bookworm5732's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
thechaoshour's review
3.0
More of a Barrani heavy book, which wasn’t my fav. It’s kind of annoying that this book ended like that. We had the beginning of a journey, the middle of the journey, and then the end will be in the next book. Not my favourite way of doing things. I’ll be happy to get back to the dragons I think!
raygina's review
2.0
I enjoyed the beginning. The rest of the book just dragged for me. Nowhere near my favorite in this series.
drey72's review
4.0
Kaylin, Kaylin, Kaylin. What’s a girl to do with a roommate? Especially one of the dragon variety? In her teeny tiny little apartment, to boot? Then again, it’s not like she has to worry for too long – somebody blows up that teeny tiny little apartment, into teeny tiny little smithereens. And Kaylin now has quarters at the Imperial Palace.
Kinda scary, really, when you think about it. I mean, she’s still taking etiquette lessons, after all… Who knows what could happen if she runs into the Emperor himself? So she tries her best not to.
And this “jaunt” Kaylin now has to take to the West March definitely fits in with that plan. Unfortunately, it also means that she’s traveling in the company of Barrani – because it’s for a Barrani ritual, after all – including the Consort, Lord Nightshade, and Kaylin’s favorite mage, Lord Evarrim. Do you feel sorry for her yet? I did…
After all, Kaylin’s road trips have never been uneventful. And this one isn’t any different.
Cast in Peril adds more to the Barrani culture. Their rituals are impressive, their motives less so, and while they think of humans as mere insects scurrying about in their oh-so-brief lives, they can’t help but be impacted by Kaylin’s presence. Which is good, for Kaylin. I think.
Michelle Sagara continues to keep me guessing. Every book in the series so far has been unexpected in plot and storyline. And every book in the series so far has left me waiting – anxiously! – for the next. Combine that with characters I love, who continue to grow, and I’m not surprised when I end up re-reading these books, which I do at least once a year. This one’s for fantasy fans who also love a sense of humor (or snark), racial diversity, mystery (Kaylin has to have something to investigate, after all), and a heroine with a definite sense of right and wrong – regardless of what society or convention dictates.
I loved Cast in Peril, and I cannot wait for Cast in Sorrow.
drey’s rating: Excellent!
Kinda scary, really, when you think about it. I mean, she’s still taking etiquette lessons, after all… Who knows what could happen if she runs into the Emperor himself? So she tries her best not to.
And this “jaunt” Kaylin now has to take to the West March definitely fits in with that plan. Unfortunately, it also means that she’s traveling in the company of Barrani – because it’s for a Barrani ritual, after all – including the Consort, Lord Nightshade, and Kaylin’s favorite mage, Lord Evarrim. Do you feel sorry for her yet? I did…
After all, Kaylin’s road trips have never been uneventful. And this one isn’t any different.
Cast in Peril adds more to the Barrani culture. Their rituals are impressive, their motives less so, and while they think of humans as mere insects scurrying about in their oh-so-brief lives, they can’t help but be impacted by Kaylin’s presence. Which is good, for Kaylin. I think.
Michelle Sagara continues to keep me guessing. Every book in the series so far has been unexpected in plot and storyline. And every book in the series so far has left me waiting – anxiously! – for the next. Combine that with characters I love, who continue to grow, and I’m not surprised when I end up re-reading these books, which I do at least once a year. This one’s for fantasy fans who also love a sense of humor (or snark), racial diversity, mystery (Kaylin has to have something to investigate, after all), and a heroine with a definite sense of right and wrong – regardless of what society or convention dictates.
I loved Cast in Peril, and I cannot wait for Cast in Sorrow.
drey’s rating: Excellent!
morticia32's review
3.0
Certainly not my favorite of the series. I felt like the author didn't tell us the story she originally set us up for, leaving things unfinished. I liked the book, but I like a lot of fans want to hear more about Kaylin and the dragons, and this book means there's another book at least before we get that story, so we can finally hear the end of this story.
I still feel that the "bad guy's" motives were never really clear, never felt like things were tied up in a neat bow.
Also, had I read the word, "demonstrably" one more frickin' time I would have thrown the book across the room. I love this series, but Michelle Sagara needs a good dictionary with a list of synonyms.
I still feel that the "bad guy's" motives were never really clear, never felt like things were tied up in a neat bow.
Also, had I read the word, "demonstrably" one more frickin' time I would have thrown the book across the room. I love this series, but Michelle Sagara needs a good dictionary with a list of synonyms.
rremer's review
4.0
While the events of this book were great and kept me turning pages real fast the conclusion felt a bit messy and not quite explained. It might just be me but while I got the big parts some of the details don't quite make sense
alassea's review
3.0
I love Kaylin, the characters in her life and the sprawling world we learn more about in each book. However, this installment was to me far from the best. I was bored for part of it and felt it dragged on, which I suppose goes well with the fact that the author found it difficult to write.
