This is very high-level writing, clearly written for those with a college degree or post-graduate degree. While I understood most of it, it was too onerous to continue to try to read, let alone enjoy.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy

Good pacing, great plot. Love it!! The worldbuilding was so good and so interesting

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Crucible of Chaos was so much fun! So many times I found myself imagining the setting, the scenes—especially the action—and I felt really immersed in this dynamic world at various points in time. I haven't read the Court of Shadows series but I plan to and can't wait to reread this at that time. Imperious was such a star in this and I wish we had even more on-page time with him. However, Estevar is a bit wordy at times and the dialogue felt heavy or exhausting, for lack of better words.

Thank you so much to Hachette Book Group, Arcadia, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!

I am a big fan for Sébastien de Castell''s Greatcoats. Swashbuckling, justice, cutting lines, what's not to love? But this time we are not following Falco, but the King's Crucible, Estevar Valejan Duerisi Borros in "Crucible of Chaos." An investigator of the supernatural, or at least the possibility of the supernatural.

After receiving a letter from his long term correspondence, the head of the abbey at the most holy place in the land. Except most of the gods are dead...and there is a knight telling him not to go to Isola Sombra, because of the demons. Another small issue, the wound he took in a duel that he could have refused. But he is armed with his mind, a capable assistant, and a great ass named Imperious (he is a very good mule) to uncover what is going on at this abbey.

Reasons to read:
-Folks up to date with the workings of the setting are in for a treat
-The swagger of a nearly dead investigator
-Again, a great ass
-Banter
-A trial
-I'm just very happy with this one

Cons:
-It's going to hurt a bit

Ultimately not a book for me. I did not enjoy the perspective that the book was told in. I found Estevar Borros as a main character to be overly verbose and entirely too caught up with his own cleverness. I felt myself hoping he would get injured in some kind of way that would hopefully humble him; which is awful. I had originally read the first greatcoat book a few years ago and ultimately didn't enjoy that story, and was hoping that a later installment in the series might warm me to the world; It did not. If you really enjoyed the Greatcoat series maybe this will be more up your alley.

Estevar's character is a compelling mix of charisma, and occasional contentious banter, making him a captivating protagonist. His loyal companion, Imperious, adds a delightful touch with sharp wit and a reminder to keep Estevar grounded. The introduction of Caeda further enriches the narrative, providing a balance of intelligence, grace, and eagerness.

The narrative, set over tumultuous days, offers a unique perspective through Estevar's keen intellect and unwavering determination. Despite a slower pace with philosophical discussions, the author's captivating prose keeps the reader engaged. The story seamlessly weaves together moments of action, discovery, and intellectual pursuits, showcasing the depth of thought among the characters.

As a first-time reader of Sebastien de Castell, "The King's Crucible" left me eager to explore more of the Greatcoats' world. Fans of Richard Swan's Empire of the Wolf series are likely to appreciate the similarities in writing style. Overall, this dark fantasy tale is a delightful blend of intrigue, action, and drama, making it a recommended read for fantasy enthusiasts.

From the publisher: A mortally wounded magistrate faces his deadliest trial inside an ancient abbey where the monks are going mad and the gods themselves may be to blame!

Estevar Borros, one of the legendary sword-fighting magistrates known as the Greatcoats and the king's personal investigator of the supernatural, is no stranger to tales of ghosts and demons. When the fractious monks of the abbey rumoured to be the birthplace of the gods begin warring over claims of a new pantheon arising, the frantic abbot summons him to settle the dispute.

But Estevar has his own problems: a near-fatal sword wound from his last judicial duel, a sworn knight who claims he has proof the monks are consorting with demons, a diabolical inquisitor with no love for the Greatcoats, and a mysterious young woman claiming to be Estevar's ally but who may well be his deadliest enemy.

Armed only with his famed investigative talents, his faltering skill with a blade and Imperious, his ornery mule, Estevar must root out the source of the madness lurking inside the once-sacred walls of Isola Sombra before its chaos spreads to the country he's sworn to protect.

