As of last night, Cast in Silence was listed as in stock at Amazon and B&N, and one reader emailed to let me know that it’s hit bookstores in Illinois. So, we’re live!
There are four things that are always exciting, even after all this time:
1. Finishing the first draft of a novel
2. Getting the cover flats of a novel
3. Receiving my author’s copies, at which point it’s a real book
4. Having the book arrive in stores, because it’s a real book for everyone else
And now, having jumped up and down like a loud, small child (and I have two, so I have some practice in recognizing this behaviour), I’m now going to go and work on Cast in Chaos and House Name.
Michelle West & Michelle Sagara 
Jul 19, 2009 @ 20:06:51
It’s in stock at Amazon.com but not Amazon.ca :( Also, I am a ebook believer with a Sony Reader and electronic versions do not release until the official release date. Hurray for those who have access!
Jul 20, 2009 @ 12:19:49
Found it in the wild yesterday and spent the whole day reading it to the accepting but annoyed husband who was hoping to have more of my attention. His only consolation is that since I finished it in one day, he will be allowed to read it soon after I finish a selective re-read.
For the record and without giving anything away, I enjoyed the book and will shortly re-read the first book again.
Jul 20, 2009 @ 18:45:52
Do authors get nervous when their works become accessible to the masses? With this book, perhaps less so, considering this is a series work in progress with an avid readership. However, I can’t help but wonder if you (in particular) get butterflies the first “opening days” of your releases.
Jul 20, 2009 @ 19:38:31
@Aaron: I answered the question in the next post because, well, it was long.
Jul 21, 2009 @ 01:04:54
It’s shipped it’s shipped! I pre-ordered it ages ago from Amazon and just got an email notifying me that it’s been shipped!
(Please excuse my giddiness, I’m awfully excited at the moment :D)
Jul 21, 2009 @ 07:14:33
Thank you :). I do actually get excited when people start to let me know the book is real!
Jul 22, 2009 @ 06:10:47
I just finished it in one read. It took me 10 hours and a skipped meal, but it was *so* worth it!
This is the best of the series yet, from my perspective. In the last 50 pages I just kept thinking how good you are at paying off emotional investments.
Thank you so much for that ending. It made me really really happy.
Now I need to go to sleep.
Jul 23, 2009 @ 02:33:58
@Michael: Excuse me while I indulge in a YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY. Okay, you can go back to sleeping now :)
Jul 23, 2009 @ 07:43:03
I just got the book this morning and I am almost done. I am loving it. Thank you so much for writing another great book. Now I just have to wait until next year for the next one…:( But the waiting is always worth it.
Jul 24, 2009 @ 16:13:32
I just got my e-mail from Amazon that CAST IN SILENCE shipped today 7/24. I didn’t even know it was coming since I preordered it last week. I thought it wasn’t coming out until Aug 1st but I’m very happy it’s coming sooner. Love these books and was glad to see you have more coming.
Jul 25, 2009 @ 04:53:51
I just finished Cast in Silence a couple of hours ago and I loved it. I put off my own writing to finish it.
I was so excited when I was shelving the cart of new releases Wednesday night and discovered your book at the bottom of the stack. I hadn’t even started looking for it yet.
Thank you so much for such an entertaining character and richly complicated setting.
Jul 25, 2009 @ 09:56:53
OMG…I can’t wait to read it! I’m so stopping by Barnes & Noble today…hopefully they have it! Btw, I just had a quick question pop into my head: Will Kaylin ever get a promotion?? I totally think she deserves one…plus maybe Severn’s Corporal status wouldn’t bother her as much if she weren’t at the absolute bottom of the totum-pole…lol.
Jul 25, 2009 @ 10:27:20
I have to agree. This is my favorite Cast book, except for perhaps the next one? Damn the publisher for putting in that teaser for Cast in Chaos. I love the pacing and the sense of “urgency” that this story conveys. I also love that you developed Kaylin’s character in ways that were non-obvious (i.e. her past), which added a massive layer of complexity.
This is the book that will make me go back and reread the others with a whole new perspective. To this point, I’ve only looked for that sense of subtext from your Sun Sword books.
I’m going to make, “You hide thrones?” my devise du jour. Love it.
Aaron
Jul 27, 2009 @ 00:54:58
This is the book that will make me go back and reread the others with a whole new perspective. To this point, I’ve only looked for that sense of subtext from your Sun Sword books.
This is interesting because I knew, when I was writing Shadow, why Kaylin had first come to the Hawklord’s tower. It was one of the few things I was certain about in her past. But there are really only one or two comments in any of the previous books that really relate to it, in part because I have really tried to make these books a little more stand-alone than the West novels.
Some things do and will change going forward (about which I promise I will say no more for fear of spoilers), but some of those changes will take time to fully effect.
Jul 27, 2009 @ 20:05:59
Just finished reading!! It was brilliant and I loved the ending!! I think Kaylin’s character is growing into something really great and inspiring. She is definitely one of my favorite heroines. I’m totally dying to know what happens next!! Write faster Michelle!! (Or please, please let me beta read for you! *grin*) lol
Jul 28, 2009 @ 06:35:19
It’s in Melbourne, Australia!
Jul 28, 2009 @ 15:35:35
I loved Cast in Silence. To me, Kaylin has always been very intuitive and I think it’s clear that her intuition is a one of her greatest assets in this book. I love the reactions of other characters when she she blurts out something insightful and unexpected. Also, I just loved seeing more of Tiamaris since he’s always been one of my favorite characters. I hope to see him clash with Nightshade in Cast in Chaos.:-)
Jul 29, 2009 @ 09:44:45
Hi, will be Cast in Silence available as e-book? So far, it is only available for Kindle :-(
I am from Czech republic and I usually buy e-books at fictionwise or booksonboard.
Jul 29, 2009 @ 16:08:56
Loved Cast in Silence, and the wait for Chaos has already become unbearable. After reading Silence a really great title for a future Cast novel came to mind. How about Cast in Stone? You probabably have already thought of this one since it just seems to fit so perfectly. Again, love this series and I so enjoy reading about this world you have created. Thanks for everything.
Jul 31, 2009 @ 18:59:24
I finished Cast In Silence 2 nights ago, and now I’m reading the whole Cast series again. I loved it. I love all your books.
I want Kaylin and Severn to do something, sometime…There was a small sex scene (kind of)at the fountain, in the
Tha’alani district, and I’m not a big fan of smut, but has Severn had any experience with it(sex) while in the wolves? It would seem he’d have to. When will Kaylin start thinking or acting out any love thoughts?
Jul 31, 2009 @ 19:06:09
also wondered if Kaylin was abused by Barren. It’s almost implied.
Aug 01, 2009 @ 20:15:58
Hi Michelle,
I am from India and have spent many enjoyable and escapist hours reading your chronicles of elantra. The only problem is that is more than a little tough getting your books here. I am not sure when I would get a chance to read Cast in Silence, unless it comes as an ebook soon…
Warm Regards…
Aug 03, 2009 @ 13:13:31
Well..what do you know, as soon as I wish for it, I see the book available as an adobe DE. Already finished devouring it and I enjoyed every moment of it.
I had expected this book to be the one where she goes to the Dragon court, but I see its going to be the next one. I did like reading about the fiefs and their towers though.
I really do wish you had a map of the Imperial city , the fiefs and (part of) the surrounding empire – I am one of those readers who like a bit of geography. :)
Thanks.. :)
Aug 03, 2009 @ 22:21:50
Yes, I second the map idea!! An Elantra map would be awesome!
Aug 05, 2009 @ 00:34:48
I have pics(in my head) like everyone else of what all the characters look like in the books, but what or whom do you think they look like? Do you have anyone in mind when you write the characters, like Severn to me looks like a young Gerard Butler?
Aug 05, 2009 @ 18:46:37
I just finished Cast in Silence. I got this on Friday and promised the husband that I wouldn’t inhale it over the weekend. This one is definitely one of my favorites, along with Cast in Courtlight. I loved, loved, loved, loooooved the ending :) Can’t wait to read Cast in Chaos!
Aug 06, 2009 @ 19:04:25
I finished Cast in Silence, like, last week, and I loved it!! I can’t wait for Cast in Chaos!! I would love to know, what did Nightshade do? I thought maybe he was outcaste because he was a fieflord,but obviously not. By the way, what hair/eye color do Severn and Kaylin have? It seems like it’s changed… I’m with Megan. Write faster, oh please!!!
Aug 08, 2009 @ 02:52:36
I LOVE the Chronicles of Elantra – more Nightshade, please!!! :)
Aug 08, 2009 @ 06:42:15
It’s Number One on the Galaxy Bookshop Bestseller list in Sydney :-D
Aug 08, 2009 @ 19:41:28
Loved, loved loved Cast in Silence. Sent me back to re-read the entire series. Was totally surprised and shocked, but in the best possible way, about why Kaylin had gone to the Hawklord’s tower in the first place; wow. Just wow.
And as for Nightshade; more, please. I’m getting a different sense of him as the books progress. Just one question: are we ever going to learn why he is outcaste? Will we, perhaps, get the entire story (she asked, hopefully).
Aug 09, 2009 @ 23:53:55
Am forcing myself to read Cast in Silence slowly. I reread the entire series a few weeks ago. Your work is splendid. I’m so glad there is more coming!! Write
faster!!!!!
sue
Aug 11, 2009 @ 00:45:57
i lo
Aug 11, 2009 @ 00:53:39
i love love love your book!!!!!!! i’m sorry to say when you wrote cast in fury i thought you were going to start going down hill , like all writers seem to go at a certain point (it has happened many many times already). but i’m so happy to see you are not going down hill!!!
will you answer the questions about every ones past????
will you make a map of the city???
will Kaylin be with Severn or nightshade??????? plez nightshade
dont stop writting!!!!!
Aug 11, 2009 @ 02:01:13
Hi,
As always, Cast in Silence was fabulous. But, I have decided. You have to write the history of Elantra and all it’s characters from the beginning. Mmhmm. All of it. What were the Old Ones thinking? What’s in Ravellon? Who made the river a circle? And what was the city like when Nightshade was a whippersnapper? Did Nightshade get outcast because he knew Kaylin was coming? That would be rather nifty. And, my Lord, write the Dragon Wars. I need the Dragon Wars. Really. And a book that is entirely the Arkon, Sanabalis, and the Outcaste would make me insanely happy. OK. Now that I’ve requested 12 books, I’ll shaddup.
Aug 12, 2009 @ 14:43:31
I thought Silence was the best book since Shadow. Maybe at least partially because I think I’ve found the key to reading the Elantra books. That is, just when the action gets going and things get really tense and you want to read faster, you have to slow down and read very carefully, because that’s when the story seems to go into a kind of “micro” mode, and details get revealed. Makes me want to read the whole series – yet again.
Looking forward to the next book. My one frustration in the series has been that Kaylin has not really grown as a person; has still acted in many ways more like the 13 year old than 20. Now that we’ve seen a reason for that (and resolved the reason), maybe she can move forward; whether it’s romantic involvement (being a guy, I’m rooting for Sevrin), or just showing up on time.
Aug 15, 2009 @ 03:35:16
I love this book. One thing I always find quite unsettling, in Elantra, is that life is so hard in the fiefs. I am really happy in the direction you’re going with the fiefs,or at least one fief, here (no spoilers here, I hope). I like hearing new revelations about Ravellon, I am looking forward to seeing more of the Aerie in the future, too. I really love the way you wrote Nightshade when he was younger- he’s really more likeable, and I would really be interested to know if meeting Kaylin then, has anything to do with him being Outcaste. Well, I guess we’ll find out in future books, yeah?
Thanks for the great new addition to the Cast series, and I am looking forward to reading more about Kaylin in the Dragon Court in Cast in Chaos, I hope…
Aug 26, 2009 @ 22:59:01
Having finished Cast in Silence, I reread Cast in Shadow – slowly and carefully; saw things in a whole new light. I heartily recommend this to all serious fans of Elantra.
Aug 28, 2009 @ 03:43:26
love the series in general. I’m from the TO area so especially cool to be picking up a sci-fi novel from someone living (relatively) near by.
The originality behind Elantra, the magic, the sarcasm and even Kaylin herself has kept me coming back and anxious for more.
If I’m allowed to be negative, especially when so many positive comments above me, my main criticism of the latest book is that relationships dont seem to be advancing all that fast. I think the third book had been making more progress with Kaylin’s men in her life, whereas the last it kind of got put on the backburner. And since I’m not a patient person when it comes to relationships, could Kaylin PLEASE evolve in her thinking towards these men. Not asking for it to be wrapped up in a bow next book, but just that something happens, puts a little more pressure on Kaylin to see them, that either one or both puts some sort of move on, so that we have that romantic/relationships tension.
thanks for hearing me out and happy writing,
Aug 31, 2009 @ 06:21:42
Dear Michelle,
I have only just recently discovered your books and read them as fast as Dymocks could order them in for me. Just got Cast In Silence last week and though I really really want to skip to the end to see how things turn out, I’m savouring the book as we have to wait until 2010 for the next book. (I hate waiting, my own self) But I love your work! Thanks for writing them!
Sep 10, 2009 @ 21:08:31
I think everyone need to remember, when they are encouraging the forward movement in the romance area, that the time span between books is not very long. Sure we have to wait about a year for the next book, however that’s not a year in Kaylin’s life. It’s generally about a week or the next month. SOOOO having said that, I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!!!!!
Can’t wait for Chaos! (What’s with the 10 hour reads??) I finished mine in 3 then went back to reread.
Sep 13, 2009 @ 00:10:07
so… I absolutely love your books. they are in my happy books list. also, Nightshade is on my illicit lovers wall (wall of names of characters in books I adore with all my heart). on that note, I would love to see more of him, because his cool aloofyness (that totally isn’t a word) makes me happy. haven’t read cast in silence yet, but I have a sneaking suspicion it will make me happy. I actually avoided cast in fury because of the lack of Nightshade. sigh.
Sep 30, 2009 @ 22:15:09
I recently got “hooked” on The Chronicles of Elantra…I’ve read all 5 in the last month. Love them! Had a problem with Cast In Silence…the printing not the book. Bought it at the local Borders and found out at page 160 the book was misprinted…it’s completely missing chapters 12 and 13 among other issues. Tried to exchange it and the other two copies on their shelves were the same….thought you should be informed…..Looking forward to the next book 2010 is soooo long to wait.
Sincerely,
A New Fan in Illinois
Oct 05, 2009 @ 13:21:40
Please could you recommend other authors similar in writing style to the books “Chronicles of Elantra”. This is my first Fantasy books and I this writing style.
Oct 07, 2009 @ 20:11:53
I love all the ‘Cast’ books but generally wait until they are out in mass paperback as I find the larger trade paperbacks difficult to hold. (I have CFS, so it’s an energy problem with the larger books.)
This means I haven’t even yet been able to read ‘Cast in fury’, let alone ‘Cast in silence’. Are there any plans to bring these out in a smaller format or will I just have to go ahead and buy the larger books and deal with the weight?
Diane
Oct 08, 2009 @ 02:28:29
Are the later Cast books ever likely to be re-released in MMP format? How/why did they decide to re-release the first three in MMP format?
I, rather unfortunately, bought the first book in MMP format just before Luna switched everything to trade paperback, and then I had to wait forever to get the second two books. I am rather finicky about the books in a series matching size, because my bookshelves are organized by size to maximize the number of books I can fit; and walking across the room to get to the second half of a series is annoying (which is why I only have one series that does that).
Nov 10, 2009 @ 17:48:29
I would like to add my voice to those requesting a map. I am on the latest one (Silence) and a map would be great in the next book. At teh very least a map of Elantra, the various Quarters and Nightshade would be nice to see.
Feb 01, 2010 @ 18:42:07
what does the violet in nightshade’s mean, since green is content, and blue angry
Feb 14, 2010 @ 13:46:52
hi,
i love tour book soo munch;;;but please, when come the next “cast in chaos”. i don’t find it on the web bye
Feb 17, 2010 @ 18:23:53
Hi jj,
I think the violet in Nightshade’s eyes indicate arousal. Purple passion. :-)