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emmaaaad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
readinginspace3's review against another edition
5.0
*4.5*
Is Tasha Suri even capable of writing a bad book? Seems like she’s not.
Is Tasha Suri even capable of writing a bad book? Seems like she’s not.
mastersal's review against another edition
5.0
Jan 2022:
After almost a year this book remains on my mind and I keep thinking about how well it did with it did. I am upping the rating to 5 stars because this in hindsight was a fav of the 2021 year.
———
Mar 2021 review:
So I bought this book for my Kindle in May 2019 and it’s taken me almost two years to get to it - and in the end I had to get the physical book from the library.
Basically … what the book has taught me is that I should not buy fantasy books on my Kindle as I tend to forget about them and I miss out.
This was a great debut novel set in Indian inspired fantasy land (I actually recognised the map - joy!!). I am not sure about the Mughal setting per se but I loved some of the inspirations. The magic system - based on dance - made me think of Bharatanatyam. I am not sure what is what the author meant to evoke but that was running through my head.
Side note - I would love to see this book brought to screen - Bollywood if you are listening, please get on that asap please.
Word-building aside, this is probably one of the best fantasy romances that I’ve read in recent memory. I am usually very specific of the hybrid as usually one or the other hybrid takes a backstreet. Here the romance is integral to the plot but also balanced in that it matters to the world and the story and themes. I really enjoyed the control and balance between both - which would make this book kind of mindblowing for me.
The plotting is a little on the slow slide as the romance gets a fair amount of focus in the middle of the book - but I really appreciated that. It kind of fit into the world and the magic system being explored. There is a surprising lack of violence-as-a-solution here which I appreciated quite a bit.
The last 80 pages though really picked up the pace with plot points coming fast. To be honest, some of these elements could have used a little more breathing space. Yes, it would have made the book longer but I would have been fine with that!
Some slight wobbles but really good - 4 stars. I am excited to see more from this author especially with her new trilogy coming this year (in 2021).
Side extra video which is also worth checking out as it was kind of what I saw Mehr and Amun as:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR4Sy3yV_4Q)
After almost a year this book remains on my mind and I keep thinking about how well it did with it did. I am upping the rating to 5 stars because this in hindsight was a fav of the 2021 year.
———
Mar 2021 review:
So I bought this book for my Kindle in May 2019 and it’s taken me almost two years to get to it - and in the end I had to get the physical book from the library.
Basically … what the book has taught me is that I should not buy fantasy books on my Kindle as I tend to forget about them and I miss out.
This was a great debut novel set in Indian inspired fantasy land (I actually recognised the map - joy!!). I am not sure about the Mughal setting per se but I loved some of the inspirations. The magic system - based on dance - made me think of Bharatanatyam. I am not sure what is what the author meant to evoke but that was running through my head.
Side note - I would love to see this book brought to screen - Bollywood if you are listening, please get on that asap please.
Word-building aside, this is probably one of the best fantasy romances that I’ve read in recent memory. I am usually very specific of the hybrid as usually one or the other hybrid takes a backstreet. Here the romance is integral to the plot but also balanced in that it matters to the world and the story and themes. I really enjoyed the control and balance between both - which would make this book kind of mindblowing for me.
The plotting is a little on the slow slide as the romance gets a fair amount of focus in the middle of the book - but I really appreciated that. It kind of fit into the world and the magic system being explored. There is a surprising lack of violence-as-a-solution here which I appreciated quite a bit.
The last 80 pages though really picked up the pace with plot points coming fast. To be honest, some of these elements could have used a little more breathing space.
Spoiler
For example, Mehr talking to the daiva was a little too convenient and could have been flushed out a little more.Some slight wobbles but really good - 4 stars. I am excited to see more from this author especially with her new trilogy coming this year (in 2021).
Side extra video which is also worth checking out as it was kind of what I saw Mehr and Amun as:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR4Sy3yV_4Q)
ammonoids's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
A fantasy without too much exposition, a beautiful world and a unique magic system. This one's a keeper : )
krilllian's review against another edition
4.0
A book about women, magic, consent, empire, romance, and relationships, Empire of Sand is an enchanting read. Suri creates a magic system full of life, with dance, daggers, and Daiva - magical spirits that inhabit the desert.
Empire of Sand tells the story of Muhr, a young woman kept secluded in her Governor father's household, despite her mixed heritage making her more of an outcast than a true noblewoman. Muhr's journey takes her through a series of impossible choices, each time testing what she values more.
The characters in this book, and the romance that is central to the plot, are beautifully written and I consumed this book wanting to know what would happen to them. While some of the plot could have been a bit more fleshed out to make it more believable for the reader, I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fantasy that will transport you to a city on the edge of a desert full of magic and mystery.
Empire of Sand tells the story of Muhr, a young woman kept secluded in her Governor father's household, despite her mixed heritage making her more of an outcast than a true noblewoman. Muhr's journey takes her through a series of impossible choices, each time testing what she values more.
The characters in this book, and the romance that is central to the plot, are beautifully written and I consumed this book wanting to know what would happen to them. While some of the plot could have been a bit more fleshed out to make it more believable for the reader, I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fantasy that will transport you to a city on the edge of a desert full of magic and mystery.
theplantsalivesed's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it. The way that the characters worked through ideas of choice, consent, freedom, and love were all approached in a rather unique and sensitive way.
I wish more had happened or more was fit in. The world especially felt kind of empty and bare-bones, and although our main characters get fleshed out quite a bit, almost everything and everyone else felt a bit lacking somehow. (Nothing a sequel can't fix?)
Anyways, again, a good book that I don't regret reading.
I wish more had happened or more was fit in. The world especially felt kind of empty and bare-bones, and although our main characters get fleshed out quite a bit, almost everything and everyone else felt a bit lacking somehow. (Nothing a sequel can't fix?)
Anyways, again, a good book that I don't regret reading.
chuckleszeclown's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable. World building is good, based on the varied Indian subcontinent. Magic system is a work of beauty based on dance. The live affair is a slow burn but filled with passion and reason. Already bought the second in the series
prested's review against another edition
4.0
The Amrithi are the descendants of Daivas, desert spirits, who are descended from the Gods.
The Amrithi are persecuted throughout the Empire and are pushed to the margins of society.
Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an Amrithi woman, who after accidently revealing her powers, she is taken away by the empire's mystics.
At first she's unsure why they want her, however she soon learns what they want from her and their plan terrifies her.
To survive, Mehr must uses all of her power, will and influence to survive and stop the Empire's plan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trigger Warning: Abuse and Violence
This book has been sitting on my TBR list for a little while but I was in a fantasy mood so I decided to read it.
I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I anticipated!
It wasn't what I was expecting and I liked how Suri portrayed how ethnic people in diaspora can feel as if they don't belong here or there. That was a concept Mehr struggled with throughout the novel.
The world is fascinating and I liked how Suri slowly reveal all the complexities of the Empire and how they connected to Mehr.
I wish Suri showed us more of the Empire. I liked how she showed how ethnic minorities were persecuted but I wish she showed us how the country was. I don't have a strong grasp on what the country looked like or the people. I saw snippets with how the Maha's disciples/priests acted but I don't have a firm grasp of the Empire's culture/people. Maybe because Mehr doesn't have a firm grasp still I would've liked it if Suri had shown that.
The only issue I had was the length? Sometimes it felt that the story dragged at certain points.
It's a strong debut and overall it's a good read.
The Amrithi are persecuted throughout the Empire and are pushed to the margins of society.
Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an Amrithi woman, who after accidently revealing her powers, she is taken away by the empire's mystics.
At first she's unsure why they want her, however she soon learns what they want from her and their plan terrifies her.
To survive, Mehr must uses all of her power, will and influence to survive and stop the Empire's plan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trigger Warning: Abuse and Violence
This book has been sitting on my TBR list for a little while but I was in a fantasy mood so I decided to read it.
I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I anticipated!
It wasn't what I was expecting and I liked how Suri portrayed how ethnic people in diaspora can feel as if they don't belong here or there. That was a concept Mehr struggled with throughout the novel.
The world is fascinating and I liked how Suri slowly reveal all the complexities of the Empire and how they connected to Mehr.
I wish Suri showed us more of the Empire. I liked how she showed how ethnic minorities were persecuted but I wish she showed us how the country was. I don't have a strong grasp on what the country looked like or the people. I saw snippets with how the Maha's disciples/priests acted but I don't have a firm grasp of the Empire's culture/people. Maybe because Mehr doesn't have a firm grasp still I would've liked it if Suri had shown that.
The only issue I had was the length? Sometimes it felt that the story dragged at certain points.
It's a strong debut and overall it's a good read.
mooching's review against another edition
4.0
4 - Super solid fantasy with wonderful world building and compelling characters. The world building was great, it felt fleshed out and real with an interesting magic system.
The main couple were also sweet. I loved how they helped each other grow and change. They are both unwilling “heroes” and mostly martyrs in some way. However they find their happiness in each other and show us how agency can happen in small ways.
The main couple were also sweet. I loved how they helped each other grow and change. They are both unwilling “heroes” and mostly martyrs in some way. However they find their happiness in each other and show us how agency can happen in small ways.