I think this has been my favourite book in the series so far. Mainly because we got out of the city of Elantra, and with a different setting we actually got some variance in the story telling; in addition the middle section finally gave us some development in some key relationships - not enough, but it was a start. Frustratingly though, I can't give the book more than 4 stars. The starting was again slow, and full of the same frustrations - when will the people around Kaylin stop saying the same old gripes about how she's ignorant and start giving her the credit she's due - she's saved the world 6 or 7 times already! And not just by random magic, but by caring and being intelligent!A major failing would be that, despite the protests of the author, you wouldn't be able to read this as a stand alone book. Whole chinks of narrative are not explained, but are dependant on you having read the previous books to understand what's happening. For example, at no point that I can recall does this book explain how it is that Kaylin can communicate with both Severn and Nightshade in her thoughts. It would be easy to think that she can do. This with anyone. So even though this is a good book, you have no choice but to wade through the previous not so good books to get here. And the worst thing? The ending. Again. Once the author hits the big drama scene, she just muddles it. By the end, I still had no clear idea what had just happened, what exactly Iberienne, the villain, had been trying to achieve, and what Kaylin had done to put things right. The whole final five or six chapters are just a blur, and a frustrating one at that. Loads of complicated stuff about true names, but not explained, not contextualised. I'm just left feeling confused. It's almost as bad as the whole scene with the Devourer, two books back (anyone able to tell me who / what the Devourer is yet?) And then, the book just ends. Without any resolution. Without anyone reconnecting - except in a strange epilogue told from the Consort's view. Sudden and inexplicable. A good book ruined in the end. The only way I can really enjoy these books seems to be by pretending I understand more than I do, o by imagning my own narrative to fill in the gaps! One of my criteria for giving 5 stars is that I must get lost in the book; when I remember to check the time, hours may have passed, although it felt like minutes. Cast in Peril did that. I was also sad when I finished because the wonder of reading a book the first time happens only once; that is another of my criteria. I cried, laughed and felt like these characters are family (yes, that too gets 5 stars). I look forward to reading Cast in Peril again next week before the release of Cast in Sorrow; actually, I look forward to reading all of the Chronicles again. This criterion is not necessary for a book to receive 5 stars. I can read a book, sees its quality and value to the genre, and have no desire to read that book again. The Chronicles of Elantra beg to be read more than once, but 5 stars is the highest rating.I am very glad that I came to Elantra late in the telling, so that the wait for Cast in Sorrow is only ten days; a year or more would have been quite difficult.
What do You think about Cast In Peril (2012)?
Kaylin is **finally** showing growth. I really liked this book.
—fred
Not my favorite of the 'cast' series, but still worth reading.
—Mariarc
I'm hooked! Pick up this series you will love it!
—stefanie
It was really good looking forward to the next
—Missy
