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Sands of Ruin
🤎 Everything I have believed about my life is a lie...
For seventeen years my parents have sheltered me from the world beyond our village, and for good reason.
But all I dream of is freedom... That and a girl with brilliant blue eyes and dark hair.
Every six months the Guardians of the regime that enforce the Chancellor's rule, select boys for its ranks.
Nobody wants to be taken.
All I want is to find a way to end the Chancellor's reign and change this cruel world he curated by altering the weather.
So, when the regime starts taking more and more boys, I rebel. But I fear the price I will have to pay for rebellion, I won’t survive.
💙 One day, this fierce spirit of mine may be the death of me.
I wander the sands helping its people escape the clutches of the Guardian Regime.
On a visit to Amondo, I help save a boy from execution, and my life takes a turn for the unexpected.
Harm was not part of the plan.
But a secret I have been holding close to my heart, threatens to deliver the person I love the most, into the Regime's hands, and straight to the gallows.
For readers who loved the underdog element of the Hunger Games and the romance of the Shatter Me series! Sands of Ruin is an emotional, action-packed story of courage, the fight for what is right, and fierce love.
For seventeen years my parents have sheltered me from the world beyond our village, and for good reason.
But all I dream of is freedom... That and a girl with brilliant blue eyes and dark hair.
Every six months the Guardians of the regime that enforce the Chancellor's rule, select boys for its ranks.
Nobody wants to be taken.
All I want is to find a way to end the Chancellor's reign and change this cruel world he curated by altering the weather.
So, when the regime starts taking more and more boys, I rebel. But I fear the price I will have to pay for rebellion, I won’t survive.
💙 One day, this fierce spirit of mine may be the death of me.
I wander the sands helping its people escape the clutches of the Guardian Regime.
On a visit to Amondo, I help save a boy from execution, and my life takes a turn for the unexpected.
Harm was not part of the plan.
But a secret I have been holding close to my heart, threatens to deliver the person I love the most, into the Regime's hands, and straight to the gallows.
For readers who loved the underdog element of the Hunger Games and the romance of the Shatter Me series! Sands of Ruin is an emotional, action-packed story of courage, the fight for what is right, and fierce love.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2023
19 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
July 26, 2023
SANDS OF RUIN is the perfect read for fans of An Ember in the Ashes. This first installment in a new YA series follows two youngsters who find themselves at the heart of a rebellion against an oppressive regime. There are many of sad moments, but also very sweet and hopeful ones, especially where the friendships and the romance are involved, as well as some really interesting plot twists that made the story arc of both protagonists incredibly interesting to follow.
This first book felt like a setup for the things to come. The author did a great job immersing the readers within this world, following Harm’s daily life within his village with his family, up until the turning point that thrusts him within the rebellion. Where does this regime come from, and what is Harm’s role in overthrowing it? This was the question at the heart of the story, and what the reader progressively discovers with every twist and turn presented.
Imani and Harm were amazing protagonists! They’re very different—Harm sweet, Imani much more fiery—but their personalities were so complimentary. I loved their dynamic. It does have a little bit of an instant attraction twist (which I don’t mind), and I think the author did a great job at not letting that immediately push the characters into romantic territory, focusing on building a trust and a friendship between them first.
In short, this was a super solid first book! Fair warning, the cliffhanger had me frantically flipping for more pages because it’s a pretty brutal one. So curious to see what comes next!
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-ARC. Opinions are my own.
This first book felt like a setup for the things to come. The author did a great job immersing the readers within this world, following Harm’s daily life within his village with his family, up until the turning point that thrusts him within the rebellion. Where does this regime come from, and what is Harm’s role in overthrowing it? This was the question at the heart of the story, and what the reader progressively discovers with every twist and turn presented.
Imani and Harm were amazing protagonists! They’re very different—Harm sweet, Imani much more fiery—but their personalities were so complimentary. I loved their dynamic. It does have a little bit of an instant attraction twist (which I don’t mind), and I think the author did a great job at not letting that immediately push the characters into romantic territory, focusing on building a trust and a friendship between them first.
In short, this was a super solid first book! Fair warning, the cliffhanger had me frantically flipping for more pages because it’s a pretty brutal one. So curious to see what comes next!
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-ARC. Opinions are my own.
July 26, 2023
Why was I trying to guess what would happen.. but still be off and be happy I was! Dystopian is one of my favorite genres up with fantasy so this was so nice and refreshing to read. I enjoyed Harm relationship so much. It is relatable without being too much or drawn out. Mueller definitely pulled my heartstrings for him a few times so watch out there! Great story with a kick butt FMC wanting to make the world better for everyone, especially her brother.
Want to thank the author for the ARC and note this review has been left voluntarily and all thoughts/opinions above are my own!
Want to thank the author for the ARC and note this review has been left voluntarily and all thoughts/opinions above are my own!
August 2, 2023
Review 4.5 stars!
The stakes are high in this YA dystopian series that shattered my heart in way too many pieces. 😭💔
It’s not often I find a book that has a perfect balance between amazing in-depth characters and an incredible plot 🔥 Set in a wasteland where everyday is a fight for survival, this book reminded me of one of my favorite YA series: An Ember in the Ashes. We have an oppressive regime where the Guardians have no mercy on the weak and poor. Harmen experiences first hard the cruelty of the regime and the consequences for any small act of rebellion. We slowly absorb the world building as we discover alongside Harmen that there is much beyond his small village.
This book has moments of tremendous loss and sorrow, but also forgiveness and hope. There is also a slow burn romantic subplot, where an unexpected bond blossoms between Harmen and a fierce female-lead, Imani, who somehow always ends up saving his skin 😂
A must read for fans of the genre 😍
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review
The stakes are high in this YA dystopian series that shattered my heart in way too many pieces. 😭💔
It’s not often I find a book that has a perfect balance between amazing in-depth characters and an incredible plot 🔥 Set in a wasteland where everyday is a fight for survival, this book reminded me of one of my favorite YA series: An Ember in the Ashes. We have an oppressive regime where the Guardians have no mercy on the weak and poor. Harmen experiences first hard the cruelty of the regime and the consequences for any small act of rebellion. We slowly absorb the world building as we discover alongside Harmen that there is much beyond his small village.
This book has moments of tremendous loss and sorrow, but also forgiveness and hope. There is also a slow burn romantic subplot, where an unexpected bond blossoms between Harmen and a fierce female-lead, Imani, who somehow always ends up saving his skin 😂
A must read for fans of the genre 😍
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review
August 5, 2023
This book had my heart in its grip! Perfect for lovers of Shatter Me and Ember in the Ashes. It has a perfect mix of the two. Dystopian/Fantasy fans will definitely enjoy!
This emotionally driven story is a tear jerker. The world is in a tight regimen and there’s a group of individuals that rebel for a better world. The amount of times I felt my heart break because of the impact of this story was insane. So much goes on in which our main characters, Imani and Harmen show determination on making their home a better place for their loved ones.
The author gives us a thoughtful journey of our main character. Imani is fearless, determined, and ready to live a life that she dreamed of. which I absolutely love to see in female main characters… And can we talk about her relationship with Harm. He is such a freaking cinnamon roll. I love their characters! Their development definitely makes it so much more interesting, the trust their built slowly in route to something more..
Super excited to see how this story will continue. Huge thanks so the author for gifting me an ecopy. All opinions are my own.
This emotionally driven story is a tear jerker. The world is in a tight regimen and there’s a group of individuals that rebel for a better world. The amount of times I felt my heart break because of the impact of this story was insane. So much goes on in which our main characters, Imani and Harmen show determination on making their home a better place for their loved ones.
The author gives us a thoughtful journey of our main character. Imani is fearless, determined, and ready to live a life that she dreamed of. which I absolutely love to see in female main characters… And can we talk about her relationship with Harm. He is such a freaking cinnamon roll. I love their characters! Their development definitely makes it so much more interesting, the trust their built slowly in route to something more..
Super excited to see how this story will continue. Huge thanks so the author for gifting me an ecopy. All opinions are my own.
February 17, 2024
Oh my! Just finished this debut novel. It was absolutely amazing and captivating. It was my first dystopian romance, it was not what I was expecting at all and I was pleasantly surprised. Had be hooked from the beginning.
I will definitely be reading more of RM Muller. I can’t wait to dive into the second book in this series.
I will definitely be reading more of RM Muller. I can’t wait to dive into the second book in this series.
March 14, 2024
What a fantastic YA dystopian fantasy adventure! The world building was amazing and the story itself had me hooked from the very beginning. Reading this book took me on quite an emotional journey and I was living for it. The setting of the desert was described in a way that made me feel like I was really there. This was an all around great read!
If you like ↓ this is for you:
🐪 Slow burn romance
🐫 Found family
🐪 Excellent world building
🐫 Fast paced/ action packed
🐪 Mystery
What an epic cliffhanger! I can’t wait to see how the story continues in the next book.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy for an honest review.
If you like ↓ this is for you:
🐪 Slow burn romance
🐫 Found family
🐪 Excellent world building
🐫 Fast paced/ action packed
🐪 Mystery
What an epic cliffhanger! I can’t wait to see how the story continues in the next book.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy for an honest review.
August 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, y’all. I absolutely flew through it and was so invested in Harm & Imani’s quest. There were moments of sadness (like, really sad 😭), moments of hope, exhilarating action, and also heartwarming scenes and conversations. I think my favorite thing about this book was the characters. You could tell the author has been carrying these characters around for a little while because they are so well written…even the side characters have depth. Def can’t wait to be reunited with them in book two!
I think the only reason I didn’t quite rate this a 5 star is that I got a bit confused with the geography…I’m someone who LOVES maps and referencing maps while reading, and I feel like that would be helpful when tracking Harm and Imani’s journey. Also, I’m a bit unclear on the dial…in my brain it looks like a dial on a stove and the concept of the dial & needing special heritage to spin it confuses me. Now, that very well could be the point…maybe nobody truly understand the dial.
Overall, I enjoyed this book so much and def recommend it! It’s an easy binge read so if you’re in the mood for some dystopian fic, def give this one a try!
I think the only reason I didn’t quite rate this a 5 star is that I got a bit confused with the geography…I’m someone who LOVES maps and referencing maps while reading, and I feel like that would be helpful when tracking Harm and Imani’s journey. Also, I’m a bit unclear on the dial…in my brain it looks like a dial on a stove and the concept of the dial & needing special heritage to spin it confuses me. Now, that very well could be the point…maybe nobody truly understand the dial.
Overall, I enjoyed this book so much and def recommend it! It’s an easy binge read so if you’re in the mood for some dystopian fic, def give this one a try!
July 26, 2023
If you’re a fan of rebels, found family and dystopian settings, Sands of Ruin is a book that you must add to your TBR!
I immediately connected to Harm as a main character. His sweet relationship with his family—especially his little sister—struck close to home for me. If only that happiness could last! The author spared no punches and took me on an emotional rollercoaster of all the feels: from happiness, to heartbreak, to extreme surprise and curiosity. All of these related to Harm and his story arc! And this isn’t to say I didn’t also appreciate Imani, because I did, but Harm had my full attention. I immediately realized that he would play a central role in overthrowing the Chancellor’s regime and returning the world to its former state before the Chancellors manipulations. The how and why were a mystery, and I loved figuring it out. The author did an incredible job interspersing the narration with tidbits of Harm’s family history as well as fragments of world-building meant to better understand the current state of things. It was like piecing together a puzzle, and I enjoyed that so much!
I am so excited for the next installments in this series. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface of this world and these characters. This is only the beginning of an incredible journey.
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-ARC. Opinions are my own.
I immediately connected to Harm as a main character. His sweet relationship with his family—especially his little sister—struck close to home for me. If only that happiness could last! The author spared no punches and took me on an emotional rollercoaster of all the feels: from happiness, to heartbreak, to extreme surprise and curiosity. All of these related to Harm and his story arc! And this isn’t to say I didn’t also appreciate Imani, because I did, but Harm had my full attention. I immediately realized that he would play a central role in overthrowing the Chancellor’s regime and returning the world to its former state before the Chancellors manipulations. The how and why were a mystery, and I loved figuring it out. The author did an incredible job interspersing the narration with tidbits of Harm’s family history as well as fragments of world-building meant to better understand the current state of things. It was like piecing together a puzzle, and I enjoyed that so much!
I am so excited for the next installments in this series. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface of this world and these characters. This is only the beginning of an incredible journey.
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-ARC. Opinions are my own.
August 14, 2023
✨️𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪✨️
𝘙𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦.
Sands of Ruin is for fans of the Hunger Games , Divergent , and Shatter Me series. An emotional, action-packed story of courage, the fight for what is right, and fierce love.
𝗧𝗘𝗔 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 🍵
The story follows Harmen Travesci, a sheltered young man whose world is shattered when he realizes his life has been built on lies. As the Guardian Regime, enforcing the Chancellor's rule, tightens its grip on their village, Harmen's desire for freedom grows stronger.
Harmen's determination to break free from his predetermined fate, his dreams of a mysterious girl, and his rebellion against the oppressive regime create a sense of urgency that propels the plot forward.
The character development is rich, and you'll find yourself emotionally invested in Harmen's journey as he battles not only external forces but also his internal struggles. The book beautifully explores the themes of courage, sacrifice, and the power of hope in the face of overwhelming odds.
Thank you to @author_rosemariemuller for sending me a copy of the book.
𝘙𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦.
Sands of Ruin is for fans of the Hunger Games , Divergent , and Shatter Me series. An emotional, action-packed story of courage, the fight for what is right, and fierce love.
𝗧𝗘𝗔 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 🍵
The story follows Harmen Travesci, a sheltered young man whose world is shattered when he realizes his life has been built on lies. As the Guardian Regime, enforcing the Chancellor's rule, tightens its grip on their village, Harmen's desire for freedom grows stronger.
Harmen's determination to break free from his predetermined fate, his dreams of a mysterious girl, and his rebellion against the oppressive regime create a sense of urgency that propels the plot forward.
The character development is rich, and you'll find yourself emotionally invested in Harmen's journey as he battles not only external forces but also his internal struggles. The book beautifully explores the themes of courage, sacrifice, and the power of hope in the face of overwhelming odds.
Thank you to @author_rosemariemuller for sending me a copy of the book.
February 22, 2024
Ruin of sands
By R m muller
This is my first novel by R. M muller and wow she's captured my attention from 1st chapter, the description of the dessert and characters were amazing, you can actually picture it in ur minds eye. It was a slow to start but was a great build up. Many laughs and ugly tears but worth it. I'm totally in love with Harm and Imani I can wait to see what life has in store for them. Rose is a great story teller can't wait to see what book 2 has in store for us.if Game of thrones was your thing then. Believe me then ruin of sands is by far better.not giving any spoilers cause it's, a must read to enjoy the storyline.
By R m muller
This is my first novel by R. M muller and wow she's captured my attention from 1st chapter, the description of the dessert and characters were amazing, you can actually picture it in ur minds eye. It was a slow to start but was a great build up. Many laughs and ugly tears but worth it. I'm totally in love with Harm and Imani I can wait to see what life has in store for them. Rose is a great story teller can't wait to see what book 2 has in store for us.if Game of thrones was your thing then. Believe me then ruin of sands is by far better.not giving any spoilers cause it's, a must read to enjoy the storyline.
March 2, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I read it less than a day. I was hooked from page 1. This book has action and a little romance. The characters are well developed and likable. I enjoyed watching the main character Harmen, discover new facts about his life, develop feelings for Imani and fight for his views/believes.
I can't wait to start the next book in the series.
I can't wait to start the next book in the series.
July 25, 2023
YA dystopian fantasy adventure with a really original concept as well as a very different type of magic, although so far, we seem to still have been kept guessing on that front.
The details of the scorched and desolate environment were brilliant, and really strong characters throughout, and the slow burn romance was wonderful! The brutality of the punishments for the smallest crimes were something else (and almost as brutal as an author who leaves us with that kind of ending 😂)
I was sure so many times I'd worked out what was going to happen, and was badly wrong each time! Fast paced, gripping and impossible to put down.
I really hope we aren't waiting too long until book 2.
Fans of the hunger games/divergent or YA dystopian thrillers, this one is for you!
The details of the scorched and desolate environment were brilliant, and really strong characters throughout, and the slow burn romance was wonderful! The brutality of the punishments for the smallest crimes were something else (and almost as brutal as an author who leaves us with that kind of ending 😂)
I was sure so many times I'd worked out what was going to happen, and was badly wrong each time! Fast paced, gripping and impossible to put down.
I really hope we aren't waiting too long until book 2.
Fans of the hunger games/divergent or YA dystopian thrillers, this one is for you!
August 24, 2023
This book made me shed more tears than I would like. If you like a story that gives you something to cry about this is your chance. It’s been a while I found a book that keeps my attention like this one hands down!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store.
September 6, 2023
First of all, it was not at all what I expected but I was completely captivated! If you like Dystopian stories you will love this! The characters are really well developed along with fantastic world building. Prepare to be on an emotional rollercoaster. I would defiantly recommend this book!
March 7, 2024
This book had my heart in a chokehold! I love a great dystopian story and this book is an amazing one!! Wish I could give more than 5 stars!
February 19, 2024
This book had me hooked from the beginning! I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen but RM Muller tells her story in a way that keeps you guessing and wanting more. The setting, characters, and plot are all beautifully thought through and it’s easy to become attached to them! I can’t wait to read the next book!
August 30, 2023
Say hello to your next YA dystopian read.
I just finished Sands of Ruin by R.L. Miller (Rose-Marie Muller)
This is a Slow burn, Found family, Mystery. The book is DUAL POV. It was not my normal read and yet it was everything I needed while taking a regular genre vacation it really is beautifully done. This emotionally driven story is a tear jerker. I'm a huge fan now and excited to see how this story will continue. Sincere thanks to the author for gifting me an ecopy.
All opinions are my own.
Sands of Ruin is for fans of the Hunger Games, Divergent, and Shatter Me series. An emotional, action-packed story of courage, the fight for what is right, and fierce love.
You can find this book in Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
I just finished Sands of Ruin by R.L. Miller (Rose-Marie Muller)
This is a Slow burn, Found family, Mystery. The book is DUAL POV. It was not my normal read and yet it was everything I needed while taking a regular genre vacation it really is beautifully done. This emotionally driven story is a tear jerker. I'm a huge fan now and excited to see how this story will continue. Sincere thanks to the author for gifting me an ecopy.
All opinions are my own.
Sands of Ruin is for fans of the Hunger Games, Divergent, and Shatter Me series. An emotional, action-packed story of courage, the fight for what is right, and fierce love.
You can find this book in Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
July 16, 2023
Action-packed, fast paced and a good read for lovers of dystopian stories
Not going to lie, it took me a bit to get hooked. But once the action started I could not put the book down.
The characters are both very likeable and extremely relatable. And the world building was great, although there was some excessive info dumping at time.
Not going to lie, it took me a bit to get hooked. But once the action started I could not put the book down.
The characters are both very likeable and extremely relatable. And the world building was great, although there was some excessive info dumping at time.
March 6, 2024
Welcome to your next dystopian binge read. Slow burn, Found family, Mystery The book is DUAL POV and we travel through a harsh dystopian world.
This book was everything I needed to get out of my book slump it was beautifully done.
This book was everything I needed to get out of my book slump it was beautifully done.
September 30, 2023
I really really liked this story. It gave me divergent and hunger games vibes and world building which I love because I was obsessed with those series.
In a dystopian desert world, people are struggling and the chancellor and his guardians are only trying to keep the people struggling for a “better world.” The chancellor controls the dial which turns this world into a constant desert climate with no prosperity or life. But there are those who are secretly running a rebellion against the Chancellor and would love nothing more than to find someone else who can change the dial. Harmen is a boy in one of the villages who wants to rebel in his own way but it comes with consequences. Imani is a constant traveler who is also attempting to rebel and stop the Guardians. When the two meet, their connection is instant. They find themselves in a situation that puts them on a path together to try and fix this broken system.
The world building was on point. You got a good feel at what exactly was happening in this dystopian land. The characters were unique and developed well. I loved that the author let the love connection build up slowly and didn’t just throw them together like love at first sight type of thing. Harm was genuinely such a nice and good person and Imani was fiery and good. They balanced each other out well. The adventure they went on was entertaining and kept me wanting to read more and more. I only dislike that it seemed every time they made it somewhere, Harm was immediately caught up with the guardians. I needed like one time for him to do something without being captured. Lol. THE ENDING though: omg talk about a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the second book because I’m dying to know what happens next. I 100% recommend this book!
Thank you to the author was gave this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In a dystopian desert world, people are struggling and the chancellor and his guardians are only trying to keep the people struggling for a “better world.” The chancellor controls the dial which turns this world into a constant desert climate with no prosperity or life. But there are those who are secretly running a rebellion against the Chancellor and would love nothing more than to find someone else who can change the dial. Harmen is a boy in one of the villages who wants to rebel in his own way but it comes with consequences. Imani is a constant traveler who is also attempting to rebel and stop the Guardians. When the two meet, their connection is instant. They find themselves in a situation that puts them on a path together to try and fix this broken system.
The world building was on point. You got a good feel at what exactly was happening in this dystopian land. The characters were unique and developed well. I loved that the author let the love connection build up slowly and didn’t just throw them together like love at first sight type of thing. Harm was genuinely such a nice and good person and Imani was fiery and good. They balanced each other out well. The adventure they went on was entertaining and kept me wanting to read more and more. I only dislike that it seemed every time they made it somewhere, Harm was immediately caught up with the guardians. I needed like one time for him to do something without being captured. Lol. THE ENDING though: omg talk about a cliffhanger. I cannot wait for the second book because I’m dying to know what happens next. I 100% recommend this book!
Thank you to the author was gave this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 24, 2023
If goodreads would let me do half stars this would be 4.5.
From the second we meet Harm, it is clear that he is a good person. Which, when his nickname (and preferred name, it seems) is Harm, is a nice juxtaposition.
Harm sees Imani once, and his thoughts are filled with her. I think the growth of their relationship might be my favourite part of this book. I love dual pov books, and this is no exception.
We have a series of background characters who are truly good - just trying to help Harm, and Imani. Toby, Soraya, Jonah, Christopher. A community, who come together one by one to help Harm - even though they barely know him, for the most part.
On the flip side, we have easily hateable characters - including some that we only have one line of speech from.
* QUOTES*
“He steps into my space. Every thread of my soul wants to be enveloped in him, tangling us together until we can no longer be separated.”
“She was there everytime he punished me - every moment that counted. And I dreamed of her before I even knew her.”
“With a deep exhale, I close my eyes and slow my breathing that is out of control as every fibre of my being responds to her.”
“I kiss her with every moment that has led to this.”
“I’m always there, even if you can’t see me.”
“The Imani and Harm stars.” “Harm and Imani. Harmony Stars.”
From the second we meet Harm, it is clear that he is a good person. Which, when his nickname (and preferred name, it seems) is Harm, is a nice juxtaposition.
Harm sees Imani once, and his thoughts are filled with her. I think the growth of their relationship might be my favourite part of this book. I love dual pov books, and this is no exception.
We have a series of background characters who are truly good - just trying to help Harm, and Imani. Toby, Soraya, Jonah, Christopher. A community, who come together one by one to help Harm - even though they barely know him, for the most part.
On the flip side, we have easily hateable characters - including some that we only have one line of speech from.
* QUOTES*
“He steps into my space. Every thread of my soul wants to be enveloped in him, tangling us together until we can no longer be separated.”
“She was there everytime he punished me - every moment that counted. And I dreamed of her before I even knew her.”
“With a deep exhale, I close my eyes and slow my breathing that is out of control as every fibre of my being responds to her.”
“I kiss her with every moment that has led to this.”
“I’m always there, even if you can’t see me.”
“The Imani and Harm stars.” “Harm and Imani. Harmony Stars.”
November 9, 2023
Sands of ruin review…
This is my first book that I read from R M Muller.
I am very impressed with this book.
The plot of the book is very interesting.
Imani is a very strong character and Harmon is absolutely the best male lead.
This book surprised me a I wasn’t expecting to not be able to put it down.
It’s a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat no has you guessing constantly.
I enjoyed the twist to the story and living the story through Imani and Harmon.
The desert. People struggling to make their world a better place.
A lot of the times I was sitting on the edge of my seat.
Figuring out what would happen next.
Imani was my favorite and the help she gave Harmon to make the world better.
The relationship between Harmon and his sister.
The story line the twist the fight for a better world the attraction of Imani and Harmon and their journey.
I highly recommend this book and I enjoyed it very much.
A great read.
I received a copy for an honest review.
And my honest review is to read this amazing book.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and I loved it.
This book contains
Sad moments
Emotional parts
Good and happy moments
Instant attraction
Trust
Friendship
I want to thank the author for an ARC copy for a review.
This review is my own.
This is my first book that I read from R M Muller.
I am very impressed with this book.
The plot of the book is very interesting.
Imani is a very strong character and Harmon is absolutely the best male lead.
This book surprised me a I wasn’t expecting to not be able to put it down.
It’s a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat no has you guessing constantly.
I enjoyed the twist to the story and living the story through Imani and Harmon.
The desert. People struggling to make their world a better place.
A lot of the times I was sitting on the edge of my seat.
Figuring out what would happen next.
Imani was my favorite and the help she gave Harmon to make the world better.
The relationship between Harmon and his sister.
The story line the twist the fight for a better world the attraction of Imani and Harmon and their journey.
I highly recommend this book and I enjoyed it very much.
A great read.
I received a copy for an honest review.
And my honest review is to read this amazing book.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and I loved it.
This book contains
Sad moments
Emotional parts
Good and happy moments
Instant attraction
Trust
Friendship
I want to thank the author for an ARC copy for a review.
This review is my own.
June 16, 2023
I really loved this book! I enjoyed the world building and character development through the story. I was hooked right away wanting to know what was going to happen next. There were a few times I was just sitting at the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going to happen next! My mind was blown.
Harm has such a big heart. Seeing his love for his little sister is something I hope for with an older brother and a younger sibling. My heart broke for him, seeing him go through everything that was thrown at him. I love Harm and can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next for him!
Imani, I love how she risks everything to try to help Harm and better the world. You can see how much she cares for Harm. She is a bada$$ and I love her.
I love dystopian type stories. One of my favorite genres!! I can’t get enough!! The ending is leaving me obsessed on wanting to know what’s going to happen next! This book will definitely weighing heavy on my mind for a bit.
Harm has such a big heart. Seeing his love for his little sister is something I hope for with an older brother and a younger sibling. My heart broke for him, seeing him go through everything that was thrown at him. I love Harm and can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next for him!
Imani, I love how she risks everything to try to help Harm and better the world. You can see how much she cares for Harm. She is a bada$$ and I love her.
I love dystopian type stories. One of my favorite genres!! I can’t get enough!! The ending is leaving me obsessed on wanting to know what’s going to happen next! This book will definitely weighing heavy on my mind for a bit.
October 4, 2023
This is the first book in, an amazing in depth YA dystopian series following Harm and Imani.
The people are weak and opressed in a wasteland and the regime is uncaring and ruthless. Harm finds out first hand just how much when his family is to be put to death for the act of kindness he has shown. Here enters Imani a rebel in her own right, with a soft heart for the gentleness with which Harm represents. On the run now they find out Harm has a destiny he doesn't know about and Imani has found herself feeling like she has to help Harm survive. They're at the heart of the rebellion and the more they learn the more Harms life unravels before him.
What is his ultimate role in the rebellion, what will he have to do or sacrifice to help the people?
The world building and character depth are excellent. The friendship and slow burn going on between Harm and Imani is torcherous.
This book is a must read!
The people are weak and opressed in a wasteland and the regime is uncaring and ruthless. Harm finds out first hand just how much when his family is to be put to death for the act of kindness he has shown. Here enters Imani a rebel in her own right, with a soft heart for the gentleness with which Harm represents. On the run now they find out Harm has a destiny he doesn't know about and Imani has found herself feeling like she has to help Harm survive. They're at the heart of the rebellion and the more they learn the more Harms life unravels before him.
What is his ultimate role in the rebellion, what will he have to do or sacrifice to help the people?
The world building and character depth are excellent. The friendship and slow burn going on between Harm and Imani is torcherous.
This book is a must read!
August 23, 2023
I don’t even know where to begin, the characters have such detail inside and out it is so easy to slip inside the world that is built. This book is such an emotional rollercoaster in the best way, I went through every emotion while reading. I love a strong FMC and you will have that for sure, no damsel in distress here. I rarely read books with a male POV and absolutely adore Harm. He is all that is good in the world. You will be rooting for him from page 1, he is such a likable character. I fell in love with so many characters throughout the story, and the plot twists are seriously never ending. My attention never strayed from the pages, although I did need breaks to run around talking to myself whenever my mind was blown, which was OFTEN. I am counting down the months, days, hours until book two.
January 3, 2024
I received an arc of this book.
I will start off by saying this is not a book I would typically read. I do love a good dystopia, but I do not read much about the desert. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with this story. Despite having reservations, I ended up enjoying the read.
There were several twists and turns in this book that kept you invested and wondering what would happen next.
I could clearly picture the landscape. The balance between describing and imagining was spot on. I love having a map to reference throughout the story.
The brutality of the regime was nailed down really well.
Character development was good. I'm hoping this really gets going in the next book.
There were times I wanted more from the story, but I don't know what that 'more' would be.
All in all, I recommend this book.
I will start off by saying this is not a book I would typically read. I do love a good dystopia, but I do not read much about the desert. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with this story. Despite having reservations, I ended up enjoying the read.
There were several twists and turns in this book that kept you invested and wondering what would happen next.
I could clearly picture the landscape. The balance between describing and imagining was spot on. I love having a map to reference throughout the story.
The brutality of the regime was nailed down really well.
Character development was good. I'm hoping this really gets going in the next book.
There were times I wanted more from the story, but I don't know what that 'more' would be.
All in all, I recommend this book.
July 15, 2023
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, that cliffhanger! Nooooo! I am not happy that I have to wait to find out what happens to Harm and Imani!
Ok, now that that’s off my chest, Sands of Ruin is a great dystopian book reminiscent of Hunger Games, and I got some Dune vibes from it as well. Harm and Imani are great main characters, both strong and resilient and fighting the system that they were born into. Can they beat it?
I loved the world building and character development in this book, there is lots of great action, a slow burn romance, found family (literally and figuratively), and of course, an oppressive regime that needs to be ousted.
If you’re looking for your next dystopian thriller, I highly recommend this book.
First of all, that cliffhanger! Nooooo! I am not happy that I have to wait to find out what happens to Harm and Imani!
Ok, now that that’s off my chest, Sands of Ruin is a great dystopian book reminiscent of Hunger Games, and I got some Dune vibes from it as well. Harm and Imani are great main characters, both strong and resilient and fighting the system that they were born into. Can they beat it?
I loved the world building and character development in this book, there is lots of great action, a slow burn romance, found family (literally and figuratively), and of course, an oppressive regime that needs to be ousted.
If you’re looking for your next dystopian thriller, I highly recommend this book.
August 21, 2023
Now, this is what I mean by good quality YA!
Friends prepare to be immersed in a captivating world of fast-paced emotions, where dystopian and fantasy elements intertwine to create an unforgettable debut!
Just when I thought I had the plot all figured out, unexpected twists kept me on the edge of my seat—plot twists galore, you could say! The narrative strikes a brilliant balance between uniqueness and familiarity. Harmen and Imani work together to find a way to deliver their people from the oppressive regime. Along the way, they make friends that become closer than family :') I absolutely their dynamic.Together, Harmen and Imani are the perfect blend of calm and storm.
The themes of found family, the chosen one trope, as well as grappling with loss, grief, and hardships, are woven seamlessly into this incredible read. A must-read for fans of Hafsah Faizal, Sabaa Tahir, and Maiya Ibrahim.
Content-wise, the book maintains a clean and engaging tone, with no explicit language or spice. Although there is a scene involving the FMC undressing to bathe, which the MC observes - sort of unintentionally.
Trigger Warning: The story delves into themes of parental trauma, loss, and the struggle for freedom, adding depth to its narrative.
𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
Friends prepare to be immersed in a captivating world of fast-paced emotions, where dystopian and fantasy elements intertwine to create an unforgettable debut!
Just when I thought I had the plot all figured out, unexpected twists kept me on the edge of my seat—plot twists galore, you could say! The narrative strikes a brilliant balance between uniqueness and familiarity. Harmen and Imani work together to find a way to deliver their people from the oppressive regime. Along the way, they make friends that become closer than family :') I absolutely their dynamic.Together, Harmen and Imani are the perfect blend of calm and storm.
The themes of found family, the chosen one trope, as well as grappling with loss, grief, and hardships, are woven seamlessly into this incredible read. A must-read for fans of Hafsah Faizal, Sabaa Tahir, and Maiya Ibrahim.
Content-wise, the book maintains a clean and engaging tone, with no explicit language or spice. Although there is a scene involving the FMC undressing to bathe, which the MC observes - sort of unintentionally.
Trigger Warning: The story delves into themes of parental trauma, loss, and the struggle for freedom, adding depth to its narrative.
𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
August 19, 2023
I received an E-Arc of this book. Overall, this was a good story. I finished it in a day, so that should tell you something! :) There were a couple of phrases that were over used and it dragged a bit in one spot for me, but I was already invested in the story and characters, so it made it worth it. I quite enjoyed finding out I was right about certain plot points and still enjoyed it when I got it wrong. The author did a great job world building. I could easily visualize the different locations as they traveled and really got a good feel for what their world felt like and the struggles that it put them through. I look forward to reading the next book and continuing on the journey of the characters!
May 24, 2024
Where to start!? The world building is great, truly paints a picture of a dystopian society of oppressed peoples. As you learn more and more, the tension builds as secrets are revealed. Harmen and Imani, the main character duo, find themselves in an impossible situation. Harmen embarks on a journey of loss, love, and self discovery. Imani’s mysterious past poses so many more questions then answers as the two navigate their journey to finding Harmen’s family. Truly an emotional rollercoaster with an intense cliff-hanger that left me in desperate need for the next book! A definite must read! A great start to a YA dystopian adventure series for those who loved Hunger Games and Divergent.
I would like to thank the author for gifting me an e-ARC. All the opinions are my own.
I would like to thank the author for gifting me an e-ARC. All the opinions are my own.
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