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Desert Rising #1
Sand of Bone
Syrina – descendent of the gods, one of the Velshaan who rule the deserts and deltas, cast out by her bloodkin for daring to reject their intrigues.
They thought exile to Salt Hold – surrounded by parched earth and outcast Blades who despise her – would end her defiance. But Salt is safer than the grand alcazar of home when she uncovers the secrets of commanding sand, fire, water, wind – the power mixed with ambition that nearly destroyed her bloodkin in generations past.
Pyrius was the desert's most respected Blade Commander until the bloodkin sentenced him to Salt. But he finds a way to keep his Blade vows while still exacting revenge when he chooses to serve the exiled Velshaan Syrina. When her bloodkin's threats become actions, Pyrius sets a plan in motion that will either prevent the looming civil war simmering in the desert's heat or see them all fed to the sands for sedition.
Because Syrina's ability to control the desert's deepest elements is still fickle and raw – too weak to defeat her bloodkin, strong enough her bloodkin want her stopped before she learns more. The gods demand a soul in trade, and the fate of the living rests upon the redemption of the dead.
They thought exile to Salt Hold – surrounded by parched earth and outcast Blades who despise her – would end her defiance. But Salt is safer than the grand alcazar of home when she uncovers the secrets of commanding sand, fire, water, wind – the power mixed with ambition that nearly destroyed her bloodkin in generations past.
Pyrius was the desert's most respected Blade Commander until the bloodkin sentenced him to Salt. But he finds a way to keep his Blade vows while still exacting revenge when he chooses to serve the exiled Velshaan Syrina. When her bloodkin's threats become actions, Pyrius sets a plan in motion that will either prevent the looming civil war simmering in the desert's heat or see them all fed to the sands for sedition.
Because Syrina's ability to control the desert's deepest elements is still fickle and raw – too weak to defeat her bloodkin, strong enough her bloodkin want her stopped before she learns more. The gods demand a soul in trade, and the fate of the living rests upon the redemption of the dead.
- GenresFantasy
350 pages, ebook
First published August 14, 2014
9 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Blair MacGregor
8 books14 followersBlair writes fantasy -- adventurous, epic, and dark. Her debut novel
Sword and Chant
was included in the first Indie Fantasy Bundle through StoryBundle, and her more recent novel
Sand of Bone
was included in the 2015 Fantasy Bundle.
Her short fiction has appeared in Cicada and Writers of the Future. She is a graduate of Viable Paradise and a member of SFWA.
She also teaches and speaks on a variety of topics -- martial arts, education, wellness, failure and resilience -- for audiences ranging from a couple dozen to a few thousand. Most evenings, you'll find her teaching karate at her local dojo. In between all that, Blair hikes and camps, grows organic produce, and indulges in the occasional ziplining excursion. She loves traveling to places both wild and domesticated. She currently lives in Colorado with her one son and two goofy dogs.
Her short fiction has appeared in Cicada and Writers of the Future. She is a graduate of Viable Paradise and a member of SFWA.
She also teaches and speaks on a variety of topics -- martial arts, education, wellness, failure and resilience -- for audiences ranging from a couple dozen to a few thousand. Most evenings, you'll find her teaching karate at her local dojo. In between all that, Blair hikes and camps, grows organic produce, and indulges in the occasional ziplining excursion. She loves traveling to places both wild and domesticated. She currently lives in Colorado with her one son and two goofy dogs.
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August 20, 2014Once in a while I do blurbs. I did one for this book:
Searingly vivid, and grittily realistic, Sand of Bone slams the reader into a harsh desert world full of complex people, tense moral dilemmas, and an exhilarating jet of the weird. Do not start this one late at night!
This is the same world that her previous book, Sword and Chant, takes place in. Some place names and concepts are familiar, but the books exist independent in time, and so either can be read before the other.
In this one, the ruling family, the Velshaan, hope to regain the powers they once had. Raskah, who can be regarded as a young prince, is confident that if he mates with his sister Syrina, they can together regain access to phenomenal powers.
But Syrina, so close to him until their teens, flat refuses--and so is sent in exile to the nastiest place possible, Salt Hold, where troublemakers not put to death outright are sent to drudge salt in return for minimal--very minimal--supplies.
Syrina makes tentative friends, well, an alliance, with Pyrius, the Blade Commander sent to Salt Hold. Syrina in exile is studying desperately, parallel to her brother, to gain access to those powers. When she understands that her brother is coming for her, she makes a desperate decision in order to survive.
The book opens with Raskah demonstrating in unflinchingly vivid detail, exactly why Syrina has turned from love to hate. And fear.
Like the previous book, there is a whole lot of violence here. Desert survival breeds toughness, and ruling tough people shapes attitudes toward hardness and harshness. But this is not completely a grimdark book--or I would not have been able to finish reading it. I am not the audience for unrelenting grimdark. When one can predict the grue and grim coming, and it comes, I lose interest. When there is no humor I lose interest. If there is no glimpse of wonder, I'm gone.
MacGregor almost loses me in the second half, but she doesn't because the characters are so complex, the moral dilemmas so interesting, and the moments of the numinous so breathtaking that I kept reading way, way too late into the night.
Though this book can be read independently of the first, it does set up for a sequel. The high stakes are set up, and everyone is moving toward . . . what? I'll be interested to find out.
Searingly vivid, and grittily realistic, Sand of Bone slams the reader into a harsh desert world full of complex people, tense moral dilemmas, and an exhilarating jet of the weird. Do not start this one late at night!
This is the same world that her previous book, Sword and Chant, takes place in. Some place names and concepts are familiar, but the books exist independent in time, and so either can be read before the other.
In this one, the ruling family, the Velshaan, hope to regain the powers they once had. Raskah, who can be regarded as a young prince, is confident that if he mates with his sister Syrina, they can together regain access to phenomenal powers.
But Syrina, so close to him until their teens, flat refuses--and so is sent in exile to the nastiest place possible, Salt Hold, where troublemakers not put to death outright are sent to drudge salt in return for minimal--very minimal--supplies.
Syrina makes tentative friends, well, an alliance, with Pyrius, the Blade Commander sent to Salt Hold. Syrina in exile is studying desperately, parallel to her brother, to gain access to those powers. When she understands that her brother is coming for her, she makes a desperate decision in order to survive.
The book opens with Raskah demonstrating in unflinchingly vivid detail, exactly why Syrina has turned from love to hate. And fear.
Like the previous book, there is a whole lot of violence here. Desert survival breeds toughness, and ruling tough people shapes attitudes toward hardness and harshness. But this is not completely a grimdark book--or I would not have been able to finish reading it. I am not the audience for unrelenting grimdark. When one can predict the grue and grim coming, and it comes, I lose interest. When there is no humor I lose interest. If there is no glimpse of wonder, I'm gone.
MacGregor almost loses me in the second half, but she doesn't because the characters are so complex, the moral dilemmas so interesting, and the moments of the numinous so breathtaking that I kept reading way, way too late into the night.
Though this book can be read independently of the first, it does set up for a sequel. The high stakes are set up, and everyone is moving toward . . . what? I'll be interested to find out.
March 9, 2015
SheyKala is a harsh desert land, ruled by the Velshaan, descendents of the gods who can be killed only by one another or by the desert itself. Despite their touch of divinity, they’re completely human in their passions, and like humans, they have strengths and weaknesses. Their innate charisma elicits awe and a desire to please among ordinary mortals, even as their actions often inspire loathing. In the past, they warred among themselves, and now their number is much reduced. They must remain united, for their own good and, as they see it, the good of SheyKala. But now there is a rift between two siblings, Raskah and Syrina, who had been destined to mate and produce the next generation of Velshaan. Raskah has become power mad and bloodthirsty; Syrina, already banished for her headstrong behavior, now must find a way to protect herself and her followers from her brother, master and nurture an ancient skill she has glimmerings of, and somehow not set off a new round of internecine Velshaan warfare.
The story opens with a brutal chapter from Raskah’s perspective that strongly predisposed me to like ANYONE who would oppose him. Fortunately, there are many characters who do, all of whom I liked. Syrina, the main protagonist, starts out both haughty and vulnerable, and I adored watching her grow, acquire skills, and blossom as a person. But there are other amazing characters to root for as well: Pyrius, the seasoned commander; Shella, who’s in charge of training new recruits; Riner, playing a dangerous double-agent role, and more.
There are deaths and sacrifices, but the book never feels dark, I think because the characters don’t waver in their convictions. This might sound like a criticism—I can see how, in some stories, it would be a flaw—but for me, in this story, it was a wonderful relief and comfort. I was so anxious at first, but I realized I could trust the characters completely. In real life, your beloved teacher or coach might turn out to have a drinking problem or be neglectful of their own kids or embezzle funds, but in Sand of Bone, if a person has committed to a good course of action, that nobility of intention permeates them. It’s not that they don’t make mistakes, but they never let you down or disappoint you.
It’s a nail-bitingly intense story, with vivid worldbuilding and characters you’ll fall in love with—and weep for. Great stuff.
The story opens with a brutal chapter from Raskah’s perspective that strongly predisposed me to like ANYONE who would oppose him. Fortunately, there are many characters who do, all of whom I liked. Syrina, the main protagonist, starts out both haughty and vulnerable, and I adored watching her grow, acquire skills, and blossom as a person. But there are other amazing characters to root for as well: Pyrius, the seasoned commander; Shella, who’s in charge of training new recruits; Riner, playing a dangerous double-agent role, and more.
There are deaths and sacrifices, but the book never feels dark, I think because the characters don’t waver in their convictions. This might sound like a criticism—I can see how, in some stories, it would be a flaw—but for me, in this story, it was a wonderful relief and comfort. I was so anxious at first, but I realized I could trust the characters completely. In real life, your beloved teacher or coach might turn out to have a drinking problem or be neglectful of their own kids or embezzle funds, but in Sand of Bone, if a person has committed to a good course of action, that nobility of intention permeates them. It’s not that they don’t make mistakes, but they never let you down or disappoint you.
It’s a nail-bitingly intense story, with vivid worldbuilding and characters you’ll fall in love with—and weep for. Great stuff.
August 12, 2015
I'll admit, I read Sand of Bone through a very difficult time in my life. That's one of the beauties of fantasy, it can take you away from all the pain and hurt and suffering and place you in a world that isn't your own.
Sand of Bone by Blair MacGregor was part of a recent Storybundle compilation featuring the likes of Bradley Beaulieu and Sherwood Smith, the latter of whom gave this work a huge endorsement. This clearly meant that the work was of some quality to garner such prestigious attention.
In addition to this accolade, Sand of Bone made the shortlist of Bob Milne's selection for the SPFBO, narrowly missing out on advancing to the next round.
One reviewer called the work 'Ender's Game meets Dune' which was a ridiculous piece of hyperbole if I've ever heard one. The reality is that while this is another well-written desert-based fantasy, the world-building takes a back seat to the character drama.
Our main protagonist is Syrina, who immediately raises questions by being a Velshaan. A Velshaan, aside from looking a little different from your standard desert-dweller, cannot be killed by anyone but a fellow Velshaan. This gives her a ridiculous degree of plot armour and had me rolling my eyes at the inevitable heroine-saves-the-world plot to come.
Except that it doesn't come at all. MacGregor's chosen one may have special gifts and abilities to explore, she may hold a station that is revered by more humble people, but in spite of this her lofty status is brilliantly subverted throughout the course of the book.
Syrina isn't invincible. She can be killed by hunger, or thirst, or even a particularly bad fall. This humanises her and allows her Velshaan status to prove more of a social construct throughout much of the book. Having been outcast to what is essentially a prison colony, she must discover how to be human after living a life almost outside of humanity within her bloodkin family.
The primary foil for Syrina is the venerable warrior known as Pyrius, a desert fighter known as a Blade and commander of the garrison of Salt. Pyrius is a solid and reliable military sort that we've seen a thousand times before, but in spite of this his character never grows stale.
Our principal antagonist is Raskah, who while exhibiting all the negative traits of your typical cackling villain, is still a complicated individual whose mind has been poisoned by the very familial ties that Syrina has been temporarily freed from. A discovery from ancient texts leads him to believe that he needs his exiled sister back, the bulk of his tale being said quest to recover her.
What intrigued me about Sand of Bone was that Raskah still showed a degree of reverence for his elders, one that may have been tinged with frustration as he plotted their downfall, but one that felt enforced and unbreakable all the same. It's always interesting to see a villain with familial ties which govern his behaviour.
The greatest strength MacGregor has is her characterisation. Every ancillary character has both a purpose and an internal motivation, none of them are there simply to be there for the sake of the plot. Many of these characters get their own chapters, ranging from the scheming and political (Layla) to the brutally violent yet entertaining (Shella).
The book doesn't pull punches with its violence, and while it's not overtly sadistic in its descriptions, it sets the tone and makes it clear that some of these characters can and will die. This style fits well with the character-driven narratives and is somewhat reminiscent of Robin Hobb.
While the number of momentous events is limited and there won't be enough battle and action for fans of more military fantasy, there's always something going on in every scene that garners greater importance as the tale goes on.
There were a few typos here and there, but they were minimal flaws that didn't detract from the tale to any great degree. Another round with an editor wouldn't hurt, but neither is it necessary.
Two main weaknesses sprung out for me upon finishing the book. The first of these was the lack of world-building, a staple in modern fantasy that was ignored in lieu of further character development. I felt that MacGregor could have expanded on SheyKala and used the harsh realities of the desert to greater effect.
The second weakness was the over-reliance on political machinations for certain characters. I felt that in order to appreciate the gravitas of certain scenes we needed to spend more time with said characters. Expanding upon the politics by providing said people with more to do than play mind games would have improved the work.
While the tale does conclude naturally, it's very apparent that a sequel is required. MagGregor does her best to provide some degree of resolution and as is rife in fantasy she also gives you plenty of reasons to want the next book in the series.
Sand of Bone has done more than enough to capture both my imagination and my recommendation. I eagerly await the sequel and will be keeping an eye out for it with bated breath.
Sand of Bone by Blair MacGregor was part of a recent Storybundle compilation featuring the likes of Bradley Beaulieu and Sherwood Smith, the latter of whom gave this work a huge endorsement. This clearly meant that the work was of some quality to garner such prestigious attention.
In addition to this accolade, Sand of Bone made the shortlist of Bob Milne's selection for the SPFBO, narrowly missing out on advancing to the next round.
One reviewer called the work 'Ender's Game meets Dune' which was a ridiculous piece of hyperbole if I've ever heard one. The reality is that while this is another well-written desert-based fantasy, the world-building takes a back seat to the character drama.
Our main protagonist is Syrina, who immediately raises questions by being a Velshaan. A Velshaan, aside from looking a little different from your standard desert-dweller, cannot be killed by anyone but a fellow Velshaan. This gives her a ridiculous degree of plot armour and had me rolling my eyes at the inevitable heroine-saves-the-world plot to come.
Except that it doesn't come at all. MacGregor's chosen one may have special gifts and abilities to explore, she may hold a station that is revered by more humble people, but in spite of this her lofty status is brilliantly subverted throughout the course of the book.
Syrina isn't invincible. She can be killed by hunger, or thirst, or even a particularly bad fall. This humanises her and allows her Velshaan status to prove more of a social construct throughout much of the book. Having been outcast to what is essentially a prison colony, she must discover how to be human after living a life almost outside of humanity within her bloodkin family.
The primary foil for Syrina is the venerable warrior known as Pyrius, a desert fighter known as a Blade and commander of the garrison of Salt. Pyrius is a solid and reliable military sort that we've seen a thousand times before, but in spite of this his character never grows stale.
Our principal antagonist is Raskah, who while exhibiting all the negative traits of your typical cackling villain, is still a complicated individual whose mind has been poisoned by the very familial ties that Syrina has been temporarily freed from. A discovery from ancient texts leads him to believe that he needs his exiled sister back, the bulk of his tale being said quest to recover her.
What intrigued me about Sand of Bone was that Raskah still showed a degree of reverence for his elders, one that may have been tinged with frustration as he plotted their downfall, but one that felt enforced and unbreakable all the same. It's always interesting to see a villain with familial ties which govern his behaviour.
The greatest strength MacGregor has is her characterisation. Every ancillary character has both a purpose and an internal motivation, none of them are there simply to be there for the sake of the plot. Many of these characters get their own chapters, ranging from the scheming and political (Layla) to the brutally violent yet entertaining (Shella).
The book doesn't pull punches with its violence, and while it's not overtly sadistic in its descriptions, it sets the tone and makes it clear that some of these characters can and will die. This style fits well with the character-driven narratives and is somewhat reminiscent of Robin Hobb.
While the number of momentous events is limited and there won't be enough battle and action for fans of more military fantasy, there's always something going on in every scene that garners greater importance as the tale goes on.
There were a few typos here and there, but they were minimal flaws that didn't detract from the tale to any great degree. Another round with an editor wouldn't hurt, but neither is it necessary.
Two main weaknesses sprung out for me upon finishing the book. The first of these was the lack of world-building, a staple in modern fantasy that was ignored in lieu of further character development. I felt that MacGregor could have expanded on SheyKala and used the harsh realities of the desert to greater effect.
The second weakness was the over-reliance on political machinations for certain characters. I felt that in order to appreciate the gravitas of certain scenes we needed to spend more time with said characters. Expanding upon the politics by providing said people with more to do than play mind games would have improved the work.
While the tale does conclude naturally, it's very apparent that a sequel is required. MagGregor does her best to provide some degree of resolution and as is rife in fantasy she also gives you plenty of reasons to want the next book in the series.
Sand of Bone has done more than enough to capture both my imagination and my recommendation. I eagerly await the sequel and will be keeping an eye out for it with bated breath.
February 15, 2015
I enjoyed this story and its world, and I'm very much looking forward to reading the next in the series.
February 8, 2015
The Velshaan are divine rulers of the desert, raised above the rest of humankind by their magical powers. Magical powers that have been lost since the last great civil war, when Velshaan fought Velshaan and the magical battles reshaped the land. The ruling family believes there is a way back to that power, and they’ll scheme and betray to get it. Syrina, princess and younger sister to Raskah, has been persuaded to marry him, because the legends say the magic only manifests in the union of two siblings. Yet, the brother she once loved has become terrifying and hateful (reader’s warning: explicitly violent scenes explain how). For her refusal to accept her family’s plans for her, she has been sent to the dreaded salt mines, where troublemakers are sent to fade into obscurity, drudgery, and starvation. Syrina, stronger than she knows, begins to forge alliances at the salt mines, while she studies furiously to learn how to access the power of the Velshaan. In fact, she is racing against her brother, who is using his own methods to try to access that same power. When she realizes he is coming for her, she throws her decaying family loyalty away and starts off on a new course that will build her character in ways she never imagined.
About halfway, the pacing slows as the focal point becomes one specific piece of palace intrigue. It was well worth it to power through that section, because the action picks up and keeps rolling until the last page, which sets up events for a sequel.
While the main storyline follows Syrina’s character growth and adventures, the narration is split between her and other key players, offering glimpses of royal schemes and treason, secondary characters’ motivations, and magical spirits whose destinies give them a role in the events. All the narrations together show a multifaceted, magical world with meaningful history that impacts the current events. Each character is complex, with motives that fit their actions (or vice versa). Each decision is weighty, and many have moral components, when independence, defiance, and change could bring about war that would devastate people, but is necessary to make the world a better place.
A thoroughly engaging and well-written novel about desert adventure, politics, and a young woman finding her way among difficult futures, this book kept me turning page after page, and I really can’t wait for the continuation of Syrina’s story.
About halfway, the pacing slows as the focal point becomes one specific piece of palace intrigue. It was well worth it to power through that section, because the action picks up and keeps rolling until the last page, which sets up events for a sequel.
While the main storyline follows Syrina’s character growth and adventures, the narration is split between her and other key players, offering glimpses of royal schemes and treason, secondary characters’ motivations, and magical spirits whose destinies give them a role in the events. All the narrations together show a multifaceted, magical world with meaningful history that impacts the current events. Each character is complex, with motives that fit their actions (or vice versa). Each decision is weighty, and many have moral components, when independence, defiance, and change could bring about war that would devastate people, but is necessary to make the world a better place.
A thoroughly engaging and well-written novel about desert adventure, politics, and a young woman finding her way among difficult futures, this book kept me turning page after page, and I really can’t wait for the continuation of Syrina’s story.
February 7, 2015
I really liked this story and couldn't put the book down. After the first several pages, I didn't think I was going to like it because of the setting (desert, military), but in only a few more pages I was rewarded with a rich world shown through great story-telling.
There were some spelling errors, but mostly the type that spellchecker isn't going to catch, such as ". . . and Layla reminded herself to breath steadily." It's definitely a typo because the author uses "breathe" in every other instance. To be fair, there weren't a whole lot of this type of error, but enough that I caught them.
Usually, something like this really distracts me because my mind fixates, so I can't just enjoy the story. However, it was so well told that I was able to move on without trouble. At worst, the author should have a few more friends read over her story or pay a good proofreader (I volunteer!).
I highly recommend this story, not only because it was interesting, but also because the author knows how to show her world instead of just telling us about it. I look forward to reading the next novel in the series and I'm happy that I only have to wait about 2 months.
There were some spelling errors, but mostly the type that spellchecker isn't going to catch, such as ". . . and Layla reminded herself to breath steadily." It's definitely a typo because the author uses "breathe" in every other instance. To be fair, there weren't a whole lot of this type of error, but enough that I caught them.
Usually, something like this really distracts me because my mind fixates, so I can't just enjoy the story. However, it was so well told that I was able to move on without trouble. At worst, the author should have a few more friends read over her story or pay a good proofreader (I volunteer!).
I highly recommend this story, not only because it was interesting, but also because the author knows how to show her world instead of just telling us about it. I look forward to reading the next novel in the series and I'm happy that I only have to wait about 2 months.
February 25, 2015
If you like military fantasy with lots of Basic Training elements, you’ll enjoy this book. However, I’m not a specific fan of military fantasy, and I still enjoyed it. If you loved Dune, you’ll probably want to read Sand of Bone. If you wanted to like Dune but couldn’t get past Herbert’s writing style, give this one a try. The writing is much more accessible.
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February 10, 2015
What happens next??? This book is begging for a sequel.
February 21, 2017
I loved this book. I was surprised by just how much I loved it. It was truly a delicious read. :)
I think the reason I enjoyed it so much was in good part because the characters were so beautifully drawn. The good and the bad. The main character would by Syrina, a young woman, descended from the gods, one of the ruling family of the desert who has been exiled to the remote and near barren Salt Hold for basically refusing to fall in line with her family's wishes for her. At first I found her kind of vapid and shallow, her refusal to toe the family line having mostly to do with her own discomfort. But the author shows us how Syrina grows, the choices she has and the ones she makes - not all of them wise or good, to be honest. She was real, so I didn't roll my eyes at her.
Her antagonist is her brother Raskah - a nasty piece of work. Cruel and violent, he's truly an awful young man. Like a good villain should be. :) I was expecting his story to go one way, but Blair MacG took him another way, which both disappointed and delighted me? *LOL* I know... I guess I just wanted to be clever. :)
The secondary characters, Pyrius, Shella, Riner, Ehren et al... were wonderfully drawn and full people, not types, if you know what I mean. I have my favourites and while some of them survived, other didn't. And that's a good thing! The author does not play around and I've come to respect that. Kill my faves! Go ahead, but man... make it mean something in the story. And it does.
This is one of those books that makes me wish I could write a really good and inspiring review filled with thoughtful insights and comments, but sadly, I don't have that talent.
The thing to take away is... I LOVED THIS BOOK! :)
I think the reason I enjoyed it so much was in good part because the characters were so beautifully drawn. The good and the bad. The main character would by Syrina, a young woman, descended from the gods, one of the ruling family of the desert who has been exiled to the remote and near barren Salt Hold for basically refusing to fall in line with her family's wishes for her. At first I found her kind of vapid and shallow, her refusal to toe the family line having mostly to do with her own discomfort. But the author shows us how Syrina grows, the choices she has and the ones she makes - not all of them wise or good, to be honest. She was real, so I didn't roll my eyes at her.
Her antagonist is her brother Raskah - a nasty piece of work. Cruel and violent, he's truly an awful young man. Like a good villain should be. :) I was expecting his story to go one way, but Blair MacG took him another way, which both disappointed and delighted me? *LOL* I know... I guess I just wanted to be clever. :)
The secondary characters, Pyrius, Shella, Riner, Ehren et al... were wonderfully drawn and full people, not types, if you know what I mean. I have my favourites and while some of them survived, other didn't. And that's a good thing! The author does not play around and I've come to respect that. Kill my faves! Go ahead, but man... make it mean something in the story. And it does.
This is one of those books that makes me wish I could write a really good and inspiring review filled with thoughtful insights and comments, but sadly, I don't have that talent.
The thing to take away is... I LOVED THIS BOOK! :)
March 13, 2015
Syrina is a Valshaan - immortal unless her kin choose to kill her and with a hope of great elemental power. But she has defied her brother and been exiled by her kin to a hold in the desert where disobedient Blades are sent to be reformed.
I very much enjoyed this book. The main character, Syrina, is both sympathetic and flawed. She matures through the book and the process she goes through makes her growth very believable. The support characters are also great from a grizzled but idealistic general to his pragmatic lover who trains young Blades. Blades are the elite warriors of this world.
The world is set in a desert and I loved how the desert played a role in the novel. It wasn't a desert just to be interesting. It affected the surrounding cultures and played a key role in the plot. The setting felt deeply embedded in how the novel developed.
Overall, I would definitely recommend it to readers of epic and adventure fantasy. I also think I will check out the sequels because the author left a lot of space for the story to grow.
[I got this book in an indie fantasy bundle off Storybundle. I hadn't really enjoyed the first two books from the bundle so I was really happy that this was a good one!]
I very much enjoyed this book. The main character, Syrina, is both sympathetic and flawed. She matures through the book and the process she goes through makes her growth very believable. The support characters are also great from a grizzled but idealistic general to his pragmatic lover who trains young Blades. Blades are the elite warriors of this world.
The world is set in a desert and I loved how the desert played a role in the novel. It wasn't a desert just to be interesting. It affected the surrounding cultures and played a key role in the plot. The setting felt deeply embedded in how the novel developed.
Overall, I would definitely recommend it to readers of epic and adventure fantasy. I also think I will check out the sequels because the author left a lot of space for the story to grow.
[I got this book in an indie fantasy bundle off Storybundle. I hadn't really enjoyed the first two books from the bundle so I was really happy that this was a good one!]
October 11, 2016
As gritty as a car break down in the Mojave Desert.
I got this one on a recommendation, and their description was apt. This is a low magic, high politics, fantasy set in a plausible desert. The characters are subtle, vague, and guarded where the climate is harsh and dangerous. None of the characters are idiots but most have flaws. (Even the demigod). A book with consequences, and a solid military feel. Four stars.
I got this one on a recommendation, and their description was apt. This is a low magic, high politics, fantasy set in a plausible desert. The characters are subtle, vague, and guarded where the climate is harsh and dangerous. None of the characters are idiots but most have flaws. (Even the demigod). A book with consequences, and a solid military feel. Four stars.
April 20, 2015
I almost didn't make it through the first chapter, but I am so glad I kept going. The mood is dark, yes, but the characters and plot kept me entrapped through to the very end. I very much hope there will be a sequel!
June 23, 2015
Beginning was a little rough, but glad I stuck it through.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews