Cast in Shadow (The Chronicles of Elantra, Book 1)

When I first read this book I thought Michelle Sagara was a new author, because this first book reads more like a rough draft than a finished novel. There were a lot of confusing "plot twists" that just made things drag, and some dead ends along the way that made you go "...okay?" I wasn't too sure of Nightshade at first, some of the things he did just didn't seem to fit his character. I also found Kaylin Neya to be a bit on the immature, drama queen side. I just didn't think anybody but a newbie with lots of room to grow would write like this. ...But, and there is a big one here, I usually like to give writers a second chance, and the world in this series was just interesting enough... I decided to continue on with it, and I am so happy I did. The later books, if you can drudge through this one, are much better, and they just keep improving along the way. You learn more about why Nightshade did a lot of the uncharacteristic things he did in this book, and Kaylin (Thank the heavens) matures a bit. (How she ever survived on the streets I still have yet to deduce; even with the help of Severn and others.) She actually grows in every book, while still keeping her personality intact, which is always nice to see in a book. I have read nearly every book in this series, and have been pleased with all of them except this one and Cast In Ruin. For the most part this is an amazing series, as long as you can make it past this first "rough draft" of a book.

Tolkein, Sagara is not. You won't find pages and pages of description about the history and races of the Empire the story takes place in, and characters do use curse words and phrases like "cool" as easily as modern people do. I like Tolkein. However, I also count Cast In Shadow as one of my favorite fantasy books. I read it very quickly, drawn in by the main character, the world, and the witty writing style. Kaylin is not the perfect fantasy female I'm getting tired of. She complains, comes in to work late, has messy hair, hates the magic her life is full of, and still holds her own with magic and muscle like the less well-drawn heroes. I think she manages to be likeable because of her faults and quirks--they're realistic. Her past was also unique, and, although I don't want to spoil anything for those who havn't read the book, I must say that I was very pleased when the relationship between Kaylin and the Mysterious Man From Her Past which is revealed two-third of the way through the book did not turn out to be a jilted lover story. In fact, although Luna is an offshoot of Harlequin, there's little to no acknowledgement of romance in Cast In Shadow. There isn't that much world-building in terms of the races, but I stopped caring about that when I realized how cool they were--and I think that's a main thing to realize about this book. It's to enjoy, not to think about. Read it if you like furries--there's bird people (Aerians),cat people (Leontines), and Dragons which are most often in human guise. The Barrani are sort of demon/elves, immortal and stuck up because of it, although Sagara does do a good job of making some of them likeable while retaining the racial traits that annoy Kaylin. I thought these races were enjoyable, but rather typical. Luckily there were also the creepy Tha'alani, who read thoughts via tentacles on their heads. These, as far as I know, are quite unique. I do have some negative comments: The entire world, geographically, is not explained; Elantra is apparently one city in the domain of the far-off Dragon Emperor, and I couldn't get a feel for what was outside its walls or how its government really worked. As another reviwer noted, Kaylin's superiors are supposed to be intimidating, but although Kaylin's Leontine superior Marcus shows Kaylin his claws he is on very friendly terms with her, and the lofty Hawklord actually gets some hugs. I liked Marcus and the Hawklord, but also got the feeling that the author hadn't really intended me to, but had liked them too much herself to keep them intimidating and aloof.

Simply a very engaging reading. I just ordered the rest of the saga.

I just bought the book to be a fill in while I wait for other books to come out so I could read them. I had no idea then that it would be as good as it was. I now have another series to look forward to reading! I have to say it rates as one of my favorites! I loved it!! All I have to say is it was a little confusing in parts but other then that no part of it was boring it keeps you wanting to read more! I'm going to pick up the second book Cast in Court Light here soon and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be just as good.

The tale is not the smoothest of telling... But the story it contains holds great promise especially with the 2nd book to be published late this year, early next (Cast in Courtlight). The heroine was once a young lass who lived in Nighshade fife and she has always felt that she barely escaped with her life. For she was the only child to live of those who woke with tattoos one morning. Now 7 years late someone is killing tattooed children again. Kaylin, is now a member of the Hawks... part of a Triad law enforcement agency and nothing but human or so she seems. But unlike most humans in a society ruled by immortals she has magic, and its power is growing... There are those who fear her enought to suggest she be put to death before the meaning of the killings comes to light. The author has created a interesting fantasy world and I look foward to the next book!

The killings stop when Kaylin runs from her past. Seven years ago, she fled the fiefs of Nightshade and joined the Hawks, part of the triad (Swords, Wolves, and Hawks) that protec the City of Elantra from crime. Since then, she's learned to read, write, and fight---she's so secure in her job she can even show up late without too much fear. Then one morning, her mirror awakens her with a message from her Sergeant. Kaylin's late to a summons to the Tower of Justice and her boss, the Hawklord. When Kaylin gets there, she discovers that children are again being killed in the streets of the fiefs, children bearing the strange whorls and tatoos Kaylin herself developed just before the first killings started. Kaylin is teamed up with a Severn, a man she doesn't trust from her past, and a Dragon Lord. Plus, the Hawklord has placed a containment on Kaylin's magic: a device that no one clearly understands the use of. The worlds Sagara has created is fascinating and well realized. She handles the inclusion of separate races: leonine, avian, and draconian very well. Overall, a good mystery within a fantasy plot. Also, while the book is a serial, enough questions are answered about this present plot to not leave readers dangling til the next book comes out.