Sebastien de Castell
Author of Traitor's Blade
About the Author
Series
Works by Sebastien de Castell
The Dowager Magus 11 copies
Firewood 6 copies
The Red Lily 4 copies
Greatcoats book traitor's blade, knight's shadow, saint's blood 3 books collection set (2018) 3 copies
the Chevor cat 1 copy
For You Are Sure To Die 1 copy
Deleted scenes 1 copy
Associated Works
Shapers of Worlds Volume III: Science fiction and fantasy by authors featured on The Worldshapers podcast (2022) — Contributor — 5 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- de Castell, Sebastien
- Birthdate
- c. 1970
- Gender
- male
- Occupations
- musician
ombudsman
fight choreographer
teacher
project manager
actor - Agent
- Adams, Heather (HMA Literary Agency)
- Short biography
- 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.
- Nationality
- Canada
- Birthplace
- Pointe Claire, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Places of residence
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Netherlands - Associated Place (for map)
- Canada
Members
Reviews
Kellen, the son of two powerful mages, is facing his first mage's trial just days before his sixteenth birthday – the problem is that his magic has been fading for some time. If he wants to pass this test, he needs to come up with a different plan. Luckily, Kellen is clever, but that won't help him in a society where people without magical ability are seen as slaves. Fortunately for him, a cardplaying traveller appears just at the right time to help. Along with the aid of an obnoxious show more squirrel cat, Kellen discovers that he's meant to walk a different path.
Spellslinger is the intelligent, fun and surprisingly mature first volume in a young adult fantasy series. The plot is fast enough to be entertaining but also slow enough to appreciate the vivid characterisations and character developments. Kellen's narrative is engaging and laced with wry humour, but it is Reichis the squirrel cat, and Kellen's so-called business partner, who has the best lines. To watch their grudging friendship and respect for each other unfold is a highlight of the novel.
While the world-building as such falls somewhat short, it is the depiction of Jan'Tep society, and the moral and ethical choices of a civilisation built on magic, that makes this book worth reading. I'm already looking forward to reading the second volume, Shadowblack, to see how Kellen's story continues. show less
Spellslinger is the intelligent, fun and surprisingly mature first volume in a young adult fantasy series. The plot is fast enough to be entertaining but also slow enough to appreciate the vivid characterisations and character developments. Kellen's narrative is engaging and laced with wry humour, but it is Reichis the squirrel cat, and Kellen's so-called business partner, who has the best lines. To watch their grudging friendship and respect for each other unfold is a highlight of the novel.
While the world-building as such falls somewhat short, it is the depiction of Jan'Tep society, and the moral and ethical choices of a civilisation built on magic, that makes this book worth reading. I'm already looking forward to reading the second volume, Shadowblack, to see how Kellen's story continues. show less
9.5/10
As I was reading this book, it struck me that, although it was grim, it still managed to be hopeful. The main characters find themselves in dire straits, manage to somehow escape, only to be thrust into even worse scenarios. I kept asking myself how bad could it get, and then the author would show me! Yet there is loyalty, faith (both misplaced and true), and strength from even the weakest links.
It’s a fast read for an almost 600 page book.
Like a few other books, the author uses the show more idea that gods need the attention, worship, & faith of their followers in order to be strong & influential in the world. A twist on that trope is that the Saints exist the keep the gods from being too tyrannical—they act as a check on the power of the gods (“the Saints exist to stand against the tyranny of Gods who would make their worshippers into slaves.“ p.426)
It will be interesting to see where the story goes from here. This was the best of the series so far. show less
As I was reading this book, it struck me that, although it was grim, it still managed to be hopeful. The main characters find themselves in dire straits, manage to somehow escape, only to be thrust into even worse scenarios. I kept asking myself how bad could it get, and then the author would show me! Yet there is loyalty, faith (both misplaced and true), and strength from even the weakest links.
It’s a fast read for an almost 600 page book.
Like a few other books, the author uses the show more idea that gods need the attention, worship, & faith of their followers in order to be strong & influential in the world. A twist on that trope is that the Saints exist the keep the gods from being too tyrannical—they act as a check on the power of the gods (“the Saints exist to stand against the tyranny of Gods who would make their worshippers into slaves.“ p.426)
It will be interesting to see where the story goes from here. This was the best of the series so far. show less
My husband, daughter and I listened to this audiobook in fits and starts every night before bed and I am extatic to report that we enjoyed every single moment in this world, with these characters... listening to the vocal minstrations, intonations, articulations and other vocal mastery exhibited by the narrator, Joe Jameson!!
This book revolves around a young boy named Kellen. Kellen is in the midst of taking his mage exams and is not really mage material. There are many other things he is show more not but one thing is for sure... he sure is Clever and Clever can (almost always) beat Gifted if you know how & when to use it.
Sébastien de Castell gifted us with a witty, charming, well written YA Magically Realistic Fantasy with robust and relateable characters and a detailed and lush background. The Magical/societal tiers were a little tropey with the alphas being powerful magic wielders and those without magical ability considered powerless and made to serve the mages as their plebs... that is until an Argosi woman moseys on in and turns Kellen's (and his whole clan's) Life topsy-turvy. When Ferius Parfax comes to town she offers Kellen a chance at a new future, one that can possibly change, not only his Life but the whole World.
It was unanimous... nearly all of the characters were evocative and elicited extreme emotional responses from we 3... that almost never happens. Finding a story that my finicky 38 year old Husband as well as my precocious 11 year old daughter can agree on is nearly a herculean feat YET each family member not only loved/loathed these characters but each eagerly relinquished some much needed zzzzzz(s) as we headed straight on over to book #2, Shadowblack.
Overall:
Hubby (38 years old): "I loved how how realistic it was... things didn't always work out easily and the MC (Kellen) was quick witted and clever. This was a solid 4.5 Stars."
- FYI, that's a HUGE endorsement coming from my, mainly middle of the road, "everything's MEH", 3 Star rater.
Miss A (my 11 yo daughter): " This book was slow to start but got better and better the longer we listened. The characters were great. I especially liked the squirrel-cat Rikus who was really Badass and extremely sassy."
Yes she really said Badass and NO, she's not supposed to say that word but alas... the girl has a point so I left it in the review.
Anyway... she continued...
"I also liked Ferius Parfax because she was a butt kicker and didn't apologize for being that way like some other female characters do in other books. The narrator was excellent. I give this 3.5 stars."
Myself (cough, cough, mumble mumble years old): This book has been on my teetering TBR pile for a while now and I'm glad we got around to it as a family because it was a crowd (if you also think 3 can be a crowd) pleaser. The writing was witty, non verbose yet not boring or too succinct. The deep, well fleshed out characters stole the show. The background building was decent if not a bit tropey. I reccomend enjoying this as an audiobook because the narrator was excellent and truly made this good read, great! A definite 4.5 Stars.
~ Enjoy show less
This book revolves around a young boy named Kellen. Kellen is in the midst of taking his mage exams and is not really mage material. There are many other things he is show more not but one thing is for sure... he sure is Clever and Clever can (almost always) beat Gifted if you know how & when to use it.
Sébastien de Castell gifted us with a witty, charming, well written YA Magically Realistic Fantasy with robust and relateable characters and a detailed and lush background. The Magical/societal tiers were a little tropey with the alphas being powerful magic wielders and those without magical ability considered powerless and made to serve the mages as their plebs... that is until an Argosi woman moseys on in and turns Kellen's (and his whole clan's) Life topsy-turvy. When Ferius Parfax comes to town she offers Kellen a chance at a new future, one that can possibly change, not only his Life but the whole World.
It was unanimous... nearly all of the characters were evocative and elicited extreme emotional responses from we 3... that almost never happens. Finding a story that my finicky 38 year old Husband as well as my precocious 11 year old daughter can agree on is nearly a herculean feat YET each family member not only loved/loathed these characters but each eagerly relinquished some much needed zzzzzz(s) as we headed straight on over to book #2, Shadowblack.
Overall:
Hubby (38 years old): "I loved how how realistic it was... things didn't always work out easily and the MC (Kellen) was quick witted and clever. This was a solid 4.5 Stars."
- FYI, that's a HUGE endorsement coming from my, mainly middle of the road, "everything's MEH", 3 Star rater.
Miss A (my 11 yo daughter): " This book was slow to start but got better and better the longer we listened. The characters were great. I especially liked the squirrel-cat Rikus who was really Badass and extremely sassy."
Yes she really said Badass and NO, she's not supposed to say that word but alas... the girl has a point so I left it in the review.
Anyway... she continued...
"I also liked Ferius Parfax because she was a butt kicker and didn't apologize for being that way like some other female characters do in other books. The narrator was excellent. I give this 3.5 stars."
Myself (cough, cough, mumble mumble years old): This book has been on my teetering TBR pile for a while now and I'm glad we got around to it as a family because it was a crowd (if you also think 3 can be a crowd) pleaser. The writing was witty, non verbose yet not boring or too succinct. The deep, well fleshed out characters stole the show. The background building was decent if not a bit tropey. I reccomend enjoying this as an audiobook because the narrator was excellent and truly made this good read, great! A definite 4.5 Stars.
~ Enjoy show less
I bought this because the title made me smile and the cover shouted: NOT YOUR STANDARD D&D DERIVED FANTASY. The publisher's summary was intriguing but not necessarily reassuring. They gave up on trying to precisely the novel and went with he's a successful fantasy author already and a longish paraphrasing of the start of the book. Here's their pitch:
From the bestselling author of THE GREATCOATS and SPELLSLINGER: seven war mages with dark pasts and special powers must come together to fight show more an unknown enemy—but the stakes are higher than anyone can imagine . . . and someone's setting them up for a fall.
'Seven powerful mages want to make the world a better place. We're going to kill them first.'
Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic? Wouldn't want a simple steel helmet or something that might, you know, protect the part of him most needed for conjuring magical forces from being bashed in with a mace (or pretty much any household object).
Now open your eyes and let me show you what a real war mage looks like . . . but be warned: you're probably not going to like it, because we're violent, angry, dangerously broken people who sell our skills to the highest bidder and be damned to any moral or ethical considerations.
At least, until such irritating concepts as friendship and the end of the world get in the way.
My name is Cade Ombra, and though I currently make my living as a mercenary wonderist, I used to have a far more noble-sounding job title—until I discovered the people I worked for weren't quite as noble as I'd believed. Now I'm on the run and my only friend, a homicidal thunder mage, has invited me to join him on a suicide mission against the seven deadliest mages on the continent.
Time to recruit some very bad people to help us on this job . .
My concern was that it might turn out to be an extended one-line joke, delivered as a 'see how cool we are?' pastiche of well-worn Sword and Sorcery tropes. I knew that that wouldn't hold my attention for 395 pages. Fortunately, Sebastien de Castell knew that too and delivered a novel with a lot more to offer than a bit of snark.
He devised a system of magic that sounded as feasible as any system of magic can to someone who doesn't believe in magic. Mages are born with an attunement to a nearby dimension that allows them to draw power from that dimension and weaponise it (I'm sure they could do other things with it but these guys LIKE weaponising their power). The type of power wielded depends on the dimension the mage is attuned to but most of them can be used to kill people in large numbers and blow stuff up like once-believed-to-be-impenetrable castle walls. Each mage is a walking Weapon Of Mass Destruction.
Weapons are only valuable to the people who wield them. In this case, the weapons are being deployed in a proxy war between the Celestials and the Diabolics. Don't judge them by their names. Both sides are happy to fight a proxy war, spreading death and destruction across a world that they can't even enter, because of some eternal feud.
