A review by marciabrilhante
Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’ll start this review by saying that Sebastian de Castell is a master at creating characters and stories. Play of Shadows is a Renaissance Era kind of book, and the theatre is the stage for magic, since the story is told by the lens of a play. However, just as in Crucible of Chaos (the other book in the Court of Shadows series), there are some spoilers for The Greatcoats, so depending on where you’re in the series, proceed with caution before diving into these one. 

 

The action throughout this story takes place in only one city and it’s set in The Greatcoats universe, and it gives us a little more detail about this world. We have plotting, drama, villains, and darkness all with a dose of humor in it. The writing is amazing, and I could feel the pretentious language of the theater through the book. The plot of this story is well drawn out, and we have self-discovery moments within the story while we unravel the secrets. 

 

Overall, this was a story full of snarky characters, conspiracies and politics set in the world of theater, which is a very different way to read a fantasy book. It has a slow start but then it really picks up. The fact that the romance never takes over the main plot was a great touch, and I really enjoyed this story. To those who are diving into Castell books, and specially into the Greatcoats, this is a great introduction to this world. 

 

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.