Title: The Core
Author: Peter V. Brett
Series: The Demon Cycle #5
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: August 15, 2017
The Overview: For time out of mind, bloodthirsty demons have stalked the night, culling the human race to scattered remnants dependent on half-forgotten magics to protect them. Then two heroes arose—men as close as brothers, yet divided by bitter betrayal. Arlen Bales became known as the Warded Man, tattooed head to toe with powerful magic symbols that enable him to fight demons in hand-to-hand combat—and emerge victorious. Jardir, armed with magically warded weapons, called himself the Deliverer, a figure prophesied to unite humanity and lead them to triumph in Sharak Ka—the final war against demonkind. -Goodreads
Nik’s Notes:
Because of the slow-goings an odd story construction of the first two books in this series (of what I’ve read so far, anyway) I would have a very difficult time recommending it. That said, I currently feel very invested in the story and its characters. I think I’m enjoying the story a lot more then several of my Goodreads mates. It’s nice being the odd man out in a good way for a change, you know? ;-) In any case, assuming I continue enjoying each book, I’m hoping to be ready for the final one, The Core, out in August. This is one instance where I’m glad the books have been collecting dust on my shelves for years – I get to devour them all in one fell swoop!
The Obsessive Bookseller 
I’m a big fan of Brett’s novels and particularly liked The Daylight War, where Inevera and Renna take center stage and really shine as characters. The Skull Throne is the weakest book in the series, but every series has its weak link and all in all I’m looking forward to The Core.
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I’m seeing flaws so far, but am still really interested to see where the series goes. I’m especially excited to read more about Renna, so I’m glad to hear the next one is set up for that. Funny thing, I’ve had different people tell me 2 & 3 were weak and now I can add 4 to the list. It fascinates me how atypical this series is and how different people are reacting to each book. Thank you for getting me excited to read daylight war again haha.
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Not sure what specific complaints you’ve read, though I know many women readers have objected to the portrayal of his female characters and to the polygamy, which they believe reads like a teenage boy’s harem fantasy. Personally, I think he does a great job empowering his female MCs and giving them agency. Seeing Inevera’s side of the story in the Daylight War turned her into my favorite character in the series (after Arlen).
What I disliked about the Skull Throne is too many minor characters were brought to the fore, which didn’t leave enough space to follow the MCs we’d come to know and love in the earlier books. I liked how in books 2 and 3, Brett turned the villains of book 1 into protagonists, but in book 4 he focuses on people who were mostly background characters, and for me that’s where his approach of expanding the perspective with new MCs stopped working. I do hope the Core features more of the original crew than the later books, and I’d also like to see the threads of the story brought together and reach a conclusion…but we shall see. :)
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Honestly, I’m not sure what specifically they didn’t like, it was more a “don’t bother with book 2” which at least 3 people mentioned in passing. Then another person said “I liked book 2, but book 3 is where he lost me.” I’m about halfway through book 2 and am enjoying it, although I think it could be a bit grittier to better fit the culture. Brett definitely has really unconventional plot construction, so like you, I’m hoping it will all converge in the final novel. :)
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Overall I like this series, and am looking forward to this, gotta read the last book after you’ve followed the series!😀 Though I definitely fall into the camp of loving the first book the best and then thinking that the series has gone down hill, don’t hate the newer books like some, just think it peeked with The Warded/Painted Man.
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Yes – it would be incredibly difficult to quit when the end is in sight!! I’m only halfway through Desert Spear, so I’m not sure yet whether I liked the first one better or not. Jury is still out. Let’s hope for an epic bang of a finale!! :)
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The Desert Spear was different, I really liked Arlan and to jump to a new main character was jarring, I thought it was a good book though, same for books three and four, to me, not as good as the first but decent, however I understand people not liking them as you can’t please everyone. Definitely, needs to go out with a bang though and it hopefully will.😀
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Yes, especially when it felt like backtracking to the timeline of the first book. I know what you mean – and I think a good ending will dramatically increase how I feel about the series as a whole. No pressure haha.
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I’m looking forward to what you think of Book 3 :-)
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After what you said about it, I’m very curious as to whether I’ll feel the same way or not. So far I think I’m liking book 2 better than most, so perhaps that bodes well…
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This series has frustrated me more than a few times, but ugh, I just can’t quit! There’s definitely an addictive quality to these books, and I’m actually really looking forward to this one :)
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“Addictive quality” is precisely the right phrase to describe my experience with it. I see so many things that would make me put it down in every other series, but I keep coming back – and am excited to. I’m really hoping the end is worth all the work haha.
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