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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I thought the second book was just as good as the first, save for my little complaint of wanting more Nightshade but that's just me being picky.
Second book syndrome here - just felt like it lost the plot. Hopefully the next ones get back on track. I didn't feel like the character relationships grew at all, didn't feel like the plot was even really important to the world. Disappointing, considering I liked the first book
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this series has a REALLY bad chosen one problem, and I'm only on book two. I'm loving her writing and I devoured both books, but I'm going to try a different series and hope I am not as annoyed by the main character.
In Elantra, a job well done is rewarded with a more dangerous task. And so, after defeating a dark evil, Kaylin must enter a place of deceit and treachery. A world where silk and jewels hide deadly secrets....
Kaylin goes before the Barrani High Court, where a misspoken word brings sure death. And Kaylin's never been known for her grace or manners. But the High Lord's heir is suspiciously ill and Kaylin's healing magic is the only shot at saving him--if she manages to dodge the traps laid for her.
Only to discover that the healing might turn out to be the simplest of the tasks before her.
While I enjoyed this book, I was honestly kind of expecting a little bit...um, more? I'm not sure. I liked the first book, but I wasn't honestly sure what I was expecting, just something...I really can't put my finger on it. Sorry, that probably makes no sense...let me try to explain. Maybe.
Ok, I loved the other side of Teela we got to see. It was hilarious seeing her try to drive and I loved her snark. Plus the way that she still helped Kaylin to the best of her ability. Even with the politics that she had to navigate while at the High Halls, and the fact that she really couldn't tell that much, she did help a lot. She's a great friend to Kaylin.
And Severn! I seriously love his character. He's so stoic yet holds so much inside and he truly cares for Kaylin. The two of them certainly have a complicated history that was revealed just a little bit more. Although that was a little saddening to see what he'd gone through in an attempt to protect her. I did like the fact that she's finally starting to see where he came from and is trying to move forward. Hopefully they both try to do so.
Nightshade seems to be playing an interesting game that has me the slightest bit worried. After the interaction at the end, it seems like he's got more plans for Kaylin that go beyond giving her some "protection" whenever she needs to be in the fiefs...
Kaylin goes before the Barrani High Court, where a misspoken word brings sure death. And Kaylin's never been known for her grace or manners. But the High Lord's heir is suspiciously ill and Kaylin's healing magic is the only shot at saving him--if she manages to dodge the traps laid for her.
Only to discover that the healing might turn out to be the simplest of the tasks before her.
While I enjoyed this book, I was honestly kind of expecting a little bit...um, more? I'm not sure. I liked the first book, but I wasn't honestly sure what I was expecting, just something...I really can't put my finger on it. Sorry, that probably makes no sense...let me try to explain. Maybe.
Ok, I loved the other side of Teela we got to see. It was hilarious seeing her try to drive and I loved her snark. Plus the way that she still helped Kaylin to the best of her ability. Even with the politics that she had to navigate while at the High Halls, and the fact that she really couldn't tell that much, she did help a lot. She's a great friend to Kaylin.
And Severn! I seriously love his character. He's so stoic yet holds so much inside and he truly cares for Kaylin. The two of them certainly have a complicated history that was revealed just a little bit more. Although that was a little saddening to see what he'd gone through in an attempt to protect her. I did like the fact that she's finally starting to see where he came from and is trying to move forward. Hopefully they both try to do so.
Nightshade seems to be playing an interesting game that has me the slightest bit worried. After the interaction at the end, it seems like he's got more plans for Kaylin that go beyond giving her some "protection" whenever she needs to be in the fiefs...
Kaylin, in her usual capacity to attract unwanted magical attention, has been invited (with little room to refuse) to the High Halls of the Barrani. With only Severn and Teela (and two of Nightshade's men) to watch her back, there are plenty of people (and ancient magical forces) who are fighting for her to fail. The sons of the Barrani cast lord have managed to get themselves in trouble just as their father is ready to pass the mantle of power to one of them. Though Kaylin is able to save the younger son, the elder is going to be a much harder project. Nightshade, as usual, has his own agenda for Kaylin, and the guards he sends to look out for Kaylin lead her to ancient test that no mortal has ever taken. But Kaylin is Chosen, and the Old One's magic has no choice but to use her to restore what the monsters beneath the High Halls have stolen. Being a midwife is a lot more dangerous in the High Halls, but Kaylin is willing to try because the city might not stand if she fails to save the eldest son of the cast lord.
With her usual flair for asking more questions than she answers, Michelle Sagara keeps you begging for the next book!
With her usual flair for asking more questions than she answers, Michelle Sagara keeps you begging for the next book!
Unfortunately this is going to be another one of those short and snappy reviews because I really didn't like this book.
If you've read my review of Cast In Shadow you'll know that I love the writing style of Michelle Sagara West. It kept me reading and made the story seem like a fairytale with it's poetic tone.
In Cast In Courtlight though, it became very, very tedious. It just became so long, repetitive and drawn out that I started to really not like reading it. I was so disappointed.
The plot was also really predictable which made it uninteresting.
The only time the book started to interest me was towards the end when something actually started to happen! But it didn't last very long.
I only finished this book in the hope that it would get better. But it didn't...
However, since I did quite like Cast In Shadow I will read at least one more book in the Chronicles of Elantra series to see if it gets any better.
If you've read my review of Cast In Shadow you'll know that I love the writing style of Michelle Sagara West. It kept me reading and made the story seem like a fairytale with it's poetic tone.
In Cast In Courtlight though, it became very, very tedious. It just became so long, repetitive and drawn out that I started to really not like reading it. I was so disappointed.
The plot was also really predictable which made it uninteresting.
The only time the book started to interest me was towards the end when something actually started to happen! But it didn't last very long.
I only finished this book in the hope that it would get better. But it didn't...
However, since I did quite like Cast In Shadow I will read at least one more book in the Chronicles of Elantra series to see if it gets any better.
Oh, wow, was this a really great book! Main thing about this one, I think, is forgiveness, and responsibility. Very in-depth look at the Barrani and the way they roll, and a change in rulers, and yeah, really, really good!
RTC
Previous book reviews:
✦ Cast in Shadow (Chronicles of Elantra #1)
✦ Cast in Moonlight (Chronicles of Elantra 0.5)
Previous book reviews:
✦ Cast in Shadow (Chronicles of Elantra #1)
✦ Cast in Moonlight (Chronicles of Elantra 0.5)
Cast in Courtlight takes place in the most beautifully intricate and detailed fantasy world that I have never imagined. The unique blend of races, magic, and law enforcement makes this story epic in every sense of the word.
What I Loved
Kaylin Neya is one of my favorite fantasy characters of all-time. She works on gut instinct and pushes everything else to the wayside, making her frustrating to most people in her life. She is unique, but no one is certain as to exactly how and why. Kaylin has her own moral compass that, more often than not, leads her straight into trouble and dire situations but ultimately allows her to make a massive difference in Elantra's world.
The world-building is exceptional, with every nuance detailed down to the meaning of eye color changes in the races other than human. Even some of the buildings are sentient, making them characters in their own rite.
The world feels so real like you could turn a corner, walk into it, and know exactly where you are and where you need to go. It is a complex world that holds a wide variety of races, such as Dragons, Barrani, Leontines, and Aerians, who all have attributes that resemble their names.
It is a world that is foreign but instantly relatable.
I love the mystery that has to be solved by professional investigators – The Hawks- of which Kaylin is one. She must use her professional investigator abilities as well as her newly blooming magical abilities to figure out the attempted murder of two Barrani brothers, one of which is destined to rule the Barrani people. What she discovers leads to danger and peril until she finally solves the mystery and saves the day.
I love how the story pulls at your heartstrings with Kaylin and Severn's back story that they have to work through to solve the Barrani mystery. This gives the characters so much more dimension and layers that stick with you long after the book closes. I shed a tear during the closing scene as they finally lay a defining moment to rest and move on to what will most definitely be their next adventure.
To Read or Not to Read
If you love fantasy stories, you must have this series on your shelf. It is a world you will want to visit over and over again.
What I Loved
Kaylin Neya is one of my favorite fantasy characters of all-time. She works on gut instinct and pushes everything else to the wayside, making her frustrating to most people in her life. She is unique, but no one is certain as to exactly how and why. Kaylin has her own moral compass that, more often than not, leads her straight into trouble and dire situations but ultimately allows her to make a massive difference in Elantra's world.
The world-building is exceptional, with every nuance detailed down to the meaning of eye color changes in the races other than human. Even some of the buildings are sentient, making them characters in their own rite.
The world feels so real like you could turn a corner, walk into it, and know exactly where you are and where you need to go. It is a complex world that holds a wide variety of races, such as Dragons, Barrani, Leontines, and Aerians, who all have attributes that resemble their names.
It is a world that is foreign but instantly relatable.
I love the mystery that has to be solved by professional investigators – The Hawks- of which Kaylin is one. She must use her professional investigator abilities as well as her newly blooming magical abilities to figure out the attempted murder of two Barrani brothers, one of which is destined to rule the Barrani people. What she discovers leads to danger and peril until she finally solves the mystery and saves the day.
I love how the story pulls at your heartstrings with Kaylin and Severn's back story that they have to work through to solve the Barrani mystery. This gives the characters so much more dimension and layers that stick with you long after the book closes. I shed a tear during the closing scene as they finally lay a defining moment to rest and move on to what will most definitely be their next adventure.
To Read or Not to Read
If you love fantasy stories, you must have this series on your shelf. It is a world you will want to visit over and over again.