Worth My Credit

If you are like me, you're going to be a little disoriented when you start this book. It does not continue where The Warded Man left off. Instead Brett takes us back in time to learn of Jardir and the Krasia, but don't worry because he will get back to Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer. So, is this detour into the past worth it? Absolutely, Brett expands his setting quite a bit in this novel, adding new corelings, explaining the Krasia culture, and introducing new ways in which the corelings fueled magic of the setting can be used.

In short, like The Warded Man, there are all the aspects that build an interesting fantasy novel. There is not only the battle with the corelings and Jardir's desire to unite/conquer humanity, but discoveries about the world, and the relationships between the characters to keep the reader hooked.

Pete Bradbury continues to be an excellent narrator for this series.

My only disappointment was when I heard, "The End. You've been listening to. . ."

48 people found this helpful

Liked, disliked, liked, disliked

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book confused me at first. It started with a different perspective involving the first book. The story premise is great, and I enjoy it when the author can focus on the story. But he fills, what I consider the story line, with sexual exploits, which may act as filler, but distracts from the story. Although disappointed in this aspect, of what could be a great fantasy novel.

Having said that, I did purchase this second book after having problems with the first book, and now will purchase the third book given I am trapped into finding out the ending.

Hopefully there will be a conclusion soon.

7 people found this helpful

Never Been More Frustrated

All I can say is how annoyed I was throughout the whole story. Extremely disappointing as I really enjoyed the first book, but this just pissed me off. It's also finals week so that might have played a part in my annoyance, but my opinion still stands.

6 people found this helpful

Disappointing

First of all, the rapes are getting to be annoying. I fast forward through it because it disgusts me. Second, the first 10 hours I fast forwarded through most because it was all filler and backtracking that should have been in the first book. The story is good, but all the rape is irritating.

6 people found this helpful

Not Impressed

As much as I really liked The Warded Man I just couldn't make myself like this book. I tried putting it down and coming back to it, and that did help for a while, but I finally came to the point where I just couldn't listen anymore. Not for the life of me could I make myself care about Jardir and his story and only continued reading because other reviewers promised that that bit would end and it does, eventually, but not soon enough. Then just as the story starts to get good, we return to Jardir and Brett starts off onto on odd journey with most of the characters together where those involved start to make decisions that make no sense and don't fit in with their previous actions and thoughts. It all becomes rather bizarre and unbelievable leaving me with no desire to finish the book at all. Additionally there were some rather disturbing scenes that went on for much longer than necessary. I did finish listening to these all the while thinking that the result better be worth having put myself though them, but even the end results of that story line are rather flat and unsatisfying and did not justify the length of the lead in. The appearance of The Warded Man and the return of the previous story lines were the only positives in the book. Unfortunately, Brett didn't stick to them and the result was fairly unsatisfactory. This is only my opinion and others may well like the book, but I personally don't believe I will ever finish it, nor will I purchase any further instalments. Bit of a shame really.

20 people found this helpful

First book, great then... Ain't diggin it no more

The first book was great then Peter Brett suddenly decide that he needed his main character to speak hillbilly and fade to nothing while become weak and introducing even more characters. I definitely skimmed this book. Not buying the next one and it makes me sad I read the first one. cliffhanger (and not a very clever one at that) just kind of stopped the book dead if it wasn't there already. it's like the author forgot to submit half the book to the publisher. Needlessly long back story, useless filler then a dead stop. extremely disappointed. moving on. - Shaun

10 people found this helpful

not as good as book 1

Things started to repeat, and the story fell into cliches and too-easy resolutions. Must have said "bent as low as his cane would allow" 8 times. Also, typical of second books, the initial 'small town underdog struggles to fight big forces' become s 'convenient new powers just in time for greater foes.' I'll buy book 3, hoping it doesn't become 'invincible heroes join to travel to defeat master of evil', but I'm not optimistic.

4 people found this helpful

Horrible sequel

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

If you like focus on inconsequential character for pages on end, if you like ridiculous sexual descriptions and a focus on rape/incest, and if you like it when the coolest aspect of the story (and what made the first book in the series so great) is given a back seat, well then you may like this book. I couldn't even finish it. Such a disappointment.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I don't know. This book burned me out for a while. I think I'll listen to music for a while.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Total disappointment.

Any additional comments?

If you liked the Warded Man you should skip this sequel. It isn't worth the time.

14 people found this helpful

Worth the time & money

Boy am I glad I decided to use my credit for The Desert Spear in spite of the bad reviews!
.
I loved The Warded Man, and was not disappointed by TDS. Not as good as TWM? Maybe, but certainly better than any audio book I've listened to in a month (and I go through them fast).
.
I find that I'm more critical of audio books than regular books, because of the added element of the narration. A poor narrator can ruin a good book, and that stinks. But TDS has the same narrator as TWM, and his voice and intonation is perfect for the story.
.
Really, I don't understand the poor reviews. If you liked TWM, you'll like TDS. I just hope Peter Brett writes more; I love his style, and I love the world he's created. To the core with the poor reviews! :)

18 people found this helpful

Meh...

Although the first book took some time to get there, I thought the final destination was pretty good. Like the first, this second installment took time to arrive, but it just didn't deliver in the way the first one did.

The system of magic is fleshed out a bit more, and that was good to see since the first book was a bit one-dimensional in that area. I thought the writing was good, and the narrator was good, but sadly the plot was lacking.

I found myself frustrated at a few of the characters actions which were so vastly inconsistent with their stated principles/morals/philosophies/what-have-you. For example Leesha fawning over a tyrant who's come to kill and dominate when she's *so* clearly anti-violence. How does that work? That's like the president of PETA falling for an animal torturing psycho.

Yeah, there was a fair amount of sex in the book - more than I'm used to reading. Sex I don't mind, but the rape related stuff was too much for me.

19 people found this helpful