The Painted Man

Brett's debut novel builds one of the most original fantasy worlds in recent memory: a civilization so terrorized by demons rising each night that humanity has retreated behind magical wards and forgotten how to fight back. Three point-of-view characters — Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer — grow up under that shadow and eventually begin pushing back. The plotting is fast, the world-building is inventive, and the psychological weight of living under permanent threat feels earned. However, this book is not family-safe. It contains graphic sexual violence including the assault of a young character, child abuse, and sustained brutal violence. It is firmly adult dark fantasy, and faith-friendly families and readers sensitive to sexual violence should steer clear regardless of the strong fantasy premise.