Traitor's Blade (Greatcoats #1) in /r/Fantasy Discussion Group

Jan 15, 2022 Carrie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, edelweiss, fbtbp

Actual rating 4.5

Traitor's Blade was one of my priority series to start in '22, if not the main. I tend to never start reading a book the moment I buy it, that's how excited I was to dive in.

It didn't disappoint.

Sebastian de Castell has a way of mixing humor and dark that is flows so well together. I have read the first books now in both his series and I can honestly say it will not surprise me if he doesn't become a favourite and auto buy author in the future.

Books 2 and 3 are currently on ro ...more

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Feb 13, 2014 Mihir rated it really liked it

Full review over at Fantasy Book Critic (with Liviu's review)

ANALYSIS: This was a debut, which came to my attention via Liviu, he had mentioned on Goodreads how much he was enjoying this classical sword & sorcery tale. Once I got hold a review copy, I dove in with high expectations and was rewarded for the most part.

The story begins with our sole narrator Falcio val Mond, First Cantor of the Greatcoats, and his two fellow greatcoats, Brasti, an expert archer, and Kest, the best blade among the
Full review over at Fantasy Book Critic (with Liviu's review)

ANALYSIS: This was a debut, which came to my attention via Liviu, he had mentioned on Goodreads how much he was enjoying this classical sword & sorcery tale. Once I got hold a review copy, I dove in with high expectations and was rewarded for the most part.

The story begins with our sole narrator Falcio val Mond, First Cantor of the Greatcoats, and his two fellow greatcoats, Brasti, an expert archer, and Kest, the best blade among the Greatcoats. The tale begins when the order of the Greatcoats has been thoroughly disgraced. Forced to lay aside their arms by their King’s orders and watch his execution soon afterwards, has given the order a new name of Trattari or Tatter-Coats. The Dukes were the ones who engineered this coup but the biggest fall was taken by Falcio’s order. When we meet our three remaining Greatcoats, things seem dire as they have just witnessed murder but due to certain magical ministrations are painted as the murderers. Fleeing with their lives and martial reputations intact, our trio will have to uncover this new mystery as well solve the tasks given to each of them by their deceased king.

All in all, things are looking dastardly and that’s where the fun comes in for the reader. Falcio as a narrator is an engaging one as he reminisces of his past life before joining the order. We witness his personal accolades as well the event that lead him to meet King Paelis and later on to the formation of the Greatcoats as well. These flashbacks are nicely ensconced within the present wherein our Greatcoat trio are traipsing through the kingdom of Cristia trying to find the murderer and absolve themselves of the murder charge.

This was an absolute delightful read, combining the charm of the Three Musketeers story along with the twists and turn found in the best of sword and sorcery. Beginning with the pace of the story, which will keep readers engaged as well as the plot twists that will keep them hooked. The author has made this story a very relatable one via his protagonist Falcio who is an everyman hero. Facing rather horrible odds, he and his friends try to stick to their honorable ideals but are occasionally forced to walk the morally gray path. The author makes sure that the heroes are very sympathetic by giving them horrible scenarios and making the villains as evil as possible. After reading a lot of grimdark as well as morally ambivalent fantasy, Traitor's Blade as a debut left me delighted as soon as I finished it.

For readers who are looking for a fun read, Traitor's Blade hit the spot nicely. Not to say that there's no gruesomeness or darkness to the tale. The author does manage to portray a very grim picture for our heroes and makes the story take a few bleak turns. However not every situation is completely explained in regards to the story such as the Ducal insurrection as well as the villains' main plan. I'm hoping further clarification will be provided in the sequel but as far as stories go, this one kept me pretty intrigued with its plot and characters.

CONCLUSION: For all those who enjoy fantasy stories with a light-hearted feel to it, this debut is something that you must take a look at. Combining action and light hearted banter in a simplistic manner; Traitor's Blade is a debut that hearkens back to days of epic fantasy when grimdark hadn't become so widespread. ...more

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May 31, 2024 Ashley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: swashbucklers-capers-and-heists, treasure-and-adventure, shop-on-your-own-shelves-2024, fantasy, friendship-and-siblinghood, addictive, manly-men-and-their-manparts, political-plots-and-maneuverings, audiobooks, orphalins

dudebro fun™, will continue!

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Apr 18, 2016 Chompa rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, 2016

This is a very good first book of a series. I am happy I waited until the third book was released before getting started as I'm anticipating going through the next two in short order.

The main character is Falcio, the leader of the Greatcoats. The Greatcoats travel the land enforcing the King's Law and pass judgement. The problem is the Greatcoats are disbanded and the King has been dead for a few years and power hungry Dukes rule the land.

Falcio travels with two other Greatcoats: Kest, the mas ...more

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Nov 06, 2019 Hot Pink Mess rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I've read this book 2 times now.

Both times, Sebastien de Castell's writing has made me laugh, has made me smile, has made me rage and has made me sob quietly in bed so as not to alarm my cats and husband in a broken, snotty mess.

There are only a few books and writers that can evoke that from me. I enjoy a lot of books. I find a lot of books, "well written," and "good," and "entertaining," but I find very few that I can say for a 100% certainty that have thrown me into a first-person, emotional ...more

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Nov 16, 2014 Vinay Badri rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4 years back, I picked up a book that was the most fun I have ever had in a book from a debut author and that was Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch and finally, I find a book that is a logical heir to the best book by a debut author that combines all the fun, the darkness, and the camaraderie of a team. A book that seems like a light hearted romp but gets progressively darker. That book is Traitor's Blade. Sizzling pace, great wit and fascinating sword play cannot conceal the pain and darkness ...more

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Sep 27, 2016 Phillip Brooks rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

In a word: Charming.

I adored this book. I can't wait for the continuation of the series and I have heartily recommended it to all of my friends.

So much of fantasy either falls on the fluffy side of YA or goes full-on Grimdark. This walks the rapier-thin line between them both and does so masterfully.

The story is fast-paced and the world-building is detailed enough to be informative but not so detailed as to feel like a sourcebook for an RPG as some other books in the genre seem to be.

The her ...more

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