I've been trying to take pictures of ebook covers of titles that I've been reading in whatever setting I was in at the time (mostly because there's no other time to take pictures). It just so happened that the jellybean decided she needed to inspect the new commercial on TV when I shot this. So, I guess you should consider this a warning that book cover photos that accompany my reading list posts will probably include children stuff. And the occasional toddler.
Continuing my Chronicles of Elantra lovefest, I'll be writing about its third installment Cast in Secret.
Kaylin Neya is more than ready to go back to her usual beat of patrolling Elani Street, where she was more than happy to arrest charlatans who sell love potions and other shenanigans to poor, vulnerable civilians. Or even to encounter a case of theft for her and Severn Handred to investigate. Unfortunately, she gets more than she bargains for when the stolen item is magical in nature. For as long as Kaylin has known him, Evanton is the curmudgeon owner of a shop on Elani and is one of the more magically capable residents of the street. As it turns out, Evanton is actually a keeper of a rather special garden that defies space and logic, housing the different Elements in order to keep them from running a muck in the world. While the events of a trespassing and a stolen reliquary are noteworthy, it's the reflection of a bruised girl in the garden's pond that propels Kaylin to action. On top of everything, Kaylin also heeds the call for help by the Tha'alani castelord Ybelline Rabon'alani, who needs help finding a Tha'alani child who has been abducted and cut off from the Tha'alaan or the collective consciousness of their kind.
At this point, Kaylin feels like a close friend. One that you absolutely adore, but would cause you to roll your eyes every time her bad habits rear their heads. Yes, she is still constantly late, still have terrible financial status and still incapable of cleaning her home. But like a good friend, you understand that there are bigger things to worry about, such as trying to avert yet another disaster that could destroy the world. Although, it would be unfair to say that Kaylin has not grown up in other ways, particularly in her relationship with specific characters.
Severn is now a constant, easily falling into his role as Kaylin's official partner in the Hawks. While each still have their own secrets held closely, both are at ease with their renewed friendship. The experiences in Cast in Courtlight, and the forgiveness they both learned to dispense towards each other and themselves have greatly helped in repairing their relationship. Their friendship runs deep and, despite their time apart, they act as if they didn't spend years apart. Severn isn't exactly stingy with words, but his silences are far more meaningful when it comes to Kaylin. He doesn't need words to offer encouragement and support. Nor does he need them when it comes to expressing disapproval, though this is mostly directed towards her affiliation with Nightshade.
Nightshade, on the other hand, continues to be his mysterious and charming self. Despite Kaylin's efforts to distance herself from the Barrani outcaste, mostly because she's also unsure of his draw, she still has to communicate with him out of necessity. Even with a literal river separating them geographically, Nightshade has a way of making his presence known, offering help, and the occasional sense of discomfort, to Kaylin.
At this point, it's easy enough to see why some readers have turned to shipping for Kaylin-Severn or Kaylin-Nightshade. Both relationships have appeal and either men are believable as viable love interests for Kaylin. With one side offering a familiar and comforting presence that comes with the burden of tragic history, and another side featuring a literally tall and dashing figure all wrapped up in dark secrets, their love triangle is definitely a popular topic among Chronicles of Elantra fans. But while Michelle Sagara isn't above teasing readers about Kaylin's possible romantic choices, I love that she doesn't turn the series into a who-should-Kaylin-choose debacle. Really, there are more pressing matters at hand.
Of the relationships that Kaylin further explores in the series, it's her friendship with Ybelline that made the most impact. The Tha'alani responsible for dispelling Kaylin's fears towards her people is warm, understanding and stronger than the soft nature that the pages describe her to possess. And with Cast in Secret focusing on the Tha'alani and what ironically ties them to Evanton's garden, you can't help but love Ybelline all the more. And in Kaylin's acceptance of Ybelline's people, she in turn gets some more of my love as a reader. Maybe even enough to make me forgive some of her failings and hope that she would possess the maturity to overcome them.
And with Kaylin's continued association with the dragon and magic teacher Lord Sanabalis, and her introduction to the also misunderstood Oracles, the third installment of the book series further expands our view and understanding of Elantra. And Elantra is a mysterious place, acting as a central location for many of their world's myths, which now include the elements that also rely on true names in order to communicate or control them. All of which adds to Kaylin's growing list of magic-related problems.
While I feel that Cast in Courtlight featured a more compelling mystery and offered better narrative pacing, Cast in Secret still comes across as exciting. And with that... on to Cast in Fury, then.
Happy reading!!Labels: Adventure, Book Series, Books, Cast in Secret, Chronicles of Elantra, Fantasy, Fiction, Michelle Sagara, Reading List
