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Blood upon the Sand

The Song of the Shattered Sands (Book 2)

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What to expect

Çeda's mission is partly complete . . . so now she must continue to uncover the riddles her mother has left - especially when those scattered clues are incomplete.

The answers lie in the desert, where the few remaining members of the Thirteenth Tribe are hidden, and though they doubt she can make a stand against the Kings, they are prepared to help her in her quest.

The remaining Kings, however, have not been idle. One of their own has been murdered, and the hunt is on to find the culprit. Ceda unlocks the last secrets as their hunt comes closer and closer . . . and Çeda may be forced to use the King's tainted power herself, if she is to save her own life - and the city of Sharakhai.

Read by Sarah Coomes

(p) 2017 Brilliance Audio

Critics Review

Twelve Kings in Sharakhai is the gateway to what promises to be an intricate and exotic tale. The characters are well defined and have lives and histories that extend past the boundaries of the plot. The culture is well fleshed out and traditional gender roles are exploded. Çeda and Emre share a relationship seldom explored in fantasy, one that will be tried to the utmost as similar ideals provoke them to explore different paths. I expect that this universe will continue to expand in Beaulieu's skillful prose. Wise readers will hop on this train now, as the journey promises to be breathtaking
author of The Assassin’s Apprentice
The protagonist, pit-fighter Çeda, is driven but not cold, and strong but not shallow. And the initial few scenes of violence and sex, while very engaging, soon give way to a much richer plot. Beaulieu is excellent at keeping a tight rein on the moment-to-moment action and building up the tension and layers of mysteries - (9/10 Rating)
SciFiNow
I am impressed... An exceedingly inventive story in a lushly realized dark setting that is not your uncle's Medieval Europe. I'll be looking forward to the next installment
author of The Black Company
Bradley P. Beaulieu's new fantasy epic is filled with memorable characters, enticing mysteries, and a world so rich in sensory detail that you can feel the desert breeze in your hair as you read. Çeda is hands-down one of the best heroines in the genre-strong, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to friends and family. Fantasy doesn't get better than this!
author of The Coldfire Trilogy
Exotic, sumptuous and incredibly entertaining, Beaulieu has created memorable characters in a richly imagined world
author of The Riyria Chronicles
Beaulieu's fantasy worlds are well-imagined and richly drawn...the kind you want to keep visiting
Kirkus Speculative Reading List for September 2015
Twelve Kings is the best new Epic Fantasy I've read in years
SFFWorld
A memorable heroine, a poetically told tale of revenge, and superb world-building make Twelve Kings in Sharakhai a splendid read
author of The Jackal of Nar and The Eyes of God
Bradley Beaulieu has crafted a rich, fascinating world, filled it with compelling characters, and blended them into an epic tale that grabbed my attention on the first page and refused to let go. I look forward to more stories of Sharakhai
author of Rules of Ascension and Thieftaker
It's hard to take a desert novel and not draw comparisons to Dune, but Beaulieu manages to create a rich, totally individual world, teeming with wonders and wondrous characters. Çeda and Emre and their relationship rings true and draws the reader on through magic, vengeance, and above all, excitement. A hellacious start to what looks like the next towering epic fantasy
author of The Incorruptibles
Crammed with intrigue, suspense, and stunning action sequences. Engaging characters and masterful world-building
author of The Desert of Souls
Pit fighting smugglers high on steroid-like flower petals alongside immortal plutocrats, who will do anything to keep on living, make this blood and sand fueled epic fantasy something to behold. Trust me. It'll bowl-yer ass off
Staffer’s Book Review and Tor.com
Brad Beaulieu's Twelve Kings in Sharakai isn't the same as the last epic fantasy you read. Like the desert sands of Sharakhai, this first volume of Beaulieu's new series is a constantly shifting narrative of betrayal and friendship, loyalty and vengeance. Leave the farm boys to their chickens and the scullions to their pots, because Çeda's bringing a knife to this fight. It's vivid and diverse, full of complex relationships, eye-opening magic, and world building for this new age of fantasy that's broken out of its medieval shackles
A Dribble of Ink
A lavish epic featuring gods, gangs, gladiators and everything in-between. With its deliciously original magic system, vast new world, reckless heroine and sinister array of ageless villains, this is a must for fans of Brandon Sanderson
Pornokitsch
Author Bradley Beaulieu
Narrator Sarah Coomes
Series The Song of the Shattered Sands
Duration 30 hours and 23 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781409161622
Format Audiobook
Publisher Orion
Genre Fantasy, Modern and contemporary fiction
Availability AU, GB, IE

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