Peps' Reading List: Cast in Courtlight by Michelle Sagara

Given my enjoyment of the first installment and the ready access to the rest of the Chronicles of Elantra series by Michelle Sagara, it was easy enough to decide on Cast in Courtlight as my next reading material.

Kaylin Neya is still coming to terms with the events in Cast in Shadow, where she discovered that the markings on her body identifies her as the Chosen and that the powers that come with the title can be exploited by those who wish to do evil. Narrowly escaping, yet temporarily triumphing over, the dragon outcaste Makuron the Black, Kaylin intends to just go back to her regular life as a Hawk. But her experiences have made quite an impact and she can't escape the notice of those in power. And bearing the mark of Nightshade causes the Barrani to take notice, especially since it's revealed that it identifies her as the fieflord's consort.

In Cast in Courtlight, Kaylin's plans to stay out of the Barrani's notice, particularly that of Arcanist Lord Evarrim, is thrown out the window when fellow Hawk Teela practically drags her to the Barrani High Halls. Teela is set to attend the High Court in the coming Festival, and she aims to keep Kaylin's exposure to the rest of her kin be as minimal as possible. But the Lord of the West March, second son of the High Lord has fallen into a coma and his death would prove disastrous to the Barrani, so Teela is forced to ask Kaylin to try to see if her unique powers would work on waking him.  But saving the Lord of the West March might prove to bring more trouble then peace to Kaylin's life.

With the varied races that call Elantra home and the Chronicles of Elantra quite the lengthy book series, it was obvious that author Michelle Sagara would dedicate specific volumes for each one. Cast in Court light gives readers a bit more insight to the Barrani race, who are known for thinking themselves superior, their exceptional beauty highlighted by eyes that change shades of blue or green to reflect their moods, and their nuanced levels of politicking that will always be beyond Kaylin's understanding.

Kaylin's world is further fleshed out, albeit within the confines of the High Halls for most of the book. With the Lord of the West March claiming Kaylin as kin and her invitation to attend the Festival because of this honor, she is slowly made privy to the long kept secrets of the Barrani race. Especially since the latest Festival's highlight among the Barrani is the ascension of the new High Lord and his consort, the Lady.

Things are never easy for Kaylin, especially now that her powers are known to those who need to wield it to achieve impossible means. The Lord of the West March asks Kaylin to save his brother, the Lord of the Green, who seems to have succumbed to a dark force. It's easy enough to understand that the Lord of the Green is meant to become the next High Lord if he survives his current state, but it's not as easy to find out what caused it, or why it's important for a new High Lord to be named when one heir is compromised and the alternate refuses to receive the title. And since I'm already seven books deep in the series, I can at least tell you that Kaylin without all the facts (or always being in company of those who are steadfast in their wish not to share them) is pretty much a constant state of events. But such is the case when you're a human among immortals, never mind the fact that you have powers worthy of their fear.

In Cast in Shadow, the nature of true names is touched on when Nightshade gave his to Kaylin in order to anchor her during her interaction with the Ancient Ones. In Cast in Courtlight, their importance is even more highlighted, when upon entering the very secret part of the High Halls has led to the discovery that every Barrani is gifted with true names in order to become immortal and that a test is always administered to those who wish to be titled Lord. True names are meant to be kept secret and giving it, whether voluntarily or because one is forced, will not only allow you to have a connection, but can actually be used to control the one whose name is known. And worse still, a more powerful force can actually sunder that name from an individual, who in turn would merely be a shell or a puppet.

But Kaylin isn't completely alone in her adventures (or misadventures), with Severn at her side as her new partner in the Hawks. Their relationship is still awkward, given the painful past between them, but understanding has tempered Kaylin's rage and a new form of trust is in its place. The past will continue to haunt them both, and events in Cast in Courtlight sheds even more (though not by much) light to the events that have led Kaylin to the Hawks and Severn to the Wolves, another law enforcement group in Elantra, before he also became a Hawk. I think the measure of forgiveness dispensed by both parties was deftly handled by Michelle Sagara, and solidified my decision to stick with the series. Nightshade's interaction with Kaylin is fewer in comparison, but his influence is heavy especially when mentioned in the High Halls that he used to frequent before becoming an Outcaste.

Michelle Sagara takes time building a story, and Kaylin is usually left with a lot of questions that nobody would given her answers to, but she rewards readers with a satisfying payoff in terms of adventure and world building. Never mind that you still have questions at a book's end, because you do have the rest of the series to look forward to for your answers.

A lot happens in Cast in Courtlight and, even if it's shorter than the usual fantasy fiction that I read, I felt Kaylin's exhaustion at the end of it (and know that she's going to be late for work the following day... again). One can expect that it would be the same for the rest of the Chronicles of Elantra series. And I know exhaustion well, because I'm taking care of a one year old without help. But this kind of exhaustion is well worth the effort of reading and blogging about after when I should be sleeping.

Happy reading!!

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