Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Warded Man (Demon Cycle #1)

by Peter V. Brett (Goodreads Author)

4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 · rating details · 20,830 ratings · 1,478 reviews

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...more

Mass Market Paperback, Del Rey, 453 pages

Published March 23rd 2010 by Random House (first published September 1st 2008)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Fantasy Books That Should Be Movies

40th out of 233 books — 211 voters

Fantasy Books by Goodreads Authors

60th out of 206 books — 276 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 18, 2009 Peter rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

I learned a lot from this book, because I wrote it myself. My rating may be somewhat biased as a result.

553 likes · like · see review

Apr 04, 2012 Nataliya rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: awesome-kickass-heroines, first-in-a-series

The world of The ~~Painted~~ Warded Man (*) is governed by fear. Countless corelings/demons rule the night. Magical wards that keep the demons out also keep the people in. The promise of safety has become their prison.

* Sidenote: By the way, what's up with the name change? Is this book a part of Book Witness Protection Program? Why?

Being caught out in the open at night equals gruesome death. People in this world hide trembling behind their wards at night terrified of what's out there. Fear rules...more
The world of The ~~Painted~~ Warded Man (*) is governed by fear. Countless corelings/demons rule the night. Magical wards that keep the demons out also keep the people in. The promise of safety has become their prison.

* Sidenote: By the way, what's up with the name change? Is this book a part of Book Witness Protection Program? Why?

Being caught out in the open at night equals gruesome death. People in this world hide trembling behind their wards at night terrified of what's out there. Fear rules their lives and determines their actions. They have lost their will to fight. They have traded freedom for safety. And so enter our three main characters who decide that life is more than just cowering in fear:

(A) Arlen, who refuses to live his life in fear and forgoes conventional happiness for what he feels is right - and becomes the titular ~~Painted~~ Warded Man, battling the corelings (**).

(B) Leesha - a brave and determined young woman, a skilled healer and herb gatherer who defies all expectations of her male-dominated society.

(C) Rojer, a self-doubting young jongleur alive thanks to his mother's sacrifice, who is able to charm corelings with music.

(A) (B) (C)

------------------------------------------
** Sidenote #2: It's hard to believe that nobody EVER thought about doing to themselves what Arlen did. Yes, they did not have battle wards until Arlen found them. But a few defensive ones, just to be on the safer side? (***)

*** Sidenote # 3: Upon further thought, maybe the years of viewing the demons as the deserved punishment from the supreme being made those people accept their "fate" and just pray for the Deliverer. Without ever trying to take a stand. That's sad.
------------------------------------------
Brett does not bother with the recent trend of having "shades of gray" antihero/protagonists - and his approach works. They have their flaws - Arlen is angry, Leesha is headstrong, Rojer is insecure - but they are clearly the good guys. They are instantly likeable, and it feels good to be rooting for them. We are also given just the right amount of worldbuilding to draw the reader into this universe without making the story drag. Unlike so many recent fantasy books it does not drag the reader into the endless political intrigues, which is refreshing. Instead, we get character development and adventures, and it's great. Yes, Mr. Brett is a talented storyteller.

"We are what we choose to be, girl,' she said. 'Let others determine your worth, and you've already lost, because no one wants people worth more than themselves."

----------------------------
Great fantasy book, a real page-turner. Good story, good characters, good execution. Easy 5 stars.
(less)

50 likes · like · see review

Mar 17, 2013 Carol rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: epic fantasy fans

Recommended to Carol by: FA, of course

Shelves: fantasy, male-lead

Tremendously strong start, but became very disappointing about 3/4 through, so I'll average it out and call it three and a half stars. I found Brett's world fascinating, a feudal system at the mercy of demons that arise from the earth each night, and the only way to defend against them is through the work of drawn/carved wards. Following a young boy, Arlen, as he grows gives a good sense of what the world is like, and Brett did a fabulous job of creating the feeling of subsistence living, of hud...more Tremendously strong start, but became very disappointing about 3/4 through, so I'll average it out and call it three and a half stars. I found Brett's world fascinating, a feudal system at the mercy of demons that arise from the earth each night, and the only way to defend against them is through the work of drawn/carved wards. Following a young boy, Arlen, as he grows gives a good sense of what the world is like, and Brett did a fabulous job of creating the feeling of subsistence living, of huddling behind the doors each night and the race to get daily chores done by dusk to prevent demon attacks. Point of view switches to a young girl, Leesha, and then another boy, Rojer. Their tales are equally interesting, although Rojer's is much shorter; it was almost as if someone said "enough exposition, let's move on." Leesha was well done, and I got a great feel for what it must be like to be female and growing up in a village. Then we move to the city of Miln, and Arlen's life takes a sharp turn; in short order he is apprenticed to a Warder and planning to be a Messenger.

Section 2 of the book focuses on the teenage years, roughly speaking, so for Arlen that means his apprenticeship in Miln, Leesha her apprenticeship as a Herb Gatherer and Rojer's apprenticeship as a Jongleur. This section is much shorter, a mere 88 pages to the 158 of the first section, although by rights it should be longer as the time period of growing into adulthood makes for rapid and significant changes. Oddly, what seems to happen to these three is that the "moral code" of their childhood selves solidifies, a kind of arrested development.

Extensive discussion of the final section: (view spoiler)[ Section three is where Brett seriously tested my belief in the characters he created and the world he built. We next catch up with Arlen three years after he's left Miln. He's in some mysterious ruins (aren't they all), discovering wards and a heavily warded spear. He takes the spear he's found to the city of Krasia, which is clearly modeled on every stereotype about Middle Eastern desert tribal culture. That's right: warrior men, women that do all the labor, cripples are in the untouchable class and outsiders are "considered cowards." Arlen shows them the spear, fight corelings alongside them, and for his reward, is thrown into a pit weaponless to fight his way free of corelings. Yes, that's right; the boy that spent every day in study--who had to be told by his master to go play outdoors with the other kids--is suddenly an expert in hand to hand combat.

Once he becomes the tattooed man, his physical skills increase. I found suspension of disbelief seriously threatened in this section; one, Arlen's becoming the perfect warrior: highly intelligent, creative (we knew from work with the wards) and now physically amazing. It's always a little annoying when your protagonist becomes superhuman, and I really don't feel Brett gave us enough justification for getting there. Two, I mention again his entire teenage youth spent in the library or crafting, except on Sundays when he studied physical skills with Ragen, and riding around on horses with Mery once they become more intimate? How exactly did he get amazing? Three, Arlen was afraid to make wards into the spear, because they would be damaged with the attack, but he's not afraid for his tattoos? Break tattooed skin and scarring mars the tattoos. Later we get the justification that he's started to absorb magic from the demons when he destroys them.

I think this is when my credibility stretched and snapped. Oh, now Arlen is magical as well? And the first in centuries to discover this? Then, by the time he meets Leesha and Rojer, he's riding a war charger he bred and trained to stand with him against demons. Like a little selective breeding and horse training wouldn't take another three years and be a whole new set of skills. So now he's a natural warder, a scholar, an amazing fighter, a subsistence forager and hunter and now a horse trainer? Doesn't strike me as possible within the boundaries of the world Brett set up. It felt like suddenly we have the Epic Hero, but we missed out on the process of getting there. The lavish detail showing in their childhoods and world building is suddenly cut down to bare bones.

The rest of the book became kind of a chore to finish, as my enjoyment in the world Brett created was spoiled by the metamorphasis of his lead into an invincible superhero. I found the moment of sommersaulting in the air and double-heel-striking two corelings annoying--how did I get in a Jet Li movie? The immediately doomed love scene between him and Leesha was a complete letdown in it's unoriginality. He immediately decides it needs to end because he must be part demon and his "seed is tainted." Yawn. Like we didn't get an enormous diatribe on how Leesha learned to prevent pregnancy at part of her training. We get the stereotypical dual stomp-off instead. Leesha becomes mother figure to village and alternates between tears and screaming at people. Sigh. What happened to our more thoughtfully created female? (hide spoiler)]

I really loved the beginning and spent hours wrapped up in the book. Once section three came along we switched into Epic Fantasy Action Hero mode and I lost a lot of enjoyment. That said, world building until then was solid. Language use was well done. Plot believable (until then). I down rated this from a "must buy" to a "borrow" book.

Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...(less)

20 likes · like · see review

Aug 09, 2011 mark monday rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantastickal

The Warded Man is an effective, efficiently-written fantasy thriller, one with an ingenious premise: at nightfall, various sorts of grisly 'corelings' rise from the earth to slaughter all living beings. folks live and travel behind various 'wards'. draw an imprecise ward: you are fucked, and probably dead. the novel documents a society which may or may not be in transition to ways that more proactively and aggressively engage with this continual threat. the set-up is particularly effective in it...more

40 likes · like · see review

Feb 24, 2013 Jason rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, read-2010, read-2013, reread

5 Stars

I original gave the Warded Man/the Painted Man 4 stars the first time I read it. But after some time had passed, I read and loved the second book, now more than a year later in anticipation of reading the third book that it is out now, I could not wait to reread this book. By definition, regardless of any flaws or shortcomings, if a novel interests me so much that I want to spend time reading it again for a second time, that I cannot help but give it full marks. That being said, regardles...more

16 likes · like · see review

Jul 11, 2010 Colleen rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, dark-fantasy, library-read

I don't have much to say for this book. I thought the premise was interesting, but there was something about the execution that just didn't grab me. Like Sandi, I found it pretty preditcable and straightforward. Unlike Sandi, I didn't connect with the characters enough for me not to care.

The characters I did like the most were secondary - Bruna, Ragan and Elissa, Master Cox - but after they fill their roll to the main characters, we don't see them anymore. This is has it 'should be', as it were,...more

15 likes · like · see review

May 12, 2011 Paul Stotts rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sometimes it’s easier to be a coward. Easier to not fight back. To not stare in the eye of the bully harassing you. To slink around the corner, avoiding confrontation. Maybe the odds aren’t in you favor. Maybe fighting back could mean serious injury. Maybe it could mean your life.

But what if your family was in danger. Would you stand and watch, paralyzed by fear, unable to help. Or would you fight. Even if fighting meant sacrificing yourself for your loved ones. What choice would you make?

Most...more

19 likes · like · see review

Apr 16, 2013 MrsJoseph rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: No one

Shelves: fantasy-aficionados-group-read, fantasy, series, 100-books-in-2011, format-paperback

http://bookslifewine.wordpress.com/20...

So, I have sat on this review for...forever. All of my friends love this book. I actually enjoyed this book. But it gave me nightmares. Not from the subject matter - as would be expected - but from one little scene and the reactions of the character that totally ruined the book for me.

It ruined the book for me so much that I decided not to continue with the series. I have the paper copy of this book...and I decided not even to shelve it at home. Those who...more

12 likes · like · see review

Mar 08, 2012 Seak (Bryce L.) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, fantasy, audio, top-12-fantasy

Not only did it rise above the hype, but the hype looks like an ant from up here. This is traditional fantasy done extremely well and with its own unique elements. The Warded Man (The Painted Man in the UK) is exactly the type of fantasy I love.

Goodreads summary:
As darkness falls each night, the corelings rise - demons who well up from the ground like hellish steam, taking on fearsome form and substance. Sand demons. Wood demons. Wind demons. Flame demons. And gigantic rock demons, the deadliest...more Not only did it rise above the hype, but the hype looks like an ant from up here. This is traditional fantasy done extremely well and with its own unique elements. The Warded Man (The Painted Man in the UK) is exactly the type of fantasy I love.

Goodreads summary:
As darkness falls each night, the corelings rise - demons who well up from the ground like hellish steam, taking on fearsome form and substance. Sand demons. Wood demons. Wind demons. Flame demons. And gigantic rock demons, the deadliest of all. They possess supernatural strength and 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 mystery, and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile...
Sounds great so far right?

All of this in a world that's fully realized and well plotted; you're almost afraid to go out at night yourself. Each day I couldn't wait to put my headphones back on and get back into this world where wards are life, where becoming a good warder could save your life and making a mistake could get you killed.

We are introduced early on-ish to three main characters, Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer (hope I got that right - no spelling on the audio for some reason). They live in three separate and distinct places and Brett does a great job showing how each part of the world deals with the problem of the corelings. Some tend to ignore them until problems occur. The smaller hamlets are constantly being attacked. But, almost everyone is on the defense and almost no one fights back.

Arlen is sick of living in fear and his dream is to become a messenger, one who braves the night while traveling in between the cities and towns to deliver well, messages, along with trade goods. This dream is only spurred by Arlen's cowardly father who's always taught Arlen to run and hide.

I thought Brett did a great job using traditional epic fantasy elements to create his own unique world. Of course there's a prophecy and a boy from nowhere who goes through a huge change, but the end result is unexpected. I was also entranced with the magic of the wards, which was very unlike traditional magic in fantasy and made for some great action especially toward the end.

When Should You Read The Warded Man?

This is the perfect page turner (at least I assume - should I say track turner?). It's full of action and really sucks you into a wonderfully imagined world full of danger and hope. I loved every bit of it, so I can recommend it for anywhere at anytime...but especially if you're in the mood for that great traditional feeling.

