(Found) Older Fantasy Book

[annie anne]

Hi,

I would love to find a book I read in the early 90's about a world where people have nightmares if they do something wrong. There are shapeshifters who take the place of the king and put him in another body. He joins a circus I think and has to find a way to reach his mother. Where she lives is surrounded by many outer circles and he has to work his way through these like every one else to gain an audience with her.

Thanks

 

[JunkMonkey]

Lord Valentine's Castle by Robert Silverberg?

 

[annie anne]

This sounds like it. Thanks so much! I did not realise there was a series of books.