The Desert Spear by Peter V. Brett
The Desert Spear, the second installment in Peter V. Brett's Demon Cycle series, is the best epic fantasy I've read since The Lord of the Rings trilogy (no, the movies most certainly do not count). While more violent than the first book in the series, The Desert Spear furthers the story in the best possible way. I highly recommend this series to any reader of fantasy.
In The Desert Spear, Brett does something that elevates the story from good to great - he develops the most villainous character from The Warded Man into a three-dimensional character whose motives are understandable and even relatable. Brett uses several characters' points of view masterfully, developing the story into a believable story with characters with whom any reader can relate. While The Desert Spear is more violent than the first book in the series, the violence is neither gratuitous nor cartoonish. Brett furthers the overall series while simultaneously digging into the characters' past, a task made easier by his masterful writing.
The Desert Spear is an entertaining, relatable and masterful work of epic fantasy. Brett's excellent character development keeps the plot fresh and interesting. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
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