Son of the Black Sword
Saga of the Forgotten Warrior, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Standard 1-month free trial
Buy Now for $29.34
-
Narrated by:
-
Tim Gerard Reynolds
-
Written by:
-
Larry Correia
About this listen
Audie Award Finalist, Fantasy, 2016
After the War of the Gods, the demons were cast out and fell to the world. Mankind was nearly eradicated by the seemingly unstoppable beasts until the gods sent the great hero, Ramrowan, to save them. He united the tribes, gave them magic, and drove the demons into the sea. Ever since, the land has belonged to man, and the oceans have remained an uncrossable hell, leaving the continent of Lok isolated. It was prophesized that someday the demons would return, and only the descendants of Ramrowan would be able to defeat them. They became the first kings, and all men served those who were their only hope for survival.
As centuries passed, the descendants of the great hero grew in number and power. They became tyrannical and cruel and their religion nothing but an excuse for greed. Gods and demons became myth and legend, and the people no longer believed. The castes created to serve the Sons of Ramrowan rose up and destroyed their rulers. All religion was banned and replaced by a code of unflinching law. The surviving royalty and their priests were made casteless, condemned to live as untouchables, and the Age of Law began.
Ashok Vadal has been chosen by a powerful ancient weapon to be its bearer. He is a Protector, the elite militant order of roving law enforcers. No one is more merciless in rooting out those who secretly practice the old ways. Everything is black or white, good or evil, until he discovers his entire life is a fraud. Ashok isn’t who he thinks he is, and when he finds himself on the wrong side of the law, the consequences lead to rebellion, war - and destruction.
©2015 Larry Correia (P)2015 Audible, Inc.You may also enjoy...
-
The Heroic Age Trilogy
- A Mortal Techniques Box Set
- Written by: Rob J. Hayes
- Narrated by: Kim Bretton
- Length: 44 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall12
-
Performance7
-
Story7
Ein is on a mission from God...the God of Death. Time is up for the emperor of Ten Kings, and it falls to Ein, an eight-year-old boy, to render the judgement of the reaper. He can't do it alone, but luckily the world is full of travelling heroes. There's only one catch; in order to serve him, they must first die.
Written by: Rob J. Hayes
-
Runelight
- The Aenigma Lights, Book 1
- Written by: JA Andrews
- Narrated by: Kate Reading
- Length: 23 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall10
-
Performance9
-
Story9
Kate is a Keeper—a storyteller, magic-wielder, and researcher—but a single mystery has evaded her all her life: What happened on the tragic day when two strangers stole not only the puzzle box that hummed with magic but so much more? She and her brother Bo have searched for twenty years with no luck. Until Venn, a surly elf, shows up on the hidden doorstep of the Keepers' Stronghold with that same aenigma box—and a message that Bo has disappeared. Kate needs a guide back to Venn's homeland to search for him, and Venn needs to find him for reasons of her own.
-
-
Another great book in the Keeper universe
- By Kristy Williams on 2023-12-16
Written by: JA Andrews
-
Spellmonger
- Spellmonger, Book 1
- Written by: Terry Mancour
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall360
-
Performance322
-
Story321
Minalan gave up a promising career as a professional warmage to live the quiet life of a village spellmonger in the remote mountain valley of Boval. It was a peaceful, beautiful little fief, far from the dangerous feudal petty squabbles of the Five Duchies, on the world of Callidore. There were cows. Lots of cows. And cheese. For six months things went well: He found a quaint little shop, he befriended the local lord, the village folk loved him, he found a sharp young apprentice to help out, and, best yet, he met a comely young widow with the prettiest eyes.
-
-
Flat. Boring. And the female “trysts” May as well have been 12 nerd porn
- By Emily Hunt on 2019-05-17
Written by: Terry Mancour
-
Academy of Outcasts
- Written by: Larry Correia
- Narrated by: Garrett Michael Brown
- Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall6
-
Performance5
-
Story5
All Oz Carnavon ever wanted was to become a master mage. Except, to do so requires the natural gifts or wealth necessary to secure an appointment to one of the prestigious magical academies in the Core City at the center of the seven realms. Oz had neither. He was born without magical talent, serving in the elemental plane of fire, a nightmarish hellscape of treacherous lava and vicious monsters, where life is cheap, and escape is rare. But Carnavons never give up.
-
-
So fun, original and downright addictive!
- By Shawn. H on 2025-10-29
Written by: Larry Correia
-
The Dragon's Path
- Written by: Daniel Abraham
- Narrated by: Pete Bradbury
- Length: 15 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall12
-
Performance10
-
Story10
"Everything I look for in a fantasy." -- George R. R. Martin All paths lead to war. . . Marcus' hero days are behind him. He knows too well that even the smallest war still means somebody's death. When his men are impressed into a doomed army, staying out of a battle he wants no part of requires...
-
-
Not much happens
- By Roman on 2023-08-17
Written by: Daniel Abraham
-
Many Are the Dead
- A Raven's Shadow Novella
- Written by: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 3 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall8
-
Performance7
-
Story7
For decades, the brothers of the Sixth Order have fought a savage war against the Lonak clans amid the frozen peaks of their dominion. When word reaches the North of a fresh outbreak of the dreaded Red Hand, Brother Sollis, the finest swordsman in the Order, leads a small band to a long-abandoned castle in search of a potential cure but discovers a far greater threat lurking in the mountains. Enemies become allies as Sollis leads an increasingly desperate fight against an inhuman enemy steeped in the power of the Dark.
-
-
Great short novel!!!
- By Susan on 2020-04-19
Written by: Anthony Ryan
-
The Heroic Age Trilogy
- A Mortal Techniques Box Set
- Written by: Rob J. Hayes
- Narrated by: Kim Bretton
- Length: 44 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall12
-
Performance7
-
Story7
Ein is on a mission from God...the God of Death. Time is up for the emperor of Ten Kings, and it falls to Ein, an eight-year-old boy, to render the judgement of the reaper. He can't do it alone, but luckily the world is full of travelling heroes. There's only one catch; in order to serve him, they must first die.
Written by: Rob J. Hayes
-
Runelight
- The Aenigma Lights, Book 1
- Written by: JA Andrews
- Narrated by: Kate Reading
- Length: 23 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall10
-
Performance9
-
Story9
Kate is a Keeper—a storyteller, magic-wielder, and researcher—but a single mystery has evaded her all her life: What happened on the tragic day when two strangers stole not only the puzzle box that hummed with magic but so much more? She and her brother Bo have searched for twenty years with no luck. Until Venn, a surly elf, shows up on the hidden doorstep of the Keepers' Stronghold with that same aenigma box—and a message that Bo has disappeared. Kate needs a guide back to Venn's homeland to search for him, and Venn needs to find him for reasons of her own.
-
-
Another great book in the Keeper universe
- By Kristy Williams on 2023-12-16
Written by: JA Andrews
-
Spellmonger
- Spellmonger, Book 1
- Written by: Terry Mancour
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall360
-
Performance322
-
Story321
Minalan gave up a promising career as a professional warmage to live the quiet life of a village spellmonger in the remote mountain valley of Boval. It was a peaceful, beautiful little fief, far from the dangerous feudal petty squabbles of the Five Duchies, on the world of Callidore. There were cows. Lots of cows. And cheese. For six months things went well: He found a quaint little shop, he befriended the local lord, the village folk loved him, he found a sharp young apprentice to help out, and, best yet, he met a comely young widow with the prettiest eyes.
-
-
Flat. Boring. And the female “trysts” May as well have been 12 nerd porn
- By Emily Hunt on 2019-05-17
Written by: Terry Mancour
-
Academy of Outcasts
- Written by: Larry Correia
- Narrated by: Garrett Michael Brown
- Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall6
-
Performance5
-
Story5
All Oz Carnavon ever wanted was to become a master mage. Except, to do so requires the natural gifts or wealth necessary to secure an appointment to one of the prestigious magical academies in the Core City at the center of the seven realms. Oz had neither. He was born without magical talent, serving in the elemental plane of fire, a nightmarish hellscape of treacherous lava and vicious monsters, where life is cheap, and escape is rare. But Carnavons never give up.
-
-
So fun, original and downright addictive!
- By Shawn. H on 2025-10-29
Written by: Larry Correia
-
The Dragon's Path
- Written by: Daniel Abraham
- Narrated by: Pete Bradbury
- Length: 15 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall12
-
Performance10
-
Story10
"Everything I look for in a fantasy." -- George R. R. Martin All paths lead to war. . . Marcus' hero days are behind him. He knows too well that even the smallest war still means somebody's death. When his men are impressed into a doomed army, staying out of a battle he wants no part of requires...
-
-
Not much happens
- By Roman on 2023-08-17
Written by: Daniel Abraham
-
Many Are the Dead
- A Raven's Shadow Novella
- Written by: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 3 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall8
-
Performance7
-
Story7
For decades, the brothers of the Sixth Order have fought a savage war against the Lonak clans amid the frozen peaks of their dominion. When word reaches the North of a fresh outbreak of the dreaded Red Hand, Brother Sollis, the finest swordsman in the Order, leads a small band to a long-abandoned castle in search of a potential cure but discovers a far greater threat lurking in the mountains. Enemies become allies as Sollis leads an increasingly desperate fight against an inhuman enemy steeped in the power of the Dark.
-
-
Great short novel!!!
- By Susan on 2020-04-19
Written by: Anthony Ryan
-
Monster Hunter International
- Written by: Larry Correia
- Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
- Length: 24 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall112
-
Performance100
-
Story100
Five days after Owen Zastava Pitt pushed his insufferable boss out of a 14th story window, he woke up in the hospital with a scarred face, an unbelievable memory, and a job offer. It turns out that monsters are real. All the things from myth, legend, and B-movies are out there, waiting in the shadows. Some of them are evil, and some are just hungry. Monster Hunter International is the premier eradication company in the business. And now Owen is their newest recruit.
-
-
Great story, although not for me.
- By Candace on 2019-07-08
Written by: Larry Correia
-
Theft of Swords [Dramatized Adaptation]
- Riyria Revelations, Book 1
- Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Amanda Forstrom, Andrew Quilpa, Andy Brownstein, and others
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall26
-
Performance23
-
Story23
There is no ancient evil to defeat, no orphan destined for greatness, just two guys in the wrong place at the wrong time. Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles until they become the unwitting scapegoats in a plot to murder the king. Sentenced to death, they have only one way out...and so begins this tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend. Avempartha is the second of a six book series entitled the Riyria Revelations.
-
-
The great Michael J Sullivan
- By Stephan on 2022-03-18
Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
-
The Red Sea
- The Cycle of Galand, Book 1
- Written by: Edward W. Robertson
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall137
-
Performance126
-
Story126
When Dante Galand was just a boy, his father, Larsin, sailed away to make his fortune. And never returned. Since then, Dante has become a great sorcerer. A ruler. A destroyer of kings. And he's just learned that his father is living on a forbidden island at the edge of the known world. Where he's dying of a mysterious plague. In the company of his friend, the swordsman Blays, Dante travels to the island. There, his magic can do nothing for his father.
-
-
excellent fantasy novel
- By Ian on 2019-07-29
Written by: Edward W. Robertson
-
City of Golden Shadow
- Otherland Book 1
- Written by: Tad Williams
- Narrated by: George Newbern
- Length: 28 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall48
-
Performance43
-
Story44
ANYONE CAN GO THERE... COMING BACK IS ANOTHER STORY. The first in a four-audiobook series, Otherland: City of Golden Shadow is a complex suspense novel of the near future, where virtual reality has expanded to encompass all aspects of society -- and national, physical, and mental boundaries are...
-
-
book is amazing
- By Jen on 2025-11-10
Written by: Tad Williams
-
The Crown Tower
- The Riyria Chronicles, Book 1
- Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall324
-
Performance295
-
Story294
Hadrian Blackwater, a warrior with nothing to fight for, is paired with Royce Melborn, a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Hired by an old wizard, they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm’s most prized possessions. But it isn’t gold or jewels that the wizard is after, and if he can just keep them from killing each other, they just might succeed.
-
-
Ended Too Soon
- By Vera on 2019-06-26
Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
-
Shadeslinger
- The Ripple System, Book 1 (A Fantasy LitRPG Series)
- Written by: Kyle Kirrin, Portal Books
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 21 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall296
-
Performance240
-
Story238
Corporate flameout Ned Altimer dreams of leaving his world behind. So, when Earthblood Online splashes onto the VRMMO scene, he dives in and never looks back. His advantages are twofold: exclusive access to the game’s three-day Head Start period, and a ridiculously handsome talking axe named Frank who has knowledge of the game’s deepest secrets...if the magnificent Frank ever feels like sharing them.
-
-
Loved it
- By Amazon Customer on 2021-02-22
Written by: Kyle Kirrin, and others
-
Of Blood and Fire
- The Bound and the Broken, Book 1
- Written by: Ryan Cahill
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall40
-
Performance30
-
Story30
Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the South squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North. In the remote villages of Southern Epheria, still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer prepares for The Proving - a test of courage and skill that not all survive. But when three strangers arrive in the village of Milltown, with a secret they are willing to die for, Calen’s world is ripped from under him and he is thrust headfirst into a war.
-
-
Simple Y.A
- By Josh Tucker on 2023-05-16
Written by: Ryan Cahill
-
Paternus: The Complete Trilogy
- Written by: Dyrk Ashton
- Narrated by: Nik Magill
- Length: 61 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall46
-
Performance43
-
Story43
Described as American Gods meets The Avengers, Paternus combines myths from around the world in a modern story of action and intrigue that is “urban fantasy on the surface, but so much more at its core!”
-
-
Gorgeous. Glorious. Epic.
- By Ashley on 2021-11-09
Written by: Dyrk Ashton
-
Nolyn
- The Rise and Fall, Book 1
- Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds, Michael J. Sullivan, Robin Sullivan
- Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall185
-
Performance169
-
Story170
After more than 500 years of exile, the heir to the empyre is wary about his sudden reassignment to active duty on the Goblin War’s front lines. His mission to rescue an outpost leads to a dead-end canyon deep inside enemy territory, and his suspicion turns to dread when he discovers the stronghold doesn't exist.
-
-
It was really good
- By Just Purchasing on 2021-08-18
Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
-
Pile of Bones
- Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 1 hr and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall66
-
Performance54
-
Story54
When a storm reveals a mysterious cave behind a waterfall, the young mystic’s apprentice and her wolf investigate. Inside, she discovers a secret place containing a pile of human bones and the young girl makes what could be a fatal mistake. In this Legends of the First Empire prequel, we witness the events that helped shape the woman who would one day become Suri the Mystic, the first Rhune Artist, and a hero to a generation
-
-
Too short
- By 1234 on 2022-06-20
Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
-
Free the Darkness
- King's Dark Tidings, Book 1
- Written by: Kel Kade
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 16 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall478
-
Performance427
-
Story423
Raised and trained in seclusion at a secret fortress on the edge of the northern wilds of the Kingdom of Ashai, a young warrior called Rezkin is unexpectedly thrust into the outworld when a terrible battle destroys all that he knows. With no understanding of his life’s purpose and armed with masterful weapons mysteriously bestowed upon him by a dead king, Rezkin must travel across Ashai to find the one man who may hold the clues to his very existence.
-
-
A bad Anime, in book form
- By Amazon Customer on 2019-10-24
Written by: Kel Kade
-
Kingfall
- The Kingfall Histories, Book 1
- Written by: David Estes
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 29 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall57
-
Performance53
-
Story53
Infused with magic, shadows and starlight, the powerful godblades were believed to be lost nearly half a millennia ago, when the Godswar ended. Now, however, one has been found by the unlikeliest of wielders: Sampson Gaard, a blind but ambitious prince with something to prove. The only question is whether he controls the blade or the blade him. With an insidious evil lurking in the shadows, the answer may very well determine the fate of all Kingfall.
-
-
What an amazing start
- By Chelsea Masson on 2024-08-26
Written by: David Estes
About the Creator
Continue the series
Within that matrix, Correia introduces Ashok Vadal, a zealous "Protector" (a kind of wandering magically-enhanced warrior/justiciar). Ashok discovers that he is secretly an "Untouchable" (Casteless) and embarks on a mission to reorganize society - while simultaneously facing sorcerous assassins and confronting a resurgence of Ancient Demons that are trying to extinguish humanity.
Correia's vocabulary & prose are capable, his plotting is "adequate", the pacing of the book is quite good (there are no stretches of tedium), and the author's description is vivid.
Adding exemplary narration from Tim Gerard Reynolds results in an 8.5/10-star audiobook. This book doesn't quite qualify as GrimDark, but it deals with more serious themes than most Conventional Fantasy. Be prepared for some thought-provoking entertainment.
I look forward to further installments in the 'Saga Of The Forgotten Warrior' series.
Creditable Gritty Fantasy
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Very entertaining
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In depth world with interesting characters.
definitely worth a read
Best story I've read in a while
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
And you know what, usually that's a problem. It's boring to read about an unbeatable hero who's good at everything and chopping through everyone. There's no tension, no mystery, no nuance. But this book manages to pull all of that off, too.
The problem with much of grimdark is that the world is full of grey characters who are hard to root for. I'd rather root for someone who I believe is trying to do the right thing. That's where this book shines. The protagonist here, Ashok, is absolutely trying to do what's right. But his idea of what is right is too uncompromisingly lawful, too domineering, too mired in the classism of the caste system he was raised in. And this particular problem resonates with me because I'm perhaps a bit overly lawful myself. I get to see how an unjust system makes villains out of those who enforce the laws.
And that brings us to the setting. This book takes place in a place that reminds me of South Asia, full of jungles, exotic animals, and interesting armour and weapons. And a major theme here is the problem of the caste system, which is no surprise to any of us. There are the eta-like non-people in the lowest caste who are slaves and can be killed on a whim. There are murmurs of an uprising, rulers whispering of a genocide. And then we have the demons of the depths rising from the deep waters to invade. It's a killer setting for an epic fantasy.
This book also has my favourite format: a tough warrior as one of the main characters, driving the plot forward, exploring the world, but also blundering because of a lack of knowledge. And then a fragile, vulnerable scholar hunting for ancient secrets as the other main character, filling in the lore, revealing the twists, giving us readers more insight. This is the same idea as in books like The Waterborn by Greg Keyes, another favourite of mine. What's odd is that the warrior even has the same magical powers: sentient sword + magical toughness and regeneration.
The ending of this book was satisfying, too. It's clearly leading deeper into the series, but it still has a proper ending, and not an entirely expected one, either. I finished it totally stoked to continue on.
Unbridled Badassery Done Right
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
By far, the best book, story, and voice combo
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.