I kinda hate to say this, but as much as I liked the first book is how much I DIDN'T like this book. It went on for a REALLY long time, and contained ANOTHER extended torture session that the character just seemed to shrug off. There's a handwaving explanation for why that should be, but it strained my credulity that he could just walk away from that kind of abuse. So: disappointed. Characters are still likeable, but getting tedious now too. 2.5 stars, rounded up.

There are some books that are worth staying up far too late into the night to finish. This is one of those books.

There's something just so surprisingly compelling about this series. It could be just another (quality) swashbuckling story-- de Castell is a fight choreographer, so the swordplay and battle scenes (as well as dialogue) are like something straight out of the Princess Bride. But there's something more here that makes it more than just another Three Musketeers remake. The first strange thing is that our main characters are serving a dead king and his cause. They're carrying out his dying wishes-- which in Traitor's Blade, we discover, include finding and protecting his heir, and putting her on the throne. It's an interesting take on loyalty; we never get to meet the King to which our heroes are loyal except in occasional flashbacks. But for Falcio especially, the king was a beloved friend, and he would do anything to uphold his wishes-- no matter how crazy they might seem. And through Falcio's deep love for King Paelis, we come to love him as well. Falcio, Kest, and Brasti have one of the best bromances out there. Their friendship is perhaps on par with Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen, which is a classic bromance in my book. The banter and compatibility and love they have for each other is entertaining to read, but what's even more compelling is the fact that Falcio-- our lovable MC, isn't the best at everything. In fact, he fails. Often. And when he succeeds, it's often accidental, or because of his friends' support. Kest is the best swordsman, and Brasti is the womanizer (not to mention the funniest). But Falcio is the most passionate, and so they follow him. The bromance may rock, but all of the characters interactions are fascinating and entertaining. There are some wonderful female characters who are not by any means overshadowed by our main trio of bros. The Tailor is always delightful to read and delivers some of the best zingers I've heard in a while. Valiana shows surprising depth coming out of the last installment when she was basically a spoiled brat. And Dariana is enjoyably elusive and somehow always surprisingly violent. The most enjoyable thing about de Castell's writing is that he has no qualms about throwing his characters into utterly horrible situations. Falcio went to some dark places in the first installment, but it seems to me that de Castell pushes him even further in this one. There are plenty of great twists that surprised me. And Falcio's unbreakable attitude and propensity to talk his way out of impossible situations are still as compelling as they were the first time around. As with the first book, the only complaint I have about Knight's Shadow is the love interest. Ethalia and Falcio met, like, once ever and are deeply in love? Uh. Ok. Sorry, but I don't care about Ethalia. She does get better in this book, because she actually does one or two things, but I still don't buy their "epic love." But I do like that they allow each other to be themselves, and don't expect the other to give up who they are in order to be together. No second book syndrome whatsoever here. Definitely continuing with this series.

3/5 ⭐ It's the end of the road for me and this series I'm afraid. The areas I found lacking in the first book were only amplified further in this one. Mainly the lack of character depth (Ethalia, uugh) and continuous pushing of the bravado and jibes from the good guys who will never lose. After two books I can clearly see that the next two will be a continuation of the blind heroism of the three-musketeers-vibe gang trying to save a country that isn't worth saving. My favourite part of this book: The fight scenes! I hate conflict so this means a lot. The scenes are so vivid it's like de Castell manages to transport the reader into the fight itself. My least favourite part: That insanely long torture scene. I'll be honest and say I skimmed through those pages. But as I said in my review of the first book: it is good, it is readable and it keeps you interested! It's just too predictable and lightweight for what I'm in the mood for right now.

HOLY CRAP!!! Such a good read! I LOVE this series! ❤️

Oh my god. Well that was intense. I wanted to hug Falcio so much and just protect him from the world. A lot of moments that had me holding my breath as well as on the verge of tears and then laughing and rolling my eyes at other points. I adore the characters and world Sebastien has created and cannot wait to continue.