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Empyria #1
Shadows in the Sand
The deathly Sanghouls have escaped from the Empty Province and, from within their golden dunes, they seek to wipe out all life in Empyria. Unaware of this, the last surviving humans continue going about their daily routine in the city of Nimar. But when the city’s water pool stops refilling, the Nimerians are forced to move into lands of myth and legend.
Only when Prince Viro, an elf of the southern lands, arrives in Nimar do the humans truly understand the threat to their existence. The two races must unite and reclaim the lost seven stones of light – the only weapon that can defeat the demonic shadow enclosing them.
As four of the city’s most talented young men and women, Athmane, Faria, Bayoud and Mary will be critical to Nimar enduring the perils, both natural and unnatural, that await them.
Only when Prince Viro, an elf of the southern lands, arrives in Nimar do the humans truly understand the threat to their existence. The two races must unite and reclaim the lost seven stones of light – the only weapon that can defeat the demonic shadow enclosing them.
As four of the city’s most talented young men and women, Athmane, Faria, Bayoud and Mary will be critical to Nimar enduring the perils, both natural and unnatural, that await them.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2013
6 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Michael Diack
11 books136 followersHi,
Welcome to my author page. My debut novel, 'The Super Spud Trilogy', was released in April 2012. It's about magical crisp packets with personalities determined by their flavouring - a little quirky and very satirical.
I enjoy sailing, fantasy football, skiing,table tennis, squash and playing computer/board games with my friend - especially Risk and Catan.
I studied geology at Manchester University, as I always wanted to be a volcanologist like Pierce Brosnan in Dante's Peak. But I'm currently working in Denmark.
In July 2013 I released 'Shadows in the Sand', the first part of my fantasy series Empyria and I concluded it with part 2, 'The Light and The Glass' later in the year.
In January 2015, I released 'The Secret Lives of Bicycles' - a children's novel suitable for big adults also, which features magical bicycles going on exciting adventures.
I will happily interact with readers to discuss the Super Spuds or Empyria. Find me on Twitter (@michaeljdiack), or Facebook. Thanks!
Welcome to my author page. My debut novel, 'The Super Spud Trilogy', was released in April 2012. It's about magical crisp packets with personalities determined by their flavouring - a little quirky and very satirical.
I enjoy sailing, fantasy football, skiing,table tennis, squash and playing computer/board games with my friend - especially Risk and Catan.
I studied geology at Manchester University, as I always wanted to be a volcanologist like Pierce Brosnan in Dante's Peak. But I'm currently working in Denmark.
In July 2013 I released 'Shadows in the Sand', the first part of my fantasy series Empyria and I concluded it with part 2, 'The Light and The Glass' later in the year.
In January 2015, I released 'The Secret Lives of Bicycles' - a children's novel suitable for big adults also, which features magical bicycles going on exciting adventures.
I will happily interact with readers to discuss the Super Spuds or Empyria. Find me on Twitter (@michaeljdiack), or Facebook. Thanks!
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 13, 2014
I’m going to start by saying there are plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews for this book out on Goodreads as well as Amazon. My dislike might just be a preference in writing style as I found the premise of the story quite interesting. Let me explain.
As you’ll read from the book blurb, the setting for this book is a desert; much different from most fantasy novels. The people are slowly evolving and bettering their lifestyles with inventions and such. Every person has a job and is apparently devoted to their city. So far, so good. The idea is pretty interesting. I liked the blurb. I liked the story idea. That is why this got 2 stars instead of 1.
Now, I hate giving 1 or 2 stars because that means I didn’t care much for the book. I like most of what I read, so 3 stars is usually where I’ll fall. For me to rate it low, there’s glaring reasons, which I’ll provide below to be sure you understand where I’m coming from. I don’t take giving 2 stars lightly.
All right, we’ve established the story idea is good. How about those characters? Well, sadly, I couldn’t really tell them apart. The dialog read the same for everyone. Not only was it static, but it felt very stilted. It takes a lot for me to say that about dialog. I usually gloss right over rigid statements by characters. But this was a little too much and too often for me to ignore. Basically, the dialog read no different from everything else.
I was 26% into this book and still felt like I was getting an info dump. And that feeling continued the entire time. I chalk it up to a lot of tell vs show. It took away from my enjoyment immensely and kept shoving me outside the story.
One thing that threw me often was the choice of words. Again, I usually don’t notice this stuff much, but these were rather odd. Here’s some examples:
“A library is yo ur weapon? Can’t your quadrant build something cool for a change?”
The “cool” really threw me.
“Although it was still hot, around thirty-five degrees Celsius in the peak of the day,…”
Odd that we’re getting temperatures.
“At thirty-nine, Master Thane was not as quick as he used to be, yet his cardiovascular fitness was exceptional.”
Again, for fantasy I think cardiovascular is such a technical word to use.
There are several incorrect comma placements that tripped me up. I’ve said it a million times: I don’t have an editor’s eye; if I notice a few errors, there’s probably a lot more.
My biggest beef? Head hopping during a scene. I’d say about 70% is in closed third person, which makes those times we step out of a character’s head even more jarring. I got confused because we were told something, then a few paragraphs later the characters would ask about what we were just told. Example (contains a tiny spoiler):
Descriptive paragraph: “Puffs of pink smoke from the poisonous mushrooms ejected into the air but they had no effect on the trolls, who considered them a delicacy.”
At this point, I’m supposed to be in Jax’s PoV (at least I have been for most of the chapter). So he knows the mushrooms are a delicacy, right? No.
There’s a few sentences describing the trolls then this happens:
Jax speaking: “They’ve fashioned their own weapons. We’ll take them after they’re dead,” said Jax. “Why are the mushrooms not killing them?”
So as you can see, we the readers were just told a paragraph earlier, but apparently the characters didn’t know. For me, this might be a personal reading preference. Honestly, I hate mid section PoV changes. I love multiple PoV’s, but only when they’re nicely divided. Anything else spoils my reading experience. As you can imagine, I started skimming with a quarter left in the book. I just wasn’t involved in the story.
So, I think in the end this just wasn’t my style. I read quite a few reviews that praised Diack’s writing, so I highly encourage you to read a sample, though I will say most of my problems started a ways in.
As you’ll read from the book blurb, the setting for this book is a desert; much different from most fantasy novels. The people are slowly evolving and bettering their lifestyles with inventions and such. Every person has a job and is apparently devoted to their city. So far, so good. The idea is pretty interesting. I liked the blurb. I liked the story idea. That is why this got 2 stars instead of 1.
Now, I hate giving 1 or 2 stars because that means I didn’t care much for the book. I like most of what I read, so 3 stars is usually where I’ll fall. For me to rate it low, there’s glaring reasons, which I’ll provide below to be sure you understand where I’m coming from. I don’t take giving 2 stars lightly.
All right, we’ve established the story idea is good. How about those characters? Well, sadly, I couldn’t really tell them apart. The dialog read the same for everyone. Not only was it static, but it felt very stilted. It takes a lot for me to say that about dialog. I usually gloss right over rigid statements by characters. But this was a little too much and too often for me to ignore. Basically, the dialog read no different from everything else.
I was 26% into this book and still felt like I was getting an info dump. And that feeling continued the entire time. I chalk it up to a lot of tell vs show. It took away from my enjoyment immensely and kept shoving me outside the story.
One thing that threw me often was the choice of words. Again, I usually don’t notice this stuff much, but these were rather odd. Here’s some examples:
“A library is yo ur weapon? Can’t your quadrant build something cool for a change?”
The “cool” really threw me.
“Although it was still hot, around thirty-five degrees Celsius in the peak of the day,…”
Odd that we’re getting temperatures.
“At thirty-nine, Master Thane was not as quick as he used to be, yet his cardiovascular fitness was exceptional.”
Again, for fantasy I think cardiovascular is such a technical word to use.
There are several incorrect comma placements that tripped me up. I’ve said it a million times: I don’t have an editor’s eye; if I notice a few errors, there’s probably a lot more.
My biggest beef? Head hopping during a scene. I’d say about 70% is in closed third person, which makes those times we step out of a character’s head even more jarring. I got confused because we were told something, then a few paragraphs later the characters would ask about what we were just told. Example (contains a tiny spoiler):
Descriptive paragraph: “Puffs of pink smoke from the poisonous mushrooms ejected into the air but they had no effect on the trolls, who considered them a delicacy.”
At this point, I’m supposed to be in Jax’s PoV (at least I have been for most of the chapter). So he knows the mushrooms are a delicacy, right? No.
There’s a few sentences describing the trolls then this happens:
Jax speaking: “They’ve fashioned their own weapons. We’ll take them after they’re dead,” said Jax. “Why are the mushrooms not killing them?”
So as you can see, we the readers were just told a paragraph earlier, but apparently the characters didn’t know. For me, this might be a personal reading preference. Honestly, I hate mid section PoV changes. I love multiple PoV’s, but only when they’re nicely divided. Anything else spoils my reading experience. As you can imagine, I started skimming with a quarter left in the book. I just wasn’t involved in the story.
So, I think in the end this just wasn’t my style. I read quite a few reviews that praised Diack’s writing, so I highly encourage you to read a sample, though I will say most of my problems started a ways in.
November 16, 2015
The inhabitants of Nimar, a secluded community of human beings struggling to survive against all odds, are in danger of extinction. Their critical source of water has dried up. They should move to a new source of water or find a solution to move water into their fortified city. If they don’t die trying they will die anyway. They choose to die fighting.
Thus unfolds a fascinating tale of a human race taken so many years back in civilisation, surviving by primitive hunting and gathering, fighting against the daily horrors threatening to take away life – the trolls, golems, ovites, sandhouls, giant snakes and giant scorpions. Athmane, the hunter, Faria, the craftswoman, Bayoud, the soldier and Mary the medic who are friends from childhood engage on these suicidal missions under instruction of the Grandmaster Prisa. Their quest is tinged with subtle competition, life threatening events and long suppressed romantic emotions brought to the fore.
As the water supplies dwindle so multiples trouble and danger from all other sources, until Prince Viro and his people (the elves) and their magic stones come into the picture bringing hope to the troubled nation.
Michael tells a mesmerizing story. He draws the reader in until they could go to war for the people of Nimar. The end though is a bit disappointing. It is an abrupt and unsatisfying end, leaving too many loose ends and ending right in the middle of the action. I know this is the first book in the Empyria Series but a resolution of some sort should have been reached in the first book while leaving some issues open for the continuation of the series, just for me to find some closure as a reader.
Overall – a well-earned four star.
Thus unfolds a fascinating tale of a human race taken so many years back in civilisation, surviving by primitive hunting and gathering, fighting against the daily horrors threatening to take away life – the trolls, golems, ovites, sandhouls, giant snakes and giant scorpions. Athmane, the hunter, Faria, the craftswoman, Bayoud, the soldier and Mary the medic who are friends from childhood engage on these suicidal missions under instruction of the Grandmaster Prisa. Their quest is tinged with subtle competition, life threatening events and long suppressed romantic emotions brought to the fore.
As the water supplies dwindle so multiples trouble and danger from all other sources, until Prince Viro and his people (the elves) and their magic stones come into the picture bringing hope to the troubled nation.
Michael tells a mesmerizing story. He draws the reader in until they could go to war for the people of Nimar. The end though is a bit disappointing. It is an abrupt and unsatisfying end, leaving too many loose ends and ending right in the middle of the action. I know this is the first book in the Empyria Series but a resolution of some sort should have been reached in the first book while leaving some issues open for the continuation of the series, just for me to find some closure as a reader.
Overall – a well-earned four star.
May 24, 2014
Shadows in the Sand is set in an apocalyptic world where human survivors eke out an existence amongst a harsh and brutal environment. In contrast to the exposition-heavy opening chapters the novel is extremely well written. It is also a largely based action tale, something rare for a first instalment of a fantasy series.
The plotline is beautifully simple. A tribe’s water pool is running dry and it is up to a hunter and tracker Athmane, along with his childhood companions, Faria, a craftsman, Bayoud a soldier and Mary a medic, to go into new lands and find out why.
This is no clichéd quest but rather a life and death mission. The desert however is full of perils such as sandghoulls and serpents which always keep the narrative fresh and exciting. The mood of the desert, especially at night; its beauty as well as terrible dangers are wonderfully evoked.
The work is very different from most fantasy novels and reminds me of one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time, Frank Herbert’s Dune, yet this time with the tale told from Arakis’ Fremen viewpoint. That is not to say this tale is derivative. The story is entirely the author’s own.
The one staple fantasy character the author does borrow is the elf. Yet the reader need not fear clichés for they serve to act as an important catalyst in the narrative as it is realised the two races must work together if they are to withstand an encroaching dark, malign enemy.
This first instalment of Michael Diack’s Empyria trilogy promises great things. The canvas grows increasingly broader throughout as the author creates the foundation for the second instalment. If Diack manages to keep the same atmosphere and mood without falling into the usual fantasy stereotypes I believe this trilogy will be something very special indeed and attract an army of fans.
The plotline is beautifully simple. A tribe’s water pool is running dry and it is up to a hunter and tracker Athmane, along with his childhood companions, Faria, a craftsman, Bayoud a soldier and Mary a medic, to go into new lands and find out why.
This is no clichéd quest but rather a life and death mission. The desert however is full of perils such as sandghoulls and serpents which always keep the narrative fresh and exciting. The mood of the desert, especially at night; its beauty as well as terrible dangers are wonderfully evoked.
The work is very different from most fantasy novels and reminds me of one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time, Frank Herbert’s Dune, yet this time with the tale told from Arakis’ Fremen viewpoint. That is not to say this tale is derivative. The story is entirely the author’s own.
