Don’t Miss this Book: Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara

Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara

To celebrate the October 1 release of Cast in Fury, book 4 of the Cast series (also called The Chronicles of Elantra,) this episode of Don’t Miss this Book focuses on the Cast series, and book 1 Cast in Shadow .

Here is the back cover description:

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 the 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!

Kayla lives in a world where many different races must live together: humans, the winged Aerians, the feline Leontines, the Dragons and the fey-like Barrani. Out of a tragic childhood, she has built herself a new life as a Hawk (police). When Severn, her childhood companion, reappears in her life, her past and her present come together dramatically.

Cast in Fury by Michelle Sagara

I really like the complex and original world Ms Sagara has created. The interactions between the different races provide great tension, and reveal much about the complexities of their stratified society. Kayla is somewhat immature, defiant and rebellious. She’s also compassionate and generous with her mysterious healing gifts. The series events provide Kaylin with perspective and experience. I love to see a character grow and mature. Kaylin definitely has room in these stories to do both.

Each book has it’s own self contained case/mystery that is solved by the end of the books. There is also a larger story arc that continues across the series. I’ve read the first 2 in the series, and the third is in my TBR pile. Writing this post makes me remember why I enjoyed the first two books. The third, Cast in Secret is definitely moving up in my pile so I can read it and get started on the newest one!

Michelle Sagara also writes under the names Michelle West and Michelle Sagara West.

• Michelle Sagara’s blog and bibliography.
• Michelle Sagara’s Fantastic Fiction listing.