This was actually a very satisfying excursion set right dab in the middle of the first book of the Warded Man. Right when Arlen is becoming a messenger, out on the field, he gets into some serious demon trouble with none other than the One-Armed Demon, his old nemesis from when he was just a lad. (And the demon remembered his little gift, of course.)

Seriously, I keep going back and forth whether I would have loved to see this put BACK into the original novel, despite the length. Kinda like the director's cut. It's perfect there.

Sure, it might disrupt the pacing but it sure as hell improves the One-Armed Demon story. And I loved that part of the novel, including the resolution. It's pretty damn heroic.

Either way, however, this little novella has plenty else going on and it only improves the general world-building. Nobels, marriage issues, the Messengers, everything. What can I say? I love everything Arlen. Including his youth. :)
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Dang. Now I am out of new Peter Brett material to read. I will just have to wait for book three of the Demon Cycle to come out. Brayan's Gold was a fun, short glimpse of Arlen working as a messenger's apprentice. A must read for anyone that liked The Warded/Painted Man and The Desert Spear. ( )

Loved it! It makes waiting for the next installment somewhat quasi bearable! ( )

Loved it! It makes waiting for the next installment somewhat quasi bearable! ( )

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

I’m really enjoying these little novellas that Sub Press puts out. Because they’re meant as stand-alone side-stories, they’re a great way for me to get a feel for an author’s world and writing style before jumping into a big series.

Peter V. Brett’s Brayan’s Gold is the story of how Arlen, one of the main characters in Brett’s Demon Cycle, goes on his first solo job and meets a snow demon. The episode is referred to in the story collection The Great Bazaar, but hadn’t been written until Brett’s friend asked him about the story. So, here it is.

Even though I haven’t read Brett’s The Warded Man or its sequel The Desert Spear, I had no trouble jumping right into this fascinating world where demons rise up from the Earth when the sun goes down. Rock demons, wind demons, flame demons and others terrorize humans and kill those who are not under wards. Nobody’s ever met a snow demon and lived to tell, so Arlen isn’t sure if they really exist until he comes across one while he’s unprotected.

Since this is a prequel of sorts, it’s not a spoiler to say that Arlen survives; watching him plan, bargain, and fight is the fun part. I liked Arlen immediately — he’s “got stones like a rock demon” — and I liked Brett’s world. I’m ready to spend some more time with Arlen and his friends as they battle the demons (I already have The Warded Man and The Desert Spear in my Audible Library).

Brayan’s Gold is a short novel — only 88 pages, but it’s the perfect appetizer. I recommend Brayan’s Gold to fans of Peter V. Brett, and to readers, like me, who want to taste his world before putting a whole helping on their plate. I think I’ll be going back for seconds or thirds on this one! ( )