Author
This is the spoiler thread for discussion of Cast in Wisdom. Thanks for keeping spoilers to a minimum in the release post. 
As for me: I am now working on yet-another-beginning for the next West novel (because the start point initially skips a bunch of things that, on reflection, need to be on the page), and the beginning of the next (untitled) Cast novel.
Aaliya Bishop says: Very true. Leaving the unknown out there does raise questions! However this book made in roads in highlighting the different tiers and their respective lords.
Anyone else think belleduseo is going to take on the tower that was candallar?
This book felt like a big shift in places. It’s the first time that kaylin really wasn’t the centre of action — she was the middle man and mouth piece for many but in terms of action, kaylin was almost a bystander, which was a nice change.
Genna Warner says: I think Bellusdeo will take the tower. I am hoping this is what the next book is about. After all she was a queen, and ruling a fief would be similar in my opinion.
Tyronne Lorne Hodgins says: It was nice learning more about the fiefs and their rulers. Still a lot to learn though and it’s now a little more convoluted with Lannagaros becoming Chancellor. One presumes that he now controls the zone between the fiefs. It will also be interesting to learn what his connection will be to the Towers themselves as opposed to the fief lords. I don’t see Belleduseo becoming fief lord. That’s too easy. Although, if she gets around to mating with Emmerian, then maybe she does take the Candallar Tower cause I can’t see the Emperor being overly thrilled but then again who knows, Kaylin hasn’t been reduced to ash after all.
Joanne Weckbacher says: It would be nice to have a list of characters at the back of the book. Sometimes it’s a while between novels and it’s hard to catch up on all the players without going back to another book and that ruins the story.
Seana says: I agree with a lot of Aaliya’s comments, as well as Genna’s. Interesting how so many of the readers share similar thoughts on where things are going…
I see Tyronne’s point about Bellusdeo taking the tower as maybe being an ‘easy’ plot choice, but I think it would be a really smart move for the safety of the city: Tiamaris has made so many changes with the help of Tara and the Norranir, and one has to believe that Lannagaros will also be vigilant in the border zones ( I liked how they solidified after he was instated!).
If Bellusdeo takes a tower, and the towers start communicating and working more cohesively, (as was hinted at) then the Shadows are in trouble!
I do wonder though, what would happen to the Norranir in Tiamaris? If the ‘god’ once again has her own dominion, one has to think they’d want to reside there…
Michelle, as always, a brilliant book! It was interesting to see the plot driven by various other characters, without Kaylin being excluded. Interesting too, to ponder how the dynamics will change if members of the cohort do actually become students of the Academia.
I have been wracking my brain as to how you will select the dragon mate for Bellusdeo. Like Tyronne, I kind of figured it’d have to be Emmerian, but you are good at the plot twists, so… maybe not? I have always been curious though why you changed the Emperor’s name from his initial appearance at Kaylin’s house incognito, to the following book?
Tyronne Lorne Hodgins says: Hey Seana — I didn’t know Michelle had changed his name. In which book did it change? Although, there are many pluses to Bellusdeo taking the tower, the main reason why I don’t believe she will is simple: She is the warrior queen — She has always fought the Shadow. Taking a Tower would limit her ability to fight primarily on the defensive only and let’s face, Bellusdeo is not defensive by nature. You and Aaliya are correct in that this installment was more driven by the other characters as opposed to Kaylin which just goes to show how Michelle’s writing style continues to mature and evolve. I love her storytelling regardless of whatever series she is working on.
I’m happy that Michelle is writing a stand a lone for Severn. I really wanna know what makes him tick as it were. I almost wish Michelle would write short stories for some of these Elantra characters as she did for some of the characters in the Jewel Markess story (even if they were just chapters that didn’t get included in the final book). These short stories always provided an insight into the character that made reading the main story line that much richer and more detailed, if that’s actually possible.
Anyways, I look forward to the release of her next novel — no matter what it is since she is on my automatically buy when released list!
Bryan says: I devoured this book as I have the last many, and I can’t wait to see how the story develops.
Paula Lieberman says: I told a friend “If you don’t like cliff hangers skip the Epilogue! ” (He likes epilogues. However, he hasn’t read the books yet – he went sufficiently blind that he listens to audio books, he can’t read novels’ worth of text anymore. I hooked him on the West books by reading about the winged cats aloud to him over the phone in one of the House War books.… ]
Paula Lieberman says: GAH!!! Wrong series, wrong book! The hazards of reading books simultaneously and in close order… the warning above about Epilogue was for the latest Invisible Libary books, which has Dragons, and I got confused when I was writing the above…
Seana says: Hey Tyrone,
Excellent point about Bellusdeo being offensive versus defensive in her approach to Shadow and how taking a Tower could impact that.
Re: Emperor’s name— it was Dariandaros (sp?) in Cast in Flame when he came incognito to Helen for the first time. In Cast in Flight it was Darranatos. Not sure why, though I liked the first name better.
I’m also really looking forward to Severn’s book! I have it pre-ordered.
Did anyone catch the cute reference to Marrin’s kit? A nice homage to Rohan, I think the Leontinecub was called?
M says: Hi Seana,
Dariandaros is the Emperors actual name in the series. With Cast in Flight somehow Darranatos was put in place. Darranatos was the greatest and most deadly of the Kialli (a Duke of the Hells) in the West novels. I would have to go back and look but I believe Michelle commented on that mixup in one of the blog posts after Cast in Flight came out
Seana says: Thank you M, for the clarification!
I don’t read all the blog posts so I must have missed that comment from Michelle.
DeDe says: Loved the book. Lannagaros!!! Yes, that’s a lot of exclamation points. :) The University setting was probably my favorite from the entire series. The dialogue had me giggling/snorting so many times.
Not sure who will take the Tower. Bellusdeo does seem to be an obvious choice. and Magarron certainly has experience in dealing with headstrong entities.
One of the cohort could take it. But is anyone else wondering if the cohort (Terrano esp) will be ‘taking control’ of Ravellon?
Thanks Michelle!
Julianne Single says: Ok, so I’m going to be different and speculate that Maggaron should get the fief. He is perfect for it given his history and his familiarity with Dragons may help given the Tower’s sentience. He is also cast adrift and I’ve always thought a sad loose end and too big to be following Bellusdeo around like a lost puppy. Not to mention that putting Bellusdeo in charge of the tower would keep her from following Kaylin around in her chosen task as protector. Not that I don’t think Bellusdeo wouldn’t take the tower if she felt she needed to just not that it would be a good fit unless she wanted it for a hoard.
Anyway Michelle hinted at future changes though and I can’t really guess as she’s always had a good skill will misdirection. The book did feel somewhat transitional to me though, enjoyable though it was for the fast pace and many new relavations. Character interactions as usual were my favorite part of the series though there was a bit more visualization of the world in the impromptu inspection trip of the fiefs. I did miss a follow up with the high halls and spike, given the major recent renovations but figure they will reappear later. Not to mention Kaylin’s newest name held.
It may be the traditionalist in me who was still a touch disappointed that Kaylin as the unsung hero took such a secondary role in this story. Or perhaps its that so many of the other stories generally result in some sort of growth or self discovery for her. And to be fair Kaylin did manage to use her powers for the first time in a conscious and deliberate way that wasn’t healing. But it sort of felt like besides a few minor things the day might have been saved without her being there at all which isn’t the feeling you want for your underdog heroine playing with the big dogs. You kinda want her contribution to be unique, needful and irreplaceable especially as we near the end of the series and more and more powerful players are introduced. Like if there had been at least one thing she had done on her own that was decisive in the saving of the Academia without help it would be ok.
Well, anyway I may have also been happier if the two major events that have been hinted over and been such a large focus for Kaylin, becoming Corporal and meeting the Emperor at court, hadn’t lacked any sense of ceremony or recognition at all. (Though Kaylin wanting to write the news on Margo’s board and interrupting at the risk of life or limb to correct everyone was spot on I thought) I just thought those events had been mentioned so many times before when they happened it wouldn’t be just so…casual I guess .
