I have reached into the sand, and the sand has offered me strength. I have submerged myself in the salt of the sea, and the salt has offered me courage.
They say you should never trust a book by its cover. That’s advice I’ve never been particularly good at taking – especially when it comes to books with covers by artists like Melissa Stevens and Merilliza Chan. Show me s book with cover art by either of these illustrators and I’m sold before I’ve read a word.
I love the soft, high fantasy look Stevens created for
The Sylvan and the Sand (The Book of All Things: Book 2) by Sarah M. Cradit.
(The illustrations throughout the books are a nice bonus.) It fits the tone of
the story perfectly, romantic and enchanting.
When I started reading The Sylvan and the Sand,
I didn’t realize it was part of a series – not that it’s an issue. The book
stands alone very well, although the enormous cast of characters does take a
little while to get to know. I struggled a little bit at the beginning to remember
who was who but, as they were divided up very quickly, it became a lot easier
to follow.
So… who’s who?
Yesenia and Corin seem to have it easy as the story starts. She’s just her father’s daughter, after all, and Corin is his father’s second son. Neither are of particular importance (from a strategic point of view,) but they still manage to turn the whole plan on its head.
And even incite a revolution.
Which is what makes it fun, of course!
Both Yesenia (‘Sen’) and Corin are strong, driven
characters that just get better as they grow into their forced marriage and changing
societal roles. Yesenia is an inspiring, tough, experienced character
while her counterpart, Corin, is cowed, abused, and inexperienced. She brings
him out of himself, and he makes her a more patient, more tolerant person. They’re perfect for each other.
The character development in The Sylvan and the
Sand is top-notch, which is more impressive when you consider how many
there are to keep track of. All of the important characters have their own
identities, personalities, and goals. They’re important to the story, not just background noise. I’m
actually looking forward to checking out the other books in the series to see
who’s involved in which books. There are definitely people I’m hoping to see
again.
Cradit doesn’t just excel at character development;
she is a master of imagery. Her descriptions – not just of places, but
especially the way she handles action – have a way of putting you right in the moment that allows you to lose yourself in the story. I don’t think I got a
single thing finished once I started The Sylvan and the Sand. (And I'm not one bit sorry.)
The Sylvan and the Sand might
be set in a fantasy world, but many of the lessons it teaches are universal.
Some of the lessons that stand out are love (the fear of both having and
losing it,) coping with abusive family members, and the burdens of womanhood. I
found myself nodding frequently, silently agreeing with some characters – and silently
raging at others.
Even the hateful characters were fully developed, which didn't make them any less hateful.
Sen and Corin’s happily-ever-after is hard-won, which
makes it all the better. Another thing that makes The Sylvan and the Sand a
satisfying read, though, is that it’s not just about their relationship. Both have
their own goals when the book starts out and those goals remain central for
much of the story. They just happen to fall in love along the way.
And isn't that always the way?
I absolutely loved The Sylvan and the Sand. It
was engaging, well-written, entertaining, and came through with the warm
fuzzies at the end. This is one of those books I’m glad I judged by its cover.
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