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Sand ##1
The Belt of the Buried Gods
The wind blows from east to west. It brings with it the sand, deposited in dunes, to bury and torment the unfortunate souls who live here. Life on the sand is miserable. Life below it is even worse.
**Caution**
This is the first of 5 parts of SAND. The full novel will be released mid-January, 2014. I believe they are best enjoyed in parts, but many may prefer to wait for the full novel. It's your choice!
The Story:
The old world is buried beneath the dunes. For those who live above, life is short, miserable, and piteous. But it is still life. There are families here. Brothers and sisters and neglected moms and forgotten fathers. They make what life they can, ignored by the gods. Which is worse than being tortured by them.
They build what they can from the scraps of old. They bring up trinkets from the past and they hammer them into a tenuous future. And those who make this happen are the divers. The sand divers. This is their world. Hold your breath and join them.
**Caution**
This is the first of 5 parts of SAND. The full novel will be released mid-January, 2014. I believe they are best enjoyed in parts, but many may prefer to wait for the full novel. It's your choice!
The Story:
The old world is buried beneath the dunes. For those who live above, life is short, miserable, and piteous. But it is still life. There are families here. Brothers and sisters and neglected moms and forgotten fathers. They make what life they can, ignored by the gods. Which is worse than being tortured by them.
They build what they can from the scraps of old. They bring up trinkets from the past and they hammer them into a tenuous future. And those who make this happen are the divers. The sand divers. This is their world. Hold your breath and join them.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2013
59 people are currently reading
1585 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Howey
151 books57.6k followersI'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
December 31, 2013
It is a good concept, but that is all it is. The length of the book does not allow for character development, no great story to this book. It has a beginning and a middle but fails to have an end. IT does have the sort of ending typical of short stories, the type that leaves you a little bit off wondering what has happened, but it isn't marketed as a short story so it feels just like you have only ready part of the book... which is really the case.
My biggest gripe is that it is another super short 'book', I suspect this one would fit into the definition of 'novelette', I didn't count the words but it took me a little over an hour to read (and book two took me 45minutes). It certainly wasn't over-priced (I paid $1.26 for an hour of reading, not cheap but not expensive).
As a reader I just can't get my head around the sale of novelettes, the omnibus edition of this work will be the length of a novella... is this really worthy of being called an omnibus or releasing it in small parts. I guess why it is marketed like this is not my issue (afterall, whatever gets the author the biggest distribution - I get that), but do I want to read books distributed in this way? I dislike that they clog up my kindle screen with three books instead of just one, I dislike the confusion in names (my kindle has two books called 'Sand', which is part 1 and which is part 2 is difficult to determine without opening the books), I suppose this is better than the previous Wool/Silo series (I am not mocking the name - I promise), I no longer know what it is called and have given up buying the books because I can't figure out which ones I have read and which ones I have not, there are several omnibus editions and all manner of different titles). This wouldn't be confusing if I had hard copies, but it is confusing trying to purchase ebooks in this unclear manner.
Sometimes I read a book, give it a rating, and then come back and upgrade the rating later (The author's previous novella "Wool" fell into that category for me). However this one I gave 3-stars and then by the next day I was scratching my head... why did I enjoy it, it had nothing in it (spoilers ahead - although there is nothing to spoil).
It is a really interesting concept.. a world of shifting sand where divers dive the depths searching for lost treasures, but it is too short.
The book gets 2 stars (which it barely should) because of Hugh Howey's writing abilities... he is a really good writer, it is just not obvious in such short and predictable pieces of work.
My biggest gripe is that it is another super short 'book', I suspect this one would fit into the definition of 'novelette', I didn't count the words but it took me a little over an hour to read (and book two took me 45minutes). It certainly wasn't over-priced (I paid $1.26 for an hour of reading, not cheap but not expensive).
As a reader I just can't get my head around the sale of novelettes, the omnibus edition of this work will be the length of a novella... is this really worthy of being called an omnibus or releasing it in small parts. I guess why it is marketed like this is not my issue (afterall, whatever gets the author the biggest distribution - I get that), but do I want to read books distributed in this way? I dislike that they clog up my kindle screen with three books instead of just one, I dislike the confusion in names (my kindle has two books called 'Sand', which is part 1 and which is part 2 is difficult to determine without opening the books), I suppose this is better than the previous Wool/Silo series (I am not mocking the name - I promise), I no longer know what it is called and have given up buying the books because I can't figure out which ones I have read and which ones I have not, there are several omnibus editions and all manner of different titles). This wouldn't be confusing if I had hard copies, but it is confusing trying to purchase ebooks in this unclear manner.
Sometimes I read a book, give it a rating, and then come back and upgrade the rating later (The author's previous novella "Wool" fell into that category for me). However this one I gave 3-stars and then by the next day I was scratching my head... why did I enjoy it, it had nothing in it (spoilers ahead - although there is nothing to spoil).
It is a really interesting concept.. a world of shifting sand where divers dive the depths searching for lost treasures, but it is too short.
The book gets 2 stars (which it barely should) because of Hugh Howey's writing abilities... he is a really good writer, it is just not obvious in such short and predictable pieces of work.
May 30, 2014
I'm going through my third read through of Sand, taking notes as I finalize my fanfic story. Sand starts off with a great introduction to this world half buried in sand, a culture fighting to survive in the grit on top where the adventurous dive underneath for riches buried beyond reach--almost. No spoilers, but nice setup to our character Palmer, who goes with another early twenties guy, Hap, on a dive sponsored by some shady brigands from the north. This series of stories will delve deeper into the heart of Palmer's struggle, as a younger sibling out to prove his ability as a sand diver--how great would it be if he discovered the lost city of Danvar? Later on we will experience a very tough family situation that makes us sympathize with him and really amps up the emotional connection from what we get in this first part.
August 24, 2017
5 Stars
Ahhhh, a breath of freshair...sand.
This will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Another Hugh Howey dystopian world. Full of malice, science, and just a tiny sliver of hope.
Ahhhh, a breath of fresh
This will be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Another Hugh Howey dystopian world. Full of malice, science, and just a tiny sliver of hope.
January 4, 2016
*Gasp* Oh my! This was incredible. This story was intriguing start to finish and, of course, left me immediately wanting the next part. Yes, the author warned and even begged readers to wait for the complete work to be released rather than read it one 'episode' at a time. But, alas, I love reading Mr. Howey's stories one piece at a time. Like a five course meal, each part can be savored and enjoyed in it's own time - individually delicious but also gaining you an excited anticipation for the next course - and at last leaving you completely satisfied and with a new sense of wonder when all has been devoured. The ideas that have been presented here are fascinating. I immediately want to read it again.
September 20, 2015
Hugh Howey writes his stories in such a way that you either buy many little sections to make up the whole book or (you do what I do) you wait until the entire collection is possible in book format. There is nothing wrong with this, I merely find it difficult to review each individual section as, for me, the whole is worth more than the parts.
So, with that in mind, here is a review of the collective for you (so you can make a decision about whether Sand is right for you):
After reading the Wool Trilogy, Hugh Howey earned a spot in my favourite authors list. Wool is to this day my favourite dystopian series meaning I had very high hopes for Sand. Whilst I did thoroughly enjoy Sand it was not as great as Wool – although, I guess nothing could be that great.
Howey once again creates a unique dystopian world, this time in a land covered by sand (hello title). Much like Wool we were given the what and the how – although this story was condensed to be much shorter than the Wool series. Sadly, however we were not given the why. When the book ended I still had questions concerning the why of the world. With Wool we were given the answers in the second book, Shift, but this one leaves us with that question hanging in the air. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the book. I just would have liked the answer to that. Still, with that in mind, such a thing was not possible in the story context. What we’re given is the myths of the world, as we’re seeing things in the way that the characters do.
Speaking of characters, Howey has once again created a world of loveable characters. Each character is unique in their own way, playing a vital role as the story unfolds. I will admit that I was attached to some characters more than others, but that was mainly due to being able to relate to them more than others. No characters were two dimensional, all had personalities and all played their part in the story, everyone growing over time.
There were a few predictable events, which was quite surprising considering how Wool was one shock after the other, yet despite this it was a fast paced engaging story. I was constantly telling myself I would read just one more chapter and before I knew it I’d read another fifty pages without even realising it.
All in all, it is another great story. If you’re a Hugh Howey fan I certainly recommend reading it. If you’re new to his wonderful worlds then it isn’t a bad place to start, although I would certainly point you towards Wool instead simply because I enjoyed it more.
So, with that in mind, here is a review of the collective for you (so you can make a decision about whether Sand is right for you):
After reading the Wool Trilogy, Hugh Howey earned a spot in my favourite authors list. Wool is to this day my favourite dystopian series meaning I had very high hopes for Sand. Whilst I did thoroughly enjoy Sand it was not as great as Wool – although, I guess nothing could be that great.
Howey once again creates a unique dystopian world, this time in a land covered by sand (hello title). Much like Wool we were given the what and the how – although this story was condensed to be much shorter than the Wool series. Sadly, however we were not given the why. When the book ended I still had questions concerning the why of the world. With Wool we were given the answers in the second book, Shift, but this one leaves us with that question hanging in the air. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the book. I just would have liked the answer to that. Still, with that in mind, such a thing was not possible in the story context. What we’re given is the myths of the world, as we’re seeing things in the way that the characters do.
Speaking of characters, Howey has once again created a world of loveable characters. Each character is unique in their own way, playing a vital role as the story unfolds. I will admit that I was attached to some characters more than others, but that was mainly due to being able to relate to them more than others. No characters were two dimensional, all had personalities and all played their part in the story, everyone growing over time.
There were a few predictable events, which was quite surprising considering how Wool was one shock after the other, yet despite this it was a fast paced engaging story. I was constantly telling myself I would read just one more chapter and before I knew it I’d read another fifty pages without even realising it.
All in all, it is another great story. If you’re a Hugh Howey fan I certainly recommend reading it. If you’re new to his wonderful worlds then it isn’t a bad place to start, although I would certainly point you towards Wool instead simply because I enjoyed it more.
December 17, 2013
To me, this was even more thought provoking than Hugh's Wool series. I found myself thinking ahead with every chapter, just as I did with wool, trying to guess what was coming next, and I was only right half of the time. But, at least to me, there is more mystery here, and the use of slightly fantastical elements leaves a lot more possibilities.
I did guess correctly what was coming at the end of this first episode, but the way Hugh weaves the story, I found myself second guessing and wondering what was going to be discovered next.
A very interesting thought occurred to me while reading it. If you take the setting in the wool series (people stuck in an underground silo), and turn it on it's head (people wondering what is buried in the "under"), this has some very similar themes but in reverse.
Awesome start.
Looking forward to the next episode!
I did guess correctly what was coming at the end of this first episode, but the way Hugh weaves the story, I found myself second guessing and wondering what was going to be discovered next.
A very interesting thought occurred to me while reading it. If you take the setting in the wool series (people stuck in an underground silo), and turn it on it's head (people wondering what is buried in the "under"), this has some very similar themes but in reverse.
Awesome start.
Looking forward to the next episode!
June 15, 2016
Actual Rating - 3.5 stars.
A half star deducted because the jargons in the first chapter made it a little difficult for me to absorb the premise of the book. But as the story progressed, it became a vivid landscape of sand and the divers. From just these few pages it was possible to glean a clear picture of the world the author built, though there are many questions that will hopefully be answered as the story progresses.
The last few chapters were so filled with suspense, so exciting! I had an adrenaline rush just reading about it - I could clearly see the characters and their surroundings. I could feel the rage, the fear, the exhiliration they felt. High hopes for the rest of the story now.
Lastly, I think this would make a great animated series, or anime.
A half star deducted because the jargons in the first chapter made it a little difficult for me to absorb the premise of the book. But as the story progressed, it became a vivid landscape of sand and the divers. From just these few pages it was possible to glean a clear picture of the world the author built, though there are many questions that will hopefully be answered as the story progresses.
The last few chapters were so filled with suspense, so exciting! I had an adrenaline rush just reading about it - I could clearly see the characters and their surroundings. I could feel the rage, the fear, the exhiliration they felt. High hopes for the rest of the story now.
Lastly, I think this would make a great animated series, or anime.
June 10, 2021
I was so moved by Hugh Howey's Silo Saga (Wool) so I decided to read his Sand : Part 1 series out of curiosity to see if the world building would be as captivating as Wool.
Hugh Howey is now one of my favorite authors. He weaves such engaging and thought-provoking dystopian stories which thoroughly engages the reader.
Though this first book is relatively short, I was so hooked by the richly drawn characters and beautiful imagery of this world that I bought all five parts of this novel. I fell in love with this new group of people and mysterious landscape. I am so happy to have found this author.
Hugh Howey is now one of my favorite authors. He weaves such engaging and thought-provoking dystopian stories which thoroughly engages the reader.
Though this first book is relatively short, I was so hooked by the richly drawn characters and beautiful imagery of this world that I bought all five parts of this novel. I fell in love with this new group of people and mysterious landscape. I am so happy to have found this author.
June 19, 2022
Loved! The sense of claustrophobia built up in just a few pages was immense!
March 25, 2015
Pretty terrible science.
Horrifically awful science, in fact.
Where does the sand GO when they dive down into it?
Where did it come from in the first place - to bury Denver in a little under half a mile of sand? That's a LOT of rock. Sand doesn't magically appear from nowhere.
Why didn't the weight of the sand break the windows? Or crush the roof for that matter? That much sand would be 800 lbs/square inch. And that took me a whole two minutes of Googling to figure out.
How would they breath under that much pressure? Scuba diving in water, for instance, is limited to 30-40 meters - and sand is a decent amount heavier than water - and even then you have to take care to descend and ascend slowly to let your lungs acclimate to the changing pressure. Yet they go straight down to a depth ten times that, in a denser material, then come straight back up? Yeah, I don't see how that would work.
Maybe he should have gotten a certification in scuba diving before writing this? Just to have some idea of the issues involved in diving in general...
Horrifically awful science, in fact.
Where does the sand GO when they dive down into it?
Where did it come from in the first place - to bury Denver in a little under half a mile of sand? That's a LOT of rock. Sand doesn't magically appear from nowhere.
Why didn't the weight of the sand break the windows? Or crush the roof for that matter? That much sand would be 800 lbs/square inch. And that took me a whole two minutes of Googling to figure out.
How would they breath under that much pressure? Scuba diving in water, for instance, is limited to 30-40 meters - and sand is a decent amount heavier than water - and even then you have to take care to descend and ascend slowly to let your lungs acclimate to the changing pressure. Yet they go straight down to a depth ten times that, in a denser material, then come straight back up? Yeah, I don't see how that would work.
Maybe he should have gotten a certification in scuba diving before writing this? Just to have some idea of the issues involved in diving in general...
January 3, 2014
Absolutely amazing! Hugh Howey never ceases to amaze. Although this is a separate book and in no relation to his best seller 'Wool' wool fans will still enjoy this new series. This is part 1 sneak peek to Howey's new Sand Omnibus. So glad that I also purchased part 2 so I can now start it straight away but scared to read it as I know I will be hooked and then have to wait until the whole book is finished. He did warn us lol
January 24, 2014
Hugh Howey has done it again with his style of writing. He builds the mystery of Sand and leaves that little hook at the end that keeps you coming back for more.
I read this as part of the dystopian book Taste of Tomorrow. I am slowing picking my way through it instead of trying to read the entire book.
I read this as part of the dystopian book Taste of Tomorrow. I am slowing picking my way through it instead of trying to read the entire book.
Read
January 22, 2014I love Hugh's books so when Sand came out I pushed that buy button so fast! What I found was a story that had so many twists and unexpected turns and had me wondering if in fact sand diving was a real thing. I'm on book three so I can't wait to see how it all ends.
March 24, 2023
Sand is an episodic novel set in a post-apocalyptic United States that's covered entirely in several hundred meters of sand. Our man character, Palmer, makes his living as a diver - he delves into the sand to bring back relics of the old world.
It's an interesting enough premise, but unfortunately didn't grab me enough to continue with the story. The setting is relatively unique, as far as post-apocalypses go. I just didn't like any of the characters and was given no reason to be invested in them. The writing is decent, but teeters between a young adult tone and excessive swearing, and ends up coming across as juvenile.
Perhaps future parts of the novel improve or expand on the characters, but there are too many interesting books out there for me to spend time on one that doesn't grip me.
It's an interesting enough premise, but unfortunately didn't grab me enough to continue with the story. The setting is relatively unique, as far as post-apocalypses go. I just didn't like any of the characters and was given no reason to be invested in them. The writing is decent, but teeters between a young adult tone and excessive swearing, and ends up coming across as juvenile.
Perhaps future parts of the novel improve or expand on the characters, but there are too many interesting books out there for me to spend time on one that doesn't grip me.
July 30, 2024
Fra forfatteren av Silo (Wool) - jepp, jeg er overbevist om at denne serien også blir bra, selv om jeg kun har lest den første av seks. Trodde først at den skulle bli en slags rip-off av Dune, men nei - dette er another cup of tea. Tommelopp!
September 7, 2024
Really enjoyable, loved how the author really painted such a clear picture of the environment. I thought the sand diving was such a neat concept. A bit disappointed in the anticlimactic ending and unanswered questions though.
July 3, 2018
Review available here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 4, 2019
Some great ideas, but not polished and no where near as good as "Wool."
March 18, 2021
good and fun to read
October 12, 2022
"Sand" is fantastic. Rereading it six years later, it's still fantastic if not as mind blowing as the first time. Can't wait to read the sequel that FINALLY came out!
August 23, 2024
Dune vibes but it was an interesting story line. Held my interest throughout the book.
January 6, 2014
Yes! Another great novella to draw me into a fictional world!
At first I was worried because the book didn't floor me at first like WOOL did. With WOOL, I was immediately invested in the story and couldn't wait to continue. WIth this book, there was immediate activity and some world building in quite the bizarre post apocalyptic land, however I didn't quite get a good picture in of it in my head. I wasn't invested in the characters for the first half of the story, but clearly didn't know them well enough yet.
BUT BUT BUT, by the end I was practically screaming! I can't spoil the story for you, but I am very concerned about one character and there was quite the comeuppance for another that had me thinking "YES!" and I might even have had a little fist pump... I am now completely invested in the story and will probably read all parts that have been released to date (1-4) tonight. I was trying to wait for the omnibus edition, but just couldn't do it.
Keep reading -- I know I will! I am halfway through Book 2 at this point and desperate to know more of this devastated world and what happened!
At first I was worried because the book didn't floor me at first like WOOL did. With WOOL, I was immediately invested in the story and couldn't wait to continue. WIth this book, there was immediate activity and some world building in quite the bizarre post apocalyptic land, however I didn't quite get a good picture in of it in my head. I wasn't invested in the characters for the first half of the story, but clearly didn't know them well enough yet.
BUT BUT BUT, by the end I was practically screaming! I can't spoil the story for you, but I am very concerned about one character and there was quite the comeuppance for another that had me thinking "YES!" and I might even have had a little fist pump... I am now completely invested in the story and will probably read all parts that have been released to date (1-4) tonight. I was trying to wait for the omnibus edition, but just couldn't do it.
Keep reading -- I know I will! I am halfway through Book 2 at this point and desperate to know more of this devastated world and what happened!
January 4, 2014
Once again Hugh Howey has managed to blow me completely away with a story. Rarely do I have such a visceral reaction to a book but his whole concept of "sand diving" has left me literally gasping for breath at times along with the characters. Some time in an unspecified dystopian future, humanity struggles to survive in a Saharan desert-like wasteland at the edge of the mountains. Those that are able, make a living diving through the sand dunes salvaging valuable relics from the past and searching for the almost mythical buried city of "Danvar". In this first installment of 5 parts, sand divers Palmer and Hap actually find it, at great risk and to disastrous end. After the incredible success of Hugh's WOOL (Silo) series I though he might be hard pressed to top it but in all honesty SAND may actually leave WOOL in the dust. And I will never be able to look up into the night sky and gaze on Orion's Belt again without thinking of this story.
February 8, 2014
Howey has done it again! I didn’t know what to expect with the Sand series. I purchased the omnibus edition but in the description advised that Howey said he felt it is better to read in parts. So, I am reading one then another book before going to the next one. Not sure there is any difference just putting it out there.
Howey has created another deep world with deeply complex characters. Sand,the title of the series is a character itself. There is so much depth. Howey creates different terms for the sand that includes footnotes. It makes the story so much more complex.
The first part concentrates on sand divers. This is such a cool twist making people who go under the sand comparable to sea divers. The sand changes consistency with the help of the divers suit. As they dive they find pieces of our world that have been buried by the sand for a long time.
I am very excited to read the rest of the series. So far it is 5 star.
