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Endless Desert #1
In the Dust: Endless Desert Trilogy, Book 1
The year is 2399, and the earth has been damaged beyond repair.
Desert is consuming the North American continent, Europe was wiped out by a cataclysmic meteor shower, and the world's oceans are unsalvageable poison. Those who could afford to flee to space are long gone, leaving the rest behind in the dust.
Nyx is completely alone, scavenging the ruins of humanity to get by. With her brother suddenly missing, the only people she can trust are herself and her busted-up Bronco. Scavenging earns her enough water credits to stay alive but with no margin for error. When a stroke of unexpected luck sends her back to the nearest tent city, things go sideways.
The gang leaders of the city give her two die on the spot, or undertake a dangerous mission out into the Wastes. With her brother's future on the line, she'll have to decide if blood is still thicker than water.
Desert is consuming the North American continent, Europe was wiped out by a cataclysmic meteor shower, and the world's oceans are unsalvageable poison. Those who could afford to flee to space are long gone, leaving the rest behind in the dust.
Nyx is completely alone, scavenging the ruins of humanity to get by. With her brother suddenly missing, the only people she can trust are herself and her busted-up Bronco. Scavenging earns her enough water credits to stay alive but with no margin for error. When a stroke of unexpected luck sends her back to the nearest tent city, things go sideways.
The gang leaders of the city give her two die on the spot, or undertake a dangerous mission out into the Wastes. With her brother's future on the line, she'll have to decide if blood is still thicker than water.
Audible Audio
Published July 18, 2023
256 people are currently reading
612 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Gandy
19 books120 followersK. A. Gandy was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She is married with two babies of her own. K. A. has worked as a restaurant hostess, library book shelver, ranch hand, tour guide, Realtor, tech whiz, landlord, and small business consultant, all in addition to pursuing her passion of writing. As a person of many interests, her life has never been boring.
She likes to write late in the evenings and thinks drinking hot tea and baking great cookies fuels hopes and dreams.
She likes to write late in the evenings and thinks drinking hot tea and baking great cookies fuels hopes and dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 7, 2023
Plot 4/5⭐️
Spice 0/5🌶️
Romance 0/5💘
Tension 2/5🥵
Vibes 5/5👏🏻
1st person POV
So I got this on Stuff Your Kindle day and devoured most of it in one sitting. I really enjoyed the world-building, the FMC, and the pacing/plot. I definitely thought it was a romance but there isn't a viable MMC even introduced until about halfway through the book. But I'm really enjoying them getting to know each other and going on these adventures together. Looking forward to book 2!
Spice 0/5🌶️
Romance 0/5💘
Tension 2/5🥵
Vibes 5/5👏🏻
1st person POV
So I got this on Stuff Your Kindle day and devoured most of it in one sitting. I really enjoyed the world-building, the FMC, and the pacing/plot. I definitely thought it was a romance but there isn't a viable MMC even introduced until about halfway through the book. But I'm really enjoying them getting to know each other and going on these adventures together. Looking forward to book 2!
June 4, 2022
Perfect summer vacation read
KA Gandy, way to spin a tale. The thrilling, complex world immerses the reader from the get go in its tense fight for survival. It’s so well built, in fact, that I literally increased my water intake by fifty percent. So thanks to the author for that. ;p Seriously, though, for me this story was the perfect blend of action, tension, and feels that really kept the pages turning. The characters were engaging and had me cheering for them or mad on their behalf. The story also really had me evaluating what I take for granted. I very much enjoyed the ride through In the Dust and will absolutely be reading the sequel.
KA Gandy, way to spin a tale. The thrilling, complex world immerses the reader from the get go in its tense fight for survival. It’s so well built, in fact, that I literally increased my water intake by fifty percent. So thanks to the author for that. ;p Seriously, though, for me this story was the perfect blend of action, tension, and feels that really kept the pages turning. The characters were engaging and had me cheering for them or mad on their behalf. The story also really had me evaluating what I take for granted. I very much enjoyed the ride through In the Dust and will absolutely be reading the sequel.
March 7, 2024
Ugh, this book was killing me to finish. The only reason I did was my determination not to leave another one unfinished without getting any credit.
First, nothing happened until at least 50% in! And the things that did happen after that were miniscule.
Picture this: a world consumed by desert wasteland, a Mad Max scenario, where the MC's mission is to find her mysteriously vanished brother (happened just before the book). Everyone lives in tents and wears meters like watches to monitor hydration, and people scavenge for water credits.
The relentless emphasis on the importance of water is mentioned regularly throughout the entire narrative.
The world has been this way for hundreds of years. Just desert. So how are they getting their food, herbal remedies, water-sanitizing tablets, tooth-cleaning, tablets, deodorant, and whatever else is mentioned? The MC literally lives on "meal bars"...that's all she eats...oh, and occasionally cactus, and she is able to survive on that for 20+ years? 😑🙄
Scavenging a few hours away, she falls through a skylight into a mall, an untouched goldmine with everything she needs. She brings a bunch of stuff back to buy a ton of water and to barter with the Sidewinders (that supposedly run the area but don't actually seem like a big deal) for info on where her brother is. And yet she never goes back there. And nobody else ever found this place in hundreds of years?
In fact, she runs into a few places like this that are not unrealistically far for others to explore to that actually have solar powered electricity and running showers with hot water! So why is everybody living outside in tents all these years??
Her and the head Sidewinder make a deal and he ends up paying for 100 gallons of water for her and fixes up her bronco so she can find this secret locket for him that nobody else has been able to retrieve for some reason.
She's an idiot on the trip to find this locket, and loses all of her 100 gallons because of it, almost dies, and suddenly this mystery man pops up out of nowhere. He takes 3 days to nurse her back to health and then proceeds to show her his family secret that has been passed down from generations that he has revealed to nobody but her: press a secret compartment on this massive bolder and it opens up to reveal stairs leading down to a natural spring of water. How convenient. These boulders are spread throughout the desert, though few.
And then he tells her not to tell anyone and leaves. No questions between the two or anything. Why did he save her and why reveal this very important secret at all?
She then stumbles across this random sexy guy that ends up being her friend, and obviously someone that starts turning into a love interest.
They get the locket, and end up having to open it with her blood, and their is a hologram that plays (the scientist leaving the message talks about this new Oasis and all her family is allowed to join, and if the locket was opened then the person has all they need to get in. The MC is confused by what that means 🙄 but obviously, it's because she's related by blood, seeing as the locket has killed everyone else who's touched it.) and a microchip with the coordinates to get there.
She still delivers the locket and info to the bad sidewinder guy. He lets her leave and go free after all this (why not just kill her since she knows too much?).
Her and the new sexy guy leave to head to this Oasis, and an hour after they drive away, a jet flies over them and drops a bomb on Coyote Springs. For some reason, it didn't also go back and shoot down the dark green bronco that it flew over. And that's the end of the book.
First, nothing happened until at least 50% in! And the things that did happen after that were miniscule.
Picture this: a world consumed by desert wasteland, a Mad Max scenario, where the MC's mission is to find her mysteriously vanished brother (happened just before the book). Everyone lives in tents and wears meters like watches to monitor hydration, and people scavenge for water credits.
The relentless emphasis on the importance of water is mentioned regularly throughout the entire narrative.
The world has been this way for hundreds of years. Just desert. So how are they getting their food, herbal remedies, water-sanitizing tablets, tooth-cleaning, tablets, deodorant, and whatever else is mentioned? The MC literally lives on "meal bars"...that's all she eats...oh, and occasionally cactus, and she is able to survive on that for 20+ years? 😑🙄
Scavenging a few hours away, she falls through a skylight into a mall, an untouched goldmine with everything she needs. She brings a bunch of stuff back to buy a ton of water and to barter with the Sidewinders (that supposedly run the area but don't actually seem like a big deal) for info on where her brother is. And yet she never goes back there. And nobody else ever found this place in hundreds of years?
In fact, she runs into a few places like this that are not unrealistically far for others to explore to that actually have solar powered electricity and running showers with hot water! So why is everybody living outside in tents all these years??
Her and the head Sidewinder make a deal and he ends up paying for 100 gallons of water for her and fixes up her bronco so she can find this secret locket for him that nobody else has been able to retrieve for some reason.
