The Desert Prince

By: Peter V. Brett

Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 24 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

An epic fantasy adventure set in the beloved world of the Demon Cycle, following a new generation of heroes, from New York Times best-selling author Peter V. Brett

“Heart-wrenching, smart, and modern.... The Desert Prince has set a new standard for fantasy.” (Wesley Chu, number one New York Times best-selling author of The War Arts Saga)

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.

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.

©2021 Peter V. Brett (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An intricately crafted tale of intrigue and courage where one’s station and lineage determine everything, good and bad...an exciting read...Peter Brett has outdone himself with this first book in a new series.” (Terry Brooks)

“The Desert Prince is the work of a master at the top of his game. The new cast of would-be heroes instantly draws you into a world full of old dangers as Brett cranks up the tension to unbearable levels. If you’re going to read this book, cancel all your plans, because there’s no way you’ll be able to put it down once you start.” (Mike Shackle, author of We Are the Dead)

“Peter Brett takes the reader with him and his characters on an electric and unrelenting charge through the demon-haunted depths of the Warded universe, full of love and death.” (Naomi Novik, New York Times best-selling author of A Deadly Education)

Good, not great.

Voice actors were ok for their individual characters but horrible at other impressions. Garrett sounds like a pretentious lord who has never gotten a bit of dirt on him. Abban sounds the exact same.

Story was enjoyable enough. All the young characters start off whiny and misunderstood.

Great story, not so great readers

Absolutely excited the story continues. The new readers made it hard to fall in love with this installment as the last series. The way they say certain words is very distracting and annoying. Darren is made to sound like some southern idiot.

New series new expectations Great start

It’s been awhile since Peter finished the first series and even though some returning characters appear, this should be viewed as a new series all together.

The narrators I was hesitant about to start but I found pleasing. Michael’s accent for Darin felt more at home than any I’ve heard recently and Saskia performance was spot on.

The story itself felt a little rushed but sets the stage for the sequels well. The biggest gripe is I felt the story tunneled in on the stereotype young girl mentality a little too much but was not distracting enough for me.

If you go in expecting this to be Demon Cycle book 6, you will be likely disappointed as several reviews seem to be, but if you view it as a new story in same universe like Peter mentioned on his website; you’ll likely find it more enjoyable.

Good story fun to return to the world

I love this world. It’s so cool and interesting and the author can really get you to invest in the characters fast. Only downside or not even downside but a factor I wish I knew going in is that there is allot in the story about gender and going as far as a hermaphroditic character. So be aware and be ready to think about this topic while going through the story. Enjoy the ride.

Good Continuation, Annoying Voices

The book was a good continuation of the original series and sets up for more books.

The speakers themselves were not necessarily annoying but if you have 2 speakers (one for each main point of view) why have the current chapter's speaker speak for the other person and vice versa, just have 1 overall speaker for the book or let each speaker speak as their own character.

Just re-record the whole thing…

The story didn’t need to continue, especially not like this. The story and perspectives aside, the narrators just… don’t fit. The male narrator is basically the actor from Tokyo Drift. I have no idea who was flashing him thumbs ups on his “interpretations” but wow, the intonations, inflections, emotion - all flat and awkward. It’s like they included him to make the initial female narrator suddenly bearable. After 5 books of incredible narration, this was like slamming into a brick wall of monotony.

What were you thinking?

Overall I liked the story mostly. Performance was very lacking though. Young characters were alright but some of the old characters from previous books were a joke. It was hard to stomach. Garred sounded like a fop who would hide behind women and children before facing demons. Same with Abban and Jardir. Leesha wasn’t much better. Plus they pronounced everything wrong compared to the original books. Like, why wouldn’t your narrators listen to the first books and keep it the same? Get it right or don’t try. Like I said, performance was hard to stomach half the book, who let that pass snuff? But the story was alright for what it was. If there are any more books I hope they’re better thought out. The original series deserves better.

Disappointing

Narrators are an absolute challenge to listen to, really not a match for this story or these characters. Story’s engaging enough that I kept going, but it’s definitely a lackluster beginning to the new cycle.

excellent continuation to the Demon Cycle

I was skeptical this book could improve upon the series but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought the last book was not as good as the rest but this book forges new territory. I waited for awhile to start this book thinking it would disappoint after the last book closed out the cycle nicely. My fears were unfounded as I devoured The Desert Prince. It kept me reading many times when I should have been doing something else. I was sucked into the new story and I can't wait for the next installment. Don't hesitate and read this book now.

What happened to Pete Bradbury

This book was amazing. My only issue is with the narration. Saskia Maarleveld’s portion of the narration was good but Michael Crouch’s portion was difficult to listen. I feel that the narrators have a huge impact on the development of the characters in the readers mindset. Pete Bradbury did such an amazing job and I would love to see him come back to finish the rest of the books in this new series. If bringing Pete back is not possible then a single narration of all the characters by Saskia would be much better than involving Michael.