From Publishers Weekly
Technically a short story collection, this slender volume is better understood as the DVD extras to Brett's 2009 debut novel, The Warded Man. The universe's conceitβdemon corelings rise from the land each night, keeping the populace trapped indoorsβis explained in the title story, a fully realized tale that challenges belief when the main character takes a foolish risk for no obvious reason, and Arlen, a scene deleted from the novel, which offers a charming snippet of childhood foreshadowing but no plot. While the setting is less relevant to Brianne Beaten, those who haven't read The Warded Man may be perplexed by the tale of a healer's solution to an ethical dilemma. A glossary and grimoire round out the offerings, which should help hold fans until The Desert Spear comes out in April. (Jan.)
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Product Description
Humanity has been brought to the brink of extinction. Each night, the world is overrun by demons--bloodthirsty creatures of nightmare that have been hunting and killing humanity for over 300 years. A scant few hamlets and half-starved city-states are all that remain of a once proud civilization, and it is only by hiding behind wards, ancient symbols with the power to repel the demons, that they survive. A handful of Messengers brave the night to keep the lines of communication open between the increasingly isolated populace.
But there was a time when the demons were not so bold. A time when wards did more than hold the demons at bay. They allowed man to fight back, and to win. Messenger Arlen Bales will search anywhere, dare anything, to return this magic to the world.
Abban, a merchant in the Great Bazaar of Krasia, purports to sell everything a man's heart could desire, including, perhaps, the key to Arlen's quest.
In addition to the title novelette, The Great Bazaar and Other Stories contains a number of scenes not included in The Painted Man (published in the US as The Warded Man) as well as a glossary and a grimoire, making it an essential guide to one of the most exciting epic fantasy series currently being published.