In this second installment of the Demon Cycle, readers get a deeper insight into the background of Jardir, the self-proclaimed Deliverer, and his rise to power in Krasia. The narrative shifts between Jardir's perspective and that of Arlen, the Warded Man, as they navigate a world where humans battle demons using ancient wards. The book explores themes of power, destiny, and the clash of cultures as the characters strive to overcome their differences and unite against a common enemy.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Desert Spear include themes of rape, violence, abuse, and complex gender dynamics, making it a potentially triggering read.
Has Romance?
The Desert Spear includes a medium level of romance, focusing on character relationships but not dominating the plot.
From The Publisher:
The sun is setting on humanity. The night now belongs to voracious demons that prey upon a dwindling population forced to cower behind half-forgotten symbols of power. Legends tell of a Deliverer: a general who once bound all mankind into a single force that defeated the demons. But is the return of the Deliverer just another myth? Perhaps not. Out of the desert rides Ahmann Jardir, who has forged the desert tribes into a demon-killing army. He has proclaimed himself Shar'Dama Ka, the Deliverer, and he carries ancient weapons-a spear and a crown-that give credence to his claim. But the Northerners claim their own Deliverer: the Warded Man, a dark, forbidding figure. Once, the Shar'Dama Ka and the Warded Man were friends. Now they are fierce adversaries. Yet as old allegiances are tested and fresh alliances forged, all are unaware of the appearance of a new breed of demon, more intelligent-and deadly-than any that have come before.
Now with twenty pages of bonus material, including an exclusive interview with Peter V. Brett
Look for Peter V. Brett's complete Demon Cycle:
THE WARDED MAN | THE DESERT SPEAR | THE DAYLIGHT WAR | THE SKULL THRONE | THE CORE
Ratings (38)
Incredible (10) | |
Loved It (14) | |
Liked It (7) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (4) |
Reader Stats (47):
Read It (42) | |
Want To Read (3) | |
Not Interested (2) |
2 comment(s)
“The Desert Spear” is the second book in the Demon Cycle series, which follows the lives of several characters in a world where demons rise from the ground every night and prey on humans. The first book, “The Warded Man”, introduced us to Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer, three survivors who learned to fight back against the demons using ancient magic symbols called wards. The Desert Spear shifts the focus to a new protagonist, Ahmann Jardir, a warrior from the desert nation of Krasia, who claims to be the Deliverer, a prophesied savior of humanity.
The audiobook is narrated by Pete Bradbury, who does an excellent job of bringing the story to life with his voice. He uses different accents and tones to distinguish between the various characters and cultures, and he conveys the emotions and tensions of the scenes with skill and subtlety. He also pronounces the Krasian words and names with ease and consistency, which helps the listener immerse themselves in the exotic setting.
“The Desert Spear” is a complex and ambitious novel that expands the scope and depth of the world and the plot. It explores the history and culture of Krasia, a harsh and militaristic society that worships a god called Everam and fights the demons every night in a ritual called alagai’sharak. It also reveals the backstory and motivations of Jardir, who was once a friend and rival of Arlen, but later betrayed him and stole his powerful spear. Jardir is not a simple villain, but a flawed and charismatic leader who believes he is doing what is best for his people and the world.
The novel also develops the characters of Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer, who have become leaders and heroes in their own right. Arlen has become more powerful and more isolated as he embraces his role as the Warded Man, a mysterious figure who can fight the demons with his tattooed body. Leesha has become a healer and a leader of her hometown, Cutter’s Hollow, where she faces political and personal challenges. Rojer has become a famous jongleur, who can use his music to charm and harm the demons. The three of them have to deal with their own inner demons as well as their feelings for each other.
The novel is full of action, suspense, intrigue, romance, humor, and horror. It has epic battles, thrilling escapes, shocking twists, heartbreaking losses, and touching moments.
“The Desert Spear” is a long and ambitious book, spanning over 26 hours of listening time. It is divided into three parts: the first part tells the backstory of Jardir and his rise to power, the second part follows his invasion of the northern lands and his confrontation with Arlen, and the third part deals with the aftermath of their clash and the looming threat of a new type of demon. The book is rich in worldbuilding, action, politics, magic, and intrigue, but also explores themes such as religion, culture, gender, loyalty, and destiny.
The book is not without its flaws, however. Some readers may find the first part too slow and repetitive, as it covers many events that were already shown in the previous book from a different perspective. Some may also be put off by the portrayal of the Krasian society, which is heavily influenced by Islamic culture and practices, and depicts women as oppressed and subservient. Some may also feel that the characters are not very likable or relatable, as they are often driven by pride, ambition, or fanaticism. Some may also be disappointed by the lack of resolution or progress in the main plot, as the book ends with a cliffhanger that sets up the next installment.
Overall, “The Desert Spear” is a complex and captivating audiobook that expands and deepens the scope and scale of the Demon Cycle series. It offers a different perspective on the world and its history, and introduces new characters and conflicts that challenge and complicate the existing ones. It is not a perfect book, but it is a compelling one that will keep you hooked until the end. If you enjoyed “The Warded Man”, you will likely enjoy “The Desert Spear” as well. If you are new to the series, you should start with “The Warded Man” first to get familiar with the setting and the story. If you are looking for a dark and epic fantasy audiobook that will immerse you in a fascinating and brutal world, you should give “The Desert Spear” a try.
If I cannot root for the character, I cannot enjoy the book. The first third of the book was un-root-for-able. The last third degraded into political marriages and mind control. Highly disappointing.
My full video review with detailed thoughts is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3lQlgxtEcI
What can you read after
The Desert Spear?
About the Author:
Peter V. Brett is the internationally bestselling author of the Demon Cycle series, which has sold more than 2.5 million copies in twenty-five languages worldwide. The novels in the series are The Warded Man, The Desert Spear, The Daylight War,…
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