Shadow of Honor

The Droseran Saga #3

by Ronie Kendig

The war he fears may be the very one he’s been called to start. 

Held captive, tortured by monsters of a nightmarish alien race, Marco Dusan clings to a final goal: keep these beasts from the Quadrants, even if it means orchestrating his own death. But his dreams betray that singular design. In them his bonded calls to him across lightyears. Does he leave her to fight Symmachia alone, or risk bringing an unwinnable war to every planet in the Quadrants? 

On board the alien dreadnought, Eija Zacdari flounders, torn amidst military machinations, prophecies, and an inexplicable bond with one of the fearsome creatures who have imprisoned her friends. Only by uncovering the truth about an ancient conflict now shrouded in deception will she find her place.

Faced with her true identity, Eija sees her purpose snap into focus, and she realizes the war Marco fears may be the very one he has been called to start.

Genres: Science Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fantasy, Space Opera, Romance, Adventure, Christian Fantasy

432 pages, Hardcover

Published June 14, 2022

About the author

Ronie Kendig is a bestselling, award-winning author of over forty books. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband have returned to their beloved Texas after a nearly ten-year stint on the East Coast. They survive on Sonic runs, barbecue, and peach cobbler that they share--sometimes--with Benning the Stealth Golden and AAndromeda the #mwdwashout. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, Carol Award, Realm Award, Alliance Award, back-to-back RT Reviewers' Choice Awards, the HOLT Medallion, the IRCA, and FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

Ronie loves people and helping other writers through speaking, workshops, and/or mentoring. Find Ronie at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction) , Twitter (@roniekendig), Goodreads, and Instagram (www.instagram.com/kendigronie ).

Reviews

[Jane Maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am utterly speechless in the wake of this story. What a powerful, epic, jaw-dropping, heart-wrenching book. There simply aren't words to describe how absolutely incredible this is.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the scuz and by the voids! What did I just read?! A masterpiece that’s what! Each chapter gave me emotions, every choice the characters made made me feel something. From Marco to Darius, Isuara to Kersi, I was on a ride through space that left me reeling!
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I can’t say much, because this book is riddled with spoilers, but all I can say is a quote from Marco and his point of view: “Surreal things happening that made sense one second then became even more convoluted the next.” That’s it. That’s the series 😂
•
But in all seriousness, I loved how Ronie tackled an issue that’s riddling our world today: the suppression of masculinity. Again, I can’t say much without giving anything away, but I loved that aspect of this story.
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Another aspect of this book that I loved was a conversation Marco had with a certain someone. Marco is questioning why things had to happen the way they did, and this is the response:

“If I did those tasks for you, what would be learned?”

“That you understand a man’s love for his wife and his need to protect his family and kingdom. That you are powerful and loving.”

“Until the next time you feel I should perform based on your narrow vision of what circumstances should be and what the results should look like…If I do everything for you, how will you lean? How will you grow? Choice and free will are removed, and you become a slave.”
•
All in all, an epic read and I cannot wait for the fourth and final installment in the series!
Five stars!!!

[Inspirationalfictionreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow of Honor is absolutely amazing! Epic! Mind bogglingly creative! This series is shaping up to be one of my all time favorites! The world building, the action, the characters ( I mean Marco alone makes this series worth reading!), and the perfect pacing are all just absolutely brilliant!

Ronie Kendig, once again, does things that I didn’t think would be possible to pull off. I may have cried for someone I never thought I would. She has also made me want something that I know is wrong. Lol. And, she has made me love characters more than I already did! I know this is such a vague review, but basically everything is a spoiler and while I want to shout out all the secrets, I won’t. But, I will say you definitely need to read this series and you need to read it in order. I absolutely cannot wait for book 4! I am equal parts excited and scared to see what happens with all of these characters and their lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I also purchased a copy. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is woven throughout allegorically.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know where to start with how much I love this book.

It made me cry over a character I used to loathe. It made me SERIOUSLY AFRAID for another character that I absolutely adore (or you know, basically all of them because the author was NOT nice to people in this book).

I just want to hug all of these characters. Especially Isaura. Because she’s my very close second favorite behind #MarcoMyLove.

Isa is relatable for me. She’s had to handle a lot of loss and trauma very young, and yet manages to face what she must with grace. I hope I can someday say the same (though I feel like I’ve failed epically thus far).

This series is one of my all-time, absolute favorites. For a lot of reasons. And I’m both excited and afraid to see where it goes next. 😅🙈

I received an advance copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own and a review was not required.

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the epicness of this series continues.

Okay, there was no doubt that that would happen, but now that I've read book 3 I KNOW it!

First off, I love the complexity of this series. It's a little like Star Wars meets Military Sci-fi and is the perfect blend for this space opera. The romance, though somewhat disrupted in some cases *cough* if you know you know *cough* is so wonderful. It's rich in description and yet sweet with just the right amount of heat.

And the plot. Ohhh my oh my. This book zips past in a myriad of POVs that will guarantee your attention. I love that we get to see so many sides and from so many POVs and yet they are all unique and interesting.

I highly recommend this entire series to anyone who likes sci-fi or is willing to take a chance on something new! You won't be disappointed.

Now where is book 4? LOL :D

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Thanks to JustRead Tours and the publisher for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

SHADOW OF HONOR is another edge-of-your-seat book in this series. Full of complex characters and an ongoing battle on multiple fronts between different people on multiple planets keeps the pages turning from beginning to end. A series that is highly recommended for sci-fi and space opera fans!

Even though this book is around 500 pages it reads faster than that as there are no slow, dragging sections. There is a constant sense of suspense, mystery or danger (and sometimes all three). The characters are constantly facing challenges and adapting as they go, which also provides the reader with a lot of character insight and development. There are new peoples and planets explored in this third installment with things constantly shifting. The author keeps readers guessing as to who to trust and what will happen next. There are plenty of surprises and an ever evolving plot leading to a bit of a cliffhanger ending.

I loved reading this! I have learned to love these characters and enjoyed cheering them on as they faced even harder challenges, risks and dangers. There were also some really cool characters and places that were new in this third book. The world-building was excellent as well. The author always does an amazing job in writing the action scenes and those won't disappoint in this book. I'm literally dying to read the next installment.

My only criticism would be that I would have appreciated more of a recap woven through at the beginning since it took me a bit to remember what had happened in the last book and who everyone was.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a fast-paced read full of wonderful characters, an amazing world and an intriguing plot. Definitely a series to pick up and one I'll be continuing. Book four can't come soon enough!

Content: Some innuendo, violence, references to marital relations.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from through Celebrate Lit (but also bought my own copy), which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Brittnee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists I wasn't expecting, action, cliffhanger. Great story; the ending was bittersweet. 😭

[E.F. Buckles · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. I've probably said that about every book in this series, but they're all wow-worthy. I truly don't know how Ronie Kendig keeps this much story, much less multiple planets-worth of worlds in her head. There were so many HUGE reveals in this book that clarify many gray areas from the previous two books that this whole review would be one massive spoiler if I were to go into detail. I'm so amazed how Ronie somehow makes each reveal feel like a puzzle piece slipping into place. Things I didn't understand before suddenly make perfect sense and totally changes how I see everything that happened in the previous books.

I also love how she's able to take characters through such complex journeys. All of them have matured and changed in some way and are not the same people they were at the start of the series.

I've been giving the previous books in the series 4 stars simply because of the ongoing nature of the story and lack of solid answers, but I truly feel that the breathtaking reveals in this book, not to mention the clarity they provided, deserve 5 stars for being masterfully executed.

I already have my copy of War of Torment so I'm just gonna dive straight into that and finish this series. Here's hoping my emotions aren't completely shredded by the end. XD

Content Advisory:
This series, while clean, is very adult in tone, themes, complexity, and violence. I would say that it's best for ages 18 and up unless a teen reader is particularly mature.

Language:
Made up swear words only, like "Voids," "djell" etc. The word "djell" is revealed in this book to actually be the name of a gelatinous substance that promotes healing.

Violence:

A lot of violence occurs. War has been threatened since book 1 and the violence is amping up. Humans and aliens get injured and killed throughout, by laser guns, knives, a handful of explosions, and once, there's brief mention (no description) that someone got attacked and eaten by a large wild animal on an alien planet. Blood is mentioned frequently in relation to non-fatal injuries and deadly blows, but the descriptions are not lingered upon/gratuitous. Occasionally, there's mention of the feeling or sight of blood on hands or clothes, but again, it doesn't get lingered upon.

Tigo in particular gets beaten up frequently. Sometimes it's because he's in training, but sometimes it's someone in charge beating him up out of anger. It's made clear that the beatings done out of anger are wrong and he fights the injustice. Bruises and bloodied injuries get mentioned frequently but not described in detail. Pain does get described and some of the blows described can be wince-worthy. Once, he gets beaten so badly he thinks he might die.

There are a couple of instances of harsher/more abrupt violence, such as when Marco turns a "lava beast" alien's weaponized arm back at it, which causes it to blow its own head off. The lava beast is completely inhuman in appearance so it reads differently than a human death, however, there is still some splatter briefly described. Darien's kills someone with a knife in self defense, but it's in a fairly violent manner with blood described. Later, one of Darien's allies knifes one of his own men. It's an execution because the man was bragging about having just murdered someone, but it's rather abrupt, both for the reader and the characters who also didn't expect it to happen. Blood is described briefly. This execution is suggested to be justified because the man who carried it out does not receive a punishing mark on his body from the "Ladies" unlike when he himself had committed cold-blooded murder in the past. (This individual had just been expressing regret about his own crimes of cold-blooded murder before his man came in and started bragging, thus his realization that what his man had just done was wrong.)

Sexual:
Married couples share kisses and loving touches. Some unmarried couples also share a kiss or two. The kisses are described, some briefly and some a bit longer, and there is a sensual tinge to many of them. However, the scenes don't cross the line into sexual.

An incident from the first book is referenced where Tigo (fully clothed) was discovered in his room with a woman (also fully clothed) laying asleep in his bed. The reader knows that this woman had simply come to his room to talk and was so tired because of her terminal illness that he let her lay down and sleep. Nothing sexual happened. However, the individual who discovered her in his room has long believed that Tigo slept with this ill woman, possibly injuring her for his own pleasure. This individual accuses him of that again in this book, but this time, Tigo gets the chance to defend himself and clarify that he never slept with her. He admits that while he likes to flirt with women, the heart behind it is that he wants to make women feel valued and beautiful. He's not seeking to harass and take advantage of them, though he admits that sometimes he's made mistakes and that other men make mistakes in this area too. He acknowledges that God made men to be protectors, not to cause harm, and he's trying to do better.

During a moment of extreme bitterness, Kersie expresses that she regrets allowing Darius to "have his way with her" and get her pregnant. However, they later mend their marriage relationship and she regrets saying this.

Spiritual/Religious:
There has been spirituality throughout this series and we finally get some clarification about the true nature of the different spiritual beings in this book. Some may consider this a spoiler, but for those who do want to know, I'll put it in spoiler code.
The spiritual beings that have been mentioned in the series are "The Ladies," "Vaquar" and "The Ancient," respectively. It's been clear from the beginning that "The Ancient" is supposed to be reminiscent of the Christian God, but the Ladies and Vaquar got worshipped as gods by some groups and individuals as well. We finally get clarification in this book that the Ladies and Vaquar are not actually supposed to be worshipped, as they are only servants of The Ancient.

The Ladies are angel-like beings with feathered wings and supernatural powers who fight for the Ancient, however they are not perfect. Some have fallen away from the Ancient completely and are doing evil, but those are called by a different name. Those that are not fallen still make mistakes sometimes. Their most obvious one is that they, as an all-female race, see men (specifically humans of the male gender, not "men" as in, "humans in general.") as being far more corrupted than women and certainly lesser than the Ladies themselves. (This false belief gets dealt with and they're reminded that God created men and women to be helpmeets for each other, not adversaries, and neither gender is supposed to dominate or otherwise beat up on the other.)

Vaquar is revealed to have been a human man who, many years ago, was gifted by the Ancient with immortality and supernatural power. Again, he is not supposed to be worshipped, though some people do. One character even mistakes him for God, but he corrects them. He is a servant of God only.

Other:
I'm aware that some people aren't comfortable reading lengthy birthing scenes, so heads up that there is one in this book that is two chapters long. No sensitive body parts are described, but the reader stays in the perspective of the pregnant woman through most of it while she labors to give birth in a pool. The scene is two chapters long because the characters are discussing other things that are important to the story and the woman's ongoing emotional struggles while she is in labor. Birthing pains are described as is the feeling of the woman's water breaking.

TRIGGER WARNING for several instances throughout the book where a pregnant woman fears that her baby has died, and some stressful moments where there is fear that the baby might die during the birthing process. However, the baby ultimately survives and is birthed successfully.

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay give me a second I have to catch my breath. Every book in this series has been a rollercoaster, and Shadow of Honor is no exception.

The third book turns everything upside down, shaking what we thought and bringing pieces together in the way only Ronie Kendig can. There were a ton of POVs, yet following everything was fairly easy. (Though I will admit that there were a couple of times the technical terminology went a little over my head haha!) The characters go through SO much development in this book, and frankly, so did I. Characters I already loved, I loved more. Characters I hated, I grew to love. I don't know how Ronie did it.

The suspense and the plot twists and the pacing were perfect. The message of "seek peace" is powerful beyond just the events of the story. I cannot wait to see how this is all going to wrap up in the next book, I already know it's going to be great.

Overall, I think Dawn of Vengeance is still my favorite of the series so far, but this was a very solid installment. 4.5 stars from me!

Content warnings for violence, mentions of married couples being intimate, childbirth, war, and human experimentation. Recommended for ages 16 & up.

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

[Beth | Faithfully Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues to blow my mind. I'm eager to reach the conclusion yet don't want the journey to end. Though I purchased this series for my daughter, I have been even more consumed by the story than she has... I believe I'll be purchasing another set for my own shelves.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. As owner of JustRead Publicity Tours, I received compensation from the publisher and/or author to coordinate a promotional tour for this title. The opinions expressed are my own.

[(Jen) The Artist Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up literally seconds after the events of Dawn of Vengeance, the previous book in the Droseran Saga, we find our heroes on a desperate last ditch attempt to prevent the Symmachia from invading the Quadrants. Lost in the unfamiliar Kusu System, can they free themselves from powerful enemies and find their way home?

Wow. Ronie Kendig continues to outdo herself with each successive novel in the Droseran Saga! Her immersive world-building kept me turning pages until 4am in the morning --a feat I rarely am able accomplish in my post-college years. I was fully transfixed while Marco and the survivors of Eija's team fend for themselves in enemy territory and Marco's kyria finds herself in the middle of political intrigue and works to assert herself among the rulers of Drosero. Meanwhile, Kersei struggles to recover after the revelation of her family's betrayer. On a happier note, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Tigo again, as I felt he pretty much only had a cameo in the last book.

I absolutely couldn't put down Shadow of Honor. Secrets are revealed, new questions are raised, and everything is building up to what is sure to be an astounding finale! If you are a fan of epic sci-fi series, be sure to check out the Droseran Saga from beginning to end.

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes via Just Read Tours]

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Shannon - wildflowerbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowser is this series a wild ride! And I’m telling you right now, you DO NOT want to miss out on Shadow of Honor! This is book three, so you’ll want to make sure you start with Brand of Light!

This book, just like the first two, catapulted me into the story and there was no looking back! I don’t know how Ronie Kendig does it, but she writes like no other and with each book in this series I’m always fully enthralled by the amazing story and characters!

The action, characters, and world building of this book (and entire series) are incredible! Tigo and Marco are two of my all-time favorite characters! Isaura is a character that is so inspiring, yet so relatable, which makes me love her even more!

I can’t get over how all the characters and storylines from book one come together in this book! This book (and series as a whole) throws twists and turns like no other! Gasping and literal jaw dropping have happened more than once within each book! Please do yourself a favor and go read this series!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Rosalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic tale of intergalactic travel, intrigue, and war.

I delayed writing a review just because I was speechless. This book is almost beyond reviews.
I honestly do not understand how someone could craft a story like this. But, that's Ronie Kendig for you....stories that go far beyond your imagination!

I'm normally not even a fan of sci-fi. But Droseran. Well, these are an entity of their own, entirely.
I loved the story. There is so, so much going on. The fast pace is a challenge to keep up with.
There are so many twists and turns to this story. I honestly had no idea where or what to expect next.
I loved the characters. I loved the story line. I loved the setting, although it did have me confused a bit at times....
When the book ended, I was astounded. Mostly, because I had forgotten that there would be one more in this series. So, yes, be forewarned, this book definitely ends on a cliffhanger!

You get to understand some of the characters just a bit better in this book. I especially still love Marco. There are also some new characters, and some very unusual and unexpected things that you will encounter.
I should maybe mention here that this is the 3rd book in the series, and you definitely need to read the first two books before attempting this one.

I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a good ride!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Karla Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I hate to give this book three stars because I strongly suspect it deserves more. Others have rated it higher, so if you're looking for a good sci-fi romance series, go by that. However, what you DON'T want to do is pick up Book 3 without having previously read the first two books. You can with many series, which is why I asked to review this book, but it did not work out well this time.

The author is brilliant. The novel is set in a futuristic world deep in space. The aliens have their own language, but not only that, the humans use many words that are not familiar to me. (e.g., "Bonded" instead of spouse, apparently.) The characters have weird names, as is to be expected in sci-fi novels. Also, there are various settings... different planets, spaceships, etc.

I expect that the earlier books set up this world, the characters, and language, but coming in mid-story, I found it very confusing and overwhelming. I read ten chapters and still didn't understand what was happening and who everyone was. I chose not to finish the book at this time, but I would recommend giving the series a try if you enjoy sci-fi novels.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

*SCREAMS*

OH.

MY.

WOW.

Shadow of Honor was an ADVENTURE. A RIDE. An EXPERIENCE! Every time I read a book in the Droseran saga, I’m blown away by how masterfully written the series is and the fact that the story just keeps getting better and better! There’s SO MUCH going on but it’s so beautifully written with quite a few POVs (which I very much enjoyed).

Thoughts that cannot be collected or expressed in an orderly fashion because THIS BOOK! If you’ve read it, you’ll know what I mean, and if you haven’t, it won’t be spoiled but you’ll know what to look for😉:
- THE SUSPENSE
- THE HAPPY FEELS AND CUTE ROMANCE MOMENTS🥰
- THE PAIN😭
- I HAVE NO IDEA HOW ALL THE CHARACTERS WILL SURVIVE IN THE NEXT BOOK
- World building is PHENOMENAL (as always! Ronie keeps adding to the worlds every book too and IT IS EPIC)
- CHARACTERS - I LOVE THEM. The little precious beans. I want to hug them all (and slap a few as well) and go spend a week with each lol!
- I WAS SCREAMING INTERNALLY (especially in the last half - anybody feel me?!)
- Darius…my boy. His arc.
- The lessons learned. The truths about our lives. Mercy. Justice. Sacrifice. Portrayed and taught so well.
- I actually lost track of time while reading this (something I surprisingly don’t have with most books so this is a big accomplishment) and stayed up too late on multiple occasions (that’s normal for good fiction lol)
- THE ENDING😱

Highly recommend y’all check this one out! One of my top reads for this year!!🙌🏼

CONTENT: I recommend for older teens and up (like 17-18 and older). Mostly because of keeping up with the story and because it’s mentioned that married characters do intimate married things (it’s just hinted at and is handled tastefully). Childbirth is also depicted and was written well, but all of the above, as well as the violence, just adds up to make it a book that younger readers wouldn’t do as well with. It is in the adult sci-fi genre, so all of this makes sense in light of that though lol!

Thanks to the author for the free eARC of this book!

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ronie Kendig’s talented and ability is unmatched! Every word she writes is intentional and important to the big picture! How this lovely human has been able to create these crazy planets, these characters we’ve grown to love and cheer for, and villains who make our skin crawl AND DO IT WELL?! Amaze balls! That’s all I’ve got to say about her!

Sci-fi can be a hard genre for me to wrap my head around since there are so many made up things! But I fell right back into this universe and anytime I wasn’t reading I was definitely wishing I was back in my chair with the book in my hand! So. Addictive.

It’s been a while since I’ve read book 2, so I’ll be honest - I had to work a bit to remember where we were when Ronie left us with the last cliffhanger! (Im already preparing myself for the trouble I’ll face when book 4 comes out NEXT year 😅)
There is A LOT happening through the whole story - we’re living in a face paced world in this series. I definitely recommend brushing up a bit with book 1 & 2, and then fully immersing yourself in this story. 😆

I can’t say too many things in this review, because spoilers are a REAL thing. But I really enjoyed the story from beginning to end, and I enjoyed reading all of the POVs we got in this book!

Marco was FABULOUS (as always 😉😉) I have loved his character and I still do!

Kersei…thank God her character started to grow! She needed it. (I’m really looking forward to seeing the continuation of this)

And all our other lovely POV characters….I’m ready for the rest of the story!

I’m CRAZY excited about the finale and I cannot wait to see how our beautiful Ronie wraps up this most glorious series - though I’m prepared for more heartache…
I’m anxious to see how she wraps up everyone’s stories, and seeing all of their character arcs completed.

I’ll end my review with this…READ THIS SERIES! Start at book 1 and work your way through! You will not be disappointed! Even if you don’t think sci-fi is your thang - give this a shot!
I rated this a 4/5 star

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*

[Yakira Goldsberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another explosive read in a fast-paced, mind-boggling series! There are too many things to unpack this far into the series without giving away some serious spoilers, so I’ll just try to express my feels on this without giving anything away.
Once again, I’m blown away by Kendig’s ability to worldbuild. She had me hooked when I first read her Abiassa’s Fire trilogy, and the Droseran saga is no different. I love seeing all the different planets and peoples and things that make up this vast and wonderful story. All of the characters…please stop hurting them. I want to bundle them all up and place them in a safe place AWAY from Kendig’s vicious pen. But at the same time, the writer inside me is cackling madly. So there’s some conflict there, lol! The action alone with a lot of just…THINGS! So overall, the characters arcs, the plot, the worldbuilding, all of it was just on par and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment!

[Hallie (Hallie Reads)]

“The war he fears may be the very one he’s been called to start,” as Ronie Kendig continues the Droseran Saga with Shadow of Honor. It is the third book in this space opera series published by Enclave Publishing and proves to be an absolutely wild ride of an adventure. If you have an interest in epic space fantasies, this is a series for you, for sure. Kendig packs it with vivid world-building, characters to love, startling plot twists, and a whole gamut of emotions. The story moves at a fast pace and has always left me wanting to know what will happen next. I definitely cannot wait to read the next book!
⁣⁣
(I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.)

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow of Honor by Ronie Kendig is the continuing tale of the Dorseran Saga. The second book, Dawn of Vengeance, was left in a cliff-hanger, but Kendig dived right in and allowed the story to flow without a hitch. As a reader, I had no issue jumping right back in and remembering exactly where the story and plot left off. It was nice to see the returning characters change and develop from one story to the next. Kendig does make the returning characters suffer and struggle through each developing story. In the Shadow of Honor, Kendig has crafted a plot with many different twists and turns and monsters who make the characters squirm a little more with each chapter. As a space opera, it is very important to craft the setting and do it well. Kendig knows her setting and the characters who populate them very well. They are unique and jump into the reader’s imagination right away. There is some romance in the plot, babies born, and mysteries unveiled. Overall, Shadow of Honor by Ronie Kendig is a nice-crafted story that leads well up to the fourth book, and Kendig left this book in a cliff-hanger also. I can’t wait to see how she will end this series.

I received a complimentary copy of Shadow of Honor by Ronie Kendig published by Enclave Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

[Marylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the last few days, my husband would ask me what I was doing, and I’d say, “I’m in deep space, reading this newest book by Ronie Kendig. Then he’d laugh and say,
“To boldly go where no man has gone before.”
I’d answer that this was exactly what it felt like.
I’ve said this before in my reviews for the last two books in this series, and I’ll say it again:
When you hear that tagline you think of spectacularly epic, space stories and movies. That line will also go through your head as you read this book by Ronie Kendig because, this is a spectacularly epic book series, based in space.
I am amazed at all the creativity, and imagination Ronie Kendig has, to be able to write these stunning books!
From the book covers to the intriguing details of all the characters, places, and languages, these books are truly captivating, from the first line to the last!
WOW!
You will be taken on a ride of your life while you read this book!
Now, I do have to say, I’m so sorry for Marco and all that he has to endure. Ronie has put him through so much, but OH, he really is a larger-than-life hero!
I’m still trying to come down to earth after getting to the end of this book.
While reading this book I had so many emotions building up in me. There were a few times of humor and fun, as well as times of deep hurt and pain. Many times, I had to step away from reading it because it got so intense. I didn’t want to read what I knew was coming, yet it compelled me to come back to it. My heart ached and rejoiced for the characters throughout this book in the series. There might have also been a couple of times I shouted at them and said, NO, NO, NO! But I couldn’t put it down. It kept me so engaged and now I’m just waiting to go through the battle with them to see how it will all end.
Unfortunately, I have to wait to read the next book in the series! I know it will be just as phenomenal and epic as all these other ones.
Ronie Kendig is an author I will always go to, for powerful, stunning, adventurous, and captivating books to read.
If you like epic space stories with larger-than-life characters and spectacular settings beyond what you can imagine then this is the series for you! I HIGHLY recommend you pick it up and start reading now!
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rach Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So often the penultimate book in a series is lacking in excitement as the author builds up the finale. I am happy to report that this is NOT the case with Shadow of Honor by Ronie Kendig. From Chapter 1 I had to take regular breaks to scream into my pillow so I didn’t completely freak out! The pace of the book jumped straight into hyper speed and didn’t let up until the end.

Shadow of Honor has it all. Non-stop action. Characters that you can root for. Plot twists out the wazoo. Betrayal. Redemption. Reconciliation. But most importantly-hope. Hope and faith that in the end what is good, right, and true will conquer, and all that is evil will be destroyed.

Go read this book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Chelsea Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, djell!

So after the cliff-hanger that was Dawn of Vengeance , I'm glad that this one didn't end on that bad of a cliffhanger. And honestly I'm not 100% that I call that ending technically a cliffhanger? I mean, is it a cliffhanger if we know which direction everything is (probably) going to go? Anyway, after Dawn, I was so ready to find out that Marco made it back alright. Well, okay, after everything, alright is probably a relative term, but the important thing I'm focusing on is: HE MADE IT BACK.

Overall, the book was definitely interesting. There was more building on things and the threads that were dropped in both Brand of Light and Dawn are starting to come together. There's still enough open that I'm kind of glad things changed and Ronie Kendig turned this into a 4 book series instead of a trilogy. I feel like there would have been a ton that either got lost/dropped or it would have been too sloppily resolved to make the series as enjoyable (don't get me wrong, I still probably would have devoured it, but I would be unhappy).

I do still find myself wanting to know more about the prophecy and the Progenitor and the way the brand plays in everything. Qadimiy called out Marco's logic because of what he assumed when he met Kersei (and that was a surprise...while I was cheering for the two of them in Brand and some of Dawn, especially with Marco's vision at the end of Brand, but as things evolved in Dawn I found myself cheering differently) and that seems to have gotten Marco thinking. Then there was Kersei's conversation(s) with her Ma'ma when she was giving birth and something tells me that both of them kind of misunderstood what things mean. And I want to see how it plays out. Especially because of how hard Marco tried to get home and how everyone was calling Isaura his beacon, I feel like Marco and Kersei get to find their own happiness.

The reveals with Eija were definitely interesting. Along with Jez and the other Ladies. Wonder if Jez always knew or if she'd kind of gone undercover like Eija and she'd just woken up before they pulled Tigo out of the sanctitum? Kind of want to see how Eija handles the Remnant as well as what she's planning for the incubation center now. And what information she got from the center. Also what it means for Daq'Ti as well as the blue she started seeing before they escaped.

I did like Tigo calling out the Ladies for the way the treated the licitus. And how he didn't really cow to them, even when he acknowledged he may have crossed a line or two, he apologized where needed but didn't cower. Then there was Jez kissing him and I wonder how that whole thing is going to turn out.

Okay, so what time machine do I need to find to get book 4?

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first introduced to this amazing author through her earlier novels (the one’s I read were in the combat tracking team series. I was fascinated by how she captured the macho male persona and all the military action, adventure, and special ops missions. The combat scenes were engaging, believable, and fascinating to read about as they used combat dogs. I was thrilled at the opportunity to review this novel and I was excited to see how this author would deal with this genre. Oh, wow! Not only did the cover catch my eye, but I was once again blown away by her vivid imagination, as she takes readers to a place they’ve never been before, in a world she’s created with complex galaxies and unpredictable situations, filled with twists and turns.

I don’t normally read this genre, but I couldn’t resist reading a book written by Ronie Kendig. Because this is book three in the series, it took me a little bit to catch up, get the feel of the land and sense the progression of the novel. This story kept you guessing as to what was coming up next as I wrestled with who the good and bad guys were. I’m going to have to read book one in this series to appreciate the world building, character situations and their development.

I’m amazed by the growth in this authors’ writing talents and creativity, It’s stunning. The originality of the universes, and her well-developed characters drew me into this complex space adventure and never let me go. This makes for a fascinating summer read, and one that would work well for a book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/BookFunnel. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

[Brooke Derrington | A Brooke And Her Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just. Wow.
I finished this book earlier today, and my head is STILL spinning!!! Have you ever read a book that was SO intense that you felt like you needed a break to catch your breath?! That was this book…

Heart-stopping action, mind-boggling plot twists, and characters you will absolutely fall in love with and cry over - this book (and series) truly has it all!! I don’t think I have ever had so many gasp out loud moments reading a book as I did in this one (and we all know Ronie always has plenty of them - she’s outdone herself here!!!)

She has answered plenty of burning questions from the first two books, and in doing so opened up an avalanche of new questions! I don’t know if I can sufficiently put into words the way this book left me feeling… As always, she’s proven the queen of jaw dropping twists & leaving you on the edge of your seat, gasping for more. I NEED book 4 NOW Ronie!!! 😂😂😂

And in true Ronie style, she has put these characters through the wringer… it’s not an easy read, that’s all I can say! But it’s worth it. SO worth it! And those characters themselves! Just brilliant. Once again she’s given us a character who is so completely ambiguous that I still don’t have a clue whether he’s good or bad and we’re three books in! I honestly don’t know how she does it so well. And Marco... Well, Marco is Marco & he will do Marco things… If you haven’t met him yet… trust me, you need to!!!

Top shelf. Absolute top shelf. Must read.

Thank you so much Ronie and @enclavepublishing for the ARC!! What an honour to get to read this one early! (Pun intended! 😉). All thoughts are 100% my own, honest reactions and I can’t wait to have this one in beautiful hardcover on my shelf!!!

[Ashton Dorow · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, y’all. This series is a TRIP! In the best way! 😉

From the very beginning of book 1, Ronie Kendig had me hooked–and I’m happy to report she hasn’t let go of me yet after book 3! I am SO, so glad that the series got extended to four books instead of three, because I don’t know how she could have wrapped everything up in just one more book!

So many BIG, important, game-changing things happen in this book! 😱 I wish I could talk about them, but that would be major spoilers, of course… So I’ll have to just say that many of my long-standing questions were finally answered about WHAT is really going on here. Throughout this series, every time I thought I was getting a grasp on what was happening, I was proven wrong. There is SO MUCH more at play than first meets the eye. In Shadow of Honor, Ronie is finally pulling back the curtain and revealing the truth we’ve been searching for alongside Marco since the beginning. All the pieces–even the ones that didn’t seem to relate to the rest of the story–have started to fall in place and Y’ALL. My mind is just **blown** 🤯

Ronie’s a genius. That’s all there is to it. The complexity of the galaxies and all the many people and languages she has created is simply incredible. And how she has woven it all into this massive, unpredictable, crazy rollercoaster of a story is just **🤌🏻chef’s kiss** perfection. She’s got some mad skills, you guys.

As with book 2, at first the story seemed to have a slow take off and I got a little impatient. But everything gets going before too long, and trust me, you won’t want to put the book down! You will be on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens to Marco, Isaura, Kersei, Eija, Tigo, and alllll the rest!

Once again, Ronie’s left me breathless from this journey through the quadrants, and dying to read book 4! I’m excited to see how all this ends, and yet sad knowing there’s only one book left! Ahhhh!! 😩😆

If you love Marvel, Star Wars, or any sort of sci-fi, READ THIS SERIES!

**I received a copy of this book for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes a book echo through your heart? Is it the characters? The setting? The mood you’re in? Or a combination of all three?

Shadow of Honor was everything and more than I was hoping for. Like the last two books in the series, I was sucked in and when I came up, I felt like I was in a different world; yet the only thing that had shattered was my mind.

I think Ronie Kendig is one of the best (if not the best) authors I know of in terms of writing her characters. She can make you love and dislike characters all in the space of a few chapters; I think it probably has something to do with her understanding of human psychology. But the characters are ones you cannot get out of your head, they stick with you. They get under your skin in ways most characters don’t.

Nonetheless, Ronie Kendig crafted another wonderful story that made me want to scream at the end (read it and you’ll understand why).

Shadow of Honor gets a definite 5 billion stars from me and I am eagerly anticipating what the outcome of the final book will be next year. And my sincere thanks to Enclave Publishing for letting Ronie Kendig add a fourth book to the series.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The forces of good and evil are gathering...

I've been following The Droseran Saga from the very beginning...and saga is the correct word for it...
Loosely in the tradition of Star Wars this series is true space opera all the way. Prophecies, betrayal, sacrifice, redemption, forbidden romance, surprise allies, family secrets, hidden identities, aliens, desperate journeys, technology that is cool and some that's terrifying to imagine, and lots and lots of explosions. As with any space opera worth its salt, Shadow Of Honor only seems to get darker and more desperate with each chapter. But, if you've ever read the fantasy Lord Of The Rings series you know that it has to seem pretty hopeless right before the tide can turn and the battle won.

Ronie Kendig is a very versatile author and it shows pretty well in this series. I've been impressed with her worldbuilding skills, the diversity of her peoples, and her ability to describe futuristic technology in a few short sentences. Not everyone can pull off YA sci-fi, especially with Christian themes that are not too preachy, but Ronie Kendig certainly does.

While, this book was a little harder to get through than the previous two and just didn't quite grab me in the same way the first one did, it was still a solid addition to the series. This third Droseran Saga novel really delved into the lead characters themselves. Those characters all show some serious personal growth in Shadow Of Honor as they slowly find their places in the universe and in the prophecies. The stakes have never been higher nor the enemies more numerous but if they follow the will of the Ancient things may just finally be put right...but not without great personal cost...

Definitely start from the beginning with The Droseran Saga, but if you or your older kid are into sci-fi it is the series to try. If you've already read the first two books you won't want to miss Shadow Of Honor. Then we will all have to wait, impatiently I might add, to find out what new losses and victories Ronie Kendig will lead readers to in this epic battle for the universe in her next book in the series...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible adventure! Ronie Kendig has created amazing worlds in her latest book in her speculative/science fiction series, The Droseran Saga. In Shadow of Honor Marco, Eija, and Reef were taken captive from their own ship by a powerful race called the Draegis. Their desire is to gather all possible information from Marco about his home planet to prepare for their eventual attack. But Eija has somehow, by her touch, caused one of the Draegis to become her protector, even against his own people. Now Eija might just be able to gather enough information to enable them to escape.

Marco's wife, Isaura, is on their homeworld, attempting to be the leader of their people in Marco's absence. Also, she's pregnant with their child, in addition to having no political training. Yet she must act to draw together the leaders and rulers of their world, to prepare for their enemy's attack; and to introduce technology to people who are still eras behind it.

Their enemy is not only the enemy of the humans, but also of the Ancient that they worship. Believers will recognize the spiritual story here, as well as the personal battles each human must face. Will they follow God, submit their own wills and desires for honor, or will they follow the ways of the enemy? Kendig's characters are easy to love and hope for, and their character arcs are fascinating, as are the worlds the author creates. Jump into The Droseran Saga. It will fascinate and encourage you, all at once!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Brianna Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for a review.

Shadow of Honor by Ronnie Kendig is another exciting, action packed installment of the Droseran Saga.

Marco’s missing. Darius is a Traitor. Kersei is pregnant with the traitor’s child. Drama. Drama everywhere. Shadow of Honor has plenty of spacey wacey action sure to hook any space opera fan.

A series worthy of a movie adaptation or even an anime adaptation. A rollercoaster ride with Infinity War level emotion. A fun summer read and a movie for the mind all in one! I look forward to the final chapter of the story. If you enjoy Star Wars or Star Trek, you’ll love this!