Peter V. Brett

Na noite da Lua Nova, os demónios erguem-se em força, procurando as mortes dos dois homens com potencial para se tornarem o lendário Libertador, o homem que, segundo a profecia, reunirá o que resta da humanidade num esforço derradeiro para destruir os nuclitas de uma vez por todas. Arlen Fardos foi outrora um homem comum, mas tornou-se algo mais: o Homem Pintado, tatuado com guardas místicas tão poderosas que o colocam à altura de qualquer demónio. Arlen nega constantemente ser o Libertador, mas, quanto mais se esforça por se integrar com a gente comum, mais fervorosa se torna a crença destes. Muitos aceitariam segui-lo, mas o caminho de Arlen ameaça conduzir a um local sombrio a que apenas ele poderá deslocar-se e de onde poderá ser impossível regressar. A única esperança de manter Arlen no mundo dos homens ou de o acompanhar reside em Renna Curtidor, uma jovem corajosa que arrisca perderse no poder da magia demoníaca. Ahmann Jardir transformou as tribos guerreiras do deserto de Krasia num exército destruidor de demónios e proclamou-se Shar’Dama Ka, o Libertador. Tem na sua posse armas ancestrais, uma lança e uma coroa, que consubstanciam a sua pretensão e vastas extensões das terras verdes se curvam já ao seu poderio. Mas Jardir não subiu ao poder sozinho. A sua ascensão foi programada pela sua Primeira Esposa, Inevera, uma sacerdotisa ardilosa e poderosa cuja formidável magia de ossos de demónio lhe permite vislumbrar o futuro. Os motivos de Inevera e o seu passado encontram-se envoltos em mistério e nem Jardir confia nela por completo.

New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett returns to his groundbreaking Demon Cycle series with this enthralling novella—the latest story set in his much-loved fantasy world. Each night, the world is overrun by bloodthirsty demons. For centuries, humanity survived only by hiding behind defensive wards—magical symbols with the power to repel the demons. Now, the rediscovery of long-forgotten combat wards has given them the magic they need to fight back. In Tibbet’s Brook, the fighting wards have brought change, but the factions and grudges of a troubled past remain. Selia Square, the woman they call Barren, has long been the force that holds the Brook together. As a terrifying new threat emerges, she rallies her people once again. But Selia has a past of her own. And in a small community the personal and the political can never be divided. If Tibbet’s Brook is to survive, Selia must uncover memories she has buried deep—the woman she once was, the woman she once loved—and retell their story.

Arlen Bales 17, apprentice Messenger in brand new armor, is ready for the first time beside a trained Messenger on a simple overnight trip. Instead Arlen finds himself alone on a frozen mountainside, carrying a dangerous cargo to Count Brayan’s gold mine, one of the furthest points in the duchy. And One Arm, giant rock demon, hunts him still. Novella.

Das Erbe des Kuriers knüpft an die Ereignisse aus Das Lied der Dunkelheit an. Angst beherrscht die Welt, denn immer nachts machen Dämonen Jagd auf alles, was lebt. Nur die Kuriere wagen sich noch auf die lebensgefährlichen mehrtägigen Reisen von Dorf zu Dorf und Stadt zu Stadt. Als der alte Ragen, der seine Kurierrouten an den jungen Arlen Bales abgetreten hat, jedoch erfährt, dass der Sohn seines Jugendfreundes verschwunden ist, macht er sich auf seine letzte, beschwerliche Reise. Hinaus in die Wildnis, wo die Dämonen warten …

„Weit ist die Welt – und dunkel …“ … und in der Dunkelheit lauert die Gefahr. Das muss der junge Arlen auf bittere Weise selbst erfahren. Schon seit Jahrhunderten haben Dämonen, die sich des Nachts aus den Schatten erheben, die Menschheit zurückgedrängt. Das einzige Mittel, mit dem die Menschen ihre Angriffe abwehren können, sind die magischen Runenzeichen. Als Arlens Mutter bei solch einem Dämonenangriff umkommt, flieht er aus seinem Heimatdorf. Er will nach Menschen suchen, die den Mut noch nicht aufgegeben und das Geheimnis um die alten Kriegsrunen noch nicht vergessen haben. „Das Lied der Dunkelheit“ ist ein eindringliches, fantastisches Epos voller Magie und Abenteuer. Es erzählt die Geschichte eines Jungen, der einen hohen Preis bezahlt, um ein Held zu werden. Und es erzählt die Geschichte des größten Kampfes der Menschheit – der Kampf gegen die Furcht und die Dämonen der Nacht.

Dunkelheit regiert die Welt. Jede Nacht steigen Dämonen aus dem Boden hervor und bedrohen die Menschen. Keiner wagt es, sich den übermächtigen Kreaturen entgegenzustellen, bis auf Arlen. Der Junge beschließt, nach den alten, längst vergessenen magischen Siegeln zu suchen, mit denen die Dämonen besiegt werden können. Ein Abenteuer, das den Lauf der Welt für immer verändern wird …

Quinze années se sont écoulées depuis la fin de la guerre contre les chtoniens , ces créatures des ténèbres qui traquaient les humains chaque nuit depuis des temps immémoriaux. Les héros du conflit sont devenus des êtres de légende, et les survivants ont bien du mal à sortir de leur ombre. Olive Papier et Darin Bales ont grandi dans un monde en paix. Pourtant, même si les démons ont été quasi anéantis, les écueils ne manquent pas pour les descendants des héros. Une vie toute tracée attend Olive, princesse du Creux, qui doit succéder à la duchesse Leesha. Plus sa mère cherche à contrôler son existence, plus la jeune fille se rebelle contre le rôle qui lui est assigné. Darin est confronté à des défis différents. Libre de choisir sa voie, il croule pourtant sous le poids de son héritage. Pas facile d'être le fils de l'homme qui, de l'avis de tous, a sauvé le monde. On attend de Darin de véritables exploits, lui qui n'a toujours été bon qu'à une chose : se cacher. Mais en franchissant les runes un soir, le duo découvre que les démons ont survécu et sont résolus à assouvir leur vengeance. Alors que leur vie est menacée, Olive et Darin tentent l'impossible pour sauver le monde à leur tour. Et pour cela, ils doivent y trouver leur place.   « Complots et actes de bravoure se mêlent dans ce récit savamment orchestré, où le rang et la naissance déterminent tout, le bon comme le mauvais. Peter V. Brett s'est surpassé. »  Terry Brooks « Brett entraîne le lecteur comme ses personnages dans une épopée grisante et sans concession, à travers le monde des runes peuplé de démons. »  Naomi Novik « À la fois épique par son envergure et intimiste dans l'émotion qu'il suscite, un univers à la construction impeccable, fait de machinations politiques et de rebondissements haletants. »  Daily Mail « Poignant, malin, moderne... Le Prince du Désert établit de nouvelles normes en Fantasy. »  Wesley Chu, War Arts « Un roman qui confirme le statut de grand nom de la Fantasy pour Peter V. Brett. Un chef-d'oeuvre. »  The Book Pyramid

Dopo il tramonto, quando cala l’oscurità, il mondo diventa il regno dei coreling, demoni assassini dotati di poteri soprannaturali e consumati da un odio ardente per l’umanità. Da secoli i coreling terrorizzano gli uomini, costringendoli a uscire solo con la luce del giorno e a trascorrere le ore buie al sicuro nelle loro case, protette da simboli magici la cui origine si perde nella notte dei tempi. Il potere di quei segni è tuttavia troppo debole per opporsi a quello dei coreling. Non è sempre stato così: c’era un’epoca in cui uomini e demoni si combattevano ad armi pari, ma quell’epoca è finita. Notte dopo notte, i coreling diventano più potenti, mentre gli esseri umani soccombono sotto i loro assalti, sempre meno numerosi, sempre più disperati. Ma tre giovani sopravvissuti oseranno l’impossibile, uscendo dalla fragile protezione dei loro villaggi per rischiare il tutto per tutto e raggiungere l’unica persona in grado di aiutarli, nel tentativo di recuperare i segreti del passato. In una lotta folle ed estrema per opporsi alla tenebra che avanza.

Zaszczuta i zdziesiątkowana ludzkość przeklina noc. Z każdym zmierzchem, w oparach mgły, nadchodzą opętane żądzą mordu bestie. Przerażeni ludzie chronią się za magicznymi runami. Rzeź ustaje bladym świtem, gdy światło zapędza demony z powrotem w Otchłań. Wydaje się, że nikt ani nic nie zdoła powstrzymać otchłańców, kładąc tym samym kres zagładzie. W tym dogorywającym świecie dorasta troje młodych ludzi. Bohaterski Arlen, przekonany, że większym od nocnego zła przekleństwem jest strach przepełniający ludzkie serca. Leesha – jej życie zrujnowało jedno proste kłamstwo – nowicjuszka u starej Zielarki. I Rojer, którego los na zawsze odmienił wędrowny Minstrel, wygrywając mu na skrzypkach skoczną melodię. Tych troje ma coś wspólnego – są uparci i przeczuwają, że prawda o świecie nie kończy się na tym, co im powiedziano. Czy odważą się jej poszukać, opuszczając chroniony runami azyl?

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 the surface 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. Briar Damaj is a boy of six in the small village of Bogton. Half Krasian, the village children call him Mudboy for his dark skin. When tragedy strikes, Briar decides the town is better off without him, fleeing into the bog with nothing but his wits and a bit of herb lore to protect him. After twenty years, Ragen Messenger has agreed to retire and pass on his route to his protégé, Arlen Bales. But for all that he’s earned the rest, he has no idea what to do with the rest of his life. When he learns Briar, the son of an old friend, is missing, Ragen is willing to risk any danger to bring him safely home.

A cincea parte din seria DEMON Nimeni nu mai știe când și cum a început totul. Nimeni nu-și mai amintește prima noapte în care lumea a fost invadată de cohorte de demoni însetați de sânge. După secole în care oamenii au supraviețuit în adăposturi, sub protecția glifelor, Jardir s-a autointitulat Izbăvitorul și a pornit Sharak Ka, războiul final împotriva demonilor. Dar, în lupta lor, Jardir și Arlen, Omul Pictat, stârnesc ceva care ar putea aduce sfârșitul a tot ce iubesc. Arlen, Renna și Jardir pornesc într-o căutare disperată și aproape lipsită de speranță în cele mai întunecate adâncimi ale Răului. Conduși de Alagai Ka, prințul demonilor pe care îl țin captiv, se îndreaptă spre Miez, acolo unde Mama Demonilor e pe cale să dea naștere unei noi armate inepuizabile.

Omenirea a ajuns prizoniera unor creaturi ivite din adâncurile pământului când apune soarele, care distrug tot ce le iese în cale până în zori. Atunci soarele le alungă în văgăunile din care au apărut. Se întunecă și cei câțiva supraviețuitori se ascund în spatele unor simboluri magice, a căror putere se pierde în negura timpurilor. Anii trec, satele sunt din ce în ce mai departe unul de altul și demonii își continuă atacurile. Un mesager îl învață pe Arlen că frica e cel mai mare rău din lume. Leesha e distrusă din cauza unei minciuni. Destinul lui Rojer se schimbă pentru totdeauna grație unui drumeț care poposește în oraș. Dar toți trei visează la o lume în care oamenii nu se vor mai ascunde în spatele zidurilor și simbolurilor magice.

A treia parte din seria DEMON. În noaptea cu lună nouă, demonii atacă în forță, hotărâți să îi ucidă pe cei doi bărbați care pot deveni Izbăvitorul, cel despre care profețiile spun că îi va distruge odată pentru totdeauna. Arlen Barles, cunoscut acum drept Omul Pictat, poate înfrunta orice demon, iar oamenii obișnuiți îl urmează peste tot și văd în el Izbăvitorul. Însă calea lui este una periculoasă și alături de el rămâne doar neînfricata Renna Tanner, ea însăși în pericol să cadă pradă puterilor magiei demonice. Ahmann Jardir a transformat triburile deșertului Krasia într-o armată care ucide demonii și s-a proclamat Shar’Dama Ka, Izbăvitorul. Arlen şi Jardir, pe vremuri buni prieteni, sunt acum dușmani înverșunați. Dar când hoardele se ridică pentru a da lovitura finală omenirii, trebuie să-i învingă mai întâi pe adversarii cei mai de temut: demonii din sufletul omului.

A doua parte din seria Demon Odinioară, erau puternici. Pe timpul Izbăvitorului, au învins demonii. Dar vremurile acelea, dacă au existat vreodată, au apus demult. Arlen Bales a crescut într-o lume când coșmarurile bântuiau oamenii, care se ascundeau ca șobolanii. A ales să lupte și astfel a devenit salvatorul neamului sau. Numai că acela care apare din deșert și-și spune Izbăvitorul Însuși nu este Arlen. Ahmann Jardir poartă coroana Izbăvitorului și a fost cândva prietenul lui Arlen, însă acum își conduce marea oaste spre nord, într-un război sfânt împotriva ciumei demonilor... și împotriva oricui îi stă în cale. Alianțele vechi sunt puse la încercare, cele noi sunt măsluite și o nouă specie de demoni trece neobservată... „Peter V. Brett e unul dintre scriitorii nou afirmați care se numară printre preferații mei.“ Patrick Rothfuss

New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett brings one of the most imaginative fantasy sagas of the twenty-first century to an epic close in the fifth and final volume of The Demon Cycle. For time out of mind, bloodthirsty demons have stalked the night, culling the human herd 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. Ahmann 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.   But in their efforts to bring the war to the demons, Arlen and Jardir have set something in motion that may prove the end of everything they hold dear—a Swarm. Now the war is at hand and humanity cannot hope to win it unless Arlen and Jardir, with the help of Arlen's wife, Renna, can bend a captured demon prince to their will and force the devious creature to lead them to the Core, where the Mother of Demons breeds an inexhaustible army.   Trusting their closest confidants, Leesha, Inevera, Ragen, and Elissa, to rally the fractious people of the Free Cities and lead them against the Swarm, Arlen, Renna, and Jardir set out on a desperate quest into the darkest depths of evil—from which none of them expects to return alive.   Includes a bonus Demon Cycle short story Look for Peter V. Brett’s complete Demon THE WARDED MAN • THE DESERT SPEAR • THE DAYLIGHT WAR • THE SKULL THRONE • THE CORE

New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett brings one of the most imaginative fantasy sagas of the twenty-first century to an epic close. 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. But in their efforts to bring the war to the demons, Arlen and Jardir have set something in motion that may prove the end of everything they hold dear—a Swarm. Now the war is at hand and humanity cannot hope to win it unless Arlen and Jardir, with the help of Arlen’s wife, Renna, can bend a captured demon prince to their will and force the devious creature to lead them to the Core, where the Mother of Demons breeds an inexhaustible army. Trusting their closest confidantes, Leesha, Inevera, Ragen and Elissa, to rally the fractious people of the Free Cities and lead them against the Swarm, Arlen, Renna, and Jardir set out on a desperate quest into the darkest depths of evil—from which none of them expects to return alive.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “[Peter V. Brett] confirms his place among epic fantasy’s pantheon of greats amid the likes of George R. R. Martin, Steven Erikson, and Robert Jordan.”— Fantasy Book Critic In this third volume in the internationally bestselling Demon Cycle series, humanity has found hope in the battle against demonkind, if only they can avoid going to war with themselves. The night of the new moon, an army of demons rises in force, seeking the deaths of two men with the potential to become the Deliverer—the man prophesied to reunite the scattered remnants of humanity.  Arlen Bales, the Warded Man, denies he is the Deliverer, but the more he tries to live as one with the common folk, the more fervently they believe.  Among the desert tribes, Ahmann Jardir has proclaimed himself the Deliverer, forging his followers into a mighty demon-killing force. But Jardir’s rise was engineered by his First Wife, Inevera, a cunning and powerful priestess whose motives and past are shrouded in mystery.  Once Arlen and Jardir were as close as brothers. Now they are the bitterest of rivals. As humanity’s enemies rise, the two must first contend with the most deadly demons of all—those lurking in the human heart.  Includes a bonus Demon Cycle novella, Messenger’s Legacy, and a Krasian dictionary Don’t miss any of the thrilling novels in Peter V. Brett’s Demon Cycle THE WARDED MAN • THE DESERT SPEAR • THE DAYLIGHT WAR • THE SKULL THRONE • THE CORE

On the night of the new moon, the demons rise in force, seeking the deaths of two men both of whom have the potential to become the fabled Deliverer, the man prophesied to reunite the scattered remnants of humanity in a final push to destroy the demon corelings once and for all. Arlen Bales was once an ordinary man, but now he has become something more—the Warded Man, tattooed with eldritch wards so powerful they make him a match for any demon. Arlen denies he is the Deliverer at every turn, but the more he tries to be one with the common folk, the more fervently they believe. Many would follow him, but Arlen’s path threatens to lead him to a dark place he alone can travel to, and from which there may be no returning. The only one with hope of keeping Arlen in the world of men, or joining him in his descent into the world of demons, is Renna Tanner, a fierce young woman in danger of losing herself to the power of demon magic. Ahmann Jardir has forged the warlike desert tribes of Krasia into a demon-killing army and proclaimed himself Shar’Dama Ka, the Deliverer. He carries ancient weapons--a spear and a crown--that give credence to his claim, and already vast swaths of the green lands bow to his control. But Jardir did not come to power on his own. His rise was engineered by his First Wife, Inevera, a cunning and powerful priestess whose formidable demon bone magic gives her the ability to glimpse the future. Inevera’s motives and past are shrouded in mystery, and even Jardir does not entirely trust her. Once Arlen and Jardir were as close as brothers. Now they are the bitterest of rivals. As humanity’s enemies rise, the only two men capable of defeating them are divided against each other by the most deadly demons of all--those lurking in the human heart.

A brand-new epic fantasy adventure set in the beloved world of the Demon Cycle, 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.

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER •  “[Peter V. Brett] confirms his place among epic fantasy’s pantheon of greats amid the likes of George R. R. Martin, Steven Erikson, and Robert Jordan.”— Fantasy Book Critic   The second volume in the internationally bestselling Demon Cycle series continues the epic tale of humanity’s last stand against an army of demons—and reveals a new contender for the role of savior. The sun is setting on humanity. The night now belongs to voracious demons that prey upon a dwindling population forced to cower behind half-forgotten symbols of power. Legends tell of a a general who once bound all mankind into a single force that defeated the demons. But is the return of the Deliverer just another myth?  Out of the sands rides Ahmann Jardir, who has forged the desert tribes of Krasia into a demon-killing army. He has proclaimed himself Shar’Dama Ka, the Deliverer, and carries ancient weapons—a spear and a crown—that give credence to his claim.  But the Northerners claim their own the Warded Man, a dark, forbidding figure. Once, the Shar’Dama Ka and the Warded Man were friends. Now they are fierce adversaries. Yet as old allegiances are tested and fresh alliances forged, all are unaware of the appearance of a new breed of demon, more intelligent—and deadly—than any that have come before.    Includes a bonus Demon Cycle novella, Brayan’s Gold, and a Krasian dictionary Don’t miss any of the thrilling novels in Peter V. Brett’s Demon Cycle THE WARDED MAN • THE DESERT SPEAR • THE DAYLIGHT WAR • THE SKULL THRONE • THE CORE

The sun is setting on humanity. The night now belongs to voracious demons that prey upon a dwindling population forced to cower behind half-forgotten symbols of power. Legends tell of a Deliverer: a general who once bound all mankind into a single force that defeated the demons. But is the return of the Deliverer just another myth? Perhaps not. Out of the desert rides Ahmann Jardir, who has forged the desert tribes into a demon-killing army. He has proclaimed himself Shar'Dama Ka, the Deliverer, and he carries ancient weapons--a spear and a crown--that give credence to his claim. But the Northerners claim their own Deliverer: the Warded Man, a dark, forbidding figure. Once, the Shar'Dama Ka and the Warded Man were friends. Now they are fierce adversaries. Yet as old allegiances are tested and fresh alliances forged, all are unaware of the appearance of a new breed of demon, more intelligent—and deadly—than any that have come before.

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. The Great Bazaar and Brayan’s Gold is the essential addition to one of the most exciting epic fantasy series currently being published.

Humanity is nearly extinct after 300 years of hungry demon corelings. A handful of Messengers brave the night between the increasingly isolated populace behind protective wards. Arlen Bales will search anywhere, dare anything, to save the world. Maybe Abban, a merchant in the Great Bazaar of Krasia who purports to sell anything, has the answer.

The second book in The Nightfall Saga, the stunning new epic fantasy series set in the world of The Demon Cycle, from New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett Humanity thought the war with demonkind was over. Now, after humanity has had less than a generation to rebuild, the demon corelings have returned with a vengeance. The Spear of Ala—the fortress that stands at the gates of the demon’s hive—is the last bastion against the horde, and reports say it may already have fallen.   Olive Paper is expected to take the vanguard in the fight. Only an heir of Kaji can wield the artifact that opens the gates of the Spear of Ala, and as Ahmann Jardir’s child, Olive seems destined for a role as leader and savior. But Olive does not wish to follow in her father’s footsteps any more than she did her mother’s.   Darin Bales was born with supernatural senses that he struggles to process, but even those who love him believe he can barely take care of himself. Yet to save his mother from the clutches of Alagai Ka, the demon king, Darin will brave anything to mount a rescue.   Darin and Olive each strive to walk their own path but find themselves inextricably tied to the legacies of their parents and to a fated confrontation with the demon king and his new hatchling queen. If they fail, humanity may not survive.

As darkness falls after sunset, the corelings rise—demons who possess supernatural powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards—symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile. It was not always this way. Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms, but those days are gone. Night by night the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault. Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past. Together, they will stand against the night.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BUZZFEED The fourth volume in The Demon Cycle, the powerful saga of humans winnowed to the brink of extinction by night-stalking demons, and the survivors who fight back, from New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett The Skull Throne of Krasia stands empty. Built from the skulls of fallen generals and demon princes, it is a seat of honor and ancient, powerful magic, keeping the demon corelings at bay. From atop the throne, Ahmann Jardir was meant to conquer the known world, forging its isolated peoples into a unified army to rise up and end the demon war once and for all. But Arlen Bales, the Warded Man, stood against this course, challenging Jardir to a duel he could not in honor refuse. Rather than risk defeat, Arlen cast them both from a precipice, leaving the world without a savior and opening a struggle for succession that threatens to tear the Free Cities of Thesa apart. In the south, Inevera, Jardir’s First Wife, must find a way to keep their sons from killing one another and plunging their people into civil war as they strive for glory enough to make a claim to the throne. In the north, Leesha Paper and Rojer Inn struggle to forge an alliance between the duchies of Angiers and Miln against the Krasians before it is too late. Caught in the crossfire is the duchy of Lakton—rich and unprotected, ripe for conquest. All the while, the corelings have been growing stronger, and without Arlen and Jardir, there may be none strong enough to stop them. Only Renna Bales may know more about the fate of the missing men, but she, too, has disappeared. . . . Includes a bonus Demon Cycle Holiday in Tibbet’s Brook Look for Peter V. Brett’s complete Demon THE WARDED MAN • THE DESERT SPEAR • THE DAYLIGHT WAR • THE SKULL THRONE • THE CORE

The Skull Throne of Krasia stands empty. Built from the skulls of fallen generals and demon princes, it is a seat of honor and ancient, powerful magic, keeping the demon corelings at bay. From atop the throne, Ahmann Jardir was meant to conquer the known world, forging its isolated peoples into a unified army to rise up and end the demon war once and for all. But Arlen Bales, the Warded Man, stood against this course, challenging Jardir to a duel he could not in honor refuse. Rather than risk defeat, Arlen cast them both from a precipice, leaving the world without a savior, and opening a struggle for succession that threatens to tear the Free Cities of Thesa apart. In the south, Inevera, Jardir’s first wife, must find a way to keep their sons from killing each other and plunging their people into civil war as they strive for glory enough to make a claim on the throne. In the north, Leesha Paper and Rojer Inn struggle to forge an alliance between the duchies of Angiers and Miln against the Krasians before it is too late. Caught in the crossfire is the duchy of Lakton--rich and unprotected, ripe for conquest. All the while, the corelings have been growing stronger, and without Arlen and Jardir there may be none strong enough to stop them. Only Renna Bales may know more about the fate of the missing men, but she, too, has disappeared...

As darkness falls, the demons will This first book in the Demon Cycle series by  New York Times bestselling author Peter V. Brett has been “justifiably a fan favorite for fifteen years” (Robin Hobb). The time has come to stand against the night. At sunset, the corelings rise—demons who well up from the ground like hellish steam, taking on fearsome form and substance. Immune to mortal weapons, they burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years corelings have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards—symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and mystery. It was not always this way. Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms. Once, under the leadership of the legendary Deliverer, and armed with powerful wards that were not merely shields but weapons, they took the battle to the demons. Now those days are gone. The fighting wards are lost. Night by night, the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle. With hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past. Includes a bonus Demon Cycle The Great Bazaar Don’t miss any of the thrilling novels in Peter V. Brett’s Demon Cycle THE WARDED MAN • THE DESERT SPEAR • THE DAYLIGHT WAR • THE SKULL THRONE • THE CORE

As darkness falls after sunset, the corelings rise—demons who possess supernatural powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards—symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile. It was not always this way. Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms, but those days are gone. Night by night the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault. Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past. Together, they will stand against the night.

A patra parte din seria DEMON Tronul de Cranii din Krasia e pustiu. Jardir ar fi trebuit să cucerească întreaga lume și să conducă toate popoarele în lupta împotriva demonilor. Asta dacă nu i s-ar fi opus Arlen Bales, Omul Pictat, și el un Izbăvitor pentru oamenii din Nord. După un duel la care onoarea i-a condamnat, amândoi dispar într-o prăpastie. Odată rămasă fără Izbăvitori, lumea recade în haosul luptelor pentru putere, iar forțele Răului proliferează. În Sud, Inevera trebuie să-și împiedice fiii să se omoare între ei și să se arunce într-un război civil nimicitor, iar în Nord, Leesha și Rojer se străduiesc să-și formeze propriile alianțe care să țină calea krasianilor atunci când se vor întoarce. Numai Renna Bales poate ști ceva despre soarta celor doi bărbați care ar fi trebuit să salveze omenirea, dar și ea a dispărut.