Please see my review of The Eye of the World (Book 1 in the series) for my complete review.

The sequel to The Warded Man expands the story of the Crasians, fierce desert warriors, who nonetheless are being whittled away by the Corelings. We see the rise of Jardir, a hard man shaped by harsh training, bitter tribal rivalries, political exigencies. Conflict and hope spark as cultures collide, and we see Arlen, Rojer, and Leesha again. And the war with the demons takes an interesting turn.

If you enjoyed The Warded Man, this will not disappoint.

Mankind is slowly fading under the scourge of nighly demon attacks. Their only defense lies in wards which can protect them, but are prone to failure, and the demons are relentless. This is the story of Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer, three young people whose lives are shaped by frustration and loss, who begin to find ways to fight back and inspire others to do likewise.

This is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a while. It is not your typical quest fantasy novel. The premise of the Corelings and the wards is a fresh take on magic. The action sequences are well-paced and exciting, and the storytelling of the characters' backstories is interesting and believable.

This prequel is much less weighty than the main series, and it does fill in some background about the circumstances that lead up to the events of the first book. However, it greatly demystifies the motivations of Moiraine Damodred and Siuan Sanche. These motives are critical to the plots and tension in the early books. I think this book should be read after the main series, or at least after the 4th or 4th book.

Please see my review of The Eye of the World (Book 1 in the series) for my complete review.

This novel is the first in the series that was completed by Brandon Sanderson after Jordan's death. It has a distinctly darker tone and less rosy outlook, although it may be that this was Jordan's intention. If the book is unsatisfying, I reccommend sticking with the series for book 13, which is much more positive.