Sarfer

Sand Saga

by Daniel Arthur Smith

Sarfer is the story of Mattie, a sailmaker's son. When the great wall of Springston fell, he lost his father. But his father's words resonated, "When you fall down, get back up." So Mattie persevered and rode the wind to the brigands to become a courier, transporting anything anywhere, no questions asked.

Unknown Binding

First published May 17, 2015

About the author

Daniel Arthur Smith is a USA Today bestselling author. His titles include Spectral Shift, Agroland, The Cathari Treasure, and a few other novels and short stories. He also curates the phenomenal short fiction series Tales from the Canyons of the Damned and Frontiers of Speculative Fiction.

He was raised in Michigan and graduated from Western Michigan University where he studied philosophy, with focus on cognitive science, meta-physics, and comparative religion. As a young man Daniel was a bartender, barista, poetry house proprietor, teacher, then became a technologist and futurist for the Fortune 100 across the Americas and Europe.

Daniel has traveled to over 300 cities in 22 countries, residing in Los Angeles, Kalamazoo, Prague, Crete, and now writes between Manhattan and Connecticut where he lives with his wife and sons.

For more information, visit danielarthursmith.com

Reviews

[LordTBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not having read 'Sand' by Hugh Howey, I wasn't sure if I would like 'Sarfer' or if I would even understand what all is going on. I decided to take a chance on it because I've read previous works by the author and hey, that artwork is pretty dang impressive! I have to say that I was very impressed by this short story, especially the thrilling chase scene. Smith puts a lot of detail into his work and I felt like I was right in the middle of it, riding along with Mattie across the dunes.

This is a great story, whether or not you have read 'Sand'. It isn't difficult to pick up and read in one sitting and is definitely worth it if you enjoy reading works in another author's sandbox (especially good works). Keep up the good work Daniel and hopefully we will see more of Mattie!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely done short story! Although set in Hugh Howey's world of Sand, this one is not about the divers. That world is complicated, so it's good to find a story about another aspect of life in that setting. Daniel Smith presents a great portrayal of Mattie and his dad working together and overcoming adversity. This story is all about the characters, and Mattie is a wonderfully realisitc character.

My thanks to Daniel for the free copy of this book.

[Michael Hicks]

Always Get Back Up

Although I've yet to read Hugh Howey's SAND, Smith's entry is very accessible and makes for smooth reading. SARFER was a well-written and engaging character study of a courier, Mattie, whose legs are lame and whose sand-surfing vehicle has become an extension of his self identity. At its core, it's a story of father and son, and the lessons and gifts passed on from one to the other. It's a brisk read and gave me enough insight into Howey's original world to prevent me from feeling lost. I'm also quite a bit more encouraged and eager to read SAND, so this story has worked on multiple fronts for me.

[Isaac Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read many short stories, but I am so glad I was given the chance to read this one! This short story was so captivating and thrilling that the author really brings you into the story. It wasn’t until after I began reading it when I discovered that it took place in the world from a book titled “Sand” by Hugh Howey. Even though I knew nothing of this world, I was really invested in Mattie and his story. The writing was absolutely fantastic and I even felt a little inspired when I finished reading it!

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great short. This story is about doing what you love even when it seems impossible. It's about a father who won't let his son give up on life. When you fall, you have to get back up.

Yes, it was really fun for me to revisit the world of Sand... But even if you haven't read Hugh Howey's work you can still enjoy Sarfer.

In this story you can absolutely feel the ropes in your hands as you fly across the dunes on a clear windblown night!

[Colette Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarfer is a beautiful compliment to Hugh Howey's Sand. Reflective of Sand, this short story captures the courage, talent and wits the main character needs to survive this dangerous world in which he lives. Beautifully written with wonderful descriptive scenes. You will feel the wind… and the sand in your face.

[Aletia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty in desolation

Utterly superb! Daniel Arthur Smith paints a beautiful landscape. In the desert. His story makes me want to be a sarfer.

[Kenneth Buff · Rating 3 out of 5]

So Smith does a good job of mimicking Howey's writing style without coming off hokey or empty. His main character is both likable and interesting. The problems are the action scenes, where the writing gets clunky and feels like it needs a couple more run throughs in the editing room till it feels smooth, and the flashback sequences. In the middle of a fight Smith gives us two flashback scenes detailing how the main character's Sarfer came into existing (it's a modified Sarfer, but it's not the Batmobile). These chapters are just not interesting, and feel completely out of place. When those chapters end and we finally get back to the main character the story just ends. We don't see him deliver the package, and we don't find out what's inside it. The story feels incomplete, and is not marketed as a serial. I liked the story, so I was disappointed that it just ended without closure. I hope Smith writes a sequel that completes this story, and continues the heroes journey.

[Bernadette Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this a 7/10. I was given a free copy of this by the Author in exchange for an honest review.

This is a short story, set in the future in the land of Sand. Daniel Arthur Smith appears to have an affinity with Hugh Howey and his work, he has the ability to use the world that Howey creates and centre his own story around that world.

Not having read Sand by Howey, I knew very little of the world that he had created but that doesn't detract away from Daniel Arthur Smith's story at all.

The story is well written and tells the tale of Mattie, a sailmaker's son. Atmospheric, with enough tension to keep you gripped and turning the pages.

It's made me want to read Sand even more. Thanks for that Daniel.

[Logan Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been more than a year since I read ‘Sand’, but Daniel’s story took me right back to Hugh Howey’s dystopian desert world. Mattie is the titular sarfer in this story, a mysterious courier who sails the sands to ply his trade. The writing is vivid and descriptive, with particular attention given to Mattie’s cleverly customized sarfer. If you enjoyed ‘Sand’, this is an excellent short story that focuses on one of the more compelling trades in this strange and sandy world.

[Cheryl Minekime · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little short piece set in Hugh Howey's SAND universe. Mattie is a sail maker's son, crippled in an accident and now orphaned. He makes a living as a courier, carrying cargo on his custom made "sarfer" or sand dune sailing catamaran, thanks to his talented father before he died. The story revolves around one of Mattie's runs when he runs afoul of some marauders. Enjoyed this very much but I wish there was more of it. Very descriptive, especially the chase scenes.

[Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and well written little story. All it was missing was some closure. What was he hauling and why? Maybe there is more of this story coming, but as a stand alone it was just missing something.

[Seamus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story from Hugh Howey's SAND world!

Thoughtful, well written & very dramatic!