Alright so I admit that while I love and welcome all of Kaylin’s friends, Kaylin is who I met first and she holds a special place in my heart so I’m a little biased maybe. And I’ve always been one to vote for the underdog to win, it makes you think all things are possible.
Kathy says: I like everyone’s theories. I just haven’t been able to get past two things. The first, that Ravellon itself seemed to fall ill. Something was removed or lost that it needed. Everyone was so focused on it that they missed the Academia fading. The black dragon came later and appeared to be infected by the illness infecting Ravellon. Also, the illness of Ravellon makes me wonder if the “one offs” entering other fiefs weren’t an attempt by Ravellon to call for help. The one Kaylin fought with Morse was like Starranta.
The second thing was the coldness of the book that Kaylin carried out of the Academia. No one else would touch it. Maybe could touch it? That book was key in tipping the battle against Candallar(sp?).
Kaylin is changing. I think we are going to see her learning more about her talents and the runes covering her body in the next few books. I think that was why she was such a quiet hero in this book.
Mary Allen says: I just quietly laughed to myself at Nightshade being forced to sit in a class and change classes like a young kid.
Julianne Single says: I’ve noticed that its always been hinted that there is an overarching intelligence behind Ravellon even from the first book when the ancient tells Kaylin not to let the portal open or something like that but it is hard to base any theory on the 1st book because Michelle has been noted to speak her dissatisfaction with the book and several things were changed such as the number of children murdered, to the number of races living in Elantra and even the extent of Kaylin’s markings.
But other books often hint that Ravellon was “waking” and another (can’t remember I think maybe deception? ) Kaylin speculate that Makuron is perhaps just a highly place pawn in return for the power granted him. So that’s back to Michelle’s talent at misdirection which is sometimes hard to pick out from her deliberate changes from canon (I will call anything that makes it to print canon) from the things she accidentally forgets about. (For example the weather, though often there are many small things that change I think telling the cohort about the creature under the cavern was one because they had discussed it prior but acted like it was new in Deception)
I feel like the book was more or less explained Terrano felt that Kaylin could see it and Lannatin when no one else could because she had stepped slightly to the side or “phased” though while that explains to me why the book and Kaylin became so cold it doesn’t really explain why everyone could still see Kaylin. Also a big deal was made about how she should hold onto the book because she was the only one who could see it in fear it could be lost but after returning it to Lannatin he leaves it lying on a desk in the middle of a battle and afterwards the Arkon picked it up and held onto thereafter. Also I m a little fuzzy on the whole how Kaylin managed to “heal” the book but all it did was transport Candallar she had to still go and heal Starrante… somehow.
I agree the one off in Barren was a bit like Starrante, also there were spider creatures spinning webs in the consort’s chambers in deception. Starrante mentioned his people were often useful because they can span many existences I think he hinted at concern that his people made good minion for shadow but he had long ago left.
It makes me wonder about that overarching intelligence in Ravellon and what shadow is and does. Terrano described in Deception that shadow was like a web with threads one such thread was attached to Spike which was healed leaving Spike independent again.
So like Kaylin I wonder what is Ravellon and what is shadow exactly. I did like how the Arkon’s mirror showed Kaylin the fall of Ravellon and the rise of the towers. I’m hoping with the return of the Academia that Kaylin will quit complaining how she is stupid and go and ask the right questions of people that were there when Ravellon fell.
Asia says: I loved the idea of Academia the building, the history and how it connects to Towers and Ravellon. The Arkon role and the transition to new positions was also interesting And Nightshade as a student :)
Also, i liked how communication between Nightshade and Kaylin the fact that it is changing becoming more personal, intimate even I am keen to see more of that, to see how it will develop — Nightshade ignored the questions about the mark when asked by the Guardians and then there is that possesivens we have seen in the previous book so their relations is changing, growing the question is in what direction?!
Seana says: Julianne, very interesting points!
I hadn’t thought about Maggaron for the tower. It would certainly give him a purpose outside of Bellusdeo, and not hugely disrupt her story arc/ development.
The idea of Ravellon being sick wasn’t one I had really considered but I like it over a case of simple evil-ness. Evil and wrong-doing has a place in providing an adversary but it does feel like Michelle is asking us to question our concept of Ravellon, given Spike and Starrante.
Intriguing notions afoot!!! This is the only downside to joining a series as it is being written- no binge reading all the way to the conclusion!!
Michelle, you are awesome, and each book makes me fall more in love with your characters and hungrier for the next instalment.
Kathy says: You know who would be a good fit at the Academia? Terrano. He’d make a really good instructor of the Art and Consequences of Temporal Disruption and Travel. Advanced Students only.
I don’t know why, but I’d like to see Severn take Candallar. It wouldn’t exclude him from Kaylin’s life but it would give him a center.
Julianne Single says: No Terrano would make a terrible instructor ;) especially any class “consequences of anything” heh. The others seemed to think Terrano deserved to be strangled for the things he taught former allies now enemies because he DIDN’T think of the consequences. I doubt he’d have the patience for a tower. He would get so totally bored and shadow would take over while he practiced flying… invisibly. There are on the other hand a number of other members of the cohort that have been little explored but could possibly better fit.
I also think Bellusdeo boredom levels might not be good for a tower either or maybe her patience. Though could see her do it for duty, but not happy unless it’s her hoarde. Personally I thinkif she is going to take a fief for a hoarde I’dpick the 7th fief… Ravellon itself. I can’t see her being satisfed with anything less.
Couldn’t see Severn take it he only has eyes for Kaylin and I think hed let the world burn before he let her go again unless she tells him no and means it.
Michelle might toss us through the loop and pick some random Joe to take over. Wouldn’t be the first time in the series for a new character to come out of left field. Maybe Kaylin will give the tower self determination or something.
Ugh don’t want to wait another year haha.
hanneke28 says: Though Maggaron might make a good pairing with the Tower of Callandar — his inside knowledge of Shadow and determination to fight it aligns neatly with the Tower’s purpose — I’m not sure he can and is willing to replace his devotion to Bellusdeo with devotion to the Tower. If Maggaron or Bellusdeo takes the Tower, the Norannir could spread out along the inside borders of the two fiefs; now Chancellor Llannagaros has firmed up the border zone and is planning to involve other Towers, crossing that border has become one fixed street.
I sort of hope one of the three dragons who’s hoard remains unclear will feel the urge to take Candallar, as that would let them fly again and go dragon whenever they wanted. Their immortality also gives the Tower a much longer period of stability than mortal Maggaron could.
Bellusdeo’s life goal is fighting Shadow, and before that became all-consuming, so was being a good ruler.
As we’ve seen in recent books being a fieflord does not preclude leaving the fief for a short time if it becomes necessary, so she could lead some battles and forays, but it would hinder her Tower’s effectiveness if she was away from her fief during crucial battles. As others here have said, this doesn’t fit well with her style of taking the battle to the enemy. Though I could wish for her to gain that freedom from the Emperor’s edicts, she’s wise enough not to take it if she’d ever feel caged by it — she had too much experience of that as the sword.
Emmerian hasn’t found his hoard yet, so the Tower might speak to him that way. As it started this life as the Tower of a well-known dragon, some of the knowledge and experience of that old dragon might have become absorbed by the Tower, and help inform Emmerian as he matures, and support him in how best to fight Shadow.
If Bellusdeo ends up paired with him (at least for clutching purposes, since he’s the one she appears to view as the least abhorrent at the moment), that freedom to fly and to use the Tower’s near-infinite internal space that’s used to catering to a dragon could be something positive he could bring her as his part of the bargain.
I’m not fully convinced that Diarmuid’s entire hoard is the Palace Guard; it might like the Arkon’s library be symbolic or a part of what he’s striving for as his hoard. If the end-goal is something more abstract like protection of order against chaos, taking the Tower to embody that fight against the chaos of Ravellon might be something he’d realise he wants to do if he’s confronted with the opportunity.
Tiamaris anx the Emperor each has their hoard, and with Sanabalis just accepting the office/function of Arkon I don’t think he wans to exchange that immediately for another lifelong commitment.
