What do you think?
Rate this book
Castles Made of Sand
On a alien shore on a far distant world two space explorers find dozens of huge, mysterious sandcastles. Where did they come from? Who built them? And will the men survive long enough to discover the answers?
Castles Made of Sand is a short story of 3500 words, approximately 12 pages. It has been published twice, originally in the ezine AlienSkin in 2007, and then as a reprint in the e/print magazine Aoife's Kiss in the December 2009 issue.
This story comes complete with the first chapter of the science fiction novel, The Tube Riders, as an free sample. Contains some bad language and violence.
Castles Made of Sand is a short story of 3500 words, approximately 12 pages. It has been published twice, originally in the ezine AlienSkin in 2007, and then as a reprint in the e/print magazine Aoife's Kiss in the December 2009 issue.
This story comes complete with the first chapter of the science fiction novel, The Tube Riders, as an free sample. Contains some bad language and violence.
12 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2012
9 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ward
58 books141 followersChris Ward is the author of The Tube Riders series, the Tales of Crow series, and the forthcoming Endinfinium YA fantasy series.
Join Chris's reader group to get free stuff, news and offers.
http://www.amillionmilesfromanywhere....
Join Chris's reader group to get free stuff, news and offers.
http://www.amillionmilesfromanywhere....
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 16, 2016
This short SF story appears to be about encountering aliens on an exploration trip, but the underlying theme is in fact distrust. The party of two men can't trust their instruments after a warm spot in the surface turned out to be deadly serpents nesting, and further evidence shows that they don't trust each other and can't trust the civilisation which employs them.
I wouldn't like to be part of this seaside expedition, because I'd need to know I was working in a team committed to backing me up as I would back them.
Interestingly the terms of measurement used still include feet and inches, and the venerable scores, as in twenty.
This was an early published work by the author and I'd be interested in seeing if he has developed his undoubted curiosity and sense of wonder at scenery and nature.
An ARC was supplied to me. This is an unbiased review.
I wouldn't like to be part of this seaside expedition, because I'd need to know I was working in a team committed to backing me up as I would back them.
Interestingly the terms of measurement used still include feet and inches, and the venerable scores, as in twenty.
This was an early published work by the author and I'd be interested in seeing if he has developed his undoubted curiosity and sense of wonder at scenery and nature.
An ARC was supplied to me. This is an unbiased review.
December 14, 2016
I'm not usually a fan of short stories (i quite dislike them, actually), but I love this one. Wish it was longer, even though if it was I know I'd both love and hate the main character, Randall.
June 21, 2019
Castles Made of Sand - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Marketed as a short story, which is indubitably is, Castles Made of Sand originated in a magazine and tells of an interplanetary mission, headed by Randall and Boyd, tasked with locating and identifying any flora or fauna they encounter. In a nod to Star Trek, they have sensors to indicate likely locations of the latter, but in the first instance reliance on their supposed state-of-the-art technology is misplaced, in a manner that could easily have been fatal.
Leaving the jungle region towards the hopefully safer temperate beach zone, the pair are amazed when they view gigantic stand edifices, which give no clue to how - or by whom they were built. Yet further exploration leads to a 'close encounter of the seaside kind' - with unexpected results!
A fabulously imaginative short snippet of a space fantasy by Chris Ward, that demonstrates his vast creative talent...don't miss it at any cost!
Marketed as a short story, which is indubitably is, Castles Made of Sand originated in a magazine and tells of an interplanetary mission, headed by Randall and Boyd, tasked with locating and identifying any flora or fauna they encounter. In a nod to Star Trek, they have sensors to indicate likely locations of the latter, but in the first instance reliance on their supposed state-of-the-art technology is misplaced, in a manner that could easily have been fatal.
Leaving the jungle region towards the hopefully safer temperate beach zone, the pair are amazed when they view gigantic stand edifices, which give no clue to how - or by whom they were built. Yet further exploration leads to a 'close encounter of the seaside kind' - with unexpected results!
A fabulously imaginative short snippet of a space fantasy by Chris Ward, that demonstrates his vast creative talent...don't miss it at any cost!
November 13, 2016
'There be dragons ...'
In a recent post, author Chris Ward expressed surprise that, of all his books on Amazon, this one had never been purchased yet still held a warm place in his heart (I am paraphrasing wildly!). People, you don't know what you are missing. It might be short but it still manages to incorporate mystery, excitement, a uniqueness of story and a shock ending. All beautifully written.
End this little book's isolation. Go get it now! You will love it, too.
In a recent post, author Chris Ward expressed surprise that, of all his books on Amazon, this one had never been purchased yet still held a warm place in his heart (I am paraphrasing wildly!). People, you don't know what you are missing. It might be short but it still manages to incorporate mystery, excitement, a uniqueness of story and a shock ending. All beautifully written.
End this little book's isolation. Go get it now! You will love it, too.
November 13, 2016
Randall and Boyd have the task of locating intelligent life on this newly discovered world. So far they haven't had much luck until they come across some sand castles but there is no trace of who could have made them. As Randell tries to figure it out, an amazing thing happens..... A quick short story that holds you from beginning to end.
November 14, 2016
I received this story as an instant freebie.
A short originally published in a sci-fi anthology/magazine now has the chance to allow others to discover this writer. Not a bad tale of discovery and exploration of a planet with two men looking for intelligent life forms.
A short originally published in a sci-fi anthology/magazine now has the chance to allow others to discover this writer. Not a bad tale of discovery and exploration of a planet with two men looking for intelligent life forms.
November 28, 2016
The story is all about sandcastles in the sand and trying to figure out who made them, how did they get there. The two explorers are given the task of finding life on another planet and when they arrive this is what they see. A great short story, that is well written
December 29, 2016
Awesome short story well written and thought out. Would love to see more. Makes you wonder if we would be in a better place if someone stood up and stopped us from going to far. Great read but warning. . . VERY short
November 25, 2016
A delightful quick read
This was a fun little story that took me maybe 5-10 minutes to read, but it was well thought out and I felt had a nice moral to it.
This was a fun little story that took me maybe 5-10 minutes to read, but it was well thought out and I felt had a nice moral to it.
November 13, 2016
Very easy and quick read. Completely unexpected from beginning to end ... Well written
November 13, 2016
For a short story, this was a good book. However; like most short stories, details are limited. If you want a quick read about another world you should give this a try.
November 22, 2016
Strange huge sand castles appear on the beach on a strange planet. What made them. Good story, very short. Leaves you wanting more.
November 28, 2016
Well written, interesting and unexpected.
One complaint only: too short. I would like Mr. Ward to find the time to develop it into a full novel in the future...
One complaint only: too short. I would like Mr. Ward to find the time to develop it into a full novel in the future...
November 30, 2016
A very short story of humans exploring a new planet. A planet that may not be as peaceful as it first looked.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book.
May 29, 2021
An interesting short story that shows sometimes it really is better to leave things be. There is exploring and then there is scientific overconfidence. I always find with these I would love to see the consequences but then that wouldn’t make the book as good.
May 3, 2024
It was a nice short story.
November 14, 2016
This is an amazing short story about off planet exploration and what is found on an alien world. It's very well written and the twist at the end speaks to the value of all life.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews