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The Sand Warrior
(5 Worlds #1)
by
, , ,
The Five Worlds are on the brink of extinction unless five ancient and mysterious beacons are lit. When war erupts, three unlikely heroes will discover there's more to themselves and more to their worlds than meets the eye. . .
The clumsiest student at the Sand Dancer Academy, Oona Lee is a fighter with a destiny bigger than she could ever imagine.
A boy from the poorest ...more
The clumsiest student at the Sand Dancer Academy, Oona Lee is a fighter with a destiny bigger than she could ever imagine.
A boy from the poorest ...more
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Hardcover, 248 pages
Published
May 2nd 2017
by Random House Books for Young Readers
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Start your review of The Sand Warrior (5 Worlds, #1)

This is a good start to a new middle grade fantasy series. We know there are 5 worlds and we only see one of them. I assume there will be a world a book or something like that.
Our main character is a sand dancer, someone who can manipulate sand. Their purpose is to light the beacon. Each world has a beacon and they are responsible for bringing rain and helping the world to grow. Oona, the MC, meets two other friends along the way. There is an invasion and the invaders are trying to make sure ...more
Our main character is a sand dancer, someone who can manipulate sand. Their purpose is to light the beacon. Each world has a beacon and they are responsible for bringing rain and helping the world to grow. Oona, the MC, meets two other friends along the way. There is an invasion and the invaders are trying to make sure ...more

Since you are all well aware of my obsession with Middle Grade fiction at this point, let's go ahead and skip that. Can we instead please focus on the growing existence of Middle Grade graphic novels? I am so pleased that there are more and more of these out there, and I'm determined to champion all of them! Kazu Kibuishi's blurb had me from the moment I saw this book. So I was thrilled when I was asked to join the blog tour. Warning: there's some gushing ahead. Let's go ahead and get the small
...more

Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
*I was sent a copy of this in exchange for my honest review*
2.5/5 Stars
5 Worlds are in danger and the only way to save them is to light the beacons associated with each world. Three unlikely heroes, Oona, An Tzu and Jax must work together to light the beacons before its too late.
I found the plot to be a bit slow overall although confusing at some points. I did enjoy the art style and ...more
*I was sent a copy of this in exchange for my honest review*
2.5/5 Stars
5 Worlds are in danger and the only way to save them is to light the beacons associated with each world. Three unlikely heroes, Oona, An Tzu and Jax must work together to light the beacons before its too late.
I found the plot to be a bit slow overall although confusing at some points. I did enjoy the art style and ...more

I enjoyed this book a lot. While it wasn't perfect, it was a great read. I'm giving this graphic novel three stars, as I liked it a lot, but didn't love it. I'm curious about the next books, though. The artwork in this book is stunning. Will be full color, but wasn't that in the ARC. It was still gorgeous, though. Loved all the drawings.
This book was a fast read, and I loved that. Though I do wish it had been longer, as I liked the story a lot. There are five worlds in this story. And I'm ...more
This book was a fast read, and I loved that. Though I do wish it had been longer, as I liked the story a lot. There are five worlds in this story. And I'm ...more

Aug 07, 2018
La Coccinelle
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
middle-grade,
graphic-novel
It looks like I may have found a new graphic novel series to binge on. The Sand Warrior opens up a great big complex world of storytelling possibilities. The worldbuilding and artwork are so well done that I felt completely immersed in the story.
For a middle-grade title, the plot is fairly complex. Oona is a sand dancer, which, as far as I can tell, is some sort of magician who can create and command forms out of sand. She's not a great sand dancer, though, so when it falls to her to help save ...more
For a middle-grade title, the plot is fairly complex. Oona is a sand dancer, which, as far as I can tell, is some sort of magician who can create and command forms out of sand. She's not a great sand dancer, though, so when it falls to her to help save ...more

This was just absolutely magical! Can't wait for book 2 to come out, I need more Oona and the sand warriors and this world, and ahhhh.
5 worlds, all of them on the brink of extinction, all of them waiting for that one person who can save them. It is up to 3 amazing, sweet, great characters to save their worlds, will they be able to do it? Especially when the war breaks out (oh no) and they are being followed and hunted threatening everyone around them?
But first the book starts calm and pretty ...more
5 worlds, all of them on the brink of extinction, all of them waiting for that one person who can save them. It is up to 3 amazing, sweet, great characters to save their worlds, will they be able to do it? Especially when the war breaks out (oh no) and they are being followed and hunted threatening everyone around them?
But first the book starts calm and pretty ...more

This book reminds me of Avatar the Last Air bender, I think it's the one person with all the sands, young friends going to save the day (view spoiler) and when she became a guardian reminded me of when Aang was with a water spirit. It's got some similar vibes going on but its easily it's own thing. The art in this book has a nice style and is beautiful. The pacing of the story is a little quick but they manage to make the world building authentic. In the next issue I'm hoping
...more

My little brother handed me this book (he's 10) and told me it was full of adventure and I would like it, and he's right. An evil mimic! Plant-people! Clumsy bottom-of-the-class-folks finding out they're talented! Invasion! An android! Sportsball! Saving the world(s)! Space ship shuttles between moons! Kids with terminal curses! Missing sisters! This book has it all, and good art too.
Not a stand alone title, very much introducing the world and characters rather than bringing arcs to a close.
Not a stand alone title, very much introducing the world and characters rather than bringing arcs to a close.

