A review by tasmanian_bibliophile
The Desert Prince by Peter V. Brett

4.0

 ‘Fifteen years have passed since the demons were destroyed…’ 

This, the first book in a proposed trilogy, takes us back to Mr Brett’s demon cycle world. People remember the heroes: Arlen Bales (my favourite), Ahmann Jardir and Rojer Halfgrip and our protagonists in this book are their children. 

Olive, Princess of Hollow, has had her destiny mapped by her mother. Olive seeks more flexibility and more freedom. Darin Bales, son of Arlen, lives in his dead father’s shadow. Those who are not convinced the demons are not all gone are soon to be proved correct.  Both Olive and Darin are in danger. 

The story progresses through the points of view of teenagers Olive and Darin. There are plenty of complex familial relationships to navigate, as well as the practice and impact of magic. One of the themes that Mr Brett includes (and handles well, in my view) is gender identity. One of our characters is nonbinary which is both restrictive and freeing as the story unfolds. Legend and intrigue inform some choices, while magic is not always enough to save practitioners from the demons. There are plenty of fight scenes, each of which is important to the story. 

I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who has not yet read it. Suffice to say I was happy to return to this world and I am glad I delayed reading this book because I hope I don’t have to wait too long for the next instalment. I really want to know what will happen next. 

The maps at the beginning of the book are helpful, as is the family tree and the Krasian Dictionary at the end. 

While reading the Demon Cycle series is not essential to understand this story, I’d recommend it anyway. Ever since I read ‘The Warded Man’ back in 2008, I’ve been captivated by this world. 

 

Jennifer Cameron-Smith