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White Sand [Dramatized Adaptation] #2
White Sand: Volume 2 [Dramatized Adaptation]
For the first time ever in audio! GraphicAudio and Brandon Sanderson are proud to present WHITE SAND produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music.
Following the loss of most of his colleagues in a violent ambush, Kenton has become Lord Mastrell of the few remaining Sand Masters, magicians who can manipulate sand to do their bidding. With the ruling council poised against him, the hot-headed Kenton must become a diplomat to have any hope of preventing the eradication of his people forever. However, there’s another complication: assassins are coming for him from all directions, and Kenton’s only true ally is Khriss, a visitor from the other side of the planet who has an agenda of her own to pursue.
White Sand Volume 2 continues the New York Times bestselling series of graphic novel adaptations, bringing a crucial chapter of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere to life in GraphicAudio.
Following the loss of most of his colleagues in a violent ambush, Kenton has become Lord Mastrell of the few remaining Sand Masters, magicians who can manipulate sand to do their bidding. With the ruling council poised against him, the hot-headed Kenton must become a diplomat to have any hope of preventing the eradication of his people forever. However, there’s another complication: assassins are coming for him from all directions, and Kenton’s only true ally is Khriss, a visitor from the other side of the planet who has an agenda of her own to pursue.
White Sand Volume 2 continues the New York Times bestselling series of graphic novel adaptations, bringing a crucial chapter of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere to life in GraphicAudio.
5 pages, Audiobook
Published September 18, 2019
About the author
Brandon Sanderson
410 books292k followersI’m Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers.
The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.
During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tailored Realities, my non-Cosmere short story collection featuring the new novella Moment Zero.
Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, came out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that saw the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.
November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. Now that the first arc of the Stormlight Archive is wrapped up, I’ve started writing the third era of Mistborn in 2025.
Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, four of the five Secret Projects, and various novellas, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.
I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, released in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.
Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the three stories in Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. These two novellas are also featured in 2025’s Tailored Realities. There’s a lot of material to go around!
Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart, The Emperor’s Soul, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.
I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.
Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.
The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.
During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tailored Realities, my non-Cosmere short story collection featuring the new novella Moment Zero.
Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, came out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that saw the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.
November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. Now that the first arc of the Stormlight Archive is wrapped up, I’ve started writing the third era of Mistborn in 2025.
Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, four of the five Secret Projects, and various novellas, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.
I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, released in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.
Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the three stories in Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. These two novellas are also featured in 2025’s Tailored Realities. There’s a lot of material to go around!
Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart, The Emperor’s Soul, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.
I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.
Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 3, 2021
O volume dois manteve a qualidade do volume 1 em narrativa e performance. A história é intrigante e os personagens cativantes. O protagonista continua sendo o mais interessante, do meu ponto de vista, porém meu interesse pelos personagens secundários aumentou. Um elemento que me cativa nessa história é o tratamento respeitoso dos personagens femininos. No total o segundo volume aumentou meu interesse e curiosidade pelos personagens e história se desenrrolando.
May 9, 2022
Umm, it's getting kinda weak.. And the art can't be the saving grace here because I didn't like it to begin with. Hence reading the audiobook version. Hope it has Brando's signature avalanche of a payoff near the end although idk what's there to pay off..
April 26, 2025
A continuação do graphic novel de White Sand escrito por Brandon Sanderson em parceria com Rik Hoskin e Julius Gopez continua simples e modesta, com algumas enrolações, mas em comparação ao anterior, melhorou bastante.
De alguma forma, sinto que esse segundo volume me prendeu muito mais que o primeiro, lembro que durante o final da leitura anterior, tudo se tornou bem arrastado, diferentemente desse volume em específico.
Novamente bato na tecla que não sei se uma graphic novel funciona perfeitamente para essa história, nossa sorte é que o Brandon já está reescrevendo esse livro.
A ideia é excelente, mas falta desenvolvimento de praticamente tudo nessa história, um graphic novel dificilmente proporcionaria isso, falta alguma coisa pra falarmos "caramba, isso soa como o Brandon Sanderson".
"— Because I am going to save the diem – and if you kill me afterwards, then the diem can be yours."
"— All politics is founded in hypocrisy, Kenton."
"— I intend to save the diem."
"But a whole life spent struggling has made me realize that there's always a way."
"— Your enemies are nothing if not ambitious."
"You guys forgot the first rule of fighting sand masters – always keep your eyes on the sand."
"— I'm going to do something you may find heretical.
— Your very existence is heretical!
— We can discuss that once we get out of this mess, deal?
— Why bother? what do you think you could possibly say to me that would change what is right from what is wrong?
— Good point!"
"— My mother was a darksider and my father was a mastrell. Some in the diem said that was why his children showed no talent for sand manipulation – because of her. I wanted so much to join the diem and prove them wrong.
I got accepted on a technicality, and I struggled to do what the other students found easy. so instead, I spent hours honing my skills until I could do things no other sand master could – but they were small things, just tricks really.
I wanted so badly to impress my father, I think at some point that desire became a compulsion. I got angry, I did things just to spite him. I was kind of a brat. I was still being a brat when he died."
"— Hey! are you... you're not actually enjoying yourself, are you?
— Do you know, for the first time in a long while, I think I really am!"
De alguma forma, sinto que esse segundo volume me prendeu muito mais que o primeiro, lembro que durante o final da leitura anterior, tudo se tornou bem arrastado, diferentemente desse volume em específico.
Novamente bato na tecla que não sei se uma graphic novel funciona perfeitamente para essa história, nossa sorte é que o Brandon já está reescrevendo esse livro.
A ideia é excelente, mas falta desenvolvimento de praticamente tudo nessa história, um graphic novel dificilmente proporcionaria isso, falta alguma coisa pra falarmos "caramba, isso soa como o Brandon Sanderson".
"— Because I am going to save the diem – and if you kill me afterwards, then the diem can be yours."
"— All politics is founded in hypocrisy, Kenton."
"— I intend to save the diem."
"But a whole life spent struggling has made me realize that there's always a way."
"— Your enemies are nothing if not ambitious."
"You guys forgot the first rule of fighting sand masters – always keep your eyes on the sand."
"— I'm going to do something you may find heretical.
— Your very existence is heretical!
— We can discuss that once we get out of this mess, deal?
— Why bother? what do you think you could possibly say to me that would change what is right from what is wrong?
— Good point!"
"— My mother was a darksider and my father was a mastrell. Some in the diem said that was why his children showed no talent for sand manipulation – because of her. I wanted so much to join the diem and prove them wrong.
I got accepted on a technicality, and I struggled to do what the other students found easy. so instead, I spent hours honing my skills until I could do things no other sand master could – but they were small things, just tricks really.
I wanted so badly to impress my father, I think at some point that desire became a compulsion. I got angry, I did things just to spite him. I was kind of a brat. I was still being a brat when he died."
"— Hey! are you... you're not actually enjoying yourself, are you?
— Do you know, for the first time in a long while, I think I really am!"
February 3, 2026
I think I enjoyed this one even more than the first one, in part because I didn't try to read the graphic novel simultaneously. I still plan on reading the 2nd novel, but I enjoyed this dramatized adaptation. I also think that I got more out of the audiobook than the actual graphic novel, but that's partly because I tend to have trouble figuring out what is happening on the page, whereas with the audio adaptation, they have to give a bit more explanation. So now that I've listened to this, I think maybe I'll have an easier time with the 2nd graphic novel? Time will tell.
As a story, I think this still needs more work. There's a lot of hints about sand mastery and where the power comes from, but it's not fully developed here. I love Khriss' thirst for knowledge and trying to figure out a scientific explanation for sand mastery. I'm not usually a fan of politics, but I thought Sanderson did a good job describe the challenges that Kenton faces to save the future of him and his fellow sand masters. I also liked how Sanderson introduces each of the leaders that he needs to convince, making it easier to keep track of each new character. While having a full cast can sometimes take away from an audio, I think in this case it helps a lot. I was also interested in Aarik and his story. His relationship with his father, as well as with Kenton, gave us an additional perspective of what it was like to grow up with Kenton. I wanted more, but there are hints that he will become more important in the next book. The twist with Bayon at the end was something I was expecting, but it was still done well.
Overall, I look forward to the third book, which I assume will conclude the story, although I can't imagine him wrapping everything up that quickly. My library has the third graphic novel, but not the audio, so I'll be reading that one, and I'm crossing my fingers that I will be able to understand everything that is going on, since so far I've enjoyed the audiobook more than the graphic novel.
Would I recommend this? If you're a fan of Sanderson, I would say this would give you a good glimpse of his writing in the early part of his life, although of course it has been updated by his older self and collaboration with Rik Hoskin. While I don't think it's his best work, I am definitely enjoying the experience. It's worth checking out!
As a story, I think this still needs more work. There's a lot of hints about sand mastery and where the power comes from, but it's not fully developed here. I love Khriss' thirst for knowledge and trying to figure out a scientific explanation for sand mastery. I'm not usually a fan of politics, but I thought Sanderson did a good job describe the challenges that Kenton faces to save the future of him and his fellow sand masters. I also liked how Sanderson introduces each of the leaders that he needs to convince, making it easier to keep track of each new character. While having a full cast can sometimes take away from an audio, I think in this case it helps a lot. I was also interested in Aarik and his story. His relationship with his father, as well as with Kenton, gave us an additional perspective of what it was like to grow up with Kenton. I wanted more, but there are hints that he will become more important in the next book. The twist with Bayon at the end was something I was expecting, but it was still done well.
Overall, I look forward to the third book, which I assume will conclude the story, although I can't imagine him wrapping everything up that quickly. My library has the third graphic novel, but not the audio, so I'll be reading that one, and I'm crossing my fingers that I will be able to understand everything that is going on, since so far I've enjoyed the audiobook more than the graphic novel.
Would I recommend this? If you're a fan of Sanderson, I would say this would give you a good glimpse of his writing in the early part of his life, although of course it has been updated by his older self and collaboration with Rik Hoskin. While I don't think it's his best work, I am definitely enjoying the experience. It's worth checking out!
March 10, 2025
I am not a big fan of full cast audiobooks or dramatized adaptations, but this one's another solid one. The series definitely lags a little bit here in the second act, but I'm excited to move on to the final one and finish it.
August 29, 2020
"This is the review of only this volume of audiobook. My views about the entire series is here and my review for the graphic novel volume 2 is here."
This volume was relatively slower in pace than the first one. Where the first volume was all about world, magic system, character introduction and the events which set the story in motion, here in the second volume lot of emphasis was on character building and exploring the already existing situations. Nothing entirely new (in terms of big events) came out in this volume but the continuation of the story was interesting enough.
A lot of emphasis was on politics but at the same time there were quite a few action sequences as well.It provided a very good mix. Once again I liked the audiobook far better than the graphic novel but more about that on graphic novel review here.
I really liked the character of Ais and Aarik. Both were going through dilemmas inside but they kept their composer. Ais as the ideal rule-follower and disciplinary and Aarik with his aloofness and light hearted nature provided something very different than what Kenton and Khriss did.
The proper introduction of all Taishas were required but the info dump could have been confusing and off-putting. Thankfully it was managed quite well. They were introduced one at a time with definite time intervals. Also they all had different flair in them which was interesting. I liked the Lord admiral the most and obviously as the story hints there is something going on with him. It will be exciting to explore that in next issue. The final few pages with the Bayon's little twist and Khriss's unusual request were surprising but you can't say that it was a cliffhanger ending.
Although not outstanding but quite satisfying book. 4 star for the audio version.
This volume was relatively slower in pace than the first one. Where the first volume was all about world, magic system, character introduction and the events which set the story in motion, here in the second volume lot of emphasis was on character building and exploring the already existing situations. Nothing entirely new (in terms of big events) came out in this volume but the continuation of the story was interesting enough.
A lot of emphasis was on politics but at the same time there were quite a few action sequences as well.It provided a very good mix. Once again I liked the audiobook far better than the graphic novel but more about that on graphic novel review here.
I really liked the character of Ais and Aarik. Both were going through dilemmas inside but they kept their composer. Ais as the ideal rule-follower and disciplinary and Aarik with his aloofness and light hearted nature provided something very different than what Kenton and Khriss did.
The proper introduction of all Taishas were required but the info dump could have been confusing and off-putting. Thankfully it was managed quite well. They were introduced one at a time with definite time intervals. Also they all had different flair in them which was interesting. I liked the Lord admiral the most and obviously as the story hints there is something going on with him. It will be exciting to explore that in next issue. The final few pages with the Bayon's little twist and Khriss's unusual request were surprising but you can't say that it was a cliffhanger ending.
Although not outstanding but quite satisfying book. 4 star for the audio version.
September 8, 2024
While White Sand Volume 2 offers some improvements over its predecessor, it ultimately falls short of expectations. The story's pace is slow, and the lack of substantial conflict hinders the overall excitement. Despite the frequent mentions of sand mastery, the concept remains underdeveloped, leaving readers with many unanswered questions.
The characters' motivations and the overarching plot feel somewhat stagnant, lacking the urgency and tension found in other fantasy series. While there are moments of intrigue, they are overshadowed by the excessive exposition and lack of substantial action.
The characters' motivations and the overarching plot feel somewhat stagnant, lacking the urgency and tension found in other fantasy series. While there are moments of intrigue, they are overshadowed by the excessive exposition and lack of substantial action.
March 6, 2024
This 3 volume series should have been 1, they are short enough. It isn't Sanderson's best work, but I understand it was his first. These books are entertaining enough, but filled with too much cliché, some pretty cringey. The worst of the violence was in the first volume in the beginning of the book.
It is a draining of the swamp moment, which we can all appreciate figuratively. I love the Darkside's thirst for knowledge. "Dark" because that side of the planet never sees the sun, it's not the same as a Star Wars application. The character arc makes this a 3.5 star series.
It is a draining of the swamp moment, which we can all appreciate figuratively. I love the Darkside's thirst for knowledge. "Dark" because that side of the planet never sees the sun, it's not the same as a Star Wars application. The character arc makes this a 3.5 star series.
November 11, 2024
I was curious about what certain scenes looked like, so I checked out the graphic novel, and dear lord... The audiobook is so significantly better than the graphic novel! This has so much more detail, so much more explanation, so much more story! There are huge chunks of the audiobook that aren't in the graphic novel, and I'm honestly unsure how the graphic novel could tell the same story without some of these scenes.
I highly recommend the audiobook. Even without the dramatization, it is good, but the added voice work, sound effects and music really make it a great listen.
I highly recommend the audiobook. Even without the dramatization, it is good, but the added voice work, sound effects and music really make it a great listen.
March 10, 2026
This started a bit slow but ended really well. I think the world building feels less organic and the leaders of the different guilds feel a bit caricature (the lazy drunk one, the angry general, etc.). I really enjoyed seeing Khriss and Kenton developing a relationship while learning how to navigate their new world. Kenton's changes to the Diem are interesting and a great power fantasy for change and doing the right thing. I still think too many events happen through Deus Ex Machina and real convenient timing or relationship.
3.5 for this one.
3.5 for this one.
February 23, 2025
it was okay. im not a huuuuuuge fan of sound effects and music in audio recordings. i did like that it pulled a lot more description from (i presume?) the prose version of white sand. there were some scenes where i couldnt make out the details in the comic that the audio was able to clarify. i just kind of wish the whole thing was a normal novel. soon.......
January 31, 2025
Things really picked up in volume 2, and I LOVE the characters now <3 Kenton and Khriss’ friendship is so fun, love their banter. Also, side note, Brandon Sanderson’s descriptions of fashion are ALWAYS bangers. I hope this doesn’t change in future cosmere books
March 6, 2025
The repetitive narration of the language translation was not necessary.
The graphic audio adaptation continues to be preferable than the graphic novel itself. Another great Sanderson story whose medium fits best with extensive narrated details.
The graphic audio adaptation continues to be preferable than the graphic novel itself. Another great Sanderson story whose medium fits best with extensive narrated details.
July 13, 2021
A full review to post on my blog in time.
January 28, 2022
Part of Cosmer (graphic novel). Good not great!
July 11, 2023
I just can't get into this story, I'm having difficulty following, but willing to hold on to the end.
November 11, 2023
These are fun, but I feel like Sanderson’s real talent will be in the bulk of the Cosmere which I cannot wait to tackle hopefully throughout 2024!
February 23, 2024
Great story. Cool use of magic. Excited to see how this one ends
9/10
9/10
July 28, 2024
I am really enjoying this world and the character development. I can imagine how it would be appearing as the graphic novel.
February 3, 2025
I enjoyed part two even more than part one. I could easily follow along with what was happening and we found out so much more about the world, characters, and events!
May 12, 2025
clomp clomp clomp, two people are walking can you tell
November 13, 2025
I liked this one a lot more than Volume One, Kenton was less annoying and I like the interactions between him, Aarik and Khrissala.
December 14, 2025
fun court intrigue
January 2, 2026
Still some annoying walking sound effects but a great improvement. Khriss and Kenton have great banter and I quite enjoyed learning about some of the wildlife on Taldain!
April 2, 2026
Underwhelming and noisy - the whole dramatized adaptation has the feel of a mediocre rpg.
June 2, 2026
An okay story, in my opinion. Not one of Sanderson's best. The acting and sound mixing could have been better, too. Still an interesting story. I've already started book 3.
April 11, 2020
At one point in the Graphic Audio recording, the narrator mentions that a character is eating an apple or something. The voice actor then proceeds to mumble like they're talking with their mouth full, so that you can't understand what they're saying. This pointless level of fake "realism" really detracts from the story throughout.
Volume 2 again also suffers from not having any resolution. There was at least an attempt at a cliffhanger, but it was a pretty pointless one.
I've rarely been so negative about any books that I've finished, especially not ones by Sanderson. I just think the graphic novel/graphic audio format is really not for me.
Volume 2 again also suffers from not having any resolution. There was at least an attempt at a cliffhanger, but it was a pretty pointless one.
I've rarely been so negative about any books that I've finished, especially not ones by Sanderson. I just think the graphic novel/graphic audio format is really not for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews