The Book Report #100
Episode #99
Butter Cookies and Demon Claws By Peter V Brett
The Book
Harper Voyager, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, published this book in 2025.
This is book No. 7 in the Demon Cycle series. And I am lucky to own a first edition hardback copy of the book.
This novella has 89 pages, which includes information about the author.
What Did I Think?
It is set in a fantasy world where magic is everywhere. But it is at its strongest at night.
There was a war against the demons, and the humans won. There is a gift or a curse, depending on how you look at it. If you get the chance to be covered in or drink their blood, whatever the illness or bodily damage, it is instantly healed. It also makes the person incredibly strong. But in large quantities or when you kill a demon, the magical essence is transferred to the person, keeping the body younger and extending one’s life.
It has been ten years since the war. The magic is wearing off, and the warriors are beginning to age slowly, catching up with their actual age.
Selia is our equivalent of a priest or counsellor and is the person you go to with your troubles. Lesa, her wife, is part of the original militia.
They are known for the best cookies in town, and they barter for things with their cookies. Mostly information. Gossip.
To help Selia with what is happening in the town. The local businessman, who is also the richest person around. Hog is always there, but for most, there is a price.
For some reason, he is not ageing. There is a reason for it, but he is then murdered. It is up to Selia to find out what happened, and with her position and the power from her cookies, she will find the truth.
Short Stories
The seventh book in the Demon Cycle series. A short story where it doesn’t matter if it has a history of books behind it. It can be read as a standalone book. It was a nice escape from what I have been reading recently.
The ideas of magic in this world are different from what I have seen and read in other fantasy stories. And I am interested in finding out more. Selia is a strong character, and her tale works well as a warrior who is finding it harder and harder to deal with the supposed golden years of her life.
Would I Recommend?
This is a sweet little story. So much happens in this short novel. Greed and murder fill this book, and a portion of the recipe for those cookies. Mr Brett has me wanting more.
Please give this book a go.
Would you like to purchase your very own copy?
You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/USA and Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/USA, Barnes & Noble, or eBay UK/USA.
Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.