Cast in Deception (The Chronicles of Elantra)

If you are looking for action, look elsewhere. This is full of talk, talk, talk. Yet barely moved the plot forward. All could have been done in half the pages. If you enjoyed her early books this will disappoint.

This book is over 500 pages long, & nothing really happens. Mostly it's just people talking & talking & talking, half of it mentally. The whole thing was confusing (& I've read all the previous books), nothing was really accomplished, & a bunch of additional characters were added for no reason. There was no character advancement for Kaylin (is she ever going to be treated as an adult?), & it was never explained why the water brought them to the West March to begin with, just that there was "danger".

A chore to finish. If you skip this one, I bet you wouldn't even notice.

Sagara’s writing style is never, ever lacking—well written, amazing, and in-depth descriptions of the world around the characters—but nonetheless CAST IN DECEPTION leaves a lot to be desired.

Some spoilers… beware.

There are a few reasons for the lower rating. This is the thirteenth book in the series and, I think, it is about time for some appendices with, at the very least, a timeline of previous events or a character map/description—it is so hard to go back two/three books to remember all that took place. So many characters speak and refer to events that either happened in previous books and/or in the history prior that it is really hard to keep up and keep track.

While the political intrigue is interesting because of its complexity, it seems to be the main blocker of character growth and development of Kaylin. I don’t even fault Kaylin here… how could anyone understand the impossible nuances and history, especially when every immortal is so condescending? I found it frustrating that Sagara spent so much time having other characters remind Kaylin and us how crappy she is at diplomacy. She has always been crappy. Sagara has spent a lot of time on this in the previous books and it is getting hard to keep accepting these interactions. We get it, everyone is immortal and Kaylin is just a human but she gives a lot of herself to help everyone only for them to constantly call her stupid and roll their eyes at her lack of grace. Either write some character development so Kaylin gets infinitely better OR have those around her be less, well, jerks about it.

Though my favorite part was when Bellusdeo finally (FINALLY!), told Kaylin to stop blaming herself and allowing others to blame her for things she had no control over. Only took 13 books. ;/

In previous reviews I have mentioned how Severn is so quiet it was hard to remember he was even in the room and this was true here as well. Even though he was not actually with Kaylin for the majority of the book, in the few scenes he was with her, albeit one, he was barely mentioned. It’s hard to root for even friendship (though I think it’s been implied it’s supposed to be romantic as well in previous books) at this point when Severn has seemed so sidelined. To be honest, Kaylin has more interaction and chemistry with her female friends (Bellusdeo, Teela, Helen—a house of all things, the Consort) than anyone else. So? Not sure about what we’re supposed to do with him.

Like Severn’s slow growth and silence the plot of the overall series has slowed considerably. If Kaylin is just a blip on the Dragon and Barrani radar and insignificant as she/us are reminded in every other interaction, what is supposed to happen? Is she supposed to defeat the Shadow? According to everyone and their Consort, Kaylin is incapable of doing that so what are we supposed to believe? I have lost sight of what the main goal is and it seems like this book did too.

Lastly, can we get some representation of people in Kaylin’s mind? I mean, TBH it would be hard for me to keep my diplomatic cool with four dudes and their egos rolling around in my head.

This episode of the Chronicles on Elantra focuses on the Barrani. It especially focuses on the cohort of young people who were sent, millennia ago, to take part in a ceremony that would give them great power or kill them. They didn't die but they didn't return either. Kaylin's friend Teela was the only one who made it home at the time of the ceremony. Two others made it back to Elantra more recently and have taken refuge in Kaylin's home because their time away changed them greatly.

Now, one of the two is determined to take the Barrani Test of Names and the rest of his cohort are determined to come to Elantra to take it with him. If this happens, it will greatly disrupt the political landscape of the Barrani since at least three of them are the rightful heirs to their family holding. Getting them home isn't going to be an easy task nor are they the people who left.

Kaylin is the last person that anyone would choose for a political task but she is dropped in the middle because she has invited them to be her house guests too. Since she already shares her home with a dragon - Lord Bellusdeo - and dragons and Barrani were ancient enemies, the political consequences are real.

While the complications of this plot would be enough to keep Kaylin busy, it is not the only concern. It is learned that someone in the High Court of the Barrani is dealing with Shadow which is the ancient enemy of all the races of Elantra.

