Title: Messenger's Legacy
Author: Peter V. Brett
Series: A Demon Cycle Novella
My rating: 5 of 5
(Novella read on January 16th, 2015.)
Summary:
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.
My Thoughts on the Novella:
Messenger's Legacy is another amazing addition to the brilliant Demon Cycle series! Demon Cycle is one of my most favorite fantasy series, but since it's been too long since I read the last book, I've actually forgotten how amazing author Peter V. Brett is. One chapter in - and once again I was totally enthralled by the world & the new characters, and absolutely heartbroken. In such a short format, he made me fall in love with the character of Briar - a character that now I can't wait to meet again in The Skull Throne - the 4th Demon Cycle novel! There's just something compelling and addicting about Peter V. Brett's characters, and even if you want to hate them, or almost do, he'll turn you around and just make you care. I love that complexity in his characters.Anyway, I loved this novella, and loved learning the history of Briar & his story, and I'm excited for more. I mean, sure, this novella is something to keeps you going until the long-awaited 4th novel comes out, then again, it brings another interesting storyline, character & way to stay alive from the demons. I also loved seeing Ragen & Elisa again, and their life now, as well as learning a little more about Ragen, as well as seeing again some of the minor characters from the previous novella.I have to point out that even though the previous 2 novellas The Great Bazaar & Other Stories and Brayan's Gold could be read even if you haven't tried the series, Messenger's Legacy has spoilers about the 3rd book The Daylight War & the series overall, so I don't recommend to be read if you'd like to delve into this world for the first time. I still highly recommend this novella to every fan of the series, and I highly recommend the Demon Cycle series to every fan of fantasy!
