Coup D’Estate

By: Nene .

Narrated by: Ellie Henrys

Coup De’Estate Silas has been punished most of his life—for thinking too much, for standing too straight, for asking the wrong questions. Now the rules are changing. A new enforcer has taken over. The Mistress is climbing toward power. Corruption seeps through the estate like smoke—and Silas, along with his troublemaking friends, is somehow caught in the middle. Growing up was never supposed to be this complicated. Coup De’Estate is a sharp, darkly funny tale of boyhood, brutality, and the people power tries to break.

©2025 Selene Saenz (P)2025 Selene Saenz

Found Family Despite Adversity

Coup D'Estate | Nene

Three mischievous young boys, servants at an estate, navigate childhood while living in brutal, harsh conditions. After the Mistress let's go of the terrifying enforcer and puts Rook and his group in charge, conditions change for the better. The boys learn the weight of working for the Mistress through the eyes of the Knights of the Estate. One night, the boys witness events that result in combined efforts to protect the estate from a villain - one who may be lurking closer than anyone thinks.

I loved the trio of idiots - Silas, Kory, and Theo. They push boundaries and exude innocence despite the environment in which they live. Their playfulness and friendship added a lightness to an otherwise dark tale.

Rook and his Knights, although having jobs that require a level of brutality, grow to love the boys and remember their own childhood and innocence. I loved that the boys brought that out in them. I appreciated that Nene provided their backstory and upbringing. Having it be similar to the trio and having the men desire to make the boy's lives better than what they had was a nice touch. It was not the traditional story of servant/master - which was refreshing.

The mistress is evil, and she truly drips with it. She was written in a way that makes the reader harbor nothing but resentment toward her. She is unredeemable and a true villain. She is used sparingly, but in important ways, which was such a good move on Nene's part.

I listened to this on audiobook and LOVED the narration! The novel is a dark tale with beautiful displays of friendship that persevere despite adversity. I highly recommend giving it a read or listen!

Thank you, Nene, for providing me a copy of your novel and allowing me an opportunity to provide a review.