The Desert Spear

A great second book in the series. The fight against alagai continues with more fervor, new POVs, past and present combined to perfection continuing the world building started in the Warded Man. I'm directly diving in the 3rd book.

Some have said that The Desert Spear has all the same components (good and bad) from The Warded Man, only more. I think that's an apt description. In the second installment of the Demon Cycle, Peter V. Brett expands the scope of his story, spending more time on his pseudo Islamic/Samurai culture (Krasnians) and offering the demon's point of view for the first time. He brings new characters into the fold and expands the reader's understanding of his magic system and world. Despite some persistent problems that return from the first novel, Desert Spear is a delightful read that calls to mind the great epic fantasies of years gone by.The novel begins through the point of view of Jardir, the Krasnian leader so vilified in Warded Man. Structured much like the first novel, Brett jumps through different points in time to tell the story of Jardir's childhood and rise to power without losing track of his holy war of unification against the north. Later, Arlen, Leesha, Rojer, and a new point of view character, Renna, reconnect to the story as they struggle to confront the encroachment of the Krasnian army.If that brief summary lacks in plot movement, it's because there isn't a ton. Desert Spear is a middle book in the tradition of Empire Strikes Back. In order for the war between Krasnia and the north (and humanity and demon-kind) to happen, Brett needs to get all his chess pieces in the proper place. It requires him to show Jardir's motivations, setting him up as the foil to Arlen. Two Deliverers on a different end of the same continuum -- one representing a universal world view and a united front, the other an ideal of self-sufficiency and independence.Critics might think by looking inside Jardir's head, Brett is trying to justify his deplorable actions or even worse, further bastardize non-western points of view. I think it's more to provide an understanding of Jardir's motives. I've heard Brett speak a few times, and he's said that his novels are in many ways an expression of the fear he witnessed on September 11. A New Yorker in the city that day, he watched as some ran toward the towers, others ran away, and others froze, unable to do either. If the demons and humanity in Brett's world are that paradigm writ large, then I can't help but wonder if Jardir is an embodiment of both those who attacked America that day and the nation's reaction to that threat.That's not to say that Brett is in anyway condoning Al-Qaeda or the war on terror -- I suspect he doesn't much care for either -- but I found the early parts of the novel, and every scene with Jardir there after, an exercise in cultural understanding. As incompatible as the Krasnian way of life is to Arlen and Leesha, their's is equally as foreign to Jardir. Brett seems to be speaking to those differences and through Jardir he reaches a hand out to bridge the cultural gap that only willful understanding can span. Could Brett be wondering aloud that, 'if we could see through each other's eyes would this violence seem so necessary?' In that dialogue, Desert Spear is a far more powerful novel than its predecessor. A better novel though? I can't go that far.Brett's a big deal in theGerman land.What Desert Spear gives in thematic oomph, it gives back nearly as much in terms of pacing and character. The early sections with Jardir drag as Brett covers some of the same ground witnessed at the end of Warded Man. Likewise, returning to a childhood story feels like starting over after growing up with Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer in the first book. Leesha gives me particular pause as her character has yet to feel real to me two books into the series. I would call her actions unsupported by her character, but I can't because I don't find her remotely believable in the first place. Arlen, Rojer, and Renna all feel much more authentic, but the first two stagnate throughout the novel as they wait for the plot (Jardir) to catch up to them.That paragraph is awful critical, which is perhaps unfair. None of my quibbles impacted my enjoyment of the novel beyond a raised eyebrow or three. Brett's action sequences and dialogue continue to impress me, and I never lack for a crystal clear picture of his characters and setting. Additionally, the tighter narrative and thematic focus (i.e. - not foaming at the mouth with unnecessary digressions) continue to elevate it, doing nothing to dispel my assertions that the Demon Cycle may one day be considered on par with The Wheel of Time and other fantasy icons.I devoured The Desert Spear, compelled to know more about Peter V. Brett's world. Why do demons plague the night? Who is the true Deliverer? Are the wards more than they seem? I dare anyone to read it and not demand those answers. To anyone who enjoyed The Warded Man, this second novel will provide more to love. A third installment, The Daylight War, is due to be released in 2013. I'll be at the front of the line to see what happens next.

In the age of fiction fantasy books reaching a point where it is either about sparkly vampires or goodie-two-shoed fallen angels, the Painted man was a refreshing break from it all and Peter V Brett created a world that the reader could get lost in. With absolutely amazing characters such as Leesha and Arlen and entertaining characters such as Bruna I could not put it the book down.Diving into the desert spear, at first I thought that I didn't want to know that background of the man who had betrayed Arlen and I wanted the story to move along. But once you are thrown into the Krasian culture, you do not want to escape, amazing cultures and richly panted scenes left me wanting more and more. When the reader comes back to Arlen/The painted man, I didn't want to leave the Krasians.I did not enjoy the facial expressions that kept repeating themselves "scowled", "shrugged", "sneered", "glared" over and over and over. And I did not enjoy that every sentence of a conversation would tell the reader who said it. If only two men are talking, I can figure out after a few sentences who is talking, I do not need to be reminded "The painted man said" every time he says something.Other than that this book was a delight to read and I love the different demons characters come across.Amazing

The Desert Spear has been much maligned because it changes too much of the first book. Some specific spoilers are mentioned (I'll address them at the end of this review) but for the most part negators are critical of the way he set up the book. Despite these critics, Peter Brett has written a masterpiece of old-school fantasy that not only should not be missed, but should be pushed to the top of anyone's summer reading list.By those who are worried by "old-school", fear not; I simply mean in style, not in content. The world is completely original and restores the idea of wonder to fantasy. In doing so, he also manages to push the trend of fantasy writing. One might compare him to Joe Abercrombie, except that in the First Law trilogy, Abercrombie was merely reacting to fantasy trends. Peter Brett takes fantasy trends and pushes them into a whole new realm.Yet what is so good about The Desert Spear itself? The reason I give it such a high rating is because of the story-telling abilities of Brett. He appeals to old-school fantasy writers in that he uses his cultures and characters to build the story, using that culture to drive the plot, letting the characters be true to the world, rather than somehow making characters removed from cultural influence, as contemporary fantasy writers are apt to do. Brett takes the best part of Robert Jordan--the culture building--improves on it, and leaves out the needless verbosity. He places the characters in the world as actual people who have real lives, and by doing so completely removes any cliche. This is what made him so successful with the Warded Man. The Desert Spear does this but double, and throws in a few more twists for good measure.Of course, people will inevitably be upset by the focus on Jardir as opposed to the Warded Man. This is mostly because people thought they understood Jardir as he was presented in the first book. What Brett has done in the Desert Spear is to recenter Jardir as a potential force for good (and don't forget, completely dependent on his culture), although to call Jardir a good man would be a reach. By doing this, Brett has built up a far more complex interaction from a distance (and inevitable, a confrontation) between the Warded Man and Jardir. All it takes is for the reader to enter the book willing to start over in their conception of who Jardir is.A note about Leesha:(SPOILERS)The people who seem to hate what he did with Leesha and Jardir obviously did not read the story closely enough. Leesha had no real intention of marrying Jardir. She did not sleep with him because "he was hawt". She did what she did because she had very good reasons concerning the Hollow. Go back and read it again.

I've just started reading this series and also this writer and this book has met my every aspect that I was looking for from story line and way it was written.

Great book

Read this book decades ago and on purchasing it and re reading it bought back how well you get caught up in the characters.

I had to buy this book again because it was threw away by my girlfriend when we moved to the new house. Anyway Peter V. Brett is one of my favorite writer and the Demon Cycle is awesome for who loves fantasy books!

Fantastic universe, amazingly written. Fantasy has never left such a mark on my mind and the urge to read the next book is simple unbearable :D