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Shadow Ender

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Callie’s Light Cores are gone. She’s imprisoned in a desert world. Her Seer Toran blames her for the death of his sister. Oh, and the Queen Beyond the Stars is one step closer to destroying the multiverse. So, things are just great. Callie must find the remaining Light Cores before the Queen’s evil Shadowmancer minions do. But this world’s Light Core is hidden at the center of a homicidal death maze that only a Luminaut can conquer. Figures, right? To make things more fun, formerly evil, mostly undead (and still smoking hot) Nate Ormandi arrives to help Callie and her friends. And he’s got Toran’s very much alive sister with him. Surprise! However, as Nate and Callie work to conquer the death maze, Toran keeps leading them into traps. Is Callie’s grumpy Seer trying to get them killed, or is someone else pulling the strings? Time is running out. The Darkness is stronger than ever. As the line between enemy and ally blurs, the last Luminaut will face a terrible choice, one that will change the whole multiverse forever.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2023

1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read

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Haylie Hanson

6 books13 followers

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Cheyenne Langevelde.
Author 5 books158 followers
April 12, 2023
Endorsement:
Haylie Hanson has done it again! In this thrilling third book, Hanson weaves all the loose ends of the previous books into a stunning conclusion that is action and relationship packed and will leave you on the edge of your seat the entire ride. Sci-fi fans, this one is for you.

Review:
This book was everything I hoped for and more. This trilogy was originally what got me into reading sci-fi, and I can happily say that this book is just as good (if not better) than the first two books in the series. From the original, beloved (or hated) characters, to a few new faces, the banter and dynamics between the cast is brilliant, and the settings are so vividly written that I felt like I was watching a show. Plus the action and tension of the story kept me reading until I had discovered I had read the entire book in one afternoon. Utterly amazing!

SPOILERS
Profile Image for Janine.
523 reviews78 followers
June 7, 2023
I've been looking forward to Shadow Ender since reading the first two books of The Luminaut Trilogy, World Diver and Light Hunter, back in 2022 and enjoying the science fantasy vibe as well as Callie's unique voice. This exciting finale delivered and I was especially loving the characters and lore expansion, which made this a quick page turner.

Shadow Ender picks up from the cliffhanger ending of Light Hunter and things pick up super fast, with our heroes getting into even more trouble than ever in yet another fantasy world. Once again, I loved the characters so much, especially the POV ones, who grow a lot in this book, and made me turn the pages to see what was next. Callie with her snark and casual references, Nate with his slightly out of date prose (considering his backstory, it fits), and Toran, more of a stubborn grump. I enjoyed the supporting cast as well, both new and returning cast members. And believe it or not, I felt something for the Queen by the end. The character relations were complex and I enjoyed watching them change and shift, though I think the three POVs were my favorite, especially with Toran. And there is a bit of a romance, but it's not spicy, just some kissing.

The world building and lore get deeper expanded, all with great and immersive description, and I was fascinated with some of the technology and the past history of this verse. I loved how the line between light and dark was blurred even further, and it was fun to see the new creatures that our group encounters, and we got to see a little bit of old locations, seeing this is the finale. Though I wish we got a bit more of Earth toward the end.

I did enjoy the thrilling climax and ending, wraps up all the important storylines, and leaves things open for more adventures, which is always a plus! If you're any way interested in YA Science Fantasy and/or multiverse type action/adventure stories, do not skip this one.

*I received an ARC from Uncommon Universe Press. All opinions are my own.*
Profile Image for Heidi.
317 reviews13 followers
April 16, 2023
Am I sad the Luminaut trilogy is over?
Yes.
Did I love every second of the wild ride that was Shadow Ender?
ABSOLUTELY.

Awkward flirting and chaos robots and SO. MUCH. SNARK and I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

A final showdown between Light and Darkness and a few things I didn’t expect made for a fantastic conclusion to the series!
(And maybe we should talk about the adorable ridiculousness of our sweet baby Nate?? Because NATE)

Much drama and angst and chaos and I definitely cried over one thing but I’m not going to spoil anything for you guys, just go read it!

If you’re into portal fantasies, girls in STEM, teen angst, and epic battles of light vs darkness, READ THIS SERIES. You won’t regret it.

I received an advance copy from the publisher, a review was not required and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Andria Henry.
Author 7 books100 followers
April 14, 2023
A thrill-ride conclusion to a fantastic series. Was the first book in this series a cover buy for me because it featured a surfer girl and a large robot? Yes. Was it everything I hoped for in a science fantasy featuring a reluctant STEM-loving girl hero, California beaches, and robot companions? Also yes.
Each book in this trilogy takes readers to new and exciting worlds, each with its own perils. This finale was fantastic. All our favourite characters return, and we make some new friends along the way. Friends that can shoot lightning from their hands. Chock full of witty teenage snark (“And of course, the moment I need my Light to work, all I’ve got is sparkle hands.”), this also has so much dang HEART. “Light will endure, even if it seems to fade. Love will cover the cost of grief.” Okay, even as I type that last line, I’m a little teary. But also in true Hanson fashion, it’s also really creepy. Think death maze with disembodied *SPOILER* and walls that grow *SPOILER*. If you haven’t started this trilogy yet, I highly recommend it. If you have, then get your butt to the preorder for this book!
Profile Image for Liz Koetsier.
113 reviews23 followers
April 12, 2023
Wow. What an ending. I had so many feels. I admit, I have a personal attachment to this book and a little nostalgia because the trilogy has been a part of my life and followed me through a lot of changes. Callie and World Diver were a hopeful escape when I needed it. They made me laugh, and smile, and now I can officially say these books *almost* made me cry (and this is hard to do, I'll have you know). I'm sad to say goodbye to this dysfunctional found-family. It was a perfect ending, bittersweet. You get all the action promised, plus some, and despite everyone's chaos they all come together. Haylie is a magician for making chaotic characters meld together so well.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 13 books89 followers
April 18, 2023
Hold onto your seats and get ready for a wild ride! Hanson takes the Luminaut series to the next level with this thrilling conclusion! It's got all the teen snark, adorable pet robots, and a slow-burn romance that will leave you swooning. This book is a riveting experience that you won't want to put down. Join Callie, Nate, Toran, Nemo, and the rest of the crew as they dive between worlds to save the multiverse from the Queen Beyond the Stars. Oh, and look out for a heart-stopping ending!

A fantastic finale to an awesome YA sci-fi story!
Profile Image for Marie Lynch.
27 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2023
This series was so good! I am very picky about trilogies if we are being honest (i have the attention span of a gnat) but this series exceeded my expectations! I love the growth and character development… characters I was annoyed with I grew to love when understanding the complexity. (Cough cough Toran (i love him now) )

Definitely recommend giving this series a try!

Also a new addition to my book boyfriends….Nate… what can I say, I have a type.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
July 14, 2023
The 3rd book was worth the wait! This book, and overall series, was such a fun ride. It really has everything with action, humor, heartache, a heroine you love, character growth, and all in such an imaginative setting. The ending was totally unexpected but satisfying. I’ve loved being on this adventure with Callie and her friends.
Profile Image for Lizzy Hite.
266 reviews
April 22, 2023
Loved this conclusion to the Luminaut trilogy! Nate and Nemo remain my favorite characters, but all the redemption arcs were so good, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Would definitely recommend reading this series!

~I received an early copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a positive review.~
Profile Image for Cassandra Hamm.
Author 26 books75 followers
August 28, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up.

Callie and Nate are OTP <3 I was screaming JUST KISS!!! Even though they were in a murder labyrinth. I know, my priorities are incorrect. XD pizza date <3 I think Toran is a butthole and I really don’t care for him but I know he has his reasons or whatever. Still not a big fan. :P I was getting a little irritated that he wasn’t seeing how Heike wasn’t acting like herself. Ayla was a great new character. I was so angry at the beginning with the authorities totally focusing on the wrong thing (gives me some Order of the Phoenix vibes). Stupid Manu. Wish Nemo was in this one more, my sweet little mech <3 also we had surfing brought back in this one which I loved! Missed the surfing aspect from book one. Haylie made me sob with a certain death *wails* SO MANY FEELS

Just FYI, this one does have a bit of possession, but as someone who doesn’t like possession, I was still okay with it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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