Play of Shadows was a really fun read. While I have read the author before I haven’t read any of Greatcoats. I feel like knowing that series would have helped some in making the world a bit richer, but I did just fine without it. I was very invested in the characters and the plot, and the tone balanced lightness and intrigue really well. Everything here felt well thought and real.

Note: arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review

Play of Shadows is book #1 in the new series Court of Shadows, and is set in the Greatcoats universe where most of Sebastian de Castell’s books are set. I have not read any of the author’s previous works, so I feel as though I’ve missed out a bit on the world building and some of the characters from previous books that were mentioned.

This started off a bit slow for me, and it took until almost 3/4 of the way through for me to really be interested in the characters and the storyline. The plot was a bit complex, and I found myself struggling to keep up, which could just be due to a lack of my intelligence 🤪 Once I finally caught on, I realized how intricate and well thought out the situation with the main character was. I also enjoyed the history aspect, and It really made me think about what in our history books isn’t true…

It’s possible that I’ll continue with this series, but before doing so, I would definitely have to read other books within this universe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for providing me with the eARC of this book!

I love love love the Greatcoats series, and I love that we get to return to the world of Tristia for peripheral characters in Falcio et al's world. When the first of these "in the world of the Greatcoats" books started coming out, I though: what a great idea! The king created so many Greatcoats, and there are so many towns/ cities/ duchies in Tristia, it makes sense that these spin-off tales and even serieswould happen.
Play of Shadows is a look into the life of a poor actor who's running from a deadly duel, and whose grandparents were Greatcoats. The actor himself has a tie to the past, which I have to admit took a little too long to reveal. "Come on, Damelas," I wanted to scream at the book, "you know what's happening, admit it to yourself!" Once he does begin to own it, however, the fun begins in earnest.
Overall I loved this book, as I had a feeling I would since I also loved the Tales of the Greatcoats and The Crucible of Chaos. I'm excited to see where this series takes this character and his ragtag troupe!

I got a copy of this book off Netgalley for free for the purpose of review. I read this 500 page book in a single sprint today, and this review is my off-the-cuff reactions. As you can tell by the fact I read a 500 page book in a single day, I really enjoyed this book. Mild spoilers below.

This is my first de Castell book. It is a swashbuckling adventure in the vein of 'The Three Musketeers,' but without any muskets. The protagonist Demalas is an actor who has become possessed by a long-dead ghost of a traitor to the crown. The only way for Demalas to be free of the ghost, is to re-enact the ghost's death. MANY people will do anything to prevent this ghost revealing long forgotten sensitive political secrets, so now Demalas has a target placed on his head.

What follows is a race against time. With a city descending into chaos as nobles and gangs vie for power against a weak Duke, Demalas and his drama troupe must uncover the secrets of the past in order to save the present. I enjoyed the plot's final reveal; the final battle felt compelling, even if it felt like it went on a bit too long.

I would compare this book's setting to Pratchett's Ankh-Morpork, but without the humor and magic; a medieval town where the rules governing society are a wee bit surreal. This book is not grimdark, even as dark things happen; this book is dark (characters die), but it's not nihilistic. The characters like to quip mid-battle, a la Zorro or 'The Princess Bride.' This is the sort of book you want to read when you want an emotional pick-me-up. I enjoyed the author's occassional use of wordplay.

I liked the side characters. Ellias takes method acting to a whole new level of madness; his personality so vivid he's practically dripping off the page. I enjoyed the understated romance between Demalas and the Black Amaranth (an assassin who may or may not be ordered to kill Demalas). The antagonist 'The Vixin' was a delight for her ranting and raving, and also good fight scenes. Demalas himself has hidden depths which were delightful to read.

But it's not perfect. If I'm being honest, only Demalas had a significant amount of personality interiority. (Interiority= 3D personality). The bad guys (called the Black Orchids) were not fully realized as characters; they felt primarily like bad guys who exist mainly to be killed guilt-free. And one character kinda got fridged.

However, by the end, I was emotionally invested in the fate of the Knights of the Curtain (the name of this theater troupe). MAJOR SPOILERS: When the theater burned down and several characters died, I'll admit I shed a tear. The author successfully sold the found-family vibe amongst these characters. The setting was vibrant and colorful.

I don't think this book will be good for everyone, but it will be broadly enjoyable for most people. This is VERY MUCH SO a swashbuckling romp, where good people go on an adventure to save the day. If you're in the mood for some compelling fun, where actors must save the day by inspiring people through acting, check this book out.

While Play of Shadows started a bit on the slower side for me, I enjoyed how the tension, action, and overall ambiance of the story slowly built into the epic swashbuckling finale.
I loved how everything centered on the theater, our main character, and his posse of actors. I enjoyed the romance between Damelas and ...(spoiler) and his grandpa was adorable and totally stole the scenes he was in. I loved the plot, and the action scenes were top-notch.
I also totally enjoyed getting a glimpse of one of my favorite Greatcoats! I fell in love with the characters, and the story pulled me in and didn't let me go until I turned the last page.
I can't wait to see what Sebastian de Castell is going to write next!

He does swashbuckling very very well. He sets the stage for his worlds and the poor souls upon them stumble to their fates. I think I like the Spellslinger books slightly better and The Malevolent Seven had me sold on a bunch of terrible people. On the whole an excellent writer and worth looking over each of his series to find the one that would best suit you.

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:)