Debut Showcase: The Warded Man / The Painted Man by Peter V. Brett

The Warded Man / The Painted Man (US - Canada - UK)
By Peter V. Brett (Website - Blog - Forum -Facebook - MySpace - Goodreads)
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Del Rey (March 10, 2009)
Excerpt

Publisher's Blurb:

The time has come to stand against the night.

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 of all. They possess supernatural strength and 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 mystery, and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile.

It was not always this way. Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms. Once, under the leadership of the legendary Deliverer, and armed with powerful wards that were not merely shields but weapons, they took the battle to the demons . . . and stopped their advance.

But those days are gone. The fighting wards are lost. Night by night the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault.
Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past.

Arlen will pay any price, embrace any sacrifice, for freedom. His grim journey will take him beyond the bounds of human power.

Crippled by the demons that killed his parents, Rojer seeks solace in music–only to discover that music can be a weapon as well as a refuge.

Beautiful Leesha, who has suffered at the hands of men as well as demons, becomes an expert healer. But what cures can also harm. . . .

Together, they will stand against the night.

Mulluane's Take:
I have an unfair advantage on this one. I have already read and reviewed the book. I have to admit that I loved it. Dark, scary, great characterization, fascinating world and most definitely does not read like a debut! There are reviews all over the net on this book, including mine, so I'll link you to a few: The Old Bat's Belfry - Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews - Graeme's Fantasy Book Review. It is interesting to note that this book has been released under two different titles, depending on where in the world you live. Here in the US it is called The Warded Man (I wonder why they do that?)

Tia's Take:
I'm almost done reading it! The book arrived in the mail a few weeks ago, courtesy of Del Rey. I hope to have the review up on Tuesday or Wednesday. I love the artwork on the author's website, and he has deleted scenes!