In a conquered land, a young man discovers a legendary sword and joins the resistance against an occupying empire. Wooding writes the kind of classic quest fantasy that shouldn't work anymore — and makes it feel completely fresh. The most underrated epic fantasy of the last decade.
Skip if you dislike:
Moods: Classic Adventurous Fun Epic
Tropes: Quest Resistance Chosen Weapon Band of Outcasts
Gloriously — and Wooding makes every trope feel new.
Book 1 of the Darkwater Legacy — works standalone.
One of fantasy's best-kept secrets — those who read it love it.