Dark Blade is the first book in the Whisper of the Gods series and it is the perfect introduction to epic fantasy for younger readers. In my early teens, I was obsessed with The Belgariad series by David Eddings and this follows the same tried-and-true path in which a simple farm boy finds himself caught up in an epic quest to defeat true evil, a task which only he is qualified for (despite his inexperience) due to the whims of destiny and meddling gods.
Many of these books take place in pseudo-English settings, but Dark Blade sets itself apart from the pack by taking inspiration from Viking history and mythology instead. The story begins in Stromgard amongst the Volken people and focuses on Lann, the aforementioned farm boy, who is a likable young lad, honest and hardworking and respectful. He has a sensible head on his shoulders, which is a welcome change from many of the hot-headed protagonists in fantasy who are prone to charge off at a moment’s notice without thinking!
“No,” Lan said, speaking out into the darkness. “I will not seek out danger. Not now.” A conflict raged inside his head, and it took all his effort to push the words out as the sword and he fought for dominance. “There will be enough of that in the days and weeks ahead without our going to look for it.”
Anyone who says that it’s impossible to tell a good story without characters making stupid decisions could learn a thing or two here! There is more than enough adventure and action going around, but while Lan may be impulsive at times, he is always willing to listen to good advice and prioritize his quest for the greater good. It’s also pleasing to note the distinct lack of concern for stereotypical gender roles – Lan is skilled in combat only when the Dreadblade works through him, but his own interests and skills lean more towards nurturing and healing. It’s his companion, Astrid, who is the real warrior between the two teenagers.
While in many ways Dark Blade is a throwback to the traditional swords-and-sorcery epics, the author has a modern sensibility that shows in his subversion of the usual dynamics. The farm boy and the princess is a time-honored trope which is given a nod here with Astrid being a princess from the Rivengeld bloodline. But in a more unpredictable and delightful turn, the Viking shield maidens from folklore are also incorporated into this story so that Astrid is allowed greater nuance than just a royal heritage, she’s also depicted as a superb warrior who leads the elite female fighting force of Stromgard!
Astrid’s knowledge of the martial arts was inexhaustible, and she was equally comfortable with the sword as she was with the axe and spear. He knew this from bitter experience, and his body bore the cuts and bruises to prove it.
“How good are you with that?” he said, nodding at the horn bow.
“Better than you.”
“That would not be difficult.”
“It’s my favorite weapon.”
“How about a demonstration?”
“Are you just trying to get out of any more training?”
“Yep.”
The final main player on Team Greater Good is Fleya, a witch who fulfils the wise mentor role. Her warmth and compassion as well as her great magical abilities drive a lot of the story, and her interactions with Lan are particularly sweet. It does feel like she’s a little too all-knowing and powerful at times as she very easily solves thorny dilemmas and seemingly insurmountable problems, but it makes sense if the intended audience is the younger subset of the YA market.
Dark Blade is written in third person narration with Lan having the most POV chapters, but Astrid, Fleya and a few other characters also have chapters from their perspective to broaden our understanding of their personalities and actions. Again this feels like a deliberate choice to avoid the male-dominated perspective in classic fantasy by giving the female characters a major presence alongside Lan, and it’s much appreciated. And while I may be reading too much into this, it also seems as if the choice of villain is a commentary on toxic masculinity, given that the villain’s course could be seen as the result of imposing a strict definition of manhood and treating any men who stray outside these norms as weak and inferior. Of course it’s no justification for trying to bring about mass murder and destruction, but it’s an interesting villain backstory!
This is a must-read for younger fans of fantasy as the simple concise writing is easy to follow and effectively conveys the relatively small cast of characters and world they inhabit without the distraction of wordy prose, complicated family trees and labyrinthine alliances. I’d also recommend it to readers who aren’t familiar with fantasy and need a gentle introduction to the genre. It probably won’t appeal as much to more mature or genre-savvy readers who are used to intricate politics and plotting along the lines of Game of Thrones, especially given how the obstacles facing our heroes can seem superficial when they’re so easily overcome. However if you’ve come off a densely written door-stopper epic and need a light, entertaining alternative, this is the equivalent of a fun blockbuster action movie that may be predictable, but is fun and enjoyable nonetheless.
Dark Blade is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
A sweeping epic fantasy perfect for fans of the Summoner trilogy by Taran Matharu and Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
WHEN GODS FAIL, WHO WILL KEEP THE DARKNESS OUT?
Lann knows nothing of his mysterious past, but by his fifteenth birthday he will come face to face with destiny. For Lann must wield the Dreadblade, an ancient sword forged to defeat terrible monsters.
Across the mountains a King has been murdered. His daughter, Astrid, is a warrior with no desire to bear the crown. Only she can uncover her father’s killer before her brother is framed for the crime.
Evil is stirring. Lann and Astrid are the kingdom’s last defence. Together, they must face the greatest darkness their world has ever known.
