Cast in Peril was such a good read that I had to debate on whether I should immediately follow it up with Cast in Sorrow. There's also the fact that its events pick up right after its preceding volume, with Kaylin Neya and her companions finally arriving at the West March for the Barrani Recitation.
But I was worried about book series fatigue, so decided to read other titles before returning to it. There was a part of me, however, that was looking forward to finding out what will happen during Kaylin's stint as harmoniste in the event.
Kaylin and the others finally arrive at the West March, but find that its welcome is far from warm, even if Kaylin is kyuthe to the Lord of the West March, Lirienne. There, the Consort is forced to take on the nightmares of the Hallione Alsanis, with the haven having since been closed to any guests or inhabitants since the disastrous Recitation where chosen Barrani children, including Teela, were involved. Given that the harmoniste is human, the Teller is outcaste Nightshade, and Teela a part of their party, it's safe to say that the Barrani who call the West March their home are bound to be begrudging with their hospitality. As Kaylin face one danger after another, she slowly learns about the events that seem to have altered the core of the West March. But with the Barrani's penchant for secrecy and distaste for help offered, she might not get the answers she desperately needs to save Teela in time.
Much like Cast in Peril, Cast in Sorrow is fast paced and packed with major events. There's very little chance for Kaylin to catch her breath. One moment she is warding off some type of danger, then next she is trying to verbally battle with a Barrani, and the next trying to find a way to escape yet another attempt on her life. If Kaylin doesn't die from the constant murder attempts or dangerous magic she encounters but barely understands, I wouldn't be surprised if she drops dead from exhaustion in the future. In this volume alone, I think she clocked in no more than a few hours of sleep. I didn't know if I wanted to continually root for her or give her a pillow.
But given her unique relationship with Lirienne and Nightshade, and her new acquaintance with Warden of the West March Lord Barian, Kaylin is at least getting more answers than she normally does when dealing with Barrani, which means marginally less blank spaces to fill when she ventures into some new magical territory yet again. Most of the problem seems to be coming from the Hallione Alsanis, whose dreams have all turned into nightmares after housing the children of the disastrous Barrani recitation. Lord Barian's role as Warden allows him to access and absorb those nightmares, but he fears that the Hallione will soon be lost to them, which could only mean disaster since the Green or the very essence of the West March is connected to it.
But even if Kaylin can ignore the destruction of a core part of the Barrani culture and mythology, she can't turn away if it means that Teela would be lost to her. With Nightshade's involvement in the story, I thought that Cast in Sorrow would heavily feature Kaylin's connection with the Barrani outcaste, if only to balance out all the feelings that Severn has been sending Kaylin's way in previous volumes. So, I was surprised that while an important relationship with a Barrani would be explored, it was Kaylin's connection with Teela that was given voice. Teela has always been a supporting character in Kaylin's life, one who usually treats her like a kid and teases her mercilessly. Cast in Sorrow would reveal all that Teela has done on Kaylin's behalf, and why the latter would go to great lengths to save the former, even if the one being saved feels that she shouldn't be.
I find that this particular journey in Cast in Peril and Cast in Sorrow featured a Kaylin that I liked through and through. She displays maturity in her choices, including making the effort to try to fit in among and understand the Barrani. Complaints are still made, but there's less whining in her tone (a prevalent quality in her inner dialogue in previous installments), and they are actually complaints that you can empathize with as a reader, given that the Barrani can really be infuriating. Kaylin is stubborn, but in the two volumes, that stubbornness is appropriate and are actually required if Kaylin wanted to get anything done. There's also acceptance that magic is the only way she can find solutions to the very large problems the Barrani are facing, especially since she is determined to save Teela from what could be an unfortunate fate.
While the Barrani continue to be their arrogant selves, some do come off as more likable. Lord of the West March Lirienne and Lord Barian are two such characters, with the former exercising the rare Barrani display of humor with Kaylin. The Consort, in her further understanding of Kaylin's nature, is more accepting of her very human faults and would probably be less inclined to feeling insult in their future encounters that might lead to perceived slights. And with this volume tackling a vulnerability to their race, even the Barrani, as a whole seem, to start taking Kaylin's achievements in stride, though with the usual doses of veiled fear and suspicion. More light is also shed on how immortality lends itself to their coldness and politicking, further emphasizing the expansiveness of the world and culture building at play in the book series.
Cast in Sorrow is a very rewarding read for those who have followed the Chronicles of Elantra series. All the expected elements that author Michelle Sagara usually includes in every volume are present -- a compelling mystery, action, magic --, yet somehow maintaining its freshness, especially when growth is very much evident in its heroine.
I might take a longer break from Chronicles of Elantra this time around, given that I am currently in the middle of the The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, and would probably read its sequel Invasion of the Tearling right after (with only two more volumes left in the still-running Elantra series, I figured I can forego my decision to not start a new fantasy anthology until its conclusion). But rest assured, I will return to Kaylin and the ever expanding world built by Michelle Sagara.
Happy reading!Labels: Adventure, Book Series, Books, Cast in Sorrow, Chronicles of Elantra, Fantasy, Fiction, Michelle Sagara, Reading List
