Cast in Oblivion

Frustrating

Let me start by saying that obviously if you have read or listened to the previous books in this series, you need to listen to this one as well. This book like many of the more recent ones in this series is full of useless introspection, and non-sequesters. The first half of this book (approx 8 hours) takes place within one or two days of story time, and nothing happens. Characters eat meals, talk about the past, and many things are described in minute detail. After the half way point, it seems like things are going to speed up, however while the plot progresses, slowly; events that should take a few minutes to occur, are stretched out again and again.
The fact that this book came out well over a year from the last one is ridiculous. 3/4 of the book is filler, and while I have gotten used to Sagara's writing style, and her prose are beautiful, this whole experience has been very frustrating. I've spent 15 years or so invested in this story line, so obviously I will get the next book next year when it comes out; but if you are not invested in this series yet, you might want to give it a pass, and find something else to read or listen to.

18 of 18 people found this review helpful

slowest story of the series

Half of the book centers around the consort coming to dinner or the dinner party. Most other books deal with murders, crimes, investigations, some traveling around being chased Dragons, halls of law, Castle Nightshade, Eventon shop or the different quarters of the city. not just Helen's home for more than half and the Baranie palace for the rest. even the limit in the number of characters Kaylin interacts with is disappointing. this felt more like a short story stretched out as long as possible.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Could put it down

I've been following this series from the beginning. Sometimes the main character is annoying, but I have overall enjoyed the adventures and action of this world. However, this time it's going now where fast. The book starts having to throw a political dinner party. Different races involved, major war will happen if injury, insult or death occurs. So there is all this talk about what happened in the last many books, a recap (yawn) without making it interesting. And the planning for the party, clothing and jewerly. Then the party happens without much excitement, just more talking. I had listened now for 7 hours. Party just done.. So okay, so I'm waiting for something exciting to happen by now. So they start discussing and arguing about what happened to the party and needing to do the thing they are planning. And talk about it some more. . So they get ready to do this thing and here is more internal and external discussions about doing the thing. It is now 10 hours and still nothing has HAPPENED. I finally had to put it aside out of frustration. I may got back to it at a later point. Sometime.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Cast In Tedium

I have faithfully listened to this series and am sad to say this one will be my last. The over description of everything and little action or progression makes me feel like I am reading a kids book report with a word count minimum.

I really like the characters, but I can’t go through another seventeen hours for two hours worth of story. Best of luck, I’ll keep an eye open for a news series by you and hope it isn’t tied to a page count contract.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Was the ‘Great American Hero’ the inspiration for

This series reminds me of that TV series. The main character of the series, Kaylin, has symbols all over her body, that appeared when she was a child, that give her powers. Powers she doesn’t understand or, for the most part, know how to use. She learns a little bit, over time, but by book 14 she really doesn’t have a clue and only now thinks she might try to do a little research to see if she can discover anything more. Really? Fourteen books to reach this point?
There was a decent amount of character building for Kaylin in the first few books, but since then the story has morphed away from Kaylin’s development, while the story continues to be told from her point of view. Other characters introduced along the way have become the main focus of the story plots. The author continues to mention some of the older characters or they have a small part of the story lines, but are pretty much dismissed at this point.
At this point I am pretty sure the author has lost whatever story line she originally intended and just keeps writing in the hopes of stumbling onto another.
I honestly told myself to drop the series about 8 books again. But for some reason I can’t really define I keep reading, maybe in the hopes the author will latch onto that new plot I am hoping for. Not sure I will read the next one, as disappointed as I am in this one.
Still LOVE the narrator.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Didn't feel like a full novel

As the series progresses it feels like there's less content in each book. Still will scratch the itch if you want to keep following this campy but badly written saga because of your difficult to explain investment in the main character and desparate hope for sexy romance that will probably never happen ...

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

too much at crap and whining in action scenes

you just want some of the action to be over with and it goes on and on and on stop whining the complaining rehashing of explanations over and over. I mean you're in the middle of an action scene and they're busy arguing and going on at nauseam you just start screaming get on with it. going to have to give her the David Weber award for too much minutiae

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A lot about nothing.

This story has intrigue me since book one. Unfortunately the last few have gotten repetitive. The main character is still everyone’s doormat. Even though she has been the Worlds Savior. She still gets no respect and she still let everyone walk all over her. Not much happens in this book. Not sure I will bother with the last which is very sad because I’ve enjoyed the series.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Another great story in the ongoing saga.

I cannot wait until the next book is released. Only issue I had was recognizing character’s voices. Several people sounded the same.

Another fantastic story from Michelle Sagara

I adore the pairing of Michelle Sagara’s universe with Khristine Ivan’s vocal performance. I’ve listened to their audiobooks every time since I was first introduced to the Cast series several years ago.

On one hand, I am super grateful for every foray into the worlds, and if the series eventually ends I will be sad to see it go. On the other hand, for crying out loud, it’s been over a decade or something and it feels like we’re still a long ways from resolution. I wonder if some of the threads will ever be resolved or if we’ll just have an abrupt end to it, and then I’ll be royally upset.

I was a die-hard fan for years and even ran a website with some other fans, but my enthusiasm had considerably waned. Then I listen to the story and remember why I loved her so much. (Them, since Khristine and Michelle make their own magic in this audio partnership.)