Cast in Fury (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 4)

i think this was a great addition to the series. I really loved this book. I love this series so i have not been dissapointed with any of the books. I do wish there was a little bit of romance in the book. I really would have liked Kaylin to talk about some romance that she may have had in her life or if she likes any one now. I hope she gets with Serven i just like him. I dont care for Nightshade that much. Anyhow even with no romance in this book it was really good. It keeps you hooked to the point that you dont want to put it down.

The other thing i liked was the fact that each book seems to talk about a different race. This one is about the cats, cant remember their name.

I did enjoy this book and thought it was a very interesting read. However, there were some very important elements that I felt were lacking.

PROS:

1) The story was very interesting and I enjoyed learning more about the culture and origins of the Leontine race. I love the world this series is set in and always enjoy learning more about it.

2) Kaylin displays more maturity than previous novels. This impression may exist only because for once her childhood was barely, if ever, mentioned. It helps a lot. The fact that she had to be polite (and was able to be) for only short periods of time also helped.

3) Most of my favorite characters had at least some part in the story. It may have been a very very small part, but at least bringing them out gave me happy feelings as I remembered back to previous books when they appeared.

CONS:

1) This book doesn't have any of the internal conflict that the previous three had. I felt this was what made those books great and this one really lacked that. Kaylin was in the middle of a crisis again, but this crisis required her to fight against all external forces. She basically had to get others to go along with what she already wanted instead of having to come to terms with any of her past or own faults.

The first three books challenged the characters and this one just seemed like another save the world day. It didn't have the emotional tug as others (even though kids were once again involved). Without these internal conflicts & challenges the book just doesn't stand out as much as the others.

2) Not only did Kaylin not have any internal conflicts to resolve, but there didn't seem to be a single character who grew or developed. We learned a little bit more about some, but only easily found out facts such as their family or a little history.

It was nothing like we had with the Barrani or the Tha'alani in previous novels. In the previous novels the Castelords of both of these races were well developed and I got attached to both of them. There were also quite a few other Barrani I liked and felt were developed very well. In this latest book there wasn't anyone who stood out. The wives almost did but not nearly enough for me.

3) More Lord Nightshade please!! Ever since the first book Lord Nightshade has been my favorite character. Sadly it seems each book he gets more and more phased out. I keep expecting and hoping the mysteries and loose ends with him will be addressed at the very least. His only appearance here is a couple of lines of foreshadowing and helping out for a brief time. At the very end it almost seems like he's going to come back into importance but it didn't happen.

The only element of romance I really feel in this novel is with Lord Nightshade (Severn is too brotherly for me to feel romance). I don't need tons of romance, but I would like some. Even if it's not involving Lord Nightshade, though I'm sure he'd try to interfere, any romance would be welcome here. I think after four books Kaylin needs to reach the point where she's ready for romance.

In summary, I thought this book did a good job on building the world and culture for the series but did little for the characters. If someone skipped this book entirely I don't think it would be noticeable in the next novel. That hasn't been true in previous novels since there was so much character development before. It was still enjoyable, though, so there's no reason to skip it.

Michelle Sagara does not disappoint. I detest middle books, as a general rule. Sure, they're necessary, and usually a great place for character development. But until you can see them in context with the rest of the story they are painful. I hate finishing a middle book knowing that I'll have a long wait before I can fit their importance into the larger picture. But, I didn't hate this book. Sagara is successful in avoiding the downfalls of the middle-book by ensuring that there is plenty of development - emotional, intellectual, plot depth and complexity. Plenty of face time with some of my favorite characters. And of course, a story line that is self contained while still adding to the overall arc.

I would definitely not recommend this as a good starting point for the series. The plot is developed, relationships explored, and the intricacies of the world Sagara has created are examined in more depth than in previous books, but I found myself thinking that I needed to reread the previous books at several points.

Kaylin is a compelling heroin because she is flawed, and fully aware of it. Everyone she encounters is aware of her flaws. Too often in recent works a characters flaws are over done as a means of making the character 'endearing' (a la Meyer's Bella), but Sagara manages to make Kaylin compelling without being obnoxious. Kaylin knows she is unreasonable, but she is young and compelled by loyalties she doesn't even fully understand, she gets in over her head and does her best with what she's got. More importantly, though, she's willing to deal with the consequences of her actions.

Bravo to Sagara for making this middle book a totally worthwhile, compelling and enjoyable read.

Michelle Sagara has a wonderful series going here and this is one of the best in the series. Marcus is the Leontine who is her sargent in the Hawks. I have often wondered about the Leontines. Each of her novels deals with one of the different races who dwell in Elantra. Her last novel showcased the Tha'alani, a race of telepaths. The one before that showcased the Barrani.

Marcus has been relieved from duty and arrested for murder by the Caste Court of the Leontines. He admits to the murder and doesn't want Kaylin to interfere. Kaylin has been raised by his wives in the Pridlea. She will do anything to save him. The wives are a wonderful addition to Elantra and I liked each one, with their deep devotion to Marcus and each other.

The Outcaste Dragon has returned and Kaylin is again involved with trying to stop him from destroying Elantra.

The Tha'alani are in trouble because they faced the Tidal Wave in the last book and the humans think they caused it. The court playwrite is ordered to write a play that will help the two races understand each other and Kaylin and Severn are ordered to help him.

With all these things going on Kaylin is at the center. She and Severn along with Sanabalis and Tiamaris are dragged into all of the action. As with all of the books there is much action and adventure. I loved it.