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A Desert of Bleeding Sand #1
A Desert of Bleeding Sand
West African Mr and Mrs Smith collide in a sentient desert palace in this inventive fantasy debut that is perfect for fans of The City of Brass and Dance of Thieves.
Zair, a reviled half-aziza (African fae) with magical powers, is determined to stop the traitors attacking her academy and kidnapping its students—especially as her beloved sister is targeted. Sent to the palace during the king’s coronation, her mission is clear: unmask the culprits behind the disappearances. But when she crosses paths with Dathan, a rival spy from another academy, his hidden motives complicate everything.
As danger escalates and more students vanish, Zair and Dathan realize they must join forces to stop the looming threat. As they close in on the traitors, a shimmering attraction pulses between them, threatening to unravel their focus. In a palace where hunger is for power and night magic guards its halls, Zair must protect her heart from the one person she cannot afford to trust and save her fellow students before it’s too late.
Zair, a reviled half-aziza (African fae) with magical powers, is determined to stop the traitors attacking her academy and kidnapping its students—especially as her beloved sister is targeted. Sent to the palace during the king’s coronation, her mission is clear: unmask the culprits behind the disappearances. But when she crosses paths with Dathan, a rival spy from another academy, his hidden motives complicate everything.
As danger escalates and more students vanish, Zair and Dathan realize they must join forces to stop the looming threat. As they close in on the traitors, a shimmering attraction pulses between them, threatening to unravel their focus. In a palace where hunger is for power and night magic guards its halls, Zair must protect her heart from the one person she cannot afford to trust and save her fellow students before it’s too late.
Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2025
40 people are currently reading
2880 people want to read
About the author
Lucia Damisa
7 books50 followersLucia Damisa is a fantasy and romance writer who discovered a passion for writing at age 13 and has amassed stacks of notebooks filled with handwritten stories. She has a BA in Mass Communication and has experience as a journalist and freelance writer for websites around the world. When she is not world-building and hanging out with her characters, she is reading or taking photographs of nature. Find her on all platforms at Lucia Damisa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 15, 2025
The glossary was a bit intimidating at first, but the intricate world-building and compelling premise made it all worth it. The power plays and prejudices felt so realistic, adding depth to an already immersive story.
The vivid descriptions of the beautiful places in this book made me wish I could step into the world—though, realistically, I doubt I’d last more than three days, let alone a week in such a brutal setting. There wasn't a single dull moment, with Zair and Dathan keeping the adrenaline pumping throughout.
The characters were incredibly well-written, and this book once again reminded me that reading is political. If you love fantasy with depth and nuance, this is an absolute must-read. Can’t wait for book 2!
From the book,
When a mind tries to absorb too many things at once, it will absorb nothing. Take it one sentence, one page, and one book at a time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The vivid descriptions of the beautiful places in this book made me wish I could step into the world—though, realistically, I doubt I’d last more than three days, let alone a week in such a brutal setting. There wasn't a single dull moment, with Zair and Dathan keeping the adrenaline pumping throughout.
The characters were incredibly well-written, and this book once again reminded me that reading is political. If you love fantasy with depth and nuance, this is an absolute must-read. Can’t wait for book 2!
From the book,
When a mind tries to absorb too many things at once, it will absorb nothing. Take it one sentence, one page, and one book at a time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 27, 2025
Thank you to Darkan Press and Lucia Damisa for the ARC I received of A Desert of Bleeding Sand!
I have been fortunate to follow Lucia on her journey to get this book published. I remember when she announced her book deal. I've been following along as she edited the novel and got ready to take it to press. It was so exciting to finally get my hands on it as a reader.
We open the book on a visiting day at Nergal, an elite military academy in the kingdom of Thalesai, with a student named Zair as she shows her family around. During their visit, a group of mercenaries who have been abducting children and teenagers from the military academies attack and mark Zair's younger sister for future abduction. These mercenaries know too much about the inner workings of Thalesai to be outside the inner sanctum of the royals, so Zair's academy commandant asks her to attend the coronation as a representative of Nergal, but more importantly as a spy. When Zair arrives, she is shunned by everyone for her mixed heritage– she is half Esan, a tribe reviled for their magical ancestors– and finds herself in competition with a spy from a rival academy, Dathan. Dathan has been given the same mission by his commandant, but if he and Zair continue down their individual paths in pursuit of the same goal, will they achieve their desired outcomes?
I always come out of the first novel in a new fantasy series with more questions than answers, and I definitely have a lot of questions about what will come next! But first, let's talk about the things I really enjoyed in this book.
Number one: this book is written in first person, past tense. The trend toward present tense narration is one of the banes of my existence in fantasy novels today. Most authors get bogged down in the tense and it ends up being sloppy. Past tense is clean and I think helped Lucia really differentiate between Zair and Dathan's voices. I could have figured out who was narrating even without the chapter indications.
The action writing in this book is really where the story shines. Some romantasy authors are gifted with the intimate scenes, some thrive in the world building and some write killer action scenes. As I was reading the fight sequences and action scenes in A Desert of Bleeding Sand, I literally said out loud, "This is where the writing sparkles." I'm not a very visual reader (meaning, I don't imagine myself in the scenes. I tend to process the text more as data) but I was able to visualize the action sequences because they were so well done.
The social structure of Thalesai was another place where this book was exceptional. Thalesai is supposed to be a united kingdom of four established tribes plus the Esan but that is not how it functions in actuality. The tribes are bitterly divided, especially the two largest, and they are constantly trying to undermine each other. It led to lots of political intrigue and I think sets up the world for even more drama and division in the future books. These tribal divisions also helped move the story along by providing motive for characters who otherwise seem like they should be happy with the status quo.
There are some things in the author's note that really help with understanding the story. Lucia wrote this book in response to the kidnapping of hundreds of children by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. I know we all want the villains in our books to have some kind of motivation that, from their point of view makes sense, but these villains are straight up terrorists. If you know that going in, I think you'll have a more impactful reading experience.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand does have some rough moments– it's a debut, after all. Some of the plot writing was a little blunt, but we also have to remember our main characters are basically still kids. They're only 18-19 so it makes sense that they're not the most subtle people out there! I think she did a great job on pacing the book. I never got bored which is always a win in a fantasy novel.
Overall a great first outing and I can't wait to see where the series goes. We left off on quite the cliffhanger which sets us up for a wild ride in book 2. 4.5 stars.
I have been fortunate to follow Lucia on her journey to get this book published. I remember when she announced her book deal. I've been following along as she edited the novel and got ready to take it to press. It was so exciting to finally get my hands on it as a reader.
We open the book on a visiting day at Nergal, an elite military academy in the kingdom of Thalesai, with a student named Zair as she shows her family around. During their visit, a group of mercenaries who have been abducting children and teenagers from the military academies attack and mark Zair's younger sister for future abduction. These mercenaries know too much about the inner workings of Thalesai to be outside the inner sanctum of the royals, so Zair's academy commandant asks her to attend the coronation as a representative of Nergal, but more importantly as a spy. When Zair arrives, she is shunned by everyone for her mixed heritage– she is half Esan, a tribe reviled for their magical ancestors– and finds herself in competition with a spy from a rival academy, Dathan. Dathan has been given the same mission by his commandant, but if he and Zair continue down their individual paths in pursuit of the same goal, will they achieve their desired outcomes?
I always come out of the first novel in a new fantasy series with more questions than answers, and I definitely have a lot of questions about what will come next! But first, let's talk about the things I really enjoyed in this book.
Number one: this book is written in first person, past tense. The trend toward present tense narration is one of the banes of my existence in fantasy novels today. Most authors get bogged down in the tense and it ends up being sloppy. Past tense is clean and I think helped Lucia really differentiate between Zair and Dathan's voices. I could have figured out who was narrating even without the chapter indications.
The action writing in this book is really where the story shines. Some romantasy authors are gifted with the intimate scenes, some thrive in the world building and some write killer action scenes. As I was reading the fight sequences and action scenes in A Desert of Bleeding Sand, I literally said out loud, "This is where the writing sparkles." I'm not a very visual reader (meaning, I don't imagine myself in the scenes. I tend to process the text more as data) but I was able to visualize the action sequences because they were so well done.
The social structure of Thalesai was another place where this book was exceptional. Thalesai is supposed to be a united kingdom of four established tribes plus the Esan but that is not how it functions in actuality. The tribes are bitterly divided, especially the two largest, and they are constantly trying to undermine each other. It led to lots of political intrigue and I think sets up the world for even more drama and division in the future books. These tribal divisions also helped move the story along by providing motive for characters who otherwise seem like they should be happy with the status quo.
There are some things in the author's note that really help with understanding the story. Lucia wrote this book in response to the kidnapping of hundreds of children by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. I know we all want the villains in our books to have some kind of motivation that, from their point of view makes sense, but these villains are straight up terrorists. If you know that going in, I think you'll have a more impactful reading experience.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand does have some rough moments– it's a debut, after all. Some of the plot writing was a little blunt, but we also have to remember our main characters are basically still kids. They're only 18-19 so it makes sense that they're not the most subtle people out there! I think she did a great job on pacing the book. I never got bored which is always a win in a fantasy novel.
Overall a great first outing and I can't wait to see where the series goes. We left off on quite the cliffhanger which sets us up for a wild ride in book 2. 4.5 stars.
September 18, 2024
I was a beta reader for A Desert of Bleeding Sand and I was amazed with what I read. This is a story with a spy/rival romance with fun banter, family and friendship themes and magic. It has great world building, interesting characters, action and political intrigue which kept me invested from start to finish. I love a story that moves quick, yet keeps me interested and this story did just that! I can't wait to see how this series evolves!
March 20, 2025
4.5 Stars!! Beautifully written and unique.
When I got to read the first chapter of this book a while ago, I knew it would be special.
We are first introduced to Zair. A strong, brave girl who is already quite accomplished in her skills. She’s grown up being shunned for what she looks like and has learned it’s better to not let anyone in.
Dathan is our other main character. He’s very accomplished as well, and he is well thought of by everyone.
Zair and Dathan are invited to represent their groups at the Kings coronation events. But they both have different motives for being sent there.
The world building was well done. Lucia has written a plot that is dear to her heart. She left a beautiful author’s note at the end that really ties it all together and makes us understand as a reader what pushed her to write it this way.
The rival spy aspect was so fun to read and in turn made the building romance so great. Zair has had to be strong her whole life so far, and it was wonderful everytime her tough exterior was cracked a little bit more with Dathan. I also enjoyed the underlying mystery throughout the book as well. It kept me guessing!
This is a wonderful foundation for a great series to come! I am looking forward to being able to continue their story in the future.
Thank you to Lucia and Darkan press for an early copy of this book.
When I got to read the first chapter of this book a while ago, I knew it would be special.
We are first introduced to Zair. A strong, brave girl who is already quite accomplished in her skills. She’s grown up being shunned for what she looks like and has learned it’s better to not let anyone in.
Dathan is our other main character. He’s very accomplished as well, and he is well thought of by everyone.
Zair and Dathan are invited to represent their groups at the Kings coronation events. But they both have different motives for being sent there.
The world building was well done. Lucia has written a plot that is dear to her heart. She left a beautiful author’s note at the end that really ties it all together and makes us understand as a reader what pushed her to write it this way.
The rival spy aspect was so fun to read and in turn made the building romance so great. Zair has had to be strong her whole life so far, and it was wonderful everytime her tough exterior was cracked a little bit more with Dathan. I also enjoyed the underlying mystery throughout the book as well. It kept me guessing!
This is a wonderful foundation for a great series to come! I am looking forward to being able to continue their story in the future.
Thank you to Lucia and Darkan press for an early copy of this book.
April 16, 2025
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is one of those rare Coming-of-Age fantasies that feels like it grew beyond its category—in the best way. Lucia Damisa builds a world so layered with history, politics, and magic that it reads more like a sweeping adult fantasy, just with the emotional honesty and vulnerability that makes stories about younger adults so impactful when it’s done right.
The West African-inspired setting is absolutely stunning. From the very beginning, you’re dropped into this rich, complex world full of spiderwebbed alliances and deadly secrets. I’ll be honest—if you’re not used to diving headfirst into high fantasy, the opening can feel a bit overwhelming. But trust me: push through. What’s waiting within is so worth it.
Zair and Dathan are the kind of characters I love—tough, smart, scheming, and incredibly competent. But when it comes to romance? Total messes. There’s something so satisfying about watching two razor-sharp spies fumble through flirting and second-guess their feelings even as they’re pulling off intricate missions and trying to outmaneuver each other. Their dynamic is full of tension, murky mistrust, and slow-burning chemistry that never takes over the plot but adds just the right edge.
I also really appreciated how the story treated its politics with weight. There's nuance here. It’s fascinating to watch it all unfold, especially through the lens of two people who want the same outcome but don’t trust each other.
Inventive, intricate, and grounded in our own world, A Desert of Bleeding Sand is an absolute standout.
Thanks so much to R&R Booktours, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
The West African-inspired setting is absolutely stunning. From the very beginning, you’re dropped into this rich, complex world full of spiderwebbed alliances and deadly secrets. I’ll be honest—if you’re not used to diving headfirst into high fantasy, the opening can feel a bit overwhelming. But trust me: push through. What’s waiting within is so worth it.
Zair and Dathan are the kind of characters I love—tough, smart, scheming, and incredibly competent. But when it comes to romance? Total messes. There’s something so satisfying about watching two razor-sharp spies fumble through flirting and second-guess their feelings even as they’re pulling off intricate missions and trying to outmaneuver each other. Their dynamic is full of tension, murky mistrust, and slow-burning chemistry that never takes over the plot but adds just the right edge.
I also really appreciated how the story treated its politics with weight. There's nuance here. It’s fascinating to watch it all unfold, especially through the lens of two people who want the same outcome but don’t trust each other.
Inventive, intricate, and grounded in our own world, A Desert of Bleeding Sand is an absolute standout.
Thanks so much to R&R Booktours, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
March 23, 2025
Lucia Damisa’s debut novel is as close to a four dimensional experience as you can get without reading the book in the actual desert. Her prose evokes the feeling of sand between your toes, the oppressive feeling of the sun scorching your face, the reality of a harsh landscape, where life is cruel, violent - a place where only the strongest can survive.
I’ve never read a book where the enemies are pitted at each other in the way it is here - Mr and Mrs Smith comparisons are very accurate. The pull between our two leads is undeniable, two halves of a whole coming together in spite of the walls they throw up, and the secrets they keep - and it makes for some sizzling tension and a dynamic which you’ll eagerly consume
A Desert of Bleeding Sands is out on 27 March 2025.
I’ve never read a book where the enemies are pitted at each other in the way it is here - Mr and Mrs Smith comparisons are very accurate. The pull between our two leads is undeniable, two halves of a whole coming together in spite of the walls they throw up, and the secrets they keep - and it makes for some sizzling tension and a dynamic which you’ll eagerly consume
A Desert of Bleeding Sands is out on 27 March 2025.
October 1, 2025
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is a captivating romantasy that swept me away from the very first page. Zair’s journey as a half-aziza navigating prejudice, palace intrigue, and the dangerous mission she’s been entrusted with is both thrilling and emotional. I loved the unique West African–inspired setting, the lush world-building, and the way the story blends magic, politics, and romance so seamlessly.
The tension between Zair and Dathan had me hooked—I adored their rivals-to-allies dynamic and the slow spark of something more as they learned to trust one another. Every chapter kept me invested with its mix of danger, secrets, and high stakes, but also moments of heart and vulnerability.
This book has everything I want in a fantasy—magic rooted in rich folklore, a brave and complex heroine, and a romance that builds with just the right amount of intensity. It’s a story of identity, loyalty, and courage, and it absolutely left me eager for more from this world.
✨West African Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes
🔥Historical fantasy
✨Found family
🔥Elite military academies
✨Slow burn romance
🔥Spy rivals-to-lovers
Thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for the e-copy! 🥰🫶🏼
The tension between Zair and Dathan had me hooked—I adored their rivals-to-allies dynamic and the slow spark of something more as they learned to trust one another. Every chapter kept me invested with its mix of danger, secrets, and high stakes, but also moments of heart and vulnerability.
This book has everything I want in a fantasy—magic rooted in rich folklore, a brave and complex heroine, and a romance that builds with just the right amount of intensity. It’s a story of identity, loyalty, and courage, and it absolutely left me eager for more from this world.
✨West African Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes
🔥Historical fantasy
✨Found family
🔥Elite military academies
✨Slow burn romance
🔥Spy rivals-to-lovers
Thank you to the author and R&R Book Tours for the e-copy! 🥰🫶🏼
December 3, 2025
This book was providence by the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
Zair was a complex character. We see her struggle with her origins and what it means in this world. I thought she was very well written. She is string and knows how to stand her ground, but she’s also vulnérable. Watching her lowering her walls to welcome friendship was probably what I enjoyed the most.
My main issue with this book is the pacing. I was so bored for at least half the book. At some point, they’re doing the same thing everyday: attending events during the day, then spying at night. And it was just the same thing over and over for several chapters. There were also too many side characters with similar titres, especially those close to the King: First General, First Colonel, First Advisor, Second General, Second Colonel … I couldn’t identify anyone, and when they were mentionned, it didn’t ring any bells.
I also didn’t like the romance; I didn’t feel any chemistry between Zair and Dathan. Their feelings felt very surface-level, when they could have been deeper and more meaningful.
Zair was a complex character. We see her struggle with her origins and what it means in this world. I thought she was very well written. She is string and knows how to stand her ground, but she’s also vulnérable. Watching her lowering her walls to welcome friendship was probably what I enjoyed the most.
My main issue with this book is the pacing. I was so bored for at least half the book. At some point, they’re doing the same thing everyday: attending events during the day, then spying at night. And it was just the same thing over and over for several chapters. There were also too many side characters with similar titres, especially those close to the King: First General, First Colonel, First Advisor, Second General, Second Colonel … I couldn’t identify anyone, and when they were mentionned, it didn’t ring any bells.
I also didn’t like the romance; I didn’t feel any chemistry between Zair and Dathan. Their feelings felt very surface-level, when they could have been deeper and more meaningful.
March 25, 2025
Thank you to the author for this ARC!
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is a whirlwind of adventure, betrayal, and action. The last few chapters of this book were intense, and I couldn't stop until I was done.
The world-building in this one is amazing and so well thought out. It was easy to understand, and the social structure and divisions in the world were explained really well. I loved the imagery in the writing that made you feel like you were in the desert, along with the characters.
