I do have to admit that I want to cross off the The Chronicles of Elantra series from my reading list. Firstly, I want to find out how far Kaylin Neya has gone in her adventures, because eight books in (I'm currently reading Cast in Peril), one can't help but be invested in her character growth. Secondly, after organizing my ebook collection, I realized that I have a lot... A LOT... of backlog reading to do on top of the recent new releases that I just can't wait to read (when I find the time to do so). I didn't want to start on a new book series without finishing what has been published by author Michelle Sagara so far.
After the events of Cast in Silence, Kaylin is more than ready to look to the future, eyeing a promotion that's driving her to be punctual at work and resuming her usual patrol rounds in Elani Street with fervor. One can't help but be positive now that the problems at Barren have passed and the fief is now the domain of the dragon Tiamaris. But Elani street seems to be experiencing something unusual and most likely magical in nature. When Kaylin visit Evanton's shop and enters the garden of the elements by herself, she literally falls out of the world and finds herself being chased in nothingness by an entity called the Devourer. She barely escapes with assistance from Nightshade, but her return to her world is fraught with dangers, as the strange occurrences in Elani increase in frequency, even affecting the births of newborns in the area. What's more, with the elements in turmoil, they discover that the Devourer has been destroying worlds it finds, and it's now in its way to Elantra.
While Cast in Silence featured a time traveling story line that helped Kaylin (and us readers) understand the creation of the fiefs and the towers/castles in each one, author Michelle Sagara tackled yet another world building element for Cast in Chaos. Although I really should say multiple-world building. The topic of multiple worlds was touched on briefly in the past (Cast in Fury, I think), but mostly concerning the theories on the origins of the inhabitants of the world of Elantra. While some were created by the Ancients in the earlier histories of their world, there are those that are considered not entirely native, including the Aerians, and possibly the humans, as well. Cast in Chaos literally thrusts Kaylin outside of any of those worlds when she finds herself not quite in Evanton's garden and being chased by what has to be the most terrifying entity of the series so far, outcast dragon Makuron and his shadow denizens included in the consideration.
The threat posed by the Devourer is one that ties in with magic that could very well affect the very fabric of Elantra's existence, and one that directly affects the elements that Evanton maintains in his garden. The mythology is complex and precedes any of the recorded histories, even by records kept by the Tower of Tiamarais, Tara, whose magic could very well be linked to the very Ancients that created the different sentient beings of the many worlds. The Devourer is an apt name, especially when Kaylin experiences first hand how it hungers for the words that make up the markings of her body, and learning about its nature and how to possibly stop it from reaching Elantra required investigation on Kaylin's part with a palpable urgency. It doesn't help alleviate her concerns when she learns that in stopping the Devourer's entry to her world would mean the death of an entire population who have lost their world and are on the run from the entity.
Truths are very much prevalent in Cast in Silence. Aside from learning the truth about the Devourer, her encounter with the creature forces her to confront Severn about his feelings for her. While mostly an effort on her part to keep herself grounded and not allow the Devourer to... well... actually devour her, she confirms with his answers the reasons why he remained vigilant in the shadows to be near her, even when she hated him the most. This is also the first time that "feelings" are tackled throughout the series, given that Kaylin is usually recalcitrant when it comes to relationships outside of friendship. Her continued refusal to acknowledge Nightshade's marking of her as a consort and Severn's usual dispensation with actual worded conversations given their closeness made romantic relationships not a usual topic in the series, which is an actual benefit because a woman-fronted fantasy series doesn't always have to be defined by who she has to end up with. But this particular acknowledgement that feelings are actually present is welcome, given that it helps Kaylin survive and since it's already the sixth book with a lead character who's already familiar with readers, so it's safe to explore the topic finally.
While many of the previous characters make an appearance, this particular volume is mostly concentrated on the efforts of Kaylin (and her constant companion Severn) to address the threat of the Devourer. Assists were made by now series staples Evanton, Sanabalis, the Arkon, Ybelline, Tiamaris and his tower's avatar Tara. The Lord of the High Court and the Lady also make an appearance, what with the threat of the portal opening in the middle of Elantra encompassing all the races, making it not just the concern of the Dragon Emperor. But with the very little amount of information about their adversary on hand, Cast in Chaos is ultimately Kaylin's show. And given her unusual thought process and disregard for her own safety when others are at risk, she is probably the only hope they have of averting disaster.
And if you're a fan of the Chronicles of Elantra series, you wouldn't have it any other way.
Happy reading!!Labels: Adventure, Book Series, Books, Cast in Chaos, Chronicles of Elantra, Fantasy, Fiction, Michelle Sagara, Reading List
