I should start off by saying that I didn't finish this book. And in this case it is definitely a more me than the book situation.

The narrator was absolutely amazing. They are probably one of the reasons why I listened as far as I did. The way they did the many characters was phenomenal. Each character sounded so unique (even at 2x speed) which I think takes so much skill. Their narration felt like I was physically reading the book and could visualize everything. This narrator is so good.

I didn't finish the book because I wasn't sure what I was expecting from it. This book follows our main character Damelas Chademantaigne and while I don't think it would be necessary to read the Grey Coats series, I do think you will benefit from it.

Damelas is an interesting character but I didn't find him particularly strong. I enjoyed the ins and outs of the theatre that were presented in the book but I think at the end of the day, this book just wasn't for me.

I would recommend this book for: theatre heads, audiobook fantatics (the narration really is amazing) and for readers who enjoy a slower book.

I’m glad I started listening to this audio book while walking on a country road. As the passers by startled by my laughter were only sheep. The stage is set, the characters bring joy and sadness, laughter and pain. The Actor’s words bite more sharply than a sword, and bring history to life. Never truer than for Damelas Shademantaigne as he runs for safety from a sword duel into the company of The Knights of the Curtain. Only he seems better at finding trouble than being a player on the stage. And no one is going to be safe, let alone himself. This is a long listen, but I enjoyed every minute. A stand alone read, but the tale is set to continue, and I’ll be first in line. Thank you to Quercus and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

My review of Play of Shadows must first begin with a confession, much to my shame I have not previously read any of The Greatcoats novels by Sebastien de Castell (be assured this will be urgently rectified). However, this does give me a unique perspective of assessing whether a newcomer such as myself could indeed begin here, and more importantly be able to follow and enjoy the story.

Precisely as advertised, this book was full of swashbuckling, sword play, mystery and intrigue. De Castell's writing, particularly the character interactions and dialogue was as sharp and deadly as the blades being used. Fans who have been waiting since 2020 when the cover was first revealed will hopefully feel that the wait was worth hanging on for. I do not know the full story but I would assume that there was a significant amount of editing or re-writing, or perhaps a change narrative perspective. However, the finished article here was practically flawless, impressive and highly polished.

What is so fantastic about Play of Shadows is that it can absolutely be read as a stand alone novel without prior knowledge of The Greatcoats novels and any references to characters or events are seemingly minimal and spoiler free. Subsequent volumes in the Court of Shadows will also supposedly be possible to read in any order until the final volume draws all of the different stories together - this is such a great way to attract new readers (like me) without requiring to initially commit to reading multiple books before diving in.

The theatrical adventures of Damelas Shademantaigne and friends had me hooked from start to finish and I immediately went out and purchased the prelude, 'Crucible of Chaos' on the strength of this and I absolutely need to go back and read The Greatcoats now and learn all of the history as soon as possible.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Audio for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Play of Shadows is anticipated to release on 28th March 2024.

I read both the kindle and combined the audio in as well

This was brilliant. Superb.

Sebastian de Castell is back in the world of the Greatcoats, and honestly, I just love everything about the world and stories within it.

This really is nothing like the previous Greatcoat series in terms of the story telling or even the story itself. It does, however, have enough links and connections to the Greatcoast series to make it feel a connected series. I love that we didn't just get another book with the same characters (despite loving Kest, Basti, and Falcio) and that we got to explore events through a new main character.
We got to live through our new hero?!? 🧐 Damelas


Damelas Chademantaigne, is the grandson of two Greatcoats but a rubbish sword hand, and his story starts when he escaps the wrath of the Vixen, the most feared duellist in the entire city, by tricking his way into the Operato Belleza and its company of actors.

The story then takes some unexpected turns, and because I want to avoid the spoiler of what drives this story, I'll say no more.

All I will say is that this is more than an honourable inclusion to the Greatcoat series. Deep characters, phenomenal world building, politics and intrigue, and what we have come to expert from SdC incredibly written prose, full of sarcasm, wit, and humour

The main character is a words smith with a gift of the gab. Witty and funny. The story begins with him in a tight situation, and then follows him through his time while he stumbles into an unplanned career.

“Full grown man, getting his arse handed to him by a ten year old girl.” A quote I will keep with me for the rest of my life!

This is a well written story. A little slow to begin, however I always enjoy a good world building.

I got my ARC from NetGalley.. Thank you Sebastian De Castell for letting me listen to the audio book…

This was over all an amazing book.. it just wasn’t a book for me I think it’s great if you like old timey themes that are in the book but it was still a great book!!

‘Rest, Rabbit, rest. It's really for the best! There's nowhere left to hide - besides, It's long past time you died!'

O, what wit. What depravity. What deceit. What plots.
3.75🌟

Damelas Chademantaigne, the grandson of two Greatcoats but a rubbish sword hand, only escaped the wrath of the Vixen, the most feared duellist in the entire city, by tricking his way into the Operato Belleza and its company of actors.

However, it appears that there is long-buried truths regarding the current foreign Duke who has commissioned a play that can only be described as treasonous by portraying the duchy's most notorious usurper and child-killer as a hero.

De Castell has a magic with words. A genius with beautiful prose and cutting wit. His main character is always a multitude of emotions, conflict, and tension. He writes drama with such thrill, he describes battle with such vigour, he describes human nature with pessimism sprinkled either hope.

’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.'

You can feel the absolute passion de Castell has for performance, for all kinds of art.

Sometimes his prose can feel pretentious, out-of-place, indulgent. But this isn’t my first rodeo with his adult fantasy, so I went in knowing what to expect and was delightfully bemused.

’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.'

Thank you to Quercus books for providing the arc in exchange for a review.