The Desert Prince (#1)
The first epic fantasy adventure in the new Nightfall Saga, set in the beloved world of the Demon Cycle and following a new generation of heroes, from New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett
Fifteen years have passed since the end of the war with demons, creatures of darkness who have hunted the night and plagued humanity since time out of mind. The heroes of humanity’s hour of need have become legend, and those who remain struggle to escape their shadows.
Olive Paper and Darin Bales have grown up in this new peaceful world. Demons have been all but destroyed, but dangers still lurk for the children of heroes.
Olive, Princess of Hollow, has her entire life planned out by her mother, Duchess Leesha Paper: a steady march on a checklist to prepare her for succession. The more her mother writes the script, the more Olive rails against playing the parts she is assigned.
Darin faces challenges of a different kind. Though free to choose his own path, the weight of legacy hangs heavy around his shoulders. It isn’t easy being the son of the man people say saved the world. Everyone expects greatness from Darin, but the only thing he’s ever been great at is hiding.
But when Olive and Darin step across the wards one night, they learn the demons are not all gone, and those that remain hunger for revenge. Events are set in motion that only prophecy can foresee as Olive and Darin seek to find their own places in the world in time to save it again.
Reviews
"Action-packed."Publishers Weekly
"Attractive young characters, well-drawn settings, and a nicely paced plot put this one a step above the usual fantasy fare. This could be a good choice if you’re looking for something to hand to a younger reader who’s starting to show an interest in fantasy."
"Epic in scale and emotionally intimate, it delivers immaculate world-building, complex politics — both sexual and social, and propulsive, edge-of-the-seat plotting. Settle down for a feast of turns, twists, magic and an astonishing, non-gratuitous bit of brain-eating."
"THE DESERT PRINCE is a statement by its author that his first series’ popularity was no fluke, and cements him as a top notch author…This new book is pure joy for fans of The Demon Cycle, but also offers such a solid story and thrilling entertainment on it’s own that even new readers will have no problem in finding themselves enthralled by this world…[A] masterpiece."
"Focusing on Jardir and Arlen’s children, Brett launches a new saga that allows readers relatively easy entrance into the series."
“An intricately crafted tale of intrigue and courage where one’s station and lineage determines everything, good and bad. An exciting read. Peter Brett has outdone himself with this first book in a new series.”Terry Brooks, NYT Bestselling author of the Shannara books
"The Desert Prince is a deeply intimate, yet epic adventure. Heart-wrenching, smart, and modern, this book kept me wide-eyed and wide awake for many-a-nights as I struggled step-for-step alongside Olive and Darin from the green lands to the desert pits to the darkest recesses of the demon minds. The Desert Prince has set a new standard for fantasy."Wesley Chu, #1 NYT Bestselling author of the War Arts Saga
"Peter Brett takes the reader with him and his characters on an electric and unrelenting charge through the demon-haunted depths of the Warded universe, full of love and death."Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of Uprooted
"THE DESERT PRINCE is the work of a master at the top of his game. The new cast of would-be heroes instantly draw you into a world full of old dangers as Brett cranks up the tension to unbearable levels. If you’re going to read this book, cancel all your plans because there’s no way you’ll be able to put it down once you start. This is the best Peter V Brett book so far."Mike Shackle, author of We Are The Dead
"The Desert Prince is an enjoyable fantasy, with an interesting setting and conflict, some deep characterization, several moving moments, and good fight scenes."
"If you love the epic fantasy genre, this will make you feel right at home [...] Peter V. Brett slips right back into the rhythm of things without compromising the characteristic elements of the original series while putting a new generation in the spotlight and allowing them a chance to endear themselves into the hearts of readers new and old."
"THE DESERT PRINCE is a book that demands you turn the page, a book that that you think about when you cant be with it, a book that is relentless in its need to be read. Brett is a master storyteller"
"Peter V. Brett didn’t miss a beat in returning to these characters, and managed to introduce new ones who are just as endearing. The novel works wonderfully as its own thing, though it masterfully sets up an all new story arc that has the potential to eclipse the original."
Awards & Accolades
#16 of the trade paperback fiction bestseller list of Literatur Spiegel