Cast in Moonlight

Chronicles of Elantra, Book 6.5

By: Michelle Sagara

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Barely a teenager, Kaylin Neya is a thief, a fugitive, and an attempted assassin. She also has a smart mouth, sharp wits, and mysterious markings on her skin. All of which make her perfect bait for a child prostitution sting in the city of Elantra - if she survives her first meeting with the Hawks!

©2011 Michelle Sagara (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Actually book 0.5 of a phenomenal series

An excellent introduction to the series, in only a few hours. Sets up the feel and setting for the series very well. Trigger warning for murdered and in-immediate-danger children, which applies to the whole series. This series balances well action and rich character development, but don't be thrown by the publisher - there's no romance or such to speak of, other than occasionally in the background.

Must read

I am a huge fan of this series. This book covers the early years and as well as being a wonderful story it adds depth to the other books in the series.
I look forward to seeing more books about the adventures of Kaylin.

Great

This provides excellent background on how our young Kaylin Neya a thief, a fugitive, and an attempted assassin becomes a Hawk. That is the reason to read this.

Kaylin joins the Hawks - backstory, not a repeat

Any additional comments?

A previous reviewer said that this was part of the first book - I don't believe that's accurate. It is sort of a prequel, though, explaining more about how Kaylin joined the Hawks and details about the story that had only been implied before. If you're interested in what exactly happened to bring about her

Extensive world building

Possible Spoilers:
This short story is the Prequel to the Chronicles of Elantra series. The Empire of Elantra consists of one large city that is surrounded by several fiefs at its outer edges. The people who grow up there are not citizens of Elantra nor are they protected by its laws. It’s residents are the dispossessed or banished and live a hard and short life.
In Elantra, the Halls of Law investigate and enforce laws for it’s citizens which consist of the immortal Barrani, the winged Aerians, the furred Leontines, the empathic & telepathic Tha‘alani, and humans. Then there’s the Emperor, Imperial Court & Imperial Guards - all Dragons.
The ‘Hawks’ are the police force - the primary investigators and enforcers. The ‘Wolves’ are the Special Forces - undercover and special operations - whoever needs to be tracked and whatever needs to be done.
Enter 13 year old Kaylin Neya who is sent from the fiefs to kill Lord Grammayre, head of the ‘Hawks’. She knows it’s a suicide mission and is resigned to her fate knowing she will be caught. And is. But Grammayre sees the tattoos Kaylin has on her body and knows they have special meaning; that keeping her may well benefit Elantra over killing her. Kaylin is too young to set loose and is assigned to the Hawks as their ‘mascot’. She is drawn into a case that has haunted her & will come back again in future installments of this series. Yes, I’ve read the series before and I’m determined to provide reviews this go round.
Hvam does a very good job of narration.