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The Book of Sand

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The Book of Sand

By: Theo Clare
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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Brought to you by Penguin.

SAND. A hostile world of burning sun.

Outlines of several once-busy cities shimmer on the horizon. Now empty of inhabitants, their buildings lie in ruins.

In the distance a group of people - a family - walk towards us.

Ahead lies shelter: a 'shuck' the family call home and which they know they must reach before the light fails, as to be out after dark is to invite danger and almost certain death.

To survive in this alien world of shifting sand, they must find an object hidden in or near water. But other families want it too. And they are willing to fight to the death to make it theirs.

It is beginning to rain in Fairfax County, Virginia when McKenzie Strathie wakes up. An ordinary teenage girl living an ordinary life - except that the previous night she found a sand-lizard in her bed, and now she's beginning to question everything around her, especially who she really is ...

Two very different worlds featuring a group of extraordinary characters driven to the very limit of their endurance in a place where only the strongest will survive.

© Theo Clare 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

 Dystopian Fantasy Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Fiction Scary Virginia
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Critic reviews

An utterly original novel from an extraordinary creative mind, The Book of Sand is an absolute standout that's impossible to put down. (Karin Slaughter)
Unique and fearless, Theo Clare had that rare ability to lead her readers into places that were genuinely terrifying and to conjure images that would linger and continue to disturb. The Book of Sand is no exception. (Mark Billingham)
I inhaled it. It's beautifully written and utterly compelling - I was completely subsumed in the Cirque and the fate of the family (Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange)
I didn't want it to end. Audacious, extraordinary and beautifully written ... it's absolutely awesome. (Alex North, author of The Whisper Man)
Fearless and compelling, lyrical and devastating by turns, the story never slackens pace. A stunning introduction to a wholly original world. (Jane Corry)
The Book of Sand is a future classic that exists between darkness and light, and is unafraid to take us into its deepest shadows. I was completely entranced by it. (Christopher Fowler)
All stars
Most relevant
Loved this book, and so well read, hope there's a sequel!! I would really recommend it.

Most interesting book

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Long book but kept me gripped to the end. Loved the characters. Great drama and the narrator was excellent.

Gripping from the start

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I loved this book and the colourful characters and relationships. A very unique premise which was intriguing and kept me hooked. Excellent world building which made the book very rounded. Sadly, having read the book I learned that the author has since died. Very sad. Whilst a sequel was obviously planned for the story, a great read in it's own right nonetheless.

Just my cup of tea

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Ready for act 2, one of the best listens I’ve had in a long while.

Loved it

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Unfortunately found the story difficult to follow in the audio format.

Narrator did a good job of the voices and I liked the dialogue but it felt like I was listening to the news when the descriptions were read.

Ultimately couldn't finish it and returned.

Not for me

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