Scan barcode
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Third in the Chronicles of Elantra fantasy series revolving around Kaylin, a young Hawk whom many fear should be killed.
My Take
I don't get why the Quartermaster would even imagine that Kaylin would be able to get through a day without rips, tears, and bloodshed. He must know the situations she or any of the other Hawks go into…
Eew, eeeewww, spit, wipe, rub, just eewww. That is definitely an honor I could do without….ewwwwww….
It's a case in which Kaylin learns the truth about the Tha'alani. She also learns Nightshade's lesson about how to retrieve information from others. He does make a good point. She also learns a great deal about the past. What the Tha'alani did, what the Dragons did.
Whoa, Sagara keeps letting out these bits and pieces about how lucky Kaylin is to have survived this far. From her first appearance outside the fief with the tattoos, the words, on her arms, she has been an intense topic of discussion with many protectors.
And, yet another, whoa, LOL. Sagara is good at this. I keep being surprised that this is only the third installment as I feel I know so much about Kaylin and the others. This particular surprise is Castle Nightshade's rejection of Kaylin. Especially when it's practically sucked her in every other time. A rejection which leads her in an unexpected path to a visual of Tha'alani history and a way to save her own.
Andellen has some words of warning regarding her status as Erenne. Whew.
Oh, yeah. It's what I love about Kaylin. She just says whatever, wherever, and has no clue that she's being rude. When she does learn it, she is embarrassed, but not enough to take care. It certainly leads to interesting situations.
I think this is my favorite of the series so far. Sagara has such great insight and plays it well. It's a story of bigotry and what Kaylin learns. About herself and others.
The Story
Festival is over. Thank the gods. But criminal action is forever as Kaylin and Severn learn at Evanton's shop.
It is in the oldest of the libraries that the action really takes off when Kaylin encounters the skeleton of a not-dead Dragon, for the city is under threat by an element and a renegade mage.
The Characters
Private Lord Kaylin Neya is not only a Hawk, but a lord, "a title granted her by the Lord of the Barrani High Court. And, ooh, does that ever tick Kaylin off! It's the metaphysical tattoos on her arms that have catapulted Kaylin into this life of hers. And it's only going to get more interesting.
Corporal Lord Severn Handred earned his title as well. Only, nobody teases him about it, much to Kaylin's irritation.
Lord Sanabalis is a Dragon mage who will continue to teach Kaylin how to use her powers. Really, he's all that stands between her and the Emperor. Lord Tiamaris is the Dragon who worked with Kaylin and Severn in Cast in Shadow (1); today, he will return to the Hawks. Teyaragon is the oldest of his line, and he accepted a mighty duty to his people. The Imperial Libraries and galleries are Arkon's hoard; the Empire is the Emperor's.
Evanton is much more than a spells and potion seller. Turns out he's the Keeper of a truly powerful oasis within the city. An elemental garden not governed by the Barrani or the Dragon Emperor.
The Hawks include:
Iron Jaw, more formally known as Sergeant Marcus Kassan, a Leontine Hawk, hands out the assignments and growls at everyone. Caitlin is his human assistant and essentially his second-in-command. She only passes Marcus the reports he absolutely must see. They all fear Caitlin's wrath. Tanner and Clint (of the enticing flight feathers!) are Aerians. Constant Mallory is in charge of Missing Persons, and he has a Barrani-like acquaintance with truth.
The Tha'alani.
The Tha'alani, a.k.a., Truthseekers, are psychics, mind readers. Their touch is NOT delicate. and their entire society is open about everything---you can't hide what everyone can see anyway. Ybelline Rabon'alani is the Emperor's Tha'alani and the leader of her people. She's also the Tha'alani who made Kaylin realize how wrong she was. Draalzyn is the Tha'alani at Missing Persons who passes on Ybelline's message. Epharim is a guard at the Tha'alani compound. Kaylin's first encounter where she realizes how insular (and why) the Tha'alani are. Mayalee is a missing Tha'alani child. Grethan is one who was born without the Tha'alani gifts. A handicap so horrible that he fled to the outside world. Nevaron and Onnay are his friends. Uriel was a major figure in Tha'alani history.
Master Sabrai is in charge of the Oracle Hall. Everly is one of the Oracles; his visions are expressed in his paintings. It's the one of Kaylin that is most disturbing.
Lord Nightshade is an outcaste Barrani fieflord, a crime lord, who has lent his name to his fief where Severn and Kaylin once lived. And he recalls Grethan's time in his fief. Lord Andellen was one of the Barrani guards with Kaylin in Cast in Courtlight (2).
The Lord of the Green is the new castelord, the Lord of the High Halls, with a personal request for Kaylin. His brother, Lirienne, the Lord of the West March, still considers Kaylin his kyuthe and likes her very much.
Donalan Idis was a member of the Arcanum, who worked with the Inquisitorial Services---just one of the reasons why the Tha'alani despise him. The Wolves have been trying to track him down for years.
There are three peacekeeping forces and three Lords of Law: the Lord of Hawks, Lord Grammayre, the Hawklord, heads up the Hawks---the investigators; the Lord of Swords and his men are the peacekeepers---the street cops, if you will; and, Lord Merlin, the Lord of Wolves and his people are its black ops with the Shadow Wolves the "darkest face the Law could turn on the populace".
Think of the Aerians as birdmen, but not shifters. Barrani are the upper class in this society, although not the uppermost. Vicious, cruel, and they seem to have the appearance of what I would consider Fey. The Leontine are lion shifters. Arcanists are mages who work independently of the Dragon Emperor. Fieflords are independent rulers of large neighborhoods outside the city proper.
The Cover
The cover is shades of pink and Indiana Jones with its doubled-in-life-size ancient statues and a leather-clad Kaylin poised to spring into action.
The title refers to the history, the evil done that was Cast in Secret.
My Take
I don't get why the Quartermaster would even imagine that Kaylin would be able to get through a day without rips, tears, and bloodshed. He must know the situations she or any of the other Hawks go into…
Eew, eeeewww, spit, wipe, rub, just eewww. That is definitely an honor I could do without….ewwwwww….
It's a case in which Kaylin learns the truth about the Tha'alani. She also learns Nightshade's lesson about how to retrieve information from others. He does make a good point. She also learns a great deal about the past. What the Tha'alani did, what the Dragons did.
Whoa, Sagara keeps letting out these bits and pieces about how lucky Kaylin is to have survived this far. From her first appearance outside the fief with the tattoos, the words, on her arms, she has been an intense topic of discussion with many protectors.
And, yet another, whoa, LOL. Sagara is good at this. I keep being surprised that this is only the third installment as I feel I know so much about Kaylin and the others. This particular surprise is Castle Nightshade's rejection of Kaylin. Especially when it's practically sucked her in every other time. A rejection which leads her in an unexpected path to a visual of Tha'alani history and a way to save her own.
Andellen has some words of warning regarding her status as Erenne. Whew.
Oh, yeah. It's what I love about Kaylin. She just says whatever, wherever, and has no clue that she's being rude. When she does learn it, she is embarrassed, but not enough to take care. It certainly leads to interesting situations.
"Don't hate what you can't be
Don't hate what you can't have.
I think this is my favorite of the series so far. Sagara has such great insight and plays it well. It's a story of bigotry and what Kaylin learns. About herself and others.
The Story
Festival is over. Thank the gods. But criminal action is forever as Kaylin and Severn learn at Evanton's shop.
It is in the oldest of the libraries that the action really takes off when Kaylin encounters the skeleton of a not-dead Dragon, for the city is under threat by an element and a renegade mage.
The Characters
Private Lord Kaylin Neya is not only a Hawk, but a lord, "a title granted her by the Lord of the Barrani High Court. And, ooh, does that ever tick Kaylin off! It's the metaphysical tattoos on her arms that have catapulted Kaylin into this life of hers. And it's only going to get more interesting.
Corporal Lord Severn Handred earned his title as well. Only, nobody teases him about it, much to Kaylin's irritation.
Lord Sanabalis is a Dragon mage who will continue to teach Kaylin how to use her powers. Really, he's all that stands between her and the Emperor. Lord Tiamaris is the Dragon who worked with Kaylin and Severn in Cast in Shadow (1); today, he will return to the Hawks. Teyaragon is the oldest of his line, and he accepted a mighty duty to his people. The Imperial Libraries and galleries are Arkon's hoard; the Empire is the Emperor's.
Evanton is much more than a spells and potion seller. Turns out he's the Keeper of a truly powerful oasis within the city. An elemental garden not governed by the Barrani or the Dragon Emperor.
The Hawks include:
Iron Jaw, more formally known as Sergeant Marcus Kassan, a Leontine Hawk, hands out the assignments and growls at everyone. Caitlin is his human assistant and essentially his second-in-command. She only passes Marcus the reports he absolutely must see. They all fear Caitlin's wrath. Tanner and Clint (of the enticing flight feathers!) are Aerians. Constant Mallory is in charge of Missing Persons, and he has a Barrani-like acquaintance with truth.
The Tha'alani.
The Tha'alani, a.k.a., Truthseekers, are psychics, mind readers. Their touch is NOT delicate. and their entire society is open about everything---you can't hide what everyone can see anyway. Ybelline Rabon'alani is the Emperor's Tha'alani and the leader of her people. She's also the Tha'alani who made Kaylin realize how wrong she was. Draalzyn is the Tha'alani at Missing Persons who passes on Ybelline's message. Epharim is a guard at the Tha'alani compound. Kaylin's first encounter where she realizes how insular (and why) the Tha'alani are. Mayalee is a missing Tha'alani child. Grethan is one who was born without the Tha'alani gifts. A handicap so horrible that he fled to the outside world. Nevaron and Onnay are his friends. Uriel was a major figure in Tha'alani history.
Master Sabrai is in charge of the Oracle Hall. Everly is one of the Oracles; his visions are expressed in his paintings. It's the one of Kaylin that is most disturbing.
Lord Nightshade is an outcaste Barrani fieflord, a crime lord, who has lent his name to his fief where Severn and Kaylin once lived. And he recalls Grethan's time in his fief. Lord Andellen was one of the Barrani guards with Kaylin in Cast in Courtlight (2).
The Lord of the Green is the new castelord, the Lord of the High Halls, with a personal request for Kaylin. His brother, Lirienne, the Lord of the West March, still considers Kaylin his kyuthe and likes her very much.
Donalan Idis was a member of the Arcanum, who worked with the Inquisitorial Services---just one of the reasons why the Tha'alani despise him. The Wolves have been trying to track him down for years.
There are three peacekeeping forces and three Lords of Law: the Lord of Hawks, Lord Grammayre, the Hawklord, heads up the Hawks---the investigators; the Lord of Swords and his men are the peacekeepers---the street cops, if you will; and, Lord Merlin, the Lord of Wolves and his people are its black ops with the Shadow Wolves the "darkest face the Law could turn on the populace".
Think of the Aerians as birdmen, but not shifters. Barrani are the upper class in this society, although not the uppermost. Vicious, cruel, and they seem to have the appearance of what I would consider Fey. The Leontine are lion shifters. Arcanists are mages who work independently of the Dragon Emperor. Fieflords are independent rulers of large neighborhoods outside the city proper.
The Cover
The cover is shades of pink and Indiana Jones with its doubled-in-life-size ancient statues and a leather-clad Kaylin poised to spring into action.
The title refers to the history, the evil done that was Cast in Secret.
yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
Intense, action filled with a tease of romance. Wow. Some spine tingling moments that had me in goosebumps. They just keep getting better.
Kaylin and Severn visit's the elemental garden, (not it's real name) and see thing she is told not too. Her vision sends her down a dangerous path of water and death. Her heart aches for children, she must save the child she feels is in danger, no matter what the cost. She has to face her fears and hatred to accomplish this, it is not an easy thing to do. She must overcome her past to save this child and the town from utter destruction. Severn, always at her side, takes whatever he must, he will alway be by her side. (but when will she love him back ?) There is something old dead and carrying a huge burden in the library. This finding will awaken many in the town with a great roar not heard for decades. With all these new discovers everything will change for Kaylin and others.
Kaylin and Severn visit's the elemental garden, (not it's real name) and see thing she is told not too. Her vision sends her down a dangerous path of water and death. Her heart aches for children, she must save the child she feels is in danger, no matter what the cost. She has to face her fears and hatred to accomplish this, it is not an easy thing to do. She must overcome her past to save this child and the town from utter destruction. Severn, always at her side, takes whatever he must, he will alway be by her side. (but when will she love him back ?) There is something old dead and carrying a huge burden in the library. This finding will awaken many in the town with a great roar not heard for decades. With all these new discovers everything will change for Kaylin and others.
heidi_mcj's review against another edition
4.0
I just enjoy these books. Yes, the language gets a bit overblown but I like the way it flows. These books aren'y high literature or anything but fun to read. Good summer beach reads.
katyanaish's review against another edition
5.0
I adore this series. Completely adore it.
Yes, the heroine is a little slow on the uptake (but less slow than everyone treats her... I can't tell if that's deliberate cleverness on her part - she let's them assume she's less bright than she is, because it makes her less than a threat - or if the author is just working hard to keep her feeling naive and thereby more lovable), but it doesn't bother me. I like the flow of intuition and instinct, that she doesn't always know logically what she's doing, but when she lets go and does what she feels she needs to, she's able to function best. I get that it means that we as the reader don't always directly understand what is happening, but I actually like that. I like it because I feel tied to Kaylin, as if her journey is my journey. The words, at those moments, breeze through me in an almost poetic way, and though I don't always grasp exactly what they mean, I feel their weight and rightness.
It is honestly an impressive thing for the author to be able to do.
I am worried for every single one of the main characters, and I can't wait to read onward.
Yes, the heroine is a little slow on the uptake (but less slow than everyone treats her... I can't tell if that's deliberate cleverness on her part - she let's them assume she's less bright than she is, because it makes her less than a threat - or if the author is just working hard to keep her feeling naive and thereby more lovable), but it doesn't bother me. I like the flow of intuition and instinct, that she doesn't always know logically what she's doing, but when she lets go and does what she feels she needs to, she's able to function best. I get that it means that we as the reader don't always directly understand what is happening, but I actually like that. I like it because I feel tied to Kaylin, as if her journey is my journey. The words, at those moments, breeze through me in an almost poetic way, and though I don't always grasp exactly what they mean, I feel their weight and rightness.
It is honestly an impressive thing for the author to be able to do.
I am worried for every single one of the main characters, and I can't wait to read onward.
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third novel in the fantasy series The Chronicles of Elantra. I enjoyed it very much. I continue to love the main character, Kaylin, along with several of the supporting cast. The book picks up soon after book two. Once again, less time than usual is spent recapitulating events from earlier in the series. I like this choice, though it might confuse a reader who began the series late.
The series is proving to be exactly what I was looking for -- an extended fantasy saga with very likable core characters who help each other. The magic and worldbuilding are intriguing, the stakes high, the characters best of all. Certain plot elements are very dark, but the found family themes soften the overall feel of the books.
In this third book -- spoilers ahead -- Onward to book four!
Four out of five deaf stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
The series is proving to be exactly what I was looking for -- an extended fantasy saga with very likable core characters who help each other. The magic and worldbuilding are intriguing, the stakes high, the characters best of all. Certain plot elements are very dark, but the found family themes soften the overall feel of the books.
In this third book -- spoilers ahead --
Spoiler
Kaylin is thrust amid two groups that she dislikes, the Tha'alani and the Oracles, and comes to understand both better. There's an abundance of compassion for characters major and minor, from a dragon skeleton to elemental fire.Four out of five deaf stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
b00kdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nmthonet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75