Knight’s Shadow (Greatcoats #2) by Sebastien de Castell : Review

Tristia is a nation overcome by intrigue and corruption. The idealistic young King Paelis is dead and the Greatcoats – legendary travelling  magistrates who brought justice to the Kingdom – have been branded as traitors. But just before his head was impaled on a spike, the King swore each of his hundred and forty-four Greatcoats to a different mission.

When my co-blogger last year told me of a new author and series I might be interested in reading, I found myself intrigued by the story of Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell, then completely blown away by its execution. It had been awhile since I had found what I would consider an exciting adventure story that could keep me on the edge of my seat, and its shocking ending left my completely stunned. I was both eager and apprehensive for the release of the next book in the series, I honestly couldn’t see how it could even compare. I’m glad to say I worried over nothing, Knight’s Shadow was everything I had hoped for and more.

Knight’s Shadow takes place right where Traitor’s Blade left off, Falcio Val Mond has completed the last task given to him by his king, he has found his Charoites– and in doing so has thrown the kingdom into even greater upheaval than it was in before. Now a poisoned Falcio finds himself fighting to survive long enough to help his fellow Greatcoats Kest and Brasti protect their fallen kings daughter, long enough to see her safely on the throne.

A hard enough task on its own, but only made more difficult by the legendary Daishini assassins trying to kill them, or the nations Dukes who are determined to retain their power at all costs.

I don’t know if I can properly convey to people how much I loved this book, it took everything that made the first book in the series so great and just added to it. Sebastien de Castell has created a truly fantastic world and filled it with great characters and concepts. Falcio Val Mond, Kest, and Brasti have turned into three of my all time favorite characters. Despite everything they have gone through, they are still loyal–to each other, to the memory of their king, and to the very kingdom that now condemns them. They and the Greatcoats all seem to be pretty heavily inspired and influenced by the Three Musketeers.

Knight’s Shadow is the best book I have read this year so far and I’m not sure anything coming out this year can hope to top it! I think everyone who enjoys a good story of adventure should pick up their copies of Traitor’s Blade and Knight’s Shadow first chance they get!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.