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paradoxically's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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.
planetarypan's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It is probably my favourite in the series. Explaining why would get all spoilery, but if you love Dragons (and I do), then this story finally gives you insight into their existence and rules. I also loved how Kaylin grew in this novel. THAT is how you keep a character from stagnating during a series.
I think the only jarring issue for me was that the events in "Cast in Ruin" take place almost immediately after the previous novel, and since I had a delay in reading the two, it felt like it should have been longer. I kept trying to wrap my head around the fact that the People had only been there for a few days, not weeks.
My friend complained that there wasn't enough Nightshade, so I will warn that she is right -- he is limited to one very brief scene. But I really didn't mind as he wasn't relevant to this plot.
I think the only jarring issue for me was that the events in "Cast in Ruin" take place almost immediately after the previous novel, and since I had a delay in reading the two, it felt like it should have been longer. I kept trying to wrap my head around the fact that the People had only been there for a few days, not weeks.
My friend complained that there wasn't enough Nightshade, so I will warn that she is right -- he is limited to one very brief scene. But I really didn't mind as he wasn't relevant to this plot.
chllybrd's review against another edition
4.0
reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/
CAST IN RUIN was packed with events like all the other books in the Chronicles of Elantra series. Kaylin is stuck with more lessons from a dragon that doesn't particularly like her. She gets a bit of a side break by helping solve the murders of six identical corpses that are found in the fief of Tiamaris.
I understand the issues that holds Kaylin back but I am so frustrated with her lack of relationship with Severn. They are totally made for each other in my opinion and I want them to at least kiss or something. lol. I feel so bad for Kaylin with the way she is always treated. She has saved the day per say so many times but people still treat her like she has no idea what she is talking about. There is a new character that I loved from her appearance that seems to feel the same way as I do and I am excited to see her in action in future books on Kaylin's side. We didn't see a lot of Nightshade in book 7 but a deal he makes with Kaylin's superiors seems to make it clear that he will be a big part of the next book as long as he gets his way. I enjoyed CAST IN RUIN, there was plenty of action, plenty of mystery and investigating and plenty of development between the characters. CAST IN PERIL is scheduled to come out in Fall of 2012.
CAST IN RUIN was packed with events like all the other books in the Chronicles of Elantra series. Kaylin is stuck with more lessons from a dragon that doesn't particularly like her. She gets a bit of a side break by helping solve the murders of six identical corpses that are found in the fief of Tiamaris.
I understand the issues that holds Kaylin back but I am so frustrated with her lack of relationship with Severn. They are totally made for each other in my opinion and I want them to at least kiss or something. lol. I feel so bad for Kaylin with the way she is always treated. She has saved the day per say so many times but people still treat her like she has no idea what she is talking about. There is a new character that I loved from her appearance that seems to feel the same way as I do and I am excited to see her in action in future books on Kaylin's side. We didn't see a lot of Nightshade in book 7 but a deal he makes with Kaylin's superiors seems to make it clear that he will be a big part of the next book as long as he gets his way. I enjoyed CAST IN RUIN, there was plenty of action, plenty of mystery and investigating and plenty of development between the characters. CAST IN PERIL is scheduled to come out in Fall of 2012.
lavendermarch's review
5.0
Ahh! This book was so good! I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT DRAGONS! It was awesome! Second favorite in the series! These books get better and better! Also, Bellusdeo is my new favorite character that's not Kaylin. I'm glad this series supports strong female friendships, i.e. Teela, and now Bellusdeo. 5 stars. Oh, and also: I'm hating the love triangle. Kaylin needs to evaluate her choices, and choose someone, or make it clear she rejects both of them, because it's annoying. I'm Team Nightshade. Hopefully in the next book will advance their relationship.
Reread May 5th, 2022
This was a joy to read. Bellusdeo is my new favorite dragon! Seriously, the dragons are one of the best parts of this series, not that the other magical races are to be underestimated. They just work for me, and it's so nice. Bellusdeo, in particular, is hilarious and I love her. Moving on from that, though, I just generally enjoyed the plot of this installment in the series. We return to Fief Tiamaris and end up learning quite a lot about the dragons, which is loads of fun and super interesting to boot. The meeting with the Emperor draws ever closer...
Anyway, there was a lot to love here - the plot once again has Kaylin traipsing around the city and interacting with lots of different people, just the way I like it. We see lots of characters I like. The world building is expanded on - and with the dragons, no less! Kaylin continues to use and somewhat better understand her powers. Not only that, the love triangle also gets addressed -
Overall, this was a great installment in the series, delivering everything that I'd expect from a Michelle Sagara book - well written, interesting, and utterly fantastic. 5 stars.
