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laurla's review
5.0
i love love love this series. always want more. always hate when i get to the end of the book because i'm never ready to be done reading it.
classicista's review
3.0
I pretty much co-sign with Felicia Day. I liked the book, but I'm not sure how much it adds to the main character's story. You get tiny tidbits about why the heroine holds herself apart from her two main romantic interests, but that's all. I'm tired of it, and I am also totally on Team-Nightshade #justsaying. I like Severn as a lawful-neutral foil for Kaylin's chaotic-good alignment, but there is something about his ethically blind devotion to Kaylin that reminds me of the creepy incestuous devotion of the older brother from Flowers in the Attic. It would be good for both of them to move on romantically.
tatere's review
5.0
one of the best books in the series. plus i llol'd multiply, and it's not exactly a comical adventure.
errantdreams's review against another edition
4.0
Michelle Sagara’s Cast in Ruin (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 7) is an intense read. Again I’ll mention that these books are high on philosophy and are not action-packed. It’s a personal taste thing. In this case you really can’t start with a later book; the world and story are too complex.
We’ve been seeing bits and pieces about the dragons throughout the first six novels, but this time we get a more intensive examination. The Arkon leaves his library again! We find out a few fascinating details on how they reproduce and grow. I also love the fact that Tiamaris, now that he has gone off to rule his own fief, is showing more individualism in how he’s acting and thinking. It’s a nice bit of character growth. On a related-but-not-dragons note, Severn is finally showing more individuality and personality, and Kaylin is learning to be a bit more adult (and restrained). Don’t worry, it isn’t a large enough change to make her anything other than her own unique self, but it’s good to see growth in a main character. Also, a new major female character is introduced, which helps to distance Kaylin from her constant danger of becoming a Mary Sue. (To be honest, it’s been borderline enough in some of the preceding books that I imagine some people would argue that she is, in fact, a Mary Sue. For me, her personality keeps that possibility at bay.)
I feel like I’m getting a better handle on the world’s language- and true name-based magic. I shed one or two tears at pivotal points in the story, which means the book provides an emotional connection with its events. The new major character introduces an interesting dynamic between Kaylin and the dragons; I’m looking forward to seeing what comes of that in the next book. Some of the refugees are also winding their way into the story. But mostly, I just want to know what’s going to happen with that damn egg!
For a longer review including premise, visit my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2014/10/review-cast-in-ruin-michelle-sagara/
We’ve been seeing bits and pieces about the dragons throughout the first six novels, but this time we get a more intensive examination. The Arkon leaves his library again! We find out a few fascinating details on how they reproduce and grow. I also love the fact that Tiamaris, now that he has gone off to rule his own fief, is showing more individualism in how he’s acting and thinking. It’s a nice bit of character growth. On a related-but-not-dragons note, Severn is finally showing more individuality and personality, and Kaylin is learning to be a bit more adult (and restrained). Don’t worry, it isn’t a large enough change to make her anything other than her own unique self, but it’s good to see growth in a main character. Also, a new major female character is introduced, which helps to distance Kaylin from her constant danger of becoming a Mary Sue. (To be honest, it’s been borderline enough in some of the preceding books that I imagine some people would argue that she is, in fact, a Mary Sue. For me, her personality keeps that possibility at bay.)
I feel like I’m getting a better handle on the world’s language- and true name-based magic. I shed one or two tears at pivotal points in the story, which means the book provides an emotional connection with its events. The new major character introduces an interesting dynamic between Kaylin and the dragons; I’m looking forward to seeing what comes of that in the next book. Some of the refugees are also winding their way into the story. But mostly, I just want to know what’s going to happen with that damn egg!
For a longer review including premise, visit my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2014/10/review-cast-in-ruin-michelle-sagara/
hazel_reads's review
5.0
Once again, Kaylin has been seconded to the Imperial Palace to help with an investigation. She is to go to the fief of Tiamaris and investigate 7 bodies found there. What she finds is 7 identical bodies. This investigation has many unusual attributes, so unusual that The Arkon is going to leave his Library to help. As with the previous books in this series, I will repeat, I love this series!!
suzjustsuz's review
4.0
4+ stars
This was the best one yet, bringing about big changes that I hope will enable a big jump in the maturation of the MC.
I am, however, bored with dragon superiority and condescension.
This was the best one yet, bringing about big changes that I hope will enable a big jump in the maturation of the MC.
I am, however, bored with dragon superiority and condescension.
betsychadwell's review
4.0
I automatically bought this book because I have enjoyed the Chronicles of Elantra, of which this is the seventh. However, as I started reading it I wondered if the series wasn't beginning to drag. Seven stories and we still don't understand what's going on at the most basic level. Who is Kaylin really, where did her magic come from, and what is her destiny?
This seventh installment still doesn't answer those questions. However, like all the previous installments the story introduces enough totally new wrinkles and the plot is compelling enough to keep the reader enthralled throughout. Sagara West is a very creative writer. This is not standard fantasy fare. And the heroine, Kaylin, is so likeable, I know I'll keep coming back for more.
One hopeful sign, in a rare moment of honesty, Kaylin and Severn admit their feelings for each other. The moment is brief and they don't act on their feelings, but it's encouraging. But I do have to wonder how much longer she can sustain this story.
This seventh installment still doesn't answer those questions. However, like all the previous installments the story introduces enough totally new wrinkles and the plot is compelling enough to keep the reader enthralled throughout. Sagara West is a very creative writer. This is not standard fantasy fare. And the heroine, Kaylin, is so likeable, I know I'll keep coming back for more.
One hopeful sign, in a rare moment of honesty, Kaylin and Severn admit their feelings for each other. The moment is brief and they don't act on their feelings, but it's encouraging. But I do have to wonder how much longer she can sustain this story.
jaironside's review
3.0
Another decent episode in the series. I think if you prefer linear plots with little subplot, you might love these books more than I do. I'm finding them just a little too straight forward tbh. The world building (or worlds building) is phenomenal. Kaylin is really quite likeable by this point. And there was a little wry humour in there too. The repetition in the prose is pared back although Sagara still over explains to her audience via dialogue. All in all it's a good fantasy series though. Police procedural meets Elder Scrolls. This one deals with a mysterious murder which kerps happening over and over again. Recommend the Chronicles of Elantra for those who like huge worlds and slower paced fantasy.
katekat's review
5.0
I love Michelle Sagara and I will forgive her novels many shortcomings simply because her stories intrigue me so much. that being said I think she writes the slowest moving romances EVER. The world these characters inhabit fascinates me and even after all the books in this series I still feel rather clueless as to how it works which is actually a good thing I think. The biggest negative for me is that I have to wait a whole year for the next book.
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