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  • The Core

  • Demon Cycle, Book 5
  • By: Peter V. Brett
  • Narrated by: Pete Bradbury
  • Length: 29 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (5,193 ratings)

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The Core  By  cover art

The Core

By: Peter V. Brett
Narrated by: Pete Bradbury
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Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Peter V. Brett brings one of the most imaginative fantasy sagas of the 21st century to an epic close.

For time out of mind, bloodthirsty demons have stalked the night, culling the human race to scattered remnants dependent on half-forgotten magics to protect them. Then two heroes arose - men as close as brothers, yet divided by bitter betrayal.

Arlen Bales became known as the Warded Man, tattooed head to toe with powerful magic symbols that enable him to fight demons in hand-to-hand combat-and emerge victorious. Jardir, armed with magically warded weapons, called himself the Deliverer, a figure prophesied to unite humanity and lead them to triumph in Sharak Ka - the final war against demonkind.

But in their efforts to bring the war to the demons, Arlen and Jardir have set something in motion that may prove the end of everything they hold dear - a Swarm. Now the war is at hand and humanity cannot hope to win it unless Arlen and Jardir, with the help of Arlen's wife, Renna, can bend a captured demon prince to their will and force the devious creature to lead them to the Core, where the Mother of Demons breeds an inexhaustible army.

Trusting their closest confidantes, Leesha, Inevera, Ragen, and Elissa, to rally the fractious people of the Free Cities and lead them against the Swarm, Arlen, Renna, and Jardir set out on a desperate quest into the darkest depths of evil - from which none of them expects to return alive.

©2017 Peter V. Brett (P)2017 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Core

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Okay But Predictable

This story finished exactly as I thought it would. Somewhat anticlimactic when you've figured out how something will end two books ago. Still, I very much enjoyed the series and especially Pete Bradbury's telling of it.

My only real complaint is the introduction of the hermaphrodite baby. There was no reason for this and it left me wondering -- wait, what the...?? Maybe Peter is setting us up for the "next" chapter, but it was too off the wall and did nothing for the story.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good final book.

I liked it. I don't like splintering story lines. I thought this book had to many. At times was hard to keep up with.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazeballs. Read, Listen, EnJoy.

Mr. Brett. Thank You. Great Book.. Great Ending.
Mr. Bradbury. your narration is flawless. I have over 400 books in my audible library. This is the first time I've left a review. Thanks Again.
J. Duckworth

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dont listen to the haters.

all the spoilers included. fair warning.


I have loved this series and it feels like another book could be added, or atleast another series using this world 2000 years in the future or somethink like that, seeming not all the demons are dead, and it is a possibility of some queen eggs were squirreled away in another "Hive".

pros
1. It's a decent wrap up to the books.
2. it was not predictable.
3. it kept me compelled to finish.

cons
1. (not the authors fault) I could hear what sounded like chewing and swallowing often....
2. it raised more questions then is answered.
a. how's the world going to deal with battle crazed warded people on the loose during peace time?
b. Can anyone create wards or just people misting and touching the core?
c. with demons gone, what happens to the hora and things like making awarded glass. The whole structer of this world is biased around demons and wards. many warders will starve in the streets without a profession.
3. no release date for book 6

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great last book to the series

It started a little slow at first, but overall excellent story. I enjoyed the reader's tone and voice as well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a much anticipated conclusion.

I've been waiting for this book for quite some time, and though sad it is over Peter V Brett has out done himself in this series and I hope he continues to complete works in this setting. with as much care as he show in the demon cycle.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So sad it's over!

This was a very satisfying end to an exciting and imaginative series. The series as a whole was unlike anything I've ever read, and this book was no different! There were some cheesey parts sure but over all it was everything I would hope for as an end to a series. I'm excited too because it seems like the story will continue since he's set up a second series so well! I can't wait!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

ABSOLUTELY loved it!

One thin I hate is the fact that this is the end. Gonna give it a couple weeks and start over!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story line, but bad ending

I am a huge fan of the demon cycle, I waited for it seems like forever for the last book to come out!, now that it has and have listened to it I was disappointed in the end. It seemed to me the author tryed to cram everything in to finish the book where personally I think that another book, the core 2 should have been made. I feel like there was also a lot left. I still have mixed feelings on how it all ended, could have been better

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Series

I absolutely loved this series. I hope there will be something more added to this story eventually. I feel like this book was a bit rushed, being that it was the final war with the demons. It also left a huge hole, what ever happened to the consort? May e I just missed it somehow, but I didn't hear anything about his demise or wellbeing after he fled capture. All in all the I really enjoyed this series and seriously hope there will be something more added in the future.

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