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billblume's review
4.0
I will preface this review by saying I know the author. I had the pleasure of meeting Leona at RavenCon many years ago where she massaged my cat (I promise, it's not as dirty as it sounds)... but I digress.
At the time, I did not even realize Leona was a writer. Years later, I learned of her book SECRET OF THE SANDS being published. Leona was then invited to speak at the James River Writers Conference with which I'm affiliated.
Since I knew I'd be moderating a panel with Leona as one of my speakers, I finally read the book. Reading a book by someone I know is always daunting. The fear is that I'll hate it (sad to say, this has happened to me in the past), and it creates a horribly awkward situation.
I quickly discovered I had no reason to worry with Leona. Her book is a great fantasy epic that stands apart from so many. She delivers a world with some uncommonly strong Arabian influences, and the way in which she leads the reader to understand the many foreign cultures is handled very well. Leona hits all the key points for a story of this scope with strong and likable characters, plus a very well-constructed plot. This book also stands on its own, despite being the first book in a series.
Just be warned, this is not a thin read. You're in for a hefty book, but this is more of a strength within the fantasy genre.
At the time, I did not even realize Leona was a writer. Years later, I learned of her book SECRET OF THE SANDS being published. Leona was then invited to speak at the James River Writers Conference with which I'm affiliated.
Since I knew I'd be moderating a panel with Leona as one of my speakers, I finally read the book. Reading a book by someone I know is always daunting. The fear is that I'll hate it (sad to say, this has happened to me in the past), and it creates a horribly awkward situation.
I quickly discovered I had no reason to worry with Leona. Her book is a great fantasy epic that stands apart from so many. She delivers a world with some uncommonly strong Arabian influences, and the way in which she leads the reader to understand the many foreign cultures is handled very well. Leona hits all the key points for a story of this scope with strong and likable characters, plus a very well-constructed plot. This book also stands on its own, despite being the first book in a series.
Just be warned, this is not a thin read. You're in for a hefty book, but this is more of a strength within the fantasy genre.
veryreaderie's review
4.0
One of my main complaints about epic fantasy is that it's often not character-based enough for my taste, but that wasn't a problem here. There were only two points of view: a street thief who tries to pick a desert lord's pocket and ends up serving him, and a noblewoman sent to take care of that lord's desert fortress while he's away. While I always wanted to read whoever's chapter I just finished reading (and the book switched oh-so-faithfully between the two) I wasn't frustrated with the back and forth between POVs because both were enjoyable.
I know that introduction is dry, but I don't want to say too much: books are always their own best advertisement. One thing I really liked was the sense that the characters were scarred, but they didn't dwell on it too much. There was a sense of moving past the grisly detail of the past, which I enjoyed.
Furthermore, Secrets of the Sands has a theme (plot point?) I love and haven't seen done often enough, but it takes a while to get to it so I don't want to spoil anything. If you're okay with hearing a theme that only really shows up halfway through (though of course it's led up to), here it is:
It was great to get lost in this world for a while. Very enjoyable book that I'd recommend to any epic fantasy lover. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.
I know that introduction is dry, but I don't want to say too much: books are always their own best advertisement. One thing I really liked was the sense that the characters were scarred, but they didn't dwell on it too much. There was a sense of moving past the grisly detail of the past, which I enjoyed.
Furthermore, Secrets of the Sands has a theme (plot point?) I love and haven't seen done often enough, but it takes a while to get to it so I don't want to spoil anything. If you're okay with hearing a theme that only really shows up halfway through (though of course it's led up to), here it is:
Spoiler
Humans not being the first 'intelligent' creatures to inhabit the world, and having to deal with another type of sentient life.It was great to get lost in this world for a while. Very enjoyable book that I'd recommend to any epic fantasy lover.
Spoiler
Also to people who like finding a random smiley face smushed into the text. What?radioactve_piano's review
5.0
It's rare I actually would describe a book as "amazing", but I really, thoroughly enjoyed this one. Completely engaging with multiple main characters (and the promise of some of the lesser characters becoming more fleshed out in the future). The world Wisoker created is no less compelling than her characters -- just enough magical aspects to turn it into a fantasy novel, but drawing on enough of the world we know to make it seem real.
Also? I loved that I was unsure how to feel about each character. Normally I'm not a fan of that, but somehow she accomplished the very difficult task of making me constantly question who I was rooting for. Can't wait to read more from her!
Also? I loved that I was unsure how to feel about each character. Normally I'm not a fan of that, but somehow she accomplished the very difficult task of making me constantly question who I was rooting for. Can't wait to read more from her!
beththebookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent fantasy novel--original with wonderful world-building and fascinating multi-faceted characters who almost walk off the page into your room. Author has created multiple rich cultures and back-history, with beauty, squalor, pain and humor throughout the story.
Highly recommended to all epic-fantasy fans. Smaller scale than Song of Ice and Fire series but the politics, culture, machinations, and characters will likely appeal to those fans, as well as to readers wanting something just a little off the beaten track of the fantasy genre, with more political and psychological jockeying than violence.
Highly recommended to all epic-fantasy fans. Smaller scale than Song of Ice and Fire series but the politics, culture, machinations, and characters will likely appeal to those fans, as well as to readers wanting something just a little off the beaten track of the fantasy genre, with more political and psychological jockeying than violence.
eclipse777's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 20% , this wasn't the story I expected I thought I would get a desert setting where life is harsh not taverns with all sort of food being severed like pheasant, and have Sultans not kings and nobles in the story but want really annoyed me was the thief boy that the lord employed as his servant the boy with no education telling the lord how to behave in local villages. If you want to read a story set in a desert read the killing moon by N.K. Jemisin.
brewergnome's review against another edition
3.0
Well written. I like that the main female character is strong without everyone commenting on how strong she is for a woman. A bit of the "lucky x who happens to be" but not overly much. Clever, interesting world. Will likely read more from this series.
funystuf3's review against another edition
4.0
Really more of a 4.5 star book - I'm looking forward to the second one!
haukka's review against another edition
4.0
Anyone interested in desert themed fantasy stories should probably put this on their reading list. You get a fantasy world made of the lush green lands north of the desert, and then of course a vast golden desert with a culture and ambience all its own.
For a fantasy this book has echoes of modern feelings towards sex and gender politics, subjects which are constantly mentioned but not the focal point of the tale. You have a gaggle of sexually aware girls/women of many ages who live under the scrutiny of a patriarchal and conservative world view. I only mention this because many fantasy tales with sexually open female characters involve some obligatory goddess figure, or some fertility motherhood factor. In this book the brief mentions about woman’s sex was more focused on personal pleasure instead of struggling to attain motherhood or fulfil some coming of age goddess rite. You have a posse of different characters, all somehow open and sexually liberated, but no one is “getting any,” which is fine since this fantasy adventure is not an erotica.
This book also has many of the tried and true, somewhat stereotypical fantasy elements that you come to almost expect in a good story: There is traversing the lands on foot or animal, the constant stops at the different quality inns; saucy buxom serving wenches, the mouth watering local inn foods that make you hungry while reading and very amplified class and life quality distinctions. There is the drunk and horny sailors, double dealing political spies and a couple of characters you switch between trusting and not.
The story moves ahead chapter by chapter and I appreciate how many naïve and realistically flawed characters grow and come together for a conclusive end of tale, which still leaves you excited for the rest of the series.
For a fantasy this book has echoes of modern feelings towards sex and gender politics, subjects which are constantly mentioned but not the focal point of the tale. You have a gaggle of sexually aware girls/women of many ages who live under the scrutiny of a patriarchal and conservative world view. I only mention this because many fantasy tales with sexually open female characters involve some obligatory goddess figure, or some fertility motherhood factor. In this book the brief mentions about woman’s sex was more focused on personal pleasure instead of struggling to attain motherhood or fulfil some coming of age goddess rite. You have a posse of different characters, all somehow open and sexually liberated, but no one is “getting any,” which is fine since this fantasy adventure is not an erotica.
This book also has many of the tried and true, somewhat stereotypical fantasy elements that you come to almost expect in a good story: There is traversing the lands on foot or animal, the constant stops at the different quality inns; saucy buxom serving wenches, the mouth watering local inn foods that make you hungry while reading and very amplified class and life quality distinctions. There is the drunk and horny sailors, double dealing political spies and a couple of characters you switch between trusting and not.
The story moves ahead chapter by chapter and I appreciate how many naïve and realistically flawed characters grow and come together for a conclusive end of tale, which still leaves you excited for the rest of the series.
singinglight's review
4.0
Opening: Hee-ay, hee-ay: the cry of the water-seller in the broad and the narrow places; shass-shass-shass, the warning signal to clear a road for noble blood, be it one or many together...To Idisio's sensitive ears, the cacophony wove a melodic pattern that steered him, unerringly, to the best possible target.
Secrets of the Sands is a richly textured fantasy, weaving together the narratives of three main characters, Idisio, Cafad Scratha, and Lady Alyea. The world it inhabits feels full, with political intrigues, geographic and historical splits, divisions between classes.
I picked this book up after seeing that Tamora Pierce recommended it and really, really enjoyed it. (Which makes Pierce two for two on her recommendations--The City in the Lake was one of hers as well.) There was nothing outstandingly original about it, but the characters were both fun and sympathetic, and the whole story seemed very solid. I never found myself rolling my eyes, or thinking, "Oh, come on," which makes for a nice change. And the worldbuilding, which is pretty much always important to me, seemed to be not just good, but effortless.
I especially enjoyed seeing the contrasts between the different cultures, that at court and that of the desert lords, and the way all three main characters have to chart a tricky course somewhere between the two. It's also a good old fashioned coming-into-power story, with all of the testing and training that implies. While sometimes multiple character narration doesn't work for me, here the fact that it was actually limited third person helped to make the whole story cohesive. And the background of the characters (Idisio is a street thief, Cafad a desert lord, and Alyea a court lady) gave a different flavor and insight into the events.
All in all, this was an extremely enjoyable fantasy, combining known elements, but with a special flavor that kept it from feeling boring or derivative. I found it compelling and readable. There's apparently a sequel, which I want to get a hold of.
Book source: ILL from my public library
Book information: Mercury Retrograde Press, 2009; adult
Recommended by: Tamora Pierce
Secrets of the Sands is a richly textured fantasy, weaving together the narratives of three main characters, Idisio, Cafad Scratha, and Lady Alyea. The world it inhabits feels full, with political intrigues, geographic and historical splits, divisions between classes.
I picked this book up after seeing that Tamora Pierce recommended it and really, really enjoyed it. (Which makes Pierce two for two on her recommendations--The City in the Lake was one of hers as well.) There was nothing outstandingly original about it, but the characters were both fun and sympathetic, and the whole story seemed very solid. I never found myself rolling my eyes, or thinking, "Oh, come on," which makes for a nice change. And the worldbuilding, which is pretty much always important to me, seemed to be not just good, but effortless.
I especially enjoyed seeing the contrasts between the different cultures, that at court and that of the desert lords, and the way all three main characters have to chart a tricky course somewhere between the two. It's also a good old fashioned coming-into-power story, with all of the testing and training that implies. While sometimes multiple character narration doesn't work for me, here the fact that it was actually limited third person helped to make the whole story cohesive. And the background of the characters (Idisio is a street thief, Cafad a desert lord, and Alyea a court lady) gave a different flavor and insight into the events.
All in all, this was an extremely enjoyable fantasy, combining known elements, but with a special flavor that kept it from feeling boring or derivative. I found it compelling and readable. There's apparently a sequel, which I want to get a hold of.
Book source: ILL from my public library
Book information: Mercury Retrograde Press, 2009; adult
Recommended by: Tamora Pierce
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