What exactly does ‘being the Arkon’ mean?
I had the impression it meant something like being the remembrancer of the dragon race, but that might have been more Llannagaros’ personality than the official function going with that title…
Fred says: @hanneke28: Tend to agree with you
Given a situation described in the book, I thinking that the cohort as a whole will make at least a play for the tower. Given the bond between them, it is hard for just one of them to do it. The Avatar appears to be rather active and manipulative so it may suit both parties.
Bellusdeo: multiple reasons why not:
1) Her current ‘state’ (as hinted in an earlier book and at the end of this one).
2) The tower avatar does not appear to be one that she would like. We know that Tiamaris and Nightshade went into multiple towers before ending up to the ones they now control.
3) She has an vendetta against corrupt shadow (we now know there are different types of shadow).
4) She has taken the role of the protector of the Chosen — not just because Kaylin is not boring.
5) She still feels guilty from her past rulership.
6) Does not provide the freedom that she desires.
Maggaron: doesn’t appear to have power as tower holders appear to be mages.
Emmerian: Doubtful given what the former Arkon said and has not been shown to be a mage or have ‘power’. His fighting in the book was a surprise but did not seem to amount to much. Also the Emperor has effectively lost 2 of his court so not sure Emmerian’s loyalty is easily switched.
Kaylin has effectively bonded with Helen so she will not seek another home. She couldn’t do so before when she had the chance (Tara). Also there is now Hope which should be a major conflict with how tower work.
Although towers might become redundant. Towers appear to be aimed to quarantine Ravellon and Kaylin has been slowly uncovering the corruption. Hopefully Kaylin will ‘solve’ the Ravellon mystery soon without being the end of Kaylin.
Kathy says: hanneke28 At one point I think Arkon was described as Historian or Chronicler. Not positive about that.
Candace says: There were a few key suggestions in Wisdom that Bellusdeo may be better off living in the fiefs. First Maggaron when he was speaking to Kaylin about her unhappiness, and later when Nightshade told Kaylin that Bellusdeo should live in Tiamaris. She is a former warrior Queen though and if she takes any fief, it may be Ravellon itself. I am not sure the Emperor would be happy to lose any more dragons to the fiefs. Even though Lannagaros and Tiamaris have still sworn loyalty to him, at what point would the defence of the city/empire be at risk with so few dragons in the palace itself? Especially if the Towers (or the school) are being attacked at the same time? I’m not sure that Maggaron is strong enough nor has the ambition to want that kind of command or commitment.
The cohort certainly have the power and ambition to take the fief. But it seems risky for them to be so close to Ravellon. They do not have control over their powers just yet. Look at what happened in Castle Nightshade. It was also stated in a previous book (Deception?) that Nightshade could not be repatriated and retain his tower. When we meet Farlonne (who is not outcast) it appears she does not have a lot of sway at court, nor “plays any political games” so her focus is mainly on her Tower. With Sedarious so ambitious would she be able to be both captain and play her games at court? But I agree, if they do take the tower they will take it as a unit.
If there is only one Lord in Ravellon, could the outcaste dragon be a pawn that Kaylin can free as she did the adversary? Can the outcaste dragon be redeemed? If so, could Bellusdeo and the outcaste dragon rule the fiefs and become mates?
Kaylin’s powers are growing. Will she be able to free the shadows in Ravellon who want to be freed? She made a conscious effort to understand her healing power while trying to communicate with Killian. was self aware enough to realize she lost (mental) touch with Nightshade, she found the books, and poured healing power into Starranta all in a short period of time (and all without becoming unconscious like she has in the past). Speaking of which, does the coldness of the book have any correlation with the cold she feels when she healed Gilbert in Cast in Honour? I think there were books involved in that scene as well but I’ll have to go back and reread it.
With Sannabalis now the Arkon, will he remain Kaylin’s teacher? Will she get lessons from the High Court to better control her name bound as the Consort suggested in Oblivion? Or at least have lessons to better filter her thoughts? or will etiquette still be the main focus.
