Scan barcode
cjensen92's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The writing felt repetitive but I liked the story.
braydin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mingreen's review against another edition
3.0
This had a lot of potential. I wouldve been obsessed with it had I read it as a teen. Intriguing story, interesting setting, likeable mcs.
I just felt like already obvious information had to be spelled out to the fmc atleast 3 times before she gets it. Very much intended for younger readers who wants to be spoonfed with information.
I just felt like already obvious information had to be spelled out to the fmc atleast 3 times before she gets it. Very much intended for younger readers who wants to be spoonfed with information.
umairah's review against another edition
5.0
Plot: 4/5 Characters: 5/5. Writing: 5/5
Empire of Sand was an intricate story inspired by Mughal India. The world building was spectacular, I felt fully immersed in the culture and history.
It tells a tale of a noblewoman called Mehr who had an Amrithi mother and an Ambhan father. The Amrithi were desert people who were said to be descended from the daiva (in the book the daiva are the children of the gods) and can perform special rites through dancing and movement. The Ambhan Empire shunned them and took their land causing their numbers to dwindle.
Even after Mehr's mother left her and her sister, Arwa, to their father, Mehr still tried to carry on practising her Amrithi traditions and retain her identity in a world that refused to accept them.
Mehr was a strong woman but not in the way we usually see, by waving swords around and tearing down enemies left, right and centre. She had an inner strength, a quiet strength. No matter what happened to her, no matter who came along and tried to hurt, manipulate or own her, she clung on to who she was and she clung on to her hopes and dreams.
The pacing of the book was quite slow, but I didn't mind. It enables us to be with Mehr every step of the way and appreciate her character development even more. Also, it gave time for Mehr and Amun's relationship to grow, for them to build up trust and friendship before taking it further. They were so adorable together and I loved how they spent time talking to each other and sharing things about themselves which you don't often see in many books. Amun even makes a tent out of a shawl and pillows in their room to cheer up Mehr when she's upset.
Empire of Sand was a pleasure to read and I loved the world building and the relationships between the characters the most.
This review and more can be found at Sereadipity
Empire of Sand was an intricate story inspired by Mughal India. The world building was spectacular, I felt fully immersed in the culture and history.
It tells a tale of a noblewoman called Mehr who had an Amrithi mother and an Ambhan father. The Amrithi were desert people who were said to be descended from the daiva (in the book the daiva are the children of the gods) and can perform special rites through dancing and movement. The Ambhan Empire shunned them and took their land causing their numbers to dwindle.
"What are you supposed to do when you have lost the war and every possibility of victory has been absolutely, thoroughly annihilated?"
Even after Mehr's mother left her and her sister, Arwa, to their father, Mehr still tried to carry on practising her Amrithi traditions and retain her identity in a world that refused to accept them.
Mehr was a strong woman but not in the way we usually see, by waving swords around and tearing down enemies left, right and centre. She had an inner strength, a quiet strength. No matter what happened to her, no matter who came along and tried to hurt, manipulate or own her, she clung on to who she was and she clung on to her hopes and dreams.
The pacing of the book was quite slow, but I didn't mind. It enables us to be with Mehr every step of the way and appreciate her character development even more. Also, it gave time for Mehr and Amun's relationship to grow, for them to build up trust and friendship before taking it further. They were so adorable together and I loved how they spent time talking to each other and sharing things about themselves which you don't often see in many books. Amun even makes a tent out of a shawl and pillows in their room to cheer up Mehr when she's upset.
Empire of Sand was a pleasure to read and I loved the world building and the relationships between the characters the most.
This review and more can be found at Sereadipity
mariaoverbooked's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a simple woman, tell me marriage of convenience and I’ll read the book. I absolutely adored this one. I would’ve been able to read it in two sittings if it wasn’t for life getting in the way.
This South Asian fantasy is full of interesting magic, strong characters, and a love story that made me swoon. The plot moves fairly quickly and I found myself turning page after page to see what happened next.
The romance was sweet and definitely was the main reason why I couldn’t stop reading, but I also loved how independent and strong the main character was. In the end, she took the balance of the world into her own hands.
I definitely recommend this if you’re into fascinating magic systems, creepy bad guys who run magic cults, and marriage of convenience love stories with a soft boy who would sacrifice everything for the girl he loves.
This South Asian fantasy is full of interesting magic, strong characters, and a love story that made me swoon. The plot moves fairly quickly and I found myself turning page after page to see what happened next.
The romance was sweet and definitely was the main reason why I couldn’t stop reading, but I also loved how independent and strong the main character was. In the end, she took the balance of the world into her own hands.
I definitely recommend this if you’re into fascinating magic systems, creepy bad guys who run magic cults, and marriage of convenience love stories with a soft boy who would sacrifice everything for the girl he loves.
bookpanther's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4.5/5
What a strong debut from Tasha Suri. Empire of Sand, set in a Mughal India-inspired world, is a perfectly paced and richly woven adult fantasy novel with a distinct soul. While the story has a slow feel to it, it was paced evenly and was able to keep my interest for the majority of the time, though I did find myself occasionally meandering off while reading. The character growth was realistic and kept to the core of who the characters were. I loved getting inside the head of our main character, Mehr, who clearly makes mistakes in the moment but is also able to reflect in a mature, level-headed way. Suri has also seamlessly weaved together a multitude of themes such as choice, colonialism, oppression, and cult fanaticism, but I really enjoyed her exploration of being biracial / multicultural.
Thoroughly adored this one. Suri has created such an intricate and well-though out fantasy story, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this duology.
What a strong debut from Tasha Suri. Empire of Sand, set in a Mughal India-inspired world, is a perfectly paced and richly woven adult fantasy novel with a distinct soul. While the story has a slow feel to it, it was paced evenly and was able to keep my interest for the majority of the time, though I did find myself occasionally meandering off while reading. The character growth was realistic and kept to the core of who the characters were. I loved getting inside the head of our main character, Mehr, who clearly makes mistakes in the moment but is also able to reflect in a mature, level-headed way. Suri has also seamlessly weaved together a multitude of themes such as choice, colonialism, oppression, and cult fanaticism, but I really enjoyed her exploration of being biracial / multicultural.
Thoroughly adored this one. Suri has created such an intricate and well-though out fantasy story, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this duology.
rachelselene's review against another edition
2.0
this was not for me. poor worldbuilding, flat characters, a listless plot — i was constantly bored, and left with too many unanswered questions.
two stars, not one, because i have definitely read worse.
two stars, not one, because i have definitely read worse.
marmoo's review against another edition
4.0
This fantasy novel is charming in its romance and fresh in its world-building. The protagonist especially was fully fleshed-out, eschewing many of the familiar stock archetypes that a lazier writer might have drifted toward. Instead, Tasha Suri builds in Mehr a character who is easy to root for but still capable of surprising you.
lauramg's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Felt parts of the story should have been developed more. Overall, an enjoyable read.
muccycloud's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? N/A
5.0