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betsychadwell's review against another edition
2.0
If this hadn't been number nine in a series that I have enjoyed, I wouldn't have bothered to finish it. Through a large part of the book I couldn't really figure out what was going on. Kaylin seemed to be repeating the same activity over and over and spending an awful lot of time talking about it in her head to other characters who were trying to be obscure. Part of the problem is that it's been so long since I read the previous installment that I didn't remember a lot of the characters and events that were referenced in this one. But I think that's also a failing of the author; many authors manage to remind the reader of previous happenings without going overboard. I haven't decided whether to read the next ones in the series, but since I already own them, I'll probably try.
lessharper's review against another edition
4.0
Cast in Sorrow is part 2 of the previous book and it ties up most of the loose ends of that book, neatly with a bow, for the most part. Still lots of Barani intrigue. Interesting mental battles and loads of looking down on the mortal. Fast paced. solid world building, characters have depth, and an enjoyable read.
jaironside's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars tbh
And at this point I'm going to take a little break from the series and probably pick up the remaining six books later in the year.
This one lost me. The worldbuildinv is still fantastic but it's yet another Berrani based book and they are super dull. Seriously if you took everything likeable, mystical, skillful or otherwise to do with personality from Tolkien's elves or Star Trek's Vulcans, then you have the Berrani. Ok so thus book is about Teela's traumatic childhood but it still isn't interesting. Kaylin is still wearing THE DRESS from the last book but it's another 600 pages of essentially the same story without any real subplots to alleviate a linear main plot that becomes monotonous way before the end. At one point I realised I kept checking to see how much book was left because I thought it would never end. Clearly I need a break. I suppose the other big annoyance for me was the over explaining. This could have been 200 pages shorter if a) the book hadn't been in love with trying to be clever and b) it hadn't over explained again and again why it was clever. In fact the last three books could have been one 600 page novel imo. There was no need for it to spin out this far. Question: was this book and the previous one woven out of subplot for book 7? Anyway, I'm out for now. Love the lore and the world. Super fed up of linear plots, lack of tension and the Berrani in general.
And at this point I'm going to take a little break from the series and probably pick up the remaining six books later in the year.
This one lost me. The worldbuildinv is still fantastic but it's yet another Berrani based book and they are super dull. Seriously if you took everything likeable, mystical, skillful or otherwise to do with personality from Tolkien's elves or Star Trek's Vulcans, then you have the Berrani. Ok so thus book is about Teela's traumatic childhood but it still isn't interesting. Kaylin is still wearing THE DRESS from the last book but it's another 600 pages of essentially the same story without any real subplots to alleviate a linear main plot that becomes monotonous way before the end. At one point I realised I kept checking to see how much book was left because I thought it would never end. Clearly I need a break. I suppose the other big annoyance for me was the over explaining. This could have been 200 pages shorter if a) the book hadn't been in love with trying to be clever and b) it hadn't over explained again and again why it was clever. In fact the last three books could have been one 600 page novel imo. There was no need for it to spin out this far. Question: was this book and the previous one woven out of subplot for book 7? Anyway, I'm out for now. Love the lore and the world. Super fed up of linear plots, lack of tension and the Berrani in general.
katekat's review against another edition
4.0
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.
eafiu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
alpho's review against another edition
2.0
Easily my least favorite book of the series.
I would say it suffers from three major issues:
1. Kaylin is separated from her normal environment for the entirety of this book, and without that to ground the book, it feels almost...separate? Incomplete? My first feeling on finishing it was that it should have been cut down to a hundred pages and glued onto the last book (which also should have been cut down a bit), and I do think that has something to do with it. I like Marcus and the rest, too, and did at some point lose track of the Barrani's names, which didn't really help.
2. The worldbuilding introspective wandering unrealities bits are far more prominent and lengthy than in any other book to date. And I hate introspection. I don't mind the shorter bits in previous books because they tend to feel more like worldbuilding, but the introspection in this book just seemed to go on forever and not make much sense.
3. We're at the ninth book in the series. We still haven't gotten to the point where it's been admitted that what Kaylin's dealing with with Severn and Nightshade is a love triangle, nor have we met the Emperor, nor has Kaylin significantly matured. I just don't feel like this book moved us forward in any overarching plot sense, and it frustrates me.
I don't know, I hope the next book is better. Honestly, I do like the series as a whole, but this installment of it did absolutely nothing for me.
I would say it suffers from three major issues:
1. Kaylin is separated from her normal environment for the entirety of this book, and without that to ground the book, it feels almost...separate? Incomplete? My first feeling on finishing it was that it should have been cut down to a hundred pages and glued onto the last book (which also should have been cut down a bit), and I do think that has something to do with it. I like Marcus and the rest, too, and did at some point lose track of the Barrani's names, which didn't really help.
2. The worldbuilding introspective wandering unrealities bits are far more prominent and lengthy than in any other book to date. And I hate introspection. I don't mind the shorter bits in previous books because they tend to feel more like worldbuilding, but the introspection in this book just seemed to go on forever and not make much sense.
3. We're at the ninth book in the series. We still haven't gotten to the point where it's been admitted that what Kaylin's dealing with with Severn and Nightshade is a love triangle, nor have we met the Emperor, nor has Kaylin significantly matured. I just don't feel like this book moved us forward in any overarching plot sense, and it frustrates me.
I don't know, I hope the next book is better. Honestly, I do like the series as a whole, but this installment of it did absolutely nothing for me.
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