The Warded Man: Book One of The Demon Cycle Mass Market Paperback – March 23, 2010

Prepare to be entranced, spellbound, and utterly mesmerized by the extraordinary debut novel of Peter V. Brett, The Warded Man. Within its pages lies a precious jewel of epic fantasy, a testament to the enduring allure of the genre. From the very first sentence to the closing words, Brett masterfully weaves a gripping and exhilarating tale that will leave readers yearning for more.The Warded Man transports us to a world ravaged by an unrelenting and merciless horde of demons, emerging from the depths of the earth each night, casting humanity into an eternal state of fear and vulnerability. Yet, this book ventures beyond the surface of this terrifying existence, delving deep into the intricate lives and struggles of three remarkable individuals who hold the fate of mankind within their grasp.The character development within these pages is truly exceptional. Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer, the primary protagonists, are skillfully crafted and brought to life with a depth and authenticity that makes them feel like cherished companions. Brett artfully portrays their growth, fears, and dreams, allowing readers to experience their triumphs and failures alongside them. Their intertwined journeys construct a tapestry of interconnected narratives that keep us engrossed at every twist and turn.Brett's world-building prowess is nothing short of extraordinary. He paints a vivid and atmospheric portrait of a post-apocalyptic landscape, where desolation and peril loom around every corner. The intricacies of the warded system, the intricate social and political dynamics of the various settlements, and the diverse cultural backgrounds of the characters enrich the story, infusing the world with vibrancy and authenticity.One of The Warded Man's many strengths lies in Brett's masterful storytelling. His prose flows effortlessly, seamlessly blending heart-pounding action sequences with quieter, introspective moments. The pacing is flawless, with each chapter leaving readers hungry for more. Suspense and tension escalate steadily, culminating in breathtaking battles that will leave you breathless.Furthermore, Brett's exploration of themes such as bravery, resilience, sacrifice, and the true nature of heroism elevates this book beyond a mere survival tale. He delves into the depths of human emotions, illuminating the darkness that resides within us all and the choices we make when faced with overwhelming odds. It is an evocative and deeply gratifying experience that will linger in your thoughts long after you've reached the final page.The Warded Man stands as an absolute triumph in the realm of epic fantasy. With this stunning debut novel, Peter V. Brett lays the foundation for a series teeming with immense potential. Any lover of fantasy is urged to immerse themselves in this literary gem, as it exemplifies the finest qualities of the genre while forging its own distinct path. Brace yourself for an unforgettable voyage into a world where demons roam, heroes rise, and the indomitable human spirit triumphs against all odds.In conclusion, The Warded Man unquestionably merits a resounding five-star rating. Peter V. Brett's storytelling mastery, captivating characters, and awe-inspiring world-building converge to create an epic fantasy experience that will leave you yearning for the next installment. Embark on this literary adventure, and prepare to be transported to a world you'll never want to depart.

I'm a little late to the Peter Brett party. I remember when The Warded Man first hit the shelves a few years ago. I had just finished Brent Weeks's Night Angel Trilogy and I was hunting for something new. I wasn't a savvy blogger type then or even someone who read reviews on-line -- just a guy who liked to read. I'm sad to say, I made a conscious decision not to start it. I wanted to make sure it had legs before I invested my time and money. It turns out my $7.99 investment is going to cost me five times that by the time Brett's Demon Cycle is done. In fact, I should probably just send Del Rey the check right now. I wonder if they take trade-ins (Omen Machine? Anyone?).Warded Man can come off a bit like paint-by-number-epic-fantasy at first. The narrative voice is third person limited, using three distinct points of view. It begins in a small community on the outskirts of a society built on fear of demons, who come to feed when the sun sets. Arlen is the stereotypical farm boy who dreams of life beyond the agrarian lifestyle chosen for him. With a natural talent for painting wards, the only barrier between humanity and the insatiable demons, Arlen isn't satisfied with the status quo. When his mother is attacked one night, he leaves home, determined to find freedom from fear.The other two points of view are Rojer, an orphaned jongleur (think gleeman or bard), and Leesha, a stunningly beautiful herb gatherer (think wisdom or hedge witch). For much of the novel the three story lines are independent from one another, brought together only when each has reached a conclusion that the world they inhabit cannot continue. While Arlen is the novel's center, all three of them are given about equal time.Some of the other paint-by-number devices include a combat dedicated desert people who wield spears, battles for survival against impossible odds, villains who engender no sympathy, and coming of age plots. There's even a prophesy. All that might be read as a criticism of the novel and Brett as an author. It's not. Warded Man may be wrapped in familiar paper, but under the hood is a unique smorgasbord of fantasy delights that becomes more apparent with each page (mixed metaphor, much?).Of course, there are certain tropes that by their very definition designate something as epic fantasy (prophesy, end of the world stakes, good vs. evil, etc.). There are also certain tropes that come up again, and again, for a very good reason. The best example being the small town, farm boy starting point. When building a second world from the ground up, including a magic system, political structures, and establishing character baselines, there's almost no better way to ease a reader in that the aforementioned trope. Authors who eschew it are often criticized for throwing too much at their readers, Steven Erikson being perhaps the best example. Are there other ways to go about it? Sure, but it's overused for a reason and Brett executes it flawlessly.And execution is mostly what makes Warded Man such a rousing success. Brett's prose flows naturally and his action scenes seem effortless. His world and magic system are cleverly crafted, playing off each other in perfect harmony. Characters are well drawn, making the reader want to strangle them one moment and cheer for them the next. To condense things down to a sentence, Brett is beginning something that will be a tighter, and more grim, Wheel of Time.My one complaint about the novel is that it ends up reading something like a long form prologue. Brett divides everything up into four parts, starting his characters as children, then young adults, then adults, before bringing the novel to its for-now conclusion. Covering fifteen years of time, with each section covering a year at most, a great deal of time passes that's a mystery to the reader. Additionally, until those final pages, Brett's three characters are searching for direction, as opposed to driving towards a goal. Some might find that a bit off-putting; it just made me angry I didn't have a copy of the sequel, Desert Spear, sitting on my nightstand. And that's about the best endorsement I can give an author.By the time Brett pens the final volume, the Demon Cycle is going to be one of the best selling series in recent years. I know I have readers of this blog who will find aspects of Warded Man irredeemable. It could be the familiar trappings, or a particular set of scenes near the end that may not sit well with some female (mostly) readers. But, even critics will recognize that Peter Brett has a tremendous talent for story telling. It's been a long time since I stayed up to 2 AM to finish a novel (on a work night, no less!), and even longer since I had no idea how much time had passed.For fans of epic fantasy, with Wheel of Time ending, and A Song of Ice and Fire taking a circuitous route to completion, this is the series to get on board. Of course, everyone knew that already, right?