Much as I love Sebastien de Castell, this book is a hot mess. The premise is great - Damelas Chademantaigne, an actor, albeit one with Greatcoat bloodlines - is overtaken by the memories of a great warrior and thus compelled to recite all the wrong lines in a play, upsetting everyone, including the local Duke. Great premise and it also allows the author to add another flavor of hero to his novels - Greatcoats, the judges; Bardatti the singers; many and various Saints; and now Veristors - actors who moves the world with the spoken word. Wonderful stuff. Sebastien really gets into the fencing too, which I love. So what's wrong? Too much going on in too many timelines, and a REALLY shaky political premise that I can't believe in a million years. Perhaps the book, which runs about 500 pages, could have been split somehow. I don't know, I just know that I skipped a lot of pages of swirling scenery and double vision as our hero slips in and out of the time stream.

Funny enough, though, I think people other than me will like the book. I just like my prose and plots a bit crisper.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!
This mix of the theatre and renaissance times was fantastic! Great characters, great world building-can’t wait to see where this story goes, as it seems set up for a sequel!

"Play of Shadows" by Sebastien de Castell is the inaugural entry in the Court of Shadows series, set in the same world as his previous works but introducing a new cast and storyline. This fantasy novel blends swordplay, magic, friendship, and adventure with a well-paced narrative that gradually unveils past events, leading to a dramatic revelation near the end. Additionally, to fully appreciate the intricacies of the setting and backstory, it is beneficial to read the Greatcoats series beforehand.

Alright I've had a string of bad books and this one dug me out of that hole FOR SURE. If you are a fan of Sebastian de Castell like myself and are looking to expand your collection, like myself, then you can grab this one! Though Sebastian de Castell has given us some amazing books throughout the years like the Greatcoats and Spellslinger series for instance, he’s not stopping there. This is part of a new series called Court of Shadows and it’s actually following a man who is a descendant to one of the greatcoats which is a really cool connection so if you haven’t heard, now you have and you’re welcome.

5 stars again, reading this for the second time.

As a diehard de Castell fan, I loved this even more the second time around. For a theatre lover and a swashbuckling action lover, this book is a must-read. Damelas grew on me much more the second time, as did his fellow troupe of actors. All of the de Castell classics are there: speeches about honor and courage, feats of derring-do, femme fatales, dueling, discussions of justice, and, of course, THE GREATCOATS. What a great start to a new series, this one delving in to how history defines a people, and that sometimes, it's hard to find a single villain for all the world's ills.

While I didn't love it as much as the OG Greatcoats, it's simply a sine qua non for fans of De Castell's other works.

This was my first de Castell book and I loved it: the worldbuilding, the humor, and the plot which managed to be both simple and intricate all at once.

Thank you to Jo Fletcher Books (Quercus Books) for the eARC via NetGalley!

Thank you to Jo Fletcher Books (Quercus Books) for the eARC via NetGalley!

Sebastien De Castell has written us a tale that dances across the stage until the final curtain falls.

Given I am a Greatcoats fan I am glad that I finished reading the quartet first as it increased my appreciation of the setting in Tristia. However, this is not a Greatcoats tale. This book stands on its own as an entirely new journey, and readers should be fully aware of this.

Greatcoats fans should also note this is not your usual kind of wild adventure. You won’t find the protagonist traversing lands, upholding the laws as magistrates, settling disputes on whose land the cow shat on, or swinging from ropes. No no. Swashbuckling is getting out of binds and tough situations in unexpected ways.

De Castell’s character development is as vivid as always- specifically the friendships between the main character and everyone else. Our MC - Damelas - runs from a lawful duel into a theater and the Knights of the Curtain, and the people he meets here are colorful and from different walks of life.

Of course De Castell will still put Damelas through the worst situations possible. He will have our Damelas run down by cows and defeated, over and over - if it achieves the means. What fun would it be if Damelas was the perfect male figure who won every battle?

Although this book felt like a love letter to theater and the arts, even as someone who has no experience of that world, I felt immersed in it. De Castell has you viewing the stage from the actors perspectives and feeling their dedication to perform. The theater becomes a mystical experience that can uncover the truths and expose the lies that have been retold over time.

I am eager for a continuation with Court of Shadows, to find secret answers and uncover the long awaiting enemy.

A beautifully written book, with an intriguing story.

This book is a rollercoaster of wonder and action. There are points that are overly wordy and slow, which cause the book to drag and become quite boring at points, but once those sections are passed, the story is magnificent. The beginning and middle have ups and downs, but at the 75% mark of the book, it is all ups from there.

Details are never left out at any point. The world is perfectly painted and not a single thing was left out. The setting of the story was solid and easy to see because of all the time spent with it. Though the details drag the plot's pace down at points, there is never a time when the story takes place in a blank room left up to the reader's imagination.

I will admit I have read other books by this author, so I do have a greater understanding of the world. This is not a good start to the world of The Greatcoats as it is expected of the reader to already know about The Greatcoats, Gods, and Saints. The world of the duchy they're in is explained beautifully, but there are huge things important to the world that are assumed that the reader already knows.

The characters are lovely. So many of them have something special about them. From the protagonist all the way down to the minor characters, there's always something there to make them likable. There are points where it's a little confusing about why a character is acting the way they are, but those spots are rare.

There are powerful twists within this book that are fun and intriguing. Some weren't my personal favorite and killed the vibe a little, but that only happened one or two times. The twists were set up well, other than the rare occasion where they didn't really work, and can easily tie back to the introduction of where the start of that plot thread started.

This book is a great fantasy novel and if you've read other books by Sebastien De Castell, then you're sure to love this book just as much, even with its flaws.

“Last night we put on a production. Tonight they have offered their own response.” – Abastrini, the greatest actor who saved an entire country.

Plot:
Play of Shadows is the first book in the Greatcoat universe. In the quickest of summaries, it’s the tale of the bard. Damelas Shademantaigne flees a duel by joining the Knights of the Curtain—Not a branch of the Greatcoats like his grandfather, but a prestige guild of theater actors (And a brick throwing ruffian). He’s possessed by a ghost who wants his story heard and, instead of Oujia boards, he uses the theater to conjure the ghost.
Though Crucible of Chaos is a prelude, I didn’t see the connection between the stories and I became disappointed over time because I really liked Estevar Borros and the supernatural element of the GreatCoats.
Thank you to #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of #PlayofShadows. 4.5/5 The book was approximately 480 pages and 12 hour audiobook.

Characters:
Damelas – The grandson of one of the greatest Greatcoats, can’t fight like his grandfather. I loved that he wasn’t proficient with swords. It was an interesting backstory and very refreshing in a world well known.
He’s accompanied by Rhyleis (A literal walking siren), Berretto (The himbo), and The Black Amaranth (An Assassin who’s definitely a softie).

Don’t mind me, I’m still in awe. Play of Shadows is mysterious, enthralling, and just flat-out fantastic. So, yeah. I guess you could say I enjoyed it.

I was originally intrigued by the idea of a man using a theater to flee a duel that he’s destined to lose. I love the concept of plays within plays (or within books, I suppose) and I expected a rollicking adventure. There are adventures and duels aplenty. However, Play of Shadows is much more than that. It’s a nuanced story that includes themes of hope, justice, and love. It gets across ideas that are applicable in today’s society without being heavy-handed or preachy. The author perfectly balanced this story on a knife’s edge, skillfully navigating between swashbuckling entertainment and something deeper and more meaningful.

The backdrop of the theater is perfect for telling truths among lies. Damelas and his ragtag group of co-actors get drawn into a city wide and possibly centuries old conspiracy. Whether they’ll survive is another story entirely…

Damelas is the sort of main character that I love. He isn’t quite a hero, but he also isn’t the coward that he makes himself out to be. He’s smart as a whip, but he’s also a smart ass, which gets him in no end of trouble. Oh yes: and there’s the matter of the deceased traitor to the crown who has taken up residence in his head. Although, things might not have happened the way the songs and histories tell it.

The author has created an excellent cast of characters. While I loved Damelas, he was almost upstaged (yes, I’m going to use every theater-esque word I can squeeze into this review, I’m not even sorry) by his best friend, Beretto. Beretto was fabulous! In fact, there wasn’t a character that I didn’t adore. I even loved the Vixen. Well, I loved hating her, which amounts to the same thing in a book.

The pacing was superb, and the climax had me gasping out loud. My poor husband’s is used to my audible reactions to books by now, so I’m glad I was home and not out in public. I’d scare the neighbors.

In case you can’t tell, I loved this book. Play of Shadows is phenomenal and deserves a standing ovation. Read it. Read it now.

This book wasn't something I would normally read or enjoy, but I know a few people who might enjoy this book that I would recommend this too. Though I am rating this book low, I know some people who would love this. It just personally wasn't for me, but I would recommend this to certain people if they enjoy theatre, fencing, and fantasy elements.

In Brief
In this first book of his new fantasy series, de Castell returns to his Greatcoats world, but one needn’t have read those books first as Play of Shadows introduces mediocre actor Damelas, who happens to be the grandson of two Greatcoats, as he accidentally challenges a beloved historical love story. On the run from a duel with the terrifying Vixen, Damelas begs his way into the Operato Bellazo’s theatre troupe because of an archaic law that would grant him respite. Happy with a string of bit roles, it’s one such that changes the course of his life as he spouts a deeply buried truth and gains the Duke’s attention. Ordered to put on a play from the villain’s perspective, Damelas finds himself invaded by the spirit of said villain in order to tell the truth. But it’s more than just the truth of former friends Prince Pierzi, the hero, and Corbier, the villain. It proves to also offer clues about how the Iron Orchids, a growing group of thugs who demand their restrictive laws be accepted by the Duke, came into being, answering questions Damelas has while also presenting more. As the truth riles up the city and the Iron Orchids start to leave the shadows, the resulting clash will not only change Damelas and his troupe, but the city as well. Play of Shadows is a fantastic introduction to this new series and the world itself for new readers. Despite a relatively straightforward story with few real surprises, it does offer characters in starring roles that have the power to capture a reader’s heart. With humor, wit, and impeccable pacing, Play of Shadows proves to be an immersive read with a fascinating story to tell.

Extended Thoughts
Last year, I read de Castell’s The Malevolent Seven and wasn’t quite as impressed as I had hoped considering all the good things I’ve heard about his books. But I liked the writing enough to want to give him another try. I was a little nervous about jumping into Play of Shadows as I haven’t read the Greatcoats series, but it didn’t sound like I necessarily needed to have read them. Indeed, I didn’t feel like I needed to. After all, the main character, Damelas, is an actor, and not a very good one, not a duellist. I had a fantastic time with Damelas and the theater troupe he desperately begs his way into in order to avoid dueling the Vixen, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

Despite being the grandson of two Greatcoats of considerable renown, Damelas never quite managed to pick up the skill despite his grandmother’s tutelage. So, when he agrees to duel the Vixen, a terrifying duellist who has it in for his family, he runs for his life and ends up hoping his equally poor acting skills will be enough to save him thanks to an archaic law that grants actors respite from such things. He just has to hope the Operata Bellazo’s company will take him in and, fortunately, they do. Damelas becomes fast friends with the man who spoke up for him, and finds his life temporarily spared with a string of bit roles. Until his role of herald has him blacking out and spouting a deeply buried truth about one of the city’s most beloved heroes and the man he killed despite once calling him friend, inevitably defiling a beloved love story that will prove to have several twists and turns. With his unexpected lines catching the attention of the Duke himself, who demands a new play from Corbier’s perspective, and a growing group of thugs calling themselves the Iron Orchids lying in the shadows, Damelas finds his life in danger as the spirit of the man who died at his former friend’s hand takes up residence in him in order to reveal the truth of one of the city’s most beloved historical stories.

I had no expectations going into Play of Shadows, but I was delighted to discover I very much enjoyed this one. For all its layers as it has the past and present on a collision course, it’s actually a rather straightforward story. It was fun watching it unfold, but I guessed all the twists and eventual reveals. It was occasionally a little tedious waiting for the characters to get there themselves, but I enjoyed them so much that I could forgive them being a little slow. After all, they’re basically rewriting history as new information comes to light and it’s certainly discombobulating to many.

The characters were the stars for me. They were expertly drawn and fantastically layered, revealing more of themselves and discovering what they’re truly made of as the story progresses. Watching all of them grow was an absolute delight, and watching their changing relationships with Damelas was equally fun. With such fluid characters, it was impossible to not enjoy Play of Shadows. They all had unique personalities that came to life, almost as though I were actually watching them on stage. They played their roles in the shows with some bumbling as they had to take cues from Damelas, and I was quite impressed with their quick thinking and improvisations. They also played their roles in their own lives masterfully, proving they’re unique individuals, but also an incredible, loyal, if a bit dysfunctional family. I loved watching them be together and getting to know all of them, and I can’t wait for what awaits them in the next book.

I had a fantastic time getting to know Damelas. He’s comfortable with being mediocre even as literally everyone loves to remind him of his heritage, and he proved to be even more entertaining when a new role is thrust on him. At some point, the spirit of Corbier, the Red-Eyed Raven, enters him, and their conversations were quite entertaining. It was fascinating getting to know a long deceased character this way as he also managed to grow. I adored Beretto, Damelas’s friend and roommate. I can’t help but think of a man akin to a burly giant and no matter his true characterization, I think I’ll stick with this. He’s quite a fun character with tons of personality and sometimes poor advice for Damelas, but he always means well. I adored the layers given to him, and I can’t wait to see how he’ll develop in the next book. Then there’s Abastrini, who isn’t likable at first, but de Castell gives him some surprising redeeming qualities that quite impressed me considering the kind of actor he is, or purports to be. But his dedication to his vocation is admirable and I really came to love him. But my favorite character is the Black Amaranth, the Duke’s personal assassin. She’s mysterious and beautiful, and so talented I could cry. There were times when she felt almost too perfect, but her mutual dislike with the Troubadour Rhyleis was truly a lot of fun and made her feel a little more human. There’s so much depth to her, but it’s all in the little details of her characterization, and I loved all of it.

There’s a bit of a romance between Damelas and the Black Amaranth, which isn’t exactly surprising. I do struggle a bit to see what she sees in him, but he really does start to come into his own, and perhaps she’s just that much more perceptive than I am. They walked a fine line, though, as she’s promised her duty to the Duke, but there’s a delightful softness to their interactions that made my heart melt a little. It’s not the kind of romance that’s in your face, but it’s softly woven in in little looks and touches and the concern they have for each other.

With such strong characters, I wished for an equally strong story. It was fascinating, and I enjoyed the past meeting the present and thereby changing everything everyone knew about their beloved Prince Pierzi and his supposedly infinitely loyal wife Ajelaine. I loved the way the story unfolded on stage, and it was fun to know the other actors were scrambling around behind Damelas, relying on his cues as he had to hold the past and present simultaneously. I also loved how it tied into their current problems with the Iron Orchids, who are intent on creating their own laws and pressuring the Duke into accepting them. But it was just too straightforward for my tastes, with not as much time given over to discovering anything about the mysterious Court of Flowers. It was certainly a fun read, but none of the twists and turns were really a surprise to me and I guessed the reveals long before they came. Still, it was an enjoyable story, and I liked the way the world building tied into it. They worked fantastically hand in hand, giving the characters a rich stage and background to work with.

With a good dose of humor and wit in his writing de Castell offers a fascinating new story in his Greatcoats world, but one needn’t have read those books first. I certainly didn’t and never felt I was missing out on anything. Instead, I was captivated by this cast of characters and the story they were telling. There were many times when reading this made me feel like I was watching the story unfold on stage. I found the writing and pace to be fun and lovely, but the characters really shone for me. Play of Shadows is a fantastic first book in a new series set in a familiar world. It’s fun and easy to read with a great number of things happening, but, as they’re all tied together, it’s never hard to keep track of everything.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

tl;dr
Plenty of world building supports a layered story about a normal guy caught up in a political game much bigger than him.

Thoughts
Damelas isn't a hero - he just plays one onstage. Scratch that, he's a bit player and he can barely even get that part right. But he and the ragtag band of actors he hangs out with are immediately sympathetic, very messy, and if you've ever seen a group of actors together, you'll recognize every player in the text here. Ostensibly a story about one man and his quest to not get skewered by a particularly vengeful duelist, the past layers (literally and figuratively) onto Damelas' world, tying the efforts of his small acting troupe into a much larger power struggle. There's a lot to keep up with, and the first half of the book takes a little bit of time to set up all the pieces before setting everything in motion. The back half moves at a much quicker pace, with some big reveals at the end that set up the rest of the series admirably. I've not read the original Greatcoats series, but this new series introduces the world without any confusion The world building is very strong from the getgo, with a heavy emphasis on the history and politics of the world. And oh, how much of it there is! If you like political machinations and surprise reveals punctuated with some really well-written swordplay, this one's for you.

I read the Greatcoats series a few years back. It was a little the Three Musketeers with Gods, Saints and Magic. Play of Shadows is the first book in a new series set in the same world year later in the Court of Shadows series, following a new cast of characters saving Trista in a brand new way.

Damelas Shademantaigne, Grandson of two Greatcoats, offered to stand in for a duel meant for his Grandfather and then escaped to a theater to avoid it. Basically in hiding for a year, he has made some great friends in the theater and possibly found his place in the world, even if he isn't a great actor. That is until one night, overtaken by the spirit of a long dead actor, Demelas changes some lines in the play and it seems lights the city on fire as the man they came to be a hero in the histories might be false.

‘Fled a duel, did you?’ he asked me.
‘I prefer to think of it as engaging with the enemy honourably but from a safe distance.’

Damelas and troupe is ordered by the Duke to construct a new play from the perceived villains point of view in hopes of discovering the truth of the feud between two powerful men of the past and how the histories got it all wrong. This means Damelas is now the lead in the play since he is possible channeling a spirit from the dead. There is also a group of bully boys out in the city naming themselves the Iron Orchids who have made some rules against blasphemy, which this new play certainly will be seen as and everyone in the theater company will be at risk.

‘I can never quite tell if you’re a timid person who pretends at times to be brave, or a brave one who’s been trying to convince himself for far too long that he’s a coward.’

While I don't think that you would need to have read the Greatcoats series to enjoy this book it would help to have some of the history of Trista and the saints and gods of that land. I enjoy Sebastian de Castell's blend of storytelling and witty lines. In Play of Shadows, he gets to really play with the language and turns of phrase, as actors are allowed to be a bit over the top at times. This made the overall story even more enjoyable for me as I really enjoy stuff like that in my reading.

'My grandfather always said, ‘Love is an onion, my boy. Leave it too long and the heart of it will rot. So you’ve got to carefully peel back the layers until you find beneath something so beautiful it brings you to tears.’

The plot of the story was interesting as we are discovering how the events of the past are the seeds to the current issues in the city with the Iron Orchids and how they play into a bigger plot at hand against the people of Trista. Demelas is also an interesting character. Brought up to be brave by two of the greatest Greatcoats in history but living so timidly afraid to hurt anyone. He has some great friendships in the theater troupe and I especially enjoyed the brotherly bond between him and Beretto. Best friends, they will do anything to help the other. There is also a small love interest for Demelas and she is deadly, just as likely to kill him as kiss him to make the story all the more fun.

The story timing was laid out well and I enjoyed how the events of the past were reveled a little at a time until we are hit with all the truths near the end. This is a great beginning to a new series in the world of the Greatcoats and I can't wait to see what else is in store for our funny troupe of actors turned revolutionaries next.

‘Let’s teach these blackguards the first rule of the sword,’ Beretto cried, running into the fray, ignoring the wounds he’d already suffered.
Corbier’s usually cold and calculating voice asked with interest, The first rule of the sword?
An old Greatcoats saying, I informed him as I raced after Beretto. ‘Put the pointy end in the other guy first.’

This was great and I cannot wait for the sequels! Sword magic, intrigue, and battle galore! This is in the world of the Greatcoats which now I must go checkout de Castell's previous work to explore this world further. Recommend!!

Another excellent entry in the world of the GreatCoats. It is the beginning of a new series, but set in the same world as the Greatcoat series, so I would recommend reading the previous entries to get the most out of this book. It has action, intrigue, and politics, making for a fast read, but one that I can't wait to continue in the series.

Im glad i finally finished this! So many people loved this and I just didn’t. I felt it had many pages of nothing and then a chunk of action and progression then back to many pages of nothing. I really enjoyed all the characters and their personalities though. I liked the magically element of the Vesitor and how they somehow inhabit the spirit of someone from the past and uncover truths. I didn’t really care that the story was highly told through plays and theater though. There’s another series prior to this about the Greatcoats and I’m not sure if it would have added enjoyment to the story but I found myself being bored most of the time.

I really wish I could say I enjoyed/like this book, but alas, I just don't think that this story was for me. I really did try...a few times.

Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell is an awesome book! It is the start of a new series, The Court of Shadows, set in the world of his Greatcoats series (I would describe it as Greatcoats adjacent).

The story stars Damelas Chademantaigne, the grandson of two Greatcoats but who only wants to be an actor. As he tries to escape certain death in a duel with the Vixen, Damelas seeks refuge in the Operato Belleza as part of the Knights of the Curtain, the resident acting troupe. This begins an engaging tale of plays, conspiracies, noble politics and schemes, revenge, and love.

Damelas is a great main character. He is kind, brave, and self-effacing, while managing to be brave and insightful. He is definitely a reluctant hero, but one who grows into the role. As with the Greatcoats series, the supporting cast in Play of Shadows is terrific and varied. The ties to the original series are present, but do not intrude on the story being told. Additionally, the mystery of the conspiracy involved is very engaging and unpredictable.

The Greatcoats series is one of my favorites, so I was looking forward to returning to this world. Play of Shadows was a terrific start to a series that promises to keep the level of storytelling high. I would highly recommend Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell.

I received a preview copy of this book from the Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.