At time I don't even know why I am reading this book. I am frequently both frustrated and bored, by the endless repetition of character habits, the lack of development of those characters - after six books, have the dragon court still not accepted or acknowledged that Kaylin has much to offer which is outside of their knowledge and experience, and that despite her being a mortal she is valuable? The newly introduced character if Bellesdeo clearly expressed what I felt - is the correct use of cutlery or knowledge of how to bow so important to the Emperor that he would be FORCED to eat her when she got something wrong?The relationship with Severn is SO SLOW... My gosg, one conversation per book, with very little development.... It's agonising! And all scenes with Nightshade mow grate, they have little purpose and feel like they have been forced into the last two books just to ensure he does make an appearance. And yet, I keep returning to it, and have every intention of reading the next. Somehow, despite these huge flaws, I am still invested enough in these characters that I want to find out what happens next. I just hope and pray that at some point soon, I may feel satisfied at the end of a book! No progress with Nightshade, although he offers a trade for information; one that Marcus doesn't take him up on immediately. A little bit of upfront discussion with Severn, but that's it. No progress with the egg.Kaylin gets etiquette lessons and survives them. I find out about the female dragons. I also read that there is a human caste lord somewhere (still confused about this).We learn more about the new arrivals from a different world. (The book calls them two things -- the People and the Naronnir.) We meet an Ascendent and his sword. Kaylin tells the dragons things from Barrani High Court that she really shouldn't.Lots of action and a big flying dragon fight. At least Kaylin hasn't regressed to the little girl who knows nothing. Most of what she doesn't know in this book the people around her don't know either.
What do You think about Cast In Ruin (2011)?
3.5 stars. best book of the serie till now.
—stareli
