Cast in Ruin

Chronicles of Elantra, Book 7

By: Michelle Sagara

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 15 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Seven corpses are discovered in the streets of a Dragon’s fief - all identical, down to their clothing.

Kaylin Neya is assigned to discover who they were, who killed them - and why. Is the evil lurking at the borders of Elantra preparing to cross over?

At least the investigation delays her meeting with the Dragon Emperor. And as the shadows grow longer over the fiefs, Kaylin must use every skill she’s ever learned to save the people she’s sworn to protect. Sword in hand, dragons in the sky, this time there’s no retreat and no surrender….

Spellbound? Listen to more Chronicles of Elantra.

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

Home Run!

What did you love best about Cast in Ruin?

Decidedly the best one yet! and I know I say this about every last one that comes out but.. Michelle fascinates me with the stories. Tying the lose ends from each book on the next and always leaving something to be wondered. I love it!!! I am definitely looking forward to the next one and excited to see what's gonna come of the new introduced character.

What did you like best about this story?

That it's going in a direction in which Kaylin's character is growing (though slowly - and this, in my opinion, due to the fact that not a lot of time passes between each book/story). I love that the main character's feelings are getting exposed and that there's indication something might happen in that aspect. I look forward to and hope for some

Have you listened to any of Khristine Hvam’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to all the cast books. I started with the Free novella, which is was a genius promoting idea, I might add! I would probably never thought of downloading these books if it wasn't for that. Once I did though, I was captivated by Khristine Hvam's voice and performance. The story was great and KH really brought it to life. I hope she narrates all of Michelle's books.. I will certainly by them all!

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

I actually almost did! I was completely

Any additional comments?

Phenomenal! Buy it, buy it, buy it!!!

Loved it!!

Have been waiting for this audiobook for a few weeks. I love the story, and the narrator does a good job with the voices.

I heard Khristine Hvam actually sat down with Michelle Sagara to plan the characters voices out with the books, and she does a great job. Another narrator that can voice act all the characters so you know who is saying what.

The story is once again very good. One thing I like about this series is you never know what the next book is actually going to be about, though she gives you hints, I thought it would be about the strangers and that egg from what small plots she didn't finish in the last book, and I was somewhat right, but of course that is a small part of the book.

I can't wait till the next one is out, I hope Audible releases it the day the actual book is released.

All Grown Up...

I was low on credits and looking for something new. I tend to stick squarely to romance novels, and vampires, witches, and werewolves. Needless to say I was browsing free novellas and came across Cast in Moonlight. It was soon that I was hooked, it still was a fantasy and it dealt with a side of the supernatural I had yet to consider. I have now read every book in the series, and I am aching for more. What a good storyline. I feel like I know Kaylin I am empathic to her cause, and I still feel on the edge of my seat with each new book. It's such and interesting way to picture a fictional world, and what it would be like to have to deal with the day to day in a time an place unlike ours. The storyline is deep, and funny, giving way to a strong willed child and her life as see grows into a formidable women. Each new book builds on the last, however unlike most series of books, the ending doesn't leave you hanging. Michelle closes it up in such a way that you want more, but you also know that this portion of Kaylin life is complete.

Rebound from chaos

Who was your favorite character and why?

Belastaia is a good new character. I love the interaction between Belastaia and Kaylin at the end of the novel. I'm looking forward to a great heroine duo in future additions in the series.

Have you listened to any of Khristine Hvam’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, several others. Khristine Hvam does a great job in all the narrations.

Any additional comments?

I didn't really care for

Disappointing

Seven books in and still no new character development or maturity. I love the overarching plot of the books and that's what has kept me reading and hoping, but I HATE all of the characters, especially Kaylin, and I have reached my limit.

She doesnt live up to her responsibility as Chosen, complains about her life without making any attempts to improve it, and continuously makes illogical decisions because she refuses to learn. All of these are under her control but she just wants to stick her head in the sand. There is a constant "telling" how bright she is without "showing" it, which just leaves me "too damn" annoyed.

AMAZINGLY Good Start to the Series!

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

Stunned How Good (it was)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Very hard to say. Obviously it should be the main character, Meryn, but my favorite was actually the "dead woman".....I enjoyed the entire book, which for someone with hundreds of books in my library (member since 2004 or 2005) seldom occurs. But the ending left me dying to see how life goes on for the smart mouthed "chosen one".goes on with her new roomie.

What does Khristine Hvam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator has a nice cadence and voice. It helps alot to have her humor, including snorts and giggles come through the narrator's reading. The only reason I didn't give her 5 stars is that she uses the same accent for anyone who isn't "human". The dragons have the same accent as anyone else who isn't human (and they all sound like their from Jamaica, maaan). That irritated me a bit, as I was listenening while working and often couldn't keep up with who was speaking. Otherwise, she brings the story to life.

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

It made me want to buy MORE BOOKS! I bought this to try at the reduced price and started the series with book 7. After trying so many other of the new fantasy series authors that have become wildly popular, I was amazed that this book stood out as just BETTER than what I've been listening to. I just downloaded the first book (although I wanted the second one reading the story) and looked at how many credits it's going to take me to get through the series. This book reminds me of trying the first Sookie Stackhouse when it came out and being amazed by the idea/series, or the very beginning of the Eve Dallas books (by #33, I still listen but it's getting old), or the first Vorkosigan book (Shards of Honor) by Bujold.
I hope the rest of the series continues to keep me as happy as those series do/did. I hope Sagara can keep me this impressed for a long time!

Any additional comments?

When is the new installment coming? Tell me this was a teaser for the upcoming (soon) release of book 8.

This whole series is a great read

Loved every book in this series, It catches the imagination and holds it. The writer proves that you can write a gripping story and hold the readers interest without having to resort to lurid sex scenes or vulgar language (although there are a lot of references to Liontine swears, we just never hear them) I highly reccomend starting at the beginning and going right through the series.

Awesome

I have read this series and I am waiting on the new next book to read so now I am listening to it on audible and loving it again.

I loved this one

Great story line! The author does an outstanding job of keeping things fresh. I listen to theae books while I work.

Fantastic

I love Michelle Sagara’s works, and listening to them while knitting or spinning is just so peaceful. The voice actor is IMMACULATE, so I can tell the different characters apart with little difficulty, and there are very few mistakes.