The plot of this one was very interesting, and I found it even more special after reading the author's note at the end of the story. Tied to real-life events, the plot weaves magic and love into a story of politics, racism, and prejudice. It's a sad reality that plays out in a fantasy novel, and I loved how Lucia tied everything together.
The main characters are definitely enemies to lovers - and I love how their story played out. I'm excited to read what happens next with them and their world.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is a whirlwind of adventure, betrayal, and action. The last few chapters of this book were intense, and I couldn't stop until I was done.
The world-building in this one is amazing and so well thought out. It was easy to understand, and the social structure and divisions in the world were explained really well. I loved the imagery in the writing that made you feel like you were in the desert, along with the characters.
The plot of this one was very interesting, and I found it even more special after reading the author's note at the end of the story. Tied to real-life events, the plot weaves magic and love into a story of politics, racism, and prejudice. It's a sad reality that plays out in a fantasy novel, and I loved how Lucia tied everything together.
The main characters are definitely enemies to lovers - and I love how their story played out. I'm excited to read what happens next with them and their world.
May 18, 2025
4.5/5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to continuing the series. If you are craving a Romantasy book that is not copy and paste then please pick this up.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to continuing the series. If you are craving a Romantasy book that is not copy and paste then please pick this up.
April 14, 2025
Such a wonderful start to a unique historical fantasy series. The world building was rich and draped in Nigerian history, ripe with themes of injustice and bigotry, political intrigue, and the desire to do good despite the darkness and evil all around. Plus, you’ll find some of my favorite tropes in this one, including deadly trials, secret identities, fake dating, found family, and so much more.
The characters were well developed and you can’t help but fall in love with them. Zair is fiercely loyal and all she wants to do is protect those she loves and stop the injustice those like her face on a daily basis. But, can she break the chains of prejudice and become who she desires to be?
Dathan has his own secrets to protect, yet is constantly putting others needs above his own to do the right thing and keep his family safe. Will his self sacrificing nature be his ultimate downfall? Or will it be the girl with eyes that make his heart skip a beat?
I loved the tension between these two and the way their relationship builds so organically. They have so much in common and sparks fly once they start to work together and tear down the protective walls they’ve spent their lives building.
I can’t wait to see what comes next for these two.
While this mission may be complete, the war is just beginning and the devastation is far from over. And with an ending that leaves you wanting more, I can’t wait to see where Lucia takes us from here.
The characters were well developed and you can’t help but fall in love with them. Zair is fiercely loyal and all she wants to do is protect those she loves and stop the injustice those like her face on a daily basis. But, can she break the chains of prejudice and become who she desires to be?
Dathan has his own secrets to protect, yet is constantly putting others needs above his own to do the right thing and keep his family safe. Will his self sacrificing nature be his ultimate downfall? Or will it be the girl with eyes that make his heart skip a beat?
I loved the tension between these two and the way their relationship builds so organically. They have so much in common and sparks fly once they start to work together and tear down the protective walls they’ve spent their lives building.
I can’t wait to see what comes next for these two.
While this mission may be complete, the war is just beginning and the devastation is far from over. And with an ending that leaves you wanting more, I can’t wait to see where Lucia takes us from here.
September 20, 2025
I love it so much 🥹
November 8, 2025
I will be honest, if Lucia Damisa didn’t promote her books so well, I would probably never know it existed. And that would have been a shame because A Desert of Bleeding Sand is so freaking good! It’s everything Lucia promised and more, I swear it.
I didn’t know in what I was getting myself when I started this book but, at some point, I was just existing there and having the best of times. The plot was fast paced, with moments full of tension and intensity, vivid fights and a lot of twists and turns, political intrigue and dark goals. The worldbuilding was so immense and immersive, that it was easy to imagine it in my head. I was kept on my toes through all the story but there were also very emotional moments that took me off guard. And that is exactly the kind of story I like it.
I also love how relationships were represented in this book. Between family, friends, rivals and other things, I really appreciated how real and deep those ties developed between our characters. They were also a bunch very easy to love and care about, specially the main characters. Zair and Dathan were such a surprise. I admitted, I wasn’t counting on loving them that much. But these two know how to get quietly and fast where they want, including my heart.
Now I’m here, dying to get my hands in the second book and I already know it will rip me apart. Authors shouldn’t be allowed to do these things to readers, right?! Oh well, I can worry about that next time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Darkan Press Inc. for giving me an eARC in exchange of an honest review.
I didn’t know in what I was getting myself when I started this book but, at some point, I was just existing there and having the best of times. The plot was fast paced, with moments full of tension and intensity, vivid fights and a lot of twists and turns, political intrigue and dark goals. The worldbuilding was so immense and immersive, that it was easy to imagine it in my head. I was kept on my toes through all the story but there were also very emotional moments that took me off guard. And that is exactly the kind of story I like it.
I also love how relationships were represented in this book. Between family, friends, rivals and other things, I really appreciated how real and deep those ties developed between our characters. They were also a bunch very easy to love and care about, specially the main characters. Zair and Dathan were such a surprise. I admitted, I wasn’t counting on loving them that much. But these two know how to get quietly and fast where they want, including my heart.
Now I’m here, dying to get my hands in the second book and I already know it will rip me apart. Authors shouldn’t be allowed to do these things to readers, right?! Oh well, I can worry about that next time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Darkan Press Inc. for giving me an eARC in exchange of an honest review.
November 9, 2025
I fell in love with this book through the world building, descriptions and characters. I was fascinated by Zair and Dathan’s journey. I enjoyed the story thoroughly especially the uniqueness I experienced through reading it. Highly recommend it.
March 27, 2025
I’ve been a longtime follower of Lucia’s blog, so spent her entire journey to publication crossing my fingers that A Desert of Bleeding Sand would be picked up by a publisher so the world could read what sounded like an amazing African-inspired fantasy. I fell in love with these characters, and I love how this book just transported me to a fantastical version of Africa, largely inspired by the Sahara Desert and West Africa.
Inspired by the Bring Back Our Girls movement after countless girls were kidnapped from schools over a decade ago, A Desert of Bleeding Sand calls attention back to these horrific and terrifying kidnappings, and gives the youths of today a voice and a fire to do something about it as they challenge the scheming older generations. Zair is half Esan and half Baihan, but people only see her Esan eyes and instantly mark her as unwanted due to the magic in her blood. As a military student, she has the ability to protect her younger sister from being taken by kidnappers, but, because of her Esan blood, no one looks at her, until an unknown sponsor and her Commandant decide to root out the traitor at the very top of the human kingdom’s government and she’s sent to the Sand Palace as her school’s representative for the young king and queen’s coronation. At the same time, top student Dathan, at a rival school, has been selected by his Commandant and the Admiral for the same reason, but Dathan carries a dark history with him that could spell disaster for him and his family if he’s recognized by the wrong people. Despite their similar missions, and a growing attraction between them, Zair’s and Dathan’s ultimate goals are different, and they’ll stop at nothing to fulfill their missions.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand presents a world steeped in history, and I love how it was woven throughout the story, because it’s a crucial element. The human kingdom, Thalesai, is relatively new and constantly weathers threats from the neighboring kingdoms. There are the wraiths, the shapeshifters, and the azizas who would all see the humans fail. The Esan tribe carries aziza blood, automatically making them outcasts no matter how human they actually are. But the world building goes far beyond just offering this history; it hints at far more beyond the borders of Thalesai, both geographically and politically, while also telescoping in on Ari’el, the capital of the Thalesai, and all the unrest that lies between the five tribes. This world is an integral part of the story, offering both a canvas and stumbling blocks for the characters. I love how intricate it is, and it feels like what we’re given in this first book is just the tip of the iceberg. It was so much fun watching all the palace politics and scheming, and it always felt like everyone was plotting in some way.
As much as I adored the world and can’t wait to see it expand over the next four books, it’s Zair and Dathan who won my heart, and even the sentient Sand Palace. I loved that the palace is steeped in magic, that it comes alive to protect the people at night. It was amazing to see the ways in which it responded to Zair’s magic, and I loved how it could be both a boon and a hindrance as the palace’s magic chose when to respond. But I loved Zair and Dathan the most. Their relationship is delightfully prickly, and delightfully steamy when they were doing nothing more than verbally sparring. The fire between them smolders in the best way. I’m not a huge fan of romantasy, but I loved the blend of romance and fantasy in A Desert of Bleeding Sand. It struck just the perfect balance. Though I think I would happily watch the romance between Zair and Dathan all day.
What made them and their romance so beautiful was who they each are. They both carry deep wounds, one a terrible history that has had him masking everything he really is and the other a hated magic that’s affected her entire life and her entire family. I loved Dathan. He’s noble and complex, and his growing love for Zair was everything. But, as much as he’s clearly falling for her and wants to help and support her, he keeps his head straight and always remembers his mission and the friend depending on him. His wounds cut, and my heart bled for him. He’s a complicated character, and sometimes his past affected his mission, making him feel all the more human. He’s almost single-minded in his pursuit of one suspect because of it, and sometimes I wanted to yell at him, and Zair, to look more broadly, but then I remember he’s just a young adult, and sometimes it’s hard to ignore the young adult brain. Zair tore me to shreds. Her story just hit so hard I wanted to cry for her. She’s so strong and works so hard, but, just because of her Esan eyes, she’s ignored and overlooked, distrusted and hated. And yet she’ll do anything for the kingdom she was born and raised in, for the people who despise her, because, no matter how she looks, she knows in her heart she’s one of them. My heart ached for her every step of her journey, and her insecurities dug deep into my soul. But, despite the pain she carries, she’ll do anything to prove herself and her loyalty. It hurt to see her falling for Dathan, only to know she’s unworthy, and yet she can’t help but desperately want him.
As much as I loved the romance between Zair and Dathan, as much as I loved them as individuals, the story also had a stranglehold on me. I remember seeing coverage of the kidnappings on the news, and then complete silence afterwards. I love how A Desert of Bleeding Sand gives the youths of today the agency and voice to fight for these students, and to operate against the indolence of the older generations. It was fantastic, too, to see the newly selected king and queen are young, but certainly not stupid. I love that this book gives younger generations a voice, to say they’re capable of doing what older generations are afraid of, and a way to work for what they believe in. Beyond that, I loved the intricacies of the palace politics. I do think Zair and Dathan were too narrow-minded, and I did want to scream at them to look at other suspects, but I really loved all the plots and conspiracies. I loved how they challenged the king and queen, too. There was so much going on, from the politics to the coronation events to the sinister plots against the students. I loved picking out all the threads, and I can’t wait to see how they’ll all play out. This is intricate without being overly complex, guided by the love Zair and Dathan have for each other and their kingdom.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is an incredible African-inspired fantasy. The characters shine every step of the way, and the story is complex without being complicated. It hurt to see some of the sentences be chopped when they could have been beautiful and lyrical, but I hope Lucia’s prose gets more of a chance to shine in future books. Otherwise, it actually sometimes worked really, really well, highlighting the most important pieces and even adding more definition and sharpness to the characterizations. But my favorite part was how every element just worked together, flowing seamlessly into a beautiful, sometimes brutal, tapestry.
Thank you to the author for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Inspired by the Bring Back Our Girls movement after countless girls were kidnapped from schools over a decade ago, A Desert of Bleeding Sand calls attention back to these horrific and terrifying kidnappings, and gives the youths of today a voice and a fire to do something about it as they challenge the scheming older generations. Zair is half Esan and half Baihan, but people only see her Esan eyes and instantly mark her as unwanted due to the magic in her blood. As a military student, she has the ability to protect her younger sister from being taken by kidnappers, but, because of her Esan blood, no one looks at her, until an unknown sponsor and her Commandant decide to root out the traitor at the very top of the human kingdom’s government and she’s sent to the Sand Palace as her school’s representative for the young king and queen’s coronation. At the same time, top student Dathan, at a rival school, has been selected by his Commandant and the Admiral for the same reason, but Dathan carries a dark history with him that could spell disaster for him and his family if he’s recognized by the wrong people. Despite their similar missions, and a growing attraction between them, Zair’s and Dathan’s ultimate goals are different, and they’ll stop at nothing to fulfill their missions.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand presents a world steeped in history, and I love how it was woven throughout the story, because it’s a crucial element. The human kingdom, Thalesai, is relatively new and constantly weathers threats from the neighboring kingdoms. There are the wraiths, the shapeshifters, and the azizas who would all see the humans fail. The Esan tribe carries aziza blood, automatically making them outcasts no matter how human they actually are. But the world building goes far beyond just offering this history; it hints at far more beyond the borders of Thalesai, both geographically and politically, while also telescoping in on Ari’el, the capital of the Thalesai, and all the unrest that lies between the five tribes. This world is an integral part of the story, offering both a canvas and stumbling blocks for the characters. I love how intricate it is, and it feels like what we’re given in this first book is just the tip of the iceberg. It was so much fun watching all the palace politics and scheming, and it always felt like everyone was plotting in some way.
As much as I adored the world and can’t wait to see it expand over the next four books, it’s Zair and Dathan who won my heart, and even the sentient Sand Palace. I loved that the palace is steeped in magic, that it comes alive to protect the people at night. It was amazing to see the ways in which it responded to Zair’s magic, and I loved how it could be both a boon and a hindrance as the palace’s magic chose when to respond. But I loved Zair and Dathan the most. Their relationship is delightfully prickly, and delightfully steamy when they were doing nothing more than verbally sparring. The fire between them smolders in the best way. I’m not a huge fan of romantasy, but I loved the blend of romance and fantasy in A Desert of Bleeding Sand. It struck just the perfect balance. Though I think I would happily watch the romance between Zair and Dathan all day.
What made them and their romance so beautiful was who they each are. They both carry deep wounds, one a terrible history that has had him masking everything he really is and the other a hated magic that’s affected her entire life and her entire family. I loved Dathan. He’s noble and complex, and his growing love for Zair was everything. But, as much as he’s clearly falling for her and wants to help and support her, he keeps his head straight and always remembers his mission and the friend depending on him. His wounds cut, and my heart bled for him. He’s a complicated character, and sometimes his past affected his mission, making him feel all the more human. He’s almost single-minded in his pursuit of one suspect because of it, and sometimes I wanted to yell at him, and Zair, to look more broadly, but then I remember he’s just a young adult, and sometimes it’s hard to ignore the young adult brain. Zair tore me to shreds. Her story just hit so hard I wanted to cry for her. She’s so strong and works so hard, but, just because of her Esan eyes, she’s ignored and overlooked, distrusted and hated. And yet she’ll do anything for the kingdom she was born and raised in, for the people who despise her, because, no matter how she looks, she knows in her heart she’s one of them. My heart ached for her every step of her journey, and her insecurities dug deep into my soul. But, despite the pain she carries, she’ll do anything to prove herself and her loyalty. It hurt to see her falling for Dathan, only to know she’s unworthy, and yet she can’t help but desperately want him.
As much as I loved the romance between Zair and Dathan, as much as I loved them as individuals, the story also had a stranglehold on me. I remember seeing coverage of the kidnappings on the news, and then complete silence afterwards. I love how A Desert of Bleeding Sand gives the youths of today the agency and voice to fight for these students, and to operate against the indolence of the older generations. It was fantastic, too, to see the newly selected king and queen are young, but certainly not stupid. I love that this book gives younger generations a voice, to say they’re capable of doing what older generations are afraid of, and a way to work for what they believe in. Beyond that, I loved the intricacies of the palace politics. I do think Zair and Dathan were too narrow-minded, and I did want to scream at them to look at other suspects, but I really loved all the plots and conspiracies. I loved how they challenged the king and queen, too. There was so much going on, from the politics to the coronation events to the sinister plots against the students. I loved picking out all the threads, and I can’t wait to see how they’ll all play out. This is intricate without being overly complex, guided by the love Zair and Dathan have for each other and their kingdom.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is an incredible African-inspired fantasy. The characters shine every step of the way, and the story is complex without being complicated. It hurt to see some of the sentences be chopped when they could have been beautiful and lyrical, but I hope Lucia’s prose gets more of a chance to shine in future books. Otherwise, it actually sometimes worked really, really well, highlighting the most important pieces and even adding more definition and sharpness to the characterizations. But my favorite part was how every element just worked together, flowing seamlessly into a beautiful, sometimes brutal, tapestry.
Thank you to the author for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Want to read
June 17, 2025"In this inventive fantasy debut perfect for fans of Dance of Thieves and The City of Brass, West African Mr & Mrs Smith collide in a magical desert palace."
November 21, 2025
🌟 5-Star Review: A Desert of Bleeding Sand by Lucia Damesa
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is a sprawling, nerve-wracking, and absolutely captivating journey that cements Lucia Damesa as a masterful storyteller of epic fantasy. This book is a true 5-star read, one that hooks you instantly and doesn't let go until the final, breathless page.
💖 Unforgettable Characters & Relationships:
The heart of this novel lies in its complex and deeply human characters. The volatile love/hate relationship between Zair and Dathan is the explosive core of the plot, pulling the reader through moments of intense friction and profound connection.
However, the true magic of this cast comes from unexpected corners. Lysias and Mishan absolutely stole my heart. Their unwavering kindness and protective nature toward Zair reveal volumes about their own noble characters.
What resonated most powerfully was the theme of prejudice. The way other characters constantly judge Zair based on her appearance and tribe, ignoring the burden and love she carries for her people, felt tragically close to reality. Damesa expertly highlights the pain of being misunderstood and judged for surface-level differences.
🗺️ Phenomenal World-Building and Atmosphere:
The world Damesa creates is nothing short of amazing. The setting is executed brilliantly, with the titular desert feeling like a vibrant, dangerous character in itself. I could vividly imagine the sweeping sands and the unique perils of the landscape, making the environment perfectly fitting for the intense struggles the characters face. For epic fantasy lovers, the intricate political structures and the unique magic systems woven into this world are a definite highlight.
📜 The Vocabulary
I must also commend the use of unique vocabulary. While it was admittedly overwhelming at the very beginning, Damesa integrated these new terms so skillfully. They were consistently used in context, making it surprisingly easy to grasp their meaning and even retain them, which added wonderful depth and authenticity to the culture and history of the world.
⚔️ Plot and Pacing
The overall plot is absolutely amazing, full of high-stakes conflict and brilliant twists. While there were moments where the pacing felt intentionally slow, I quickly realized that these quieter moments were essential for character development, allowing the emotions to deepen and setting the crucial foundation for later explosive events. Every chapter contributed meaningfully to the bigger picture.
And yes that cliffhanger! While agonizing, it’s the kind of brilliant, high-stakes ending that leaves you clamoring for the next book immediately.
✨ Recommendation:
I wholeheartedly recommend A Desert of Bleeding Sand to slow-burn romance enthusiasts, epic fantasy devotees, and anyone who appreciates a story with an incredibly unique and detailed magic system. This is a powerful, emotional, and stunningly written debut.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is a sprawling, nerve-wracking, and absolutely captivating journey that cements Lucia Damesa as a masterful storyteller of epic fantasy. This book is a true 5-star read, one that hooks you instantly and doesn't let go until the final, breathless page.
💖 Unforgettable Characters & Relationships:
The heart of this novel lies in its complex and deeply human characters. The volatile love/hate relationship between Zair and Dathan is the explosive core of the plot, pulling the reader through moments of intense friction and profound connection.
However, the true magic of this cast comes from unexpected corners. Lysias and Mishan absolutely stole my heart. Their unwavering kindness and protective nature toward Zair reveal volumes about their own noble characters.
What resonated most powerfully was the theme of prejudice. The way other characters constantly judge Zair based on her appearance and tribe, ignoring the burden and love she carries for her people, felt tragically close to reality. Damesa expertly highlights the pain of being misunderstood and judged for surface-level differences.
🗺️ Phenomenal World-Building and Atmosphere:
The world Damesa creates is nothing short of amazing. The setting is executed brilliantly, with the titular desert feeling like a vibrant, dangerous character in itself. I could vividly imagine the sweeping sands and the unique perils of the landscape, making the environment perfectly fitting for the intense struggles the characters face. For epic fantasy lovers, the intricate political structures and the unique magic systems woven into this world are a definite highlight.
📜 The Vocabulary
I must also commend the use of unique vocabulary. While it was admittedly overwhelming at the very beginning, Damesa integrated these new terms so skillfully. They were consistently used in context, making it surprisingly easy to grasp their meaning and even retain them, which added wonderful depth and authenticity to the culture and history of the world.
⚔️ Plot and Pacing
The overall plot is absolutely amazing, full of high-stakes conflict and brilliant twists. While there were moments where the pacing felt intentionally slow, I quickly realized that these quieter moments were essential for character development, allowing the emotions to deepen and setting the crucial foundation for later explosive events. Every chapter contributed meaningfully to the bigger picture.
And yes that cliffhanger! While agonizing, it’s the kind of brilliant, high-stakes ending that leaves you clamoring for the next book immediately.
✨ Recommendation:
I wholeheartedly recommend A Desert of Bleeding Sand to slow-burn romance enthusiasts, epic fantasy devotees, and anyone who appreciates a story with an incredibly unique and detailed magic system. This is a powerful, emotional, and stunningly written debut.
August 31, 2025
✨ I think it's paramount that I note that while this is fiction, it's a reflection and discussion of heart wrenching real word events that occurred in our lifetimes. The Author's Note at the end of the book goes into it some, but it's such an important topic that I feel it warrants a note here. In 2014, 276 girls aged 16-18 were taken from their secondary school in Nigeria and "married" off. As of April 2024, 82 of the girls are still missing and assumed to still be in captivity. (Info taken from author's note, NPR, and Wikipedia).
Lucia is a woman of color from Nigeria, so while I don't know if she technically meets the criteria, but I consider this to be an #ownvoicesnovel
On to the review:
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is a mercurial adventure rife with tension in an intricately built world full of spying, action, tension, and mystery, with a smattering of will they/won't they, rivals to lovers romance.
Tropes:
West African Mr & Mrs Smith
Rivals-to-Lovers
Historical Fantasy
Found Family
Slow Burn
Secret Identity x
Synopsis:
Zair (a reviled half-blood) and Dathan are both top students at premier, rival military academies. Early on, Zair learns the attacks and kidnappings at various academies are the result of traitors. And she learns that her sister is a prime target for the traitor's next kidnapping. Zair's selected to go to the king's coronation as a spy on a mission to find out who the traitor is. That's when she meets Dathan, a rival spy from another academy, who has had hidden motives. Magic guards the halls of this palace full of people who covet power.
Tensions rise, danger escalates and then more students are kidnapped. Zair and Dathan realize they need to work together to stand a chance stopping the threat. The closer they get to finding the perpetuator, the more intense the tension between Zair and Dathan gets. What's Dathan's mission? Will Zair save her fellow students, her sister - while protecting her heart from the one person she can't afford to trust?
💬 Try not to be overwhelmed or intimidated
by the glossary in the very beginning. I gave it a cursory look and then started the book and had no problem. Everything you need to learn and know you get within the book itself.
💭 I loved this book. The politics were interesting, beautiful, well-built world, fun magic, diverse, well developed characters, a deep and layered plot... It has everything I love about fantasy. I'm incredibly excited for book 2, A Winter of White Ash, which releases in a couple days.
📖 The plot is beautiful woven, thick with layers and depth.
✍🏾 Accessibly written while not skimping on descriptive language, I found it to read smoothly and easily.
🗺️ Intricate worldbuilding laced with lore, political intrigue and betrayal - this book hits the mark here for me. Lucia handles it well and divvies it up so you don't get overwhelmed with too much info at once.
🔮 I cannot say how much I adore the magically guarded palace! Just the idea of it is so fun to me, but the way Lucia used it was great. I don't want to say anything specific because all my favorite magic things could be seen as spoiler-y.
⏳I thought it was well paced, moves quite quickly. Lucia uses plot, action, and characters to move the plot along.
👥 Diverse characters who are well developed, they're dimensional and real.
🎙️I quite enjoyed the dialogue. It matched the characters and story, as well as read smoothly.
💖 Rivals-to-Lovers done well is something I love, and this worked beautifully for me. I appreciate the slow burn, as I always prefer to get to see them grow and get to know one another.
🫑 There's a good bit of simmering tension, but otherwise I didn't find it spicy. The tension and kissing fit the characters and story, and that's what I want when it comes to spice.
📚 If you like: What Blooms from Death (S.M. Gaither), A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly (Sophia St. Germain), or The Ballan Desert series (S.C. Grayson), then I think you'd like this.
Thank you to @ Lucia Damisa @ Darkan Press and @ BookSprout for the opportunity to read this eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
#readingispolitical
Frtc - I need time to fully process and absorb this story. In-depth, well developed world, the characters were so well done, simmering in the background spicy tension to go along with the political intrigue and tension - great book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lucia is a woman of color from Nigeria, so while I don't know if she technically meets the criteria, but I consider this to be an #ownvoicesnovel
On to the review:
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is a mercurial adventure rife with tension in an intricately built world full of spying, action, tension, and mystery, with a smattering of will they/won't they, rivals to lovers romance.
Tropes:
West African Mr & Mrs Smith
Rivals-to-Lovers
Historical Fantasy
Found Family
Slow Burn
Secret Identity x
Synopsis:
Zair (a reviled half-blood) and Dathan are both top students at premier, rival military academies. Early on, Zair learns the attacks and kidnappings at various academies are the result of traitors. And she learns that her sister is a prime target for the traitor's next kidnapping. Zair's selected to go to the king's coronation as a spy on a mission to find out who the traitor is. That's when she meets Dathan, a rival spy from another academy, who has had hidden motives. Magic guards the halls of this palace full of people who covet power.
Tensions rise, danger escalates and then more students are kidnapped. Zair and Dathan realize they need to work together to stand a chance stopping the threat. The closer they get to finding the perpetuator, the more intense the tension between Zair and Dathan gets. What's Dathan's mission? Will Zair save her fellow students, her sister - while protecting her heart from the one person she can't afford to trust?
💬 Try not to be overwhelmed or intimidated
by the glossary in the very beginning. I gave it a cursory look and then started the book and had no problem. Everything you need to learn and know you get within the book itself.
💭 I loved this book. The politics were interesting, beautiful, well-built world, fun magic, diverse, well developed characters, a deep and layered plot... It has everything I love about fantasy. I'm incredibly excited for book 2, A Winter of White Ash, which releases in a couple days.
📖 The plot is beautiful woven, thick with layers and depth.
✍🏾 Accessibly written while not skimping on descriptive language, I found it to read smoothly and easily.
🗺️ Intricate worldbuilding laced with lore, political intrigue and betrayal - this book hits the mark here for me. Lucia handles it well and divvies it up so you don't get overwhelmed with too much info at once.
🔮 I cannot say how much I adore the magically guarded palace! Just the idea of it is so fun to me, but the way Lucia used it was great. I don't want to say anything specific because all my favorite magic things could be seen as spoiler-y.
⏳I thought it was well paced, moves quite quickly. Lucia uses plot, action, and characters to move the plot along.
👥 Diverse characters who are well developed, they're dimensional and real.
🎙️I quite enjoyed the dialogue. It matched the characters and story, as well as read smoothly.
💖 Rivals-to-Lovers done well is something I love, and this worked beautifully for me. I appreciate the slow burn, as I always prefer to get to see them grow and get to know one another.
🫑 There's a good bit of simmering tension, but otherwise I didn't find it spicy. The tension and kissing fit the characters and story, and that's what I want when it comes to spice.
📚 If you like: What Blooms from Death (S.M. Gaither), A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly (Sophia St. Germain), or The Ballan Desert series (S.C. Grayson), then I think you'd like this.
Thank you to @ Lucia Damisa @ Darkan Press and @ BookSprout for the opportunity to read this eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
#readingispolitical
Frtc - I need time to fully process and absorb this story. In-depth, well developed world, the characters were so well done, simmering in the background spicy tension to go along with the political intrigue and tension - great book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2025
Overview: Zair is the top student at an elite military academy, yet her half-blood heritage means she is reviled and overlooked by her teachers, peers and community. But when a band of mercenaries start attacking schools and kidnapping students, someone who is overlooked is the perfect spy to send into the palace for answers, and the King's coronation is the ideal setting.
As more students vanish, Zair realises the palace is a viper's pit of deceit—and she's not the only spy in its midst. She must work to uncover crucial secrets, while defending her family and heritage, and avoiding a shimmering energy between her and rival spy, Dathan, that threatens to unravel her focus and mission.
My thoughts: For a debut book, Damisa really swung for the fences.
This is a rich fantasy book with a ton of complex world-building. Was it intimidating and hard to get through at times? Yes, but it was absolutely worth it.
What I really loved about Damisa's approach is that they don't baby you with drawn-out explanations. The book is written in first-person, past tense, so as we're seeing the inner workings of our characters' minds, of course, they're not going to provide a history lesson on every detail or translate every word. It does mean you have to gather a bit more information or context from the story, but I prefer that to being removed from the narrative.
While I felt the writing could have been edited a smidge more, it was a really solid book. The characters were well thought out and even when they made frustrating decisions, they were true to their morals and you can see how they'd get there logically. They're also teenagers, so less annoying than "adults" in fantasy books making dumb choices.
On that point - the romance was pretty flawless. Again, there were some tropes, but they didn't feel forced - they were logical thought processes from teenagers. If you're looking for a slow-burn with plenty of yearning, this is for you, but don't expect a lot of spice. Again - teenagers.
My copy also included some artworks spaced throughout the chapters, which I didn't love. It took me out of the story and didn't feel high enough quality to do the book any favours.
This was a solid 3.5 but I rounded up because, as a debut book goes, this was beautifully executed.
Thanks so much to Netgalley, Lucia Damisa, and Darkan Press.
As more students vanish, Zair realises the palace is a viper's pit of deceit—and she's not the only spy in its midst. She must work to uncover crucial secrets, while defending her family and heritage, and avoiding a shimmering energy between her and rival spy, Dathan, that threatens to unravel her focus and mission.
My thoughts: For a debut book, Damisa really swung for the fences.
This is a rich fantasy book with a ton of complex world-building. Was it intimidating and hard to get through at times? Yes, but it was absolutely worth it.
What I really loved about Damisa's approach is that they don't baby you with drawn-out explanations. The book is written in first-person, past tense, so as we're seeing the inner workings of our characters' minds, of course, they're not going to provide a history lesson on every detail or translate every word. It does mean you have to gather a bit more information or context from the story, but I prefer that to being removed from the narrative.
While I felt the writing could have been edited a smidge more, it was a really solid book. The characters were well thought out and even when they made frustrating decisions, they were true to their morals and you can see how they'd get there logically. They're also teenagers, so less annoying than "adults" in fantasy books making dumb choices.
On that point - the romance was pretty flawless. Again, there were some tropes, but they didn't feel forced - they were logical thought processes from teenagers. If you're looking for a slow-burn with plenty of yearning, this is for you, but don't expect a lot of spice. Again - teenagers.
My copy also included some artworks spaced throughout the chapters, which I didn't love. It took me out of the story and didn't feel high enough quality to do the book any favours.
This was a solid 3.5 but I rounded up because, as a debut book goes, this was beautifully executed.
Thanks so much to Netgalley, Lucia Damisa, and Darkan Press.
October 10, 2025
4.75 ✨
Thank you to Darkan, Lucia Damisa and Netgalley for the Arc. All opinions are my own.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is a beautiful coming of age / historical fantasy novel full of characters who practically walk off the page, and a complex world you can taste and smell. The world may be a fantasy version of West Africa, but the political division, classism and suffering of the most vulnerable is very much steeped in reality. I would urge readers to read the author's note at the back, where she provides historical context to the world she's so expertly created.
The author's writing style pulls you straight into the world and story. Despite an intimidating amount of tribes, academies, and political roles to keep track of, Damisa guides you through her complex world in a way that you never feel lost, but still maintains a show don't tell prose that never veers in pure exposition. Despite the mythical creatures like wraiths, shapeshifters, and this world's version of fae, the historical grounding of the societal structure and political divides keeps the story feeling very rooted in reality. This is an excellent example of using the fantasy genre as a vehicle for examining real-world issues.
We have a dual first person POV between our two main characters, Zair and Dathan, and the author does an expert job at giving her characters each a unique voice. The character building overall is perfectly crafted, each of our characters have differing motivations and world views that give them such amazing depth. I've not yet read book 2, but I hope in the future the POVs will expand to include some of our beloved side characters.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is absolutely a fantasy novel first, with just a few dashes of romance. The focus is on complex world building, political intrigue, and three-dimensional characters with the romance being a natural occurrence rather than a focus. The romance we do get is very sweet in a first love way, and while we do get some much loved tropes (rivals to lovers, slow burn, mates/soulmates) if your a romance first kind of reader this may not be a top TBR contender. I personally loved the prioritisation of the world building as it ultimately made the romance feel more ingrained in the story.
All in all, I can't wait to see how our characters and the world progresses as the story continues.
Thank you to Darkan, Lucia Damisa and Netgalley for the Arc. All opinions are my own.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is a beautiful coming of age / historical fantasy novel full of characters who practically walk off the page, and a complex world you can taste and smell. The world may be a fantasy version of West Africa, but the political division, classism and suffering of the most vulnerable is very much steeped in reality. I would urge readers to read the author's note at the back, where she provides historical context to the world she's so expertly created.
The author's writing style pulls you straight into the world and story. Despite an intimidating amount of tribes, academies, and political roles to keep track of, Damisa guides you through her complex world in a way that you never feel lost, but still maintains a show don't tell prose that never veers in pure exposition. Despite the mythical creatures like wraiths, shapeshifters, and this world's version of fae, the historical grounding of the societal structure and political divides keeps the story feeling very rooted in reality. This is an excellent example of using the fantasy genre as a vehicle for examining real-world issues.
We have a dual first person POV between our two main characters, Zair and Dathan, and the author does an expert job at giving her characters each a unique voice. The character building overall is perfectly crafted, each of our characters have differing motivations and world views that give them such amazing depth. I've not yet read book 2, but I hope in the future the POVs will expand to include some of our beloved side characters.
A Desert of Bleeding Sand is absolutely a fantasy novel first, with just a few dashes of romance. The focus is on complex world building, political intrigue, and three-dimensional characters with the romance being a natural occurrence rather than a focus. The romance we do get is very sweet in a first love way, and while we do get some much loved tropes (rivals to lovers, slow burn, mates/soulmates) if your a romance first kind of reader this may not be a top TBR contender. I personally loved the prioritisation of the world building as it ultimately made the romance feel more ingrained in the story.
All in all, I can't wait to see how our characters and the world progresses as the story continues.
April 17, 2025
This African inspired historical fantasy swept me away on an adventure to a sentient palace in the Sahara Desert. The rival spies and their slowww burn romance, the found family, the high stakes court intrigue, I loved it all so much. The story draws attention to real events that occurred in Nigeria, the abduction of children from school by terrorists and subsequent abuse. My heart hurts for the children and their families. In the story, our main characters, themselves students of elite military academies that have been targeted, are dedicated to bringing them back no matter what. What ensues a dangerous game of espionage to unearth the traitors in the palace.
As intriguing and engaging as the plot is, the character development is given equal attention as both Zair and Dathan have had traumatizing childhoods and continue to live in fear of a prejudiced society. Zair especially I adored so much, her resilience to do what she knew was right in her heart regardless of the bias and mistreatment she endures from almost everyone due to her heritage. Dathan oh sweet boy fell so hard for Zair and despite being torn between his duty to his family and his heart, he showed up for her every single time. Green flags everywhere. The way they came to slowly trust each other and break down each other’s walls oof so so good.
An especially refreshing aspect was the monarchs of Thalesai were actually decent people and trying to be just rulers. There are villains everywhere but for once it’s not the king or his queen. The mythology and magical creatures of this world are intriguing and I’m excited to learn more about them. Especially Arno. And with that ending, I cannot wait for the sequel!
If you loved An Ember in the Ashes, consider adding this to your TBR. Thanks to RR Book Tours and the publisher for this eARC, thoughts are my own.
As intriguing and engaging as the plot is, the character development is given equal attention as both Zair and Dathan have had traumatizing childhoods and continue to live in fear of a prejudiced society. Zair especially I adored so much, her resilience to do what she knew was right in her heart regardless of the bias and mistreatment she endures from almost everyone due to her heritage. Dathan oh sweet boy fell so hard for Zair and despite being torn between his duty to his family and his heart, he showed up for her every single time. Green flags everywhere. The way they came to slowly trust each other and break down each other’s walls oof so so good.
An especially refreshing aspect was the monarchs of Thalesai were actually decent people and trying to be just rulers. There are villains everywhere but for once it’s not the king or his queen. The mythology and magical creatures of this world are intriguing and I’m excited to learn more about them. Especially Arno. And with that ending, I cannot wait for the sequel!
If you loved An Ember in the Ashes, consider adding this to your TBR. Thanks to RR Book Tours and the publisher for this eARC, thoughts are my own.
December 11, 2025
🌟✨ I just finished In the Glittering Sahara Palace and I am so totally obsessed! 💖 This book has everything — adventure, mystery, magic, and a hint of sweet romance that made my heart do flips. 💓🔥
Zair is such a fierce and inspiring heroine — a half-blood with incredible magical powers, determined to protect her friends and her beloved sister from dangerous enemies. 🌙 The setting in this shimmering desert palace is absolutely breathtaking — I could almost feel the warm sands, see the glittering lights, and hear the soft whispers of night magic. ✨ It’s like stepping into a fairy-tale world that’s both beautiful and deadly.
The story is full of twists and surprises! Zair joins forces with Dathan, a mysterious rival spy, and their chemistry is so intense — you can practically feel that electric pull between them, even as they race against time to stop the traitors. 💑🔮 But in a palace where everyone hides secrets and fights for power, trusting the wrong person could be dangerous. The tension between love and suspicion had me hooked!
The magic system is so cool and creative, adding this lush atmosphere that makes everything feel even more magical and dangerous. The suspense kept building with every new clue and betrayal, and I loved how the story balanced heart-stopping action with tender moments. 🖤
If you’re into stories about brave girls standing up against evil, secret plots that keep you guessing, and forbidden love in a stunning fantasy setting, you HAVE to read In the Glittering Sahara Palace. It’s a wild, beautiful adventure that will keep you turning pages late into the night! ✨
Totally recommend for anyone who loves magic, mystery, and a heroine who fights for what’s right — and for her heart! 💕🌟
Zair is such a fierce and inspiring heroine — a half-blood with incredible magical powers, determined to protect her friends and her beloved sister from dangerous enemies. 🌙 The setting in this shimmering desert palace is absolutely breathtaking — I could almost feel the warm sands, see the glittering lights, and hear the soft whispers of night magic. ✨ It’s like stepping into a fairy-tale world that’s both beautiful and deadly.
The story is full of twists and surprises! Zair joins forces with Dathan, a mysterious rival spy, and their chemistry is so intense — you can practically feel that electric pull between them, even as they race against time to stop the traitors. 💑🔮 But in a palace where everyone hides secrets and fights for power, trusting the wrong person could be dangerous. The tension between love and suspicion had me hooked!
The magic system is so cool and creative, adding this lush atmosphere that makes everything feel even more magical and dangerous. The suspense kept building with every new clue and betrayal, and I loved how the story balanced heart-stopping action with tender moments. 🖤
If you’re into stories about brave girls standing up against evil, secret plots that keep you guessing, and forbidden love in a stunning fantasy setting, you HAVE to read In the Glittering Sahara Palace. It’s a wild, beautiful adventure that will keep you turning pages late into the night! ✨
Totally recommend for anyone who loves magic, mystery, and a heroine who fights for what’s right — and for her heart! 💕🌟
April 4, 2025
I devoured A Desert of Bleeding Sand and was left completely breathless—sun-scorched, heart-punched, and utterly hooked. Lucia Damisa crafted a story that felt like it was written just for me—full of danger, desire, and secrets buried under glittering sand.
Zair is the kind of heroine I adore: fierce, flawed, and aching to protect the people she loves—even when the world deems her unworthy. Her power doesn’t just lie in her magic but in her stubborn fire, her raw vulnerability, and that constant feeling of being othered. I saw so much of myself in her need to prove she belongs, her battle to stay soft while navigating a world that demands steel.
And then there’s Dathan… oh, Dathan. I wanted to scream at him, trust him, and maybe kiss him all at once. The tension between him and Zair? Absolutely electric. The forced alliance, the unspoken pull, the “can I trust you or are you going to stab me in the back” dance—it had me clutching my Kindle like my life depended on it. Their chemistry burned just as hot as the Saharan sun.
But beyond the romance, this story thrums with stakes. The royal court is dripping with danger, and the magic has teeth. Every twist had me second-guessing, and the deeper Zair dug, the more I felt like I was right there beside her, trying to survive.
This book gave me the perfect blend of slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, palace intrigue, and gut-wrenching emotional depth. It made me feel everything. If you love stories where trust is a luxury, power is a weapon, and love grows like a stubborn flower in the sand—you need this book.
Lucia Damisa, you have my full attention. I’m ready for the next storm.
Zair is the kind of heroine I adore: fierce, flawed, and aching to protect the people she loves—even when the world deems her unworthy. Her power doesn’t just lie in her magic but in her stubborn fire, her raw vulnerability, and that constant feeling of being othered. I saw so much of myself in her need to prove she belongs, her battle to stay soft while navigating a world that demands steel.
And then there’s Dathan… oh, Dathan. I wanted to scream at him, trust him, and maybe kiss him all at once. The tension between him and Zair? Absolutely electric. The forced alliance, the unspoken pull, the “can I trust you or are you going to stab me in the back” dance—it had me clutching my Kindle like my life depended on it. Their chemistry burned just as hot as the Saharan sun.
But beyond the romance, this story thrums with stakes. The royal court is dripping with danger, and the magic has teeth. Every twist had me second-guessing, and the deeper Zair dug, the more I felt like I was right there beside her, trying to survive.
This book gave me the perfect blend of slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, palace intrigue, and gut-wrenching emotional depth. It made me feel everything. If you love stories where trust is a luxury, power is a weapon, and love grows like a stubborn flower in the sand—you need this book.
Lucia Damisa, you have my full attention. I’m ready for the next storm.
November 21, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
'A Desert of Bleeding Sands' is a very politics heavy, fantasy novel set in the fictional world of Thalesai. Here, there are several elite academies set in various provinces, that aim to produce the next generation of military personnel, medical professionals and engineers, to name a few, all with the purpose of improving the standing of humans in this world.
But the students of these academies are not safe- mercenary groups have been using powerful magic to kidnap students from the academies, and when Zair's sister is harmed in one of these attacks, she becomes determined to uncover the plot at hand and do all she can to protect her sister from being taken by the mercenaries.
What ensues is a gripping tale of espionage, deceit and adventure, all in the setting of the new king of Thelesai's formal coronation onto the throne.
I really enjoyed the political. focus that the novel had, as I have been finding that element to be lacking in the books I've been reading lately. I will say that the beginning was a bit confusing, given the sort of information dump that occurs in order for the reader to become situated within the novel. But after a few chapters I became familiar with the characters and places, and didn't find the scale of the world to be as daunting.
The mystery of the novel was well executed and had me second guessing many characters as the novel progressed. The cliffhanger ending, while in some ways expected, was still very frustrating as now I have to wait an indeterminable amount of time to pick up the next book!
'A Desert of Bleeding Sands' is a very politics heavy, fantasy novel set in the fictional world of Thalesai. Here, there are several elite academies set in various provinces, that aim to produce the next generation of military personnel, medical professionals and engineers, to name a few, all with the purpose of improving the standing of humans in this world.
But the students of these academies are not safe- mercenary groups have been using powerful magic to kidnap students from the academies, and when Zair's sister is harmed in one of these attacks, she becomes determined to uncover the plot at hand and do all she can to protect her sister from being taken by the mercenaries.
What ensues is a gripping tale of espionage, deceit and adventure, all in the setting of the new king of Thelesai's formal coronation onto the throne.
I really enjoyed the political. focus that the novel had, as I have been finding that element to be lacking in the books I've been reading lately. I will say that the beginning was a bit confusing, given the sort of information dump that occurs in order for the reader to become situated within the novel. But after a few chapters I became familiar with the characters and places, and didn't find the scale of the world to be as daunting.
The mystery of the novel was well executed and had me second guessing many characters as the novel progressed. The cliffhanger ending, while in some ways expected, was still very frustrating as now I have to wait an indeterminable amount of time to pick up the next book!
April 15, 2025
The world and the characters in this book were both beautifully done. It’s not heavy with exposition but the desert with the varying human tribes and deep personal motivations of each character shines to create a story rich in history and character growth.
The writing itself is light and easy to read. A few of the transitions were a little rough but even as the story progresses, I can see Lucia perfecting her craft.
As for the genre, I love romance in fantasy as I feel it’s a part of the overall worldbuilding, but I’m cautious in reading romantasy because I find the romance often overpowers the rest of the story. Having followed Lucia Damisa’s blog for a while, I was hopeful that she’d strike a balance and I was not disappointed. The romance between Zair and Dathan is a sweet element, slowly growing while it’s woven into the rest of the story of spies and intrigue.
Lastly, I don’t want to put any spoilers here, but I would also like to encourage readers to read the author’s note at the end of the book. They say to write what you know and, although this is fantasy, real life elements are threaded through the story in such a way as to give voice to cruelties that were ignored or given little attention in the real world.
Overall, this is a strong debut novel and I look forward to reading book 2 later this year.
The writing itself is light and easy to read. A few of the transitions were a little rough but even as the story progresses, I can see Lucia perfecting her craft.
As for the genre, I love romance in fantasy as I feel it’s a part of the overall worldbuilding, but I’m cautious in reading romantasy because I find the romance often overpowers the rest of the story. Having followed Lucia Damisa’s blog for a while, I was hopeful that she’d strike a balance and I was not disappointed. The romance between Zair and Dathan is a sweet element, slowly growing while it’s woven into the rest of the story of spies and intrigue.
Lastly, I don’t want to put any spoilers here, but I would also like to encourage readers to read the author’s note at the end of the book. They say to write what you know and, although this is fantasy, real life elements are threaded through the story in such a way as to give voice to cruelties that were ignored or given little attention in the real world.
Overall, this is a strong debut novel and I look forward to reading book 2 later this year.
April 1, 2025
🔖REVIEW
I just read one of the most beautiful fantasy book of my entire life!
Safe to say I haven’t read much fantasy books at all because I have never been a fan but I chose to apply to arc read this book because of the book cover.
I have always been a girl teased by colors and details and I loved it about this book cover.
Lucia Damisa is a Gem!
I devoured this book. The description made me feel like I was in it… the main character if you will!
It gave me a bit of Dune and Mr and Mrs smith all in one delightful package.
I cannot believe this is your debut book, it is beautiful and you have to give me a sequel as soon as possible.
Ending it the way you did is Diabolical!
I absolutely enjoyed reading and weeping with the characters and I will be reading more from the author.
Chef’s kiss on your author’s note and how well you managed to merge the things you spoke about into your book!
Chef’s kiss on the depth you gave both characters. I loved Zair and Dathan and I felt their plight and joy throughout the book.
Thank you,Author and best believe that you just found yourself a staunch fan.
I will be rating this book a 5/5 and you need to read it, you guys!
I just read one of the most beautiful fantasy book of my entire life!
Safe to say I haven’t read much fantasy books at all because I have never been a fan but I chose to apply to arc read this book because of the book cover.
I have always been a girl teased by colors and details and I loved it about this book cover.
Lucia Damisa is a Gem!
I devoured this book. The description made me feel like I was in it… the main character if you will!
It gave me a bit of Dune and Mr and Mrs smith all in one delightful package.
I cannot believe this is your debut book, it is beautiful and you have to give me a sequel as soon as possible.
Ending it the way you did is Diabolical!
I absolutely enjoyed reading and weeping with the characters and I will be reading more from the author.
Chef’s kiss on your author’s note and how well you managed to merge the things you spoke about into your book!
Chef’s kiss on the depth you gave both characters. I loved Zair and Dathan and I felt their plight and joy throughout the book.
Thank you,Author and best believe that you just found yourself a staunch fan.
I will be rating this book a 5/5 and you need to read it, you guys!
October 2, 2025
Thank you to Book Sirens for the ARC.
Plot 4.5/5
Characters 4.5/5
Ending 4.25/5 Interest 4.25/5
Overall 4.25/5
-The plot line was so intriguing. I really wanted to love this book and in the end I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite there being some moments where I lost interested. As a whole, the story was quite slow paced at times but there was still quite a lot of intrigue at its core. The plot line of the scholars being spies and then entering the domain fo kings and queens, the stakes were high.
-I really liked the characters. From the start I could feel the rivalry between Zair and Dathan. They essentially have the same objective but demanded rom different people, and adding the fact that they are respectively the best scholars of their school. But I really liked how Dathan had immediately noticed Zair. The side characters were also interesting and I enjoyed their participation in the main storyline.
-The ending had quite a lot of twists and turns which had spun the spying story line in its head. I was really anticipating certain things happening but then another element adds itself to the story so my predictions then changed. I would love to read more of these characters and this world.
Plot 4.5/5
Characters 4.5/5
Ending 4.25/5 Interest 4.25/5
Overall 4.25/5
-The plot line was so intriguing. I really wanted to love this book and in the end I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite there being some moments where I lost interested. As a whole, the story was quite slow paced at times but there was still quite a lot of intrigue at its core. The plot line of the scholars being spies and then entering the domain fo kings and queens, the stakes were high.
-I really liked the characters. From the start I could feel the rivalry between Zair and Dathan. They essentially have the same objective but demanded rom different people, and adding the fact that they are respectively the best scholars of their school. But I really liked how Dathan had immediately noticed Zair. The side characters were also interesting and I enjoyed their participation in the main storyline.
-The ending had quite a lot of twists and turns which had spun the spying story line in its head. I was really anticipating certain things happening but then another element adds itself to the story so my predictions then changed. I would love to read more of these characters and this world.
March 24, 2025
A thrilling and atmospheric debut. I was captivated the whole time, particularly by the growing relationship between Zair and Dathan. The burn is slow, but the connection is immediate and enthralling. I can’t wait to see how it continues to develop over the course of the series.
The Sahara-inspired setting is a fresh one you don’t see much of in romantasy, yet it fits so well with the genre. The author describes it vividly, but also trusts her audience and doesn’t over explain.
There is an occasional dialogue issue, like you see with a lot of debut writers, where she tries to hide information in dialogue instead of exposition dumps, and it results in chunks of conversations that are blatantly Not How People Actually Speak. This is particularly noticeable in the opening pages - push through, the rest is well worth it.
Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 0/5
Tropes:
- Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
- Games and trials
- Fake engagement
- Deadly magical beasts
- Spy vs spy
- Fated mates
- Hurt/comfort
- Sentient magical powers
Thank you to Darkan Press and RR Tours for the chance to read an advanced copy.
The Sahara-inspired setting is a fresh one you don’t see much of in romantasy, yet it fits so well with the genre. The author describes it vividly, but also trusts her audience and doesn’t over explain.
There is an occasional dialogue issue, like you see with a lot of debut writers, where she tries to hide information in dialogue instead of exposition dumps, and it results in chunks of conversations that are blatantly Not How People Actually Speak. This is particularly noticeable in the opening pages - push through, the rest is well worth it.
Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 0/5
Tropes:
- Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
- Games and trials
- Fake engagement
- Deadly magical beasts
- Spy vs spy
- Fated mates
- Hurt/comfort
- Sentient magical powers
Thank you to Darkan Press and RR Tours for the chance to read an advanced copy.
March 30, 2025
A refreshing wild ride into an immersive world full of action and surprise. A beautifully crafted story with nostalgic elements sprinkled in. The deep rooted history of the tribes, and different beings added to the motivations of political turmoil. This book keeps you turning every page in anticipation for what’s to come!
The characters and the tension between them was wonderful. My heart wrenched every time the FMC was discriminated against due to the tribal roots, and you feel the emotions surging and shifting. The MMC was instantly one of my favorites, he was so relatable and desiring to say the least. The strength and connection in even the unexpected teamwork was amazing to feel a part of both worlds. (You’ll understand this reference after reading)
Don’t even get me started in the world building… I could feel the atmosphere, the heat, the colors, even the dust.. Admittedly, the glossary at the beginning had me taken aback, BUT so incredibly useful! There is concise historical roots of all the different kinds of beings. Yes beings; Fae, wraiths, shapeshifters, and beasts! Overall an incredible book! Can’t wait for book 2!
The characters and the tension between them was wonderful. My heart wrenched every time the FMC was discriminated against due to the tribal roots, and you feel the emotions surging and shifting. The MMC was instantly one of my favorites, he was so relatable and desiring to say the least. The strength and connection in even the unexpected teamwork was amazing to feel a part of both worlds. (You’ll understand this reference after reading)
Don’t even get me started in the world building… I could feel the atmosphere, the heat, the colors, even the dust.. Admittedly, the glossary at the beginning had me taken aback, BUT so incredibly useful! There is concise historical roots of all the different kinds of beings. Yes beings; Fae, wraiths, shapeshifters, and beasts! Overall an incredible book! Can’t wait for book 2!
June 27, 2025
A Desert of Bleeding Sand follows Zair, a young, mixed race girl, in military school. Zair is mixed with Aziza, magical beings, typically pitted against humans. For this, Zair is often maltreated and marginalized, even in her own community. We learn there is a faction attacking the military school and kidnapping students. No one seems to be able to stop the attacks. Zair is chosen by her commander to go undercover to infiltrate the Sand Palace and find out who is involved in the kidnappings. Zair thinks she was chosen because of her heritage, but decides it’s the best way she can protect the people she loves, so she agrees. Her ‘cover story’ is attending the coronation of a new king and queen at the palace. Once there, she meets Dathan, a young man chosen by his military academy to attend the coronation – and to be a spy as well. The two bump heads but soon realize they work better together..mostly.
Pros/Cons: First, the world building jumps off the page! The story of these people is deep and lush with descriptions of their history, lands, languages and traditions. The description of the Sand Palace and how it comes to life like a sentient being to protect the people inside of it is beautiful! The power plays between the characters in the palace, trusted allies to enemies, the queens conflict, even the background of Zair and Dathan – wonderfully detailed. In the beginning I was overwhelmed with the detail but, as the story deepens, I got absorbed in it and enjoyed the ride!
full review @ shesreadingnow.wordpress.com
Pros/Cons: First, the world building jumps off the page! The story of these people is deep and lush with descriptions of their history, lands, languages and traditions. The description of the Sand Palace and how it comes to life like a sentient being to protect the people inside of it is beautiful! The power plays between the characters in the palace, trusted allies to enemies, the queens conflict, even the background of Zair and Dathan – wonderfully detailed. In the beginning I was overwhelmed with the detail but, as the story deepens, I got absorbed in it and enjoyed the ride!
full review @ shesreadingnow.wordpress.com
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