It’s been a while since I read a book in the desert, but Chua makes the setting come alive. You can feel the heat, the desperation for water, and the sand against your skin. While I wish there was a bit more time devoted to certain spots of the book, Land of Sand and Song is a fantastic series starter. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Legend has it that a magical spring lies dormant in the heart of the Khuzar desert. Said to be a gift from the gods, the spring holds the cure to all mortal woes.
As mercenaries from everywhere try in vain to find the mystical spring, 17-year-old Desert Rose is on the run after her chieftain father is overthrown and captured by rebel clans. Now out for revenge, she sets out alone to the Oasis Capital to assassinate the person instigating the rebellion: the corrupt Emperor Zhao, who will stop at nothing to possess the elixir of life from the spring.
To infiltrate the Imperial Guard, Desert Rose must pass a series of trials to test her wit, mettle, and her loyalty. But the real test lies in navigating the cut throat court politics with no ally but a rogue prince and a latent magic stirring in her – magic that can bring a kingdom to its knees or destroy her from within.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Not going to lie, I didn’t realize till the end that this was a series. Yes the last sentence of the synopsis says it, but I try not to read a synopsis so that I let myself be surprised. Land of Sand and Song is an action packed fantasy. And while the action sweeps you away from the beginning, there are some slower parts which allow you to catch your breath. In terms of pacing, there were some moments which felt a too rushed, versus a few which felt a bit slow, but overall it evens out! Ultimately a story about revenge and truth.
With multiple POV, these characters are absorbed in their own lives, ambitions, and secrets. What kept me reading were the characters. I instantly rooted for Desert Rose. Who wouldn’t love a girl who can use a knife and who wants to find her father? Even more than that, Desert Rose is adaptable, clever, and passionate. In these characters, Chua examines what we will sacrifice for family and legacy. These characters’ paths divert and merge, intertwine and collide.
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Chua asks if we always have to do what our family asks, even if we know it’s wrong, maybe especially so. Land of Sand and Song is a book about motivation. It’s an excellent series starter which weaves magic (and prejudice) together with both small and large acts of rebellion. There are so many elements to love, I just wish it had a bit more space to grow. Overall, I’m excited for the sequel because there are some phenomenal reveals at the end that are incredibly promising.
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