Cast in Silence by Michelle Sagara

"Cast in Silence" is the latest in the "The Chronicles of Elantra" by Michelle Sagara. In this book we learn more about Kaylin Neya's past. We already knew that she grew up in the fief of Nightshade, that she left there after a tragedy, and that eventually she found herself in the city proper working as one of the Hawks, protecting the people of Elantra. But what happened inbetween her time in Nightshade and becoming a Hawk? And just how did a girl from the fiefs end up a Hawk?

Nobody really knew what Kaylin had gone through during that period of her life because Kaylin had done everything she could to hide and forget that portion of her life. It may have been a short period of her life, but it was one that she did not remember fondly, and one that had forever changed her.

When Kaylin left Nightshade she found herself in the neighboring fief of Barren, and was quickly "adopted" by a gruff girl/woman named Morse. Morse taught her everything she knew, which meant a lot about theft, fighting, and how to kill with out flinching. Kaylin began to work for the Master of the Fief and quickly proved herself to be adept at carrying out his business.

The story of her past unfolds slowly, intertwined with the story of what's currently going on in Barren. The heart of the fiefs has become on unstable, and it is finding a way to let it's darkness out through Barren because it has the least strength of all the fiefs. Now Kayling must go back, face her old haunts and her old friend (and enemies) to discover why Barren is under going the changes it is. Along the way she'll have to admit to her friends her most closely guarded secrets, and learn to come to terms with her own past.

Cast in Fury by Michelle Sagara

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Cast in Fury (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 4)

"Cast in Fury" is the fourth book in the Chronicles of Elantra by Michelle Sagara. Sadly for us, the next book isn't out yet! It's due to come out later this summer though, so hopefully I won't have to long of a wait to get my hands on it, because I love this series! While I'm waiting I've ordered the first book in another series she's written, so we'll see how that goes.

In "Cast in Fury" Kaylin is thrown into a PR nightmare, which is an awkward situation for her considering she's never been known for being the most diplomatic person around. After seeing the Tha'alani go out to face the tidal wave in the last book, the people of the city believe that instead of trying to stop the wave as they were really doing, the Tha'alani were invoking the wave to destroy the city. Now the Imperial Playwright has been ordered to write a play that will help ease the tension.

Unfortunately Rennick, the playwright, really has no clue what the real situation was like, nor does he really have any understanding of the Tha'alani. Kaylin and Severn understand the Tha'alani better than most, and they were directly involved in the situation with the tidal wave, so they've been sent to Rennick as advisers. A job that will not be easy.

To make life even more complicated their beloved Leontine Sargent has been arrested for murder. Worried about the closest person she's ever had to a father, Kaylin begins to investigate, and finds a tangled web that will take all her skill to unravel and stay alive at the same time.

Cast in Secret by Michelle Sagara

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Cast in Secret (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 3)

"Cast in Secret" is book three in the "Chronicles of Elantra" by Michelle Sagara. In this book we join Kaylin Neya as she investigates two missing children. Kaylin has always had a soft spot for children, and protects them fiercely, so the cases have even more urgency for her than she normally would show.

Of course it's much, much more complicated than simple a couple of missing person's cases. A magician has stolen an artifact in hopes of controlling the elements. Unfortunately opening the box would destroy the city, but he doesn't really care much about that. Kaylin soon realizes that the missing children are mixed up in all of this, and that she alone has the power to save the city.

Along the way Kaylin pulls of some incredible stunts that should have gotten her killed, but with her usual clumsy charm she manages to get through them. She also confronts one of her deepestprejudices and discovers that the race she's always feared, is a race she can love and embrace.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what the next one holds!

Cast in Courtlight by Michelle Sagara

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Cast in Courtlight (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 2)

"Cast in Courtlight" is book two in the Chronicles of Elantra by Michelle Sagara. I enjoyed the first book, and I found myself just as caught up in this one!

Kaylin grew up on the streets of the fiefs, found her way out of that life and became a Hawk, serving the people and enforcing the law. Her life has always been rough, but she knows how to handle herself, and she can't really imagine life as anything different. Until she gets called up before the Barrani High court, and her world changes forever.

Of course this isn't the first time Kaylin's world has been turned upside down, so other than the fine dresses they make her wear (and who can blame her?), she handles it amazingly well. Her healing abilities are needed by the High Lord's heir who has fallen sick under mysterious circumstances. Soon she learns that there are other circumstances that need her attention, and that there are those who desperately want to keep her and her power as far away from the High Court as possible!

I really liked where Sagara took this story, the character development was well done, and there were some really interesting twists that I appreciated. The only thing that bothered me was all the intrigue, which was necessary, but a little confusing at times. I'm looking forward to the next book!

Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara

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

"Cast in Shadow" is a fast paced fantasy that keeps you turning pages and wondering what's going to happen next! In this story we follow Kaylin Neya, a girl who grew up in the fiefs, but escaped and now works of  branch of the law known as the Hawks. Kaylin's history is complicated, and forever marked by the killings that happened 7 years ago. Now, similar killings are taking place, and Kaylin's heart is breaking.

Kaylin knows that somehow these killings are connected to her because she's known every single victim and because of the strange symbols that connect them. Each victim is found, disemboweled, with their arms and legs covered in symbols that look like tattoos, but weren't formed in ink. Kaylin bears the same symbols on her body, and no one knows why. 

Now, the Hawk Lord is sending her back to the fiefs to discover why the killings are happening, and he's saddled her with some unusual companions. One, Severn, is a man from her past. Someone she tries to kill on sight, but it takes a long time for us to learn why. Their other companion, Lord Tiamaris, is of the rarely seen dragon race. Each of these strange companions has their own secrets to keep, and each holds a piece of the puzzle. Will they be able to trust each other enough to reveal their secrets? Before more deaths occur?

I found this book to be fascinating. I love reading fantasies that explore their own set of races, and there are many in this book! It was definitely a page turner, but it was also confusing at times. The quality of writing wasn't super-high and it depended more on the action that it's literary quality. Having said that, I'm curious to see what else the author puts out and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!