Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell

Series: Court of Shadows (#1)

Format: 478 pages, Paperback

Published: February 18, 2025 by Arcadia Books

Fantasy/own

Most of this takes place in a Theatre, certainly a change from my usual fantasy.

It starts with Damelas running from a duel he knows he cant win, and then he takes refuge in a theatre. Luckily for him they say sure he is apart of their troop and then he is stuck there. Because he really does not want to fight that duel.

In the mean time there are these Iron Orchids trying to take over the town little by little. A foreign Duke who suddenly got power is loosing control, and the theatre crew is trying to put together a play.

Oh and there is a magic that makes the actor like become one with someone who has passed? And see what they see, to really play that part well. I wonder if that will happen wink wink.

I liked this concept. Theatre , dueling and a town in turmoil. Who to trust? And what happened 100 years ago?

But book 2 is not even about Damelas! It seems to be some other city, sadness

Damelas Shademantaigne picked a poor night to flee a judicial duel.

He has precious little hope of escaping the wrath of the Vixen, the most feared duellist in the entire city, until he stumbles through the stage doors of the magnificent Operato Belleza and tricks his way into the company of actors. An archaic law provides a temporary respite from his troubles - until one night a ghostly voice in his head causes Damelas to fumble his lines, inadvertently blurting out a dreadful truth: the city's most legendary hero may actually be a traitor and a brutal murderer.

With only the help of his boisterous and lusty friend Bereto, a beautiful assassin whose target may well be Damelas himself, and a company of misfit actors who'd just as soon see him dead, this failed son of two Greatcoats must somehow find within himself the courage to dig up long-buried truths before a ruthless band of bravos known as the Iron Orchids come for his head.

Oh, and there's still that matter of the Vixen waiting to duel him . . .