Mismarketed but good

I really enjoy Michelle Sagara's books. I think she does a great job creating characters that you can relate to. You feel for Kaelynn, Severn, and in this book you learn and grow to understand the Berani. I would really like to give this a 3.5

I still disagree with how this series is marketed. It appears to be a romance or YA fiction. There is not romance in the first or second book although there is a deepening of the friendship and understanding of past issues between Severn and Kaelynn. They are good books. This series could be YA fiction in the sense that it is coming of age tale, there is no swearing or sexually explicit material, really any sex at all, but it is stronger in content than some other YA fiction. It's appeal I believe reaches to an adult audience.

Michelle Sagara had strong world building in her first book but she continues it while exploring the Berani Court and culture. This book deals with court and political intrigue along with a more intricate understanding of Sagara's magic system. Kaelynn continues to develop her magic out of necessity of her life and brings her in contact with characters of power.

Kristine Hvam I think does a good job of differentiating her characters and capturing the characters personality. I have not read the books, but I think Hvam does a good enough job that I look specifically to listen to these books rather than read them.

I enjoyed this book and would encourage those that liked Sagara's first book in this series to continue. Ignore book covers in this series and the fact it is published by Harlequin. Whether or not it is published by Harlequin it is not one, but it is a good fantasy.

11 people found this helpful

I love this series!

This is a really nice continuation of this series. When the author does a good job, the first in the series becomes my favorite in said series because it's the introduction to a brand new world. It isn't often for me that the second in the series is better than the first. This is one of those rare cases. The story was interesting though I missed Marcus since he didn't play as big of a role in this one. Hvam does a great job with voices. It's amazing how so many voices come from one woman.

11 people found this helpful

Great story; mediocre writing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The characters in this story are great. There is a lot of depth to a lot of characters--even characters who will likely only appear in this episode. Kaylin is pretty juvenile, but it is interesting to watch her begin to mature. She has such a pure heart, you always want to root for her! In this episode, I was really interested in the change in the Barrani characters, who have seemed very flat in the others. I'm especially interested to see where things are going with Lord Nightshade!

Any additional comments?

In my opinion, the writing in this book is pretty sophomoric. There are too many complicated, awkward, run-on sentences that are difficult to follow. It seems like the author is trying to make herself sound more intelligent than she is. On the flip side, it's a great story, and I'll definitely be listening to the rest of the series!

2 people found this helpful

Sigh, i reall did try...

I wanted to like this book and this series, god i really did. However the fact that i am actually having to keep forcing myself to get back to these books is rather telling for me. There is just so much nonsensical poetic metaphor!!! I have no idea what is happening, for crying out loud i feel like i am trying to decipher Shakespeare written in Japanese or something. Also it doesn't help that i lost any tolerance for super power angst a LONG time ago. Being disabled makes people complaining about having super powers just flat out insulting. Speaking of really annoying things i got fed up with, why does everyone in these books act so prickly and paranoid about EVERYTHING? Not a single question is asked or answered without pretty much pulling out the entire jaw line along with the teeth. No deed is done without a bunch of people acting really really REALLY vague about it or what might happen if the main character does the thing. Whole conversations seem to happen on winks and silences that the audience is never given any kind of explanation for. it's...well kind of stupid. I honestly couldn't tell you what happened in any of the two books i tried . The author just flat out refuses to give it's audience anything. If i was tring to listen to a one sided phone conversation in ancient Greek next to a jet engine i would probably have a better idea what that person was talking about than anyone in these books.

1 person found this helpful

Entertaining 2nd book!

I really enjoyed this book. I'm worried about the main character and how many powerful people have an interest in her abilities. She seems to be able to do a lot with her untrained powers. I just hope that she quits fighting it and tries to learn. It seems silly to find out you have a natural talent for something and then decide you don't want to have anything to do with it. I took a point off from the story for that. Overall though, I really enjoyed the book and anticipate the next book. So far a story line without smut. I'm hoping that does not change. Hooray for Michelle Sagara! Too many authors just rely on smut for appeal and ignore the story line. Already have the next 2 on my wish list.

1 person found this helpful

Even Better

What made the experience of listening to Cast in Courtlight the most enjoyable?

I love this series! This story is even better than the first (and just a hint, they just keep getting better!). The reader is great and presents the characters with "doing voices". Awesome Audible purchase!

1 person found this helpful

Engaging but uneven

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Memorable characters, imaginative plot, at times totally captivating. Silly, 2nd rate humor detracts at times. The narrator was also uneven, maybe playing to a young audience. It would be interesting to hear this series interpreted by a more skilled storyteller.

Did Khristine Hvam do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

No, not much dynamic creativity.

1 person found this helpful

Great Book - Great Story

Would you listen to Cast in Courtlight again? Why?

YES. I have all of the books and this one of 5 series that I would read again.
Others are: Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark Series * / Geroge RR Martin Game of Thrones / All JD Robb In Death Series / Christine Feehan Ghostwalkers (also like her Carapthian Series) / JRR Tolkien the Hobbit-Lord of the Rings Big commitments but worth the time and money to purchase and listen to them as well as purchase in print form. *I have both for many of my books.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything

Have you listened to any of Khristine Hvam’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She did an amazing job on this and on all other projects. My hope is that in making these reviews, it encourages the authors to use the talent that we feel is best as well as encourage those narrators with negative comments to work on their approach to reading the book. It is also my hope that the books we like very well will encourage the authors to write more of them knowing they have people who dearly love their work.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

2 people found this helpful

Better Than Book 1

Idk if I'm just used to the characters now or what, but I enjoyed this book more than the first. Great imagery and plot line. Definitely recommend.

boring

I'm on book 3 and still hoping it gets better.... can't even tell you what is happening or anything about the characters. not a fan