The ‘Krasian’ people of the south, who fight the demons rather than hide from them, are interesting, but let down by an all too obvious comparison to Islam in their custom. A society which faces nightly demon attacks will naturally develop some idiosyncrasies, and Brett does a good job of presenting varied and interesting responses to their nightly war. The world of The Painted Man has some truly tantalising elements to it, particularly regarding their scientifically advanced ancient past. Although initially separate, these three characters are drawn together towards a common destiny. Rojer is a young man who, after his parents are killed by demons, is trained as a ‘Jongleur’, essentially a jester. Leesha is a young woman who becomes a ‘Herb Gatherer’, a healer, as well as getting caught up in the small town politics of her home village. Arlen flees his village following a coreling attack to become a ‘Messenger’, those intrepid souls who roam between towns and villages. This novel follows three protagonists, Arlen, Leesha and Rojer from childhood through to adulthood. This isn’t a perfect art however, and sometimes these fail. The only thing that can hold them back are magical ‘wards’, which can be etched into any surface.

Once a place of great magic and science, for the past three hundred years almost all of this creation has been undone by the ‘Core.’ Every night, elemental demons known as ‘Corelings’ rise from the ground to wreak havoc on the surface. The Painted Man takes place in world on the decline, known as Thesa. This is a debut novel however, and is still enjoyable despite being fairly rough around the edges. Sometimes Brett handles this well, but sometimes it’s rather clumsily handled. It’s a lot darker though, going places that many other authors are fearful to tread. Brett, the first in the ‘Demon Cycle.’ It’s always fun starting a new series, and structurally this novel reminds me a lot of The Eye of the World, the debut novel in the ‘Wheel of Time’ series. The Painted Man is the debut novel of Peter V.

The painted man by peter v brett