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Shifting Stars
My name is Arshes Megane and I am immortal.My Time Intervention is illegal and dangerous, but I believe it’s the only way to save our world.To begin my justification, I must tell you about my mother, Catriona, a half-Faery magic student, on the best and worst day of her life. The day her home is destroyed by a terrible Monster. The day her Angel restores it and gives her a gift. Understanding that gift becomes her obsession.With the aid of pioneering magic and ridiculous radical plans, Catriona allows nothing to stand in her way, until the day her quest forces her to make a terrible choice between preserving knowledge for the future and saving lives in the present.At what price comes knowledge, and what price is too high?
- GenresFantasy
177 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2020
2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Gary Stringer
12 books26 followersScientist by profession, I try to give real science concepts a fantasy twist in my writing.
Update for June 2025
The first FOUR books in my Salvation of Tempestria series - Shifting Stars, Gathering Storm, Shadows Fall and Fragmented Control - are now permafree.
Tempestria series
For anyone interested in my earlier work, the Majaos Trilogy may also be found at that same site. Majaos trilogy.
While studying for my B.Sc. in Chemistry, I met a friend who introduced me to fantasy fiction, especially TSR, AD&D type books. Despite all I've read since, that remains my frame of reference for the fantasy genre.
My Salvation of Tempestria of Series, beginning with Shifting Stars is rooted in a updated version of that kind of fantasy world. But it's just 1 world within a wider sci-fi/fantasy universe and the story is told by an immortal girl from the future with a plan to save the world...or possibly end it.
Living in the seaside town of Blackpool, UK, enjoy long walks and theme parks in the summer, and theatre shows in the winter.
Sporting interests include tennis and netball.
Update for June 2025
The first FOUR books in my Salvation of Tempestria series - Shifting Stars, Gathering Storm, Shadows Fall and Fragmented Control - are now permafree.
Tempestria series
For anyone interested in my earlier work, the Majaos Trilogy may also be found at that same site. Majaos trilogy.
While studying for my B.Sc. in Chemistry, I met a friend who introduced me to fantasy fiction, especially TSR, AD&D type books. Despite all I've read since, that remains my frame of reference for the fantasy genre.
My Salvation of Tempestria of Series, beginning with Shifting Stars is rooted in a updated version of that kind of fantasy world. But it's just 1 world within a wider sci-fi/fantasy universe and the story is told by an immortal girl from the future with a plan to save the world...or possibly end it.
Living in the seaside town of Blackpool, UK, enjoy long walks and theme parks in the summer, and theatre shows in the winter.
Sporting interests include tennis and netball.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 25, 2021
4 stars!
An exciting short read, filled with wonderful bits of magic and ridiculous radical ideas.
The book follows the early years of Catriona, a powerful druid, who embarks on various adventures in search of a book and related knowledge.
“Does eternity have an end, or does it go on forever? I do not know. Moreover, it occurs to me that true immortality is something that cannot be proven. Who but another immortal could be around to verify it? Philosophy aside, however, proof or not, I know that it is true.”
Plot:★★★★
It started off really strong but did not end as I had hoped . Half way through I felt like the narrator was telling different short stories about the various characters but I loved how it all came together at the end.
I enjoyed reading the battle between Cat and Dreya.
Characters★★★½
I adored Cat's overall character and development. Unlike many of the choosen one protagonists she did not annoy me.
Dreya the Dark is another worthy mention. I liked her grey character arc. She might be my favourite character from the book.
Writing:★★★½
The story's well-written with an medieval feel to it.
Thing that could have been better: there was a lot of telling in this book rather than showing. There were a few interesting battles that I'd have loved to actually see unfolding rather than the narrator simply telling about it. Much of the the action in the book was dampened down due to this.
Overall:★★★★
One thing that I absolutely loved was the magic system depicted in this book. It was creative and quite unique. 5 shining stars for that!
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
"The idea that Light was good and Dark was evil was lazy thinking. There were many good deed done in the shadows, and much evil done in the light of day."
This book is recommended to those who enjoy MG fantasy (I am more of a YA reader and I still enjoyed it.)It's also a short and fast paced read.
*I'd like to thank Gary Stringer for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.*
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An exciting short read, filled with wonderful bits of magic and ridiculous radical ideas.
The book follows the early years of Catriona, a powerful druid, who embarks on various adventures in search of a book and related knowledge.
“Does eternity have an end, or does it go on forever? I do not know. Moreover, it occurs to me that true immortality is something that cannot be proven. Who but another immortal could be around to verify it? Philosophy aside, however, proof or not, I know that it is true.”
Plot:★★★★
It started off really strong but did not end as I had hoped . Half way through I felt like the narrator was telling different short stories about the various characters but I loved how it all came together at the end.
I enjoyed reading the battle between Cat and Dreya.
Characters★★★½
I adored Cat's overall character and development. Unlike many of the choosen one protagonists she did not annoy me.
Dreya the Dark is another worthy mention. I liked her grey character arc. She might be my favourite character from the book.
Writing:★★★½
The story's well-written with an medieval feel to it.
Thing that could have been better: there was a lot of telling in this book rather than showing. There were a few interesting battles that I'd have loved to actually see unfolding rather than the narrator simply telling about it. Much of the the action in the book was dampened down due to this.
Overall:★★★★
One thing that I absolutely loved was the magic system depicted in this book. It was creative and quite unique. 5 shining stars for that!
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
"The idea that Light was good and Dark was evil was lazy thinking. There were many good deed done in the shadows, and much evil done in the light of day."
This book is recommended to those who enjoy MG fantasy (I am more of a YA reader and I still enjoyed it.)It's also a short and fast paced read.
*I'd like to thank Gary Stringer for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.*
February 8, 2022
~I'd like to thank the author for sending me a free copy in exchange for my honest review!~
Ok, can we take a second to admire that gorgeous cover?! It's a beauty!! XD
Anyways, I actually really liked this book, and enjoyed it more than I expected I would.
One thing I didn't really enjoy (and probably the main thing), was that the book started out a bit slow. Since it was just 3rd person narration, it was a little monotonous for those few pages, but after I got into the actual story, plot, etc., it got very interesting.
In Shifting Stars, the story takes many different, and unexpected turns. While reading, I never really knew what to expect. The characters were also fun to get to know, as they all had their own fun and unique personalities, and they didn't seem stereotypical.
All in all, I'd say this is a good book, and'll definitely be a great read for sci-fi fans. I look forward to reading the sequel!
Recommended!
~Full Review To Come~
Ok, can we take a second to admire that gorgeous cover?! It's a beauty!! XD
Anyways, I actually really liked this book, and enjoyed it more than I expected I would.
One thing I didn't really enjoy (and probably the main thing), was that the book started out a bit slow. Since it was just 3rd person narration, it was a little monotonous for those few pages, but after I got into the actual story, plot, etc., it got very interesting.
In Shifting Stars, the story takes many different, and unexpected turns. While reading, I never really knew what to expect. The characters were also fun to get to know, as they all had their own fun and unique personalities, and they didn't seem stereotypical.
All in all, I'd say this is a good book, and'll definitely be a great read for sci-fi fans. I look forward to reading the sequel!
Recommended!
~Full Review To Come~
February 24, 2021
Stringer blends hard science and fantastical magic in his multifaceted latest.
Centuries-old and immortal, Arshes Megane, daughter of a half-Faery and a powerful druid Catronia and a shadow warrior father Daelen, is able to manipulate time if the need arises. When a malevolent monster from her mother’s past resurfaces, threatening to destroy the world, Arshes must send her aunt Mandalee back in time to fetch her father from the past.
The story begins on a promising note, and despite some drifting, scattered worldbuilding and slack plotting that occasionally undercuts the complex story, Stringer delivers a vividly imagined tale spiced with evocative language and fascinating magic.
Stringer’s lyrical prose turns Catronia’s quest to find the Book of Shining Stars into a fresh adventure marked with danger, chaos, sinister monsters, demon hunters, an endearing friendship, and unforeseen narrative twists.
Readers will delight in Stringer’s interpretations of traditional fae theme along with flawless infusion of hard science into the old-fashioned magic story.
Centuries-old and immortal, Arshes Megane, daughter of a half-Faery and a powerful druid Catronia and a shadow warrior father Daelen, is able to manipulate time if the need arises. When a malevolent monster from her mother’s past resurfaces, threatening to destroy the world, Arshes must send her aunt Mandalee back in time to fetch her father from the past.
The story begins on a promising note, and despite some drifting, scattered worldbuilding and slack plotting that occasionally undercuts the complex story, Stringer delivers a vividly imagined tale spiced with evocative language and fascinating magic.
Stringer’s lyrical prose turns Catronia’s quest to find the Book of Shining Stars into a fresh adventure marked with danger, chaos, sinister monsters, demon hunters, an endearing friendship, and unforeseen narrative twists.
Readers will delight in Stringer’s interpretations of traditional fae theme along with flawless infusion of hard science into the old-fashioned magic story.
February 22, 2021
Gary Stringer details an exciting battle through time in his unique fantasy Shifting Stars! Arshes, a girl from the future, uses her time manipulation abilities to save her world. The concept sounds basic, but I loved Stringer’s ability to turn classic fantasy and sci fi tropes on their head! This book was unique, and I really enjoyed seeing the different times and characters in this fantasy world. Combined with a splash of humor and great voice, I was pleasantly reminded of Chrono Trigger! If you love fantasy or time travel, definitely break some cosmic rules with Shifting Stars!
August 14, 2021
There's quite a lot to unpack in this one. I love the basic concept and the structure is interesting as it's not so much one continuous story as it is meaningful snippets from the lives of characters who have a major role in the overall story this book is the start to. It's also interesting to read about characters that are already quite capable and powerful which means we don't see them grow in the traditional sense from a nobody to a hero or a villain, but I think the author handles these "upper power tier" characters well and there's still enough meat on them to keep things interesting. The one negative issue this does produce in unison with the fact these are past happenings is that there isn't a tangible risk to any of the major characters, you know they will survive here because you already know they exist later on.
I'm a bit of a sucker for the D&D vibe. We have fire, ice, lightning, poison, disease, teleport spells, animated skeletons, hellhounds, black knights and shape-shifting druids, etc. I could imagine adapting some bits into a campaign very easily. Also, thinking of the book's characters in D&D alignment terms also helps because some scenes escalate a little quickly with Dreya the Dark unless you think of it in a neutral evil vs lawful good axis or something similar.
I enjoyed the character of Catriona. She's funny, likable, and persistent to a fault. I found myself reading faster and sort of perking up whenever the book went to her or Dreya (my favorite of the bunch) as opposed to the narrator who sometimes rubbed me the wrong way with the continuous "Gentle reader" trope. Though, having said that, I completely get the reasoning behind doing this. Megane is a god-like magic-user with abilities we can just about imagine. Thus, it makes sense she would be a bit overbearing. Personally, I would have cut out most of these gentle readers and just have her get on with it as when she was narrating, the momentum dropped.
Staying on the game analogy, who would I recommend this book to? You know when playing Rpg games there are those people who read every book and torn page they can find to get every bit of info about the universe the game exists in and revel in the small details and background info similar to this bit "The Black Tower was situated in its own grounds on the border between the human port town of Gaggleswick, and Ainderbury – a province of the lands of the Faery known as Sylfrania. More than three hundred years ago, it had been the home of the infamous Black wizard, Ulvarius. Widely regarded as the most powerful and dangerous renegade in history, he terrorised the continent, humans and Faery alike, routinely abducting innocent people and subjecting them to the most horrific and torturous of magical experiments." And then there those people who collect the stuff just to lug it to the nearest vendor for a piece of copper and at most skim through it in case it might belong to a quest or give one, yeah, I'm one of those impatient creatures so it took a bit of work to get through the narrator parts even if they were well-written and expand the world and give more context. If you are of those people who scour every nook and cranny for info, you will very likely find this book absolutely marvelous but if you are an antsy "let's goooooooo, stabby stab that goblin" type of a person, you might at times feel a little bogged down.
All that said, there is a lot of potential in these characters and in the storyline so it's interesting to see where it will all lead.
I'm a bit of a sucker for the D&D vibe. We have fire, ice, lightning, poison, disease, teleport spells, animated skeletons, hellhounds, black knights and shape-shifting druids, etc. I could imagine adapting some bits into a campaign very easily. Also, thinking of the book's characters in D&D alignment terms also helps because some scenes escalate a little quickly with Dreya the Dark unless you think of it in a neutral evil vs lawful good axis or something similar.
I enjoyed the character of Catriona. She's funny, likable, and persistent to a fault. I found myself reading faster and sort of perking up whenever the book went to her or Dreya (my favorite of the bunch) as opposed to the narrator who sometimes rubbed me the wrong way with the continuous "Gentle reader" trope. Though, having said that, I completely get the reasoning behind doing this. Megane is a god-like magic-user with abilities we can just about imagine. Thus, it makes sense she would be a bit overbearing. Personally, I would have cut out most of these gentle readers and just have her get on with it as when she was narrating, the momentum dropped.
Staying on the game analogy, who would I recommend this book to? You know when playing Rpg games there are those people who read every book and torn page they can find to get every bit of info about the universe the game exists in and revel in the small details and background info similar to this bit "The Black Tower was situated in its own grounds on the border between the human port town of Gaggleswick, and Ainderbury – a province of the lands of the Faery known as Sylfrania. More than three hundred years ago, it had been the home of the infamous Black wizard, Ulvarius. Widely regarded as the most powerful and dangerous renegade in history, he terrorised the continent, humans and Faery alike, routinely abducting innocent people and subjecting them to the most horrific and torturous of magical experiments." And then there those people who collect the stuff just to lug it to the nearest vendor for a piece of copper and at most skim through it in case it might belong to a quest or give one, yeah, I'm one of those impatient creatures so it took a bit of work to get through the narrator parts even if they were well-written and expand the world and give more context. If you are of those people who scour every nook and cranny for info, you will very likely find this book absolutely marvelous but if you are an antsy "let's goooooooo, stabby stab that goblin" type of a person, you might at times feel a little bogged down.
All that said, there is a lot of potential in these characters and in the storyline so it's interesting to see where it will all lead.
June 26, 2023
I got this book through “Voracious Readers Only” and I loved it from the beginning. The characters are very interesting and the plot keeps getting better and better. I really like the way the author writes. I’m starting to read the second book and so far it’s very good.
June 9, 2021
Qᵘᵒᵗᵉˢ ~ "ᵀʰᵉ ⁱᵈᵉᵃ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ᴸⁱᵍʰᵗ ʷᵃˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴰᵃʳᵏ ʷᵃˢ ᵉᵛⁱˡ ʷᵃˢ ˡᵃᶻʸ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ. ᵀʰᵉʳᵉ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵐᵃⁿʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᵈᵉᵉᵈ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˢʰᵃᵈᵒʷˢ, ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵉᵛⁱˡ ᵈᵒⁿᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ˡⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵈᵃʸ."
Shifting Stars, the first of a Salvation to Tempestria series, blends science fiction, humour and fantasy. Being a fantasy lover, I was not a least bit disappointed with the book. Story is written by POV of Arshes. She is daughter of Catriona, a powerful druid, who embarks on various adventures in search for her angel amd her staff related knowledge. Arshes, a girl from the future, uses her time manipulation abilities to save her world. She starts telling us about the past of Tempesteria with her parents. In the beginning there was a lot of telling in this book rather than action, which felt like bummer.
5 Reasons to Read SHIFTING STARS by GARY STRINGER
Scientific touch to the book is really fascinating.
Perfect blend of fantasy and Science
You shouldn't miss reading about Catriona. She's really cool, charming and fun character.
Character Centralised Book
Gary definately deserve extra credit for introducing original concepts in the book like Sympathic Communication.
My interest peaked the moment I came across the encounter of Catriona and Daelen. I have to give it to you Gary, what a perfect ending which left me on the edge of the seat, especially because it leads to a nail-biting cliffhanger. I really look forward to reading the upcoming books. I would definitely recommend this book to sci fi tropes lovers.
Shifting Stars, the first of a Salvation to Tempestria series, blends science fiction, humour and fantasy. Being a fantasy lover, I was not a least bit disappointed with the book. Story is written by POV of Arshes. She is daughter of Catriona, a powerful druid, who embarks on various adventures in search for her angel amd her staff related knowledge. Arshes, a girl from the future, uses her time manipulation abilities to save her world. She starts telling us about the past of Tempesteria with her parents. In the beginning there was a lot of telling in this book rather than action, which felt like bummer.
