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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
This book is full of surprises, twists, and turns. Initially, both our main character Eden and the reader, think all answers to the dystopia she faces lay on Sanctuary Island, if only Eden can successfully escape there. However, it quickly becomes evident that there is a lot more to the story. The island is nothing one would expect from a safe haven. Strange things are afoot, unbelievable technologies create unexpected hazards, and they're not alone on the island, but they haven't been welcomed either - friends or foes? As Eden navigates the jungle, concerns for her immediate physical safety war with the looming big picture dangers that could impact the whole world. Questions of class, wealth, and what we owe each other simmer just under the surface. An intriguing read.
So, today I cleaned my bathrooms, but I was almost out of Clorox wipes, so I used them very sparingly, but I still ran out. I had to go to the bank, and get gas and go to the store anyway, so I just bought more wipes and then finished cleaning when I got back.
There. I just wrote a more interesting story than anything in this stupid book.
There. I just wrote a more interesting story than anything in this stupid book.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This story is set in a dystopian 2049 where climate change has put humanity in danger. A vicious faction called the Wolfpack has taken over and enslaved people. Eden is one of those people. She has lost everyone close to her - family and friends - since Zero Day, the day the Wolfpack took over. Until one day, she and three other girls escapes their island in order to find a sanctuary island that they have heard about.
I never say this...ever. This book should have been a series. 455 pages long and the ending was like 3 pages. It was so detailed for the other 452 pages. I checked the Goodreads page multiple times while reading and did again when I was 20 pages from the end and the resolution hadn't really started. I was like uh oh, maybe it is a series. Honestly up to the ending, this book was a 4 star read for me. I really was enjoying it. There were some nuances that I didn't care for and at times the plot moved like molasses, but it was still a pretty enjoyable read. I kept wanting to pick the book up. But I want more. I want better closure. There could have been a whole book on what happened to get to the results of the ending. It felt strange having so much detail and then the ending was a vague happily ever after.
This story is set in a dystopian 2049 where climate change has put humanity in danger. A vicious faction called the Wolfpack has taken over and enslaved people. Eden is one of those people. She has lost everyone close to her - family and friends - since Zero Day, the day the Wolfpack took over. Until one day, she and three other girls escapes their island in order to find a sanctuary island that they have heard about.
I never say this...ever. This book should have been a series. 455 pages long and the ending was like 3 pages. It was so detailed for the other 452 pages. I checked the Goodreads page multiple times while reading and did again when I was 20 pages from the end and the resolution hadn't really started. I was like uh oh, maybe it is a series. Honestly up to the ending, this book was a 4 star read for me. I really was enjoying it. There were some nuances that I didn't care for and at times the plot moved like molasses, but it was still a pretty enjoyable read. I kept wanting to pick the book up. But I want more. I want better closure. There could have been a whole book on what happened to get to the results of the ending. It felt strange having so much detail and then the ending was a vague happily ever after.
The book started off good. Then after the first 20 chapters it became confusing at best. There was plot holes, setting holes, it was really hard to follow. I really wanted to like this book, but I found myself dreading reading it. Eden (the main character) had no personality at all, very bland and uninteresting. It became more and more uninteresting the more sci-fi that was added. Most of the time the main characters location wasn’t described so I found myself unable to picture the story at all. I didn’t get a vivid image of what was taking place and that just made the book all the more difficult to follow.
OK now what is up with the redundant statements, “The prized captain of the resistance is at his beck and call, the prized captain of the resistance is his now, the prized captain of the Resistance is no longer working against him!” I mean really??? The author does this several times within the book, just repeats certain phrases, its really annoying!!!!
Overall, I hated that book and it will be a challenge for me to read any other material this author writes again.
OK now what is up with the redundant statements, “The prized captain of the resistance is at his beck and call, the prized captain of the resistance is his now, the prized captain of the Resistance is no longer working against him!” I mean really??? The author does this several times within the book, just repeats certain phrases, its really annoying!!!!
Overall, I hated that book and it will be a challenge for me to read any other material this author writes again.
I hated the writing so much which might have played a part in the fact I got so lost the book was just jumbled text by the end. The story made no sense to me and through the whole book the author is constantly trying to explain herself. The romance is beyond awkward and 100% pointless. Not my favorite book! I really tried to like it too 😞
I really liked this book. There were some parts that were hard to follow, but other than that I really enjoyed it.
This novel was both incredibly poetic and action-filled. It's a good dystopian stand-alone with a lot of mysteries and adventure. People who loved the TV show "Lost" would really enjoy this book.
"The Sandcastle Empire" has an intriguing premise with its dystopian setting and climate change backdrop. However, the execution of the story falls short. The pacing is uneven, with slow moments that drag on and fail to hold the reader's interest. The characters lack depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level.
The plot, while promising, is predictable and lacks the necessary twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The world-building is interesting, but it is not fully explored or utilized to its full potential. The writing style is average, lacking the descriptive prose and immersive storytelling that would have elevated the reading experience.
Overall, "The Sandcastle Empire" is a mediocre read that fails to deliver on its promising premise. It lacks the depth and excitement that a good dystopian novel should have. While it may appeal to some readers who enjoy the genre, I personally would not read it again.
The plot, while promising, is predictable and lacks the necessary twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The world-building is interesting, but it is not fully explored or utilized to its full potential. The writing style is average, lacking the descriptive prose and immersive storytelling that would have elevated the reading experience.
Overall, "The Sandcastle Empire" is a mediocre read that fails to deliver on its promising premise. It lacks the depth and excitement that a good dystopian novel should have. While it may appeal to some readers who enjoy the genre, I personally would not read it again.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I devoured this book and loved every last second of it! From the very first chapter, when Eden stands on a boardwalk near a mine-littered beach, planning to make a break for it and escape the Wolves who stand guard, the story grabbed hold of me and didn't let go until the very end.
The main character, Eden, was the perfect mix of strong/bad-ass and flawed/scarred to make her super loveable, the secondary characters all popped out of the page, and the entire book was an action-packed, non-stop page-turner set in a cool (but terrifying) slightly futuristic world that combined nature and technology.
What really blew me away about THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE, though, was the writing. It's rare to find a book that’s action-packed and riveting, that also boasts gorgeous writing, but TSE excels at both. With lines like “It's so cold the stars start to look like shards of ice that have chipped from the iceberg moon,” and “Death starts like this: hope dies first,” the writing regularly took my breath away. The writing was somehow consistently contemplative and poetic, without ever slowing down the can't-put-it-down pace.
The combination of the action-packed story, loveable characters, and gorgeous writing made me absolutely adore this book. I can't recommend it enough.
The main character, Eden, was the perfect mix of strong/bad-ass and flawed/scarred to make her super loveable, the secondary characters all popped out of the page, and the entire book was an action-packed, non-stop page-turner set in a cool (but terrifying) slightly futuristic world that combined nature and technology.
What really blew me away about THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE, though, was the writing. It's rare to find a book that’s action-packed and riveting, that also boasts gorgeous writing, but TSE excels at both. With lines like “It's so cold the stars start to look like shards of ice that have chipped from the iceberg moon,” and “Death starts like this: hope dies first,” the writing regularly took my breath away. The writing was somehow consistently contemplative and poetic, without ever slowing down the can't-put-it-down pace.
The combination of the action-packed story, loveable characters, and gorgeous writing made me absolutely adore this book. I can't recommend it enough.