There is something so fulfilling about experiencing a brand new world. The author created a unique and complex world that makes sense and is entertaining. The characters reflect our reality (race, poverty, illness, privilege) but have an added notch of something different and fantastical. There is no harmful content that I noticed. It has the Chosen One trope, which I personally like. It wasn't too unpredictable, but it does have fun twists and turns. I'm looking forward to the next volume!

I'm still very new to the idea of graphic novels, so am always eager to try new titles. So when I was given the opportunity to read 5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior, of course I said yes.
In many ways, 5 Worlds felt like a nice mix of The 5th Element and Doctor Who, when a young dancer, a street urchin, and an illegal android are brought together, in circumstances that are of course, going to lead them on an epic adventure to save the world.
The story is thrilling for those who are looking to go on an ...more
In many ways, 5 Worlds felt like a nice mix of The 5th Element and Doctor Who, when a young dancer, a street urchin, and an illegal android are brought together, in circumstances that are of course, going to lead them on an epic adventure to save the world.
The story is thrilling for those who are looking to go on an ...more

This is not my type of book, but I can see it being extremely popular with my graphic novel lovers, especially those who love Amulet. There is a lot going on: fantasy/sci-fi, adventure, good vs evil, sports star as main character. I'm not sure all kids will be able to follow what is going on, but I know many will love it. I will be curious to see how this series plays out.

*3.5
this book was so much fun and the illustrations were beautiful! i really love the aspect of friendship in this story. excited to continue on with the second book. ...more
this book was so much fun and the illustrations were beautiful! i really love the aspect of friendship in this story. excited to continue on with the second book. ...more

Complex story, one you will want to pay close attention to as you read.
Great adventure and mystery. Big cliffhanger.
Hand this to fans of AMULET.
Great adventure and mystery. Big cliffhanger.
Hand this to fans of AMULET.

3.5 stars. I liked the artwork a lot for this fantasy story of several planets suffering from a variety of environmental disasters. The Sand dancers (main character Oona Lee is one) warn all the leaders of other planets that the Beacons need to be relit to save each planet. Oona joins up with two others, An Tzu and Jax Amboy, and the three realize they need to work together to save everyone.
The story was intermittently confusing, and I never really got my head around the necessity of relighting ...more
The story was intermittently confusing, and I never really got my head around the necessity of relighting ...more

Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
I am always amazed when I read a book and the concept is so unique and well-crafted that I am in awe of every page and cannot predict anything that is coming. The Sand Warrior did just that. The Siegels have created a whole new world (well, five worlds, and I do really appreciate them including a map of the world at the beginning of the book to help the reader navigate) as their setting which allows for infinite ...more
I am always amazed when I read a book and the concept is so unique and well-crafted that I am in awe of every page and cannot predict anything that is coming. The Sand Warrior did just that. The Siegels have created a whole new world (well, five worlds, and I do really appreciate them including a map of the world at the beginning of the book to help the reader navigate) as their setting which allows for infinite ...more

Gahhh, that ending! *dies*
I need the next book and it's not out yet. It's just cruel to end a book that way. *sniffle sniffle*
That aside...I loved this one. The illustrations were top-notch, the villains were fierce, creepy (the prince...shudder), and sympathetic though you don't know all their reasons yet.
The main character is your typical reluctant princess/underdog and her scrappy sidekicks have their own stories, too, so you really love them. There's a good twist at the end, and lots of ...more
I need the next book and it's not out yet. It's just cruel to end a book that way. *sniffle sniffle*
That aside...I loved this one. The illustrations were top-notch, the villains were fierce, creepy (the prince...shudder), and sympathetic though you don't know all their reasons yet.
The main character is your typical reluctant princess/underdog and her scrappy sidekicks have their own stories, too, so you really love them. There's a good twist at the end, and lots of ...more

Truly beautiful artwork, world, story, and characters. Lovely world building and exciting story. I can't wait to read the next one! I love the depth of detail, and it inspires that which all worthwhile stories must: the urge to ask, "And then what happened?" (- As Neil Gaiman said in the intro to "Stories: All-New Tales")

Everything about this book is beautifully complex. The world building, the characters and their development, the art. This is an incredible story in a similar vein as Avatar: The Last Air Bender and Amulet.
This is one of those books that makes me wish that I had never given anything a 5 star rating before so that when I gave it a 5 star rating it would really indicate how much I loved it.
This is one of those books that makes me wish that I had never given anything a 5 star rating before so that when I gave it a 5 star rating it would really indicate how much I loved it.

I loved this. Finally, a book worthy of recommending to kids who loved the Amulet books. There were undertones of Nimona and little nods to Avatar the last Air Bender. But, also, this was its own awesome story. I can't wait for more people to read it.

Aug 15, 2018
The Carrion Librarian
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
childrens-graphic-novels,
fantasy
This would make an amazing studio Ghibli movie.

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2017.
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Mark Siegel was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, grew up in Paris, France, and now lives in New York. A graduate of Brown University, he is the author and illustrator of several award-winning picture books, including the graphic novel, SAILOR TWAIN, and the 5 WORLDS series. Mark is also founded First Second Books—Macmillan's prestigious graphic novel publisher.
Other books in the series
5 Worlds
(4 books)
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