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The Shendri Series #3

The Unclaimed Wolf

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“I will not abandon them to their fate.
Bade needs to be stopped, and I'm the one who needs to do it.”

Sir Edmund Brandt has always considered himself to be a natural charmer. So, when Queen Josselyn ships him off to Northern Myr in hopes of recruiting the wolf Shendri, he assumes locating her will be the hardest part. Little does he know this wolf has teeth.

Maya, a.k.a. “Shifter”, is second-in-command of the Dirt Mercs, a position she takes quite seriously. The Mercs are her family, and she's determined to use her gifts to protect them. When an arrogant Eldorian Knight arrives at the Haven and starts nosing around, she's having none of it. No one messes with her family and gets away with it.

Edmund isn't the only one looking to claim the wolf, however, and a dark shadow lies on the other side of the river, where Bade and his newfound dragon Shendri linger, waiting for Maya to join their fold. And Bade isn't one to take rejection lightly.

Desperate times force unlikely bonds as the need for vengeance sends Maya and Edmund into dangerous territory in this exciting third installment of E.P. Stavs's The Shendri Series.

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2021

3 people are currently reading
39 people want to read

About the author

E.P. Stavs

14 books112 followers
Author of romance and magic.

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5 stars
41 (82%)
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6 (12%)
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2 (4%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Kat.
Author 14 books610 followers
December 9, 2021
In THE UNCLAIMED WOLF, the third book of the SHENDRI series, Edmund has been sent by Queen Jocelyn to a far-off land to locate the third shendri sister. War is brewing against Bane, and they need all the allies they can get. I have always had a soft spot for Edmund, childhood friend of Jocelyn, and was excited to see him getting to be a main character in this third book. Maya, our third shendri sister, has grown up having to learn to defend herself and is her mother’s second in command in the Dirt Mercs. She’s being pulled in several directions, as she’s trying to forge a friendship with Fia, the fourth shendri sister, who has sworn an alliance to Bane and wants Maya to join her. I liked how the book examined Maya’s frustration at being pulled in so many directions, with everyone wanting her and Kitsune to join their cause. The world building is well done in every book and this book had some of my favorite fantastical scenes, as we learn more about Maya’s background. I loved the way that author EP Stavs created an entirely new world in that regard (staying vague for spoiler’s sake, but this was very cool!) This ended on quite the delicious cliffhanger. Fortunately, I already had book four downloaded onto my kindle!!
Profile Image for Michele Quirke.
Author 2 books138 followers
March 16, 2021
The Unclaimed Wolf is the third book I've read by E.P. Stavs and it definitely held up to the hype! Marvelous characters, a fast-paced plot, and superb writing is what I've come to expect from this author and she never disappoints! Somehow she manages to surpass my expectations each time!! Incredible!

I want to start with the characters of The Unclaimed Wolf. They are so well-rounded and each of our beloved Shendri are so unique. Maya is one bad-ass, sassy lady and I loved getting to know her during this book. Watching her walls come down throughout the slow-burn romance was such fun! There was a wide cast of great characters, but Edmund will forever be a favorite of mine. His confidence (dare I say...arrogance?) made him hilarious. I won't get into spoilers, but the dance and river scenes were two of my favorites! So funny!

Now for the plot. (Don't worry, no spoilers) There were twists! There were scenes that had me cracking up. There were scenes that had me reaching for the tissues. It was amazing and kept me turning page after page!

Anyone who has read the previous books in the series knows the quality of the writing we can expect from Stavs. She has a way with words that pulls you so deep into the story that you forget you're reading. From this point forward, I will read anything and everything she writes!

As with every other book in The Shendri Series, The Unclaimed Wolf is an excellent story worthy of a million stars!
Profile Image for Kelly Miller.
Author 14 books435 followers
February 25, 2023
One thing is clear after reading The Unclaimed Wolf, the 3rd book in the Shendri Series by Ms. Stavs: she really knows how to tell a story! What's great about these books is that not only does each one contain a satisfying story arc, but they built together to form a fantastic story so that each book makes you eager to read the next. So yes, I am greatly looking forward to reading the final book, The Moonlit Warrier, as it promises to be another fabulous and fulfilling read!

Profile Image for K.R. Wieland.
Author 9 books17 followers
April 19, 2021
This book was amazing! While I loved the previous books, this one, again, hit all the marks for me.

I wasn’t sure about following Edmund through this story, but I came to love his character. I like seeing a more vulnerable side to him at times. There were certain parts where this character definitely had me laughing as I read.

While Lily in The Searching Songbird was less of a fighter, Maya more than made up for it. She is fierce with an attitude that I loved and she doesn’t put up with any of Edmund’s nonsense.

The side characters were equally amazing in this story and I can’t wait until September for next book!
Profile Image for Hayley Chow.
Author 14 books136 followers
May 9, 2021


What can I say? I really love the Shendri series. The writing flows quickly and effortlessly, and banter and the romance just keeps me coming back for more. I've loved getting to know every Shendri warrior, and I especially loved this enemies-to-lovers of Edmund and Maya. I really loved the world-building in this book too, and really getting to dive into the magic and mysteries of this world. Extra points for the fun side characters Cashel and Berg - I could totally listen to them back and forth for a whole 'nother book - and also for the enticing bread crumbs leading us into book four.



Honestly, the only thing I'm really sad about is that the fourth one will be the last one. Cuz I'm not ready for it to end yet!!

Profile Image for Elizabeth Holland.
Author 12 books105 followers
March 25, 2021
This is the third book in the Shendri Series and possibly my favourite. Each and every one of these books has been magical and Stavs has hooked me from the first few pages.

The Unclaimed Wolf follows the story of Maya, the wolf Shendri. Edward is sent to find the wolf and bring her back to Eldour. However, Edward gets a little more than he bargained for when Maya breaks his nose on their first encounter. Can this bad ass duo save everyone from Bade?

I loved the sassy conversation between Maya and Edward. The characters and worlds in Satvs' books really come alive. Everything is so beautifully described and the story feels like it naturally unfolds as you read. There's also shocking twist towards the end of the book! I'm beyond excited for the next book. I cannot wait to see these strong warrior Shendri come together.
Profile Image for Darren Boeck.
Author 8 books95 followers
April 23, 2021
Once again, author E.P. Stavs lives up to expectations with her third book in her Shendri series. In this book, we are introduced to the third and even a little bit of the fourth female warrior that will help to save the world hopefully. A girl and her wolf, fighting together in perfect harmony with, of course, a love interest thrown in as well. I continue to find the books in this series both fun to read and well written, which combine to cause a minor loss of sleep as I find them hard to put down. Loved it!
Profile Image for K.L. Bone.
Author 43 books650 followers
December 6, 2022
A thrilling fantasy adventure!

The Unclaimed Wolf introduces the third heroine in the Shendri series. Maya is a strong, passionate, warrior trained in combat. She is extremely loyal to her people and family, and is a compelling addition to this wonderful fantasy series!

It also reintroduces Sir Edmund, a heroic knight who falls quickly for Maya’s fearless nature. A kind-hearted, loyal man, sparks quickly fly between the pair, leading to a sweet-hearted romance as Edmund and Maya overcome their differences and find their way into each others’ hearts.

I also greatly enjoyed meeting new characters Berg and Cashel. Their humor and good nature made them instant favorites!

I enjoyed this adventure and look forward to reading more stories in this amazing fantasy world!
Profile Image for M.E. Aster.
Author 4 books50 followers
July 29, 2022
The Shendri series continues to captivate me with The Unclaimed Wolf!

Stavs once again had me hooked from page one. Her writing is always superb and immediately hooks me into the story without any slow points or stagnation in the plot.

I thought Maya was a wonderful addition to the Shendri Warriors. I loved her unique heritage and powers (sorry can’t say anymore because SPOILERS!) and her found family of the Dirt Mercs was so special and loving.

And I was so excited to see Edmund as one of the main characters in this book. I loved him in The Marked Princess so seeing him finally find love was so satisfying!

I could ramble on about how much I loved this book for ages but I’m scared I’ll end up spoiling something if I keep going so I’ll end with this - this series is incredible and I HIGHLY recommend it to any fans of YA fantasy! I can’t wait to read the final installment!
Profile Image for Casie Aufenthie.
Author 4 books50 followers
August 4, 2021
E.P. Stavs has delivered another fantastic fantasy with the third installment of the Shendri Series. This action-packed story has a quick, smooth pace with plenty of romance and world-building to make it nearly impossible to put down, and just when I think I’ve met my favorite Shendri and love interest, Stav’s manages to up the ante.

Maya is exactly the protagonist I want to read about, and the kind of fiercely independent, strong, and capable figure young girls can look up to (aside from perhaps some trust and anger issues, but who wants an unrealistically perfect main character?). Where the rest of the Shendri question or struggle to find their power, Maya has it in spades and knows it. Her journey is about learning to depend on others, and I loved how cocky, smart-mouthed Edmund is the one to help her do so.

On top of an incredibly fun quasi-enemies to lovers tale, The Unclaimed Wolf takes a deeper dive into the over-arching story of the Shendri vs the demi-god Bade while also expanding the rich history and vast landscape of the world in which they live. It truly brought the scenes and story to life in a new way.

With an ending sure to leave readers yearning for more, this story really has it all. I couldn’t recommend it more. I know I can’t wait to get my hands on the grand conclusion of this wonderful series.
Profile Image for H. Ferry.
Author 2 books15 followers
March 28, 2021
The third book in the Shendri series truly held up to my expectations (and beyond). This time, we're introduced to another Shendri, Maya. She's a badass, sassy, and strong-willed fighter, but she has a soft and caring side, too, which we see more of as the story progresses.

One of my favorite parts of the story was the romantic plot (which is one of Stav's specialities in my opinion). We see an impossible pairing between two completely different personalities brought together by necessity. It was awesome to see how their similarities begin to shine as they get to know each other through adversities.

Like the previous two books, this one was magical, exciting, and featured some juicy twists and turns. It was a great read, and now I can't wait for the final installment.
Profile Image for Cat Bowser.
Author 6 books43 followers
May 6, 2022
Catching up on some reviews I should have left before. Forgive me, E.P. Stavs! No idea how this one slipped my mind but I am glad to fix it now.

This book continues the trend of awesomeness that the other books set but I think I like the characters in this one so far the best. There is a brand of humor that I adore without it offsetting the story or plot or being too much. It's such a beautiful balance, making the characters so lovable.

I love how the world continues to grow and build on what came before it, while also creating brand new events and plot twists. It's the best way to build a series!

And it gets better:)
Profile Image for Beth.
191 reviews30 followers
April 12, 2021
This series is so fun! In this third installment, we’ve got two strong characters, each stubborn in their own way.

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and Maya’s mysterious past/unique magic in The Unclaimed Wolf. There’s banter, heart, and action throughout.

As with the rest of the series, this is an indie-published book with QUALITY, from the cover to the storytelling to the editing!

I’m guessing Book 4 will be the final book in the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. There’s going to be a big showdown, and I am here for it!

4.5 stars.
Profile Image for Sarah Maxwell.
Author 3 books53 followers
November 23, 2021
Seriously, what's not to love about this third installment in the Shendri Series? I remember reading book 1 and loving the concept of the spirit animal. Reminded me of Lyra's Daemon in 'Northern Lights'. In 'The Unclaimed Wolf', we meet the glorious Kitsune (sp) - I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to ride on their own wolf? Love the relationships that E.P Stavs develops, especially of course between Maya and Edmund. Bade, though not present much, is an awesome villain. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of more of him. Can't wait for Book 4. Highly recommend this series.
Profile Image for Sara Cleveland.
Author 8 books58 followers
June 1, 2021
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It's not my favorite in the series-- that distinction still goes to The Searching Songbird-- but it did a lot to develop the overall plot of the series and was fun to read. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Stavs wraps things up in The Moonlit Warrior this fall.
Profile Image for Adrianne Lemke.
Author 18 books60 followers
July 28, 2021
I have been very much enjoying the Shendri series, but I have to say, I think I enjoyed The Unclaimed Wolf the most so far. I loved the characters and the story. I am definitely looking forward to the next book!
Profile Image for Shelby Elizabeth.
Author 9 books49 followers
September 19, 2021
Yet another great book by E.P. Stavs! It took me a while to start to like Edmund, but I was certainly rooting for him by the end! And Maya is a really interesting character. Super excited for book 4, especially after that ending . . . it definitely makes you want more!
Profile Image for Tabitha Womack.
Author 25 books105 followers
April 7, 2021
Another winner!

This third installment of the Shendri series doesn't disappoint. The story of Kitsune & Maya is unique and action-packed. The characters continue to be well-developed and charismatic. The plot thickens, and I'm looking forward to the fourth. Good job!
Profile Image for Laken Honeycutt.
Author 4 books31 followers
April 5, 2021
Book three of the Shendri series may be my favorite so far. The Unclaimed Wolf by E.P. Stavs introduces the fiercest of the Shendri, Maya. I loved her independence, her sensibility, and no-nonsense attitude. How interesting to receive such a different viewpoint of this world.

The world-building in this novel was really amazing! I feel like a whole new level was unlocked, exposing multiple layers to the Shendri world. I enjoyed being there. Without giving away too many details, I will say I found the world-building to be immersive, visual, and such beautiful, captivating work.

Also, I love a good ending and I appreciate how difficult that can be to do. This story-ending did not disappoint. The Unclaimed Wolf is the third book I’ve read by Stavs, and I believe she has an exceptional talent for ending stories. This one resolved in a way that was most satisfying while piquing my curiosity for the last book, The Moonlit Warrior.
43 reviews3 followers
March 16, 2021
Once again, a book I originally pledged to read a few chapters at a time, but ended up finishing in a day. Stavs's most recent book has absolutely lived up to the hype and then some with amazing storytelling, a brand new relationship dynamic and joyous amounts of worldbuilding.

What can I say about this book that I haven't already said about Stavs's other works? The characters- both main and side- are full of personality and quirky enough to stand out, the humour works so well but isn't used so much that the drama isn't effective, the tension all throughout, both romantic and drama-wise, the fight scenes are visceral and exciting and the old characters still shine as bright as ever; simply put, it's a Stavs book.

However, as much as I love the new dynamic, I would've personally preferred more of a lone-wolf story (pun not intended!) but despite that preference, I think The Unclaimed Wolf is definitely a worthy addition to the Shendri series, and one that's definitely to be put high on people's TBR lists.
Profile Image for T.M. Kohl.
Author 6 books38 followers
September 1, 2021
Awesome penultimate installment!

I enjoyed many things about this. I’m glad we readers got to see Edmund get his own story and challenges to overcome.

I loved the expansion of the lore and worldbuilding, seeing some deeper magic than has been portrayed thus far. The new culture was also fun to explore, and I hope to see it more.

I also enjoyed seeing another side of the main villain (or is he?) that I did not expect. I’m starting to see a bigger picture, and it’s made me excited for the final book!
8 reviews
March 16, 2021
The whole Shendri series is such an interesting read, but I really enjoyed the Unclaimed Wolf. The characters are well developed and are someone to root for. I honestly was hesitant with the backstory of the main character at the beginning, but as it went along, I realized that it worked very well. Great read, and I can't wait to see what happens in the final installment!!!
Profile Image for Amanda.
Author 13 books37 followers
June 22, 2021
Stavs has done it again!

I think this is my favorite out of the Shendri series so far. I loved everything about Maya as a main character. Edmund...well...he's probably my least favorite out of all of the love interests in the series, though he wasn't entirely unlikable. I'm curious to see how the series concludes in book 4 (I have some ideas/predictions but I'll keep them to myself for now). I'm kind of excited to see more of Bade, though, and the epilogue of this book has really made me question some things about him in regards to "the big bad". Maybe I'm just a sucker for redemption arcs and/or sympathetic villains, but I guess I'll find out for sure in a few months.
Profile Image for Jessica Piro.
Author 8 books69 followers
March 28, 2021
This was another great entry into The Shendri Series, especially with the Shendri Warrior being a kick-ass, take-no-nonsense, female lead character. Getting more worldbuilding in this third installment was a welcome change--I have more of a grasp on this fantasy world.
I'm looking forward to how the series wraps up in The Moonlit Warrior, coming in the fall!
Profile Image for Allison.
Author 6 books161 followers
March 16, 2021
The Shendri Series doesn't let up in this third installment of action and heat, introducing the fiercest Shendri Warrior yet: a mercenary, ready with a weapon and tolerating no nonsense. Pairing her with Edmund, who we were introduced to in The Marked Princess, is perfection. We step beyond the established locations and flesh out this world even more fully, with each kingdom given its own distinctive feel. This series works so well because each book has its own engaging storyline, but all work within the larger narrative, and I cannot wait to see how Stavs will wrap everything in the final novel.
Profile Image for Leslee.
Author 4 books20 followers
April 21, 2025
The Unclaimed Wolf is a fantastic entry in the Shendri series. The story deepens as the Dirt Mercs and Mihalans are introduced. The threat of bad guy Bade looms closer, and by the end we get intriguing glimpses into his character and motivations.

Hardened mercenary Maya has a certain level of maturity and world-worn experience, which is a refreshing change of pace from the previous two Shendri (as great as they are in their own stories).

The relationship between Maya (the wolf Shendri) and Fia (the dragon Shendri)—sisters at heart but torn by conflicting loyalties—is heartbreaking and well-told.

I loved seeing Edmund get to step into the spotlight here, after his somewhat secondary status in the first book. He matures in wonderful ways in this third book. It's easy to forget the enemy-to-lovers trope that informs his role, because his relationship with Maya happens in a believable and organic way, blending seamlessly into the increasingly urgent and deepening plotlines of the series.

The end of this third book is spot-on, with tantalizing clues toward revelations to come. It's a bit of a cliffhanger, too, as we don't know the fate of several characters, including one very important one! All the more reason to pick up the fourth and final book, which I'm looking forward to.
Profile Image for Niki Rhys.
16 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2022
Maya is a lovable heroine who has a lot on her shoulders. I loved following her along her journey. While the book starts off like a slow, lazy river letting you take in the sights and the new setting, it gradually becomes a raging waterfall. Everything from the overarching story falls into place a little more in this installment, and I can't wait to see where this series goes next. Also if you're on the fence about whether or not to pick up this book, I'll leave you with a gem: "Our future king, everyone. You can rest assured knowing he's 'no snitch'."
Profile Image for C.R..
Author 7 books47 followers
March 11, 2023
Well done! Maya and Edmund were hilarious! I was so excited that Edmund was getting his own story too. I was also intrigued with the 4th Shendri Warrior's appearance in books 2 and 3. I'm excited to jump into her story in book 4. I'll be diving in soon!
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