Cast in Sorrow (Chronicles of Elantra)

I enjoy reading and re reading this series. I loved the opening set up to this story. I had to share it before I got further into the story. Good conclusion to the prior book. Answers many of the questions left hanging. Look forward to more Elantra Chronicles.

This series follows a mortal girl from Elantra whose body is covered in glyphs that can be used to name or rename the immortals in her world. There are dragons, Barrani (elves), shadow creatures, and other supernaturals.

I have every book in the Chronicles of Elantra. I have read and reread several of these books on multiple occasions. So, it is with deep regret that I say this book felt as if it had repetitive dialogue in an effort to fill pages. Although there was world building and new characters I felt it was very one dimensional and without any true explanation. Kaylin the main character continuously travels through corridors with continuous blind turns and surprises that include hidden doors and ferals (creatures that are made of shadow but can harm). There is a reference to the "Outlands" that is extremely confusing and seems to have been thrown in to connect the book to others in the series but doesn't explain anything.

Characters are also extremely boring and aggravating. In describing the Barrani (a people that closely resemble elves) Sagara made them so unemotional and ridiculous in this book that I was quickly bored with them. Even Nightshade one of my favorite characters was an afterthought in this story. I realize that Teela was getting her story, at least I think she was, but Sagara spent so much time describing Kaylin running around without knowing her purpose that I felt Teela's story was lost. I should have gotten to know Teela from this book and I was left getting annoyed with Barrani smirks, Barrani cold stares, and Kaylin being naive. I was also completely confused as to why a Barrani would not want to be healed by Kaylin. So, this intelligent race that is long lived would rather be injured facing ferals then accept healing from Kaylin? Doesn't make sense to me. I understand that her healing is intrusive and has something connected to their "true names" but the "Consort" (their equivalent of the mother of their race) had Kaylin healping her "birth" their true names so I'm confused as to why she wouldn't be trusted to heal them.

I'm glad I learned more about Teela or the small bit that was interspersed in the continuous story of Kaylin and her naive self. I'm just disappointed at Kaylin's character development or lack. Kaylin is 21 years old but acts as if she is 14. She has yet to develop as an adult and acts a little to childish at times for me.

I preordered this book... and waited

Got this book... and waited... to read it

After spending as much time as I could
Saving this excellent read...

I gave in...because I wanted to read an excellent...
Story...Read...Author...entertainment

AND NOW...I'm waiting AGAIN

Thank you M S, no pressure... I'm waiting

Sagara does not disappoint, the difficulties are astounding and the way in which Kaylin solves them is mesmerizing. I wasn't happy with the cliff hanger of an ending with the last book and have been impatient in my wait for this one. I devoured it. I absolutely loved it. No spoilers here, just praise.

Do not attempt to read this book without at least first reading the previous one - Cast in Peril. I chose to re-read the entire series. I do not feel it was necessary, but I enjoyed revisiting the full series.

Firstly, none of the action takes place in Elantra. This means no Dragons, no Evanton, and no Marcus. I am not entirely pleased at their absence, but I understand; they had no place in this story. This is a completion of most all of the events in Cast in Peril. In many ways this book fully informs the Barrani.

The Little Dragon story is brought to a resolution. Teela and the Consort play huge roles with Teela's past being clarified. The end of the book leaves us with the promise of some VERY interesting times ahead in Elantra.

It does tend to get a bit wordy at times, but the author's ability to craft a phrase of depth and beauty is incredible.

I truly enjoy the chronicles of Elantra series. The world these books encompass is wonderful to dig into. This chapter in the story gives explanation for the West March and tells An'Teela's story; which is fascinating. But the book feels rushed and given fillers to lengthen the story. I do understand that this book is practically a " part 2" to Cast In Ruin, but I think a little less would have been more. I blew through it in two days and as is my habit I'll re-read it again in a few days time. I'm very pleased to see Kaylin's little friend explained to me. it and the result of the explanation are the high-point of the book. Though I gave this chapter only three stars its really nitpicking from a long time fan. The series gets a big fat FIVE. And as usual I'll eagerly anticipate the next book . Michelle, Hurry Up! but don't rush....

A great read. M Sagara astonishes me. It is very rare indeed that in the long series the forthcoming book would almost always better than previous. To me it is mark of the writer of no mean talent. I definitely recommend this book to all lovers of The Chronicles of Elantra.

As always I have waited for Michelle Sagara's new book to come out. It was definitely worth the wait. I really have no words other then to say this book will not disappoint anyone. It can be read on it's own, or even better read previous books first. You won't be sorry. Now I have to go read them all again.

Ninth in the Chronicles of Elantra fantasy series for Young Adults and revolving around Private Kaylin Neya.

This is a complex story with lots of ins and outs. I would seriously recommend starting this series from the beginning with the prequel in Mercedes Lackey's Harvest Moon: "Cast in Moonlight", 0.5.

My Take
It's the most incredible world that Sagara has created. I've never read anything like it, and I'm wanting to re-read it already. It's magic with what we might consider an elvish race—the Barrani—but with very little similarity. More haughty, I think. While there are usually a greater variety of living beings in Sagara's series, this installment restricts itself to a couple of humans, a dragon, sentient beings and dreams, and a mention of sorcerers, lion-men, birdmen, and dragonshifters.

The story continues on from where we left off in Cast in Peril , 8, with Kaylin trekking to the West March with the Barrani, and she'll never believe a painter again with those idyllic canvases of lush greens. They left out the bugs! Nor does she believe this forced vacation is a paid one. Even if the Halls of Law insisted she go.

It's tense, terrifying, and you'll find yourself laughing. It's also incredibly complex—I don't know how Sagara keeps all of this straight in her mind! There is also a great deal of Barrani history in this. It's Teela's past, a huge reveal about the lost, more about the Hallionne and the green, and thought provoking insight into Barrani fears, general and specific.

Sagara is so inventive with her Barrani culture and incredibly consistent in applying it! For as complicated as it is, I'm really impressed. I like too that Sagara creates personalities for everyone. I'm writing that and wondering well, of course everyone has a personality?? And yet, you have to read this to understand better what I mean. The Barrani are so cold and standoffish. So calculating, and yet they come across as warm and concerned. I love the Lord of the West March's humor in this; it's so unexpected.

There's confirmation with what we learned from Cast in Peril about the Ferals—this alone is enough to send me back to Cast in Shadow , 1.

It's clever of Sagara to set up her world as she has—it doesn't always have to make sense! There were a number of actions which I did not understand, bits and pieces sometimes, but it can take a couple readings to pull it all in. The absorption of the birds, how the Lord of the West March fits into the West March and what part Lord Barian plays,

I simply adore Kaylin's dialog, her thoughts, and herself. She's cheeky, irreverent, and real.
"It's probably stupid," she said, after a long pause, "for me to open my mouth at all."

The Lord of the West March is explaining how the courts work, and I'm confused. He says the West March has the Court of the Vale, so I'm going to assume that he means the actual West March. Ah, found it. The Court of the Vale is what the West March calls its Court; it's separate from the Lord of the March.
"Finding fact offensive is pointless."

How sad is it that Kaylin mistrusts respect given to her, and that Kaylin sees her work at the midwives guild as an act of atonement.
"Death is … endless. It was loss. It was loss every day. It was an emptiness and a permanent lack of warmth."

The Story
The trek to the West March for the recitation of the regalia continues and many are injured, with most refusing Kaylin's healing aid. The sacred green dress only goes so far to ensure respect for her as the harmoniste. Lucky for Kaylin as the Barrani idea of gratitude is a knife in a dark alley.

In fact, despite the dress, Kaylin is in danger, "the only point in her favor" is that Hallionne Orbaranne is standing ( Cast in Peril , 8).

It is Kaylin's friendship with Teela, that influences the green to choose her as harmoniste, the speaker who will gather the words the Teller says into a story that will change people, shift their perceptions.

Of course, it's never that simple…

The Characters
Born poor and orphaned early in her life, the cynical Private Kaylin Neya is more than human, more than a Lord of the Barrani, more than a titular significant other to Nightshade, Kaylin is Chosen and bears the marks. Most importantly, she is a healer. The small dragon (the Barrani and the sorcerers believe he is a familiar and covet him) is still with Kaylin and extremely protective.

Bellusdeo is the dragon roommate she had to leave behind in Elantra. Lord Sanabalis is the dragon at Court who has been tutoring Kaylin; he required that she wear his emblem while among the Barrani.

Lord Severn Handred was part of Kaylin's orphan band until the others died, and then Kaylin ran. He entered the Wolves and has been seconded to the Hawks, to Kaylin specifically. He also passed the Tower's test when Kaylin did which entitles him to the title of lord ( Cast in Courtlight , 2).

Lord An'Teela is both Barrani, a member of both the West March and the High Court, and one of the Hawks. Kaylin's friend and coworker, and she claims Kaylin as kyuthe. Vivienne was Teela's mother, of the line of Wardens and Guardians of the West March. When Kaylin was younger, the Emperor thought she was a danger and wanted her killed. Teela donned her rank and let the Emperor know she was willing to go to war for Kaylin.

Lirienne, the Lord of the West March, is Lord of the High Halls and all the Barrani, and his sister, the Consort, a.k.a., the Lady, is the Mother of the Barrani. He is also the Lord of the Green. He also claims Kaylin as kyuthe, kin, mostly because Kaylin amuses him.

Lord Ynpharion is furious and terrified that Kaylin knows his True name, even if it did bring him back from the Shadows. Lord Evarrim, Teela's cousin, uses a lot of Arcane magic, and he despises Kaylin.

Lord Nightshade, an Outcaste Barrani and a fieflord (think of him as a crime boss), was once Lord Calarnenne, and the Consort insists on using his name. In this story, he will participate in the recitation of the regalia as the Teller.

The West March
Lord Barian is the Warden of the West March. And a cousin of Teela's. His duty is to absorb the nightmares of the Hallionne and converse with it, to visit. Avonelle, the Guardian of the green, is Barian's mother and Teela's aunt; she is also hostile toward Kaylin, but hates the Lord of the West March. Lord Tanniase is angry with Severn for the events of a previous visit of his to the West March. Gaedin and Serian are the Barrani assigned to serve Kaylin.

The birds that are normally absorbed by the Lady or the Warden are also known as the Dreams of Alsanis, the Hallionne in the West March.

Iberrienne was the one who was sacrificing mortals, see Cast in Peril , 8.

The lost ones
Sedarias was the leader; Eddorian is Iberrienne's brother; Annarion is like Sedarias, cold and proud and Nightshade's brother; Mandoran has a lovely sense of humor; the ambitious Terrano had a sense of humor; the shy and very big, Allaron liked the small and helpless; Valliant hates his name; Serralynn is the other female; Torrisant is clothes-obsessed and attracts birds; Fallessian is a bully; and, Karian is grim and controlled.

Hallionne are the Barrani version of an inn: sentient, alive, and able to read minds. It is their duty to recreate the best comforts of a guest's home. Hallionne Alsanis is the inn in the West March that is betrayed. Tha'alaan appear in the Barrani fountains to Kaylin ( Cast in Fury , 4). The Outlands are a potential space, gray and formless, and you could never count on everyone reaching the same destination. The green is a place, like a sentient city with laws and customs.

The Cover
The cover is golden as Kaylin, wearing the green dress of the honoriste, perches on the fountain's edge, dips her fingers through the water, and chats with the Tha'aalani in the fountain.

The title is all about the Shadows and the Barrani, for they have been Cast in Sorrow.

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

In addition to being ninth in the Chronicles of Elantra series, CAST IN SORROW also forms a tiny duology with its immediate predecessor. CAST IN PERIL brought Kaylin and her companions deep into the wilds of the West March and CAST IN SORROW is entirely concerned with what they find there. And though both books share the characteristic inscrutable magic, cataclysmic events, and fraught relationships, I enjoyed CAST IN PERIL's quip-filled build up much more than CAST IN SORROW`s disorienting magical resolution.

Rereading my review of CAST IN PERIL, I find it no surprise that my rating dropped from 4 bats to 3 across these books. If the first part of this journey focused on the characters, their friendships and attractions and histories, this second part is almost entirely focused on the magic. While there are juicy hints regarding several character's pasts, their present is almost entirely obscured under a blanket of symbolism, portent, and inscrutable mysticism. Sagara's system of runes and naming is difficult to follow at the best of times, and CAST IN SORROW is driven by little else. As a consequence, I found myself only loosely connected to the story, waiting for those moments when the actual consequences of all this magic became clear... and those moments were few and far between. Even worse, I had to wait until almost the last chapter for a taste of those heartfelt, character-to-character moments that I adore.

For those who love Sagara's dreamy writing and High Fantasy flair, CAST IN SORROW will make for a hearty meal of dynastic portent, immortal psyche, and magic gone wrong. For those who prefer her character interactions and more Urban Fantasy-esque grit and immediacy, this book offers little by way of either quips or consequences. After drifting through chapter after chapter of magic, CAST IN SORROW brought me back down to earth with the last few chapters. And while most of this book was a forgettable tangle of magical theory, I'll still be looking for where life takes Kaylin Neya next.

Sexual Content: None.

Returning to the Chronicles of Elantra and life with Private Kaylin Neya is a privilege and a joy. As I was reading this it once more occurred to me that our writers are the Bards of yesteryear, opening our eyes, enabling us to see through their eyes into the worlds they create. To be able to see what Sagara sees, look through her eyes into the world of Elantra and of Kaylin is fantastic and a reader's delight. Thank you.
In Cast in Sorrow we continue on from Cast in Peril with Kaylin (as Lord Kaylin, a Barrani appointed title from past deeds) well and truly into The West Marches. Things are not going well, Kaylin has an unasked for duty to perform as a Lord and her healing gift keeps wanting to overpower all. Healing the Green is an imperative. She is of course accompanied by her small dragon which is both a complication and maybe a blessing, or not!
Kaylin meets a water elemental, a sheet of falling water shaped as a Tha'alani in an unexpected place.
Along the way we learn a little more of Severn. A deep character with hidden reserves and a story yet untold.
Cast in Sorrow is in part the Barrani Hawk Teela's story and also a treatise about the Barrani, on nature vs nurture and environment. We come to know more about these almost immortals, their drives and challenges. The idea of the word and living words or true words is important to the Barrani as it brings them into being a and defines their ongoing positions through daunting challenges. Indeed we have seen that such words are important to all Elantra under different circumstances and guises. As the story unfolds, the darker side of Teela, the aching side is shown and we sympathize and acknowledge her at a more intimate level. Those Barrani words Kaylin keeps seeing or being given charge of, at one level, seem to represent or be an analogy for the challenges of life, on how people grow and develop. Once again Kaylin and the words on her skin are the centre part of the story, it's mystery and resolution. Not forgetting her daring, her many wonderful, messy character, her many foibles, her scrappiness, her resolution and her love.

A NetGalley ARC

Returning to the Chronicles of Elantra and life with Private Kaylin Neya is a privilege and a joy. As I was reading this it once more occurred to me that our writers are the Bards of yesteryear, opening our eyes, enabling us to see through their eyes into the worlds they create. To be able to see what Sagara sees, look through her eyes into the world of Elantra and of Kaylin is fantastic and a reader's delight. Thank you.
In Cast in Sorrow we continue on from Cast in Peril with Kaylin (as Lord Kaylin, a Barrani appointed title from past deeds) well and truly into The West Marches. Things are not going well, Kaylin has an unasked for duty to perform as a Lord and her healing gift keeps wanting to overpower all. Healing the Green is an imperative. She is of course accompanied by her small dragon which is both a complication and maybe a blessing, or not!
Kaylin meets a water elemental, a sheet of falling water shaped as a Tha'alani in an unexpected place.
Along the way we learn a little more of Severn. A deep character with hidden reserves and a story yet untold.
Cast in Sorrow is in part the Barrani Hawk Teela's story and also a treatise about the Barrani, on nature vs nurture and environment. We come to know more about these almost immortals, their drives and challenges. The idea of the word and living words or true words is important to the Barrani as it brings them into being a and defines their ongoing positions through daunting challenges. Indeed we have seen that such words are important to all Elantra under different circumstances and guises. As the story unfolds, the darker side of Teela, the aching side is shown and we sympathize and acknowledge her at a more intimate level. Those Barrani words Kaylin keeps seeing or being given charge of, at one level, seem to represent or be an analogy for the challenges of life, on how people grow and develop. Once again Kaylin and the words on her skin are the centre part of the story, it's mystery and resolution. Not forgetting her daring, her many wonderful, messy character, her many foibles, her scrappiness, her resolution and her love.

A NetGalley ARC

I love this series! The chartcers are well developed and believable. The storyline(s) are absorbing, entertaining and occasionally thought provoking.

Michelle Sagara has become one of my favorite authors

I love this series, but I thought this ninth book to be the weakest of the lot. It has the writing style and the fun with language that I enjoy in the Elantra series - but the story-telling is lacking. There's a great deal of exposition. "So long as we're walking down this endless corridor, let me tell you more." There's a great deal of what, in another series, would be dream symbolism. In this series the protagonist spends many pages trying to make sense of externalizations of other entities' states of mind or states of being. And for every plot there's a plot device: There's no problem that can't be solved by the marks growing brighter or by the familiar exhibiting a superpower or by the protagonist guessing what the author wants her to do. That doesn't leave a lot of room for story.

Perhaps it's an editing problem: "Cast in Sorrow" is the second half of a thousand-page book that should have been five-hundred pages long, and has five-hundred pages of story. As the books are structured, there's no obvious way to slim them down to one novel's length. The structure would have to change.

Am I going to read book ten when it appears? Of course I will; I can't wait. But I'm a fan. Other fans of this series won't need my recommendation (or anyone else's) to read this book. I wouldn't recommend it to people who aren't fans.

This is one of my three favourite series (Honor Harrington and Anita Blake are the others - each very different but with strong female characters) and I wait eagerly for the new book each year. Unfortunately this year I was disapointed. Up to now each book Katelin has grown (we have learnt a bit more about her as she learns about herself) and for me that's been part of the fun. This year I didn't really get that feeling. It was like the group went on an adventure to a new place for the day and then came home. None of the characters really added anything new except Teela's back story was filled out a bit and we did learn a bit more about the Barrani world view and their history but it wasn't enough for me.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

Cast in Sorrow is the ninth book in the Chronicles of Elantra series and it's the second part of the two parter begun with Cast in Peril. Any who follow my blog and see my header will realise that I'm a fan. I re-read this series constantly and always find something new. I don't know if that says more about how inattentive I am than how intricate the series is but never the less I love Kaylin and her adventures.

Since this is the ninth entry in the series, I don't recommend that you start here. Go back to book one, Cast in Shadow. The story and characters have slowly but surely become so layered and interlinked that a new reader would be lost.

The Chronicles of Elantra follow the adventures of Kaylin Neya, a ground hawk in the city of Elantra. A ground hawk is essentially a police officer and Kaylin has a beat, a route or part of the city which is hers to police. Although since Elantra is a magical city with residents both magical and otherwise, the work is rarely boring or easy. In Cast in Sorrow, Kaylin has left the city proper and headed to the West March, a barrani region far from Elantra. The journey was perilous and convoluted as per usual but finally Kaylin has arrived in the West March. Now the real fun begins...

First I must say that I adore the cover of Cast in Sorrow. It's absolutely beautiful and the colours wow, I can't wait to get my hands on my paper version.

I really enjoyed Cast in Sorrow, it's not my favourite but it's a really good entry in the series. This is a Barrani book with the other races not really featured as the story takes place in the West March. As always the characterisation and world building are fantastic, old friends appear again and several very interesting new characters are introduced. Some of these will have a fascinating impact on future plots. Be careful what you wish for can definitely be said for one character!

Kaylins opening monologue as she tripped and trundled through the forest surrounded by the ever graceful barrani was perfect. Alas for poor Kaylin, the forest was full of hidden tree roots that tripped her, branches that scratched her and insects that found her delicious. She has a great internal rant that perfectly synopses the events in the previous book for those a bit sketchy on the details.

In my opinion, Cast in Sorrow was Teela's story. I loved how we finally found out some solid information about Teela. She's finally revealed in all her glory; her loyalty, strength and plain crankiness are all on show. Teela's really just a sweetheart at heart Kaylin's and Teela's relationship in this book is complex and brilliant. Through Teela, Cast in Sorrow delves more into the barrani and we learn some really interesting things about immortality and its consequences. Boredom is bad!

I won't go into details because this is a spoiler free review but Nightshade is his usual murky complex self but with insecurities and vulnerabilities not usually on show. Severn's story becomes even more intriguing. What did he do during Kaylins early years with the Hawks. Enquiring minds want to know. Kaylin's patience in letting Severn keep his secrets is admirable or is it a case that she's afraid to ask.

I really enjoyed this entry but I did miss Elantra. I'm glad the journey is over and I'm really excited to return to the city in the next novel, Cast in Flame. Oh the consequences and complications! Highly recommended.

My grade: 8/10

Cast in Sorrow was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.

I anxiously awaited the release of this book... and was somewhat disappointed. The writing was vague. Trying to understand what was being explained was very hard for me. Nothing was clearly said or stated. I knew from the author's note, she struggle with writing this book. It was evident in the book. This is I believe the 9th book in the series, I wanted to see some growth of the character Kaylin Neya, which I didn't. I'd hate to see this series fizzle out, that's what it's looking like based on this book

I really loved this book. I thought it really did a good job of showing the history of some of the characters and it also sets up for more fun in the future. This is one of my favorite series and I can't wait for the next one.

I have faithfully read and enjoyed all of this series. It's incredibly complex, diverse and exotic. My main issue is with the main female character (Kayla) being so bound to her past that she isn't able or willing to let Severn into her heart completely.

This is one of my favourite series. I enjoyed the book, although parts were slow and repetitive. Yes, Kaylin is generally clueless, and the Barrani get tedious after a while - their eyes turn blue, green and gold over and over again, and they are ruthless and conniving - I'm still confused by what is the green and what is the hallione, and what's the difference between Ynpharion and the 12 lost children. The author's writing is usually pretty long and confusing. However, I still enjoyed the book.