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Tournament of Shadows #4
Feint and Doublecross
An unexpected move could place Sera in check…or will it be checkmate?
A strange beast stalks unfashionable Southbank, taking victims in a horrific fashion. Naturally the Mage Council sends Sera to track the supernatural killer, while pressuring her to marry one of their hand picked suitors.
With few clues as to whether the man was targeted or if it were a random crime of opportunity, Sera casts a remembrance spell that brings to the surface a similar crime. Set on the trail of a decades old curse that may have resulted in fatal consequences, Sera stumbles upon a tingle of familiar magic. Finally, she unravels long buried secrets about her history.
Then from the shadows, her opponent steps forward and makes a move. But with Sera distracted by revelations from her past, it could put her into a deadly checkmate…
A strange beast stalks unfashionable Southbank, taking victims in a horrific fashion. Naturally the Mage Council sends Sera to track the supernatural killer, while pressuring her to marry one of their hand picked suitors.
With few clues as to whether the man was targeted or if it were a random crime of opportunity, Sera casts a remembrance spell that brings to the surface a similar crime. Set on the trail of a decades old curse that may have resulted in fatal consequences, Sera stumbles upon a tingle of familiar magic. Finally, she unravels long buried secrets about her history.
Then from the shadows, her opponent steps forward and makes a move. But with Sera distracted by revelations from her past, it could put her into a deadly checkmate…
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2023
43 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Tilly Wallace
31 books596 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 15, 2024
I really enjoy this series. It has many things I always love: strong female characters, an interesting take on a magical world, suspense and plenty of excitement.
This alternate version of London is an interesting place, but it sadly still has all the idiotic and misogynistic rules to keep women under the thumbs of men who in most cases are less capable, less intelligent and less talented than they are, especially the only female mage, main character Seraphina.
Sera is determined to live her life her way despite the attempts of almost everyone around her trying to control her, diminish her and take advantage of her extremely strong magical abilities.
The cliffhanger ending of this book would have annoyed me much more if I hadn't already purchased the next book in the series so I can continue right on and find out what happens.
Format note: I get the books in this series in audio format as the narrator is excellent and really brings the characters to life.
This alternate version of London is an interesting place, but it sadly still has all the idiotic and misogynistic rules to keep women under the thumbs of men who in most cases are less capable, less intelligent and less talented than they are, especially the only female mage, main character Seraphina.
Sera is determined to live her life her way despite the attempts of almost everyone around her trying to control her, diminish her and take advantage of her extremely strong magical abilities.
The cliffhanger ending of this book would have annoyed me much more if I hadn't already purchased the next book in the series so I can continue right on and find out what happens.
Format note: I get the books in this series in audio format as the narrator is excellent and really brings the characters to life.
January 16, 2024
I'm caught up on this series and I'm actually glad for now. For me, it's been a bit lackluster compared to the Manners and Monsters series. My two biggest issues is that there is not enough plot progression happening, and the main character thinks too much like a modern-day woman for the time period. Wanting things to change is one thing, but her thought processes are too modern, and she would know what is considered proper and improper in that time period without her friend having to tell her. Caring about that is another thing entirely, but she would know.
September 28, 2025
Feint and Doublecross by Tilly Wallace is the start of the second omnibus (books 4–6), and it feels like the series settles into a new rhythm here. It does end on a cliffhanger, which I would normally dislike, but since the omnibus keeps going straight on I did not really mind. Instead it gave me the feeling that I had simply reached a pause in a larger story, rather than being left hanging in frustration.
By this point I find myself liking the main character much more than I did in the first books. She has started to feel more fleshed out, more human and easier to connect with, and I enjoy watching her grow into her power. I also continue to like the side characters, even if the good ones sometimes feel a touch too good to be completely believable. For this kind of reading I do not mind it overly much, because I am here for comfort as much as for surprise.
The setting is still one of my favourite things. I always enjoy this kind of historical fantasy that is full of rules and restrictions, where society and manners carry as much weight as magic. It is a world that feels stacked against her, and I like that she refuses to bow to what is expected of her. There is something very satisfying in seeing her stand firm in a patriarchal society, and even more so in seeing the mixed reactions around her. Some people try to tear her down, others quietly or openly help her along, and that push and pull keeps it from feeling too shallow while still staying on the cosy side.
I also like the balance of mystery and humour here. There is always something to solve, but it is light enough that it never feels heavy. The very gentle thread of romance is still present, but never takes over, which is a plus for me. All of it together makes for a story I can breeze through and enjoy without needing to brace myself.
So even if this series has never quite had the same special spark for me as Manners and Monsters, it continues to be very good fun. Feint and Doublecross gave me exactly what I was looking for: a quick and engaging read with mystery, magic, a strong heroine and a setting I love spending time in.
By this point I find myself liking the main character much more than I did in the first books. She has started to feel more fleshed out, more human and easier to connect with, and I enjoy watching her grow into her power. I also continue to like the side characters, even if the good ones sometimes feel a touch too good to be completely believable. For this kind of reading I do not mind it overly much, because I am here for comfort as much as for surprise.
The setting is still one of my favourite things. I always enjoy this kind of historical fantasy that is full of rules and restrictions, where society and manners carry as much weight as magic. It is a world that feels stacked against her, and I like that she refuses to bow to what is expected of her. There is something very satisfying in seeing her stand firm in a patriarchal society, and even more so in seeing the mixed reactions around her. Some people try to tear her down, others quietly or openly help her along, and that push and pull keeps it from feeling too shallow while still staying on the cosy side.
I also like the balance of mystery and humour here. There is always something to solve, but it is light enough that it never feels heavy. The very gentle thread of romance is still present, but never takes over, which is a plus for me. All of it together makes for a story I can breeze through and enjoy without needing to brace myself.
So even if this series has never quite had the same special spark for me as Manners and Monsters, it continues to be very good fun. Feint and Doublecross gave me exactly what I was looking for: a quick and engaging read with mystery, magic, a strong heroine and a setting I love spending time in.
May 20, 2023
I couldn't stay away from this one for very long. I felt like I was suffering from withdrawal - something I think is very much thanks to the excellent narrator, Marian Hussey. I love spending time with Sera and her.
This series continues to scratch my Veronica Speedweell itch really well. It's not as grown up, but still very nice.
I don't feel the lack of not having read or listened to the Manners & Monsters series before this one. I feel fully engrossed anyway - and while I do notice things that I suspect are winks to readers of the other series, I never feel like I miss out on anything.
That's really nice. Well done by the author! I appreciate that a lot - especially compared to other series, similar to this one.
The one thing I didn't like (one bit) with this book was the godawful cliffhanger at the end!
Like, omg, readers and listeners: BEWARE! You will leave the book feeling angry, and upset about so many things. I'm honestly so mad - it's ridiculous. 😂
Apparently I have to wait until March 2024 for the 5th book.
WOE IS ME!!! 😱😝🤣
This series continues to scratch my Veronica Speedweell itch really well. It's not as grown up, but still very nice.
I don't feel the lack of not having read or listened to the Manners & Monsters series before this one. I feel fully engrossed anyway - and while I do notice things that I suspect are winks to readers of the other series, I never feel like I miss out on anything.
That's really nice. Well done by the author! I appreciate that a lot - especially compared to other series, similar to this one.
The one thing I didn't like (one bit) with this book was the godawful cliffhanger at the end!
Like, omg, readers and listeners: BEWARE! You will leave the book feeling angry, and upset about so many things. I'm honestly so mad - it's ridiculous. 😂
Apparently I have to wait until March 2024 for the 5th book.
WOE IS ME!!! 😱😝🤣
October 25, 2023
I enjoyed this book. I really dislike cliffhanger endings, particularly when the next book won’t be out for months. But I knew that when I started to read it so it was my choice to continue. Lol.
I was very glad to see some resolution to Sera and Hugh’s relationship.
I was surprised at the revelation of who the villain is and I look forward to seeing how Sera gets out of this situation in the next book.
I enjoy this series. I like the author’s style of writing. I mean, it’s not War and Peace of course but I really enjoy reading this series. I get invested in the characters and want to know what happens to them. I enjoy the mystery, romance and paranormal parts of the story also. It’s just plain fun to read these books.
Steam level - a couple of closed door scenes, kissing.
I was very glad to see some resolution to Sera and Hugh’s relationship.
I was surprised at the revelation of who the villain is and I look forward to seeing how Sera gets out of this situation in the next book.
I enjoy this series. I like the author’s style of writing. I mean, it’s not War and Peace of course but I really enjoy reading this series. I get invested in the characters and want to know what happens to them. I enjoy the mystery, romance and paranormal parts of the story also. It’s just plain fun to read these books.
Steam level - a couple of closed door scenes, kissing.
March 19, 2023
The book is a delight and I feel like it really covered ground in character and story development. My only complaint is the cliffhanger at the end, and even then it’s only a complaint because of the lengthy time until the next book in the series, March 2024. A cliffhanger like THAT and the next book won’t be out for a YEAR?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2023
GAH I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2024
Sera’s story continues to pull me in. I enjoy this alternate England and the magic involved. A lot of the unknown facts started to be revealed, Sera and Hugh advanced their relationship, a mystery involving killings by a magical creature is investigated and solved, and secrets are revealed, resulting in quite the cliffhanger.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Marian Hussey. She did an excellent job. I feel she adds another level to the book and plan to continue with the audiobooks for the rest of the series.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Marian Hussey. She did an excellent job. I feel she adds another level to the book and plan to continue with the audiobooks for the rest of the series.
February 25, 2024
4 stars only because I despise cliffhangers.
March 15, 2023
Wow, I've been following this series since the beginning and OMG this one ends on a cliffhanger. I need book 5, I really do.
Seraphina has a lot on her plate on this book, perhaps more than she's had in the previous ones, on both the professional and personal level. This distracts her from hidden dangers that lead to the aforementioned cliffhanger. It definitely whets the appetite for more!
Seraphina has a lot on her plate on this book, perhaps more than she's had in the previous ones, on both the professional and personal level. This distracts her from hidden dangers that lead to the aforementioned cliffhanger. It definitely whets the appetite for more!
September 19, 2025
This continues along the same lines of the previous books in the series (and Manners and Monsters), with another murder—a gruesome one—that leads Sera down a path that is quite unexpected. Unlike book 3, I really enjoyed the turns of this murder and understanding the sad choices that lay behind it.
This book contains some definite forward-movement of the Sera/Hugh relationship, and it was about time. There is slow burn, and then there is sloooooooooow burn when it’s taken four books to really get anywhere. It is still no on-page spice, though it is alluded to. Hugh is my favorite character of this series, and he continues to be this safe person for Sera, and their relationship is healthy and respectful.
As in the rest of the series and the Manners and Monsters books, the setting is lovely. Bridgerton meets magic, what could go wrong?
The ending is a huge cliffhanger, but luckily, the series is finished so I could just head on right over to the next book. I would have been hugely annoyed if I’d read this series as it came out, and been left hanging over that cliff…I will say that I’ve hated one character in particular all through the series so far, and I haven’t understood even a little bit why Sera continues to associate with her (even though the author does her best to try to make it sound reasonable), but I guess I get it now.
This book contains some definite forward-movement of the Sera/Hugh relationship, and it was about time. There is slow burn, and then there is sloooooooooow burn when it’s taken four books to really get anywhere. It is still no on-page spice, though it is alluded to. Hugh is my favorite character of this series, and he continues to be this safe person for Sera, and their relationship is healthy and respectful.
As in the rest of the series and the Manners and Monsters books, the setting is lovely. Bridgerton meets magic, what could go wrong?
The ending is a huge cliffhanger, but luckily, the series is finished so I could just head on right over to the next book. I would have been hugely annoyed if I’d read this series as it came out, and been left hanging over that cliff…I will say that I’ve hated one character in particular all through the series so far, and I haven’t understood even a little bit why Sera continues to associate with her (even though the author does her best to try to make it sound reasonable), but I guess I get it now.
September 29, 2023
Feint and Doublecross is another fun mystery for Sera and her friends to solve. Sera continues to grow into her powers and she needs to explore the origin of her power to solve this murder. Some of the other mages from the mage council show up in this story to let her know the background of her predecessor. We also see Sera cross the boundaries of what society would consider proper lady behavior - I'm looking forward to reading what the consequences of her actions will be in the next installment.
Currently reading
February 2, 2024Fabulous fun.
As this book left me hanging off a cliff, I've now pre-ordered the next book. I found the 1st book in paperback in one of my book piles, I enjoyed it so much that I immediately ordered the next 3 books from kindle.
Sera, the main character, is the 1st known mage in London. She is a strong and independent character who is thwarted at every turn by the patriarchal society, historical period and the misogynistic mages.
Sera proves herself quite adept at negotiating obstacles by variously enterprising means.
It's an entertaining series.
As this book left me hanging off a cliff, I've now pre-ordered the next book. I found the 1st book in paperback in one of my book piles, I enjoyed it so much that I immediately ordered the next 3 books from kindle.
Sera, the main character, is the 1st known mage in London. She is a strong and independent character who is thwarted at every turn by the patriarchal society, historical period and the misogynistic mages.
Sera proves herself quite adept at negotiating obstacles by variously enterprising means.
It's an entertaining series.
October 29, 2023
I think I may have read this series too quickly. By this book I was starting to get a bit tired of our heroine. She is a very vocal feminist that just started to sound out of place in her time. Yes I am sure many woman of this era felt repressed and wanted more respect, however she comes across so sure of her right to be treated as a equal to anyone and everyone - when life has never given her a reason to even think that's possible - it was off putting on occasion.
March 13, 2023
Enjoying this series about a young magician defying society and the rules males place on women. Sera continues to search out the mysteries of her magic while doing the council’s bidding. Trying to solve a mysterious murder occupies her time and keeps her from seeing that some friends are really enemies. Ends on a cliffhanger, requiring the reader to wait for the next in the series.😠
May 15, 2023
An excellent read
Another great book in this series and only have it four stars because of the cliff hanger ending. Thankfully the next book isn't too far away as I can't wait to see what happens next. An excellent series that I Highly recommend.
Another great book in this series and only have it four stars because of the cliff hanger ending. Thankfully the next book isn't too far away as I can't wait to see what happens next. An excellent series that I Highly recommend.
September 21, 2023
Continued excellence!
The Shadows series continues to deliver unusual plots with great characters. The books do need to be read in order, but this Book Four is the only one with a cliffhanger ending. Oh, March, 2024 is a long way away!
The Shadows series continues to deliver unusual plots with great characters. The books do need to be read in order, but this Book Four is the only one with a cliffhanger ending. Oh, March, 2024 is a long way away!
July 13, 2025
Audio book version. Love the series, more so because the audio book reader has excellent character variety and voice tone. It's fun to hear magical, mythical themes woven into this time period. I forgot the title half way in, and was surprised at the double cross.
April 15, 2023
What a truly evil place to end a book. The author is cruel for that.. but i still love her. I just hope i can remember everything next year
May 16, 2023
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
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I always hated Abigail, what an absolute b****
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I always hated Abigail, what an absolute b****
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2023
Fantastical
The story is strong. The imagery delightful. A take me away from reality book but keep me connected. Not easy to write and very appreciated.
The story is strong. The imagery delightful. A take me away from reality book but keep me connected. Not easy to write and very appreciated.
November 22, 2023
great read
Good read…it always good to find people that will up hold the ideas of hope and good will. Looking forward to the next adventure.
Good read…it always good to find people that will up hold the ideas of hope and good will. Looking forward to the next adventure.
December 20, 2023
the ending oh my god???
December 27, 2023
Some of the shine is starting to wear off at this point... this series has been treading water since book 2, with very little forward momentum...
December 31, 2023
2.5 stars
June 13, 2024
This ended on a massive cliff hanger, I am dying for the next book to be available.
September 14, 2024
I knew it!
February 15, 2025
I am loving this whole series, I might even like it better than the Manners and Monsters series. This book doesn’t disappoint and dare I say might be the best one yet.
February 25, 2025
I liked visiting the various neighbourhoods of this AU London.
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.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews