| Title | : | Brayans Gold (Demon Cycle, #1.5) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1596063637 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781596063631 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 94 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2011 |
Brayans Gold (Demon Cycle, #1.5) Reviews
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Messenger Arlen before he became the tattooed badass The Warded Man! a journey through the wilderness! demons seeping out of the ground to attack! magic wards creating protective circles! bandits! betrayal! a fight to the death! a lonely young lady, pregnant and brave! a rock demon! a snow demon! thundersticks! competent and unassuming prose, a lived-in world, an enjoyable protagonist. good fun.
now I love making love all night long, who doesn't, but sometimes I'm in the mood for a quickie. this swiftly paced novella satisfied me. not much else to report. -
This was actually a very satisfying excursion set right dab in the middle of the first book of the Warded Man. Right when Arlen is becoming a messenger, out on the field, he gets into some serious demon trouble with none other than the One-Armed Demon, his old nemesis from when he was just a lad. (And the demon remembered his little gift, of course.)
Seriously, I keep going back and forth whether I would have loved to see this put BACK into the original novel, despite the length. Kinda like the director's cut. It's perfect there.
Sure, it might disrupt the pacing but it sure as hell improves the One-Armed Demon story. And I loved that part of the novel, including the resolution. It's pretty damn heroic.
Either way, however, this little novella has plenty else going on and it only improves the general world-building. Nobels, marriage issues, the Messengers, everything. What can I say? I love everything Arlen. Including his youth. :) -
Of two 1.x novellas, I liked Brayan’s Gold the most. It was a true tangent from the middle of The Warded Man and had nothing to do with the overall arc of the main story (more so than usual, anyway… this author definitely has his own unique way of getting to the point). But I did enjoy it, mostly because I thought the snow demon was pretty cool. While I feel it was worth my time, I can’t say the same about The Great Bazaar.
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at
www.NikiHawkes.com -
First of all, I want to thank Matt Bergin, who, had not been asking for this novella, we wouldn’t have been reading it now. (I just watched the Golden Globe’s awards… :D)
Well, Matt Bergin, friend and beta reader of Brett’s works, read about the snow demon being only mentioned in The Great Bazaar and Other Stories and he wanted to know more. And this is how this story was born.
It’s not a must, like the above mentioned one I think it is, but it’s a great story, telling one of Arlen’s mission when he was an apprentice for the Messenger’s Guild, under Cob’s guiding. There is not much on those years related to his missions outside of the city in the first volume, that’s why I really welcomed this one.
Not only we have an encounter with the snow demon, there is also One Arm in his maddened pursue after Arlen and some more events which make this story worth spending your reading time on.
And just like the others, it’s a page turner only the pages are way too few here… -
This is a novella set in the Demon Cycle universe (
The Warded Man,
The Desert Spear) covering a short portion in Arlen's life...you know...before he became superman.
Brayan's Gold occurs during Arlen's time as an apprentice messenger. Messenger's are the brave and daring souls who brave the night and the
corelings to deliver messages and other materials. His task, along with his master, Curk, is to escort a wagonload of easily combustible firesticks up into the high mountains to Brayan's Gold, where Count Brayan has found his riches.
Mixing the perilous trail, firesticks, and possibly even the rumored snow demon, Arlen has some work cut out for him, along with some other surprises.
Now, I have to admit, this is one of my all-time favorite series and only two books in at that. There's something about this fear of the night and the demons that stalk and the magic of the wards. I have to have more and more, it's like crack.
So, needless to say, I loved Brayan's Gold. -
The Painted Man and The Desert Spear are among my favourite books ever written. Not only is the story absolutely brilliant, but Peter V. Brett's writing is just simply 'readable'. This is something Peter can do that I think other people lack in the genre right now...
The description is there, but it's not rammed down your throat. You don't have to know how many blades of grass there are to get a feeling of the area. What is more important and what is Brett's finest skill is that he can describe and give the readers a feeling of atmosphere. Brett's world is terrifying and as a reader you really, really feel that. Demon's have reduced mankind to essentially only being able to live during the day... because at night... Demons arrive... and they want blood.
So, what is 'Brayan's Gold'? 'Brayan's Gold' is a special edition book released by Peter V. Brett that is actually based at some time during the middle of 'The Painted Man'. Arlen is an apprentice messenger and is actually taking one of his first jobs. He is to take an extremely important and extremely delicate delivery to a mine within a mountain whilst at the same time avoiding any bandits or thieves that may be waiting to steal from him, kill him or even a combination of the two.
Now... this doesn't sound like a short story does it? Well... that is why this book as much as 'The Painted Man' and 'Desert Spear' prove Peter's worth as a writer... not many people can write a good short story... yet, Peter V. Brett does.
I can tell you that there is a lot of content squeezed into this little book. Not only are there beautiful, beautiful images by 'Lauren K. Cannon' that intertwine with the story, but there is a legitimately good read here. In less that 85 pages of actual text, Brett takes you back to Arlen's past and further shapes his story. You will find out a little bit more about his motivations and choices that lead him to becoming what he has become by the middle to end of 'Desert Spear' and generally you will have had a good adventure.
Certainly an important read and for me... the image of Arlen pre-warded really made it. Seeing Brett's accepted version of Arlen's face as a fan is a huge moment. How many characters ever get given a face? Not many. Fans of the Demon Cycle... DO NOT MISS IT! -
Review in Portuguese from
Desbravando Livros:
Aproveitando que tinha acabado de ler O Protegido, escrito pelo Peter V. Brett, resolvi encarar esse conto e desbravar um pouquinho mais desse universo que eu gostei muito de conhecer.
A narrativa de Brayan's Gold se passa mais ou menos na metade do livro principal, quando Arlen está em Miln trabalhando com Cob e levando adiante o seu sonho de ser um mensageiro.
Em um de seus primeiros trabalhos como aprendiz de mensageiro, Arlen é encarregado de levar uma carga extremamente importante de thundersticks (foguetes?) para Brayan's Gold, uma das minas do Conde Brayan, localizada em uma montanha bem afastada ao noroeste de Miln. Além disso, já que sua carga é perigosa e qualquer movimento brusco pode explodir tudo e também causar uma avalanche, todo cuidado é necessário, sem contar o fato de que ladrões costumam espreitar as altas estradas e interceptar os carregamentos que chegam às minas.
Nem preciso dizer que já sentia saudades de ler sobre o Arlen, né? Acredito que esse conto do Brett, cujas páginas tiveram que ser tiradas do livro principal e colocadas aqui, traz mais algumas perspectivas para os leitores e também reforça as características e motivações de Arlen. Sua aversão ao medo que as pessoas têm pelos terraítas é evidente e aqui ela se intensifica ainda mais.
“I will respect the corelings, Arlen thought, but I will never stop fighting them.”
Um velho amigo do passado também aparece para acompanhar Arlen enquanto ele sobe as montanhas: o Maneta. Esse mesmo. O demônio que teve metade do braço amputado pelas proteções de Arlen ainda o persegue e está sempre por perto, só esperando a noite e o momento em que nosso protagonista estará descuidado, tendo assim a chance de se vingar.
Conhecemos também algumas proteções novas utilizadas por aqueles que se aventuram nas montanhas geladas do Norte. Munido de tinta e do seu caderno repleto de proteções, Arlen sempre procura descobrir mais sobre os segredos dos terraítas e o que pode matá-los.
Ficaram também algumas questões que eu notei e parecem ser bem importantes/intrigantes para entendermos mais da obra: proteções feitas com sangue são mais eficazes do que aquelas feitas com tinta? Eme determinado momento, Arlen faz uma proteção com sangue e o seu efeito é muito bom, então isso é algo que eu pretendo prestar mais atenção quando continuar a série.
E os demônios do gelo, será que caminham pelas montanhas repletas de neves? As histórias contadas nas tavernas dizem que sim, mas parece não existir ninguém que os tenha visto pessoalmente, o que deixa em dúvida a sua existência. É o mesmo caso do Protegido, digamos assim. Cito também (e novamente) os aspectos políticos e as relações dos nobres entre si, que parecem estar vindo à tona quanto mais eu avanço nas obras de Peter V. Brett.
Leitura obrigatória para os fãs da série, não deixem de conferir Brayan's Gold e os outros livros extras que se passam no mesmo mundo. A escrita de Peter continua envolvente como sempre.
Em breve pretendo ler The Great Bazaar and Other Stories, outro livro que se passa em Thesa, e também quero continuar a série e ler The Desert Spear/A Lança do Deserto. Fiquem de olho! -
Final rating: 4/5 stars
I really enjoyed in this short story - it was nice to read about Arlen's earlier days.
Also, this one is closely connected (somewhat connected) to the characters appearing in
Messenger’s Legacy - another short story taking time after third book.
I loved this short story, all in all - although the edition I own is
The Great Bazaar & Brayan's Gold - i'm just too bored to switch it over.
This one takes place somewhere in the middle of the first book - is it necessary to read? No. But it was fun.► REVIEW(S) RELATED TO THIS BOOK:
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The Warded Man (Demon Cycle, #1)
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Brayan's Gold (Demon Cycle, #1.5)
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The Great Bazaar and Other Stories (Demon Cycle, #1.6)
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The Daylight War (Demon Cycle, #3)
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Messenger’s Legacy (The Demon Cycle #3.5) -
Loved it!
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A nice short addition to the Demon Cycle story giving us the account of Arlen's maiden journey as an Apprentice Messenger. The first book of the Demon Cycle series
The Warded Man skips a lot of the period between Arlen starting out as a messenger till he is uber badass so there is certainly room for a series of short stories to cover that period and add to the lore of The Warded Man.
This is intended as a standalone novella so you don't absolutely have to read the other books beforehand. However, I suspect it will be more appreciated by fans of the first book in the main series and I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to the Demon Cycle universe. It's just too short to properly showcase the world and the series. The plot is a straight forward quest to Brayan's Gold mine and back to Miln with some bandits thrown in, a couple of star crossed lovers and good old One Arm shows his face as well. If I'm reading the introduction right, the main purpose for this story was to show case a "snow demon," which was cool even though the encounter was over in a blink and a flash.
I'd give this a 3 with maybe an extra half point thrown in by the fanboy/lore collector in me. It was easy reading, but certainly not a "must read" even for fans; unless you want a peak at a "snow demon"; in which case don't blink or you'll miss it.
3 stars -
This short novella set in the Demon Cycle world told the tale of Arlen's first assignment as a Messenger. Still just an apprentice Messenger Arlen finds himself paired with a more senior Messenger for the trip. The task is taking a consignment of firesticks to the Duke's mine in the mountains. It should be a simple journey but bandits and Arlen's old demon nemesis One-Arm provide a bit of excitement!
The story was entertaining enough. Arlen is Arlen and he never makes the easy choice so his determination to get his cargo to the Duke's mine never wavered despite the obstacles he faced.
This novella was not essential reading for fans of the main Demon Cycle series but was a fun interlude in Arlen's life. We also glimpsed a new type of demon and some cool new wards.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: Pete Bradbury does a good job with the audio for this series. -
I read this short story in the new
The Great Bazaar and Brayan's Gold edition that was released in April 2013 so unfortunately I am not in on the illustrations, but I don't think it took away from the story. It is a short story about Arlen's first overnight run as a messenger's apprentice, but at the last moment it turns into a near two week run. This story takes during the middle of
The Warded Man when Arlen is living in Miln.
I thought this was a great little short story. As it has no effect on the overall storyline of
The Warded Man, it is easy to suspect that this story may have been in the book at first but was removed, I don't know though, maybe it was written completely separately.
I really enjoyed this short little novella. It brought me back to witnessing Arlen Bales before he became one of the Deliverer's, and that was nice. A little something to whet my appetite while I wait for
The Skull Throne... -
The first book in this series gave me a thirst for more of Arlen's world and this novella gave me exactly what I wanted and more.
I got the graphic audio version of this novella complete with full cast of actors, narration, dramatic sound effects and cinematic music like a 3D movie in my ear! Arlen Bales first journey across the demon infested world as a brand new Apprentice Messenger was full of drama and very satisfying as all the thrills, chills, excitement, romance and betrayals had me at the edge of my seat. This novella also adds an extra layer and dimension to the Demon Cycle world with enough world building left over to keep you wanting more.
But I'm still hungry for more of the Demon Cycle universe with its many killer night time demons,protective magic wards, complex world, excellent world building, many enjoyable and complex characters and heroic protagonist. Luckily the next audiobook is just a click away. -
This book continues with the theme that even though demons are lurking in the shadow of the night, humans can be just as bad.
Arlen's first proper messenger-run saw him facing bandits, delivering secret messages for lovers, telling court gossips to hungry nobles, teasing the one hand rock demon and facing off a rare type of demon.
It is not the story that matters here. It is the way it has been told. It is the various small details the writer put in that make the world alive.
It is worth reading if you love Arlen Bales. -
Spicuiri din recenzia finala care se gaseste
pe blogul meu
..........................................
Primul este Brayan’s Gold. Personajul principal este Arlen care este încă mesager ucenic și care primește sarcina de a livra alături de Cob mai multe bețe de foc minei Brayan. Bineînțeles că se întâlnesc cu niscai bandiți cărora Cob le arată spatele, iar tânărul ucenic le ține piept dând dovadă de o ușoară demență (demență pe care o vom recunoaște în Omul pictat care a devenit Arlen). Nu lipsește nici demonul de piatră fără un braț care nu încetează să-l urmărească pe Arlen și avem parte și de o confruntare fabuloasă între Arlen și un demon de zăpadă.
Deși este mai degrabă un scurt capitol care nu s-a regăsti în Omul pictat, Brayan’s Gold oferă cititorului pasionat de seria Demon Cycle câteva momente din viața lui Arlen care a fost trecută sub tăcere în primul volum pe când acesta urma să devină mesager.
....................................... -
snow demons!!! this was such a cool read
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Listened to the Graphic Audio version.
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http://www.rantingdragon.com/brayans-...
This review does contain some spoilers for The Warded Man and should be read with caution if you plan on reading Peter V. Brett’s debut novel first.
Remember The Matrix?
If you’re visiting a website dedicated to Speculative Fiction, chances are that you’ve seen The Matrix at least once. If you have, do you remember that final scene where Neo walks out of a phone booth and flies off like Superman? If you’re anything like me, you probably thought something along the lines of “Oh my God! He’s like Superman! He’s invincible! A sequel will be so awesome!”
Ignoring the fact that the sequels to The Matrix weren’t awesome at all, this was exactly the feeling I had at the end of The Warded Man, Brett’s first novel in the Demon Cycle. The book had these amazing villains in the form of indestructible demons and the protagonists fought them out of sheer stubbornness, even if it meant fighting a fight they could not win. Those fighting sequences were perfectly written and turned the book into a definite page-turner.
At the end, though, Arlen had found a way to gain the upper hand over the demons. Though the sequel The Desert Spear was still awesome for many different reasons, those fighting scenes that made The Warded Man so special to me were forever lost.
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Fear no more! For now, there is Brayan’s Gold, a 94-page novella that takes place during the early days of The Warded Man, when Arlen was still that sweet young kid wanting to fight those big bad demons. And how amazing those fights are. I wish he would never grow up!
Brayan’s Gold details Arlen’s first trip as an apprentice Messenger. Wearing his brand new armor, he leaves on a simple overnight trip alongside a trained Messenger to carry a dangerous cargo to Count Brayan’s gold mine high up the frozen mountainside. However, a routine trip soon turns into a huge adventure when bandits try to rob the two Messengers and Arlen soon finds himself on the road alone, fighting demons like The Desert Spear never happened (wait, it hasn’t yet!).
Exactly what I want!
This story has all the elements a fan of Brett’s series will enjoy. It is exactly what I want from a novella set in the Demon World, bringing back all the old elements I loved so much in The Warded Man, as well as providing a new piece of the story and a completely new and pretty cool (pun intended) snow demon. The characters are well-written as usual, the prose touches all the right notes, and the pacing is exactly what we’re used to: breathtaking.
Why should you read this book?
Such a small novella, priced rather high – and worth the cost, in my opinion; the art inside is gorgeous! – is only really accessible to fans of the series, however. If you’re new to Brett’s work, I suggest you start with The Warded Man. If you are already a fan, though, Brayan’s Gold is a must read. The only downside is the size; I wish it would go on for another five hundred pages. -
The Graphic Audio edition is super fun to listen too, though sometimes the BGM can overpower the narration. As a whole however, it made the little short story a lot more fun.
A fun little jaunt--it was cool to see Arlen younger, still fired up and ready to fight corelings, and being successful. The surrounding characters are still completely lacking in any gems of humanity--all drunken, greedy, cowardly etc--but again Arlen's presence brings out the best in folk. -
I decided to plough through some novella's from various series that I haven't gotten around to yet, and this was on the list. This review is actually for the newer edition I believe entitled The Great Bazaar and Brayan's Gold, which includes this and the main story from
The Great Bazaar and Other Stories.
Arlen sets off on his first real Messenger mission with his mentor Curk, to deliver thundersticks to the mountain region known as Brayan's Gold so they can mine a new gold vein they recently discovered there. But Arlen encounters deception along the way and a new type of demon (to him anyway). He finds himself challenged and in danger not only from the demons that stalk him at night but also the people he meets along the way.
It was a good enough story. Interesting I suppose. It was mostly nice to just see young Arlen again, back from early on in The Painted/Warded Man, when he was a bit more carefree. Overall though it felt a little rushed, particularly in the end, and as a sort of deleted story it really has no place in the overall story from the books and so felt a little unnecessary (as opposed to The Great Bazaar which fits in with the main story nicely).
Brett provides enough information in this story for you to understand enough about the main world and the mechanics of it without having read at least The Painted Man, but I think you would get a lot more and appreciate it a lot if you have. -
A quick read, this book serves to fill in a bit more of the series of blanks left in Arlen's life after
The Painted Man. It was intereting to see more of Thesia and learn more about some of the demons who inhabit this world, as well as more interaction between One-Arm and Arlen: you can really see the intense level of hatred between them in this book, which I don't think ever came across to the same extent in either TPM or
The Desert Spear.
All in all, a nice little filler story to get my 'coreling fix' (as Brett puts it in the introduction) without being too heavy or stepping on the toes of the stories already told. -
I fell in love with this series of books very quickly, and despite some flaws, it's overall very well written and very entertaining. The two short novellas released as supplementals (this and Great Bazaar), were both very entertaining little side-stories that gave a fun look in on the happenings of Arlen's life outside of the main story.
Both were a little inconsistent with the writing of the main story, but still very enjoyable - Brayan's Gold moreso than Great Bazaar. I personally would love it if Peter put out a few more of these, or perhaps a book of these stories. Worth the read for anyone who's read the books and is just craving more before The Daylight War is released. -
Dang. Now I am out of new Peter Brett material to read. I will just have to wait for book three of the Demon Cycle to come out. Brayan's Gold was a fun, short glimpse of Arlen working as a messenger's apprentice. A must read for anyone that liked The Warded/Painted Man and The Desert Spear.
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Another good short story in the Demon Cycle series. Nothing spectacular, but a fun quick read for fans of the series.
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I loved reading about a new demon( Snow Demon). It was interesting to hear how Arlen had tried to kill One Arm to no avail even then. :)
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What a fantastic story of the pre body wards days. Essential reading for any demon cycle fans .
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That's more like it.
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It's a short story but still good to read
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Not a bad story in the Painted Man Universe but not something that has impressed me, anyway.
It has her strong points, but overall doesn`t add much to the main plot of the books.