I missed the Consort and Evanton. Hope we see them again soon.
Love this series. It is getting so complex and still going strong. One of my favourites!
Rozalyn says: I love these books and have re-read them many times. I lean towards Julianne or Candace‘s points of veiw at some parts of the conversation below. I don’t think a simple fief is enough for a warrior queen. Her skill at rulership seems best fit for Ravellon. She understands the destructive power of shadow, so won’t let it fall again, and is starting to see more and more of the complexity of shadow through her adventures with Kaylin, not all shadow is evil. There would be a complexity and challenge to ruling the center of all worlds too, so she wouldn’t get bored. I don’t think the cohort would be a good fit for Ravellon because so far most Barrani lords fail in terms of leadership except perhaps the new one introduced in this book. They usually don’t care about their people enough to be good rulers.
I look forward to seeing how Kaylin continues to grow and missed seeing The Barrani high halls. I’m so curious about what will happen when a dragon allies herself with the cohort. The political explosion will make the Barrani and that helicopter worry wort of an emperor spontaneously combust, not sure if that will be by Dragon fire or magic or some weird external force.
I know this is off the current section of the story arc but I also hope to see more of the other worlds that have been hinted at. Kaylin is a traveler after all. Not sure if that will fit in but who knows.
I’m also curious to see what happens as kaylin’s true name starts to embed itself more deeply into who she is.
And it’s about time she got promoted! Just saying.
Sierra says: I missed the Keeper and Consort too. I do like that the books bring us closer to the steps leading us to the heart of Ravellon. I think that what the series has shown me the most is that people who know Kaylin reach their higher calling/purpose by assisting Kaylin with growing too. I don’t think Kaylin is finished growing into who she is nor has she been recognized for all of who she will become. That being said — growing isn’t always easy and I think Bellusdeo is at that point too. She has the potential to be the mother of a race. But that calling isn’t one that can be made by other people. She has to choose it for herself not just for her race. The Consort certainly did.
For me, Kaylins power seems to be more than just the healing/magical ability or affinity for Sentient buildings. It almost seems like she is the chaos that returns balance to everything — People, history, magic, elements, and even the world. The more things have become out of balance, more perverted (usually by power hungry mages that don’t consider anyone but their greed), the stronger the need to have a Chosen to restore the balance. And since the previous ones with smaller callings/things to fix have probably been killed off in fear, that means Kaylin’s brand of power has a lot more responsibility to repair.
Ravellon is the mystery I desperately want solved! Lol. However, I think that the heart of Ravellon (and it’s revival) will have something to do with Hope. Hope is out of place and accepts home with Kaylin but living in multiple planes is natural to him in a way that perhaps should be for the lord of the heart of worlds. if memory serves — he ended up with 2 names and I think that has a role to play somewhere beyond grounding him to Kaylins reality.
gregbanks3624 says: You’d think that nightshade would be considered candidate for chancellor rather than trapped student. Consider the fact Lannagarros is alive only because Calarenne decided not to deliver a killing blow. You have consider Nightshade travelled to the same locations as the Arkon (west March, the Blasted Plains the Towers and Ravelllon along with forty lost years with Gilbert. Michelle Sagara is writing the books and choices are hers however this choice in chancellor seems limiting.
Aquilegia says: I do not want the cohort to Captain a tower. I want to see them take the reigns of power and transform their race. Not in a bad way… But I want them to show the rest of the race how trust and love can be strength, not weakness. How to protect and empower their children, and to help those children gain strength with each other, instead of over a pile of bodies. I hope that they can create a world that Teela will feel safe bringing a child into.
Not that she has to have a child, or even should. Not everyone is a good parent, for many reasons. But, I got the impression that she vowed never to have a child because she _never_ wanted to have another child put through what she had to face.
The only place the cohort will have that much influence us at court. So I want them there, where they can find like minded allies.
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Have others noticed that Michelle declares that there a small fixed numbers of important things (dragon slaying swords, sentient houses) but as of now leaves exactly one of each undefined? I wonder if this is allowing for future plans or just very small wiggle room.