This story takes place in a complex world. There are a variety of different races of beings with the humans like Kaylin being one of the least. The Empire is controlled by dragons with the Emperor considering the whole Empire as his hoard. Bellusdeo is an orphan dragon out of time who is of great interest to the Emperor because she happens to be the only female dragon. The Barrani are immortal and live in a caste system defined by politics. There are Leontines and other races too. The elements - earth, air, fire and water - have a sort of sentience and are kept in control by the Keeper. The world contains ancient sentient buildings like Kaylin's house Helen. Kaylin herself is the Chosen who has a number of marks all over her body that are words of power. She also has an acute sensitivity to magic.

Around the complex political plot are woven discussions of friendship and family, loneliness and loss, love and treachery. Each of the races has their own definitions of these and Kaylin, whose own basis for decision making is the law, struggles to understand the beings she considers her friends.

This was an excellent story that demands a sequel. I can hardly wait to read it.

Cast in Deception is the 13th book in The Chronicles of Elantra by Michelle Sagara. You do need to read this series in order to get the most out of it, and maybe a reread of the previous books would help if it has been a while. Each book really does add to the world and character building, so new readers will want to start at the very beginning to enjoy the read.

Private Kaylin Neya thought her home couldn’t possibly get more crowded. But when one of her housemates, Annarion, decides to undertake the Barrani Test of Name, his friends refuse to let him face his task alone—and Kaylin’s sentient home, Helen, is the only structure capable of shielding the rest of Elantra from the magnitude of their power. Annarion and Mandoran almost caused the destruction of the High Halls once already. Add nine of their closest friends, and the danger is astronomically higher—especially since these guests are at the heart of a political firestorm. Imprisoned almost a millennium ago, their recent freedom threatens the rulership of several prominent Barrani families, and the machinations of those Lords make it almost impossible to tell friend from foe. As political tensions ramp up, the shadows beneath the High Halls are seeking a freedom that has never been possible before. Kaylin must find a way to keep those shadows from escaping, or that freedom will destroy her city, the empire and everything she holds dear.

Cast in Deception is a journey with Kaylin and companions in dangerous territory. Politics, intrigue , and shadows are the main dangers at the heart of what they all face. Friendship, chosen and real family, and perceptions of self and others all come into play. I like that Kaylin has to continue thinking about her choices, past and present, and how they have changed her and effected the world around her. I did not like that the book felt a bit like the bridge between the previous book and the next, lacking substantial action and movement of its own. Half of the things promised for the book are only mentioned as problems, but end up being things that we will not see the consequences of fully until the next book. I enjoyed the read, particularly getting a better understanding of the cohort and all of its members, but did not feel like there was as much substance as I am used to from the author, or this series.

Cast in Deception is part of a fantastic series, but I felt a little let down with this one. It felt like this book was more of a placeholder or single journey rather than moving the greater story arch much. I am still invested, and will still keep reading, but it did not live up to my grand expectations.

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

It can be hard to build book to book momentum this far into a series, but with CAST IN DECEPTION Michelle Sagara manages to do just that. Titanic forces are moving, and the lives of Kaylin, her friends, and perhaps the whole kingdom are on the cusp of change.

CAST IN DECEPTION is also one of the most linear adventures of the series, which is not a criticism. Kaylin gathers clues and bread crumbs, and the biggest surprises lay in who adds themselves to her band of allies by book’s end. There is the inevitable moment where magical theory got a bit over my head and There’s a lot of pausing to ruminate on the nature of family and trust, but overall I enjoyed this sorry quite a bit.

While many things are accomplished and resolved in this book, the ending feels more like a rest before the action to follow in the next book than a resolution within this one. A treat for fans of the series, CAST IN DECEPTION points towards high stakes and monumental changes for Kaylin’s world.

Sexual Content: None.

Love the series but this book wasn't my favorite. The story was alright and went quickly. However, it doesn't show Kaylin growing into her powers really. She is basically just there to help point the others in the right direction in a sense. I did like seeing the other characters a little more and learning more about the group of friends when Annarion decides to do the test of names. There was a lot of traveling and trying to figure out what happens to the group on their way to Elantra and I just think it fell flat. I really enjoy this series but want to know what is next for Kaylin on her journey. This was not my favorite in the series but would recommend it for those who have read the others.

I received a copy as an eARC from NetGalley

Still an enjoyable story, but agree with many other reviewers that Kaylin should start showing some growth. Enough has happened that her refusal to rise up above her upbringing is starting to feel like laziness. Afterall, when is she going to start putting effort into actually protecting her own thoughts instead of relying on others to do so for her? And how many books ago did she light her candle? I also feel the props to protect her are getting a bit too much: First Hope, then Helen and now Spike. And why would Spike show her loyalty? It is not as though she is the one who freed him. And can we please stick to reality for a change? Getting real tired of the Outlands and alternate dimensions...
I did notice some progression between Kaylin and Nightshade as they actually had a normal conversation like comerades instead of adversaries, but would like the romance thread of earlier books like Cast in Chaos picked up on again. (Do not agree with reviewers who want something to happen between Kaylin and Severn. He is more like a brother to her and for her to suddenly develop romantic feelings for him would feel artificial.)
But despite my ranting above still enjoyed the book enough to give it 4 stars and will definitely buy the next one. Would just like some movement, please.

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

It can be hard to build book to book momentum this far into a series, but with CAST IN DECEPTION Michelle Sagara manages to do just that. Titanic forces are moving, and the lives of Kaylin, her friends, and perhaps the whole kingdom are on the cusp of change.

CAST IN DECEPTION is also one of the most linear adventures of the series, which is not a criticism. Kaylin gathers clues and bread crumbs, and the biggest surprises lay in who adds themselves to her band of allies by book’s end. There is the inevitable moment where magical theory got a bit over my head and There’s a lot of pausing to ruminate on the nature of family and trust, but overall I enjoyed this sorry quite a bit.

While many things are accomplished and resolved in this book, the ending feels more like a rest before the action to follow in the next book than a resolution within this one. A treat for fans of the series, CAST IN DECEPTION points towards high stakes and monumental changes for Kaylin’s world.

Sexual Content: None.

Love the series but this book wasn't my favorite. The story was alright and went quickly. However, it doesn't show Kaylin growing into her powers really. She is basically just there to help point the others in the right direction in a sense. I did like seeing the other characters a little more and learning more about the group of friends when Annarion decides to do the test of names. There was a lot of traveling and trying to figure out what happens to the group on their way to Elantra and I just think it fell flat. I really enjoy this series but want to know what is next for Kaylin on her journey. This was not my favorite in the series but would recommend it for those who have read the others.

I received a copy as an eARC from NetGalley

Still an enjoyable story, but agree with many other reviewers that Kaylin should start showing some growth. Enough has happened that her refusal to rise up above her upbringing is starting to feel like laziness. Afterall, when is she going to start putting effort into actually protecting her own thoughts instead of relying on others to do so for her? And how many books ago did she light her candle? I also feel the props to protect her are getting a bit too much: First Hope, then Helen and now Spike. And why would Spike show her loyalty? It is not as though she is the one who freed him. And can we please stick to reality for a change? Getting real tired of the Outlands and alternate dimensions...
I did notice some progression between Kaylin and Nightshade as they actually had a normal conversation like comerades instead of adversaries, but would like the romance thread of earlier books like Cast in Chaos picked up on again. (Do not agree with reviewers who want something to happen between Kaylin and Severn. He is more like a brother to her and for her to suddenly develop romantic feelings for him would feel artificial.)
But despite my ranting above still enjoyed the book enough to give it 4 stars and will definitely buy the next one. Would just like some movement, please.

I love Kaylin and all of the crazy situations she gets mixed up in. I am breathlessly anticipating what's in store for her next. This series has really started picking up momentum, the first few books were entertaining but slow to get going. Now, the entire book is a roller coaster. If I had one complaint, it would be that I didn't get enough Severin.

I looked forward to this story and enjoyed it but I thought the main character should be showing way more character growth. The other powers are treating her like a cute pet or an exasperating child and it's getting old. I will still look for the next book.

I'm in complete shock! That ending literally made me throw down my kindle and scream in frustration. Grrr! I loved the book but man this is killing me slowly wanting more information. I need more Nightshade!

This series has been absolutely enchanting and engaging.This book is no exception.This author always weaves great worlds and characters that you become invested in.She is one of my favorite authors.Great story.