The Ember Blade

The Darkwater Legacy, Book 1

By: Chris Wooding

Narrated by: Simon Bubb

Length: 30 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

A land under occupation. A legendary sword. A young man's journey to find his destiny.

Aren has lived by the rules all his life. He's never questioned it; that's just the way things are. But then his father is executed for treason, and he and his best friend, Cade, are thrown into a prison mine, doomed to work until they drop. Unless they can somehow break free....

But what lies beyond the prison walls is more terrifying still. Rescued by a man who hates him yet is oath-bound to protect him, pursued by inhuman forces, Aren slowly accepts that everything he knew about his world was a lie. The rules are not there to protect him or his people but to enslave them. A revolution is brewing, and Aren is being drawn into it, whether he likes it or not.

The key to the revolution is the Ember Blade. The sword of kings, the Excalibur of his people. Only with the Ember Blade in hand can their people be inspired to rise up...but it's locked in an impenetrable vault in the most heavily guarded fortress in the land.

All they have to do now is steal it....

©2018 Chris Wooding (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"The Ember Blade is hands down the best fantasy novel I've ever read." (Grimdark Magazine)

Top of the Fantasy class

I have over 300 fantasy books in my audible collection and just as many on paper, if not more. I dont often write reviews, unless, of course, its special. This one is special and belongs in the top ten on my list of all time greatest.

The book begins with two boys who fall into a bit of trouble and find their way into a work camp. What follows is a chase that rivals, and in my opinions bests, that of WoT. On this harrowing journey, we not only get a great deal of backstory for the "good guys" but also the "bad guys". As the book continues, the line between good and bad blurs. You will love the main characters one moment and despise them the next. You will laugh, cry, and scream in frustration. Its a rare fantasy novel that can get my emotions stirring, but this one certainly does. Keep a lookout for Grub - my personal favorite.

For those fantasy heads out there. GET THIS BOOK. Ive recommended to all my friends and all love it so far. Its a rare thing for a fantasy to surprise me. Even rarer when I cant stop listening to it. You are doing yourself a disservice if you pass this one by. Trust me.

Ive seen several complaints about the narration. I dont get it. Hes great. Could have been better, but the title doesnt suffer for it at all. I look forward to the next title and hope the narrator stays.

Couldn't put it down

In my books I look for strong believable characters and plot twists that leave you asking for more and I found it in the Ember blade. It is not a book where everyone lives happily ever after and those moments of sadness give it depths that punctuate its sometimes episodic hair breadth escapes. And the ending leaves you wanting more. Good Fantasy novels draw you in and don't let you go and allow you to disappear into other worlds, but in some ways Chris Wooding's world mirrors our own and this makes it sometimes uncomfortably believable. The narrator is fine giving just the right touches when needed and mostly disappearing when that is called for.

An consuming a story

This is one of the stories that drag you right into the characters shoes. Some parts are slow, but it makes it all the better.

Phenomenal! Classic! LOTR!

Firstly let me just say that this book broke me emotionally. As a highly empathetic person I was enraptured by this story and invested in these characters as if I’d met them in person. I felt their struggles and lows as much as their triumphs and highs.
Those of you who love lotr as much as I will love this book. There are no dwarves or elves, cave trolls or Ents but the spirit of fellowship is driven hard in these characters. Wood has taken the emotional component of lotr and presented them in the fabric of each character through terrifying ordeals, lyrical coups, doubt, and traumatic pasts. The traits of Boromir and Gandalf, Frodo and Sam lives on in Cade and Aren, Garric and Vika and many more. The relationship these people have with each other drive this story forward to an emotional level I was not prepared for. The parallels with this book and oen of my favorite stories of all time sunk deep and made this book an absolute treasure to read. Wooding found new and inventive ways of reiterating a timeless tale of adventure and friendship.
The Ember Blade is a beacon to the people of Ossia, it’s parallel the blade that was remade. Cade and Aren’s friendship speaks to the unbreakable bond of Frodo and Sam. Garric’s faults and honor reflect Boromir’s dedication to do what he must for his people. Vika does all she can to direct the group with her wisdom and magic as Gandalf once did. While these characters are unique, gritty and dark with their own personalities and struggles of their own, the resemblance is unmistakable.
The intertwining plot points came together in ways that were entirely unexpected, with the emotional avalanche of an oncoming storm. There is a classic story hidden in these pages that I have completely fallen in love with. This world is hard and has no mercy for weakness or hesitation. Trauma and distrust runs rampant but hope still clings to the fire these characters ignite, a fire that burns bright for book two that I eagerly await.

WOW!

I haven’t truly cried for characters since I was a child. I am now 43. This is worth every minute of your time.

Great story, I was hooked by the first chapter.

This is a great story, yes the performance could be better but I think after getting entangled with the story you will forget about it.

if you love the Black Prism by Simon Vance you will truly love this book, get it you will not regret it.

Brilliant!!!

Best audio book since Joe Abercrombies works. Been a drought since listening to something this enjoyable.

Easily one of the best fantasy reads.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for possibly the best fantasy story I’ve ever read. From classic go to fantasy books like Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, The Wheel of time
Series by Robert Jordan, and even the Song of Fire and Ice series by George RR Martin, I would put this book among their ranks without question. 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Starts slow but ends amazing

This book is amazing! Well worth your time. The start is slow but it is building, trust me. Once you make it threw the first few hours it’s one you don’t want to stop listening too.

If you like Name of the wind, Night Angel, or kings dark tidings your going to like this book.

Perfection

Absolutely loved it! Great narrator, great characters, great story. Tears and laughs throughout. Perfect.