Race the Sands

I very much enjoyed “Race the Sands” by Sarah Beth Durst. Once I started reading it I was immediately sucked in and couldn’t put the book down. This book has everything, characters I cared about that grew over the story, lots of action, a well imagined world, and a new fantasy concept. In the land of Becar, the culture is based on living to earn the karma necessary for a good re-incarnation in the next life. For those who are terrible in life (murderers, thieves, betrayers, etc) are reincarnated in the form of monsters, with no hope of future reincarnations raising their souls to better lives. But could a good man somehow be reincarnated by accident (or someone’s design) as a monster? The answer to this question ends up forming the crux of the story. I enjoyed everything about this story, including that it managed to tell an exciting and satisfying story in one book, instead of the current popular trilogy. I highly recommend this to other readers who are looking for something new in fantasy.

Seriously amazing book about incredibly cool and brave heroes, who happen to be women. Be honest, nothing is more annoying than a female heroine who is lauded for being a hero despite the fact she is a woman, or a hero who constantly reminds you she is. Durst writes with utterly perfect understanding of that annoying habit of writers, and all of the heroes have such different, but equally fabulous, strengths to show the breadth of being a heroine. Bravo!

The characters are fun and interesting. Watching the rider find her and own her own strength is well done.

The world is a unique and unusual setting and the story takes some great turns.

This book combines a coming of age story, a redemption arc, the excitement of races and sports competition story and the twists of political intrigue into a really wild and satisfying ride.

I grew up reading horse stories, so the basic concepts of racing, and of taming, or at least understanding, and controlling, much larger creatures are extremely familiar. The setting, the unique culture based around the aurors, and the background concern around the throne, combined with the desires of our heroines, made for a very satisfying read.

I was hooked. Great stand alone, but I wish there could be a sequel!!! Interesting world building, a story that is unfamiliar but so easy to invest in, diverse bunch of characters….I loved loved loved it. Thanks for the great read..I have already downloaded another of Durst’s books. Thanks so much!