Night of the Shadow Moon

Furyck Saga #3

by A.E. Rayne

Jael’s desperation to save Eadmund from Evaine’s spell leads her back to the place of her nightmares, where she quickly discovers that she is trapped, and The Following is closing in.

In Hest, Jaeger is hungry for power and vengeance, making an enemy of Berard, who is forced to confront the truth of what his brother has become as he tries to save Meena from Jaeger’s clutches.

Determined to exact his long-dreamed-of revenge, Ivaar plots his return to Oss to destroy Eadmund and capture the throne at last.

On the road again, Aleksander is visited in his dreams by the Widow, but will he heed her warnings in time?

And as furious storms batter Osterland, and the kingdoms scramble to protect themselves from familiar enemies, the true danger emerges from the shadows, ready to destroy them all…

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Magic, Fantasy Romance, Fiction, Ebooks, Romance

674 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2018

About the author

Introducing myself

Hello, I’m Amy!

I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and have done for three-quarters of my life. The other quarter was spent in England, where my kids were born. I have three of those, and they’re very cool. I’m a bit demented and thought it would be a good idea to have them a year or so apart. I’m still recovering from that misguided notion, but am convinced that a month in Bora Bora would set me right!

Speaking of travelling, as much as I crave a tropical island escape, you’re far more inclined to find me hankering after snow. We don’t have any of that in Auckland – not a drop! And, although it did snow occasionally in dear old England, I’m still looking for the up-to-your-window sort of snow experience. I come from Viking stock (my grandmother was Swedish), so maybe that’s why I have always craved the cold, white stuff. In fact, my husband and I bonded over our love of scarves.

'Twas love at first discussion about the pleasure of a good scarf!


My reading journey
I was drawn to historical romance as a young reader. I loved anything by the Brontë sisters, but I think Jane Austen was my favourite author at that time. It was a toss-up between Pride & Prejudice and Jane Eyre for my favourite book as a tween. As I got older and developed a real love of history, I became obsessed with anything do with Vikings. I fell in love with Bernard Cornwell and Robert Lowe, Giles Kristian, too. But there’s always been time to fit in the next Diana Gabaldon. Her Outlander series is probably my favourite series ever (great tv too!). History is my one true love, so some of my favourites lately have been C.J. Sansom’s thrilling Tudor series and Patrick O’Brien 19th century naval adventures.

I always thought I would write the Furyck Saga as a historical fiction series, but I never found a period or place where it felt possible. Ultimately, I realised that actual history was far too limiting, so I stepped away from reality and entered the wonderful world of fantasy, and that’s when the fun started…


It took me a long time to become a writer.

I have ring binders and ring binders of stories, screenplays, tv show concepts, and book ideas that I’ve been creating since I was 10-years-old.
I was always very fast with ideas but seeing them all the way through was a lot harder, and eventually, as I grew up, life and work got in the way.
I would try writing Winter’s Fury off and on, but I never got very far, and dissatisfied, I always gave up, telling myself there simply wasn’t enough
time to fit writing in around three children, two dogs, a graphic design business, etc. etc. But what I quickly discovered is that time is what you make of it.

Inspired by an article I read about James Patterson, who got up early to write his first book and fit it in around his job, I started making writing a
daily discipline; the idea being that, bit by bit, I would eventually create an actual book. At first, it was tough. It felt like I was training for a marathon
and I didn’t even know how to run. But every day it got a little easier and eventually, I started to write more freely, and one day I had enough of a
book to show my husband. At this point it was either, forget it again, or keep going.

He read it and said… keep going. So, I did.

And I haven’t stopped!

Reviews

[Pam Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic story telling 😁

Night of the Shadow Moon is book 3 in the Furyck Saga and it’s absolutely awesome!! I’ve been recommending this series to everyone, I read a lot of books but sometimes you stumble across a book that’s just really special and the story and characters stay with you long after you finish reading....this series is that for me, it’s truly a privilege to read something so wonderfully written! Fans of this series are gonna love book 3 so much, it’s non stop action, thrills and heart stopping moments!! I just love the storytelling through the multiple view points and all the characters are so unique I just love them or hate them lol!! So excited for book 4!!

[Carol Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this series enough! I love it when I stumble on a series that I simply can't put down, the type of series that makes you want to run out and tell everyone! This is a series that will forever be one of my all time favorites. In such a short time I grew to love and care about these characters.... I'm soooo looking forward to the 4th book!

Read this series!!!!!

Magic, witches (kinda), dreams, love but not in a creepy cheap love story way, prophecies, kingdoms, strong female lead, fighting, good guys, bad guys.... Just read the series!!!!

[Kenzie Lyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

That’s it, I’m done. This may be the only series I will ever find so tediously long winded that I simply refuse to suffer in the name of finishing it. At approximately 700 pages per installment/book, bowing out after having read installments 1-3 feels akin to defeat. However, getting through the three remaining installments would be masochistic & I cannot bring myself to do it.

There are entire chapters in these books which have no relevance to the story. The internal dialogue is often monotonous babble which does nothing to enhance the your understanding of plot or characters.

The story itself is interesting and would be worth ensuring a certain amount of dragging. Someone with a high tolerance for constant & rarely relevant asides would likely enjoy this series. Too often it felt as though you were suffering through large chunks of the reading, hoping your interest would be recaptured if you just kept going.

[Tim Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable book! Can't wait for book four! 4 1/2 Stars!!!!

Great story, love the characters; Jael, Meena, Eadmund, all of them, good or bad. My only complaint was it seemed a little slow at times. But good heroine in Jael, epic fight between good and evil, magic, romance (not too much), and good writing style.
Really great series. Try it. Happy Reading!!!!
Tim

[ian duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was planning on taking a break from this series as I had other books lined up to read. I found I couldn’t and had to read the rest.

Engaging and well paced throughout. The story moved along at a great pace and kept my interest up building to an inevitable conclusion that once again has me setting aside my reading plans and going straight into the next instalment

[Karen Ruymann · Rating 3 out of 5]

UGH!!! With the third book in this installment, the author has become self indulgent, treasuring the notion of creating a saga over instilling it with plot clarity and thrilling pacing. The writing has become sloppy, the character's insipid, and too many points are repeated. The editor should have tightened this up. I am not sure I am inspired to finish this saga.

[Threading Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how the saga continues!!! I love it - all of it! Even when you absolutely despise some of the characters. The characters I love have woven themselves deep in my heart and I am anxious to find relief to their situations!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed with this series

[Kelsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

SPOILERS BELOW.


Nope, I can’t. I absolutely CANNOT. Does this author know anything about love? The first book was a slow attraction until it wasn’t. It was a bit abrupt, but I was okay with it.

Then book 2 starts with the MC and her love/husband together but it is oh so quickly thwarted by a horribly ANNOYING narcissistic child of a woman who puts a spell on Edmund (the husband) to keep him entwined with her. Fine. I can deal with not having some peace for my MC and her husband EVEN THOUGH we haven’t had ANY peace for them and have never actually seen them working and fighting together yet, but sure.

BOOK 3. 😑😑😑 I started the book with Edmund all hating his wife and wrapped up even more in Evaine (the narcissistic witch) and I just cannot. This kind of stress keeps me from sleeping, so I decide I will skim through the book until it’s resolved so I’ll feel better and then go back and read.

I SKIMMED THE WHOLE BOOK AND NOTHING IS EVER FIXED!!!!!!

And that’s not the worst part!! The WORST, most INFURIATING part is that I read the summaries on this app of the next two books AND APPARENTLY EDMUND IS STILL UNDER EVAINE’S SPELL IN BOOK 5!!!!! I don’t know ow if you can count, but this is book 3!!

They won’t get things fixed in book 4?!?! And not even in the beginning of 5! Like DA HELL!!!!

Nope. I’m out.

My soul is hurt that I won’t be resolving this fictional conflict, but I can’t put myself through it and am actually SUPER furious with this author if you can’t tell. I actually like this story and like how she writes and builds worlds but why can’t the main character have her husband fighting at her side?? One book of conflict like this? Maaaybe two. Okay. But FOUR!!!?? Books 2, 3, 4, AND 5?!? Come on. You had NO other material to use?

Wow am I mad and disappointed and also returning this third book to Amazon.

Man, I’m mad.

Oh my word. I just read a comment (5 star rating) on the 6th book cause I was curious and someone there was lamenting Jael (MC) and Edmund being separated so much in it. Like WHAT. The witch thing is fixed but they still don’t get to fight together?? uggggghhh!!!! The whole first book was about this arranged marriage and Jael prophesied to save Edmund. Good thing we made sure they were NEVER around each other after that initial prophesy.

Bah! Now I’m mad again.

[Miriam O'Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third instalment of the Furyck saga was as enjoyable and captivating as the first two. Definitely not to be read as a stand alone as it continues from where book 2 finished and ended on a very unsatisfying cliffhanger which has me reaching immediately for book 4!
This book was faster and more tightly written than book 2, while it was a little slow in parts, those stretches explored characters and different parts of the world so I was never bored. A definite 5/5 stars, the Furyck saga is now a firmly enshrined favourite of mine and one I am already looking forward to rereading.

[Jsalt80 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be a series

This is so good it should be a tv series. It reminds me of the Vikings series on the History Channel. So many things are happening. So many connections forged generations after the initial set of connections were formed with their ancestors.

Moving on to book 4. See my notes, highlights, frustrations and commentary on Goodreads! Happy reading!

[Sarah Ackermann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book series, and at first I did. It was a good story, and I was very interested. But as the story has gone on, this series has proven to be entirely reliant on the played-out tropes of defenseless women and rape. With the exception of the main character Jael, almost every female character in the story is sad, incapable, and defenseless. And almost all of them are raped at some point in the story. Is that really necessary to move forward your plot? Apparently the author couldn’t think of a more creative way to show hardship and strife for her characters. Particularly disappointing from a female author!

[Liz k · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so frustrated with the series, the story is good when it is moving along but way too much filler. There was no explanation for Jael and her grandmother being in Tuura, nothing really happened to affect the story it felt like time wasted. I am over all the dreamers, we have to hear about the meaningless dreams, then hear them retelling and dissecting the nonsense dreams, it is dragging it out for no reason and the many characters are so confusing. I would love it to just move along at a steady pace

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say that this book was a “filler” book used in the same way that tv shoes use filler arcs to gain time to move the story along. Or in this series case, pu the characters where they were supposed to be without making leaps that would hurt the plot of the series. It was a character developing book. Not much happening in between the pages and therefore my 3 star qualification. I’ll be interested to know what’s coming next.

[Susanne Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

You will love this series. Suspense, action, love. I was hooked with the first book. Love the writing style and the characters!!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg so bloody frustrating and stressful. And dammit, every single time Evaine shows up I just want to kill her

[Teresa Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever read a 700-page book so fast! The drama and danger swirling around the royal families of Hest, Brekka, and Oss has just taken over my heart. (I was also home sick with a cold this week, which is good for my reading life.) All of the factions are very human. Even the despicable characters are captivating. Like, Jaeger is cruel but also kind of a hopeless man-child? But also an attractive force of nature? But also evil towards women. So there's that.

The action isn't quite as non-stop as in The Burning Sea, but we do get some memorable dark magic, daring escapes, and harrowing storms!

Minor complaints:
I was disappointed when the book began with Eadmund STILL under Evaine's spell, after all Team Jael went through to free him in the last book. Will these two crazy kids ever get to be happy?? I guess the suspense will make their reunion all the more worth it, because I LOVE them together!

Small con:
I get that many of these characters share a cultural heritage, but it's distracting how many of their names start with the same letters. :)
A: Amma, Axl, Alexander, Alaric
E: Eydis, Eadmund, Eiric, Edela, Evaine
Once you throw in very minor characters like servants Axel and Egil, this reader got occasionally confused! But I'll forgive everything because I love these characters so much.

Small observation:
This saga could not be more different tonally from the Heartstrikers series of dragon books, but they both prove that family seers are where the real power is at!

Finally, all I can say is
(with MINOR SPOILERS BELOW):
Team Meena!
You can do it, Berard!!
Yay for the puppies!!

[Yasmin Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering this is a saga, usually around the third book I get bored and I can honestly say that this isn’t the case for the Furyck books. I’m addicted and forever to wanting more!

The Night of the Shadow Moon is fast paced and action packed, focusing on consequences of a failed unionship at Hest, and the darkness that has always surrounded Tuurans. Premonitions lead the blind, whilst the sighted can only see death and leadership.

~

Summary of events as in my own words...

The Burning Sea is no longer ablaze though that does not mean the battle has ended, if anything it has truly just begun. Jael and Eadmund run towards the darkness and away from the ones they love; for Jael it is to save their lives, though for Eadmund we can only hope he can save his own.

The greatest battle will unfold for Jael for she is a born Furyck, Furia’s daughter, Eadmund’s wife and Queen of Oss. She would not be cowed by anyone, especially not the likes of the Gallas Family or The Following. Though, cowering is not the issue here, it is the damage that Tuura orchestrated, that the Osslanders must overcome, especially as Eadmund’s life, just like Edela’s, hangs in the balance.

“‘Sometimes, you have to fight to make yourself safe. You have to fight for your freedom.”

[Ycon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

Spoiler:








********
I'm annoyed with how repetitive the Tuura scenes were. Almost as if the book wasn't long enough so author used repeats as fillers to add pages.
I'm also very annoyed with Jael and her lack of wisdom at her age. She might hate being a dreamer and long to be a worrier but she should of trained for both from the moment her father told her that he would make her his heir at the age of 15. She could of prepared for so much and protected her family. Yet she was too selfish. She also insinuated to her soldier that her horse was more important than hundreds of lives. She's a Queen! She has no choice but to make choices for her people. If saving her horse meant they all die then what use is it even saving it? Either way it would die. Well not really leaving it behind just meant she wouldn't get to keep it with her. Again she was selfish in saying that. It's the same with what she did with Amma in Hest. I guess Amma wasn't as important though. Worst book out of the 3 I've read. Hope the next one is better.

[Yezz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my Fav

This one dragged a little too much for me. I liked the first few and the last few chapters. The rest was too much unnecessary dialogue in the middle. A lot happened but not enough for 400+ pages this would have made a great book minus so many unnecessary Povs. The first two books though annoying as well with the POV had more of a story. This stayed stuck at Tuura. Not a big fan of Eadmund just hanging back and cheating on his wife either. After all she's done for you? He has yet to prove he's worthy of Jaels love and she's out there sacrificing her whole life for HIM and the promise she made HIS father. Curse or not made me like the book less 🤷. Still feeling invested will.move on the next book but not sure if I am going to like it. This series might have reached the end for me.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final Thoughts
I am absolutely still invested in this story! Though I think some of the sections could do with being longer, or combined into one, I still like that the narrative style allows for regular cuts to other perspectives around the fictional world. I especially like that the villains and the heroes are given regular screen time for better dramatic irony. Jael’s growth as a dreamer in this book is genuinely interesting, and I like the gradual shift from basic politics to dealing with much high stakes across the board. While Eadmund is still struggling against Ivaar, Jael is occupied with the Book of Darkness–both struggles are tangible for reader and characters alike, but it’s also easy to see why priorities are different between the two characters.

For a more in depth review, check it out on my blog: http://beesandbooks.home.blog/2020/07...

[Karenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read series, one of THE BEST epic stories ever!!

This series, 'The Furyck Saga’ is one of THE best I've ever read. It's filled with some excellent characters and there's a lot of meat on the bones of these books, they're the right length and filled with so many twists & turns that will have you cheering, jeering, and sobbing in equal measure.

The only regret I have is that the books ended at all, but the story is truly epic & surpasses Game of Thrones and rivals Lord of the Ring in content, excitement & characters.

Be prepared to despise and love and lament in equal measure, but gift yourself this 6 book series, read our listened to in order - you'll be so glad you did!!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely an Epic series. That means long books and a ton of character and world building. It also means lots of discussion and mundane day-to-day information and interactions not routinely seen in a quickie series. Be prepared to both spend time with the characters but also spend time in the books. There is a whole lot progressing in the plot, now on 5 fronts. We have Jael's team in Tuur, Eduard's group in Oss, the family/Following groups in H-, Ivaar - wherever he/they are, and Axl's groups moving to Tuur. The individual stories tighten to each other as the book progresses. However, the consistent jump from location to location with multiple character presentations/conversations can be a little confusing. You do have to pay attention at each section break.

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frustratingly good

Some spoilers may be mentioned...


First, can we all agree how frustrating it us that Eaumund is STILL bewitched by that brat? I keep waiting for it to change. No dice. And every time the story highlights their time together I get mad! Like had to put the book down for a while mad lol

Once again we are left on at least 8 cliff hangers. I love it but also I really want to know what happens! The author has a way of weaving the story so that you become emotionally invested in all the characters. There are so many story lines happening at once, yet each character is distinctive and memorable.

Looking forward to continuing!

[j truswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

This is another fantastic read from A E Rayne probably the best in this series yet. It's epic in scale full of well rounded characters and numerous plot lines that all leads to a fantastic barnstorming ending with yet another cliffhanger epilouge that leads you gasping for more. I think A E Rayne is one of the best fantasy writers out there definitely on par with George RR Martin and David Gemmel. I will definitely be reading the next instalment of the Furyck saga.

[H. T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah! So good! Oh man are there some scary characters in this book: Jaeger, Evaine, Morana, Gerod! The storyline got way more complex in this novel with the addition of the Following. The prophesy becomes clearer, yet there are so many unanswered questions and again, a cliff hanger. I’m thoroughly loving this series. Every single bit of it. I originally started it thinking it was a trilogy and am pleasantly surprised that it isn’t and there are several more books left to read. I can’t wait!

[Bell Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely on the edge

I will admit, that the characters stories changing literally from page to page is still a Little annoying (which is why I only gave it four stars) right when I wanted to read more about what was happening right then & there, the story moved on to the next characters story! Other than that, it’s a great story line & lots of action! Can’t wait to read the next installment

[Jaybour · Rating 4 out of 5]

A PUNCTUATION NIGHTMARE!

If I could meet the editor/proofreader of this and the previous novel, I would gladly rap knuckles for the egregious misuse of semi-colons that blight virtually every page. Also, "although" is a subordinating conjunction and is NOT ever followed by a comma unless preceding an interrupter. Please have some respect for your readers, Ms. Rayne. It is not pedantic for the reader to expect even a minimal adherence to punctuation proprieties!

[Charles Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent fantasy escapism and the characters are well-developed. I could only make it through the first three of the six-book saga. Too much of who is screwing who to screw whomever to screw over whatever; starts to read like a soft porn soap opera and there is way too much surprise magic, seems like the author lets his characters and storyline get a little absurd and stupid then just makes up some magic crap to resolve and move the epic along. Don't think I'll finish the Furyck Saga.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone...it definitely is for a specific type of reader I would say. For me, the overall story has kept me on the edge to find out what was going to happen next, and overall I really enjoy the main characters - it's like watching a viking show. Although there are some nuances with the story telling that I find a little too Deus ex Machina, but that is pretty common with epic fantasy. So, you are warned.