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A review by nienora
The Desert Spear: Book Two of the Demon Cycle by Peter V. Brett
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3,8 ⭐
It's very different from the first book. It feels like a filler book. It established some new relationships between characters that will probably become important later on. Ending was great.
The highlight is Jardir. His character, doubts of Inevere and her motives were great, the whole first part really. I also liked.. not knowing who the Deliverer is. Or rather, who the people believe he is and why. It's very interesting to see opposing sides, both in their own motivation and how different cultures interpret the myth.
There were descriptions and mentions of some darker subjects like rape and incest, and on a level I didn't expect or liked. Whole Krasia feels very stereotypical Middle eastern. They even use the same terminology. It certainly didn't help that they're presented as "the bad guys" at least by Arlen, who is the main protagonist.
I don't really like how female characters are represented, like everything is centred around sex. I don't have a problem with how male characters see them and how they act towards them. That's all very in line with their cultures and personal experiences. I have a problem with how the girls think.
[Mild spoiler for Leesha]When Leesha first met Jardir, her first thought was how hot he looks and she even said it out loud. He's someone who doesn't look or dress like people she knows, someone who she personally called a demon spawn, someone who started the war and wants to conquer everyone in his way and rape and assault every women who cross his army's way. And her first thought is how hot he is?? In the end their relationship made more sense, but I still hate her initial reaction.
Inevere is fine, she uses sex as a tool to get her way and as a disguise for her true plans. While, maybe, not the best thing, it works and fits her role in that society and the series. Leesha is the main one I have a problem with. Especially for someone who went through what she did. Plus some minor side characters but we didn't get enough of their inner thoughts to make me that mad.
I realise that all of this makes it sound a lot worse than it is. It's actually pretty good. Plot is interesting. Characterisation is done extremely well. But there were little things that bothered me on a very personal level, and I can't forget about that. But I'm definitely continuing this series. I like the demons and the wards and I want to know what will become of Arlen in the end.
It's very different from the first book. It feels like a filler book. It established some new relationships between characters that will probably become important later on. Ending was great.
The highlight is Jardir. His character, doubts of Inevere and her motives were great, the whole first part really. I also liked.. not knowing who the Deliverer is. Or rather, who the people believe he is and why. It's very interesting to see opposing sides, both in their own motivation and how different cultures interpret the myth.
There were descriptions and mentions of some darker subjects like rape and incest, and on a level I didn't expect or liked. Whole Krasia feels very stereotypical Middle eastern. They even use the same terminology. It certainly didn't help that they're presented as "the bad guys" at least by Arlen, who is the main protagonist.
I don't really like how female characters are represented, like everything is centred around sex. I don't have a problem with how male characters see them and how they act towards them. That's all very in line with their cultures and personal experiences. I have a problem with how the girls think.
[Mild spoiler for Leesha]
Inevere is fine, she uses sex as a tool to get her way and as a disguise for her true plans. While, maybe, not the best thing, it works and fits her role in that society and the series. Leesha is the main one I have a problem with. Especially for someone who went through what she did. Plus some minor side characters but we didn't get enough of their inner thoughts to make me that mad.
I realise that all of this makes it sound a lot worse than it is. It's actually pretty good. Plot is interesting. Characterisation is done extremely well. But there were little things that bothered me on a very personal level, and I can't forget about that. But I'm definitely continuing this series. I like the demons and the wards and I want to know what will become of Arlen in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape, and Sexual assault