What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ballan Desert #1
Blood of the Sands
Keera is used to protecting herself from the dangers of the Ballan desert. Guarding her heart may be the most difficult challenge of all.
Keera is an exile struggling to survive, forced to rob passing travelers or face starvation. When she steals from the wrong man—a vicious masked warrior named the Viper—his hand around her throat awakens an ancient magic within her, and she uses it to escape his clutches. Now, Keera must master her power to protect the city of Kelvadan—the only place an exile like her can find a home—from the Viper and his growing army.
The Viper serves the magic of the desert, but the sins of the past threaten to destroy it. To protect his home, he will do everything it takes, even marching on the great city of Kelvadan. However, the real key to healing the desert’s magic might lie in the infuriating but intriguing exile who slipped through his fingers and now fights for his sworn enemies.
Keera and the Viper are on opposite sides of a war to save the Ballan desert, but the strange bond they share could be the key to saving their home—or destroying their world as they know it.
Blood of the Sands is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent and L.J. Andrews..
Keera is an exile struggling to survive, forced to rob passing travelers or face starvation. When she steals from the wrong man—a vicious masked warrior named the Viper—his hand around her throat awakens an ancient magic within her, and she uses it to escape his clutches. Now, Keera must master her power to protect the city of Kelvadan—the only place an exile like her can find a home—from the Viper and his growing army.
The Viper serves the magic of the desert, but the sins of the past threaten to destroy it. To protect his home, he will do everything it takes, even marching on the great city of Kelvadan. However, the real key to healing the desert’s magic might lie in the infuriating but intriguing exile who slipped through his fingers and now fights for his sworn enemies.
Keera and the Viper are on opposite sides of a war to save the Ballan desert, but the strange bond they share could be the key to saving their home—or destroying their world as they know it.
Blood of the Sands is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent and L.J. Andrews..
417 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2024
792 people are currently reading
8930 people want to read
About the author
S.C. Grayson
10 books204 followersI've been reading fantasy novels since I was a little girl stealing books from my older sister’s shelves, and that has developed into a love of writing and storytelling. My writing is currently focused on fantasy and paranormal romance. When I'm not sitting in a local coffee shop writing and consuming an iced americano, I am a nurse researcher focused on breast cancer genetics. Though born and raised in the Chicago area, I live in Maryland with my loving husband and our two cats, who enjoy contributing to my work by walking across my keyboard at inopportune moments (the cats, not the husband).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 410 reviews
February 3, 2025
Obsessed doesn’t even begin to cover it. I loved every freaking moment of this story and need the next one like yesterday!!!
interested-in
November 4, 2025desert fantasy + masked warrior mmc .. i approve 🤭
August 6, 2025
**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑺.𝑪. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒔𝒐𝒏 (𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒕 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 1)
Release Date: September 17, 2024
5⭐️4🌶
This desert fantasy is enthralling! Keera was abandoned in the desert a long time ago by her clan. She has spent many years in the desert alone. Barely making it with the scant food and water she can find. Everything changes for her when The Viper finds her in her little oasis as he travels back to his clan. He initially planned on killing her, because she had seen him without his mask, but he decided to keep her and give her to his clan as a desert sacrifice.
This book is fast paced and does not leave fantasy lovers wanting. With the harsh climate of the desert and the MCs ability to use magic? I was very much entertained.
I recommend this book for all Danielle L. Jensen fans!
Release Date: September 17, 2024
5⭐️4🌶
This desert fantasy is enthralling! Keera was abandoned in the desert a long time ago by her clan. She has spent many years in the desert alone. Barely making it with the scant food and water she can find. Everything changes for her when The Viper finds her in her little oasis as he travels back to his clan. He initially planned on killing her, because she had seen him without his mask, but he decided to keep her and give her to his clan as a desert sacrifice.
This book is fast paced and does not leave fantasy lovers wanting. With the harsh climate of the desert and the MCs ability to use magic? I was very much entertained.
I recommend this book for all Danielle L. Jensen fans!
October 29, 2024
4.5.
As a romantasy, this hit all the right notes for me.
The trouble with the genre, since it has exploded massively, is that some books are far cheesier than others. Everyone loves a trope in this genre, but those tropes have to be done right, and striking the balance can be hit or miss. More often miss, to be honest.
One of my biggest issues with the genre is the over blown special snowflake of a FMC - they are the most beautiful, the most talented, the most perfect, the more desirable etc etc etc, and the super cheesy trope male character of the broody, drop dead gorgeous, emotionally unavailable, 8 million abs and golden eyes and a musky scent you hear about every 2 pages... I think you get my point. Those things tend to drive me a little nuts.
What was refreshing about this series is a great enemies to lovers, which was actually enemies to lovers, where both characters were flawed and just trying their best in very different, but equally challenging circumstances. Their characterisation, and eventually relationship with each other, felt realistic and strangely simple. There was next to no unnecessary drama and their relationship was as much about their emotional connection as the physical. There was some spice, but at a pace that felt believable and that went alongside all other aspects of their relationship development.
The world building was decent with a plot that moved along well. The ending managed to not be too frustrating, and set up the next book well.
Ultimately, if you enjoy this genre and don't just want a super cheesy relationship filled with overblown descriptions, that relies on sex scenes only to pretty much draw the reader in, then give this a try.
As a romantasy, this hit all the right notes for me.
The trouble with the genre, since it has exploded massively, is that some books are far cheesier than others. Everyone loves a trope in this genre, but those tropes have to be done right, and striking the balance can be hit or miss. More often miss, to be honest.
One of my biggest issues with the genre is the over blown special snowflake of a FMC - they are the most beautiful, the most talented, the most perfect, the more desirable etc etc etc, and the super cheesy trope male character of the broody, drop dead gorgeous, emotionally unavailable, 8 million abs and golden eyes and a musky scent you hear about every 2 pages... I think you get my point. Those things tend to drive me a little nuts.
What was refreshing about this series is a great enemies to lovers, which was actually enemies to lovers, where both characters were flawed and just trying their best in very different, but equally challenging circumstances. Their characterisation, and eventually relationship with each other, felt realistic and strangely simple. There was next to no unnecessary drama and their relationship was as much about their emotional connection as the physical. There was some spice, but at a pace that felt believable and that went alongside all other aspects of their relationship development.
The world building was decent with a plot that moved along well. The ending managed to not be too frustrating, and set up the next book well.
Ultimately, if you enjoy this genre and don't just want a super cheesy relationship filled with overblown descriptions, that relies on sex scenes only to pretty much draw the reader in, then give this a try.
May 15, 2025
C’est sans doute une des plus belles réécritures reylo que j’ai jamais lu.
C’est un slow burn ennemies to lovers de QUALITÉ. La protagoniste est sans foi ni loi, le prota masculin est sombre et torturé, et pourtant, ils n’ont pas le choix que de travailler ensemble lors d’un évènement se déroulant dans le désert dans lequel ils vivent.
Une ambiance dune x star wars 😩 incroyable
PAING/5
(J’avais zappé de poster ma review)
C’est un slow burn ennemies to lovers de QUALITÉ. La protagoniste est sans foi ni loi, le prota masculin est sombre et torturé, et pourtant, ils n’ont pas le choix que de travailler ensemble lors d’un évènement se déroulant dans le désert dans lequel ils vivent.
Une ambiance dune x star wars 😩 incroyable
PAING/5
(J’avais zappé de poster ma review)
April 22, 2025
⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎5 sandy stars☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Starting this off by saying I cannot recommend Blood of the Sands enough. Truly one of the best books I’ve read in a LONG while. A bold, proud, and enthusiastic 5 from me. To be clear, I don’t give out 5’s easy. Actually, I rarely give them out, maybe 2-3 a year. (This is the second book I’m giving 5 stars this week, who am I?)
Blood of the Sands is romantic, somewhat spicy, and so fuckin cool. Pardon my language, but this was just an incredibly well thought out book from start to finish. I don’t want to spoil much (so I’m being intentionally vague), but the settings, events, and characters are all top tier.
The 3 acts in this book are verrryy important. The first is incredible world building, the second is competitive action, and the third is where romance stops playing peek-a-boo. If you’re looking to swoon from start to finish- this ain’t it, but my goodness is the buildup good. This is alternating POV’s by chapter, and I’ve never read it done better. There is just enough overlap to keep things clear, but no wasted time at all.
The scenery and settings are described in incredible detail; every location was easily visualized and vibrant. I could literally imagine the individual grains of sand. Success was also had with the storytelling/lore. I mean come on, the retelling of how the great city was created? Holy shit. Every other author should take notes. That’s how you tell a story.
While this is incredible, and I wouldn’t change a thing, the first 36% is slower than the rest. If you make it past that point, the games begin and the story heats up. Minor spoiler, maybe? But chapter 11 made me rage. I was so mad I put this book down for several days and had to regroup. I haven’t been that enraged by fiction in a good minute.
Our characters were incredibly well written, and I wasn’t annoyed by either one. In this house, we love a couple who defend each other, and so we adore Keera and Erix. One thing I dislike with a passion is the name Erix. Like bro, why are x’s so hot right now? Usually I’m opposed to MC’s being separate for large chunks of a book, but this was handled really well.
I’m quite desperate for the sequel, so if that could come out…maybe tomorrow? Yeah, that would be fantastic! Oh, no? There’s no release date? I’ll just go find a sandbox to cry in. If you see a grown woman sobbing at your local park, please carry on and don’t call the cops.
Starting this off by saying I cannot recommend Blood of the Sands enough. Truly one of the best books I’ve read in a LONG while. A bold, proud, and enthusiastic 5 from me. To be clear, I don’t give out 5’s easy. Actually, I rarely give them out, maybe 2-3 a year. (This is the second book I’m giving 5 stars this week, who am I?)
Blood of the Sands is romantic, somewhat spicy, and so fuckin cool. Pardon my language, but this was just an incredibly well thought out book from start to finish. I don’t want to spoil much (so I’m being intentionally vague), but the settings, events, and characters are all top tier.
The 3 acts in this book are verrryy important. The first is incredible world building, the second is competitive action, and the third is where romance stops playing peek-a-boo. If you’re looking to swoon from start to finish- this ain’t it, but my goodness is the buildup good. This is alternating POV’s by chapter, and I’ve never read it done better. There is just enough overlap to keep things clear, but no wasted time at all.
The scenery and settings are described in incredible detail; every location was easily visualized and vibrant. I could literally imagine the individual grains of sand. Success was also had with the storytelling/lore. I mean come on, the retelling of how the great city was created? Holy shit. Every other author should take notes. That’s how you tell a story.
While this is incredible, and I wouldn’t change a thing, the first 36% is slower than the rest. If you make it past that point, the games begin and the story heats up. Minor spoiler, maybe? But chapter 11 made me rage. I was so mad I put this book down for several days and had to regroup. I haven’t been that enraged by fiction in a good minute.
Our characters were incredibly well written, and I wasn’t annoyed by either one. In this house, we love a couple who defend each other, and so we adore Keera and Erix. One thing I dislike with a passion is the name Erix. Like bro, why are x’s so hot right now? Usually I’m opposed to MC’s being separate for large chunks of a book, but this was handled really well.
I’m quite desperate for the sequel, so if that could come out…maybe tomorrow? Yeah, that would be fantastic! Oh, no? There’s no release date? I’ll just go find a sandbox to cry in. If you see a grown woman sobbing at your local park, please carry on and don’t call the cops.
September 16, 2024
This is set in a fascinating desert, where both magic and survival come with high stakes. This has wonderfully interesting world-building, which I did not expect. The desert feels vivid and alive, a harsh and mystical place that truly shapes the story. It's a mysterious character unto itself.
I especially adored Keera as a protagonist, who shines as a young woman seeking survival and a home after being abandoned in the desert. She and The Viper both have a magical tie to the desert and I like how they bond over it. Her journey from exile to potential savior is compelling, and her growth, especially as she grapples with her newfound powers, adds a satisfying layer to the story. The Viper's identity reveal is another high point, and while his motivations may feel a bit immature, it makes sense considering his history.
While the romance is strong and I adored the yearning, the pacing of their journey together loses momentum. The looming war and larger stakes seem to fall to the background at a time when the romance takes center stage. It’s one of those instances where balancing personal and larger plot conflicts could have been tighter, spacing out the romantic tension alongside the epic stakes.
Still, it’s a fun read with memorable characters and an exciting setting, and the blend of magic and looming conflict keeps the story engaging. I imagine the next book will build on this momentum, hopefully with a sharper focus on the plot and pacing.
Thank you The Nerd Fam and Aethon Books for the gifted book. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary. All opinions are my own.
I especially adored Keera as a protagonist, who shines as a young woman seeking survival and a home after being abandoned in the desert. She and The Viper both have a magical tie to the desert and I like how they bond over it. Her journey from exile to potential savior is compelling, and her growth, especially as she grapples with her newfound powers, adds a satisfying layer to the story. The Viper's identity reveal is another high point, and while his motivations may feel a bit immature, it makes sense considering his history.
While the romance is strong and I adored the yearning, the pacing of their journey together loses momentum. The looming war and larger stakes seem to fall to the background at a time when the romance takes center stage. It’s one of those instances where balancing personal and larger plot conflicts could have been tighter, spacing out the romantic tension alongside the epic stakes.
Still, it’s a fun read with memorable characters and an exciting setting, and the blend of magic and looming conflict keeps the story engaging. I imagine the next book will build on this momentum, hopefully with a sharper focus on the plot and pacing.
Thank you The Nerd Fam and Aethon Books for the gifted book. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary. All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2024
'I had intended to conquer her, but now I was the one begging.'
Talk about a SLOW BURN!!! I loved a good romantasy slow burn, and this one checked all the boxes.
I loved Keera's character, the FMC. She just wants someone to want her for who she is, not what she can do. She is an FMC that was easy to relate to in the sense everyone just wants somewhere they belong and can be themselves.
The Viper, the mmc, tries to be the villain, but I think he's secretly a cinnamon roll under that mask. * I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)* .
I feel like this magic system was pretty unique and I enjoyed reading it! With the way book 1 ended, I can't wait to see what happens in the next one!
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Clan Politics
Unique Magic
Trials
Touch Her & Die
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for sending me an ARC to review!
Talk about a SLOW BURN!!! I loved a good romantasy slow burn, and this one checked all the boxes.
I loved Keera's character, the FMC. She just wants someone to want her for who she is, not what she can do. She is an FMC that was easy to relate to in the sense everyone just wants somewhere they belong and can be themselves.
