The Core: Book Five of the Demon Cycle - by Peter V Brett (Paperback)

About the Book

"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"--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

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 Cycle:
THE WARDED MAN - THE DESERT SPEAR - THE DAYLIGHT WAR - THE SKULL THRONE - THE CORE

Review Quotes

"Thoroughly addicting . . . a thrilling adventure that is, without question, [Brett's] greatest achievement yet."--Bookreporter

"Rewarding . . . Congratulations to Peter Brett on completing a fantastic series."--SFFWorld

Praise for the novels of Peter V. Brett

The Warded Man

"There is much to admire in Peter Brett's writing, and his concept is brilliant. There's action and suspense all the way."--Terry Brooks

"[A] fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable dark fantasy."--The Miami Herald

The Desert Spear

"Inspired, compelling, and totally addictive: the most significant and cinematic fantasy epic since The Lord of the Rings."--Paul W. S. Anderson, director of Resident Evil: Afterlife

"Fans of epic fantasy in the tradition of Robert Jordan and George R. R. Martin will enjoy the arrival of a strong voice in multivolume epic fantasy."--Library Journal

The Daylight War

"Highly entertaining, fast-paced, and action-packed."--SF Site

"[Brett is] at the top of his game."--Tordotcom

The Skull Throne

"Heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping . . . The crescendo is near perfect."--Book Frivolity

"A page-turner, and quite possibly the best so far."--Starburst Magazine

About the Author

Peter V. Brett is the internationally bestselling author of the Demon Cycle series, which has sold more than 2.5 million copies in twenty-five languages worldwide. The novels in the series are The Warded Man, The Desert Spear, The Daylight War, The Skull Throne, and The Core. He spends too much time on the Internet, but occasionally unplugs to practice kickboxing and dad fu. He lives in Manhattan.