Teresa D. (teresadouglas) reviewed Cast In Shadow (Chronicles of Elantra, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Sagara does a good job of melding weird strong powers with human frailty. She has taken a tired old plotline--20 something with Mysterious Powers and a Destiny and turned it on its head. Some of the actions the various characters take can be a bit mellodramatic at times--especially at the beginning--but there is something about the main character Kaylin and her relations with the various other races that keeps the plot moving. And the twist 3/4 of the way through the book was actually surprising--and lent an unexpected depth to the storyline. If you like female protagonists, character driven plotlines and well-articulated alien races, (as I do) then you will find it a pleasant (and fairly quick) read.
Erin R. (coprincess) reviewed Cast In Shadow (Chronicles of Elantra, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I personally thought that the book started a little slow. However, about 5 chapters in, it really grabbed my attention and I couldn't put it down until the end. It was a fascinating story. Though I had to constantly reconsider what the area looked like. I never did get a clear "picture" of that. I'm greatly looking forward to reading the second book she has written.
Helpful Score: 5
This is the first book in this series by Michelle Sagara (aka Michelle West or Michelle Sagara West). Kaylin is a Hawk - one of the arms of the law in her world. She has an unusual ability for healing and also unusual tattoos on her arms which suddenly appeared on her when she was a child. No one can explain them. She is an orphan from the outer city (a very poor and dangerous area). When she was young she escaped this place by petitioning to be a Hawk. There is a reason she left, a really disturbing event that Kaylin wants to forget; but while Kaylin wants to leave her past behind, it follows her : suddenly children are being killed and found with tattoos on them similar to Kaylin's, and everyone wants to know why. Because Kaylin believes in justice and enforcing the law, she must get involved in solving these murders and dredge up her past. A very engrossing police procedural mixed with fantasy and very interesting characters. Probably one of the most interesting things is the different races and cultures in Kaylin's world and how they all interact with one another.
Helpful Score: 3
Kaylin is a survivor of a poor, crime infested city in a fantastical world where magic is real and there are several races of life. Children are being murdered again, just like when she was a child and all have the same odd tattoos that appeared on her own skin. However, now she is a Hawk, the police force trying to solve this series of crimes. Working with a mysterious Dragon lord, her old best friend who betrayed her, and dealing with a magic containing device will not make this task easy, buty Kaylin is not a weakling. Evil is near and lives are in danger and only Kaylin stands a chance to solve this mystery before she becomes the last victim. This story is a great fantasty with characters that I hope continue in other stories.
Audrey D. (sunshine82) -
Helpful Score: 3
At first I was lost, had NO idea what was going on. But then I realized that Kaylin, our main character, was also clueless. She is a strong heroine, but also a young, somewhat naive woman. As Kaylin learns, so does the reader. The world in which she lives is fascinating and dangerous, and if she wants to stay alive, she has to start learning at a much faster pace than she really wants to. The journey takes the reader on quite a wild ride. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
