Play of Shadows
Swordplay, magic, intrigue and friendships stronger than iron: the first volume in the new swashbuckling fantasy series by the bestselling author of The Greatcoats.
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...
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Sebastien de Castell
Sebastien de Castell's writing is a masterful blend of adventure, wit, and heart—a true escape into worlds where the stakes are high, the characters unforgettable, and the battles both physical and emotional. Known for his Greatcoats series, de Castell has carved a unique place for himself in the fantasy genre, captivating readers with a style that balances epic storytelling with the sharp humor of its protagonists.
Born in Canada and raised in a world full of books and stories, de Castell’s love of storytelling blossomed early. But it wasn't until later in life, after stints in various jobs, that he found his true calling as an author. His writing is heavily influenced by the rich tradition of classic fantasy, yet with a modern twist—his novels pulse with energy, humor, and characters that feel as though they could step right out of the pages into the real world.
Court of Shadows
In the Court of Shadows, Sebastien de Castell invites readers into a world where illusion and reality blur, and a city’s deepest secrets are tangled in a web of betrayal, conspiracy, and deceit. At the heart of this spellbinding series is Damelas Chademantaigne, an actor whose seemingly insignificant actions set the stage for a chain of events that threatens to tear down everything he knows.
Court of Shadows consists of two books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
