Title: Cast in Shadow (Chronicles of Elantra #1)

Author: Michelle Sagara

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery

Published: July 1, 2005

Kaylin grew up in the fiefs where children were being killed. Their bodies were found throughout the area with markings on their arms and legs. One day the markings appeared on Kaylin's arms and legs. She managed to escape the fiefs and over the years she joined the police force known as the Hawks. When the story began it was years later and the killings had begun again.

I did have a difficult time getting used to the different races of people. Once I got used to her boss being a lion like creature or having most of the characters have wings and feathers, the book moved a lot more smoothly for me. I would have like to see how Kaylin managed to get where she had in the position she was in. She was constantly late and she had an attitude, she did not watch what she said to those in authority, but it didn't seem to matter and I wanted to know more about how their relationships had been formed.

I was not completely comfortable with the victims in the book being children, but there was a distance put between the reader and the crime since we never actually saw it happen. The characters did see an autopsy, but the story focused more on Kaylin's reaction than what else was happening the room.

I liked the story enough I did go and find the prequel and I have ordered book number 2. I look forward to seeing where these characters are going.

Overall I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.