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The Shadow Accords #3
Shadow Born
Carthenne Rel survived the Hjan attack on the A'ras and has left the north, the only place she ever really known. Now she travels to better understand what it means that she's shadow born.
Stranded by storms in a dangerous port city, she's captured while helping rescue a young girl from slavers. Discovering her mysterious captor's agenda forces her to play his games in order to escape, only to realize she hasn't finished with the Hjan. The lessons her captor has taught just might be the key to defeating them for good while protecting all of the north.
Stranded by storms in a dangerous port city, she's captured while helping rescue a young girl from slavers. Discovering her mysterious captor's agenda forces her to play his games in order to escape, only to realize she hasn't finished with the Hjan. The lessons her captor has taught just might be the key to defeating them for good while protecting all of the north.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2016
422 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 21, 2018
3 3/4 stars
Nice addition to the series. This feels like the main conclusion to a trilogy, and that the following books are bonus continuations, though I'm not sure. But the main conflict reaches its pentacle here.
We finally really are told who all the peoples are - the Reshian etc. It was never fully clear up to this point.
While I really enjoyed the entertainment value of the book, the plot was too loose to be a 5 star read. That really was my main issue with the book.
Nice addition to the series. This feels like the main conclusion to a trilogy, and that the following books are bonus continuations, though I'm not sure. But the main conflict reaches its pentacle here.
We finally really are told who all the peoples are - the Reshian etc. It was never fully clear up to this point.
While I really enjoyed the entertainment value of the book, the plot was too loose to be a 5 star read. That really was my main issue with the book.
October 21, 2018
I have now read 10 books by this author, even though I think his writing is a bit patchy and could do with some polish.... so I'm not quite sure what's keeping me hooked! Is it the storylines, the characters? Whatever - I guess he must be doing something right!
September 5, 2017
Good read, but hurried ending
So, a little disappointed - at times the book was long winded so imagine my surprise when the main character discovers her enemy's camp and brokers a peace accord all with one chapter!?!?!?
So, a little disappointed - at times the book was long winded so imagine my surprise when the main character discovers her enemy's camp and brokers a peace accord all with one chapter!?!?!?
December 21, 2020
Carth has decided that her time learning from the A'ras was over and she travels to meet with the Reshian to learn more about her shadow blessing however whilst docked in a port and trying to save a girl from slavers she herself gets captured by a man whose magical powers negate her shadows. She is imprisoned and when nearly broken she is taught to play a game where she is tested beyond her limits and forced to think outside the box so to speak. She soon masters the game and is released and she moves on to discover that there are more different powers out there than she had at first assumed and that some could negate her own. However she still knew that she was the only one able to defeat the threat which the Hjan posed for both the Reshian and the A'ras who she still cared about. She discovers a surprise which made her consider that everyone she ever knew in her life had used her as a pawn and she attempts to include all three factions in a peace accord. I love the way this series is unravelling, so many new things are discovered by Carth who has still not really come to grips with who she really is and what her full potential is either. I cannot wait to read the rest of this intricate and intriguing series.
April 21, 2024
Good read
This book goes back to the pacing of the first. The protagonist seems to unlearn some things she learnt in the last book.
This book plays out like a plot filler where just enough plot gets moved along that you know it is connected. The rest of the book could have benefited from a time skip or a character switch where the focus shifted to another character.
The ignorance of the main character, comes off as part of the plot, a plot device and sometimes a character in its own regard. The ability to know what she needs to do and be totally lost, yet her support characters knowing, not assisting her at all, pretending to be totally clueless in some ways but all knowing in others is very annoying.
The support characters in this way are very much like Professor Dumbledore who repeatedly but Harry in harms way. The support characters seem to not notice when it happens though.
I am hoping the next one, has more substance to it.
This book goes back to the pacing of the first. The protagonist seems to unlearn some things she learnt in the last book.
This book plays out like a plot filler where just enough plot gets moved along that you know it is connected. The rest of the book could have benefited from a time skip or a character switch where the focus shifted to another character.
The ignorance of the main character, comes off as part of the plot, a plot device and sometimes a character in its own regard. The ability to know what she needs to do and be totally lost, yet her support characters knowing, not assisting her at all, pretending to be totally clueless in some ways but all knowing in others is very annoying.
The support characters in this way are very much like Professor Dumbledore who repeatedly but Harry in harms way. The support characters seem to not notice when it happens though.
I am hoping the next one, has more substance to it.
March 9, 2017
My Goodreads secret is that for every great book I've rated and reviewed, I've read a whole slew of junk out of nervous habit. D K Holmberg started as that kind of author for me, but I've been appreciating his books more and more and even started to envy his special talent for developing a character over a thousand pages through plot rather than a great deal of dialogue--it would be a mistake to view that as a marker of pulp. I would have been far more measured with my praise before this book, since this is the first volume of his (I've probably read more than a dozen) that I found myself ruminating on weeks after reading it.
Some of his earlier books I just read as potboiler power fantasy, and that might still be fair, but this was good enough that I don't want to miss any future titles by Holmberg so long as he can keep up the trend that Shadow Born has significantly advanced.
Some of his earlier books I just read as potboiler power fantasy, and that might still be fair, but this was good enough that I don't want to miss any future titles by Holmberg so long as he can keep up the trend that Shadow Born has significantly advanced.
February 6, 2022
Which way does Carth choose next?
The last book in this box set isn’t much different than the first two except there is a surprise Carth did not see coming. Carth continues to progress with her knowledge of her abilities and tries to figure out what her next steps should be. She knows that she needs to face the Hjan but needs to hone her skills before that can happen. We are kind of left in the dark as to what her next move will be. That remains to be seen in the next book in this series. (Bites nails!)
The last book in this box set isn’t much different than the first two except there is a surprise Carth did not see coming. Carth continues to progress with her knowledge of her abilities and tries to figure out what her next steps should be. She knows that she needs to face the Hjan but needs to hone her skills before that can happen. We are kind of left in the dark as to what her next move will be. That remains to be seen in the next book in this series. (Bites nails!)
October 2, 2022
Disappointed
I thought book 2 was much more exciting. This book was a step back. Certainly some interesting plot twists but it's mostly just joining the main character as she's confused and trying to figure things out. Very little action and, for me, not all that fun to read. Debating if I should continue with the series or move onto something else. It may be just interesting enough to keep going...
I thought book 2 was much more exciting. This book was a step back. Certainly some interesting plot twists but it's mostly just joining the main character as she's confused and trying to figure things out. Very little action and, for me, not all that fun to read. Debating if I should continue with the series or move onto something else. It may be just interesting enough to keep going...
January 24, 2025
Carth is a young woman searching for who she is. Because of the magic it means she needs to know her ancestry. In the school of magic she does not feel that she belongs.
Life takes a huge twist for her and she finds out more about herself as she is pushed in unexpected ways by unexpected people. Her goal is peace in all the land, the same goal that her namesake sought so many years before.
There are incredible twists, incredible magic and action to satisfy any need.
Life takes a huge twist for her and she finds out more about herself as she is pushed in unexpected ways by unexpected people. Her goal is peace in all the land, the same goal that her namesake sought so many years before.
There are incredible twists, incredible magic and action to satisfy any need.
September 22, 2017
Super third book in excellent series
Fast paced, intricate plot that not only ties up loose ends , but also introduces new material to help build a complex world. We learn more about Carth, meet new people, and run into old friends and enemies. Read book one and two before this one.
Fast paced, intricate plot that not only ties up loose ends , but also introduces new material to help build a complex world. We learn more about Carth, meet new people, and run into old friends and enemies. Read book one and two before this one.
April 9, 2020
dark fire
Carth plans to leave the A'ras with Jhon to begin her training with the Reshian. her heart overcomes her ability to do as she is told and she is taken by an unknown man who leaves her in the cold light. left with nothing but a game to occupy her time, Carth must figure out how to survive.
Carth plans to leave the A'ras with Jhon to begin her training with the Reshian. her heart overcomes her ability to do as she is told and she is taken by an unknown man who leaves her in the cold light. left with nothing but a game to occupy her time, Carth must figure out how to survive.
February 1, 2023
Good third book.
It was a slow going most of time and didn’t have as much action as the second book. There were to much internal dialogue from the main character about the same things over and over. With all that said it is a very good story that you want to come to a positive conclusion. Characters are very likable and you can’t help but want them to succeed.
It was a slow going most of time and didn’t have as much action as the second book. There were to much internal dialogue from the main character about the same things over and over. With all that said it is a very good story that you want to come to a positive conclusion. Characters are very likable and you can’t help but want them to succeed.
November 18, 2016
Great series!!
I am not the best reviewer...but I have to say that I really like this author and this series! This is a lot of action, mystery and fun! This is a very clean read as well and that is what I like!
I am not the best reviewer...but I have to say that I really like this author and this series! This is a lot of action, mystery and fun! This is a very clean read as well and that is what I like!
April 24, 2018
Book 3
Book 3 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The characters and plot have improved throughout the series. Some information is repetitive and will drone on about topics but is described later.
Book 3 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The characters and plot have improved throughout the series. Some information is repetitive and will drone on about topics but is described later.
March 21, 2020
Another great story
Carth is becoming a cop superhero. I love this story. This book didn’t have quite the cliffhanger the first two books had.
This author writes a fairly clean cook suitable for all ages.
Carth is becoming a cop superhero. I love this story. This book didn’t have quite the cliffhanger the first two books had.
This author writes a fairly clean cook suitable for all ages.
October 12, 2020
I believe, in a previous review, I had indicated that that Shadow Accords contained three novels. I was wrong. It contains 6! YAY! I am thoroughly enjoying this series. On to Book 4: Shadow Lost
June 24, 2024
Ohhh, I've really enjoyed this book in the series!
It's a pretty good dive into human psychology and there are some really interesting things here if you look beyond the story and into real life a bit.
I'm not a good chess player, would probably be a worst Tsathun (game name) player, but oh, how fun it was to imagine some things here!
This was, I'd say, the best book in this series. If you wanna stop reading, do that after this book, it's worth it.
It's a pretty good dive into human psychology and there are some really interesting things here if you look beyond the story and into real life a bit.
I'm not a good chess player, would probably be a worst Tsathun (game name) player, but oh, how fun it was to imagine some things here!
This was, I'd say, the best book in this series. If you wanna stop reading, do that after this book, it's worth it.
November 1, 2017
Well written
Good character development as the plot continues to twist and turn. A satisfying and interesting story in its own right, and as part of the series
Good character development as the plot continues to twist and turn. A satisfying and interesting story in its own right, and as part of the series
February 10, 2019
Brilliant
The series is a must read for all fans and for this who have not read any dkholmberg it is past time to start
The series is a must read for all fans and for this who have not read any dkholmberg it is past time to start
July 10, 2019
Now we are getting somewhere! I enjoyed this book the most out of the three so far.
April 23, 2021
Read this
This is well worth taking your time to read. Interesting characters a plots! It will not disappoint! Enjoy....
Sandra Mabry
This is well worth taking your time to read. Interesting characters a plots! It will not disappoint! Enjoy....
Sandra Mabry
August 7, 2024
3.5 stars
December 17, 2025
Still loving the series, but I feel like the MC is getting a "only I can save the world" complex.
October 20, 2022
The third book in the Shadow trilogy – in which our heroine learns answers to long standing questions, makes an astounding discovery about her past and comes into understanding about her capabilities and develops confidence about her future.
March 9, 2017
My Goodreads secret is that for every great book I've rated and reviewed, I've read a whole slew of junk out of nervous habit. D K Holmberg started as that kind of author for me, but I've been appreciating his books more and more and even started to envy his special talent for developing a character over a thousand pages through plot rather than a great deal of dialogue--it would be a mistake to view that as a marker of pulp. I would have been far more measured with my praise before this book, since this is the first volume of his (I've probably read more than a dozen) that I found myself ruminating on weeks after reading it.
Some of his earlier books I just read as potboiler power fantasy, and that might still be fair, but this was good enough that I don't want to miss any future titles by Holmberg so long as he can keep up the trend that Shadow Born has significantly advanced.
Some of his earlier books I just read as potboiler power fantasy, and that might still be fair, but this was good enough that I don't want to miss any future titles by Holmberg so long as he can keep up the trend that Shadow Born has significantly advanced.
November 29, 2016
Shadow Born (The Shadow Accords Book 3) Review
D. K., You never disappoint with your stories! Reading your stories is a magical time spent with wonderful characters and exciting adventure. I highly recommend to anyone interested in reading great stories to read your works. They will never be disappointed.
D. K., You never disappoint with your stories! Reading your stories is a magical time spent with wonderful characters and exciting adventure. I highly recommend to anyone interested in reading great stories to read your works. They will never be disappointed.
December 10, 2016
Great story, great characters, make for a great series. You wont be disappointed. Can't wait fot the next.
November 15, 2017
3rd book and still captivating
I enjoyed hoe the main c character development continued in a similar manner to previously. I liked the twist and the reaction to the revelation.
I felt it was sluggish around the middle then all over
I enjoyed hoe the main c character development continued in a similar manner to previously. I liked the twist and the reaction to the revelation.
I felt it was sluggish around the middle then all over
January 22, 2017
In the captivating world full of diversity magics of Shadows & Lights, and people who think and live differently. D.K. Holmberg has done a wonderful job with a fast pace full of actions and great lead character Carth and I can't wait to get back into her world again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews