Cast in Shadow (Chronicles of Elantra Series #1)

Angieville: CAST IN SHADOW

And here we have the first in yet another series I had heard much good about but avoided picking up for a variety of no good reasons. I think my reluctance stemmed somewhat from an uncertainty as to just what kind of series Michelle Sagara's Cast series was. I think at first I had the impression it was a paranormal romance, possibly an urban fantasy (the covers influenced me this way). A few chapters in I was surprised to find CAST IN SHADOW much more a mix of dark and high fantasy, peopled with a smattering of solid gold, humorous, and truly sinister characters living in a fully developed, layered, and fascinating world.

Kaylin Neya is a Hawk. The youngest of that number, in fact. In the city of Elantra, the Hawks are charged with policing the streets and guarding the citizens. They share that responsibility with their sibling organizations the Wolves and the Swords. Together the three forces are headquartered in the Halls of Law. Elantra's citizens are made up of a mix of humans like Kaylin, winged Aerians, furred Leontines, and the immortal Barrani. Seven years ago Kaylin left a life of squalor on the streets of the fief of Nightshade, gave herself a new name, and made her way to Elantra in search of a fresh start. Now her past has caught up with her as a series of murders takes place in Nightshade. Disturbing in their own right, they also bear an eerie resemblance to events in Kaylin's past she thought for sure she'd left behind.

CAST IN SHADOW starts at a good clip and doesn't slow down once. The writing is uncluttered and engaging and Kaylin is an extremely likeable heroine. She runs from a past so dark she has avoided revealing it to her closest friends. She has a gift for healing and will drop everything at a moment's notice to deliver a baby or rescue an orphan in trouble. It was actually kind of refreshing to read about a kick-a** heroine with a soft spot for children. So often they have an allergy to kids or have issues with some of the "softer" emotions and I loved Kaylin because she was both fierce and compassionate. I cheered her on when she was fighting and I wanted to help guard her secrets. Of which she has many. She has friends, enemies, comrades, and those who would use her for her unusual abilities, yet Kaylin remains a little aloof from them all, determined to make her own way. She's my kind of girl. Only a handful of pages into the book and I was completely invested from that point on. I loved this story and can't wait to move on to the next installment--CAST IN COURTLIGHT.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Great for a "Reading Binge"

First off... This is in no way an Urban fantasy novel. The cover art is misleading. The story in fact takes place in a completely different world with an assortment of fantasy creatures that rule over humans. That said..... I am hooked! I really cant get enough of the characters. I have so far read 3 books in this seires and they just get better and better. Cast in Shadow is at times slow but that is in my opinion no reason to put it down. Youll be glad you didnt.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

love this series

These books are absolutely addictive. Once you start you will not be able to do anything else. Don't say you weren't warned.

Very good, fast read

This is a fast paced read with characters you can identify with, even if they are of different species! One of my favorites is Marcus Kassan, the Leontine; he is a combination of lethal and compassionate that I find appealing.

Kaylin, the heroine, is suitably clumsy and uncouth given her age and background, but shows great strength and ability when it's needed. She is also not a great beauty, which is refreshing, as so many "heroines" are portrayed as if being decorative is a requisite to BEING a heroine :)

I would recommend this series to anyone who likes fantasy.

Love, love, love this book!!

This is a wonderful book with some good strong characters. There's lots of action and I couldn't put it down.

Boring and unimaginative read

I'm always on the look out for new authors of paranormal fiction and once in a while end up with a dud. In this case, the story was slow and tedious without any qualities to make you want to read anything more. I was disappointed because I could see the potential of the author but the writing style and the plot simply wasn't engaging enough.

cast in shadow

Seven years ago, Kaylin left the fief of Nightshade with various demons at her back, vowing never to return. She has made it into the ranks of the Hawks - one of the three branches of peacekeepers in Elantra including Wolves, Hawks and the Swords. She's worked hard to get where she is, overcoming a rough childhood where she lived on the streets or fiefs, scrounging to make a life for herself. The fiefs are areas full of old magic that don't really come under any government jurisdiction and it shows as crime is rampant. Kaylin's boss gives her a new assignment, asking her to investigate a recent murder in the fief along with surprise, surprise her childhood friend Severn who she doesn't exactly have fond memories of. But the murders throw her back into the horrors of her past as the killings mirror those that occurred seven years ago when she still lived in the fiefs. Kaylin is determined to stop the murders this time and with Severn and a Dragon at her back she is prepared to unravel the mystery no matter what the cost to herself.

So much happens in this 400+ page book but not always what I wanted to hear about. I found myself confused about several points in this book. For the first 100 pages or so, I had absolutely no clue what was going on - so much history, the different races - it was a lot to take in. It got better, but I was still floundering for the rest of the book. Most of the time I left a scene only understanding a piece of what just occurred. But that's not to say Sagara's world building isn't extremely impressive. Elantra is composed of six races: humans, Aerians, Dragons, Barrani, Leontine, and the creepy Tha'alani. Each has it's own complicated set of customs and caste system that I for one, would have loved to learn more about. And I want to know more about Kaylin's early years spent with the Hawks and Severn's time spent with the Shadow Wolves. I know this book is intended to be the frist in a series, I just wanted MORE for this one. There were also a few inconsistencies that stood out a little too much: like the fact that even though Kaylin was raised on the streets she refers to herself at one point as a spoiled brat. Huh. I didn't know street urchins qualified as spoiled brats. But Kaylin herself is wonderful. She does what it takes to get the job done and I can't but help love her for that.
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A reviewer

One of the best books I've read! The plot is very original and interesting! Definitely recomended!

Original

i highly recommend this book because it was that good. it's hard to find quality urban fantasies to read these days. The main character is unpretentious and has many flaws. The different races that exist are written in detail and really make the story better. go and buy this book.

Great

Exellent! If you love an action packed book with a sarcastic voice you need to read this book!

Great new series...

Well written, strong characters...lots of twists, and just a hint of romance. If you like strong female lead characters with supernatural powers and a hint of angst, you'll enjoy this book.

A WONDERFUL read!

I truly enjoyed this book, and can't wait til the next one comes out! The characters really did come alive, and they interacted with each other beautifully. The different races were a delight, and were quick to pick up on. The plot behind the story was excellent, and it kept the suspense up until the very end! The language of this book is excellent, perhaps until the very end when it gets too 'prose' like and too vague for my personal taste. But I'm an action girl who likes a bit of mystery-- so despite all that this truly was a -great- read!

its was great!!!!!!

it was a great read. i really enjoyed the book because it was full of suspences and magic and some silent romance!!!! i loved it!!!

Absolutely Loved it!!!

This book contains really good action scenes, characters you can truly feel for and a unique magic. It is set in a world where several races live and work together but not always easily. All I can say is when can I have some more?!?

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