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rkstumblingbear's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
katyanaish's review
5.0
I love this series, I really, really do.
I know it isn't for everyone. The narrative flows in a stream-of-consciousness way that I really dig, but at the same time I get that will drive some people batty. But for me, I flow with it, I feel like I'm riding with Kaylin's intuition, and I just adore the experience.
I would also like to say that it was a relief to me, in this book, that it seems people are done treating Kaylin like an inept child that they're trying shoo away from what is clearly a situation that is calling her, in her duty as Chosen. She felt like she had agency in this book, right from the start. Yes, Teela tried to convince her to not pursue this case, but she did it with a discussion - making the argument, as she would to an equal. Neither she nor anyone else tried to batter Kaylin into submission as if she hasn't proven herself as a capable, intuitive problem-solver over and over. And that, in turn, led to the most cohesive, mature chapter with Kaylin. She thought things through, followed steps, kept people informed (because she didn't have to hide from them that she was involved) ... and though they weren't thrilled, it was more because oy, this is a big problem and who wants a big problem in your lap? It wasn't because oy, this ridiculous Kaylin is such a problem child (which always grates on me in earlier books - she doesn't cause these problems, she is drawn to them because of who she is, and she FIXES them).
I missed a lot of the secondary cast - Bellusdeo, Tiamaris, and Tara were the most conspicuous missing characters - but the cast at this point is so huge that it is impossible to involve them all in a meaningful way in every story. Better for there to be fewer characters so that they can be integrated to the story, and the next one can feature others.
I'm going to hit up the Severn spin-off series next. I've bought the books, but haven't read them yet ... I think because I'm not sure I'll like visiting this world without Kaylin at the core. But we'll see. I do love Severn, and I wish for he and Kaylin to find their happiness at some point. And I'd love the detail on his character. So we'll see!
I know it isn't for everyone. The narrative flows in a stream-of-consciousness way that I really dig, but at the same time I get that will drive some people batty. But for me, I flow with it, I feel like I'm riding with Kaylin's intuition, and I just adore the experience.
I would also like to say that it was a relief to me, in this book, that it seems people are done treating Kaylin like an inept child that they're trying shoo away from what is clearly a situation that is calling her, in her duty as Chosen. She felt like she had agency in this book, right from the start. Yes, Teela tried to convince her to not pursue this case, but she did it with a discussion - making the argument, as she would to an equal. Neither she nor anyone else tried to batter Kaylin into submission as if she hasn't proven herself as a capable, intuitive problem-solver over and over. And that, in turn, led to the most cohesive, mature chapter with Kaylin. She thought things through, followed steps, kept people informed (because she didn't have to hide from them that she was involved) ... and though they weren't thrilled, it was more because oy, this is a big problem and who wants a big problem in your lap? It wasn't because oy, this ridiculous Kaylin is such a problem child (which always grates on me in earlier books - she doesn't cause these problems, she is drawn to them because of who she is, and she FIXES them).
I missed a lot of the secondary cast - Bellusdeo, Tiamaris, and Tara were the most conspicuous missing characters - but the cast at this point is so huge that it is impossible to involve them all in a meaningful way in every story. Better for there to be fewer characters so that they can be integrated to the story, and the next one can feature others.
I'm going to hit up the Severn spin-off series next. I've bought the books, but haven't read them yet ... I think because I'm not sure I'll like visiting this world without Kaylin at the core. But we'll see. I do love Severn, and I wish for he and Kaylin to find their happiness at some point. And I'd love the detail on his character. So we'll see!
lee25's review
4.0
[b:Cast in Eternity|59978355|Cast in Eternity (Chronicles of Elantra, #17)|Michelle Sagara|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1652515572l/59978355._SY75_.jpg|94519988] is another great book in the Chronicles of Elantra series.
Much like the previous books it has likeable and interesting characters, amusing and often dry banter, and a fascinating world. My only criticism of this series is that so often the much more interesting battles are happening "off page" while the story stays with Kaylen is doing her "Chosen" thing.
From my point of view every book in this series is a 5 star book until the last 50-60 pages when the other characters fade into the background and we focus on the Kaylen.
Much like the previous books it has likeable and interesting characters, amusing and often dry banter, and a fascinating world. My only criticism of this series is that so often the much more interesting battles are happening "off page" while the story stays with Kaylen is doing her "Chosen" thing.
Spoiler
And sadly that happened again in this book. Teela, Severn and the cohort are fighting for their, and everyone else's, (after)lives, but we are with Kaylen cluelessly wielding her chosen marksFrom my point of view every book in this series is a 5 star book until the last 50-60 pages when the other characters fade into the background and we focus on the Kaylen.
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the seventeenth and latest book in the Chronicles of Elantra, a fantasy series that I began a little over a year ago. I like the series very much, this book included. Kaylin, the main character, continues to be thoroughly likable: compassionate and brave and determined. The fantasy worldbuilding is rich and complex. I always care about the characters and what will happen to them.
Sagara spends less time than most series authors explaining what has gone before, which is just as well since a Very Great Deal happened in the previous sixteen books and large numbers of important characters were introduced, quite a few of whom reappear here. Her success in making me care about her characters means that I am somewhat disappointed when my favorites are absent or reduced to a small role, and I have sufficiently many favorites that they can't all play a sizable part. (For the record, my very favorite is Severn.) Two of the new characters from "Cast in Eternity" have now been added to my list of favorites (for the curious: Mrs. Erickson and Jamal).
At times, the unfolding plot is perhaps too convoluted, or at least the discussions about the plot's convolutions are overly protracted, with debates going on for pages. But the emotional heart of the story moved me again and again.
Four out of five ghost 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).
Sagara spends less time than most series authors explaining what has gone before, which is just as well since a Very Great Deal happened in the previous sixteen books and large numbers of important characters were introduced, quite a few of whom reappear here. Her success in making me care about her characters means that I am somewhat disappointed when my favorites are absent or reduced to a small role, and I have sufficiently many favorites that they can't all play a sizable part. (For the record, my very favorite is Severn.) Two of the new characters from "Cast in Eternity" have now been added to my list of favorites (for the curious: Mrs. Erickson and Jamal).
At times, the unfolding plot is perhaps too convoluted, or at least the discussions about the plot's convolutions are overly protracted, with debates going on for pages. But the emotional heart of the story moved me again and again.
Four out of five ghost 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).
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.5
Kaylin is put on front desk duty while Severn is off doing work with the wolves when Mrs. Erickson comes in like she usually does and asks Kaylin "how well she really knows Severn and can she see how bright his belt glows?" not really how Kaylin thought her day was going to go, especially when Mrs. Erickson proceeds to tell her that ghosts friends were the ones to tell her something about him is wrong. As usual Kaylin follows a seemingly benign thread and yanks out a rats nest.
It's been a while since I truly enjoyed one of these books, I've been complaining that the series really needs to end for the last 3 books at least, but this brought the series home again and it felt more grounded than several of the previous books. It actually made me tear up in the end which I don't think any of these books ever have before, I'm really glad I didn't give up on this series now.
It's been a while since I truly enjoyed one of these books, I've been complaining that the series really needs to end for the last 3 books at least, but this brought the series home again and it felt more grounded than several of the previous books. It actually made me tear up in the end which I don't think any of these books ever have before, I'm really glad I didn't give up on this series now.
krisbethea's review
5.0
Michelle's newest in the Chronicles of Elantra is fantastic!
I really enjoyed this new adventure. It felt a little different than the others but in a good way. I can't wait till the next one comes out! I'm excited to see what happens next.
I really enjoyed this new adventure. It felt a little different than the others but in a good way. I can't wait till the next one comes out! I'm excited to see what happens next.
nakedgreyhound's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
theaprilwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0