In the wake of Etonya's hard-won victory, Kael finally returns home to Astrala in hopes that the shadows of the past would stay buried. However, animalistic warriors from the besieged world of Tundula have brought whispers of resurgent Dragons thought extinct for millennia. In the wake of fear, hubris, and hesitant democracy, the once-mighty Astrala is thrown into chaos and war, exiling its mighty Stormbringers across the stars.
As the Draconin's fire spreads unchecked, the fates of multiple worlds hang in the balance. Rider, the battle-hardened hero forged in Etonya's flames, travels to unknown worlds in search of allies and answers to fight back against a Draconic threat greater than he ever imagined.
As worlds collide and ancient enemies continue their conquest, every choice carries the weight of entire civilizations. Will the stars bear witness to salvation, or will the Dragons' eternal hunger devour everything in its path?
Worldwalker, the gripping second installment of The Astrala Saga, D.A. White delivers a breathtaking epic of interstellar war, dark magic, and unbreakable alliances forged in battle and fire. Perfect for readers who crave high-stakes fantasy with heart-pounding action, deep character bonds, and a universe where hope and vengeance burn equally bright.
David (D.A.) White was born in 1986 and is the youngest of three siblings. His lifelong love of all things fantasy and sci-fi was inherited from his older brother, Robert. Robert is responsible for exposing David to the genres, series, and games that would not only shape his personality, but teach him that no one is defined by where they start in life. You simply need to complete the hard quests, gain experience, and level up. Looking for a life beyond homelessness and hunger at fifteen, David walked into The Bill Wilson Center in Santa Clara, California. After years of legal proceedings, counseling, and foster homes, there was light at the end of the tunnel. David found his forever family, bound by love and choice.
David Graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Academic Honors. After graduating, David returned to Santa Clara to begin working as a Youth Counselor at the Bill Wilson Center, the very shelter he stayed in during his earlier years. David spent the next few years working with a variety of organizations focused on helping youth become the best version of themselves before entering adulthood.
David eventually got married to his beautiful wife, and started a family of his own. His recent years have been spent focusing on raising his princess. When not striving to become the best father this world has ever seen, he enjoys reliving and exploring the classic genres and stories his late brother Robert exposed him to such as, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Highlander, Dungeons and Dragons, Stargate SG-1, Magic the Gather, and many more.
I received an advanced reader copy of Worldwalker by D.A. White through NetGalley, and while I was really excited to dive back into the Astrala saga, this one didn’t quite hit the same for me as the first book.
The biggest issue for me was the pacing. The story felt very slow for a large portion of the book, and it didn’t really start to grab my attention until about halfway through. Once it picked up, I was definitely more engaged, but it took longer than I would’ve liked to get there.
I also struggled with the characters this time around. In the first book, I felt really connected to them and invested in their journeys, but here they felt a bit all over the place. Their motivations and dynamics didn’t feel as grounded, and I found it harder to latch onto them emotionally, which made parts of the story less impactful.
That said, there were still elements I enjoyed. The dragons continue to be a standout, and the banter between characters added some fun, lighter moments that kept me going even during the slower sections.
Overall, while this installment didn’t fully live up to my expectations, I think fans of dragon-filled fantasy and character-driven banter will still find something to enjoy here. I’m still curious to see where the series goes next.
Extremely blessed to have read this book before release. I have followed the journey of the author for a while now. This book did not disappoint. I did feel it was slower paced than the first one but thats not a bad thing as it was epic and Im a soppy person and cried at 2 points of this book which I wasnt expecting. No spice in this book.
4 75🌟 Received as an ARC via Netgalley, this is my honest review.
We return to a fantasy world with dragons (not the nice ones either), magic, brotherhood, and one where the threat of oppression by a vicious species and cycle of violence continues.
You are welcomed back into the world with D.A's descriptive writing that pulls you in as he describes Kael's return home. Descriptive writing is why I return to this series with excitement and D.A. does not disappoint.
Note, the pacing is much different than book 1. Things escalate by chapter 5, but we still have peaks and valleys throughout as the story continues. The last few chapters will have you on the edge of your seat, another reason why I love this series.
You are introduced to a new community and group of characters, and brought alongside them as they return to their homeland. Ready your mind to welcome a unique but loyal and fierce community that are prepared to sacrifice themselves in the fight for freedom. (Sound familiar?)
One of the main MMCs makes some rash decisions and ends up paying the price. (Isn't that the way things go?)
Same as the first book, I enjoy the brotherhood and banter between the main characters, definitely want more of that. 🫶
There is some room for more connection between the characters that I would love to see in book 3. Although, I feel like this is hinted to near the end of the story.
Do I recommend? Absolutely. I think its hard to balance readers who prefer the faster paced writing, but as long as you prepare yourself to read this one from a different viewpoint, hopefully you'll enjoy. I know I did.
Favorite quotes: "We owe it to our children, and all who will come after, to risk our lives in hope of bringing them a future without tyranny, without oppression, without the chains of slavery."
"Fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Make the sacrifice worth it..."
I received an advanced reader copy of Worldwalker by D.A. White through NetGalley
I went back and forth a bit on my rating for WorldWalker, but after sitting with it, I’m landing on 4 stars.
Going into this sequel, I was really excited—Of Stars and Dragons felt like being dropped straight into a chaotic game of Baldur’s Gate 3, in the best way. It was fast, immersive, and I felt instantly connected to both the story and the characters. WorldWalker, on the other hand, takes a noticeably slower approach. At times, it felt less like active gameplay and more like an extended cutscene—important, but not always as engaging.
That shift in pacing didn’t fully work for me. There were moments where the story felt a bit disjointed, and I found myself less emotionally connected than I was in the first book. The characters I had previously been so invested in felt just slightly out of reach this time around.
That said, D.A. White still absolutely delivers where it counts. When the emotional moments hit, they hit. And the ending? Completely action-packed and full of that signature gut-punch energy that leaves you reeling and desperate to know what happens next.
Even with the pacing issues, I still really enjoyed this sequel and am very much invested in where the story is going next.
I was drawn in from the very first page by a magical, exciting, and deeply emotional story that completely held my attention. The novel follows two main characters who are thrust into a vividly imagined world where dragons are taking over, using dark magic to control the cat inhabitants and slowly destroy the planet. The writing is engaging and well-paced, making it hard to put down—I read it almost in one sitting. The characters feel compelling and relatable, and the blend of high-stakes adventure with emotional depth gives the story a wide appeal. It’s a brilliant and immersive fantasy that I would highly recommend to readers of all kinds, especially those who enjoy imaginative worlds and powerful storytelling. I’m already looking forward to the next installment and can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
Worldwalker is a strong continuation of The Astrala Saga, offering a vivid fantasy world, engaging characters, and plenty of adventure. While it occasionally struggles with pacing and density, it remains an enjoyable and promising entry that will keep fans invested in the series. A rewarding, immersive fantasy sequel best suited for readers who enjoy detailed worlds and epic storytelling.
Worldwalker by D.A. White is a fast-paced, immersive escape into a world where nothing is quite what it seems. With vivid storytelling and a gripping plot, it pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go. Perfect for readers who love a mix of adventure, mystery, and a touch of the unexpected—this is a journey worth taking.
An adventure thru a new world.He steals my breath that is how good this adventure is. It's fast , exciting and an adventure that you won't forget. There isn't spice but you don't need it is that good.Thank you so much you have weaved an escape that ill cherish thru out my lifetime.
Thank you Netgallery for the Advanced Reader's Copy for an honest review
I absolutely loved this book! it was such a quick read with so much action along with a new world to explore and different species formed as allies. The first book was great, this book was even better!