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katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
I love the way the story is evolving, and the way we're seeing the Immortal races impacted. I love watching Kaylin grow.
The only thing that I'm unhappy about is... well, frankly, exactly what is unhappy about: they don't respect Kaylin at all. I'm going to be honest, I shouted at the book when Lord Diar-douchecake said, about Kaylin, that "respect is earned." What the fuck does she have to do to earn it? She's saved everyone more times than I can count - and not from problems of HER making. She's also, arguably, now He's right, respect is earned. And he's earned none. The only dragons who have earned any respect are, imo, Tiamaris, Sanabalis, and perhaps the Arkon (when he sets aside his ego). And Kaylin (and Severn) have put them all to shame. What else should she do for you assholes? Kill the Outcaste? Since, you know, you dragons can't seem to do it, I guess Kaylin should clean up your mess for you, right?
Like always.
That's the only thing I'm struggling with. Because at this point, her loyalty and respect for these Immortals when they treat her as a speaking cockroach that they can barely tolerate, is hurting her character. I'm glad that it seems some major character is now going to speak up about the disgraceful way they treat her. She's not their slave, nor their doormat.
Next time she should tell them to solve their own damn problems.
The only thing that I'm unhappy about is... well, frankly, exactly what
Spoiler
BellusdeoSpoiler
saved the entire race of dragons by saving the only female dragon.Like always.
That's the only thing I'm struggling with. Because at this point, her loyalty and respect for these Immortals when they treat her as a speaking cockroach that they can barely tolerate, is hurting her character. I'm glad that it seems some major character is now going to speak up about the disgraceful way they treat her. She's not their slave, nor their doormat.
Next time she should tell them to solve their own damn problems.
mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
This is the seventh novel in the fantasy series The Chronicles of Elantra, a series that I'm enjoying very much. For those wondering if the series might be to their taste, it has a very likable heroine, very likable recurring supporting characters, strong found-family and friendship themes, intriguing magic and worldbuilding, high stakes, and some notably dark content. I think the series would be best read in order, because later books have comparatively little recapitulation of previous events.
I enjoyed "Cast in Ruin" considerably, but a smidge less than most of the earlier books in the series. This may be nothing to do with the book itself, because life-outside-books interfered while I was reading. I note that
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).
I enjoyed "Cast in Ruin" considerably, but a smidge less than most of the earlier books in the series. This may be nothing to do with the book itself, because life-outside-books interfered while I was reading. I note that
Spoiler
I liked the addition of Bellusdeo.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).
chawlios's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bookishvice's review
5.0
Dealing with the aftermath of the disaster on Elani street, also known as the almost end of the world, Kaylin Neya finds herself going through the torture of desk duty. What’s more, here lessons in etiquette are to resume immediately if she is to be ready for the upcoming meeting with the Emperor. Kaylin is almost grateful when she is called on an unofficial assignment to investigate several unusual deaths in the new fief of Tiamaris. But her relief is only momentary. Kaylin’s magic decides (as always) to flare up at the worst moment and gets her into deep trouble (again). This time she ends up claiming the True Name of an eight foot tall unknown warrior that comes out of the Shadows. He is now bound to Kaylin, but also to another. He gives Kaylin his magical sword to prevent the dark master from using him, but the sword seems to have a personality of its own. With the help of her friend Severn, three very irritable dragons, and a powerful avatar, Kaylin will have to discover the true identity of the victims.
Cast in Ruin is another thrilling chapter in the life of Private Kaylin Neya. Michelle Sagara’s Chronicles of Elantra have always drawn me in with its intricately fun dialogue, the investigative nature of Kaylin’s work, and the constant danger of being eaten by Dragons or ripped to shreds by a Leontine. It all becomes this sort of super fantasy detective story and I love it!
Kaylin is one of my favorite characters of all time. She usually never knows exactly what she is doing, but she follows her intuition and never gives up even when her own life is in danger. Of course she has Severn to help her along. He is Kaylin’s pillar, always there providing strength, love and understanding. I just wish Kaylin worked already through her issues and accepted him into her life. I’m still hoping for that one to happen in the next book! Then there are the dragons, and those I can never resist. Not even when their eyes turn full red, their noses spew flame and the floor starts melting. And is it me or have Tiamaris, Sanabalis, and dare I say even The Arkon have become a bit more relaxed around Kaylin. I think so. Now with the addition of Bellusdeo, Kaylin’s life is bound to get more interesting than ever. Can’t wait for Cast in Peril!
Cast in Ruin is another thrilling chapter in the life of Private Kaylin Neya. Michelle Sagara’s Chronicles of Elantra have always drawn me in with its intricately fun dialogue, the investigative nature of Kaylin’s work, and the constant danger of being eaten by Dragons or ripped to shreds by a Leontine. It all becomes this sort of super fantasy detective story and I love it!
Kaylin is one of my favorite characters of all time. She usually never knows exactly what she is doing, but she follows her intuition and never gives up even when her own life is in danger. Of course she has Severn to help her along. He is Kaylin’s pillar, always there providing strength, love and understanding. I just wish Kaylin worked already through her issues and accepted him into her life. I’m still hoping for that one to happen in the next book! Then there are the dragons, and those I can never resist. Not even when their eyes turn full red, their noses spew flame and the floor starts melting. And is it me or have Tiamaris, Sanabalis, and dare I say even The Arkon have become a bit more relaxed around Kaylin. I think so. Now with the addition of Bellusdeo, Kaylin’s life is bound to get more interesting than ever. Can’t wait for Cast in Peril!
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
[b:Cast in Ruin|8679140|Cast in Ruin (Chronicles of Elantra, #7)|Michelle Sagara|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1303045759s/8679140.jpg|13551149] is my favourite book in the series so far. I think this is the first book where I really had a handle on what was happening and why. I really enjoyed the history lesson, the role and history of Bellusdeo and Magarron, and even Kaylin's interactions with Diarmat. I also liked her conversation with Severn regarding their relationship.
paradoxically's review
3.0
I am extraordinarily fond of this series, but at the same time I have to admit that sometimes it seems that the author is just throwing things out at the reader and hoping that it'll stick. Don't get me wrong, it's still fun and a blast to read, but it's also a little jumbled and confusing and sometimes I wish that things... well, that things hurried up a little or something. Not that I know what I want hurried up, but I'm still left feeling this way.
Part of it is probably because while we get crumbs of new information (or a good amount of new information--as in about the species that live in Elantra), we never get much in the way of answers for Kaylin. Her marks? Still mysterious. Her chosen status? There and still mysterious. The only people who might shed a little more light about the chosen stay silent about it and it's driving me up a wall.
Still, it's a fun read. Each book has a solid, contained story. The only real downside is that the continuing story, the story about Kaylin, is very slow. This is a bit difficult to fathom since all of the books take place in the span of days (this one, for instance, has a time elapse of about a week from the last book and still takes place over only a few days).
Kaylin is in Tiamaris on the insistence of Sanabalis, and she gets caught up in the deaths of several women who are all identical. Not only that, but they don't seem quite human, and there are shadows creeping along the borders. The plot of this story takes a while to warm up, and it only really gets rolling along the middle towards the end, but it's decent. The ending was, like all of the books in the series, a giant, exciting rush to the end, even if it's always a bit messy.
I like the series. I really, really do. I just wish that we get more--Kaylin actually wanting to learn how to do the things she can do (instead of somehow stumbling over it when most needed and winging it), or even just more insight into what Kaylin is. Still, the books are fun, and I do enjoy reading them. 3 stars.
Part of it is probably because while we get crumbs of new information (or a good amount of new information--as in about the species that live in Elantra), we never get much in the way of answers for Kaylin. Her marks? Still mysterious. Her chosen status? There and still mysterious. The only people who might shed a little more light about the chosen stay silent about it and it's driving me up a wall.
Still, it's a fun read. Each book has a solid, contained story. The only real downside is that the continuing story, the story about Kaylin, is very slow. This is a bit difficult to fathom since all of the books take place in the span of days (this one, for instance, has a time elapse of about a week from the last book and still takes place over only a few days).
Kaylin is in Tiamaris on the insistence of Sanabalis, and she gets caught up in the deaths of several women who are all identical. Not only that, but they don't seem quite human, and there are shadows creeping along the borders. The plot of this story takes a while to warm up, and it only really gets rolling along the middle towards the end, but it's decent. The ending was, like all of the books in the series, a giant, exciting rush to the end, even if it's always a bit messy.
I like the series. I really, really do. I just wish that we get more--Kaylin actually wanting to learn how to do the things she can do (instead of somehow stumbling over it when most needed and winging it), or even just more insight into what Kaylin is. Still, the books are fun, and I do enjoy reading them. 3 stars.
lassarina's review
5.0
aaaaaaah I love this one! I continue to love how the pieces of this series build on each other. I continue to love Kaylin and Severin and Tiamaris and, well, everyone. I love that this installment saw more dragons and more cool stuff happening with them, and I am nine thousand kinds of hype for whatever comes next, omg.