A Search for Starlight

3, The Firewall Trilogy

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Pub Date Feb 04 2021 | Archive Date Feb 18 2021

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Description

Beyond the firewall lies a greater threat than Taimin and Selena could have foreseen.

Taimin and Selena have destroyed the firewall that once trapped them in their dangerous wasteland. But with their hard-fought freedom now comes a greater threat.

Outside the wasteland, under the same two scorching suns, live the bonded. This powerful ancient enemy will unleash a destructive war on the wasteland’s inhabitants, and Taimin knows it’s a fight they cannot win.

When Zorn comes under attack, Selena uses all her power as a mystic to protect the white city. Meanwhile Taimin’s path takes him to Agravida, the capital of the advanced bonded civilization—where he must work fast to find a weakness in a seemingly unbeatable enemy.

To save everyone in the wasteland from certain death, Taimin and Selena seek to contact their ancestors in the stars. But will they reach them in time, and will their help be enough to turn the tide? The existence of the world is in their hands…

Beyond the firewall lies a greater threat than Taimin and Selena could have foreseen.

Taimin and Selena have destroyed the firewall that once trapped them in their dangerous wasteland. But with their...


A Note From the Publisher

James Maxwell grew up in the scenic Bay of Islands, New Zealand, and was educated in Australia. Devouring fantasy and science-fiction classics from an early age, his love for books led to a strong interest in writing. He attended his first workshop with published authors at the age of eleven, and throughout his twenties he continued to develop the epic fantasy story he would one day bring to life.

The internationally bestselling four books of The Evermen Saga were published with 47North in 2014. James soon followed with his second series, The Shifting Tides, a sweeping tale of adventure, intrigue, and magic.

A Search for Starlight is the third title in his latest series, The Firewall Trilogy.

James lives in London with his wife and daughter. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys French cooking, acoustic guitar, and long walks in the English countryside.

For free books and to learn about new releases, sign up at www.jamesmaxwell.com.

James Maxwell grew up in the scenic Bay of Islands, New Zealand, and was educated in Australia. Devouring fantasy and science-fiction classics from an early age, his love for books led to a strong...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781542005272
PRICE $14.95 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 19 members


Featured Reviews

A Search for Starlight by James Maxwell is the third book in the Firewall Trilogy.
This book (and series) is a lot of fun, the descriptions are great and Selena is quite possibly one of my favourite characters!

I can't wait to take a dive into James Maxwell's other series after reading this one, he is definitely an author I will be keeping an eye on!

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A Search for Starlight by James Maxwell, the third, in The Firewall Trilogy. Taimin and Selena are the main characters, they are finally free from the firewall wasteland. Now they will face the bonded a new enemy, this was a fun and easy read.
A big Thank You!!!!, to Netgalley and the publisher for my early access ofA Search for Starlight by James Maxwell and Amazon Publishing UK. All opinions in this review are my own honest opinion. If you do not agree, it's ok! :) I would recommend this book to anyone that likes General Fiction (Adult)/Sci Fi & Fantasy.

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this was a great third book in the series, it had what I was looking for in the series and I really enjoyed the story. I look forward to more from the author.

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An excellent ending to a terrific trilogy! A Search for Starlight is just as strong an offering as the first two books. The story is immersive, the characters are well developed and believable, and it’s a relatively easy read. Recommended!

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A Search of Starlight by James Maxwell is the third instalment in the Firewall series.
Right from the first few pages I enjoyed this book. I was intrigued throughout the entire book. The writing was great: descriptive, easy to read and flowed wonderfully.
A great sci-fi novel that I believe people who are thinking about branching into this genre should read!
I’d like to say thank you to NetGalley, James Maxwell and Amazon Publishing UK for my copy of A Search for Starlight.

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It was an enjoyable end to the series, but at times it felt rushed. Not being a writer myself, I can only wish for what I would've liked to have read. Maybe a bit more on the after story Maybe not killing off some of the characters so suddenly.
Still, I would read the entire series again in a heartbeat.

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I didn't realize this was book 3 in a series so it was a bit confusing. That's my bad. But I am interested in going back and reading the first two books.

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I read A Girl from Nowhere through Prime First reads and it was a 5 star novel for me! The second book was still super great but not as great as the first. This final book, for me, rates higher than book 2 but still didn't strike my heart as fiercely as book 1.

Which is all to say, WOW I LOVE THIS SERIES. It's a great adult but young adult appropriate fantasy with a bit of sci fi feel. The world building is so incredible through all three books. I was constantly gushing over the creativity and development world building and relationships as the trilogy ended in A Search for Starlight. It's a great ending to a great series. Did I mention this series is great?

The romance arc is slight, it takes a back seat to the action, which I didn't mind since that stayed consistent through all 3 books. All issues were tied up, but not so neatly as to be boring.

What I especially adore about these books and this third one in particular, is the social and philosophical issues that are dealt with with grace, tact, and not heavily handed. Like Red Rising series, Hunger Games, and Harry Potter, these books tackle big topics like racism, imperialism, government theory, etc. in a way that is still also entertaining, beautiful, and approachable.

I am definitely hooked on this author and can't wait to read more by him! Thank you NetGalley and 47North for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review. See reviews for all 3 books on my instagram page: @interview.with.a.reader

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I was unexpectedly delayed in my review of Maxwell's A Search for Starlight. Due to Covid restrictions, and postage delays, my copies of the earlier titles proved elusive. However, they finally made it to my letter box!
There may be a little blurring in my mind between which events happened in which books, but as a series, it was a solid, well-paced, interesting addition to sci-fi. The Firewall concept was very clever, and the Bonded a scary addition. Having had the male protagonist begin as the less able-bodies, with the female protagonist as the one with the power was a great addition.

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A great continuation from the other two books. I have the first two on audible and will definitely be buying this one when it is released as this is a series I could listen to again

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A decent conclusion to the Trilogy. We learn more about the antagonist species world and their society. One character introduced in the previous plays a lot of importance here. Selena and Taimin are separated for a portion of this instalment. It is interesting to see how the two main characters behave on their own to try to save their human and non human society from peril.

The plot brings dangers through external and internal characters quite frequently.

Unfortunately we never see the Earth that is referenced, only a token representative towards the conclusion.

I found myself thinking that the ending came too quick, but also thinking that some elements of the plot were not too believable.

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Five races live in the Wasteland, the descendants of prisoners taken by the aliens called the Bonded and kept to offer the warrior caste a chance to prove themselves. In the first book, the five races unified thanks to the human fighter Taiman and the mystic Selena. In the second, the Firewall separating the Wasteland fell and Taiman and Selena found an ally in Ingren, one of the Bonded. But now that the wall is down and the border between captors and captives erased, the Bonded have begun a campaign to purge all five races from their world.

Taiman must leave Selena with the now-captive Ingren to try to broker peace, because he knows that the swords and bows of Wasteland’s defenders, don’t stand a chance against the technologically-advanced military of the Bonded. His only chance lays in either reasoning with a warrior caste that considers genocide the only valid victory, or to start a revolution among the Bonded.

While all three books are solid adventure tales, it isn’t until this final story that the really science fictional elements emerge as Ingren takes Taiman back to her home to address the Sky Marshal, the ruling warrior. Though the Wastelander humans have legends of Earth, what they can’t imagine is that beyond the sky humans and their allies are fighting the Bonded together, a fight that may save, or doom them all.

The Firewall Trilogy is the first clearly sci-fi series from London-based author James Maxwell, and follows his previous fantasy series; The Evermen Saga, and The Shifting Tides, all of which are available for free through Kindle Unlimited.

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A 4.5 stars.
I love it! I am quite satisfied with the ending. Though the Aurelium and the Mystic power are still a mystery, it was so good to read the final book. It was refreshing to read the pov of awe to the highly advanced world again. I always loved how richly all the races are represented in this series. I liked to read about the bonded too. This book reminded me of Starsight and Red Rising saga because of the sci-fi.
We all know that Taimin and co. will pull through the imminent doom... or will they?
It was nice to keep my mind scrambling for the possible good endings throughout the plot. The thick plot being absolutely fast paced, wrapped with a happy ending pleased me.
(Slight spoilers ahead)
<spoiler>I would love to read a spin-off novella/short story where Taimin and co. visit Earth!</spoiler>
Total time spent: 5h 8min.
~ARC received through NetGalley for an honest review

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A Search for Starlight is one of those books that I just could not wait to get my hands on. I found the first two books in this series to be incredibly enjoyable, but I could not imagine how the series would come to an end. Maxwell does not disappoint, providing us with a satisfying ending to an overall fantastic series.

Full review on Geek Declassified

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I did not read the first two novels in this series but was able to smoothly flow into this book. The book was fast paced and kept the readers attention throughout. I would definitely read Maxwell again!

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This was a great ending to the trilogy one that I have been waiting for since reading A World of Secrets last year. I really liked the social and philosophical issues that were seen throughout the trilogy. I will definitely be reading more of his books.

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James Maxwell is, without a doubt, one of the most accomplished authors of our time. Every single one of his books are beautifully written, with amazing characters and the sagas come together brilliantly. This book does not disappoint in anyway, loved it

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Sci-fi and fantasy is always a hit or a miss with me, never in between. That said, this one was a definite hit. The cover drew me in, but the content made me stay. This was an engaging story from start to finish and I greatly enjoyed it.

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I read this a while ago and have just started back on Netgalley.
Was a good read. May even re-read for a more detailed review

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