Cast in Shadow

Chronicles of Elantra, Book 1

By: Michelle Sagara

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 14 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

I love Kaylin

I'm the proud owner of all the books in this series, and I heartily recommend it for any fan of the fantasy genre. I gravitate more towards contemporary or urban fantasy but I enjoy a trip to a completely different universe if the author does a good job. Give me characters that I care about and give them interesting stuff to do -- it's all good.

I didn't really warm up to these folks after reading this first book. I was, however, intrigued enough to grab the second, and then the third, and by then I was hooked. The main character, Kaylin Neya, is one of those uber-charged kick-ass heroines that are so popular these days, but this author manages to pull it off without making you detest the little darling. Kaylin had a crappy childhood and works her butt off and is totally irreverent and oblivious of much and is just learning as she goes along. She has a couple of love interests but has way too much baggage to indulge. She has this vast potential power but lives in a one-room flop because that's all she can afford on her private's salary. I guess I just like her, and I like all her friends, and I really like Severn (the childhood friend/protector/potential lover). The stories are each inventive and interesting and follow a very satisfying arc.

Get on with it already

I felt that the narrator for this book was a perfect choice, she sounds like I would expect the main character to speak.

The book was interesting and I enjoyed it, but I had a few issues. First the author would get on tangents. I don't need a 35 minute explanation of how she walked to the office and the people she met on the way (seriously). Then she would get going on a story line and then abruptly halt it and move onto something else, I take it multiple things were happening at once, but it was annoying that the main character would be on her way to do something and then all of a sudden something else needs to be dealt with. I would just be getting into the story line when they would completely change what was going on and start on a new path.

talented!

The entire series if very good. I love fantasy book but Michelle Saga has a exceptional imagination. Not only that but throughout the entire series, it has no sex and very limited profanity further demonstrating her writing talent. Not that I am a prude, I am not but it is an exceptional writer that write a good book/movie without those things. Kristine Hvam does a wonderful job narrating it.

Super Great!

Loved it! Finished it in 2 days and the wished it was longer. Really awesome.

Not the best but definately not the worst

Would you listen to Cast in Shadow again? Why?

Yes, I bought it and I want my money worth!

Any additional comments?

This was a good book but for some reason I haven't felt like listen to it again (this may have nothing to do with the book).

Not really sure

I need to see what books came before and if I actually picked a book in a series before I could actually review this book.

Surprised

This book was a nice surprise... Really enjoyed the storyline and the narrator. Excited to have found it.

very entertaining

I bought this because of the Free Novella Audible offered; once I heard it I was delighted to discover the series.
The story is compelling and entertaining...hard to put down *~)
The narrater Khristine Hvam is fantastic...I forgot I was listening to a book. She absolutely brings the characters to life.
I intend to listen to more of the series by Michelle Sagara, and will probably look into other books narrated by Khristine Hvam.

Very well written and very well read & it's pure fantasy. Rare find for me!

I'm pleasantly surprised to discover this author and story arc. Written very well in my opinion. I have found it difficult to find fantasy fiction enjoyable over dozens of attempts. Sci-Fi, drama fiction, thrillers, and horror have been easier to find new works done well on all fronts. Pure fantasy such as the Harry Potter series was written and read exceptionally well in my opinion. I wished there were such well done books for younger age when I was growing up that didn't talk down to you as a reader just because you are young. Progress in all things in the world since my childhood has more negatives than positives as I have lived through it from an American point of view.

I look forward to the next book by this author and hope the same woman is the reader/performer. My only tiny reader choice I wished had been different is the Rastafarian accent given to one of the main characters. If this was not reader choice...then I blame whoever made that decision. The character is excellent, but makes me chuckle a bit every time he speaks.

love it!

loved it! Narrator did an excellent job of bringing the story alive. ready for the next book.