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Tournament of Shadows #5
Castle Manoeuvre
Sera is imprisoned, magic-less, and alone…or is she?
Sera’s curiosity is finally satisfied about the Repository of Forgotten Things. Just not in the manner she desired. While she staves off boredom confined in her cell, Lord Rowan finally reveals his hideous plan, and Sera is not having any of it.
The shadow of the old mage’s conspiracy is cast over all of England and even King George. Sera holds the key to unraveling the web of treachery, but first she must escape her magical confinement and rekindle trapped powers. From the depths of the Repository, she weaves a tapestry of friendship and loyalty with unlikely allies.
With every passing day, the stakes grow higher, but time is running out for both England and Sera. The fate of the kingdom rests in her hands. The time for her to rise and claim her destiny is now. Only by escaping the Repository and unlocking the full potential of her magic can Sera hope to rewrite the fate of a nation and secure her own freedom. This is the thrilling conclusion to the gaslamp series about a young mage finding her place in a magical Georgian England.
Sera’s curiosity is finally satisfied about the Repository of Forgotten Things. Just not in the manner she desired. While she staves off boredom confined in her cell, Lord Rowan finally reveals his hideous plan, and Sera is not having any of it.
The shadow of the old mage’s conspiracy is cast over all of England and even King George. Sera holds the key to unraveling the web of treachery, but first she must escape her magical confinement and rekindle trapped powers. From the depths of the Repository, she weaves a tapestry of friendship and loyalty with unlikely allies.
With every passing day, the stakes grow higher, but time is running out for both England and Sera. The fate of the kingdom rests in her hands. The time for her to rise and claim her destiny is now. Only by escaping the Repository and unlocking the full potential of her magic can Sera hope to rewrite the fate of a nation and secure her own freedom. This is the thrilling conclusion to the gaslamp series about a young mage finding her place in a magical Georgian England.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2024
About the author
Tilly Wallace
41 books637 followersTilly writes whimsical historical fantasy books, set in a bygone time where magic is real. With a quirky and loveable cast, her books combine vintage magic and gentle humour. Through fierce friendships her characters discover that in an uncertain world, the most loyal family is the one you create.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 3, 2025
Castle Manoeuvre by Tilly Wallace kicks off the next chapter in this series, and it is a bit of a tonal shift. This one has some darker, more intense moments than the earlier books. Trigger warning: It stays firmly in comfort reading territory overall, but I think it is worth mentioning that this installment touches on some unsettling themes.
Even so, the book still carries plenty of the familiar magic, manners and mystery I enjoy. We journey into fairy and get a good look at the seely court, which is always fascinating to me. Seeing more of the magical underpinnings of the world in this way only adds to my enjoyment of the setting.
I particularly liked how Sera and Hugh continue to grow closer. Their relationship does not rely on forced drama or miscommunication. There is no jealousy, no deception and no contrived obstacles. Instead they are simply there for each other, a steady presence that feels natural and part of who they are, not something used as the plot.
The story does end on a cliffhanger again, though it did not feel quite as strong as the one in the previous book. As I'm listening to the Omnibus and it went straight into book 6 it's not too bad.
Also, we get to meet someone new in the second half of the book, who I simply loved, and hope to see more off on future books!
This book might be darker in places, but it still gives me what I want from this series. A rich world, a determined heroine, a bit of mystery, more magic, and relationships that feel honest and grounded. It was tense at times but also engaging and fun, and I raced through it and still consider it comfort reading.
Even so, the book still carries plenty of the familiar magic, manners and mystery I enjoy. We journey into fairy and get a good look at the seely court, which is always fascinating to me. Seeing more of the magical underpinnings of the world in this way only adds to my enjoyment of the setting.
I particularly liked how Sera and Hugh continue to grow closer. Their relationship does not rely on forced drama or miscommunication. There is no jealousy, no deception and no contrived obstacles. Instead they are simply there for each other, a steady presence that feels natural and part of who they are, not something used as the plot.
The story does end on a cliffhanger again, though it did not feel quite as strong as the one in the previous book. As I'm listening to the Omnibus and it went straight into book 6 it's not too bad.
Also, we get to meet someone new in the second half of the book, who I simply loved, and hope to see more off on future books!
This book might be darker in places, but it still gives me what I want from this series. A rich world, a determined heroine, a bit of mystery, more magic, and relationships that feel honest and grounded. It was tense at times but also engaging and fun, and I raced through it and still consider it comfort reading.
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April 29, 2024This one was better than the previous in the series.
The book is populated with a great deal of details it's extremely descriptive and while some might be considered a bit of filler in order to make the book Fuller than what it would be because it's a continuation of the previous book which was left on a very bad cliffhanger this one is not left on that kind of cliffhanger and that's because the two books should have been one but because of the length of the previous book that could not happen I understand that now having read this book and it is really a fascinating read I find that you will not be disappointed in it at all like I said very descriptive there are some things that do remind one of color tip of the hat to certain other both science fiction and even fantasy novels but to be perfectly honest that's all they are tip of the hat nothing more it ends in a way that while it is obvious a continuation is coming it is not you don't feel like you've been left going what this is the end wait a minute something's missing here you have a feeling of completion and that is important in a novel I don't mind a cliffhanger provided the cliffhanger doesn't leave you feeling like you're hanging off the end of a cliff. I highly recommend this book and if you started reading the previous ones you should continue with this one even if one of them or two of them were not as satisfying as this book is it is getting to the point where things are happening things are being completed and you get the feeling of how things are being set up that it's really beautifully put together and I don't want to reveal anything I don't want to give any spoilers so I will just end it by saying that we see that while we know that in previous novels before this one before the series even we know that Sera went to the say realm we did not really understand that her going to the say realm has to do with the fact that she has made an ally of them of a sort because you have to read this book to understand what I mean by that and I am not giving anything more at all. Beautifully written very descriptive highly recommended. To those reading this who find that I have not punctuated properly or spelled certain things correctly I am using voice to text because I have hands that do not function properly and sometimes my eyes don't either so this is the only tool I have and it does not punctuate as I would like it to or spell things as I would like it too please bear that in mind when you read this. I have no control over voice to text it does things as it wishes to.
The book is populated with a great deal of details it's extremely descriptive and while some might be considered a bit of filler in order to make the book Fuller than what it would be because it's a continuation of the previous book which was left on a very bad cliffhanger this one is not left on that kind of cliffhanger and that's because the two books should have been one but because of the length of the previous book that could not happen I understand that now having read this book and it is really a fascinating read I find that you will not be disappointed in it at all like I said very descriptive there are some things that do remind one of color tip of the hat to certain other both science fiction and even fantasy novels but to be perfectly honest that's all they are tip of the hat nothing more it ends in a way that while it is obvious a continuation is coming it is not you don't feel like you've been left going what this is the end wait a minute something's missing here you have a feeling of completion and that is important in a novel I don't mind a cliffhanger provided the cliffhanger doesn't leave you feeling like you're hanging off the end of a cliff. I highly recommend this book and if you started reading the previous ones you should continue with this one even if one of them or two of them were not as satisfying as this book is it is getting to the point where things are happening things are being completed and you get the feeling of how things are being set up that it's really beautifully put together and I don't want to reveal anything I don't want to give any spoilers so I will just end it by saying that we see that while we know that in previous novels before this one before the series even we know that Sera went to the say realm we did not really understand that her going to the say realm has to do with the fact that she has made an ally of them of a sort because you have to read this book to understand what I mean by that and I am not giving anything more at all. Beautifully written very descriptive highly recommended. To those reading this who find that I have not punctuated properly or spelled certain things correctly I am using voice to text because I have hands that do not function properly and sometimes my eyes don't either so this is the only tool I have and it does not punctuate as I would like it to or spell things as I would like it too please bear that in mind when you read this. I have no control over voice to text it does things as it wishes to.
April 23, 2024
I really enjoy this series which has a number of things I love in a story.
The series first and foremost has strong female characters who refuse to let others (mostly men in this alternate Victorian era London) dictate how they must live their lives and behave. Sera especially is a smart, capable and independent woman who also happens to be the only female mage so she has the magic to allow her to live her live.
Even still in this book Sera starts out imprisoned by - well I don't want to give any spoilers so I will leave it at that. Suffice it to say Sera has some obstacles to overcome to gain her freedom and be left alone to live her life as she wishes.
The story, characters, world-building and plot are very engaging. I look forward to book 6 which is the final book in the series and comes out in June 2024.
The series first and foremost has strong female characters who refuse to let others (mostly men in this alternate Victorian era London) dictate how they must live their lives and behave. Sera especially is a smart, capable and independent woman who also happens to be the only female mage so she has the magic to allow her to live her live.
Even still in this book Sera starts out imprisoned by - well I don't want to give any spoilers so I will leave it at that. Suffice it to say Sera has some obstacles to overcome to gain her freedom and be left alone to live her life as she wishes.
The story, characters, world-building and plot are very engaging. I look forward to book 6 which is the final book in the series and comes out in June 2024.
September 19, 2025
This book is such a far step away from the rest of the series. While it is understandable from the series arc perspective, I really miss London in this. We spend much of the time in the Repository of Forgotten Things, and while that’s interesting, it’s not what’s made me love the story the most. Nor is spending time with Sera only, and not her friends. So I was glad when that finally changed, and we got back to some of our regularly scheduled programming…
“Castle Manoeuvre” also takes a turn that is A LOT darker than previous books have been. There is a very dark subplot from the main bad guy of the series, and also the threat of one of the other inmates of the Repository. While the book stays in the comfort reading zone, the themes are… disturbing.
It feels a bit like the author realized that this character was too powerful, because a lot of this book, she goes without her power. And that makes her more relatable. She has to rely on strength of mind instead of strength of magic, which is a refreshing change.
“Castle Manoeuvre” also takes a turn that is A LOT darker than previous books have been. There is a very dark subplot from the main bad guy of the series, and also the threat of one of the other inmates of the Repository. While the book stays in the comfort reading zone, the themes are… disturbing.
It feels a bit like the author realized that this character was too powerful, because a lot of this book, she goes without her power. And that makes her more relatable. She has to rely on strength of mind instead of strength of magic, which is a refreshing change.
July 4, 2024
I had to read this book to find out what happened after the cliff hanger from the previous book.
There were a couple of big plot developments in this book so it was worth reading. We find put much more about Sera’s connection to the Fae.
I noted there was a lot of description in this book which I started to skip over much of it about halfway through. I just got tired of it. Because I have aphantasia (mind blind) I can’t visualize in my head so long descriptions are boring to me.
I loved seeing Sera and Hugh deepen their relationship. It’s fun to see Kitty take a more active part in the story too.
You really need to read the previous books in 5e series for this one to make sense.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book which is the finale of the series.
There were a couple of big plot developments in this book so it was worth reading. We find put much more about Sera’s connection to the Fae.
I noted there was a lot of description in this book which I started to skip over much of it about halfway through. I just got tired of it. Because I have aphantasia (mind blind) I can’t visualize in my head so long descriptions are boring to me.
I loved seeing Sera and Hugh deepen their relationship. It’s fun to see Kitty take a more active part in the story too.
You really need to read the previous books in 5e series for this one to make sense.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book which is the finale of the series.
May 1, 2024
I originally thought this would be the last book in the series, but there will be one more. I think this series started out enjoyable enough, though not as good as Manners and Monsters, it had potential. However, as I've read each book in the series I've noticed there is a lot of filler and not much plot progression. I think it could have been condensed into three books. I will still read the last book after it's released later this year though.
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October 29, 2024
Another good installment in the Tournament of Shadows series. Sera has been betrayed and imprisoned, evil plans are revealed, and a trip to Faery is included. Lots of fun and intrigue setting up for the final book and ultimate confrontation. Marian Hussey is a marvelous narrator and adds so much to the story. I’m off to the next book.
July 13, 2025
Love the series and the audio book narration. I didn't love this particular installment. Don't start here if you want adequate context. Super detailed world-building, but thin plot. I wish there were more details about the historical time period than the supernatural; but I'm hoping it becomes useful in later installments. It just didn't progress the series from the previous book enough for me.
May 29, 2024
Hmmm.....
Book 5 did not flow well for me. It felt rushed and dialogue was surface, almost like a script. Actually, the whole book felt more like a movie script, not a positive in my mind. Hope the conclusion is better
Book 5 did not flow well for me. It felt rushed and dialogue was surface, almost like a script. Actually, the whole book felt more like a movie script, not a positive in my mind. Hope the conclusion is better
March 13, 2024
Good Read
To ride the winds on the back of a dragon is a dream come true. The things we can accomplish through our dreams.
To ride the winds on the back of a dragon is a dream come true. The things we can accomplish through our dreams.
April 2, 2024
I love this series overall, but this particular installment was just ok. Not enough happened for it to be its own book. When it ended, I thought, "That's it???"
May 8, 2024
I enjoy the series. I have some questions answered but I do feel like this could have been added to another book to shorten it. I'm hoping there is another book!
July 10, 2024
I enjoyed the story
Interesting and imaginative read. I was put off by her calling a dragon "they". I kept saying to myself," Isn't there just one dragon?"
Interesting and imaginative read. I was put off by her calling a dragon "they". I kept saying to myself," Isn't there just one dragon?"
December 9, 2024
The overarching plot of this series was dragged out too long, but I still enjoyed the characters and plot of each book...
February 25, 2025
Manoeuvre is the only English word that I consistently can't spell first time.
NB: updating books I've read way after the fact (Feb 2025), so ratings and reviews are really based on fuzzy vibes.
NB: updating books I've read way after the fact (Feb 2025), so ratings and reviews are really based on fuzzy vibes.
January 23, 2026
Enjoyed the new setting and of course the continued story.
July 10, 2024
Another great entry in this wonderful series! And thank goodness - no cliffhanger this time! 🤣 The first half deals with Sera in the Repository of Forgotten things and how she manages to escape, and then the second half is her adventure in the Fae lands as she meets the mystery person behind the bracelet that dampened her magic. Both parts of the book were chock full of all kinds of magical creatures and spells. Loads of fun! I really enjoy how spunky Sera is! Can’t wait for the final book - in just a couple of months! Yay!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews