Cast In Secret

Cast In Secret (2007) Michelle Sagara

Cast In Secret is the sequel to Cast in Courtlight, and takes off not long after the events of that book. Kaylin is still learning magic–and still not succeeding very well in her attempts. She terms with the fact that Severn is both her partner, and the keeper of the bracer that keeps her magical abilities in check. She is also still spending time using her power to help the midwives guild, and with the Foundlings, although the pace and timing of the story are so fast we she hardly spends any time there.

She is also, following the events of Cast in Courtlight still trying to make up to Quartermaster after the damage to her issued gear.

As with the previous books in this series, I really enjoyed reading about Kaylin. She’s a complex person and although you can understand why she acts and reacts the way she does, you can also understand why people find her annoying.

There are also many mysteries left unexplained, as they have been in previous books. What is the source of Kaylin’s power? How will this power affect her life and life span. But we also start to learn more about what she can do, and some of he history of her powers and markings.

Additionally, as with the previous book, although there remain many unanswered questions, the story arc of this book is resolved, so we are not left hanging. And perhaps we may never learn the answers to some of these questions. Which will be fine.

Although I like the covers of these books, I still think they present a different tone than the actual book. The covers look like they belong on an urban supernatural fantasy, but this series is most definitely not set in our world, and contains beings that are not human–not the typical elves and fairies, but beings that are unique to her world.

About the only negative is that once again there were sections that I found a bit confusing–I lost track of who was where as well as who was saying what. The later was a more common problem. Sometimes I would get to the end of a paragraph and have no idea who was talking–figuring out who said what was not even worth the trouble.

Yet despite these flaws, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story, and as usual had trouble putting the book down to go to sleep.

If you enjoy good fantasy with a strong female lead, then you may want to check out Michelle Sagara’s Cast series. Although you should be able to start reading here in the series, the previous books explain the relationship between Kaylin and Severn (and Kaylin and Lord Nightshade).
Rating: 7/10

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