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The Elder is on campaign and back in the glades of Olian a great sorrow grips the the infant daughter of Higher Durasian Lightfire has suddenly gone missing, and the infamous Old Way falls under immediate suspicion.Andarken Sourleaf and his shadowa are on the case, but while the Old Way remain faceless, none can be trusted, and murderous sprees have become a thing of beauty.

82 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2018

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563 people want to read

About the author

Jeremy Forsyth

9 books492 followers
Jeremy Forsyth is the author of the epic fantasy, Upon the Sands, book 1 of A Symphony of Shadow and Darkness.

He is also the author of The Sun, Moon, Sand, and Star series, a collection of short stories which include The Evening Tide, The Broken Rose, The Missing, The Raven Heiress, The Little Fairleaf and The Other Fairleaf.

To get his books cheaper than you would on Amazon, simply visit www.jeremyforsyth.co.za now!

Become a character in A Symphony of Shadow and Darkness by becoming a patron of Jeremy Forsyth: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=761092...

You can also find him on social media:

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https://www.wattpad.com/user/JeremyFo...

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https://www.facebook.com/Jeremy-Forsy...

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Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JeremyForsyth6

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5 stars
22 (50%)
4 stars
17 (38%)
3 stars
3 (6%)
2 stars
1 (2%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
28 reviews
September 25, 2020
What I can say about this book is how explosive is its ending! I discovered from the previous two that I must expect something big to drop at the end, but honestly, the ending of this book was so unexpected and sprung up so suddenly!

What I have realized about this author is how intricately and creative are his plots! That, and a world brimming with a society rich in culture, diverse and fantastical, are but some of the elements that make a story like this resonate in a big way!

These characters are just so great too, the dialogues shared between them so exciting! And I love elves! This is just excellent! Highly recommended.

On to The Raven Heiress!
Profile Image for Joc.
769 reviews198 followers
November 21, 2018
Another great instalment set in the land of the Moon Elves. This time, a baby has been abducted. Her father, the Higher Durasian Lightfire, employs Andarken Sourleaf, Old Way Hunter, to find his missing daughter. Andarken is vile with a temper that continuously bubbles over onto his apprentice (shadowa), Paraden, and administrative assistant, Revara.

Mostly told from the third person point of view, alternating between Paraden and Revara, this mystery delves a little deeper into the socio-political aspects of the world Forsyth is creating. Some time has passed since the events of both The Evening Tide and The Broken Rose but there are appearances of quite of few of the characters from these books. Some of them playing quite an important role in the struggle of beliefs where devout Adonai followers are still trying to seek out and rid themselves of followers of the Dead/Old Gods.

Andarken is a really interesting character but we’re subjected to Paraden who is wonderfully characterised as a simpering, ineffectual shadowa. Paraden is completely enthralled by Revara, who is quite aware of her beauty and knows exactly how to work it. Revara was the best surprise in this novel for me. I’d like to see more of her, or characters like her in future novels.

I don’t think these books can be read as standalones because the world building and social hierarchy is becoming more complex as the threads from each story winds its way into the next. The only drawback for me here was that I found that there were too many characters with similar sounding names introduced causing me to have to stop and think about who they were and what family tree they belonged to. The mystery, however, is clever and complex.

Book received from the author for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mak.
144 reviews45 followers
October 30, 2020
I am so glad I took the time to read it this again. I was paying so much more attention to the details and it was even more fascinating than the first time. Things I didn't quite get at first, now are crystal clear and I am so ready to finally read the next book. I wish I had more time to read more every day...

How can an author in such a small book bring a whole world alive and create so many questions that only strengthen the reader’s thirst to read more?

Those of you who haven’t read Jeremy Forsyth’s books, yet, I dare you to do so, for you will be awed, as deception is in the details.

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. OK, maybe I wasn’t as fooled as in the first book, but still! The good thing is that I have grown to anticipate the author’s twists and unusual approach, so I kept looking for the right signs in the book that would guide me towards the right conclusion.

All review contains spoilers



There were many spots during which I could tell there was something off, but everything began making sense only at the scene in the warehouse where the body of the baby was found.

It was amazing how Revara and Paraden had managed to infiltrate and play their role so genuinely well. And as for Revara, it was quite refreshing to see a strong, independent elvess and dare I say a psychopathic badass.

Revara was easier to tell that she hid something. First, the moment when she referred to her ‘effect’ on others, then when she went for a stroll and was pointing out the poster with the Black Hood and the fact that, even though there was a killer on the loose, she never once showed to be afraid or even concerned. Also, she never praised Adonai and her hatred towards Andarken was very livid.

She was so sweet and caring towards Paraden, which only made one think, that they are the same. Once Lardian was introduced, and he and Tegerian told her of the suspicion of Ardaken being a follower of the Old gods, I knew for sure that this wasn’t the case.

It was so nice ‘seeing’ Tegerian again, but I can’t stop thinking about the great thread of a shadow and how he kept saying it cannot be Revara. And what about Lardian and his unique talent, or even Revara’s talent that is.

There was a moment I got lost in the pages and I had no idea what was happening. All the talk in the first person, about the struggle on the ship in the Eleavor Sea and the sea monsters, and then the bizarre fight between the Moon Elves and the Sun Elves, who then were Blue Elves and then again Sun elves. I kept thinking this is either a dream or a premonition, like a look in the future.

Paraden in his imaginary world is the right opposite of who he truly is.

We finally learn of Sharal’s death and we are introduced to more characters, locations, politics and facts at a bigger scale. This feels like when a storm is brewing and we are simply waiting for it to be unleashed. Oh my, how are we to wait for the next books?

Andarken is rude, arrogant and crude, and driven by hatred. There were some really funny moments with him, though.

We see how the author is getting braver with his writing and one should only applaud the lyric writing, the rich vocabulary and the poetic descriptions.

The Sea Storm; greatest of the Elder’s wardomes, pitched and rolled on waves that were as high as mountains in the black starless sky. Bright and vicious lightning cracked angrily, illuminating a dark world that had been hidden since the torches aboard had become snuffed out by the raging winds. Only the blinking eyes of those who possessed the First Sign of Adonai were easily seen.

And OMG, how terrible is the Old Way. It is truly frightening and I know for sure in the future installments there will be a great struggle between the worshipers of the Whispering god and those of the Old gods. It seems we are headed towards the resurrection of the Dead gods. As history has proven so many times, the greater gap between people, is religion.

I want to know more about the Athana Island, the Strangers and if they will fit at some point in the story, the Blue Elves, the Eleavor Sea, the sea monsters and the Lagones (big fan of dragons and wyrms!), the Veilnars and their ability in forging powerful weapons and why magic was outlawed since the reign of the Worthy. I would also love to have a list of all the glorious swords used throughout the series.

The ending was really sad and I hope Paraden gets what he deserves in the end. I am sure this will not be the last we see of Durasian.

I feel like I am ranting here, but there are so many things I want to say and most likely I am forgetting quite a lot of them, as there’s chaos in my mind, for it is being bombarded by the various revelations and clues.

This is a must-read for all Fantasy lovers!
Profile Image for Megami.
86 reviews4 followers
April 9, 2019
Wow, I'm shook!

It took me a while to get to around to reading this novel but once I started, I could hardly put it down! Jeremy once again thrilled and delighted me with his writing and the story he so vividly tells. He has the ability to create an engaging world in such a short novel, that it's truly amazing and tells a lot about his writing skills.

This is definitely my second favorite. My mind is still reeling... that plot twist! Lol.
Profile Image for Sally Maxwell.
434 reviews16 followers
December 31, 2018
Wow! Just wow!
Another great book, Broken Rose was my personal favourite from the series.
Profile Image for Paula Brown.
93 reviews22 followers
February 11, 2019
description

description

This story is about many things -- but is centered around the kidnapping of an infant baby girl that was murdered.
Her father was accused and found quilty -- which he wasnt. Friends and co-workers leading double lives and destroying
many in the process.People not being who you thought they were. All for Ego and or Religious practices, each trying to be the better
man or in this case the better Elf clan. Who was right and who was wrong? Who knows?
There was a dream where some things were mentioned to make the reader think and I will end this review with just some of them.
If you believe in God or anything, consider these questions;
a) why are you afraid all the time?
b) Why do you doubt your worth?
c) What power do I really have, if you go about life in constant struggle?
This was an exceptional read and if I could I would have given it an easy 10 star rating.
Profile Image for Dee Cherry.
2,945 reviews66 followers
June 18, 2019
Although this genre is still new to me, this final part of the series was very good. As I read, I could envision the elves and the magical land in which they lived. Storyline was well written and easy to follow as the narrator told of and attempted to complete their mission. Good ending and series and one I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Bron.
15 reviews28 followers
May 5, 2019
I am so impressed with this story! It's brilliantly written and cleverly done.
The characters were great and interesting, the intricacies that such a short book like this could have is incredible! But most of all, I now have a lady crush on Revara! What a sexy elf lady!
Profile Image for Roger.
83 reviews20 followers
October 18, 2020
Second take at writing this review since I accidentally posted my original review (See previous book review) for this book.

This book starts as many do in this series with a brief peek behind the curtain of the evil that will transpire much further down the road. This story has a Sherlock Holmes/Watson dynamic but try to imagine more fantasy and deceit than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We meet the Moon elves once again in this book but, unlike the previous book, the followers of the Old Way are one step ahead. The story revolves around a young shadowa following his master in solving the case of a missing child and the Old Way is suspected of committing the deed. Durasian the Higher's child has gone missing and this odd combination of sleuths attempts to solve the mystery. This book has a lot of sad areas but is also suspenseful as well. A sad story that I couldn't put down until the final page.

This book would be a close second out of the series with Book #2 taking the top spot.
Profile Image for Amanda.
178 reviews4 followers
August 30, 2022
Another great chapter in this series.
Just to get it out of the way, I see no point at all to the spattered random artwork through these novellas, however, I did love the addition in this one of a map at the start.
I always think a map of the world we are reading about helps to put things in better perspective.

Another great tale where we find ourselves drawn in, I can hear the clash of steel in the fights, smell the tang of blood in the air, sense the tension in the meetings.
There are so many twists in this particular tale that just when you think you may have grasped it, you are yet again thrown off track. Even the twist at the end has a twist of its own!
Great narrative,
Highly recommended
Profile Image for Dyanna.
211 reviews10 followers
August 7, 2021
This book was filled with plots within plots it is these twists that kept my attention until the last page. It was hard to decide who to dislike the most in this book. The miserable apprentice, or his boss.
Profile Image for Steph Oliva.
80 reviews2 followers
June 17, 2022
I think that this book has got to be my favorite so far. Also that ending of the book has my brain at "WTF is going on?". I do love the fact that the story in each book develops more and more each time I delve into another book. So kudos to you on that. So nice job on the book I found myself really enjoying it. I can not wait to see what lies in the next book and how it may affect my brain. xD
Profile Image for Tori.
162 reviews3 followers
January 20, 2022
This is the third book in the Sun, Moon, Sand and Stars series and the books keep getting better and better! Now that I’m a couple books into the series I’ve started to anticipate that the characters are not always who they appear to be at first glance. Revara and Paraden are introduced to the reader as smaller secondary characters who are good natured, but weak. Jeremy Forsyth has bigger things in store for them though as the story continues on.
Profile Image for Donna.
225 reviews7 followers
February 14, 2023
All I can say is wow! Another great installment, I'm loving the fact that I can't predict the plot twist!!
4 reviews
June 14, 2023
EDIT - Before I continue - I want to mention that this is not a three star story. It is better than a three star story - Originally (If goodreads gave the option) I would give it 3.5 stars (7/10). But, in hindsight, it has consistently improved. I cannot stop thinking about the ending, and I would say it continues to approach a four star rating in my mind - somehere around 3.8 stars right now... and I think that rating it four stars will be a better guide for readers than three stars.

MILD SPOILERS

The Missing is an impressive piece by Jeremy Forsyth. The heart of the story is murder. And it is a murder most foul (as best it is), perpetrated by an ancient cult seeking to alter the balance of power among the Moon Elves. A Moon Elf investigator and his apprentice are hired to track down the murderer... and so unfolds a plot veiled in mystery, violence and horror.

PS - The epilogue is one of the most disturbing and well written pieces that I have read in a long time.
Profile Image for Jeremy.
8 reviews74 followers
March 14, 2022
An Elvin baby has gone missing, a killer is on the loose and lurking in the shadows, secret societies are searching for blood.

The Elder is on campaign, and back in the glades of Olian, a great sorrow grips the community: the infant daughter of Higher Durasian Lightfire has suddenly gone missing, and the infamous Old Way falls under immediate suspicion.

Andarken Sourleaf and his shadowa are on the case, but while the Old Way remains faceless, none can be trusted, and murderous sprees have become a thing of beauty.

Get the book for just $0.99 at www.jeremyforsyth.co.za
Profile Image for Kim Scarlet.
241 reviews28 followers
November 5, 2023
After taking a brief hiatus from my reading adventures, delving back into the fantastical realm of Alepion within the pages of the third installment of the Sun, Moon, Star, and Sand series felt like immersing myself in a whirlwind of intricate details. The multitude of names, especially those of the Elders, Higher Durasian, Paraden, Revara, Jayrander, Lardian, Tegerian Whitesong, Andarken Sourleaf, and various others within their intricate family structures, proved quite the challenge to memorize or even become familiar with.

However, amidst this name maze, what truly captivated me was the sheer depth of the storyline. It's a tale woven with such compelling intricacy that even in moments of confusion, I found myself unable to resist the pull of the unexpected plot twists. The constant unraveling of events I never saw coming kept me turning the pages, even when scenes became a bit perplexing due to the vast array of characters and their interwoven stories.

The beauty of this book lies not just in the complexity of its world-building but in the enigmatic surprises it unfolds. Despite occasional confusion, the story keep me engaged, wondering, and, most importantly, unable to set it aside is a testament to its enthralling nature. It's a literary journey that's as challenging as it is rewarding, and for all the moments of getting lost in its intricacies, the satisfaction of the unexpected plot twists keeps me eagerly flipping through the pages.
Profile Image for Ross Thompson.
322 reviews8 followers
August 18, 2021
The third disconnected short story in this world is again in the realm of the Moon Elves, but this time in a more urban setting. A serial killer is on the loose in the city, meanwhile the daughter of an Elder has gone missing, presumed abducted by Old Way terrorists - those extremist followers of the old gods.
Andarken Sourleaf is a hunter of these terrorists and is tasked with tracking down the baby or its abductors/killers, along with his assistant. Their investigation leads them to a controversial discovery, and one with long lasting consequences. The book contains similar twists to the first 2 books (so the reader is somewhat expecting them now), and a fairly major conspiracy.
Meanwhile in the city we discover the identity of the mysterious serial killer and how they were achieving their killing spree.
The writing style in the books is again very ambitious, aiming for quite a literary tone, over-describing people, places and scenes. However, it feels as if this book didn't get quite the same level of editing as the previous ones, as there are a few clangers of typos and often an odd word is chosen, whose meaning really doesn't fit with that intended.
Also, there is a lengthy passage of dreams experienced by the assistant, which doesn't seem to serve any purpose whatsoever, other than confusing the reader, as far as I can see. This takes up approximately a third of the book and seems to serve only as a massive exposition of the world's recent history and/or an attempt to link it to the first book, but is done in such a confusing and self-contradicting way that the reader is left bewildered by the end of it.
Again, this book has potential, but needs a decent edit.
52 reviews2 followers
December 1, 2025
Another fantastic installment set in the realm of the Moon Elves. It took me a bit to finally dive into this novel, but once I did, I was completely hooked. An intriguing short story, narrated from two perspectives, featuring nice twists and starts, as many in this series do, with a brief glimpse behind the scenes of the evil that will unfold much later on. I'm really impressed with this tale! It's exceptionally well-written and cleverly crafted; the depth that such a short book can possess is astounding. Jeremy has a knack for building an engaging world in such a brief novel, which is truly remarkable and speaks volumes about his writing talent. Great conclusion to the series, and one I wholeheartedly recommend!
Profile Image for Josie (thebookgoblin13).
309 reviews20 followers
February 27, 2025
I'm really enjoying this little short stories with pack so much. This one had a bit more mystery and hearing the other elves names from the other stories makes it even more interesting. I still think the first one is my favorite just the way the story was written. This one has another nice twist i didn't see coming.
Profile Image for Ida Wilcox.
1,842 reviews14 followers
Read
October 2, 2020
What did I just read?

I was listening to this on my Kindle and I have no clue as to what really was going on.

It was really confusing. Maybe I was distracted or something but I am till you I lost.

I will try to listen to it again when I am not busy but just listening to this book.

I will say this. These books would make a great fantasy movie series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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