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katekat's review against another edition
5.0
MIchelle Sagara's The Chronciles of Elantra series is one of my faovrites and this title did not disappoint, A few of the books in this series have not been as strong in my opinion but the last few, including this title, have been excellent. The story was engaging and helped to move the plot along. I felt like I learned more about many of the characters including the protagonist in this volume. I highly recommend this book. I am reviewing this book based on an ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
jenmiller253's review against another edition
4.0
I am so sucked into this series. It is only 1 of 2 series that I will pre order the books - and I work at a library people - so you have to know that is huge - I am a book borrower not a book buyer. Good next installment of Kaylin's story - I am impressed by her growth but she is still Kaylin and we love her for it.
booksrbrainfood's review against another edition
3.0
My expectation going into this book was that it was a long-standing fantasy story and although I hadn’t read the books prior to this one, that I would enjoy this as a standalone. I would report that it would be better to read these in order. It’s not a bad story but not much happens. It is building the plot through a lot of travel but without much action. This can be a great approach in a series when you want to lay down a strong follow up book and based on invested readers through prior books. It doesn’t work so well as a stand-alone.
Solid writing and some good characters but overall it was just okay for me. Nothing to love and nothing to hate.
#CastInDeception #Netgalley #Harlequin #MIRA
Solid writing and some good characters but overall it was just okay for me. Nothing to love and nothing to hate.
#CastInDeception #Netgalley #Harlequin #MIRA
tatere's review against another edition
5.0
Several notches of tension above the norm for the series. All those times people warned Kaylin, You don't understand immortals, You trust too easily, Don't touch that you don't know who it's been? Yeah they weren't kidding.
I love this series because it's like - very like - watching a long running TV show and at the same time it is such a BOOK, essentially unfilmable (you could try but you'd end up with 80% voiceover or some other thing altogether).
I mean, essentially every book is about Kaylin thrown into some vast & threatening situation literally beyond human comprehension, which nobody will even try to explain because they're too stuck up. She manages to somehow cope by shoving it through a filter of human experience through sheer stubbornness, luck, and force of character, plus the powers she sort of wields that are also beyond human comprehension. And ends up saving the world. Again. But could she maybe get a little promotion? Maybe even just a raise? Don't bet on it.
But even the Big Weird Things aren't as worrying as the people we know sometimes. This is the beginning of a bigger story, I can't wait to keep going.
I love this series because it's like - very like - watching a long running TV show and at the same time it is such a BOOK, essentially unfilmable (you could try but you'd end up with 80% voiceover or some other thing altogether).
I mean, essentially every book is about Kaylin thrown into some vast & threatening situation literally beyond human comprehension, which nobody will even try to explain because they're too stuck up. She manages to somehow cope by shoving it through a filter of human experience through sheer stubbornness, luck, and force of character, plus the powers she sort of wields that are also beyond human comprehension. And ends up saving the world. Again. But could she maybe get a little promotion? Maybe even just a raise? Don't bet on it.
But even the Big Weird Things aren't as worrying as the people we know sometimes. This is the beginning of a bigger story, I can't wait to keep going.
singinglupines's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I was a little lost in the beginning because I read the Barrani books awhile ago, but I managed to catch up pretty quick. This book was enjoyable, but never led to a real resolution as it was just a build up for the next book.
vailynst's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
There are a lot of reasons why I love this series but the biggest one is the way Sagara portrays emotions. It's hard to describe feelings in a way that makes sense. Emotions are simple but layered complexities. Within this fantasy world, the idea of family and love is explored in ways that engages my mind and heart.
I hate to see this series end because some of the things that I want to see explored are not and may never be.
From the start, Kaylin's tale was about making a place for herself. Toss in magic, political wrangling between various races, opinionated companions that are powerful and clashing desires--it makes a great story.
Over time, Kaylin has become more than a reckless healer, blunt detective and mascot. She's grown into her own skin and found a place she can call home. She has a family of mismatched individuals who are all capable of squashing her into paste but don't because they're her family.
Here she has to find a way to keep the ones her chosen family want to protect. If they're important to her friends, they are important to her. It's simple logic but a hard one to keep a float.
I loved this book because it gave a great look at the relationships that makes up Kaylin's life and several important details about the Shadows.
There are a lot of reasons why I love this series but the biggest one is the way Sagara portrays emotions. It's hard to describe feelings in a way that makes sense. Emotions are simple but layered complexities. Within this fantasy world, the idea of family and love is explored in ways that engages my mind and heart.
I hate to see this series end because some of the things that I want to see explored are not and may never be.
From the start, Kaylin's tale was about making a place for herself. Toss in magic, political wrangling between various races, opinionated companions that are powerful and clashing desires--it makes a great story.
Over time, Kaylin has become more than a reckless healer, blunt detective and mascot. She's grown into her own skin and found a place she can call home. She has a family of mismatched individuals who are all capable of squashing her into paste but don't because they're her family.
Here she has to find a way to keep the ones her chosen family want to protect. If they're important to her friends, they are important to her. It's simple logic but a hard one to keep a float.
I loved this book because it gave a great look at the relationships that makes up Kaylin's life and several important details about the Shadows.
suzjustsuz's review against another edition
3.0
3+ stars
I have to admit that I had trouble remaining engaged with this book. In the beginning I felt like I needed to go back and listen to the last one or two so I could refresh my memory. That feeling passed after a while, but I never really remained completely engaged throughout the course of the book. I feel pretty confident that I missed a lot of the story.
I'm not sure where this series is going. For a while I thought the MC was getting introduced to all the various different races and that would somehow come together to some sort of climax, but it still doesn't seem to be going anywhere and these books are starting to feel like slice of life stuff rather than actually having a long arc.
In spite of this it's still a rich world with interesting characters. This entry just felt a bit old hat to me.
I have to admit that I had trouble remaining engaged with this book. In the beginning I felt like I needed to go back and listen to the last one or two so I could refresh my memory. That feeling passed after a while, but I never really remained completely engaged throughout the course of the book. I feel pretty confident that I missed a lot of the story.
I'm not sure where this series is going. For a while I thought the MC was getting introduced to all the various different races and that would somehow come together to some sort of climax, but it still doesn't seem to be going anywhere and these books are starting to feel like slice of life stuff rather than actually having a long arc.
In spite of this it's still a rich world with interesting characters. This entry just felt a bit old hat to me.
gailo's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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