What do you think?
Rate this book
The Shadow Changeling #3
Shade War
Cursed by a soul-eating demon and haunted by his past, this shadow mage will do anything to save the woman he loves… from himself.
Crowley’s my name. Some call me Hound, but most don’t live to say it twice.
The goddess Fuamnach kidnapped me when I was a child, she taught me magic, then she made me her assassin and slave. If that was all she did to me, I might’ve escaped and let it pass. But she changed me—in ways I still don’t completely understand.
There’s something inside me… and it hungers.
A blessing and a curse, my shade provides the magic I need to evade Fuamnach while it slowly gnaws away at my life force. Even worse, the entity has recently decided to rebel against me.
Now I’m not just being hunted by a goddess… I’m in the midst of a war for my very soul.
If the shade wins I’ll be trapped inside my body, helpless to resist while it feeds on everyone around me—including Belladonna, the woman I love.
I have to find a way to control the shadow wraith and to stop Fuamnach from hunting me. Only then can Belladonna and I can live in peace.
To do that, I need answers—answers that can only be found in Underhill where I was enslaved and reborn. But if I’m captured there, my former master will delight in torturing me to death over several agonizing centuries. And that’s if she’s feeling generous.
This won’t be the first time I’ve bearded the lion in its den… but one slip, and it might be my last.
Shade War is the action-packed third entry in The Shadow Changeling Series trilogy, a Colin McCool Junkyard Druid spin-off series set in M.D. Massey's Druidverse urban fantasy setting.
If you enjoy dark urban fantasy books featuring haunted antiheroes in the tradition of Snape, Walker Boh, and Constantine, you'll enjoy this action-packed love story about a shadow wizard who’s fighting for his freedom… and his very soul.
Crowley’s my name. Some call me Hound, but most don’t live to say it twice.
The goddess Fuamnach kidnapped me when I was a child, she taught me magic, then she made me her assassin and slave. If that was all she did to me, I might’ve escaped and let it pass. But she changed me—in ways I still don’t completely understand.
There’s something inside me… and it hungers.
A blessing and a curse, my shade provides the magic I need to evade Fuamnach while it slowly gnaws away at my life force. Even worse, the entity has recently decided to rebel against me.
Now I’m not just being hunted by a goddess… I’m in the midst of a war for my very soul.
If the shade wins I’ll be trapped inside my body, helpless to resist while it feeds on everyone around me—including Belladonna, the woman I love.
I have to find a way to control the shadow wraith and to stop Fuamnach from hunting me. Only then can Belladonna and I can live in peace.
To do that, I need answers—answers that can only be found in Underhill where I was enslaved and reborn. But if I’m captured there, my former master will delight in torturing me to death over several agonizing centuries. And that’s if she’s feeling generous.
This won’t be the first time I’ve bearded the lion in its den… but one slip, and it might be my last.
Shade War is the action-packed third entry in The Shadow Changeling Series trilogy, a Colin McCool Junkyard Druid spin-off series set in M.D. Massey's Druidverse urban fantasy setting.
If you enjoy dark urban fantasy books featuring haunted antiheroes in the tradition of Snape, Walker Boh, and Constantine, you'll enjoy this action-packed love story about a shadow wizard who’s fighting for his freedom… and his very soul.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2022
134 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
M.D. Massey
65 books570 followersM.D. Massey describes himself as the prototypical INTJ. His eclectic background provides him with a rich tapestry of experiences to draw on when crafting fiction, as evidenced by the believable worlds and relatable characters he creates.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 16, 2022
Crowley's showdown with Fuamnach is coming one way or another. His shade is literally sucking the life out of him.
These issues need to be resolved or it's the end of Crowley, and probably all he cares about if he loses
These issues need to be resolved or it's the end of Crowley, and probably all he cares about if he loses
March 14, 2022
Really enjoyed Crowley's story - his history and battle with his shade. He has really grown as a character since we first met him fighting Colin for Baylor's eye. And absolutely love Monty, what a great/classic sidekick! Looking forward to the new series with his partnership with Belladonna and their detective agency.
March 22, 2022
Belladonna and Crowley take on the Fuamnach
It's been a long painful battle against the goddess who kidnapped him but the time has finally come to end things. His inner shadow curse is gaining strength but with his allies he's ready to make a bid for freedom. Monty and Belladonna journey to Underhill with Crowley to retrieve a weapon that holds the key to his future. That woman can handle a small army single handed and Monty will do any thing for ganga. Maeve and the Fuamanch are at odds again. Love conquers evil!
It's been a long painful battle against the goddess who kidnapped him but the time has finally come to end things. His inner shadow curse is gaining strength but with his allies he's ready to make a bid for freedom. Monty and Belladonna journey to Underhill with Crowley to retrieve a weapon that holds the key to his future. That woman can handle a small army single handed and Monty will do any thing for ganga. Maeve and the Fuamanch are at odds again. Love conquers evil!
March 16, 2022
Ahhhh.......
This series comes to an end, and it's one I REALLY hoped for!
Crowley is trying to keep Belladonna safe from his shade. The one that's trying to kill him and take over his body.
The show down of Fuamnach and Crowley!!
The ending, of this book, is what, I think most readers wanted for him after getting to know him.
So can't wait to see Belladonna and Crowley in more Druid high jinx 😁😁😁😁
This series comes to an end, and it's one I REALLY hoped for!
Crowley is trying to keep Belladonna safe from his shade. The one that's trying to kill him and take over his body.
The show down of Fuamnach and Crowley!!
The ending, of this book, is what, I think most readers wanted for him after getting to know him.
So can't wait to see Belladonna and Crowley in more Druid high jinx 😁😁😁😁
March 17, 2022
A definite must read!
Crowley first started as an antagonist for Collin McCool in The Junkyard Druid series, but has grown from the character that I despised to one I fully enjoy and appreciate. This story ties up a lot of his history and sets him up to be more of the hero and less of the villain he started out as.
Definitely deserving of his own series, and I'll continue to read each one!.?
Crowley first started as an antagonist for Collin McCool in The Junkyard Druid series, but has grown from the character that I despised to one I fully enjoy and appreciate. This story ties up a lot of his history and sets him up to be more of the hero and less of the villain he started out as.
Definitely deserving of his own series, and I'll continue to read each one!.?
June 21, 2024
This book is teetering between 3 and 4 stars for me. It does an appropriate job of wrapping up Crowley’s arc, but I wish there was more to the story. It felt like there wasn’t much of an idea of what this book was supposed to be, besides Crowley’s confrontation with his adoptive evil mother. I enjoyed what I read, only wish there was more story to tell. At the very least, Shade War did not outstay its welcome or artificially inflate its length.
March 11, 2022
Crowley's really suffering with the shade demon, but he's close to figuring out a solution when he gets hit with another crisis. He and Bella have to travel to retrieve a tool that Peg says can help him with more than one problem. Will he figure out the tool's secrets? Will the shade demon finally take him over? Gotta read to find out and what an action packed read!
March 15, 2022
I loved this.
It's not often that a book grips me so hard that I am thinking about it when I am not reading, but this one did just that.
Crowley is growing as a person, and if he can win the war with his shade, his humanity has no limits. The big question is, can he beat Fuamnach and his shade?
It's not often that a book grips me so hard that I am thinking about it when I am not reading, but this one did just that.
Crowley is growing as a person, and if he can win the war with his shade, his humanity has no limits. The big question is, can he beat Fuamnach and his shade?
April 11, 2022
Adventure
Crowley is in a bad way and needs help. He gets banished, and is loosing his battle with his inner spirit. All of his great plans are foiled. He must go on a quest to find a weapon that will help him, but can he do it before he looses himself?
Crowley is in a bad way and needs help. He gets banished, and is loosing his battle with his inner spirit. All of his great plans are foiled. He must go on a quest to find a weapon that will help him, but can he do it before he looses himself?
May 23, 2022
Michael (M.D. Massey has the bard's gift of storytelling, giving his fantastical characters a realism with relatable feelings and emotions, and creating fantastical stories for them which are hard to leave from beginning to end.
This is an excellent, exciting ending to Crowley's story.
This is an excellent, exciting ending to Crowley's story.
March 21, 2022
Great ending to a very interesting series. Bad guy becomes a good guy. He rids himself of his demons while saving his girlfriend, his pets and his town.
Hope there is more to come.
Hope there is more to come.
March 23, 2022
Great Story
I really enjoyed the series thus far. It is a new twist on the druids whole shared universe. A bit disturbing. Full of action.
I really enjoyed the series thus far. It is a new twist on the druids whole shared universe. A bit disturbing. Full of action.
March 31, 2022
Great Book
This was a great series. In fact, I enjoyed all the Druidverse books. Now like when you binge read a series, I get to wait for what’s next in this series.
This was a great series. In fact, I enjoyed all the Druidverse books. Now like when you binge read a series, I get to wait for what’s next in this series.
April 2, 2022
Consistently awesome!!!
This latest book is another highly entertaining session with some of my all-time favorite characters. I can't wait for the start of their next adventure.
This latest book is another highly entertaining session with some of my all-time favorite characters. I can't wait for the start of their next adventure.
April 10, 2022
Enjoyed
I really like Crowley and how he has to process and reconcile emotions and tasks. I also like how we got to learn more about Peg
I really like Crowley and how he has to process and reconcile emotions and tasks. I also like how we got to learn more about Peg
April 14, 2022
a great read
Looking for a fast paced good read with good guys bad guys and a satisfying ending? look no further this is it
Looking for a fast paced good read with good guys bad guys and a satisfying ending? look no further this is it
November 4, 2022
Shade War
Great story with slot of action. I also like that the plot was kind of left open to more possibilities.
Great story with slot of action. I also like that the plot was kind of left open to more possibilities.
December 11, 2022
Loved this book, looking forward to reading more about Belladonna and Crowley.
April 1, 2022
The insight into Crowley's character is fascinating. He and Belladonna work together to try to destroy the Fae who stole him from his parents and murdered them, while at the same time fighting to control the shade demon within and keep it from consuming his soul and taking over his body, all make for a brilliant read.
As always, MD Massey has delivered a fantastic story that you don’t want to put down.
As always, MD Massey has delivered a fantastic story that you don’t want to put down.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews