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  • The Desert Spear

  • The Demon Cycle, Book 2
  • By: Peter V. Brett
  • Narrated by: Colin Mace
  • Length: 24 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (550 ratings)

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The Desert Spear cover art

The Desert Spear

By: Peter V. Brett
Narrated by: Colin Mace
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Publisher's Summary

Continuing the impressive debut fantasy series from author Peter V. Brett, The Desert Spear is book two of the "Demon Cycle", pulling the reader into a world of demons, darkness and heroes.

The Deliverer has returned, but who is he?Arlen Bales, formerly of the small hamlet of Tibbet's Brook, learnt harsh lessons about life as he grew up in a world where hungry demons stalk the night and humanity is trapped by its own fear. He chose a different path; chose to fight inherited apathy and the corelings, and eventually he became the Painted Man, a reluctant saviour.

But the figure emerging from the desert, calling himself the Deliverer, is not Arlen. He is a friend and betrayer, and though he carries the spear from the Deliverer's tomb, he also heads a vast army intent on a holy war against the demon plague - and anyone else who stands in his way.

©2010 Peter V. Brett (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

Praise for The Painted Man:

"I enjoyed The Painted Man immensely. Action and suspense all the way." (Terry Brooks)
"An absolute masterpiece… literally unputdownable, and deserves to be the next Big Thing in dark fantasy." (www.ozhorrorscope.com)
"A very accomplished debut fantasy. Recommended." (www.sfrevu.com)

What listeners say about The Desert Spear

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

worst performance I've heard from any narrator

It's such a shame that someone thought it would be a good idea to let Colin mace narrate this series of books. he is constantly swallowing and gulping, he has zero emotion when reading the book. for example, "RUN! the painted man screamed" Colin reads in the same sad, wistful monotone as he does the entire book from beginning to end. he is regularly forgets to get out of character and has even read characters lines as the wrong person.... this isn't a live performance so I really don't understand how this can happen on a final release. finally his accents are awful, his borderline London geezer ryhming slang accents are the worst yet, watch this space, almost like a scene out of lock stock and 2 smoking barrels. Colin, please, don't narrate anymore books you ruin them.

I gave this a shot a second time but books 3, 4 and 5 I will be buying and reading myself.
The story is very engaging, it does harp on a little about new characters and the dire situations they find themselves in which does build a connection but there is little variation in there backgrounds. I'm really enjoying the books and the author has done a great job of portraying a world in which mankind lives in fear of the Demons and the night.
I just wish Colin mace would have had an unfortunate accident during book 1 and we could all benefit from his not being a part of this series.

Colin, if you're reading this PLEASE stop narrating you're terrible.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Colin mace ruins book

Honestly who decided this guy should read this series, he doesn't do accents, he doesn't build emphasis at meaningful parts of the story and all you can hear is him constantly swallowing, so disappointing...

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ant
  • 26-08-2016

Brilliant

Great storyline and c characters. The story truly comes alive with this saga. A must read for anyone into this genre.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Second time listening & still loving it!

I love this series!
It’s a ripping good yarn & just as captivating the second time around. Peter V. Brett has an excellent way of getting under each main character’s skin & really knowing their humanity, seeing the greatness, the failures & the frailty.

Colin Mace’s performance is FANTASTIC! I listened to a sample of the dramatised version & couldn’t stand it - the foley & background noises were so distracting.

My only criticism of the story line is the similarity of the Theisans(?) to ‘Westerners’ or Christians & the Kraisans(?) to Muslims. I can never really figure out if it’s racist but also, is it lazy story telling or a cunning use of the familiar but slightly different.

Another excellent notch on the belt of the genre ‘good versus evil’.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Great story line. The way it is written keeps you engaged throughout. Looking forward to downloading the next book in the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

This tale Of Fantasy and storytelling and the rest

I can't wait to hear the next instalment to get the movie finished for my mindseye

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great

Loved the story! Is one my favourite series. I highly recommend the hard copy as Colin Mace isn't very good at reading. The swallowing and deep sighs are distracting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

amazing story

i loved the book and the great voice actor made this audible book fantastic. I will be getting the while series

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Difficult sequel

Far too much rape and abuse for my liking. This was a struggle to listen to at times and the only reason I persevered was due to the first book being so good and the over-arching story line being very intriguing.
Would not read again, but would recommend with a big warning attached.
Narration was good most of the time though seemed to emphasize words without understanding the emotion behind them leading to some almost comical lines.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Building tension

This is a great story that builds tension very well through the course of several interwoven narratives. Unlike other stories this one clashes it's powerful protagonists and antagonists p/p a/p in an authentic way that is a joy to listen to. What amount of lesser evil is acceptable against a demonic horde?

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