I got this slightly-battered paperback from Better World Books. I'd enjoyed The Lark's Lament and wanted to read more about this Fools' Guild!

This book picks up after the events of Thirteenth Night - and contains spoilers about the outcome of that book, so if you haven't read it yet, be warned!

The story opens with Feste, experienced fool and smartass, trying to get back into shape after a serious injury. At the same time he's training his new apprentice (and wife) in the arts and sciences of the Fools Guild, from nimble wit to acrobatics to mortal combat. Since she's amazingly good at these things, the lessons progress quickly - and the loving banter between the two is a delight!

Time waits for no fool, though, and they're on a mission, one involving the disappearance of several fools from Constantinople - fools talented enough not to be easily captured or killed. (Feste's new wife opts to travel in male disguise for safety's sake, which leads to some hilarious chats and bickering.)

While there is a lot of humor here, there's serious business as well, such as the moment when Feste's wife first realizes that the duties of a Fool may include homicide - only when needed, and yet she hadn't considered the scope of "necessary" before. And the plot that they eventually uncover, with the reasons for the deaths or disappearances of so many other Fools, is nicely convoluted and tricky - though given the politics of the time, it isn't out of line with everything else that's going on.

I enjoyed learning the tricks of the guild, whether regarding putting on a show for wealthy patrons or testing another fool's ability to follow someone without being detected - and to detect someone else following them! The historical aspects were intriguing, too - the author clearly does his homework. But it's the sparkling dialogue and fascinating characters that keeps me enthralled.

[There's a TV Tropes page on the series. Update: I can recommend the audiobook adaptation, narrated by Fleet Cooper.]

I'm offering this book and the previous one, Thirteenth Night, for a 2-part bookray. [See the forum thread here.]

The two books together weigh about 11 ounces, something to keep in mind when estimating postage costs. [US participants can get postage estimates at the USPS site here.]

Bookray instructions:

When you receive the books, please journal them, and PM the next person in line for their address so you'll have it ready when you've finished the books.

Note: even if you've sent books to that person before, please PM them before mailing this one, to confirm that the address is correct and that they're able to take on a bookray book at this time.

Try and read the books promptly - ideally, within six weeks of receiving them. (If you expect to take longer, you can request to be put at the end of the list. If you find you're swamped with other books when the person before you contacts you about the books, you can ask to be skipped, and then let me know whether you'd like to be moved down the list or dropped entirely. If you receive the books and find that it's taking longer than you'd planned to get through them, I'd appreciate an update in the journal entries or in the forum thread, just to let me and the other participants know you haven't forgotten it.)

When you're ready to pass the books along, please add your comments and indicate where you're sending them. If you find that you're having problems contacting the next person in line, or don't think you can manage to mail the books as originally agreed, please let me know; I'll be glad to try to work something out.

Participants:

Clairby11xxx [UK]
penelopewanders [Switzerland]

I'm sending these two books to BCer Clairby11xxx in the UK, to start the bookray. Enjoy!

Arrived safely with me, thank you!

This book is on it's way to the next reader, safe travels!

This arrived with the Thirteenth Night, and here too I seem to be the last in line. I hope to hear if I need to rush to send this elsewhere after me... Thanks for making it available and for sending.

This required less mental gymnastics (trying to remember the ins and outs of the plot and characters of Twelfth Night), so it was pure entertainment. I enjoyed reading about these foolish endeavours, and seeing Claudius shine was very gratifying.
Apparently I'm at the end of this bookcrossing ray, so these two books might stay in this holiday house to delight some other visitors for a while. (If I'm not at the end, I need to know soon as I'll be leaving soon!)