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plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I didn’t expect much from Empire of Sand, and there was more than one instance while I read the first half of the book where I considered not finishing. The world-building was incredible, the magic system unique, the protagonist interesting, but I just wasn’t invested. But oh, I’m so, so glad I kept going. The second half is much better, despite the pace never really picking up, as I became truly invested in both the protagonist and her love interest. Suri wrote an exquisite romance, soft and tender and emotional; it completely stole my heart. It was the reason I sped through the last quarter of the book, desperately hoping everything would be okay. While the story didn’t quite go in the direction I expected, it was still intense and intensely enjoyable. I’m so glad I stuck with this book, and I urge you to do the same. This book deserves much more love. I’m not sure that I’ll read the companion, as I’m not really interested in the younger sister as a protagonist. However, I’m eagerly awaiting Suri's next book. If it’s as great as this ended up being, absolutely sign me up.
Representation:
Representation:
- Protagonist, love interest, and some side characters of color
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Slavery, and Death
Moderate: Blood
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