Investigate alongside Estevar and the most heroic mule ever to appear in print in this thrilling swashbuckling fantasy mystery by Sebastien de Castell, author of the Internationally acclaimed Greatcoats and Spellslinger series!

Crucible of Chaos may be read as a stand-alone fantasy novel and as a prelude to Play of Shadows, the first official novel in the Court of Shadows series!

I was first introduced to Sebastien de Castell through his Greatcoats series. The series, which is tremendous, starts out like an homage to the Three Musketeers but quickly becomes about so much more. De Castell's newest novel, Crucible of Chaos, is set in the same world (although later) as The Greatcoats and stars Estevar Boros, one of the King's Greatcoats.

Boros is known as the King's Crucible and was first introduced to readers through the volume of short stories Tale of The Greatcoats. Boros is known for his fondness for the supernatural/occult and his investigative techniques. Boros is like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Inigo Montoya (from The Princess Bride).

Estevar Boros is on his rounds as a Greatcoat, or King's Magistrate, when he receives a summons from an old acquaintance to help solve a mystery on Isola Sambra, a mystical island just off the coast where there is an abbey of monks living. Upon his arrival, Boros is greeted by a knight, who warns him not to risk his life on the island, as the monks have gone insane. Boros is intrigued and begins the trip to the island. Once there, he encounters different factions of monks, a young woman, mysterious sigils, and a dead body. And chaos ensues.

This was an entertaining story. Boros is an interesting lead character and de Castell takes his time unraveling the mystery. It's a worthy, but different, follow-up to the Greatcoats series. It also sets the stage for de Castell's next series in this world, the Court of Shadows. I would recommend it to fans of the Greatcoats. It's also a decent one-off introduction to this world.

"Maybe you care more about the truth than you do about those forced to live with the consequences." – Caeda

Plot:
Crucible of Chaos murder mystery that takes place in the Greatcoat Universe. Estevar Borros is tasked with solving what caused the madness on an island known for being the birthplace of gods. As a prelude to the upcoming Play of Shadows or a possible stand alone, I’m excited to see how this relates to the next one. I expected witty one-liners and characters too smart for their own good which brought me back to the Traitor’s Blade Series.
The cons I have with this book are more about preference as fantasy/adventure is my taste rather than fantasy/mystery. For De Castell readers, this is a 3rd person POV, which is much different than his usual 1st person. Because I’m not familiar with the mystery genre, it felt like I was talked down to when clues were presented and outcomes explained. Estavar's method of solving is guiding someone else, usually Caeda, into figuring it out. He seems too look at one person and instantly know their weaknesses, their bluffs, and their methods. I think I wanted Estavar to fumble. Though he wasn't arrogant like Sherlock Holmes, it felt like he already knew everything with a short glance.
Thank you to #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of #CrucibleofChaos. 4/5 The book was approximately 400 pages, but I also bought the audiobook which was 12 hours.

Characters:
Imperious- The greatest mule in history, stronger than a horse, more stubborn than a donkey, and a great companion to Estevar.

Estevar- Our Greatcoat sent to find out who murdered Abbott Veina. It’s interesting to see him dismiss religion in favor of laws like any Greatcoat, especially when on Isoda Sombra. Fun fact, according to the audiobook he has a French accent.

Caeda- Also known as Estevar's Piccolo, is our sweet apprentice. She's a young woman who isn't aligned with any faction and drifts across Isoda Sombra waiting for someone to acknowledge her.

Malezias- A ferryman/monk of sorts who I wish we saw more of. Like Caeda, he's more interested in finding out the truth of Abbott Veina than dealing with the factions.

Strigan - The Wolf-King who grows on me purely because of the way De Castell writes this pathetically charming and distasteful idiot. The Wolves believe that the gods are coming back with vengeance, so like most people trapped on an island with booze, they practice old rites of orgies and carve "tattoos" in each other to appease them for power.

