Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Crucible of Chaos by Sebastien De Castell on December 7, 2023
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 382
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
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 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.
I read the Greatcoats series a few years back. It was a little the Three Musketeers with Gods, Saints and Magic. Crucible of Chaos is a prequel to the Court of Shadows series, the next series set in the same world years after the Greatcoats series. This reminded me a little on Don Quixote as Estevar Borros and his faithful mule Imperious ride into a magical den of wolves so to speak to solve why the Monks on the isle of Isola Sombra have fractured into factions and possibly gone mad. He is there to perform an investigation and trial, however he might also witness the birth of a new god as well.
First of all, this can be read as a standalone. You will not have had to read the Greatcoats series to understand what is going on, however it does help to have some backstory and foundation of the characters of legend. The author does a really good job of setting up the history though, so it isn’t needed to understand. Greatcoats are the law of the land, empowered by the King; they travel to be impartial judge, jury and executioner to disputes. Estevar has been called to an Island where the original gods, now dead, were rumored to be born. Something strange is afoot and to serve his King he must get to the bottom of it. Helped along by his mule in some unusual ways and a girl interested in becoming a Greatcoat herself, he will investigate all the weird happenings at the Island and why the monks have split into three factions. There is also a murder to be solved and a dead body that doesn’t seem to want to stay in the ground to deal with.
This was an interesting tale full of political intrigue, betrayal and some magical shenanigans. Estevar will need to use all of his vast investigative tricks, subterfuge and a new ally to make it out of this situation alive. This is not a direct continuation of the Greatcoats series. It is set some years after the events of the series when all of those escapades have fallen into legend. New heroes will be needed. This didn’t have quite as much humor as I’m used to from Sebastien de Castell and it will fall into the Grimdark category for me. But there are still great insults to be swung around, duels of both words and swords and Sherlock Holmes styles of investigation afoot to get to the bottom of the mystery. Also who knew I was going to love a stubborn mule so much but he is a great sidekick to the intrepid Cantor on this quest. The magic and mystery was interesting and complex, so you will need to put on your thinking hat.
Overall an interesting read if you appreciate a good political mystery and like to root for the unkempt detective in a story.
”Rest assured, I will pay a reasonable fee for its loan, especially if I decide to stain this blade by carving your worthless hide, you pitiful, prancing popinjay, you crust of defecation stuck to the heel of better men’s boots, so lacking in substance that you cannot even stink with distinction.”
| Rating Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Plot |
 |
| Writing |
|
| Characters |
|
| Dialogue |
|
| Overall: | |
Friend me at Goodreads.
- Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik @naominovik @DelReyBooks @SnyderBridge4 - September 9, 2024
- Coven of Consequence by SL Prater #SLPrater @booksirens @SnyderBridge4 #KindleUnlimited - September 2, 2024
- Sunderworld Vol 1: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs @ransomriggs @DuttonBooks @SnyderBridge4 - August 26, 2024
I actually got an email about this book earlier today. It sounds like something that I would probably enjoy. Great review!
Thank Carole. This is an author I have enjoyed for grimdark.
“political intrigue, betrayal and some magical shenanigans” sounds up my alley!
who doesn’t like magical shenanigans
I don’t think I’ve heard of this series, but it does sound interesting! Love the cover of this one as well. Thanks for sharing!
It is kinda new but I I loved the Greycloaks series set years before it.
A great review:)). I read this, having loved the Spellslinger series. And was a tad shocked at just how dark it was. That said – I didn’t remotely struggle with not having read the Greatcoat series and found the twisting plot engrossing.
That is good to hear. I haven’t read the Spellslinger series but it is on my list. Good to know it isn’t as dark