Shadow Duet

Masks and Shadows #1.5

by Stephanie Burgis

It's been eighteen months since Baroness Charlotte von Steinbeck stepped into a carriage with the most famous castrato singer in Europe, leaving her family and her reputation behind for the sake of true love. What she and Carlo found waiting for them at the end of their first journey, though, was nothing like what they had hoped. Now they're hoping to begin a new life together in cosmopolitan London...but will they really be able to continue their forbidden duet, or will society's disapproval doom them forever?

**IMPORTANT NOTE: This short story does NOT stand alone. It follows on from the novel Masks and Shadows, which should definitely be read first.**

Genres: Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Historical, Historical Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy, Adult Fiction

22 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2017

About the author

I grew up in America, but now I live in Wales with my husband, fellow writer Patrick Samphire, our two sons, and our sweet (and extremely vocal) tabby cat, Pebbles. I write fantasy rom-coms for adults (most recently Claws and Contrivances and Good Neighbors) and fun MG fantasy adventure novels, too (most recently The Raven Crown duology). My next series will be the adult romantasy trilogy The Queens of Villainy, published by Tor Bramble, starting in 2025 with Wooing the Witch Queen.

To get early sneak peeks at new stories and novels, sign up for my newsletter here: stephanieburgis.com/newsletter.

To join my Dragons' Book Club and get early copies of every ebook that I put out myself (so, all of my novellas, short story ebooks, etc!), check out my Patreon page, where I also published a series of fantasy rom-coms (Good Neighbors) across 2020-2021.

I only rate and review the books that I like, which is why all of my ratings are 4 or 5 stars.

Reviews

[Stephanie]

Have you ever wondered what happened to Carlo & Charlotte after the end of Masks and Shadows? I wrote this followup short story for the winner of a charity auction, and it was such a pleasure - I loved getting to spend more time with these characters and write out some of the future I'd always imagined for them.

ETA: it's out now! You can buy it at Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, iBooks and Smashwords. I hope you guys will enjoy it!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

How utterly delightful to rejoin Charlotte and Carlo again, and to see them taking comfort in one another in such a believable, romantic, everyday way. My only disappointment was that I couldn't keep reading another full novel of such stories!

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The very proper young Charlotte of several years ago, who had been too well-trained to even question the rules of her society, might indeed have been perturbed by such apparent immorality. But the Charlotte she had grown into as an adult... How could she do anything but applaud such astonishing good fortune?"

Aww! This was super cute, I really enjoyed it. If you loved Masks and Shadows you will love this. Short and oh so sweet.

[Heather Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Shadow Duet" is a short story with the same setting and characters as her 18th century historic fantasy novel Masks and Shadows, featuring the famous castrato singer Carlo Morelli and his accompanist-lover Baroness Charlotte von Steinbeck. (Needless to say, their relationship--which was established after the end of the novel--is something of a scandal.) I'd call this work more of a character sketch than a short story, to tell the truth. Our characters are in London where Morelli is performing and the story is entirely encompassed by a society party where Charlotte encounters all manner of reactions to her existence and relationships from the upper class attendees and meets a number of real-world artists who have a somewhat broader-minded reaction. But there is no plot, as such, simply a great deal of delightful description and conversation.

I wouldn't recommend this work to anyone who hasn't already read Masks and Shadows, but if you have and you're thirsty for just a bit more of the characters, "Shadow Duet" should do the trick.

(Note: I've noticed that many people tend to rate short stories lower, on average, than full-length novels, regardless of writing quality. I've tried to struggle against that reflex in myself, and would have rated higher if there had been a more substantial plot arc. The writing itself is lovely.)

[Patrick Samphire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I'd already written a review of this, but apparently not!

This is an historical fiction short story that follows Stephanie Burgis's novel, MASKS AND SHADOWS. It's not a standalone short story, but you should really read MASKS AND SHADOWS anyway, because it's a great book.

This short story follows the two main characters from the novel after the events of the novel. Charlotte and Carlo have moved to England and the story follows their experiences there. I don't want to say too much, because I don't want to insert spoilers for the novel or the short story. Suffice to say it's a great story, full of fun, emotion, and energy. If you've read the novel, read this. If you haven't, go and get the novel now.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.25 - I LOVE catching up with characters I'm fond of particularly when their ending is abrupt. It felt like this one was too short to effectuate enough of a story other than Charlotte may have found a friend? It needed more - but I also understand that this was a one off gift story for the winner of a contest I guess? I would have just liked it a bit more flushed out with a bit more on their relationship (Charlotte & Carlos) and a bit more on their new found (VERY new found) social circle in the artist community. I still find Charlotte very endearing and the love story unique. No fantasy/murderous ghostly things in this one, nor any mention of them.

[Rene Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful look at Carlo and Charlotte 18 months after Masks and Shadows. No spoilers, but the story briefly shows some of the trials the couple faces to be together at the same time it shows the rewards of their choice. I only wish there could be more of it--the society they've found themselves in seems so interesting, and I loved seeing the two of them together.

[Roslyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I wanted much more, and this was such a short story, I found it a bit slight. Enjoyable, though, and I really would love to read more about these characters (they featured prominently in Masks and Shadows).

[Miss Ginny Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming little nibble to follow up with a charming couple.

[lielabell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short delight. Would have loved to read more.

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I read this without having read Masks and Shadows, but I very much enjoyed the characters and the writing. I am... intrigued enough to want to try the novel now.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful note to leave our characters on. I'm almost sad because I could honestly read further adventures of Carlo and Charlotte but I'm happy they get a happy ending here. :)

[Linda Lassman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this short little update on Carlo and Charlotte's life together after the events of Masks and Shadows.

[Ksenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wanted more to read more of Charlotte and Carlo ever since I finished Masks and Shadows. When Burgis auctioned story of bidder’s choice for charity I hoped to win to get a glimpse on those two. I lost my bid, but the winner had the same story in mind. So happy about this one! I loved, loved, loved Shadow Duet. It was a sweet perfect epilog for the book. I really enjoyed that pair’s future was nor an fairy tale “happily ever after”, but adult realistic compromise with real chance of mutual happiness and gratification.

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short (short!) and sweet follow-up to Masks and Shadows that I found especially satisfying because it showed that our heroine does live happily ever after, but that there are still complications to the life she has chosen. Polite society isn’t going to accept her unconventional choices, and Charlotte experiences some uncomfortable and humiliating moments. However, all is not terrible as she discovers kindred spirits in the artists and free thinkers who also populate the centers of culture that she now travels in. The sacrifice of her reputation and ‘virtue’ is worth it for the partnership she now shares with Carlo and for the friends who accept them and value their art. I loved this brief glimpse of their future, bumps in the road and all.