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The Shadow Watch #4
The Well of Shadows
On the brink of another War Between the Worlds...The Gallows Girl will determine once and for all...If magic will save the world or bring it to ruin. Reeling from the events in the Ruined Empire, Tori must rally her few loyal followers to save her friends and face foes on two fronts. The Darkling Queen has sentenced Mischa to death in a bold attempt to lure Tori into a trap. The Gallows Girl must find a way to outwit the sorceress who hijacked her rebellion and stole her magic, so she can face an even greater threat.For the chancellor searches the world for the mythical Wellspring, the power of creation itself, in a final scheme to take back his throne. If he finds the heart of magic, it could plunge the world into a darkness beyond all imagining.Tori must face her demons and harness new magic, if she has any hope of preventing another magical war from ravaging her world.But there can be no peace without sacrifice. Don't miss the thrilling conclusion to the Shadow Watch series.
- GenresFantasy
482 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2021
42 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
S.A. Klopfenstein
14 books127 followersChildren of the Gods out Sept. 30.
Author of the Shadow Watch Saga, and the Rogue System trilogy.
Author of the Shadow Watch Saga, and the Rogue System trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 15, 2021
4.5 Stars
Well...as I read the last part of the story, I was originally upset and read with a heavy heart...but...I thought on it overnight and it makes sense that Tori made the choices that she did. This was rivoting and even though I'm sad to say goodbye to each of these fantastic characters, I am so thankful that I found an author and story worth spending time with and thoughts that will last a long time.
Well...as I read the last part of the story, I was originally upset and read with a heavy heart...but...I thought on it overnight and it makes sense that Tori made the choices that she did. This was rivoting and even though I'm sad to say goodbye to each of these fantastic characters, I am so thankful that I found an author and story worth spending time with and thoughts that will last a long time.
June 16, 2021
This was an amazing conclusion and I was loving it up to the very end. Now I am pissed and heartbroken. Whyyyy him? That was not at all what I was expecting and I am not a happy camper right now. Though the end left it open that his return is a possibility and Tori is ready for it 🤷🏻♀️ this was a wild ride.
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May 1, 2022The audiobook is out now!
February 28, 2024
A deadly game in a grasp for power. A war of worlds will see untrustworthy alliances & heartbreaking casualties. Chaos will soon envelop them all.
Cannot recommend this epic enough! Each book incredible. Top 5 SP/indie completed series ever for me!
Cannot recommend this epic enough! Each book incredible. Top 5 SP/indie completed series ever for me!
February 23, 2025
From where this series began, I would never have expected this ending. And I say that in a good way— I love being surprised by stories! If you want a fantasy series with endless twists and turns, worldbuilding that grows with each new book, and characters who’re constantly evolving, this is for you!
August 14, 2022
4.5 stars
This entire series was a wonderful discovery and I'm so glad I somehow ended up on the author's mailing list, or this series may not have crossed my radar. I really do think that this is an underrated and under-recognized series and on the surface might be considered a typical YA fantasy, but by the time I got to the second book, I knew it was so much more than that. The world-building is very complex and imaginative, both in the setting and in the inhabitants of the many worlds. The characters are well-fleshed out and they each have their strengths and flaws. Motivations and loyalties are constantly being tested and alliances are made even with your worst enemy. And as much as you hate it sometimes, you feel like each person is making the best choice they can at that moment.
The first book was a great introduction to this world and our main characters. The second book lifted the series to a higher level. The third book was absolutely intense and dark and had me on the edge of my seat. This one was the same until I got to the end and I actually yelled out loud with a "What? How can you end like this?!" I was in the car when this happened and I was actually upset by how the ending left me hanging. I just wanted one sentence. One. But once I got the car parked, I went back and reread the ending and I realized that it actually leaves you with a lot of hope and I am not quite so annoyed, lol. If anything, it makes me excited for a possible continuation of this world as I would love to see how those left in charge work to create a new world.
This amazing series is a hidden gem and it is one that I will likely read again in the future. If Stephen Klopfenstein is reading this, I hope he will consider writing a sequel series to this one.
This entire series was a wonderful discovery and I'm so glad I somehow ended up on the author's mailing list, or this series may not have crossed my radar. I really do think that this is an underrated and under-recognized series and on the surface might be considered a typical YA fantasy, but by the time I got to the second book, I knew it was so much more than that. The world-building is very complex and imaginative, both in the setting and in the inhabitants of the many worlds. The characters are well-fleshed out and they each have their strengths and flaws. Motivations and loyalties are constantly being tested and alliances are made even with your worst enemy. And as much as you hate it sometimes, you feel like each person is making the best choice they can at that moment.
The first book was a great introduction to this world and our main characters. The second book lifted the series to a higher level. The third book was absolutely intense and dark and had me on the edge of my seat. This one was the same until I got to the end and I actually yelled out loud with a "What? How can you end like this?!" I was in the car when this happened and I was actually upset by how the ending left me hanging. I just wanted one sentence. One. But once I got the car parked, I went back and reread the ending and I realized that it actually leaves you with a lot of hope and I am not quite so annoyed, lol. If anything, it makes me excited for a possible continuation of this world as I would love to see how those left in charge work to create a new world.
This amazing series is a hidden gem and it is one that I will likely read again in the future. If Stephen Klopfenstein is reading this, I hope he will consider writing a sequel series to this one.
May 21, 2021
The Final Triumph in the Series
The writing of this series is excellent and this final book takes it to a new level.
I had forgotten the history created in the previous books, but it came back in the first pages and grew and grew as I read on.
Magical and exciting the twist and turns allow the reader to speculate, but then lead them on a very different path.
This appears to be the final book… but I could see more adventures happening around Mischa and others in their new roles…
Thank you for the amazing work… keep it coming… and highly recommended to anyone who interested in magical fantasy.
The writing of this series is excellent and this final book takes it to a new level.
I had forgotten the history created in the previous books, but it came back in the first pages and grew and grew as I read on.
Magical and exciting the twist and turns allow the reader to speculate, but then lead them on a very different path.
This appears to be the final book… but I could see more adventures happening around Mischa and others in their new roles…
Thank you for the amazing work… keep it coming… and highly recommended to anyone who interested in magical fantasy.
January 2, 2022
Book 4 surpassed my expectations for a grand finale! The last third or so was a wild ride; definitely the most intense of the series. Very unexpected and complex right up to the end. Loved the imagery the author paints for the various settings, which continue in impressive creativity throughout the entire series and certainly doesn't disappoint in the last book. As a reader big on character, I also loved the way the characters stories build and intertwine. Without giving away the ending, I will say it has a satisfying balance of conclusion and openness. This is a series I would like to reread again someday.
October 6, 2025
Partial Review.
This was a satisfactory series ending, but a little bit of an uneven reading experience.
There continued to be strong character and world development. Even in this last we're introduced to a new compelling part of the world. But I confess one realm ventured into by our fractured team I'm still not sure I entirely understand. And while I enjoyed Tori's time in the contest, this felt like the sort of event and undertaking that would be in a middle book as the transition to the story's climax left dangling threads in that area and felt a bit abrupt. Though I can't quite put my finger on why that is.
This book does start to really throw punches in the last parts. All of the people, cultures, and magical elements come together in a clash that works more evenly than I anticipated for such a crowd. And while I understand why the tone of the ending was the author's chosen way I do think there could have been a slightly more impactful ending even if the mood would be completely opposite.
overall I'd give the series a four
This was a satisfactory series ending, but a little bit of an uneven reading experience.
There continued to be strong character and world development. Even in this last we're introduced to a new compelling part of the world. But I confess one realm ventured into by our fractured team I'm still not sure I entirely understand. And while I enjoyed Tori's time in the contest, this felt like the sort of event and undertaking that would be in a middle book as the transition to the story's climax left dangling threads in that area and felt a bit abrupt. Though I can't quite put my finger on why that is.
This book does start to really throw punches in the last parts. All of the people, cultures, and magical elements come together in a clash that works more evenly than I anticipated for such a crowd. And while I understand why the tone of the ending was the author's chosen way I do think there could have been a slightly more impactful ending even if the mood would be completely opposite.
overall I'd give the series a four
July 18, 2025
It’s a conclusion
So safe to say, it ended the way it should have. I think tho, I had a few issue myself. Let’s start with our MC. She is good, but I also feel that she trusted way too easily. Too many times in the series she trusted people because, reason. Even tho she knew they would betray her in some way. Too many times does it happen and she never learned from it.
I do like the idea of the gates. They were very interesting and fun little side quest. And gave us a baller lore about the other magic. So it was great.
Overall, I feel this is a solid series. For those who absolutely love this world and series that’s awesome. And I always for the best for the author’s future in writing. ✍️
So safe to say, it ended the way it should have. I think tho, I had a few issue myself. Let’s start with our MC. She is good, but I also feel that she trusted way too easily. Too many times in the series she trusted people because, reason. Even tho she knew they would betray her in some way. Too many times does it happen and she never learned from it.
I do like the idea of the gates. They were very interesting and fun little side quest. And gave us a baller lore about the other magic. So it was great.
Overall, I feel this is a solid series. For those who absolutely love this world and series that’s awesome. And I always for the best for the author’s future in writing. ✍️
August 20, 2021
The Well of Shadows book4
As I read 1-3 I couldn't wait to see what the next page would bring; adventure? Sorrow? New challenges? With this book I hated to come to its end! I have so enjoyed the characters and all their challenges! I hope in the future we will read about some of the characters futures. The imagery was fantastic, you felt you were there and what a wonderful imagination of the uses of magic! This series would be great on the screen. I look forward to reading more by S. A. Klopfenstein.
As I read 1-3 I couldn't wait to see what the next page would bring; adventure? Sorrow? New challenges? With this book I hated to come to its end! I have so enjoyed the characters and all their challenges! I hope in the future we will read about some of the characters futures. The imagery was fantastic, you felt you were there and what a wonderful imagination of the uses of magic! This series would be great on the screen. I look forward to reading more by S. A. Klopfenstein.
April 10, 2024
What a great series! I have enjoyed it! So many twists and turns and it kept me interested and entertained. So much suffering, why!!?
But it was cool to see Tori have power and start smashing everyone like ants! Hehehe, even tho it was evil. I’m glad that the chancellor got what he got and that several ppl had a hand in that.
I’m sad that Tori had to leave, but I’m glad that she gets to find out who she is. I’m still so sad that Alec had to leave, hopefully they get back together and heal😭.
But it was cool to see Tori have power and start smashing everyone like ants! Hehehe, even tho it was evil. I’m glad that the chancellor got what he got and that several ppl had a hand in that.
I’m sad that Tori had to leave, but I’m glad that she gets to find out who she is. I’m still so sad that Alec had to leave, hopefully they get back together and heal😭.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2024
3.5 stars. I didn’t like this one as well as the others. I was disappointed in the ending. I wanted it to be like Tori brought balance back to magic and it was a good thing. I didn’t like how she became controlled by chaos for a time and caused so much fighting and killing. I wanted magical balance and a peaceful resolution!
But I did enjoy reading it. Just wished it would have ended differently.
But I did enjoy reading it. Just wished it would have ended differently.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
This author obviously doesn't know when to quit. Enough plot twists babe, enough betrayal. We had 2 perfectly foul villains we could have used, instead we turn the hero of the whole series into a hasty 3 chapter villain. My God man. Honestly, I'm just happy to be done reading it.
May 26, 2024
The turn of events in this last part was really unexpected and the whole world building was really really interesting. I really hated alek’s ending but his sacrifice was something u can’t forget. It really saddened me. But over all amazing plot and definitely a recommendation from my end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2025
The magic
This was a great series kept my interest throught all books the
characters were great and how they changed in the books and how the magic changed and changed the people ɓut the main characters all ways came back to each other
This was a great series kept my interest throught all books the
characters were great and how they changed in the books and how the magic changed and changed the people ɓut the main characters all ways came back to each other
May 12, 2021
Good ending to series
July 29, 2021
Good ending to a great series! Lots of build up in the beginning, but it all came together well. Excited to see more from this author!
January 14, 2024
I wish the author had wrapped the story up in book 3. It just seemed to go on forever. I didn't like the ending.
October 19, 2024
Solid read, and felt like a full circle end to the series. I was happy with this!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews