Oceans of Sand

By: Jessica Flory

Narrated by: Chloe Bright

One girl. Her boat. An ocean of sand to cross.

Norah’s desert world has always been treacherous, with the roiling ocean of sand, giant scorpions, and brutal sandstorms—but now an unnatural famine plagues the desert nations and threatens to destroy all.

Despite being the only one in her village without a sand gift, Norah is chosen with her best friend, Zadock, to sail across the ocean of sand in search of the legendary moonstone, an artifact that could end the famine.

As Norah and Zadock set off on their journey, secret romantic feelings each has suppressed for years rise to the surface. Love weakens sand gifts, and if they act on their feelings, Zadock's sand gift will disappear.

Caught in a crossfire between forbidden feelings, an unforgiving desert, and starving nations willing to do anything to survive, Norah and Zadock discover the true meaning of sacrifice—and the power that love has to heal the world.

©2023 Immortal Works (P)2023 Immortal Works

Clean YA fantasy

This YA fantasy was fun for the whole family! The world building was incredible and the story was engaging. The characters were relatable.The lessons of love and forgiveness were powerful.

Told from multiple points of view.

Expect;
- Friend to more YA romance (MMC & FMC)
- Forbidden love (in so many ways)
- One bed
- Forced proximity (one small boat)
- Enemies to more (side character romance)
- Chosen one
- Coming of age
- Happy ending

- epilogue leads into Book 2

Intimacy: Kisses only (A female friend has to help a male friend dress but averts her eyes, clothed male & clothed female share a bed (only sleeping & snuggling happens)

- No profanity

- PG violence - nations are at war and there are casualties and fatalities. Prisoners are executed including women and children. Homes are burned. Assassination attempts on a ruler’s life. Talk of sacrificing one character to save others. Fighting with sand powers and spears. People with defects cast off the plateaus to their deaths.

Content:
Grief over death of loved ones. Mother drinking tea to prevent pregnancy, Heart defect. Death of characters who fall into the sea of sand. The characters in the book worship a moon goddess.

NOTE: In the book, love weakens characters’ powers so people choose not to be loving, even towards their own family members and may even give up their children to avoid loving them. However, the book ultimately shows the power of love and forgiveness to heal.

Great YA fantasy romance

This was a fun story, well-paced, well-written, with enjoyable characters and interesting twists and turns. The love story is sweet and poignant, and the world building is excellent. A unique-yet-familiar fantasy adventure tale that I was able to enjoy as an adult.

Content notes: This clean romance is targeted at teens, which is great. There is fake swearing, but the contextualization of the "fake swear words" are so familiar to our world that it may be too close to swearing for some. There is also a "forced proximity"/"one bed" trope, and while "nothing happens", the level of first-person yearning in this book feels edgy to me. For my daughters, this book would be at least 16+. That being said, I'm 100% sure they'd love it.

must read clean fantasy!

This story was so great! I have never been a fan of desert settings. I think they are fun to visit in a fantasy book, but I gravitate more toward lush greenery. This book completely changed that for me! This world is so interesting! I love that villages live on huge desert plataues and they travel with sand surfing boats! That the ocean is a far off scary place to people who have only ever known sand. It's a different, refreshing story.Also, does anyone love atla? Love the idea of sand bending? The entire magic system is sand based, and it's epic! The amount of things that Jessica came up with that sand can accomplish is mind-boggling! Fan-freaking-tastic!Oceans of Sand is a romantasy that's super clean content wise. Do you love Kiera Cass' characters and style of writing emotional depth? Then you have to read Jessica Flory's writing (which may be better) In this story marriages are arranged by the government, think matched meets the giver, with our two main characters being childhood best friends. Who are star crossed lovers that can never be together, but when her mother gives them an epic quest to save the world that may all change.Oceans of Sand is ultimately a story of forgiveness and redemption. Love conquers all and strength is not as important as it seems. With a character with a chronic health condition learns they aren't broken and don't need to be fixed. That part really touched me.

Great unique fantasy

Really enjoyed this one! Loved the unique magic system and loved the characters! Twists and turns I didn’t see coming! Such a great read!

No Spice YA Fantasy

4.5 Stars

"I love you, Norah. I want you to be mine forever."

This book is an absolute whirlwind of a story. Full of action, magic, heartache, romance, forgiveness, sacrifice, and unexpected twists...you won't want to put it down. I love the themes of love and forgiveness that are woven throughout.

The audiobook narrator is emotive and engaging and does a wonderful job of bringing this story to life.