The one staple fantasy character the author does borrow is the elf. Yet the reader need not fear clichés for they serve to act as an important catalyst in the narrative as it is realised the two races must work together if they are to withstand an encroaching dark, malign enemy.
This first instalment of Michael Diack’s Empyria trilogy promises great things. The canvas grows increasingly broader throughout as the author creates the foundation for the second instalment. If Diack manages to keep the same atmosphere and mood without falling into the usual fantasy stereotypes I believe this trilogy will be something very special indeed and attract an army of fans.
October 23, 2013
This review is written by Nic's wife.
At heart, I'm a huge fantasy nerd. So I really enjoyed this. Diack's written tone is very well suited to the genre: very dry, and focused on concise descriptions of action and scene. Some of the dialogue could have been a little more lively, and I have a personal pet peeve about using modern colloquialisms like "OK" in epic fantasy. There were some spots where the dialogue combined with the tone of characterization elements to make things a little too far on the "tell" end of the "show vs. tell" spectrum. But aside from those, it was a very solid presentation. I read a bit of one of Diack's earlier books, and the tone didn't mesh as well with the content as this does. If you're looking for something in the tone of Tolkien, or classic C.S. Lewis, you'll enjoy this. It's not a terribly light read, due to the weight of the tone, but the sense of gravitas suits it well.
I did have a few nitpicks with the pacing, particularly in the beginning, simply because so much background and so many historical events were discussed before we reach the main thrust of the story. But even those were entertainingly written, and I didn't mind the detour.
At heart, I'm a huge fantasy nerd. So I really enjoyed this. Diack's written tone is very well suited to the genre: very dry, and focused on concise descriptions of action and scene. Some of the dialogue could have been a little more lively, and I have a personal pet peeve about using modern colloquialisms like "OK" in epic fantasy. There were some spots where the dialogue combined with the tone of characterization elements to make things a little too far on the "tell" end of the "show vs. tell" spectrum. But aside from those, it was a very solid presentation. I read a bit of one of Diack's earlier books, and the tone didn't mesh as well with the content as this does. If you're looking for something in the tone of Tolkien, or classic C.S. Lewis, you'll enjoy this. It's not a terribly light read, due to the weight of the tone, but the sense of gravitas suits it well.
I did have a few nitpicks with the pacing, particularly in the beginning, simply because so much background and so many historical events were discussed before we reach the main thrust of the story. But even those were entertainingly written, and I didn't mind the detour.
November 2, 2013
This well-planned story is set around the few thousand remnants of the human race following a global cataclysm, who eke out a precarious existence in an area supportive of human life. Their existence is dependent upon a water-pool, which is no longer replenishing itself; they have one month in which to find alternative sources. Parties are sent out, eventually to secure the area around Dunein, where they need to relocate. They experience a succession of graphically-described, vicious battles with an assortment of foes: trolls; sand golems; Sanghouls, who live in sand dunes; giant scorpions and snakes; immortal Ovites (unless decapitated); and mermen. Later they form an alliance with a tribe of elves against the Sanghouls. This is an exciting, action-filled tale, brilliantly and imaginatively plotted and written, with believable characters such as the hunter Athmane, and Faria, who are thrown together to face the dangers and horrors of such turbulent times. The story ends with matters still unresolved. I was kept in suspense throughout, and I can’t wait for the next instalment.
April 26, 2014
Shadows In the Sand – Empyria – Book One.
“Shadows in the Sand” is the first part of a series of fantasy novels written by the young English writer Michael Diack.
It’s set in the ancient city of Nimar in Empyria, a desert land where the inhabitants are at risk, for the water supply is running out and it isn’t being replaced.
The writer’s expert knowledge of barren desert states comes through strong in his writing.
It reminds the reader of Tolkien’s stuff and with the fantasy genre enjoying a worldwide boom with a massive and growing following, this book will surely find a wide audience.
As you might expect there’s plenty of action with battles and fighting aplenty, featuring fearsome creatures, monsters, elves, and warriors, and if that is your bag then you will surely enjoy this.
I have to confess that fantasy is not my favourite bookshelf, but once I’d got into this I enjoyed it.
Michael Diack is still at the beginning of his writing career and this is a very promising step forward, and it will be interesting to see what he writes and releases in the future.
“Shadows in the Sand” is the first part of a series of fantasy novels written by the young English writer Michael Diack.
It’s set in the ancient city of Nimar in Empyria, a desert land where the inhabitants are at risk, for the water supply is running out and it isn’t being replaced.
The writer’s expert knowledge of barren desert states comes through strong in his writing.
It reminds the reader of Tolkien’s stuff and with the fantasy genre enjoying a worldwide boom with a massive and growing following, this book will surely find a wide audience.
As you might expect there’s plenty of action with battles and fighting aplenty, featuring fearsome creatures, monsters, elves, and warriors, and if that is your bag then you will surely enjoy this.
I have to confess that fantasy is not my favourite bookshelf, but once I’d got into this I enjoyed it.
Michael Diack is still at the beginning of his writing career and this is a very promising step forward, and it will be interesting to see what he writes and releases in the future.
August 6, 2016
Strong writing and a solid fantasy premise.
The setting feels quite realistic, perhaps due in part to Diack's actual surroundings at the time of writing this novel. Two lead characters who are easy to care about drive the action forward and complement one another nicely.
I would easily recommend this to fans of Dune or similar fantasy series.
The setting feels quite realistic, perhaps due in part to Diack's actual surroundings at the time of writing this novel. Two lead characters who are easy to care about drive the action forward and complement one another nicely.
I would easily recommend this to fans of Dune or similar fantasy series.
December 7, 2013
Promising fantasy, interesting characters, well presented evil characters. Biggest flaws for me were too much "tell" rather than show, giving some parts a bit of a history book feel and the character development felt a little flat at times.
December 8, 2015
THE NIMERIANS' BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL AND THE GREAT DIVIDE.
An alegory or historical fiction about elfs, other creatures and the humans in Nimar, a population nearing saturation point. I found in it an excellent work and a wonderful story from an highly promising author who, however, can still do better. The language and style are ok, and the story was in time-line/scene presentation.
Unfolded are the heroic deeds and love life of the four main characters: Faria, her best friends especially the hunter Athmane; soldier Bayoud and medics personel Mary – all roughly the same age as her.
Four elders presided and viewed the entire city. Also known as the Grandmasters,elected by the Masters of each of the four crafts – soldier, hunter, medic and craftsman. The very lifeblood of the city is the water pool at the bottom of the Sanctum.
Though golem was troubling news to Nimar and hunters, once or twice a year they came to the city walls sniffing around, but the earthquake that shook Nimar had two consequences, potentially fatal for the people of the city.
Firstly, it diverted groundwater away from the pool below the Sanctum creating water scarcity and rationing. Fortunately, two alternative water sources were located. Plan A; a large well located at the centre of the Helven Outcrop to the west. Plan B; to the northeast lands and a vast underground freshwater lake in the Dunein caves, but also was an enormous magical serpent, Hilyx.
Secondly, it opened up a crack deep below the surface of the Black Mountains which the Sanghouls exploited. Thousands and thousands were busy shoveling sands. The Sanghouls were coming for Nimar.
When Prince Viro, an elf of the southern lands (summon by the recovery of the blue stone, Azura, on killing the snake Hilyx ), arrived in Nimar the humans then truly understood the extent and the sources of threat to their existence.
King Amras, father to prince Viro, was married to Queen Mayer. Divorced and childless, she stole the stones from Aurora in revenge and hid them in magical animals and montain.
Two men were chosen! The two races must unite and reclaim the lost seven stones of light to create the white light, only weapon that can defeat the demonic shadow of gouls enclosing them.
The five of them departed into the rising sun, Athmane and Bayoud and the three elves to the volcanic mountain to get, Malaca and Ametha stones.
The Nimerians also relocated, as is the plan B, to the cafe of Dunein, lands of myth and legend. The city, Nimar, was overrun by sangouls and brought under sand dunes. The machine (Sangouls) that makes the dune began moving again: northeast following the footsteps of the humans.
Mary, Faria and the rest of the Nimerians would soon be cut off from Athmane, Bayoud and the three elves,(the great divide)
The concluding part of Empyria, The Light and The Glass will surely show more of the author 's talent at fiction story.
My interest in the story was won, on the merit of the author's talent and the story line.
I was given a copy for an unbiased and non reciprocated review
An alegory or historical fiction about elfs, other creatures and the humans in Nimar, a population nearing saturation point. I found in it an excellent work and a wonderful story from an highly promising author who, however, can still do better. The language and style are ok, and the story was in time-line/scene presentation.
Unfolded are the heroic deeds and love life of the four main characters: Faria, her best friends especially the hunter Athmane; soldier Bayoud and medics personel Mary – all roughly the same age as her.
Four elders presided and viewed the entire city. Also known as the Grandmasters,elected by the Masters of each of the four crafts – soldier, hunter, medic and craftsman. The very lifeblood of the city is the water pool at the bottom of the Sanctum.
Though golem was troubling news to Nimar and hunters, once or twice a year they came to the city walls sniffing around, but the earthquake that shook Nimar had two consequences, potentially fatal for the people of the city.
Firstly, it diverted groundwater away from the pool below the Sanctum creating water scarcity and rationing. Fortunately, two alternative water sources were located. Plan A; a large well located at the centre of the Helven Outcrop to the west. Plan B; to the northeast lands and a vast underground freshwater lake in the Dunein caves, but also was an enormous magical serpent, Hilyx.
Secondly, it opened up a crack deep below the surface of the Black Mountains which the Sanghouls exploited. Thousands and thousands were busy shoveling sands. The Sanghouls were coming for Nimar.
When Prince Viro, an elf of the southern lands (summon by the recovery of the blue stone, Azura, on killing the snake Hilyx ), arrived in Nimar the humans then truly understood the extent and the sources of threat to their existence.
King Amras, father to prince Viro, was married to Queen Mayer. Divorced and childless, she stole the stones from Aurora in revenge and hid them in magical animals and montain.
Two men were chosen! The two races must unite and reclaim the lost seven stones of light to create the white light, only weapon that can defeat the demonic shadow of gouls enclosing them.
The five of them departed into the rising sun, Athmane and Bayoud and the three elves to the volcanic mountain to get, Malaca and Ametha stones.
The Nimerians also relocated, as is the plan B, to the cafe of Dunein, lands of myth and legend. The city, Nimar, was overrun by sangouls and brought under sand dunes. The machine (Sangouls) that makes the dune began moving again: northeast following the footsteps of the humans.
Mary, Faria and the rest of the Nimerians would soon be cut off from Athmane, Bayoud and the three elves,(the great divide)
The concluding part of Empyria, The Light and The Glass will surely show more of the author 's talent at fiction story.
My interest in the story was won, on the merit of the author's talent and the story line.
I was given a copy for an unbiased and non reciprocated review
January 9, 2015
It usually takes me a while to be fully drawn into a story; not so with Shadows in the Sand; I was pretty much fully on board from page one. Was it the writer’s infectious writing style? Or just my penchant for this kind of jump-ahead-to-the-past sci-fi? Set on another world, the struggles of the humans are reminiscent to our age of castles and moats. There’s, what’s more, as much fantasy as sci-fi, perhaps more, when you consider the traditional tropes of the either genre. Technically Game of Thrones is sci-fi too, but only in the sense that this one is; it’s a fantasy set on another world in a primitive times. The forward momentum of this story, to my thinking, however, is a lot more pronounced than with Game of Thrones, if only because there isn’t a cast of thousands to try and assimilate in record time.
The four leads are very likable and engrossing, the male hunter, and the female master architect and civil engineer, the soldier and medic. Their lives and their challenges made for great drama. The one perk of writing sci-fi/fantasy in this vein is you also rope in historical fiction devotees so long as you render the period appropriate detail realistically and absorbingly, which this writer does.
The sense of adventure and danger oozes out of every page. As a fan also of stories set in the desert and of harsh-environments presented as a subordinate character in stories, I thought Shadows in the Sand definitely delivered.
The four leads are very likable and engrossing, the male hunter, and the female master architect and civil engineer, the soldier and medic. Their lives and their challenges made for great drama. The one perk of writing sci-fi/fantasy in this vein is you also rope in historical fiction devotees so long as you render the period appropriate detail realistically and absorbingly, which this writer does.
The sense of adventure and danger oozes out of every page. As a fan also of stories set in the desert and of harsh-environments presented as a subordinate character in stories, I thought Shadows in the Sand definitely delivered.
November 11, 2015
When an earthquake disrupts the water table, the inhabitants of Nimar – some 1,600 people – are forced to flee the gravel plains on which they have made their homes as the city faces a series of threats to its survival. The author has created a detailed society structured around four different guilds – soldiers, hunters, medics and craftspeople – all led by a hierarchy of Masters and Grandmasters. There are some good moments of description, which help bring the setting to life, as well as some fearsome creatures and a few epic battle scenes along the way. The story has a wide cast and is narrated through 3rd person omniscient viewpoint, allowing the author to move back and forth between the thoughts of different characters. Although this was a little jarring at times, I could see the benefits as it allowed him to give the reader background information that none of the characters would have known. There are a few stylistic and grammatical issues, such as misused commas and unnecessarily repeated words, but I’m sure a good editor would tidy these up. Overall, they didn’t impact significantly on my enjoyment of the book and I found myself more and more drawn into the plot as the story progressed. I would recommend Shadows in the Sand to fans of the fantasy genre and look forward to seeing where the author takes the series in the concluding book.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2013
First, I love Athmane and Faria. I really like that they, Mary and Bayoud have known each other basically all their lives. It gives their bonds to each other a very lived in feel and the reader is able to focus more on the story unraveling than on the building of the characters relationships.
With a larger cast of characters like this it's easy for an author to loose a someone's place in the plot. To not mention them for too long and suddenly they're back in the story and we're all left scratching our heads trying to remember who this person is and what they mean to us. Michael didn't do that. He did a great job of giving us glimpses of the characters, creating tension around them and leaving us wanting more when he moved on to the next one. It creates that feel of a story within a story. My only complaint would be that the characters are a little bit flat. They're dialogue is stunted sometimes which leaves it feeling a little unnatural. I think Michael was more focused on the story unfolding and it's unique and exciting enough that one can forgive slightly flat characters.
If you're a fan of epic fantasy, this is a book you need to read.
With a larger cast of characters like this it's easy for an author to loose a someone's place in the plot. To not mention them for too long and suddenly they're back in the story and we're all left scratching our heads trying to remember who this person is and what they mean to us. Michael didn't do that. He did a great job of giving us glimpses of the characters, creating tension around them and leaving us wanting more when he moved on to the next one. It creates that feel of a story within a story. My only complaint would be that the characters are a little bit flat. They're dialogue is stunted sometimes which leaves it feeling a little unnatural. I think Michael was more focused on the story unfolding and it's unique and exciting enough that one can forgive slightly flat characters.
If you're a fan of epic fantasy, this is a book you need to read.
December 31, 2013
I should start with a spoiler alert – 'Shadows in the Sand' ends at a perilous point, requiring the next book in the series. If you don't want want to read a gripping novel that is the first of a series, then you shouldn't start 'Shadows in the Sand'.
While most fantasy novels are set in worlds resembling medieval Europe, Empyria is much more primitive. Humans only exist in very small clusters of hunter-gathers, with very limited technology. Almost everything they encounter thinks that men are nothing more than another food item. When an earthquake shuts off the communities water supply, everyone must begin a process of moving to a new refuge … that is far from safe.
The world Micheal Diack has created is continually fascinating. The environment is so threatening, and mankinds technology so limited that I continually asked myself – would anyone actually be able to survive this?
Well worth reading for an adventure in a world unlike any other.
While most fantasy novels are set in worlds resembling medieval Europe, Empyria is much more primitive. Humans only exist in very small clusters of hunter-gathers, with very limited technology. Almost everything they encounter thinks that men are nothing more than another food item. When an earthquake shuts off the communities water supply, everyone must begin a process of moving to a new refuge … that is far from safe.
The world Micheal Diack has created is continually fascinating. The environment is so threatening, and mankinds technology so limited that I continually asked myself – would anyone actually be able to survive this?
Well worth reading for an adventure in a world unlike any other.
July 23, 2016
This is an exciting story set in an unusual fantasy world in the desert. The four main characters are childhood friends and represent the different aspects of life in Nimar, the city where they live. We have a soldier, hunter, craftsman and medic. I liked the idea all the inhabitants of Nimar had to follow one of these four careers.
Nimar has run out of water, which spells death in a desert and in the pursuit of finding new sources of water, our heros come across all sorts of mythical creatures from giant serpents to friendly elves and horrible Sanghoulls.
This is a fast paced adventure and the fantasy world is brought vividly to life. The mixture of male and female heros plus their different skills stops this book becoming just an action adventure for the boys. There are plenty of battles but also romance and interesting scenes featuring the craft and medical characters.
If you enjoy fantasy you will love his book!
Nimar has run out of water, which spells death in a desert and in the pursuit of finding new sources of water, our heros come across all sorts of mythical creatures from giant serpents to friendly elves and horrible Sanghoulls.
This is a fast paced adventure and the fantasy world is brought vividly to life. The mixture of male and female heros plus their different skills stops this book becoming just an action adventure for the boys. There are plenty of battles but also romance and interesting scenes featuring the craft and medical characters.
If you enjoy fantasy you will love his book!
August 24, 2013
This is the imaginative fantasy tale of a race hard pressed by a desert land and a lack of water. Recent geological activity has greatly reduced the city's water supply and has allowed a fearsome race of sand-dwelling creatures to encroach. The people of the city are divided into four groups, hunters, medics, craft workers and soldiers and the story follows a group of four who grew up together.
The author has created a great set-up here which is very promising but it is marred by some clunky sentences and rather wooden dialogue at times. I found these rather distracting. Michael Diack is a young author and I think experience will make his writing flow better. I hope he continues to write and on the basis of this book I think fantasy is his genre.
The author has created a great set-up here which is very promising but it is marred by some clunky sentences and rather wooden dialogue at times. I found these rather distracting. Michael Diack is a young author and I think experience will make his writing flow better. I hope he continues to write and on the basis of this book I think fantasy is his genre.
November 11, 2015
A good read, with satisfying characters and vivid locations. Once I began reading this it reminded me of 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. The sands, underground dwelling creatures and the snake, all put me in mind of Herbert's work. Then again it could have been the name of the Region, Dunein, that triggered an unconscious coupling.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book and was fascinated by the twists and turns encountered along the way. The appearance of Prince Viro was a complete surprise and the task he asks of Athmane suggests there may be more surprises in store for him and his friend.
I'd be happy to recommend this book, particularly if anyone likes new worlds and fantasy.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for a non-reciprocal review.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book and was fascinated by the twists and turns encountered along the way. The appearance of Prince Viro was a complete surprise and the task he asks of Athmane suggests there may be more surprises in store for him and his friend.
I'd be happy to recommend this book, particularly if anyone likes new worlds and fantasy.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for a non-reciprocal review.
May 12, 2014
In all honesty, I do not normally read this genre of books. But I enjoy reading talented authors and on a friend's recommendation I purchased it.
I was immediately sucked in by Diack's writing. It's precise, rhythmic, and detailed. The writing is sophisticated and mature. Diack has a great future ahead.
Soon, I got into the story and really enjoyed the character development. I felt like I knew Athmane. The plot captivated me, which surprised me because I normally don't get into fantasy. This one was awesome. Now I'm hooked and will have to read the others.
In short, I loved it. Michael Diack has a new fan.
I was immediately sucked in by Diack's writing. It's precise, rhythmic, and detailed. The writing is sophisticated and mature. Diack has a great future ahead.
Soon, I got into the story and really enjoyed the character development. I felt like I knew Athmane. The plot captivated me, which surprised me because I normally don't get into fantasy. This one was awesome. Now I'm hooked and will have to read the others.
In short, I loved it. Michael Diack has a new fan.
November 4, 2013
Michael Diack flawlessly creates a high-fantasy novel, brimming with well crafted characters and vivid settings. The protagonists of the story win us over with determination in the face of dire adversity. The action flows throughout the pages and keeps the reader locked in until the very end. I am reminded of the early Dune novels by Frank Herbert as well as a bit of Tolkien when I read this book. Anyone into epic fantasy will definitely not be disappointed by this author's work. i highly recommend it.
February 9, 2014
This is a story like no other. I find myself saying this a lot lately. It could be due to the fact that fantasy stories are not my normal read. In my defense, I can only say, I was captivated. I could not stop reading about a breed of people that I knew was not real, that the entire was so far from reality, it was not funny. But the author did such a terrific job describing the environment, its inhabitants and all the perils the inhabitants went through, I just could not put the book down, even though I was exhausted from all the fighting, walking, and searching for water. Great read!
June 26, 2014
Michael Diack has written a brilliantly original dark fantasy centering around a group of humans who somehow survived a catastrophic world event and their struggles to survive against terrifying forces while their sole water supply dwindles away. The high point of the novel is the breathtaking detail Diack puts into every part of the story. Characters, action, and scenery are all beautifully described that they almost seem to be painted for the mind's eye by a master artist. Shadows in the sand is a thrilling, richly detailed novel that will leave you longing for the next book in the series.
February 8, 2014
It's like Dune went viral. I'm kidding. It's good. It's original. I liked it. The world was carefully constructed without too much explanation pulling away from the story.
The story centers around a few thousand survivors who need to find a new source of water. The pool they depend on is running dry. they need to relocate to another area around Dunein. Shadows in the Sand is their struggle to survive.
The story centers around a few thousand survivors who need to find a new source of water. The pool they depend on is running dry. they need to relocate to another area around Dunein. Shadows in the Sand is their struggle to survive.
November 15, 2013
Enjoyable and great read,
A well written story which was great to read from start to end. The author has created a wonderful adventure and characters that come along very well into the story surprising me the whole way through, taking me on a journey where I felt came to life. It was enjoyable and I didn’t want to stop reading.
A well written story which was great to read from start to end. The author has created a wonderful adventure and characters that come along very well into the story surprising me the whole way through, taking me on a journey where I felt came to life. It was enjoyable and I didn’t want to stop reading.
March 18, 2014
This is a well thought out story about good and evil in a world where survival cannot be taken for granted. It’s one of those stories where you just have to keep on reading in order to find out how it all ends. A well-written fantasy story!
October 19, 2014
I enjoyed the book and the premise. I found the character development a tad too simplistic and formulaic. While I do not mind series per se, I have an issue with books that cannot stand alone in their own right.
October 28, 2013
great read
November 1, 2013
Fantastic read! His characters are very well developed and his descriptions are incredible. The story really comes to life.
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