Shadowborn

Born Prophecy #3

by Katie MacAlister

IN THE REALM OF THE LIVING

Liberated from exile, the brutal god Nezu is leveling his vengeful wrath against the blessed lands of Alba, and only three heroes stand a chance of stopping him. Fireborn Allegria, with her ability to harness the power of light; her Starborn lover Hallow, who leads the society of mages; and Deo, a warrior born of both worlds. . .

IN THE REALM OF THE DEAD

But the circle of friendship is broken when Allegria is imprisoned in the spirit world of the Thane. Surrounded by long dead warriors bent on revenge, her grasp on the mortal realm is fading. Now she must fight to hold on to the memories she has left–and the hope that help is coming from a world away.

IN ALL THE SHADOWS BETWEEN

The ultimate battle between good and evil is breaking, and Hallow and Deo need Allegria to win it. But even then, how can they can achieve the impossible? For it’s not just one destructive god they must face, but also his creator. Only an arcane prophecy and the untried power of their joined magics can save the Fourth Age.

Genres: Fantasy

191 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2020

About the author

For as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.

Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.

Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.

Reviews

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Fantasy / Romance
*Rating* 3.5-4

*Thoughts*

Shadowborn is the third installment in author Katie MacAlister's The Born Prophecy series. It is highly recommended that you read these book in order to ensure that you don't miss anything important. This is a series that focuses on (3) main characters: Deosin Langston is the son of a Starborn Queen as well as Fireborn father who has a prophecy that he will either save the world, or destroy it; Allegria Hopebringer is a Sunborn Priestess who has the touch of the Goddess known as Kiriah Sunbringer; Hallow of Penhallow is Allegria's husband, & Master of Kelos, leader of the arcanists who has access to (3) types of magic.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well having been part of the reason the thoroughly nasty Nezu has been released from his prison puts our three oddly matched heroes in a quandary. Allegria is trapped in the shadowy world of the dead with someone she knows she cannot trust, Deo is determined to set things right no matter who he has to crush along the way and Hallow desperate to save his wife suddenly has to battle to protect his own position !
Please read this series in order as it really is one that builds up giving the reader a much greater perspective of this world and it’s magic and Gods. These characters are so alive, vibrant and downright bawdry with a lust for life and indeed each other . Yet there’s so much humour written into these pages as time and time again they face challenges both dangerous but also quite often romantic ! My lips are sealed but I had to laugh at the predicament poor Deo finds himself in and even Hallow has certain “issues” with his use of magic. Allegria is always my favourite character because even when she has doubts she just keeps going . Good world building, such fun, quirky characters and genuine laugh out loud moments that even now still make me smile . The journey isn’t over yet though as Deo still has to go back for his mother, the Queen but that’s another part of this story and its one I greatly look forward to reading.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[The Lit Bitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this series last year and it’s been a decent fantasy series that had kept me mostly interested.

There were some parts of the story that I liked better than others but overall it’s been pretty good and I felt invested enough in the series to see it through until the end.

As this book is part of a larger series, I would not recommend picking this book up as a standalone as you would be missing out on large parts of the story.

When I started reading this book, I thought it was the last in the trilogy. Everything did indeed wrap up nicely, but yet there seemed like there might be more to come so I am not sure if this is truly the end of a series or if there might be a couple more books in the future.

I should also point out that the books have gotten better as the series progressed. I thought the first book was just ok but the second book was better and this latest book was probably my favorite so far. The dialogue had humor and flows nicely and the overall plot seems more flushed out now than it did in the first book. Sometimes the characters get a little sidetracked in the dialogue from the story but overall it isn’t as distracting as it sounds and I thought it was fun. Since there are a few character plots going on in this series, I am glad to see more solid story telling as the books have progressed.

This book had a little something for every one I think. Adventure, romance, and some magic. I enjoyed the magic bits and thought that the author has done a great job both in this book and the series, creating a captivating magical world. While I am not a big fan of mythology, I enjoyed the gods and goddesses in this book but for me I loved the arcane parts a little more.

Overall this was a nice installment to the series and I felt immersed in the world and the plot more so with this book than the others. I am looking forward to more books by this author and hope there will be more books set in this world even if they don’t follow the same characters, I think the world building was rich as exciting.

See my full review here

[Anne Szlachcic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think to fully appreciate the characters and world building in this story that the previous books in the series be read first .

The story is told in character driven chapters from differing viewpoints...…. Deo who is both Fireborn and Starborn; Allegria, a Fireborn witch; and Hallow, her Starborn wizard lover .
It is full of magic, good and evil ; gods and goddess ; and fascinating creatures .
The dialogue is full of humour , levity and depth - a great characteristic of this Author , ensuring the readers attention throughout .
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book and I will certainly endeavour to read the previous books to put this one in context .
I was given an arc of this book by NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review .

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realise this was the third book in the series when I requested, so my bad ! However, I still enjoyed it even if I was a bit lost at times (due to my fault) but it had great characters, wonderful world building and it’s made me want to Go buy the first two books to enjoy this properly now. I have read Katie’s books before and I always love her writing style, it’s funny, relatable and she writes such warm characters. A good story full of action and humour, recommended (just read the first two unlike me)

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Rolé - Hooked By That Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

-- Read this review, and others, on my blog www.hookedbythatbook.com –

The first chapter was Thorn in his spirit form floating about the ship and talking to and about the people there. It was a neat way of pulling together the main players and plot of the story and to refresh the reader’s memory.

This book sees Allegria, Hallow, and Deo working hard to banish Nezu to protect all the lands from him. The chapters focused on different characters again, with Allegria’s chapters written in the first-person. The style of writing was more of what you would expect from a Katie MacAlister novel. It was filled with humerous dialogue, and silly situations. Characters frequently went off on a tangent, and it was quite amusing. You’d think it would be annoying, but for some reason the author makes it work.

I loved Idril, she was so unflappable. Allegria and Hallow were a lot more tolerable, and I also liked Deo. Still not liking Lord Israel or Queen Dasa though. I have to say Deo doesn’t listen to advice very well. But I might tune out my parents as well if they spoke to me so condescendingly. The final battle against Nezu was pretty intense.

All-in-all, I enjoyed this book a lot more than the previous ones. It has a satisfactory ending, but it seems like there might be more to come? I hope so.

Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Johanna Sawyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since the start of this series these books have really shifted. Allegria, Deo, and Hallow have made quite the journey, and book three sends them spinning in different directions. Allegria is taken, and wanders the spirit world of the thane trying to leave and get back to Hallow. Hallow searches for Allegria, and Deo tries to finally get Idril to marry him.

What did I like? So book one I really thought Allegria and Deo were going to become something, but the introduction of Hallow throws me off. Allegria marries Hallow in book two, and they are amazing. Him losing her to the spirit world in book three pains me until he gets her back. I really loved book one and two but book three really tested my patience. Deo fawning over Idril aggravated me. They are fighting a god and it’s maker, but are entirely too fragile.

Would I buy or recommend? I love this author but book three fell flat for me. I’m bummed because I loved book one and two. I’m not sure I’d consider reading any more in the series. I really don’t know where I stand.

I received a copy to read and offer an opinion.

[Jujubee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a long-time reading fangirl of Katie McAlister, I jumped on a chance to request a Katie McAlister fantasy story. I hadn't realized it was the third book in a series. I should have looked before I leapt, so please do not take my rating or review in any way dismissive of a favorite author.

This series clearly has to be read in order! Many authors can bring one up to speed in the first few chapters. With such a loooonnngggg list of characters (dead, almost dead, imprisoned, well you get what I mean) that play into the final book it is recommended to not jump the shark ;)

So imma gonna take my own advice at 21%
I didn't actually DNF (I'll say Done For Now...DFN?) as I'll read the first two books in the series and come back to finish in 2021.

With that said, for what I've read so far I still enjoyed the author's writing style, humor, and relationship building of the characters. Looking forward to completing the ENTIRE series!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadowborn is the third book in Katie MacAlister’s Born Prophesy series. Like the first two books in the series, Shadowborn is rich and vivid with amazing world-building. This, as well as the character development, is the strength of the novel.

I love MacAlister’s writing style, as it quickly immerses you into a magical and fantastical world. Her use of dialogue adds humor, levity, and depth to the story and the characters. Additionally, the pacing is fabulous, with an excellent blend of adventure, romance, and action. There was never a dull moment!

Shadowborn is not a standalone book, so if you haven’t read the first two books in the Born Prophesy series, you should check them out first. If you like fantasy stories with quick pacing and a ton of adventure, and three strong main characters, then this might be the book for you!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realize Shadowborn was part of a series and was the third book in Katie MacAlister’s Born Prophesy series, until I started reading it. But I was excited to see a new series by Katie and eager to start reading.

This world is full of gods and goddesses, magic, good and evil, and weirdly fascinating characters. The story focuses on three heros: Deo who is both Fireborn and Starborn; Allegria, a Fireborn witch; and Hallow, her Starborn wizard lover. Deo was my favorite, but there really were a lot of fun characters.

You really need to start from the beginning; there was so much going on I had to work to put the pieces together. But I love the style of writing, the quirky characters and humor, and the world building.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will they be able to destroy the evil that wants to take over the land before it is too late. Allegria is trapped in the spirit world with no hope of getting out before she loses everything that she holds dear. Hallow can't give up trying to bring her back as she is his life but he can't fight along side Deo as well. Can they fight this evil and win or will they fail?
A good book in the series. I was lucky enough to receive a copy from Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I hadn’t read the other books in this series, which is a shame considering this is one of my favorite authors. Once I was able to figure out what I missed in previous books, the author delivered like she always does. Enjoyable out-of-the-box characters with insane plots. I loved it and look forward to reading the other books in this series. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

[Charlotte Pawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd book of the Born Prophecies. Arcane magic and the power of light come together in our fantasy to fight the reappearance of the god Nezu. There is travel between worlds both living and dead. It is the characters of Allegria Priestess of Kiriah, goddess of light, Hallow Master of Kelos, leader of the arcanists and Deo the ultimate warrior and savior of the fourth age who are so individual and the smart rapport between them will make you smile and willingly follow their adventures. You will definitely want to pick up the other stories in the series.
I was given an Arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series is better than the previous and I loved this one.
Great world building, interesting characters and a plot that kept me hooked and entertained till the end.
I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An edge of your seat holding on for dear life action packed adventure filled with dangerous, magical and engaging charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and emotionally thrilling turns. A great read from beginning to end.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good.