The City of Elantra is surrounded by fiefdoms, each surrounding a sentient Tower. Between them are border zones, places of erratic and unpredictable magic. Even so, Kaylin seems to understand how that works, and is trying to understand the secrets surrounding the border zones before others do.

Cast in Wisdom is the fifteenth novel in the Chronicles of Elantra, but the first one I'd heard of, so I was woefully unprepared to be diving into this book. Because of that lack of understanding on my part, I often had to reread sections to try to get a sense of what's going on. There were relationships explained to some extent, others glossed over. I did like the touch of eyes changing color to reflect internal emotional states, as well as the descriptions of sentient buildings and the powers they wield to keep citizens safe. It's fascinating, and I was drawn into the mystery of odd sentient buildings popping up where they don't belong that contain people who refer to the location in archaic terms.

It was fascinating to see the different races and the explanation of magic in this novel, as well as the interactions between the characters. They argue over the nature of magic involved in this novel's story. The border zones had never been something that people bothered to examine before, and now it takes on a whole new importance not only for the present day to hide conspirators but involving the past. Some of the crotchety characters were actually fairly endearing to me, even if they bothered Kaylin a lot. I didn't like how sometimes she felt insulted merely for not understanding what was going on, but I did eventually gather that some of that was because she missed lessons that they had considered important. Oops. Willful ignorance is a whole other category, and as the novel progressed, some of that was smoothed over a bit, too.

I think I would have enjoyed the novel a lot more if I had read the earlier books in the series. From the amount of world-building and descriptions that I had seen here, I think I would have loved them.

Elantra Menaced by Danger in the Borderlands

The sentient towers in the fiefs at the center of Elantra are designed to protect the city from Shadow. Between the fiefs lies the gray borderlands. However, one of the fief lords has allowed a Shadow to cross from his fief into Elantra creating a danger to the city.

Kaylin is a Hawk, a function like a detective. The Hawklord assigns her and her compatriot Severn to enter the borderlands and survey the fiefs to make sure there are no other ways for a Shadow to gain entrance. There they discover an ancient sentient building that once house the Academie and which now seems to be the center of activity.

This is the fifteenth book in The Chronicles of Elantra. It’s a good continuation of the saga, but if you’re new to the series, the opening may be confusing. Many characters are introduced, and it takes awhile to sort out their roles. If you want to get the most from the series, I would suggest starting at the beginning.

Kaylin is my favorite character. She wants to fight the evil in the world and puts herself at risk to do so. She is one of the Chosen, but rather than spend time to get training on how to use her magic, she works in the world stopping to learn magic when she needs it.

If you enjoy world building fantasy, The Chronicles of Elantra are excellent. Elantra is complex, filled with magic, adventure, and interesting characters. The details are designed to make the world real. It’s a long book, but well worth the time to get to know this unusual world.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

In this 15th installment of the Chronicles of Elantra, Kaylin, Bellusdeo, and cohort must brave danger (and court bureaucracy) plus cunning intrigue, to discover if Shadow can breach the Towers, and if do, why, how, and how to prevent, before it's too late and their world too is devoured.

Michelle Sagara engages with Cast in Wisdom, the fifteenth Chronicle of Elantra. Kaylin Neya, newly promoted to Corporal,has been entrusted with finding how a Shadow escaped the attention of the Towers who guarded the borders of Ravellon. Kaylin and her associates are trapped in the borderlands in a university only partially in the real world and under attack by powers who wish to take over Elantra. Kaylin has special powers as the Chosen and dragon and other species allies. Will she win out? Fantasy world building at its best with flawed and fascinating characters whose intentions are good but whose execution of their plans is flawed. Read this marvellous adventure; go back and read the whole series !!!!!

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher on Netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own!

Book: Cast In Wisdom

Author: Michelle Sagara

Book Series: The Chronicles of Elantra Book 15

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: January 28, 2020

Genre: Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, some gore, some adult moments)

Publisher: MIRA

Pages: 544

Amazon Link

Synopsis: SOMETHING IS WAKING

The fiefs that exist at the heart of the city of Elantra are home to sentient Towers that guard the world against the incursion of Shadow. But between the fiefs exists the gray world of the border zone. In it, geography changes between one passage across a border and the next. The rules of magic are different there—and yet somehow familiar to Kaylin Neya.

When a Shadow escapes, Kaylin must find out how…and why. If Shadows can breach the barrier erected by the Towers, the whole of Elantra will be devoured. It’s happened on other worlds. Bellusdeo, Kaylin’s Dragon companion, absolutely believes it can happen on theirs.

The border zone holds secrets and ancient histories, and people are gathering there in search of its power. Without even understanding what that power is, or why it exists, Kaylin is in a desperate race against time to find those secrets first. She doesn’t know who her enemies are. She doesn’t know how many she’ll face. But she won’t face them alone.

Review: So… I didn’t know this was part of a series. It’s number 15 in the series. But fortunately, this was easy to get into. The world is complex and amazingly well built. The characters are also well developed. The book is also well written.

However, I felt like the pacing was a bit too fast for me and jumping into the middle of the series left me confused with some plot points, but it was fairly easy to catch on. I also felt that the book was a bit longer than it needed to be, but that’s personal preference.

Verdict: I wish I had started the series at the beginning, but pretty great book!

Cast in Wisdom is the fifteenth novel in Michelle Sagara’s Chronicles of Elantra series, and it is still going strong. It’s hard to believe that we’re already fifteen books in. But we are. Kaylin has come a long way in these tomes, and I for one and looking forward to the next step in her journey.
They say that you can never truly leave the fiefs. Perhaps that is true. There is something growing, something waking in the fiefs. Kaylin and her allies have been tasked with investigating, which means they’re about to get into a world of trouble.
The fiefs have long been the final boundary that keeps the Shadow at bay. So one can understand all of the concerns about maintaining their status. We already know that fractures have been found and made. So the real question is, what happens next?

“Kaylin knew it was going to be bad when discussion banked the minute she entered the dining room.”

I have been looking forward to Cast in Wisdom ever since I read the description, and I’ve got to tell you; it does not disappoint. This novel embodies everything that made me fall in love with the series to begin with and then some. It was brilliant and intense, and so full of the magic that makes this series stand out in a crowd.
Honestly, I’m not even entirely sure where to begin with my review. The magical system is one that I’ve always loved, so hearing how happy I was with it here is probably no surprise. Michelle Sagara has a way of establishing and maintaining complex systems. It’s extremely impressive.
The fiefs and their towers are something that have been constantly fascinating for me. I’ve been desperate to see more of them, and I feel like Cast in Wisdom finally gave me a chance to really indulge in that craving.
There was something so deeply personal about this novel. Perhaps it’s because so many of the secondary characters had to acknowledge their wants and needs, and see change because of it. Or perhaps it was the Arkon’s plight that made it feel so personal. I’m not entirely sure. But I do know that I loved every minute of it.

“And in my experience, a happy, safe home is a daydream. It’s an idle wish, an impossible yearning.”

Michelle Sagara’s writing is so painfully profound at times. Kaylin may not be the most experienced or knowledgeable character out there, but her perspective is everything we needed here. She sees the humanity in the strange, in the ethereal and immortal. All of this was shown to beautiful effect in Cast in Wisdom.
It’s taking all of my willpower not to gush about everything I loved about this book. Mainly I’m resisting because I don’t want to begin tossing major spoilers around. I will say that there is a lot that happens within these pages, and much of it advances the plot and permanently alters the world we’ve come to love.
One highlight I will mention; I feel that Cast in Wisdom did an excellent job balancing the massive variety of characters. I won’t say that each of them got a moment – that is far too much, even for a book of this size. But I do feel like a lot of the fan favorites had a chance to shine, and that’s enough for me.
I don’t know where this series is going to lead in the long run. Or how many books are left. I do know one thing for certain, I already hate the wait I’ll be facing for the next book in this series. I’m desperate and anxious for more. But until then, enjoy.

I can't believe we are already at book number 15! One of the things I like best about Michelle Sagara's Cast series is that the character development happens at a normal pace. 15 books seems like a lot, but what it really does is allow readers to experience character growth naturally, through the situations the main character encounters. And in this book we finally see the payoff of all of that growth. *Someone* gets a promotion. And the scene is delightful. Go read it for yourself.
In Cast in Wisdom, it has been some time since Kaylin has been to work. She serves as the equivalent of a street cop in the world of Elantra, but events continuously conspire to prevent her from doing her job, much to the annoyance of her boss. At the beginning of this book, we think she might be about to return to work. And she does. For about one day. A patrol assignment turns into confinement in what amounts to a semi-sentient haunted house.
Of course, Kaylin is not alone on her patrol. Her roommate, Bellusdeo, who also happens to be the last female dragon (read: a very important person), is trapped as well, along with several members of the Barrani cohort who were freed from the Heart of the Green in previous books. In their attempts to escape from the building, they discover more about what the building used to be and its particular importance to one of the members of the Imperial Dragon Court.
Despite most of this book taking place while trapped inside various buildings, there were some real bright spots. We got to see more of the fiefs and their respective Lords- some of whom I very much hope will make appearances in future books. Lord Emmerian comes back, and I got some more fuel for my personal theory that Emmerian might be the answer to Bellusdeo's problem of who to eventually have a clutch of baby dragons with. We hear more about the Arkon's past and how he spent his youth. We also delve a little bit further into Kaylin's mysterious healing ability, which she tried to use on more than just living creatures.
An enjoyable addition to the series that contributes to the overall forward motion of the story arc. Not my absolute favorite, but a solid installment of a great story. Available January 28, 2020. I already can’t wait for the next book (keeping my fingers crossed for more relationship development).
I would recommend this book to any past fans of the series and fans of Illona Andrews (though you should start at the beginning- Cast in Shadow). 4 stars.

This is book 15 in the series and I still fell that anticipation brought by the first books in the series. Each of Kaylin's adventures draws me deeper and deeper into the mystery that is Elantra, I simply cannot get enough of this richly immersive world. The wonderfully written characters and amazing world building kept me glued to my tablet and had me reading well into the wee hours. I highly recommend this entire series to lovers of the fantasy genre.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by NetGalley*

I received an ARC of the book from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I bow to the author. For she not only imagined a complex word she is somehow able to convey that world to others. I never in my life could have come up with this complex story and am always amazed at each instalment in the series.

Kaylin (our MC) is chosen but that means little to her. Over the course of the series she knows more and more what that means but as a mortal she probably will never fully understand. At her heart, Kaylin tries to see the best in the world and wants to change the world for the better. This book takes place not in the heart of the fiefs but what's in between. Kaylin's investigation there may change the life of someone she never expected to help in this way.

*****Minor spoilers and my opinion****"
Omg omg omg!!!! I love this series so much. I was not expecting the plot of this book. In fills in some plot areas from the previous books regarding the fiefs. I loved the ending. I teared up. You will know what I mean when you read the book and you should read it.

***Note****: you absolutely need to read the other books in the series. The series has alot of characters and a complex world. You will be lost concerning some major parts of the plot. But you will not regret this series. It is so worth it.

Note: This review will be live on my site Tuesday 1/21/20 after 4am Eastern time

Whenever a new Elantra book comes out, I rejoice. This is one of my favorite long running series and I'm always happy to dip back into the is world and visit with some of my favorite characters.

Here we find Kaylin and her partners (officially Severin and unofficially Bellusdeo) sent to investigate something in one of the fiefs. They come across a mysterious building that teleports them inside of it this becomes the mystery to solve for the book. What is this building and how does it fit into the structure of the fiefs and the fief lord they were sent to investigate. I enjoyed this plot because it was fairly straight forward and it moved steadily along. There was a lot of metaphysical discussion once again but less back and forth and over-explaining to Kaylin which can sometimes get repetitive. Some new things were introduced again which have huge consequences to the world and our characters moving forward. Some of these things have immediate consequences and some of it is set up for future books, there quite a bit of little points introduced and hints dropped here and there. I'm particularly interested in one plot point that was introduced regarding Kaylin that I'm hoping will come into play and possibly set her on a more defined path of self-discovery. So much of the time I feel like Kaylin is spinning her wheels because she doesn't really know what she wants in life other than a vague sense of security and home because of how she grew up and the trauma she went through as a child. Since this story is really about Kaylin, as the POV character, even though there's all this other stuff going on with the world and its magic, I'm hoping she gets a good personal story arc when all is said and done with this series. Not just as being 'chosen' but just as Kaylin Neya.

I was really happy with the characters we got to spend time with in this book. Nightshade was prominent, which I always enjoy because Nightshade is probably my favorite character--you never know exactly what he's up to! We do get a bit of a closer glimpse at some of his thoughts and feelings this book, due to his and Kaylin's link and the way it functions in the setting our characters find themselves, before he tightens things up again to keep Kaylin from knowing things he'd rather not reveal about himself.  I know he's Barrani and they're all about not revealing any weaknesses due to the ruthless nature of how weaknesses are taken advantage of, but I don't think it would kill him to be vulnerable where Kaylin is concerned, at least once in a while. Then again, isn't that sort of their relationship in a nutshell? The mark he gave Kaylin was brought up again this time around, briefly, and I always wonder if that's still relevant because it doesn't seem to be something that means anything sometimes, but apparently it does or people wouldn't still be remarking on it.

Let's talk about Severin for a minute and how he sometimes feels like a piece of furniture--he's so quiet. Sometimes I forget if he's even in the room with the group because it will go pages and pages without mentioning him. I liked that he got a more active role here and it also helped that he wasn't in the room with Kaylin for a while ,because they were separated, so they could do the mind speak thing instead of him hovering silently in the background not contributing much to the conversation. Also, when the action breaks out, well let's just say Severin is someone I'd want to have around. He has a wicked weapon and he wields it well. I was really happy with the amount of interaction he had in this book.

Bellusdeo continues to be a favorite character as well, she's someone who is also trying to find her place in this world, doesn't want to be told what that is, but is also cognizant of her duty to her race. This book is hinting at big changes for her in the future and I can't wait to see what those are. I really loved her interactions with The Arkon in this book, since they knew each other in the past they have an interesting dynamic compared to others. I also enjoy her friendship with Kaylin. I think it's important that they both have friends, as they often both feel like outsiders in their own ways. 

The future is in flux, people are starting to find their places where they belong in the world, kind of like how Tiamaris did with his fief many books ago. I don't know how many more books Sagara plans for this series, but there's a lot more being revealed about the early days of Elantra, the Ancients, and how the world functions. Between that and more characters finding 'their spots' in the world, as it were, I have a feeling things are starting to come together for an epic ending of the series, maybe in the next few books (this is book fifteen, after all). Our characters are starting to close in on the Shadow at the heart of Elantra, gaining more understanding about how things work with each book that passes, uncovering  a little more ancient history. Sooner or later they're going to reach the ultimate goal and I'm excited to see what the final mystery is all about, although I do hope we get a couple of more books before that point because despite it being book fifteen I feel like Kaylin has a way to go with her personal character arc. 

Overall, this was another great edition to the series and I had a lot of fun with it, it continues to be engaging and it's a joy to spend time in this world. Very much looking forward to the next in the series. 4.5/5 stars.

"Were I you, I would abandon all hope of what passes for normal in your life and assume that everything will, as you colloquially put it, be on fire in the worst conceivable way possible."

Cast in Wisdom by Michelle Sagara

Publisher's description:

SOMETHING IS WAKING

The fiefs that exist at the heart of the city of Elantra are home to sentient Towers that guard the world against the incursion of Shadow. But between the fiefs exists the gray world of the border zone. In it, geography changes between one passage across a border and the next. The rules of magic are different there—and yet somehow familiar to Kaylin Neya.

When a Shadow escapes, Kaylin must find out how…and why. If Shadows can breach the barrier erected by the Towers, the whole of Elantra will be devoured. It’s happened on other worlds. Bellusdeo, Kaylin’s Dragon companion, absolutely believes it can happen on theirs.

The border zone holds secrets and ancient histories, and people are gathering there in search of its power. Without even understanding what that power is, or why it exists, Kaylin is in a desperate race against time to find those secrets first. She doesn’t know who her enemies are. She doesn’t know how many she’ll face. But she won’t face them alone.

My thoughts:

Kaylin Neya, Chosen, healer of broken things, is once again caught up in an investigation that snowballs into an all out arcane brawl. If you are new this series or simply curious, I think you would enjoy this book but I highly recommend starting from the beginning with Cast in Shadow or the prequel novella Cast in Moonlight. We are now 15 books into Michelle Sagara's Chronicles of Elantra series. We know by now nothing is as it appears and that Kaylin's propensity for stumbling into trouble is almost unparalleled. She's making her way through with the help of her friends and by using her instincts. She does get it right more often than not but it does make me wonder just how powerful she'd be if she had full mastery of her power. Over the last 14 books and now this one, we have seen her grow and mature almost exponentially given that in reality this series covers a relatively short period of time.

I believe that her relationships in general are also progressing. There's a lot of reading between the lines. Sagara implies, through wording and context, what the emotions and intent are behind Kaylin's interactions. For example, she is more at ease with her communications with Nightshade which tends to imply a greater trust and understanding. She is comfortable with his continued presence in his little corner in her mind to the point that the lack of his presence wakes her up out of her sleep. As a matter of personal opinion, I crave more direct interactions between Kaylin and Nightshade. I am willing, however, to follow the flow of information that Sagara provides to its natural conclusion. To quote a line in Cast in Wisdom:

"The answer had to be couched in words before it arrived, as if it needed a carriage."

In this most recent Elantra entry, Kaylin continues to win over irascible immortals. Even Ynpharion expresses the wish that she survives which a serious departure from his previous attitude towards her. Nightshade once commented on Kaylin's influence being like a regalia, changing those around her. I think, and this is purely my opinion, that he wishes to be changed and challenged by her. Kaylin is often described as telling the end of someone's story, freeing long dead dragons from the burden of duty and returning the freedom of choice to transformed Leontines. Kaylin seems to collect the lost and by her very nature changes the story of their lives to direct them towards their purpose and free them from their bindings.

Which does bring me to my next point: what we mortals would call finding our true purpose is expressed as the dragons' desire for their hoard, the focus of all desire, all purpose. Bellusdeo seems a bit afloat in a sea of purposelessness. There's a sense of heartache with her. Like she's finding purpose where she's able but is not fulfilling in the way a hoard-less dragon needs. Bellusdeo continues to develop relationships with the other dragons and it was a joy to see more of Emmerian. Bellusdeo says in this book:

"And in my experience, a happy, safe home is a daydream. It’s an idle wish, an impossible yearning.”

I will be happy to see her find her hoard and her home after the heartache she's been through.

Michelle Sagara's Chronicles of Elantra series is a multilayered cake full of subtle flavors. Details about the characters, the setting, and the overarching storyline are added to and compounded over time. Every book adds a new layer and depth. I think the main issue some are having is the subtlety that Michelle Sagara uses in her writing. I don't find her subtlety to be a fundamental flaw but rather a fundamental DIFFERENCE. Something different is not bad as long as it's done skillfully. And it is skillfully done. We are too used to novels that are as subtle as a jackhammer, driving the author's point home with no finesse. Not everyone has the patience for nuance and that's fine. I don't always want to have to focus too hard on reading between the lines either but if my analogy of this series being a layer cake stands then for me it is also a comfort food. I can come back to this series again and again and know that I will catch something new, some detail I previously missed that adds so much more to the overall narrative.

On a more personal note, this book made me FEEL. I'm fully capable of enjoying a book without having felt anything strong or lasting about it. However, this book and the ones previous, made me feel like you don't have to be perfect to make an impact. You can go through trauma and come through it stronger and more compassionate than you were before. You can be broken and made whole. You can make mistakes and still be worthy. Nothing truly great was ever birthed in a vacuum. Nothing is made strong where there is no struggle. There is light to be found in any dark place. Your voice is heard if you are brave enough to speak. There is hope when all seems lost and irrevocably changed.

"She who saves a single soul, saves the universe."

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

One last thing: the Arkon... Oh, sweet cranky Arkon. The only thing I'm able to say about his journey is this:

"Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect."

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling

I struggle with the books in the Chronicles of Elantra on occasion. For the most part, it is a matter of the slower pace of many of the books. One thing that remains consistent is the amazing and imaginative storyline, the world-building and the wonderful cast of characters. Book 15 did not disappoint. Just when things seem to get back to some semblance of normalcy, Kaylin is thrust into an investigation that develops into much more. I loved seeing Tiamaris and Tara back in the story especially since after the last two books I wondered if the characters would be relegated to brief mentions in the future. This book also sees the further development of her relationship with Nightshade and other characters. In addition, the book offered more information on the other fiefs and the fief lords that previously only garnered a mention in the storyline. Like the other books in the series, Sagara does an amazing job of storytelling. The dialogue always flows smoothly and the characters feel real. The plot is full of action and follows a wonderful arc that builds and pulls the reader along for the ride. I think, by far, this is one of my favorites in the series so far.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this wonderful new addition to the series!

Sagara takes world building to the next level and is, imho, the best fantasy writer out there. I look forward to each and every one of Kaylin's adventures.

Favorite Character: Kaylin Neya
Even though Kaylin is the main character for the entire series, she shares the spotlight in this novel. Her personality still shows through, though, loud and clear. She has powers but doesn't know how they work or has even the most basic control of them - relying on instinct to use them in the right way at the right time. She is very relatable with her endearing quirks, as well as her mortality. I can't wait to learn more about her in other novels in the series.

What I Liked

The world of Elantra is so amazingly complex, detailed, and nothing short of brilliant. It is nothing like our world except for a few basic things, but it is alive in a way that makes you able to easily suspend disbelief and marvel at the wonders contained within the pages. There is so much detail, large and small, and no gaps to fill in using your own imagination. From the changes in eye color that reflect emotion to the way the dragons change form to the description of the few sentient buildings - I can see and hear it all. My five-star rating is based mostly on world creation in this novel; it is that good.

I also love that the main character is the Elantra equivalent of a police detective called a Hawk. This element brings mystery and suspense into the fantasy world that I love reading. The story is full of action that keeps the pages turning, as Kaylin Neya works to solve the mystery of the building with one eye.

As I stated earlier, Kaylin Neya is my favorite character. I love that she is Chosen and all but ignores this fact unless she needs to find a power in her runes that will help her fight the bad guy. She is unique, but it is not in her to acknowledge that or act in a way that shows it. She routinely skips any training on how to use her magic, instead preferring to be out there fighting the evils that exist in her world. Interestingly, she lives in a house that chose her, as it is sentient, and is called Helen.

Helen is the family that Kaylin never had. She takes care of Kaylin – from the everyday tasks of making sure she is fed and gets rest to the more complex help of giving her advice about different situations. Helen is a close second for me when it comes to a favorite character. I particularly enjoyed the part of the story that takes place in Kaylin's home and am glad that Kaylin has that kind of motherly figure in her life.

The plot in this story is interesting as it appears to be a shift in the series storyline. It is an opening for a whole new tomorrow. I wonder if Kaylin will finally get the training she needs but does not seem to desire except in small flickers of want that, if you are not paying attention, you will miss.

The dialogue flows naturally, even though it technically is in many different languages - translated, so the reader understands it, of course. And, all the characters are well-developed no matter how fantastical they are - and they can be pretty fantastical as Elantra contains many different races – Dragons, Barrani, Aerians, and mortals, to name a few.

What I Wish

There are many named characters in this book and series. Even if I start a series from book one, I tend to get lost in a lot of names. A simple glossary, which I ended up making myself, would be a significant help.

To Read or Not to Read
If you love high (or epic) fantasy, you will want to add this series to your bookshelves!

Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and a special thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Justine Sha for my spot on the blog tour.

Overall: 4/5 Stars
World Building: 5/5 Stars
Series Continuity/Expectations: 3/5 Stars
Personal Opinion: 4/5 Stars

I am yet again struggling to review a book in this series that I love. I could almost copy and past my review from the last book as the issues I had with that one are still very much present in this one.

This is now the at least the third book in a row where you see little to no character growth from Kaylin. You see little to no page time from some of the original favorite characters like Marcus, the Hawklord or Sanabalis.

Though we do get more time with Nightshade, that interaction is done almost entirely through his mental link with Kaylin and no actual interaction. There is a great deal of Kaylin’s interactions in this book that are handled in this manner. This is frustrating because it seems that somewhere along the way the deep tensions between Kaylin and Nightshade and Kaylin and Severn have been lost. Whatever tension existed between them has vanished. Severn’s place has turned more into a less personal bodyguard kind of a role while Nightshade has been relegated to more of an advisor/information bank.

I did love that we got to spend more time with the Arkon. This really was more about his story than anything and I was glad to see the focus shift from the cohort. You still get a good dose of them in this book, but they aren’t the focal point. It was also nice to see that Kaylin didn’t collect anyone or anything new in this book.

Another piece that was different in this one from many previous books is that Kaylin seems like more of an observer. She participates and has a few points where her abilities are key, but it isn’t her actions that are the most important. In a way, it is nice to see her not always being the one to come in and save the day, but she is the basis for the series. I would have really liked to see this be a book that helped her character grow in some way.

As far as series expectations go, this is where I tend to get tangled up. If you look at the last several books in this series, this is absolutely right in line with those books. But if you look at the earliest books in the series, this doesn’t have quite the same characteristics and feel. It does have more going on and brings about some drastic changes to the world than the last couple of books, so I’d say it falls in between the early books and the last couple as far as those expectations go.

As I mentioned in my review of Cast in Oblivion, I still love this series and these books, but characters need to grow. There are also things about characters that readers fall in love with and if you leave those things behind, you may end up leaving the readers behind as well. This one did a better job of bringing some of those things along than the last few, but not quite as much as I would have liked.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions stated are honest and my own.

When one of the fief lords lets a Barrani carrying Shadow cross into Elantra from his fief, the Hawklord assigns Kaylin and Severn to do a survey of the fiefs to make sure their borders aren't letting other Shadows through.

Bellusdeo, the only female dragon and a survivor of a world Shadow overwhelmed, is Kaylin's friend and decides to go along. As they are exploring the borderlands they discover an ancient sentient building which was once the Academie which was a major center of learning before the towers were built and the war against Shadow began. But the same fief lord who let Shadow through is trying to take over the Academie and add to his store of power.

Kaylin and her companions including Bellusdeo, the Cohort, and the Arkon who was once a student at that Academie need to find a way to oust the evil fief lord and restore the Academie to health and utility.

This is an excellent entry into the Chronicles of Elantra series filled with complex situations, danger and adventure. Kaylin is a character to root for. The world building is extensive and intriguing.

I really enjoy this series. Ms. Sagara writes this series with lots of interesting characters. Great world building as well. My only problem is my memory is so bad, it takes me a while to remember what has gone on before. However, she always gets me wrapped up again in the stories.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley. I'm hoping for many more in the series.

Title: Cast In Wisdom
Series: The Chronicles of Elantra #15
Author: Michelle Sagara
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 544
January 28,2020
Mira Books
rating: 4
SOMETHING IS WAKING

The fiefs that exist at the heart of the city of Elantra are home to sentient Towers that guard the world against the incursion of Shadow. But between the fiefs exists the gray world of the border zone. In it, geography changes between one passage across a border and the next. The rules of magic are different there—and yet somehow familiar to Kaylin Neya.

When a Shadow escapes, Kaylin must find out how…and why. If Shadows can breach the barrier erected by the Towers, the whole of Elantra will be devoured. It’s happened on other worlds. Bellusdeo, Kaylin’s Dragon companion, absolutely believes it can happen on theirs.

The border zone holds secrets and ancient histories, and people are gathering there in search of its power. Without even understanding what that power is, or why it exists, Kaylin is in a desperate race against time to find those secrets first. She doesn’t know who her enemies are. She doesn’t know how many she’ll face. But she won’t face them alone

My thoughts
This is my first time reading anything by this author or even reading this series , and while I wish I had read the rest of it before this book all I can say is that after reading it I want to go back and read the rest of the series, she has away with characters as well as her plot and her world building is complex but over all it pull you in to the story, with that said I would love to thank Netgalley as well as Mira Books for letting me read and review it .

I received a free copy of CAST IN WISDOM (Book 15 of the Chronicles of Elantra) by Michelle Sagara in exchange for an honest review. It’s time for Kaylin to get back to work. There’s something weird (well, more weird than usual) going on in the gray border zones between the fiefs. Since the fiefs and their towers are all that stand between their world and an invasion by Shadow, the Hawk lord, the Archon, and the Emperor all agree that Kaylin must investigate to find out what exactly is causing the disruption and fix it before Shadow seeps through those in-between places not protected by the towers. Since no one knows much about the border zones, Kaylin must go into this without any resources other than her friends, their skills, and their innate abilities. Once inside the gray spaces, Kaylin’s crew will be at a disadvantage as they are challenged by power-hungry foes who have already learned how to manipulate the resources within the border zone.

This is my favorite fantasy series. I love these books! I recommend this book to fans of the series. This tale also seems to set up Book 16 to resolve an ongoing crisis involving one of Kaylin’s friends. Now, I’m excited and already anticipating Book 16! I don’t really want to be pushy or rude, but, pleeeeeease, Ms. Sagara, would you write faster?

#CastinWisdom #NetGalley

This has been one of my favorite all time series and it just keeps getting better!! This one we learn new things and old things and the world just gets even more expanded. The characters are freaking amazing and the world is just so breathtaking. The stories that Sagara comes up with for these just keep drawing me in every second of the story and I just can not put them down.


Go Into This One Knowing: I need more!! Must Read!