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fudgepopz's review against another edition
4.0
Small little short stories of Arlen's travels. Definitely help bridge the gap of what happened between Arlen being a messenger to becoming the warded man.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
Contained within the slim bounds of The Great Bazaar & Brayan's Gold are a pair of short stories, a pair of deleted scenes (one for Arlen & one for Brianne), and a pair of reference pieces (a Krasian Dictionary & a Ward Grimoire). While one could argue that anything related to The Demon Cycle is required reading, these are supplementary bits of storytelling, snippets that add to the enjoyment, but don't redefine anything we already know.
Having said that, they're certainly worth the read, especially while we wait for Peter V. Brett to drag us down into The Core.
The Great Bazaar was a fun story, because it hearkens back to an earlier, more innocent time when Arlen was still a messenger. It explores a bit more of the world, exposes some surprising corruption within the messenger ranks, and adds snow demons to our monster repertoire. More importantly, it answers a question I always wondered about regarding thundersticks. It's refreshing to see Arlen as a young man again, bold and confident, but not yet laboring under the weight of his own destiny.
Brayan's Gold was less of a stand-alone story, feeling much more like the deleted chapters it really is, but it's exciting to have some scenes told from Abban's perspective. Again, this is a story of Arlen's early years, when he's already come to Fort Krasian and made an ally of the khaffit, but has yet to make his most important discovery. Here we are reminded of his treasure hunting past, and we understand a bit more of just how it is that he came to make that eventual discovery that would change his world.
Given that all of this comes from the lost pages of The Warded Man, it's not surprising that One-Arm is such a prominent force in both stories, but it is rather shocking to see Arlen fully encased in warded body armor. Sometimes we forget how far a hero has traveled, so it's refreshing to recall the days when he was still very much mortal, and not yet chosen. As for the deleted scenes, they're just that - deleted scenes - rather than self-contained narratives. Interesting, but nothing remarkable.
All told, though, The Great Bazaar & Brayan's Gold was a nice look back at the origins of Arlen and The Demon Cycle.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Having said that, they're certainly worth the read, especially while we wait for Peter V. Brett to drag us down into The Core.
The Great Bazaar was a fun story, because it hearkens back to an earlier, more innocent time when Arlen was still a messenger. It explores a bit more of the world, exposes some surprising corruption within the messenger ranks, and adds snow demons to our monster repertoire. More importantly, it answers a question I always wondered about regarding thundersticks. It's refreshing to see Arlen as a young man again, bold and confident, but not yet laboring under the weight of his own destiny.
Brayan's Gold was less of a stand-alone story, feeling much more like the deleted chapters it really is, but it's exciting to have some scenes told from Abban's perspective. Again, this is a story of Arlen's early years, when he's already come to Fort Krasian and made an ally of the khaffit, but has yet to make his most important discovery. Here we are reminded of his treasure hunting past, and we understand a bit more of just how it is that he came to make that eventual discovery that would change his world.
Given that all of this comes from the lost pages of The Warded Man, it's not surprising that One-Arm is such a prominent force in both stories, but it is rather shocking to see Arlen fully encased in warded body armor. Sometimes we forget how far a hero has traveled, so it's refreshing to recall the days when he was still very much mortal, and not yet chosen. As for the deleted scenes, they're just that - deleted scenes - rather than self-contained narratives. Interesting, but nothing remarkable.
All told, though, The Great Bazaar & Brayan's Gold was a nice look back at the origins of Arlen and The Demon Cycle.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration.This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my honest review.
graff_fuller's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
One, this story takes place within the timeline of The Painted Man/The Warded Man. It does NOT take place between Book 1 and 2. If it does...then its tone was WAY off.
He is not tatted up. He is NOT called the Painted Man/Warded Man...he is NOT with Leesha or Rojer.
SO, that was sort of a let down. I learned some things about him, but I'm not sure it was needed. Maybe just as a bonus...but not relavent to the story (at least for now).
I just have so many questions. Why? What was SO important that we NEEDED this? This is NOT hyperbole. I really want to know...for I am invested in this story, but don't understand why I read what I read.
Now, granted...down the road...something said/done within this story...may be relavent, but I'm stumped, at the moment.
NB - I did NOT hate this, I just am confused by it.
He is not tatted up. He is NOT called the Painted Man/Warded Man...he is NOT with Leesha or Rojer.
SO, that was sort of a let down. I learned some things about him, but I'm not sure it was needed. Maybe just as a bonus...but not relavent to the story (at least for now).
I just have so many questions. Why? What was SO important that we NEEDED this? This is NOT hyperbole. I really want to know...for I am invested in this story, but don't understand why I read what I read.
Now, granted...down the road...something said/done within this story...may be relavent, but I'm stumped, at the moment.
NB - I did NOT hate this, I just am confused by it.
ganglari's review against another edition
2.0
Not bad as such, just superfluous. There's a reason this period in time was glossed over in the books
additionaddiction's review against another edition
5.0
Chronologically, I definitely read this out of order. Probably about 20-30 years, within the timeframe of the series.
Still, this was a great quick-read that brought back the character I loved and gave me a few more adventures with him.
I think [b:Messenger’s Legacy|23661590|Messenger’s Legacy (Demon Cycle #3.5)|Peter V. Brett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421397472l/23661590._SY75_.jpg|42306113] might be the only content of the Demon Cycle that I haven’t read yet, and I may save that for when I need a good pick-me-up.
Still, this was a great quick-read that brought back the character I loved and gave me a few more adventures with him.
I think [b:Messenger’s Legacy|23661590|Messenger’s Legacy (Demon Cycle #3.5)|Peter V. Brett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421397472l/23661590._SY75_.jpg|42306113] might be the only content of the Demon Cycle that I haven’t read yet, and I may save that for when I need a good pick-me-up.
cerviallacarica's review against another edition
4.0
Due novelle con protagonista Arlen, non sono indispensabili per poter andare avanti con il ciclo dei demoni, ma sono molto carine ed esploriamo più a fondo sia il nord con Brayan's Gold sia Krasia con The Great Bazaar
buuboobaby's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I enjoyed Brayan's Gold the best, and thought it a good representation of the longer series. Arlen is reckless and refuses to be cowed by the demons that rise from the Core at dusk every evening, searching for prey to tear to shreds. I love the concept of this series: being outside after dark is almost a certain death sentence, unless you are protected by magic wards. Arlen is a gifted warder, and he won't live locked behind walls when there's a whole wide world to see and try to take back from the corelings. Brayan's Gold showcases his ability to think on his feet and not be ruled by his fears, though this almost costs him his life on several occasions.
The rest of the content, while entertaining, didn't entrance me like Brayan's Gold. If you haven't started reading the Demon Cycle, this novella collection is a great place to start.
I enjoyed Brayan's Gold the best, and thought it a good representation of the longer series. Arlen is reckless and refuses to be cowed by the demons that rise from the Core at dusk every evening, searching for prey to tear to shreds. I love the concept of this series: being outside after dark is almost a certain death sentence, unless you are protected by magic wards. Arlen is a gifted warder, and he won't live locked behind walls when there's a whole wide world to see and try to take back from the corelings. Brayan's Gold showcases his ability to think on his feet and not be ruled by his fears, though this almost costs him his life on several occasions.
The rest of the content, while entertaining, didn't entrance me like Brayan's Gold. If you haven't started reading the Demon Cycle, this novella collection is a great place to start.
shirezu's review against another edition
5.0
This book contains two short novellas set during the first book of Peter Brett's Demon Cycle. Both stories were enjoyable and make me want the third book even more. Short and fun any Peter Brett fan must read them.