Scan barcode
A review by willrefuge
Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell
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.