Shadowplay

By L.R. Lam

" A] fantastical, richly drawn, poignant take on a classic coming-of-age story . . . a vibrant tale told with surety and grace" - Leigh Bardugo

In the second installment of the Micah Grey Trilogy from the award-winning, USA Today-bestselling author of Dragonfall, Micah must learn two types of magic--one for the stage, and one with deadlier consequences--while navigating a tender new love

Old magics are waking. Will the world survive their return?

Micah Grey almost died when he fled the circus with Drystan. Now he and the ex-clown must use Glamours to disguise themselves and hide in the once-grand Kymri Theatre, run by a once-renowned magician, Jasper Maske. Drystan claims Maske's stage magic is all smoke and mirrors, but where's the line between trickery and real power?

Micah and Drystan will soon learn the answer, when Maske's arch-nemesis challenges them all to a duel that will seal all their fates.

Meanwhile, the Shadow still haunts Micah's steps, and as the duel draws near, Micah increasingly suffers from dark visions. Events that destroyed the ancient world are being replayed. Can Micah's latent powers break this deadly pattern?

In this rich and evocative second novel of the Micah Grey series, L.R. Lam blends a coming-of-age story, queer romance, and magical powers into a charming and original fantasy world, inspired by Victorian Scotland.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0756420296
• ISBN13: 9780756420291
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Daw Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

On to the magic show

While this novel is a bit slower than the escape to the circus of the first one, this book was a joy to read because I got the see Micah really grow and become more of who they are meant to be. Plus Micah and Drystan get the chance to catch their breath, and learn a bit of magic to help an old friend and new ally out. The addition of Maske and Cyan really made for a good strong group and while helping each other, I also got to learn more about the fascinating world before (with the help of Anisa) and how it relates to events in the present with Micah and the other Chimaera and even Drystan and his past. All the characters got added depth, making the story feel real and I loved cheering on Maske's Marionettes and the whole magician's showdown! It was an awesome middle book that sets things up nicely for a grand finale and I really am looking forward to reading Masquerade! And I am so happy these books are getting rereleased and letting a new audience discover what an awesome person Micah Grey is!