Brother Agneta - Chief Quartermaster of the Bone Rattlers, which is quite fitting because she's old and carries a pistol that may or may not "misfire" from time to time. They are "Traditionalist" who tend to believe the old way of choosing gods.

Leogado- Best put as Brother Agneta would say an, "arrogant general who became elected dictator" of Isoda Sombra. As the leader of the Trumpeters, she remains hidden most of the book. Trumpeters, named after the poisonous flower, believe the gods are dead and now is the time for a new one.

2024 is starting really strong for me, with back to back to back great books right out of the gate. Today’s contestant is Crucible of Chaos, a semi-stand-alone Greatcoats adventure from the incredible Sebastien de Castell. Crucible is a bridge book that spans the gap between his last Greatcoats quartet and his new series (also coming out this year) set in the same world. It takes a look at the events following one of my absolute favorite books of all time, Saint’s Blood, but is also designed as a very self-contained story about a murder mystery with an all-new cast. I definitely recommend reading the earlier books first, as the context of those stories helps define Crucible in a wonderful context.

One of the things I really like about Crucible is how it feels like an interesting aside in a world that I already know and love. The first series was all about greater things that affected the world as a whole, while Crucible feels a lot more localized. It’s about one Greatcoat doing his duty to make the world a more just and fair place, and it follows the story of a singular case. So, who is our new traveling magistrate who keeps falling on swords? Estevar Borros is his name, and solving strange occult mysteries is his game. Estevar, known as the King’s Crucible, is a more solitary Greatcoat compared to those we have known before. He is older, loves to travel, and is more eccentric than any Greatcoat we have yet seen. His particular calling is the occult, or rather, debunking the occult. Estevar is the man you call in when something paranormal is happening, and you need to corner the ghost, pull off his rubber mask, and reveal the unscrupulous real estate tycoon underneath.

So, when the fractious monks of an abbey begin warring over claims of a new pantheon arising, the frantic abbot summons Estevar to settle the dispute. Yet, there is a small wrench in Estevar’s normal plans. Everyone knows that the gods of this world are real, and can (rarely) manifest. The abbey that he travels to is rumored to be the birthplace of the original gods, and the abbot claims that strange paranormal madness has begun to afflict the monastery and its grounds. Armed only with his famed investigative talents, his skill with a blade, and his ornery mule, Estevar must root out the source of the madness lurking inside the once-sacred walls of Isola Sombra before its chaos spreads to the country he’s sworn to protect.

Right off the bat, this mystery is juicy. The suspects are interesting, the clues are bizarre, the setting is terrifying, and the twists are twisty. The big picture of this book is a descent into madness, and wow, does de Castell deliver thematically on his mystery. Estevar is a delightful investigator with an interesting personality who is less a gifted observant prodigy and more a blustery politician who doesn’t know when to quit. Some of his circumstances feel a little contrived, but frankly, I had a great time with him at all points in the story, so if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. When looking at de Castell’s work, it is clear that he has a very consistent author’s voice, with all of his leads being wise-cracking rogues and rakes with charisma and a touch of idiocy. It is a character type I absolutely love, and often why I am such a big fan of de Castell’s work, and I am constantly delighted at how his characters don’t seem to blend together. It takes real foresight and planning to make all of them feel distinct yet cut from the same cloth, and I haven’t got tired of it yet.

While I adore Estevar, I do think the one drawback is a lack of other Greatcoats to catalyze with. There are a number of great side characters and even some assistants to the great detective, but this tale lacked the incredible chemistry that overflows from some of de Castell’s other work. Yet, at the same time, I find myself thinking that this story format is both refreshing and has legs. This singular chapter in a larger series does a wonderful job of making the Greatcoat organization feel bigger and more real. I would love to see more one-offs set in the same world with different Greatcoats (as solo or groups) heading out and conducting the kinds of business they are best at. Crucible added a lot of volume to the worldbuilding of this setting, which makes it a very powerful and successful bridge book between the series, even before you start considering the setups in the plot itself. I simultaneously don’t need to spend any more time with Estevar and would be delighted if he returned for more. Crucible just makes me want more stories, any stories, from this vast and interesting world–which is not a feeling I often have.

At the end of the day, the best thing I can say about Crucible of Chaos is I had fun the entire way through (even with it having a number of horror elements). I really enjoy steeping myself in de Castell’s worlds, stories, and storytelling style. His characters are always compelling, his dialogue is always funny, and his ideas are always interesting. I love how emotive and romantic his stories are and I always find myself getting deeply invested no matter what the book is about. Crucible of Chaos is another success in a long line of winners from this fabulous author, and I can’t believe we will also get the first book in the new Greatcoats series later this year.

Rating: Crucible of Chaos – 9.0/10
-Andrew

Early released ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome back to Tristia, world of the swashbuckling Greatcoats!

Estevar Borros, the Greatcoat (sometimes) known as the King's Crucible, joined by his trusted mule Imperious, is sent to the abbey Isola Sombra to investigate a murder of the abbot, Venia. That is right, "Crucible of Chaos" involves a murder mystery- mixed in with supernatural mystery, action sequences, and even a bit of a courtroom drama.

I enjoyed the setting, and I liked the bravado of the characters through- that being some of favorite parts of Sebastien de Castell's works. However, I have not taken to Estevar like I had for his predecessor, Falcio val Mond. Estevar can drone on about subject matters a little bit too much for my liking, without quite the humor of Falcio, or without Falcio's ability to banter with his companions. Additionally, the mentioning of Estevar's weight by other characters seemed perhaps too excessive for this work.

Overall I liked this book, even with some nitpicks. I know that a Tristia spin-off series is underway, and I'm pleased that we're returning to this world.

Once again, I am a DeCastell stan!

So fun to be back with the Greatcoats again! While Estevar is not Falcio, he still endeared himself to me enough to keep me alone for the ride. The swell of speechifying, the waxing on justice, the swashbuckling action, mixed with supernatural horror and the Greatmule Imperious! Plus, I love me some fantasy mysteries. So much fun to read.

I read the Greatcoats series a few years back. It was a little the Three Musketeers with Gods, Saints and Magic. Crucible of Chaos is a prequel to the Court of Shadows series, the next series set in the same world years after the Greatcoats series. This reminded me a little on Don Quixote as Estevar Borros and his faithful mule Imperious ride into a magical den of wolves so to speak to solve why the Monks on the isle of Isola Sombra have fractured into factions and possibly gone mad. He is there to perform an investigation and trial, however he might also witness the birth of a new god as well.

First of all, this can be read as a standalone. You will not have had to read the Greatcoats series to understand what is going on, however it does help to have some backstory and foundation of the characters of legend. The author does a really good job of setting up the history though, so it isn't needed to understand. Greatcoats are the law of the land, empowered by the King; they travel to be impartial judge, jury and executioner to disputes. Estevar has been called to an Island where the original gods, now dead, were rumored to be born. Something strange is afoot and to serve his King he must get to the bottom of it. Helped along by his mule in some unusual ways and a girl interested in becoming a Greatcoat herself, he will investigate all the weird happenings at the Island and why the monks have split into three factions. There is also a murder to be solved and a dead body that doesn't seem to want to stay in the ground to deal with.

This was an interesting tale full of political intrigue, betrayal and some magical shenanigans. Estevar will need to use all of his vast investigative tricks, subterfuge and a new ally to make it out of this situation alive. This is not a direct continuation of the Greatcoats series. It is set some years after the events of the series when all of those escapades have fallen into legend. New heroes will be needed. This didn't have quite as much humor as I'm used to from Sebastien de Castell and it will fall into the Grimdark category for me. But there are still great insults to be swung around, duels of both words and swords and Sherlock Holmes styles of investigation afoot to get to the bottom of the mystery. Also who knew I was going to love a stubborn mule so much but he is a great sidekick to the intrepid Cantor on this quest. The magic and mystery was interesting and complex, so you will need to put on your thinking hat.

Overall an interesting read if you appreciate a good political mystery and like to root for the unkempt detective in a story.

”Rest assured, I will pay a reasonable fee for its loan, especially if I decide to stain this blade by carving your worthless hide, you pitiful, prancing popinjay, you crust of defecation stuck to the heel of better men's boots, so lacking in substance that you cannot even stink with distinction.”

This was a wonderful return to the world of Tristia and the Greatcoats. This is a beautifully written standalone that introduces us to a new Greatcoat who is responsible for investigating the supernatural phenomenon in this magical world where the gods have died and faith is waning.

I loved Estevar Burros, he is such a great character. He is smart, charming, and has some wonderful witty and yet contentious banter. He knows how to investigate and find the answers that need to be found, and even though he finds them, they can sometimes elude the other characters and the readers who come along for the ride. We find Estevar at a kind of crossroads in his life, he was injured in his last duel and is struggling to recover. He finds himself in the middle of a war at one of the most holy sights in the country. He needs to find allies fast, and still keep the demons, both real and his own at bay.

There are a lot of other great characters in this book, many of them Estevar’s suspects, but the one that I liked the most was Caeda. She is a young woman who lived in the village near the abbey and she was done some grievous harm before Estevar takes her under his wing. He teaches her some of his investigative techniques, and she proves quite good at it, figuring things out on her own. She is smart, and though she is angry, she can keep control of herself. She is often the one to keep Estevar grounded in their investigation. Her role in the story becomes more apparent and important as the mystery is solved and the end of everything is imminent.

I also need to mention Estevar's trusty companion, Imperious, a mule that is by his side throughout the story. He is a wonderful companion that appears to know more of what is going on than anyone else in the story. He is very brave and also very stubborn. I love how he defends and saves Estevar many times.

The plot is a truth seeking journey that has at its heart a murder mystery. There is also a lot of philosophical and religious discussions amongst the many players of this tale. The writing is beautiful and captivating both in the descriptions of the decaying and doomed abby and the action sequences. The pacing is a tad slower than the previous books, but it never feels tedious or drawn out. The frenetic pace of the action sequences certainly make up for the slower bits, although these are few. The mystery is nicely done, with the clues woven into the story to be found by the reader and the final reveal was stunning. 

This is a standalone book, but there are references to events that happened in the Greatcoat series, which doesn’t take away from this story, but might be a tad confusing. Also the role of the Greatcoats as magistrates is not explained as well here as in the series, which for first time readers might lead to some misunderstandings. That said, this still a great way to be introduced to this marvelous world and the wonderful characters that inhabit it. I highly recommend that you give this one, or better yet, the Greatcoat series,a chance. Especially if you like your stories full of swashbuckling heroes that will capture your heart.

Estevar hauled up on his mule as Castle Aramor came into view through the dampening fog. The mule turned back with a baleful look.

“I know, I know. Do you think I'm enjoying this foul weather any more than you are?”

The mule dipped its head and turned it slightly aslant, looking upward at Estevar, as if to note that while they both shared the same weather, only one of them had the other’s weight as additional burden. A substantial weight at that Estevar had to acknowledge.

“Yes, Yes. Let me just marshal my thoughts a bit. I'm going to need to tell this right to the First Cantor elsewise she’ll have my sword, my coat, and possibly my head. And then where will you be?”

The mule swung its head back around toward the castle and let out a grunt, which Estevar took as a vocal shrug of indifference.

“Oh, you may think things can’t get worse for you. Believe me when I, Estevar Valejan Duerisi Borros also called the King’s Crucible, tell you that things can always get worse.”

And with that came a clap of thunder, followed by the first fall of rain. The mule glared.

“This is no fault of mine, save the burden of always being right, my friend.”

Imperius snorted and began to trudge down the road.

“Wait, wait, I said! We have to get our story straight!” The mule gave no indication it heard him. Nor did it pay him any mind when he tugged on the reins. Estevar sighed and let them fall. “Fine. It’s true that I can think just as easily as we (another snort) you walk. A poor traveling magistrate and Greatcoat I’d be otherwise. Right. How to begin this tale?”

The mule flicked an ear.

“Well yes, one might begin at the beginning. But that would mean telling our young First Cantor how I’d allowed myself to be lured into an unnecessary duel, gotten badly wounded and then fevered, and then rushed into investigating rumors of foul rituals and crimes amongst the monks at the abbey at Isola Sombra without due preparation. I’m not sure however that such details would further enlighten our Cantor. They may in fact only distract her from the far more important issues.”

Estevar took the mule’s steady gait as encouragement. “Indeed, that’s likely the case. We’re in agreement then. She need not hear all that until later, if even then. For in a world of cause and effect, who can truly say where the beginning of anything lies?” Imperious grunted.

“Do not scoff at self-rationalization my damp-furred friend. It is how we humans get through most of our days. So yes, we can dispense with my earlier, erm, unfortunate missteps, and start with my discovery that murder had indeed entered that holy place. I had no choice therefore but to uncover the murderer and learn what had caused the monks to descend into madness and chaos, splitting into three factions each bent on killing the others. The task called for a sharp mind and luckily, mine is even sharper than my rapier’s end. It did not take me long—”

Imperious stopped abruptly.

“It did not take me too long for—”

The mule did not move.

“I was getting to that, wasn’t I? It did not take me too long, with the help of young Caeda—”

Imperious began a steady plod again.

“To solve the murder. And Caeda will help yet us again on our arrival my nagging nag. For if I am to get back into the good graces of the First Cantor, I am the first to ruefully admit my own nature, lacking perhaps the humor and, say, appealing boisterousness of some of my fellow Greatcoats (that notorious trio of Falcio, Brasti, and Kest springs to mind), a personality based more in cool logic and skepticism mixed with an almost obsessive curiosity and a dollop of, yes, arrogance—”

Estevar felt a rough jolt as Imperious bucked.

“All right, perhaps more than a dollop. In any case, I may not win over an audience, but young Caeda with her youth, sprightly nature, and natural innocence can’t help but charm our own youthful First Cantor, who shares with her as well the misfortune of finding oneself unexpectedly cast from one life into another, beset from without by villains on all sides and from within by personal sorrow, and thus needing a quick mind and even faster sword to save her from—”

Estevar at first thought the rain had picked up, then realized what he was hearing was the steady stream of urine emanating from the mule beneath him.

“I did not name myself nor imply that I alone—” The already impressive jet of liquid managed to increase in volume. “Fine. Your liquid criticism has made its point. I acknowledge a mutual saving of lives. More than acknowledge in fact. This will play well with Chalmers. I, Estevar Valejan Duerisi Borros, wounded night unto death, fevered as a wildfire, throwing myself against crazed monks and horrible demons is exciting enough, but then having to be saved by a wisp of a girl—”

Imperious turned back to look at Estevar.

“Yes, yes, but we can’t reveal that to the First Cantor right away. We will hold off on the revelation regarding young Caeda so as to keep Chalmers rapt in our tale until the moment is ripe to stun her with the truth, which I of course knew right away—”

Imperious swung back to face forward again, but not before letting loose with a snort from each end of his body, one of which rose like a festering cloud round Estevar’s head. Estevar flapped his hand before his face.

“Foul creature! A simple kick of your heels would not have sufficed?! Yes, yes, perhaps I did not see right away what was eventually revealed. Remember, I was fevered and wounded, my mind more sluggish than is usual. In any case, I think we are set with a tale indeed that will win over even the irascible First Cantor. A story begun in murder and madness, a story of old gods killed and new gods to take their place. Of dark rituals, supernatural monsters, and the ever-present evil of human deceit and ambition. A grim container indeed, but one that also holds within it daring feats of courage—

Imperious’ ears both rose.

“Yes, also by you my fierce companion. Feats of courage, desperate battles and even more desperate bluffs, the light of youth, the flame of love, and even the possibility of redemption. I will tell this tale forthrightly and in few but vital words—”

The mule brayed loudly.

“In perhaps a few too many but mostly vital words so that the First Cantor will, rather than upbraid me for an old man’s foolishness and bravado, will instead smile, take a sip of her wine, and say, ‘That was some story. Frightening. Exciting. Saddening. Inspiring. And like your name, a few too many words. But then, you wouldn’t be Estevar Valejan Duerisi Borros, otherwise, would you? Get some rest, King’s Crucible. For you and your mule.’

And with that, Imperious gathered himself, then shot off at a gallop.

(With apologies, as always, to the author, who has remained nothing but a good sport throughout these reviews. A few extra notes that did not fit in the above mode. While some knowledge of the early GREATCOATS books will flesh out the backstory, The Crucible of Chaos works perfectly fine as a standalone work in this world, and any of the minimal information that is necessary from those prior books is smoothly and concisely conveyed early on. That said, you should absolutely read earlier books because they’re a joy. Those familiar with them already will find Crucible less rollicking humorous and lacking in that wonderful banter; it is instead more akin to the collection of short stories, several of which have Estevar as a main character.)

I thought that this book had a great premise, it made me excited to read it. I think that the book delivered on that premise. It was dark and had interesting discussions. I liked the characters, Estevar was a great protagonist and you can’t help but love Imperious. I do think for how short the book was that the pacing was a little slow. I would still continue with the series.

I was delighted to return to the world of the Greatcoats! Though Crucible of Chaos definitely has quite a different tone than the original series.

This would have been a great book to read during October. I love a good closed circle mystery. And the setting at the island was incredibly spooky and very well done on de Castell's part.

The plot moved a little slower than I recall the pace of the swash buckling story of the Greatcoats, but was an enjoyable slow burn and never felt overly tedious. The new "paranormal investigator" Greatcoat we have met was an intriguing character and while I don't think he is going to be a main character in the upcoming new series based on its blurb I would enjoy seeing him pop up as a side character again.

This book was billed as being able to be read as a standalone and I think this holds true. There are some references to characters and events from the Greatcoats series, but not in a way that is relying on the reader to have the 4 books of knowledge about those. They're referenced more in a general world building way and having more additional knowledge of them is more like Easter eggs.

The Greatcoats live on! I'm definitely glad I read the Tales of the Greatcoats first to get introduced to Estevar Borros, the King's Crucible. Honestly, I think I was hoping for more action such as that found in the Greatcoats Quartet of novels, as well as more of that banter I had come to love between Falcio, Kest, and Brasti. But they are not in this adventure, and in fairness I want to temper my reaction and be more welcoming to de Castell's new character! I definitely enjoyed the mystery and the hint of supernatural. While maybe not quite as swashbuckling and full of witty repartee as the original quartet, I did enjoy Borros's verbose style of deduction. It reminded me at times of Sherlock Holmes and Louis Bayard's Poe character from The Pale Blue Eye. I'm looking forward to the Play of Shadows!

Estevar Borros is an overweight, prideful magistrate. As a Greatcoat, it is his duty to investigate what is happening on the island of Isola Sombra. He has received word that there is major strife among the monks. What he finds is so much worse than he expected.

I loved this so much! Estevar is a great character. I love that he's not perfect, and I love his humor. While I love Estevar, Imperious is definitely my favorite animal companion. Love love love him!

This has prompted me to reread everything Greatcoats.

It’s great to return to Tristia, the world of the Greatcoats. Traveling magistrates that dole out the King’s Justice. This book introduces a new Greatcoat, an investigator of the supernatural.
I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series, so I was anxious to dive into this one.
I’ll admit that it started out slow. Almost too slow for me. But after that rough patch, Estevar and his mule grew on me quite quickly.
The mystery surrounding the goings on at the abbey was interesting. It kept up a great gothic vibe that I enjoyed. The characters at the abbey were varied and memorable.
All in all, I liked the book and would definitely read more stories following this character.