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willrefuge's review
5.0
First let me say that this book was absolutely lovely.
It is told as an collection of three short stories whose plots are interwoven, but can also be read separately. Bradley Beaulieu illustrates a tale of Çeda--before her exploits in Twelve Kings--and an ehrekh, a being borne of the old world. This is a good starter tale for someone new to the Song of the Shattered Sands, or a great little piece for some who hungered for more between Twelve Kings and With Blood Upon.
From a typical book I expect little more than a cover hiding words, but this held so much more. I expected really nothing when I sent out for this, so when it came I was pleasantly surprised. More than pleasant, the lovely illustrations before every story made me feel a little bad for actually reading this book. Compared to what I typically receive, this was a work of art.
So buy it, find it, check it out, just read it somehow. It is truly sublime, though it may take you a moment to get caught up in the story. Really my one and only critique, and I had to reach for it.
4.9-5 of 5 stars
It is told as an collection of three short stories whose plots are interwoven, but can also be read separately. Bradley Beaulieu illustrates a tale of Çeda--before her exploits in Twelve Kings--and an ehrekh, a being borne of the old world. This is a good starter tale for someone new to the Song of the Shattered Sands, or a great little piece for some who hungered for more between Twelve Kings and With Blood Upon.
From a typical book I expect little more than a cover hiding words, but this held so much more. I expected really nothing when I sent out for this, so when it came I was pleasantly surprised. More than pleasant, the lovely illustrations before every story made me feel a little bad for actually reading this book. Compared to what I typically receive, this was a work of art.
So buy it, find it, check it out, just read it somehow. It is truly sublime, though it may take you a moment to get caught up in the story. Really my one and only critique, and I had to reach for it.
4.9-5 of 5 stars
peterkeep's review
4.0
This is a pretty cool little book! I won this as well as [b: Twelve Kings in Sharakhai|24611565|Twelve Kings in Sharakhai (The Song of the Shattered Sands, #1)|Bradley P. Beaulieu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434513419s/24611565.jpg|25652373] in a contest from the publisher without having read anything from this author. This little novella served as a nice introduction to the series and author, and I'm glad I started here.
It's a well-written story filled with mythology and magic. I'm story sucker for these types of settings, and I'm really easily sucked into the types of desert folklore that typically play into it. It seems like the author has a really full world here, and I'm excited to see what his full novels are like. I've got high expectations after this, and from what I've heard, Beaulieu lives up to them.
It's a well-written story filled with mythology and magic. I'm story sucker for these types of settings, and I'm really easily sucked into the types of desert folklore that typically play into it. It seems like the author has a really full world here, and I'm excited to see what his full novels are like. I've got high expectations after this, and from what I've heard, Beaulieu lives up to them.
cmbohn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
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.
theamazingmrg's review against another edition
3.0
Like most novellas, it suffers from a lack of time to fully develop characters. But that's the biggest flaw. It's still a thoroughly engaging read.
Actual score: 3.5/5
Actual score: 3.5/5
catladylover94's review
1.0
second book, i have read that was a disappointment and let down, did not feel like this was good at all, i would have liked it to be more. but it fell way short.
frombethanysbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't realise this was a prequel when I first picked it up, but now I'm definitely looking forward to getting the other titles in the series. Because I hadn't been aware of the other books, I didn't have any idea what this story was about going in but it was very easy to pick up a feel for the setting and the characters.
Çeda is a young girl in Sharakhai, and an accomplished pit fighter. But when a ehrekh named Rümayesh grows fond of her, she's in more danger than she'd ever have imagined. The ehrekh can steal dreams and thoughts and completely consume a person. As Rümayesh entangles herself into Cedas life, Ceda must decide to help her to free herself, or deal with the torment of living under her spell, all while fighting the growing temptation to allow herself to give in and love Rümayesh back.
It's beautifully written, the setting is vivid and the relationships between the characters is complex and full of chemistry. The magic written into the plot is subtle and not overdone, and the story keeps building suspense that makes you want to keep reading just one more page.
Some parts of this story follow the conventional Arabian-nights style / dystopian style that I expected, but it has its own unique take on the myths and legends that it tells. I found myself wishing we had a bit more information about Ceda in this story, as I felt her description felt somewhat unfinished - but this could also be because Ceda is young is this story and hasn't developed into the character of the following stories.
Some places felt a bit slow in contrast to the high suspense that made me keep turning the pages, and I could have used a bit more information on the creatures that inhabited Sharakhai, but it's still interesting without this.
All in all, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
Çeda is a young girl in Sharakhai, and an accomplished pit fighter. But when a ehrekh named Rümayesh grows fond of her, she's in more danger than she'd ever have imagined. The ehrekh can steal dreams and thoughts and completely consume a person. As Rümayesh entangles herself into Cedas life, Ceda must decide to help her to free herself, or deal with the torment of living under her spell, all while fighting the growing temptation to allow herself to give in and love Rümayesh back.
It's beautifully written, the setting is vivid and the relationships between the characters is complex and full of chemistry. The magic written into the plot is subtle and not overdone, and the story keeps building suspense that makes you want to keep reading just one more page.
Some parts of this story follow the conventional Arabian-nights style / dystopian style that I expected, but it has its own unique take on the myths and legends that it tells. I found myself wishing we had a bit more information about Ceda in this story, as I felt her description felt somewhat unfinished - but this could also be because Ceda is young is this story and hasn't developed into the character of the following stories.
Some places felt a bit slow in contrast to the high suspense that made me keep turning the pages, and I could have used a bit more information on the creatures that inhabited Sharakhai, but it's still interesting without this.
All in all, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.