Sandwriter

Sandwriter #1

by Monica Hughes

On the twin continents of Komilant and Kamalant, Antia has lived the pampered life of a princess. But when she crosses the Small Sea to the island desert of Roshan—ostensibly to be betrothed to Jodril, heir to Chief Hamrab—she finds a completely alien world. Antia is determined not to conform, but to keep her own identity in this strange country, a country which is full of rumours of an ancient mystery and is the setting for a bitter and deadly power struggle.

Even as Antia resolves to discover the secret, she also finds that Roshan has a way with those who live there. There is an age-old wisdom at work behind the veneer of political intrigue and she finds herself at the center of dramatic events over which she has no control. Is the secret of Roshan hers to impart if she can fathom it? And who is the mysterious Sandwriter?

It is Sandwriter who will provide the answer which lies at the heart of this thought-provoking, gripping novel.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Adventure, Canada, Fiction, Childrens

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Monica Hughes was a very popular writer for young people, and has won numerous prizes. Her books have been published in the United States, Poland, Spain, Japan, France, Scandinavia, England, and Germany. She has twice received the Canada Council Prize for Children's Literature, and was runner-up for the Guardian Award.

She is the author of Keeper of the Isis Light, an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, which also received a Certificate of Honor from the International Board on Books for Young People; Hunter in the Dark, also an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; and Sandwriter, among many other titles.

Reviews

[Riya · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favourite books (that I read multiple times) as a child. This book was my first introduction to the sci-fi genre and I’m so grateful for it.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is there left to want when you're raised with every luxury? For Antia, princess and heir to the throne of two continents, it's freedom; although, she doesn't know it, yet. Sent to the remote desert continent of Roshan obstensibly to be wooed by the prince, Antia has secretly agreed to spy for her tutor, Eskoril, whom she loves. Expecting a backwards land full of flea-bitten camel riders, Antia is surprised to find a land freedom and pride, where every gift of nature is appreciated by the people. Torn between her love for Eskoril and her growing esteem for the desert land, will she betray the secret of Roshad?

Sandwriter is a plain, straightforward, but engaging story. I enjoyed it very much. I think of it as a modern-day fairy tale: it has a princess, romance, adventure, mystery, and a moral. And while the moral of the story is quite apparent by the end, I don't feel that Monica Hughes has banged me over the head with it. The narrator's opinions are subtly woven into the fabric of the story.

And they are this: don't be greedy. Don't take more than you need. Don't waste. Don't be selfish. Like these messages, Hughes's writing is spare but magnetic. Watching Antia gain wisdom is both enteratining and enlightening. The reader is given enough information to form an opinion and grow to sympathize with the protagonist, but not every movement and choice is analyzed.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a YA fantasy that is about more than the trials of passing through adolescence. Sandwriter has more to offer readers than the protagonist's day-to-day activities; it asks readers to consider the scope of their own lives.

To read more of my reviews, visit my blog, StarLit.

[Sandra Visser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been sitting on my shelf for ages and I finally decided to give it a go. I remember that I couldn't get into it as a kid, probably because the main character, Antia, is so annoying. But when you're an adult you try to look past such things, and though I did enjoy it and Antia did grow as a person, she still behaved recklessly and irrationally right up until the end, which was frustrating.

The setting is intriguing and the world building captivating. Hughes keeps you intrigued with what the secret of Roshan could be and when it's revealed it is clever. The build-up to the final confrontation is also tense and well done. Unfortunately the final showdown isn't the satisfying pay-off you expect with Antia's heroics not really making any difference. I guess it's admirable that she still felt sympathy for Eskoril right up until the end, but it also made her seem a bit pathetic and her once again recklessness in trying to find his body was just annoying as she never learns to listen to others but always wants to follow her own head, putting people in danger.

As Hughes isn't known for her happy endings, I kept waiting for Antia to be revealed as Sandwriter's successor, so I was glad that that wasn't the case, although I've heard there's a sequel, which sounds frustrating, and I'm not sure I'm going to read it.

[Leigh Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunting - I read this as a teenager decades ago and remember it being a fascinating read. Monica Hughes created a Dune-like world here and told the story from the perspective of a young woman, which was compelling to me at the time. Because I cannot remember the story in detail, I would like to read this again.

[gremlinkitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://openlibrary.org/works/OL57484...

[Andrés Santerra]

I don't know how she manages to make you feel so empty at the end of what seems to be a good resolution.

[Miriam JNy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in grade 4. It was a book I completely related to as a child. It was pivotal and op3ned my eyes to all sci fi the possibilities

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book that comes before The Promise, and although that book stands alone well, this book fills in some of the mysteries that Hughes hints at. Bored and spoiled, Princess Antia is nevertheless unwilling to travel to the distant desert island of Roshan, where she is sure there will be nothing like the luxuries she is accustomed to as the niece of the King of Kamalant. But the Queen, and more importantly, handsome tutor Eskoril, wish Antia to go. She must report back every detail of her experiences to Eskoril, who appears to be interested in some very specific aspects of the Roshan landscape. As Antia adjusts to a radically different way of life in the desert, among a proud and simple people, she begins to question Eskoril's motives in the terse instructions he sends to her. And who is the mysterious Sandwriter? Can Antia forget her childish affection for Eskoril and accept growing feelings for Jodril, the son of the ruler of Roshan? Skilled storytelling propels the reader smoothly along. Upper elementary, junior high.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sent to live on Roshan, Antia, Princess of Komilant and Kamalant, finds the desert island a hostile and alien place. The barren landscape and unfriendly inhabitants make her feel terribly alone. But Antia has an important mission. Her beloved tutor, Esloril, had asked her to discover the secret at the heart of Roshan--and she is determined to succeed. She soon finds herse

[Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, what a surprising read. Loved it as a young adult. It is an interesting step in a fantasy world, the contrast between the two societies and an outsider finding a place in a strange culture with odd magic. Lovely

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica Hughes has a way of getting you to care about the characters you meet in her books, from the very first chapter.

This story is a great character piece about growth and change, and with an underlying mystery too. This story is definitely worth reading.

[Chloe C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was young. I loved the idea of it, the romance and yet the toughness of it.

[Werns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Hughes always brings me pleasure, I may be biased about her books!