September 15, 2023
This side story in Sagara's long-running "Chronicles of Elantra" series opens a stained-glass window and shines a bright light on the Academia, the once-lost magical school and library that was at the heart of the 15th Elantra book, Cast in Wisdom. In this puzzling, absorbing mystery, with its amorphous setting, someone or something is killing students and displaying their bodies on the Quad. The unlikely detectives--students and administrators willing to protect the school at any cost--end up exploring both the deep history of Elantra and the forces arrayed against it, and them. Set in the high fantasy world of Elantra, but not nearly as steeped in its lore as the main series, this fantasy mystery is wrapped around a tale of friendship so profound, it is capable of altering reality, while still displaying the wit and charm that fans of the series crave. VERDICT Recommended for readers who have been caught up in the fantasy mystery trend, anyone looking for a way into Elantra without wading through its vast lore, and those who fell away from the series and are looking for a route back.--Marlene Harris
Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 6, 2023
Bestseller Sagara spins off from her Chronicles of Elantra series with this elaborate, magic-filled tale of a boy and his unusual best friend working to save the students of a sentient magical university building. Robin has been trapped within the Academia since the school disappeared into another realm centuries ago. His best friend, Raven, who was left behind, has spent all that time looking for him. Raised on the streets, scrappy Raven has a knack for finding things and has saved Robin’s neck countless times, but without him, she’s been lost. Following the events of Cast in Conflict, the school has returned to Elantra, and Raven and Robin finally reunite. Then students at the Academia start turning up murdered and Raven realizes the building must have blind spots that it cannot see to protect. Meanwhile, Robin learns more about his own hazy past and his special relationship with Raven, uncovering a complex and powerful family history. Sagara’s worldbuilding is as dense as ever, making this best suited for established series fans. For those readers, learning more about the Academia will be a treat. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary.