Wish Upon the Stars 3 Audiobook – Wish Upon the Stars, Book 3

There’s something exhilarating about settling into my favorite armchair on a rainy Portland evening, headphones in place and a cup of strong black coffee steaming beside me. That’s exactly how I dove into Wish Upon the Stars 3 by Malcolm Tent—a story that not only matched the weather’s stormy energy but also swept me up with its relentless momentum and imaginative spark.

As someone who relishes LitRPGs and superhero tales, this third installment felt like it was written for listeners just like me: those craving smart world-building, tense strategy, and characters who earn every ounce of their growth. Shane’s journey is both familiar—scrappy underdog at an elite academy—and refreshingly original in its execution. His dual existence navigating academic pressures while facing down deadly threats in the Wish Curse Palace instantly resonated with my own memories of juggling grad school stressors with the unpredictability of real life. There’s a beautiful metaphor here: just as Shane must fortify his base and outmaneuver rivals in a scavenger hunt fraught with danger, don’t we all sometimes feel we’re building our own safe havens while fending off life’s curveballs?

Malcolm Tent excels at blending crunchy progression mechanics (think clever use of “wishes” as power-ups) with moments of genuine camaraderie among Shane’s team. I loved the tactical elements woven throughout—the scavenger hunt wasn’t just action for action’s sake; it asked readers to think alongside Shane about alliances, risk-taking, and resource management. For someone who enjoys stories where brains matter as much as brawn, these sections really scratched that strategic itch.

What kept me pressing play late into the night were not just the battles or level-ups but those quieter moments where you see how far Shane has come since book one—a kid once overshadowed now growing confident in his choices, finding new reserves within himself even when things looked impossible. It made me reflect on times I’ve had to dig deep or rely on friends’ support systems during rough patches; there’s something universally encouraging about following a protagonist whose biggest superpower might be resilience.

On performance: unfortunately, details about the narrator weren’t available—and honestly that left me missing a piece I’d usually comment on. The narration itself was perfectly serviceable: clear pacing, character voices distinct enough to keep track through multi-person scenes (a necessity in any busy ensemble). If you’re used to big-name performers adding layers to audiobooks—think January LaVoy or Bahni Turpin—you won’t find quite that sparkle here. Still, nothing distracted from Tent’s storytelling; if anything it let the prose shine through unembellished.

I did find myself wishing for slightly more emotional depth between high-octane scenes—some inner monologues felt clipped when they could have lingered longer over loss or triumph—but perhaps that fits this genre’s fast pace and focus on external stakes over introspective detours.

Would I recommend this? Absolutely! Whether you’re new to cultivation stories or already hooked by series like He Who Fights With Monsters or The Path of Ascension, Wish Upon the Stars 3 earns its spot among them. It strikes a great balance between fresh challenges (the scavenger hunt is particularly inventive), steady character advancement, and world rules clear enough even for newcomers to grasp quickly.

So if your idea of escapism involves futuristic academies brimming with potential disasters and friendships forged under fire—all layered atop irresistible game-like progression—this audiobook deserves your next listen session…especially if paired with rain outside your window.