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The Warded Man
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Warded/Painted Man (#1) - Brett [April 23, 2022]
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Felina
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rated it 5 stars
May 22, 2022 04:26PM
I’m still reading. I also struggle with how women are treated. I’m about half way through Desert Spear. It’s very good.
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I am only 25% into Desert Spear... I hear you guys, women are treated horribly. However, this is the point the author is trying to make. He is not doing it just because, but is showing us how fast and how far we, humans, deteriorate as a society, and revert to some horrible ways, just because we are faced with fear .. I actually can see this happening so easily even now. Look at all the laws that are being passed to send us back to the 1880's... I never thought that people in America would behave the way they did in 2019-2020 either, but it happened... We call each other civilized and we say we are smart and knowledgeable, we would never let time revert our hard fought for freedoms, but one mass threat or one charismatic leader, and we are ready to become a Kingdom again, swear allegiance to a person, not to the country, and hurt folks for just being different from us, let alone take away all choices from women... So, I understand what the author is doing, no matter how much I hate what I feel when I am reading it...
I struggle with how women have been treated in the past and many women are still being treated even though it’s never been a better time to be a woman. Animal instincts are a dangerous thing.
Due lack of time and many books on my plate I'm in about 30%+ of The Desert Spear. Jardir's first wife is... Hmmm... Very ambitious.. Hungry of power... Good in manipulating others. I don't like people like her.
I agree Monika. I think Jardir was on track to be a good man but she manipulates him and destroys his honor. > I suspect there will be a reconning between Jardir and The Warded Man where Jardir will come to see what he has become and who is actually in charge.
Loriidae wrote: "I got to 75% of The Desert Spear at the beginning of May and [spoilers removed]"Yeah, it is pretty dark and violent. I stay for Leesha and Rojer and the worldbuilding.
And I really want to read the sequel book, that takes place about 15 years after the main series. It follows the children of the MCs, so I want to see if the world has improved at all!
Choko wrote: "I am only 25% into Desert Spear... I hear you guys, women are treated horribly. However, this is the point the author is trying to make. He is not doing it just because, but is showing us how fast ..."Well said Choko. I hate all the stuff that keeps happening to women (and men) in these books--but it very effectively sets up the world the way the author intended.
The demons might be evil incarnate, but the humans are barely any better. However, we slowly see people changing with the influence of our MCs... like the demons taking control away from humanity has caused many to turn on other humans to prove they haven't lost their control... and now that they are regaining it, they are given freedom not just of the night but also to become better people... makes me think a lot anyway.
I do think I had an easier time listening to the graphic audio than I did reading it--I wasn't stuck dwelling upon the nastier scenes in my mind. The audio kept moving.
As for Jardir's wife... a little bit of a spoiler for book 3, but not much of one: (view spoiler) Didn't make me like her, any more than I like Jardir, but it's interesting.
I just got to chapter 19 where (view spoiler) Despite the obvious forward facing idea that men are running this world between Leesha, Jardir’s wife, that town leader and the mother of that Duke guy, I’m starting to think the women are running everything. I think the author gives the braun to our male characters and gives the brains to the ladies. Equal contributors. I dig it. Doesn’t make the abuse easy to take but it gives me hope.
Felina wrote: "I just got to chapter 19 where [spoilers removed] Despite the obvious forward facing idea that men are running this world between Leesha, Jardir’s wife, that town leader and the mother of that Duke..."I was thinking something similar. For all that the world is brutal, especially to the women, there are a lot of strong female characters, both on the "good" side, and the gray side. Leesha, Selia the Speaker, Rena, Leesha's mom, even Inevera, Jardir's wife, and Rena's sisters in their way, Wanda, and the duchess mother. I like how you put it Felina, separating the Brain and the Brawn. I *think* most of the abuse is behind us now in the books, at least most of what I remember is in the first two books. Though now I think I'm remembering that (view spoiler) later on, but I can't remember who... and there's still a lot of murder yet to come.
I look forward to hearing y'all's thoughts when you finish--or if you decide to finish! I'm still interested in keeping going...
Since I am reading this on my Kindle, I can only read it when I am home on the weekends, so I am still really behind...I hate everything about Jadir's culture! Everything! It makes me so angry to read about how they think not only about women, but all men they consider beneath them! It drives me absolutely crazy!
My grandma ran away from this type of culture, where women were possessions, but men couldn't make it without them not only because of cooking and cleaning, but men made the money and the women controlled it, they were the brains behind the "public image" the men present. I am so happy she found the strength to run away with her brothers and sister, when they were going to sell her to a 45 year old guy when she was 13... And she made it! I have always been so proud of her!
I finished Desert Spear this week. I really enjoyed it. I’m not sure that I liked how it ended with (view spoiler) But I still intend to continue the series but I have a ton of new buddy reads coming up so I don’t know how quickly that will happen.
Ch. 19-21... Nirkatze, every word you said, I agree with! I am so pissed at the town! It is every age before the 1900's all over again. I would like to go and put them out for the corelings myself!
Choko wrote: "My grandma ran away from this type of culture, where women were possessions, but men couldn't make it without them not only because of cooking and cleaning, but men made the money and the women con..."Holy macaroni Choko, your g'ma is a frickin' super hero! Let her know she has admirers in Goodreads. :)
And definitely, one of the things that makes Jardir's culture so scary is how it isn't a complete fantasy!
re: Chapter 19-21--I do find it slightly amusing that the villagers grabbing pitchforks (view spoiler) makes me want to grab pitchforks to stake out them.
Felina wrote: "I finished Desert Spear this week. I really enjoyed it. I’m not sure that I liked how it ended with [spoilers removed] But I still intend to continue the series but I have a ton of new buddy reads ..."I felt the exact same way Felina, when I read it the first time. I really didn't like that (view spoiler), but reading it a second time through, being forewarned, I'm a bit more prepared. I still don't really like her much, but (view spoiler) Still, there's very little in this book series that I would label "comfortable"--every relationship, every culture, is just twisted. But I still can't stop reading the books. That takes talent.
I loved how much the Messenger and his wife care about Arlan... They never stopped caring for him and even named their son after him... Ooooohhhh! I really hope the Demon Prince doesn't hurt them just so he could learn more about him...
Is Roger really going to marry those two ladies????
11 chapters of The Desert Spear read so far. Slow but steady with few other books in reading at the same time :)
I just finished The Desert Spear... Those last couple of battles by both Deliverers and their women, ware pretty awesome!!! Just as all of us, I still feel uncomfortable with a lot in this very dystopian world, but as we already discussed, it is what the author wants us to feel... However, I still really liked the book and the story. It is so different than anything I had read before, it is totally worth the time and discomfort:)!
It is weird. When I was younger, I was totally against a man having more than one wife. However, knowing that the female population of the world is about 2% more than the male, and getting older and having to take care of everything by myself, I often think, that if we were more like the Aiel in WoT, and the women agreed they could share and get along with each other, it would be wonderful to have help at home!!! Isn't it weird?
I will continue reading the series with you guys, whenever you are ready:)
Choko wrote: "I just finished The Desert Spear... Those last couple of battles by both Deliverers and their women, ware pretty awesome!!! Just as all of us, I still feel uncomfortable with a lot in this very d..."
I'm glad you enjoyed it Choko! Both books so far have ended with a pretty spectacular battle... I pretty much agree with everything you said.
re: Rojer (view spoiler)
re: Marriage--I agree with this too. Sometimes I think of Heinlein's works, which explore a lot of different shapes of marriage (some rather icky), and the Honor Harrington books, which introduce a world with a 4-1 ratio of men-to-women where polygyny is part of their religion--but where women look to their sister-wives (like the Aiel) as a support network and family. I think any shape of marriage has potential for beauty and abuse, and as long as consensual adults practice love and empathy, it can be a wonderful thing. And the idea of a sister-wife definitely has appeal.