Spoiler
going to the West March with himReread May 5th, 2022
This was a joy to read. Bellusdeo is my new favorite dragon! Seriously, the dragons are one of the best parts of this series, not that the other magical races are to be underestimated. They just work for me, and it's so nice. Bellusdeo, in particular, is hilarious and I love her. Moving on from that, though, I just generally enjoyed the plot of this installment in the series. We return to Fief Tiamaris and end up learning quite a lot about the dragons, which is loads of fun and super interesting to boot. The meeting with the Emperor draws ever closer...
Anyway, there was a lot to love here - the plot once again has Kaylin traipsing around the city and interacting with lots of different people, just the way I like it. We see lots of characters I like. The world building is expanded on - and with the dragons, no less! Kaylin continues to use and somewhat better understand her powers. Not only that, the love triangle also gets addressed -
Spoiler
not that it's a conclusive thing, but we get a pretty clear sense of how Kaylin feels and why there's a possibility the romance might not go anywhere at all, thanks to her trauma. Also, even if she moves past it, there's a strong sense that she prefers Severn, even if she's somewhat attracted to Nightshade, which makes me sad, even if I get it.Overall, this was a great installment in the series, delivering everything that I'd expect from a Michelle Sagara book - well written, interesting, and utterly fantastic. 5 stars.
shai3d's review against another edition
5.0
This series has been awesome. I listened to them all on audio and the narrator did a great job. The other thing that kept me listening was how the characters keep growing and changing. If they get keep doing that then I will keep listening.
bookworm5732's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
nelsonseye's review
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.
drey72's review against another edition
5.0
I love Kaylin, and I love watching her growth in Michelle Sagara’s Chronicles of Elantra series.
drey’s thoughts:
She started out in this series an awkward young woman, on the beat for the Halls of Law, irreverent and impetuous, and known more for being late than anything else. With each installment Kaylin Neya’s grown a bit more–either in her magic, or her understanding of it. Of course, it’s still in dribs and drabs, considering that there’s nobody around who could tell her about her magic…
In Cast in Ruin, Kaylin’s back at lessons. Etiquette lessons, which she needs if she’s to survive a meeting with the Emperor, because apparently dragons don’t have any sense of humor at all… And if you’ve followed Kaylin’s journey, you know she’s not very good at lessons. It’s almost a miracle she’s still alive, actually…
Lessons aren’t the only thing Kaylin has to do in this installment, of course. She’s called to Tiamaris’ fief to do some investigating when bodies start appearing. Seven identical bodies, to be exact. And nobody knows who they are or where they’ve come from.
What follows is a tale of epic proportions, complete with backstory, a villain, a hero, and a damsel. Of sorts. And Kaylin, of course–even if she’s gotten a hold of her irreverence (or at least attempts to not verbalize it) and sometimes checks her impetuousness at the door. I love the new characters introduced in Cast in Ruin, and I loved that Severn and Kaylin’s relationship hasn’t changed much, even with a few more things out in the open. I love the dialog and the action, too. And I love how things worked out, which isn’t something I can always say about a book in a fantasy series! I’m looking forward to the next installment, Cast in Peril, even though I have no clue when it’ll be out. Please make it soon!!
drey’s rating: Outstanding! If you haven’t read this series (yet), start with Cast in Shadow.
drey’s thoughts:
She started out in this series an awkward young woman, on the beat for the Halls of Law, irreverent and impetuous, and known more for being late than anything else. With each installment Kaylin Neya’s grown a bit more–either in her magic, or her understanding of it. Of course, it’s still in dribs and drabs, considering that there’s nobody around who could tell her about her magic…
In Cast in Ruin, Kaylin’s back at lessons. Etiquette lessons, which she needs if she’s to survive a meeting with the Emperor, because apparently dragons don’t have any sense of humor at all… And if you’ve followed Kaylin’s journey, you know she’s not very good at lessons. It’s almost a miracle she’s still alive, actually…
Lessons aren’t the only thing Kaylin has to do in this installment, of course. She’s called to Tiamaris’ fief to do some investigating when bodies start appearing. Seven identical bodies, to be exact. And nobody knows who they are or where they’ve come from.
What follows is a tale of epic proportions, complete with backstory, a villain, a hero, and a damsel. Of sorts. And Kaylin, of course–even if she’s gotten a hold of her irreverence (or at least attempts to not verbalize it) and sometimes checks her impetuousness at the door. I love the new characters introduced in Cast in Ruin, and I loved that Severn and Kaylin’s relationship hasn’t changed much, even with a few more things out in the open. I love the dialog and the action, too. And I love how things worked out, which isn’t something I can always say about a book in a fantasy series! I’m looking forward to the next installment, Cast in Peril, even though I have no clue when it’ll be out. Please make it soon!!
drey’s rating: Outstanding! If you haven’t read this series (yet), start with Cast in Shadow.
rremer's review against another edition
4.0
The pieces of this book fit well together and the introduction of their conclusion is gonna be an interesting character to work with