Petrik's Reviews > The Ember Blade
The Ember Blade (The Darkwater Legacy, #1)
by
by
Petrik's review
bookshelves: favorites, arcs-and-review-copies
Jul 17, 2018
bookshelves: favorites, arcs-and-review-copies
Read 2 times. Last read February 1, 2023 to February 9, 2023.
ARC provided by the publisher—Gollancz—in exchange for an honest review.
Wooding strikes a magnificently fine balance between classic epic fantasy and grimdark fantasy, making this an amazing start to a new trilogy.
To be honest, I feel like the love for classic fantasy has started to dwindle these days. It seems like readers thirst for grimdark or fantasy with darker tones more often lately; the fame of Game of Thrones TV show is probably responsible for this. This isn’t actually a bad thing, and I have to say that I kind of feel the same. My reasoning is that classic fantasy is starting to feel too familiar sometimes; many classic fantasy novels followed the same good versus evil structure that’s getting more predictable. Reading classic fantasy now, in my opinion, is like coming home to something incredibly well known; it’s always comfortable, and you’re highly familiar with it. Readers, however, will always want new adventures as well, something unpredictable and fresh, not the same type of adventures they’ve already experienced time and time again. This is where The Ember Blade comes in, and it will change your mind. The Ember Blade is indeed a love letter to classic epic fantasy, but it’s filled with morally grey characters and characterizations that dominate the grimdark sub-genre. Wooding has successfully created a brilliant fusion within this book. Imagine coming home expecting familiar comfort, and pleasant surprises are waiting for you; you open your fridge, then you crack an egg, and you get two egg yolks instead of one. To me, that’s how it felt reading this book.
The Ember Blade storyline started as greatly inspired by typical classic fantasy tropes, with two teenage boys—Aren and Cade—encountering an event that would soon change their lives forever. However, I can guarantee you that 10% into the novel, you’ll realize that the story starts to diverge from the norm, and it keeps on getting better. It was gripping, well-paced, and unpredictable. The first half of the novel was full of dangers for the main characters, and honestly speaking, I’m usually not a fan of this kind of storytelling structure. I tend to prefer characterizations first and dangers later. Yes, I don’t mind how slow-paced a book is; I simply need to care about the characters first and foremost. And this is why I’m delightfully surprised by Wooding’s storytelling style. Although he placed his characters in so much danger in the first half of the book, the crucial characterizations that sparked my empathy for the character’s predicament were never neglected. Where the first half focused majorly on Aren and Cade, the second half of the book slowed down the pacing by expanding the cast and introducing a more detailed plus well-executed multi-perspective narration; the result is EVERY single character’s POV became so compelling to read. There were a few scenes—when the characters were in Skavengard—which went a bit too long for me due to the lack of familiarity with the new set of characters introduced there, but the second half of the book made up for this minor issue masterfully.
I haven’t read any of Wooding’s books before this, but if his characterizations were all as good as the one displayed in The Ember Blade, then I’ll have to make sure to read his preceding series. Characterizations always make or break any book for me, and what I’ve read here definitely elevated the book for me. The character’s fluctuating emotions and motivations were palpable; they were realistic, nuanced, and complex. The quality of the plot shines further because the grimdark element ensured that none of the characters were predictable. I mean it, these characters, especially ALL the characters with a POV, were incredibly believable. As good or bad as they may seem, they all have their own problems and agendas that drive their actions. The morally grey characters produced an utterly gripping narrative because it was difficult to guess what the characters would do. The execution of a situation where we—the readers—know a character’s backgrounds, thoughts, and secrets—while the other character didn’t—was sublime.
Although the characters did questionable things at times, this doesn’t mean that it was hard to love them. It felt effortless for me to get attached to the characters. Aren, Cade, Grub, Garric, and more were characters I’m invested in. The way I perceived the themes, Wooding placed the weightiest value on found family, friendship, and honor; the brotherhood between Aren and Cade, for one, was one of the strongest driving strengths of the storyline for me. Wooding undoubtedly knows how to create tensions through dangerous circumstances that constantly keep the reader thinking: “Will they come back from this?” or “Will he/she do it?” His prose was accessible, engaging, cinematic, and immersive; I couldn’t be happier with it.
Let me say once more The Ember Blade is not a grimdark novel. It’s a classic epic fantasy told in a modern narrative; a relative morally grey characterization aspect from the grimdark subgenre was added to it, but the tone of the book itself was never bleak. The characters do live in a grim and oppressive world, but the themes of hope, kindness, love, friendship, plus the grand adventure often evident in our beloved classic fantasy were always there to balance things out.
From the excellent characterizations to the relentless chase, from breathtaking set pieces to the intricate world-building, everything was written with finesse. It seriously doesn’t matter whether you’re a fan of classic, epic, or grimdark fantasy (even better if all three), there’s a place for you here. The Ember Blade is a book every fantasy fan will feel right at home with, and yet will find new adventures in it. It's a book that fantasy readers will love to revisit and inhabit longer and longer with every visit. The Ember Blade is an epic fantasy forged to stand the test of time, and I sincerely hope you'll wield the blade yourself.
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
Official release date: 20th September 2018
You can pre-order the book from: Book Depository (Free shipping) | The Broken Binding (Use my code: NOVELNOTIONS121 for discount!)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Alya, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Devin, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Lufi, Melinda, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Sarah, Seth, Shaad, Summer, Wendy, Zoe.
Wooding strikes a magnificently fine balance between classic epic fantasy and grimdark fantasy, making this an amazing start to a new trilogy.
To be honest, I feel like the love for classic fantasy has started to dwindle these days. It seems like readers thirst for grimdark or fantasy with darker tones more often lately; the fame of Game of Thrones TV show is probably responsible for this. This isn’t actually a bad thing, and I have to say that I kind of feel the same. My reasoning is that classic fantasy is starting to feel too familiar sometimes; many classic fantasy novels followed the same good versus evil structure that’s getting more predictable. Reading classic fantasy now, in my opinion, is like coming home to something incredibly well known; it’s always comfortable, and you’re highly familiar with it. Readers, however, will always want new adventures as well, something unpredictable and fresh, not the same type of adventures they’ve already experienced time and time again. This is where The Ember Blade comes in, and it will change your mind. The Ember Blade is indeed a love letter to classic epic fantasy, but it’s filled with morally grey characters and characterizations that dominate the grimdark sub-genre. Wooding has successfully created a brilliant fusion within this book. Imagine coming home expecting familiar comfort, and pleasant surprises are waiting for you; you open your fridge, then you crack an egg, and you get two egg yolks instead of one. To me, that’s how it felt reading this book.
“Every day, a person should learn something, experience something, do something that left them changed, even in a small way.”
The Ember Blade storyline started as greatly inspired by typical classic fantasy tropes, with two teenage boys—Aren and Cade—encountering an event that would soon change their lives forever. However, I can guarantee you that 10% into the novel, you’ll realize that the story starts to diverge from the norm, and it keeps on getting better. It was gripping, well-paced, and unpredictable. The first half of the novel was full of dangers for the main characters, and honestly speaking, I’m usually not a fan of this kind of storytelling structure. I tend to prefer characterizations first and dangers later. Yes, I don’t mind how slow-paced a book is; I simply need to care about the characters first and foremost. And this is why I’m delightfully surprised by Wooding’s storytelling style. Although he placed his characters in so much danger in the first half of the book, the crucial characterizations that sparked my empathy for the character’s predicament were never neglected. Where the first half focused majorly on Aren and Cade, the second half of the book slowed down the pacing by expanding the cast and introducing a more detailed plus well-executed multi-perspective narration; the result is EVERY single character’s POV became so compelling to read. There were a few scenes—when the characters were in Skavengard—which went a bit too long for me due to the lack of familiarity with the new set of characters introduced there, but the second half of the book made up for this minor issue masterfully.
I haven’t read any of Wooding’s books before this, but if his characterizations were all as good as the one displayed in The Ember Blade, then I’ll have to make sure to read his preceding series. Characterizations always make or break any book for me, and what I’ve read here definitely elevated the book for me. The character’s fluctuating emotions and motivations were palpable; they were realistic, nuanced, and complex. The quality of the plot shines further because the grimdark element ensured that none of the characters were predictable. I mean it, these characters, especially ALL the characters with a POV, were incredibly believable. As good or bad as they may seem, they all have their own problems and agendas that drive their actions. The morally grey characters produced an utterly gripping narrative because it was difficult to guess what the characters would do. The execution of a situation where we—the readers—know a character’s backgrounds, thoughts, and secrets—while the other character didn’t—was sublime.
“To speak from the heart required more bravery than any physical risk. To heal a wound was so much harder than to cause one.”
Although the characters did questionable things at times, this doesn’t mean that it was hard to love them. It felt effortless for me to get attached to the characters. Aren, Cade, Grub, Garric, and more were characters I’m invested in. The way I perceived the themes, Wooding placed the weightiest value on found family, friendship, and honor; the brotherhood between Aren and Cade, for one, was one of the strongest driving strengths of the storyline for me. Wooding undoubtedly knows how to create tensions through dangerous circumstances that constantly keep the reader thinking: “Will they come back from this?” or “Will he/she do it?” His prose was accessible, engaging, cinematic, and immersive; I couldn’t be happier with it.
“A friendship of half a lifetime shouldn’t be broken by a few harsh words.”
Let me say once more The Ember Blade is not a grimdark novel. It’s a classic epic fantasy told in a modern narrative; a relative morally grey characterization aspect from the grimdark subgenre was added to it, but the tone of the book itself was never bleak. The characters do live in a grim and oppressive world, but the themes of hope, kindness, love, friendship, plus the grand adventure often evident in our beloved classic fantasy were always there to balance things out.
“In her lessons, as in life, they’d often find themselves dealt a hand that was less than fair. She’d teach them to overcome a disadvantage any way they could.”
From the excellent characterizations to the relentless chase, from breathtaking set pieces to the intricate world-building, everything was written with finesse. It seriously doesn’t matter whether you’re a fan of classic, epic, or grimdark fantasy (even better if all three), there’s a place for you here. The Ember Blade is a book every fantasy fan will feel right at home with, and yet will find new adventures in it. It's a book that fantasy readers will love to revisit and inhabit longer and longer with every visit. The Ember Blade is an epic fantasy forged to stand the test of time, and I sincerely hope you'll wield the blade yourself.
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
Official release date: 20th September 2018
You can pre-order the book from: Book Depository (Free shipping) | The Broken Binding (Use my code: NOVELNOTIONS121 for discount!)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Alya, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Devin, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Lufi, Melinda, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Sarah, Seth, Shaad, Summer, Wendy, Zoe.
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Reading Progress
July 7, 2018
– Shelved
July 12, 2018
–
Started Reading
July 17, 2018
–
Finished Reading
February 1, 2023
–
Started Reading
February 9, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 102 (102 new)
message 1:
by
Scott
(new)
-
rated it 3 stars
Jul 13, 2018 12:24PM
Good? I've really been looking forward to this one.
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This is my first dive into Wooding's work and I loved it. I'm 40% in and there's a few lull moment, nothing major though. Let's see how it goes for the rest of the book! :)
Thomas wrote: "Hi petrik. I can't find any other way to ask you this. I saw your analysis of Kings of the Wyld and I had a question. If I don't like LitRPG I will like Kings of the Wyld? Is it a Lit-RPG?"
Definitely not a LitRPG! You don't have to worry about not liking the book, the book doesn't by any mean fall towards the category.
Definitely not a LitRPG! You don't have to worry about not liking the book, the book doesn't by any mean fall towards the category.
Eric wrote: "Great review man! Love the description of classic epic fantasy with a more modern narrative."
Thanks, Eric! Yeah, that description truly was on point! :)
Thanks, Eric! Yeah, that description truly was on point! :)
Wonderful review, darling! Ketty Jay has been on my TBR since my Hayes interview, but now Wooding is definitely moving onto my priority list!
I loved the author's Tales of the Ketty Jay series so I've really been looking forward to this. Glad to hear you loved it.
Celeste wrote: "Wonderful review, darling! Ketty Jay has been on my TBR since my Hayes interview, but now Wooding is definitely moving onto my priority list!"
Thanks, dear! Oh yes, the same case goes for me too now! xD
Thanks, dear! Oh yes, the same case goes for me too now! xD
Veronica wrote: "I loved the author's Tales of the Ketty Jay series so I've really been looking forward to this. Glad to hear you loved it."
I definitely have to check out his Tales of the Ketty Jay series, Veronica. Thank you! This was super good!
I definitely have to check out his Tales of the Ketty Jay series, Veronica. Thank you! This was super good!
Rob wrote: "I'm fairly frothing at the mouth for this one to release. All else will be dropped! :D"
Hahaha I think you'll enjoy this one as well, Rob! I have to check out your favorite series written by him, The Ketty Jay! :)
Hahaha I think you'll enjoy this one as well, Rob! I have to check out your favorite series written by him, The Ketty Jay! :)
Petrik wrote: "Rob wrote: "I'm fairly frothing at the mouth for this one to release. All else will be dropped! :D"
Hahaha I think you'll enjoy this one as well, Rob! I have to check out your favorite series writ..."
You've not read the Tales of the Ketty Jay yet?!?!? I envy you. You have so much fun to discover!
Hahaha I think you'll enjoy this one as well, Rob! I have to check out your favorite series writ..."
You've not read the Tales of the Ketty Jay yet?!?!? I envy you. You have so much fun to discover!
Rob wrote: "Petrik wrote: "Rob wrote: "I'm fairly frothing at the mouth for this one to release. All else will be dropped! :D"
Hahaha I think you'll enjoy this one as well, Rob! I have to check out your favor..."
I haven't! Hahaha I'll put them in my TBR! :D
Hahaha I think you'll enjoy this one as well, Rob! I have to check out your favor..."
I haven't! Hahaha I'll put them in my TBR! :D
Veronica wrote: "I agree with the others. You have to read the Ketty Jay series. So much fun!"
I will definitely do! So many trusted people recommended it to me already! xD
I will definitely do! So many trusted people recommended it to me already! xD
Awesome review, Petrik! This sounds fun and different! It's always nice when authors can bring something new to the game.
Virginie wrote: "Great review, Petrik. And damn you. One more book on my TBR..."
Resistance is futile.
Resistance is futile.
One more vote for recommending Ketty Jay for you, it's such a fun, fun series. This looks brilliant, though, you're the second person praising it, so it's a given I will pick it up the moment I can. Ketty Jay was cartoon-ish in the best freaking possible way ever, but this sounds a bit more serious, which I don't mind as long as it's full of adventures. Which it sounds it is.
Colleen wrote: "Awesome review, Petrik! This sounds fun and different! It's always nice when authors can bring something new to the game."
Thanks, Colleen! Exactly! I love how this book felt familiar and different at the same time. :)
Thanks, Colleen! Exactly! I love how this book felt familiar and different at the same time. :)
Samir wrote: "Great review! I loved the Ketty Jay series and can't wait to read this!"
Thanks, Samir! I think you'll love this one! Another reminder for me to look for Ketty Jay! :D
Thanks, Samir! I think you'll love this one! Another reminder for me to look for Ketty Jay! :D
Virginie wrote: "Great review, Petrik. And damn you. One more book on my TBR..."
Thanks, Virginie! TBR demon strikes back! ;)
Thanks, Virginie! TBR demon strikes back! ;)
Derpa wrote: "One more vote for recommending Ketty Jay for you, it's such a fun, fun series. This looks brilliant, though, you're the second person praising it, so it's a given I will pick it up the moment I can..."
Damn... another vote!? Hahaha that series is totally a must read! XD I actually had a bit of doubt in the beginning of this book but I was so wrong; it was amazing! I loved what you said about Ketty Jay, I'll definitely check it out! (Especially after so many people recommending it to me..)
Damn... another vote!? Hahaha that series is totally a must read! XD I actually had a bit of doubt in the beginning of this book but I was so wrong; it was amazing! I loved what you said about Ketty Jay, I'll definitely check it out! (Especially after so many people recommending it to me..)
The moment I see you rate a book very high it immediately goes on my tbr, haha. I really follow you with the characters need to be well written or otherwise a book wil mostly fall, it's just a dull read then that you want to be over with as quick as possible. You got me curious with your love for how the writer went hybrid with this book in style, seems like I really need to get is asap, haha. Thanks for a great review as always!
Gah, excellent review and I'm so adding this to my TBR mountain. Classic epic fantasy with a modern feel - gimme, gimme, gimme!
Veronica wrote: "Now I feel like I need to go do a Ketty Jay series re-read."
Whoaaa! that good huh!? :D
Whoaaa! that good huh!? :D
Imara wrote: "The moment I see you rate a book very high it immediately goes on my tbr, haha. I really follow you with the characters need to be well written or otherwise a book wil mostly fall, it's just a dull..."
Aww, thank you for trusting my recommendation, Imara! It means a lot to me! :) The characterizations were easily the best part of the book, can't wait to hear what you think about it. You're welcome! :D
Aww, thank you for trusting my recommendation, Imara! It means a lot to me! :) The characterizations were easily the best part of the book, can't wait to hear what you think about it. You're welcome! :D
TS wrote: "Gah, excellent review and I'm so adding this to my TBR mountain. Classic epic fantasy with a modern feel - gimme, gimme, gimme!"
Thank you, my friend! I think you'll enjoy this one!! :)
Thank you, my friend! I think you'll enjoy this one!! :)
Tales of the Ketty Jay is one of of not all time favorites that will never leave my shelves. I have recommended it more than any other series of books. This makes me even more excited for this new series. Thanks Petrik!
sir Lancer wrote: "Tales of the Ketty Jay is one of of not all time favorites that will never leave my shelves. I have recommended it more than any other series of books. This makes me even more excited for this new ..."
That's great to hear, Lancer!! So many high praises towards the series and I barely heard of it before I reviewed this book, wth? XD anyway, you're welcome! I hope you'll love this one! :)
That's great to hear, Lancer!! So many high praises towards the series and I barely heard of it before I reviewed this book, wth? XD anyway, you're welcome! I hope you'll love this one! :)
Fantastic review as usual. Thoroughly enjoyed Chris Wooding's Ketty Jay series and really looking forward for this book.
Audrey wrote: "I really enjoyed the first Ketty Jay book, and I just bought the second."
So many talk about Ketty Jay hereee! xD
So many talk about Ketty Jay hereee! xD
Malinda wrote: "Fantastic review as usual. Thoroughly enjoyed Chris Wooding's Ketty Jay series and really looking forward for this book."
Thanks, Malinda! I will definitely give Ketty Jay series a go one day. Hope you'll enjoy this one! :)
Thanks, Malinda! I will definitely give Ketty Jay series a go one day. Hope you'll enjoy this one! :)
Interesting. This review reminds me to your previous review on The Faithful and the Fallen series. How do you think they compare?
Also worldbuilding and setting wise is this a medieval world?
Also worldbuilding and setting wise is this a medieval world?
Rinaldo wrote: "Interesting. This review reminds me to your previous review on The Faithful and the Fallen series. How do you think they compare?
Also worldbuilding and setting wise is this a medieval world?"
Ah yes, to be honest I did get The Faithful and the Fallen feeling from this book but I would like to see what the sequel will look like before jumping to conclusion. I gave the same rating for Malice though and yes, started quite the same (exclude the prophecy), and no characters are safe.
Setting is definitely a medieval world.
Also worldbuilding and setting wise is this a medieval world?"
Ah yes, to be honest I did get The Faithful and the Fallen feeling from this book but I would like to see what the sequel will look like before jumping to conclusion. I gave the same rating for Malice though and yes, started quite the same (exclude the prophecy), and no characters are safe.
Setting is definitely a medieval world.
Rusty wrote: "Fab review dude!! I think I've got this author's cyberpunk novel . :D"
Thanks, Rusty! Haha I think you meant his steampunk novel, the super famous Ketty Jay! :D
Thanks, Rusty! Haha I think you meant his steampunk novel, the super famous Ketty Jay! :D
Petrik wrote: "Rusty wrote: "Fab review dude!! I think I've got this author's cyberpunk novel . :D"
Thanks, Rusty! Haha I think you meant his steampunk novel, the super famous Ketty Jay! :D"
Oh yes.... it's steampunk . My bad . Lol
Thanks, Rusty! Haha I think you meant his steampunk novel, the super famous Ketty Jay! :D"
Oh yes.... it's steampunk . My bad . Lol
Rusty wrote: "Petrik wrote: "Rusty wrote: "Fab review dude!! I think I've got this author's cyberpunk novel . :D"
Thanks, Rusty! Haha I think you meant his steampunk novel, the super famous Ketty Jay! :D"
Oh y..."
Hahahah no worries!
Thanks, Rusty! Haha I think you meant his steampunk novel, the super famous Ketty Jay! :D"
Oh y..."
Hahahah no worries!
every time i say i'm going to cancel out grimdark, i read one of your reviews and i'm like
Fab review Petrik & of course eagerly anticipating the release of this book. :)
Fab review Petrik & of course eagerly anticipating the release of this book. :)
ijeoma Agbaje wrote: "every time i say i'm going to cancel out grimdark, i read one of your reviews and i'm like
Fab review Petrik & of course eagerly anticipating the release of this book. :)"
Thanks!! Ah don't worry, this isn't grimdark. Trust me, it isn't! It just has some element from the genre but the book is far from being grimdark! :D
Fab review Petrik & of course eagerly anticipating the release of this book. :)"
Thanks!! Ah don't worry, this isn't grimdark. Trust me, it isn't! It just has some element from the genre but the book is far from being grimdark! :D
Courtney wrote: "Cool review! I'll have to add this to my To-Read list."
Thanks, Courtney! Glad to hear that :)
Thanks, Courtney! Glad to hear that :)