The Aiel are missing out though, in not having a cultural structure where women can take multiple husbands though. It should go both ways.
Monika wrote: "11 chapters of The Desert Spear read so far. Slow but steady with few other books in reading at the same time :)"What're your thoughts on the book so far Monika?
I told my husband that I’d like to bring in another wife but the deal would be that she never gets to even look at my husband let alone be in the same room with him and that she does all the house chores while I work. She also isn’t allowed to have much of a relationship with our son. I’m the only one who is Mommy. He asked if what I really wanted was a maid. Exactly. I’m too jealous to ever share my husband with anybody. And Jardir was very honest and vocal about who his favorites were. That’s would destroy me.
Hahaha! Felina, in your case, the sister wife thing wouldn't work:))) This is why this should definitely be a choice, no pressure from either side. And I agree with Nirkatze, it has to go either way and has to have consensus by all involved. As I said, it was harder for me to imagine when I was younger, because I was kind of jealous then too. Now, not so much )))
@Felina--LOL!I'm single and always have been, so maybe it's easier for me to imagine sharing close relationships since I don't have an actual person to be jealous over. And I think the appeal for me is in a platonic relationship--with no demanding physical aspects--which is as close as a marriage. And sometimes the idea of having another girl-friend around all the time sounds nice.
Though I'm a loner so I usually like having no one around all the time. :)
@Nirkatze hmmm I don't like Jardir's wife, Jardir hmmm hard to say... Abban - he's interesting character, all think he's coward, I think he's braver and smarter then most and I think Jardir sense it. Leesha - wise, skilful but still bit afraid of her mother, Rojer - like him, but he seems not have much self confidence... Arlen - is it only me who think that but he seems to want things and be afraid of it at the same time, he wants fight but doesn't want to be Deliverer, he wants to love someone but he sees himself monster and doesn't want to take what is freely given, so in short he's bloody complicated person.
Sorry for eventual misunderstandings but sometimes I have problems to make myself clear in English.
I understand you Monika!Arlen is exactly as you describe as are all hero’s who find themselves the actual ‘chosen one’. And as is typical, they push everybody away because they don’t want them hurt. They all do this. Harry Potter, Peter Parker, Wolverine, I could go on. And time and time again the story line proves that what every chosen one needs is a Scooby gang. And we all love the Scooby gang antics. We don’t want our hero’s alone. But we always have to play this game where the hero pushes everybody away until they dont. Hopefully Arlen is moving forward with his choice at the end there.
Monika, I agree with Felina here. You made yourself perfectly clear and yes, he has no idea what he wants... He wants everything and is afraid of the same... He proves to himself that he is not afraid by getting into those crazy physical fights with the demons, but he is afraid to live a regular life... He is still a young man in a grown man's body...
Exactly my thoughts girls! Seems like even in books boys need more time to grow up ;)
I feel a bit stupid but I just realised Mr Brett is writing a new series set after the events of this one Wow I’m out of the loop
Also interesting to hear your thoughts guys What are your thoughts on the more iffy themes
Personally I get it since you hear RARE stories of the crazy stuff that happens in rural communities but I feel the sexual abuse goes a bit far for me at times
India, we are reading the whole series and are discussing it here. We will be starting book 3 within the next week. You are totally welcome to join us:)))
Ahdam, believe it or not, I used to work for a court ordered therapy for addicts and parolees. The stories of sexual abuse I came to be acquainted with were numerous and horrific! And most of them were by a family member, not necessary by a parent, but uncles, cousins, brothers, or family members selling their younger charges for prostitution... Used to break my heart, that the people kids should feel safest with, betray them in this manner... I am so happy I don't work there anymore! This type of abuse often leaves very damaged individuals, and sometimes it is hard to work with them, because they make themselves unlikable as a protective mechanism... As a counselor you have to understand where all the ugliness is coming from and work through it... I loved being there for them, but at the end of the day, many of them had to go back home... And you feel helpless to help them...So, this is very uncomfortable to read about, but it is not shocking to me. It just reminds me of the reality of many women and young men out there...
What is the second series? Is this one done?
Choko wrote: "Monika, I agree with Felina here. You made yourself perfectly clear and yes, he has no idea what he wants... He wants everything and is afraid of the same... He proves to himself that he is not afr..."Ditto on Choko & Felina, @Monika. Great descriptions of everyone, and I especially like how Choko called Arlen a "child in a man's body"--I think the influx of magic also causes a body to mature, but he had several traumatic episodes as a child (then again, who in this world hasn't?), then isolates himself as he grows older. That is not a recipe for a well-balanced person. I also find it interesting reading Wheel of Time and comparing Rand to everyone.
@Felina re: Series--yes, the Demon Cycle is done.
1. The Warded Man
2. The Desert Spear
3. The Daylight War <--up next!
4. The Skull Throne
5. The Core
brings the story of Arlen, Leesha, Rojer & co to a conclusion. The next series book 1 is out, and it takes place 15 years later--and the protagonists are mainly children who were born during the Demon Cycle. First book is The Desert Prince came out summer last year. The second book is tentatively titled "The Hidden Queen" and it seems like it'll probably be at least three books.
Ahdam wrote: "Also interesting to hear your thoughts guys What are your thoughts on the more iffy themes
Personally I get it since you hear RARE stories of the crazy stuff that happens in rural communities bu..."
We've been talking about the excessive abuse throughout the books from the first day of discussion. >.< Choko made a great point about how it sets up the world very effectively. We all agree its super uncomfortable, and makes for easy targets to hate and people we cheer for when they get cored.
So, everyone down for starting The Daylight War soon? I need to use my last Hoopla credits before tomorrow anyway. :)And I *think* Messenger’s Legacy novella is either before or after this one... Goodreads says 3.5, so probably just after.
Whenever you guys say for book #3. I will be here:)
Fortunately my library has all of these include ins all three novellas. I am definitely planning to finish the series however I agreed to like 5 buddy reads this month so am a little overwhelmed at the current moment. I’ll probably be on the third in is a few weeks.
Not sure when I will have The Daylight War... Didn't saw it in library... Even having next books from Game of Thrones wasn't easy :) all the time in read I'm suspecting :)
Do you have Hoopla or Libby, Monika? I've been really lucky with those apps on my ipod, for finding library books.
Not sure if they operate in the UK... Something's not right with good reads here tonight... Can't update my reading :(
Yeah, GR was down for a few hours. >.<I just did a quick google search, and it seems like both Libby & Hoopla are available in the UK. Not sure if that's true for all libraries, but if you have your library card, and some sort of device with apps, you should be able to try to sign up for them! I use libby & Hoopla on my ipod, so it doesn't need to be a smartphone either. You can download the apps and then try connecting your library. You should be able to ask folks at your library too for how to sign up. I've found it really good especially for getting audiobooks.
Thanks for info Zoe :)
Good luck Monika! I hope you can find a copy!I already checked out my copy of the audiobook for Daylight War, so I'll need to read that in the next week or so. If we say officially starting around June 15th for Daylight War, would that work for folks? Take the whole month of June to read through and chat about the book. :) I might start a bit early, but y'all know I'm here for the discussion whenever.
I'll catch up with reading when my son back to school next week :) Libraries closed till Monday too, Queen's Platinum Jubilee long weekend :)
I am good with it:))
I think I can make the 15th work.
Fantasy Buddy Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
The Desert Prince (other topics)Messenger’s Legacy (other topics)
The Daylight War (other topics)
The Desert Spear (other topics)
The Skull Throne (other topics)
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