Shadowplay (Micah Grey #2), by L.R. Lam

Shadowplay is the second novel in the gaslamp fantasy trilogy Micah Grey, written by L.R. Lam, published by DAW Books. After a brilliant first instalment with Pantomime, I craved to return with these characters, and Lam continues the story and the sharp exploration of genre and identity while slightly changing the setting, keeping the spectacle as one of the main driving forces, and slowly letting the characters open and trust each other.

A novel that continues the story of Micah and Drystan, now hiding in a closed-down theater, thanks to a favour owed to Drystan by Jasper Maske, a disgraced mage. They are still wary of trusting other people, and the Shadow threat is still present; however, when Maske accepts a challenge by his nemesis to a duel, they will need to learn how to perform magic, raising the stakes as many things are in play.
At the same time, Micah will have to learn how to control more of his magic, the Chimaera magic, while the relationship between him and Drystan develops; dark visions plague Micah, but maybe with the help of Anisa they might learn more while still in hiding.

The addition of Jasper Maske and Cyan to the roster of characters was a welcome one; both are delightfully nuanced, with a past whose consequences they are still suffering, but each has their own way to help the growth of our main pair. Their own stories are interwoven with Micah's one, and I was really invested in the subplot regarding Kymri Theater, which acts as the main moving force for the plot. I found so sweet to see how Micah is finally finding the trust to open himself to more people, especially towards Drystan; and while the struggles with the Chimera powers are still there, having the possibility of sharing the weight with such a good partner as Drystan is godsent.

Lam continues expanding the mythology/fantastic elements of this series, exploring more about the Chimera and its past, all while shifting the spectacle from the circus ring to the theater scenario, playing with the duality between the magic made by smokes and mirrors and the real magic.
The pacing is, as in the previous instalment, pretty much on point, perfectly balancing narrative tension with moments that allow us to explore with more nuance the main themes of the series, especially regarding the importance of finding your own identity and being accepted.

Shadowplay is an excellent second instalment in the Micah Grey trilogy, simultaneously upping the stakes but still allowing space to explore the themes that form the core of its series; I'm going to feel really sad once I have to say goodbye to these characters in Masquerade!