Cast in Shadow

Kaylin grew up on the streets of the fiefs. She was one of many lost children who were left to fend for themselves in the underbelly of Nightshade, the most powerful of the fiefs. Seven years ago, children were being slaughtered and bore the same marks on their arms and legs that began forming on Kaylin. Severn was her champion and her everything while growing up, but he betrayed her and she ran to the powerful Lords of Law. The Hawk Lord took her under his wing and she became a Hawk, the eyes and ears of the Emperor’s police force.

Now, Kaylin is forced to face her past and the painful secret that she’s been hiding. Children are dying again and her marks are changing. With the help of a mysterious Dragon and an alluring fief lord, Kaylin and Severn must face an evil like no other.

Michelle Sagara has created one of the most intriguing worlds I have ever read. The craftsmanship is phenomenal. The City of Elantra is a rich landscape that is so well detailed that you could almost draw a map just from the descriptions. Not only does Ms. Sagara do a great job with the world, but the depth of the characters is also amazing. You really feel for them. In fact, this was such an emotional read that I had to explain to my children that ‘Mommy’s not sad, just reading’ at least three times throughout the book. I look forward to the next book in the series, Cast in Courtlight, coming in the summer of 2006.

Reviewed by: Serena