She's an idiot on the trip to find this locket, and loses all of her 100 gallons because of it, almost dies, and suddenly this mystery man pops up out of nowhere. He takes 3 days to nurse her back to health and then proceeds to show her his family secret that has been passed down from generations that he has revealed to nobody but her: press a secret compartment on this massive bolder and it opens up to reveal stairs leading down to a natural spring of water. How convenient. These boulders are spread throughout the desert, though few.
And then he tells her not to tell anyone and leaves. No questions between the two or anything. Why did he save her and why reveal this very important secret at all?
She then stumbles across this random sexy guy that ends up being her friend, and obviously someone that starts turning into a love interest.
They get the locket, and end up having to open it with her blood, and their is a hologram that plays (the scientist leaving the message talks about this new Oasis and all her family is allowed to join, and if the locket was opened then the person has all they need to get in. The MC is confused by what that means 🙄 but obviously, it's because she's related by blood, seeing as the locket has killed everyone else who's touched it.) and a microchip with the coordinates to get there.
She still delivers the locket and info to the bad sidewinder guy. He lets her leave and go free after all this (why not just kill her since she knows too much?).
Her and the new sexy guy leave to head to this Oasis, and an hour after they drive away, a jet flies over them and drops a bomb on Coyote Springs. For some reason, it didn't also go back and shoot down the dark green bronco that it flew over. And that's the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2023
This is a YA book, I picked it up for free during the stuff your Kindle day a week or so ago. I needed something to hyperfocus on and to provide brief moments of escape and this book was perfect. The world-building is pretty good, the character development is fairly solid, and the story is compelling and interesting. I've added book #2 to my shopping list, I don't know if I'll pick it up soon or wait a while. I'm certainly interested in how the story evolves, and if there is a resolution, but I'm not frantic for the next part. My rating is probably 3.8 for this one, I really liked it, there were some issues that were minor and easily overlooked, and I'd like to read the entire trilogy, but I'm not going to be rushing to start the next book in the series.
December 21, 2022
This is the first book in the Endless Desert series and what a great start! I loved the characters and the world building. The story takes place in a post apocalyptic world where there is very little water and a great deal of desert making survival an endless challenge for everyone. The story features Nyx who along with her brother Chace manages to scavenge a living on what they can find in nearby deserted cities from their base of Coyote Springs. Then Chace goes missing and Nyx is desperate to find him. This a great start to a series, a real page turner, and I am going straight onto the next instalment
January 5, 2023
This one is worth it
I am an avid reader and a reluctant reviewer. I don’t know why, exactly except if I’m going to call out plot points or pace or something negative, I feel like I have to have TONS of examples to justify being critical. And I don’t want to turn reading — my favorite thing — into English 1101.
However, I really, really, liked this book. A lot.
I had a fear, early on, that it was going to be a story that I didn’t want to read, but I kept on a little longer and I am so glad I did.
You’ll have to read it yourself to truly understand but the characters are straightforward and very real. The premise is interesting and the main character is likable. Really. Do yourself a favor. If you like post-apoc fiction (without a lot of shooting and killing) that describes SURVIVING you will not be disappointed.
I am an avid reader and a reluctant reviewer. I don’t know why, exactly except if I’m going to call out plot points or pace or something negative, I feel like I have to have TONS of examples to justify being critical. And I don’t want to turn reading — my favorite thing — into English 1101.
However, I really, really, liked this book. A lot.
I had a fear, early on, that it was going to be a story that I didn’t want to read, but I kept on a little longer and I am so glad I did.
You’ll have to read it yourself to truly understand but the characters are straightforward and very real. The premise is interesting and the main character is likable. Really. Do yourself a favor. If you like post-apoc fiction (without a lot of shooting and killing) that describes SURVIVING you will not be disappointed.
April 1, 2024
Well written. Overall, I found that it caught my interest, but it was almost underwhelming on the thrilling side. I liked the main character and found her believable. I also found the dystopian world well developed. I would consider reading onward in the series.
June 8, 2022
This is an interesting post-apocalyptic story with a fresh and original plot. The world building is quite imaginative but felt real. The characters are well written and relatable. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series.
It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.
It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.
December 29, 2022
🏜☀️🌅Unique and amazing.
The woman (Nyx) searched the surroundings buried in the ubiquitous sand in search of anything that could be of use to her.
After finally managing to pick the lock on the sandy window, Nyx thinks that finally it might be worth it.
She rushed through the window and fell back into what looked like an old office...
---------------------
What immediately catches the eye are the incredible typefaces used to tell the story of the book: it's beautiful, very exotic, but it requires more concentration.
The main character NYX evolves in a post-apocalyptic world invaded by sand.
Finding something to drink there has become a real challenge...
A great amazing adventure in which we dive for hours...
Continued in Volume 2.
I recommend this read for lovers of great adventures.
🏜☀️🌅
The woman (Nyx) searched the surroundings buried in the ubiquitous sand in search of anything that could be of use to her.
After finally managing to pick the lock on the sandy window, Nyx thinks that finally it might be worth it.
She rushed through the window and fell back into what looked like an old office...
---------------------
What immediately catches the eye are the incredible typefaces used to tell the story of the book: it's beautiful, very exotic, but it requires more concentration.
The main character NYX evolves in a post-apocalyptic world invaded by sand.
Finding something to drink there has become a real challenge...
A great amazing adventure in which we dive for hours...
Continued in Volume 2.
I recommend this read for lovers of great adventures.
🏜☀️🌅
December 29, 2022
I loved it!
This is a great start to what looks like is going to be an awesome series. The world we are looking at is desolate, unyielding, and dry…because there is little water to be had anywhere.
Nyx is a scavenger trying to survive and find her missing brother. Along the way she meets River and feelings come to life.
Leaving Coyote City on their way to Bastion to search for Chance. A jet (!) flies overhead, dropping a bomb on the city, killing anyone who hadn’t left for the new water source.
I am looking forward to reading more!!
This is a great start to what looks like is going to be an awesome series. The world we are looking at is desolate, unyielding, and dry…because there is little water to be had anywhere.
Nyx is a scavenger trying to survive and find her missing brother. Along the way she meets River and feelings come to life.
Leaving Coyote City on their way to Bastion to search for Chance. A jet (!) flies overhead, dropping a bomb on the city, killing anyone who hadn’t left for the new water source.
I am looking forward to reading more!!
December 20, 2022
I was pulled into this book right from the beginning when the main character, Nyx, is stuck in her first difficult predicament of the book. I loved how her world was slowly revealed to us and as we learn about her family and the society she lives in we start to understand more about her.
Nyx is a strong female protagonist fighting her way forward in a world where women are treated like property. When we meet her she is completely alone and struggling to survive and find the one person who has cared for her. It is a hard book to put down because every time things seem to be going well there is a devastating setback that Nyx needs to overcome, either through her own intellect and experience or sometimes through an unexpected kindness from a stranger.
It does leave off on a cliff hanger and I’m really looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Nyx is a strong female protagonist fighting her way forward in a world where women are treated like property. When we meet her she is completely alone and struggling to survive and find the one person who has cared for her. It is a hard book to put down because every time things seem to be going well there is a devastating setback that Nyx needs to overcome, either through her own intellect and experience or sometimes through an unexpected kindness from a stranger.
It does leave off on a cliff hanger and I’m really looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 18, 2022
Received as a review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. A gorgeous and poignantly visual futuristic dystopian where water means everything and being a determined scavenger can earn you the life precious credits needed to survive. With her brother mysteriously vanished, Nyx is determined to find him but answers aren't easy in come by in the town of Coyote Springs, run by a ruthless gang rules and Nyx won't bow to their rules. Desperate for clues, Nyx is willing to find an unknown locket valued by the gang, deep within the Wastes... discovering echoes of the life and world that's but a distant memory with secrets Nyx is just beginning to comprehend. A memorable, harrowing series is just getting started, highly recommended.
June 5, 2023
The ending makes up for every flaw in this sometimes dry tale.
In The Dust is a solid story in structure, and deserves praise for a unique concept. It gets 4 stars for the post-apocalyptic world Gandy created for the reader, and the distinctive voices of her characters. And then there is the ending. It's an unexpected, jaw dropping twist that expertly leaves the reader wanting more.
I think the real protagonist is the planet itself. Much of Earth has been decimated by meteorite impact, and the resulting fallout has created a struggle to stay alive. As time passes, water becomes scarce and sand dunes swallow evidence of human occupation. I feel slightly more for Earth's plight than I do Nyx's struggles.
Somehow, no matter how much thirst is a threat to Nyx, or her quest for her brother brings her to the brink of her own extinction, something miraculously wonderful just happens to save her. And whereas most people who walk down dark alleys in post-apocalyptic worlds don't emerge into the light unscathed, somehow Nyx comes through it as the darling of the desert.
If In The Dust was a video game, the player would probably get major points for every time Nyx returns from the desert and levels up on power for her Bronco, and her capacity to carry water. It seems she gains new life for each dangerous quest she fulfills.
If meteorites large enough to destroy Europe upended Nyx's world, I think they also would have created a far more gritty (no pun intended) and unforgiving landscape necessary to this kind of post-apocalyptic narrative. There could have been better character development, depicting the ugly truth of knowingly living day to day with certain death just a few miles away from a water source. I think that a touch more madness and desperation would have made redemptive moments more meaningful.
Earth is dying and she's taking humans down into the sand with her. That's a harsh and devastating reality, and I wanted the characters to show a little more evident fear of it.
The dynamics between characters, especially in situations that should call forth heightened emotions or visceral responses, succeeded only in falling flat, making in-your-face encounters dangerously close to being superficial interactions. It was fun to read, but I think Gandy could have expanded on her descriptiveness making In the Dust a more gripping read.
I felt Nyx's drive to find her missing brother through her search, but every time she avoided shedding tears her character lost a small measure of depth, and became closed off to the reader.
Also of note is the lack of clarity in the narrative on the timeline between the beginning of Earth's destruction and the current collapse of civilization. Sometimes it's alluded to that the downfall happened over just a century, when other times it's mentioned that it was centuries (plural) in the distant past. And then there is the fact that Nyx and her companions know that some of civilization escaped to space. Now THAT is a part of the story I want to know much more about!
Because I want to know more about how some humans ended up in space at the start of the apocalypse, and because the ending of In The Dust did bait me, I'm going to read the second book in the series.
In The Dust is a solid story in structure, and deserves praise for a unique concept. It gets 4 stars for the post-apocalyptic world Gandy created for the reader, and the distinctive voices of her characters. And then there is the ending. It's an unexpected, jaw dropping twist that expertly leaves the reader wanting more.
I think the real protagonist is the planet itself. Much of Earth has been decimated by meteorite impact, and the resulting fallout has created a struggle to stay alive. As time passes, water becomes scarce and sand dunes swallow evidence of human occupation. I feel slightly more for Earth's plight than I do Nyx's struggles.
Somehow, no matter how much thirst is a threat to Nyx, or her quest for her brother brings her to the brink of her own extinction, something miraculously wonderful just happens to save her. And whereas most people who walk down dark alleys in post-apocalyptic worlds don't emerge into the light unscathed, somehow Nyx comes through it as the darling of the desert.
If In The Dust was a video game, the player would probably get major points for every time Nyx returns from the desert and levels up on power for her Bronco, and her capacity to carry water. It seems she gains new life for each dangerous quest she fulfills.
If meteorites large enough to destroy Europe upended Nyx's world, I think they also would have created a far more gritty (no pun intended) and unforgiving landscape necessary to this kind of post-apocalyptic narrative. There could have been better character development, depicting the ugly truth of knowingly living day to day with certain death just a few miles away from a water source. I think that a touch more madness and desperation would have made redemptive moments more meaningful.
Earth is dying and she's taking humans down into the sand with her. That's a harsh and devastating reality, and I wanted the characters to show a little more evident fear of it.
The dynamics between characters, especially in situations that should call forth heightened emotions or visceral responses, succeeded only in falling flat, making in-your-face encounters dangerously close to being superficial interactions. It was fun to read, but I think Gandy could have expanded on her descriptiveness making In the Dust a more gripping read.
I felt Nyx's drive to find her missing brother through her search, but every time she avoided shedding tears her character lost a small measure of depth, and became closed off to the reader.
