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The Painted Man
(Demon Cycle #1)
by
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 th
...more
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ebook, 416 pages
Published
January 8th 2009
by Harper Voyager
(first published September 2008)
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Stevil Graham
Listen to the Graphic Audio version. Very well done.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Painted Man (Demon Cycle, #1)

A rather brief review since I read the book very nearly 5 years ago.
I came to this book with no expectations, finding it on the shelves in my house. Both sons recommended it, but that's not always a recommendation!
There are fantasy books that are all about the plot, fantasy books that are all about the characters, and fantasy books that are all about the world-building. This one manages to be all about all of that.
The 'big idea' is the demons and it's a good one. I'd not seen demons done this wa ...more
I came to this book with no expectations, finding it on the shelves in my house. Both sons recommended it, but that's not always a recommendation!
There are fantasy books that are all about the plot, fantasy books that are all about the characters, and fantasy books that are all about the world-building. This one manages to be all about all of that.
The 'big idea' is the demons and it's a good one. I'd not seen demons done this wa ...more

May 18, 2011
carol.
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
epic fantasy fans
Recommended to carol. by:
FA, of course
The Warded Man had a tremendously strong start and was well on the way to a five star read. Then three quarters of the way through, I became extremely disenchanted with characterization and plot jumping.
Brett's world is fascinating: a feudal system at the mercy of demons arising from the earth each night, and the only way to defend against them is through the work of drawn/carved wards. The story begins by following a young boy, Arlen, allowing well integrated world-building as Arlen grows. Bre ...more
Brett's world is fascinating: a feudal system at the mercy of demons arising from the earth each night, and the only way to defend against them is through the work of drawn/carved wards. The story begins by following a young boy, Arlen, allowing well integrated world-building as Arlen grows. Bre ...more

Buddy read with my wonderful friend, Celise
I freaking loved this book!! Arlen, Leesha, Rojer, Bruna, Ragen, Cob, Leesha's father and Twilight Dancer were my favorite characters.
The book tells the story about 3 people, Arlen, Leesha, & Rojer. It starts when they are younger until they are adults and how they find each other.
They live in a world where you have to be inside a Warded home or Warded circle etc, before night fall. This is when the demons rise and if you're not safe, you're pretty mu ...more
I freaking loved this book!! Arlen, Leesha, Rojer, Bruna, Ragen, Cob, Leesha's father and Twilight Dancer were my favorite characters.
The book tells the story about 3 people, Arlen, Leesha, & Rojer. It starts when they are younger until they are adults and how they find each other.
They live in a world where you have to be inside a Warded home or Warded circle etc, before night fall. This is when the demons rise and if you're not safe, you're pretty mu ...more

Sep 01, 2017
Petrik
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Character-driven fantasy fans
4.5/5 Stars
The Warded Man is a superbly written debut that every fan of character-driven fantasy must read.
I started reading this book without knowing anything about it other than the premise. It’s been hundreds of years since the demons returned to ravage the world. The demons only come at night and this situation has left humans isolated in their respective cities and heavily reliant on wards to repel their demonic adversaries. The Warded Man is truly different from what I thought it would be ...more
The Warded Man is a superbly written debut that every fan of character-driven fantasy must read.
I started reading this book without knowing anything about it other than the premise. It’s been hundreds of years since the demons returned to ravage the world. The demons only come at night and this situation has left humans isolated in their respective cities and heavily reliant on wards to repel their demonic adversaries. The Warded Man is truly different from what I thought it would be ...more

I've seen this book in my feed for years now, so I finally decided to take the plunge and see what all the fuss was about. And I'm really glad I did because this was a pretty cool story.

Ok, in this world there are demons. Hiss!
Not the kind that possesses you and turns you into a minion of Satan, though!

The kind that come out at night and eat you! RAWR!

Alright. So basically these demons (called corelings b/c they come from the core of the earth) rise up at night and wander around lookin ...more

Ok, in this world there are demons. Hiss!
Not the kind that possesses you and turns you into a minion of Satan, though!

The kind that come out at night and eat you! RAWR!

Alright. So basically these demons (called corelings b/c they come from the core of the earth) rise up at night and wander around lookin ...more

Oh, where to start with this book.
Perhaps I should begin by pointing out that, according to the back of the book, this *is* the author's first novel (don't quote me Wikipedia, this is his first published novel, I guess).
Unfortunately, it shows.
So, it's a fairly generic set-up with a Medieval-style community, humans vs. demons, good vs. evil. Blah-de-blah. As is obvious from the title, the primary protagonist eventually carves runes onto his skin to combat the demons and take a stand. As a concep ...more
Perhaps I should begin by pointing out that, according to the back of the book, this *is* the author's first novel (don't quote me Wikipedia, this is his first published novel, I guess).
Unfortunately, it shows.
So, it's a fairly generic set-up with a Medieval-style community, humans vs. demons, good vs. evil. Blah-de-blah. As is obvious from the title, the primary protagonist eventually carves runes onto his skin to combat the demons and take a stand. As a concep ...more

Jul 05, 2010
Nataliya
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
awesome-kickass-heroines
The world of The


* 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 ru ...more

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

Mar 09, 2013
Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
This review is going to be a hodgepodge – The Warded Man was such an unusual read that no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get my thoughts organized on it. Here goes:
The Warded Man was a mixed bag of emotions for me (and for most of my fellow Fantasy Buddy Reads group on Goodreads). The consensus was that it had a really slow start. Even though I found myself invested as early as Chapter 3, many were struggling even as far in as the halfway point to find their enthusiasm (if they even made it ...more
The Warded Man was a mixed bag of emotions for me (and for most of my fellow Fantasy Buddy Reads group on Goodreads). The consensus was that it had a really slow start. Even though I found myself invested as early as Chapter 3, many were struggling even as far in as the halfway point to find their enthusiasm (if they even made it ...more

One of the most unique and engrossing novels I have ever read!
The Warded Man tells the story of Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer and how their lives end up intersecting. We meet Arlen and Leesha when they are only eleven and Rojer when he is only four. They live in a world ravished by demons every night. Humans are forced to live behind protective wards or die terrible deaths at the hands of these demons.
I have to admit it was hard to believe the book was over 900 pages long. The pages seemed t

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
4.5 stars
One of my favorite things about reading fantasy is the brand new worlds.
Writing a good book is an accomplishment by itself, but in fantasy . . . the writer not only has to come up with a good story and good characters, they have to create a new place with new rules, new creatures, new cultures, new everything.
For an escapist reader, like myself, shoddy world-building can ruin an otherwise perfectly good book, but above and beyond fantastical, yet believable new ...more
4.5 stars
One of my favorite things about reading fantasy is the brand new worlds.
Writing a good book is an accomplishment by itself, but in fantasy . . . the writer not only has to come up with a good story and good characters, they have to create a new place with new rules, new creatures, new cultures, new everything.
For an escapist reader, like myself, shoddy world-building can ruin an otherwise perfectly good book, but above and beyond fantastical, yet believable new ...more

The Warded Man (The Demon Cycle #1), Peter V. Brett
The Painted Man (titled The Warded Man in the US) is a fantasy novel written by American writer Peter V. Brett. It is the first part of the Demon Cycle. It was first published on 1 September 2008.
It has been translated into German, Japanese, Polish, Czech, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Serbian and Estonian. There is also a Graphic Audio production of the book.
The novel follows three POV characters in their passage from childhood to maturi ...more
The Painted Man (titled The Warded Man in the US) is a fantasy novel written by American writer Peter V. Brett. It is the first part of the Demon Cycle. It was first published on 1 September 2008.
It has been translated into German, Japanese, Polish, Czech, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Serbian and Estonian. There is also a Graphic Audio production of the book.
The novel follows three POV characters in their passage from childhood to maturi ...more

Jan 24, 2019
Dana Ilie
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Dana by:
Moglan Radu
Shelves:
fantasy
I was really blown away by this book. I heard about it, especially from Radu my GR friend, but I never actually got around to reading it until now. I’m glad I did. The Warded Man (also called The Painted Man in the UK) did not disappoint. This is the first book in a series, but oh what a delicious book it was.
What stands out about this book is the interesting world portrayed, vicious action, and strong characterization. The world portrayed is a world without hope. Men are reduced to a food sourc ...more
What stands out about this book is the interesting world portrayed, vicious action, and strong characterization. The world portrayed is a world without hope. Men are reduced to a food sourc ...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 lea
...more

I'm easily super excited about this book and have no reservations about flying through the sequels.
Why?
Because we have an immersive epic fantasy world that focuses simply and easily on survival. The world is overrun with demons that pop out of the ground at night and are only held back by drawn or carved wards. Life is hard and harrowing, and if you make a single misstep, you die. The three main characters: Arlen, Leesha, and Rojen, are given delightful treatment in this world, from their chil ...more
Why?
Because we have an immersive epic fantasy world that focuses simply and easily on survival. The world is overrun with demons that pop out of the ground at night and are only held back by drawn or carved wards. Life is hard and harrowing, and if you make a single misstep, you die. The three main characters: Arlen, Leesha, and Rojen, are given delightful treatment in this world, from their chil ...more

Mar 19, 2018
Mario the lone bookwolf
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy
This is a unique writing style that can be compared to Brandon Sanderson, Tad Williams and Jim Butcher, a dark and extremely cool story told with the elements of badassery and stylish magic. The mixture of classic fantasy elements with perfectly, script-like action sequences and new impulses to classic ideas make it an absolute must-read, one of the best fantasy novels I have ever read. It is not just absorbing, it beams one inside the book and excludes reality like just really good stuff can do
...more

What readers quickly recognize is that Peter Brett’s The Warded Man (Demon Cycle #1) has the feel of a traditional fantasy epic with something different. Part of that something different has to do with the world Brett has created (which is sort of medieval, but this is a world which has been blasted back to this state from a more modern era by the onslaught of corelings/demons). This is reflected in how each section is dated (AR-After the Return). Through this dating system, we learn that it has
...more

Hmmmm... well I get the feeling I'm on my own here given the reviews, but here goes:
The warded man/painted man is set in a kind of alternate future where after the age of science, the world has been thrown back into a dark age, where ancient elemental demons known as "Corelings" have once more risen from the earth to feed upon mankind. Man's only salvation rests in the magical properties of "wards", magical symbols that can be written on homes, and earth to keep the creatures at bay. The story ...more
The warded man/painted man is set in a kind of alternate future where after the age of science, the world has been thrown back into a dark age, where ancient elemental demons known as "Corelings" have once more risen from the earth to feed upon mankind. Man's only salvation rests in the magical properties of "wards", magical symbols that can be written on homes, and earth to keep the creatures at bay. The story ...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 ...more
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

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
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

Before I knew what has happened, this book had sucked me in, chewed me, and spat me out. Broken.
I expect nothing less from an epic fantasy.
Also in the Demon Cycle:
2. The Desert Spear ★★★☆☆
3. The Daylight War ★★☆☆☆
4. The Skull Throne ★★☆☆☆
5. The Core ★☆☆☆☆ (Actual rating: ZERO stars) ...more
I expect nothing less from an epic fantasy.
Also in the Demon Cycle:
2. The Desert Spear ★★★☆☆
3. The Daylight War ★★☆☆☆
4. The Skull Throne ★★☆☆☆
5. The Core ★☆☆☆☆ (Actual rating: ZERO stars) ...more

Jul 02, 2009
Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of dark epic fantasy
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
I couldn’t even imagine living in a world in which every night, demons take over, ...more

There's nothing I love more in a book than when it exceeds my expectations, and this book did just that. This book has it all, a great plot, amazing characters, good writing, religion, sexism action,magic you name it. The author created a whole new world that is broken and on a brink of being destroyed by demons. As much as I love this book, I have a few issues with it, I feel like some things were unnecessary because it adds nothing to the plot whatsoever.(view spoiler)
...more


This book turned my attention after reading a great review of Gavin :) I’ll try and put my incoherent rambling to match at least 1% of his great review.
My journey started when the author led me into the world of monsters that rise in the night and attack humans who hide behind wards, fascinating old times with herb-gatherers, jongleurs and messengers, who are the only ones who dare to travel far despite danger to bring messages and goods for exchange. Interesting for sure! And the symbols in th ...more

Welcome to a world where every person knows what time the sun sets. Sure it's partially because when the sun sets is quitting time, but it's mainly because people are trying to avoid being torn to shreds. When the sun goes down evil literally comes out. Some call them corelings others call them alagai, but their name doesn't matter when they come out. All that matters is being behind the wards, well that and making sure the wards are fresh and clearly drawn. In this insane world three survivors
...more

misogyny is common in mediocre fantasy. misogyny AND orientalism takes skill, which this dude's got. i am appalled at how many authors are heralding this as one of the greatest new arrivals in fantasy. i can't remember the last time a fantasy author offended me this much. oh wait. i can. terry goodkind.
...more

I didn’t like this one at all. Of course, the first hint to it being not good was on the back of it - any book claiming to be like „The Lord of the Rings“ is obviously so bad that it has to decorate itself with the most famous work of fantasy to receive attention.

I found the writing far too distanced, almost scholarly, though that may be because of the German translation. What definitely wasn’t concerned by the translation was the rest of it: the plot and the way how Brett chose to narrate hi ...more

I found the writing far too distanced, almost scholarly, though that may be because of the German translation. What definitely wasn’t concerned by the translation was the rest of it: the plot and the way how Brett chose to narrate hi ...more

This book was sitting on my tbr from last three years gathering dust. I have decided to read at least ten books that are on my shelf for more than two years and this was on top of that pile. One of the other reason is that the author is wrapping up series with the release of final book. I know its foolish to wait for a series to be complete when I even don't know if I am going to like first book or not. But in this case I liked first book and I have decided to go ahead with this series.
A really ...more
A really ...more

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
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
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Adult Fantasy. Boy and his village protect themselves from deadly demons by covering their doors with runes. [s] | 4 | 24 | May 02, 2020 06:17AM | |
Goodreads Librari...: Please update book info & add book cover | 6 | 19 | Sep 26, 2019 06:15AM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: The Painted Man [July 15, 2019] | 197 | 62 | Aug 26, 2019 01:39AM |
Peter V. Brett is the internationally bestselling author of the Demon Cycle series, which has sold over two million copies in 25 languages worldwide. Novels include The Warded Man, The Desert Spear, The Daylight War, The Skull Throne, and The Core. Other works include the Red Sonja: Unchained graphic novel and the Demon Cycle novellas The Great Bazaar, Brayan's Gold, Messenger's Legacy, and Barren
...more
Other books in the series
Demon Cycle
(5 books)
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