hostral's review
4.0
I'll admit, I read Sand of Bone through a very difficult time in my life. That's one of the beauties of fantasy, it can take you away from all the pain and hurt and suffering and place you in a world that isn't your own.
Sand of Bone by Blair MacGregor was part of a recent Storybundle compilation featuring the likes of Bradley Beaulieu and Sherwood Smith, the latter of whom gave this work a huge endorsement. This clearly meant that the work was of some quality to garner such prestigious attention.
In addition to this accolade, Sand of Bone made the shortlist of Bob Milne's selection for the SPFBO, narrowly missing out on advancing to the next round.
One reviewer called the work 'Ender's Game meets Dune' which was a ridiculous piece of hyperbole if I've ever heard one. The reality is that while this is another well-written desert-based fantasy, the world-building takes a back seat to the character drama.
Our main protagonist is Syrina, who immediately raises questions by being a Velshaan. A Velshaan, aside from looking a little different from your standard desert-dweller, cannot be killed by anyone but a fellow Velshaan. This gives her a ridiculous degree of plot armour and had me rolling my eyes at the inevitable heroine-saves-the-world plot to come.
Except that it doesn't come at all. MacGregor's chosen one may have special gifts and abilities to explore, she may hold a station that is revered by more humble people, but in spite of this her lofty status is brilliantly subverted throughout the course of the book.
Syrina isn't invincible. She can be killed by hunger, or thirst, or even a particularly bad fall. This humanises her and allows her Velshaan status to prove more of a social construct throughout much of the book. Having been outcast to what is essentially a prison colony, she must discover how to be human after living a life almost outside of humanity within her bloodkin family.
The primary foil for Syrina is the venerable warrior known as Pyrius, a desert fighter known as a Blade and commander of the garrison of Salt. Pyrius is a solid and reliable military sort that we've seen a thousand times before, but in spite of this his character never grows stale.
Our principal antagonist is Raskah, who while exhibiting all the negative traits of your typical cackling villain, is still a complicated individual whose mind has been poisoned by the very familial ties that Syrina has been temporarily freed from. A discovery from ancient texts leads him to believe that he needs his exiled sister back, the bulk of his tale being said quest to recover her.
What intrigued me about Sand of Bone was that Raskah still showed a degree of reverence for his elders, one that may have been tinged with frustration as he plotted their downfall, but one that felt enforced and unbreakable all the same. It's always interesting to see a villain with familial ties which govern his behaviour.
The greatest strength MacGregor has is her characterisation. Every ancillary character has both a purpose and an internal motivation, none of them are there simply to be there for the sake of the plot. Many of these characters get their own chapters, ranging from the scheming and political (Layla) to the brutally violent yet entertaining (Shella).
The book doesn't pull punches with its violence, and while it's not overtly sadistic in its descriptions, it sets the tone and makes it clear that some of these characters can and will die. This style fits well with the character-driven narratives and is somewhat reminiscent of Robin Hobb.
While the number of momentous events is limited and there won't be enough battle and action for fans of more military fantasy, there's always something going on in every scene that garners greater importance as the tale goes on.
There were a few typos here and there, but they were minimal flaws that didn't detract from the tale to any great degree. Another round with an editor wouldn't hurt, but neither is it necessary.
Two main weaknesses sprung out for me upon finishing the book. The first of these was the lack of world-building, a staple in modern fantasy that was ignored in lieu of further character development. I felt that MacGregor could have expanded on SheyKala and used the harsh realities of the desert to greater effect.
The second weakness was the over-reliance on political machinations for certain characters. I felt that in order to appreciate the gravitas of certain scenes we needed to spend more time with said characters. Expanding upon the politics by providing said people with more to do than play mind games would have improved the work.
While the tale does conclude naturally, it's very apparent that a sequel is required. MagGregor does her best to provide some degree of resolution and as is rife in fantasy she also gives you plenty of reasons to want the next book in the series.
Sand of Bone has done more than enough to capture both my imagination and my recommendation. I eagerly await the sequel and will be keeping an eye out for it with bated breath.
Sand of Bone by Blair MacGregor was part of a recent Storybundle compilation featuring the likes of Bradley Beaulieu and Sherwood Smith, the latter of whom gave this work a huge endorsement. This clearly meant that the work was of some quality to garner such prestigious attention.
In addition to this accolade, Sand of Bone made the shortlist of Bob Milne's selection for the SPFBO, narrowly missing out on advancing to the next round.
One reviewer called the work 'Ender's Game meets Dune' which was a ridiculous piece of hyperbole if I've ever heard one. The reality is that while this is another well-written desert-based fantasy, the world-building takes a back seat to the character drama.
Our main protagonist is Syrina, who immediately raises questions by being a Velshaan. A Velshaan, aside from looking a little different from your standard desert-dweller, cannot be killed by anyone but a fellow Velshaan. This gives her a ridiculous degree of plot armour and had me rolling my eyes at the inevitable heroine-saves-the-world plot to come.
Except that it doesn't come at all. MacGregor's chosen one may have special gifts and abilities to explore, she may hold a station that is revered by more humble people, but in spite of this her lofty status is brilliantly subverted throughout the course of the book.
Syrina isn't invincible. She can be killed by hunger, or thirst, or even a particularly bad fall. This humanises her and allows her Velshaan status to prove more of a social construct throughout much of the book. Having been outcast to what is essentially a prison colony, she must discover how to be human after living a life almost outside of humanity within her bloodkin family.
The primary foil for Syrina is the venerable warrior known as Pyrius, a desert fighter known as a Blade and commander of the garrison of Salt. Pyrius is a solid and reliable military sort that we've seen a thousand times before, but in spite of this his character never grows stale.
Our principal antagonist is Raskah, who while exhibiting all the negative traits of your typical cackling villain, is still a complicated individual whose mind has been poisoned by the very familial ties that Syrina has been temporarily freed from. A discovery from ancient texts leads him to believe that he needs his exiled sister back, the bulk of his tale being said quest to recover her.
What intrigued me about Sand of Bone was that Raskah still showed a degree of reverence for his elders, one that may have been tinged with frustration as he plotted their downfall, but one that felt enforced and unbreakable all the same. It's always interesting to see a villain with familial ties which govern his behaviour.
The greatest strength MacGregor has is her characterisation. Every ancillary character has both a purpose and an internal motivation, none of them are there simply to be there for the sake of the plot. Many of these characters get their own chapters, ranging from the scheming and political (Layla) to the brutally violent yet entertaining (Shella).
The book doesn't pull punches with its violence, and while it's not overtly sadistic in its descriptions, it sets the tone and makes it clear that some of these characters can and will die. This style fits well with the character-driven narratives and is somewhat reminiscent of Robin Hobb.
While the number of momentous events is limited and there won't be enough battle and action for fans of more military fantasy, there's always something going on in every scene that garners greater importance as the tale goes on.
There were a few typos here and there, but they were minimal flaws that didn't detract from the tale to any great degree. Another round with an editor wouldn't hurt, but neither is it necessary.
Two main weaknesses sprung out for me upon finishing the book. The first of these was the lack of world-building, a staple in modern fantasy that was ignored in lieu of further character development. I felt that MacGregor could have expanded on SheyKala and used the harsh realities of the desert to greater effect.
The second weakness was the over-reliance on political machinations for certain characters. I felt that in order to appreciate the gravitas of certain scenes we needed to spend more time with said characters. Expanding upon the politics by providing said people with more to do than play mind games would have improved the work.
While the tale does conclude naturally, it's very apparent that a sequel is required. MagGregor does her best to provide some degree of resolution and as is rife in fantasy she also gives you plenty of reasons to want the next book in the series.
Sand of Bone has done more than enough to capture both my imagination and my recommendation. I eagerly await the sequel and will be keeping an eye out for it with bated breath.
hectaizani's review against another edition
4.0
What happens next??? This book is begging for a sequel.
justasking27's review
4.0
I almost didn't make it through the first chapter, but I am so glad I kept going. The mood is dark, yes, but the characters and plot kept me entrapped through to the very end. I very much hope there will be a sequel!
kristamccracken's review against another edition
4.0
I got this book as part of a fantasy Storybundle offer and at first glance the bleak desert setting and military based plot didn't seem that appealing. But the elemental magic, political turmoil, and solid characters won me over.
bookadventurer's review
4.0
The Velshaan are divine rulers of the desert, raised above the rest of humankind by their magical powers. Magical powers that have been lost since the last great civil war, when Velshaan fought Velshaan and the magical battles reshaped the land. The ruling family believes there is a way back to that power, and they’ll scheme and betray to get it. Syrina, princess and younger sister to Raskah, has been persuaded to marry him, because the legends say the magic only manifests in the union of two siblings. Yet, the brother she once loved has become terrifying and hateful (reader’s warning: explicitly violent scenes explain how). For her refusal to accept her family’s plans for her, she has been sent to the dreaded salt mines, where troublemakers are sent to fade into obscurity, drudgery, and starvation. Syrina, stronger than she knows, begins to forge alliances at the salt mines, while she studies furiously to learn how to access the power of the Velshaan. In fact, she is racing against her brother, who is using his own methods to try to access that same power. When she realizes he is coming for her, she throws her decaying family loyalty away and starts off on a new course that will build her character in ways she never imagined.
About halfway, the pacing slows as the focal point becomes one specific piece of palace intrigue. It was well worth it to power through that section, because the action picks up and keeps rolling until the last page, which sets up events for a sequel.
While the main storyline follows Syrina’s character growth and adventures, the narration is split between her and other key players, offering glimpses of royal schemes and treason, secondary characters’ motivations, and magical spirits whose destinies give them a role in the events. All the narrations together show a multifaceted, magical world with meaningful history that impacts the current events. Each character is complex, with motives that fit their actions (or vice versa). Each decision is weighty, and many have moral components, when independence, defiance, and change could bring about war that would devastate people, but is necessary to make the world a better place.
A thoroughly engaging and well-written novel about desert adventure, politics, and a young woman finding her way among difficult futures, this book kept me turning page after page, and I really can’t wait for the continuation of Syrina’s story.
About halfway, the pacing slows as the focal point becomes one specific piece of palace intrigue. It was well worth it to power through that section, because the action picks up and keeps rolling until the last page, which sets up events for a sequel.
While the main storyline follows Syrina’s character growth and adventures, the narration is split between her and other key players, offering glimpses of royal schemes and treason, secondary characters’ motivations, and magical spirits whose destinies give them a role in the events. All the narrations together show a multifaceted, magical world with meaningful history that impacts the current events. Each character is complex, with motives that fit their actions (or vice versa). Each decision is weighty, and many have moral components, when independence, defiance, and change could bring about war that would devastate people, but is necessary to make the world a better place.
A thoroughly engaging and well-written novel about desert adventure, politics, and a young woman finding her way among difficult futures, this book kept me turning page after page, and I really can’t wait for the continuation of Syrina’s story.
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