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Title: Of Sand and Malice Made
Author: Bradley Beaulieu
Narrator: Sarah Coomes
Format: Unabridged
Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
Language: English
Release date: 09-08-16
Publisher: Orion
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes
Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic
Publisher's Summary:
Çeda is the youngest pit fighter in the history of the great desert city of Sharakhai. In this brilliant new story, a prequel to Twelve Kings, she has already made her name in the arena as the fearsome, undefeated White Wolf. None but her closest friends and allies know her true identity. But this all changes when she crosses the path of Rümayesh, one of the sadistic creatures known as ehrekh which were forged long ago by the god of chaos.
They are usually desert dwellers, but this one lurks in the dark corners of Sharakhai, toying with and preying on humans.
As Rümayesh works to unmask the White Wolf and claim Çeda for her own, Çeda's struggle becomes a battle for her friends, her life, and her very soul.
Read by Sarah Coomes.
Members Reviews:
Meh
Compared to the first 2 books in the main series this story added no insight, history or revelations to shape what is to come.
Would have liked some depth or connectivity to the great world building established.
Good fill in if you read the first two books
Well written. A. Good fill in if you read the first two books. My only critisum. Is that I thought this was a third in the series
Excellent
Excellent short story. Exciting. Familiar and new characters. I really hope this becomes a regular creative occurrence. Well done sir.
A perfect little book with all the humor, the wonder, and the excitement you'd expect
Serving as a prequel to Twelve Kings in Sharakhai, the first book of The Song of Shattered Sands, Of Sand and Malice Made is a thoroughly entertaining story that adds another layer to the world that Bradley P. Beaulieu has created.
Consisting of three interlinked tales, this is a book that goes beyond mere setting and culture to put a true Arabian Nights spin on epic fantasy. That fact surprised me almost as much as it delighted me, for it seems rather fitting that eda's first chapter should have such a familiar, classic sort of feel to it. These aren't quite fables or folk tales, but all of the elements are there, right from supernatural deities to charms and curses.
Freed of the pacing issues and narrative flashbacks that were something of a challenge in Twelve Kings in Sharakhai, this is a story that all but races along as it gets the heart racing. What really excited me about it is that there is a feeling of genuine risk involved, which is hard to pull off in a prequel where you already know the fates of the main characters. In fact, there was several points where I had to glance back at my copy of the first book to confirm certain names (and fates).
Of Sand and Malice Made is a perfect little book, entirely suitable as an introduction for new readers, yet completely rewarding for fans of the series. It has all of the humor, the wonder, and the excitement you'd expect of Beaulieu, with the addition of an entirely chilling new villain. Well worth the read.
Admirable 10/10
Audience: Those who enjoy exotic fantasy tales that include darker themes, swearing and violence.
Summed up in one word: Awesome
Author Bio: Bradley Beaulieu fell in love with fantasy from the moment he began reading and began writing his first fantasy novel in college. He has since published two novels, won the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Award and earned a Gemmell Morningstar Award nomination. (Bio provided by Gollancz)
First Impression: I knew this book would be awesome from the moment I received it in the post (Thanks Gollancz!).