Chronicles of Elantra Series By Michelle Sagara

I call these the "Cast" series since each book begins with Cast. Right now this is my all time favorite series! I am completely invested in the characters and the world in which they live. 


You can tell that the author was heavily influenced by the Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings, so if you like these books you will likely like this one as well.


Cast in Shadow (book 1)



Barnes and Noble Overview:

Seven years ago Kaylin fled the crime-riddled streets of Nightshade, knowing that something was after her. Children were being murdered -- and all had the same odd markings that mysteriously appeared on her own skin . . .

Since then, she's learned to read, she's learned to fight and she's become one of the vaunted Hawks who patrol and police the City of Elantra. Alongside the winged Aerians and immortal Barrani, she's made a place for herself, far from the mean streets of her birth.

But children are once again dying, and a dark and familiar pattern is emerging, Kaylin is ordered back into Nightshade with a partner she knows she can't trust, a Dragon lord for a companion and a device to contain her powers -- powers that no other human has. Her task is simple -- find the killer, stop the murders . . . and survive the attentions of those who claim to be her allies!


My Thoughts:

The first book is a little difficult to get through because the author does not explain everything about the world or the multiple (yes, there are several) races which inhabit this world. Never fear, readers! The reason she does not explain everything in the first book is because each book explains more and more about everything. Several books are dedicated to telling you about a specific race while still following the day to day trials of Kaylin (the main character, who is human). 


The books are also a little difficult to get through because of some strange word and sentence structures that infrequently pop up in the book. It almost seems that the book was translated from one language to another and a few things were left wanting. Fortunately this mostly happens in the first book, and each book following get easier and easier to read. There have been several times that I had to re-read a sentence several times before I completely understand what the author was trying to say, but it is well worth the effort.


I like how the author created a very like able and realistic character with flaws and shortcomings that make you want to be best friends with her. I also like how the main character is still young and awkward so that you can see her grow up as the books progress. I also like the introduction to her past and to the supporting character of Severn. I am excited to see where their relationship will go...... especially considering how the book ends.

Cast in Courtlight (book 2)

Barnes and Noble Overview:
In Elantra, a job well done is rewarded with a more dangerous task. So after defeating a dark evil, Kaylin Neya goes before the Barrani High Court, where a misspoken word brings sure death. 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 can dodge the traps laid for her.…


My Review:
This book delves into the life and culture of the Barrani. It helps explain things from the first book as well as lay the foundation for following books. PAY ATTENTION to the Barrani High Court, true names, shadows, and why the Court is where it is. This information helps in several of the following books. I have read and re-read this book several times and I am still not sure I understand it all, but I enjoy reading it.


Cast in Secret (Book 3)

Barnes and Noble Overview:
Still avoiding magic whenever possible, Private Kaylin Neya relished investigating a run-of-the-mill theft. Until she found out the mysterious stolen box had been taken from Elani Street, where the mages and charlatans mingled, and it was sometimes hard to tell the difference between the two. And since the box was ancient, without a keyhole, and held tremendous darkness inside, Kaylin knew unknown forces were again playing with her destiny—and her life.…


My Review:
Introducing! Elements (fire, water, air and earth), their Keeper, and the Tha'alani race (along with other things and people). 


This books proves that Michelle (the author) does not write books that are boring or simple. There are so many layers and events going on within this book that you would think that you would be confused or overwhelmed, but you aren't. You are taken on an amazing journey and can't wait for the next book!


Cast in Fury (Book 4)

Barnes and Noble Overview:
To be or not to be

When a minority race of telepaths is wrongly suspected of causing a near–devastating tidal wave, Private Kaylin Neya is summoned to Court—and into a PR nightmare. To ease racial tensions, the Emperor has commissioned a play, and the playwright has his own ideas about who should be the focus…

But Kaylin works her best magic behind the scenes, and though she tries to stay neutral, she is again drawn into a world of politics…and murder. To make matters worse, Marcus, her trusted Sergeant, gets stripped of his command—leaving Kaylin vulnerable. Now she's juggling two troubling cases, and even magic's looking good by comparison. But then, nobody ever said life in the theater was easy…


My Review:
Welcome to the crazy house known as the Oracles! These characters (they really are both characters and Characters). In this book you get to learn more about the Leontine race, the Dragon Court, and about more of Kaylin's earlier days with the Hawks. 


My favorite part was the interaction between Kaylin and Severn. When are they going to realize they are made for each other?

Cast in Silence (Book 5)

Barnes and Noble Overview:

Don't ask. Don't tell. Stay alive.

A member of the elite Hawk force that protects the City of Elantra, Kaylin Neya has sacrificed much to earn the respect of the winged Aerians and immortal Barrani she works alongside. But the mean streets she escaped as a child aren't the ones she's vowed to give her life guarding. Those were much darker…

Kaylin's moved on with her life—and is keeping silent about the shameful things she's done to stay alive. But when the city's oracles warn of brewing unrest in the outer fiefdoms, a mysterious visitor from Kaylin's past casts her under a cloud of suspicion. Thankfully, if she's anything, she's a survivor…


My Review:
Now we finally learn about what happened between when Kaylin left Nightshade and when she joined the Hawk. Wow! You also learn about the fiefs history and about why they must exist. You also learn about shadow storms and towers. Lots and lots of information!

Cast in Chaos (Book 6)

Barnes and Noble Overview:

Kaylin Neya is a Hawk, part of the elite force tasked with keeping the City of Elantra safe. Her past is dark, her magic uncontrolled and her allies unpredictable. And nothing has prepared her for what is coming, when the charlatans on Elani Street suddenly grow powerful, the Oracles are thrown into an uproar and the skies rain blood….

The powerful of Elantra believe that the mysterious markings on Kaylin's skin hold the answer, and they are not averse to using her—how ever they have to—in order to discover what it is.

Something is coming, breaking through the barriers between the worlds. But is it a threat that Kaylin needs to defend her city against—or has she been chosen for another reason entirely?

My Review:
This book changes EVERYTHING! We are not only world jumping and looking into past worlds and people, this worlds history , and we are introduced to a new element and a new race! I have read this book several times and I still don't quite understand it!


This book also opens a lot of possibilities that haven't been explored such as the egg baby! What is going to happen with that?
Also, Kaylin and Severn declared their love for each other! Finally! Unfortunately, this hasn't changed anything! AHHHHHH!

Cast in Ruin (Book 7)

Barnes and Noble Overview:

Seven corpses are discovered in the streets of a Dragon's fief. All identical, down to their clothing.

Kaylin Neya is assigned to discover who they were, who killed them—and why. Is the evil lurking at the borders of Elantra preparing to cross over?

At least the investigation delays her meeting with the Dragon Emperor. And as the shadows grow longer over the fiefs, Kaylin must use every skill she's ever learned to save the people she's sworn to protect. Sword in hand, dragons in the sky, this time there's no retreat and no surrender…


My Review:
This book begins to tell you more about Dragons! Yahoo! It is complicated and they haven't finished explaining it, but Kaylin is beginning to learn more about names and her tattoos.


I love the introduction to the female Dragon, not because of the possibilities it opens for the Dragon race, but because of the female Dragons attitude! She is so much like Kaylin that it makes me laugh. I can't wait to see what happens now that they are roomies, and I can't wait to see what happens when she meets the Emperor. I think she is going to fall head over heals with him. I can see her saying "He is such a hottie, Kaylin! Wait until you meet him!". Or I can see her becoming a fief lord... or fall for Tiameris. I wonder what way this is going to go...