Cast in Deception

Maybe it's because I wait all year for these books

Just my opinion, but I was disappointed. Overall, I don't like the storyline of the "lost" children of The Green. I love Teela, but the rest of their storyline is boring and full of politics and demonstrates how cold the Barrani are, but... we know that already. Most of the book was spent talking politics -nothing new was learned by us or by Kaylin. I found myself rewinding frequently to listen to parts I missed because it didn't hold my attention. There was some action, some of the characters we thought we could trust are thrown into suspicion, but overall, this book did not contribute much compared to other books. It's obviously background for what's to come, but I didn't need 16 hours of this background with Cast in Sorrow and Cast in Peril already behind us. And I missed the fun of Bellasdeo (sp?) and the emperor, I want more from Kaylin and Severn, even Mandoran's character especially when he is arguing and baiting Bellasdeo and getting stuck in walls. The usual characters didn't have a significant part in any of the book -very little of Marcus, the Hawk lord, Clint, Tara or any of the characters I look forward to seeing. I enjoy the books when we get to investigate and learn more of the other races -like Cast in Flight or Marcus' story, the Tha'alani or the even the towers - the growth Kaylin gains and the "other" side of the main characters, but in my opinion, this book could have been an in-between short story and we would have learned as much and moved on to the next story.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

A prequel with too much inner dialogue

I was bored with the story and half way through I wanted it to end.
No action to speak of, just traveling and talking. The previous books were better, obviously a setup for the next book.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Yawn

Well that was boring. More and more with each of these books, I'm left at the end wondering what the point is. The narration is great but I'm tired of the soul searching and all the usual formulae. It's just dull at this point.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

"Don't Give Me that Look!"

I've enjoyed the chronicles of Elantra up to now but this title was disappointing. There was very little movement in character and story development and having every character say "Don't give me that look!" to Kaylin was tedious. It felt like it had been written as a by-the-numbers-to-meet-contract-obligations book. Khristine Hvam is one of my favourite narrators and she gave her usual excellent performance but it didn't save this.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

wasn't a great plot

I was a little disappointed in this book. It didn't have as much suspense as the previous books and there were too many loose ends.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good but only half a book...

Really tired of tge books in this series being broken in two, and badly. Now a year long wait for the second half of this tale?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Let's do the twist

This story is full of the unexpected twist and turns that I was sure that I had missed some very important detail. I found myself rereading every few pages the details were so subtle. After a while it became clear that I wasn't missing anything but going on the same adventure for understanding with our characters. Once this was established it was easier to just hang on and enjoy the ride. And enjoy the ride is what I did. I still feel I will have to reread the book again sooner rather than later but for now I am more than happy with having finished.

Nooooooooooo A Cliffhanger

This book was great as the rest of the series. Unfortunately, the ending is the biggest cliffhanger so far in this series! I love the new character that’s introduced, the return of some of my old favorites, and the development of some of the old characters. The plot gets more intense and the problems more tangled.

I think I might just explode waiting for the next book. I knew it would be good so I held off reading it until now so that the wait for the next book wouldn’t be so long, but now I wish I’d waited even longer!
Khristine Hvam did an amazing job with the narration. She’s excellent at giving each character their own voice, or speaking speed, or age, or accent to differentiate them from each other. I look forward to more of her narrations.

Elantra

The story continues with the cohort. Once again Kaylin, accompanied by Belusdeo ventures into the West March, courtesy of the Elemental water in the Keepers Garden. Quite without a by your leave or even warning. The Hallerones welcomed her and tolerated Belusdeo.
Nothing is ever simple, when the battles were finished Kaylin had acquired more misfits for Helen to house and finally Kaylin got to sleep. Without danger lurking.

More a bridge than a book

I have enjoyed this series but also a little frustrated by it. Kaylyn’s character is maturing very slowly. Her constant self absorption with her own ideas is starting to ruin the series for me. This book was more an introduction of characters and setting the scene for the next book. Lots of good information but more of a bridge to what’s coming then an actual book. Also her weakness in keeping navarahm out of her head is appalling.