Barren

By: Peter V. Brett

Narrated by: Xe Sands

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.

Great add on

This was a short but great add on to the painted man story.

Peter V Brett can make many more of these side stories and they will all be great.

A great add on to a wonderful series

It was just too short for me 😔 I have always loved this character even if she was just a small one

Read Before Book #5, The Core, not After

This Novella is fun & adds value to the overall arc of the story by providing additional background on a couple of the key characters in Tibbett’s Brook. However, it is very badly placed as Book #5.5 & is anticlimactic after Book #5, The Core.

I would read it as Book #4.5 and, perhaps even Book #3.8, though my memory of exactly where Book #4, The Skull Throne, begins it’s part of the story.

Great side story!

While I wasn't a great fan of the last book in this series, this was great. The last book I felt was somewhat unnecessary, but this was a really nice tie up of what happened in the home town of Arlen. I really liked how it took something we hadn't really heard about in the entire last book more than a few chapters. It really was enjoyable, and I nice short listen.

Another back story.

Always nice to get a glimpse into the Warded Man universe. Overall a good quick read.