Cast in Shadow

Chronicles of Elantra, Book 1

By: Michelle Sagara

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

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!

Spellbound? Listen to more Chronicles of Elantra.©2011 Michelle Sagara (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

My favorite series

Where does Cast in Shadow rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've listened to the entire series several times, so its a bit hard for me to separate each book. The series as a whole though I absolutely LOVE. Between the story line, the character development and the performance of Khristine Hvam, all Chronicles of Elantra books are at the very top of my favorite audio book list.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cast in Shadow?

Finding out Severn's reasons for having done certain things. I won't say more than that for fear of ruining the book for someone.

Which character – as performed by Khristine Hvam – was your favorite?

Honestly, she does such a great job with all of them I would have a hard time choosing just one. I read these books myself through the kindle app after listening to them. While still good reading myself, the life that Khristine Hvam gave the characters made me prefer listening rather than reading, which is saying a lot. The character Severn is my favorite but that has as much to do with how his character was written by Michelle Sagara as it does the performance by Khristine Hvam.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This one no. I didn't really start loving the book until closer to the end. There is a lot of character development that while listening to for the first time seemed slow to me (listening to it for a second time though after having listened to the other books in the series made me love all of the first...if that makes any sense at all). The second book in the series did however make me cry at one point.

Love, love, loved it.

I have just finished this book, and immediately spent two more credits in getting hold of the next two. The story is great and is twisty too, but not so twisty that you get lost. I am blind, but the descriptions in these books leave me in no doubt about what is or is not happening.
I am not going to be a spoiler, so do not expect any looks without getting the books, I only know that these books are the best thing in fantasy that I have listened to in a long, long time.
I recommend them to any fantasy reader, and tell you that you too will be a fan. So get to it, because you will never be sorry that you did!

Amazing

I am listening to the whole series again, for the third time. I am only going to comment on this one. It took me a couple of tries to get into the story but once I had it is very addicting. Not only is the story well written and the characters relatable but I have never heard a better narrator. I cannot wait for the next release!

Love, love, love

This is one of the few book series where after I was done with it I actually tracked down the author on Facebook to tell her what a Goddess I thought she was. (She wrote back and said thank you. She was so nice!)

The first book drops you so completely in the middle of everything you will think there is another book a head of this one, and you are a little lost. But, hang on and listen closely because there is a method to the madness that totally pays off in the end.

I would actually classify this series as "New Adult Fantasy". I enjoyed all the books...so far.

Worth the read

I loved it my hubby couldn't get into it so much. The series is worth the read!

A good read... couldn't stop listening

If you could sum up Cast in Shadow in three words, what would they be?

This Book's Awesome

Who was your favorite character and why?

all of them .. they all fit in perfectly

Which scene was your favorite?

all of them

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

Thumbs up

Pulls you right in without delay!

This is a great story. I just started book two. Cast in Shadow is exciting and it pulls you right in. I don't judge a book by its cover, but I do judge by its first chapter. This one is very well done, from page one. Reminds me a bit of Brandon Sanderson's style. I am curious and excited to hear the next six books. Bring it on!

Thoroughly enjoyable all around.

really enjoyed this book, particularly through audio. good characters, but i would like a little more depth in some aspects, but this is a series, so this may come later. I'm looking forward to book 2!

Not for Everyone, but I Love it

When I write this review, there are 12 books (Cast in Flight being the latest) so I'm trying to avoid spoilers. Blanket Statement: This series is not for everyone. It's complex and intertwining. But sometimes tedious and the plot doesn't progress very quickly. I think the 12 books take place over a period of 6-9 months.

First, it was originally published by Luna which was a sub-division of Harlequin but this series isn't really a romance. 12 books in and I think there's been two kisses and one roundabout admission of an "I love you". So, for romance readers, there's possible hints but that's it. For fantasy readers, it may be published by Harlequin but don't let that stop you.

That being said, this is not a action packed sword and flashy sorcery fantasy series. It has slow build-up a lot of the "action" is metaphysical or mental. To me it reads like an old time balled, the language almost a cadence. Even my dad remarked on this, I was listening in the living room and he stated it had very lyrical pacing. And yes, as other reviews have mentioned, sometimes phrases are repeated. That may be it's most annoying quality. Or the eye color emotion indicators, that gets annoying sometimes too.

It's strength is in it's characters. I love watching Kaylin let go of her fear of one race as her understanding of their and her place in the world increases, or learning that not race does not equal all good or all evil. Each book tends to focus on one particular race or the conflict in the book will feature one race even though all the characters may be involved. There's new spins on traditional fantasy races, like the Barrani (elves) and Dragons (the main rulers of the land). Like any good build-up events or small occurrences that happen in one book could be important 5 books later, as you learn more and more about a race or character.

I'm a big fan of the Barrani who seem to be the Tudor monarchy times 10. The intricate dances of politics, interactions, manners, tittles, tradition and hiding of emotions is enough to give anyone a headache. But it's also fascinating trying to figure out what someone's agenda is and if they are friend/foe or what they will be in the future.

Once difference people either love or hate is that except for a few books, the main conflict is an event, not a villain or antagonist. Or if there is a villain, it's his/her plan that's that problem, not really the villain, That takes a little getting used to. If you don't like books where problem solving or understanding why something is happening is the main point, this may not be for you. There is small spats of action and battle but that's not the focus.

I actually bought this series for the narrator. The first time I did so. Khristine Hvam narrated one of my favorite series, Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter. She does amazing accents and is really good with male voices, so I was looking at the list of books she had narrated and this caught my eye. Each voice is distinct which becomes important down the line as more and more characters are added.

Like Movie Popcorn but Without the Calories

I'm surprised that the Elantra books are published by a romance imprint, because there is no romantic or sexual content whatsoever. Instead, this is an immersive fantasy tale. It's a page turner, and while it's definitely guilty of some fantasy cliches, that only improves the pace of the story and the believability of the fantasy world. The races are not the usual vampires or elves, so the world and story feel fresh. The plot reads like a mystery (I think--I don't actually read mysteries), but it unfolds naturally, rather than relying on cheap plot twists.It may not be original or epic, but this is a very darn good listen--thoroughly addictive, like movie popcorn but without the calories.

The best part of this book, though, is the narrator; her voice is clear, and she easily expresses emotion without overdoing it. Hvam does an excellent job voicing the characters (so you always know who is speaking), and it never feels forced. Khristine Hvam has become my favorite reader on Audible, and this book is perfectly suited to her talents.

I downloaded this after listening to the free novella, Cast in Moonlight, that Audible had available for subscribers. I'm now working my way through the rest of this series, and all the subsequent books have been satisfying. I highly recommend The Chronicles of Elantra as a series, and this book is definitely the place to start.

This is a great introduction to a great series, and the NARRATOR CAN'T BE BEAT!