Nightwing's invasion of Anok creates panic among the pegasi, especially since he seems indestructible. Many of the herds retreat to the forests of the Trap to heal and to train as a unified army. Meanwhile, Star must learn how to use his starfire to defeat Nightwing and protect his friends. This new tale moves at a steady clip, exploring themes of trust, friendship, sacrifice, and healing. Perfect for fans of Charlotte's Web and the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series, Alvarez advances the story arc thoughtfully and gives a cliff-hanger ending that will leave readers clamoring for the final series installment.

When Nightwing the Destroyer nearly kills Star, a healer pegasus, his friend Morningleaf acts as a decoy to give Star time to heal. But when Star uses his power, Nightwing's forces find him and attack. Although the theme is muddled (peace-loving Star finds war exhilarating) and the sentiment frequently overwrought, the plot makes effective use of rising tension in this third installment.