Howey has created another deep world with deeply complex characters. Sand,the title of the series is a character itself. There is so much depth. Howey creates different terms for the sand that includes footnotes. It makes the story so much more complex.
The first part concentrates on sand divers. This is such a cool twist making people who go under the sand comparable to sea divers. The sand changes consistency with the help of the divers suit. As they dive they find pieces of our world that have been buried by the sand for a long time.
I am very excited to read the rest of the series. So far it is 5 star.
January 14, 2014
When I see there's a new Hugh Howey story out, my brain screams drop-everything-you-are-doing-and-read-this-RIGHTNOW. Howey's work is an instabuy for me. I fell in love with the Wool stories and have been a huge fan ever since.
One of my favorite things about Howey's work is the way the reader is fully immersed in a strange new world, right from the first sentence. In this case, it's a world covered in sand. People who work as sand divers wear special suits that allow them to "dive" through the sand to scavenge artifacts from buried cities. The Belt of the Buried Gods focuses on a pair of sand divers hired by a group of mercenaries to find a legendary ancient city. Palmer and Hap successfully complete the job they were hired to do, but things get complicated.
Read this.
One of my favorite things about Howey's work is the way the reader is fully immersed in a strange new world, right from the first sentence. In this case, it's a world covered in sand. People who work as sand divers wear special suits that allow them to "dive" through the sand to scavenge artifacts from buried cities. The Belt of the Buried Gods focuses on a pair of sand divers hired by a group of mercenaries to find a legendary ancient city. Palmer and Hap successfully complete the job they were hired to do, but things get complicated.
Read this.
February 5, 2016
Action from page one! I love this!
When this was first published, it came out in these five books, which are each pretty short. The blurb says to read them with time between, I guess to digest everything, but the way this one ended - cliffhanger isn't a strong enough word!- there's no way you could not dive right in to the next book!
Sand is the new water, people dive into it, deep down, to find relics of the old world, to use them to improve their lives in the new one. The new world is above the sand, sand that desolated life and buried a whole culture.
Hap and Palmer are divers and they are sent on an important mission. Together. But in the new world, where everyone is poor, selfishness reigns and friends might not be friends...
When this was first published, it came out in these five books, which are each pretty short. The blurb says to read them with time between, I guess to digest everything, but the way this one ended - cliffhanger isn't a strong enough word!- there's no way you could not dive right in to the next book!
Sand is the new water, people dive into it, deep down, to find relics of the old world, to use them to improve their lives in the new one. The new world is above the sand, sand that desolated life and buried a whole culture.
Hap and Palmer are divers and they are sent on an important mission. Together. But in the new world, where everyone is poor, selfishness reigns and friends might not be friends...
February 17, 2015
Sand is a great start to a new series. I was already a fan of Hugh Howey's Wool series and was looking forward to checking out his new book. This story got me interested in learning more about the world of Sand; how did the world get buried? Why do the prevailing winds never change direction? How long has the world been buried? The cliffhanger (almost) at the end leaves me wondering what will happen to the main character (though I wasn't too surprised by what happened to his friend...) I'll definitely be picking up the omnibus of this series when it's available.
January 14, 2014
HH can do no wrong.
On the heels of Wool, he brings another subterranean dystopic world, this made of sand. What makes him such an effective writer is his impeccable timing and pace, masterfully building a world that the reader can absorb, become part of, and experience. While this is only the first part of 5, I finished with a sense of claustrophobia and grit as the characters used futuristic technology to "dive" into a desert in search of riches. The ending left me with a wonderfully chilling sense of dread.
Impeccable.
On the heels of Wool, he brings another subterranean dystopic world, this made of sand. What makes him such an effective writer is his impeccable timing and pace, masterfully building a world that the reader can absorb, become part of, and experience. While this is only the first part of 5, I finished with a sense of claustrophobia and grit as the characters used futuristic technology to "dive" into a desert in search of riches. The ending left me with a wonderfully chilling sense of dread.
Impeccable.
January 12, 2014
Hugh Howey is releasing this book in small installments, and I couldn't resist getting it right away. Despite the name, it is not related to the Wool series (though has some things in common like questions of what happened to the world we know today?). I'm curious to see where the series will lead us. This one is more of a 3.5, but it had a slow start for me, so I rounded down. Wool started out similarly for me, so I am eager for the next installment!
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