Shadow Reaper

Firstborn Academy #3

by Isla Frost

Don't miss this epic conclusion to the internationally bestselling young adult fantasy series.

Life magic is abundant in Nova's world.
But it might just take death magic to save it.

Nova has sworn she will use every ounce of her wildcard power to bring down the worlds-destroying enemy that has gone undefeated for one hundred and fifty years.

The only hiccup in this otherwise solid plan is that she has no idea how.

But as she and her friends head to the war front to face this impossible task, they find themselves caught between powerful political forces, an unpopular prophesy, new and daunting revelations about their enemy, and the unstoppable might of the Malus itself.

If victory is possible, how much will it cost?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Magic, Dystopia

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 29, 2020

About the author

Isla Frost is a bestselling fantasy author who loves apple pie. She writes about strong heroines in fast-paced stories full of danger, magic, and adventure that leave you feeling warm and satisfied...

Kind of like eating apple pie.

Reviews

[Daisy Delfin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pages: 268
My rating: 3

The idea of this story had great potential but very often the author just stays at the surface and skims things.
I liked characters like Millicent or Glennis and Glenn and the idea of them too. I wished they played a bigger part. Same goes with Theus and Lirielle.

I am glad that I read the third book, because I got closure but I feel like the implementation of the ideas lacked a lot. Also there was nearly no romance and I felt that Theus and Nova are great friends, but there was no feelings about them being more than that in most of the series. And while the author say that everybody saw it, I never felt that way.


The Characters: Names and descriptions of the persons

Nova: first child of her family, has to go through a runagate after she turned 17, does not know what to expect, but plans to bring the walkers down and so earth can be free of the walkers and monsters.
Reuben, Mila, Dad: Nova’s family, who loves her and cared for her, when her mother distanced herself, Nova looks after Mila and Reuben.
Ameline: firstborn, best friend of Nova and same age too, leaves with Nova, magic speciality is communicating with animals and maybe she will be able to communicate with people she knows
Bryn: firstborn, meets Ameline and Nova in the waiting room, is streetsmart and had to take care of herself, because her father is a drunk. Can crave wood and used to blow up thing to find treasures to sell. Magic speciality is fire.
Theus: walker, he pairs up with the human kids in the first trial, he is called the prophesied by a fellow walker, most of the other walkers ignore him. He tries to get to know Nova a little better and Nova agrees to be more friendly with him, mainly so that she can gain information
Lirielle: walker, friend and follower of Theus, can see at least a little of the future and is different than other walkers. She teams up with the humans in the first trial. She is a fierce fighter.
Glennis and Glenn: goblins, work for the firstborn academy, they were saved by the walkers and work for them
Millicent: Name of the building of the firstborn Academy, the building has an own conscience and it prefers to be called Millicent than building. Millicent for example controls the access to the dorm rooms, also helps to guide the new students to their classes by showing different animals on the wallpaper pointing out the way. Makes Bryn’s and Nova’s life difficult, because they created footholds and handholds into the wall of the waiting room.
Invermoore: Walker and healer (not part of the story in #3)
Ellbereth Neryndrith: Walker, daughter of a council politician, wants to reverse Nova’s transformation
Gus: Nickname of Nova’s sword
Griff: Ameline’s pygmy griffin friend, he is small when Ameline gets him, but grows during the book
Sylvir: thirty-first intake, tour guide for the newbeeies, Armsman, joins the Reaper Unit
Fletcher: grew up with Nova and left for firstborn Academy before her, used to be a nice and gentle person, but the war altered him. Unit commander, asked Nova to join his unit, instead Fletcher joins Nova’s Unit, the Reaper Unit
Reaper Unit: Sylvir, Fletcher, Nova, Ameline, Bryn, Theus, Lirielle, Valesk of the seventeenth (Commander of the Unit, walker), Orlandrus (walker) and Dax (human) (both thirty-first intake and also Sylvir), Xanther (thirteenth intake), Helena (third intake) healer,




Summery: detailed, lot’s of spoiler

The firstborn have finished their training and it is the last day in the academy. They say their goodbyes to Millicent and Glennis and Glen and are transported to their new temporary home.

They are welcomed by Sylvir a walker and tour guide for the new armsmen. He shows them their new gadgets which will them assist to survive. But he also mentioned that this year not everybody will take part in the normal process, which is to join a unit and observe how everything works for one year.
Nova is called away to see the leader of the Army. He tells her that this year they are going to form a unit for Nova and her special wildcard gift. The unit will be called Reaper unit and Sylvir, Fletcher, Ameline, Bryn, Theus, Lirielle, Valesk of the seventeenth (Commander of the Unit, walker), Orlandrus (walker) and Dax (human) (both thirty-first intake and also Sylvir), Xanther (thirteenth intake), Helena (third intake) healer will be the other persons in the unit.

The next day they are deployed to a part where the Malus is near and Nova will try to apply her magic and hopefully harm the Malus. Valesk takes them to the appointed location and Nova tries to steal life force from the Malus. But it results in an counter attack where the Malus tries to take Novas life force. The Malus also sicks some strange beings controlled by him on the unit. While the Malus drains Nova. But somehow Theus comes to aid Nova and he just touches her and he saves her life. They figure out that Theus gift is to neutralise any magic if he touches the person. He is able to shield Novas life-force this way. But Nova backed out after this attack and when she recovers they report what they found to the leader.

When they arrive at their temporary home, Nova receives a message from the council man who found her and Theus in Antarctica at the end of book 2. He wants to collect his dept from Nova and tells her to meet him in a Garden at the capital city of the walkers on earth. Theus and Lirielle take her there. The council men tells her to knock out the head of the council by taking his life force. Novas does what she is told and leave the leader of the council unconscious. She is hyped on the the life force of the council man.

They decide to do a second test. First they take Nova to a place where she steals life-force form some animals and then they attack the Malus again. Theus is to shield Nova. The experiment is successful but the result are not what they expected and the unit finds itself in a battle against too many of Malus being. Fletcher is deadly injured and the flee the scene through rungates. The first safe stop they can find, they try to heal Fletcher but the healer is not optimistic. But Nova can’t loose Fletcher. She goes to Fletcher and pushes her life-force (the stolen one and the other) into him and heals him as much as she can. After that the healer takes over.

But at the end of the day two walkers await her and take her to take her to a council hearing. On their way they are attacked by the Malus. Nova tells the walkers to flee, but only one walker can run away and the other is drained by the Malus. Nova tries to save him by feeding him her life force. But the other walker has not got away and the Malus is on him. That’s when the drained walker uses his life force to make the Malus stumble, so that his partner can get away. She is rescued by Theus and taken back to the base of the units. There they tell the commander what happened and then the Commander tells Nova that she has to go to the council and he will go with her but her friends have to stay behind. When they arrive there, Nova finds out that she was part of a plot to convince the walkers to leave earth and leave behind the Hollows they created to return to their home world. And because of Novas deed they convinced enough council man to agree to this plan. But Ellsbeths mother tries to save Novas life and they find out that Ellsbeth’s mom never told the council that Nova bonded her soul and Ellsbeth soul together. After that they fight but the Commander tells the council that he wants to have Nova alive. But the Council fears Nova. But then the Commander tells them that Ellsbeth is their weapon, because when Nova does not do what she is supposed to do, they will kill Ellsbeth and Nova will die too. They agree and the Commander and Nova return to reaper unit.

After moping and feeling down her friends force Nova to take part in life again. And the commander comes up with a plan, how he thinks they can beat the Malus. But he need walkers who are willing to lay down their life, to kill the Malus. The Commander meets with the council but they deny them any help. But then Crinklewood turns up and tells them that he has more than 300 walkers willing to die to kill the Malus in return. And they device a plan how to kill the Malus.

The day before their final attack, the reaper unit have a day off. Theus finds Nova and they finally kiss. The next day the take Nova to a place where many animals turn up to donate their life force. Nova fills up on their life force and they leave to kill the malus. First the walkers who give their live go to the Malus to die. Then the units jump through rungates to get closer to the Malus. Finally the reach the Malus and Nova sees the walkers life force and she starts feeding them the collected life force. The walker push the Malus through a rungate into the void where he dies. But before he somehow encases Nova in a stone like Material and they can’t get to her fast. But Gus then tells Theus to make a big blow and Novas arm is nearly severed but Theus can safe her.

Nova is in a coma for seven days and when she wakes up she sees that Ellsbeth and Theus are in the room too, very exhausted. Ameline and Bryn tell her that Theus bound his life force with Nova’s life force and saved her and Ellsbeth. They celebrate the victory with their unit.

Ameline, Fletcher and Nova want to go home with their families. And Nova tells Bryn that she can go with her and also she takes Theus and Lirielle, who have no family left on earth. The all visit Nova’s family and have a happy reunion.

