Review: Cast in Shadows by Michelle Sagara:

The particulars: Fantasy, Luna, available as ebook and in print.

The Grade: B-

The Blurb:

Seven years ago Kaylin fled the crime-riddled streets of Nightshade, knowing that something was after her. Children were being murdered -- and all had the same odd markings that mysteriously appeared on her own skin . . .

Since then, she's learned to read, she's learned to fight and she's become one of the vaunted Hawks who patrol and police the City of Elantra. Alongside the winged Aerians and immortal Barrani, she's made a place for herself, far from the mean streets of her birth.

But children are once again dying, and a dark and familiar pattern is emerging, Kaylin is ordered back into Nightshade with a partner she knows she can't trust, a Dragon lord for a companion and a device to contain her powers -- powers that no other human has. Her task is simple -- find the killer, stop the murders . . . and survive the attentions of those who claim to be her allies!

The review:

What I liked about it:

I picked up this one on Fictionwise, since I had wanted to read it for a long time.  I am glad I bought it.  It is a fast paced read, that at times feels like it is an Urban Fantasy.  It hooked me from the start.  From the opening scene, with Kaylin being awakened by the mirror. If the day started bad, it gets worse when she is told that she has to go back to Nightshade, the fief she grew up in  To make things worse, she has two partners  that she cannot quite trust. (  I loved that Kaylin makes no secret about the fact she would love to kill Severn.)   But then Kaylin is courageous, sometimes bordering on reckless. She faces Lord Nightshade several times, alone. ( Lord Nightshade gave me goosebumps.)  She faces her own memories again, albeit reluctantly. Kaylin is loyal, and would do anything for a child.   And that is what really puts her in trouble. 

Through the book, it feel as if everyone knows more about the reasons, and about the probable source about Kaylin’s power. This causes a layer of suspense  that give the book another layer.

What I didn’t like about it:         

What kicked this down from A to B-, was that Kaylin failed all classes, except Barrani.  Despite this, she was allowed to become a hawk.  Yes, I know it is fantasy but there should be some classes that are required to pass. 

Summary:

A fast paced fantasy, with a tone of Urban Fantasy.  Will I pick up the next book? Probably.