The Silver Star

Kat Drummond #11

by Nicholas Woode-Smith

War brews across the sea…

Why should I care? Hope City is close to exploding every few weeks and we have more than our fair share of enemies.

This is Post-Cataclysm Earth! There are wars going on all the time. Nothing new. I’ve got monsters to hunt, people to save.

But this is different.

Family I once thought dead may still be alive. But not for long. And while the world falls apart around me, if there’s a small hope I can save the last of my family from peril, then I must.

Even if it means facing the Queen of the Elves herself. The Silver Star of New Sintar.

The Silver Star is the thrilling sequel to the Kat Drummond Series. Follow Kat across the world as she faces new enemies, new magic and new monsters in this action-packed urban fantasy adventure.

Genres: Urban Fantasy

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2020

About the author

Nicholas Woode-Smith is a fantasy and science fiction author from Cape Town, South Africa. He has been writing since the age of twelve, writing short stories, novels, and RPG campaigns. In 2013, he published his first book, Fall of Zona Nox. Five years later, he published it again after greatly improving his skills.

Since then, he’s written dozens of books in the urban fantasy and sci-fi genre. Notably, the best-selling urban fantasy series, Kat Drummond.

Nicholas has a degree majoring in economic history and philosophy, and minors in political science, international relations, and English literature from the University of Cape Town. He has been involved in politics, civic activism, and political analysis since 2014.

Reviews

[Meenaz Lodhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Be thankful for what you have. You never know when you might lose it.”

Even after 11 books into the series I never cease to wonder at the poetic style Nicholas has describing the characters’ feelings and tormented sentiments, the atmosphere, be it world wise, or philosophical. Woode-Smith has a flair for high-stakes, heart-pounding thrillers that will keep you up late into the night.
An ingenious story, absolutely captivating, where each character has issues they're dealing with, but they unite and their incredible friendship is what anchors this story in the real world. The tale is bolstered by an undeniably resilient protagonist. Kat is smart and adept...and her gift makes her a formidable opponent to her enemies.
This journey has been more like an internal trip, filled with emotional scenarios where there were many cathartic moments for each and every main character in the series, a pent up release of the trauma they all have been through and still going through. A profound and thought provoking premise, full of moral decisions. It has a colourful of inspirational quotes, a marvellous detail that shows off the author’s psychological domain of human nature.
I love each and every instalment of the series; the protagonists’ and world building evolution is amazingly beautiful. I’m of course wanting to already read Cursed Earth #12!

[Shawnta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat is back and out of her element. After learning more about her Aunt Mandy, she must now leave her beloved city for New Sintar, a home to many dangerous Elves, but all is not as it seems. Fortunately, this new journey leads her to more information concerning her special powers and a bit of self-reflection. This has been an amazing addition to this series with plenty of action, danger, mystery and adventure. I look forward to reading more. You should definitely get this book you won’t regret it.

[Kathy Brenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps the most in-depth book of the series so far - and I loved it. Kat learns that a family member whom she thought was dead, may in fact not be. Although things were kind of heating up in Hope City, Kat needed to go to New Zealand - or more precisely - to New Sintari to check to see if her relative was alive. She was accompanied by Brett, Trudie, Senegal and Pranish, but along the way picked up another important member of their party. Although they had a lot of trouble along the way, they did make it to their destination in one piece. The situation was not quite what they were expecting. The elf queen (The Silver Star) was more than they thought she would be, but things took a turn for the worst and everything went upside-down.

[Christian Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

With each story and adventure, Kat and her companions become more fleshed-out and likable.
Again, we learn a lot about them and get to like them even more, if that is even possible!

Story-wise, we meet new characters, some of which I hope we'll meet again, others I'm sure we will.
And the decor is set for a few tumultuous episodes - there's certainly a lot of action to happen soon.

Can't wait to read the next one!

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell behind on my Kat Drummond reading thanks to factors beyond my control, so I’ve binge read through Dark Order & The Silver Star (Kat Drummond, Books 10&11). They were just too good to put down. It’s a great pleasure watching Kat develop in the series that somehow keeps the adrenaline flowing and is masterfully written so as to maximize enjoyment - astounding after so many installments but nonetheless true. Both of these books are super easy to highly recommend.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one book that has you hooked from the start. There is no way that you won’t love it. Kat is definitely something else and it’s impossible to not want more.

[Brian Busby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those book when reviewing would be do easy to give spoilers.
Totally amazing read , action packed
Brilliant characters , nasty monsters and kat leaves behind her beloved city and its problems and travels abroad for personal reasons and the action follows her . The spoilers would start here so I will stop.
But I will continue on to say
I absolutely recommend reading this book.

[Charles Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coexistence is a dream worth fighting for

So without delving into spoiler territory. I think my subject line says it all. The overarching theme throught from the first chapter and many books before has been leading is in this direction. It's nice to see Kat and team get here!

I have to say though to the folks out there who have reviewed this book and there are a few of you. That boggled at the realistic possibility of Kat not having been on a plane before at her age. I ask you simply, have you not been paying attention as you read? Go back and look at her timeline, that will give you all the answer you need. Well enough of that. I will wait on reviewing more of the book until I reach the end of the series. So I can talk about it as a whole instead of creating spoiler pockets along the way. Well on to the next book!

[Janice Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. Kat leaves her city and travels to find her aunt who she thought was killed by elves. There is lots of action in this one and some tears. Kat learns that things aren't always what they seem and what 'home' really means.

Each book in the series has shown Kat grow and mature. I have really enjoyed watching her fight monsters and become a strong woman. It is a tough world she lives in and she is trying to make it better. I love her!

[Paul Cobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great addition to the Kat Drummond Universe! I really liked the places Mr Woode-Smith took Kat & Company in this book. I loved how he was able to bring characters from earlier books together in a way they had not previously interacted. I really enjoyed the quest Kat and her friends undertook. There were also some new characters introduced that were extremely engaging.

[Silver Surfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, another book in the saga of the Katverse. A bit more in depth this one, going more towards the meaning of things from the people that she meets, but still very good nonetheless. Looking forward to reading the next one. Long may they continue. Highly recommended

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoooey

This one was a doozy. Character growth, incredible immersion, tears, this one had it all while tugging on your heartstrings. Things are ramping up in Kat Drummond’s world and with the help of her friends, I have no doubt she’ll prevail. Can’t wait for book 12!

[Cayla Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! 11th book done and dusted and now I wait in anticipation for the 12th. This series keeps getting better and better!

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every single part of this book!

All the drama,action and adventure in this book really helped distract me from how much I missed Hope City.
In my opinion,this was the most adventurous book in the series.

[Lillie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad when you finish the last book the author has finished so far.
An excellent job of characters progressing throughout the whole series. Im looking forward to a new book, yet sad im not going to be escaping into the world of Kat Drummand and friends...
Hurry up and do your magic!!!

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat finds out that her long presumed dead aunt is still alive and being held captive by the elves on New Zealand. She and her closest friends head there to help her escape.
But is all as it seems? Generally not.
Nicholas Woode-Smith has once again written a novel that pulls your heart strings as Kat goes to find her aunt and meet up with the elves

[Vicki Scobell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Urban Fantasy Series

Great crew to follow along on many adventures - fighting, relationships and a post apocalyptic world to explore....I'm e noting this series

[Bigred6126 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver

I loved it. I like how this one takes place on another continent but there's still a lot of action in Hope City. It was depressing how it ended but it also made sense. The bad guys are closing in.

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 11 in this series. Usually the Katverse books start out with action,. but this one is different, in a good way! You really get a feel for the characters and what they are going through. And the wait is worth it when you get to the action! Kat has to take a trip to save her aunt, Mandy. She is going into a war zone between humans and elves. But also between her friends and family! Kat must also keep learning to accept help from her friends as well. And just when you think everything is going to be fixed... another surprise!! This was another book that had my emotions all over the place! A must read!

[Jean Makita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great and well paced book

Loved it. Kat Drummond has become one of my favorite characters in all my readings. I love the path you took here. Somehow you made something other authors struggle to not make boring, interesting AND bold. PLEASE don't take too long with the next one. Aces my dude

[The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another wonderful read from Nicholas Woode-Smith. I absolutely love this series, and The Silver Star is no exception. The characters are wonderful, such complex people, deeply scarred by the horrors they've lived through in this dystopian future, and supporting each other in the most beautiful ways to work through their issues and build themselves up into who they wish they could be. I absolutely loved how Candace and Trudi ended up mirroring each other, and how Kat needed to lend her detective skills to figuring out why Trudi can't see past Candace's past. The complexities of the friendships and relationships adds so much to the action-packed, magic-fuelled insanity that is this author's world where battles are inevitable, monsters are common-place, and good people get pulled into terrible deeds in the name of other people's faulty beliefs. The depth is simply something I rarely see in this style of fast-paced urban fantasy. But while Woode-Smith really brings out the characters, the plot gets just as much attention and its twisty, unexpected, and comes with immense life lessons that make you re-assess everything you think you know. Love it!

[Ken Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat receives news that her aunt is alive but held prisoner by the elves of New Sintar and she is recruited to go work with the New Zealand and Australian military to rescue her aunt. Kat takes a small group of friends, heads to New Zealand by plane only to crash in the ocean where she is rescued by Candace and her latest adventure truly begins. Eventually Kat and her group make it to New Sintar but not the way everyone expected. They ended up in a battle, getting captured and then battling for their lives again before the queen of the elves finds them and invites them as guests to her home. Once there Kat, finds her aunt and starts to learn more about herself and her magic. Great surprise ending to Kat's latest adventure as always.

[Paul R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've fully enjoyed every book in the Kat Drummond series and The Silver Star is no exception! Kat's responsibilities are rapidly growing, not entirely to her liking, as is her connection to her power which she is still coming to understand. Finding that someone special, that she thought was dead, is still alive, she embarks on a rescue journey, but worries about the tense situation she leaves behind. There are air, ocean and land adventures, all very eventful. Kat reunites with a special old friend, but also makes new friends. Of course, not everything goes as planned, and the ending it not exactly happy, but Kat and friends continue to progress in their approach to the ultimate conflict.

[Paul Bennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book more enjoyable than others I have read in the series. This was probably because the way the storyline unfolded was different. It wasn't just a case of "A monster has been reported at... We have to go and kill it!". This story seemed to have a bit more depth to it in that it touched on issues that we face today e.g. media twisting the truth about "warring" factions when there was cooperation between the groups concerned. It was also good to have a complete break from what was happening in Hope City.

Although this book could possible be read as a standalone some of the story would be unclear if you haven't read other books in the series.

[Witch-at-Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the eleven book in the Kat Drummond Series and I absolutely loved it. This installment has Kat leaves the city searching to find her aunt who she previously thought had been killed by elves.

This book has Jat doing some serious inner reflection as revelations prove not everything is as you would think and there are always shade if gray..

The action as always is on point and emotions run high as Kat embraces what family truly is. Absolutely hands down loved the character growth. Such a great series I highly recommend it!!

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a little different but soon gets to what we all love! Kat goes to her aunts as she thinks she’s dead but finds out that she’s not! But there are things that seem to de different as family and friends are going to be not as she thought. Soon we get to see Kat as we like as she sorts things out. This was a wonderful storyline and the characters were perfect as they pull you in! I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Including spoilers. Very little world building or backstory explained.

Don’t read these if you want a full story on her life………


…..







All of a sudden her Aunt has been dead for years. WTF? Her one last relative. She swears to take down vampires for Guy as he is terrified but then leaves Africa for New Zealand.

[Dieter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This continuation of the series is as engaging as the others plus a broadening of the world and Kat's gifting.
Well written, great plot and characters in a dystopian world full of magic, conspiracy, conspiracies...

I received this book free from the author and decided to review it

[William Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting twist in the series

My methodology of grading is you get a 5 if I expect to read the book again. If I enjoyed it and I continue to read the series you get a 4.

[Denisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is really becoming a favorite!