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Sand ##4

Thunder Due East

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A family long scattered reunites as danger approaches Springston. Brother and sister rush to sound a warning, but that warning will come too late.

Bombs will thunder like the pulse of a terrible god, and the great dune will flow as the sea. And when a people find themselves buried beneath the sands, who in the heavens will hear their muffled pleas?

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 2013

27 people are currently reading
430 people want to read

About the author

Hugh Howey

151 books57.7k followers
I'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.

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5 stars
492 (49%)
4 stars
379 (38%)
3 stars
99 (10%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Siobhan.
5,041 reviews595 followers
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.
Profile Image for Sara.
1,332 reviews
January 3, 2014
I am amazed at this whole series. I love everything about it! This particular installment rips at your heartstrings...such a fantastic story. I am a bit sad that it's almost over, yet extremely curious to see how Mr. Howey ends it.
Profile Image for Matt Powers.
Author 1 book34 followers
December 15, 2017
Another partial book. Short and ended abruptly.

Overall, I think the Sand series would be very good if I could find the one book that was continuos and told the complete story. The story is interesting and well-written.

I don't recommend this exact book but I would recommend the entire book, if you can find it.
72 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2024
This is really it? I'm really done with this series? Now there's one called Silos. I've started that I'm not too terribly interested in it. This one was wonderful, full of activity, full of personality, full of excitement. And also still a very unusual theme. I just loved it it was so unusual.
Profile Image for Melanti.
1,256 reviews140 followers
April 1, 2015
So, you're in the middle of a desert with water so scarce that every sip is rationed - yet a low class brothel can still afford showers? I find that extremely unbelievable!

And there was a line about having to choose between watering the plants in the garden and showering. First, if you had to make that choice, food should win every time... Hands down - eating is more important than showering. Second, Howey should look into the concept of grey water. The solution is simple. Shower (if you're going to waste water doing so), then collect the runoff to water the garden. That way you maximize the use you get out of the water.

Second - the Denver airport has been mysteriously relocated to Pueblo... Which makes absolutely no sense at all! The airport was never necessary to begin with, so why bother?

Last - this is just a personal preference - but I'm kind of sick of female characters who have a tragic history of being sexually assaulted.

Profile Image for Jaka Kun.
169 reviews6 followers
January 23, 2014
En este libro las cosas se acomodan, se explica un poco el por qué del mundo y queda muy bien. Deja un solo tema pendiente, a mi gusto, que supongo será el quinto libro de la saga.

Cuando lo empecé a leer con tantas dudas en la cabeza, sentí 1ue 70 páginas no iban a ser suficientes para explicar el desmadre de los tres primeros libros, pero sí lo fueron, me sorprendió. Me gusta lo que hace con los nombres de la historia, como Danvar, Low-Pub, Springston... Y más allá de la historia que cuenta, no puedo dejar de pensar en nostros, en la humanidad y cómo la ciencia ficción no solo se trata de la teconología, sino de llevar al extremo la voluntad humana, sus ideales y convicciones, para bien o para mal...
Profile Image for Katie.
1,556 reviews28 followers
February 23, 2016
These parts just keep getting better and better!

We're done with the alternating narrators by book, and now each chapter is a new narrator. Everyone is back from the other parts of the book, so we get to hear from all the siblings, mom, and even dad (ought not directly). There's a new characters perspective too; someone we met a few parts back, but just briefly.

I'm starting to develop some strong feelings for and about everyone, finally. That's been my only complaint until now- the multiple perspectives makes it hard to really connect wi anyone, and I felt they were all just bit parts, without a main character. Maybe that's the idea or the point?

Talk about a cliff hanger ending, too!
Profile Image for Blaine Moore.
Author 9 books3 followers
February 17, 2015
The story keeps getting better. Palmer hasn't completely escaped death's door, and Vic is doing her best to keep him alive and for the pair to sound their warning. As it says in the book description...they aren't going to make it in time. We learn some of what the sounds in the east are, and why traveling west over the mountains is the only escape.
Profile Image for Graeme Ing.
Author 14 books97 followers
January 21, 2014
Interesting to hear more about what is going on out east and Howey continued his awesome characterizations. The world of SAND is very well realized. I didn't find this as compelling as Wool however. Sorry, but comparisons are inevitable.
Profile Image for Sandy.
322 reviews3 followers
January 25, 2014
Hm. Not sure how much I like the explanation for how Vic is able to do what she does at the end there, but I'm very happy she was able to do it. Very much looking forward to seeing how this all ties together and resolves in the final part!
47 reviews2 followers
January 3, 2014
I can't wait to see how this ends! One of my favorite authors.
Profile Image for Emily.
28 reviews20 followers
January 4, 2014
Everything is rushing now, for all, crushing forward like the sand. Both eager for and dreading the final installment, book 5!
Profile Image for Jayme.
130 reviews3 followers
February 28, 2014
Great chapter in a great series by a great author.
Profile Image for Laura Beth Vietor.
735 reviews30 followers
May 27, 2014
This one is filled with destruction, heroics, death and survival. Guess it's all covered in a breath holding experience like none other.
Profile Image for CATHERINE.
1,496 reviews8 followers
May 26, 2014
Exciting next installment. I wasn't sure if I would like this series as much as Wool but it may in fact be better. Highly recommended, well written and original.
Profile Image for Donald.
245 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2014
Intensity ratchets up in this one
Profile Image for Devin.
405 reviews
February 6, 2015
The dark, penultimate tale leading into the conclusion of Sand. The two story lines just barely merge at the end as the world building hits its stride.
Profile Image for Patrick.
2,163 reviews21 followers
December 17, 2014
I'm not sure where I thought this was going, but it didn't go there.

I like where it is, though. Looking forward to the final installment.
Profile Image for Attila Benő.
Author 9 books12 followers
October 15, 2016
All threads from the previous books meet finally, and we are getting ready for a grand finale.
Profile Image for Patrick.
59 reviews
November 10, 2016
One of those typically good science fiction reads from Hugh Howey! He is an excellent story teller!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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