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Shard Awakening
A galaxy on the brink of war.
Newborn twins enter the universe carrying something no one fully the Shard, an ancient alien intelligence long mistaken for a disease. It is not a sickness. It is a power. A weapon. A sentient force that has waited nearly ninety thousand years to awaken again.
The moment the twins take their first breath, everything changes.
The hunt begins.
The Federation unleashes its full strength, willing to burn entire worlds to seize what the children carry in their blood. To their pursuers, the twins are not children at all. They are strategic assets — the key to winning a war that has smoldered for generations, and the means to unlock an ancient evil force capable of consuming everything.
With nowhere left to run, the family makes one final gamble.
Their only chance of survival lies on Earth, a planet erased from all official galactic records and believed lost for centuries. But Earth is no sanctuary. Beneath its surface, something older than civilization is stirring, a dormant and ravenous presence waiting to rise again.
As the twins grow, their abilities become increasingly difficult to hide. Their only hope lies with a sworn Protector and a sarcastic AI whose motives are as mysterious as the Shard itself.
The twins are not merely the key to survival.
They are the spark of a future that could save the galaxy… or end it forever.
Newborn twins enter the universe carrying something no one fully the Shard, an ancient alien intelligence long mistaken for a disease. It is not a sickness. It is a power. A weapon. A sentient force that has waited nearly ninety thousand years to awaken again.
The moment the twins take their first breath, everything changes.
The hunt begins.
The Federation unleashes its full strength, willing to burn entire worlds to seize what the children carry in their blood. To their pursuers, the twins are not children at all. They are strategic assets — the key to winning a war that has smoldered for generations, and the means to unlock an ancient evil force capable of consuming everything.
With nowhere left to run, the family makes one final gamble.
Their only chance of survival lies on Earth, a planet erased from all official galactic records and believed lost for centuries. But Earth is no sanctuary. Beneath its surface, something older than civilization is stirring, a dormant and ravenous presence waiting to rise again.
As the twins grow, their abilities become increasingly difficult to hide. Their only hope lies with a sworn Protector and a sarcastic AI whose motives are as mysterious as the Shard itself.
The twins are not merely the key to survival.
They are the spark of a future that could save the galaxy… or end it forever.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
58 people are currently reading
734 people want to read
About the author
Martin Knaggs
2 books6 followersMartin Knaggs is a British-born, New Zealand–based science fiction author and the creator of The Shard Legacy, a planned twelve-book epic blending ancient power, cosmic mystery, and character-driven adventure.
A lifelong storyteller and project manager by trade, Martin spent years building the Shard universe—worlds shaped by forgotten empires, sentient AIs, and Guardians bound by destiny. His writing combines fast-paced sci-fi tension with emotional depth, focusing on the cost of power and the bonds that survive it.
When he’s not writing, Martin can often be found coaching his son’s competitive golf training, sketching new star maps, or refining lore for the next installment of the series. Shard Awakening is his debut novel and the first book in The Shard Legacy.
New readers can explore the world of The Shard Legacy with a free three-chapter preview here:
👉 https://BookHip.com/BBWZMTW
A lifelong storyteller and project manager by trade, Martin spent years building the Shard universe—worlds shaped by forgotten empires, sentient AIs, and Guardians bound by destiny. His writing combines fast-paced sci-fi tension with emotional depth, focusing on the cost of power and the bonds that survive it.
When he’s not writing, Martin can often be found coaching his son’s competitive golf training, sketching new star maps, or refining lore for the next installment of the series. Shard Awakening is his debut novel and the first book in The Shard Legacy.
New readers can explore the world of The Shard Legacy with a free three-chapter preview here:
👉 https://BookHip.com/BBWZMTW
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 4, 2025
What an experience
I have had the privilege of reading this book prior to release.
A really strong debut from a first-time author.
I wasn't sure what to expect going in,but the mix of humour,hottor and fast-paced Sci-fi action worked so surprisingly well.
The pacing 8s quickfrom the first chapter, and there were a couple of moments that genuinely took me off guard.
There is a nice balance between the emotional moments and the darker almost unsettling scenes.
The world building also had a good rhythm: enough detail to paint the picture without slowing the story down.
It most definitely feels like the start of a much bigger series.
By the end of this book I was on a knives edge in wanting to know what happens next.
For first novel it shows so much promise.
A solid 4 stars from me
I have had the privilege of reading this book prior to release.
A really strong debut from a first-time author.
I wasn't sure what to expect going in,but the mix of humour,hottor and fast-paced Sci-fi action worked so surprisingly well.
The pacing 8s quickfrom the first chapter, and there were a couple of moments that genuinely took me off guard.
There is a nice balance between the emotional moments and the darker almost unsettling scenes.
The world building also had a good rhythm: enough detail to paint the picture without slowing the story down.
It most definitely feels like the start of a much bigger series.
By the end of this book I was on a knives edge in wanting to know what happens next.
For first novel it shows so much promise.
A solid 4 stars from me
December 6, 2025
I had the privilege of reading this Explosive Sci Fi book from a first time author prior to release.
The Shard Awakening is an exciting, enjoyable, tense, and unexpectedly funny read.
The story moves along at a compelling pace, with relatable believable characters a unique plot which took me in so many exhilarating directions with many twists and turns delving into the darkest of hell with all manner of horrors.
An astounding scope across time, space and motivations and you are still left wondering who or what lies ahead for the main characters and how their past, present and future will gel.
I highly recommend the Shard Awakening and look forward with eager anticipation to book two in this incredible series.
The Shard Awakening is an exciting, enjoyable, tense, and unexpectedly funny read.
The story moves along at a compelling pace, with relatable believable characters a unique plot which took me in so many exhilarating directions with many twists and turns delving into the darkest of hell with all manner of horrors.
An astounding scope across time, space and motivations and you are still left wondering who or what lies ahead for the main characters and how their past, present and future will gel.
I highly recommend the Shard Awakening and look forward with eager anticipation to book two in this incredible series.
January 5, 2026
I was recommended this book and I am really glad I gave it a go.
I normally read more space battle sci fi, so I was not sure it would be my thing, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The story pulls you in quickly and keeps the tension high without being hard to follow.
The characters feel real and easy to care about, and the world building adds depth without slowing things down. There is a good mix of action, emotion, and mystery that keeps you turning pages.
What I liked most is that the series feels like it could go in a lot of different directions, which makes it exciting to start from the beginning. I could not put it down and I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
I normally read more space battle sci fi, so I was not sure it would be my thing, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The story pulls you in quickly and keeps the tension high without being hard to follow.
The characters feel real and easy to care about, and the world building adds depth without slowing things down. There is a good mix of action, emotion, and mystery that keeps you turning pages.
What I liked most is that the series feels like it could go in a lot of different directions, which makes it exciting to start from the beginning. I could not put it down and I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
December 12, 2025
Shard Awakening is a gripping and imaginative sci-fi opener that pulls you in from the very first page. Martin Knaggs blends high-stakes tension, ancient mysteries, and rich world-building into a story that feels both epic and personal. The twin protagonists and the enigmatic Shard create a compelling hook, and the chase across galaxies ending on a forgotten Earth adds a thrilling sense of urgency. With sharp writing, intriguing characters, and an unfolding threat that promises even bigger revelations, this is a stellar start to The Shard Legacy series. A must-read for fans of bold, cinematic science fiction.
January 6, 2026
Shard Awakening is an impressive debut with strong world-building and a magic system that feels original and meaningful. Martin Knaggs balances lore and character well, creating a story where choices matter and the world feels alive without being overwhelming.
It’s a solid foundation for what clearly has the potential to become a much larger and richer series. I really enjoyed this first book and I’m genuinely excited to see where the story goes next.
It’s a solid foundation for what clearly has the potential to become a much larger and richer series. I really enjoyed this first book and I’m genuinely excited to see where the story goes next.
December 28, 2025
An interesting read.
I found myself getting deeper and deeper into the book as I read. This book has the shades of the film 'I am number four'. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I found myself getting deeper and deeper into the book as I read. This book has the shades of the film 'I am number four'. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 6, 2025
I'll just start with my conclusion:.... I absolutely loved this page-turner of a book and it has left me wanting more!
I have been an avid sci-fi reader since I was a boy (several decades ago!) and think this book is a great addition to the genre.
The start draws you in immediately urging you to keep reading. The book is just the right blend of excitement, terror, relationships and a bit of humour in a science fiction setting. I like the characters you get to love and hate, the way he inserts the background story without ruining the pace of the plot and the general idea of his story. I found the author's style of writing to be an easy one to read which enables the reader to become totally absorbed in the story.
I tried to think of something that I didn't like about it but came up short which is why I'm given this full marks.
Can't wait until the next one in the series is published....
I have been an avid sci-fi reader since I was a boy (several decades ago!) and think this book is a great addition to the genre.
The start draws you in immediately urging you to keep reading. The book is just the right blend of excitement, terror, relationships and a bit of humour in a science fiction setting. I like the characters you get to love and hate, the way he inserts the background story without ruining the pace of the plot and the general idea of his story. I found the author's style of writing to be an easy one to read which enables the reader to become totally absorbed in the story.
I tried to think of something that I didn't like about it but came up short which is why I'm given this full marks.
Can't wait until the next one in the series is published....
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December 10, 2025Shard Awakening delivers a thrilling, immersive fantasy experience filled with high stakes, intricate world building, and compelling characters. Knaggs weaves together magic, conflict, and personal discovery, creating a narrative that balances epic scope with deeply human moments. The story hints at political intrigue, mysterious powers, and character growth that will keep readers invested from start to finish perfect for fans of layered fantasy worlds and adventure-driven plots.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews