PositiveThe New York Journal of BooksOverall, Peter Brett writes very well, adeptly putting you in Selia’s shoes and handling both timelines skillfully, so that the reader doesn’t feel confused as to what’s happening when. However, this book is likely to be more appreciated by established readers of the series than new ones. It would have been nice if there were some more demon battles as well ... More background on wards and how people use them would have been helpful for a Demon Cycle novice, too. If you’re a fan of Peter V. Brett and The Demon Cycle, then you’re definitely going to enjoy this novella set in the same world. If you’re new and considering giving it a try, perhaps it’s best to start with The Warded Man instead of Barren.
