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sharonvictoria90's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
andykarnik's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
The world-building in this was sensational and drew me right in. I loved Mehr and found her story very compelling. I would have finished this much faster if I weren't on vacation and running around with family
I loved the way this story framed the act of choosing something for yourself and made that the most sacred act.
I loved the way this story framed the act of choosing something for yourself and made that the most sacred act.
sbonakdar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kdscolliver's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
yusra_s's review against another edition
5.0
How can so many pages hold such a short story?
How can such a short story hold so much pain?
It was a father's love that started it all. It ended with a love born of vows steeped in pain.
Empire of Sand is not only rich in the beautiful descriptions that capture the reader. It is a book filled with pain so vast, I found myself shedding tears beside Mehr. Smiling in the small moments of happiness.
While reading, I felt satisfied. Like this was enough. Now that I have finished the book, I cant help but feel like it was too short.
I love the cover.
How can such a short story hold so much pain?
It was a father's love that started it all. It ended with a love born of vows steeped in pain.
Empire of Sand is not only rich in the beautiful descriptions that capture the reader. It is a book filled with pain so vast, I found myself shedding tears beside Mehr. Smiling in the small moments of happiness.
While reading, I felt satisfied. Like this was enough. Now that I have finished the book, I cant help but feel like it was too short.
I love the cover.
hsshah's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dominguezraquel95's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Gorgeous and moving and original
prested's review against another edition
4.0
The Amrithi are the descendants of Daivas, desert spirits, who are descended from the Gods.
The Amrithi are persecuted throughout the Empire and are pushed to the margins of society.
Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an Amrithi woman, who after accidently revealing her powers, she is taken away by the empire's mystics.
At first she's unsure why they want her, however she soon learns what they want from her and their plan terrifies her.
To survive, Mehr must uses all of her power, will and influence to survive and stop the Empire's plan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trigger Warning: Abuse and Violence
This book has been sitting on my TBR list for a little while but I was in a fantasy mood so I decided to read it.
I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I anticipated!
It wasn't what I was expecting and I liked how Suri portrayed how ethnic people in diaspora can feel as if they don't belong here or there. That was a concept Mehr struggled with throughout the novel.
The world is fascinating and I liked how Suri slowly reveal all the complexities of the Empire and how they connected to Mehr.
I wish Suri showed us more of the Empire. I liked how she showed how ethnic minorities were persecuted but I wish she showed us how the country was. I don't have a strong grasp on what the country looked like or the people. I saw snippets with how the Maha's disciples/priests acted but I don't have a firm grasp of the Empire's culture/people. Maybe because Mehr doesn't have a firm grasp still I would've liked it if Suri had shown that.
The only issue I had was the length? Sometimes it felt that the story dragged at certain points.
It's a strong debut and overall it's a good read.
The Amrithi are persecuted throughout the Empire and are pushed to the margins of society.
Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an Amrithi woman, who after accidently revealing her powers, she is taken away by the empire's mystics.
At first she's unsure why they want her, however she soon learns what they want from her and their plan terrifies her.
To survive, Mehr must uses all of her power, will and influence to survive and stop the Empire's plan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trigger Warning: Abuse and Violence
This book has been sitting on my TBR list for a little while but I was in a fantasy mood so I decided to read it.
I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I anticipated!
It wasn't what I was expecting and I liked how Suri portrayed how ethnic people in diaspora can feel as if they don't belong here or there. That was a concept Mehr struggled with throughout the novel.
The world is fascinating and I liked how Suri slowly reveal all the complexities of the Empire and how they connected to Mehr.
I wish Suri showed us more of the Empire. I liked how she showed how ethnic minorities were persecuted but I wish she showed us how the country was. I don't have a strong grasp on what the country looked like or the people. I saw snippets with how the Maha's disciples/priests acted but I don't have a firm grasp of the Empire's culture/people. Maybe because Mehr doesn't have a firm grasp still I would've liked it if Suri had shown that.
The only issue I had was the length? Sometimes it felt that the story dragged at certain points.
It's a strong debut and overall it's a good read.
smile667's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mridzyreads's review against another edition
4.0
A coming of age young adult fantasy, Empire of Sand marks the beginning of Mehr's journey into a world of mystic and mystery. The setting reminds me of "The Song of the Shattered Sands" where its all desert and sands but the magical system is something that is new and has the potential to grow in the subsequent books.
Set in the fictional Indian subcontinent, this is a tale of power, magic and sleeping Gods. Book 2 will be a couple of years in the future and Mehr might not be the main protagonist. I do not know how I feel about that but I hope the author has plans to bring her back again sometime.
Set in the fictional Indian subcontinent, this is a tale of power, magic and sleeping Gods. Book 2 will be a couple of years in the future and Mehr might not be the main protagonist. I do not know how I feel about that but I hope the author has plans to bring her back again sometime.