This was n0t quite the book for me. I enjoyed some aspects and will of course be trying the Greatcoats series. I struggled however with this one to connect to the story and writing style.

I received an eARC of this book courtesy of Quercus Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Play of Shadows is a Renaissance Era novel told through the lens of a play. It was so different to anything I have ever read and I am not sure if I enjoyed it at all or not. My mixed feelings aside I will try to review this very weird book.

Damelas Shademantaigne foolishly challenges Vixen, the most feared duellist in the entire city to a judicial duel, but instead of facing it head on he flees to Operato Belleza and tricks his way into the company of actors. An archaic law allows him safehaven and he slowly becomes an integral part to the company until one night he is inhibited by a strange malady wherin he fumbles his lines, inadvertently blurting out a dreadful truth: the city’s most legendary hero may actually be a traitor and a brutal murderer. From there the story really takes on a reenactment of history, unveiling the many truths of major figures from the city’s history.


‘”… You keep trying to play the part instead of becoming the character. You let the script control you, when the lines should be no more than servants to your perfromance.”‘

There is so much mystery and so many revelations uncovered in the unfolding stageplay that drives the story forwards. Everyone is out to get Damelas as he shows a side of the city’s hero that drives everyone to anger, including a ruthless band of bravos known as the Iron Orchids. He becomes inhabited by the man he portrays on stage, a man who is out to antagonise everyone. This leads him to constant run-ins with the Vixen and the Black Amaranth, two of the standouts in the wide cast of supporting characters.

‘”…This is why the gods created the theatre; Art in the service of Chaos! Actors giving shape to the truth until it shakes the very foundation of the world!”‘

What I enjoyed about this book was the brief moments where the characters weren’t on the stage. When Damelas was portraying Archduke Corbier I did not have a good time at all. So when the story escaped the theatre it escaped the monotony. I welcome more of this and perhaps that’s my fault for having different expectations for a book with ‘play’ in the title.

This was my first taste of Sebastien’s books and I wouldn’t write off my chances of trying his Greatcoats series if I can get the books cheaply. If you enjoy Renaissance Era stories and a lot of melodrama this may be the book for you. For me it just didn’t fit into my tastes quite enough.

Rating: 2/5

This is my first book by this author and I have to say I’m quite impressed by his storytelling. I had so much fun reading this book it completely transported me to another world and made me forget about my problems lol. loved the drama, the duels and the characters, will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

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

Never before has the term reluctant hero described someone so accurately than it does to describe our rabbity main character Damelas. To escape from a honour duel Damelas flees and invokes a loop hole in the law that excuses players of the theatre from conscription and duels. Unfortunately, Damelas is also not much of an actor until the long dead spirit of the cities villainous archduke processes him in and begins to tell his side of history. Some how this leads to the current duke demanding the story be told, while a band of nationalistic radicals attempt to stop it and take control of the city. With many twists and turns this story will always keep you guessing right until the last page! There genuinely funny moment between the found family of the knights of the curtain, sorrowful moments that will make you shed a tear and hope that the under dogs will see through to the final curtain. The only thing this story really lacked was credible romance, while we are meant to see the flames between our lead player and the assassin, I barely see a spark. Hopefully this will be remedied in the next chapter of this delightful drama.

Play of shadows by Sebastien de castell
Release date 28th March 2024
Rating 5 stars

This book has been the longest book I have ever had on preorder so to finally to have been reading it my heart was full of so much emotion and that was just getting the approval for the arc.

And then I opened the first page and it had me from the first line and I do not say this lightly some may say well of course it did it is Sebastien de castell and it’s the greatcoats world and you love that, but it wasn’t that although yes it played a part but it was the fact how amazing it started and how straight from the gate my heart was racing and I was already rooting for the main character. At this point I knew nothing except I decided I was going to die for him. Damelas Chademantaigne is a character who has the weight of a legacy on his shoulder and when everyone expects him to be something and it is mentioned many times in the book, but he does not want that life.

I loved his development in the story from his reluctance to acceptance of the fate he has been given himself and how he is going to navigate this for all. I was hit with such an emotional impact from what he was trying to do, to the moment when he was scared, and not sure of anything to taking the lead. If you loved this series before you will not be disappointed.

There is also a moment towards the end of the book that had me screaming with excitement I will not spoil it but it gave me the biggest smile at the end and it was truly lovely to see in this book. I cannot wait to yet again scream and talk about this book to all the people who love Sebastien’s books because as normal it was everything I needed and more and how much I needed to read this at this time. I am now waiting eagerly for our lady of blades but am sad I have to wait over a year but this book was everything that you come to expect from a greatcoats world book- swashbuckling, emotional rollercoaster, a hero to route for and a great cast of characters some you will love and some you will hate.

Thank you to Jo fletcher books and @netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

This is a quite fast-paced and action-packed novel with an interesting gallery of characters. For once the blurb did not lie. I enjoyed the setting in a theatre. It felt very fitting to the story which was quite mysterious. I wanted to know more of the world (Italian inspired?) because I feel like there’s interesting lore there.