Peter Brett: THE WARDED MAN

[Clansman]

i just finished the ARC of this book a week ago, and this guy really is worth a look. Darker fantasy, not medieval, but pre-industrial, fallen civilization setting, with an interesting premise. Characters are interesting, and the book was really hard to put down. The last new author I felt this way about was Patrick Rothfuss. I'll pen a review shortly, but I wanted to know if anyone else has read this yet. It is a very new hardcover release (I just saw it in Chapters last week).

[Werthead]

Yes, the book has been out since last August in the UK, which is where it started picking up some pre-release steam. It's a very good book with some great ideas told in a traditional (but not overtly derivative) manner. The sequel, The Desert Spear, was recently pushed back to 2010, which was unfortunate news.

[the_faery_queen]

i've got the painted man, which amazon says is the first in the series, on my wishlist. hoping someone nice will get it for me

[Werthead]

Oh yeah, The Painted Man is the 'proper' title. The American publishers thought it was weird and changed it to The Warded Man. They are the same book though.

[the_faery_queen]

painted man sounds good i think! more intriguing than warded

[Clansman]

I have often wondered about the differences in titles, and even covers. The most ridiculous changes can happen (J.K. Rowling's being the most obvious). Though, I must admit, The Warded Man seems apt, as wards are prevalent throughout the book, and for the character in question, who

VERY SLIGHT SPOILER HERE









becomes warded himself. However, The Painted Man is just as apt.

[thepaladin]

Just started Warded Man. Looks like a good read so far.

[Clansman]

Great read. Here is a link to my review:

THE WARDED MAN (or THE PAINTED MAN) by Peter V. Brett

and at FantasyLiterature.net:

Peter V. Brett | Fantasy Literature

[Saeltari]

It was pushed back to 2010? That is certainly not good news. I liked the book and was waiting for the next one, hoping he would stick with the main character and not skip to another character. If he does I will snap up the second!

[thepaladin]

It's being published in the UK this year I believe.... Unsure why the delay is happening. Excelent read, hate the wait between volumes in good reads.

[the_faery_queen]

ok well i got this now and i have to say, not impressed. not at all.
i find the characters flat and bland.
i find there is no tension
not enough descrption of anything
and what on EARTH is with the constant sex references? i feel as though he started the book too early (should have begun with the painted man saving the two on the road at the end, then gone on.) and most of what happened early on seems to be there just to have sex there. i mean, what was with the father raping his daughter? that had no purpose! what is with ALL the men wanting sex with leesha like ALL the time, when she's trying to get home? and the mother is ott bad.
so disappointed.

[Shamu]

I've read The Painted Man. It's a good read, but I wouldn't put it up there with Rothfuss. Not yet anyway.

[the_faery_queen]

im not even going to keep it! i think it's so bad, it's on my to sell list right now!

[Clansman]

Originally Posted by the_faery_queen

im not even going to keep it! i think it's so bad, it's on my to sell list right now!

Ouch! Well, to each their own, I guess. I found it very good for a first published novel, though he definitely had room for improvement.

[the_faery_queen]

yep. that's life. tho it makes me sad, cos i wanted to like it. i want to find a new writer to get passionate about, like mr patrick rothfuss. but it just wasn't this one