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Shadow Knights #0.5
Shadow Knights: Origine
The prequel novella that leads into the epic Shadow Knights Trilogy!
Being selected by the Shadow Knights was only the beginning. After years of training, William has one final test to pass before he can join their ranks and learn the mysteries of the organization.
On the brink of realizing his dream, a poor decision threatens it all, and a secret he harbors could place it all in jeopardy.
William must complete his work to become a knight without losing all he has earned. His future and the lives of those he loves hang in the balance.
Being selected by the Shadow Knights was only the beginning. After years of training, William has one final test to pass before he can join their ranks and learn the mysteries of the organization.
On the brink of realizing his dream, a poor decision threatens it all, and a secret he harbors could place it all in jeopardy.
William must complete his work to become a knight without losing all he has earned. His future and the lives of those he loves hang in the balance.
- GenresFantasy
108 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2022
57 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Michael Webb
10 books152 followersMichael Webb is a fantasy author who lives in Georgia, northwest of Atlanta. A graduate of Berry College, he is married and has a son. He began writing on a whim in 2019 and fell in love with it. In addition to finishing The Shadow Knights Trilogy, he plans to write additional books.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 20, 2022
I love this world and hope I can return to it again soon! I enjoyed the peek into William and can see some parallels with Veron.
October 31, 2025
If you’re looking for a quick, atmospheric fantasy read that feels perfect for a chilly evening, Shadow Knights: Origine is a great choice. This novella sets the stage for Michael Webb’s Shadow Knights trilogy, offering a glimpse into the world before the main story begins, and it does so with plenty of heart and tension.
We follow William, a young man on the cusp of achieving his dream of becoming one of the Shadow Knights. But as with any good fantasy tale, things don’t go smoothly. One wrong decision, one secret too many, and suddenly everything he’s worked for is at risk. Webb does a great job of making you care about William in just over a hundred pages, what was not an easy task.
I’ll admit, the opening didn’t pull me in right away. At first, I thought this might end up being a fairly standard prequel — pleasant but predictable. However, once William’s final test to become a knight began, the pace picked up dramatically. From that moment on, there was no turning back; I was completely absorbed, eager to see how the story would unfold. Honestly, that slightly slow start is the only reason I can’t give this novella a full five stars.
What stands out most here is how complete the story feels despite its brevity. The pacing is tight, the stakes are clear, and the world-building feels rich without being overwhelming. You get just enough lore to be intrigued but not so much that it bogs the story down. The prose is clear and engaging, and while it doesn’t quite reach the poetic flair of the biggest fantasy names, it’s confident and effective.
It’s also worth noting that this novella feels slightly more “young adult” in tone than epic fantasy fans might expect, but it’s handled with sincerity rather than cliché. After finishing it, I’m definitely planning to dive into the main Shadow Knights trilogy. If it continues with the same emotional pull and intensity, it’s going to be a fantastic ride.
Verdict: Shadow Knights: Origine is a short but satisfying introduction to a promising fantasy world. It’s well-paced, emotionally grounded, and filled with just enough mystery to pull you toward the main trilogy. Perfect for readers who love tales of loyalty, sacrifice, and secret orders cloaked in shadow.
Shadow Knights: Origine is available for free when you sign up for the author’s newsletter, which makes it an even easier recommendation if you want to test the waters of this world.
We follow William, a young man on the cusp of achieving his dream of becoming one of the Shadow Knights. But as with any good fantasy tale, things don’t go smoothly. One wrong decision, one secret too many, and suddenly everything he’s worked for is at risk. Webb does a great job of making you care about William in just over a hundred pages, what was not an easy task.
I’ll admit, the opening didn’t pull me in right away. At first, I thought this might end up being a fairly standard prequel — pleasant but predictable. However, once William’s final test to become a knight began, the pace picked up dramatically. From that moment on, there was no turning back; I was completely absorbed, eager to see how the story would unfold. Honestly, that slightly slow start is the only reason I can’t give this novella a full five stars.
What stands out most here is how complete the story feels despite its brevity. The pacing is tight, the stakes are clear, and the world-building feels rich without being overwhelming. You get just enough lore to be intrigued but not so much that it bogs the story down. The prose is clear and engaging, and while it doesn’t quite reach the poetic flair of the biggest fantasy names, it’s confident and effective.