5 out of 5 Stars (Yup, that just happened) (less)

23 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2010 Jon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Jon by: Fantasy Book Club April 2010 Selection

Shelves: fiction, fantasy, read-in-my-40s

I devoured this book, ravenous as a coreling in the night. Excellent world building, great character development, driving plot and riveting action. I'm panting and sweating just thinking about the last desperate battle.

Some of my favorite bits of the world building include a post apocalyptic setting, almost an alternate history of our own reality, where humanity is facing extinction from supernatural elements (demons) holding people hostage with terror as they roam the nights freely; ward magic...more

20 likes · like · see review

Mar 10, 2011 Dan Schwent rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, plan-on-rereading-one-day, 2010, favorites

Three survivors of demon attacks spend their younger years learning to fight the corelings in their own ways. Rojer becomes a Jongleur, a wandering minstrel whose fiddle playing can ward off the demon's attack. Leesha becomes a healer and herb gatherer. And Arlen walks the path of a Messenger. At least at first...

Wow. I have to admit I wasn't expecting a whole lot with this book. Fantasy in a pseudo-European setting? Yawn city. Imagine my delight when the book proved to be a breath of fresh air...more

21 likes · like · see review

Jan 11, 2012 Zach rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, horror

A fantasy (secondary-world or post-apocalyptic Earth isn’t clear, or at least not in the part of the book I read) in which humankind is subject to attack every night by demons that materialize from the ground. At the opening of the book, the only defense people have is to huddle behind magical wards which the demons cannot breach (unless the chalk or whatever is scuffed or something, I don’t know.) Humans cower in their cities or individual farmhouses, and it would be really great if someone lea...more A fantasy (secondary-world or post-apocalyptic Earth isn’t clear, or at least not in the part of the book I read) in which humankind is subject to attack every night by demons that materialize from the ground. At the opening of the book, the only defense people have is to huddle behind magical wards which the demons cannot breach (unless the chalk or whatever is scuffed or something, I don’t know.) Humans cower in their cities or individual farmhouses, and it would be really great if someone learned to, I don’t know, cover their own body with wards, becoming some sort of WARDED MAN, hmm?

No one, I should mention, seems to have thought of having failsafe or layered wards, or maintaining warded roads or safehouses for travellers, or whatever else. Also the demons supposedly rampage about every night and shoot fire everywhere and have done so for 300 years but the opening village, at any rate, is in the middle of an idyllic forest with wildlife and trees and what have you. Again, these failures of logic might be addressed later, I don’t know.

Said village is where we meet our first character, an unsophisticated farm boy (novel!) who is constantly having conversations with everyone around him about how it’s the job of women to bear children and of men to protect the women and children. This was such an over-the-top Eagle Forum-esque understanding of gender politics that I thought for sure that the protagonist would Learn His Lesson once he met some more forward-thinking people (this particularly because the back of the book makes the point that men and women used to fight the demons together).* Then the extraneous and “gritty” sexual violence started and I checked the negative reviews on here and amazon and realized that not only are there are no twists or surprises or intelligent anythings in store for me here but that it gets WORSE than that and so I bid you fair ‘morrow, Mr. Brett.

* Even with all the gender things that he gets wrong, I’m so glad that Steven Erikson at least gets this right, because it’s depressingly rare in the world of fantasy.(less)

16 likes · like · see review

Jan 03, 2012 Dawn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, own-read, read-in-2011

I'm not sure what to call this book. Warded Man? Painted Man? I can see the logic in both titles. Painted Man because the man was all painted up and shit.. Warded Man because that paint made wards so he was all warded up and shit.. I really don't understand the need for the title change when it was released in the US. At least that's what I think happened... I didn't use my google-fu to figure it out, I could but I'm feeling lazy at the moment. I just think that's what I might have heard at one...more I'm not sure what to call this book. Warded Man? Painted Man? I can see the logic in both titles. Painted Man because the man was all painted up and shit.. Warded Man because that paint made wards so he was all warded up and shit.. I really don't understand the need for the title change when it was released in the US. At least that's what I think happened... I didn't use my google-fu to figure it out, I could but I'm feeling lazy at the moment. I just think that's what I might have heard at one point or another. But I'm rambling. For the sake of this review, I'm just going to call it Warded Man, because that's what it says on the cover of the edition I read.

