Week 44 Review: Cast in Deception

From Goodreads:
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?

Private Kaylin Neya thought her home couldn't possibly get more crowded. But when one of her housemates, Annarion, decides to undertake the Barrani Test of Name, his friends refuse to let him face his task alone--and Kaylin's sentient home, Helen, is the only structure capable of shielding the rest of Elantra from the magnitude of their power.

Annarion and Mandoran almost caused the destruction of the High Halls once already. Add nine of their closest friends, and the danger is astronomically higher--especially since these guests are at the heart of a political firestorm. Imprisoned almost a millennium ago, their recent freedom threatens the rulership of several prominent Barrani families, and the machinations of those Lords make it almost impossible to tell friend from foe. 

As political tensions ramp up, the shadows beneath the High Halls are seeking a freedom that has never been possible before. Kaylin must find a way to keep those shadows from escaping, or that freedom will destroy her city, the empire and everything she holds dear. 

My Review:
Yeah, this book! This is the book of politics, there's no real crime that they can solve. There is a whole ton load of things going on, like an assassination attempt, an unwanted, forcible move, and going to the heart of another sentient building. Epic!

I was watching NetGalley every day for the past month or so in the off chance that this book would be added. And when I saw that it was, I pouched, and immediately began reading it. This is the 4th book of the series that I had to wait for, and that wait was evil and well worth it!

It was a very dense read, on multiple occasions I had to reread sections, over and over, to make sense of what was happening. Plus, having to remember what had just happened and earlier conversations and discoveries. There was a lot going on, and it was just so freaking great!

I didn't understand the cover. Not till about 300 or so pages in, when we're introduced to Spike. I think he'll (pretty sure he's a he, or at least that's what can be used as his pronoun) be even more important than the role he plays in this book, because I want to see more of him!

A lot of this book is politics. Because the cohort decided to take the Test of Name, that makes them a threat in more ways than one. And this affects both the 9 who stayed back as well as Teela. Which of course Kaylin gets tangled in!   

Terrano makes a splashy entrance, and it was really interesting to see him again, and actually get to know him vs. trying to fight him as he was a bad guy previously. And some of his past actions come to bite them in the butt, but what doesn't kill you!

There were also concerns and suspicions about the motives of various people. Like, the Consort and how she knew that Kaylin would be there. That someone might have requested for the portal path the cohort was to use be different. How the war band found cause to come together so quickly. Things like that. So intriguing!

Near the end, and the end, were the two big moments in this book. The first one could've been the ending of the book, but we're lucky it's not, because that meant we got more book! While things aren't wrapped up, they've settled, at least, until the next book!

This book was just amazing, and I can't wait for the Severn novella and the next book in this series!

Author: Michelle Sagara
Series: Chronicles of Elantra #13
Read: November 3rd, 2017
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Absolutely love this series and Michelle Sagara's writing! And it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Mira
Expected Publication: January 23rd 2018

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars