Customer Reviews

Cast in Chaos (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 6)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I do not understand where you are coming from. Twice now I have almost listened to those few views and twice now I have been proven wrong. I am personally not a fan of series that change their characters almost daily, and I see very sutble but noticeable changes in Private Neya. She is, of course, still not the most well-spoken Hawk. She is still, also, not always on time. She is slowly changing with her duties though and she tends to have a back story to why she was not on time.

There is also, no true argument to say these books never go anywhere. Each book could almost stand on its own and Cast In Courtlight, Cast In Secret, and Cast In Fury all had to do with a different race. Cast In Shadow was more of an introduction to the main characters and a general layout of the world while having a case to solve (which, I will add, all the stories have a case to solve that is different in -each- book) and Cast In Silence was a look into Kaylin's past while keeping the series moving forward in a beautiful fashion.

Cast In Chaos (to get back on subject) is yet another different book in what has become one of my favorite series. More of the strange history of Elantra is shown, a greater understanding of the Keeper's duty and the elements is revealed, the Arkon, Sanabalis, and the rest of the Dragon Court play a more major role, we finally learn who Kaylin's teacher for Etiquette lessons is (admittedly the lessons never take place in this book, but anyone who visits Michelle Sagara's website will see she says the following book Cast In Ruin, practically starts with them), Tara's understanding of the world is also revealed in greater dept, there is a hint of knowledge about the marks as well (if you pay attention), and we actually learn something about Lord Nightshade and his interest in Kaylin. There is actually more within the series but I am trying to limit the length of this view, with poor results I am sure.

I was very happy with Cast In Chaos and will continue to read the series. If you are looking for questions to be answered -now- then this series will probably continue to frustrate you, but if you enjoy each book for its story and know how to put the pieces together between what is said, not said, and implied then I fully believe you will enjoy Cast In Chaos and any other Chronicle of Elantra book that has already come out or is eventually coming.

This is a wonderful addition to the Chronicles of Elantra series. For those who have read the series, all the favourites are here - the Dragon Lords, the Castelords, the Keeper, and of course, Lord Nightshade and Corporal Severn. Part of the charm of this series is that the secrets unfold slowly throughout the books. The reader discovers things through Kaylin's eyes, and there are many mysteries in Elantra to be delved into. I think this is a transition book, as it introduces new characters at the end. I read this latest book twice in two days, and now need to reread them all in sequence. Highly recommended.

I admit to disappointment in Cast in Chaos. In earlier books I so enjoyed the adventure, the magic and Kaylin the unlikely warrior. I don't think there was a single battle in this book. Kaylin didn't really defeat any bad guys, just rationalized a confused god, home. Cast in Chaos was too philosophical for me - too much analyzing the past as it related to current personalities. ...not enough adventure and action. I'll read more, hoping for bits and pieces of the earlier Kaylin.

I am a fan of this series. With the right narrator, these books would make outstanding (mp3) audiobooks. for both those who are sight impaired and also for those who love to hear as well as read great stories. My thoughts.

The one thing I see wrong here is that in spite of the people she has to deal with, under orders, and the accomplishments she has, she can't even be promoted to Corporal? with a bit of extra pay thrown in? I think in order to see some forward progress, she needs to stand up for herself. The time has come to be proactive and not so needy emotionally that she allows herself to be completely stepped on by those who should be caring for her. She has surely done enough for her to be somewhat aware that she has value above and beyond "Private." Maybe just a threat of quitting might do it. Progress in that regard is needed.

The City of Elantra's influential are stunned when the powerless charlatans on Elani Street suddenly possess magical skills. Alarm spreads even by some of the new practitioners. This trepidation turns to abject fear when rains of blood come down from the sky and abnormal births become the norm.

The Oracles are confused as the leaders at the Dragon Court declare a homeland security emergency. The leadership concludes that something from outside is trying to penetrate the barriers between worlds. They also believe their response to prevent this from happening rests with Hawk elite force Private Kaylin Neya whose mysterious skin markings is postured to have the answers. Unintentionally somehow Kaylin enters a void that has been opened between worlds; here she meets the dark trying to crash through to the light of Elantra.

The sixth Cast "police procedural" fantasy continues the growth as a person of Kaylin who has a come a long way since her early days as a prejudicial cop on the Shadow beat. Although the story line is character driven by the courageous heroine, her efforts (and the prime plot) is to simply save the world. Fans of Elantra will want to soar with the heroine as her latest case takes several twists and spins.

Harriet Klausner

I have been a huge fan of Elantra from book one. But now we are on book 6 and I feel like it's the same book formula repeated. As in every book, there is a huge magical problem that threatens the entire world. Kaylin bets on everyday events and is late to work. There are threats that "one day" Kaylin will be forced to meet the dragon Emperor. Nightshade appears and makes cryptic comments. Severn supports Kaylin.

Yes, there is humor in this book and I love the details of the world of Elantra. But I'm tired of waiting a year for each book and devouring it, only to feel disappointed that Kaylin hasn't discovered more about her marks or figured out what Nightshade's agenda is, or met the dragon Emperor. I'm just tired of not getting anywhere. Next year I'll still read book 7, but I'll wait until the library gets a copy.

One of the biggest complaints I've read about this series is that its taking too long to get anywhere, and the character isn't progressing. There is some truth to this - here we are at book 5 and there is still the issue of Kaylin not knowing what apparently everyone thinks she should. However, there has been progression in the character - her relationship with Severn, and her change in attitude towards Ybelline. Also, an acceptance of what she has been given. In this book too, I got the feeling that one of the things Kaylin has going for her is that she doesn't know, so she has to make it up as she goes along, trust her gut and her companions. In corporate terms - she "thinks outside the box" and the fresh approach is what usually saves the day.
For those looking for romance - look elsewhere, you will not find a lot of it in this book, although there is one especially sweet part with Severn.
One thing I love about this series is the power that words and stories are given - that is Kaylin's gift and curse, and I like how they are given their own magic.
I enjoy the pace, but new readers should realize that it does progress slowly. New readers should also start at book 1, a lot of things would be confusing is you come into the series at a later book.

This is the 6th book in the Chronicles of Elantra series. The 7th book Cast in Ruins is due out in 2011 and there are currently 8 books on contract for this series. This book was okay, but like the last book in the series, focuses more on philosophy and metaphysical stuff than the great fight scenes that I loved to see Kaylin and Severn in. My overall impression was that this book was wordy and long.

In this book Kaylin is supposed to be stepping up studies on her magic lessons and starting etiquette lessons to prepare her for a meeting with the Dragon Emperor. Instead her and Severn run into strange magical goings on in one of the streets of Elantra. There is a circle of magic strangeness in the city of Elantra and,, as more and more of the Oracles portent the coming of something huge and destructive, Kaylin is drawn into the race to save the city. It may be up to Kaylin as The Chosen One to stop the Devourer from ending their world.

Okay, first I will say that Sagara introduces this book by saying that each book is separate and can be read as a stand-alone. While it is true that these books are somewhat separate mysteries and are not as tied together as say an epic fantasy is...I don't think they stand alone very well. At this point the cast of characters is so huge and the history that affects each of the characters is so complex that I was lost coming back into this series after a year...I can't imagine starting the series with this book.

Onto the things I really liked. Severn is finally in this book more, in the previous book he was kind of a wallflower. Finally in this book he has a great influence in Kaylin's life and start to really direct some of the events that are happening. We get to see more of the Elemental Garden, which was great...I love this creative idea and learning more about it was wonderful. Also we learn more about Nightshade and the Dragons in this book and about the history of Elantra; so that really helped to fill out the story.

I really really missed the action though. In the previous book despite her small stature and personality flaws Kaylin could really kick butt; we never see that in this book. There is not one single fight scene. Kaylin still carries her convictions, but she spends more time talking in circles and frantically making appointments with various power figures than anything else. There were large portions of this book I literally fell asleep reading.

A ton of time is spent dealing with the metaphysical aspects of the Elemental Garden and with Kaylin trying to talk a God around to its home. I really seriously believe that this could have been wrapped up in a couple of well-written sentences; instead it took Sagara 300 pages to do it. As soon as you get Kaylin in the Gardens and they figure out the Elemental stuff, you as a reader know what the outcome is. There are more books in the series so supposedly you already know the whole world isn't going to end. There are no surprises, everything plays out as the characters predicted it would play out. The problem is it takes 300 pages of vague description and talking, predicting, theorizing, etc to get to this final point. I honestly almost didn't finish this book. I loved the first four books in this series. I did not like the last one much, and this book followed in the footprints of that one.

The above being said I do love the wonderfully creative world Sagara has created, I love the characters, and overall I enjoy Sagara's writing style. She is a very good writer. But this book drove me crazy, it was just so wordy and predictable.

Overall, this was my least favorite book in the series. I wasn't big on book 5 either. At this point I am trying to decide if I will keep reading this series, I really loved the first four books and enjoy the world and characters so I just don't know at this point.

Ok I love Segara and I love the series but this was not my favorite book in it. You ask what is not to love? True in this book the characters are awesome and gain more and more depth and become more and more fleshed out. I can tell this is building to a big face off in the final book in the series so I was not bothered by the lack of movement forward. Where I was a little let down was the climax in this book. I questioned "was it really that easy. Just like that Kaylin could make it happen?" I felt it was the least believable of all the "saves" Kaylin has pulled out of her hat in the series. I freely admit I loved the book and I read it twice. I thought I was the only person who did that till I read all the 5 star reviews :) I think the problem is not with the book it is a 5 star book BUT I had my bar set higher since this was Segara writting Kaylin's story and I had hoped for more.
Love you Segara please keep writting!!!