Also of note is the lack of clarity in the narrative on the timeline between the beginning of Earth's destruction and the current collapse of civilization. Sometimes it's alluded to that the downfall happened over just a century, when other times it's mentioned that it was centuries (plural) in the distant past. And then there is the fact that Nyx and her companions know that some of civilization escaped to space. Now THAT is a part of the story I want to know much more about!
Because I want to know more about how some humans ended up in space at the start of the apocalypse, and because the ending of In The Dust did bait me, I'm going to read the second book in the series.
December 21, 2022
surprisingly good red!
The difference is writing skill between this book and Gandy’s first series is wonderful to see. I love reading writer’s who grow and improve and she grew a ton! Excellent story, good pacing, and enough world building to really pull you in. I am definitely counting down the days for the release of book 2!
The difference is writing skill between this book and Gandy’s first series is wonderful to see. I love reading writer’s who grow and improve and she grew a ton! Excellent story, good pacing, and enough world building to really pull you in. I am definitely counting down the days for the release of book 2!
May 9, 2022
The world has disappeared as we know it. Nyx is a woman who is scraping alone attempting to survive in this wasteland of dust. Her brother has disappeared, and she is tested to go to a neighboring community to scavenge for water credits. Along the way she is captured by the outlaws. She is given two choices her life or that of her brother. Is that even a choice? I was hooked from the first page. The descriptions of the land and the paranormal background added so much to the intrigue of the story line. This is a brilliant read! It pulled me in from beginning and held my attention. The world building is detailed and imaginative. This novel has strong, well developed characters and an intriguing story line that keeps you turning the pages. An excellent read. I received book from StoryOrigin. This is my true and honest review.
June 18, 2022
WARNING: This book will likely steal hours of sleep from you, as you will be unable to stop reading, despite the fact that it's late o'clock, you were supposed to be in bed hours ago, and you have a very busy schedule that starts bright and early the next morning. And you won't even be able to regret losing that much sleep because this book is seriously amazing!!
I can't even begin to describe how incredible this book is. I absolutely loved every page of it. The main character, Nyx, made me feel like anything was possible, and she inspired me in so many ways. The other characters had such depth, and there were so many twists and turns in the plot, that it kept me guessing and wanting more. It also left me with a very deep appreciation for water, along with a need to conserve it and a strange desire to go advocate for it or something. Seriously, water is incredible. After reading this book, I don't think I'll ever be able to take a shower without a deep feeling of gratitude. However, this book did more than just alter the way I view water; it altered the way I view life and society, and it made me question things -- in the best way possible, of course. This book was seriously incredible. And that ending? It should probably be a crime, but I guess I'll just have to practice some patience and hope that somehow I'll be able to survive another little while until the next book is published. It's going to be difficult though. I didn't want this one to ever end; it was so good, and I was completely immersed in the story and the characters.
If you're looking for an incredible book that will likely better your life in unimaginable ways, while also bring joy straight to your soul, stop what you're doing right now and go get yourself a copy. I'm serious, right now. Other obligations can wait. You won't be disappointed!
Rating: At LEAST 6/5 stars. It's truly that amazing, but don't take my word for it. Something this good must be experienced.
I can't even begin to describe how incredible this book is. I absolutely loved every page of it. The main character, Nyx, made me feel like anything was possible, and she inspired me in so many ways. The other characters had such depth, and there were so many twists and turns in the plot, that it kept me guessing and wanting more. It also left me with a very deep appreciation for water, along with a need to conserve it and a strange desire to go advocate for it or something. Seriously, water is incredible. After reading this book, I don't think I'll ever be able to take a shower without a deep feeling of gratitude. However, this book did more than just alter the way I view water; it altered the way I view life and society, and it made me question things -- in the best way possible, of course. This book was seriously incredible. And that ending? It should probably be a crime, but I guess I'll just have to practice some patience and hope that somehow I'll be able to survive another little while until the next book is published. It's going to be difficult though. I didn't want this one to ever end; it was so good, and I was completely immersed in the story and the characters.
If you're looking for an incredible book that will likely better your life in unimaginable ways, while also bring joy straight to your soul, stop what you're doing right now and go get yourself a copy. I'm serious, right now. Other obligations can wait. You won't be disappointed!
Rating: At LEAST 6/5 stars. It's truly that amazing, but don't take my word for it. Something this good must be experienced.
January 13, 2023
This is a really enjoyable read! I liked the storyline & plot, the characters were great, well thought out & I became quite involved in the out come of events in the book! Well written, good ideas & pace! A bit gritty which added interest. A really great read! I will look forward to reading the next part & hope to read more by this writer! I do recommend!
February 9, 2023
This book was so good I contemplated diving right into the second book instead of writing this review. Twelve books into 2023 and this my first dystopian of the year and I have high hopes for what's to come. Dystopian is one of my favorite genres and I am happy to find a winner on my first go.
In The Dust by K.A Gandy is world building at its finest. Taking place in the future, Earth is a dried up desert and water is its most coveted currency. The story features a tough and tenacious young heroine Nyx who is left to fend for herself when her brother suddenly goes missing. Nyx is a scavenger who works tirelessly to keep enough trade so her water rations remain high and her life remains free. Her city is ruled by a violent gang whom she suddenly finds herself working with in order to get answers to her brother's whereabouts.
This story is filled with nail biting adventures. As Nyx scavenges the land she picks up many a mystery along with her goods. The biggest mystery of all is the man River she finds stranded alone in the middle of nowhere. Unable to leave him for dead, yet remaining cautious, she agrees to let him ride on the back of her rig. As the two spend time together, navigating through life threatening challenges, Nyx starts to think maybe she won't have to continue life all alone.
If you like dystopian, bad ass female heroes, and adventure dipped in mystery then you will love this story too. Bonus, this book will appeal to audiences young and old.
I received an ARC from BookSirens and I am leaving my review here voluntarily.
In The Dust by K.A Gandy is world building at its finest. Taking place in the future, Earth is a dried up desert and water is its most coveted currency. The story features a tough and tenacious young heroine Nyx who is left to fend for herself when her brother suddenly goes missing. Nyx is a scavenger who works tirelessly to keep enough trade so her water rations remain high and her life remains free. Her city is ruled by a violent gang whom she suddenly finds herself working with in order to get answers to her brother's whereabouts.
This story is filled with nail biting adventures. As Nyx scavenges the land she picks up many a mystery along with her goods. The biggest mystery of all is the man River she finds stranded alone in the middle of nowhere. Unable to leave him for dead, yet remaining cautious, she agrees to let him ride on the back of her rig. As the two spend time together, navigating through life threatening challenges, Nyx starts to think maybe she won't have to continue life all alone.
If you like dystopian, bad ass female heroes, and adventure dipped in mystery then you will love this story too. Bonus, this book will appeal to audiences young and old.
I received an ARC from BookSirens and I am leaving my review here voluntarily.
February 5, 2023
“ The year is 2399, and the earth has been damaged beyond repair.”
This is an incredible read and a great start to this series. The Earth is in ruins and the majority of humanity have escaped to space but there are some left on earth who scavenge to survive and Nyx is one of them along with her brother who unfortunately goes missing. She is an amazing character, strong, tough and can totally look after herself and so she sets out to find Chance her brother. It’s an intense and interesting read that captivates from the very start as we see what has happens to our planet and its people and the fight for survival. The world building is descriptive and you can easily visualise everything as though you are actually there as we follow Nyx through the sand & desert.
This is an incredible read and a great start to this series. The Earth is in ruins and the majority of humanity have escaped to space but there are some left on earth who scavenge to survive and Nyx is one of them along with her brother who unfortunately goes missing. She is an amazing character, strong, tough and can totally look after herself and so she sets out to find Chance her brother. It’s an intense and interesting read that captivates from the very start as we see what has happens to our planet and its people and the fight for survival. The world building is descriptive and you can easily visualise everything as though you are actually there as we follow Nyx through the sand & desert.
July 11, 2023
I downloaded In The Dust on Stuff Your Kindle day and was pretty excited about getting a dystopian. Even though there weren’t many reviews, they all seemed pretty consistent in what was good about the book, which was the plot and how it kept you wanting to read with suspense and action. I now believe that many of those reviews came from friends of the author or something…. I DNFed at 30% because nothing (and I mean nothing) had happened yet. Where was this exciting plot? If I’m not there at 30% yet, it’s not worth reading.
December 10, 2022
Water - how to survive in a futuristic violent world? Nyx is a scavenger who will not be a kept women. She must find her brother who saved her when she was a child so she goes on a quest for a warlord. This is a first part of her quest and her fight for survival as she tries to locate her missing brother.
I hope to read the second part soon.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I hope to read the second part soon.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 25, 2023
Gandy has absolutely nailed my ideas of this Earth in another 200 years. It reminds me (in theory, not practice) of Tank Girl and Water World. I honestly also wish I had a personal water meter for real life now. Imagine the health improvements by merely knowing how hydrated you are!? (brilliant idea!)
I cannot wait to read onward in this series as these were absolutely thorough and all that a person could want in character development!
I cannot wait to read onward in this series as these were absolutely thorough and all that a person could want in character development!
July 29, 2023
In the dust
Well written characters. The story line is good and not predictable. I am wobbling on the romance.. maybe because I liked the big complicated guy verses the pretty perfect one from the dessert. I liked that the story doesn’t get so caught up in the what could happen that it looses direction, you know what the threats are but it doesn’t distract from the characters.
I very enjoyable read.
Well written characters. The story line is good and not predictable. I am wobbling on the romance.. maybe because I liked the big complicated guy verses the pretty perfect one from the dessert. I liked that the story doesn’t get so caught up in the what could happen that it looses direction, you know what the threats are but it doesn’t distract from the characters.
I very enjoyable read.
October 9, 2024
Love the story. While reading it half way through with all the different things going on I was thinking to myself, " there is no way this story will be wrapped up right away!" I would have been highly disappointed if it had been. So glad to find out that there are two more books. This book was hard to put down. Nyx is my kind of courageous lead character I love to read about and River is just an added plus.
December 18, 2024
This novel was interesting and well-written, a story of survival in a water-scarce dystopian setting. It made me grateful for running water, for clean drinking water. The ending wrapped up fairly well as far as the main plot points (not all plot points though), then landed a half-page zinger to lead into the next book. Content: a few grisly scenes due to the town’s ruling gang members and the gritty futuristic setting.
February 15, 2025
This book was everything I wanted it to be. A fun dystopian adventure without a heavy emphasis on romance and lots of treasure hunting. I love a good scavenger story. And most importantly it didn’t escape my attention that it was a clean read. Not ton of unnecessary cussing. Even with the kept woman thing I’d say middle school and up is an appropriate audience but it’s not by any means cheesy or childish. I’m looking forward to the next book
July 15, 2023
I am so glad I stayed with this one! I started it, and just wasn't feeling it. So I put it down for a few hours. I came back to a great heroine, an intriguing postapocalyptic scenario, and one hell of a lot of adventure. Water credits, hydration unit, sand that covers skyscrapers! I am eager to go to the next book in the series, and interested to try others by this author.
December 25, 2023
Action-packed within a great dystopian world!
Wow! This story rarely lets up on the gas pedal but still has great, well written characters AND a beautifully painted dystopian world backdrop. If it's a desert dystopia tale it better make you thirsty while you read it and I am WELL hydrated after this first installment🤣🤣🤣
Wow! This story rarely lets up on the gas pedal but still has great, well written characters AND a beautifully painted dystopian world backdrop. If it's a desert dystopia tale it better make you thirsty while you read it and I am WELL hydrated after this first installment🤣🤣🤣
March 14, 2025
Great series start to add to my favorites
Enjoyed this book a lot! It was captivating with well-rounded characters and crazy situations, action and danger. The dusty dessert and endless search for water already makes the story gritty and captivating. Then throw in gangs and impossible missions and you have a hard time disconnecting from this book. Hopefully Book 2 is just as good!
Enjoyed this book a lot! It was captivating with well-rounded characters and crazy situations, action and danger. The dusty dessert and endless search for water already makes the story gritty and captivating. Then throw in gangs and impossible missions and you have a hard time disconnecting from this book. Hopefully Book 2 is just as good!
June 19, 2023
Intriguingly different
This story is Intriguingly different to other dystopian stories I've read. The main character is very likeable, I want her to succeed. So off to read the next in the trilogy.
This story is Intriguingly different to other dystopian stories I've read. The main character is very likeable, I want her to succeed. So off to read the next in the trilogy.
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