In the Epilogue we learn that Nova, her family and Theus now live in Millicent. Nova also invited her friends and other people who had no place to go to stay with them. Ameline and Fletcher have their own rooms but also stay with their families. Most friends visit them often but also build their own lifes. Theus and Nova get their happy ending.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4

*Thoughts*

Shadow Reaper is the third and final installment in author Isla Frost's Firstborn Academy. For the past 6 months, Nova and her friends Amelina, Bryn, Theus, and Lirielle have attended Firstborn Academy where they've had to learn to do away with their hatred and their prejudices towards those called Hollows and understand why the Firstborn Agreement was necessary. Nova, her trusty sword Gus, and friends, which now includes Fletcher, will be traveling to a military base in Europe where they are supposed to fight against the villain called Malus who is able to rip the life force from all living things within its reach.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Janin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I basically read all three books in one go, its more of a three in one review of the trilogy, so here we go: It's a great trilogy if you want to read fantasy but don't want to read 500 pages of comlex world building and magic systems just so you can unterstand the story. The world is close enough to our world and the magic system is not too complicated and also gets introduced bit by bit so it's easy to keep up.
Overall I liked the story and the pace it was going, loved the protagonists and really enjoyed the concept of firstborn academy. At some points I wished there would have been more - more detail, more inner monologue, more scene - but the way scenes were often summerized made sure it didn't feel drawn out or got boring, while still including all the important information. It's also the reason I would recommend this to people who want to get into fantasy, but are kinda scared by the intensity fantasy books can have.
Sometimes I was reminded of zodiac academy for different reasons. I love ZA so that was fun and might have something to do with why I saw parallels here and there.
The lovestory was only a subplot and in the beginning I wasn't even sure if I was just imagining there being something, but I turned out to be right, yeyyy. They make a beautiful couple!
Since I already said I love the protagonists (btw. I'm counting Millicent and Gus in that category as well) just leaves me to say I'm taking Silvyr as my book boyfriend of this series.
And extra love to my boy Cricklewood. He was a mood from the beginning and he did nearly make me cry in the end.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

well that was a nice little trilogy that was full of twists and turns. Loving the power she has and how she uses it. I like the fact that the Aliens are trying to stop this big menace but are always looking for an excuse to get out of the fight.

[Gary Challenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstborn Academy: Shadow Reaper

What an absolute fantastic end to a brilliant trilogy, fast paced and imaginative. Excellent characters that you would love to actually be with them.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last and final book in the trilogy and everything is finally set in place. We have Nova, the FMC, finally understanding what her power can do. We have watched the slow burn with the MMC Theus slowly get further and further along, and are finally rewarded for our patience.

This trilogy was a very easy and fast read/listen. It isn't very complicated, but it is interesting and its three books are all pretty short and easy to get through.

The ending takes everything that we've seen through the first three books and finally gets us to the climax - with some unexpected circumstances. I wasn't expecting the actual sacrifices that were given and it actually surprised me with how much it moved me.

All in all, this was a fun listen and I went through the entire trilogy in a single day.

[Kimberly Gordon-Bercich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sacrifice

The Walker politicians and a large majority of their population are pretentious pricks! Nova is the best in their s book. Her character combined vulnerability and strength beautifully. The beginning of the book did such a good recap job that a reader would never be lost even if the hadn't read the first two books in this series.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series, although it should've been just 1 book. 200 pages each is not really a book in my eyes..

[Catriona Kupper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and exciting end to an interesting view of a future. A good read

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally out of school Nova and her friends are Finally putting all of their training to the ultimate test. Lots of action and a bit of heartache. A great end to a fun series.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

Wow the description in this was awesome I felt as though I was stood on the battlefields watching the whole thing unfold before my eyes
The characters interacted perfectly they gain strength and understanding from each other
Fantastically written well done not only on this book but the complete series

[debturk1970_bookvibes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge Of The Seat Series Finale!!💥
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Firstborn Academy: Shadow Reaper

Wow!!🌟 This finale had everything you could ever want in a conclusion including tension, loss, fear, romance, high stakes, betrayal, friendships, respect, hope lost then found (more than once), heroes & villains & sacrifice 😲 - Everything!😍🙏💥

The world building is truly amazing. The 'World Walkers', as a species, are truly magical but they're also selfish & arrogant.😏 They make such great characters for this series, along side the humans. The story, overall, is excellent. Each book kept us guessing exactly where it was going to take us next and then this final book delivered by tying up every loose end, closing each story arc and giving us an absolutely gripping story throughout. It kept true to each character while allowing for growth, even for Gus!😂🔪

This is one of the best series, of this type, I've read. My only criticism was that Nova & Theus only ever kissed, even after all that time!😳 I'm not saying I wanted or needed steam in this book, it definitely wasn't necessary, but a line could have conveyed they'd had inter-species relations!😉😂 Because YA or not, I was a Married Mother at Nova's age, so that seemed rather unrealistic compared with how brutally honest the rest of the story was about life!!🙈 Just a small niggle. Lol
This is a truly unmissable book & series, I can't it recommend highly enough!!🌟💥

Debbie, 1970, UK

[Brooke Templeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could Not Stop Reading

I absolutely loved the story of Nova. It is one of the best I've read in awhile. I give it 5 stars for the story. The writing itself could've done without the CONSTANT repetition. Yes we know who Nova is by the 800th time it has been described in detail. We know who she is, who her friends are, what she is meant to do and how she feels about everything. I get many authors like to repeat a little at the beginning of the following books on a series but it is really Not necessary to repeat the same things throughout the entire book in lengthy detail. This is especially irritating if we're reading the book or even the series in a matter of days. I found myself constantly skipping sections due to this. Readers be warned. But also it is such a good story You Should Absolutely Read This! Author, maybe edit and update without the constant repetition. Look here isn't it annoying how I keep repeating myself?

Do Read this series.
Do feel free to skip over the repetition like I did. I promise it's ok.
You will fall in love with Nova and her friends.
Adventure, love, danger, unbreakable bonds of friendship. A mixture of fantasy, reality and what a magical dystopian future could be.
I would love to say more but I'm not about to spoil it for you.

[Celeste Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this series not feeling very good about it. It was a free box set from audible and the last free box set I got was not great, you could see for sure why it was free. This series started kinda ruff and I was worried I got another subpar free books but once it got going and the narrator was good which makes all the difference! I really enjoyed the whole set of three books. The main character is reasonable in her goals, she is likable and is just an over all good person. Her “mate” I really like and he is very patient and very good for her. The only thing is you never really find out why is isn’t liked by his kind and why he is considered subpar because he seams perfect. All the support people are very interested and engaging. I love all the action and not too much drowning on.
I don’t feel like I am saying it all right but it’s a great series once u get past the 8000 questions you will have in the beginning. Stay with it it gets so much better and 7990 of the questions will be answered in the end lol

[Laney Estel · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ The Title/Cover Draw:
Third book in the series! See previous reviews for what I thought there.
💜 What I liked:
We found out how the story ended and that was good. I thought the way they incorporated Theseus into the ending was also pretty awesome.
😱 What I didn’t like:
Sometimes there were cliff hangers for the drama and there was a lot of action that had to happen. The most interesting part to me was a little intrigue section that happens, but to be honest it was not fleshed out as much as I thought.
💁‍♀️ The Characters:
Same as previous books and introduced a childhood friend of Nova’s : Fletcher!
🚦 The Ending:
Nicely wrapped but would have liked the characters to have more direction and explanation of their “after” situation.

💭 Consider if you like:
Short Fantasy.

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Felicia Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid 4-star read for me and a good way to wrap up the series.

I felt like this book finally brought a lot of things together that were confusing or unfinished earlier on. The action really picked up, the stakes felt higher, and Nova’s journey started to make more sense. I stayed interested and wanted to know how it would all end, which definitely matters to me in a final book.

That said, it still wasn’t a perfect read for me. Some parts felt rushed, and there were moments where I wanted a little more depth—especially with side characters or emotional fallout. A few things felt familiar for the genre, which kept it from being a 5-star.

Overall, I enjoyed it and I’m glad I finished the trilogy. If you like magical academies, strong female leads, and darker fantasy vibes, this series is worth the read.

[Raghela Scavuzzo · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I usually hate when authors draw a series out and fill it with too much stuff. But this series was way way too short. This is definitely great for a younger audience quick read. Overall it felt like a 150 year war was won in less than 7 months of going to academy and becoming a prophecy and then the world was just fixed. There was not enough character development overall or followup. While it remains to try and been a Harry Potter merged with Hunger Games overall I’m left wanting more and lacking depth. BUT it’s super easy to ready and even the death is glossed over so it feels light. This is a great for a mindless read but it definitely won’t leave you with a lasting impact from love of characters. It’s fun but sadly not memorable.

[PepperP0t · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot has happened in the 120 days since Nova left her family as their sacrifice to the Walkers. Her original plan of breaking the pact from the inside, the pact decrees each family’s first-born child be sacrificed to the walkers. Though unaware why they’re sacrificed, Nova and her classmates are now combat trained, had their magic tapped and let in on the big secret….

The actual enemy care called Malu they just like destruction… the walkers think they’ve done all they can, though many of them are still unbelievers or fearful of Nova’s magic. While this outing has action and suppose It neatly wraps things up, to my taste there was very much, been exactly here and done exactly that with these exact people. I’m just glad it’s done.
Rating: 4.25stars

[Dawn Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way through

What an amazing series, seriously I've just pulled an all night binge read because I wanted to see what happened. The whole series is captivating, so well written and thought out, the characters draw in the reader so that you you feel invested in their future and safety. Whilst there is a romantic element it doesn't take over but rather enhances the story as a whole. I can't recommend this series enough, just make sure that you have some quite time and space to read because you won't want to be interrupted during this story.

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end has come.

This was a fine way to wrap up the trilogy. Even the old trope of the hero/ine going from their darkest moments to the heights of victory didn’t bother me. It was fast paced and had a lot of action once the Malus was involved.

Nova had a lot of character growth, and with her core group, Amelia and Bryn, she overcame insurmountable odds to win freedom. Yet, I was a little disappointed with the lack of accountability for some of the other characters, like Ellbereth, who actively opposed Nova but seemed to engender no consequences for their actions. Oh, well 😕

3.5 stars ⭐️

[Rae Anne Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadow Reaper didn't improve the pacing of the series but it didn't make it worse either. I thought some of it made no sense. Brackenfort for instance. There was literally only one person that could have drained him but it took three to four days for the walkers to come for her? Really? Cuz if it had been me I'd of said I know who did it long before Brackenfort woke up. How the MC could have honestly thought she'd get away with it is beyond me. The only way that part of the story works is if every character is a hopeless idiot. They fear her but given the chance they didn't arrest and execute her immediately?

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best one yet

I enjoyed this last book in the series most of all. It was a real page turner with lots of action and conflict. It was also quite emotional. I found myself tearing up at certain parts towards the end. I still think the whole series would work better as a single volume, but I suppose it is ok as they are all published as long as the reader can get over the niggling feeling that books one and two feel a bit unfinished, at least they did to me. Based on this trilogy, I will read more by the author.

[Stacy Gallina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noble and sacrifice

That is what this book was composed of. It makes you wonder what you would sacrifice for strangers and family alike. This was a great series and totally unexpected. I found this series when I was looking for academy paranormal books. It was a nice change to the academy storyline. I have never read anything from this author, and I am looking forward to another series from her. These books are NOT standalone and must be read in order.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Trilogy

Not sure if it should be called a trilogy as they have a short side story and hopefully more to come this year... But I must say that I truly enjoyed the stories. I have to admit that I read all three books and I was craving for more. I’m glad that it did give an ending though and not a cliffhanger. If you want a quick read, like magic and inventive new creations; then this books are for you!

[Diana Thayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all three as basically a single book. They're each individually very short, and really they'd be fine (better?) as a single book. I rated the first one "it's okay" because of the very sparse character development and lack of depth, but overall I'm rounding up from 2.5 to 3 star rating because it is fairly creative in terms of world-building. It's simply a very quick, not very deep, but decently escapist YA read.

[Bridgette · Rating 2 out of 5]

The world and basic plot was awesome of this whole series. But the one page chapters, rushed storyline, dropped off storylines and sudden ending compiled with very short lengths... Made me feel thankful got all three on KUL so didn't waste the money the author seemed to be focused on getting.

Well done to her for the whole idea though. I was so very excited for it and did read all three in one day.

[Tammy M Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Delightful

I don’t have the words to describe how much I enjoyed this series, especially this third in the trilogy. The range of emotions as I experienced our dear Nova’s journey surprised and delighted me. No spoilers, but the end I especially enjoyed. I hope to see a future series where we learn more of what comes next for Nova and her companions. I literally laughed and cried and had such a lovely time with this book. I Highly recommend!!!

[Elizabeth A. Rochel]

Excellent

Excellent world building, character building, and storyline. Okay, so now for the feel of the story. Wow! Yup, that's it, wow.

The story was soo out of this world that you felt right at home. The characters had guts and souls, even the house(oops, I mean manor, forgive me Millicent) was alive with wits and smarts. The action and story was double loaded and was just right to keep you turning the pages.

I do recommend this series and author. Keep'em com'n!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome conclusion to an awesome series! I loved this book (and this series) from start to finish. I even found myself wishing there was a 4th book because I need more of Nova, Ameline, Bryn, Theus, and Lirielle! I have to admit, however, that the ending was very well done. It answered all of my questions and gave me that satisfied feeling that you get when you finish a good book and it's a 'happily ever after'. 10/10 would recommend.