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A review by kelsbookreads
Of Sand & Silk by Claire Butler
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely devoured this book; I couldn't help it, didn't want to help it.
The moment I stepped inside of Claire's world, I was captivated. The rich evocative world building is faultless. You can feel the heat on your body, the sharp dig of sand on your skin, and as the story unfolds beautifully around you, it's as if you live in Merovia, in its cool palace, surrounded by the unforgiving desert.
We follow a foreign King, Henri, into his new kingdom, one that doesn't want him, where death follows his every footsteps, where every smile could conceal a killer. His only trustworthy ally is a young boy, mature beyond his years and as loyal as they come.
Malik, Merovia's former Regent is shrouded in mystery, his desires hidden, his loyalty unknown, his dislike for Henri apparent. Until... they come together, and he learns there may be more than meets the eye with Henri.
The push and pull between Henri and Malik is utterly delicious and devastating as they navigate this strange new world of outsider King and former Regent with an attraction so strong it leaves the readers breathless.
The final piece falls into place with the arrival of Thalia, a courtesan with a secret...
With political intrigue, malice and assassination attempts, the whisper of old gods and lethal battles to come - I can't wait for book two to be released in January. (Though I'm one of the lucky ones receiving an arc earlier... thankfully, so I don't have to wait too long!)
If you love:
⏳️ Enemies to lovers
⏳️ Found family
⏳️ Multiple POV
⏳️ Touch him and die
⏳️ MM with a side of MF and MMF
⏳️ Politics and intrigue
⏳️ Middle Eastern inspired world building
⏳️ Assassinations, spies, and courtesans
⏳️ Elemental magic and whispers of gods
Then don't miss this one. It's superb.
The moment I stepped inside of Claire's world, I was captivated. The rich evocative world building is faultless. You can feel the heat on your body, the sharp dig of sand on your skin, and as the story unfolds beautifully around you, it's as if you live in Merovia, in its cool palace, surrounded by the unforgiving desert.
We follow a foreign King, Henri, into his new kingdom, one that doesn't want him, where death follows his every footsteps, where every smile could conceal a killer. His only trustworthy ally is a young boy, mature beyond his years and as loyal as they come.
Malik, Merovia's former Regent is shrouded in mystery, his desires hidden, his loyalty unknown, his dislike for Henri apparent. Until... they come together, and he learns there may be more than meets the eye with Henri.
The push and pull between Henri and Malik is utterly delicious and devastating as they navigate this strange new world of outsider King and former Regent with an attraction so strong it leaves the readers breathless.
The final piece falls into place with the arrival of Thalia, a courtesan with a secret...
With political intrigue, malice and assassination attempts, the whisper of old gods and lethal battles to come - I can't wait for book two to be released in January. (Though I'm one of the lucky ones receiving an arc earlier... thankfully, so I don't have to wait too long!)
If you love:
⏳️ Enemies to lovers
⏳️ Found family
⏳️ Multiple POV
⏳️ Touch him and die
⏳️ MM with a side of MF and MMF
⏳️ Politics and intrigue
⏳️ Middle Eastern inspired world building
⏳️ Assassinations, spies, and courtesans
⏳️ Elemental magic and whispers of gods
Then don't miss this one. It's superb.