Unfortunately, what dragged it down more for me was the fact that there are editing flaws in my copy: Kaylin sitting on the desk because her chair is missing, only to swivel around in it the next second, or how I'm fairly sure it should have said "Consort" a couple places it said "Kaylin". Because that is the only way those spots made any sense.
Overall, I wish for better editing in the next book, and as usual I'd love to learn more about the world and the folks. Loved the glass companion.
Unfortunately, what dragged it down more for me was the fact that there are editing flaws in my copy: Kaylin sitting on the desk because her chair is missing, only to swivel around in it the next second, or how I'm fairly sure it should have said "Consort" a couple places it said "Kaylin". Because that is the only way those spots made any sense.
Spoiler
When Kaylin is asleep, and still thank the Hallionne for oneOverall, I wish for better editing in the next book, and as usual I'd love to learn more about the world and the folks. Loved the glass companion.
reginaexmachina's review
4.0
I like this series a lot, and I liked this book a bit more than I had liked some of the previous books in the series... however I keep feeling like nothing gets a satisfying conclusion. Maybe part of it is that the author wants you to continue reading but I would like at least some things settled by book 8. But I guess for this series that is wishful thinking. Perhaps better luck with book 9.
vailynst's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
*Review will be written when I re-read the entire series.
Only thoughts for now. I had a suspicion that the book may not cover what I truly wanted to read about and I was right. There's nothing wrong with this story. In fact, I think this may have been the best one of the series. It is a skill to write with sparsity of words and still create a rich world of meaning. It's also a skill to write a complicated medley of ideas in a fashion that will develop different visions and ideas for each individual that reads the story. I can be utterly frank. I can also be extremely ambiguous. This story is a great example of both. I started off by laughing a lot at the play of words and ended the story, hating the fact that the book is ending, with a multitude of thoughts & questions. Geez, when is the next book coming out? There's only a vague reference of 2013. Poo!
The Hallionne Keepers are all different race/species. The last one, Orbaranne, I think was a human that was altered and turned into the Hallionne.
Kaylin's a Healer and her abilities have to do with the creation & understanding of words. Though, I think she'd much rather be a simple Hawk and go about bashing bad guys in the head.
If Kaylin loves anyone, she is in love with Severn and the Barrani Outcast. I kinda wish she can be with either but I can see how she may end up with Nightshade rather than Severn. She is neither mortal enough to be with Severn or immortal enough to be with Nightshade and both of them understand her in a way that neither can emulate or be for her. Sucks!
I can't wait till the little dragon gets a name! Woo! Pipsqueak will be awesome when he can talk. Well, kinda talk?
*Review will be written when I re-read the entire series.
Only thoughts for now. I had a suspicion that the book may not cover what I truly wanted to read about and I was right. There's nothing wrong with this story. In fact, I think this may have been the best one of the series. It is a skill to write with sparsity of words and still create a rich world of meaning. It's also a skill to write a complicated medley of ideas in a fashion that will develop different visions and ideas for each individual that reads the story. I can be utterly frank. I can also be extremely ambiguous. This story is a great example of both. I started off by laughing a lot at the play of words and ended the story, hating the fact that the book is ending, with a multitude of thoughts & questions. Geez, when is the next book coming out? There's only a vague reference of 2013. Poo!
Spoiler
Thoughts:The Hallionne Keepers are all different race/species. The last one, Orbaranne, I think was a human that was altered and turned into the Hallionne.
Kaylin's a Healer and her abilities have to do with the creation & understanding of words. Though, I think she'd much rather be a simple Hawk and go about bashing bad guys in the head.
If Kaylin loves anyone, she is in love with Severn and the Barrani Outcast. I kinda wish she can be with either but I can see how she may end up with Nightshade rather than Severn. She is neither mortal enough to be with Severn or immortal enough to be with Nightshade and both of them understand her in a way that neither can emulate or be for her. Sucks!
I can't wait till the little dragon gets a name! Woo! Pipsqueak will be awesome when he can talk. Well, kinda talk?
reddjena's review
4.0
I remember why I LOVE this series, but also why I had to take a break. This series can get very cerebral where the characters talk things out and theorize about big subjects and events while experiencing them. I obsessed over the audiobook whenever I wasn't listening to it though, so I can safely say that I am hooked again. Also, this book is definitely a PART ONE as we hadn't even arrived at our destination by the end. Did solve the procedural mystery though, so no cliffhanger there. But, still...