Shadow Uprising: A LitRPG Academy Adventure

Shieldwall Academy #4

by M. Zaugg

In a world exploding in civil war, victory demands more than just skill—it requires magic, ancient magic.

Pax and his friends are trapped in a deadly game, posing as empire loyalists in a double life secretly supporting the rebellion. Under the scrutiny of the empire’s elite, they collect crucial intel and perfect their formidable taming magic. But their deception is a precarious tightrope walk.

When their cover is blown, Pax and his crew must escape with their crucial magic to the rebel headquarters. It’s a race between the growing strength of the magic Pax brings to the rebellion and the empire’s ruthless strike teams and public executions trying to quash the uprising.

In this high-stakes battle, can Pax’s magic turn the tide, or will the empire snuff out the rebellion before it can truly begin?

With thousands of readers hooked, the Shieldwall Academy series is a must-read for fans of high-stakes LitRPG adventures, like Mark of the Fool, Quest Academy, The Fusionist and Menacing Misfits. Immerse yourself into the magic, intrigue, and relentless battles of Shadow Uprising today!

Each book delivers 750+ pages of epic fantasy, with 20+ hours of immersive Whispersync audio. Click now and start reading today!

Genres: Fantasy

682 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2025

Reviews

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhh. Wow. So good! Yeah the first 3 books were great but Shadow Uprising is the best evarrr... and if you love Powerful Beast Companions like I do it'll be your new favorite addiction, with bloodshot eyes, because you stayed up to late reading! 😆 Pax, his friends, and Beast Companions are at it again helping mages, and fighters get their own tamed beasts and even some crafters are able, with Pax help, get companions. Pax and his friends are clockwork when it comes to taming monsters and turning them into Powerful Beast Companions. Not just working with babies now, because they've leveled up, they can tame adults too. And supplying the Rebels the wherewithal to win the war! And yeah Pax is learning so much from light magic, even able to give mages a second form of Magic to wield, which will boost their offense abilities! And yes as I predicted Pax managed to catch up with his brother Titus. Yay!! Who the eff is fortysecond spawn? He keeps lurking in the shadows getting stronger.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic, Beasts, and a Rebellion on the Brink
Shadow Uprising: A LitRPG Academy Adventure (Shieldwall Academy Book 4)
By: M. Zaugg
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Length: 900 pages
Triggers: War, political deception, magical warfare, high-stakes battles
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love LitRPG packed with powerful beast companions, next-level magic, and pulse-pounding battles, Shadow Uprising is your next obsession. Pax and his crew are deep in enemy territory, playing double agents for the rebellion—until their cover is blown. Now, it’s a race against time to get their game-changing magic to the rebels before the empire wipes them out.

And let’s talk about the beast companions—not just baby monsters anymore, but full-grown, battle-ready titans. Pax is boosting mages with a second form of magic, turning them into walking nukes. And then there’s Fortysecond Spawn—lurking, growing stronger, and giving off major final boss energy.

M. Zaugg nails the action, strategy, and magic system, making this the best book in the series. If you love Mark of the Fool or Quest Academy, don’t even think—just read it. But be warned: You’re gonna lose sleep over this one. 😆🔥





Books in Series:
Awakening Horde (Shieldwall Academy Book 1)
Book 1 of 4: Shieldwall Academy
Emerging Rebel: A LitRPG Academy Adventure (Shieldwall Academy Book 2)
Book 2 of 4: Shieldwall Academy
Elemental Battleground: A LitRPG Academy Adventure (Shieldwall Academy Book 3)
Book 3 of 4: Shieldwall Academy
Shadow Uprising: A LitRPG Academy Adventure (Shieldwall Academy Book 4)
Book 4 of 4: Shieldwall Academy

[Jacqueline Corral · Rating 5 out of 5]

After their revelatory and profitable time spent in the ruins of the Light Headquarters, they return to the city. The rebels are ramping up their campaign and it won’t be long before Pax and his crew will have to leave for good, or be found out and risk having their magic burned out of them or death. It’s debatable which would be worse. As before, they continue to enhance and improve their skills and abilities at a rate previously unknown at Shieldwall Academy, especially Pax - but only very few are fully aware of his talents. The Companion Programme continues, with new discoveries along the way. Also, when will Pax and Titus reunite, for surely they must? As with each of the books in this series, I completely immersed myself in the story and truly felt as if I was there with this amazing group of friends, taking part with them in both battles of wits and physical strength, as well as celebrations. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.

I received my copy for free, and am happily leaving this review voluntarily.

[Matt O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started off slow but the ending was awesome. Big payoffs, big cliff-hanger. I am devastated that I can't start on book 5 right this very second!

I've given these books to two of my sons and they both binged them. That's a good sign!

These books are different than other books that I read. They feel like they are somewhere between young adult and middle grade as far as violent content (threats of violence, but not much on-screen blood/gore), mostly clean language (which I greatly appreciate!), chastity is upheld and/or not an issue, yet the stakes are high and I find myself rooting greatly for the characters.

This series shows that an author can be both clean and entertaining at the same time. It can be done!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadow Uprising is book 4 in this series, and it's a pretty good one. Nice to see the main character not taking any crap from those who believe themselves to be in charge. Good for him, never like when those who believe they control everything want to run roughshod over everyone, even if they don't have a reason to do so.
Looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

High quality writing. By now you should realize that you are in the middle of an academy adventure series. What makes it special is that the students willing jump right in the middle of a civil war.
If I had to pick something negative I would say that it is way to easy to get people to turn against the empire. Even the elite troops change sides after a child, (the MC) talks to them.
Love the series though and it is being written on Royalroad! Go read more!

8/10 Just a lovely little series.

[Danny Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book yet! There is a good amount of plot progression with some huge revelations near the end. The characters see some level progression with cool new skills. I’m excited to see what happens next.

[Richin109 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This is a great continuation of the Shieldwall Academy. I had a hard time setting this book down once I started reading it.

[Johnie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

+1 for the recap

[Vader · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish