Publisher Description

The stunning debut fantasy novel from author Peter V. Brett.

The Painted Man, book one of the Demon Cycle, is a captivating and thrilling fantasy adventure, pulling the reader into a world of demons, darkness and heroes.
AS DARKNESS FALLS, THE DEMONS RISE

For hundreds of years these creatures have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human population. It was not always this way. Men and women did not always cower behind protective magical wards and hope to see the dawn. Once, they battled the demons on equal terms, but those days, and skills, are gone.

Arlen Bales lives with his parents on their isolated farmstead until a demon attack shatters their world. He learns a savage lesson that day: that people, as well as magic, can let you down.

Rejecting the fear that kills as efficiently as the creatures, Arlen risks another path in order to offer humanity a last, fleeting chance of survival.

Notes

This stunning debut novel from a rising star in epic fantasy fiction is the first in the Demon Cycle series - a captivating fantasy adventure featuring a world of demons, darkness and heroes.

Author Biography

Peter V. Brett is the international bestselling author of THE PAINTED MAN and THE DESERT SPEAR. Raised on a steady diet of fantasy novels, comic books and Dungeons & Dragons, Brett has been writing fantasy stories for as long as he can remember. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and art history from the University at Buffalo in 1995, and then spent more than a decade in pharmaceutical publishing before returning to his bliss. He lives in New York City.

Review

Praise for The Demon Cycle:'Peter V. Brett is one of my favourite new authors'
Patrick Rothfuss'There is much to admire in Peter Brett's writing, and his concept is brilliant. There's action and suspense all the way.' Terry Brooks'[Peter V. Brett is] at the top of his game. I give this my highest recommendation.'
Tor.com'[Brett] confirms his place among epic fantasy's pantheon of greats amid the likes of George R.R. Martin, Steven Erikson, and Robert Jordan.'
Fantasy Book Critic

Promotional

Book One of the Sunday Times bestselling Demon Cycle epic fantasy series

Long Description

The stunning debut fantasy novel from author Peter V. Brett.The Painted Man, book one of the Demon Cycle, is a captivating and thrilling fantasy adventure, pulling the reader into a world of demons, darkness and heroes.Voted one of the top ten fantasy novels of 2008 by amazon.co.uk. Sometimes there is very good reason to be afraid of the dark... Eleven-year-old Arlen lives with his parents on their small farmstead, half a day's ride from the isolated hamlet of Tibbet's Brook. As dusk falls upon Arlen's world, a strange mist rises from the ground; a mist that promises a violent death to any foolish enough to brave the coming darkness, for hungry corelings - demons that cannot be harmed by mortal weapons - materialize from the vapours to feed on the living. As the sun sets, people have no choice but to take shelter behind magical wards and pray that their protection holds until the creatures dissolve with the first signs of dawn. When Arlen's life is shattered by the demon plague, he is forced to see that it is fear, rather than the demons, which truly cripples humanity. Believing that there is more to his world than to live in constant fear, he must risk leaving the safety of his wards to discover a different path. In the small town of Cutter's Hollow, Leesha's perfect future is destroyed by betrayal and a simple lie. Publicly shamed, she is reduced to gathering herbs and tending an old woman more fearsome than the corelings. Yet in her disgrace, she becomes the guardian of dangerous ancient knowledge. Orphaned and crippled in a demon attack, young Rojer takes solace in mastering the musical arts of a Jongleur, only to learn that his unique talent gives him unexpected power over the night. Together, these three young people will offer humanity a last, fleeting chance of survival.

Review Quote

'I enjoyed The Painted Man immensely. Action and suspense all the way.'Terry Brooks 'The Painted Man works not only as a great adventure novel but also as a reflection on the nature of heroism'Charlaine Harris 'Peter V. Brett is one of my favourite new authors'Patrick Rothfuss 'Inspired, compelling, and totally addictive: the most significant and cinematic fantasy epic since The Lord of the Rings'Paul W. S. Anderson, director of Resident Evil: Afterlife

Promotional "Headline"

Book One of the Sunday Times bestselling Demon Cycle epic fantasy series

Feature

Book One of the Sunday Times bestselling Demon Cycle epic fantasy series * A new, smart series style for Peter V. Brett - a rising star in epic fantasy * Introducing the first book in the stunning Demon Cycle * Pulling the reader into a haunting world of demons, darkness and heroes, this thrilling fantasy adventure will captivate fans of Gemmell and Feist * Publication will be supported by major online activity to establish Brett as the next great fantasy brand and the heir to Gemmell's crown Competition: the;warded;man;name;of;the;wind;kingkiller;a;little;hatred;locke;lamora;blade;itself;first;law;lightbringer;stormlight;archive;mistborn;skyward. john;gwynne;patrick;rothfuss;terry;brooks;goodkind;feist;gemmell;brandon;sanderson;brent;weeks;michael;j;sullivan;brian;mclellan;scott;lynch;james;islington

Description for Sales People

The stunning debut fantasy novel from author Peter V. Brett.The Painted Man, book one of the Demon Cycle, is a captivating and thrilling fantasy adventure, pulling the reader into a world of demons, darkness and heroes.Voted one of the top ten fantasy novels of 2008 by amazon.co.uk. Sometimes there is very good reason to be afraid of the dark... Eleven-year-old Arlen lives with his parents on their small farmstead, half a day's ride from the isolated hamlet of Tibbet's Brook. As dusk falls upon Arlen's world, a strange mist rises from the ground; a mist that promises a violent death to any foolish enough to brave the coming darkness, for hungry corelings - demons that cannot be harmed by mortal weapons - materialize from the vapours to feed on the living. As the sun sets, people have no choice but to take shelter behind magical wards and pray that their protection holds until the creatures dissolve with the first signs of dawn. When Arlen's life is shattered by the demon plague, he is forced to see that it is fear, rather than the demons, which truly cripples humanity. Believing that there is more to his world than to live in constant fear, he must risk leaving the safety of his wards to discover a different path. In the small town of Cutter's Hollow, Leesha's perfect future is destroyed by betrayal and a simple lie. Publicly shamed, she is reduced to gathering herbs and tending an old woman more fearsome than the corelings. Yet in her disgrace, she becomes the guardian of dangerous ancient knowledge. Orphaned and crippled in a demon attack, young Rojer takes solace in mastering the musical arts of a Jongleur, only to learn that his unique talent gives him unexpected power over the night. Together, these three young people will offer humanity a last, fleeting chance of survival. Gold title * A new, smart series style for Peter V. Brett - a rising star in epic fantasy * Introducing the first book in the stunning Demon Cycle * Pulling the reader into a haunting world of demons, darkness and heroes, this thrilling fantasy adventure will captivate fans of Gemmell and Feist * Publication will be supported by major online activity to establish Brett as the next great fantasy brand and the heir to Gemmell's crown Competition: David Gemmell, Raymond E. Feist, Brian Ruckley, Scott Lynch and Tom Lloyd

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