The Viper, the mmc, tries to be the villain, but I think he's secretly a cinnamon roll under that mask. * I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)* .
I feel like this magic system was pretty unique and I enjoyed reading it! With the way book 1 ended, I can't wait to see what happens in the next one!
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Clan Politics
Unique Magic
Trials
Touch Her & Die
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for sending me an ARC to review!
July 20, 2025
What a gem of a story! Blood of the Sands by S.C. Grayson completely swept me away with its rich desert setting, sizzling slow-burn romance, and unique magic system.
The story follows Keera, an exiled thief just trying to survive, and the masked warrior known only as the Viper. When a violent encounter between them awakens strange magic in Keera, they’re pulled into opposite sides of a war brewing across the Ballan desert. As tensions rise and loyalties blur, the ancient bond forming between them might be the only thing that can save or doom them both.
One of my favorite things about this book is how alive the desert feels. It's more than a backdrop, it’s a character in its own right. The desert is harsh, mysterious, and sometimes cruel, but also deeply loved by both protagonists. The magic system is beautifully tied to it, and I loved the inclusion of desert creatures and how the land itself seemed to have a will of its own. It felt so fresh compared to typical fantasy settings!
We get both Keera's and the Viper's POVs, and I adored both! Keera is a fierce survivor who just wants a place to belong, while the Viper is desperate to find someone he can truly trust. Their romance is one of the highlights of the book! It’s a true enemies-to-lovers slow burn that sizzles. Their chemistry builds through shared dreams, mutual respect, and deep emotional connection. By the end, they would do anything for each other. Especially the Viper... he is so down bad, and I loved every second of it! (Also, as someone picky about spice, I really enjoyed it 👀)
The worldbuilding was solid, too. We get glimpses of life in both the desert clans and the city of Kelvadan (plus some insight into what happens outside of the desert), and I appreciated how morally complex both sides of the war were. There’s no clear “right” or “wrong,” which made the political tension more engaging.
My only real critique is the pacing. While the book starts strong, it's only around the 40% mark that it really picks up. The middle section felt a bit slow, and the final climax, while intense, lost a bit of momentum. Still, the ending left me eager for more, and luckily I have the ARC of the sequel!
Highly recommend if you love emotionally-charged fantasy romance, solid worldbuilding, and complex, passionate characters!
Thank you NetGalley and the author for the eARC!
The story follows Keera, an exiled thief just trying to survive, and the masked warrior known only as the Viper. When a violent encounter between them awakens strange magic in Keera, they’re pulled into opposite sides of a war brewing across the Ballan desert. As tensions rise and loyalties blur, the ancient bond forming between them might be the only thing that can save or doom them both.
One of my favorite things about this book is how alive the desert feels. It's more than a backdrop, it’s a character in its own right. The desert is harsh, mysterious, and sometimes cruel, but also deeply loved by both protagonists. The magic system is beautifully tied to it, and I loved the inclusion of desert creatures and how the land itself seemed to have a will of its own. It felt so fresh compared to typical fantasy settings!
We get both Keera's and the Viper's POVs, and I adored both! Keera is a fierce survivor who just wants a place to belong, while the Viper is desperate to find someone he can truly trust. Their romance is one of the highlights of the book! It’s a true enemies-to-lovers slow burn that sizzles. Their chemistry builds through shared dreams, mutual respect, and deep emotional connection. By the end, they would do anything for each other. Especially the Viper... he is so down bad, and I loved every second of it! (Also, as someone picky about spice, I really enjoyed it 👀)
The worldbuilding was solid, too. We get glimpses of life in both the desert clans and the city of Kelvadan (plus some insight into what happens outside of the desert), and I appreciated how morally complex both sides of the war were. There’s no clear “right” or “wrong,” which made the political tension more engaging.
My only real critique is the pacing. While the book starts strong, it's only around the 40% mark that it really picks up. The middle section felt a bit slow, and the final climax, while intense, lost a bit of momentum. Still, the ending left me eager for more, and luckily I have the ARC of the sequel!
Highly recommend if you love emotionally-charged fantasy romance, solid worldbuilding, and complex, passionate characters!
Thank you NetGalley and the author for the eARC!
September 20, 2024
Hated it.
It took like over 100 pages for anything to get interesting. The chemistry was good between the FMC & MMC but the story was everywhere and it ended on a cliff hanger and it was just annoying at the end. Idk when book 2 will be released but I’m not reading it. I had such high hopes !!
It took like over 100 pages for anything to get interesting. The chemistry was good between the FMC & MMC but the story was everywhere and it ended on a cliff hanger and it was just annoying at the end. Idk when book 2 will be released but I’m not reading it. I had such high hopes !!
March 26, 2025
this began with so much mystery and intrigue! i was invested in finding out more about keera being an exile, and could relate to her life as a transplant. i really enjoyed learning about the magic system within not only the ballan desert, but also within it’s clans. the desert companions really were the found family in this 🥺 and the desert monsters were pretty epic as well! i did struggle a bit through the middle of this, and was underwhelmed by a few reveals. a lot was foreshadowed early on, and i unfortunately picked up on all of it 😅
this book will definitely challenge the core of your humanity. it was hard to decide which side to be on at times.. i felt both sides were pretty awful in their own ways? but it was also clear their bad decisions were all rooted in good intentions? which could have been the authors goal! i was just left feeling very conflicted. i’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out in book two! i hope we get more of the FMC and MMC together on page, i love their connection so much!
⏳ slow burn
⏳ competition trials
⏳ mysterious identities
⏳ enemies/allies to lovers
⏳ trainer x trainee
💭 “i’ve suffered a lot in my life,” she observed. “i don’t know yet if it’s made me strong. is all that pain noble, or does it just hurt?”
this book will definitely challenge the core of your humanity. it was hard to decide which side to be on at times.. i felt both sides were pretty awful in their own ways? but it was also clear their bad decisions were all rooted in good intentions? which could have been the authors goal! i was just left feeling very conflicted. i’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out in book two! i hope we get more of the FMC and MMC together on page, i love their connection so much!
⏳ slow burn
⏳ competition trials
⏳ mysterious identities
⏳ enemies/allies to lovers
⏳ trainer x trainee
💭 “i’ve suffered a lot in my life,” she observed. “i don’t know yet if it’s made me strong. is all that pain noble, or does it just hurt?”
November 5, 2024
"The desert gives and it takes."
4☆ 🌶🌶
This was such a fun read! I was instantly pulled into the story. The world is so interesting. The magic comes from the desert and it's unlike anything I've read before. The characters are complex. I love a FMC that can handle herself. Keera was strong and capable. The Viper was guarded, masked and morally grey. This is plot heavy with lots of trials, training and politics. I couldn't put it down. I am so curious to see where the story goes. Definitely recommend checking this book out if you're looking for a new romantasy series.
-Dual pov
-Slow burn
-High stakes tournament
-Magical desert
-Mythical creatures
-Forced proximity
-Warring clans
Fav quotes
“You don’t need to be fixed. You just need to be loved.”
“I never thought I would care for anything as much as I cared for the desert,”... “but you are just as wild and twice as beautiful.”
4☆ 🌶🌶
This was such a fun read! I was instantly pulled into the story. The world is so interesting. The magic comes from the desert and it's unlike anything I've read before. The characters are complex. I love a FMC that can handle herself. Keera was strong and capable. The Viper was guarded, masked and morally grey. This is plot heavy with lots of trials, training and politics. I couldn't put it down. I am so curious to see where the story goes. Definitely recommend checking this book out if you're looking for a new romantasy series.
-Dual pov
-Slow burn
-High stakes tournament
-Magical desert
-Mythical creatures
-Forced proximity
-Warring clans
Fav quotes
“You don’t need to be fixed. You just need to be loved.”
“I never thought I would care for anything as much as I cared for the desert,”... “but you are just as wild and twice as beautiful.”
July 24, 2025
Rating: 2.25⭐
I went into this book really wanting to love it. The premise had so much potential: a unique desert-based magic system, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, intense trials, and a female main character who grows from vulnerable to powerful. All the elements I usually enjoy were there—but sadly, the execution didn’t quite land for me.
The pacing felt off. While the story started slowly, it also jumped abruptly from scene to scene, making it hard to stay engaged. I considered DNFing multiple times but decided to push through. The last 20% is where it got interesting, but it didn’t feel like enough to compensate for the earlier 80%.
The worldbuilding was a bit underdeveloped. It had hints of intriguing elements, particularly around desert magic and horses—but they were never really explained or expanded upon, leaving me feeling unanchored in the world.
The romance didn’t appear until the very end, and by then, it felt rushed. I think placing it earlier in the story and allowing more tension to build would have created a stronger emotional payoff.
Keera, the FMC, has an interesting backstory as an exiled survivor, but her sudden access to resources and quick recovery felt a bit too convenient.
Erix, the MMC, had intriguing potential but remained underdeveloped. We get glimpses of his past, but not enough to give him the depth I was hoping for.
The Reylo inspiration is very strong in this book, but I must confess that finding out it is inspired by them is what kept me going.
Pushing through most of this book, I will say that towards the end of the trials and onwards (roughly from 70%) is where it gets a bit more fast-paced with romance and action.
That said, I don’t foresee myself continuing with the series. But I will say that S.C. Grayson is good at painting a picture with words, and I would definitely like to see what this author writes in the future.
thank you, netgalley, for this arc
I went into this book really wanting to love it. The premise had so much potential: a unique desert-based magic system, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, intense trials, and a female main character who grows from vulnerable to powerful. All the elements I usually enjoy were there—but sadly, the execution didn’t quite land for me.
The pacing felt off. While the story started slowly, it also jumped abruptly from scene to scene, making it hard to stay engaged. I considered DNFing multiple times but decided to push through. The last 20% is where it got interesting, but it didn’t feel like enough to compensate for the earlier 80%.
The worldbuilding was a bit underdeveloped. It had hints of intriguing elements, particularly around desert magic and horses—but they were never really explained or expanded upon, leaving me feeling unanchored in the world.
The romance didn’t appear until the very end, and by then, it felt rushed. I think placing it earlier in the story and allowing more tension to build would have created a stronger emotional payoff.
Keera, the FMC, has an interesting backstory as an exiled survivor, but her sudden access to resources and quick recovery felt a bit too convenient.
Erix, the MMC, had intriguing potential but remained underdeveloped. We get glimpses of his past, but not enough to give him the depth I was hoping for.
The Reylo inspiration is very strong in this book, but I must confess that finding out it is inspired by them is what kept me going.
Pushing through most of this book, I will say that towards the end of the trials and onwards (roughly from 70%) is where it gets a bit more fast-paced with romance and action.
That said, I don’t foresee myself continuing with the series. But I will say that S.C. Grayson is good at painting a picture with words, and I would definitely like to see what this author writes in the future.
thank you, netgalley, for this arc
August 20, 2025
“You don’t need to be fixed. You need to be loved.”
Wow. Just wow. I know just enough about Star Wars to know this is basically a reylo fic, but that does not detract from the perfection that is this story.
Keera is an exile in a harsh world where “the desert gives and the desert takes away.” Barely surviving on her little oasis, she decides to steal supplies from a man who stumbled upon her lonely oasis to camp for the night.
The Viper is burdened with the magic of the Ballan desert. He is also the sword of Lord Alasdar. The Viper, under Alasdar’s orders, travels the desert to unite all the clans under his Lord so that they may restore the dying desert. He catches a Keera stealing from him at night, but can’t bring himself to do what he must- kill her. Keera is able to eventually get away from The Viper, but that is only the beginning of this epic story.
The world building is beautiful. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been immersed in a fantasy world based on a desert. The magic is interesting and the beasts of this world are so wildly different from anything I’ve read. The writing is stellar. The plot is fast paced with no lulls. Grayson eloquently paints a picture of a harsh world where only the strong survive. The characters have an incredible amount of depth. From acknowledging deep-seated feelings of anger and resentment, to tearing away walls and allowing oneself to be loved, Blood of the Sands has an epic plot that explores some really tough themes.
I have to say I did see a lot of Star Wars parallels, but if I wasn’t looking for them I wouldn’t have noticed. Do not fret if you’re not a Star Wars fan - it doesn’t detract from the book. …. But the Darth Vader death choke did make an appearance.
Overall, I freaking loved it. The sequel is at the top of my list. I’ll be devouring it the minute it releases.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. Just wow. I know just enough about Star Wars to know this is basically a reylo fic, but that does not detract from the perfection that is this story.
Keera is an exile in a harsh world where “the desert gives and the desert takes away.” Barely surviving on her little oasis, she decides to steal supplies from a man who stumbled upon her lonely oasis to camp for the night.
The Viper is burdened with the magic of the Ballan desert. He is also the sword of Lord Alasdar. The Viper, under Alasdar’s orders, travels the desert to unite all the clans under his Lord so that they may restore the dying desert. He catches a Keera stealing from him at night, but can’t bring himself to do what he must- kill her. Keera is able to eventually get away from The Viper, but that is only the beginning of this epic story.
The world building is beautiful. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been immersed in a fantasy world based on a desert. The magic is interesting and the beasts of this world are so wildly different from anything I’ve read. The writing is stellar. The plot is fast paced with no lulls. Grayson eloquently paints a picture of a harsh world where only the strong survive. The characters have an incredible amount of depth. From acknowledging deep-seated feelings of anger and resentment, to tearing away walls and allowing oneself to be loved, Blood of the Sands has an epic plot that explores some really tough themes.
I have to say I did see a lot of Star Wars parallels, but if I wasn’t looking for them I wouldn’t have noticed. Do not fret if you’re not a Star Wars fan - it doesn’t detract from the book. …. But the Darth Vader death choke did make an appearance.
Overall, I freaking loved it. The sequel is at the top of my list. I’ll be devouring it the minute it releases.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2024
I need book 2 right now. 🙂↕️
This is exactly what I look for in a fantasy enemies to lovers. There was angst, there was longing, there were sword to throat scenes. So good.
Also includes
Masked, morally grey mmc 🥷
Game like trials 🗡️
Slow burn 🔥
Training scenes 🤺
Soulmates 🎭
I absolutely flew through this, did not want to put it down.
Was it perfect? No. But I’m gonna give it 5 stars anyways because it was wildly entertaining. An amalgamation of a bunch of classic tropes, but also features a unique magic system and an interesting dessert setting.
The romance was SLOW but the pacing of the rest of the book was fast enough that I was engaged the entire time. I will be reading more from this author.
This is exactly what I look for in a fantasy enemies to lovers. There was angst, there was longing, there were sword to throat scenes. So good.
Also includes
Masked, morally grey mmc 🥷
Game like trials 🗡️
Slow burn 🔥
Training scenes 🤺
Soulmates 🎭
I absolutely flew through this, did not want to put it down.
Was it perfect? No. But I’m gonna give it 5 stars anyways because it was wildly entertaining. An amalgamation of a bunch of classic tropes, but also features a unique magic system and an interesting dessert setting.
The romance was SLOW but the pacing of the rest of the book was fast enough that I was engaged the entire time. I will be reading more from this author.
September 10, 2024
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
What an amazing ARC! I loved the uniqueness of this world and the magic. This first half of the book was a lot of world building and understanding the politics, and the second half was much more romantasy focused. It kept me interested & I’m excited for book two!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the early ARC.
What an amazing ARC! I loved the uniqueness of this world and the magic. This first half of the book was a lot of world building and understanding the politics, and the second half was much more romantasy focused. It kept me interested & I’m excited for book two!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the early ARC.
August 4, 2025
Blood of the Sands, Book 1, The Ballan Desert by S.C. Grayson
Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Keera was exiled 10 years ago for possessing magic in her she could not control. So, for those 10 years, she survived in the desert by some miracle. One night, she sees a long traveler and she tries to steal from him supplies she needs. But she picked the wrong man to steal from. A masked man known only as The Viper. So, he takes her to his leader, Lord Alasdar, where he plans to sacrifice her to the Ballan desert to appease the desert’s magic. While there, she overhears they plan on uniting the clans by force if necessary and attach the refuge city of Kelvadan. As she is about to be sacrificed, her magic explodes, and she is able to escape by stealing a horse. She races to Kelvadan to warn them of the impending attack. Keera must learn to control her power in order to save Kelvadan – a city built from rock that serves as home to exiles and anyone who needs shelter. But something awoke between Keera and The Viper – a magic exists between them! They may be on opposite sides of the war, but they must come together somehow to save their people and homes from something far more dangerous!
This is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers Romantasy! It is Book 1 in The Ballan Desert series and came out September of 2024. This is a must read! Book 2, Crown of the Dunes, is scheduled to come out August 19, 2025!
Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Keera was exiled 10 years ago for possessing magic in her she could not control. So, for those 10 years, she survived in the desert by some miracle. One night, she sees a long traveler and she tries to steal from him supplies she needs. But she picked the wrong man to steal from. A masked man known only as The Viper. So, he takes her to his leader, Lord Alasdar, where he plans to sacrifice her to the Ballan desert to appease the desert’s magic. While there, she overhears they plan on uniting the clans by force if necessary and attach the refuge city of Kelvadan. As she is about to be sacrificed, her magic explodes, and she is able to escape by stealing a horse. She races to Kelvadan to warn them of the impending attack. Keera must learn to control her power in order to save Kelvadan – a city built from rock that serves as home to exiles and anyone who needs shelter. But something awoke between Keera and The Viper – a magic exists between them! They may be on opposite sides of the war, but they must come together somehow to save their people and homes from something far more dangerous!
This is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers Romantasy! It is Book 1 in The Ballan Desert series and came out September of 2024. This is a must read! Book 2, Crown of the Dunes, is scheduled to come out August 19, 2025!
March 29, 2025
Everyone should be reading this. I'm tempted to give this 5 stars, even tho it wasn't perfect, but just because it's been so long since I was this swept away and invested.
If you had enough of faeries and dragons, and need a change of scenery, pick this up. It takes place in a desert; there's some elemental magic; there is a trial, but not academic; enemies to lovers.
Told from dual pov. We get to know the main characters before the story picks up. They meet at the beginning but then go in different ways before they collide again. I loved that the MMC got a nice background story, and he has beliefs and goals, not just your regular dark and broody love interest.
It could have been a little more detailed. For example the time when Keera was learning to fight and use her power, I wanted more details.
But the story and relationship progressed nicely.
If you had enough of faeries and dragons, and need a change of scenery, pick this up. It takes place in a desert; there's some elemental magic; there is a trial, but not academic; enemies to lovers.
Told from dual pov. We get to know the main characters before the story picks up. They meet at the beginning but then go in different ways before they collide again. I loved that the MMC got a nice background story, and he has beliefs and goals, not just your regular dark and broody love interest.
It could have been a little more detailed. For example the time when Keera was learning to fight and use her power, I wanted more details.
But the story and relationship progressed nicely.
Read
August 19, 2025DNF @17% i just wasn't into this right now. I will come back to it when the mood for it is better!
July 28, 2025
4.5⭐️ Obsessed is an understatement!! 🤯
I would like to thank Victory Editing, S. C. Grayson, and NetGalley for recently providing me an e-ARC of this book though it has been published for about a year now.
If you’re a fan of Reylo from Star Wars, you will absolutely eat this up!
I had seen this book float around on booktok from a few influencers and was completely intrigued by the premise of the story and it did not disappoint.
The world and the magic was a breath of fresh air and felt original and unlike anything I had read in a romantasy before. A desert that is essentially alive and is angry that her magic has been disrupted and is lashing out at its inhabitants? Sign me up! I loved learning more about the world and how the magic of it was connected to our two main characters.
The Viper.. don’t get me started.. I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again, I love a tortured soul MMC and The Viper delivers on that very well. I’m also a sucker for a masked MMC and I loved how his own relationship with the mask evolved as the story went on. You can tell from the very beginning that though he has a mission, he is deeply torn with the acts he has to carry out as The Viper and I immediately wanted to know more about him.
Keera was strong, powerful and overall an awesome FMC that overcame a lot and had great character growth. I enjoyed watching her go from a weak exile to a powerful warrior that is taking down beasts of legend. She was awesome.
The slow burn between the two was everything. I loved that we only got small touches and tension filled looks before the spark really ignited. And when it did. Oh boy. It blazed and was well worth it.
The only reason this was not a 5 ⭐️ for me was that I did feel like it dragged just a little in the middle. The beginning and last 40% were sooo action packed and awesome, that the middle of it fell just a hint flat in comparison, but it still also had me intrigued and had my attention because I knew it was important to the story. I think the next book is going to really pop off with Erix and Keera wanting to find their way back to each other and I. Can’t. Wait!
I would like to thank Victory Editing, S. C. Grayson, and NetGalley for recently providing me an e-ARC of this book though it has been published for about a year now.
If you’re a fan of Reylo from Star Wars, you will absolutely eat this up!
I had seen this book float around on booktok from a few influencers and was completely intrigued by the premise of the story and it did not disappoint.
The world and the magic was a breath of fresh air and felt original and unlike anything I had read in a romantasy before. A desert that is essentially alive and is angry that her magic has been disrupted and is lashing out at its inhabitants? Sign me up! I loved learning more about the world and how the magic of it was connected to our two main characters.
The Viper.. don’t get me started.. I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again, I love a tortured soul MMC and The Viper delivers on that very well. I’m also a sucker for a masked MMC and I loved how his own relationship with the mask evolved as the story went on. You can tell from the very beginning that though he has a mission, he is deeply torn with the acts he has to carry out as The Viper and I immediately wanted to know more about him.
Keera was strong, powerful and overall an awesome FMC that overcame a lot and had great character growth. I enjoyed watching her go from a weak exile to a powerful warrior that is taking down beasts of legend. She was awesome.
The slow burn between the two was everything. I loved that we only got small touches and tension filled looks before the spark really ignited. And when it did. Oh boy. It blazed and was well worth it.
The only reason this was not a 5 ⭐️ for me was that I did feel like it dragged just a little in the middle. The beginning and last 40% were sooo action packed and awesome, that the middle of it fell just a hint flat in comparison, but it still also had me intrigued and had my attention because I knew it was important to the story. I think the next book is going to really pop off with Erix and Keera wanting to find their way back to each other and I. Can’t. Wait!
August 20, 2025
4,5⭐️
This book deserves so much more hype!
Set against the harsh, mesmerizing backdrop of the desert, The Blood of the Sands delivers everything I love in a fantasy: brutal fights, dangerous alliances, an original magic system, and a romance that burns slow but deep.
✨ What I loved:
• The setting → The desert vs. the city feels epic and alive. The worldbuilding gave me Essos-era Daenerys vibes in the best way.
• The characters → He’s a hardened fighter, she’s his prisoner and an exile. Instead of insta-love or cliché enemies-to-lovers hatred, their relationship grows through training, tension, and mutual respect. He’s not lovesick from the start—thank goodness.
• The magic system → Fresh and unique! Magic comes from the desert itself, but it’s tied to madness—which makes it dangerous, unpredictable, and fascinating.
• The plot twists → I read a lot, and still… I didn’t see them coming.
• The trials & games → The stakes are high, the challenges feel brutal, and watching her grow through them was addicting.
💔 The romance → Slow burn perfection. He trains her, pushes her, and their connection simmers until it erupts. The enemies-to-lovers tension feels raw and real, without ever being forced.
Favorite quote:
“I don’t feel about you the way one feels about an ally.”
My breath caught in my throat. “What do you feel?”
“Too much.”
If you love morally gray dynamics, desert magic, survival, political intrigue, pick this up. It’s seriously underrated and deserves to be on way more TBRs.
Hune thanks to @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book deserves so much more hype!
Set against the harsh, mesmerizing backdrop of the desert, The Blood of the Sands delivers everything I love in a fantasy: brutal fights, dangerous alliances, an original magic system, and a romance that burns slow but deep.
✨ What I loved:
• The setting → The desert vs. the city feels epic and alive. The worldbuilding gave me Essos-era Daenerys vibes in the best way.
• The characters → He’s a hardened fighter, she’s his prisoner and an exile. Instead of insta-love or cliché enemies-to-lovers hatred, their relationship grows through training, tension, and mutual respect. He’s not lovesick from the start—thank goodness.
• The magic system → Fresh and unique! Magic comes from the desert itself, but it’s tied to madness—which makes it dangerous, unpredictable, and fascinating.
• The plot twists → I read a lot, and still… I didn’t see them coming.
• The trials & games → The stakes are high, the challenges feel brutal, and watching her grow through them was addicting.
💔 The romance → Slow burn perfection. He trains her, pushes her, and their connection simmers until it erupts. The enemies-to-lovers tension feels raw and real, without ever being forced.
Favorite quote:
“I don’t feel about you the way one feels about an ally.”
My breath caught in my throat. “What do you feel?”
“Too much.”
If you love morally gray dynamics, desert magic, survival, political intrigue, pick this up. It’s seriously underrated and deserves to be on way more TBRs.
Hune thanks to @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2025
4.5 stars
This concept and world is so cool. I mean from the magical desert, to the mysterious magic system, to the legendary creatures, it’s impossible to not be entertained from the world building alone. On top of the extraordinary world, this book has an action-packed plot, a perfectly spicy and sweet romance, and dual POV chapters, all making this an amazing book that I loved from start to finish. The setting and the vibes were immaculate. I know I throw out the word unique a lot in my reviews but if you want something truly new compared to all of the other fantasy books we normally see, this is it. I loved the way the magic was connected to the desert and the elements. I usually like the romance more than the plot in romantasy books but this one was so perfectly balanced. The romance hits you unexpectedly and you realize how much you love the couple after so much build up. I would die for the male main character, he’s such a sweetheart. I don’t think it’s a surprise that I’m giving this five stars but in case it wasn’t obvious, I loved this with my whole heart.
This concept and world is so cool. I mean from the magical desert, to the mysterious magic system, to the legendary creatures, it’s impossible to not be entertained from the world building alone. On top of the extraordinary world, this book has an action-packed plot, a perfectly spicy and sweet romance, and dual POV chapters, all making this an amazing book that I loved from start to finish. The setting and the vibes were immaculate. I know I throw out the word unique a lot in my reviews but if you want something truly new compared to all of the other fantasy books we normally see, this is it. I loved the way the magic was connected to the desert and the elements. I usually like the romance more than the plot in romantasy books but this one was so perfectly balanced. The romance hits you unexpectedly and you realize how much you love the couple after so much build up. I would die for the male main character, he’s such a sweetheart. I don’t think it’s a surprise that I’m giving this five stars but in case it wasn’t obvious, I loved this with my whole heart.
July 20, 2025
A book so great that I've read it twice!
I absolutely adore the flow of this story - it's easy to digest, but unique while using familiar and beloved tropes. Enemies to lovers, anyone?
I adore Keera and her strength, and Erix is a MMC who is determined. Both characters have been through it when it comes to what having a family or some symbolance of one means, and I loved seeing them start to learn that others' actions in their past doesn't have to dictate their expectations of everyone going forward.
The Ballan Desert has her secrets, and Keera and Erix's journey continues to unfold them. I enjoyed seeing the trials and discovering how they're tied to the story.
I absolutely adore the flow of this story - it's easy to digest, but unique while using familiar and beloved tropes. Enemies to lovers, anyone?
I adore Keera and her strength, and Erix is a MMC who is determined. Both characters have been through it when it comes to what having a family or some symbolance of one means, and I loved seeing them start to learn that others' actions in their past doesn't have to dictate their expectations of everyone going forward.
The Ballan Desert has her secrets, and Keera and Erix's journey continues to unfold them. I enjoyed seeing the trials and discovering how they're tied to the story.
September 17, 2024
This is the first book in The Ballan Desert series, a fantasy romance that takes place in a unique desert setting and gives off Reylo vibes/inspiration. Tropes include slowburn, enemies to lovers-esue, morally gray MMC, tournament, feisty FMC and and masked MMC.. Please see content warnings and note there is spice in this book.
The Lovely: I loved the unique world and magic system of the desert. From the creatures that inhabit the desert to the natural challenges, this location will draw you in as you seek to understand. The magic system is tied into the desert as well, which I found intriguing.
The Mundane: I struggled with the pacing of this book. It would be quite slow, filled with descriptions and inner monologues, then lurch forward in the next scene. Also challenging to me was that prior to the mid-point of the book the FMV and the MMC had only had one or two scenes together, meaning their relationship development was limited to the last 240 pages. In that way, their relationship sometimes felt forced.
Rating: 4/5 Stars 2/5 Flames
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NerdFam and Aethon Book for an ARC of this book. This story does end on a cliffhanger so I’m curious to read book two to see how the situation is resolved. If you like fantasy romance set in a unique world with a focus on the world and story, I think you would like this book.
The Lovely: I loved the unique world and magic system of the desert. From the creatures that inhabit the desert to the natural challenges, this location will draw you in as you seek to understand. The magic system is tied into the desert as well, which I found intriguing.
The Mundane: I struggled with the pacing of this book. It would be quite slow, filled with descriptions and inner monologues, then lurch forward in the next scene. Also challenging to me was that prior to the mid-point of the book the FMV and the MMC had only had one or two scenes together, meaning their relationship development was limited to the last 240 pages. In that way, their relationship sometimes felt forced.
Rating: 4/5 Stars 2/5 Flames
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NerdFam and Aethon Book for an ARC of this book. This story does end on a cliffhanger so I’m curious to read book two to see how the situation is resolved. If you like fantasy romance set in a unique world with a focus on the world and story, I think you would like this book.
September 13, 2024
I gobbled this book up.
The Viper will use whatever necessary to serve the desert and if that means being the villain/monster then so be it.
Keera is exiled but when she comes face to face with the viper and death, something unleashes inside her and wakes up this powerful magic.
The Viper is on one side with the clans and Keera finds “home” with the City of Kelvadan, who welcomes everyone and promotes peace but is at odds with the clans.
They are on opposite sides but what happens when they are brought together and lines get crossed?
———————
This book was so good. I feel like the plot was unique. The characters were well rounded, and the romance was slooooooooooow burning. The magic system in the book was also very intriguing. I do wish we had more of an explanation for it, other than it comes from the desert but that’s okay. I’m sure book two will have just as good world building as the book did.
This book left off on a big cliff hanger, so I’m excited to see where this series goes especially with what we found out about the Viper.
I have a good feeling that this book is going to be well liked!
4 stars!
The Viper will use whatever necessary to serve the desert and if that means being the villain/monster then so be it.
Keera is exiled but when she comes face to face with the viper and death, something unleashes inside her and wakes up this powerful magic.
The Viper is on one side with the clans and Keera finds “home” with the City of Kelvadan, who welcomes everyone and promotes peace but is at odds with the clans.
They are on opposite sides but what happens when they are brought together and lines get crossed?
———————
This book was so good. I feel like the plot was unique. The characters were well rounded, and the romance was slooooooooooow burning. The magic system in the book was also very intriguing. I do wish we had more of an explanation for it, other than it comes from the desert but that’s okay. I’m sure book two will have just as good world building as the book did.
This book left off on a big cliff hanger, so I’m excited to see where this series goes especially with what we found out about the Viper.
I have a good feeling that this book is going to be well liked!
4 stars!
March 26, 2025
3.75 and rounding up! I don’t usually do ratings like this but 3.5 felt too low and 4 too high. The issue that I had with this book was the beginning felt very slow. There’s a lot of individual development for the main characters which I understand was pretty essential for the rest of the plot, but until about 60% I found myself struggling to pick it up.
That being said the last 40% was really good! The magic system is beautiful and the way it connects to the desert as a living being is so intriguing. The writing is descriptive and beautiful without being overbearing. The horses in the desert are sacred and the connection they have with their riders was something else I really loved.
If you view tropes as spoilers, don’t read any further!! But these are very general.
If you like enemies to lovers, trials, an adventure/quest then try this out!
Overall I’m invested to see what happens in book 2! If you don’t mind a slower start to really set the scene then definitely give this a try!!
That being said the last 40% was really good! The magic system is beautiful and the way it connects to the desert as a living being is so intriguing. The writing is descriptive and beautiful without being overbearing. The horses in the desert are sacred and the connection they have with their riders was something else I really loved.
If you view tropes as spoilers, don’t read any further!! But these are very general.
If you like enemies to lovers, trials, an adventure/quest then try this out!
Overall I’m invested to see what happens in book 2! If you don’t mind a slower start to really set the scene then definitely give this a try!!
September 29, 2025
*Thank you to Victory Editing for a complimentary e-copy of Blood of the Sands. All opinions expressed are my own.*
The concept for this story held a lot of potential for me, and while it was definitely easy to fall into the plot and breeze through the pages, I didn’t feel like it sucked me in as much as I would have hoped.
While the relationship between the two leads was a really well executed slow burn, and didn’t feel cheesy or overdone, I didn’t feel like it gave me the enemies to lovers feel like I would have hoped. Mostly, they just felt like two people tied to opposite sides of a conflict, but I was hoping for more of the fighting fire you get with enemy leads and it felt more like a civilised enemies to lovers vibe.
While Keera had been going through hardships for a while when the book began, I felt a bit disappointed and as if I couldn’t get that invested in her as a character when everything was just coming to her really easily and with no struggle without her doing much to work for it, from pretty early on in the story. Being able to rival some of the best fighters in the city and in the desert after only training for a few months and dealing with a decade of malnourishment, felt a bit too unrealistic for me to run with.
The Viper didn’t feel that morally grey either, more like morally detached from having his strings pulled, but with a conscience that always seemed present. It felt like he was attempted to be written as a villain but didn’t feel like one. And while the touch her and die trope was there, I can’t say I really felt it before the actual end of the book.
The setting and plot was well written, but I would’ve liked even more of the world building, as the magic system was unique but I didn’t feel like I understood enough about how it worked by the end of the book.
I would’ve also liked more court and clan politics and intrigue than what I felt was delivered - but hopefully the sequel will build on that.
While I was hoping for something more, the story still kept me entertained and intrigued, and I can’t wait to dive into the sequel to see how the story and the world develops further.
The concept for this story held a lot of potential for me, and while it was definitely easy to fall into the plot and breeze through the pages, I didn’t feel like it sucked me in as much as I would have hoped.
While the relationship between the two leads was a really well executed slow burn, and didn’t feel cheesy or overdone, I didn’t feel like it gave me the enemies to lovers feel like I would have hoped. Mostly, they just felt like two people tied to opposite sides of a conflict, but I was hoping for more of the fighting fire you get with enemy leads and it felt more like a civilised enemies to lovers vibe.
While Keera had been going through hardships for a while when the book began, I felt a bit disappointed and as if I couldn’t get that invested in her as a character when everything was just coming to her really easily and with no struggle without her doing much to work for it, from pretty early on in the story. Being able to rival some of the best fighters in the city and in the desert after only training for a few months and dealing with a decade of malnourishment, felt a bit too unrealistic for me to run with.
The Viper didn’t feel that morally grey either, more like morally detached from having his strings pulled, but with a conscience that always seemed present. It felt like he was attempted to be written as a villain but didn’t feel like one. And while the touch her and die trope was there, I can’t say I really felt it before the actual end of the book.
The setting and plot was well written, but I would’ve liked even more of the world building, as the magic system was unique but I didn’t feel like I understood enough about how it worked by the end of the book.
I would’ve also liked more court and clan politics and intrigue than what I felt was delivered - but hopefully the sequel will build on that.
While I was hoping for something more, the story still kept me entertained and intrigued, and I can’t wait to dive into the sequel to see how the story and the world develops further.
July 18, 2025
EVERYONE RUN SPRINT TO THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW. MAGICAL DESERT!!!!
September 21, 2024
Thank you so much to TheNerdFam for providing me with a gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was genuinely so excited when I submitted my application for an early copy of this novel. The premise of surviving in the desert, desert magic, and two sworn enemies learning that they might have more in common than they have differences, was enough to make me jump at this opportunity. It didn’t hurt that this cover is absolutely stunning, and made me want to dive into this story even more.
This story focuses a lot on the concept of ‘other’. We meet clans who live solely in the wild desert, surviving by any bloody means necessary, and attempting to thwart the desert’s cruel beasts and unpredictable nature. While on the edge of the desert a civilization has risen with crowned rulers who thrive on their relative safety from the elements and beasts, and who have little to no threat of scarcity. Each of our main characters, throughout the course of the story, comes to exist in both realities, allowing the reader to experience the turmoil of wanting to escape the desert’s harsh and unforgiving lifestyle, while realizing that it is ultimately the only place these characters truly feel at home.
Our main characters are both gifted with desert magic, and are understood to be the most powerful magical beings alive. Peripheral characters may exhibit a touch of magic that allows them to communicate (to an extent) with animals, or be more deadly in a battle. I really enjoyed getting to experience the different modalities of magic, and see how it manifested in each of our characters.
This story has a great focus on animal companions, which brought a lot of levity to situations that might have otherwise felt heavy and burdensome. While these companions are not always marked safe from survivable injuries, the author doesn’t intentionally harm them as a way to manipulate her characters or the audience, which I appreciated.
Despite enjoying so much of the overall plot, including the trials and twists regarding certain character’s lineage, the writing wasn’t a home run for me. Thinking back it’s hard to articulate why it didn’t work. I found myself skimming large portions of this book so I could fulfill my obligation of writing a review.
This had so many elements of things I would normally devour: animal companions, wild magic, slow burn enemies to lovers, war torn political landscapes. Unfortunately something fell flat, and perhaps felt a little too juvenile, when it came to the writing, pacing, and overall tone of the novel. Although it didn’t work for me I do think plenty of fantasy and romantasy readers will thoroughly enjoy this one. From the action sequences, slow burn romance, magic, unraveling history, and two very distinct settings, this story is undoubtedly an adventure.
I was genuinely so excited when I submitted my application for an early copy of this novel. The premise of surviving in the desert, desert magic, and two sworn enemies learning that they might have more in common than they have differences, was enough to make me jump at this opportunity. It didn’t hurt that this cover is absolutely stunning, and made me want to dive into this story even more.
This story focuses a lot on the concept of ‘other’. We meet clans who live solely in the wild desert, surviving by any bloody means necessary, and attempting to thwart the desert’s cruel beasts and unpredictable nature. While on the edge of the desert a civilization has risen with crowned rulers who thrive on their relative safety from the elements and beasts, and who have little to no threat of scarcity. Each of our main characters, throughout the course of the story, comes to exist in both realities, allowing the reader to experience the turmoil of wanting to escape the desert’s harsh and unforgiving lifestyle, while realizing that it is ultimately the only place these characters truly feel at home.
Our main characters are both gifted with desert magic, and are understood to be the most powerful magical beings alive. Peripheral characters may exhibit a touch of magic that allows them to communicate (to an extent) with animals, or be more deadly in a battle. I really enjoyed getting to experience the different modalities of magic, and see how it manifested in each of our characters.
This story has a great focus on animal companions, which brought a lot of levity to situations that might have otherwise felt heavy and burdensome. While these companions are not always marked safe from survivable injuries, the author doesn’t intentionally harm them as a way to manipulate her characters or the audience, which I appreciated.
Despite enjoying so much of the overall plot, including the trials and twists regarding certain character’s lineage, the writing wasn’t a home run for me. Thinking back it’s hard to articulate why it didn’t work. I found myself skimming large portions of this book so I could fulfill my obligation of writing a review.
This had so many elements of things I would normally devour: animal companions, wild magic, slow burn enemies to lovers, war torn political landscapes. Unfortunately something fell flat, and perhaps felt a little too juvenile, when it came to the writing, pacing, and overall tone of the novel. Although it didn’t work for me I do think plenty of fantasy and romantasy readers will thoroughly enjoy this one. From the action sequences, slow burn romance, magic, unraveling history, and two very distinct settings, this story is undoubtedly an adventure.
February 25, 2025
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ is def correct for this. If this book were a sandwich, the bread pieces was super awesome but the meat & cheese a little mid so I feel like it nets out at 4 respectably. However, the next book is bound to be awesome. & though the middle was slow the last 30% absolutely crushed. Plot, pros, & cons below 👇🏼
PLOT
The desert is magic but moody & feeds on blood. Keera was exiled from her desert clan & has spent years isolated & alone in an oasis, dreaming of the city nearby for acceptance she didn’t get from her clan. Then, infamous & always masked warrior The Viper shows up one day & takes her back to his Clan Leader as a sacrifice to help restore the desert & take over the city Keera has always wanted to go to. This book has
- scary warrior & feral survivalist
- broooooody MMC with a dark past
- enemies to lovers/reluctant allies
- desert vibes, monsters, & magic
- games & trials
- slow burn
- med spice
PROS
- The beginning & end of this was awesome. The beginning had you super interested & then the end has gripped me & made me pumped for book 2.
- The monsters! So unique, so descriptive, & I hate them so much (which is a compliment to the author because super well written).
- The world building was really lovely. I could see every little thing so clearly. Was half this book out in the sand dunes so maybe not that complex? Sure. But I also loved the not-sand-dunes scenes.
- The Viper’s backstory is interesting & I want more of it. Peeling back the layers of him & you can’t help but fall for him.
- Honestly, same with Keera. She’s awesome & the more we get from her the more I love her.
- The romance was a reaaaaaal slow burn but it paid off well.
- An early reveal in this book wasn’t surprising if you were paying attention BUT I think it was done well & I’m interested in just all the connections to the desert magic.
CONS
- The middle 40-50% of this was genuinely kind of boring in comparison to the beginning/end but it was necessary for plot. However maybe it could have been cut or our leads could have interacted more to get some additional tension from them.
- We didn’t get to really dig into our leads until like 70% in, which felt like quite awhile.
Excited to keep reading this series!
PLOT
The desert is magic but moody & feeds on blood. Keera was exiled from her desert clan & has spent years isolated & alone in an oasis, dreaming of the city nearby for acceptance she didn’t get from her clan. Then, infamous & always masked warrior The Viper shows up one day & takes her back to his Clan Leader as a sacrifice to help restore the desert & take over the city Keera has always wanted to go to. This book has
- scary warrior & feral survivalist
- broooooody MMC with a dark past
- enemies to lovers/reluctant allies
- desert vibes, monsters, & magic
- games & trials
- slow burn
- med spice
PROS
- The beginning & end of this was awesome. The beginning had you super interested & then the end has gripped me & made me pumped for book 2.
- The monsters! So unique, so descriptive, & I hate them so much (which is a compliment to the author because super well written).
- The world building was really lovely. I could see every little thing so clearly. Was half this book out in the sand dunes so maybe not that complex? Sure. But I also loved the not-sand-dunes scenes.
- The Viper’s backstory is interesting & I want more of it. Peeling back the layers of him & you can’t help but fall for him.
- Honestly, same with Keera. She’s awesome & the more we get from her the more I love her.
- The romance was a reaaaaaal slow burn but it paid off well.
- An early reveal in this book wasn’t surprising if you were paying attention BUT I think it was done well & I’m interested in just all the connections to the desert magic.
CONS
- The middle 40-50% of this was genuinely kind of boring in comparison to the beginning/end but it was necessary for plot. However maybe it could have been cut or our leads could have interacted more to get some additional tension from them.
- We didn’t get to really dig into our leads until like 70% in, which felt like quite awhile.
Excited to keep reading this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 410 reviews