The Skull Throne (Demon Cycle #4)

The Skull Throne by Peter V. Brett is the fourth book in his Demon Cycle fantasy series - set in a world where demons rise in the night to attack and people traditionally huddled indoors behind defensive wards that repel the demons, but then one man found the courage and knowledge (in the form of combat wards) to fight back.

After the cliffhanger ending in the last book, the fight of human against demon continues each night, while during the day the Krasians move north further into the land of Thesa in an attempt to unify everyone against the demons under their leader, or Shar'Dama'Ka, Ahmann Jardir - believed to be the foretold Deliverer who will save humanity from the demons.

As always with a book in the middle of a series it is difficult to give a summary without spoilers, so I will not attempt it here. Brett has created a fascinating world with many characters both endearing and frustrating. Fans of fantasy should read this series.

Brett, Peter. V. (2015). The Skull Throne. New York: Del Rey.

The Daylight War (Demon Cycle #3)

The Daylight War by Peter V. Brett is his third book in the Demon Cycle series - set in a world where people can do what they wish in the daytime, but at night demons rise from the ground and attack. After 300 years of demons, people are fighting back.

The Warded Man, Arlen Bales, has been traveling around the countryside giving people the tools to protect themselves - wards (symbols) that can repel or even harm demons - and is now returning to the Hollow where he has made his home. Many people think he is the Deliverer who will free them from the terror of the demons. Arlen is convinced that all of the people who fight, together make the Deliverer.

Ahmann Jardir is the head of the people of Krasia, a land to the south of where Arlen lives in Thesa. The Krasians have invaded Krasia and will force the people to follow their religious law. They will teach the men to fight demons and teach the women to be more modest in dress and manner. Jardir's people believe he is the Deliverer, or Shar'Dama Ka, foretold in their holy books.

Regardless of who may be the Deliverer, the demons have noticed the turn in the fight and will send stronger creatures to challenge the humans. Both sides must get ready for more difficult fighting - plus the Karsians have plans to fight a daylight war to take over the rest of Thesa.

Brett has created an amazing fantasy world. The characters are diverse and complex. The demons strong and fierce. And the plot mesmerizing. This is one of the best fantasy series I have read and I will wait impatiently for the next book...

Brett, Peter V. (2013). The Daylight War. New York: Ballantine Books.

The Desert Spear (Demon Cycle #2)

The Desert Spear by Peter V. Brett is the second book in his brilliant Demon Cycle series. In a world where demons rise in the darkness and people hide behind magic wards to keep them at bay, some are beginning to fight back. Wards for combat instead of defense will allow the rise of a Deliverer who will lead humans in the next Demon War.

Ahmann Jardir of Krasia, a desert kingdom in the South, claims that he is the Deliverer, or Shar'Dama Ka. His people have put every faith in him and his rise to power believing that he will lead them to victory over the demons. But first they are to conquer the people of greenlands in the north - to unite them under Jardir's word.

Arlen Bales from Tibbet's Brook, Leesha Paper from Cutter's Hollow, and Rojer Inn of Riverbridge have already begun to teach people to fight the demons. The village of Cutter's Hollow even changed it's name to Deliverer's Hollow after a battle in which most every able citizen fought - the first time people in the North have fought back outside of folk tales.

But the legend does not allow for two Deliverers. Eventually, either Arlen or Ahmann must prove to be the true Deliverer.  This sequel continues the story with the intensity readers enjoyed in the Warded Man. This fantasy series is amazing and would hold its own against any other fantasy series I have read. Start reading it today!

Brett, Peter V. (2011). The Desert Spear. New York: Ballantine Books.

The Great Bazaar and Other Stories (Demon Cycle)

The Great Bazaar and Other Stories by Peter V. Brett is a collection of stories related to his Demon Cycle series. It is like a deleted scenes from The Warded Man. 

Included in the book is the original short story about Arlene -  the title character in the Warded Man. This is a great bonus for fans of the series.

Brett, Peter V. (2010). The Great Bazaar and Other Stories. Burton, MI: Subterranean Press.

The Warded Man (Demon Cycle #1)

The Warded Man by Peter V Brett is an amazing fantasy book and the first in his Demon Cycle series.

The land in which the series takes place could be our own if you went back to the Middle Ages. People live in small hamlets or small cities and work hard from dawn until dusk. The main difference is that from dusk until dawn demons rise out of the Core and hunt. Magical symbols, or wards, are all that stand between demon and death for the humans and animals.

Legend has it that long ago people fought back against the demons. Today no one really thinks it is possible to kill a demon and most attacked by one do not recover.

Arlen of Tibbet's Brook, a small hamlet far from the cities, has reasons to want to fight back. With the events of one night he goes from an innocent child who cowers inside at night listening to the demons try to break through the wards to a young man who has revenge on his mind. His journey will take him farther than most will ever travel. (Since there are very few who will spend the night outdoors even protected by a warded traveling circle.)

Leesha of Cutter's Hollow is promised to a woodcutter. Once she is old enough she will be married and start a family of her own. But when fire demons burn part of the town, she helps the Herb Gatherer to heal the injured and finds a new path in life.

Finally, Rojer of Riverbridge is on of few survivors of a demon attack. He is thrust into the arms of a jongleur (a performer who travels with a messenger to spread news and entertain) by his mother to save his life with her own.

These three great characters follow their paths as readers fall in love them and learn more about the world in which they live. It is a world full of terror and hope. Peter Brett has created a place that readers will hope he continues to write about for the next twenty years, at least. It will be as well loved as Anne McCaffrey's Pern or Tamora Pierce's Tortall.

If you are at all a fantasy reader read this series. I am going to buy the books to read again and again - and as my 3 fans know that is the highest compliment since I am a librarian and have unlimited access to books at work.

Brett, Peter V. (2009). The Warded Man. New York: Del Rey.