Cast in Peril (Chronicles of Elantra)

Love this series! Kaylin is a great character & the world she inhabits abounds with adventure, magic & mystery. The biggest problem is that it feels like only 1/2 the book - and a long wait until the next installment.

I have loved this series from the beginning. The only problem for me is waiting for the next book to come out. Sagara weaves interesting stories with wonderful character development. I'd highly recommend this series.

I have only picked up books written by Michelle Sagara during the past few months. I have read all of the 'Cast in' series and can't wait for the next installment. I knew half way through this book that there would be a follow-on! Very well written and highly enjoyable.

Sagara's extrodinary talent continues to amaze and delight. My only complaint is that I will be on pins and needles waiting for the next chapter in this beautifully imaginative and completely captivating series!

There so many different angles and surprises that keeps me reading. This fantasy is intense but I like underlying love interest and different types of relationship that main character interact with. As well as her struggle with her self.

It seems like nothing happened in this book other than emphasizing that Kaylin is Special (so special that she has a familiar, ooooh). Sagara has been substituting Kaylin's magic plot-advancing Chosen powers instead of worldbuilding, and it really shows in this book (she's special! the world goes out of its way to emphasize that she's special! special things relevant to her that only she can understand and fix happen around her! somehow Kaylin has inexplicable magic understanding of all of the bizarre things that happen around her! She gets a familiar with his own inexplicable powers, a magic dress, Illuminations, can somehow fix the broken Halians, etc.) The only character that had *any* character development was Teela. Severn has been relegated to being an admirer/rescuer with no personality of his own. Seriously, the boy needs to get out of that relationship; it's not healthy.

I was really quite disappointed. These days, I only read the series because of Tiamaris and Sanabalis, and since they were mostly absent... well.

This book is nothing but info dumping on the reader and a few action scenes that are incredibly hard to visualize. To top it all off after all the traveling they don't even get to where they're heading. This was half a book.

I am a huge Chronicles of Elantra fan. These books have a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf. So be warned, I'm not an unbiased reviewer and I simply adore Kaylin and the rich and detailed Chronicles of Elantra series.

Cast in Peril is the eight entry in the Chronicles of Elantra series. Michelle Sagara has stated on her blog that she views the Cast books as almost episodic in nature, similar to a TV series, each Cast book is an episode. Well Cast in Peril is part one of a two parter.

It's impossible to review Cast in Peril without mentioning events from previous books, I will not spoil Cast in Peril but there will be spoilers from the earlier books. If you haven't read any of the other Cast books, I wouldn't recommend starting here. Read the first book, Cast in Shadow. I think it's still my favourite.

The Cast novels chronicle the adventures of Kaylin Neya. Kaylin is a police investigator, known as a Hawk in the city of Elantra. Elantra is a magical city, populated by several vastly different species, ranging from the arrogant immortal dragons and barrani to the regular and mortal humans. Kaylin is a unique inhabitant of this city, gifted with magical powers she doesn't really understand or particularly care for. In a world where many seek power, Kaylin hides hers, simply seeking to be a Hawk.

The events in Cast in Peril hinge on developments in the earlier novels. The story literally starts off with a bang. The fascinating egg which first appeared in Cast in Chaos finally hatches. And of course, the journey to the West March that Nightshade orchestrated comes to pass.

I really enjoyed Cast in Peril. This book is slightly different in tone to the previous novels, where Kaylin was often in a frantic race to prevent the destruction of Elantra. This is a slower novel, it's a barrani book like Cast in Court. We learn a great deal more about this haughty race and I for one loved it. Teela's story is unexpected and I loved the tantalising glimpses into Nightshade and Severn's pasts. I have enjoyed the slow development and reveal of Kaylin herself and the diverse complex secondary characters that surround her. At times during Cast in Peril, I wanted to slap some of those contrary characters. Poor Kaylin has a rough road, although she does gain some rather unusual champions. Her life just keeps on becoming more complicated. As usual with the Cast books, we only know what Kaylin knows, so there is much mystery. I don't always understand exactly what is going on but that has been the case with all the Cast books. If you enjoyed the previous novels, you will enjoy Cast in Peril. It's a great read and I'm already looking forward to the ninth Cast book, Cast in Sorrow.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Eighth in the Chronicles of Elantra urban fantasy series for young adults.

My Take
I am so enjoying Sagara's storyline! I picked this installment up at the library and started reading it on the way home. I simply could not wait. And as soon as I write up this review, I'm planning to re-read it. One of the intriguing pulls this series exerts on me is that Sagara doesn't have her characters react like regular humans. Well, sure, most of them aren't human at all, but I still keep having that expectation, *grin*! Lord Nightshade is attracted to Kaylin and Sagara allows us to wonder if it's sexual or merely her magical abilities, but she still hasn't revealed which or if it's yet another possibility. He and the Lady certainly reveal their race's lack of concern for those short-lived animals and keep standing me on my head. Then there's the very slow build of Severn's romance. Oh, man, it's a good thing the entire storyline is so interesting...'cause the slow pace on some of the romancing is driving me nuts!

This particular story is, well, not a bridge so much as half of the story that takes us to the West March. I'm assuming that Cast in Sorrow will reveal whether Kaylin succeeds as the harmoniste.

Kaylin is a challenging concept for many of the ruling elite and it's her consistent approach to love and family, her insistence on caring for people that forces the many to re-examine their own beliefs.

Kaylin also needs to be careful what she wishes for! She is so not a morning person and being confronted by one such every frickin' morning is not good for her psyche! Then there's that loss that is all the more poignant for having been her first real home since her mother died.

Someone is playing a vicious game of silly buggers with fieflings.

Sagara has never hidden that the human life span is considered incredibly short by the Dragons and Barrani, but it really came home in Kaylin's request: "Can you hold off on the whole war thing until after I'm dead?"

I hate being the only mortal in a gathering full of Immortals who think killing each other cleverly is the height of good manners.

Oh, ohhh, Kaylin needs pretty dresses for her so-fascinating trip through Barrani space. I enjoyed Sagara's slow reveal of the truth behind the "inns" where the Barrani party stayed. She really does do an amazing job of teasing you along and bit by bit letting drop more clues in this amazing world she's built.

Everybody keeps warning Kaylin to name the little guy, and for all the experience she has with names, I don't understand why she's so resistant.

Evanton, the High Lord and his Consort, Bellusdeo, the Tha'alani all see Kaylin as something important, and yet Sagara still has Kaylin in a menial position making very little money. Contradictions, contradictions, contradictions...

Again, it's Kaylin's words, her stories that save the day. The everyday tales that assuage the fire elemental, that remind the humans of their own lives.

The Story
Lord Nightshade requires payment for the information he provided in Cast in Ruin (Chronicles of Elantra, #7), and that payment is Kaylin's company to the West March.

You'd think that getting out of town---and in the company of the so-very-powerful Barrani---would mean life was safer for Kaylin. Away from the assassination attempts, the bombings... Nuh-uh. Kaylin's presence simply means that life will always be interesting. Especially with her new baby dragon...

On the plus side, her lessons with Diarmat are having an effect.

The Characters
Known as Elianne as a child in Nightshade, she's now Private Lord Kaylin Neya of the Hawks, the Chosen due to the tattoos on her body, and kyuthe to Lord An'Teela and the Lord of the West March. But now the attention is downright hostile since her egg hatched---an extremely protective glass dragon, a familiar for whom many a Barrani would destroy the world---and the way station chose the blood of the green for Kaylin to wear, making her the harmoniste.

Corporal Lord Severn Handred, a former Wolf who is now a Hawk, cannot be spared from his duties as Kaylin must be. He does however have his own secret assignment.

Lady Bellusdeo is the Dragon Queen, a rebellious golden Dragon who likes and respects Kaylin. Her companionship is very useful at their etiquette lessons: Bellusdeo is too much like Kaylin and yet, the so very punctilious-and-proper Lord Diarmat, Commander of the Imperial Guard ordered to teach Kaylin etiquette, must accept Bellusdeo's questions and mutterings where he'd simply eat Kaylin. Yes, I mean that literally!

Lord Sanabalis is one of four Dragon lords at the Imperial Court and is supposed to be teaching Kaylin how to use her magic. The Arkon is the oldest Dragon at court and the palace library is his hoard; Bellusdeo knew him as Lannagaros. He also has some home truths for Kaylin about Bellusdeo. The Dragon Emperor "was born during the wars between the Barrani and the Dragon flights". Maggaron is Bellusdeo's Ascendant, a Norannir.

