Blending of the Sands Review Spotlight

 

Blending of the Sands continues the story of Harmen and Imani as the quest to bring change continues. Blending of the Sands continues where Sands of Ruin left off, moving forward with our two main characters striving to not just survive all that the world is throwing at them but to make it back to each other. This will be no easy task, especially for Harmen, but it’s something that must be done...for the sake of all.

Blending of theSands’ cover continues with the primary image of the sands and dunes that defined book one. Where book one had the compass, an heirloom from Harmen’s family, book two has an array of items that will be familiar to most readers of the series. The blue scarf that Harm gifted to Imani, the blending pendant he intends to give her, and a pair of crossed daggers. The first two items will be familiar, but the last? Not so much. It all simply comes together to draw readers into diving into this book to discover what hides inside.

Blending of theSands is the second book in R.M. Muller’s Sands of Ruin series. Sands of Ruin, book one, left readers with the question of what happens next to our heroes? Both Harmen and Imani have been taken captive by the Guardians. Charlie is a captive as well, held by own his own brother, the Chancellor. Now what? Imani was on the verge of being hanged, but with the capture of Harm everything shifted.

Now, this book picks up over a month after we were left with the ending of book one. Harm is being held in the prison. Every day he must endure what the Guardians put him through. The questioning. The abuse. The demands for answers of what he knows concerning the device. No matter how honest he is with them, they extract pain and suffering from him. His only hope? That somewhere out there...Imani is still alive.

The first time Harmen landed in prison, he had help getting out. This time? It appears that there will be no help coming for him. It would seem that he’s on his own. The hits don’t just come physically though. The Guardians are seeking to break his spirit...and that comes in a heartbreaking blow when they tell him the last thing that he’d ever want to hear.

Imani is going through her own personal hell. She’s no longer being subjected to the prison, but one can hardly say that her “accommodations” are much better. One would hardly want to find themselves in the “care” of their enemy. Granted, this particular captor is better than her father, but not by much. Can you guess who?

Blending of theSands continues with the quest to fix what the Chancellor has broken. The people are suffering and dying and the time for change must come soon. But this book takes readers deeper. We explored the sands in the Sands of Ruin. Now, Blending of the Sands is going to introduce readers to a new area – the forest/jungle area. Cue jaw-drop, right?! LOL!

What do you mean there’s more out there than just the sands and dunes? What do you mean that there is something separating everything into “sections” and people are living uniquely in them!?! Yeah, prepare to delve deeper as our characters discover the truth that is out there, and then come to being able to explore the forest area for themselves.

It’s a nice element of enticement to draw readers deeper into this book. Imani and Harm continue to face a variety of challenges. They find help along their separate journeys. Harm reconnects with Jonah and Enid. Imani finds some unexpected help from a kind villager, whom she repays with a dark service.

All the while Harm is still being hunted, probably more viciously now than before. Fletcher really has a been in his “bonnet” when it comes to Harm. But is there something more to it than meets the eye?

Where Sands of Ruin played jump rope with the line between YA and Upper YA/New Adult, Blending of the Sands takes that step and shifts fully into New Adult territory with multiple sex scenes between the new couple. The scenes aren’t overly graphic and steamy, so readers who prefer just the “basic” of elements, no more and no less, will be pleased.

Wondering if there is any character development? The answer is yes. There are new characters introduced into the story with the “discovery” of a new area. Secrets are coming to light, and Harmen and Imani are learning new things. But as they are learning new things, and discovering themselves, th taint of the Chancellor and Fletcher is reaching further and further in an attempt to draw Harmen back out and extinguish the hope that his very existence threatens to bring.

The closer this story comes to a close, the more the author begins to set the stage for a shake-up in the story. You’re going to get little clues here and there, but apparently, the characters won’t be in on what’s to come. Of course, neither will you, the reader, but we think you’ll handle things better than they will when it all plays out.

Just as book one ended on a cliffhanger with a twist, Blending of the Sands will be no exception. Thanks to some of the clues and hints dropped we weren’t as tormented with this ending, but that doesn’t mean that the characters aren’t impacted negatively. We’ll have to wait and see what comes next for Harmen and Imani. One thing is for sure, it’s going to be really interesting.

Pros:

• Engaging storyline
• Twists and turns
• Introduction of new characters
• Page-turner

Cons:

• None of merit

Cover Score: 9.8/10

4.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, R.M. Muller, for the opportunity to read and review this book. We look forward to what comes next!

Sands of Ruin Review Spotlight

 

 Readers, are you on the search for something new? A new book that whisks you away to a dystopian world looking for a brighter future? A second chance at a better life? A story with faulty characters whom you can relate to? A story that will grab you and leave you eager for book two? Then look no further. Author R.M. Muller has got you covered. Step into the pages of Sands of Ruin...and be prepared to swept away into a desert world...eager for change.

Sands of Ruin is the first book in R.M. Muller’s Sands of Ruin series. Young Harmen isn’t so young. Not really. He is facing his last year of the Selection, and he’s hoping to avoid being chosen. The soldiers...the “Guardians” they come and choose select young men to take away to fill their ranks...or so the story goes. But they never come back once they are chosen. He’s lived his entire life in a desert landscape. Following the rules, living his life with his family and dreaming of something...more.

He sees the suffering of the people around him. All of them struggling to simply survive under the harsh heat of the desert days and the brutal cold of the following nights. He wants more than the life his parents have lived. To escape the Selection, to dodge the Blending and to live his own life. But is that even possible?

When Harmen makes a dangerous decision after the loss of his friend, he brings down the ire of the Guardians upon not just himself, but his family as well. With this...tragedy will strike again, but it will be closer to home. All decisions have consequences and his are going to come back to haunt him in a real way.

He’s not alone though. In the shadows lurks another...a girl who has captured his attention. He sees her only once but her startling blue eyes captivate him and she’s all he thinks about. Will this girl reappear and how much will she affect his life? Turns out...their paths are meant to cross, and they will be the driving force for the other.

Sands of Ruin can be categorized as a young adult novel, that gives hints that it will later shift towards “new adult” with the continuation of the series. Harmen is 17 years old, and one of the main characters of this story. Author Muller is going to give readers dual POV with this story shifting from Harmen to Imani at random moments throughout this book. However, the lion’s share of the story will be focused on Harmen. He is the crucial character that author Muller wants readers to focus on.

Your heart is going to break for Harmen as he is made to go through so much throughout this story. Sands of Ruin becomes more than just a story of Harmen looking to find his family, but it becomes a quest to change the world. To bring about what once was. To fix what someone else’s pain and “rash” decision has changed the world into.

You see, the world wasn’t always a desert landscape as far as the eye can see. No, it used to be so much more. But due to someone else’s stupid decision, their evil choices, loss was created and thereby drove another to make a decision that has created nothing but more loss since. It will beg the question – Why? Why continue down this path when you see the unnecessary suffering of so many? The answer seems pretty simple doesn’t it? Greed. Love of power and the desire to cling to it no matter the cost.

Harmen, while he tries to be careful, he tends to find himself in the cross hairs of trouble more often than not. Every time he goes off by himself you’re pretty much guaranteed that something bad is about to happen. It’s literally like clockwork. Yep, cue groans of exasperation especially when you know that he’s a “wanted” man. LOL!

Well, the good news is that it at least makes for entertaining reading. You’ll constantly be on the edge of your seat wondering – “Is this going to be it?” “Is this going to be the moment, the scene where he’s messed up one too many times and is now in deep trouble?” You’re going to be crossing your fingers that it’s not, because then it will mean someone else has to put their neck on the line for him. Just resist the urge to give him a shake. Okay? LOL!

The good news? Other than Imani, here are a lot of characters in this story looking out for Harmen. So, even when he does get himself into deep trouble, there is usually someone there to lend him a helping hand. Ready for some secrets? Be sure to keep an eye out for them, because they are scattered everywhere throughout this story. Author Muller will drop hints here and there for readers, but it’s up to you to pick up on them.

There are sparks of romance throughout this story as well. Hoping for more? For readers hoping for more, you’ll be left disappointed on that front. At least for now. Who knows what future books will hold? However, readers who enjoy the build-up and establishment of a relationship are going to be appreciative of how the romance angle is only given so much attention throughout the story. It’s there, but it’s just subtle.

Hate cliffhangers? HA! Well, you’re going to have to brave through this one. Even we were howling “Oh come ON!!!” when we reached the end of this book. It’s a double whammy of a cliffhanger ending. You get some answers concerning particular characters, but the two main characters? You’re going to be left twisting in the wind as to what happens to them...for now.

Sands of Ruin is a novel that you’re not going to want to miss out on reading. So make sure that you go and grab a copy and dive on in!

Pros:

- Engaging storyline

- Interesting characters

- Dual POV

- Twists and secrets

- Light romance

Cons:

- None of merit

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Thank you to the author, R.M. Muller, for the opportunity to read and review this book! We look forward to what comes next!