Thrilled that this series continues to priorities friendships rather than focusing on a romance. The politics among the kingdoms is intriguing, as are the specifics of the magic system.

I love that I was able to jump right back into this series, and revisit the characters that I love! Even though I went from reading book 1 to book 3 I still felt that the book caught me up enough for me not to feel lost and bring me back into this amazing world again. This series was one of the first to get me into Fantasy and I will always hold it close to my heart.

I really enjoyed the conclusion to this series, filled with friendship, interesting characters and such a great fantasy world!
I would have loved a "previously on" at the start or maybe more of a recap, but other than that, I really loved this.

I'm so sad to see this series end, but so happy with the finale! This series (while I was very sad we didn't get a Sircha/Saengo love story) has been fantastic and I've loved every bit of it!

Sirscha's journey has been an arduous one. She's demonstrated immense growth over the trilogy while searching for self-worth and belonging. At the heart of her decision making has always been those who have stood beside her like best friend Saengo, It is heartwarming to see how Sirscha remains steadfast in her loyalty to her friends despite the many events and revelations. That's one quality I am glad never changed.

Reverberating throughout the story is the feeling that this is the last book in the trilogy and meant to bring closure. Even though there is still much to do between the kingdoms, the climax is over and done and the action never quite reaches the heights of the first two books. Sirscha still faces a formidable enemy here, but the final battle ends up being anticlimactic and does not quite meet expectations, which feels partly a symptom of this installment tying up loose ends.

Overall, this was good trilogy. I would recommend to those who like YA fantasies where friendship, rather than romance, is centered and belonging is a major theme. (3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars)

Thank you, NetGalley, Page Street Publishing | Page Street YA, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Queen Meilyr is dead and there's a tenous peace in Evewyn. Sircha, once prisoner now King's Shadow, Meilek's Shadow, follows her king that ended the shamanborn's suffering. But tensions are still high, conflicts rage at the borders and the Soullness is still missing and lurking in the darkness. Not only that, but Sircha is considered a hero, because she killed the Queen, but also a monster because of her own power, like the Soullness' one. When the enemy emerge again, with the Dead Wood growing, Sircha has to believe in herself, her own power and to defeat him once and for all. Even though a huge sacrifice is required...

Calling of light is the brilliant and unique conclusion of the Shamanborn trillogy and it's an emotional rollercoster like no other!
I'm absolutely in love with Lori M. Lee's talent and writing style and characterization and Sircha is definitely one of my favourite characters ever. Since the very beginning the reader follows Sircha in her journey, both personal and physical growth, in accepting herself, embracing her own powers, struggling with intrusive doubts and thoughts about who she is and this book isn't different. We meet a more confident Sircha, but still a bit scared of her own powers and to be seen as the Soullness. I love her growth and the precious relationship with Saengo and, also, with Meilek. The story is captivating and I was so involved in it, filled with twists and precious and important moments and I can't wait to hug my copy and to read again the whole trilogy!
So recommended!

This was a solid end for a trilogy and I’m happy with it. The characters were nice and I could really get into the story thanks to Lee‘s writing style.
All in all a good YA fantasy trilogy for fantasy readers that like complex stories and characters.

What an epic conclusion to a dope trilogy. I should write a review for the first two books, which I will do later. Loyalties and bonds are tested, Sirscha is determined to save the kingdom, and I was left hanging on every word.

Following the events of “Broken Web,” we follow Sirscha on her quest to save the kingdom, but not everything and everyone is what they seem. Every character felt complex and developed, which enhanced the story. This is probably the first time I’ve read a fantasy trilogy that didn’t have an underlying love story apart of the plot, which for me was unexpected, but I loved it.

Soulless is an excellent villain. I sometimes found myself agreeing with Soulless but not his methods. (This isn’t the first time I’ve agreed with the villain, but not their methods… Killmonger… Thanos… but that’s not the point…) I thoroughly enjoyed watching his entire plot play out.

“Calling of Light” has everything: mystery, political intrigue, phenomenal character development, and fantastic writing. I hadn’t considered myself as someone who enjoys political thrillers, but this was phenomenal.

A solid end to the trilogy!

I did find that it solved everything quite quickly. - i thought i was maybe approaching half way then checked and it was 80% lol. I think that’s just it being YA. It’s more wrapping up the plot from the previous two books than anything else. I definitely had forgotten the intricacies of the politics and plot too, (which is on me) - but the focus of this series is definitely on the MC’s journey and her relationships with others anyway.

Really all I wanted for this book was for it to continue to have no romance! Do you know how hard it is to find YA series with no romance at all in them? So I am satisfied in that regard! (and very amused by other reviews that continue to refer to the dudes as love interests. the amount of times they’re referred to as friends/family-)

Calling of Light is the third and final installment in author Lori M. Lee's Shamanborn series. It has been two months since Queen Meilyr was stopped, and Prince Mailek returned to Vis Talwyn where he will soon ascend to King. It has been two months since Sirscha last encountered the deadly Soulless who was released from his prison thanks to the death of his brother, and now the Dead Woods stand as a greater threat than ever before, and one that is still growing, slowly but surely encroaching on the Empire’s borders.

Rumors swirl that it was Sirscha who killed Queen Meilyr, and the only reason she accepted the role of King's Shadow was out of guilt for her perceived actions. Meilek's ascension to King has ended his sister's oppression of the shamanborn, marking a new start for the country, but trials loom large as long as the Soulless is free. And while some might call Sirscha a hero, too many others think she's a monster because she's a soulrender just like the Soulless. Sometimes Sirscha even believes that herself.

With the Empire demanding Sirscha's head for her actions, she has little time to relax before she is off on yet another important mission to save those she loves. Sirscha questions the power she never even wanted as soulrender as well as King's Shadow. But now she may have the means to save the world by destroying her rival who is on a mission to eliminate a certain House. Sirscha recognizes the Soulless as the world's common enemy, and she is determined to hunt him down to prevent yet another war.

Even if it means making a deal with the hated Empire who wants her head. As the Soulless reemerges and both his power and the Dead Wood grow, Sirscha knows time is running short. She'll have to trust in her true friends, like Saengo, Mailek, and Theyen, and her own power if she hopes to end the Soulless's hold over the land for good. But when defeating him requires a sacrifice too terrible to conceive, Sirscha will have to decide how far she's willing to go to save Evewyn.

*Thoughts* What I really liked about this book is that it was about friendship and not romance to bog the story down. I think the relationship between Sirscha and Saengo is truly one of trust and respect, and a bit of love for each other. They have been through so much since Saengo became Sirscha's familiar thanks to a heartbreaking moment in the first story. Sirscha's relationship with Kendara is a curious one. Kendara pushed Sirscha to her limits to be her replacement as King's Shadow, and then she makes a choice that is not only shocking but awe-inspiring after Sirscha's final battle with the Soulless. The curious relationship between Sirscha and Soulless is one of two people who share the same ability but not the same goals. The intricate world-building and richly imagined setting serve as a vibrant backdrop to the unfolding drama.

This is an intriguing and great fantasy trilogy. The fact that her familiar is different from the usual makes it a very compelling read. The magic system and world-building are good, not too hard to follow and the characters interest us enough to keep up their journey. Overall it was a very satisfying trilogy. Something I possibly will miss in the future and will reread as an audiobook for a different experience.

Calling of Light by Lori M. Lee

The third and final book in the Shamanborn trilogy is the perfect ending to an action packed world. We get as much heart and action as was delivered in the previous two novels.

I loved following Sirscha on this journey. Watching her grow and expand her relationships was the best part of this series. Her friendship with Saengo continues to shine bright.

The world building was excellent with shaman magic and wyverns and other creatures.

This final installment sees Sirscha facing off with the soulless while the kingdoms slowly descend towards war. There's so much action, but there's also moments of levity where we see her relationships deepen with certain other characters.

This book did a wonderful job at showing us her growth. The Sirscha of the first book who was desperate for approval has grown and learned her worth.

I loved this series so much and I can't wait to see what other adventures Lori M. Lee has in store for us in the future.

Thanks netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

In this magnificent finale to the Shamanborn series, Sirscha must find a way to defeat the Soulless and destroy the Dead Wood before he wreaks havoc on the world as they know it. Many believe she is a monster who steals souls herself but some behold her as a hero for vanquishing the queen who was attempting to start a war. Sirscha is intent on not only killing the Soulless but also saving the life of her best friend Saengo who is being killed by the dark power emanating from the Dead Wood.

I would absolutely love for the author to write more about this story! I could read an entire book about Theyen and the Shadowblessed or about Sirscha and Saengo’s friendship or about Prince Meilek as the new king.

This was an epic, beautifully written conclusion to the series and to be honest I am sad that it’s over. The world and character building kept me enthralled and I couldn’t put it down. This was my favorite of the series and the author succeeded in creating characters and relationships that I was really invested in. I loved that the heroine was also flawed and that we were able to witness her journey of self discovery in realizing that she could determine her own fate and that she was not alone in the world. Despite the evil she saw within her enemy, she was still able to find some semblance of understanding for who he had been and the hardships he had endured which led him to choose a path of destruction and vengeance. This small bit of compassion really resonated with me and reminded me to consider what others are going through or what they have gone through in the past before passing judgement.

Thank you to Lori M. Lee and the HearOurVoicesTours for sharing the physical and digital ARCs with me for an honest review!

I've finished all three books over the past few days so here are some of my thoughts:
The characters and their relationships are probably the strongest thing in this trilogy. I love Sirscha as a character and watching her growth through the three books was wonderful. I enjoyed her relationships with everyone in this book.
The plot is a little mix of fantasy and politics, similar I think to DOMG. That duology has my whole heart and I'm not surprised I enjoyed this one as well.
Each book itself felt like the right pace except the last book. I did expect there to be more past the official ending and part of it felt a little incomplete to me.
Overall though, I loved the story and the conversation of loyalty to people and country. It had a lot of soul searching moments and I had a great time! The audiobook narrator is fantastic.

An epic conclusion to the series! I am really satisfied with it, albeit a little sad that I will be saying goodbye to Sirscha, Saengo, Theyen and Meilek. I feel like their lives are just beginning!

There is not much else I can say without spoiling the series but I will highlight some loves and themes that will stay with me for awhile. I adored the focus on platonic love and friendship, of a tight found family who will move mountains for each other and try their best to live for each other.

I loved how the protagonist started the story edgy and decisive, certain of her direction and purpose, but then existential crisis after existential crisis as the plot progresses keeps her questioning and adapting. She has to really dissect who she is, and develop a strong sense of empathy for friend and foe both. I find this progression rare in YA protagonists, as they usually become more edgy and jaded as the story continues.

On a personal and more surface level note, I loved that I can see myself physically in Sirscha and Saengo's characters. It is still not often that I see protagonists with East Asian features who are not fitted into a box of stereotypes, and are just being normal people with emotions, strengths and weaknesses trying to overcome some truly spectacular circumstances. It seems silly, but it is lovely to see someone with cheekbones like mine, hair like mine and skin colour like mine do brave and impactful things just like in any classic fantasy.

So thrilled over the launch of this final book, and will be keeping up to date with Lori M. Lee.

Thank you NetGalley, Page Street YA and the author for this advance review copy, I am leaving this review voluntarily as part of the Calling of Light Tour hosted by Hear Our Voices.

This delivers a breathtaking conclusion to the incredibly Shamanborn trilogy, plunging readers back into a world with alliances being tested against the backdrop of the kingdoms in turmoil with the ever-growing threat of the Soulless.

Sirscha remains steadfast in her determination to confront the true threat lurking in the shadows—the enigmatic and malevolent Soulless. Even if she agrees with him - but not his methods. Lee masterfully weaves together elements of an interesting magic system, fascinating political intrigue, and fierce friendships. She is able to draw readers deeper into the heart of the story with each turn of the page and I stayed up way too late reading this. The intricate world-building and richly imagined setting serve as a vibrant backdrop to the unfolding drama. While the action-packed combat scenes and thrilling plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, it is the subtle character explorations and themes of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice that resonated most deeply.

The incredibly dynamic characters and their complex relationships make them feel genuine and their arcs personal. Sirscha has an unwavering resolve to confront the danger that threatens to consume her world, even as she grapples with doubts and uncertainties about her own identity and purpose. Her relationship with her mentor and her yearning for a mother figure is still present in this story. Even though she has learned to find worth in herself outside of other's expectations. Lee expertly navigates Sirscha's internal struggles, crafting a protagonist who is both vulnerable and resilient, flawed yet fiercely determined. A friend and a hero, but not a saint. I love how the focus of this is platonic relationships and while I wish that the author did bring us some conclusion that yes - Sirscha and Saengo ARE together, I understand that friendships are more important to this story. I ADORE the character arcs of all of these characters and I will truly miss them terribly.

This is a narrative that is as heartwarming as it is heart-wrenching. I got teary three times and I was incredibly content with how the story ended. This is a triumphant finale to an amazing YA trilogy, showcasing Lori M. Lee's talent for crafting immersive fantasy worlds and compelling characters.

This knocked it out of the park. Thank you to The TBR and Beyond Tours for the physical ARC. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.

Calling of the Light is the final book in the Shamanborn trilogy, and as such it did a really solid job. It’s an entertaining adventure with a strong focus on exploration, magic and friendships. As such there’s no romantic subplot. Furthermore the writing continues to be amazing and the world building gets expanded upon once more, as well as the magic, which I enjoyed. Especially the parts where Sirscha continues to grow and understand her powers. Sriracha overall just carries the book with her lovable and strong yet humble personality. But that’s not to say that the other characters aren't great additions in their own rights. This book, and series, contains some great friendships you wish you could have for yourself. There’s also a villain with some character development of his own.

If you haven’t picked up this series, you really should do so because you’re in for a three book long treat!

3.5 stars

Amazing conclusion to this incredible trilogy! Calling of Light had the same brilliant worldbuilding and to-die-for friendships that made me love the first couple books in the series, and I grew to feel an even stronger connection to Sirscha than before. (This book was really a four star read, I just took half a star away to be petty because it contained my #1 least favourite microtrope/plot-point.)

This series bases itself around fantasy and friendship. There is no subplot romance to drag away from the central adventure storyline, which is pretty uncommon for my usual fantasy read, but I loved it. While I feel a certain attachment to my love, Theyen, the reader cannot help but be primarily invested in Sirscha and her story, and I thought her character in this book was even stronger and more loveable. Her growth was truly phenomenal, I loved the way she grew to admire her power.

“…in its purest form, my craft is beautiful. It is pure magic, all the light and life that creates a soul. An entire world cupped within my hands or destroyed with a thought.”

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel the connection to Saengo that I was hoping for, as much like my experience with book #1 in the series, I felt honestly apathetic towards her. But her friendship with Sirscha is nonetheless so precious and strong, and I’m so glad they didn’t lose that with this book.

I also thought the character building for our villain was brilliant. We learnt more about his past experiences and his reasoning, which really helped flesh him out, and I felt the conclusion was satisfying and well done.

“I am their monster, and they are right to fear me.”

Overall, this was a wonderful and satisfying conclusion to this unique series!! I am a little irritated by one aspect of the ending – but no spoilers! Sirscha is my baby and deserves the biggest hug. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and TBR & Beyond Tours (Schedule Here) for the ARC copy provided!

This book was somehow not as interesting as the first two to me. I thought it was still a well written book but it felt like it had less action and was somewhat anticlimactic. I really do enjoy the story and love the main character as well as how she is portrayed.

I really enjoyed this book so much! I flew through this book and I was so upset when it was over. The plot was fast paced but not much which is what I really enjoy. I am obsessed with the characters and can not wait to read more by this author. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.