Our Lady of Blades

Court of Shadows #2

by Sebastien de Castell

Rijou’s notorious Court of Blades is as corrupt as it is violent. Here, justice is bought and sold as lives are destroyed with impunity – all to serve the duchy’s Ascendant Houses as they consolidate power by orchestrating the entirely legal murders of those who oppose them.

Into this world of corruption a mysterious duellist arrives, daring to foil the schemes of her enemies and setting the duchy’s elites against each other. They call her Lady Consequence, but she once had a different name – years ago before her family was slaughtered and she was consigned to the prison mine known as the House of Tears. Now she has returned with the plan and the means to rescue her brother and restore their house.

But the secret forces who engineered the deaths of her family have plans of their own for this beleaguered duchy, and if Consequence hopes to defeat them, she’ll first have to prove her wits as sharp as her rapier, and truly earn the title of Our Lady of Blades.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Adult

592 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 14, 2026

About the author

Hi Folks!

My eighteenth novel, MALEVOLENT EIGHT is now available. Cade Ombra and his misfit band of mercenary war mages are determined to prevent a cataclysmic war between supernatural beings. But peace at any price might mean killing an awful lot of people. The Malevolent Seven might be heroes, but they'll be the good guys . . .

My seventeenth novel is titled PLAY OF SHADOWS. A swashbuckling fantasy set in the world of mystical theatre where exalted actors can channel the spirits of the historical figures they portray on stage. But Damelas Chademantaigne seems to be summoning the spirit of a notorious villain whose secrets could unleash a civil war!

My sixteenth novel is CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS. Estevar Borros is my favourite swashbuckling investigator of the supernatural, so come investigate alongside him and his dauntless mule, Imperious inside a mysterious abbey where the gods seem to be driving the monks mad!

My fifteenth novel is FATE OF THE ARGOSI. The Argosi series is one of my favourites and I hope you'll come along for Ferius Parfax's adventures!

You can get a pair of free stories here.

The best way to stay up to date is at www.decastell.com, but I'm also on that Facebook thing. Also that Twitter thing. One day I'll even remember to get on that Instagram thing.

As to who I am? Well . . .

Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist. His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.

Sebastien's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.

Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com

Reviews

[LambchoP]

I need to start this sequel series asap. The Greatcoats quartet was one of my favorite fantasy series of all time and I've heard these newer books are just as great, if not better. Sign me up!

[Grace -thewritebooks]

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

This was a 5-day marathon read omg and why did I not realise we weren't just picking up from Book 1 Damelas and his crew???? I thought this was the start of a greatcoats adventure into the unknown...instead I was thrown into a world of bloodthirsty courtly intrigue and a whole new cast of characters, stunned to say the least.
AND WHEN I TELL YOU THAT PLOT TWIST GOT ME SO GOOD i truly didn't see that coming in a million years so hats off to De castell for that mighty impressive piece of work. This book also got progressively darker and darker and went in directions I didn't expect at all, in some parts I really wasn't sure what to think because we'd strayed so far from the beginning of the story. Will never tire of all these rapier duels though, I've been telling my sister all week that I need a rapier to be waving around.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

*copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review*

Alright, this is a fun one. A standalone novel set in De Castell's Greatcoats universe. Our Lady of Blades is a tale of revenge, murder, betrayal, and duels, physical and mental. There is, as always, some damn fine swordplay in there as well. That said, there's darker undercurrents here, questions of identity and horrors both physical and mental are not shied away from. Because pretty much nobody in this story is a Good Person, although some (many?) of them are definitely worse than others.

Over two timelines, we track the mysterious Lady Consequence and the "mine-girl", Natazia, years before. The former is a skilled duelist, a driven killer, someone who has plans within plans and is willing to back them at swordpoint. The latter...well, Natazia is years younger than Lady Consequence, and her world is on an upward trajectory. She's brought out of the mines, brought into a noble family, and asked to train to protect them, to fight and die for that family when its fortunes rest on the edge of a blade. As the story moves forward, Natazia's tale slowly intertwines with (or becomes?) part of the one that leads to the creation of Lady Consequence. Both feel like different people, and their eyes on the world show us different things. Consequence is thoughtful, possibly decent, but driven, pragmatically, even callously lethal. She dives off the pages like a hawk, trying to reach out and tear her enemies to shreds on her way to vengeance - but doing so behind a mask, behind wit and a whirl and subterfuge. And, at the end, the raw honesty of a blade. She's charming, funny, passionate, a creature of her convictions, and a lot of fun to watch saunter through a crowd of deadbeats, sycophants, philanderers, sociopaths and stone-cold killers. Lady Consequence has style. Natazia, on the other hand, does not have style. But she has the strength wrought form being a survivor, and a willingness to drive ahead, to commit, to keep people safe. Years before Lady Consequence and her dance of blades, Natazia is quietly stashing sharp implements up her sleeves so she can protect her new family at the breakfast table, and using the steadfast strength and tenacity from year sin the mines to push forward, always forward, never giving up. Where Consequence is witty, Tazia is plain spoken (though no less intelligent), and her endurance is an excellent contrast to the speed and fire in the older Consequence. They're both fascinating to read,both characters you can empathise with and cheer for, and they're both, in one way or another, fun.

On the other hand, they live in Rijou, which is, basically, hell. We've seen Rijou before in several other Greatcoats-adjacent books, and it's never seemed like a fun place to live. The aristocracy own the judiciary, the aristocracy don't, quite own the common people, though they'd like to, and the aristocracy absolutely own the swords in the hands of the people who enforce the law. Each of the Houses of Rijou is an entity unto itself, rich off the backs of monopolies and client-houses, effectively above the law and beyond reproach. Beyond reproach in the sense that they can't be reproached, that is. Because all the houses are filled with byzantine schemes and schemers, with blades who are looking for any excuse to put another house down, with accountants more than happy to buy a judge a meal, or a house, to look the other way. Rijou is a city fat on the stench of its own corruption, a frenzied gala of blood and roses. Tazia stands out here as plain, independent, uncompromising. And Lady Consequence flits between the gaps, using a razor-edge blade to cut through the social niceties and iniquities. Rijou is a horror, but it's a resplendent one, one that pulls in wealth and power and feeds on it like a bejewelled tick. It's a place filled with life, even as it drains life, or at least decency, from everyone in it. If you've been here before, it's even worse than you remembered, and if you haven't...well, watch your wallet in the bright lights and parties, and watch your back, too.

The story...I don't want to get into the story, because it has, well, a lot going on. There's some especially savage twists that I didn't see coming, the kind of thing that knocks you back, and certainly made me put the book down for a few minutes to mull over. And there's the threads there, of revenge. Of trying to protect family, of trying to make oneself into something else, one way or another. Of trying to be decent, and of being willing to be a monster in the service of red-handed justice, in a city where justice is a joke between enemies. It's an adventure, often a darkly shadowed one, filled with mischance, filled with love and hope, filled with the loss of both, filled with grief and joy in, perhaps, equal measure. And it has some absolutely top notch banter and sword-fights.This is a hard read, a complicated read, the kind of story that makes you think and makes you feel, that demands, here and there, a moment of contemplation, and asks, here and there, for your attention. It's bloody and messy and horrible and kind and compelling stuff, and a damn good read.

[East of Reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings for kidnapping, drugging, gaslighting, PTSD, torture, sexual assault


Think the Count of Monte Cristo and Swordspoint but darker, crueler. It’s a book with so much violence — almost all of it against women — comes from swords, knives, and beatings. There’s no justice, and the only law there is the same one that would send a fourteen year old child to the mines, and exile a sixteen year old who has just seen her mother’s body hung from the ceiling of her house, off to marry a man many years her senior with the expectation that she will provide her husband many children before her death.

But it’s also a story in which all of the duelists, almost all the instigators of the violence, are female. Told in two timelines, we see a nameless duelist who accepts the moniker “Lady Consequence” begin her path of vengeance, and in the other we see the story of Natazia, a child rescued from the hell of the mines and brought to a noble house to train to be a duelist. Each chapter brings us closer to the present and the resolution of several plot threads.

First, let me say I was caught by the twist. I had not been expecting it, and it added a lot of nuance and flavor to the story. Second, this book … isn’t nice. But in a fair way. When someone is hurt, they stay hurt; they’re in pain, they’re bleeding, it affects them for longer than a second. When someone is tortured, it isn’t just dismissed; it stays with her, it guides her decisions from that point on. And I liked that; it made the characters feel more real, made their world feel that much more real, as well.

In this book, at many times, characters are afraid, and they act on that fear. Lady Consequence is full of bravado, but under that mask she’s still a woman who knows what it’s like to be hurt. Natazia is young, and for all that she has been raised to a high house she’s still lacking any real power. When situations get out of hand she reacts like a child, trying to keep out of trouble, appeasing the people in power in the hopes they don’t punish her. And — okay, I didn’t like it, but I did appreciate that the women in this book get to be flawed. They make mistakes, they get to the rescue too late.

It makes those final scenes when everything comes together much more impactful. That said, I’m not a giant fan of how the big duel went down. It was building up nicely, very steady and dark, and then … they just fight some more and it’s over. I get that the true ending isn’t about the duel, or about who can kill how many people, but about the meeting after, when there’s time to talk and apologize.

I did like how little the brother was in the book; while he seemed sweet, he was more of a catalyst than a character. This book is about the sisters, more than anything else.

I read this book in a single day because I couldn’t put it down. It’s a character study, a revenge story, a story about sisterhood, womanhood, grief and loss. This isn’t a happy book, there’s no romance in it; and this will not be a book for everyone. But it was a book for me.

Thank you so very, very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sebastien de Castell continues to expand his world building of Tristia, land of the Greatcoats (and also existing within the Spellslinger universe as well, just distant in proximity). This is the third full-length novel containing a standalone story apart from the quartet of books of the "Greatcoats" series, but in the same relative time frame. There's always something compelling about stealthy court politics with a dash of swordplay (actually a lot of swordplay), mixed in with some identity crises, and a threatening antagonist, one who is especially capable in what he sets out to do.

The story regards two timelines, one in the present (taking place just after the "Greatcoats" series conflict, just with predominantly different people), and one in a flashback sequence spanning ten years. The chapters alternate between them, taking the reader back and forth between them. We see our stealthy heroine, the enigmatic "Lady Consequence" in the present, keen for revenge. We also see the past flashback, ultimately explaining how this revenge story started, one involving an adopted sister to two siblings, all within the noble house of Vauquelin within Rijou (yes, the same one within the first of the "Greatcoats" book).

The premise of the book was something that I had not been truly sold on before, and even throughout the read as well. The alternating present and flashback scene after every chapter was another part of this that never got to me either- I'd have preferred a different means of organizing this. What works for me with this book, though, is the twists- there were a few that caught me off guard, something that I wouldn't have been able to predict. For obvious reasons, there's some major spoilers about the plot progression, what we (the audience) know and what we don't know. Usually I don't love when it seems that information is being held back, but it works here- the events of the flashbacks help add clarification to the present, and vice versa. I also like that the author seems to come up with something good each year. I also like how he keeps adding depth to the world that he has carefully constructed, with clear attention to detail within local (and national) culture and politics.

3/5 rating

(I received an ARC through Arcadia and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky and clever, but it knows its clever which is a downside.

A mysterious, skilled, witty duelist nicknamed Lady Consequence steps into the ring of a city made up of cutthroat elites, secretly seeking vengeance against those who murdered her family. Oh, and she needs to rescue her younger brother. 

It’s fun and cleverly thought-out. I loved the sisterly bond and the characters’ growth from past to present.
It is emotionally wrought and filled with trigger warnings; a lot darker than his previous books - a lot of physical, psychological, and emotional suffering.

The law is a machine: a clock with a mechanism so fragile that every spring and wheel must be kept in perfect operation, else the hands will point in false directions and the course of time itself become perverted. Yet in the Court of Blades, black-powdered wigs and majestic bronze thrones hide from public view the rusted gears grinding beneath the marble floors of our courtrooms, where verdicts are manipulated through haggling, deal-making, bribery and blackmail. What duty remains to an honest advocate, then, when the machinery of law has become the enemy of justice?

This relies on reveals, different timelines and clever use of perspectives. It is ambitious mostly pulls it off. However, it suffers in pacing and patting itself too heavily on its back with the twists.

As you can tell, it is immensely difficult to talk about my gripes when it is best to know nothing.

Also, what is the trend with grimdark fantasy and incestual urgings?!

You don’t have to have read the previous books set in this world (Greatcoats quartet, Play of Shadows and Crucible of Chaos), but you might be lost at the lacklustre world building and explanations. I’d recommend reading at least the quartet.

Born to despise each other, shattered by sorrow and hardship until neither of us could separate the shards that remained of our spirits, we have forged ourselves into something new, something no one  – especially not two reckless girls whose only bond was the love of their brother – could ever have expected.

Overall, another impressive showcase of the author’s plotting craft, but reliant on sleight of hand and reveals.

Arc gifted by Quercus.

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[The Little Black Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC Review:

Our Lady of Blades is a story about sisterhood, identity, and the complex forces that shape who we become. In a world of so many cookie-cutter romances, I was pleasantly surprised to pick up something that focused on familial bonds and personal identity.

That said, the world-building felt somewhat underdeveloped. While I understand that this book connects to a larger series, it is presented as a standalone, and I found myself wishing for more clarity and depth to ground the story. For example, the opening scene has the protagonist punching and elbowing her way through a court fencing duel. In real life, historically, dueling was highly regimented. It is written that dueling is a sacred cornerstone of this society, so a lack of clearly defined fighting structure in some of the duels felt inconsistent.

I was also disappointed by the limited number of action scenes. Much of the latter half focuses on mental manipulation and its effects. While these elements are meaningful, they weren’t what I expected from a story framed as action-driven. As a result, the pacing in the second half began to feel slow and, at times, tedious.

My biggest complaint, however, was with how the narrative handles its reveals. The story relies on withholding or obscuring key information from the reader in order to create plot twists, which makes parts of the reading experience feel unnecessarily confusing rather than compelling. In addition to this, the central plot conflict felt oversimplified by centering on a single antagonist (as opposed to tackling the societal problems at large) whose eventual defeat felt underwhelming. Ultimately, the pay-off didn’t feel as satisfying as it could have been.

Overall, the story has an interesting premise and a strong thematic focus on family and identity. The writing itself was competent and readable and there were moments where the emotional stakes really resonated with me. While I admire the ambition behind the narrative choices, for me personally, they detracted from my overall enjoyment as a reader. I found myself wishing for more organic, inventive ways of surprising the reader rather than forcing them to constantly guess at the source and authenticity of each POV narrative.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Rijou differences are settled with blades not words. When the mysterious Lady Consequence shows up in the notorious Court of Blades and defeats one of the best swordsmen in the city people start to question who she is. Things have changed since she was last in the city, with the all-powerful Ascendant Houses taking things further before. Is she enough to save her brother and restore her house or will she get caught up in what is unfolding in the shadows.

This book is set in the world of The Greatcoats, and while you don’t need to have read the Greatcoats quartet or the previous Court of Shadows books to understand the book it does reference events that occurred in the first Greatcoats book, which was set in the same city, you will also be missing a large amount of the wider world building if you haven’t read any of the original quartet, however I could see no connection to the other Court of Blades books so you will be fine if you haven’t got to them yet.

I adore Lady Consequence and her determination to avenge her family. This book is dual timeline one following Lady Consequence and her return to the city and the other following what lead to the fall of her house and what happened in the intervening years. I enjoyed this dual timeline which gave context to much of what was happening in the city in the present time and more insight into the conflicts between the houses.

This book reads something like a duel both fast and slow at different times with reveals as the striking blows, this does make for an interesting pacing but one that may throw off those that aren’t familiar with de Castell’s work. The were a handful of things a didn’t enjoy as much with one side character being overly cruel and manipulative to the point where it was slightly ridiculous. Overall this is an enjoyable expansion to the world particularly going into more detail on life in Rijou and the politics of the Ascendant Houses and definitely worth the read for anyone who enjoyed the Greatcoats.

Thank You to Quercus Books and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Terry Rudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A five star read that completely blindsided me in the best possible way.!!!

Our Lady of Blades is so far removed from what I’ve come to expect from Sebastian de Castell that it somehow loops all the way back around into being unmistakably his.

If you’ve read his work before, you’ll know the usual hallmarks are the sharp wit, a strong sense of honour, and a charismatic, deeply lovable main character.

This… is not that....

Instead, what we get is something much darker. Grittier. At times, genuinely uncomfortable. There’s a rawness here that I’ve never seen from de Castell before. There are moments that are a little gory, a little bleak, and soaked in emotional damage that the characters carry like scars that never quite healed. And yet, that’s exactly what makes them feel so real. So human.

The narrative itself is brilliantly constructed. Told across a dual timeline, the story weaves its threads with precision, slowly tightening until everything collides in a finale that absolutely lands. Pulling off something this structurally ambitious without losing momentum or the reader (I get lose in complicated books) is no small feat, and it’s a huge part of why this is a five star read for me.

Despite the tonal shift, despite the darker edges, this is still unmistakably de Castell. It’s there in the elegance of the prose, the rhythm of the language, and the sheer audacity of the storytelling. Not many authors would even attempt something like this, let alone execute it so confidently. (Also… yes, the fencing. Of course there was fencing.)

So no this wasn’t what I expected. Not even close. But what I got instead was a powerful, emotional, thought provoking, twist laden story that completely blew my socks off.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was magnificent, much darker than the previous in this series, and somehow was both heartwarming and contained one of the more depraved storylines I have ever read. This story follows Natazia and Kareline - two adoptive sisters who are separated and tested by horrific events. I could not stop reading it or thinking about it when I was forced to attend to my own life.

De Castell continues to create fascinating cities within his world - this one is an insanely violent one where justice is based on the sword. I love how he builds these worlds, clearly referring to events that happened in different regions or books he has written. I cannot wait to read the Greatcoats series to learn more about the history prior to these books.

The story is unrelenting. No character has an easy time of it, and there was twist after twist that probably stopped me from taking a full breath for the second half of the book. I loved the interweaving timelines. De Castell balanced it beautifully, and used the tempo and symmetry of characters very powerfully. Although this was a dark book, it did not feel always feel bleak due to the humor, flashes of warmth, and the undercurrent of love that each main character had for their family.

The book was beautifully written, especially the interior dialogue of the characters and the description of the city of Rijou and its people and places. The characters were fantastic, and this book had one of the more chilling villains I have read recently. I appreciate that there was some complexity to the ending, and hope that he is leaving the window open for some of these characters to return. Thank you NetGalley, Sebastien de Castell, and Mobius Books for this E-ARC.

[RUTH GUCKIEAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick note for anyone picking this up: Our Lady of Blades is the second book in the Court of Shadows series. I didn't realize this going in and had to backtrack to read the first book before finishing this one. Learn from my mistake—start at the beginning.

That said, Sebastien de Castell delivers exactly what he's known for: spirited swashbuckling, sharp dialogue, and a world where justice is a blade's edge away from corruption. The premise here is compelling—a mysterious duellist called Lady Consequence emerges to challenge a court system that's devolved into legalized murder, buying and selling verdicts to enslave and execute anyone who threatens the powerful. She's out for vengeance, for her brother, for her destroyed House, and de Castell makes her quest satisfying to follow.

The action sequences are excellent—de Castell writes duels and sword fights with a kinetic energy that leaps off the page. The political intrigue layered underneath gives the swashbuckling real stakes, and Lady Consequence herself is a compelling figure: ruthless, wounded, and driven by a fury that feels earned.Where it lost half a star for me is purely personal preference.

Swashbuckling fantasy isn't my absolute favorite corner of the genre, and while I enjoyed this, it didn't hit the same way books in my preferred lanes do. But that's a me thing, not a craft thing. De Castell is clearly a master of this style.

Recommended for anyone who loves revenge-fueled fantasy with heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Bookish Emili Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Lady of Blades is a sharp, stylish, and wildly entertaining addition to Sebastien de Castell’s growing legacy of swashbuckling fantasy. Known for his signature blend of wit, danger, and clever character work, de Castell once again delivers a story filled with razor‑edged action, morally intricate heroes, and a world where honor and steel collide in irresistible ways.

One of the standout qualities of this book is its expertly choreographed pacing. The narrative moves with the agility of a practiced duelist—swift when it needs to be, tense at the right moments, and marked by emotional beats that land with surprising weight. De Castell’s voice remains as charming and humorous as ever, striking a satisfying balance between drama and levity.

The characters are equally compelling. Our protagonist is layered, flawed, and immensely easy to root for—caught between duty, danger, and the sometimes‑blurry lines of personal code. Supporting characters shine in their own right, adding texture and tension to the unfolding plot. Relationships, whether alliances or rivalries, are written with nuance and charm.

If there’s any critique, it’s that readers new to de Castell’s style may feel briefly disoriented by the rapid banter and brisk worldbuilding. But once you fall into the rhythm, the story becomes an incredibly fun ride.

Overall, Our Lady of Blades is a vibrant, witty, and action‑packed fantasy adventure that will delight longtime fans and welcome new ones into de Castell’s distinct narrative universe.

[eliza_s_diary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 Stars!! Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Mobius for the opportunity to read this book.

If The Greatcoats series was Sebastien de Castell's homage to The Three Musketeers, this is his homage to another of Dumas' works, The Count of Monte Cristo.

This is the fast paced, sword duelling, blood thirsty, story of revenge I didn't know I needed!

Full disclosure I have not read The Greatcoats series nor the book that precedes this one in The Court of Shadows series. It was not necessary as this story follows different characters, but I feel reading de Castell's previous work set in this world would have given me greater enjoyment, and I enjoyed this book a lot already!

De Castell does a phenomenal job of going back and forth between the present timeline and seven years prior to give the reader the full story with several good twists thrown in there. This is a classic revenge tale of two sisters betrayed by the court politics that surround them and how each of them survived to bring about the destruction of those who ruined them.

The book is quite fast paced and humorous with wonderfully dramatic reveals and a balanced cast of characters that has the reader rooting for our heroes and waiting for the downfall of our villains.

Be forewarned that it does get pretty violent. There are elements of alcohol abuse, sex, torture, and overtly over kill murder.

If you're looking for a story full of revenge, hidden identities, political intrigue, and sister fighting to protect the only family they have left, then pick this up when it comes out May 19th!

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Lady of Blades is the second book in the Court of Shadows series - with the first book being Play of Shadows. However, it is still a standalone, with its own cast and story.
It follows a pair of sisters-Kareline and Natazia and their crippled brother, whom they both love and want to protect at all costs. Natazia is adopted to serve as a protector of the family, and by moving through the dual timeline of the story, we see her difficult path into being accepted to the noble family and the political scene around them.
In the present timeline, Natazia is out for revenge, as their house is almost completely destroyed and about to be overtaken by stronger enemies. Watching a single person navigate complex politics and manipulate people with her charm, or intimidate them with her duelling skills, was incredibly entertaining!

Even though this is a fantasy novel, what stands out are the incredible characters (including the villains) and the high-stakes of the story. I've heard others refer to Sebastien as the master of banter, and I can see why. His clever sense of humour is unlike anything I've read, but watch out because while you're laughing and having a good time, he will gut punch you when you least expect it with a devastating loss or a heart-warming scene.

If I have to point out any negatives, it's that if you are not used to multiple timelines, it can be difficult to follow the story. It is quite dense in the information it gives you in both present and the past.
Absolutely worth your time though.

[Hazel Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell (book #2 in the Court of Shadows series) and it was such a gripping continuation of the story. The world feels even bigger in this book, with more political tension, dangerous alliances, and secrets unfolding as the plot moves forward.

One of my favorite things about this installment was how the stakes kept getting higher. The intrigue and maneuvering between characters made it hard to predict what would happen next, which kept me really invested in the story. The action scenes were exciting, but I also loved the quieter moments where the characters’ motivations and loyalties were explored.

The atmosphere throughout the book felt darker and more intense than the first one, which really worked for the tone of the series. Watching the characters navigate power, betrayal, and survival made the story feel layered and engaging.

The only reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me was that a few sections felt slightly slower compared to the more action-heavy parts. Still, it was a strong sequel that deepens the world and leaves me very curious about where the series will go next.

If you enjoy fantasy with intrigue, political tension, and complex characters, Our Lady of Blades is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

[Kristie Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love your fantasy sharp, stylish, and just a little bit wicked, Our Lady of Blades absolutely delivers.

Sebastien de Castell brings his signature swagger to this story—razor-edged dialogue, layered loyalties, and characters who are just as dangerous with their words as they are with steel. The world feels lived-in and gritty, full of political tension and back-alley schemes where faith, power, and survival collide in messy, human ways.

The heroine is the real standout. She’s clever, hardened by experience, and constantly walking that knife’s edge between devotion and defiance. I loved that she isn’t polished or pristine—she makes mistakes, she carries doubt, and she still steps forward anyway. That tension between belief and brutality gives the story its pulse.

The action scenes snap and crackle, but it’s the moral complexity that lingers. Every choice has weight. Every alliance feels conditional. And just when you think you know where things are headed, the narrative shifts under your feet.

If you’re into morally gray characters, political intrigue, and blade-to-throat stakes with a philosophical undercurrent, this one is going to slice straight into your TBR—and stay there.

[Jacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Due to be published in May 2026. Set in the world of the Greatcoats, and featuring some peripheral characters from earlier stories, Rijou's infamous judicial duels are often just a method of legalised murder. How can a mild-mannered jeweller protect himself from a champion duellist who deals death for fun? The Court of Blades has become corrupt and cruel. Enter a mysterious duellist, calling herself Lady Consequence. Once she had another name, and a wealthy and influential family well-known in Rijou, until betrayal struck them down. Now, seven years later, all she has left is a desire to save her younger brother. But there is another - a sister of sorts - also raised to the sword. Each sister believes the other dead, but each has a part to paly. This is a novel of betrayal, corruption, family, identity, and mind games perpetrated by a master. I love the world of the Greatcoats, and though this is perhaps not my favourite, it's still well worth reading.

[Skylar Keeton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review
Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Mobius Books| Arcadia for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book was definitely new for me, when it comes to the switching back and forth between two time periods you have a storyline that's happening in the past but also what's happening in the present it was definitely a new experience but I really enjoyed it. This is the first book by this author I've read as I did not realize this was a series so yes I was a little lost but I plan on going back reading the prequel and book one, then rereading this just to get a better grasp on everything my review will probably change when this happens to.
But I still really enjoyed the book I just recommended read the first book before this one.
#OurLadyofBlades #NetGalley

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent fantasy. I love this author’s books. In this series you get sword play, mayhem, plots within plots, and lots of humour. The previous books in the series are so much fun, as is this one. They are all stand alone, but they do complement one another in style.

Wow, this a very entertaining and long book. I congratulate the author and publisher for releasing this as a single book. It’s made of a number of smaller parts, each of which builds the story and plot.

I normally race through this author’s books. But with this one I took my time reading. Until towards the end when things really hot up and come to a crux, and I couldn’t leave the cast without knowing the outcome. The ending is very satisfying.

[rebeccareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our Lady of Blades is a twisty, layered, dark-ish follow-up to Play of Shadows. It's an ambitious narrative, complete with dual timelines and reveal after reveal, and is rather enamored with itself - sometimes to the point of being distracting - but it's reasonably well-done. The stakes are high and the action scenes are gripping, though I did find the pacing a little uneven; the story twists and turns and then really drags, and repeats. I'd read the previous installment, so wasn't too hampered by having not read any of the other books set in this world. If you've read and enjoyed those, this one's likely up your alley, too.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Clairiefaerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was excited to read this book because I’m a huge fan of Sebastien de Castell’s malevolent seven series and I was not disappointed by this gritty adventure full of political manoeuvres, corrupt officials and of course duels!

I really like the sharp dialogue and writing style where I always feel like the author is letting me on the secrets of the world. I did enjoy this on the first read but I think I’ll enjoy it even more after going back to read the Greencloaks series and the first court of shadows novel which is on my list to do.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Sree]

Thank you to NetGalley and Mobius Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I DNFed this book at 20% due to extremely slow pacing and minimal plot development. The initial setup was very interesting, with the opening duel, which had me hooked for the first 10%. However, as the book progressed the pace didn’t pick up and the plot’s momentum slowed.

High fantasy lovers who don’t mind constant time jumps might like this book, however it was not a good fit for me.

[Desiree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. It was full of political intrigue and sapped identities. I enjoyed the judicial system having duels as means of settling disputes, whether right or wrong. I found the political deceptions to be too complex for my liking and there were many concepts that I felt were not explained in ways that helped me understand their purposes or meanings.

[Vinay Badri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow wattay book - a revenge tale as old as time but done in stupendously inventive manner given every party is as devious as they appear. But it is also a book of 2 halves, a propulsive first half gives way to a disturbing creepy 2nd half - maybe not a book for everyone. De Castell's writing is as lyrical as it is sharp and there are ties to the Greatcoats series as well

Full RTC

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[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one shifts gears into something darker and more political & wow, it cuts deep. The corrupt court system & ruthless power plays feel uncomfortably believable & Lady Consequence is the kind of character you can’t look away from. It’s sharp, gritty & layered, though it demands a bit more focus than the others. Not a casual read, but absolutely worth it if you love intricate plots & morally complex revenge arcs.

[Emily Azevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this continuation of this series, I always love court and royal issues and games that they'll play with each other. I unfortunately really enjoy reading about people playing mind games with each other... Probably not normal, anyway lol

I also did enjoy the flipping between present and past

[Bbreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better fantasy books I’ve read all year. Sebastien is a hell of a good writer. You can tell he’s spent a lot of time building an intricate, believable world and I can’t say that about every fantasy author. I wanted to try this book because of his Spellsinger series and he did not disappoint. He’s an author I would keep coming back to. Fantastic!

[Ashley Tyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost thank you to the author and publisher for this ARC.

This series is the first time I have read this author and was thoroughly impressed. De Castell does a great job world and character building. I can not wait to read more!

[Mike Shackle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebastien De Castell is the Master of Swashbuckling fantasy and, in Our Lady of Blades, he really outdoes himself in weaving a tale of love, betrayal and dastardly politics. I've always been a fan and this is his best yet.

[Heike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skillfully crafted swashbuckling fantasy with great characters, even the ones you don't like.
And you get revenge, humour and emotions..
So, if you like the world of Tristia and the Greatcoats, give it a go!