A Stage Set for Villains

By: Shannon J. Spann

Narrated by: Suzy Jackson

The gods are dead. All that’s left are the Players …

The performers of the Playhouse are as worshipped as they are feared, their enchanting shows bending hearts, minds, and even reality itself. Vicious, godlike, lethal. Eighteen-year-old Riven Hesper knows the dangers better than anyone, after her own encounter with a Player resulted in a curse that is slowly killing her.

When the Playhouse announces the spectacle of a lifetime—a chance for one mortal to steal a Player’s immortality—Riven sees her last chance to live. Desperate for answers, she infiltrates the competition. There, she finds Jude, the Playhouse’s brilliant, merciless Lead Player, whose charm is as dangerous as his Craft, and strikes a deadly bargain to save her life.

But with time running out and the Playhouse’s secrets unraveling into a disturbing picture, Riven faces a grim possibility: she might not be the hero of her story after all. In fact, she may be the villain.

Because the Playhouse doesn’t just tell stories. It rewrites them.

And Riven’s might end in blood.

Caraval meets One Dark Window in this lush and dark fantasy.

©2026 Shannon Spann (P)2026 Recorded Books

Intriguing listen! Totally unique!

Standing ovation! I had no idea what to expect going into this book since everything about it has been kept so hush hush. In a time when spoilers are everywhere, the mystery surrounding this one made it even more irresistible.

It hooked me before I even turned the first page and never let go. The intrigue never faded, and the uniqueness of this story completely blew me away. Truly unlike anything I’ve read before.

And that’s all I’m going to say. The not knowing is half the fun.

Fantastically Unique

Loved this so much! Left it all on the page with only the ichor of the show lingering after the curtain closes

A stage set for villains story ark review:

The plot twist is absolutely phenomenal. The story really makes you pay attention to the timelines and different perspective of each character. It’s such a well written plot stories is so interesting.

Every Chapter Had Me Yearning For More

I originally had no idea this book existed. I was just walking through Meijer one day and it practically leaped from the shelf at me. I read the synopsis of the book to my brother who was there with me, and we were instantly enthralled. I purchased a hardcover copy then proceeded to purchase it on Audible for I find finding time in my chaotic work and life schedule very difficult at the moment. From the first phrase to the final curtain, this book kept me on my toes and yearning for more every Chapter. Every time I had to stop listening to the book, my mind would race with the different theories of what was to come or what already had, and found enjoyment when proven right and wrong. The different twists and turns this book offers left me happy. Hearing the various roles of a Playhouse, from the stage crew, and costume designers all the way to director has made my own theatre self giddy.

great story

loved the twist on the theater and the ending surprised me. I really enjoyed the characters and the complex story line