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With Blood Upon the Sand

(The Song of the Shattered Sands #2)

Bradley P. Beaulieu (Goodreads Author)

4.17 · Rating details · 2,910 ratings · 260 reviews

The second book in The Song of the Shattered Sands series--an epic fantasy with a desert setting, filled with rich worldbuilding and pulse-pounding action.

Çeda, now a Blade Maiden in service to the kings of Sharakhai, trains as one of their elite warriors, gleaning secrets even as they send her on covert missions to further their rule. She knows the dark history of the asi ...more

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Kindle Edition, 669 pages

Published February 7th 2017 by DAW

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Oct 19, 2016 Bradley added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Please like this review. I'll be using it for various updates as the book heads toward release and beyond!

Feb 7th, 2017 - Release day! Thank you for all your support, everyone! I've been overwhelmed with all the well wishes and the response to the book so far.

If I might ask a favor, if you review (or have already reviewed) the book here, please copy the review to even one other site (Amazon, B&N, Kobo, etc.). It raises the profile of the book and helps the launch immensely.

Onward!

Jan 31st, 2017 ...more

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Nov 23, 2020 Samantha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

TW: blood; gore; torture; blood magic/self harm

This second installment was just as good as the first, and the we of political intrigue and world building its weaving is even more intricate! This definitely solidified this series as one of my favorites.

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Jul 24, 2018 Mayim de Vries rated it really liked it · review of another edition

”War is war. The will of the Kings must be opposed, and the prose that they’d set for peace was blood.”

The second instalment in The Song of the Shattered Sands series proved Mr Beaulieu a writer who not only promises things in a terrific opening volume, but more importantly a one that keeps the quality of writing, and plotting, and character development as the series unfolds; a thing that I find rare in contemporary fantasy.

I lauded this series for excellent world building. With firm foundations ...more

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Oct 06, 2017 Scott Hitchcock rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-published-and-read, epic-fantasy, abandoned-series

Book 1: 3*
Book 2: 3*

Same complaints as book one. The pacing at times it's brutally slow to the point that when you turn a page and see only a couple of long paragraphs you're tempted to glance over them because you know it's a verbose slog that could be summed up much faster.

The overall story and characters are good. The world which is what the writer loves the most is very developed, again ad nauseum at times. If you love vivid depictions of the environment you'll love this book. I wish the au ...more

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Dec 26, 2017 SAM rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, other-fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 08, 2018 Karina Webster rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A great continuation from Twelve Kings. I liked that there was no information dump/rehashing of what has happened thus far which is usually the case with sequels. The writing was great, the plot moved along with many twists and turns and i still love all the characters. I am really enjoying this series and at the moment, i just don’t want it to end. I will now read the two novellas in prep for the third instalment which, thankfully, comes out next month 😄

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Feb 15, 2017 Kitty G Books rated it really liked it · review of another edition

* I was sent this book for free from the publisher in exchange for a review *

This is book two in the Song of the Shattered Sands series by Bradley Beaulieu and it's one I have been eagerly anticipating for quite a while I loved book one in this series, Twelve Kings, and I was super happy when I got to meet the author a few times at events and tell him just how much I had enjoyed seeing a strong, wonderful and unique world within fantasy, and a delightful and fierce female lead.

In this world we * I was sent this book for free from the publisher in exchange for a review *

This is book two in the Song of the Shattered Sands series by Bradley Beaulieu and it's one I have been eagerly anticipating for quite a while I loved book one in this series, Twelve Kings, and I was super happy when I got to meet the author a few times at events and tell him just how much I had enjoyed seeing a strong, wonderful and unique world within fantasy, and a delightful and fierce female lead.

In this world we follow a young woman called Çeda who used to be a pit fighter. She's a very talented fighter, and she lives in a city called Sharakhai which is ruled over by Twelve Kings. These Kings are demanding and exacting and they will stop at nothing to have complete power over the population, but troubled times are brewing as they face off against a rebel group called The Moonless Host.

When we pick up this story we see that Çeda has moved on a long way from where she began in book #1. Not only is she a stronger individual who has managed to find out a lot more about her past and her family ties (this is all very important to why she sets herself against the Kings) but she's also managed to move into a position of power where she may be able to learn the King's secrets. Çeda faces a troubled path with few allies at first, but as the novel goes on and opens up more storylines we see her friend Emre and the people he works for starting their own rebellions too.

What I most enjoyed about this book was the setting and Çeda's sections. It's always refreshing to see a fantasy book that's not set in a Western medieval setting and this one is set in a desert so it's definitely not that. We have sand dunes that act like waves and ships can cross the sands; we have magical fields of blossoms which, when you eat them, can heighten senses and give ultra fast reaction times; we have various neighbouring Kingdoms looking to both betray and ally with the Kings; we have Blood Mages who work with untoward powers to take down and raise up the rebels; we have a lost thirteenth tribe who some say sacrificed themselves and who others say were forced to die; and we have Gods and Goddesses also getting involved. Honestly, what more could you want?!

One tiny quibble which would have definitely helped when first returning to the world would have been a short plot summary of book #1 or at the very least a character sheet. I feel as though this would really have benefitted the reader and made it easier to slip back into the plot, becuase there are a lot of characters and threads to balance. Although I didn't find it too hard to reconnect and enjoy the story I do think this would have been a big benefit to people who do not read quite as much epic fantasy as me (I read a LOT) as it's a fair amount to remember and keep track of when you consider the length of time between books being released.

Overall I really, really enjoyed being back in this world and I am very much looking forward to continuing the series when future books come out. This is a series I think many readers would enjoy, whether you read predominantly fantasy or not, becuase of the great setting and the balance of character development and action. 4*s from me - recommended :D ...more

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Feb 02, 2017 Connor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: epic-fantasy

My Video Review:

https://youtu.be/dlgalgznulI ...more

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Jul 07, 2019 Mili rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-the-book

I loved the sequel! It worked so well, scheming becomes more complicated as more parties get involved with their own goals. I like how Bradley continues the plot but also makes references to the previous book! Makes it so much easier for certain moments to properly stick and to keep you sharp where things left off and how they interweave in the continuation. The books are chunky so this is ideal! The pace is slow but a lot is going on. We have several POVs and they are all fascinating and full o ...more

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Mar 03, 2021 Bea rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I kind of love and hate reading this series.
Love, because it is exciting, the overall story is good.
Hate, because pacing is just so slow. I find that there are just so many unnecessary paragraphs and at times unnecessary chapters as well.

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May 07, 2017 Althea Ann rated it liked it · review of another edition

I enjoyed the first book, "Twelve Kings in Sharakhai," so was eager to pick up this sequel. In 'Twelve Kings' we met Çeda, accomplished swordswoman, who makes it her secret mission to destroy the dozen immortal Kings who rule the city of Sharakhai with a heavy hand. In the first book, she manages to kill one of the twelve...

In 'With Blood Upon The Sand' we continue where we left off. Çeda has achieved the elite position of Blade Maiden, and is conspiring from within the system for her hoped over ...more

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Feb 09, 2017 Stefan Bach rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Best fantasy book in 2017?
Yes.

„Had he worried? Had he feared? It seemed not. The very notion felt like an insect boring its way deeper beneath the skin. It enraged him.
On he ran, the urge to feed building. But the memories began to fade, to darken. The shrieking wind, so loud only moments ago, dwindled, until all that could be heard was sand falling to the desert floor, a sound like rain against the river.“

U godini u kojoj se željno iščekuju nastavci serijala Brendona Sandersona, (možda) ...more

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Oct 09, 2017 Kristen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

Full review is here, on my blog.

Oh Çeda. I missed you! But… and I feel a little bad for this, I missed Emre more (<3). But they’re back, and are both in pretty deep with their respective factions. Things are really starting to come to light in this volume, especially regarding the various magics and magical beings of this world. Blood mages are described in more detail here, as are the asirim, the kings, and the gods of this world.

I’m not going to spoil this one for you, and I’m even trying to Full review is here, on my blog.

Oh Çeda. I missed you! But… and I feel a little bad for this, I missed Emre more (<3). But they’re back, and are both in pretty deep with their respective factions. Things are really starting to come to light in this volume, especially regarding the various magics and magical beings of this world. Blood mages are described in more detail here, as are the asirim, the kings, and the gods of this world.

I’m not going to spoil this one for you, and I’m even trying to not spoil the previous one for anyone reading this who hasn’t read Twelve Kings in Sharakhai (read it though, it’s awesome). Let me just say that this was, plot wise, a very thrilling addition to the series. It’s told from several points of view, but mainly from the POVs of Çeda (obviously), Emre, and Ramahd, and all kinds of craziness happens between the three of them. Lots of intrigue and plotting and sailing across the desert.

The world itself is so richly described, I felt that I could clearly imagine myself in this vast desert with Çeda and company. Yet again, just like in the first book, I got legitimately misty-eyed here a few times, as emotional things took place. This book, as the one before it, has such intense feeling, and I don’t know that I can describe that in a way that does it justice. I got very, very emotionally invested in these characters, and this lead to quite a thrilling listen, for me. This sort of investment in a fictional character is not super common for me, but it’s common enough that there are a few other books this year (I can think of 4, out of 90) that have also elicited this reaction from me. When I am this invested in a character, the relationship I hope for them going sideways and then up and down and round and round, wrenches my poor little heartstrings. When thrilling things happen to Çeda and Emre, I am also thrilled. When Çeda gets upset, I get upset. It’s not exactly a bad thing (though it can admittedly be a bit exhausting), but most of all, getting me this invested says a lot for the character development here.

Sarah Coomes once again completely nails the narration here. There were times I totally chided myself for waiting even a second between these books, nevermind two entire months. My bad! :D She puts so much emotion into her narration, that my emotional reactions just might be enhanced because of it. Sarah Coomes uses emotion. It’s super effective! Kristen bursts into ugly tears at goddamn work. You’d think that I’d just shrug it off, because all my coworkers have to be used to this shit by now. Really there is a certain amount of… risk in listening to audiobooks like this at your place of employment. I will happily take that risk any day. :) ...more

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Mar 11, 2017 Lisa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, review-copy, epic-fantasy, 2017-release

Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2017/0...

The Shattered Sands trilogy was by far one of my favorite finds of last year. With Blood Upon the Sand continues to deepen the intrigue and entanglements, and displays the harsh desert environment is not the only thing to fear in Sharakhai. It will also take your emotions and bend them to its will, ripping them through fear to excitement, from horror to triumph (or maybe triumph to horror), from sorrow to jealousy, hope, betra Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2017/0...

The Shattered Sands trilogy was by far one of my favorite finds of last year. With Blood Upon the Sand continues to deepen the intrigue and entanglements, and displays the harsh desert environment is not the only thing to fear in Sharakhai. It will also take your emotions and bend them to its will, ripping them through fear to excitement, from horror to triumph (or maybe triumph to horror), from sorrow to jealousy, hope, betrayal. Where it lands, I can’t tell you, but be prepared for the roller coaster of events that will evoke a huge range of emotional turmoil and excitement.

I continue to love Çeda as a protagonist. She is fierce not just in battle but also in personality. It’s quite interesting to see her handle life as a Blade Maiden, becoming part of what should be a close knit team, while also still working in secret to take down the Kings. Her every day life and training stands in conflict with what has pretty much been her life’s mission. Çeda is also much more alone in the beginning of this book. Emre, who has always been there for her in the past, is part of the Moonless Host. That alone is hard on her. Add to that, her inability to reach out due to her isolation from her previous life caused by living in the House of Maidens. But Çeda is not without opportunities, and when she sees one, she seizes it with all her might.

The setting and world for this series continues to be unique and fascinating. Çeda learns even more about asirim, those ghastly creatures that serve to protect the kings, and what she discovers is bone chilling. I also have to say, I still love the desert setting. I sometimes find myself sometimes forgetting that ships are sand ships, and when I remember, for some reason that detail just makes me happy.

My only concern with this book is something that could be an issue for some readers but not others. This is a hefty book, as many epic fantasies can be. But for epic fantasies to pull off the heft well, they require a balance. There has to be sufficient character development, world building, action and plot development at a pace that will keep the reader fully engaged for the page length. The story can be fantastic, but if it slows down too much, some readers may lose interest. Some readers love world building, so if it slows down for that, those readers won’t mind as much. Same for the other traits.

As much as I love this story, I did feel like it slowed down a bit around the half way mark. I never felt like that with the first book. While I still really, really enjoyed it, I do have some concern that it is walking that line of feeling somewhat over inflated for certain readers. That said, I can’t look at the story and pick anything that I would want cut, maybe its just a matter of increasing the pace in a few sections to help revive the readers excitement. I can’t say I felt like this one was quite as strong as either Twelve Kings of Sharakhai or the novella Of Sand and Malice Made and my sole reason for that is pacing. In all fairness, this is also a second book, so some of that initial excitement of a brand new world wanes just a little solely because it is not as new as it was in the first one. It may just be that second book syndrome coming in to play a little bit.

Overall though, I still absolutely love this series and can not wait to read the next installment to find out how Çeda’s quest for vengeance pans out. And I can’t leave this review without also throwing a little love for the cover. I absolutely love it and it is perfect for the book/series.

...more

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Oct 14, 2017 GrilledCheeseSamurai (Scott) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, series, epic

There are so many badass moments in this book that must have been so much fun for the author to write -- I imagine him sitting in front of a keyboard laughing maniacally and typing away as he guzzles coffee by the gallon to help keep him going.

The book legit had me on the edge of my seat 90% of the time. If I wasn't freaking out over the risk of our main character, Çeda, getting caught by the people she was spying on, I was whooping and hollering over all the incredibly well done choreographed ...more

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Jan 28, 2017 Apsalar rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Absolutely his best work yet. Looking forward to the next book.

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Jun 07, 2019 Maraia rated it really liked it

What a sequel! I enjoyed With Blood Upon the Sand even more than the first book, and Bradley Beaulieu successfully avoids the dreaded Second Book Syndrome. There’s so much going on in this book, and we learn a lot about the asirim, the Kings, and about Çeda's mother and her motivations. With every answer comes a new question, however, so I’mg glad the series is far from over.

As with the first book, the worldbuilding is one of the best parts. The world is rich and well-developed, and since it isn ...more

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Oct 28, 2017 Rebecca rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5 Stars

No sophomore slump here! With Blood Upon the Sand was a fantastic follow up to the very impressive and enchanting Twelve Kings of Sharakhai, which I read earlier this year. I’ve actually had this book hanging around for about 4-5 months now and I just hadn’t had the time to dedicate to this 700 page beast. An accidental purchase of extra Audible credits (woops) led me to pick up the audio version of this book so I could catch up in time for the 2018 release of book 3. I’m very glad thin 4.5 Stars

No sophomore slump here! With Blood Upon the Sand was a fantastic follow up to the very impressive and enchanting Twelve Kings of Sharakhai, which I read earlier this year. I’ve actually had this book hanging around for about 4-5 months now and I just hadn’t had the time to dedicate to this 700 page beast. An accidental purchase of extra Audible credits (woops) led me to pick up the audio version of this book so I could catch up in time for the 2018 release of book 3. I’m very glad things worked out the way they did! The audio version has great narration and it’s like, 30 hours long which in my opinion is a good thing.

After the dramatic events of book one, I was curious to see how this book would play out – would it be outrageous or awesome? Lemme tell u wut. It was awesome. Beaulieu really took it up a notch and expanded the roles of certain characters that made appearances in the first book and introduced a few new faces to the game. There are so many threads to follow and each is a vibrant, significant element in the tapestry Beaulieu is weaving here. The House of Kings is filled with secrets, plots, secret plots, and so forth. The Moonless Host is solidifying itself in my mind as a group that is both good and bad – the internal factions certainly keep things lively. Ramahd and Miriam have yet again proven themselves utterly determined to exact their revenge. There’s just too much to explain!

I continue to love the characters, but find that certain people blend together in my mind, particularly members of the Moonless Host like Tariq and Hamid. One thing I did really like was how several of the kings are becoming much more developed. In Twelve Kings, they’re present but feel like an undefined threat only interested in holding power and suppressing dissent. Here we get to see some actual personality, learn a little more history, and see the internal division that’s been festering between the kings for the last four centuries. Ceda continues on an unparalleled streak of awesomeness and her feud with a fellow Maiden gets pretty brutal as the events of the book culminate. It was almost as satisfying as the Littlefinger scene in Game of Thrones.

I’m a big fan of this series, especially after the sophomore installment further raised the bar and met my expectations/hopes. Book 3, A Veil of Spears, is scheduled for release in March 2018 so for all you folks that haven’t caught up (or haven’t even begun the series), YOU STILL HAVE TIME! I’m considering checking out some of Beaulieu’s other books and would welcome suggestions from those of you who’ve read them.
...more

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Jun 22, 2017 Aoife rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, review-books, action-packed

I received a copy of this book from the author/publishers in exchange for an honest review.

In this book Ceda, our protagonist, is continuing her mission to undercover ways of killing the corrupt, powerful and seemingly immortal 12 Kings of Sharkahai. She continues her journey training with the Blood Maidens, while getting closer to the kings and figuring out their weakness.

I enjoyed this book just as much, if not more, as the first in the trilogy. I was able to jump straight back into the world I received a copy of this book from the author/publishers in exchange for an honest review.

In this book Ceda, our protagonist, is continuing her mission to undercover ways of killing the corrupt, powerful and seemingly immortal 12 Kings of Sharkahai. She continues her journey training with the Blood Maidens, while getting closer to the kings and figuring out their weakness.

I enjoyed this book just as much, if not more, as the first in the trilogy. I was able to jump straight back into the world and I was able to follow along with the plot and all the characters as if I'd just finished the first book the day before. The book was powerful and action-packed and i really loved Ceda's journey, with both her mission and her renewed training with Zaide and the maidens. I thought the introduction of Ceda's struggles with the asirim, and her stronger connection with them. I also immensely enjoyed Ramadh's POV in this book and his struggles with Hamzakiir. I thought the introduction of real blood mage spellwork, with both him and Davud. I look forward to seeing more of Davud's progress as a blood mage and I hope he becomes a bigger character in terms of fight scenes in the next book.

As for Emre, I still have no time for him, and I hate his relationship with Ceda (or more so, how she seems to care more for him and his safety than he is for hers.)

I really enjoyed Ceda's relationship with her Blade Maiden leader, and some of the progress that occurred there. (view spoiler)

The ending was absolutely thrilling, I was on the edge of my seat reading it (which equals to on the train and almost missed my spot). I can't wait to see what happens next.

...more

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Feb 16, 2017 Kelly rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: cultural-meetings, fantasy-and-scifi, owned, coming-soon-to-a-blog-near-you, grand-opera

My review of this one went up on B&N earlier this week!: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sc... ...more

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Aug 01, 2018 Solseit rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The best part of this series, by far, is the mystery and the intrigue of the world that is slowly unveiled in a strategic way and at a perfect pace.
Certainly the best feature by far which is not an easy task to accomplish by any means.

I am also in love with the description of the scenes, locations and combat. It is extremely vivid.

The only aspect that bugs me really is Ceda. Her decisions often make me roll my eyes; the dramatization of her life (which is not easy by any means) is just over 9 ...more

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Jan 24, 2017 Kdawg91 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Song of the Shattered Sands is currently one of my favorite series. I have let it be well known that I am a world building junkie and the city of Sharakhai and surrounding area is a living, breathing thing and I revel in it. Beautiful writing, a deep and exciting story and characters you CARE about.

I can't say enough good things about this series or this book, you guys know I don't review things I don't like and I am FAR from an objective reviewer.

Throw this man your money, do yourself a fa ...more

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Jan 28, 2019 Rhoddi rated it liked it · review of another edition

Enjoyable, but not nearly as much as the first book. I understand that Bradley is going for a massive series here and needed to create as many plots and subplots as possible to keep it all going, but unfortuantely at times the story became too convoluted at the expense of the characters and flow of the book. What made the first book so intriguing was its wealth of deep characters and simple story that drew you in and this is exactly what the second book sacrifices. Again, it's an enjoyable read, ...more

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Nov 18, 2017 Rossana rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2017-favs

I liked the first one, I gave it 4 stars, but this one was WAY better.
Amazing from start to finish (except maybe Davud's story, which I really didn't care of). ...more

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Nov 11, 2019 Stephen Aryan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The second book in the series set in a rich desert world full of weird and wonderful magic that we've not seen before. Full of creative and interesting ideas, with a city that is richly described without it ever being too much or slowing the pace of the story. Every chapter has time for character development but it also drives the story forward and without spoilers, by the end of this book, the story is in a very different place from where it started. The status quo is constantly changing for al ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Mark rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

And so to one of my most eagerly awaited sequels of recent years. Blood Upon the Sands (aka With Blood Upon the Sand in the US) is the sequel to Twelve Kings (aka Twelve Kings in Sharakhai), one of my Best Fantasy novels in 2015.

And with such a title, so reminiscent of the Weird Tales pulps of the 1930’s and 40’s, you know it’s going to be messy, right?

The book starts at a cracking pace, and this is evident even from the first few pages when there is an assassination attempt made upon a group of And so to one of my most eagerly awaited sequels of recent years. Blood Upon the Sands (aka With Blood Upon the Sand in the US) is the sequel to Twelve Kings (aka Twelve Kings in Sharakhai), one of my Best Fantasy novels in 2015.

And with such a title, so reminiscent of the Weird Tales pulps of the 1930’s and 40’s, you know it’s going to be messy, right?

The book starts at a cracking pace, and this is evident even from the first few pages when there is an assassination attempt made upon a group of the Kings. I’m really pleased that much of Blood answers the many questions raised in Twelve Kings. And then goes beyond.

As shown in the previous novel (spoilers!) Ceda, our heroine of Twelve Kings, is now one of the Blade Maidens, the elite group trained to protect the Twelve Kings of Sharakhai. As a Blade Maiden, she is sworn to guard the Kings with her life, but we know from the first novel that she has an alternate role – her purposes as a Maiden is only a cover because she knows the Kings grisly secret and she knows that they killed her mother. As a result, she is determined to kill them and destroy the world they have created, and much of Blood is about how she moves nearer her aim.

As you might expect, this is a journey not without drama. The characters that we have learned to love and hate, as anticipated, evolve here too. Ceda too grows and matures in this book. Still headstrong, she finds that her mysterious talent becomes more and more important as the book progresses. There are risks and dangers not just to others but to Ceda herself as she learns to cope with her changing circumstances.

The Moonless Host, the freedom fighters leading the opposition against the Twelve Kings, are also back at work, and as a result we see Emre, Ceda’s ex-lover, more and more involved with their activities. This creates complications for Ceda in her new role as a Blade Maiden.

The great thing about Blood is that it expands on what has gone before. We see much more of the Twelve Kings, the rulers of Sharakhai. As I had hoped, we get to know more about the Kings here – their separate identities, their likes and dislikes, their politicking and their secrets. It’s a tricky situation and one worthy of A Game of Thrones. There’s a few surprises there as well, revelations that show us the situation is rather complicated. It even evoked the creepy feel of the old Weird Tales stories for me.

We also flashback, as we have done before, to show Ceda’s earlier life. This time we show more of Ceda as a young street urchin and her complex relationship with her mother who, fourteen years earlier, was a famous gang leader and fighter.

As before, the importance of the adichara trees of Sharakhai and the once-feared guardians of the Kings, the asirim, is still important, but as we discover more it is realised that the asirim are victims, not enemies and Brad does well to convey their anger resentment and hatred as a result. The fate of Esre is connected to this.

Bradley’s world of Sharakhai is a wonderful play area for the imagination, and here we find it expanded. Though much of the book is still set in the city of Sharakhai and the Great Shangazi Desert, we find that Ceda’s work leads her to the much more humid climate of Mirea, a city of thieves and vagabonds as well as elegance and opulence.

In short, Blood Upon the Sand is everything I had hoped for. The world is bigger, the characters are more developed and events more thrilling. There are surprises throughout. Exciting, engaging and immersive, the world of Sharakhai has become more as a result of reading this book, and I loved it. Recommended. ...more

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Sep 10, 2017 Jonathan Terrington rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: worldbuilding, fantasy

With Blood Upon the Sand continues to develop the fantasy setting of Sharakhai and its surrounding world. Sharakhai is a mystical and magical city that dominates the sands, yet is a source of conflict and history in the world. The twelve kings who rule it are each responsible for a different aspect of this world. Their responsibilities ranging from managing the cursed zombie-esque creatures who roam the desert, to keeping an eye upon the future. Here, in With Blood Upon the Sand, Çeda trains und ...more

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Feb 01, 2018 Mark Harrison rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is excellent. Ceda, now in the Maidens guarding the 12 kings, plots to bring them down for killing her mother and wiping out the 13th tribe she was once part of. The saga is very expansive with dozens of great characters. Best read soon after the first book and in long bursts - dipping in and did not work for me given the number of subplots. Really interesting story, superb world building and the magic is clever - but requires thought. Not the easiest read but thoroughly engrossing. Looking ...more

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Nov 01, 2017 Joey Stettnisch rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Just as good as the first, with a better pace to the story. If sailing a vast magical dessert on a sand ship sounds cool to you, pick this bad boy up. Also check out unfettered story collections. This author has one in there where dodzada solves a crazy murder mystery. CSI Shangazi yo, gangster ass story.

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Jul 26, 2017 Sana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: disaster-the-opposite-of-aster, family-of-fuck-ups, feeling-the-aster, queer-characters, read-in-2017, friendship-of-the-unshakable-kind, no-romance-no-problem, world-building-goals, arcs, a-love-like-this

Oh man, a true high fantasy with such a large set of characters and an expansive plot with so much going on at all times. It was great to see it all come together, though and I enjoyed every bit of it.

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About Bradley P. Beaulieu

Bradley P. Beaulieu

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Bradley P. Beaulieu began writing his first fantasy novel in college, but life eventually intervened. As time went on, though, Brad realized that his love of writing and telling tales wasn't going to just slink quietly into the night. The drive to write came back full force in the early 2000s, at which point Brad dedicated himself to the craft, writing and learning under the guidance of writers li ...more