Sebastien de Castell has been busy, creating new stories in Tristia. Here, the days of closely following our favorite trio are gone- we are introduced to Damelas Chademantaigne, grandson to two renowned Greatcoats. Unfortunate, his talent at swordplay didn't quite extend to him, and he is introduced as he flees a duel against the Lady Ferica (known as The Vixen). In his flight, Damelas stumbles upon the theater known as the Operato Bellaza in the Duchy Pertine, and proceeds to scheme his way in the world of theater performance. The stage is where those re-live past historical figures...but not just in a figurative sense.

I found this book quite enjoyable. The new protagonist takes some time getting used to, but he soon enough won me over. This character isn't some natural-born fighter like what readers of the Greatcoats have seen from Falcio, Brasti, and Kest. Nor does a swashbuckle with the ease those heroes did. Rather, Damelas is a planner...and a performer too. Swashbuckling can come to him, but he has to put on a show in his own terms.

Besides Damelas, the rest of the Bellaza folk, "The Knights of the Curtain", are wonderful in their own way. We have the boisterous wingman friend, the well-meaning but snooty director, the female performance who appeals to the audience, the arrogant actor who constantly brings up their accolades, etc. These characters are well fleshed out and given strong personalities, and it much fits the tone of the story.

I won't say much about the overall conflict...with Castell's books, we have strong spoilers early on for so many of them. Damelas isn't resting on his laurels, even after joining the theater...
1) The duel with The Vixen is not forgotten by her. She doesn't take well to his exit.
2) The performance from the Operato Bellaza draws the attention of the Duke of Pertine...with both positive and negative reasoning
3) The local citizens' militia, the Iron Orchids, are acting especially aggressive around the specific performance from the Bellaza.

Never a short of conflicts for Damelas (just as we've seen with the previous books' heroes).

Overall it was an enjoyable book, with fun new characters. Reading the four "Greatcoats" books is not at all a requirement, thought it definitely helps for enrichment of the world, culture, politics, etc.

Rating: 4/5 stars

(Note- I received an ARC through Hachette Book Group and Netgalley, in exchange for providing an honest review)

Swordplay, magic, intrigue and friendships stronger than iron: the first volume in the new swashbuckling fantasy series by the bestselling author of The Greatcoats .

Damelas Shademantaigne picked a poor night to flee a judicial duel.

He has precious little hope of escaping the wrath of the Vixen, the most feared duellist in the entire city, until he stumbles through the stage doors of the magnificent Operato Belleza and tricks his way into the company of actors. An archaic law provides a temporary respite from his troubles - until one night a ghostly voice in his head causes Damelas to fumble his lines, inadvertently blurting out a dreadful truth: the city's most legendary hero may actually be a traitor and a brutal murderer.

With only the help of his boisterous and lusty friend Bereto, a beautiful assassin whose target may well be Damelas himself, and a company of misfit actors who'd just as soon see him dead, this failed son of two Greatcoats must somehow find within himself the courage to dig up long-buried truths before a ruthless band of bravos known as the Iron Orchids come for his head.

Oh, and there's still that matter of the Vixen waiting to duel him . . .

While it may not be my favorite Castell book, I did find plenty to like here. The story was interesting and engaging enough, the characters were once again great (as are all Castells characters) and the pacing and plot were both top notch. I wouldn't recommend this as your first book by this author, but fans of his who want to read something new, then definitely check this one out:)