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rorycoleman44's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An absolute fabulous new book from De Castell. His fabulous humour is present as always, along with fabulous characters and a plot full of twists and turns. Slow to start but once it gets going the intrigues will shock you and you won’t be able to put it down. Highly recommended.
slow_reader3's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
5.0
I will admit that I was thrown at the start with the setting and it being a little slow, with so many characters. But as always, I was soon swept into the joy that Sebastien’s books bring me, and loving the concept of an actor having the power to speak from the past. This is a love letter to theatre as much as it is a swashbuckling fantasy, and in that sense it is utter perfection. It is also, as Sebastien’s books often are, full of politics and intrigue. This is possibly less so than the Greatcoats series, but mostly just done in a more subtle way that sneaks in and by the end is hitting you full force.
Damelas is a hilarious nightmare of a main character, and I love him to pieces. This whole book is him finding who he really is, and I love that for him. I’m also super looking forward to getting to see more of that person in the next book!
I would die for Beretto, Ornella and Zina (and maybe even Abarstrini 😂). Campaign for Beretto to find a nice man to put up with him in Lady of Blades starts here 💙
Also looking forward to seeing how this interacts with the events in the prequel, Crucible of Chaos, and what is obviously happening in the wider Greatcoats world. I have the strongest urge to start rereading all four Greatcoats now… *stares balefully at TBR shelves*
I listened to this, as I end up doing with all Sebastien’s books and it would be remiss of me to not mention the frankly AMAZING job Joe Jameson does with narration. He continues to be my favourite for a reason. It is mind blowing how many different voices and emotions he can convey and that you can tell characters apart just from how he portrays them. Truly an actor worthy of the title Veristor.
5 stars.
Damelas is a hilarious nightmare of a main character, and I love him to pieces. This whole book is him finding who he really is, and I love that for him. I’m also super looking forward to getting to see more of that person in the next book!
I would die for Beretto, Ornella and Zina (and maybe even Abarstrini 😂). Campaign for Beretto to find a nice man to put up with him in Lady of Blades starts here 💙
Also looking forward to seeing how this interacts with the events in the prequel, Crucible of Chaos, and what is obviously happening in the wider Greatcoats world. I have the strongest urge to start rereading all four Greatcoats now… *stares balefully at TBR shelves*
I listened to this, as I end up doing with all Sebastien’s books and it would be remiss of me to not mention the frankly AMAZING job Joe Jameson does with narration. He continues to be my favourite for a reason. It is mind blowing how many different voices and emotions he can convey and that you can tell characters apart just from how he portrays them. Truly an actor worthy of the title Veristor.
5 stars.
lehc1984's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
joannedrake's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Overall quite fun. Swashbuckling, acting, overacting, political intrigue, mystical connections. Very Three Musketeers in feel, this is the first book in this universe I’ve read, and now want to go explore the Greatcoats!
willrefuge's review against another edition
4.0
8 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2024/04/04/play-of-shadows-by-sebastien-de-castell-review/
Damelas Shademantaigne, grandson of not one but two legendary Greatcoats, has fled a judicial duel. He is, in fact, still in the process of fleeing one when the jackals catch him. Unable to fight the Vixen—the most dangerous duelist in the city—and unable to leave the city itself, he’s in a bit of a pickle.
But, Damelas has a cunning (and desperate) plan. He’s going to become the greatest actor the city has ever known, indispensable to the Operato Belleza—one of the city’s oldest and most respected theatre-houses—such that it will become illegal to force him into a duel.
Problem is, Damelas has never worked—or indeed spoken to anyone—at the Operato Belleza, and he only has one opportunity to make a good impression, one where he’s beaten, bloodied, and surrounded by jackals waiting to drag him off to the Vixen.
Fortunately enough, with a little luck, the intervention of what will surely be a great new friend, and an exotic assassin that will surely see him dead before he ever has to face the vixen, Damelas’ plan goes off without… well, too many hitches. Now all that’s left is that “greatest actor in the city” part, and the ability to redeem the city itself before it all burns down around him.
Seems easy enough.
—
Where the Raven flies, death always follows.
—
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. Shit 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.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2024/04/04/play-of-shadows-by-sebastien-de-castell-review/
Damelas Shademantaigne, grandson of not one but two legendary Greatcoats, has fled a judicial duel. He is, in fact, still in the process of fleeing one when the jackals catch him. Unable to fight the Vixen—the most dangerous duelist in the city—and unable to leave the city itself, he’s in a bit of a pickle.
But, Damelas has a cunning (and desperate) plan. He’s going to become the greatest actor the city has ever known, indispensable to the Operato Belleza—one of the city’s oldest and most respected theatre-houses—such that it will become illegal to force him into a duel.
Problem is, Damelas has never worked—or indeed spoken to anyone—at the Operato Belleza, and he only has one opportunity to make a good impression, one where he’s beaten, bloodied, and surrounded by jackals waiting to drag him off to the Vixen.
Fortunately enough, with a little luck, the intervention of what will surely be a great new friend, and an exotic assassin that will surely see him dead before he ever has to face the vixen, Damelas’ plan goes off without… well, too many hitches. Now all that’s left is that “greatest actor in the city” part, and the ability to redeem the city itself before it all burns down around him.
Seems easy enough.
—
Where the Raven flies, death always follows.
—
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. Shit 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.
kitsune42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I honestly wanted to love this book. It started off nicely. Humorous opening, likeable characters, interesting premise but the plot didn't pay off.
The good:
Likeable beta male mmc
Quirky side characters
Interesting premise
The bad:
Pacing is off
Love subplot unbelievable
Kept teasing revealing the "big bad" with no payoff
Many red herrings
This is supposed to be the first book in the series but I feel you need to read the previous series to understand the world as there's very little introduction.
The good:
Likeable beta male mmc
Quirky side characters
Interesting premise
The bad:
Pacing is off
Love subplot unbelievable
Kept teasing revealing the "big bad" with no payoff
Many red herrings
This is supposed to be the first book in the series but I feel you need to read the previous series to understand the world as there's very little introduction.
bethfishreads's review against another edition
3.5
Action adventure mixed with mystery, a bit of magic, and good humor.
Damelas Chademantaigne joins the Knights of Curtain acting troupe in desperation; thanks to an old law it's the only way he can get out of dueling the fearsome Vixen. What Damelas didn't know was that once he stepped on stage, his life would change forever.
On opening night of Damelas's first play, he steps out from the wings to deliver his line and promptly blacks out. When he regains consciousness, he learns that he hadn't fainted but instead was delivering lines that weren't in the script. Thus he learns that he's a Veristor--an actor who can channel the dead, speaking their words and seeing through their eyes. The gift manifests only in the context of a play.
This discovery sets in motion the humor, action, danger, and mystery that make up the novel. Damelas soon finds himself meeting the duke, running from a femme fatale, befriending a dangerous female assassin, trying to save his city, exposing the truth of a local legend, and doing his best to protect his friends.
Phew! It sounds like a lot, but de Castell wraps this all up in an entertaining, fast-action tale full of good humor, bantering dialogue, and terrific characters.
My understanding is that this new series is set in the same universe as de Castell's Greatcoats books. That said, I didn't feel lost or that I somehow was dropped in the middle of a story. Play of Shadows stood on its own as the start of a series centered on Damelas. On the other hand, I love de Castell (I encourage you to read his Spellslinger books!), so, while waiting for the next Court of Shadows book to come out, I plan to read the Greatcoats books.
Thank goodness Narrator Joe Jameson was available to perform Play of Shadows. He was the narrator for the Spellslinger books, and I can't imagine a better match for de Castell's work. Jameson totally nails it: the voices, the timing, the humor, the action. Honestly, I can't say enough good things about his performance.
Thanks so much to the publishers for review copies in various formats.
Damelas Chademantaigne joins the Knights of Curtain acting troupe in desperation; thanks to an old law it's the only way he can get out of dueling the fearsome Vixen. What Damelas didn't know was that once he stepped on stage, his life would change forever.
On opening night of Damelas's first play, he steps out from the wings to deliver his line and promptly blacks out. When he regains consciousness, he learns that he hadn't fainted but instead was delivering lines that weren't in the script. Thus he learns that he's a Veristor--an actor who can channel the dead, speaking their words and seeing through their eyes. The gift manifests only in the context of a play.
This discovery sets in motion the humor, action, danger, and mystery that make up the novel. Damelas soon finds himself meeting the duke, running from a femme fatale, befriending a dangerous female assassin, trying to save his city, exposing the truth of a local legend, and doing his best to protect his friends.
Phew! It sounds like a lot, but de Castell wraps this all up in an entertaining, fast-action tale full of good humor, bantering dialogue, and terrific characters.
My understanding is that this new series is set in the same universe as de Castell's Greatcoats books. That said, I didn't feel lost or that I somehow was dropped in the middle of a story. Play of Shadows stood on its own as the start of a series centered on Damelas. On the other hand, I love de Castell (I encourage you to read his Spellslinger books!), so, while waiting for the next Court of Shadows book to come out, I plan to read the Greatcoats books.
Thank goodness Narrator Joe Jameson was available to perform Play of Shadows. He was the narrator for the Spellslinger books, and I can't imagine a better match for de Castell's work. Jameson totally nails it: the voices, the timing, the humor, the action. Honestly, I can't say enough good things about his performance.
Thanks so much to the publishers for review copies in various formats.
readingwithrogues's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0