5 Reasons to Read SHIFTING STARS by GARY STRINGER
Scientific touch to the book is really fascinating.
Perfect blend of fantasy and Science
You shouldn't miss reading about Catriona. She's really cool, charming and fun character.
Character Centralised Book
Gary definately deserve extra credit for introducing original concepts in the book like Sympathic Communication.
My interest peaked the moment I came across the encounter of Catriona and Daelen. I have to give it to you Gary, what a perfect ending which left me on the edge of the seat, especially because it leads to a nail-biting cliffhanger. I really look forward to reading the upcoming books. I would definitely recommend this book to sci fi tropes lovers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2023
3.5* Great promise but not the easy read I wanted it to be.
This is a book which I really wanted to like as the premise sounds amazing! In truth though, perhaps as I'm not experienced in the high fantasy (with elements of sci fi) genre, I struggled with the complex plot. I think if I were a reader who more often juggles storylines, times and conceptual matters, perhaps I would have found it more gratifying like other reviewers clearly have. Hence, I think this is more a 'me' issue, than an problem with the book.
The storyline is well written, involving numerous characters which I felt I wanted to know more about (perhaps this comes in later books?) but I found it moved at a pace which didn't suit me - too slow at the start to get me hooked, but the premise was intriguing so I stayed. Then, almost rapid-fire fast when I actually wanted more explanation.
Overall, I really wanted to like this book more than I actually enjoyed reading it in some places.
This is a book which I really wanted to like as the premise sounds amazing! In truth though, perhaps as I'm not experienced in the high fantasy (with elements of sci fi) genre, I struggled with the complex plot. I think if I were a reader who more often juggles storylines, times and conceptual matters, perhaps I would have found it more gratifying like other reviewers clearly have. Hence, I think this is more a 'me' issue, than an problem with the book.
The storyline is well written, involving numerous characters which I felt I wanted to know more about (perhaps this comes in later books?) but I found it moved at a pace which didn't suit me - too slow at the start to get me hooked, but the premise was intriguing so I stayed. Then, almost rapid-fire fast when I actually wanted more explanation.
Overall, I really wanted to like this book more than I actually enjoyed reading it in some places.
June 5, 2022
Magical delight
Who doesn’t love a story about saving the world, and saving it with magic is all the better. Not just one kind of magic, but several are present: dark magic, blood magic, druid, white magic, and clerics all play a part, with each magic caster holding their own powers. Author Gary Stringer does a magnificent job creating a world you can sink into. The main character Catriona (Cat) Redfletching, is witty and quick on her feet, especially when facing an adversary, but for me, the star is Dreya the Dark. Her snarky, carefully constructed devil-may-care attitude resonated with me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the parts she was in. The story itself is told through the eyes of Cat’s child, and if the book’s progression is anything to go by, my guess will play a bigger role as this series unfolds. Shifting Stars is a delightful read that I intend to continue and recommend to any readers who enjoy a magical fantasy.
Who doesn’t love a story about saving the world, and saving it with magic is all the better. Not just one kind of magic, but several are present: dark magic, blood magic, druid, white magic, and clerics all play a part, with each magic caster holding their own powers. Author Gary Stringer does a magnificent job creating a world you can sink into. The main character Catriona (Cat) Redfletching, is witty and quick on her feet, especially when facing an adversary, but for me, the star is Dreya the Dark. Her snarky, carefully constructed devil-may-care attitude resonated with me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the parts she was in. The story itself is told through the eyes of Cat’s child, and if the book’s progression is anything to go by, my guess will play a bigger role as this series unfolds. Shifting Stars is a delightful read that I intend to continue and recommend to any readers who enjoy a magical fantasy.
March 21, 2022
Who doesn't love a good time-traveling fantasy novel.
I went into this with zero pre-conceived notions. I had not heard of the book before, so I didn't know what to except, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
I haven't read a lot of books told from this type of perspective, and when I first got started, it took me a bit to get into it. But once the storyline got rolling, the narration didn't bother me at all. I was hooked.
This story has a little something for everyone. The MC was likable and funny. There were dear friendships, action, adventure, and plenty of fantastical creatures. Druids, faerys, and demon hunters, oh my!
This is a great start to the series, and I'll definitely read the next!
I went into this with zero pre-conceived notions. I had not heard of the book before, so I didn't know what to except, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
I haven't read a lot of books told from this type of perspective, and when I first got started, it took me a bit to get into it. But once the storyline got rolling, the narration didn't bother me at all. I was hooked.
This story has a little something for everyone. The MC was likable and funny. There were dear friendships, action, adventure, and plenty of fantastical creatures. Druids, faerys, and demon hunters, oh my!
This is a great start to the series, and I'll definitely read the next!
March 16, 2025
Shifting Stars is a perfect blend of fantasy and time travel. There’s twists and turns, a unique narrator, and a full supporting cast of dynamic characters. It’s DnD meets Back To The Future. Would highly recommend.
August 10, 2022
The introduction to the story starts out slow. That is the only slow part of this book. Then the adventures come one after another. The stories accelerate and intertwine with each other as the characters interact in magical and often humorous ways. There are different kinds of magic practiced in the story which also relates to how a person lives their life and interacts with the world. Time travel, multiple planes of existence, and magic makes it seem like the story would be set in a far off fantasy world, but this is not the case. The characters bring the reader right into the story which makes it seem like a not so far away place.
May 19, 2023
I was given a review copy of this book and I enjoyed the themes of magic and time manipulation.
It begins with a first-person narrative, where the past is revealed, showing dilemmas and the choices made. It brought to mind the saying, 'rock and a hard place' - what would we choose?
The characters were intriguing, though not necessarily developed, though, I suppose, as the series evolves so will they. The writing was good, if a little repetitious in places. I liked the humour, the magic and all manner of creatures.
Overall, it was an engaging and interesting tale.
Worth a look.
It begins with a first-person narrative, where the past is revealed, showing dilemmas and the choices made. It brought to mind the saying, 'rock and a hard place' - what would we choose?
The characters were intriguing, though not necessarily developed, though, I suppose, as the series evolves so will they. The writing was good, if a little repetitious in places. I liked the humour, the magic and all manner of creatures.
Overall, it was an engaging and interesting tale.
Worth a look.
August 7, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of the book and am giving my honest review. This book is beautifully written and the story is interesting. It is the start of a series, so it does introduce characters and some background without going much into it, but will in later books I can assume. For the character and story that was told, you can hear the emotions because it feels like reading someone's journal. It was very enjoyable and I really didn't want to stop reading.
July 8, 2022
I loved this sci-fi adventure that feels like an exciting D&D campaign set in the far future. There are gods, fairies, sorceresses, druids, and the list goes on. The characters are unique and well-rounded. I look forward to reading more of the series.
October 30, 2024
This is an interesting and exciting story blending science and the fantastical. It was a fun and fast-paced adventure. I look forward to continuing the story...
March 27, 2023
Although the author writes the first few chapters in a manner that makes it difficult to follow, the story becomes highly engaging once the reader begins to understand what is happening. The author creates a fascinating fantasy world with highly imaginative scene scapes and non-stop action -- a real page-turner. We experience the lives of characters that are endearing and, at the same time, vulnerable yet powerful, continually challenged and repeatedly finding creative solutions to impossible situations. I was particularly impressed with the stormy meeting of Catriona and Dreya and the high-stakes ‘Cat’ and mouse game they used to impress each other. This book should thrill lovers of fantasy, particularly those who like a bit of Sci-Fi thrown in, or rather science-based magic. Although I found the book enthralling overall, a few things bothered me. Except for the first chapter, it isn’t easy to understand why the novel is written in the first person since the first-person narrator is rarely within scenes of the story. The narrator also repeatedly breaks the fourth wall without a compelling reason, causing it to be jarring. It seems the primary purpose of this is to give the storyteller permission to tell, rather than show, by constructing a dialogue with the reader. While this dialogue makes sense in the first chapter, it later seems completely unnecessary. Also, repeated references to “gentle reader” become annoying after the first few times. And to expect the reader to believe that the narrator can be a witness to other times and in different places is hard to fathom, even if she is immortal and has magical powers. Lastly, the novel ends abruptly, just as it begins to get exciting, followed by a teaser to book 2. The readers must wait for the sequel to see where everything goes.
December 28, 2025
Reviewed by Gabriel Santos for Readers’ Favorite - July 2025
The novel's setting feels both familiar and distinctive, adding depth to traditional fantasy tropes through its multiple magic systems, a complex cosmology, and a level of detail surpassing many science fiction titles. This complexity makes for a somewhat challenging but rewarding read, and I never felt overwhelmed or bored thanks to the narration, which adds much-needed levity and clarification. Although we know little about Arshes, the narrative, filled with quips, personal observations, and digressions, does wonders for her characterization and makes us invested in her story. Gary Stringer takes his time establishing the characters, fleshing out their personalities, quirks, fighting styles, and interpersonal dynamics. I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Catriona and Dreya, who are simultaneously total opposites and kindred spirits. They have some of the best and most unique conversations and banter I've read in a while. I highly recommend Shifting Stars and look forward to checking out the rest of the series. - 5 Stars
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite - May 2021
Shifting Stars pushes the boundaries of imagination to its limits and fills you with a sense of wonder and awe. This is a stellar start to an epic fantasy series containing enormous potential. Author Gary Stringer sets no limits on his wondrously creative fantasy elements but still somehow manages to make them feel grounded in reality by borrowing aspects from real-world science to explain the mechanics behind them. All of the three magic systems are distinct and well-thought-out. My favorite aspect of the book was the relationship dynamic between the three friends, Catriona, Dreya, and Mandalee. If you're also a fan of epic fantasy like me, I urge you to grab a copy of Shifting Stars. - 5 Stars
The novel's setting feels both familiar and distinctive, adding depth to traditional fantasy tropes through its multiple magic systems, a complex cosmology, and a level of detail surpassing many science fiction titles. This complexity makes for a somewhat challenging but rewarding read, and I never felt overwhelmed or bored thanks to the narration, which adds much-needed levity and clarification. Although we know little about Arshes, the narrative, filled with quips, personal observations, and digressions, does wonders for her characterization and makes us invested in her story. Gary Stringer takes his time establishing the characters, fleshing out their personalities, quirks, fighting styles, and interpersonal dynamics. I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Catriona and Dreya, who are simultaneously total opposites and kindred spirits. They have some of the best and most unique conversations and banter I've read in a while. I highly recommend Shifting Stars and look forward to checking out the rest of the series. - 5 Stars
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite - May 2021
Shifting Stars pushes the boundaries of imagination to its limits and fills you with a sense of wonder and awe. This is a stellar start to an epic fantasy series containing enormous potential. Author Gary Stringer sets no limits on his wondrously creative fantasy elements but still somehow manages to make them feel grounded in reality by borrowing aspects from real-world science to explain the mechanics behind them. All of the three magic systems are distinct and well-thought-out. My favorite aspect of the book was the relationship dynamic between the three friends, Catriona, Dreya, and Mandalee. If you're also a fan of epic fantasy like me, I urge you to grab a copy of Shifting Stars. - 5 Stars
December 27, 2024
While this is not my usual fantasy read, it had enough elements and a unique style that kept me intrigued. I also like the covers for this series and the typography. It is quite catchy. Basically, the main character is an immortal woman who has taken it upon herself to save the world by using magic and time traveling intervention to affect reality and the cosmos. Sometimes, the switching of perspectives is a bit tricky to keep up with, but sometimes it works really well. You can tell that the author has a background and love for science, which probably aided in the explanation of various magic systems and strange metaphysical type events that occur. Overall, if you like strong female characters, unique plots and magic systems, and a little whimsical humor along the way, this series will probably be right up your alley.
July 5, 2025
Tabletop role-play (pick the magical/fantasy system of your choice; I'm picturing a later iteration of AD&D) meets The Mists of Avalon meets This Is How You Lose the Time War. Ordinarily, I am not a fan of writers switching between first and third person perspective, especially not in a relatively short book, but since we are dealing with the shifting perspectives of time travelers, the alternation of voice works to help ease the transitions and hold the narrative together.
There is good world-building in here; the magical systems are likewise laid out in a way that does not jar ("magic A is magic A"). There are Faeries - well, of course, there are Faeries. If you're going to make time run in a wonky and wonkable fashion, that's to be expected, if you remember how fairy mounds work.
Shifting Stars appears to be the beginning of an epic adventure. I look forward to reading more.
There is good world-building in here; the magical systems are likewise laid out in a way that does not jar ("magic A is magic A"). There are Faeries - well, of course, there are Faeries. If you're going to make time run in a wonky and wonkable fashion, that's to be expected, if you remember how fairy mounds work.
Shifting Stars appears to be the beginning of an epic adventure. I look forward to reading more.
July 23, 2024
Shifting Stars is the first book in the high fantasy series Salvation to Tempestria by Gary Stringer. Told from the POV of Arshes Megane who, as an immortal druid from another time, hopes to find a book of knowledge to help save their world. She encounters many magical adventures in her quest and tells the story of her mother, Catriona, a powerful half faery and her father, a shadow warrior, and how they got to this cataclysmic point. The story is full of entertaining, magical exploits and is a fast- paced, page-turner. As a scientist, the author weaves Fae themes and scifi seamlessly for a high fantasy fairytale. Recommended for fans of shapeshifters, demons and humorous tricksters.
November 29, 2024
Shifting Stars is the first book in the high fantasy series Salvation to Tempestria by Gary Stringer. Told from the POV of Arshes Megane who, as an immortal druid from another time, hopes to find a book of knowledge to help save their world. She encounters many magical adventures in her quest and tells the story of her mother, Catriona, a powerful half faery and her father, shadow warrior, and how they got to this cataclysmic point. The story is full of entertaining, magical exploits and is a fast- paced, page-turner. As a scientist, the author weaves Fae themes and scifi seamlessly for a high fantasy fairytale. Recommended for fans of shapeshifters, demons and humorous tricksters. I really love the beautiful cover of this book.
December 16, 2024
Catriona seeks to understand her powers at any cost, but soon has to face the question—is the cost too high?
The story is told in a mix of first and third person; the 1st person POV is done by Cat’s daughter, Arshes, who tells the reader why her mother did what she did. We, the reader, aren’t given much detail as to what Arshes is up to, but I suspect her own actions will play a larger role in the upcoming books in the series. As for this one, the main character is Cat whom we follow on her journey of knowledge and self-discovery.
The narration style was jarring to begin with, but I eventually grew accustomed to it. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t lose myself in the book.
3 Stars
The story is told in a mix of first and third person; the 1st person POV is done by Cat’s daughter, Arshes, who tells the reader why her mother did what she did. We, the reader, aren’t given much detail as to what Arshes is up to, but I suspect her own actions will play a larger role in the upcoming books in the series. As for this one, the main character is Cat whom we follow on her journey of knowledge and self-discovery.
The narration style was jarring to begin with, but I eventually grew accustomed to it. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t lose myself in the book.
3 Stars
October 5, 2023
I simply LOVED the book and story. If I could give it 10 starts I would have. It's an amusing adventure after adventure with interesting characters. I also loved the writing style and the voice of the narrator (the main character's daughter). The only part I disliked is that there is no closure and resolution, the story continues in the next book. I will wait for the series to be complete before I read the rest, but I've recommended the book to my teenage son, I think he would find it enjoyable too.
November 18, 2023
A very original plot of a druid's magical quest. She searches for a book she believes holds knowledge which will help her save the world. Along the way, she’s thrust into amazing adventures with other enchanted beings who also possess incredible powers. The story is brimming with shapeshifting, astral planes, time travel, and all manner of mystical spells. A fully immersive fantasy tale laced with demons, tricksters, humor, unusual friendships, and laced with tantalizing bits of science sprinkled throughout.
September 21, 2023
This fantasy novel takes you on a magical journey through time and interesting circumstances that makes the characters sparkle with life. Well written and unique, this book is worth a read.
August 3, 2024
Magical adventure
This book brings us on a magical adventure through time travel and teleportation with interesting characters that shape shifts. Well written and an interesting read.
This book brings us on a magical adventure through time travel and teleportation with interesting characters that shape shifts. Well written and an interesting read.
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