Brayan's Gold
I usually don't do book reviews. Okay, I've never done them outside of school so many years ago, but I enjoyed it so I popped this out really quick:
I've been a big fan of the Demon War Series since I read the initial book, The Warded Man. It's a captivating combination of medieval times and scientific secrets (yes, the wards do have a science to them). Chewed through The Warded Man and the Desert Spear as quickly as I had time for, and then waited, grasping at the void for stories that weren't available to me or, worse yet, still locked in Peat's mind.
The Great Bazaar came out before I was involved in the world of demons so I never had a chance at that book first-hand. As soon as Brayan's Gold was announced, I hopped over to the order page and secured my copy. Much like The Great Bazaar, Brayan's Gold is a short story about one of Arlen's many adventures as a messenger. The Warded Man didn't have time, or pacing, to divulge into the many, many times Arlen got himself into trouble as a messenger and the path that eventually leads him to scrawl protective wards over his body to become the ultimate demon hunter. The good news is that Peat intends to get these stories out as time allows; which make great snacks to tide the fans' hunger for more.
The story is true to Arlen's nature. Jumping at the chance to go out and explore, he sets off on a messenger's adventure and, as seems to be the norm for him, hits trouble along the way. It introduces the snow demons of lore from the other books, and more than a few new ward ideas (Peat has me wanting to make a warding game). I would heap more praise on the story, but I find it difficult without giving away spoilers to show how Peat's wordcraft sets up the world and action perfectly. Despite the short length, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
There were only two disappointments the whole book. First: the length, given I prefer to be drawn in for hours at a time and I'm spoiled with the books of the main storyline. Needless to say that my hour-long session left me wanting more. Second, the negotiations between Curk and Malcum in the Messenger's Guild left me confused. Curk demands 1,200 and Malcum agrees to give him 1,500? I think perhaps Curk was meant to demand 2,000. Either way, those two hiccups barely register after finishing the job to the town of Brayan's Gold with Arlen spreading positive influence along the way.
While Brayan's Gold is a limited edition print and Subterranean Press doesn't reprint books, there seem to be some still available if you hurry. If you don't order it in time you may get a chance at the eBook version in the future much the same way I did with The Great Bazaar, but that's a long time to wait.
I've been a big fan of the Demon War Series since I read the initial book, The Warded Man. It's a captivating combination of medieval times and scientific secrets (yes, the wards do have a science to them). Chewed through The Warded Man and the Desert Spear as quickly as I had time for, and then waited, grasping at the void for stories that weren't available to me or, worse yet, still locked in Peat's mind.
The Great Bazaar came out before I was involved in the world of demons so I never had a chance at that book first-hand. As soon as Brayan's Gold was announced, I hopped over to the order page and secured my copy. Much like The Great Bazaar, Brayan's Gold is a short story about one of Arlen's many adventures as a messenger. The Warded Man didn't have time, or pacing, to divulge into the many, many times Arlen got himself into trouble as a messenger and the path that eventually leads him to scrawl protective wards over his body to become the ultimate demon hunter. The good news is that Peat intends to get these stories out as time allows; which make great snacks to tide the fans' hunger for more.
The story is true to Arlen's nature. Jumping at the chance to go out and explore, he sets off on a messenger's adventure and, as seems to be the norm for him, hits trouble along the way. It introduces the snow demons of lore from the other books, and more than a few new ward ideas (Peat has me wanting to make a warding game). I would heap more praise on the story, but I find it difficult without giving away spoilers to show how Peat's wordcraft sets up the world and action perfectly. Despite the short length, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.
There were only two disappointments the whole book. First: the length, given I prefer to be drawn in for hours at a time and I'm spoiled with the books of the main storyline. Needless to say that my hour-long session left me wanting more. Second, the negotiations between Curk and Malcum in the Messenger's Guild left me confused. Curk demands 1,200 and Malcum agrees to give him 1,500? I think perhaps Curk was meant to demand 2,000. Either way, those two hiccups barely register after finishing the job to the town of Brayan's Gold with Arlen spreading positive influence along the way.
While Brayan's Gold is a limited edition print and Subterranean Press doesn't reprint books, there seem to be some still available if you hurry. If you don't order it in time you may get a chance at the eBook version in the future much the same way I did with The Great Bazaar, but that's a long time to wait.