The Hawks include:
The Hawks are the investigators headed up by Lord Grammayre, the Hawklord who has a soft spot for Kaylin. Sergeant Marcus Kassan, a.k.a., Ironjaw, a Leontine, is still cursing up a storm over the paperwork and overtime caused by the investigation into the extortionate chancellor of the exchequer. Caitlin is his unofficial second-in-command and she does a great job of funneling most of the paperwork away from Marcus. Clint, a terrified Aerian, is worried that Kaylin won't be around to ruffle his feathers. Teela, a.k.a., Lord An'Tella, and Tain are Barrani involved in the embezzlement investigation.

Lord Tiamaris, a Dragon, is the fieflord of Tiamaris with Tara, the Tower, the gardening Lady, a very hands-on Avatar, especially compared to other fiefs. They make a good pair of rulers---the first to actually care about the people within their fief. Morse is Tiamaris and Tara's second-in-command and very protective of Tara. Yvander is one of theirs and being tricked.

Lord Nightshade, Calarnenne, is an Outcaste Barrani fieflord chosen as the Teller whose methods of profit anger Kaylin. Supposedly, his role prevents other Barrani from killing him. Supposedly. Lord Andellen is the Barrani guard who has become a part of Kaylin's life, and he joins her on the journey to the West March.

The High Lord and his Consort, the Lady, the Mother of the Race, rule the Barrani. And the Lady is still incredibly angry over Kaylin's choices in Cast in Chaos (Chronicles of Elantra, #6), and now believes it part of a deep-laid plot. She has got to learn to understand Kaylin! Other Barrani Lords on the trip include Lord Evarrim, one of Kaylin's enemies and Teela's cousins and Lord Iberrienne is also a cousin. Lirienne is the Lord of the West March.

The way stations are the Hallionne, the hearts of the green, created by the Ancients
Each being is him- or herself the way station, an Avatar. Able to protect a vast area around them and stretch to provide food and shelter to whomever requests hospitality. Hallionne Sylvanne was the first, the tree. Hallionne Kariastos appears as the water dragon antagonized by Kaylin's familiar. He is awakened by the Lady. Hallionne Bertolle, saved by Kaylin who now knows his name, and Hallionne Orbaranne are under attack. Wilson and Roberts are two of Bertolle's six brothers.

Shadows, similar to the Ferals, but bigger, more lethal, attack them on their journey. And they can speak! Part of the Hallionnes' purpose is to protect against these Shadows. Terrano was one of the children changed, and he intends to kill the Lady. Ynpharion is returned by Kaylin.

Marya is the chief midwife who calls Kaylin out when a birth is going wrong. Miccha Jannoson is a young boy reported missing. Brent is another of the missing.

Lords of Law and Lords of Chaos have one thing in common---the destruction of the other. Otherwise each Lord was unique. The Shadows were created by three of the Lords.

The various divisions within Elantra include:
The Aerians are birdmen with wings who can fly, but they are not shifters. Barrani are the upper class in this society, although not the uppermost. The Leontine are lion shifters. Arcanists are mages who work independently of the Dragon Emperor while the Mages owe him their allegiance. The fiefs in this story---Tiamaris, Nightshade, and Ravellon---are only three out of seven criminal neighborhoods around Elantra. The beings who rule fiefs are the fieflords who provide the name of the fief itself, shape its existence, and protect its boundaries from the Shadows. Ferals are

Outlands are where the portal paths are located.

The Cover
The cover is a background of blue-greens of a forest at dusk with fairy lights while Kaylin in her yellow-green blood of the green gown perches on a moss-covered log cradling her multi-colored egg, the gold bracer on her arm, her peach-toned flesh rising up above the simple horizontal bustline, her dark hair blowing in the breeze almost reflecting the breezy lines of the tattoos on her body.

The title can be taken two ways: literally, since the cast of characters is indeed in peril and/or metaphysically with their world Cast in Peril.

CAST IN PERIL is the eighth book in the Chronicles of Elantra series. In this episode, Kaylin is the semi-reluctant roommate of the Dragon Belluseo - the only know female dragon - and is babysitting for an egg born of a human mother when magic was running wild. She is also preparing to head to the West March with a group of Barrani to pay off a debt that she incurred when getting needed information from Lord Nightshade. The group is headed to the West March to hear a recitation of a True story.

Kaylin is not eager to make the journey both because she is a city girl and because she is investigating some disappearances of humans from the fiefs. When an Arcane bomb is exploded in her home it has some far-ranging effects. First, it causes the egg to hatch a creature that others call a familiar and that bonds with Kaylin. The creature resembles a small dragon and has a number of special and unusual powers. It is also really cute. Second, it causes the total loss of her home and necessitates a move to the Dragon Palace which rips away some of Kaylin's sense of security. Bellusdeo is not able to accompany Kaylin on her journey to the West March which she doesn't take complacently. However, Teela and Severn do accompany her along with the Consort of the Barrani who is currently very angry at Kaylin because of actions she took in a previous book.

Also along on the journey is the Arcanist Barrani mage who was responsible for the bomb and is possibly involved in the disappearance of the humans from the fiefs. Each of the books in this series seems to concentrate on Kaylin's relationship with a different species. This one is primarily focused on the Barrani - immortal and arrogant. Kaylin learns more about her friend Teela who is a Lord of the Barrani Court and a fellow Hawk.

The journey is filled with danger and intrigue. Kaylin has to survive the journey. Since the journey is filled with not only plotting Barrani but magical creatures that try to kill the party, this isn't an easy task. I like Kaylin because I feel that she is always trying to do the right think no matter how much opposition she gets. I like that she has a firm moral compass that guides her actions.

This story takes place in a well-developed and complex fantasy world. This book is definitely not a starter book for the series but does add depth to those who are already familiar with the world and the characters. I really liked it and can't wait for CAST IN SORROW.

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

The Chronicles of Elantra are an intricate hybrid of urban and high fantasy, with gritty streets, magical creatures, and medieval elements intwined. Sagara has created her own "urban" environment, as the City in which Kaylin lives serves as her whole world. Even in CAST IN PERIL, when obligations are going to take her beyond the familiar confines of her home, the landscape outside the City proper consists of danger, magic, etiquette, and inscrutable beings. Kaylin is right at home.

So much has transpired in this series, even having read each book in order, I often have a hard time remembering details of the previous adventures (and prior events are often referenced). If you're new to the series, I recommend starting at the beginning, and if you're behind, I highly recommend catching up to enjoy this book. Bare weeks separate most of the books in this series, which means Private Kaylin Neya only has time to change clothes before the next apocalyptic event comes knocking. I love the gruff humor and breathless chaos that swirl around Kaylin on any given day, and CAST IN PERIL offers quip after quip for most of the book. It wouldn't be a Chronicles of Elantra novel without deadly, mysterious magic, however, and the Barrani pilgrimage to West March offers magical waystations, political intrigue, and insidious infections of Shadow. With both Nightshade and Severn in this story, the romantic subtext was greater than usual, to the point of actually bubbling out into conversation every once and awhile.

Of all the magical mechanisms in fantasy, Sagara's naming and runes can be some of the most intriguing and frustrating to read. I feel like I can see the runes and symbols floating in the air around Kaylin. Magical theory is always at the heart of the action, and I usually understand less of the mechanisms that drive the battles than I do notice the changes in Kaylin that result. CAST IN PERIL is no different in that regard. I understood less about the Naming and True Stories of the Barrani than I did the relationship dynamics around Kaylin.

The Chronicles of Elantra matches Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse books for the sheer number of events, revelations, and societal upheavals that simmer off the pages of each book, though Sagara uses double the amount of pages with her ornate, mythological rich prose. CAST IN PERIL was filled with my favorite Elantra elements: glimpses of Dragons, Hawks, and Towers, Severn, Nightshade, and Teela, and the hyperbolic humor of Barrani death threats and Kaylin's stubbornness. Those familiar pleasures carried me through some of the thicker magic at story's end, to a breathless pause that I cannot release until CAST IN SORROW comes out next year.

Sexual Content: Discussion of sex and rape.

I feel like the series is finally getting somewhere! Upon discovering this series last year, I knew I loved the characters, but as it went on I began to wonder if the plot was going to continue meandering on in the general direction of learning something about Kaylin's 'Chosen' status or just fizzle out. This book reassured me, and now I can hardly wait for the next one.

One thing I loved about this book is that there were actually signs of Severn and Kaylin's relationship changing. Anyone who has read the earlier books knows what I mean. Will they keep to the pattern of caring but not touching, or will we get a kiss? That is one of the delightful questions that keeps you in suspense throughout the series.

Cast in Peril starts with a bang - literally - when someone throws a bomb through Kaylin's window. Is she the target, or is her roommate, who happens to be the only female dragon? They survive due to the hatching of a most peculiar creature who is in itself a mystery. Since the emotions of everyone other than Kaylin tend to be kind of subdued in this series, it was interesting to watch the various reactions from her friends.

All in all, this was one of my favorite books in the series, but I still wish Ms. Sagara would pick up the pace a little.

I received an advance e-galley of this book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

`The worst thing about having a roommate...was morning!'

(Well not counting a dragon for a roommate, an arcane bomb, and Dragons, the Barrani, and Hawk Headquarters in uproar).

And just like that we're thrown into life with Kaylin Neya. Sagara continues to delight us with the differing facets of the world of Elantra's Chronicles. The ongoing story of assassin turned Hawk, Private Kaylin and her various acquaintances and companions, drawn from the races found in Elantra, is as exciting today as it was from the very first read.
The wry and delightful humor that undergirds much of Kaylin's interaction with her world is constantly present. Her relationship with the female dragon Bellusdeo, often bemoaned by Kaylin, is a treasure to be explored further.
We revisit known and loved characters in this continuing and surprising episode of Kaylin. Old friends take on new dimensions, as do old enemies--including ex barrani, now fief Lord, Nightshade, the barrani Hawk Teela, and oldest of friends Severn--a companion from the fiefs, one time Wolf, now Hawk. All frequently surprise, and are in turn surprised!
Kaylin of course remains the ingénue, from the wrong side of the tracks. The assassin turned Hawk, Guild Midwife, and anti hero, whose gigantic heart doesn't count the cost when helping those in need. Be they barrini, dragon lords, or the lowliest of orphans. More particularly it's the children that reach into her heart every time. Race or class is no barrier to her.
The interesting acquisition of a familiar (or not as the case may turn out to be)--a small, smoky translucent, glass like dragon or lizard--by Kaylin is puzzling, frequently humorous, often an asset, and full of potential.
Once again, a fabulous addition to an exciting chapter in the being of Elantra!
I can hardly wait for the next book!
A Netgalley ARC

"Cast in Peril" by Michelle Sagara is part of her `Chronicles of Elantra' series. Private Kaylin Neya experiences an overwhelming Arcane attack that destroys her home but unexpectedly facilitates or coincides with the hatching of the egg she has been tending. The remarkable entity who seems to have adopted her as his charge (or is that vice versa?) startles everyone who sees it although many feel that he is a familiar and as such should not be attached to the feisty young Hawk. Kaylin is caught in the rituals that the Barrani consider vital to their existence and her allies (including fellow Hawk Teela who juggles her Barrani obligations) may not act in her best interests as she sets out on a trip to West March. Gradually, accompanied by Severn who is acting as a Wolf in pursuit of quarry, the Barrani High Court begins its journey that is going to entail radical changes that will startle her fellow travelers as Kaylin receives gifts that one of them expects to receive in her stead. A major struggle involving the beings known as Hallione and threats from traitorous Barrani threaten to end the journey before it reaches its goal but Kaylin has never been one to flee from a fight.

The stories in this series are a wonderful melding of magic and politics involving fantastical and exotic beings. The creativity and imagination that keeps building on a society that contains both dragon beings and various other predators who can shift their shapes continues to provide an exciting and unpredictable read. The complex rules and relationships attendant with the multiple races who populate this well-built world give texture and depth to a read that will delight both young adult and adult readers. It is fascinating watching Kaylin continue to mature as more power and more burdens complicate her life. The multiple complex alliances with and around the heroine continue to keep the story flowing as it continues to expand Kaylin's world both literally and figuratively. It was startling to reach the end of this book and discover how much was yet to be resolved yet have been so enthralled that the only disappointment is that the sequel is not yet available. Another mesmerizing addition to a creative series.

© Night Owl Reviews

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.

The Cast In series is excellent and this book continues that trend of excellence. The world and the characters are complex and vibrant. It was such a pleasure to be back in this world and I'm looking forward to the next installment. I was glad to see Kaylin becoming more assertive and confident. Severn, Teela, Nightshade and the Consort had lots of page time. The story was well told but a surprising distraction was the author's excessive use of the word "demonstrably". Nevertheless, a five star read.

I loved "Cast in Peril! Have been through the whole series and really wish there were more! Michelle Sagara has done got me hooked! Vibrant characters, magic, - whatever you can think of - this series had it all. Well worth the time lost in this series.

Okay, so I was hesitant to purchase this book because of the negative reviews, and they weren't just negative to me, but completely bashing this book into the deepest hells. In addition to these reviews, some of the past books in the series weren't bad or good, but after I would be reading them, I would be like "WTF?" and lament my emotional investment in these characters and whether or not I should continue on....this being said....

YES YES YES, read this book despite the misgivings on here; however, this book is packed with A LOT A LOT of information that you have to process quickly before you move on to the next scene. I am a very fast reader, and I had to force myself to slow down, and I can attest that Michelle Sagara wrote a phenomenal book! I am hooked back into this series like no other. From my opinion, Sagara has improved her writing in regards of organization and information and thoughts not confusing the reader, however, like I said, it is still a lot, and it didn't take anything away from this book, but made it more "flavorful" (if that makes sense) and I appreciate this as a reader.

Response to the ending: Of course, I wanted to keep reading, but alas, it had to come to a halt. I felt like she did a decent job at ending this book, and I'm curious how she will pick back up in Cast of Sorrow, so I can't wait for that.

As many reviewers have pointed out, Cast in Peril ends abruptly. Each book is a mini-mystery fantasy book in itself, with a longer story arc playing out across the series. The mini-mystery in this book is not resolved. I read all the books thus far because I like the overall story arc and the individual mysteries are interesting. I might keep up with the series if I remember to read the next book when it comes out. (It's a challenge keeping up with series books that are spread out across many books and many years.)

I originally liked the characters but agree with other reviewers that they are not evolving. Kaylin, despite saving the world a few times, does not seem be gaining any wisdom. Background knowledge of each character is provided slowly across the books, but it does not change their personalities very much. Admittedly, I think this is a challenge for most writers. Authors move plots along but forget that characters (people) change with experience and maturity. Additionally, the writing can be somewhat tiresome. The characters either stiffen with anger or their eyes change color. "His eyes were the shade of sapphire right before it falls into emerald." I am not making that up. I think the word the author is looking for is "teal."

Pay no attention to the covers with the women in ballgowns. The books are better than that, but have some flaws. Nevertheless, worth reading if you like the genre. They are not depressing, which is something I appreciate. I prefer my SF/fantasy on the lighter side.

I started this series with this book, which was actually number eight, so not a very good idea. However, the characters were enthralling, and I started to enjoy their adventures. Ending was a bit abrupt though, and well, it ends on a cliffhanger. I want the next one! I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In the Elantra Empire, Private Kaylin Neva feels she has a strong opportunity for a promotion with the scandalous information she found re the Exchequor. Kaylin dreams of a larger flat, which a raise would make possible; as currently she shares her efficiency apartment with the last known female dragon Bellusdeo and an egg to be hatched. When someone tosses a bomb into her one room abode, the egg absorbed most of the energy and thus dramatically reduced the impact.

Lord Nightshade wants Kaylin to accompany the Barrani on a journey to the Land of the West March. The private agrees as leaving the city reduces her chances of death by assassin. However, her companions allegedly have been connected to the vanishing of citizens from Tiamaris fief so if Kaylin wants eventually to go home, she better watch her back.

The latest Chronicles of Elantra fantasy (Cast in Shadow, Cast in Courtlight and Cast in Secret) is a terrific fresh entry as readers and the heroine leave the empire for the first time. Though less thematic cautionary re de facto racism than Cast in Fury, the fast-paced and explosive storyline is an entertaining thriller starring a strong protagonist.

Harriet Klausner

The characters are well conceived as are the identities of the various races and the basic concepts and story lines. And, yes, as frustrating as the books are, I return for more.
However...I am getting truly tired of being left out in the dark and grasping for a tidbit here and there. I'm tired of Kaylin being left out in the dark when the people around her know what's going on to some extent. It is increasingly less intriguing and more frustrating. It detracts from my enjoyment of the series. I keep hoping that some of the ends will begin to tie up and make sense, yet instead, it gets more complicated and confusing.

