The Warded Man

January 12, 2009
Brett's debut builds slowly and grimly on a classic high fantasy framework of black-and-white morality and bloodshed. Young Arlen battles demons to save his mother while his father watches in terror; when his mother dies, Arlen runs away. Leesha leaves her village to work in the city hospital of Angiers after her betrothed claims to have taken her virginity. Jongleur Arrick Sweetsong saved himself from demons at the expense of a female friend, but he honors her last request and raises her son, Rojer, as his apprentice. Only near the end do the three strands of the story begin to intertwine. With its nameless enemies that exist only to kill, Brett's gritty tale will appeal to those who tire of sympathetic villains and long for old-school orc massacres.

Starred review from January 15, 2009
As in any other preindustrial agrarian society, the people of Tibbet's Brook tend farms, pursue crafts and trade, and raise families in the usual human fashionuntil sunset, when they must take shelter in buildings protected by magical "wards." For in the darkness of night, demons stalk the countryside, ripping any unprotected human being into bloody shreds. Brett ably blends fantasy and horror in this arresting first novel, the launch of a planned series. The nightly horrors of his imagined world are disquietingly convincing, as is the way that a disheartened and dwindling human race has come to accept them passively. Three young characters, a farmer's son, a herbalist, and an apprentice bard, come of age in this demon-haunted world; their actions may eventually change the world but only at a terrible physical and spiritual cost. An imaginative and exciting tale; recommended where there is interest in epic fantasy or horror.Bradley A. Scott, Brighton Dist. Lib., MI

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2009
Adult/High School-In his debut novel, Brett catapults readers into a world in which demons rise at night and the human population lives in fear and seclusion. Only those who brave the unsheltered night and survive see what lies beyond their birth town or city. The setting itself is spare and underdeveloped with the focus instead being on the flawed heroes of the tale. Brett spends a majority of the novelthe first of a seriesestablishing the backstories of the main characters, three humans who come from different towns and backgrounds and are thrown into the battle at a young age. Readers are held in suspense until the three finally meet. Brett uses the demons and magic to examine issues prevalent in our own society, such as religion versus science. The book is captivating and well written, quickly drawing readers in. The Warded Man is a must-read for anyone looking for a new fantasy world to explore.Kelliann Bogan, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2009
Bretts fantasy debut is a highly readable adventure with a unique setting and three strong protagonists. When night falls and the monstrous corelings rise, people huddle inside protective wards until dawn, hoping the magical symbols will hold against the onslaught. Sometimes the wards fail, and people are slaughtered. The only ones who brave the night are Messengers, who travel between areas, bringing news and supplies and sheltering inside fragile portable wards at night. For young Arlen, being trapped behind wards is like prison, and after a coreling kills his mother, he trains to become a Messenger, learning in the process that humans once fought against the corelings with equal strength. Resolved to rediscover the lost fighting wards and deliver them to the people, he is joined by musician Rojer and herb gatherer Leesha, who have also discovered lost techniques. Brett includes plenty of exciting battles, terrifying monsters, and heart-wrenching moments to make the focus of his storythe development of flawed, ordinary children into legendsbelievable. Consider the series this begins worth tracking.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)