Oh man, a true high fantasy with such a large set of characters and an expansive plot with so much going on at all times. It was great to see it all come together, though and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Even though I struggled to remember what happened in the previous book I was quickly caught up and rocketing through this book. Such a page turner full of great characters, breathtaking scenes and dilemmas and a brilliant ending. Will definitely read the next.

Female protagonists are all the rage nowadays. You find them everywhere: comics, detective novels, sci fi sagas, movies. Obviously fantasy as well. However, to avoid jumping into the cesspool of cliché and done-to-death character props you really need to think outside the box.

In comes Çeda, a pit fighter who defies an empire. With faint reminders of Brandon Sanderson's Vin in the popular Mistborn series, Blood Upon The Sand is an awesome series. Rebellions are on the rise, ships sail across deserts, there's an abundance of original magical elements, and, of course, the gods themselves get involved.

Stop reading this review and read Beaulieu's second installment if you want something good to read.

Was not able to read this as it was my device broke before I was able to, and then it was removed from NetGalley.

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

Unfortunately having not read the first book in the series I just could not get into this.
A book I did not finish.

An action packed adventure filled to the brim with excitement, tension, and originality. Absolutely brilliant.

This was a fantastic continuation of this series. I have to admit that I struggled abit with the first book but I think because the world and characters are already established it was easier to get into. The plot was engaging throughout and I was hooked from very early on. The character development was very well done. The main thing I love about this series is setting - it is so unique and complex. If you love good world building, then you need to check out these books. Overall I thought this was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it. I am definitely excited for the next book.

My advice before you plunge into this book is to first track down Twelve Kings. In common with most epic fantasy, there is a wide-ranging cast of characters and a handful of plotpoints spiralling away from Çeda’s main story arc that holds it altogether. So inevitably you’ll be slightly floundering at the start of this one as it hits the ground running – and the premise and world are of a quality that it would be real shame to miss out on the nuances and backstory.

I’m not the greatest fan of epic fantasy, as inevitably when trying to keep track of all those interconnecting plotlines and weaving the political machinations that abound in these books, the depth of characterisation tends to suffer. Not so with Çeda. Beaulieu manages to continue to make her motivations and unfolding backstory the nexus of this complicated, vividly drawn world – which is a major achievement and doubtless has garnered the clutch of positive reviews I have read by reviewers who I know like character-driven plots. And the fact that he has succeeded in keeping her so sharply defined within such a very broad canvas elevates this one. I don’t always like her, or what she gets up to, but I am mesmerised by her and her fractured, lonely childhood. And I’d love for her find a measure peace and happiness – though I don’t somehow see that happening…

As for the world – it is riveting. The gods in this environment are every bit as savagely unyielding as the arid landscape and have exacted a terrible price from the kings to keep them ruling over this city-state – Sharakhai. This book is peopled by vengeful ghosts, demons and monsters in human form intent on keeping hold of what they have at all costs… Meanwhile neighbouring kingdoms are circling, feeding support to the freedom fighters plotting to bring down the twelve kings. There is no second book slump here as the pace accelerates, rocketing forward to the climactic battle where everyone has something to lose – and gain.

I’ll definitely be looking out for the next book in this excellent fantasy series and if you like your action dune-pocked and dripping with sweat, then this one is for you.
9/10

Wow. Things have certainly moved on from book one. Not in time. But in characterisation and strength and empowerment. Ceda is not the same girl we met in book one. She has changed. Grown more sure of herself and more sure of her goals.

The problem with this book and the previous is the size. It is a huge book! It has taken me over two weeks to work my way through. There was no chance of me rereading the first, so I'd have appreciated a character list just so I could get my bearings. This monster size of a book did make it difficult too keep reading as there where times when I felt I was getting no-where.

But this is a high fantasy story that flows well. And I loved how the chapters varied in their points of view. It was especially interesting to read from the King's perspective. Before they had been distant figures, now they are the very heart of the story.

The ending surprised and didn't surprise me in a way. I thought that Ceda was brave and remained true to herself throughout despite others warning her to stay alert. How she comes back from this, I am not sure. But what I do know is that the battle may be won but there is still a war ongoing.

This is as a information stuffed book as the first. Here we get more of an understanding of the world of Sharakhai. It is easier to understand the history. Although I do what to know more about why and how the Kings have ruled the city for 400 years. And I want to know more about the 'bloody verses'. And also which King is Ceda a daughter of. It has been bugging me for ages and I really need an answer.

This was a brilliant second book. And in so many ways it was better than the first. There is more at stake here and more to play around with. I wonder how things will end. How is Ceda's vengeance going to pan out? And who will be victorious?

Hace unos meses Bradley Beaulieu publicó un relato de Çeda en su juventud para apaciguar la necesidad que los seguidores de su nueva saga de Sharakhai teníamos de nuevas historias, después de disfrutar de Twelve Kings. Pero me temo que lo que consiguió es hacernos esperar aún con más ansia With Blood Upon the Sand.

Es importante precisar que With Blood Upon the Sand no es una lectura fácil. El ritmo de la narración es muy lento en arrancar y la prosa sosegada y muy trabajada del autor tampoco hace fácil entrar en la historia.

Una vez soslayado este problema, algo que advierto desde un principio que no es fácil, nos encontraremos inmersos en una historia alambicada y compleja. Existen muchos puntos de vista y tendremos que recordar la situación en la que quedó la primera entrega para situarnos, porque aunque existen algunos capítulos dedicados al pasado estos no sirven para recordar hechos conocidos, si no que sirven para descubrir nuevos aspectos de la vida de Çeda de los que no teníamos noticia o que no habían quedado clarificados con anterioridad.

La presentación de nuevos personajes y la evolución de los que ya conocíamos se hace de forma paulativa, una labor muy bien realizada por el autor, que consigue desplegar ante nosotros muchos personajes que son perfectamente distinguibles entre ellos, cada uno con una voz propia y diferenciada.

La magia, omnipresente en la novela, sigue siendo un misterio. Especialmente importante es la irrupción de la magia de sangre, que se vislumbraba en Twelve Kings, pero que aquí llega para cambiar las normas del juego. Este desarrollo de la magia y de otros elementos del worldbuilding consigue hacer creíble la historia. Estas novedades compensan la cierta pérdida de frescura típica de una segunda novela.

Las maquinaciones y las intrigas políticas siguen siendo la fuerza motor de la historia, y las diversas situaciones van creando extraños compañeros de cama (y nunca mejor dicho).

Most authors fail at delivering on a worthy continuation to a great start. The pace, world building or character development would suffer badly when the authors try to stretch their story for pages which are just not there. Not with this one. This one just draws you into the magic of the desert. Disclaimer: While I received an advance reading copy from the author through netgalley, the views expressed below are my own.

Çeda is now a part of the elite Blade Maidens and has infiltrated the coterie of the Twelve Kings to an unprecedented extent. With Yndris (daughter of confessor king Cahil) nipping on Çeda's heels, the asirim further complicate matters for her by overpowering her with their own hunger for freedom. Davud and Nayyan who were relegated to secondary roles in the earlier instalment in the series find pivotal roles to play in the events here. Hamzakiir continues on his own path to gain control of Sharakhai without confronting the Kings in any direct manner. The Moonless Host have to tread more carefully than ever with the Twelve Kings baying for their blood. Emre is embroiled with the Moonless Host deeper than ever and Çeda gets onto the trail of breadcrumbs leading to enlightenment on her own past. However, Dardzada and Osman don't feature in any major capacity and I was slightly disappointed that Osman especially wasn't used to his potential by the author. Maybe, there is something bigger in store for them in the future?

The book continues on the third person narrative and centers around Çeda. Continuing on the breakneck pacing of the previous book, Bradley Beaulieu doesn't spare any of his protagonists. They probably end up getting hurt more than any of the other characters, in fact. While the back and forth timeline movement is kept at a minimum in this book unlike Twelve Kings in Sharakhai, the magic of the desert is strong as ever. I am really interested in knowing how the gods play a pivotal role in the upcoming books and considering the cliffhanger ending in this book, I am desperate to read the next instalment.

This series has now become "Highly recommended for fantasy readers" from me and I will keep my eyes glued on the release date of the next book for sure. Again - full marks for the amazing cover design.

Blood upon the sand by Bradley Beaulieu is a sci-fi and fantasy read.
Ceda, now a blade maiden in service to the King's of sharakhai, trains as one of their elite warriors, gleaning secrets as even as they send her on convert missions to further their rule.
Good but slow read with good characters. I managed to read it. Slowly. 3*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

3.5 stars.

With barely a pause for breath, I headed on to the next book in Bradley Beaulieu’s towering desert fantasy. Like its predecessor, it’s packed with adventure as our protagonist Çeda works her way deeper into the community of Blade Maidens on the royal mount of Tauriyat, while her childhood friend Emre knits himself closer to the rebel army of the Moonless Host. I don’t know how many books Beaulieu intends to write in this series, but this volume has the feel of a typical ‘middle’ book: threads are taken up from the first book, the scope widens, and an increasingly complex weave of intrigue and skulduggery leaves us with several unanswered questions at the end. Yet it remains compellingly rich and detailed: the wealth of Beaulieu’s imagination is never in doubt.

This is not a simple book. There are wheels within wheels and so much plotting that you can barely chew your way through it. No two characters have exactly the same aims, and alliances shift, change and fade as events develop, which adds to the feeling that you’re reading a novel woven as intricately and densely as a tapestry. I’ll admit that there were times I lost track of exactly who was now fighting who, and occasionally I felt that I should begin to draw diagrams. Yet the action remains pacy, with plenty of fights, espionage and weighted conversations. Magic (of a faintly alchemical type) does play a central role here, stronger than in the first novel. I think it would be a shame if this came to overpower the characters’ own martial abilities – for me, a battle with steel and spear is so much more exhilarating than mages hurling fireballs and monsters at one another – but so far the balance remains right. And, with every page, you find yourself learning more about the history and customs of Sharakhai and its neighbours: Beaulieu is an extremely talented world-builder.

Knotty and violent, this remains a captivating series, like a sand-dusted Game of Thrones where ancient powers and blood-soaked vengeance struggle for supremacy among the dunes. I already know that I’m going to have to read these first two books again, because there’s simply so much detail that I couldn’t take it all in on a single read. Again, it comes recommended for those who like political, pugnacious fantasy. It’s going to be extremely interesting to see how Çeda’s story, and the Kings’ fates, play out from here on.

For the full review, please see my blog at the link below:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/02/03/blood-upon-the-sand-bradley-beaulieu/

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and feel I was there at the time as the writing was really good.

The Song of the Shattered Sands is currently one of my favorite series. I have let it be well known that I am a world building junkie and the city of Sharakhai and surrounding area is a living, breathing thing and I revel in it. Beautiful writing, a deep and exciting story and characters you CARE about.

I can't say enough good things about this series or this book, you guys know I don't review things I don't like and I am FAR from an objective reviewer.

Throw this man your money, do yourself a favor and just start from the beginning and read them all, I am not gonna tell you wrong, that I promise.

9389 out of 5 stars