A Wasteland of My God's Own Making

The Song of the Shattered Sands #0.3

by Bradley P. Beaulieu

Originally published in Hath No Fury edited by Melanie R. Meaders.

Djaga Akoyo left the grasslands of her homeland long ago and rose to prominence in Sharakhai's fighting pits as the famed Lion of Kundhun. What Djaga revealed to no one, however, is the terrible secret that drove her to leave Kundhun in the first place. That secret is brought back to the fore when her sister tribeswoman, Afua, comes to Sharakhai unannounced and threatens to reveal her shameful past, a thing that would upend the life Djaga has worked so hard to build for herself.

Djaga and Afua's pasts are linked. Afua tells her that with one final bout in the killing pits, both their demons will be excised. But Djaga has more to worry about than Afua's demons, or even her own. She has Nadín as well, a woman she hopes to share a life with once she's left the pits for good. But how can she start a new life with Nadín when the terrible acts she committed in her homeland still haunt her?

Djaga must decide once and for all whether she'll face them, but in doing so she may lose the one she loves.

Genres: Fantasy, Ebooks, Fiction, LGBT, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2019

About the author

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 like Nancy Kress, Joe Haldeman, Tim Powers, Holly Black, and many more.

Brad and his novels have garnered many accolades including two Hotties—the Debut of the Year and Best New Voice—on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist, a Gemmell Morningstar Award nomination for The Winds of Khalakovo and more:

* Top Ten Book and Debut of the Year for 2011 on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist for The Winds of Khalakovo
* Best New Voice of 2011 on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
* 2011 Gemmell Morningstar Award Nomination for The Winds of Khalakovo
* Top Ten Debut for The Winds of Khalakovo on Ranting Dragon's Best of 2011
* Top Ten Debut for The Winds of Khalakovo on Mad Hatter's Best of 2011
* Top Five Book for 2012 on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist for The Straits of Galahesh
* 2012 Most Anticipated for The Straits of Galahesh on Staffer's Book Review
* 2012 Most Anticipated for The Straits of Galahesh on The Ranting Dragon
* 2013 Most Anticipated for The Flames of Shadam Khoreh on The Ranting Dragon

Brad continues to work on his next projects, including an Arabian Nights epic fantasy and a Norse-inspired middle grade series. He also runs the highly successful science fiction & fantasy podcast, Speculate, which can be found at speculatesf.com.

Novels

THE LAYS OF ANUSKAYA
* The Winds of Khalakovo
* The Straits of Galahesh
* The Flames of Shadam Khoreh

Short Story Collections
* Lest Our Passage Be Forgotten & Other Stories

Novellas
* Strata (with Stephen Gaskell)

Contact Information
Website: www.quillings.com
Twitter: @bbeaulieu
Facebook: facebook.com/bradley.p.beaulieu

Reviews

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“-You’re looking at me like that again
-Like what
-Like you’re lost.
-I am lost. In a wasteland of my god’s own making”.

Relato ambientado en el mundo de Sharakhai antes de los sucesos de la historia principal. En ella se nos relata la historia de Djaga “The lion of Khundunn”, una de las guerreras o más bien los "dirts dogs" que combaten en el coliseo de Sharakhai.

«- I’m a old lion, with teeth and claws and little else.
-Are you saying you can’t learn or that you don’t wish to ?
-I’m saying I am a beast trapped in a Kundhuni’s skin. I’m saying no amount of hoping will change that.
-It will only take time, my sweet ».

Atención: Este relato me lo he leído en inglés (en comparación con la novela principal que me estoy leyendo en francés). No hay traducción por el momento al español. Su nivel lingüístico podría encuadrarse en un B2. Asimismo, he de confesar que me ha costado un poco seguir la lectura, sobre todo por el vocabulario específico de barcos como batallas, así como el sistema de magia que se utiliza en sus novelas. Sin embargo, ha merecido mucho la pena porque me está gustando tanto el mundo que ha creado el autor que pienso leerlo todo, cueste lo que me cueste.

Ahora bien, este relato puede leerse antes de entrar la saga principal ya que te ayuda a tener un primer contacto con estas novelas además no te llega a destripar nada. Si no, siempre puedes leerlo durante, como he hecho yo, o una vez hayas terminado la historia principal. Asimismo, la protagonista de este relato es un personaje casi terciario en la novela principal (al menos hasta donde he llegado yo).

“I ask not for your favor, Sjado. I ask not for your favor. I only give what you require, Sjado. I only give what you require.”

Me han encantado los personajes, sobre todo los femeninos y eso es algo que yo tengo en alta estima. También me gustaría hacer una mención a la mitología-religión de la novela, me parece una gozada; aunque me gustaría tener más información al respecto, así como el sistema de magia utilizado.

Por último, a pesar de ser un relato de la novela principal ésta me parece igual de buena que su saga principal. Mi única pega es que fuese tan corta.

"Bury your shame, girl, and find your heart".

[Karina Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unsurprisingly another fabulous story in the world of the Shattered Sands. This time we learn about Djaga and how she became such a renowned pit fighter in Sharakai. If you’ve read the main novels in this series you will know how badass she is & love her for her confidence, competency and the help she gives Ceda so you’ll understand how great it is that we get her story.

But brace yourselves, it’s a tale of devastating loss & heartbreak. Once again we see how the gods use the mortals as pawns, often merely as a vessel for their own amusement, and how actions always have consequences no matter how far you run or try to atone. We can trust Beaulieu to deliver quality writing & this novella is no different. It’s so easy to be whisked out of my living room and deposited into the blistering desert when reading these stories, they’re truly an immersive experience. I also appreciate that he doesn’t shy away from death and dealing heartbreaking blows. It makes the characters’ lives all the more realistic & interesting.

I love how the world expands with each novel/novella and I just can’t wait for the next instalment. Definitely one of my all time favourite series & you should go read Twelve Kings if you haven’t already.

Huge thanks to the author for giving me an advanced copy of this novella to review.

[Andy Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is the latest Shattered Sands novella from Mr Beaulieu and, as usual, it's a really good, immersive tale and features one of the side characters from his main series.

This time around it is the story of Djaga, an awesome pit fighter on the edge of retirement and looking forward to a life with her partner. Nothing is straightforward though and when a face from Djaga's past appears the story of how she became the person she is now is revealed.

This is a tale of love and loss, Gods and mortals and, ultimately, how far will you go when all you love is threatened.

To say this is only a novella it feels like there is a hell of a lot of story here. As always Beaulieu paints a wonderful world with his words. The desert city of Sharakai is almost a character in itself while the actual characters feel really alive, each with their own accents and ways.

And then there's the action sequences...and man does this guy know how to write 'em. Both the fighting in The Pits and the scenes in the desert (I'm really trying to avoid spoilers here so sorry if this is a bit vague) are about as visual as you can get on the written page.

Of you haven't read the Shattered Sands books yet I strongly advise you look them up and if you have then you probably don't need me to tell you to go pick up this one when it is published (not long now

[Karen ⚜Mess⚜ · Rating 5 out of 5]

SNAP! And done like that! Oh boy, did I love this story!

I was watching one of Holly (Holly Hearts Books) Youtube videos (Mid Year FREAK OUT Book Tag 2022. From July 18, 2022) and she said she can't recommend The Song of the Shattered Sands series enough.

So, here I am! Trying the first book which is about 60 pages and I fell right into it. Now I'm wondering why have I not seen anyone else talk about this series or this author.

I have a feeling this novella answers some questions there might be in the first book. It's clear Djaga is a main character, and perhaps Afua as well. Djaga and Afua did something terrible in their past, and Djaga has been fighting in the killing pits ever since. I don't want to give away too much, but it does have fighting, love and sand.

Please, please, please, oh book gods. Don't let this be another amazing novella and then the novel a great disappointment. I've had enough of those lately!

[rfantasyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bradley Beaulieu does it again!

Another great addition to the shattered sand universe and overall series, this time diving into the backstory of Djaga (Çeda’s fighting pits trainer) and her home land of Khundun (one of the 4 other nations surrounding the Shangazi desert) and what a backstory it was. I had honestly never thought much about wanting to know of her past and until now didn’t realised I needed it so badly, as usual great writing style and new knowledge and depth added to the world of the shattered sand series without feeling info dumpy, with a genuine and well written female-female relationship. Can’t wait now for Beneath the twisted trees to be released later this year.

[Maria reads SFF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update
Rered after geting to meet Djaga in chapter 21 from "Twelve Kings in Sharakhai". Enjoyed much more this way.


I read this novella in the hopers it will help me determine if it is worth starting "The Song of the Shattered Sands" series.
I am still uncertain...

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good story, but it feels divorced from the rest of the shattered sands universe. It also felt rushed, and I didn't really feel like I got to know any of the characters. I realize it's a novella, but his previous novellas were more fleshed out than this one.

[Dakeyras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beaulieu has built up an impressive catalog of stories in this universe. This one is another well-written addition with likable characters and a plot that moves along.

I feel the end result would've had more of an emotional impact if it wasn't Djaga re-telling her story up to that point to another character. Basically we know the ending before it starts. Still well worth reading though and I wouldn't be surprised to see more of Djaga in the future.

On a side note, there are a lot, and I mean a LOT of errors in the text. Missing words, spelling, etc. I was shocked how this many slipped through the copy edit phase.

[Filipe Passos-Coelho · Rating 3 out of 5]

very competent short story that achieves a lot in such a short run time - world building, action scenes, a heartfelt goodbye. my gripe is that the shameful past doesn't feel -to me - that shameful, so I'd have liked to have the why that's so shameful to be clearer. it would have catapulted this one to 4 stars. A word on the cover - it seem to me that the Song of the Shattered Sands just delivers banger after bang cover. huge kudos to the artist(s)
6.5/10

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This novella was very cool! I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I do think it could have been a bit more fleshed out, because at only 70 pages, I didn't get enough time with the characters to get attached to them. Overall though, another solid Shattered Sands novella!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but heartfelt with Beaulieu's eye for detail in the action sequences making this Novella a strong favourite of mine in the Song of Shattered Sands 'verse.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Backstory of Djaga who plays a minor part in the first full length book of this series. Mentor to the major character Ceda.

[sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

*copy from the author in exchange for a review*

A Wasteland Of My God’s Own Making is a novella from Bradley P. Beaulieu, set in the same world as his ‘Sharakai’ stories. Regular readers will know that I’ve been a fan of Beaulieu’s for quite some time – and that I think the ‘Sharakai’ sequence is some of the most imaginative contemporary fantasy available. So expectations were set fairly high from the first page of this latest work.

It’s a prequel of sorts, seeming to occur earlier than the first ‘Sharakai’ novel. Its protagonist is Djaga, a pit fighter. Which is to say, she goes out onto the sands in front of a baying crowd, and hurts people for money. Djaga shows an impressive depth of character. Yes, she fights, braking bones and taking money for an audience. But though part of her revels in the attention, though part of her wants to fight, even to kill, and to keep fighting until she can’t fight any longer, that’s not all she is. Not just muscle and reflex, no. On the one hand, Djaga is a creature of regret. A long ago error in judgment festers at the back of her mind, its consequences visible with every red blow she lands in the pit. Djaga fights in part because she enjoys it. In part because she’s good at it. But also in part, I think, to atone, to expiate the past, or at least buy its acceptance for another night or two.

But the other pole for our protagonist is her love. A fierce affection, as much an absolute as the fighting rage. Djaga wants to leave the pits, to become something else, to share a new life with the woman she loves. And each word she speaks is an avatar for that affection, each kinetic ballet in the pits sitting in balance with the warmth and togetherness she feels in the arms of another. Djaga is built to fight, yes, and has a past that wracks her dreams – but she isn’t an avatar of destruction, but a flawed person, making their way in the world with the reader, and with a chance at a love that makes her feel complete. It’s a multi-layered, thoughtful type of affection, a comfortable certainty and fountain of hope in a world which could have spoken about blood upon the sand for a few more pages instead. The story is better for it – for giving us Djaga as a person, one whose needs and wants are complex and contradictory, whose inner life is a whirlwind of crackling thought and deeply felt, honest emotion – even as to the outside world she is a calm avatar of destruction.

What I’m saying is, Djaga is thoroughly human, and manages to balance her need for more connection with her capability to be an incredible badass. She’s a great focal point, and I’d love to see more work focusing on the character. The text is approached from her viewpoint, which serves to keep the narrative tight and focused on the world around Djaga.

And what a world it is. If you’re coming in fresh: Sharakai is a city in the desert, a thriving metropolis, ruled by immortal Kings, whose magic has kept the city alive, and whose jealousy and power keeps them in charge, if less than united. The soaring spires of Sharakai connect to everything outside the desert via ships on the sand – sailing craft driven by the desert winds. And outside the city, rebellion and unsanctioned magic are fermenting into a dizzying, deadly brew. Here though, we, and Djaga, are centred on the fighting pits. On the sand beneath her feet, still slick with blood from that last cut. On the background roar of a crowd which wants blood, and isn’t too particular about how it gets it. On each breath taken under a blazing sun. The pits are the centre of a close-knit world, and there’s a strange intimacy in the struggle, the sweat, the crowd, the blood. It’s mirrored in the digressions into Sharakai, in the gentler moments Djaga tries to share with Nadin. It’s a strange, richly imagined world, but one which feels very real.

I won’t get into the plot, for fear of spoilers. But I’ll say this: It’s got a lot going on. There’s a searing emotional heart, yes. And there’s dark secrets from the past, uncovered. And treachery, and blood, and tears on the sand, and friendship. Love and sorrow. And there’s some absolutely top-notch fight scenes, which will put your heart in your mouth, right before the story breaks it for you. There’s a little bit of everything here, and it’s all put together with the precision of a stiletto to the heart.

This novella serves as an excellent entry point into the wider Sharakai universe. But it also succeeds on its own terms, giving us a well-crafted work of fantasy which will keep you turning the pages until morning. If you’re a long time reader of the series, or a newcomer to the deserts of Sharakai, this is a book you ought to try.

[Harriet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short novella and I really enjoyed it. There was something about it which I didn't want to put it down. The characters were interesting to read alongside the storyline of the book.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about Djaga Akoyo, a character in the Shattered Sands series. She is a fighter in the pits of Sharakhai, and is a friend and trainer to Ceja, the main character of the novels. This novella gives the background to Djaga as well as some more information about this world. Easy reading, but also a lot happens and is explained in not many pages. Love this series!