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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a series of three interconnected short stories. I've never read anything in this series before, but since it's a prequel I don't think I missed anything.
The main character is Ceda, an orphaned girl who's sworn revenge on the Twelve Kings because of what they did to her family (I don't actually know what they did; that isn't discussed in this book). She's a pit fighter and can handle herself. In the first story, she thinks she's being targeted by two mysterious twin boys but then discovers that she's truly being sought by a monstrous erekh for her dreams. There's some beautiful imagery and language in the story.
The second story is weaker. Ceda is linked by dreams to the imprisoned erekh and finds that she must aid the monster or suffer herself. After this one, I was about ready to set the book down. There was nothing especially wrong with the story, but nothing that made me want to keep reading either. This is the problem with short works- it's hard to make the stakes engrossing enough to keep the reader (at least if the reader is me) around.
I did read the third story, though, because it started with a pit fight, the first one described thus far in the book. That got me through the remainder of the book.
The theme here is obsession and redemption. A monster is obsessed with Ceda and wants her to suffer because of its own monstrous nature. While it was difficult for me to understand why the monster was so powerful, it led Ceda to some imaginative solutions. The magic in this book is interesting and beautifully described. While Ceda didn't have much to her in the way of individuality that sets her apart from many other plucky heroines- she's an orphan, streetwise, a good fighter, strong-willed- I am curious to read a full length book about her to see if the depth of a full length novel will draw me in further. I'm also uncertain if the author is drawing on actual Eastern mythology or if it's made up- I'm curious about that too. So the book did its job well enough to intrigue me to read more, and I suppose that's the measure of a successful story.
This is a series of three interconnected short stories. I've never read anything in this series before, but since it's a prequel I don't think I missed anything.
The main character is Ceda, an orphaned girl who's sworn revenge on the Twelve Kings because of what they did to her family (I don't actually know what they did; that isn't discussed in this book). She's a pit fighter and can handle herself. In the first story, she thinks she's being targeted by two mysterious twin boys but then discovers that she's truly being sought by a monstrous erekh for her dreams. There's some beautiful imagery and language in the story.
The second story is weaker. Ceda is linked by dreams to the imprisoned erekh and finds that she must aid the monster or suffer herself. After this one, I was about ready to set the book down. There was nothing especially wrong with the story, but nothing that made me want to keep reading either. This is the problem with short works- it's hard to make the stakes engrossing enough to keep the reader (at least if the reader is me) around.
I did read the third story, though, because it started with a pit fight, the first one described thus far in the book. That got me through the remainder of the book.
The theme here is obsession and redemption. A monster is obsessed with Ceda and wants her to suffer because of its own monstrous nature. While it was difficult for me to understand why the monster was so powerful, it led Ceda to some imaginative solutions. The magic in this book is interesting and beautifully described. While Ceda didn't have much to her in the way of individuality that sets her apart from many other plucky heroines- she's an orphan, streetwise, a good fighter, strong-willed- I am curious to read a full length book about her to see if the depth of a full length novel will draw me in further. I'm also uncertain if the author is drawing on actual Eastern mythology or if it's made up- I'm curious about that too. So the book did its job well enough to intrigue me to read more, and I suppose that's the measure of a successful story.
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 Çeda'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.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
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 Çeda'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.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my review.
* I was sent this for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
I knew I would almost certainly enjoy this when I got it becuase I LOVED Twelve Kings by Bradley Beaulieu and within this we are following the same main character of Çeda. Çeda is a younger version in this book becuase this is a prequel to Twelve Kings, but already from her adventure we can start to see the young woman she becomes in the later book.
This has some beautiful illustrations at the start of each part (there are three parts) and tells a story which is interconnected in each part. The three tales all form one overall story of Çeda's encounter with a demon-like creature who takes a liking to her. This is definitely not good for Çeda and her friends who all become quickly enmeshed in trying to escape the creature and the story goes on from there.
What I liked about this is it's a super quick and easy read. It's only about 200pgs which means that it's fast to enjoy and get to the action, but it also means it doesn't have the same emotional levels as we have in Twelve Kings. This was fine for me as I expected that due to the length, and the fun nature of the story and already knowing the character made up for that.
Overall this is a super fun little read and one I would definitely recommend. I look forward to book #2 in the Twelve Kings series even more now as I've read this one and I hope it comes soon :) 3.5*s overall!
I knew I would almost certainly enjoy this when I got it becuase I LOVED Twelve Kings by Bradley Beaulieu and within this we are following the same main character of Çeda. Çeda is a younger version in this book becuase this is a prequel to Twelve Kings, but already from her adventure we can start to see the young woman she becomes in the later book.
This has some beautiful illustrations at the start of each part (there are three parts) and tells a story which is interconnected in each part. The three tales all form one overall story of Çeda's encounter with a demon-like creature who takes a liking to her. This is definitely not good for Çeda and her friends who all become quickly enmeshed in trying to escape the creature and the story goes on from there.
What I liked about this is it's a super quick and easy read. It's only about 200pgs which means that it's fast to enjoy and get to the action, but it also means it doesn't have the same emotional levels as we have in Twelve Kings. This was fine for me as I expected that due to the length, and the fun nature of the story and already knowing the character made up for that.
Overall this is a super fun little read and one I would definitely recommend. I look forward to book #2 in the Twelve Kings series even more now as I've read this one and I hope it comes soon :) 3.5*s overall!
A very interesting read. The writing style of this is amazing. The characters developed nicely throughout the book.
Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2016/09/08/review-of-sand-and-malice-made-by-bradley-p-beaulieu/
This novella could easily be used as an introduction to Çeda and the world Beaulieu has created in The Song of the Shattered Sands series. Çeda was one of my favorite parts of Twelve Kings of Sharakhai as I love her strength in spirit as well as her strength in the fighting pits. Of Sand and Malice Made is an interesting look into Çeda at an earlier time in her life.
Prequels are interesting beasts. I have read some where the suspense of the story was ruined by what I learned in previous books (books that were published first but chronologically occur after the prequel). But then there are other prequels that manage to create a self contained story that is new to you, gives an interesting story and background to a character you were already familiar with and weaves a tale that is still full of suspense despite you having read a story that occurs after. It can be a great way to help the reader understand more of what is going on by learning about history and events that were at least relative mysteries prior to the novella. Information that you didn’t miss, that is not essential to the other books, but that enhances understanding and entertains while reading something completely new. Of Sand and Malice Made firmly lands in the latter category. It is a prequel story done extremely well, and I believe it is one the could easily be read before or after Twelve Kings of Sharakhai.
In Of Sand and Malice Made, Çeda is early in her pit fighting career. She is younger, and that can be seen in her personality and decisions. The story revolves around her entanglement with Rumayesh, an ehkreh, or in put into plain terms, a demonic type of creature that has the ability to steal memories as well as potentially hijack bodies. And this one has fixated on Çeda. Not good. Çeda must find a way to free herself of this powerful foe.
This may be a novella length story (at about 200 pages), but the story felt richer and deeper than I would expect for that page count. Highly recommend this book and series. Honestly my only negative comment is that I can’t get my hands on a copy of the next book in this series quite yet.
This novella could easily be used as an introduction to Çeda and the world Beaulieu has created in The Song of the Shattered Sands series. Çeda was one of my favorite parts of Twelve Kings of Sharakhai as I love her strength in spirit as well as her strength in the fighting pits. Of Sand and Malice Made is an interesting look into Çeda at an earlier time in her life.
Prequels are interesting beasts. I have read some where the suspense of the story was ruined by what I learned in previous books (books that were published first but chronologically occur after the prequel). But then there are other prequels that manage to create a self contained story that is new to you, gives an interesting story and background to a character you were already familiar with and weaves a tale that is still full of suspense despite you having read a story that occurs after. It can be a great way to help the reader understand more of what is going on by learning about history and events that were at least relative mysteries prior to the novella. Information that you didn’t miss, that is not essential to the other books, but that enhances understanding and entertains while reading something completely new. Of Sand and Malice Made firmly lands in the latter category. It is a prequel story done extremely well, and I believe it is one the could easily be read before or after Twelve Kings of Sharakhai.
In Of Sand and Malice Made, Çeda is early in her pit fighting career. She is younger, and that can be seen in her personality and decisions. The story revolves around her entanglement with Rumayesh, an ehkreh, or in put into plain terms, a demonic type of creature that has the ability to steal memories as well as potentially hijack bodies. And this one has fixated on Çeda. Not good. Çeda must find a way to free herself of this powerful foe.
This may be a novella length story (at about 200 pages), but the story felt richer and deeper than I would expect for that page count. Highly recommend this book and series. Honestly my only negative comment is that I can’t get my hands on a copy of the next book in this series quite yet.
Une prequelle qui fait lumière sur la relation entre Brama et Rümayesh...