I enjoyed this book more than others until the last quarter of the book. When the author gets into "words having names" nonsense, my brain starts to hurt. There are elements of these books that I like but I am still waiting for the romance to kick in and I don't enjoy falling down the rabbit hole.

Great to see more depth to Teela. Thought the world building was weakest in this book (normally a strength to Sagara). Some very vague anticlimactic action at the end. one too many perils, not enough eating, quips, and all of the things we love about hanging out with Private Neya. Still love the concept,aim character, and think Sagara is a great writer.

CAST IN PERIL is the 8th installment in the Chronicles of Elantra series. We have met many characters and witnessed many events. I would not recommend starting the series from anywhere but book 1.

With CAST IN PERIL being book 8 I'm not going to go into to much background detail but will leave this review with my main thoughts. There is a lot of over explaining. I felt myself drifting off sometimes with the excessiveness of it. I know Kaylin had really rough teen years and some horrible things happened to her but I really wish she would try to move on from it with Severn. He is extremely patient and loves her a lot and I'm kinda getting annoyed that they are not "together" yet. I understand that its hard to move past something like that happening to you but she doesn't try. Love the glass dragon AKA little dragon. He is a fantastic addition to the story. I do however think that his "development" is going way to slow.

CAST IN PERIL is my least favorite installment in the Chronicles of Elantra Series but I am still interested to see how Kaylin's story ends.

This is the eighth book in the Chronicles of Elantra series. The ninth book will be titled Cast in Sorrow and is scheduled for a 2013 release. This book was very similar to other books in the series; there are some fun new additions but the story progresses very slowly.

Kaylin is trying to juggle a number of things: her new dragon roommate, helping out the Midwives, her job as a Hawk, and both magical and political training with various Dragons. All of these things are brought to a halt when she is magically attacked in her home. People have been disappearing in the fifes and it is up to Kaylin to figure out why. Then Nightshade calls in the favor he requested from the Hawks in exchange for the intel he gave them in the last book; this is a favor that involves Kaylin leaving the City and heading outside of the Empire.

There are some neat additions to the series in this book. Kaylin gains a familiar and she actually leaves the city to head outside the Empire. Despite these additions I still find these books to be wordy and move slowly. I always start these books so excited to read more about the characters and then by the end I feel like I've been reading the book forever...and not in a good way.

The first part of the story focuses on Kaylin trying to help solve the mystery behind a number of disappearances happening in the fifes. Kind of the in the middle of this investigation the story switches gears. Kaylin is forced to leave with the Barrani and join them on their journey to West March.

I was a bit disappointed at the lack of resolution in this story. Kaylin never even reaches West March. Kaylin is thrust into a number of bizarre and ambiguous magical situations in preparation of her arrival there, but never arrives. Some of the situations she ends up in are a bit hard to follow and I found my mind wandering as I read.

We do learn a lot about Teela's past and that is very interesting. The addition of the small dragon familiar is also very mysterious and intriguing. The uncertainty around what will happen when Kaylin finally reaches West March also helps to propel the story forward.

Definitely not a book to start the series on. You will have to start from the beginning to get into this series; the number of plots and characters involved has gotten increasingly complicated from book to book.

Overall I am still having some mixed feelings about this series (which I have had since the third or fourth book of the series). There are some interesting additions to the story; the familiar adds a lot of interest and having Kaylin venture into unknown territory is intriguing. But, as with previous books, the book is wordy and the plot moves at a snail's pace. Many of the magical things Kaylin ends up involved in are ambiguous and hard to picture. If you are a huge fan of this series, I think you will love this book. If you have been on the fence with previous books, this book is more of the same.

If this series was stuffed into the "young adult" catagory this series might make a bit more sense. This is supposed to be a fantasy/romance story but no way does it hit that mark. The story is interesting and the main character is worthy of fans, but it is WAY past time for her to grow up.

Fantastic read! I take the day off from writing anytime Michelle Sagara/Michelle West releases a new story. This one didn't disappoint. The only thing I hated...reaching THE END. The wait for the next installment is already unbearable.