I got this fair-condition ex-library paperback from Better World Books. i'd enjoyed The Lark's Lament and wanted to read more about this Fools' Guild!

This is the first book in the series, and while it was fun to see how the main characters were reunited, I find that I like the later books better; it's Feste's interaction with his beloved once they're able to be together that really makes the story. But this book had its points, not least the many indications as to its tie-in to a certain famous play. (The title's a hint {grin}.) From the moment when a stranger interrupts Feste at a pub to deliver the message "Orsino is dead", the story leads him back to the place where he'd fallen for a woman he couldn't have. There are lots of political complications, and a few rather sad takes on the fates of key characters from the original tale, but there's also much foolery - including skillful juggling acts that turn into weapon-wielding, and major-league disguises by several folk. Zippy, snarky dialogue, intriguing storylines - a good start to a series that keeps getting better as it progresses.

[There's a TV Tropes page on the series.]

I'm offering this book and the next one, Jester Leaps In, 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!

*** Released for the 2017 Allergic to A release challenge. ***

Arrived safely with me, thank you!

This wasn't badly written and it was moving along at an alright pace, it just didn't grab me, what's the point in making myself read something when my to read list has lots of books on it I know I would rather be spending my time on. Personal taste not a reflection on the book at all.

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

This was waiting when I came home for a day and a half between two parts of my summer holidays... it looks like I'm the last in line? I see the book is marked "bookray" - so does that mean there's no rush for me to read this quickly? I may be able to slide it in my suitcase and would be happy to read it on holiday, but with limited weight, I might have to see... Please let me know what the fate of this book is to be after I've read it.

This came in as bookray, and although I wish I'd re-read Twelfth Night before starting, fortunately I am quite familiar with the play. I think it was one of the first Shakespeare plays I ever performed in, although there may have been a role as a fairy in Midsummer Night's Dream before that. Anyway, I highly recommend a Twelfth Night refresher. This is basically a sequel to much of that, which makes it a lot of fun, although Malvolio doesn't seem to be doing as much smiling now as he did in the first one. (Ok, no spoilers, but maybe he does do a lot of smiling here?). The idea of a Guild of Fools is appealing, and this is an entertaining read.
It transpires I am at the end of this short ray, and the book is in Mallorca. It might stay here for a bit to be read by visitors to this house.