I recieved this book as an ARC from library thing. I had no preconceptions when I opened the book, the only commentary I had before I first read it was that some people were upset that it had a different cover/title than the UK version, but nothing about the US cover bothered me.

I enjoyed the book. Brett had created a dark world where small pockets of civilization struggle to avoid destruction from invasions of demons. The only way to resist the demon attackers is to make sure that you are within a warded building, village or carefully done circle if travelling. This means everyone is worried about the conditions of their wards and the peopel who craft them.

The book itself follows 3 main pov characters so if you don't like switching back and forth between storylines this might not be your cup of tea. I thought all three characters were well done and showed appropriate reactions to the events around them.

I recommend this book, the first in a trilogy, to all readers who enjoy fantasy. ( )

Good original premise for a fantasy. I think the original UK cover and title were better, but this does not detract from what is a solid story with memorable characters and excellent writing. At first it seemed a little slow, but after about 45 pages it really sunk its hooks into me. Looking forward to the sequel. ( )

The Warded man starts off as three separate but inter-related tales which take place in a land where demons rule the night. Being outside after the sun goes down isn't wise or safe. There are many breeds of demon ranging from dog-sized to man-sized and larger, any one of which is powerful enough to kill a human. The demons don't travel alone, but like wolves and other animals, they hunt in packs. While defensive magical symbols (known as wards) can be used to keep the demons from attacking, magic isn't the entire answer to the demon problem.

Mr. Brett's concept is enticing and his prose well written, his characters appealing. I was hooked on page one and didn't want to put this book down until it was finished. I became a part of this world while I was reading about how the characters survive, the primitive society in which they live, and, all too often, die prematurely. Simple things like infections, caused by close contact with sharp demon claws, are deadly because few know the herbs with which to treat such injuries.

The low level of technology available to the general population and the even lower instance of literacy in this world are intriguing and bring another level of interest to this not-to-be-missed debut novel. I eagerly await the next novel in this brand new fantasy series, which I recommend to all readers of fantasy age 14 and up.

This review was previously published on Dragonviews. ( )

The character development was awkward. ( )

I am at the point where I choose books by strange authors at random from the Santee library. While not an illiterate community, it is a far cry, a distant shifting, from the opulant savory indulgence of a visit to the library in Seattle.

So I grabbed this book. And was happily surprised, after putting down a couple as unreadably bad.

Good d*** book. 4 star rating. I enjoyed it immensely. This review is several weeks after the reading, so the details are lost, but I remember it was a compulsive, happy, giddy to have found a decent book to read read for me.

If I see the sequel, I will read it. Demons and magic etc, yet in a fresh manner. ( )