Ron's Reviews > Across the Sand

If you decide to read Across the Sand, then reading Howey's first book in this series, Sand, is more than a must. My feeling is that Howey hadn't meant for 8 years to pass between books, but no big deal for fans in the moment because both can be read back-to-back come early October.

Why so much time between books? I can't say, but I do know when it comes to his writing he tends to write and release in serial format, small chunks each like mini-novellas. The Wool series came out this way, and so did Sand. What does it matter? It doesn't, except to say that book 1 ended abruptly, and even I (who knew book 2 was coming) had a “wtf” moment. Do not fear though. There is no feeling of a gap in time when reading these two books. Book two picks up where one left off, carrying forward the saga of these siblings without hesitating, while also adding a few characters to bring more depth.

I do feel that Across the Sand is the better book that will satisfy fans who have already read Sand. Maybe that's because many plot points make more sense now, or because the new additions have broadened the scope. Howey brings more intensity with less of that YA feel I had found when reading Sand, yet I'm stuck on three stars. In a unique post-apocalyptic world such as this, why confine by not elucidating on more of the whys? If the secret is in the waiting, then something remains lost. I do like the tech science, diving under hundreds of feet of sand, though further descriptive details would go a long way towards helping me believe.

Look for this book to be released on October 4, 2022, and thank you to Harper Voyager for the GR giveaway.