Peter Hackshaw

Falken Calder dreams of becoming Immortal. But as a mere scullery boy in service of the fabled Ardent Lunar Sect, his chances of rising through the ranks are slim. There is only one way he can take up the title of cultivator – to Awaken before he comes of age. Time is already running out. When a grand tournament for the magicking arts is announced, bringing old foes to Albion’s shores - rumours of betrayal and war send Falken on a journey in the unknown. There he unearths the mysteries of an ancient, long-forgotten sect – whose secrets offer hope – and the chance for Falken to develop powers that none have seen in an age. But Falken’s newfound powers may not be enough, for nightmare creatures, dark assassins and even the undead stalk the lands of Netherdei. And this is only the beginning… Fans of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher and Avatar: The Last Airbender will enjoy this vivid, masterful tale of magicking, cultivation and fantasy adventure, inspired by the worlds of Xianxia and Wuxia.

Of the eight affinities in Netherdei, Falken is the only follower of Shadow. Hunted by demonic spirits and imperial forces, Falken must help liberate his fellow cultivators and prepare for all that is to come. His former home, the Ardent Lunar Sect, lies broken, the man he thought of as a father buried in the ruins. To understand his powers and unlock the secrets of his fabled obsidian sword, Falken is forced to leave the safety of the oubliette. Through tragedies and new horrors, Falken and his friends must venture across the seas to the kingdom of Diyu, the land of ancient cultivators. But the shadows hide all manner of beasts, and a trickster demon of the Hidden Realm watches Falken’s progress with a covetous eye. For even the gods don’t want Falken to obtain the Darkest Core… About the The Darkest Core is the sequel to #1 International Amazon and Audible best-seller, The Shadow Sect. The series is a tale of magicking, cultivation, and fantasy, perfect for fans of The Witcher , and The Last Airbender , and is inspired by the worlds of Xianxia and Wuxia.