Oh, wait.. You want me to actually talk about the book? Well that's a little strange.. I was just going to write this review all about the title.. But I guess I could say what I actually thought about the book. In short? I Loved it. It was completely different than I expected, and in such a good way. I honestly don't know what I was expecting when I picked it up. I had heard so many good things about it, I expected to like it.. I didn't expect to love it though.

It drew me in right from the first chapter, and I couldn’t help but feel connected to each and every character. The story was interesting, and kept me turning the pages, wanting to find out more. Some books you don’t want to put down.. This one I really couldn’t put down. I love that feeling!

I definitely recommend that any and all fantasy fans at least give this a shot, even if it doesn't sound like your thing. It didn't really appeal to me based on the blurb, so if it wasn't for all of the good things I had heard about it, I might never have read it. And that would have been a sad sad thing... So read it. I command it of you. Put down that other sub par book you're trying to sludge through and pick this up. You probably won't regret it but maybe will because you can never really tell what makes a book appeal to one person and not to another but I said it's good so it's probably good but maybe not but probably is but just don't come to me crying if you don't like it. That wasn't a run on sentence, it made perfect sense to me. Perfect sense.

I'm actually writing this review after having already read and written a review for Desert Spear, which I love love loved as well. So just saying.. It stays good. I can only hope that Brett keeps it up with the next installment, due out whenever. I haven't checked. I'm excited.. But I can wait. Seriously.. Take your time Mr. Brett. Make it good. Fulfill my book nympho desires. *cough*sendmeanARC*cough*. Maybe? Please? Pretty please? I'll read it good and hard like it's never been read before. Just saying... Think about it ;)(less)

8 likes · like · see review

Apr 11, 2009 Jeffrey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fantasy fans

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2009

This new fantasy is excellent. The world is full of demons (corelings) who rise at night and terrorize and kill the humans, who live in scattered homesteads and a few major cities run by Dukes. Most of the people hide behind ancient wards that can stop the demons, but over time, the corelings overcome poorly done wards or negligence and slaughter the humans. Linking the people of the cities with the outlier hamlets are professional messengers who travel at night behind wards. Only one city, Kras...more

9 likes · like · see review

Jul 02, 2012 Aaron Vincent rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read, high-fantasy, fantasy

Peter Brett has a flair for writing scenes that are fascinating as much as they are horrific. If only I have the skill, I would have painted these and proudly hang it on my wall. An good example would be that scene when our trio was in a warding circle surrounded by a hoard of demons. Amidst the shrieks and screams of the demons trying to get into the protection of the warding circle was Rojen playing his fiddle, his music having a control over those demon's lust while The Warded Man was shootin...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 10, 2012 Lee Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have to say to took me awhile to get into this book....maybe because it starts off so dark, maybe because I was unfamiliar with the entire demonology repertoire, or maybe it was because he was taking turns writing of three different character's stories and I just wasn't given enough in the beginning to truly get into any of their stories....that being said, I am glad I stuck with it. After about 200+ pages it turned and hooked me. It is dark and gory, but the characters, Arlen, Leesha, and Roj...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 05, 2013 Mimi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-reads, fantasy, new-fantasy

First books in a series are difficult to rate, especially when they're part of an ongoing series. This book is no exception.

As much as I enjoyed the ride/read, the last third of the book faltered somewhat and the narration took on a "tell" rather than "show" style. This was unsettling not only because the pacing slowed, but also because it happened at a critical point, when the three main narratives converged to set up events that would lead to the last battle. Narration that tell rather than sh...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 13, 2009 Patrick rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I thought this book was very one-dimensional. Demons versus Humans. Character development was interesting, but I believe the author could have spent less time developing them and spent more time developing the world and it's problems.

7 likes · like · see review

Apr 22, 2013 Kristina rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Any fantasy reader

Shelves: first-reads, 2013-goal-70, big-book-challenge

Wow... just... wow.

I don't know what I was expecting from this book. It wasn't that I had low expectations, the cover art is beautiful and the synopsis sounded interesting, but whatever I had internally expected, it was blown away.

In a world haunted by demon corelings every night when the sun goes down, the only thing that protects the people are rediscovered wards handed down to them from ancestors that lived hundreds of years ago when demons also roamed the earth. The wards don't always work t...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 29, 2012 Fiera78 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Překvapivě, jsem z knihy nadšená. Ačkoli anotace je opravdu stručným obsahem celé knihy, vůbec to nevadilo.
A dokonce i to, že jsem si na začátku říkala: "Cože hlavní hrdina 11,13 let? To snad ne, vždyť na obálce to vypadá na starší." Naštěstí tyto nízké věky byly vybrány proto, aby nás s hlavními hrdiny mohl autor seznámit. Vyprávět o jejich minulosti, která je zavedla k tomu, čím jsou "dnes". A rozhodně vás nechá natěšené na další díl.
Něco málo víc: "recenze" knihy na mém blogu

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 07, 2013 Laura Summers rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books-i-own, fantasy, listened-to-in-2010, bcc-reviewed, favorites

Reviewed for Book Chick City's Audio Book Sunday Feature

'The Painted Man' is a phenomenal book. I listened to it as an audiobook and it was one of those stories that I downloaded and wasn't really sure what to expect. At nearly 20 hours long, or 560 pages for the paperback version, it's a commitment and not a quick read. But it's well worth your time.

The story is set in a world where humans live in fear. At night, when the dark comes demons, known as 'corelings' rise from the ground. With supern...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 18, 2011 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of dark epic fantasy

Shelves: owned-copy, demon, read-the-season-primavera, uf-spring-challenge, coming-of-age, epic-fantasy, dark-fantasy, warrior, hero-i-loved, heroine-drop-dead-gorgeous, medical-profession, scary-sexy-cool-dangerous-hero, monster-hunters, favorites, 2011-reading, musical-story, virgin-hero

At times, I believe that humanity is doomed to destroy itself. Actually, I feel that way a lot, although it saddens me. Which is why I prefer reading fiction that is hopeful, or with humans triumphing over the destructive forces within them or around them. Tales in which the monster of the story is a fantastical beast of the inhuman variety, defeatable, even if it requires cost and sacrifice on the part of people.

I couldn’t even imagine living in a world in which every night, demons take over,...more At times, I believe that humanity is doomed to destroy itself. Actually, I feel that way a lot, although it saddens me. Which is why I prefer reading fiction that is hopeful, or with humans triumphing over the destructive forces within them or around them. Tales in which the monster of the story is a fantastical beast of the inhuman variety, defeatable, even if it requires cost and sacrifice on the part of people.

I couldn’t even imagine living in a world in which every night, demons take over, and prey on humans. Fear becomes the primary motivation. One’s life is lived around the rising and setting of the sun. The only thing that protects humans from the demons is the wards, which must be assiduously maintained. That is the existence of the characters in this book, and it affects them all in different ways. Surprisingly, despite this ever-present menace, people still manage to have their own little dramas, squabbles, and tendencies to treat each other poorly. You would think that human spirit would triumph in these dark circumstances? Not so much. Or maybe it does. You’d have to stay tuned to see.

The Warded Man focuses on three main characters: Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer. Both Arlen and Rojer lost their mothers to the demons, their lives and futures shaped by these ugly experiences. Leesha’s mother is like her own personal monster. She’s harsh, cruel, amoral, selfish, and scheming. Leesha has vowed to be nothing like her. She finds a calling as the apprentice to the Herb Gatherer (the healer of all diseases and wounds) in her town, a way to find meaning in her life, other than being wife to the man who told lies on her and ruined her trust and her reputation along with it. Her decision to work with Bruna, the ancient Herb Gatherer for her little town, will lead her onto a path that intercepts with Arlen and Rojer’s path, and it won’t be an easy journey for any of these three people.

Although this story started out slow, and I was dismayed at depictions of human nature at its worst, ultimately I was vanquished by this engrossing story. It was a slow conquest initially. I found myself wanting to keep reading, and after a while, I couldn’t stop reading. The demons were very scary, and their attacks on the humans downright horrific. The sense of entrapment, fear, and the lack of options in the face of a supernatural threat that seems unbeatable really got to me. I wanted to see someone find an answer. I wanted someone to step forward and to find a way to prevail against the demons.

People have been waiting for the Deliverer to come back to protect them from the demons. Will the Deliverer come, or will the people have to save themselves? This story might be about demons on the surface, but deep down, the real theme of The Warded Man is the everyday sort of courage. The courage that keeps a person going without losing hope, and giving in to the darkness. A very important lesson that this book taught me is that the hero is within you. You can’t always wait on someone else to save you. You have to save yourself. And once you’re ready to do that, you might find that you can help others to do the same for themselves and for those who are in need of help and who truly are incapable of fighting for themselves.

This could have easily been a loss for me had the story been written differently. Bloodthirsty demons preying and always destroying people, seeing the good guys never win, doomed to continually destroy themselves and each other, and unable to triumph over the obstacles that they fight against, has no appeal to me. But seeing people fight back, taking back the night and renouncing the power that fear can hold over a person, now that interests me.

And I have to admit, the Warded Man was absolutely cool as all get out. He was a total bad*ss, a man who created himself from scratch, and wears the scars to show for it. Together with Leesha, and Rojer, they make an awesome team. If I ever had to fight demons, I will call them in for my reinforcements. They are my kind of demon hunters. This story inspires me to fight my own demons in my everyday life. And that’s the kind of hopeful message I need right now.

(less)

22 likes · like · see review

May 11, 2011 Maggie K rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really really liked this book a lot~!

In ways, it is a classic coming of age fantasy story, but it was different enough that I became thoroughly involved and couldn't put this book down! The theme of fear, and it's crippling effect on society resounded throughout the work.

The title character is well fleshed out, as are his eventual companions. I understood everyone's motivations, and need to do something more against their enemy.

I regret the fact that it was a library book, and I cant imemediat...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 26, 2009 Ruby rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I received this debut novel by Peter V. Brett a couple days ago from Del-Rey for review and so I decided to sit down from my few months being a mom to read it. I was so glad I did. The Warded Man is an intense ride that begins with the lives of three young children that through different diversities survive to fight on in a world where just the corelings or demons aren't the only things that should be feared.

In this well written novel, you will meet Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer, each set on their o...more

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 07, 2009 Jayden rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, series-i-enjoyed

I got this book with high expectations, having read a lot of great reviews of it, and I wasn't disappointed.

The characters are very well built, with many flaws and many great points and I loved all of them. The world building is awesome and has a lot of thought into it. And the story is gripping, fast paced, and lovable. I can't wait for the next book.

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 18, 2013 Zaphoddent rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Total rubbish. The premise was interesting but the world created can't withstand a minimal level of intelligent scrutiny. The whole world is just full of dimwits who are aware they need wards to protect themselves but who conveniently always never have the time to learn the wards or never get someone to check their wards before dusk sets. Several hours of daylight goes by then at dusk panic sets in? No one thinks, oh I don't know, maybe get within the wards before it starts getting dark? Really?...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 02, 2012 ☪ℒiℱ ☚☠☛ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Karanlığın çökmesiyle birlikte yerden yükselen canavarlarla insanlığın savaşı..İnsanlar korunmak için sembollerin arkasına saklanıyorlar.Kurtarıcının gelmesini ve kendilerini kurtarmasını bekliyorlar. Ancak Dövmeli Adam savaş istiyor! Bir şekilde bu canavarlarla geçmişi olan üç kişinin yolları kesişiyor.Okunmalı bence:)

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 29, 2009 Reed rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There have certainly been a lot of strong debut novels the last few years, and Peter Brett's "The Warded Man" is a deserving member of that group. Brett is a self-admitted fantasy fan, and it shows. While his novel is firmly grounded in standard fantasy, he does give it its own personality.

Brett has created a world that is terrorized each night by demons (corelings) that rise from the ground and attack all living creatures. It leads to a fascinating dyamic--a world where man cannot be outside a...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 14, 2012 Nathan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: author-male, high-fantasy, read-2012, rated-3-star

A quick paced debut novel with a lot of strengths. The story is highly entertaining, a lot of detail has been put into the local world. People in this world live in regular fear of night, but have enough of a safety net in place that most continue to live normal lives.

Early on Brett has some great characters being built. Arlen conveys a nice mix of the child he still his and the young adult he is becoming, avoiding ever being a caricature. Leesha's chapters are well plotted early on as well. Sh...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 Bill Blume rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The past year has introduced me to a lot of great fantasy writers, and I'm happy to say that after reading THE WARDED MAN, I will be adding Peter V. Brett to that list. His opening novel in the "Demon Cycle" series introduces the reader to a well-developed world in which demonic creatures called Corelings visit the world nightly and feast on humanity. The only protection humans have is wards, elaborate symbols painted or crafted by some other means, which create a circle of protection to keep Co...more The past year has introduced me to a lot of great fantasy writers, and I'm happy to say that after reading THE WARDED MAN, I will be adding Peter V. Brett to that list. His opening novel in the "Demon Cycle" series introduces the reader to a well-developed world in which demonic creatures called Corelings visit the world nightly and feast on humanity. The only protection humans have is wards, elaborate symbols painted or crafted by some other means, which create a circle of protection to keep Corelings out or trapped, depending on how the wards are deployed.

The most impressive aspect of the books is how artfully Brett introduces the reality. The first chapter alone is a brilliant exampe of show vs. tell. Perhaps the only fumble in this opening chapter comes from the death of the main character's uncle. Arlen just comes across a little too detached about what's just happened, and the main purpose behind his uncle's death seems more to explain that humans can fight and kill Corelings. Arlen's world is a hard one, though, with loss a constant part of life, so one could probably argue this explains his behavior in this scene.

While Arlen's quest to find a means to fight the Corelings and avenge his mother's death is the driving force behind the novel, there are a few side stories involving two other key players. One is an orphan who grows up to become a jongleur (basically a travelling entertainer/jester). The second involves a young woman named Leesha. At first, I didn't care for Leesha. She starts as a wide-eyed girl who's only hope in life is to marry the boy she's been promised to and have children. Brett changes that quickly enough, having her become apprentice to an herb gatherer (a healer). Her introduction to knowledge about the world, medicine and science makes her far more interesting and has her decide against the plan her parents have set for her. Leesha provides a very entertaining and strong character for the story. It's for this reason that I was very disappointed with where her arc goes within this book.

(view spoiler)

There are items I can choose to pick on within this book, such as an early romance involving Arlen and a young girl in one of the free cities. The relationship starts off great, but then Brett moves it along a little too quickly, being a tad heavy-handed in forcing the romance to fall apart. I got the impression Brett was eager to get to the "good stuff" and rushed things along in order to get there. The book itself doesn't require that, because even when the story is taking its time, it proves a very quick read.

For the most part, this book delivers exactly what a fantasy novel is supposed to. More importantly, it does what the first novel in a series should do. First and foremost, it leaves me hungry to learn more about this fantasy world. Secondly, it stands on its own. So many first books come up short and leave the reader hanging with far too much unresolved. While THE WARDED MAN does leave many storylines unresolved, it pulls enough together to leave me satisfied. Near the last forty pages of the novel, I feared Brett would fail to resolve enough of anything within this book, and that he accomplishes this so well in such a limited space is commendable and impressive.

If not for the few missteps noted, I might have given this five stars. I'm going to go with four, but that shouldn't suggest that this book is anything less than a fantastic fantasy adventure which will keep readers entertained from start to finish. I'm eager to read the rest of the books in the series, and I suspect I will do just that within the next few months. Brett has definitely gained me as a reader.(less)

1 like · like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
SciFi and Fantasy...: The Warded Man vs The Painted Man	23	153	May 18, 2013 04:41pm
SciFi and Fantasy...: The Warded Man Final Thoughts Spoilers	37	106	Apr 12, 2013 11:22pm
SciFi and Fantasy...: The Warded Man First Impressions No Spoilers	16	134	Mar 28, 2013 09:16am
30% in and addicted already.	9	49	Jan 13, 2013 10:13am
Movie planned	6	181	Sep 02, 2012 05:19am
Goodreads Librari...: Help with The Warded Man	5	34	Jul 14, 2012 02:27pm
The Goodreads Dar...: Demon War series	2	10	Jun 20, 2012 04:40pm

combine
Other Editions (44)

More editions...

Genres

Fantasy

1,916 users

Fantasy > Epic Fantasy

126 users

Fantasy > Magic

57 users

Paranormal > Demons

56 users

Science Fiction Fantasy

48 users

Horror

39 users

Adventure

39 users

Fantasy > High Fantasy

34 users

Fantasy > Dark Fantasy

31 users

Epic

23 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Peter V. Brett

Raised on a steady diet of fantasy novels, comic books, and Dungeons & Dragons, Peter V. Brett (“Peat” to his friends) has been writing fantasy stories for as long as he can remember. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Art History from the University at Buffalo in 1995, and then spent over a decade in pharmaceutical publishing before returning to his bliss. He live...more

More about Peter V. Brett...

Books by Peter V. Brett

Malowany człowiek. Księga I (Demoniczny Cykl, #1.1)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Warded Man

6 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from The Painted Man

“Let others determine your worth and you're already lost, because no one wants people worth more than themselves.” — 262 people liked it

“Welcome to adulthood." Cob said. "Every child finds a day when the realize that adults can be weak and wrong just like everyone else. After that day, you are an adult. Like it or not.” — 45 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: The Warded Man
avg rating	preview: The Warded Man Goodreads rating: 4.24 (20830 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6993490-the-warded-man?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320558105l/6993490.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6993490-the-warded-man?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett[/url]

The Warded Man (Demon Cycle #1)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website