Customer Reviews

Cast in Silence (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 5)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love Sagara's writing style. I love all the characters in the Cast In... series. This book has a great story, and it's terrific to get more information on Kaylin's history. We also learn more about how the world works and some of the ways that magic works (or doesn't). Like all the previous books, I still devoured this one as quickly as possible. (And yes, I do think you need to have read the other books in the series, first.)

Why only four stars, then? I am starting to grow frustrated with the lack of forward movement in the relationships Kaylin has with the two main men in her life: Nightshade and Severn. There are some events that happen in this book that *should* have led to some real movement, one way or the other, in her relationships. Are she and Severn friends? Lovers? Brother/sisterly? Does she want to jump Nightshade's bones or just use him for his knowledge? I feel like I'm missing out on conversations, feelings, discussions that would give me a much better sense of how she feels about either of these men--even if it's increasing confusion. And, for goodness sakes, it's written in 3rd person with views from both men's points of view, so there's plenty of opportunity to give us some insight into their feelings about her. But we don't get anything at all.

Don't know if you read your reviews, Ms. Sagara, but please, oh please, give us some kind of evolution in either (preferably both) of her relationships with these guys in the next book!

I have to start out by admitting that I've reached the point that I want something very specific (Nightshade) from this series and will find it lacking until that happens. The book probably deserves closer to 4 stars but I personally can't give it that rating. I also admit that the more I like an author/series the tougher I am with ratings. I'll try to list out the pros/cons for those not as Nightshade obsessed.

PROS:

1. Maturity. We are seeing increasing signs of Kaylin gaining some maturity here. A lot of reviews from past books have complained about Kaylin's immaturity and I think readers will be happy with this development.

2. Great ending. I'm not going to give anything away but I absolutely loved how the book wrapped up its plot line.

3. Nice background. I enjoyed learning about Kaylin's background. I liked how the author integrated the background story with the rest of the book. We learned quite a bit of background but there were only a small number of flash backs. It was nicely done.

CONS:

1. Slower paced. I'm not sure why but the book felt a lot slower paced. I'd guess it was because it had more self-reflection and less running around. This is actually a very small con because I enjoyed the slower paced scenes it was just not quite the right balance for me.

2. Nightshade. Obviously this was coming. I want more Nightshade. The scenes with Nightshade far exceeded my expectations and surprised me with the content (again not giving away spoilers here). However, there were far too few of them. It was obvious by the end of the book that these scenes were thrown in as set up for future books. I don't want to wait anymore even if the next book hints at having a lot more Nightshade.

Again, I have to admit that until I see significant progression with Nightshade I'm just not going to be happy. I'm sure once I've gotten to read that plot line, I will enjoy going back and reading these books. I just can't find as much satisfaction when I want something else.

This is the fifth book in the Chronicles of Elantra series by Sagara. Originally Sagara was contracted for five books, but it looks like that's been extended to eight books total. This was definitely not the best book in the series. It was still a good read, but at times I was really bored.

In this book Kaylin is sent to investigate some strange goings on in the fiefs. For once her journey doesn't take her to the fief of Nightshade, but to the fief of Barren where Kaylin lived out 6 months of her life that she would rather forget and has never shared with anyone. Kaylin, Severn, and the dragon end up finding more about the dark heart of the fief than they had ever imagined.

There was a lot of good stuff in this book. You learn more about Kaylin's past and more about the fiefs. In fact the majority of the story takes place in the fiefs. I liked this a lot since the fiefs have kind of remained a mystery. You also learn more about the dark heart of the fiefs, about the dragons as a race, and about Nightshade's past. I really like Nightshade as a character so more info about him was a good thing. Overall the book was well-written, but there were quite a few things that bothered me.

So...on to the things I didn't like. Severn was mostly present as a place holder for most of the book. In fact there were many scenes where he was supposedly in the scene but he did so little I couldn't remember if he had left the scene or not. He talked rarely and mostly just stood there and let Kaylin do her thing. Kaylin spent a lot of the beginning on the book talking about how awful her past in Barren was, but when it all came down to it, most of the the people around her knew most of her past and didn't care. So, I had some trouble figuring out why Kaylin made such a big deal about all of that.

The story was going along okay until they got into the scene where they enter the Tower the first time. Then the book really starts to drag and get pretty darn boring. I had a lot of trouble enjoying the second half of the book because it just went too slow. I also get a little sick of the fact that Kaylin always seems to be exhausted and stressed out about everything. I was also a little surprised, that Kaylin doesn't even have a second of time to deal with her relationships with Severn and/or Nightshade. She kind of ignores them most of the time. I guess with Nightshade I can understand that since he has all the time in the world, but I was surprised Severn's role was so truncated.

Overall it was an okay read. I think all the things that we learn about the fiefs and the origins of the Empire outweigh the bad pacing and whiny Kaylin; but I really was bored the last half of the book. I am still interesting to see how things pan out in the next book, now that we know more about the heart of the fiefs. So, I will read the next book, but I will get it from the library.

This is a middle book in a series that will not make sense unless the others are read first.

This is definitely a bridge novel. Unlike the other novels in the series, it doesn't move the plot foward much or develop the characters.

I love this series for it's well crafted world, it's rounded and flawed characters, the fast pace and the strong female protagonist who grows in every story. She doesn't much in this one.

This is a very introspective novel, a lot of it told in flashback with some action towards the end. My issue with this book is there was a very nice short story in here (essential to the next novel) and it was heavily fleshed out to make a full book. It probably deserves more than 3 stars, but I am harder on good authors who disappoint me .....

