The Book of Skaith, Volume 1: The Ginger Star Book

A rousing sword & planet, sci-fi fantasy that I think sets itself apart. The rich world building is especially captivating. Skaith is an intriguing alien world under a dying sun, with a multitude of strange human and semi-human races, all reduced to a pre-industrial state after the decline of advanced civilizations millennia past. A form of economic slavery has taken hold, with some groups compelled to work and provide for others who serve a kind of divine role as "holy" wanderers and essentially cannon fodder for the ruling elite to mobilize en masse as needed to ruthlessly enforce their will. The story relies heavily on the "chosen one" prophecy trope, which feels overused and tired to me. I think the story would have worked just as well without it. Anyway, the plot is tight and brisk, full of wonderfully crafted adventuring, conflict and action. Eric John Stark, or simply "Stark", is smart, capable and able to tap into an innate animal nature when needed, but refreshingly modest as far as heroes come.