequel series, especially this entry, Sword and Shadow, is the origin story for Severn Handred, the person who haunts Kaylin Nera’s past, protects her present and dimly hopes for some kind of future with her, even if that future is just to keep watch over her and the trouble she inevitably gets into for the rest of her life.
Up until now, all we’ve known of Severn is what Kaylin knows, that he, like her, was a child of the lawless fiefs. That he entered her life when they were children. That he was older and better equipped to survive and to keep her alive in a place where life was short and precarious. And that he killed the children she thought were her friends in order to save her from a magic that neither of them understood then and still don’t.
But we know nothing of Severn before he met Kaylin at the age of 10 or thereabouts. This is the story of what he was before, and how those origins shaped and influenced who he has become after. And still.
Escape Rating A+: I know, I haven’t said much about this story yet. And there are reasons for that, all of them tied up in the events here and the things that happened after. There’s always been an impression that whoever and whatever Severn was, he was definitely more than he seemed.
That’s an impression that turns into an exploration and eventually a reality in Sword and Shadow. It is certainly Severn’s origin story, as well as how he obtained the legendary magic-breaking weapon that he carries in the Chronicles.
But it’s also a very complex political story that dives deeply into the endless maneuverings of the Barrani who serve as the elves of this fantasy world. The Barrani are immortal, as are the Dragons who rule Elantra. The Dragons and the Barrani are eternal enemies who have made uneasy peace in order to maintain vigilance on the Shadows who want to destroy them both.
The Barrani approach to immortality is political and petty, where the Dragon approach is protective. Not that both races aren’t equally selfish and self-absorbed in their own ways, but the way that manifests in the Barrani is particularly destructive, both to themselves and others.
Their politics wrap around their immortality in that they spend it making themselves invulnerable, and the only way to do that is to cut themselves from anyone and anything who might become either a weakness, a rival or a weapon.
The story here is of Severn finding himself in the midst of a Barrani power struggle out of his own desire to find out where he came from, even if that knowledge will not affect who he is. The Barrani think they are using him for their own ends, and that he has little choice and less power.
Only to discover that little and less are not none, and that the force at the heart of the Barrani stronghold has a mind and heart of its own.
Readers who have loved the Chronicles of Elantra will fall in love with the series all over again with Sword and Shadow. Readers who enjoyed the game of politics played for high-stakes and to the death in Modesitt’s Isolate and his Imager Portfolio series will thrill to the kind of maneuvering that takes place in Sword and Shadow. Readers who like their fantasy full-to-the-brim of political shenanigans and endless power struggles will adore this world and the deftness with which its story has been woven.
While a part of me hopes that the author continues with Severn’s story, it also feels like his pre-Kaylin adventures might be done. But whichever way that question gets answered, I need to dive back into Cast in Conflict – not that all of Kaylin’s and Severn’s adventures aren’t cast in one sort of conflict or another. I can’t wait to see how things slot back into place now that I know so much more!
Once upon a time, there was a book. I remember reading the first book in the Chronicles of Elantra series, Cast in Shadow, at night, in a place we lived for just one year – among a string of such places. It was late in 2011, and I’d had the book, in fact the first half dozen books in the series, on my shelves since it was published in 2005.
I’d put off starting it, but once I was in, I was hooked. But those first ten or so were the best. Not because they are objectively better, but because the world of Elantra is complex and convoluted and densely packed and highly political. There are a LOT of threads to this multi-pronged story, and more with every single book. I read those first ten close enough together that I still remembered all the plot threads each time a new one came out. By the point of the latest, Cast in Conflict, I couldn’t get myself into that same mindset or bring back enough of everything to get deeply embedded again. I had to put it down for a later read.
And now I want to pick it back up again. Very much so. Because the Wolves of Elantra series, The Emperor’s Wolves and especially this latest book, Sword and Shadow, have brought me back to the beginning – actually before the beginning – of the series that I so loved. And instead of finding myself neck deep in complexities that I don’t remember, I’m back at the very beginning of things, where what I learned in the Chronicles gives some events future weight – but doesn’t depend on that knowledge to be immersive all over again.
Because this prequel series, especially this entry, Sword and Shadow, is the origin story for Severn Handred, the person who haunts Kaylin Nera’s past, protects her present and dimly hopes for some kind of future with her, even if that future is just to keep watch over her and the trouble she inevitably gets into for the rest of her life.
Up until now, all we’ve known of Severn is what Kaylin knows, that he, like her, was a child of the lawless fiefs. That he entered her life when they were children. That he was older and better equipped to survive and to keep her alive in a place where life was short and precarious. And that he killed the children she thought were her friends in order to save her from a magic that neither of them understood then and still don’t.
But we know nothing of Severn before he met Kaylin at the age of 10 or thereabouts. This is the story of what he was before, and how those origins shaped and influenced who he has become after. And still.
Escape Rating A+: I know, I haven’t said much about this story yet. And there are reasons for that, all of them tied up in the events here and the things that happened after. There’s always been an impression that whoever and whatever Severn was, he was definitely more than he seemed.
That’s an impression that turns into an exploration and eventually a reality in Sword and Shadow. It is certainly Severn’s origin story, as well as how he obtained the legendary magic-breaking weapon that he carries in the Chronicles.
But it’s also a very complex political story that dives deeply into the endless maneuverings of the Barrani who serve as the elves of this fantasy world. The Barrani are immortal, as are the Dragons who rule Elantra. The Dragons and the Barrani are eternal enemies who have made uneasy peace in order to maintain vigilance on the Shadows who want to destroy them both.
The Barrani approach to immortality is political and petty, where the Dragon approach is protective. Not that both races aren’t equally selfish and self-absorbed in their own ways, but the way that manifests in the Barrani is particularly destructive, both to themselves and others.
Their politics wrap around their immortality in that they spend it making themselves invulnerable, and the only way to do that is to cut themselves from anyone and anything who might become either a weakness, a rival or a weapon.
The story here is of Severn finding himself in the midst of a Barrani power struggle out of his own desire to find out where he came from, even if that knowledge will not affect who he is. The Barrani think they are using him for their own ends, and that he has little choice and less power.
Only to discover that little and less are not none, and that the force at the heart of the Barrani stronghold has a mind and heart of its own.
Readers who have loved the Chronicles of Elantra will fall in love with the series all over again with Sword and Shadow. Readers who enjoyed the game of politics played for high-stakes and to the death in Modesitt’s Isolate and his Imager Portfolio series will thrill to the kind of maneuvering that takes place in Sword and Shadow. Readers who like their fantasy full-to-the-brim of political shenanigans and endless power struggles will adore this world and the deftness with which its story has been woven.
While a part of me hopes that the author continues with Severn’s story, it also feels like his pre-Kaylin adventures might be done. But whichever way that question gets answered, I need to dive back into Cast in Conflict – not that all of Kaylin’s and Severn’s adventures aren’t cast in one sort of conflict or another. I can’t wait to see how things slot back into place now that I know so much more!
February 22, 2022
Curiouser and curiouser!
How can you not be inspired by Severn Handred’s story? His challenges and choices inspire as he journeys to the West Marshes, and on into the heart of the Green, I am reminded even more of Kaylin Nyla’s journey through the Green. I wonder how far in the past to that time this is set, and if the now experience will meld with that one.
Severn and Kaylin still have to come face to face in this series. Intriguing!
As I said before about Severn (GRds) when looking at the first in this series, The Emperor’s Wolves, “I love the quiet energy that emenates from Severn Handred. [The Wolves tales—the Emperor’s assassins] fill in the behind the-scene gaps of the early Elantra stories. I’ve always admired and wondered about Severn. He is a gift that reveals so much, as the past, present and future are intwined. Severn’s story rounds out and strengthens the Elantra series and Private Kaylin Neya.”
Severn as a Shadow Wolf—his composure is amazing. And he will need every inch of that control in the West Marshes. Barranari Lord, An’Tellarus wishes Severn to accompany her to the Marshes. As always she keeps close council and has many balls juggling in the air at once. What we know is An’Tellarus marches to the beat of her own drum. Elluvian, the Barrani Wolf who reports directly to the Dragon Emperor must go for his own reasons. Elluvian does not trust An’Tellarus. For Severn this journey is very personal. Once again we are confirmed that honor and integrity are key elements of Severn’s personality.
I relish the insight we are given about this society where the Barranari lead almost ageless lives. That longevity has spawned a society of beings who have old memories, seemingly immortal and yet not. Their contrast with short lived humans is startling. Their children are seen as either pawns or rising adversaries. But for humans it’s different. As one human explains to Severn, “children are important to so many of us: they’re the only form of immortality we have. They’re a part of ourselves that we can leave for the future. If we can’t become people of renown, if our name itself doesn’t become significant in history, it’s our sons and daughters that remain.”
Some questions about the Barrani and the other races are answered, even as new questions arise. Questions about the importance of the West Marches and the Shadow are highlighted.
This particular title, Sword and Shadow, off shoot of the Elantra texts,The Wolves of Elantra, has it all—adventure, mystery, sensitivity and danger.
Like Alice I’m wondering where to next. Which hole (or vortex) am I going to disappear down, who will I meet, and what happens when I get there? I can hardly wait!
A Harlequin Trade ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
How can you not be inspired by Severn Handred’s story? His challenges and choices inspire as he journeys to the West Marshes, and on into the heart of the Green, I am reminded even more of Kaylin Nyla’s journey through the Green. I wonder how far in the past to that time this is set, and if the now experience will meld with that one.
Severn and Kaylin still have to come face to face in this series. Intriguing!
As I said before about Severn (GRds) when looking at the first in this series, The Emperor’s Wolves, “I love the quiet energy that emenates from Severn Handred. [The Wolves tales—the Emperor’s assassins] fill in the behind the-scene gaps of the early Elantra stories. I’ve always admired and wondered about Severn. He is a gift that reveals so much, as the past, present and future are intwined. Severn’s story rounds out and strengthens the Elantra series and Private Kaylin Neya.”
Severn as a Shadow Wolf—his composure is amazing. And he will need every inch of that control in the West Marshes. Barranari Lord, An’Tellarus wishes Severn to accompany her to the Marshes. As always she keeps close council and has many balls juggling in the air at once. What we know is An’Tellarus marches to the beat of her own drum. Elluvian, the Barrani Wolf who reports directly to the Dragon Emperor must go for his own reasons. Elluvian does not trust An’Tellarus. For Severn this journey is very personal. Once again we are confirmed that honor and integrity are key elements of Severn’s personality.
I relish the insight we are given about this society where the Barranari lead almost ageless lives. That longevity has spawned a society of beings who have old memories, seemingly immortal and yet not. Their contrast with short lived humans is startling. Their children are seen as either pawns or rising adversaries. But for humans it’s different. As one human explains to Severn, “children are important to so many of us: they’re the only form of immortality we have. They’re a part of ourselves that we can leave for the future. If we can’t become people of renown, if our name itself doesn’t become significant in history, it’s our sons and daughters that remain.”
Some questions about the Barrani and the other races are answered, even as new questions arise. Questions about the importance of the West Marches and the Shadow are highlighted.
This particular title, Sword and Shadow, off shoot of the Elantra texts,The Wolves of Elantra, has it all—adventure, mystery, sensitivity and danger.
Like Alice I’m wondering where to next. Which hole (or vortex) am I going to disappear down, who will I meet, and what happens when I get there? I can hardly wait!
A Harlequin Trade ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
September 16, 2022
I admit that the only reason I bought this book was the price. Silly me :) Glad I was wrong to be so wary. Sword and Shadows is everything that Elantra isn’t. There’s a young hero, but he’s not a child the way Elianne/Private N is. There is no Peter Pan feeling here (as in PP syndrome the human that never grows up). There’s magic but it’s not overwhelming. The pace isn’t glacial.
I really enjoyed this book and yea on its own merit rather than as a comparison to the Chronicles (that I’ve stopped reading years ago).
I do wonder (and fear) where the next books will go…
I really enjoyed this book and yea on its own merit rather than as a comparison to the Chronicles (that I’ve stopped reading years ago).
I do wonder (and fear) where the next books will go…
February 4, 2022
Sword and Shadow, is the second book in the Wolves of Elantra series, the prequel/companion series to the Chronicles of Elantra books. Michelle Sagara has fleshed out both the background of one of her most interesting secondary characters, Severn Handred. And expanded the details of Barrani society. Which makes this a fascinating book if you’re already a reader of the series but a very bad entry point if you’re new to it.
Severn is fascinating in the earlier books because he’s quiet and mysterious. I was afraid that learning about his past would remove that fascination. I was wrong. His past is even more intriguing and the more the author shares, the more I want to know!
This entry is a quiet book with a lot of discussion about events current and historical. Relationships are complicated and their set in what I think is the most complex of the nonhuman Elantran societies - the Barrani who are immortal, magical, secretive, and prone to killing people who speak out of turn.
I enjoyed the deeper look at the events that shaped Severn into the quiet, protective, justice-minded Corporal in the Chronicles of Elantra books.
Severn is fascinating in the earlier books because he’s quiet and mysterious. I was afraid that learning about his past would remove that fascination. I was wrong. His past is even more intriguing and the more the author shares, the more I want to know!
This entry is a quiet book with a lot of discussion about events current and historical. Relationships are complicated and their set in what I think is the most complex of the nonhuman Elantran societies - the Barrani who are immortal, magical, secretive, and prone to killing people who speak out of turn.
I enjoyed the deeper look at the events that shaped Severn into the quiet, protective, justice-minded Corporal in the Chronicles of Elantra books.
December 14, 2022
I loved this. We get to know so much about Severn, and man, I cried. In the end, I just about bawled my eyes out.
I'm sad too because this Severn - confident, joking - we don't get to see a lot of in the main Elantra series. There's so much hurt between Severn and Kaylin. I hope they really find their way past it. They're family, in the only way that matters, and they deserve to find that happiness.
I'm guessing this is the end of the Severn prequel books, as it fills in so much of his backstory all the way up to his acquisition of the coveted Barrani weapon. Though I would definitely read more - if not prequel, maybe in-between stories of the times Severn was called away from Kaylin to do his duty as a Wolf. He never talks about that with Kaylin, and so we don't know it. Given the connections he has made in this prequel series, they would be compelling to read.
I'm sad too because this Severn - confident, joking - we don't get to see a lot of in the main Elantra series. There's so much hurt between Severn and Kaylin. I hope they really find their way past it. They're family, in the only way that matters, and they deserve to find that happiness.
I'm guessing this is the end of the Severn prequel books, as it fills in so much of his backstory all the way up to his acquisition of the coveted Barrani weapon. Though I would definitely read more - if not prequel, maybe in-between stories of the times Severn was called away from Kaylin to do his duty as a Wolf. He never talks about that with Kaylin, and so we don't know it. Given the connections he has made in this prequel series, they would be compelling to read.
March 25, 2022
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Epic Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Sword and Shadow is the second installment in author Michelle Sagara's Wolves of Elantra series. This is prequel to the authors Chronicles of Elantra series. As an orphan scrounging in the lawless slums of Nightshade, young Severn Handred didn't have the luxury of believing in anything beyond his own survival. He met a young girl named Elliane (later she'll become Kaylin Neya) and her mother who became family but ended up betraying her after vowing to protect her.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Epic Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Sword and Shadow is the second installment in author Michelle Sagara's Wolves of Elantra series. This is prequel to the authors Chronicles of Elantra series. As an orphan scrounging in the lawless slums of Nightshade, young Severn Handred didn't have the luxury of believing in anything beyond his own survival. He met a young girl named Elliane (later she'll become Kaylin Neya) and her mother who became family but ended up betraying her after vowing to protect her.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
February 25, 2022
Quite a few thoughts about this one. Severn's never been a personal favorite as a character, so I've been enjoying this series for all the other characters instead. I'm quite fond of Elluvian and I'm realllllllly thrilled to see more of the Emperor, as I found his limited interactions in the Chronicles of Elantra series delightful.
However, while I did like the story itself...I found holes that are bothering me a bit.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
So while the story itself was good, A few of the things I really was interested in didn't come to pass, and that caused me to settle on 4 stars instead of 5 though I did like the story overall.
However, while I did like the story itself...I found holes that are bothering me a bit.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
So while the story itself was good, A few of the things I really was interested in didn't come to pass, and that caused me to settle on 4 stars instead of 5 though I did like the story overall.
May 12, 2025
This book started slow (with yet another drawn out journey to the West March), but then it turned fantastic in multiple ways.
One, the mystery of two Barrani disappearances in the West March, which are deeply personal to Severn’s allies get properly tangled up.
Two, we finally see the hinted story of how Severn got his mythical weapon in an epic quest of worthiness.
Three (and most incredible), we get to know Severn’s past! Details about his parents, teacher, mysteries that shaped his early life and character were revealed, and it was really emotional and well written.
I missed the other Wolves, and am looking forward to seeing more of them. Also, I do hope some of the events and characters here become more prominent in CoE. I had an odd thought that maybe Sagara kept Severn mostly quiet in the main series, to have more freedom with this prequel series?
One, the mystery of two Barrani disappearances in the West March, which are deeply personal to Severn’s allies get properly tangled up.
Two, we finally see the hinted story of how Severn got his mythical weapon in an epic quest of worthiness.
Three (and most incredible), we get to know Severn’s past! Details about his parents, teacher, mysteries that shaped his early life and character were revealed, and it was really emotional and well written.
I missed the other Wolves, and am looking forward to seeing more of them. Also, I do hope some of the events and characters here become more prominent in CoE. I had an odd thought that maybe Sagara kept Severn mostly quiet in the main series, to have more freedom with this prequel series?
January 12, 2022
This was a very satisfying read. As we progress in this prequel series, the more the pieces fall into place. As the book hasn’t been released yet, I’ll keep the spoilers to myself for now. I look forward to rereading this one in it’s finished copy form.
December 19, 2022
I feel like I'm getting more information about wtf is going on in that world in this spinoff series than I am getting anymore from the main series. At this juncture I'd rather listen to one of these.
Bulk input day.
Bulk input day.
February 23, 2022
Michelle finally gives us what we have wanted to know, just what is the story with Severn and who he is!
Like a lot of Michelle’s books she does tend to get bogged down into detail for details sake that often don’t add to the story or honestly could be edited out without issue. I once read from an author that if you can edit out paragraphs of writing or a whole scene and it makes no difference to the story, it probably shouldn’t have been there in the first place (thanks Ilona Andrews 😉) and there tends to be a lot of mansplaining dialogue in Michelle’s books as a general styling issue. Once you get use to that (or skip those mansplaining paragraphs) the story being told is usually a great one.
Sword and Shadow is engaging, and it does vividly colour in all the details about Severn that have largely been left in outline. I think it would have been nice to see a little more character reaction to the things he uncovers about himself and his family, as that may serve to make him a little more connectable, but that’s just my opinion.
It’s an enjoyable read, and nice to deviate a little from Kaylin and her adventures. I would love to read more of Severn and what he did as a wolf!
Like a lot of Michelle’s books she does tend to get bogged down into detail for details sake that often don’t add to the story or honestly could be edited out without issue. I once read from an author that if you can edit out paragraphs of writing or a whole scene and it makes no difference to the story, it probably shouldn’t have been there in the first place (thanks Ilona Andrews 😉) and there tends to be a lot of mansplaining dialogue in Michelle’s books as a general styling issue. Once you get use to that (or skip those mansplaining paragraphs) the story being told is usually a great one.
Sword and Shadow is engaging, and it does vividly colour in all the details about Severn that have largely been left in outline. I think it would have been nice to see a little more character reaction to the things he uncovers about himself and his family, as that may serve to make him a little more connectable, but that’s just my opinion.
It’s an enjoyable read, and nice to deviate a little from Kaylin and her adventures. I would love to read more of Severn and what he did as a wolf!
March 2, 2022
I enjoy the Elantra books and have been reading them for years. I really like getting to see Severn's past, but book 2 in the series was a little tougher to keep track of the characters. I think to have gotten a better grasp of this title, I would have to read the first book again so the new characters were fresher. It's a dense series with a lot of information, and this spinoff series introduces many more characters. Still a great addition to the world and a must read for fans of the series, especially as we get some major Severn reveals.
March 16, 2022
Wow! I did not see the big reveal coming at all. This is the second fantasy novel about Severn, a side kick to the heroine of the Chronicles of Elantra. He is invited by a Barrani lord to accompany her to the West March. She persuades him to come by promising info about his parents. The novel is very slow for the first two thirds. Lots of explanation and history, no action. Lots of Severn remembering his very odd childhood as a human child raised by a Barrani. But once they arrive in the West March things become quite interesting. The revelation of who Severn’s parents are is totally shocking, and cool. One part that was intriguing was when Severn has to pose as the lover of the Barrani lord. We see a playful and sexy side of Severn that shows that the heroine of the Elantra books is really missing out by rejecting Severn’s romantic advances. Severn’s interest in her is very understated and only explicitly discussed once over many books, but she gives him a firm “not any time soon”. Sigh. Anyway, I really enjoyed this novel and I hope that there will be more Severn novels to come.
January 23, 2022
Severn is a mystery that I want to unravel so badly. Reading this book, I am both elated and devastated. He is a boy who grew up without a past into a young man with deep regrets. He regrets how his actions have impacted someone he loves so deeply. I like how he still believes he did the right thing. I can't argue that point because I am on his side. There are some people who have to make tough choices and do the dirty work that others, more delicate people cannot handle. The fact that Severn is able to carry these out at a very young age is impressive. In this book, we learn just how wonderfully special, Severn and why.
To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.
To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.
February 23, 2022
When I read the first book in the series, I didn't know this was a prequel to a longer series. Thanks to that, I started reading The Chronicles of Elantra, and now I have more opinions.
Severn is a fascinating character, and I didn't expect to see much of his past. This book did explain why Severn and his weapon always seemed unique for a non-magical human.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I did because I don't like the Barrani, and when the parent series went to West March, it was very weak. However, Sword and Shadow's pace doesn't make the West March or the trek a drag.
Because I feel like I have to state this: I don't ship Severn and Kaylin. Reading The Emporer's Wolves always made it seem like he has a big brother relationship with her. I don't want Kaylin to end up with anyone.
Severn is a fascinating character, and I didn't expect to see much of his past. This book did explain why Severn and his weapon always seemed unique for a non-magical human.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I did because I don't like the Barrani, and when the parent series went to West March, it was very weak. However, Sword and Shadow's pace doesn't make the West March or the trek a drag.
Because I feel like I have to state this: I don't ship Severn and Kaylin. Reading The Emporer's Wolves always made it seem like he has a big brother relationship with her. I don't want Kaylin to end up with anyone.
December 30, 2024
Second in The Wolves of Elantra fantasy series, a prequel to The Chronicles of Elantra, revolving around Severn Handred.
I would suggest reading The Chronicles of Elantra and then The Wolves of Elantra.
My Take
Sagara uses third person global subjective point-of-view from the perspective of a number of characters.
Severn, the primary protagonist, is a complex character who definitely utilizes what he learned from his guardian. Loyal, always assessing in a practical sense and thinking for himself.
We get a whole heckuva lot of back history on Severn, a man who follows his conscience with mindfulness, revealing all those mysteries of how he was born and who his guardian was in those first ten years of his life, why he's so comfortable in different levels of society, and where he got that chain he slings about.
The Tha'alaan are an amazing people who, mostly, cannot keep secrets from each other, and I adore how they raise their children. They're so cared for and encouraged.
The complete opposite are the Barrani who are just plain nasty, brutal! The individual considers only themself. Brothers and sisters are enemies, willing to stab each other in the back. That An'Avonelle is typical of her race, and she is something else and appears to directly channel her father's attitude toward the High Court.
While there is action, it's mostly culture- and then character-driven in a pace that takes in all the plotting and history of the Barrani. It's easily confusing to comprehend because of this, but definitely fascinating.
It's a complex world Sagara has created and not always easy to follow it does not help that there are events in Sword and Shadow that don't reflect what Sagara wrote in The Chronicles of Elantra.
It's politics, power, and family, as it can be used.
The Story
The sometimes frivolous An'Tellarus plans a trip to the West March and insists on Elluvian and Severn Handred accompanying her. It'll take some bribery — a highly desired piece of information — to entice Severn to join her.
It's a trip fraught with danger, for the Barrani acknowledge no one as being as important as themselves and no one more important than their own self.
The Characters
Growing up in the fief of Nightshade, Severn Handred is the newest member of the Wolves. The Barrani guardian he'd had for the first ten years of his life was known as Regellius. After he was abandoned, Severn found Tara and her daughter, Elianne.
The Wolves are . . .
. . . the third branch of law enforcement. Think of them as the black ops division. Their leader is Helmat Marlin, the Lord of Wolves. Elluvian, a.k.a. the Emperor's Dog or the Emperor's Wolf, a Barrani (and kin to An'Tellarus) has pledged to the Emperor. En. Other agents include the injured Rosen "Rosie", Jaren, and the suspicious Mellianne. Darrell had an inflated opinion of himself.
Dariandaros, a dragon, is now the Emperor. Saidh Mankev is the head of the Imperial Security (IS) offices. Anderson is part of the IS.
The Barrani are . . .
. . . highly skilled and essentially immortal, i.e., they cannot die unless you kill them. They're not truly born until the High Lord's Consort gives them a name. Two hundred years ago, the Barrani enslaved humans. Leofswuld is a ritual when a new High Lord is chosen. The color of their eyes reflects their emotion with purple the shade of grief. The Three are Barrani-held swords meant for killing dragons.
The West March is . . .
. . . not part of the Emperor's territory but Barrani and ruled by Lirienne, the Lord of the West March. The land also includes the sentient green, which is overseen by the Warden, Lord Barian. Barian's mother, Lord Avonelle, is highly ambitious and has already lost a son to the Test of Name. Lord Tanniase is heir to the line Kosmarre and loyal to Avonelle.
Cediela, An'Tellarus, a Barrani Lord of the High Court, is the lord of Tellarus, notorious and feared. Her hated yet admired, powerful older sister, Leveanne, disappeared into the green. Handred had been Leveanne's slave.
Yvonne, forced into the Darrowelm clan, had been a friend of An'Sennarin, used as a hostage for his behavior. Lord Rowan had once been friends with Lord Leveanne.
A friend of Yvonne, Ollarin of Sennarin, had shown aptitude for water. Verranian never wants to leave the green. Elluvian had been of what was once Danarre; he should have been An'Danarrre. Onuri will be their valued guide.
Alsanis is the Hallione, a sentient inn, in the West March with roots in the green from whence the Dreams of Alsanis, spirit eagles, emerge. The Shards of Tyron have been lost in the green for centuries.
The High Court is . . .
. . . located in the capitol and the seat of Barrani power where the Test of Name is taken. It is led by the High Lord and His Consort, who does not care for An'Tellarus, although their daughter likes her. An'Sennarin, a.k.a. Ollarin, is at the heart of the High Court. Lord Corvallan and his wife, Cassandre, are members of the High Court and associated with the Mellarionne faction.
The Tha'alaan are . . .
. . . a race of mind readers feared by others. Their castelord, Ybelline Rabon'alani, is one of the Tha'alani, a subgroup within the Tha'alaan who work as interrogators for the Emperor and can stay sane and keep what they learn from the rest of their people. Draalzyn is one who works in the Halls of Law. Scoros had taught Ybelline. Adellos, the former castelord who had tried to murder Severn, is a close friend to An'Sennarin.
The fiefs exist to prevent the shadows of Ravellon from leaving. No one is safe there. Water can be sentient. Shadow is a taint that manifests in beings, infects them.
The Cover and Title
It's a simple cover that conveys more than one expects with its soft blue-gray background with the gray silhouette of the hooded and cloaked Severn, on one knee and appearing to pray, as his cloak billows out behind him on the left. Severn's profile is a frame for the deep blue sky with its ground-hugging clouds and full moon of the West March and its skyline of buildings. Most of the text is in a deep maroon starting with the series info at the top with a double deeper blue horizontal rule below it. The title is mostly just below the rules and passing over the tip of Severn's hood. At his calf is a testimonial in a navy blue. Immediately beneath Severn is an info blurb followed by the author's name.
The title is a metaphor for the weapon-wielding Barrani of Sword and Shadow for the questions that hover.
I would suggest reading The Chronicles of Elantra and then The Wolves of Elantra.
My Take
Sagara uses third person global subjective point-of-view from the perspective of a number of characters.
Severn, the primary protagonist, is a complex character who definitely utilizes what he learned from his guardian. Loyal, always assessing in a practical sense and thinking for himself.
We get a whole heckuva lot of back history on Severn, a man who follows his conscience with mindfulness, revealing all those mysteries of how he was born and who his guardian was in those first ten years of his life, why he's so comfortable in different levels of society, and where he got that chain he slings about.
The Tha'alaan are an amazing people who, mostly, cannot keep secrets from each other, and I adore how they raise their children. They're so cared for and encouraged.
The complete opposite are the Barrani who are just plain nasty, brutal! The individual considers only themself. Brothers and sisters are enemies, willing to stab each other in the back. That An'Avonelle is typical of her race, and she is something else and appears to directly channel her father's attitude toward the High Court.
While there is action, it's mostly culture- and then character-driven in a pace that takes in all the plotting and history of the Barrani. It's easily confusing to comprehend because of this, but definitely fascinating.
It's a complex world Sagara has created and not always easy to follow it does not help that there are events in Sword and Shadow that don't reflect what Sagara wrote in The Chronicles of Elantra.
It's politics, power, and family, as it can be used.
The Story
The sometimes frivolous An'Tellarus plans a trip to the West March and insists on Elluvian and Severn Handred accompanying her. It'll take some bribery — a highly desired piece of information — to entice Severn to join her.
It's a trip fraught with danger, for the Barrani acknowledge no one as being as important as themselves and no one more important than their own self.
The Characters
Growing up in the fief of Nightshade, Severn Handred is the newest member of the Wolves. The Barrani guardian he'd had for the first ten years of his life was known as Regellius. After he was abandoned, Severn found Tara and her daughter, Elianne.
The Wolves are . . .
. . . the third branch of law enforcement. Think of them as the black ops division. Their leader is Helmat Marlin, the Lord of Wolves. Elluvian, a.k.a. the Emperor's Dog or the Emperor's Wolf, a Barrani (and kin to An'Tellarus) has pledged to the Emperor. En. Other agents include the injured Rosen "Rosie", Jaren, and the suspicious Mellianne. Darrell had an inflated opinion of himself.
Dariandaros, a dragon, is now the Emperor. Saidh Mankev is the head of the Imperial Security (IS) offices. Anderson is part of the IS.
The Barrani are . . .
. . . highly skilled and essentially immortal, i.e., they cannot die unless you kill them. They're not truly born until the High Lord's Consort gives them a name. Two hundred years ago, the Barrani enslaved humans. Leofswuld is a ritual when a new High Lord is chosen. The color of their eyes reflects their emotion with purple the shade of grief. The Three are Barrani-held swords meant for killing dragons.
The West March is . . .
. . . not part of the Emperor's territory but Barrani and ruled by Lirienne, the Lord of the West March. The land also includes the sentient green, which is overseen by the Warden, Lord Barian. Barian's mother, Lord Avonelle, is highly ambitious and has already lost a son to the Test of Name. Lord Tanniase is heir to the line Kosmarre and loyal to Avonelle.
Cediela, An'Tellarus, a Barrani Lord of the High Court, is the lord of Tellarus, notorious and feared. Her hated yet admired, powerful older sister, Leveanne, disappeared into the green. Handred had been Leveanne's slave.
Yvonne, forced into the Darrowelm clan, had been a friend of An'Sennarin, used as a hostage for his behavior. Lord Rowan had once been friends with Lord Leveanne.
A friend of Yvonne, Ollarin of Sennarin, had shown aptitude for water. Verranian never wants to leave the green. Elluvian had been of what was once Danarre; he should have been An'Danarrre. Onuri will be their valued guide.
Alsanis is the Hallione, a sentient inn, in the West March with roots in the green from whence the Dreams of Alsanis, spirit eagles, emerge. The Shards of Tyron have been lost in the green for centuries.
The High Court is . . .
. . . located in the capitol and the seat of Barrani power where the Test of Name is taken. It is led by the High Lord and His Consort, who does not care for An'Tellarus, although their daughter likes her. An'Sennarin, a.k.a. Ollarin, is at the heart of the High Court. Lord Corvallan and his wife, Cassandre, are members of the High Court and associated with the Mellarionne faction.
The Tha'alaan are . . .
. . . a race of mind readers feared by others. Their castelord, Ybelline Rabon'alani, is one of the Tha'alani, a subgroup within the Tha'alaan who work as interrogators for the Emperor and can stay sane and keep what they learn from the rest of their people. Draalzyn is one who works in the Halls of Law. Scoros had taught Ybelline. Adellos, the former castelord who had tried to murder Severn, is a close friend to An'Sennarin.
The fiefs exist to prevent the shadows of Ravellon from leaving. No one is safe there. Water can be sentient. Shadow is a taint that manifests in beings, infects them.
The Cover and Title
It's a simple cover that conveys more than one expects with its soft blue-gray background with the gray silhouette of the hooded and cloaked Severn, on one knee and appearing to pray, as his cloak billows out behind him on the left. Severn's profile is a frame for the deep blue sky with its ground-hugging clouds and full moon of the West March and its skyline of buildings. Most of the text is in a deep maroon starting with the series info at the top with a double deeper blue horizontal rule below it. The title is mostly just below the rules and passing over the tip of Severn's hood. At his calf is a testimonial in a navy blue. Immediately beneath Severn is an info blurb followed by the author's name.
The title is a metaphor for the weapon-wielding Barrani of Sword and Shadow for the questions that hover.
March 26, 2022
2/22/2022(got book)-3/25/2022(finished reading)
** spoiler alert **
This is the prequel to Cast in Shadow book 1 in the Chronicles of Elantra series.I need the next book pretty please ASAP...!
I don't want this series to ever end, I mean it NEVER!
I give this book 5 stars. What an amazing story. I was excited to read the next book in this series. It was spellbinding as always. I learned so many new things. I loved seeing this side of the story. It was a blast to find out more about Severn.
I read this book slower than usual. Lately, I have been into BTS, anime and feeling creative so doing a lot of art. Feeling happy. I did not want to devour this one. I wanted to savor it. So I went slow. In the old days I usually read them in 2-3 days. I have been thinking about re-reading Cast in Courtlight again since I just finished this one.
Again, I can't tell you how much I love the world building! This is a very creative, compelling world. I can't say enough about the incredible cast of characters! We meet so many new people and learn more info about our old friends. I have no words. Dang! The world is populated by all sorts of fascinating species: the immortal Barrani, Dragons and Tha'alani, the mortal humans and Leontine and Aerians. Very much in my head during this book as I was in all the others. Such a pleasure!
In awe as always! Really.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to Self:
Spoilers:
Private Severn Handred(18yo,half human/Barrani,of the Green, Halls of Law Wolf, Shadow cub, pupal, partner,Nightshade fiefling, orphan,murderer,ex-pal,mage, wielder of the Shards of Tyron (weapon from the West March)),
Elluvian of Danarre(En,Barrani,immortal,tracker, Lord of the High Court,Wolves recruiter,Shadow Wolf, assassin,executioner,serves the emperor(Emperor's Dog),pal1,mentor,trainer,cousin, kin, An'Danarre lost title)
An'Tellarus(Cediela, younger sis, Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,old,En's mentor,detritus weapon owner, Alsanis pal, West March born,weapon enthusiast,eccentric,kin,aunt)
Helmat Marlin(Lord of Wolves,Wolflord,human,assassin,executioner,mentor,trainer,ex-pupal,pal1)
Rosen(Rosie,Wolf,now trainer,has desk duty,Wolflord's secretary,ex-pupal,injured,pal3)
Mellianne(Wolf,ex-pupal,chip on shoulder,pal3)
Jaren(Wolf,ex-pupal,pal3)
Anderson(human, Halls of Law staff)
Dariandaros of Ebon Flight(Eternal Emperor,dragon,mage)
Ybelline Rabon'alani(Tha'alani,Tha'alanari,telepath,castelord,designated heir,ex-pupal)
Draalzyn(Tha'alani,Tha'alanari,telepath,Missing Person's Halls of Law appointed)
Saidh Mankev(head of Imperial Security,Ybelline's supervisor)
Scoros(Tha'alani,Tha'alanari,telepath,her teacher,mentor)
Adellos Coran'alani(Tha'alani,Tha'alanari,telepath,former castelord,attempted murder,teacher, mentor, Ollarin pal)
An'Sennarin (Ollarin,Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,young,mage,elementalist-water, Tha'alani connection, Adellos pal, childhood pal)
Yvonne of Darrowelm(Barrani,immortal, injured, was in the Green, was possessed by Shadow, An'Tellarus new servant, childhood pal)
Lord Barian(Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court, Warden of the Green,son)
Lord Avonelle(Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,into political intrigue, mother)
Verranian(aka. "Regellius", Barrani,immortal,mage,weapon enthusiast,Severn's childhood mentor/teacher,servant of Lord Leveanne, was in the Green)
Dreams of Alsanis(2 bird like beings)
Alsanis(Hallionne, Barrani dwelling)
Orbaranne (she,Hallionne)
Corvallan(Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,Mellarionne)&
Cassandre(Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,his wife)
"Kaylin Neya" (Elianne,13yo,human,Hawk mascot, adopted fledgling,Chosen,mage,healer, Nightshade fiefling,orphan,ex-thief,ex-assassin,ex-pal),
Lord of the West March(Lirienne, Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court, bro)
High Lord(Barrani, immortal,Lord of the High Court,holds 1 of 3 swords)
An'Teela(Teela,Hawk,Barrani,immortal, High Court Lord,pal2),Kariannos(1 of 3 Barrani swords,Dragon killer,held by An'Teela) &
Tain of Korrin(Hawk,Barrani,immortal,pal2),
Eldanis(Barrani,immortal,Elluvian's home servant)
Onuri(Barrani,immortal, Elluvian's cousin,injured, scholar of the Green)
Lord Leveanne(Leve, older sis, Barrani,immortal, master, mage, Severn's mother, lost in the Green)+
Handred(human, slave, widower, Severn's dad, lost in the Green)
Lord Rowan(Barrani,immortal,in love w/ Lord Leveanne)
Ollarin(Barrani,immortal, guide to the Green, Lord Barian's staff)
Nightshade(Calarnenne,Outcast Barrani Lord,fieflord,crime lord, holds 1 of 3 swords)[Meliannos(Nightshades sword,2nd dragon killer weapon)]
Lord Grammayre(Aerian,Hawklord, Halls of Law)
** spoiler alert **
This is the prequel to Cast in Shadow book 1 in the Chronicles of Elantra series.I need the next book pretty please ASAP...!
I don't want this series to ever end, I mean it NEVER!
I give this book 5 stars. What an amazing story. I was excited to read the next book in this series. It was spellbinding as always. I learned so many new things. I loved seeing this side of the story. It was a blast to find out more about Severn.
I read this book slower than usual. Lately, I have been into BTS, anime and feeling creative so doing a lot of art. Feeling happy. I did not want to devour this one. I wanted to savor it. So I went slow. In the old days I usually read them in 2-3 days. I have been thinking about re-reading Cast in Courtlight again since I just finished this one.
Again, I can't tell you how much I love the world building! This is a very creative, compelling world. I can't say enough about the incredible cast of characters! We meet so many new people and learn more info about our old friends. I have no words. Dang! The world is populated by all sorts of fascinating species: the immortal Barrani, Dragons and Tha'alani, the mortal humans and Leontine and Aerians. Very much in my head during this book as I was in all the others. Such a pleasure!
In awe as always! Really.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to Self:
Spoilers:
Private Severn Handred(18yo,half human/Barrani,of the Green, Halls of Law Wolf, Shadow cub, pupal, partner,Nightshade fiefling, orphan,murderer,ex-pal,mage, wielder of the Shards of Tyron (weapon from the West March)),
Elluvian of Danarre(En,Barrani,immortal,tracker, Lord of the High Court,Wolves recruiter,Shadow Wolf, assassin,executioner,serves the emperor(Emperor's Dog),pal1,mentor,trainer,cousin, kin, An'Danarre lost title)
An'Tellarus(Cediela, younger sis, Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,old,En's mentor,detritus weapon owner, Alsanis pal, West March born,weapon enthusiast,eccentric,kin,aunt)
Helmat Marlin(Lord of Wolves,Wolflord,human,assassin,executioner,mentor,trainer,ex-pupal,pal1)
Rosen(Rosie,Wolf,now trainer,has desk duty,Wolflord's secretary,ex-pupal,injured,pal3)
Mellianne(Wolf,ex-pupal,chip on shoulder,pal3)
Jaren(Wolf,ex-pupal,pal3)
Anderson(human, Halls of Law staff)
Dariandaros of Ebon Flight(Eternal Emperor,dragon,mage)
Ybelline Rabon'alani(Tha'alani,Tha'alanari,telepath,castelord,designated heir,ex-pupal)
Draalzyn(Tha'alani,Tha'alanari,telepath,Missing Person's Halls of Law appointed)
Saidh Mankev(head of Imperial Security,Ybelline's supervisor)
Scoros(Tha'alani,Tha'alanari,telepath,her teacher,mentor)
Adellos Coran'alani(Tha'alani,Tha'alanari,telepath,former castelord,attempted murder,teacher, mentor, Ollarin pal)
An'Sennarin (Ollarin,Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,young,mage,elementalist-water, Tha'alani connection, Adellos pal, childhood pal)
Yvonne of Darrowelm(Barrani,immortal, injured, was in the Green, was possessed by Shadow, An'Tellarus new servant, childhood pal)
Lord Barian(Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court, Warden of the Green,son)
Lord Avonelle(Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,into political intrigue, mother)
Verranian(aka. "Regellius", Barrani,immortal,mage,weapon enthusiast,Severn's childhood mentor/teacher,servant of Lord Leveanne, was in the Green)
Dreams of Alsanis(2 bird like beings)
Alsanis(Hallionne, Barrani dwelling)
Orbaranne (she,Hallionne)
Corvallan(Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,Mellarionne)&
Cassandre(Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court,his wife)
"Kaylin Neya" (Elianne,13yo,human,Hawk mascot, adopted fledgling,Chosen,mage,healer, Nightshade fiefling,orphan,ex-thief,ex-assassin,ex-pal),
Lord of the West March(Lirienne, Barrani,immortal, Lord of the High Court, bro)
High Lord(Barrani, immortal,Lord of the High Court,holds 1 of 3 swords)
An'Teela(Teela,Hawk,Barrani,immortal, High Court Lord,pal2),Kariannos(1 of 3 Barrani swords,Dragon killer,held by An'Teela) &
Tain of Korrin(Hawk,Barrani,immortal,pal2),
Eldanis(Barrani,immortal,Elluvian's home servant)
Onuri(Barrani,immortal, Elluvian's cousin,injured, scholar of the Green)
Lord Leveanne(Leve, older sis, Barrani,immortal, master, mage, Severn's mother, lost in the Green)+
Handred(human, slave, widower, Severn's dad, lost in the Green)
Lord Rowan(Barrani,immortal,in love w/ Lord Leveanne)
Ollarin(Barrani,immortal, guide to the Green, Lord Barian's staff)
Nightshade(Calarnenne,Outcast Barrani Lord,fieflord,crime lord, holds 1 of 3 swords)[Meliannos(Nightshades sword,2nd dragon killer weapon)]
Lord Grammayre(Aerian,Hawklord, Halls of Law)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2022
Severn is one of my favourite chacters from the Elantra series. He was always so mysterious and competent. An excellent foil to Kaylin’s utter scatterbrained existence. I am so glad we are getting the chance to explore more of Severn’s past.
I will advise new readers to Michelle Sagara’s books, that you are best off reading her Cast in series books first, as this book will confuse you if you don’t understand the Barrani culture and how they and the mortals fit into the Emperor’s hoard.
Sagara’s writing is amazing. I love her use of prose, her descriptions, what is omitted from the dialogue can sometmes be just as informative as what is said, but as a result some of the conversations do get a bit convoluted. Sagara likes to play with words and nuances, and this book is full of them.
I enjoyed the return to the Green, for those of us who have read her other books, though I felt there were a lot of new names that we haven’t met in the Cast books. I must admit I am still confused about what Severn’s origins means. Without trying to give spoilers, we know he isn’t Barrani, it is said multiple times, so what is he, then? This book still doesn’t spell it out.
As a fan of Michelle Sagara, this book is a worthy sequel. Sagara weaves a complex world with intrigue and danger at every turn. One for those who like to read into stories and draw your own conclusions.
I will advise new readers to Michelle Sagara’s books, that you are best off reading her Cast in series books first, as this book will confuse you if you don’t understand the Barrani culture and how they and the mortals fit into the Emperor’s hoard.
Sagara’s writing is amazing. I love her use of prose, her descriptions, what is omitted from the dialogue can sometmes be just as informative as what is said, but as a result some of the conversations do get a bit convoluted. Sagara likes to play with words and nuances, and this book is full of them.
I enjoyed the return to the Green, for those of us who have read her other books, though I felt there were a lot of new names that we haven’t met in the Cast books. I must admit I am still confused about what Severn’s origins means. Without trying to give spoilers, we know he isn’t Barrani, it is said multiple times, so what is he, then? This book still doesn’t spell it out.
As a fan of Michelle Sagara, this book is a worthy sequel. Sagara weaves a complex world with intrigue and danger at every turn. One for those who like to read into stories and draw your own conclusions.
April 2, 2022
Wolves2
If you’re reading the Chronicles of Elantra, then you already know Severen Handred. But the Chronicles are told from Kaylin’s point of view; there was no room for another voice.
Enter these two books, The Emperor’s Wolves, and Sword and Shadow. We all have questions about Severn’s past, and the when of things. These books go a long way toward answering them, in Ms Sagara’s inimitable style.
Well worth the wait, I don’t know if there are more planned. But I can rejoice that these were written and released. I can also look forward to the next Chronicles offering. I hope you will as well.
If you’re reading the Chronicles of Elantra, then you already know Severen Handred. But the Chronicles are told from Kaylin’s point of view; there was no room for another voice.
Enter these two books, The Emperor’s Wolves, and Sword and Shadow. We all have questions about Severn’s past, and the when of things. These books go a long way toward answering them, in Ms Sagara’s inimitable style.
Well worth the wait, I don’t know if there are more planned. But I can rejoice that these were written and released. I can also look forward to the next Chronicles offering. I hope you will as well.
February 28, 2022
I didn’t expect the turn this one took but I appreciate the opportunity to get further insight on Severen. He’s so quiet next to Kaylin that he could be easily overlooked. Thanks for letting me learn a bit about why that is.
February 28, 2022
Excellent!
I have always found Severn interesting for all of his quiet and deadly attitude. The Wolves of Elantra, especially "Sword and Shadow", details why and how he has grown into his current self. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I have always found Severn interesting for all of his quiet and deadly attitude. The Wolves of Elantra, especially "Sword and Shadow", details why and how he has grown into his current self. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
April 7, 2022
a little slow for me to get through but I'm 90% sure that is me and life right now and the story
February 27, 2022
Magnificent as expected, greatly paced, I could not put it down.
February 24, 2022
A wonderful addition to Elantra
He Story of Severn Handred is all I could hope for.
His origin, how he aquired the exceptional weapon he welds, all of it true to the enigmatic character Severn has always been.
The story is well written and totally engaging. I paid for my copy.
He Story of Severn Handred is all I could hope for.
His origin, how he aquired the exceptional weapon he welds, all of it true to the enigmatic character Severn has always been.
The story is well written and totally engaging. I paid for my copy.
February 22, 2022
Extraordinary! Both series tell marvelous stories.
February 15, 2022
Title: Sword and Shadow
Author: Michelle Sagara
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5
I do love Michelle Sagara’s The Chronicles of Elantra series, and I think this spinoff series is fantastic as well. Severn is one of my favorite characters in the original series, and it’s lovely to get to know him better here. I love the verbal back-and-forth in these books, and the characters are such strong presences that I feel like I’m there with them. Detailed worldbuilding, nuanced plot, and plenty of action makes these books a must-read.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)
Author: Michelle Sagara
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5
I do love Michelle Sagara’s The Chronicles of Elantra series, and I think this spinoff series is fantastic as well. Severn is one of my favorite characters in the original series, and it’s lovely to get to know him better here. I love the verbal back-and-forth in these books, and the characters are such strong presences that I feel like I’m there with them. Detailed worldbuilding, nuanced plot, and plenty of action makes these books a must-read.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)
February 9, 2022
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of SWORD AND SHADOW (Book 2 of the Wolves of Elantra), by Michelle Sagara, in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book of Severn Handred’s story prior to his reunion with Kaylin Neya in the first book in the Chronicles of Elantra. When a Barani lord offers Severn answers about his past in exchange for Severn accompanying her to the West March, Severn takes a leave of absence from the Wolves. In addition to answers about his past, Severn intends to gain answers for another friend. This trip will reveal Severn’s origin and how he ended up with his signature weapon.
The Chronicles of Elantra is one of my favorite fantasy series. The Wolves of Elantra series is designed to tell Severn���s story, clear up some of the mystery about his background, and give the reader a deeper connection to the often stoic and silent Severn.
#SwordandShadow #NetGalley
The Chronicles of Elantra is one of my favorite fantasy series. The Wolves of Elantra series is designed to tell Severn���s story, clear up some of the mystery about his background, and give the reader a deeper connection to the often stoic and silent Severn.
#SwordandShadow #NetGalley
May 27, 2022
The Second Wolves of Elantra book does not disappoint. Unlike the first one which I felt had not enough of Severn's voice, this book really delivers on who he is, and what his life was like before he met up with Kaylin again in the first Chronicles of Elantra book.
While I know there are some things that don't quite add up from what we've been told previously, it doesn't really matter because we get a typical Sagara novel that is imaginative, filled with intrigue, and provides glimpse into the psyche and (really unexpected) history of characters we have grown to care about.
While I know there are some things that don't quite add up from what we've been told previously, it doesn't really matter because we get a typical Sagara novel that is imaginative, filled with intrigue, and provides glimpse into the psyche and (really unexpected) history of characters we have grown to care about.
December 30, 2022
I am loving the backstory about Severn Handred. Lots of surprises and a perfect compliment to the Severn in the Chronicles of Elantra series. It definitely makes me want to relisten to Chronicles of Elantra series, well at least through the West March episode.
Khristine Hvam, narrator, hits it out of the park again.
Can't wait for the next book.
Khristine Hvam, narrator, hits it out of the park again.
Can't wait for the next book.
March 13, 2022
DNF. I tried so hard, because I love a series by this author set in the same world. After reading about 13 books in the world, to have so much explanation and exposition was so boring. I also don't really like to be in Severn's mind. I liked him better as a mystery. This was such a disappointment.
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