It’s also worth noting that this novella feels slightly more “young adult” in tone than epic fantasy fans might expect, but it’s handled with sincerity rather than cliché. After finishing it, I’m definitely planning to dive into the main Shadow Knights trilogy. If it continues with the same emotional pull and intensity, it’s going to be a fantastic ride.
Verdict: Shadow Knights: Origine is a short but satisfying introduction to a promising fantasy world. It’s well-paced, emotionally grounded, and filled with just enough mystery to pull you toward the main trilogy. Perfect for readers who love tales of loyalty, sacrifice, and secret orders cloaked in shadow.
Shadow Knights: Origine is available for free when you sign up for the author’s newsletter, which makes it an even easier recommendation if you want to test the waters of this world.
September 20, 2022
This is a most enjoyable novella introducing the world of The Shadow Knights and providing some of the back story hinted at in the first book of the main series. I really enjoyed this little extra and particularly find the author's incredible stylistic growth commendable. I liked The Last Shadow Knight, and this little taster is on a whole new level in terms of the storytelling. It's got nail-biting tension, brilliant high stakes and had me invested in the characters right from the start. Truly wonderful! I hope the author considers sharing more about this generation of shadow knights in future books. I'd love to see more of these characters.
February 2, 2023
The Shadow Knights trilogy has been on my TBR for months now, but I haven't gotten to them yet. After reading this absolutely amazing novella, I'll definitely be bumping it higher on my list! The characters all have so much depth, even in such a short story. The writing is very easy-to-read but still descriptive enough to give you a great picture of what's going on. I already know I'm going to be obsessed with this series!
April 14, 2024
Three stars.
Three stars is where good authors make their living. I realize what I am about to say is possibly insulting but I don't mean it to be so. I enjoy this author. I kinda like the magic system. It just ain't Brandon or Pat. And the trilogy is way more than three books. This is a rather interesting YA series of books. And imma gonna read em all!
Three stars is where good authors make their living. I realize what I am about to say is possibly insulting but I don't mean it to be so. I enjoy this author. I kinda like the magic system. It just ain't Brandon or Pat. And the trilogy is way more than three books. This is a rather interesting YA series of books. And imma gonna read em all!
April 5, 2025
This novella prequel introduces the origin of the Shadow Knights universe by very creative author, Michael Webb. I enjoyed the story very much and look forward to reading book one. I highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from BookFunnel and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from BookFunnel and this is my honest and voluntary review.
June 3, 2022
Great story, but too short
I really liked the related trilogy (so far) and can't wait for the last book of that to come out, but I really wish I knew more about the history of the Shadow Knights.
I really liked the related trilogy (so far) and can't wait for the last book of that to come out, but I really wish I knew more about the history of the Shadow Knights.
September 9, 2023
not bad, needs proofreading before publishing
Interesting little story, a bit slow to develop. I noticed a few lines where a character was talking, but no quote marks for used. A little bit better proofreading in future books would be a great idea.
Interesting little story, a bit slow to develop. I noticed a few lines where a character was talking, but no quote marks for used. A little bit better proofreading in future books would be a great idea.
October 13, 2023
A nice little start to a series, though I'm not sure I will continue. This feels just a touch young adult for me but it's well written and very engaging. The novella was beautifully paced which made it a pleasure to read.
August 15, 2023
Very good back story to Veron's dad, William stormbridge.
October 7, 2024
I was a bit disappointed .
April 13, 2023
Wow!
Michael Webbs books take ne to another world. It's like having enjoying a fantasy vacation while curled up in your jammies.
Michael Webbs books take ne to another world. It's like having enjoying a fantasy vacation while curled up in your jammies.
September 27, 2024
This is a prequel novella that sets the stage for the Shadow Knights Trilogy. The story follows William, who, after years of rigorous training, faces one final test to join the ranks of the Shadow Knights. His journey is fraught with challenges, including a poor decision that threatens his dream and a secret that could jeopardize everything he has worked for. Some references to the characters:
William: The protagonist, whose determination and resilience are tested as he strives to become a Shadow Knight. His journey is central to the plot, highlighting themes of perseverance and self-discovery. Veron’s story intertwines with William’s, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. Lia is known for her exceptional swordsmanship and control of the mystical force known as "origine".
William: The protagonist, whose determination and resilience are tested as he strives to become a Shadow Knight. His journey is central to the plot, highlighting themes of perseverance and self-discovery. Veron’s story intertwines with William’s, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. Lia is known for her exceptional swordsmanship and control of the mystical force known as "origine".
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews