Thank you Netgalley for providing me a copy for an honest review.

This is my second favourite of De Castells Greatcoats books and thats a very high bar to get to. Genuinely nearly perfect.
Firstly I want to say I love being back in this world, and I love the way De Castell expands on it in this one. I love seeing the expansion of a certain sect of magic and how their powers are so intriguing.
I will say this but at this point main character wise De Castell can do no wrong. I adore Damalas as much as I love Falcio, Estevar, Ferrius, Kellen & Cade. Damalas was like this great balance of the hopelessness and awkwardness of Kellen with a touch of Falcio and Cade, and I loved following this little idiot throughout the story. I also loved his relationship with the acting troupe and especially our great new side character Beretto, who is now there with Cest, Brasti and Imperius, and I genuinely loved the bond between the two.
This book also used my fav troupe, which is actors putting on a play and a chunk of the plot hinging on it, I eat that up like theres no tomorrow. The mystery around the play and the warring factions was equally intriguing, and I loved the way characters moved sides, and played each other. De Castell's worlds are also very funny but very dark, and hes great at reminding you that theres always something cruel and evil waiting in the background and to never really get comfortable in his world.
I will also shout out that I did this as a mix of audio and physical (because I was so busy I ended up buying the book on audio and Physical also haha) and I will say that I adore Joe Jameson as a narrator and I think he is easily a fav narrator of all time for me.

So gret !
I'm a huge huge fan of Sebastien De Castell, so getting back into the Greatcoats universe is an immense pleasure !
And I think the characters are extremely well constructed, and so différent from the first serie !
In short ? I love it !
The plot is thrilling, as we follow the bardait we've been hearing about for a long time.
Between political plots, court intrigues and role-playing, I was totally carried away.

Loved being back in this world, it took me a little while to adjust to the characters since we aren't following the greatcoats this time but I really really enjoyed it. Looking forward to more.

Sword fights, misfit actors and a little bit of magic- a combination I never knew I needed. I have always loved Sebastien de Castell’s sense of humour and I was so happy to read another one of his books. Once again he manages to charm the reader with his writing style.
Whilst it is difficult to return to a world and a series that has already been finished I think he did an admirable job. I was particularly pleased that he didn’t make his hero especially powerful or privileged just because of his connection to the Greatcoats. Like my favourite Sebastien de Castell hero Kellen, Damelas has to struggle and find his own way to be a hero.
I also found the audio narration quite good, the speakers voice was suitably theatrical although the speech was a bit slow at times.

I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed this return to the world of the Greatcoats. Different enough to the original Greatcoats series to feel fresh and interesting, but with enough of the elements of worldbuilding that have already been established to keep it tied into the same cheerful swashbuckling feeling of de Castell's post-interregnum world of bardic orders, this book straddled the line between farcical and hilarious, with a wide array of characters but just enough danger to keep things interesting.

I listened to the audiobook of this, and Joe Jameson does a great job of bringing the characters to life - it's nice as well to see cameos/reappearances from some old friends from the original Greatcoats series. My only complaint would be that one character who's explicitly described as being difficult to identify as foreign is voiced with quite a strong accent - which I thought was a bizarre choice to make.

Overall, though, I loved this return to the world of the Greatcoats and look forward to the next already.

This was really good. I had such a fun time with it. I absolutely love Sebastien De Castell’s writing style. He is great at writing characters. Damelas is an excellent leading character. I really got behind him and wanted him to succeed. I enjoyed all the side characters and they bounce off each other perfectly. The atmosphere and world building are excellently written. This author can really write an action scene that puts you right there with the characters. The thing I absolutely love about Sebastien De Castell’s writing is his humour and his injection of emotions. One minute you’re fearing for the characters lives and the next you are laughing your head off. I also listened to the audio and the voice actor Joe Jameson does an amazing job of bringing these characters and story to life. I cannot wait for the next instalment of this series.

Thank you to Quercus Books for this advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review this audiobook!

I thought the pace of the book overall was quite slow, and the narrators tone started to slightly annoy me towards the end.

However, the action scenes were so lusciously descriptive and beautifully written, it kept my attention and made me persevere with the story.

I really enjoyed this, as it was my first time listening to an audio by Sebastien de Castell. I think maybe next time, I will stick to written format, as I didn't enjoy the narration as much as other fantasy books and series I've listened to in the past.

8 / 10 ✪

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2024/04/04/play-of-shadows-by-sebastien-de-castell-review/

<i>Where the Raven flies, death always follows.</i>

—

Now, normally I’d leave this til last, but I want to lead with how amazing it is to return to the writing of Sebastien de Castell—as told via the dulcet tones of Joe Jameson, the narrator that has read (as far as I’m aware) every single one of his books. I’m a huge fan of Jameson’ read books, and would listen to basically anything narrated by him—as should you!

And with that out of the way—well, do you need any more reason to read this? It took me a little to get into, but once I did, I was hooked. After maybe the 2 hour mark, I had no thoughts of stopping—pretty good for an 18-hour book.

For a book about an opera, this was surprisingly good. Damelas may be a bit of a showboat, but that’s not exactly a bad quality for lead. Even less for a book about acting—specifically acting drawn out of history. The main problem with Damelas is… well, some people are going to find him whiny, and/or annoying. It’s the same problem Kellen had in the Spellslinger series. Stuff just keeps ruining his life, and he has opinions about it. Now, I didn’t mind it then and I don’t mind it now, so it’s difficult to say just how bad it is. I’d say… less so than Spellslinger, but I’m just guessing.

Aside from the narrator and the narrative, what more do you want? I mean, this is a book essentially about the theatre, but it’s also the successor series to the Greatcoats, so it’s bound to earn some patience in either regard. The characters are relatively good, though I’d’ve liked (and would like to see) greater development moving forward.

Speaking of moving forward, I do wonder just how much of a thrill this particular troupe of players can muster. Day upon day, night upon night… book upon book? Honestly, I’m a bit concerned moving forward, but nothing more. As far as I’m concerned, this Sebastien de Castell has earned some faith.

Overall it was an enjoyable read, the pace was fairly slow and low on action. I'm intrested in continuing with the story but not at the top of my priorities.

I love the author's writing style but I feel like this book was lacking some action compared to his other books if his that I read.

Really well written and well narrated novel. Good characters and lots of action. Actors on the stage tell the histories but hat happens when our main character joins them and history is about to be rewritten. Enjoy.

I was given an advanced reader copy in audio book form in return for an honest review.

This book was amazing. Its full of its own unique magic, swordplay and wonderfully courageous friendship. It is full of heartwarming and heartbreaking moments Its wonderful and grand. Our tale finds us in the great and grand city of Durest A city of secrets, poltical intrigues and of a large cast of players or actors. Where acting is considered a scared art.

And in our large and varried cast we meet our principal Damelas Shademantaigne. Having fled an honour duel and hiding among The Actors of The Knights of the Curtain and being greatful for the protection it affords him. Little does he know a hidden talent, and a ghost of a villan from history are going to drag him from the chours and into a staring role.

Changing history and causing an uproar . Can he surrive his gift ? Or will he find death waiting for him in the wings ?

I loved this story from start to finish all its twists and turns. I cant wait for the next installment of this amazing tale .

There were a lot of elements I liked in this but unfortunately there were also parts I struggled with. The pacing was just too slow for me but when the action ramped up I loved it; the duel was a particular highlight and I thought the female characters were all really intriguing. The humour was also very funny; I did genuinely laugh at some of the one liners and the banter was very quick. between Damelas and his various foils.

The huge takeaway for me was how much I enjoyed the narration as Joe Jameson's performance was excellent and I think I would have possibly DNF'd if I had been reading this rather than listening . As the sole narrator in a story with a lot of characters he kept me engaged when I was beginning to get a little lost in who was who and the world building as someone who hasn't read any of the authors other works. The female voices did blend a little compared to the male characters but it didn't lesson my enjoyment. I enjoyed the story overall and would read the author again as his writing was good but I just I felt I was missing some of the context for the world building which would have made things a little easier to track as I went along.

Sebastien de Castell takes us back into the world of The Greatcoats once more with this epic tale of magic, friendship, swordplay and revenge.
Damelas Chademantaigne is on the run from the Vixen after fleeing from a judicial duel, she is the most feared duellist in the land.
By chance Damelas stumbles into a theatre, the Operato Belleza, and by chance he tricks his way onto the stage. Now an actor he is protected by an old law that puts a holt to his deadly duel.
But when on stage he fumbles his lines and reveals hidden truths told to by a voice that isn’t his own. The revelations are astonishing, it appears a legendary hero might actually be a brutal murderer and traitor.
With one last act the actors must relive the past to find out the what really happened. Through Damelas and his ability, along with the help of his grandfather a legendary Greatcoat they must see into the past to reveal the truth, even if it will get them killed, and if that doesn’t he still has the Vixen waiting in the wings to finish their duel.
A wonderful piece of fantasy, narrated by the ever brilliant Joe Jameson.
He really has the ability to bring every character to life and give them their own uniqueness.
The book is the usual high standard you would expect from one the best fantasy writers around.
Sebastien de Castell is a wonderful writer and Joe Jameson is a magnificent narrator, they are a perfect combination.
I love the Greatcoats and think this is the start of another epic series. Can’t wait for more.

As always an excellent story and I will always love Joe Jameson narrating his books! Cheeky characters in a somewhat familar world, at times I wasn't certain what would happen next but regardless I really enjoyed it.

If you haven't read any of Sebastien's books, start with Spellslinger series and move onto this. I think having listened to Spellslinger made this even more fun!

What a swashbuckling tale this was! I loved the detailed fight scenes and the band of characters that were thrown together. This was highly entertaining from the start!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I’m very excited for the rest of the series. This was my first Sebastien de Castell book but I will now be going to read the back catalogue

What a book. What a concept! Sword-wielding adventure and mysterious intrigue. The relationships in this book is what makes it feel much more 3-dimensional to me. It really was so well written. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Brilliant narrator. This was so much fun! At times the story flirted with the ridiculous but always so skillfully it made perfect sense for the story. Our main character runs away to become a player rather than satisfy an honour duel. Which should have been the perfect escape except that apparently fate has other plans and intends to drag him kicking and screaming into the role of a hero. I don't want to include spoilers but suffice to say I devoured this and enjoyed every second.

I love this world!!! Sebastian de Castell is one of my absolute favorite authors and I have now preordered this book!! It’s wonderful!!

I love Sebastian de Castell's YA series SPELLSLINGER - it's got great voice, plays with genre conventions, and has so much fun as it does so - which meant I've been a bit hesitant to pick up his adult work in case it didn't quite have that feel. However, PLAY OF SHADOWS has that same vibe while being a bit older (and longer!)

PLAY OF SHADOWS is definitely its own thing and not just SPELLSLINGER for adults. That series is a western about a guy outside communities and power structures, the plucky itinerant who saves the day. This book is about the power of stories to shape identity, truth, and history, and communities coming together.

As someone who loves the theatre, loves Shakespeare, and prefers Shakespeare's histories over all his other plays, the focus of this book was so perfect. This is a world where historias retell their country's history to the masses - and certain actors can channel the spirits of the dead to bring events to life (except most are fakes.) But what happens when the historia is carefully crafted propaganda and so not very accurate (very much like Shakespeare's plays!) and someone who really can channel the departed reveals the lies in this play?

It's an amazing set up. There's the mystery of what really happened drawing you through the play, wanting to know the truth of the events in the past (and there are so many twists - the author really plays you off your expectations, which made for a great ending.) At the same time, the truth is causing Damalas so many problems from the Duke getting involved (another great narrative set up and twist), the Iron Orchids threatening to kill them all, and a duellist who is determined to kill him.

The cast of characters forming around Damalas was a very enjoyable found family. Shariza (the assassin he gets perhaps unwise feelings for) was so hard to pin down. Bereto was the best friend/older brother anyone with a penchant for getting into really stupidly dangerous scenarios needs. There are so many other characters, and seeing them embrace and then risk themselves for Damalas made the ending so much more powerful.

Joe Jameson narrates, the same person who narrated the SPELLSLINGER series. It took me a while to realise why he sounded familiar, but I liked this continuity. Jameson is just as adept at bringing out the fun in this book as in that previous series, delivering the many melodramatic soliloquies of the actors with aplomb.

This is the first book in the series, and I'm excited to see where it goes next. There's also a prequel(ish?) novel too, so I will go pick that up in the meantime.