This is the fourth book in the Cast series by Michelle Sagara. Last I read there are going to be five books in this series. This was a great book and really added to the series.

In this book Kaylin finds out that Hawk's Seargent, Marcus, has been accused of murder. On top of this after stopping the tidal wave from destroying the city; people fear the Tha'alani more than ever. Kaylin and Severn are assigned to work at the palace with the Imperial playwright to help him write a play that will help the populace to understand the Tha'alani better. Kaylin is again run ragged as she tries to help Marcus and help protect the Tha'alani.

This was a good book for this series. Maybe not my favorite of the series, but you find out more about Kaylin's potential. Severn was steadfast in his support of Kaylin and Sanabalis continues to be a favorite character of mine. You learn a ton about the Leotine race in this book; I really enjoy that race and was happy to learn more about it. I was a bit disappointed that more time wasn't spend with Nightshade as he is another one of my favorite characters. Kaylin actually matures some in this book and grows as a character so that was nice to see.

Overall this was a well-written, fast-paced fantasy-adventure. It was heavy on intrigue and magic. I enjoyed it a lot and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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Well I think this was not as strong as some of the other books in this series, but as usual the world and character building is top notch. I felt that this installment did shed a lot of light on the Leontine race and Kaylin's special relationship with Marcus and his wives. The book showed a lot of how Kaylin's personality was influenced by this group - they truly seem like a foster family for her. The ongoing thread which started in the first book and which has continued in others regarding an Outcaste dragon trying to topple the empire also continues. There are a few more revelations about him and I expect that the series won't end until he gets defeated once and for all. Hopefully at the same time Kaylin manages to control and understand her powers.

Other than that, I felt like a trend is starting to develop here. Kaylin is thrown into a situation she knows nothing about regarding a certain race, and this race doesn't want to explain to her their particular history which is the key to solving whatever problem she's facing. Usually the world has to almost end before they finally reveal the big missing piece in the puzzle. In the meantime, she has to ask a lot of questions trying to solve the problem, and there is always someone around to look at her with an impatient air when she does. I'm getting annoyed on her behalf. I'd like to see something a bit different in the next book, and some more focus on her relationships and her powers. Not that I would mind learning more about the Aerians or the Dragons, which seem to be the two races without their own books, but I don't want yet another disaster that threatens a whole city to be the only way to learn about them.

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Very good series. Unusual and enjoyable

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Wow! This one is my absolute favorite of the series so far! It was so exciting and emotionally tense! And, honestly, I think it was the most informative of the whole series, too. I loved learning more about the Leontines and I am very curious about what direction the next book will take. I still would like to see more development of Kaylin's character, and I must admit that Severn is starting to get on my nerves. His character, though present throughout the entirety of this book, might as well not have been since it seems he lost character development in his role as the silent, but unfailingly right, guide. I am disappointed that _Cast in Silence_ is the next and last book that is in publication. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the new books of this series in the future!

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Whenever I come back to this series I am always amazed at how quickly the story flows - it's hard to put down! Picking up from the last book, the city is in a state of unrest and anger at the mind-reading Tha'alani race, suspecting them of creating a tidal wave that almost wiped out the city, when in fact they had tried to save it. So the Imperial Palace has commissioned a play that will put the Tha'alani in a more favorable light in the public's eyes in an attempt to diffuse racial tensions. Kaylin Neya has been requested by the Tha'alani to oversee the play's writing to assure that their race is portrayed accurately. But dealing with the temperamental playwright is a difficult task. To make matters worse, Kaylin's sergeant and surrogate father, the Leontine Marcus, has been accused of murder and arrested, and an overbearing replacement threatens to fire her at the slightest infraction. Kaylin is determined to go into the heart of the Leontine fief and investigate to free Marcus - assuming she can keep from getting killed. What she finds may very well get the entire world destroyed. It's a worthy addition to a great series.

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