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lpdx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, Classism, Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Colonisation, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Death, Xenophobia, Genocide, and Violence
ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I was told that you could read this as a standalone or as part of the series. I think it worked well enough as a standalone, but I think I also missed out on quite a bit of character development from the first one (but then again, I have no idea which of these characters is in the first book).
This book still probably would have flopped for me though. I had a difficult time distinguishing between the male characters- too many characters and not enough character building.
Also, one of the main things I want in a dystopian is the MOTIVATION. Why are these two groups of people clashing? I didn’t think this one set that up at all. One character has some strong prejudices and hate toward the other group, but you never really know why. Just that he does. That wasn’t enough for me.
I spent the majority of this book just being incredibly bored unfortunately.
This book still probably would have flopped for me though. I had a difficult time distinguishing between the male characters- too many characters and not enough character building.
Also, one of the main things I want in a dystopian is the MOTIVATION. Why are these two groups of people clashing? I didn’t think this one set that up at all. One character has some strong prejudices and hate toward the other group, but you never really know why. Just that he does. That wasn’t enough for me.
I spent the majority of this book just being incredibly bored unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
Moderate: Blood and Cursing
ashleykayejournals's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC of Across the Sand in exchange for an honest review.
I had not read the previous Sand Chronicles book (titled Sand) by Hugh Howey before reading this book and I feel that it read alright. I didn't even know that this was the second one until about 25% through the book! Howey filled in the gaps of who was who and how the characters were connected rather skillfully in my opinion. Though in the end reading the first one would have made it easier to digest this book.
I loved how there were two groups of characters who led separate lives in the books but the story slowly grew to become one experience. The world building was so detailed which made it easier to find in my mind's eye. There were also a lot of characters that had a backstory in the previous Sand book that carried into this one.
Overall the story was enjoyable and it read well enough as a stand alone novel. Definitely a good book to read if you're dipping your toes into the Science Fiction genre.
I had not read the previous Sand Chronicles book (titled Sand) by Hugh Howey before reading this book and I feel that it read alright. I didn't even know that this was the second one until about 25% through the book! Howey filled in the gaps of who was who and how the characters were connected rather skillfully in my opinion. Though in the end reading the first one would have made it easier to digest this book.
I loved how there were two groups of characters who led separate lives in the books but the story slowly grew to become one experience. The world building was so detailed which made it easier to find in my mind's eye. There were also a lot of characters that had a backstory in the previous Sand book that carried into this one.
Overall the story was enjoyable and it read well enough as a stand alone novel. Definitely a good book to read if you're dipping your toes into the Science Fiction genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Xenophobia
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
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