We do find out what Kaylin was doing during her 6 months in Barren.

Michelle Sagara again delivers another fantastically plotted and paced novel in the Elantra Series. For anyone who is new to the series read them in order! While most fantasy/sci fi authors often bog the readers down with a ridiculous amount of exposition Michelle spreads her's throughout her books and we learn it as the main character, Kaylin Neya herself learns more of the intricacies of her world and the different races that make it home. A lot of questions are answered in this book about Kaylin's past which will make fans of the series jump for joy. I will refrain from mentioning them because they would spoil the novel for you.

The author's gift for not only being entertaining but keeping the reader on the edge of her/his seat is amazing. Her characters have such depth and flaws that are endearing and not grating. Unlike other fantasy authors who make their hero or heroine beyond powerful with only token flaws, Ms. Sagara allows her characters to be genuine and not like some over blown super-hero who has a fondness for stuffed animals or needing constant sex as their not so Achilles heel. Kaylin is not always right, is not always powerful, is frequently ignorant and yet she's also compassionate and has such a beautiful hope that you love her. It makes me wish I could go out for drinks with her, she's that likable. But she's likable without the rest of the cast wanting to make love to her, or find her the most beautiful, or the most feared, or who always knows the right thing to do. She struggles and that makes me identify with her so much.

Well done!

Cast in Silence is another strong book in this fun series.

The characterization of the various non-human and semi-human races in this ongoing saga is excellent.

I wish that the author would drop the other shoe and let tne main character become a full, sexually active adult. That particular coyness is getting a bit thin.

However, overall this is a ride well worth taking.

I've just finished reading Cast in Silence, and am in that wonderful post-read haze that you get after reading a truly good book. Later I may notice some plot holes or untied threads, but right at this moment I have to say that this is - finally - as good a book as the first book in the series. I have been somewhat frustrated by Kaylin's idiocy, lack of tact, maturity and patience, in the past three books, but in this book, while still retaining all the things that make her Kaylin, she actually seemed to be a grown up. Perhaps its because we (and she) see her in contrast to her 13-year-old self.

No, Sagara doesn't resolve the Nightshade/Severn question here, but we do get to see a new side of Nightshade. According to Sagara's website there are at least three more books to come. Considering that this was originally (or at least after the third book, when I checked) supposed to be a five book series, this might be extending indefinitely. I rather doubt that we'll see a resolution of this faint triangle anytime soon, and so I have decided not to spend my emotions worrying about it, but rather just to take each book as it comes. If they keep coming out at this quality, that will be more than good enough.

This is a well written, action packed book which fills in the blanks from the other novels. I was expecting this book, as well as the one before it, to move forward with her relationships, but it didn't happen (yes, I also wanted more Lord Nightshade). The previous novels all reference her six months in Barren, which are finally filled in, and you now have Kaylin's whole history.

This book does need to be read in order with the others or it won't make sense. The clear writing, added maturity of the main character, and the action all make this book work.

Elantra is a wonderful city ruled by the dragon emperor. He, his court and most inhabitants care nothing about the Fiefs (slums) that are located across the Ablayne River. There are several fiefs each ruled by a fief-lord who live in towers that rest upon the Old Ones magic. Private Kaylin Neya of the Hawk police force lived in the Fief Nightshade and wears his mark. She has performed remarkably well working her way out of the dirt of the fief by being on the right side of the law.

Life is about to become perilous for Kaylin because a seer has told her that something dangerous will soon strike the Fief; if it is not contained it will spill over the entire city and change all it touches into something reprehensible. The heart of the troubles resides in the fief Barren where she lived for six months before escaping. Now the Barren Fief is no longer stable. Kaylin, another Hawk and Dragon Lord Tiamaris travel to Barren on a fact finding mission. Caught up in a shadow storm, they are thrown into the past in which no Fiefs exist and Elantra is just starting to form. What they learn in the Barren tower helps them understand what is happening in their time; when they return they think they have a chance to defeat the seemingly invincible foe.

Readers who have followed the Elantra "Cast in ..." chronicle (see FURY, SHADOW, COURTLIGHT and SECRET) learn about the Fiefs where the towers are located; this brings freshness to the overarching fantasy. Kaylin is much more confident as she no longer fears her past. She is doing her best to prevent the shadow spreading and destroying her city; she does this even if the cost is her life. Michelle Sagara's CAST IN SILENCE is a great entry in a magical fantasy saga.

Harriet Klausner

It should first be said that this book is part of a closely connected series and the other titles should be read first. They are:
1. Cast in Shadow
2. Cast in Courtlight
3. Cast In Secret
4. Cast In Fury

Kaylin is confronted with her past when the lord of the Barren-fief, one of the slums of the imperial city, tries to blackmail her with the fact that she worked for him as an assassin when she was a teenage girl. He wants her to fight the dark creatures that have begun invading Barren. Since this is also in the interest of the dragon emperor und the Hawks, the city's guard, two other guards, one of them a dragon, are sent with her. They are confronted with dangerous creatures and magical occurrences. Soon it becomes clear that a gap between worlds has begun to open and that the three need to stop it or all of Elentra will be destroyed...

This was - as the rest of the series - a well-written book with great characters and an interesting world. I enjoyed it a lot and would have given it 5 points if only the author hadn't put in another seemingly endless passage in which Kaylin confronts her past and mystical events while trying to find her way in a weird building / landscape. Those are really starting to get on my nerves. Apart from that, it's a great book and I would recommend the whole series as high-quality fantasy.