The holiest artefact on earth is filled with an incredible and deadly power. Now, one man has to find it before the sinister forces of Iron Star, a modern-day remnant of the heinous Ahnenerbe, who seek the Biblical artefact’s power as a means for world domination.
In this heart-pounding sequel to Eternal Tides, treasure hunter Ethan Forde is thrust into the web of betrayal as he undertakes the deadly quest, with the very future of the world depending on his success in finding the ancient relic.
As Ethan navigates a world of deception, loyalty is tested, and a love thought lost is rekindled. With danger lurking at every turn, it's a battle to a startling finish, a finish fuelled by the magic, the light—and the power—of the Spear of Destiny!
Shadows of Destiny is a great sequel that plunges readers back into the high-stakes, action-packed world of treasure hunter Ethan Forde.
This is certainly a fun pulse-pounding, globe-trotting adventure that will appeal to fans of Indiana Jones, Uncharted, and Tomb Raider. Packed with intense action scenes, high-speed chases, and narrow escapes. Bright has a knack for writing cinematic sequences that keep readers on the edge of their seats, much like a blockbuster adventure film.
The new collection of bad guys does not disappoint. Dr. Nadja Koloff, the leader of Iron Star's efforts to retrieve the Spear, is a formidable and well-crafted antagonist whose obsession with the Spear makes her a chilling threat.
The novel's pacing is relentless, with little downtime between high-stakes action scenes and puzzle-solving moments. Bright keeps the story moving at a brisk pace, balancing action with moments of reflection and character development. A real page turner.
Bright expertly combines historical intrigue, intense action, and a touch of the supernatural, creating a story that both excites and entertains. While some of the character depth could be further explored, the thrilling pace and mystery of the Spear of Destiny make this a fantastic follow-up to Eternal Tides. If you’re a fan of treasure-hunting thrillers, Shadows of Destiny is a must-read and will not disappoint!
An exciting and nostalgic story of what happens next for Ethan, Mac, and Kate. Mac is so loveable, I enjoyed seeing more about him and his life plus I loved the addition of the 4th character Saleem he made me think of Sallahand Ardeth. The ending was just perfect 🥹 exactly what I wanted when I read the first book.
It was like reading all the best bits of the Indiana Jones collection. So good for a relaxed and feel-good read ✨️
This would also be absolutely perfect for young readers who are just getting into reading. Will certainly capture their imagination and excitement for adventure.
I picked this up as I enjoyed Marc Bright's first book Eternal Tides. I actually enjoyed this more. I do enjoy an Indiana Jones / Lara Croft adventure and this has everything and more. Would happily recommend this. Easy 5 stars for me. Look forward to the authors 3rd.
Can someone buy the rights to this and turn it into a series or film please!!!??
Shadows of Destiny is a fantastic sequel to the series, delivering plenty of action, intrigue, and a deadly race for a powerful relic. What more could you wish for!?
Fans of classic adventure franchises like Indiana Jones and Uncharted will feel right at home in this high-stakes world. With strong pacing, dynamic characters, and a touch of supernatural intrigue, Shadows of Destiny is an exciting and satisfying adventure that left me eagerly awaiting the next book.
The author has again managed to ground the historical elements in the story and this really adds richness, with fascinating references to Napoleon’s campaign of Egypt and Syria, the legend of the Spear of Destiny, and real-world mysteries surrounding the relic. These historical threads make the story feel both educational and hugely entertaining, providing a sense of authenticity that enhances the treasure-hunting theme.
I loved the characters, old and new. Ethan Forde is an action hero with depth. His inner conflict, trust issues, and determination to protect those he cares about add layers to his character, making him more than just a treasure hunter. The return of Mac (YES!), with his experience and wisdom, brings balance. I liked that we got more of Kate in this story. She felt like a bit of a passenger in Eternal Tides but has a more prominent role in this story and her strength and resilience really did shine through. The new ally, Saleem, is a compelling supporting character and I love his ties back to Mac in their younger days.
For the bad guys we have Gaspard Dubois, who serves as one of the more complex antagonists in Shadows of Destiny. A former associate of Ethan, Dubois is not just a simple villain—he’s a character driven by greed, ambition, and betrayal, making him one of the more intriguing players in the story. His role as a morally ambiguous figure adds a layer of unpredictability to the narrative. He is a classic rogue treasure hunter, a slippery character with smarts and a ruthless streak.
Yuri Volgin, a key member of the Iron Star organisation, stands out as one of the most physically imposing and terrifying villains in Shadows of Destiny. He reminded me of the character Jaws from the James Bond movies. He embodies Iron Stars brute force, with his loyalty to their dark cause, and a near-fanatical commitment to Koloff’s vision, making him a chilling adversary to Ethan and the gang.
Nadja Koloff is the standout antagonist for me. Her cold intellect and sinister ambitions to harness the Spear’s power for her group’s deadly cause make her a well-drawn villain. She elevates the stakes, as she isn’t just a physical threat but represents a terrifying ideology. She really did give me the creeps!
What I love most about Bright's books, is that they are quicker reads. Every chapter feels like its own episode in a limited series, leaving you on a cliff hanger where you cannot resist the urge to continue on. This is a 'binge book' real fast fiction that is heavily plot driven and is so much fun.
A fantastic follow up to Eternal Tides! I really enjoyed this story from start to finish.
Bright follows the trusted formula to give us a quest that is entrenched in history. He gives us enough historical fact that when he weaves in the more fantastical elements of the story, you can easily go along with it all.
I particularly liked that this story spent a bit more time with other characters. Eternal Tides was written very much from the perspective of the main character, Ethan Forde, but Shadows of Destiny spends more time with Mac (my favourite character) and Kate. We also spend some more time with the new set of villains so we can understand their motivations a bit more.
Again, Bright's love of the pulpy adventure story shines through. This could have easily been an Indiana Jones film! Seriously get this book if you too, or someone you know, enjoys adventure stories.
I pre-ordered the Kindle version of this book and read it one sitting! I could not put it down.
Loved the second book by Marc Bright , great to learn more about Mac my favourite character and have warmed to Kate , loads of new skilled bad guys with greed in their eyes, would love to see it on film