The Shadow Casket

By: Chris Wooding BA

Narrated by: Simon Bubb

A BAND OF REBELS.
A TRAITOR IN THEIR MIDST.
A REVOLUTION ABOUT TO BEGIN.

It's been three years since Aren seized the Ember Blade. Three years since they struck the spark they hoped would ignite the revolution. But the flame has failed to catch. The Krodans have crushed Ossia in an iron grip of terror. The revolution seems further away than ever.

Far in the north, the Dawnwardens seek to unite the fractious clans of the Fell Folk and create a stronghold from which to retake their land. But even if they can overcome the danger of treachery from within, they still have to contend with the dreadknights. Only the druidess Vika can resist these near-unstoppable foes, and there's only one of her.

But what if there was a weapon that could destroy the dreadknights? A weapon of such power it could turn the tide? A weapon that, if it fell into the wrong hands, might mean the end of all hope?

The Shadow Casket has returned from out of the past, and it will save or damn them all.

'The Ember Blade is Lord of the Rings for the modern generation - an epic world full of history, depth and adventure' Ed McDonald, author of Daughter of Redwinter

Critic reviews

A breathtaking sequel to The Ember Blade and a must-read for all fantasy fans.

Full of action, heart, humor, and an expansive cast of endearing characters that I didn't want to leave behind. One of my favorite reads of the year

This story gets a 10/10 from me. The world, the plot, the lore, the twists and turns, the characters and banter and adventures and humor all come together to make this the shadowy ruin in a valley (the dark fantasy equivalent of a shining city on a hill) that one can only dream of when embarking on a fantastical adventure

A brilliant epic fantasy read. It has everything that I want in a fantasy novel; a brilliant world to explore, characters that I both love and hate and a plot that twists and turns

it's not bad, but I don't want this

I'll admit, I didn't finish this book. Maybe it gets better, maybe the hamfisted drama gets more complex and satisfying, maybe the main characters develop interesting dynamics, maybe ANYTHING happens that makes me want more from this book. After 24 chapters filled with tedium and artificial drama (that honestly takes away from the real story) I just can't finish it. Nothing is overtly awful, but it is boring with a sense of anticlimactic eye roll teen drama that flattens any character arc. the book has completely ejected me out of the world, and I'm left with my mind wandering half the time.

I would really hesitate buying this book. It tarnishes the rising hope and awe from the ending of the Ember Blade. What a shame.

Great series

The characters, setting, plot…. Such a good series. Wish the main character got a better name at the end! Definitely should give this a listen or read.

Slow build to an epic conclusion!

Since it had been a couple years since I read The Ember Blade I was really excited to start this one. It started out slowly, building upon the first book. Man, did it take off toward the end. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

Absolutely incredible

A+++ This book is everything that I’m looking for in a fantasy novel and Chris knocked it out of the park. So many great twists and turns and repercussions that it had me smiling ear to ear when I tied 2 things together. Narrator was also 10/10 fantastic and I can’t recommend this enough if you like sword and sorcery and Grim dark and long journey acquiring new friends type fantasy. Great great great book.

So we all agree on the best character rite?

Harod all day. He reminds me of Rock Lee and Sirfetch'd. To be honest I'm leaving this review not even half way through the book because he always hype's me up in every scene he's in. 5 out of 5 for harod alone.