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kalie_universe_pristineprose's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Must read!This story was so great! I have never been a fan of desert settings. I think they are fun to visit in a fantasy book, but I gravitate more toward lush greenery. This book completely changed that for me! This world is so interesting! I love that villages live on huge desert plataues and they travel with sand surfing boats! That the ocean is a far off scary place to people who have only ever known sand. It's a different, refreshing story.Also, does anyone love atla? Love the idea of sand bending? The entire magic system is sand based, and it's epic! The amount of things that Jessica came up with that sand can accomplish is mind-boggling! Fan-freaking-tastic!Oceans of Sand is a romantasy that's super clean content wise. Do you love Kiera Cass' characters and style of writing emotional depth? Then you have to read Jessica Flory's writing (which may be better) In this story marriages are arranged by the government, think matched meets the giver, with our two main characters being childhood best friends. Who are star crossed lovers that can never be together, but when her mother gives them an epic quest to save the world that may all change.Oceans of Sand is ultimately a story of forgiveness and redemption. Love conquers all and strength is not as important as it seems. With a character with a chronic health condition learns they aren't broken and don't need to be fixed. That part really touched me.
Full review plus content notes:
https://pristineprose.wordpress.com/2024/06/03/oceans-of-sands-by-jessica-flory/
Full review plus content notes:
https://pristineprose.wordpress.com/2024/06/03/oceans-of-sands-by-jessica-flory/
hannuhreads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
5 Stars.
šļø The vibes:
- sand powers
- YA fantasy
- multi POV
- Closed door
- Themes of forgiveness
šŖ My thoughts:
In this YA fantasy, the premise is that thereās sand magic and love is frowned upon and discouraged because sand magic weakens and ultimately disappears when love is present. So what is Norah to do when she finds herself seeing her best friend Zadock - who is one of the strongest sand wielders) as so much more than just a friend?
šŖ I loved the sand magic. The four types of sand magic were so interesting to me. The world building wasnāt overwhelming but it was enough for me to feel like this was really well thought out. I loved the sweet feelings that Norah and Zadock started feeling around eachother. And that feeling of āthey canāt be together and Iām super distressed and how are we going to find a solution hereā was exactly the type of conflict/angst I enjoy.
šŖ When we hit a third POV- I was straight up shocked. Like oh hi. Who the heck are you? And that journey was totally unexpected but super interesting.
šŖ I think this book is very unique because I feel like it can be enjoyable for a wide age range. The main characters are 17 years old so I feel like the target audience is probably in that age range. However, I am in my 30s and I really enjoyed this book also. It did feel young in certain points, but it felt refreshing to read something different that was super wholesome in content and in the main plot themes. The themes are so wholesome in fact, that I would (and do) compare it to a Disney animation family movie type of vibe.
šŖ Ok. This will sound wild but hear me out. Two movies this book reminded me of was Moana and Encanto. Itās very hard to explain why but bear with me. The idea of the land dying and needing to leave to find salvationā¦. It reminded me of Moana several times- going on an epic journey to save your land and people. Also Encanto because everyone has powers/gifts but Maribel (as is the case with Norah). Finding self worth when others donāt see it- a huge theme in both Encanto and in this book. Now nobody come sue me for todays wildddddd similar connections. šš
thisbookishmom's review
4.0
This was a great debut! I loved the world building and sand powers. There were lots of twists and turns that I didnāt see coming which kept me wanting to read more.
I enjoyed the 3 POVs and the romances were both really sweet. Canāt wait to see what happens next!
I enjoyed the 3 POVs and the romances were both really sweet. Canāt wait to see what happens next!
mom_loves_to_read's review
4.0
This book quickly sparked my interest with its unique world. There are so many fascinating concepts in this story. I was intrigued with the ocean of sand, the sand gifts and especially the forbidden love. It was easy to get immersed into this story. I loved following these characters on their perilous adventure. The plot was fast paced and unexpected. This story surprised me with its twist and turns.
I really enjoyed the theme of love in this story. In this world love is seen as a weakness and forbidden. But by the end, these characters will come to fully understand the supremacy of love.
This book has 3 POVs. The two main POVs were my favorite! The third POV was very interesting and I feel like this character has a lot of potential and I hope we get to see more growth in book 2!
I appreciated that this book stayed true to YA with its romance. It was sweet with just the right amount of angst and heartache. This is a book I will gladly hand to my kids in a few years. They currently think anything with romance is gross!
I really enjoyed the theme of love in this story. In this world love is seen as a weakness and forbidden. But by the end, these characters will come to fully understand the supremacy of love.
This book has 3 POVs. The two main POVs were my favorite! The third POV was very interesting and I feel like this character has a lot of potential and I hope we get to see more growth in book 2!
I appreciated that this book stayed true to YA with its romance. It was sweet with just the right amount of angst and heartache. This is a book I will gladly hand to my kids in a few years. They currently think anything with romance is gross!
readbykara's review
5.0
I had been wanting to read this book ever since it came out. This book is different than any other book iāve read in a long time (more fantasy than what I normally read) and I loved it. The world building and magic was excellent and I absolutely loved that this book had 3 point of views. It was easy to get attached to characters and some of the characters I was downright furious with. This book had me on edge almost the whole time. The romance was so good and there was so much depth in the whole story. I cannot wait for the second one, this one leaves you on a pretty big cliffhanger
goodeyreads's review
medium-paced
4.5
4.5 stars
Thank you to the author for the gifted audiobook!
TOOK ME BY THE BEST SURPRISE.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This was one of those books not on my radar that now has quickly become a new favorite. What a fantastic young adult fantasy book that gave me all the things I love.
I thought the world was very interesting. I loved the sand concept and the different groups of people mixed with beliefs and how the sand worked for everyone. It was intriguing and while predictably unfolded, still kept my attention and was just a solidly good read.
The romance is sweet, I wish I had gotten a tiny bit more tension or angst from them, but it was really heartfelt. And Iām curious where things will go in book two??
I also loved the three POVās. They all provided unique angles and seeing the good vs. the misunderstood really shaped the story telling overall. I will absolutely be recommending this one and look forward to the continuation.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
Thank you to the author for the gifted audiobook!
TOOK ME BY THE BEST SURPRISE.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This was one of those books not on my radar that now has quickly become a new favorite. What a fantastic young adult fantasy book that gave me all the things I love.
I thought the world was very interesting. I loved the sand concept and the different groups of people mixed with beliefs and how the sand worked for everyone. It was intriguing and while predictably unfolded, still kept my attention and was just a solidly good read.
The romance is sweet, I wish I had gotten a tiny bit more tension or angst from them, but it was really heartfelt. And Iām curious where things will go in book two??
I also loved the three POVās. They all provided unique angles and seeing the good vs. the misunderstood really shaped the story telling overall. I will absolutely be recommending this one and look forward to the continuation.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
thesqueakycleanreader's review
5.0
Wow! This book was fantastic!!! I was sucked in and invested by chapter 6, and couldn't put it down by chapter 8. I stayed up way too late finishing it!
The Plot:
Norah doesn't have a sand gift. In a world where you sail on the sand, and sand provides everything for the growth of society this is a bit of a problem.
Zadock is the strongest shaker in their city, but he has a weakness. He cares for Norah.
In a world where love weakens a sand gift their relationship cannot survive.
But is the world going to survive? There's been a 3 year famine and the To'Morat are out to wipe out plateaus and villages in an effort to gain their supplies to sustain their kingdom.
To'Rahn, Norah and Zadock's home is ripe for the picking.
Norah and Zadock embark on a desperate quest to save their people. Will they survive the challenges they face? Will they find a way to make peace and not war? Will their love strengthen or weaken them?
āļøThe Writing: I loved how in the first few chapters you can emotionally connect with the characters. You feel their struggle with their affection for each other, with Norah and her sister, and how love just wants to rise in their hearts. The Dual POV really helps you love both Norah and Zadock. Zadock had my heart from the beginning and Norah soon snagged it quickly as well.
The suspense in this book was real, and so was the intensity of many of the moments. I could not put this book down! It drew me in right away and kept me reading chapter after chapter. The plot was amazingly thought out, and I loved that I couldn't predict everything.
I loved the character development and seeing the changes in many of the characters. It felt realistic, but also fanciful enough for a fantasy book. There is a very well written antagonist in this book. The development of that character was
The Plot:
Norah doesn't have a sand gift. In a world where you sail on the sand, and sand provides everything for the growth of society this is a bit of a problem.
Zadock is the strongest shaker in their city, but he has a weakness. He cares for Norah.
In a world where love weakens a sand gift their relationship cannot survive.
But is the world going to survive? There's been a 3 year famine and the To'Morat are out to wipe out plateaus and villages in an effort to gain their supplies to sustain their kingdom.
To'Rahn, Norah and Zadock's home is ripe for the picking.
Norah and Zadock embark on a desperate quest to save their people. Will they survive the challenges they face? Will they find a way to make peace and not war? Will their love strengthen or weaken them?
āļøThe Writing: I loved how in the first few chapters you can emotionally connect with the characters. You feel their struggle with their affection for each other, with Norah and her sister, and how love just wants to rise in their hearts. The Dual POV really helps you love both Norah and Zadock. Zadock had my heart from the beginning and Norah soon snagged it quickly as well.
The suspense in this book was real, and so was the intensity of many of the moments. I could not put this book down! It drew me in right away and kept me reading chapter after chapter. The plot was amazingly thought out, and I loved that I couldn't predict everything.
I loved the character development and seeing the changes in many of the characters. It felt realistic, but also fanciful enough for a fantasy book. There is a very well written antagonist in this book. The development of that character was
karen_the_baroness's review
5.0
Oceans of Sand by Jessica Flory is centered around two people trying to make the world right again.
Can Norah and Zadock find the legendary moonstone?
Norah Saranyi
Norah Saranyi lives in a world where you are born with a sand gift that helps out their village. Along with that gift, no one can love as love weakens the sand gift. Norah is led to believe that she has no sand gift because none of the other ways work out for her. Norah has secretly loved people for years, but that hasn't been helping. See, Norah's world has been experiencing a famine for three years.
One of the things that I like about her is how stubborn she is about anything she thinks is right. Another thing I like about her is how she wants to do what's best for the people in her village even though no one there cares much about her because she doesn't have a gift. Except for a select few people, and they have no way to help her figure out what she is. Maybe this legendary moonstone will help figure out what her sand gift is?
Zadock Penvaren
Zadock Penvaren is the strongest Shaker in their village, so he was tasked to help Norah find this stone. His life was much different than Norah's, but he is still her best friend. Zadock grows into who he is once they get away from the village and where his father, potah, can influence him. Once he is put back under his influence, Zadock tries to please them even if that isn't what he or Norah wants to happen.
These two are very cute together. I love how they try to stay away from each other, but obviously, that doesn't work out for them. These two make a great couple.
The Story
Norah and Zadock's story is both an adventure and a love story. The Adventure because they have a quest to complete and a forbidden love story between the two of them.
Each person born is born with a special sand gift, which usually helps the village out in whatever way their gift can do. They are Shakers - people who can help move ships but also move sand to work well in battle, Absorbers - people who can heal their wounded, Extractors - people who can use the sand to help themselves out or to help out in battle as they use primarily spears, and then lastly they have Forgers - these people can make quartz material or even glass if they are strong enough for that. Everyone in each village has one of these gifts but Norah, which is odd.
For three years, the world has been going through a famine, and somehow Norah and Zadock think bringing back the second moonstone will fix everything. It does, but now something is amiss, and it's up to Norah to figure it out.
Five Stars
Oceans of Sand by Jessica Flory is a wonderfully written fantastical world. I can't wait to jump back in it with the second book when it arrives. Ms. Flory is a great writer; I know this book will find a great audience. Norah and Zadock's story is fantastic, and I love their sand gifts. I am giving Oceans of Sand by Jessica Flory five star rating, and I am encouraging and recommending everyone to buy a copy of the book as it is that wonderful.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Oceans of Sand by Jessica Flory.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.
Can Norah and Zadock find the legendary moonstone?
Norah Saranyi
Norah Saranyi lives in a world where you are born with a sand gift that helps out their village. Along with that gift, no one can love as love weakens the sand gift. Norah is led to believe that she has no sand gift because none of the other ways work out for her. Norah has secretly loved people for years, but that hasn't been helping. See, Norah's world has been experiencing a famine for three years.
One of the things that I like about her is how stubborn she is about anything she thinks is right. Another thing I like about her is how she wants to do what's best for the people in her village even though no one there cares much about her because she doesn't have a gift. Except for a select few people, and they have no way to help her figure out what she is. Maybe this legendary moonstone will help figure out what her sand gift is?
Zadock Penvaren
Zadock Penvaren is the strongest Shaker in their village, so he was tasked to help Norah find this stone. His life was much different than Norah's, but he is still her best friend. Zadock grows into who he is once they get away from the village and where his father, potah, can influence him. Once he is put back under his influence, Zadock tries to please them even if that isn't what he or Norah wants to happen.
These two are very cute together. I love how they try to stay away from each other, but obviously, that doesn't work out for them. These two make a great couple.
The Story
Norah and Zadock's story is both an adventure and a love story. The Adventure because they have a quest to complete and a forbidden love story between the two of them.
Each person born is born with a special sand gift, which usually helps the village out in whatever way their gift can do. They are Shakers - people who can help move ships but also move sand to work well in battle, Absorbers - people who can heal their wounded, Extractors - people who can use the sand to help themselves out or to help out in battle as they use primarily spears, and then lastly they have Forgers - these people can make quartz material or even glass if they are strong enough for that. Everyone in each village has one of these gifts but Norah, which is odd.
For three years, the world has been going through a famine, and somehow Norah and Zadock think bringing back the second moonstone will fix everything. It does, but now something is amiss, and it's up to Norah to figure it out.
Five Stars
Oceans of Sand by Jessica Flory is a wonderfully written fantastical world. I can't wait to jump back in it with the second book when it arrives. Ms. Flory is a great writer; I know this book will find a great audience. Norah and Zadock's story is fantastic, and I love their sand gifts. I am giving Oceans of Sand by Jessica Flory five star rating, and I am encouraging and recommending everyone to buy a copy of the book as it is that wonderful.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Oceans of Sand by Jessica Flory.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.
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