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Shadow of the Endless
While her starfaring people are being hunted by an implacable enemy, a young caver discovers a traitor in their ranks and must undertake a transformative journey across the galaxy to save everything she has ever known.
Persecuted for their worship of the Endless—an ancient, galactic-spanning race of god-like power, who disappeared long ago—the Pilgrims escaped the world of Raia almost a century ago, fleeing the despotic rule of the United Empire in a dozen space-faring fleets. The Pilgrims of the Horizon of Light fleet have spent two long years being hunted by an especially determined Empire foe. Now though, it appears they've finally caught a break, laying low on a non-descript comet that's hurtling into deep space.
Young Pilgrim Sewa Eze wants to become a caver—and head into the depths on deserted moons, asteroids, and worlds to secure whatever the fleet precious resources, Endless relics, even Dust. However, a strange device is discovered deep in the ice of the comet they shelter on—suggesting dark forces are afoot—and Sewa is instead selected for a leadership role at the Ceremony of Duties and must reassess her life, beginning with finding the traitor in their ranks who threatens her entire fleet's existence.
The course of Sewa’s life changes forever as she is forced to confront treachery, discover the secrets of the ancient past and travel to the very heart of the tyrannical United Empire.
Persecuted for their worship of the Endless—an ancient, galactic-spanning race of god-like power, who disappeared long ago—the Pilgrims escaped the world of Raia almost a century ago, fleeing the despotic rule of the United Empire in a dozen space-faring fleets. The Pilgrims of the Horizon of Light fleet have spent two long years being hunted by an especially determined Empire foe. Now though, it appears they've finally caught a break, laying low on a non-descript comet that's hurtling into deep space.
Young Pilgrim Sewa Eze wants to become a caver—and head into the depths on deserted moons, asteroids, and worlds to secure whatever the fleet precious resources, Endless relics, even Dust. However, a strange device is discovered deep in the ice of the comet they shelter on—suggesting dark forces are afoot—and Sewa is instead selected for a leadership role at the Ceremony of Duties and must reassess her life, beginning with finding the traitor in their ranks who threatens her entire fleet's existence.
The course of Sewa’s life changes forever as she is forced to confront treachery, discover the secrets of the ancient past and travel to the very heart of the tyrannical United Empire.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2024
31 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 14, 2024
Immediate caveat that I've played all of the Endless games including Endless Space, from which this novel takes a lot of its world building. I absolutely loved this book. Shadow of the Endless follows Sewa, a young adult on the run from a totalitarian civilization known as the United Empire, as she comes to terms with betrayal, abandonment, and drastic self rediscovery. If you're a fan of the Endless Universe or not, I think this book is really a treat if you enjoy Science Fiction. The descriptions of cave diving were fascinating; the characters and their motivations were compelling; and the overarching plot kept me hooked to the end. If they end up releasing another book, I'll definitely be giving it a try.
October 25, 2024
I was recommended to pick this up by a friend (I purchased it from forbidden planet in the UK).
Despite having no prior experience of the Endless universe it was a great read. Entertaining, well paced, it maintained a good level of tension throughout. There was enough explanation of the lore to ensure the book made sense to newcomers like myself, while not being overdone - so should still appeal to people who already know the universe from the games.
Thoroughly recommend - I found it engaging from start to finish
Despite having no prior experience of the Endless universe it was a great read. Entertaining, well paced, it maintained a good level of tension throughout. There was enough explanation of the lore to ensure the book made sense to newcomers like myself, while not being overdone - so should still appeal to people who already know the universe from the games.
Thoroughly recommend - I found it engaging from start to finish
November 5, 2024
Above all, this is a book for fans.
Descriptions of aliens are short, for the most part, and serve more to prompt a familiar mind to tell them what to recognise more than what the character sees. Anyone who doesn't know their Vaulters from their Siphons to their Cravers might find their minds eye cloudy.
For fans like myself, however, this is everything I could have wanted.
The galaxy of the Endless feels more real and lived-in than it has before--actually seeing the magic of how much of the more mundane stuff of the setting works up close than from an abstracted strategy map is what this novel is all about.
I was anxious in the first half that we wouldn't get to see more of the universe than the Pilgrims but Gaskell handedly proved me wrong, introducing us to parts of the setting that I thought was well-beyond this book's scope. I was refreshed at how much it took advantage of most all of the readers would be familiar with the Endless as it gets a lot of baseline knowledge out of the way quickly and naturally, revealing things that another series might leave until the end of a second book.
There's plenty of small details and diatribes that fans of the game will enjoy a lot. They're all the better if you can frame these events as something actually happening within a game of Endless Space. (I have to give a shout-out to Auriga getting a good mention.)
And I haven't mentioned the story yet. It's good! Game novels often run the risk of striking a poor balance of fan service and a real plot but, despite this review focusing much of the fan elements, the story is tight, tense, and emotional. Sewa has unexpected nuances that unfurl over the plot, especially with her relation to other characters, that lends a lot of believability to her story. The story doesn't end right when the action stops, which I appreciate since the "end as soon as possible" mentality is overrated in literature spaces.
There are a couple weaknesses of this being a fan focused book, however. Some elements are predictable long ahead of schedule. For at least a couple of them, I think this was done on purpose but I'm not sure the dramatic irony was worth it.
I also would have liked to see a more prominent pro-Endless Pilgrim as all of the important ones we meet are very much ambivalent at best about the whole religion, which, again, is the point but I think some contrast would have been good.
One last note: There were a couple times where I was taken out of the story by some odd word choices. Nothing exotic or strange, but "biblical" was distracting. Of course it's impossible to decouple the English language from cultural context and perhaps I'm a hypocrite for not noticing other words that are just as guilty, but I couldn't help but wonder if there was a large part of the world building I missed.
Overall, I loved this book. This, being the second/third review, doesn't give me a huge deal of hope for a sequel but I wish it makes enough sense for Amplitude to continue novels in this universe, especially more for Sewa Eze or of the legendary Auriga.
Descriptions of aliens are short, for the most part, and serve more to prompt a familiar mind to tell them what to recognise more than what the character sees. Anyone who doesn't know their Vaulters from their Siphons to their Cravers might find their minds eye cloudy.
For fans like myself, however, this is everything I could have wanted.
The galaxy of the Endless feels more real and lived-in than it has before--actually seeing the magic of how much of the more mundane stuff of the setting works up close than from an abstracted strategy map is what this novel is all about.
I was anxious in the first half that we wouldn't get to see more of the universe than the Pilgrims but Gaskell handedly proved me wrong, introducing us to parts of the setting that I thought was well-beyond this book's scope. I was refreshed at how much it took advantage of most all of the readers would be familiar with the Endless as it gets a lot of baseline knowledge out of the way quickly and naturally, revealing things that another series might leave until the end of a second book.
There's plenty of small details and diatribes that fans of the game will enjoy a lot. They're all the better if you can frame these events as something actually happening within a game of Endless Space. (I have to give a shout-out to Auriga getting a good mention.)
And I haven't mentioned the story yet. It's good! Game novels often run the risk of striking a poor balance of fan service and a real plot but, despite this review focusing much of the fan elements, the story is tight, tense, and emotional. Sewa has unexpected nuances that unfurl over the plot, especially with her relation to other characters, that lends a lot of believability to her story. The story doesn't end right when the action stops, which I appreciate since the "end as soon as possible" mentality is overrated in literature spaces.
There are a couple weaknesses of this being a fan focused book, however. Some elements are predictable long ahead of schedule. For at least a couple of them, I think this was done on purpose but I'm not sure the dramatic irony was worth it.
I also would have liked to see a more prominent pro-Endless Pilgrim as all of the important ones we meet are very much ambivalent at best about the whole religion, which, again, is the point but I think some contrast would have been good.
One last note: There were a couple times where I was taken out of the story by some odd word choices. Nothing exotic or strange, but "biblical" was distracting. Of course it's impossible to decouple the English language from cultural context and perhaps I'm a hypocrite for not noticing other words that are just as guilty, but I couldn't help but wonder if there was a large part of the world building I missed.
Overall, I loved this book. This, being the second/third review, doesn't give me a huge deal of hope for a sequel but I wish it makes enough sense for Amplitude to continue novels in this universe, especially more for Sewa Eze or of the legendary Auriga.
August 4, 2025
I am not familiar with the Endless games, however that did not detract from my enjoyement of listening to this audiobook set in that universe. It has good background with the Pilgrims of the Horizon of Light fleet and their running from Raia and the empire, searching for the mysterious Endless and I did not feel lost at all. Sewa is an interesting character who has a crazy adventure, starting with an attack by the Empire, betrayal of an old friend/father figure, being changed into something else, finding answers about the Endless and Dust and her father, and figuring out what she wants to do with her life. She meets interesting beings and will do anything to get back to her family and protect them. I found this audiobook engaging and interesting and the ending nicely satisfying though it would be cool to listen to more stories set in this universe.
The narrator, Penelope Rawlins does a great job in brining Sewa to life and the journey she must take to find answers and get back to the Pilgrim fleet and her family and friends. I hope we can see where her next steps will take her and where the Endless have gone.
The narrator, Penelope Rawlins does a great job in brining Sewa to life and the journey she must take to find answers and get back to the Pilgrim fleet and her family and friends. I hope we can see where her next steps will take her and where the Endless have gone.
October 17, 2024
Shadow of the Endless is a thrilling and immersive sci-fi masterpiece that delivers a deeply compelling story, set in the rich Endless Universe. From the very first chapter, I was captivated by the main character, Sewa and the worldbuilding, which blends sci-fi, political intrigue, betrayal and cosmic mysteries in a way that feels both grand in scale and deeply personal.
In short, Shadow of the Endless is a must-read for any sci-fi fan who enjoys high-stakes adventure, complex characters, and a universe that feels alive with possibility. Note that the Endless Universe is a universe that hosts several video games, and this is the first novel that explores a personal narrative. The book left me eagerly anticipating the next installment, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
In short, Shadow of the Endless is a must-read for any sci-fi fan who enjoys high-stakes adventure, complex characters, and a universe that feels alive with possibility. Note that the Endless Universe is a universe that hosts several video games, and this is the first novel that explores a personal narrative. The book left me eagerly anticipating the next installment, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
March 11, 2025
Reading this book was exciting from the word go and kept me gripped until the end, a real page turner. It was great to follow the adventures of the young cave explorer Sewa Eze and the weird and wonderful aliens, friends and foes that she met along the way. There were many twists and turns, ups and downs to the plot that kept me guessing throughout the story. It incorporated new technology with more ancient rites of passage and faith.
I’ve loved science fiction and fantasy of all sorts, over a lifetime of reading since I discovered it as a teenager and this story didn’t disappoint.
I can recommend this book to anyone from those who have just discovered science fiction to those who, like me, enjoy finding new authors.
I’ve loved science fiction and fantasy of all sorts, over a lifetime of reading since I discovered it as a teenager and this story didn’t disappoint.
I can recommend this book to anyone from those who have just discovered science fiction to those who, like me, enjoy finding new authors.
December 12, 2024
Shadow of the Endless is a solid sci-fi romp that adapts one of my favourite videogame universes to the page. One that maybe spends a bit too much time in cabes instead of spaceships, but that's not a bad change of pace per se xD
I'm not sure how good of an entry point to the rest of the Endless Universe it really is, too much time spent playing to give an unbiased opinion, but I had fun seeing the setting from this close. The plot sort of meanders a bit in the middle, but not unbearably so, and the writing and characterisation is good enough that you end up caring for Sewa even at her most teenager moments.
Solid 4/5, hope we get to visit the setting again soon.
I'm not sure how good of an entry point to the rest of the Endless Universe it really is, too much time spent playing to give an unbiased opinion, but I had fun seeing the setting from this close. The plot sort of meanders a bit in the middle, but not unbearably so, and the writing and characterisation is good enough that you end up caring for Sewa even at her most teenager moments.
Solid 4/5, hope we get to visit the setting again soon.
January 2, 2025
A dream come true for a fan of both the Endless Universe games like myself. More importantly, the story is masterfully crafted so that it is accessible to all readers, whether familiar with the world lore or not.
Gaskell crafts living, complex characters who grow and change the world around them. Even the most inconsequencial characters are fascinating and a pleasure to follow. The story's pacing is fantastic, and is never dull; I found myself devouring page after page and now wait with fingers crossed for a sequel or other novels set in this rich universe.
A novel I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone, regardless of their previous experience with the Endless franchise.
Gaskell crafts living, complex characters who grow and change the world around them. Even the most inconsequencial characters are fascinating and a pleasure to follow. The story's pacing is fantastic, and is never dull; I found myself devouring page after page and now wait with fingers crossed for a sequel or other novels set in this rich universe.
A novel I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone, regardless of their previous experience with the Endless franchise.
August 30, 2025
3.5/5
This review is for the audio version of the book, narrated by Penelope Rawlins.
This was ok for me. The story was a little YA, but tension, mood, and settings were done well.
The plot and characters were pretty basic. A girl with a broken past has an accident, gains powers, must save the galaxy from tyranny. Not bad, just basic.
There's a lot of lore built into this from the games it's associated with (I'm assuming here, I haven't actually played them), and it seems pretty fleshed out. The races of aliens were cool, the history of the Endless and the Lost were interesting.
Not a bad read, if you're into these things, it'd be worth your time to read.
This review is for the audio version of the book, narrated by Penelope Rawlins.
This was ok for me. The story was a little YA, but tension, mood, and settings were done well.
The plot and characters were pretty basic. A girl with a broken past has an accident, gains powers, must save the galaxy from tyranny. Not bad, just basic.
There's a lot of lore built into this from the games it's associated with (I'm assuming here, I haven't actually played them), and it seems pretty fleshed out. The races of aliens were cool, the history of the Endless and the Lost were interesting.
Not a bad read, if you're into these things, it'd be worth your time to read.
July 15, 2025
This is a brilliantly written science fiction novel that fits perfectly within the genre while bringing its own unique voice. The characters are well-developed and genuinely endearing—you can’t help but get attached to them. The world-building is immersive, and the pacing pulls you in from the start. Once you enter this universe, you won’t want to leave. Highly recommended!
November 25, 2024
Great read, loved the world and I’m a sucker for a strong female lead which Sewa definitely was. I really enjoyed her story and adventure across different worlds. Looking forward to see where her journey takes her next!
February 22, 2025
Pretty good book. I enjoyed the overall plot, and based on the ending it appears ready for a sequel.
August 4, 2025
A delight, excited to read more stories in the Endless universe!
August 31, 2025
nice read if you play the computer game so this book becomes a background story for the game. Otherwise, it is a little bit to generic for a sci-fi story.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews