Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Book Review: The Warded Man

The Warded Man

By:  Peter V. Brett

Publisher:  Del Rey

Publish Date:  March 2009

Genre:  Fantasy

Format:  Paperback, 453 pgs

Series:  1st book in Demon Trilogy

Recommendation:  OH YES!!! If you love fantasy, you have to read this one!

Book Synopsis:
As darkness falls after sunset, the corelings rise - demons who possess supernatural powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity.  For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards - symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile.  It was not always this way.  Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms, but those days are gone.  Night by night the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault.  Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past.  Together, they will stand against the night.

First Sentence:
The great horn sounded.

My Review and Summary:
You meet Arlen, at eleven years old, while he and his parents are coming to town to assist and clean up with the few people remaining after the corelings, or demons, attacked the previous night - as they always do attack but the wards on the houses this night didn't hold.  Then we meet the lovely Leesha who, at thirteen, thinks her life is perfect and on the proper path, but suddenly changes.  Finally, we meet Rojer who as a three year old losses his parents to the corelings in an attack infront of him, due to neglected wards (not of their whole fault).  These three people meet many others along their way and come across many rough patches to be the ones needed in the end.


This book sets the stage of the fear, beliefs, and mentality of the people in this world.  Along with creating some wonderful characters by what has happened, or not happened, to them.  Arlen is the main character of the book, but you follow three the characters through part of their lives, at least the major parts.  These characters grow dramaticly through the book, and I enjoyed watching them do so.  Arlen is one of the few characters I have read who grows up to be what he wants, not because of an amazing mentor but because of the weaker influences in his life.  He uses the weaknesses of others to be an influence to himself to be stronger and not as fearful as others.  He didn't want to be like the others and watch or just be.


The writing style in this book struck a cord in me, as for me it reminded me of a cross between Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy and Patrick Rothfuss's Name of the Wind.  I have to say if you enjoy Fantasy, this is a must read for you.  I don't know what it is but there is an attraction in their story telling that drew me in and kept me there, and Peter Brett now is in that category with them.


The story is written as every word counts and means something.  I found the descriptions of details wonderful, as I could see the corelings, happenings, and the scenery clearly in my minds eye.  I knew and understood what the characters felt.  I learned a lot of the corelings and characters at a gradual pace as to not overwhelm me but to keep me wanting more as well.  The story does have a quest in it, but it is more of an adventure to travel.


The ending seemed a little rushed for me and for that reason a little less exciting for me compared to the rest of the book.  But, this was a small thing compared to the books over all greatness.  


The second book, The Desert Spear, is currently out and on my list to get.  If you would like to visit Peter V. Brett's site, click here.




I purchased this book of my own accord, for reading thanks to a great book suggestion from Simcha @ SFF Chat.  If you get the chance stop by her wonderful blog to say hello.


This book qualifies for the Speculative Fiction Challenge @ Book Chick City.

19 comments:

  1. Looks great!!!!
    I want it!


    I have an award for you on my blog..
    http://bookmarkyourthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/06/yay-another-award.html

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  2. The main thing is that you kept the review honest to yourself hon!!!! You did a great job! Just peeking in to see how things are going!

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  3. Sounds really good. I can't wait to see what I think of it myself. Thanks for the review.

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  4. You always have such great reviews. I know where I'll be coming when I get the urge to read fantasy again.

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  5. Natasha - Thank you!! :) I will be stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the review. Hope you enjoy the book too.

    Cecile - Thanks! I've been doing pretty well this week. :) Feeling a lot better so now trying to get all caught up. Hope you are doing well. Have a great week!

    Ryan - I hope you enjoy this book. I think you might, but hope you do. :)

    Zia - :D Thanks! I have been on a big fantasy kick lately. I am trying to get some of my Urban Fantasy reads in too, they are starting to pile up. Glad you enjoyed the review.

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  6. I'm glad to see that you enjoyed this book as much I had thought you would. I actually liked the Desert Spear even more then the Warded Man, particularly the beginning, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on that one as well. You should check out Peter's blog as he always enjoys hearing from his readers and he often has contests for his books.

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  7. Simcha - Thank you for the suggestion of this book. I wanted to note that at the bottom of the review and forgot. I am going to add it now. I will have to stop by his blog. I am now following Peter on Twitter as well. I think he may have read the review here as I got a tweet with a happy face. Thanks again! :)

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  8. Simcha - There is a contest going on currently with warding things. I'm going to have to think on that on. :) Maybe do it. But, I also wanted to let you know I made a few comments over at GoodReads on you discussion threads. I know I was a little late, but I finally got to them. :)

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  9. Great review. This is the first time I've heard of this series. I'll have to put it on my wishlist!

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  10. Wow! Nice review. I will have to put this on my HUGE wish list. :)

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  11. Spav - Thank you. :) So glad you stopped by. A fellow blogger, and now good friend, had suggested this book to me. I am so glad I did read it, I really enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy it if you get it. :)

    Melissa - :D LOL I know the feeling. Glad you loved the review. Hope if you get it you enjoy it. :)

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  12. It sounds like you enjoyed this book as much as I did. I haven't read Desert Spear yet but I do look forward to doing so. You mentioned the Mistborn trilogy, which I have not read, but I loved NotW so I might just have to give that a try too.

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  13. So glad you liked it, this has been my favorite read so far this year. Just great fantasy. Can't wait to read The Desert Spear.

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  14. Terra - I really did enjoy this book. I am hoping to get Desert Spear soon here and sneak it in on the reading schedule, soon. I have to strongly suggest Brandon Sanderson's books. He has such an amazing way with the magic systems he creates and the stories are amazing. I think you would love the Mistborn Trilogy and maybe try his new book too, Warbreaker, even his older book Elantris. Enjoy!

    Seak - It really is an amazing fantasy! I am going to have to get Desert Spear soon here and slip it into the reading order here. This is on the top of my fav list now along with Sanderson and Rothfuss. :)

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  15. Thanks for the mention, by the way :)
    I also noticed that you are have Tracking the Tempest listed as one of the books you want to read,and thought you might be interested to know that its available for preorder at the Book Depository for $6. I ordered myself a copy the other day and was told that it was already available. Yay!
    Have a great weekend!

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  16. Simcha - You're welcome! :) Tracking the Tempest is my next Looking Forward to... post I'll be doing tonight. I am going to have to go get it for that price. Thanks! Have a great weekend to you too.

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  17. Thank you for coming by at my blog! Ooh I never heard of so many books on your blog, so I am going to take a better look.. :)

    This book sounds really good, but too bad for the rushed ending!

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  18. Love fantasy, and this one sounds like a winner! Will be adding to my wishlist. Thanks for the great review!

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  19. Nina - Hi! Glad to have you stop by. I hope you enjoy looking around at the books. :) For some reason, I seem to be pulled to books others have not heard to much on. :) At least I get to share them here.

    Alexia - I hope you do enjoy this one as much as I did. I think you just might. :) Thanks!

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