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Crucible of Chaos

A Novel of the Court of Shadows by the author of the Greatcoats series and The Malevolent Seven

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Crucible of Chaos

By: Sebastien de Castell
Narrated by: Joe Jameson
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A mortally wounded magistrate faces his deadliest trial inside an ancient abbey where the monks are going mad and the gods themselves may be to blame!

Estevar Borros, one of the legendary sword-fighting magistrates known as the Greatcoats and the king's personal investigator of the supernatural, is no stranger to tales of ghosts and demons. When the fractious monks of the abbey rumoured to be the birthplace of the gods begin warring over claims of a new pantheon arising, the frantic abbot summons him to settle the dispute.

But Estevar has his own problems: a near-fatal sword wound from his last judicial duel, a sworn knight who claims he has proof the monks are consorting with demons, a diabolical inquisitor with no love for the Greatcoats, and a mysterious young woman claiming to be Estevar's ally but who may well be his deadliest enemy.

Armed only with his famed investigative talents, his faltering skill with a blade and Imperious, his ornery mule, Estevar must root out the source of the madness lurking inside the once-sacred walls of Isola Sombra before its chaos spreads to the country he's sworn to protect.

Investigate alongside Estevar and the most heroic mule ever to appear in print in this thrilling swashbuckling fantasy mystery by Sebastien de Castell, author of the Internationally acclaimed Greatcoats and Spellslinger series!

Crucible of Chaos may be read as a stand-alone fantasy novel and as a prelude to Play of Shadows, the first official novel in the Court of Shadows series!

'So. Much. Fun.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads review

'Wish I'd discovered this author years ago' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads review

'This has prompted me to reread everything Greatcoats' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads review©2023 Sebastien de Castell Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Historical Paranormal
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Critic reviews

Brilliant and vivid world-building . . . riveting
The best book I've read in 2024 . . . if you like fantasy novels with a historical feel, an intricate mystery, and strong supernatural elements, you will love this
Think Agatha Christie, but with dark fantasy elements . . . De Castell does a brilliant job of writing a piece of classic feeling crime fiction within a fantasy setting
Extensive world building, [an] awesome magic system, and riveting action
The author's prose, both beautiful and captivating, kept me enthralled throughout . . . This dark fantasy tale takes you on a journey of truth-seeking, filled with witty remarks, magic, action sequences, and even a touch of magic . . . If you're a fan of Richard Swan's Empire of the Wolf series, I would highly recommend giving this one a try
Right off the bat, this mystery is juicy. The suspects are interesting, the clues are bizarre, the setting is terrifying, and the twists are twisty . . . I had fun the entire way through
Sebastien's handing of the plot is masterful . . . dark, complex, intelligent and detailed, Crucible of Chaos is a Fantasy novel that is a cut above the usual
An interesting tale full of political intrigue, betrayal and some magical shenanigans
Really good fantasy
Swashbuckling, dark magic, and a mule. I was hooked from page one
All stars
Most relevant
Joe is a brilliant reader and one just loses oneself in the story. Amazing stories. Well done, Sebastian

brilliant!

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I cannot recommend this book highly enough! It has everything from a pompous magistrate, a fierce battle donkey, elements of Poirot, double crossing left and right, sword fighting, law proclaiming, trial holding, majesty! Please listen to the brilliant narration and experience the best of the greatcoats world.

Best Sebastien De Castell book yet!

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I'm a fan of the Greatcoat series and Joe is an excellent narrator. However, I felt like I was walking through cold porridge at times in this book - it was so slow. I have pre ordered the next book in the series - it better be a big improvement on this 'prequel' or I shall be asking Mr de Castell for my money back!

Not a great addition to the Greatcoat ouvre

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To be honest, when I first started this book I wasn't sure it would keep my attention. However, it did catch my attention and I love it! Can't wait for the main series to start. Enjoyed the original Greatcoats series.

And so it begins...again

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The Narration by Joe Jameson excellent as usual. I was actually there in the monetary.

The storyline was brilliant.

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