
Play of Shadows
Court of Shadows, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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Joe Jameson
Welcome to the Ooperato Belleza . . . it might save his life, or it just might be the end of him!
Damelas Chademantaigne 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 grandson 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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Outstanding!
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storytelling and Voice actor
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I’ll say this is definitely a heavier title of De Castell’s due to the setting in a society full of vice, corruption, and death. The MC, who’s a bit weak willed then irritatingly bold at the worst moments, didn’t have enough humor to offset the gloom fully, but the level of honor and camaraderie among the characters does cast back the gloom.
One thing this story has plenty of is intrigue, making it into something of a grimdark fantasy. While you will find some use of magic it isn’t that overt until the end, and only with a price.
If you find the start tedious, stick with it as the story gets very good!
Joe Jameson is excellent as usual - my complaint being that some of the voices are hard to distinguish from each other.
All in all a solid read, but if this is your first greatcoats story then go start with the first series rather than here, as there are references you won’t be able to pick up otherwise!
The Stage is Set
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Ditto-Love It!
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Delighted to have a NEW GC Adventure!
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Better than the Great Cloaks
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Wonderfully Immersive
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Don't mess with actors!
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In other words, there’s a new cast and new plot, but same great writing and same screwed up world.
For the love of Saint Zaghev-who-sings-for-tears, give this book a try!
Loved it!
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Despite the lack of Greatcoats, and a little disappointment in their absence, Play of Shadows is a typical fun adventure you expect from de Castell. The actors troupe stumbles upon a long forgotten conspiracy and draws the attention of not only the Duke, but also a long hidden secret society who seeks to gain control of the country.
Overall, this is an enjoyable story, but wasn't quite the Greatcoats story I was expecting. There are some tie-ins, mostly towards the end, and it's possible this series will become more of a Greatcoats story as it progresses. I have been a fan of de Castell, and Joe Jameson who does another great job here, so I expect to continue on with this series and trust it will be a fun and entertaining listen.
Not what I expected.
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