Shadow of Mars: Starship's Mage Book Eighteen

Starship’s Mage #18

by Glynn Stewart

The fleets of Mars have been forced into retreat
But the shadow of their power remains!

Mage-Captain Roslyn Chambers is trapped behind enemy lines, on the allied world the Royal Martian Navy failed to save from the alien Reezh. Her official mission is to wait, because her Mage-Queen has given her Chimera will be free.

But as atrocity and oppression mount on the occupied world, the same drive that led her to become a starship captain turns against her. The innocent cry out, and Roslyn finds she must answer.

To honor her oaths, Roslyn Chambers will become a deserter. A symbol. A leader.

But against impossible odds, how far can she go before her fight makes things worse for the very people she is trying to save?

Genres: Science Fiction

469 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2026

About the author

Glynn Stewart is the author of over 60 books, including Starship’s Mage, a bestselling science fiction and fantasy series where faster-than-light travel is possible–but only because of magic.

Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.

Reviews

[terras-bib · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got the book 2 weeks early, and am very thankful for that

I do not like the direction the Starship Mage’s general story took since the last some parts, its not bad per se, but I feel like its a reset, even if its not an obvious one.

I absolutely ‘blindly’ love the first 12 books, also the side stories icl Red Falcon…, but since then too many deaths, and that I feel is a too often used method to increase the tension per ‘danger’, instead of finding something matching the vibe of the start / origins of the story, also too much cruelty.
Its another thing if a story has those aspect from the very beginning, but so it feels too much like a break of the mold to lengthen the story in a way.
In addition the end of this book is in a way a repeat of something that happened to her early on, not happy about that neither.
Really difficult to word without giving away spoilers
I still support the author, will wait for the last part of that ‘story-arc’ to decide of I’ll stay on or hop off the support as I do it solely for this book series

[Leon Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heartfelt thanks to Glynn Stewart for this well constructed addition to the StarShip’s Mage saga. Roslyn Chambers makes a bold move to support a push against the invaders that could be really productive or cause the Reezh to act brutally against the Planet, a catch 22 call.

The plot develops carefully and decisively as Roslyn builds alliances with groups fighting against the occupation forces. Friendships are forged with a mixed group of players, created by this talented writer, as they face this dangerous adversary who has demonstrated the will to destroy whole worlds to achieve their domination, one way or the other.

The ebb and flow builds towards a series of engagements, lives are saved but friends are lost, inevitable in what could be seen as an up-hill struggle.
The narrative and plot keeps the pages turning as this exciting story unfolds. I am left looking forward very much to the next episode of this story.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. The story is centred on Roslyn and give us more detail on her abilities as a Mage. We are introduced to new characters on both sides of the conflict. To say the book ended on a cliffhanger is an understatement and I hope the next book won’t take too long to come out. For the story line, the additional details on Roslyn’s abilities and the new characters I gave it 5 stars.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to the series that really should be read in order.

Roslyn Chambers has grown a lot!
She knows her duty to the Navy and to the Queen.
While these separate oaths should be aligned the circumstances on Chimera show they
are not --- which takes priority for Roslyn?

The right one as it turns out.
Well paced between narrative and action.

Already looking forward for book 19!

[Jean Makita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosalyn is a straight monster

How Glynn finds ways to come up with these characters we care about like it's easy, is beyond me. The action is INSANE! Rosalyn Chambers is a bad somebody, and she ain't here to play second fiddle. Just as good as we expect from our boy. Hellacious read.💪🏾😤

[PhilippeO · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its glynn stewart spy fiction, which is never as good as glynn stewart naval military sci-fi. Characters make crazy military ops that doesnt made sense, enemies competence and personality change every chapter, character just appear suddenly. But its tense and enaging reads.

[Richard John Wozencroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind Blowing by numbers.

Masterfully envisaged, properly and skilfully peopled. Excellent pace, totally enthralled. Heroin 'par excellence' and a supporting cast of cyborg enhanced and gifted favourites from within the series.

[Jennifer Baratta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Glynn Stewart for the Advanced readers copy. Chambers rocks this book and goes beyond Montgomery with what she does here and book 19 can not come soon enough.

[Adena Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does a mage do when a planet is being oppressed? Resist, of course. The Maquis of France would have been proud to work with Roslyn Chambers in protecting Garuda's population. I am impressed by just how much she was able to accomplish in her haphazard stand, and I have to wonder what she will be able to do in the next book. This book is really good; the next promises to be better.

I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.