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hailstorm3812's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Genocide
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Grief, Death, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Misogyny
Minor: Slavery, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
amandadevoursbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
In the first of a duology, we meet Mehr. She is the illegitimate child of the regional governor of a far-flung empire. Her mother is a member of the local indigenous tribes, the Amrithi. Mehr practices her traditions in secret. Her step mother disapproves. When her friend goes missing, Mehr draws the eye of the emperors mystics, and she is coerced into a marriage and shackled by her vows not only to her husband but to the empire itself.
I cannot express how wonderfully the world is built. It roots itself firmly in Southeast Asian culture and places. The desert spirits, the culture of the empire's ruling class, colonized territories and indigenous people, the sleeping gods. I LOVED all of it. While this is a slow-burn closed door romance. I rooted for the pair. I loved watching them fall for each other and make each other family. I cannot wait to read the next book.
This book deals heavily in themes of empires, colonization, genocide, cultural erasure, and grief. In the end, it is a story of hope and power and connection. 100% this is a book I will read and love again.
Graphic: Murder, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Genocide, and Violence
msradiosilence's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Read my full review at: https://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/empire-of-sand/
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Infertility, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, War, Abandonment, Colonisation, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
hannahollihan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Genocide, Slavery, Torture, and Racism
mizu's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Slavery, Murder, Physical abuse, and Racism
Minor: Genocide, Child abuse, and Misogyny
pyrojack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racism, Physical abuse, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Blood, Genocide, Death, and Colonisation
Minor: Abandonment and Alcohol
morganphoenix's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Slavery, Confinement, and Murder
Moderate: Genocide, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Minor: Infertility and Suicide