The style of writing is unusual. Think Grimdark with a guilty conscience and a taste for ironic, self-deprecating humour. The novel abounds in violence, rape, abuse, cruelty and pointless but gleeful slaughter. What makes this not quite Grimdark is that our moody and soulful 'do NOT call me a hero' main character, Cade Ombra tortures himself with how bad he's become, how broken the world is and how betrayed he feels by all people and institutions he once committed his life to. It doesn't help that he can't get his power by drawing from another dimension. He has to get his spells by bartering with a demon and living with the price.
While I liked the style of the book, I was glad to find that there was more to it than that. There is an actual plot. Things are not (at all) what they seem. There's even some development for the characters (at least the ones that make it to the end without being killed in horrible ways.) with some people becoming easier to like, some impossible not to hate and some becoming even more themselves.
This was an entertaining read with some great action scenes, lots of good ideas, a few plot twists and a great deal of style. show less
From the bestselling author of THE GREATCOATS and SPELLSLINGER: seven war mages with dark pasts and special powers must come together to fight show more an unknown enemy—but the stakes are higher than anyone can imagine . . . and someone's setting them up for a fall.
'Seven powerful mages want to make the world a better place. We're going to kill them first.'
Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic? Wouldn't want a simple steel helmet or something that might, you know, protect the part of him most needed for conjuring magical forces from being bashed in with a mace (or pretty much any household object).
Now open your eyes and let me show you what a real war mage looks like . . . but be warned: you're probably not going to like it, because we're violent, angry, dangerously broken people who sell our skills to the highest bidder and be damned to any moral or ethical considerations.
At least, until such irritating concepts as friendship and the end of the world get in the way.
My name is Cade Ombra, and though I currently make my living as a mercenary wonderist, I used to have a far more noble-sounding job title—until I discovered the people I worked for weren't quite as noble as I'd believed. Now I'm on the run and my only friend, a homicidal thunder mage, has invited me to join him on a suicide mission against the seven deadliest mages on the continent.
Time to recruit some very bad people to help us on this job . .
My concern was that it might turn out to be an extended one-line joke, delivered as a 'see how cool we are?' pastiche of well-worn Sword and Sorcery tropes. I knew that that wouldn't hold my attention for 395 pages. Fortunately, Sebastien de Castell knew that too and delivered a novel with a lot more to offer than a bit of snark.
He devised a system of magic that sounded as feasible as any system of magic can to someone who doesn't believe in magic. Mages are born with an attunement to a nearby dimension that allows them to draw power from that dimension and weaponise it (I'm sure they could do other things with it but these guys LIKE weaponising their power). The type of power wielded depends on the dimension the mage is attuned to but most of them can be used to kill people in large numbers and blow stuff up like once-believed-to-be-impenetrable castle walls. Each mage is a walking Weapon Of Mass Destruction.
Weapons are only valuable to the people who wield them. In this case, the weapons are being deployed in a proxy war between the Celestials and the Diabolics. Don't judge them by their names. Both sides are happy to fight a proxy war, spreading death and destruction across a world that they can't even enter, because of some eternal feud.
The style of writing is unusual. Think Grimdark with a guilty conscience and a taste for ironic, self-deprecating humour. The novel abounds in violence, rape, abuse, cruelty and pointless but gleeful slaughter. What makes this not quite Grimdark is that our moody and soulful 'do NOT call me a hero' main character, Cade Ombra tortures himself with how bad he's become, how broken the world is and how betrayed he feels by all people and institutions he once committed his life to. It doesn't help that he can't get his power by drawing from another dimension. He has to get his spells by bartering with a demon and living with the price.
While I liked the style of the book, I was glad to find that there was more to it than that. There is an actual plot. Things are not (at all) what they seem. There's even some development for the characters (at least the ones that make it to the end without being killed in horrible ways.) with some people becoming easier to like, some impossible not to hate and some becoming even more themselves.
This was an entertaining read with some great action scenes, lots of good ideas, a few plot twists and a great deal of style. show less
Lists
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 31
- Also by
- 3
- Members
- 5,207
- Popularity
- #4,785
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 181
- ISBNs
- 228
- Languages
- 8
- Favorited
- 2