The Shadows of Stars

The Aelfyn Archives, Book 3

De: Samantha Amstutz

Narrado por: Amanda Dolan, Soren Gray

Fate reunited them—but it may yet tear them apart.

Barely surviving a battle with a rogue wraith, Serenna races against time to save Fenn's life. But he's slipping away, fading with every heartbeat as he succumbs to grievous wounds.

Just as despair threatens to claim her, Vesryn rips through the veil of distance. Drawn by her presence through the bond, he portals directly into the wraith fortress.

But the stars weave ruthless cruelty, and their reunion is fleeting when Lykor appears. The coercion burned into his mind erupts at the sight of Vesryn, demanding the prince's destruction. Bound by the king's merciless command, Lykor is powerless, left with no choice but to strike.

Fenn's life isn't the only one hanging by a thread—Jassyn lies abandoned, left for dead by Lykor's hand after their brutal clash in the jungle.

Even if they escape unscathed, their battle is far from over. The remaining Heart of Stars must still be reclaimed, and ancient secrets wait to be unearthed on the other side of the world…

©2025 Samantha Amstutz (P)2025 Podium Audio

Too Much Anger

I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this book was a disappointment. Too much focus on Lykor and his infantile rage. Too many chapters dedicated to Lykor’s angry and aggressive posturing. No character development for this one. When the author finally gave time to other characters interactions, there was respite. But too much talking about the same old things and slow movement to the narrative. I expected more development of the lore regarding Druid’s and dragons, but that didn’t even begin to happen until the end of the book. I basically gave up after chapter 33 and went to the last couple of chapters. More of the same and another cliff hangar. It’s too bad as I was looking forward to getting this book and I’m disappointed with the minimal story arc. So done with this series.

Great book

it's just keep getting better and better I love this book and now I start the agonizing wait for the next one🥲😁

Favorite so far

This book isn’t perfect, not one book I’ve ever read is, even my favorites. There will always be something that frustrates or disappoints someone. There was a lot of anger and two steps forward one step back in character development. Characters acting like idiots, questioning another’s feelings or motives even after it has been plainly laid-out to them, but it’s usually done so that we can watch their development and maturity, and so the author can impart some kind of wisdom to us (whether explicitly written or implied).

Those frustrations aside, the book shifted between multiple settings, plot lines, and paces, which had me not wanting to put it down. The story and lore is getting more complex and it feels like you’ve entered a world inhabited by different societies, rather than a world where there is only one “country”/ruler/people. In the first book, it felt very disjointed with the primitive human societies/kingdoms that really didn’t have much control and the elves as the revered power and puppet masters. But this book gives us much more depth in different factions of those opposing the king, the wraith, and others that I won’t spoil.

The magic gets more complex, so don’t think you’ve seen it all in the first two books, and I’m expecting even more revelations in the next book(s).

Yes it ends in a cliffhanger, but in a way that is typical when it’s not the last book in a series. There is more to the story that needs to be told, but it isn’t a heart-wrenching cliffhanger like book 2 when Fen’s life is hanging in the balance.

Overall, I think I enjoyed this book the most of the 3 so far and I eagerly look forward to the rest of the story…I am just not thrilled to have to wait some more.

I wanted to love it as much as 1 & 2 but I didn't

I struggled to keep interest. The beginning was great, but it really got bogged down. There have been since book 1 three characters whose perspectives we follow. One of them is horribly unlikable. Because I’ve read a lot of romantasy and fantasy Romance where one character started as a villain or unlikeable and it turned around, I assumed it was that.

I think it’s supposed to be, but at the end of book 3 he’s still so intolerable. And he’s supposed to be having this will they/wont they slow burn with the other male whose head you’re in. And that poor man has been repeatedly traumatized and SAed for 200 years. I don’t want a love interest for him. I want him to heal.

They’re not falling in love. They’re trauma bonding. Because the first MMC that is so unlikable is so because of PTSD. Also, it is clear he is the “alter” in a DID situation created from trauma to protect the person whose body he inhibits. He was not born. He was created by their mind to protect the original during horrible torture. However, he’s so stalwart that he is his own person. And they fight constantly. And he gets angry that everyone wants the person whose body he inhibits ‘not him.’ Well, yeah. That goal of someone with DID is to repair the trauma and integrate the alters back into their minds. Not to constantly have to switch back and forth the rest of existence. So that’s additionally frustrating.

And finally, the FMC. Is in a MFM relationship where one of the males just has begrudgingly accepted that she’s not gonna leave the other dude but isn’t happy. And the other one was already in an open relationship and relentlessly tries to get under the skin of the other dude.

All in all, I’m frustrated.