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dana_naylor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Definitely not a stand-alone book, but if you’ve been reading this series, this is a good entry. I like the growth of Kaylin through the series and can see it particularly in this book. I’m looking forward to the next book!
starfire_rhexia's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
heathermcintire13's review against another edition
4.0
Felt more like a collection of short stories about the side characters and a big prep for the next boom. It was entertaining and I enjoyed the character development, but was definitely missing a central plot or draw in to the book that caused it to drag a bit. Pretty much felt like it missed alot about the main character and focused much on others. I miss the hawks!
valerie_sam's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
morticia32's review
2.0
Book 16 in the series.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, disappointing.
I was so excited when I saw this book was coming out on my birthday, so I pre-ordered it as a birthday present. I happily grabbed my Kindle first thing in the morning on my birthday and started to read with breakfast. It sadly didn't live up to my excitement.
It moved soooo slowly. The first two thirds or so was nothing but talk about shadow, towers and Bellusdeo's past and current unhappiness. And most of that was without Bellusdeo present. Severn was there for most of it, but only as a token "partner" and Nightshade just offers his thoughts. The rest of Kaylin's found family barely made an appearance, except for the squabbling Cohort, most of whom I couldn't care less about, because either they're unpleasant or just not really there.
I do love the offbeat friendship between Bellsudeo and Mandoran, but I'd really like to go back to the main story with less of the Cohort. And I really need to see Kaylin grow a little. Sixteen books in and she's still mostly ignorant about what being Chosen is and what she can do. I understand that time frame-wise, a lot has happened in a very short period, but Kaylin seems to be learning nothing from what has happened to her and her friends.
And there's maybe a bit too much reliance on Hope now? The scene where he tells her there's a problem she could solve, so he'll do it for her annoyed the hell out of me. If she can do it, she should do it, how will she learn otherwise?!
I will keep reading the series, because I am absolutely invested in it after sixteen books, but the next one will come from the library.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, disappointing.
I was so excited when I saw this book was coming out on my birthday, so I pre-ordered it as a birthday present. I happily grabbed my Kindle first thing in the morning on my birthday and started to read with breakfast. It sadly didn't live up to my excitement.
It moved soooo slowly. The first two thirds or so was nothing but talk about shadow, towers and Bellusdeo's past and current unhappiness. And most of that was without Bellusdeo present. Severn was there for most of it, but only as a token "partner" and Nightshade just offers his thoughts. The rest of Kaylin's found family barely made an appearance, except for the squabbling Cohort, most of whom I couldn't care less about, because either they're unpleasant or just not really there.
I do love the offbeat friendship between Bellsudeo and Mandoran, but I'd really like to go back to the main story with less of the Cohort. And I really need to see Kaylin grow a little. Sixteen books in and she's still mostly ignorant about what being Chosen is and what she can do. I understand that time frame-wise, a lot has happened in a very short period, but Kaylin seems to be learning nothing from what has happened to her and her friends.
And there's maybe a bit too much reliance on Hope now? The scene where he tells her there's a problem she could solve, so he'll do it for her annoyed the hell out of me. If she can do it, she should do it, how will she learn otherwise?!
I will keep reading the series, because I am absolutely invested in it after sixteen books, but the next one will come from the library.
alassea's review against another edition
3.0
As usual there's a lot of thinking and talking and walking around while talking, but I do enjoy the cozy feeling of just wandering around with Kaylin (this is why I read this series). There's very little action, and in some fashion I'm happy that every book is no longer "preventing the end of the world".
Overall, Kaylin actually shows some progress in her willingness to learn and otherwise they're looking for a new fief lord for Karriamis/Candallar.
Full disclosure: It took me most of the book to remember what happened in the previous books, so I expect by the next one I'll have little recollection of this one.
Overall, Kaylin actually shows some progress in her willingness to learn and otherwise they're looking for a new fief lord for Karriamis/Candallar.
Full disclosure: It took me most of the book to remember what happened in the previous books, so I expect by the next one I'll have little recollection of this one.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
5.0
How is it that we're already sixteen novels into the Chronicles of Elantra series? It feels like just a few years ago, I found this series and fell in love. Yet here we are, with Cast in Conflict being the latest (sixteenth) addition to the series.
Corporal Kaylin has long been known for having a talent for getting into trouble. Yet this time, no one can pretend that the fault is hers. She's been tasked to follow one of her roommates (and friend), Bellusdeo. As in, the last female dragon.
There's something going on inside Bellusdeo, and it's making all of the remaining dragons nervous. It's making Kaylin nervous too, but she understands that Bellusdeo is more likely to survive whatever it is she's seeking.
"Her reactions were her reactions, yes. They were visceral and instinctive. But her behavior was a choice."
She's done it again. Cast in Conflict is another delight to read, and I have to thank Michelle Sagara for continuously providing adventures to the fans. Kaylin's journey has been a long one, and it feels like she still has quite a ways to go. All I know is that I'll be sticking around for as long as it does.
At this point, I think that the Chronicles of Elantra series is the most detailed series I'm actively reading. Each novel covers a relatively short period of time, as there is simply so much to cover. It's like a slice of life meets fantasy, only with a heavy dose of chaos (courtesy of Kaylin) and politics (courtesy of nearly every other character in the series).
There are many different reasons why I enjoyed this novel. There's the politics, of course. Not only do we see more dragon politics, but library politics (please see the previous installment in this series), as well as how other fiefs function.
Words cannot express how badly I've wanted to see the rest of the fiefs. While there are still so many questions left to be answered (so many!), I'm happy with what I was able to spot here. Furthermore, I feel like this novel worked really hard to push Bellusdeo's plot arc forward while doing justice to her background and needs.
It was tense and a delight to see if I'm honest. It forced readers (and Kaylin) to see a different side of the dragon. Okay, it doesn't hurt that Kaylin is our central perspective, and she wouldn't notice certain emotions if they hit her in the face.
On that note, I do feel like this was the start of something new. My favorite character was present, though perhaps not as much as I would like (is that even possible?). Yet, their presence was deeply felt, especially as specific conversations rose to the surface.
Dare I hope that Kaylin finally realizes something that has been right in front of her face this whole time? Only time will tell. Until then, I will be happily counting down the days to the release of the next sequel, which I'm certain will be worth the wait.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks>
Corporal Kaylin has long been known for having a talent for getting into trouble. Yet this time, no one can pretend that the fault is hers. She's been tasked to follow one of her roommates (and friend), Bellusdeo. As in, the last female dragon.
There's something going on inside Bellusdeo, and it's making all of the remaining dragons nervous. It's making Kaylin nervous too, but she understands that Bellusdeo is more likely to survive whatever it is she's seeking.
"Her reactions were her reactions, yes. They were visceral and instinctive. But her behavior was a choice."
She's done it again. Cast in Conflict is another delight to read, and I have to thank Michelle Sagara for continuously providing adventures to the fans. Kaylin's journey has been a long one, and it feels like she still has quite a ways to go. All I know is that I'll be sticking around for as long as it does.
At this point, I think that the Chronicles of Elantra series is the most detailed series I'm actively reading. Each novel covers a relatively short period of time, as there is simply so much to cover. It's like a slice of life meets fantasy, only with a heavy dose of chaos (courtesy of Kaylin) and politics (courtesy of nearly every other character in the series).
There are many different reasons why I enjoyed this novel. There's the politics, of course. Not only do we see more dragon politics, but library politics (please see the previous installment in this series), as well as how other fiefs function.
Words cannot express how badly I've wanted to see the rest of the fiefs. While there are still so many questions left to be answered (so many!), I'm happy with what I was able to spot here. Furthermore, I feel like this novel worked really hard to push Bellusdeo's plot arc forward while doing justice to her background and needs.
It was tense and a delight to see if I'm honest. It forced readers (and Kaylin) to see a different side of the dragon. Okay, it doesn't hurt that Kaylin is our central perspective, and she wouldn't notice certain emotions if they hit her in the face.
On that note, I do feel like this was the start of something new. My favorite character was present, though perhaps not as much as I would like (is that even possible?). Yet, their presence was deeply felt, especially as specific conversations rose to the surface.
Dare I hope that Kaylin finally realizes something that has been right in front of her face this whole time? Only time will tell. Until then, I will be happily counting down the days to the release of the next sequel, which I'm certain will be worth the wait.
Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks>
vailynst's review
4.0
Notes:
One big thing happened in this book, but it felt like another transition piece. I'll read it again and see how I feel about it.
One big thing happened in this book, but it felt like another transition piece. I'll read it again and see how I feel about it.
puria's review against another edition
3.0
Book 16 so I am obviously invested in the series and the characters. I love the intricate world of Elantra. There is just some rich vivid detail for every species and the world in general. As it tends to happen a lot of this book was dedicated to one species and one tower. It is still really hard to read the details. Overall I loved the story and the development but the details were harder to absorb.
The candallar aspect was unexpected but it made sense, so did the hint of romance between one of the important characters.
I am starting to think like the war on shadow is neverending this series is never ending, which maybe I am okay with.
The candallar aspect was unexpected but it made sense, so did the hint of romance between one of the important characters.
I am starting to think like the war on shadow is neverending this series is never ending, which maybe I am okay with.