The Shadow Trials

Starweaver Academy, Book Two

By: Shawn Connelly

Narrated by: Joshua Story, Katherine Grant-Suttie

The Shadow Trials have returned after nearly 40 years. For Finn Tempest and his crew, survival may bring glory, but what comes after could cost them everything.

Finn never asked to command The Tidebreaker, a legendary ship carved with ancient runes and bound to a forgotten legacy. But when Starweaver Academy revives its most dangerous gauntlet, he and his crew are hurled into storms, shifting mazes, and shadow-forged arenas where fear itself takes form.

At his side are more than cadets. Marina, the strategist. Rowan, the voice of hope. Lena, the fierce fighter. Corin, the quiet engineer. Together, they face trials that awaken powers long thought buried and stir whispers of an empire rising once more.

Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, V.E. Schwab, and Robin Hobb, The Shadow Trials is the thrilling sequel to Tidebreaker’s Call.The Shadow Trials are calling. Ready your crew?

©2025 Shawn Connelly (P)2025 Shawn Connelly

The Shadow Trials

The Shadow Trials Starweaver Academy, Book Two. The Shadow Trials is the thrilling second installment in the Starweaver Academy series. This is good for anyone who likes fantasy adventure, deep character bonds and high stakes where your new found family is everything. Shadow trials really explores finding your place between two worlds and how powerful the bond of loyalty over bloodlines can be.

I enjoyed the story and all its characters

It is a very dynamic story. It has a lot of characters that are well developed and, of course, a fictional and entertaining story. Sometimes the performer's way of saying the dialogue put me off.

Got My Imagination Going

I really enjoyed listening to The Shadow Trials! Finn and his crew felt so real, and their friendship made me care about every risky moment aboard The Tidebreaker. It was so cool how there were so many different narrators for each voice. The world-building swept me away, especially with all the mysterious mazes and wild storms they had to survive. I found it so fun to just imagine I was right there with them. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing out each character’s quirks, especially Marina and Lena. What stood out to me was how the challenges weren’t just epic battles that tested everyone’s courage and loyalty, too. I am looking forward to more books by this author as I get more into the fantasy world.

Coming of Age Mets Nautical Adventure

I have not yet listened to Book 1 in this series. Though full of foreshadowing for Book 3, The Shadow Trials is a fast-paced, intriguing stand alone book. I loved watching the self discovery paths for each of the Tidebreaker Crew members. They are relatable, as they struggle with self doubt, vulnerability, and building team dynamics. Even the protagonist's quest for power and recognition mirror those seeking the love and affirmation they never received from parents. As for the performance, I appreciated the different variations both the male and female narrators used to differentiate characters. They did a great job.

I highly recommend this book. It pulls you in immediately and never lets up. Great job, Mr. Connelly!

Epic, Emotional, and Unforgettable!

The Shadow Trials takes everything I loved about the first book and raises the stakes sky high. The blend of magical challenges, heart pounding adventure, and the unshakeable bonds of Finn and his crew kept me hooked from start to finish. The world building is vivid, the characters feel like family, and the action had me on the edge of my seat. This is epic fantasy at its finest, found family, ancient secrets, and trials that test more than just strength. I can’t wait for the next installment!