Sandman

by Mary Harner

Seraphina was born with an especially strong talent for the art of Sand Lore, the ability to magically control sand. She has done everything in her power avoid the attention of the State Mages, who forbid anyone outside of their ranks from calling upon the magic, and use their power to oppress the people living in The Great Desert. When she steals a book worth more than she can imagine Seraphina is forced out of her comfortable life as a thief.
The youngest State Mage, Cyrus, chases her into the wild desert that surrounds her home. With nothing left to lose, Seraphina decides it’s time to take a stand rather than hiding from the State. Years before, her Grandfather was arrested for making such a stand, and Seraphina decides it’s time to bring him home.
As she embarks on her quest to save him, she discovers the State has an evil secret much deeper than her missing Grandfather.
Can she save her desert home from the State’s misdeeds before it’s too late, or is the price too high?

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2014

About the author

Mary Irving works as a material scientist in research and development and her passion is writing. She enjoys working to build narratives and explore new ideas. Her day job involves discovering and helping people understand real life systems, and in writing she loves using that same fascination with systems and the way the world works to build her own worlds. She enjoy drawing and painting both with traditional mediums and digital. She is drawn to expansive worlds and complex magic systems with engaging characters. Her debut novel, Escape from Hell will be released in November 2021.

Reviews

[Kathy Mcdonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It started with action and didn't let up. There were twists and turns in the plot all the way through. I rooted for Seraphina, hated Cyrus, then loved him - I don't want to give away any of the book to someone who might read it. Suffice it to say that the characters are interesting. Have to mention Petyr. Loved him. The adventure takes the reader through the desert and under the desert. Yes, under the desert. I'm happy to recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun read.