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Sand ##2
Out of No Man's Land
For every bucket of sand a man hauls, the wind brings another.
For every life that wanders out of sight, one more is born.
On the anniversary of a father lost, two brothers whisper stories in a tent.
They camp on the border of No Man's Land.
And one of them has a secret.
For every life that wanders out of sight, one more is born.
On the anniversary of a father lost, two brothers whisper stories in a tent.
They camp on the border of No Man's Land.
And one of them has a secret.
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2013
About the author
Hugh Howey
126 books55.7k followersI'm the author of WOOL, a top 5 science fiction book on Amazon. I also wrote the Molly Fyde saga, a tale of a teenager from the 25th century who is repeatedly told that girls can't do certain things -- and then does them anyway.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
A theme in my books is the celebration of overcoming odds and of not allowing the cruelty of the universe to change who you are in the process. Most of them are classified as science fiction, since they often take place in the future, but if you love great stories and memorable characters, you'll dig what you find here. I promise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 4, 2014
Giving this one only 4 stars solely because after reading SAND #1 and being left clambering for more of the story, the change in focus of this installment threw me for a loop at first. Belt of the Buried Gods ended on quite a cliff hanger and I was hoping this one would pick up where it left off. But as I continued reading I, began to see hints of the much broader tale that Hugh Howey is masterfully crafting. Perhaps I should have taken Hugh's advice and waited for the omnibus version but frankly, I was so drawn into SAND by the first book I simply couldn't wait to read more. And reading the story in installments is a new experience for me, allowing me to savor each portion and then eagerly sit in anticipation of the next one. Thankfully Hugh is prolific enough that I haven't had to wait long between them. With all that being said, Out of No Man's Land ends with its own compelling cliff hanger. Two young brothers, Connor and Rob, set out for the wasteland, holding onto an old family ritual to honor the father they barely remember, while their bitter, indifferent mother struggles to survive in the wake of his disappearance by selling herself to any man with enough coin to afford her company. They haven't seen their sand diving eldest sister, Vic, in years and now older brother, Palmer, is also missing, his fate uncertain after the end of SAND #1. All in all, this a a marvelous tale and a thoroughly riveting example of how Hugh Howey is a capable of weaving a vivid and complicated world with his writing.
September 20, 2015
Hugh Howey writes his stories in such a way that you either buy many little sections to make up the whole book or (you do what I do) you wait until the entire collection is possible in book format. There is nothing wrong with this, I merely find it difficult to review each individual section as, for me, the whole is worth more than the parts.
So, with that in mind, here is a review of the collective for you (so you can make a decision about whether Sand is right for you):
After reading the Wool Trilogy, Hugh Howey earned a spot in my favourite authors list. Wool is to this day my favourite dystopian series meaning I had very high hopes for Sand. Whilst I did thoroughly enjoy Sand it was not as great as Wool – although, I guess nothing could be that great.
Howey once again creates a unique dystopian world, this time in a land covered by sand (hello title). Much like Wool we were given the what and the how – although this story was condensed to be much shorter than the Wool series. Sadly, however we were not given the why. When the book ended I still had questions concerning the why of the world. With Wool we were given the answers in the second book, Shift, but this one leaves us with that question hanging in the air. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the book. I just would have liked the answer to that. Still, with that in mind, such a thing was not possible in the story context. What we’re given is the myths of the world, as we’re seeing things in the way that the characters do.
Speaking of characters, Howey has once again created a world of loveable characters. Each character is unique in their own way, playing a vital role as the story unfolds. I will admit that I was attached to some characters more than others, but that was mainly due to being able to relate to them more than others. No characters were two dimensional, all had personalities and all played their part in the story, everyone growing over time.
There were a few predictable events, which was quite surprising considering how Wool was one shock after the other, yet despite this it was a fast paced engaging story. I was constantly telling myself I would read just one more chapter and before I knew it I’d read another fifty pages without even realising it.
All in all, it is another great story. If you’re a Hugh Howey fan I certainly recommend reading it. If you’re new to his wonderful worlds then it isn’t a bad place to start, although I would certainly point you towards Wool instead simply because I enjoyed it more.
So, with that in mind, here is a review of the collective for you (so you can make a decision about whether Sand is right for you):
After reading the Wool Trilogy, Hugh Howey earned a spot in my favourite authors list. Wool is to this day my favourite dystopian series meaning I had very high hopes for Sand. Whilst I did thoroughly enjoy Sand it was not as great as Wool – although, I guess nothing could be that great.
Howey once again creates a unique dystopian world, this time in a land covered by sand (hello title). Much like Wool we were given the what and the how – although this story was condensed to be much shorter than the Wool series. Sadly, however we were not given the why. When the book ended I still had questions concerning the why of the world. With Wool we were given the answers in the second book, Shift, but this one leaves us with that question hanging in the air. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the book. I just would have liked the answer to that. Still, with that in mind, such a thing was not possible in the story context. What we’re given is the myths of the world, as we’re seeing things in the way that the characters do.
Speaking of characters, Howey has once again created a world of loveable characters. Each character is unique in their own way, playing a vital role as the story unfolds. I will admit that I was attached to some characters more than others, but that was mainly due to being able to relate to them more than others. No characters were two dimensional, all had personalities and all played their part in the story, everyone growing over time.
There were a few predictable events, which was quite surprising considering how Wool was one shock after the other, yet despite this it was a fast paced engaging story. I was constantly telling myself I would read just one more chapter and before I knew it I’d read another fifty pages without even realising it.
All in all, it is another great story. If you’re a Hugh Howey fan I certainly recommend reading it. If you’re new to his wonderful worlds then it isn’t a bad place to start, although I would certainly point you towards Wool instead simply because I enjoyed it more.
April 1, 2015
So, um... You're going to chew sand? And you expect to still have teeth left by the time you're thirty?!
And I don't get why they have permanent structures built on the dunes.. And when those get buried, they just build on top of them? It doesn't add up when you look at how resource-scarce this world is. Why not just have flimsy, deconstructable structures instead? Tents and the like?
That way when the sand encroached, you could just take them apart, pack down the new drift as best as you could, then rebuild on top of it? Seems a lot more reasonable than building one thing ontop of another... And if its a shanty town, how is one structure strong enough to support another on top of it anyhow?
And I don't get why they have permanent structures built on the dunes.. And when those get buried, they just build on top of them? It doesn't add up when you look at how resource-scarce this world is. Why not just have flimsy, deconstructable structures instead? Tents and the like?
That way when the sand encroached, you could just take them apart, pack down the new drift as best as you could, then rebuild on top of it? Seems a lot more reasonable than building one thing ontop of another... And if its a shanty town, how is one structure strong enough to support another on top of it anyhow?
January 20, 2014
Oh my God can not wait to start part 3 I love how all of there intricate back stories of the characters are coming together piece by piece and cliffhanger or what! Still in total shock how thus ended Need to read part 3!
February 21, 2019
Fabulous story
Once again, incredibly unique, interesting, well-written, intelligent story. I'm such a fan of this author. This set of books is based on such an original idea, where the world as we know it is buried by hundreds of feet of sand and sand divers attempt to explore and recover items from before. There's a lot more to this story. It's worth the read.
Once again, incredibly unique, interesting, well-written, intelligent story. I'm such a fan of this author. This set of books is based on such an original idea, where the world as we know it is buried by hundreds of feet of sand and sand divers attempt to explore and recover items from before. There's a lot more to this story. It's worth the read.
July 16, 2020
I bought this thinking it was the sequel to Sand but it is the original book split up into 5 parts making each part as long as a short story. So I feel ripped off. The book is very good but don`t buy it in parts or your paying 5 times the price you should. Sand is the future of the wool series.
December 15, 2017
This is just a short bit of the entire story. While the Sand story overall is great, I recommend not reading this small bit. Find the entire story and read that.
February 8, 2016
What?!? What just happened?m this is so good!
This part has a new narrator and it took me a while to remember that I wasn't reading the same people's thoughts. Conner is the second son in the family and he's in charge when his brother goes in his dives. He likes to think he's much more mature than he is, and like the typical younger brother he finds himself in sticky situations needing help. But his brother still hasn't returned from the dive.
When they go out to camp for the anniversary (of what?) he packs a bag. He's going to no mans land, to look for his father and to see what is out there. Hard headed little kid...but he meets someone that stops him. And the plot twist is totally not expected!
This part has a new narrator and it took me a while to remember that I wasn't reading the same people's thoughts. Conner is the second son in the family and he's in charge when his brother goes in his dives. He likes to think he's much more mature than he is, and like the typical younger brother he finds himself in sticky situations needing help. But his brother still hasn't returned from the dive.
When they go out to camp for the anniversary (of what?) he packs a bag. He's going to no mans land, to look for his father and to see what is out there. Hard headed little kid...but he meets someone that stops him. And the plot twist is totally not expected!
January 12, 2014
The Sand story continues with the brother of the previous part's main character. You get to learn a bit more about their specific family history, and a lot more about the legends behind what's happening in the world, but there hasn't been a big reveal yet and the fate of Palmer was left completely unknown. Presumably he's dead by this point, but you don't know if somebody is going to find him or not. Conner's story didn't interest me quite as much as Palmer's had but it does keep me wondering exactly what's going on in this world and I can't wait to continue the story and find out.
January 20, 2014
Es difícil hacer algo tedioso en 70 páginas, pero Howey lo hizo con Out of No Man's Land. Me recordó un poco a First Shift cuando me perdía en detalles que, siento, no le aportan nada a la historia. El último capítulo si es una cosa muy... maldita, podría decirse. Se espera 69 páginas hablando de nada para ¡PUM! madrearde en la última.
Como lo dije con el libro 1, es difícil saber qué calificación darle a un capítulo, ya estoy con la parte 3 y se ve mucho mejor que éste, pero esperaré hasta el 5 para mi reseña definitiva.
Como lo dije con el libro 1, es difícil saber qué calificación darle a un capítulo, ya estoy con la parte 3 y se ve mucho mejor que éste, pero esperaré hasta el 5 para mi reseña definitiva.
April 1, 2014
No clue as to why Palmer's buddy left him for dead in book 1 - and I suspect there won't be now, which does bug me - but I still enjoyed the second installment of this unusual story. (Sure he was greedy and wanted the glory for himself, but there was no indication throughout the story that he was anything but a loyal friend.) The characterization is great - I actually care about these boys - and the world they inhabit is brilliantly drawn. Howey's determination and persistence have certainly paid off.
January 9, 2014
Very well written and great characters but I didn't enjoy this as much as the first part. The shift in characters was pretty abrupt after the fantastic cliffhanger in part 1 and I didn't want to read about these new characters at this point - I wanted to continue following Palmer. Part 2 didn't keep me on the edge of my seat like part 1 either, but still highly enjoyable and I'm sure all the characters will get pulled together at a later point.
January 23, 2014
I love me some Hugh Howey, but part 2 of Sand was hard for me to stay interested in. I feel like this is a lot my fault, though, because I am the world's worst visualizer, and this installment was a very large amount of description. I felt very disconnected from this part, which was a big difference to the Sand: Part 1, with which I felt ridiculously connected and deeply affected by.
I am certain that this was just a bump in the road.
I am certain that this was just a bump in the road.
February 8, 2014
The second part of Sand focuses on two bothers, Conner and Rob and there life since their father went away one night. Part of the story focuses on the hard life that Conner lives having to help, along with everyone else, carry sand out of a due to make sure the water supply doesn’t get burried.
Some of the story is telling how their lives have been effected since the father left. Another focus is the plan Conner has to leave and start his life outside of their camp.
Some of the story is telling how their lives have been effected since the father left. Another focus is the plan Conner has to leave and start his life outside of their camp.
January 14, 2015
The second episode of this story runs along a different arc. There is still the nod toward the Twilight Zone styled revelation. But the build feels different this time, the stakes much different. Where the first episode was a simpler story of greed and double-cross, this one has family and a fleshing out of both the features and the myths that make up this particular world.
December 22, 2013
Wow, wow, wow! I really enjoyed everything about this installment...the characters, the plot, the connections to part 1.The end was intense! I need part 3! I need to know what happens to Palmer, Conner, Rob, and the girl. Great work Mr. Howey!
April 7, 2014
I'm disappointed that it took me as long as it did to figure out "sissy-foot". Intriguing addition to what we learned in the first story, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing this from the other siblings' pov.
February 13, 2014
The sand rolls everywhere, pushing and pulling everything and everyone in its path. This second novella gets deep into what it is like to live in the sand and how family has to shift and move along with it.
March 2, 2014
Was not happy
I just read this in the first book!!!!!!! Why would I buy something I read already!!!!!!
Did I miss something here!!!
I am returning this book!!!! I want my money back!!!!!!!!!!!!!,!!!
I just read this in the first book!!!!!!! Why would I buy something I read already!!!!!!
Did I miss something here!!!
I am returning this book!!!! I want my money back!!!!!!!!!!!!!,!!!
May 24, 2014
I was about to give this one four stars because it is mainly background and setting the stage but leave it to HH to give you a cliffhanger of an ending. I can't wait for the next installment. If you aren't already reading Hugh Howey, get on it!
December 14, 2014
The inevitable dip in interest lies here. I'm hoping that this story (which isn't bad) will tie directly into the first story. That's what really brought me into this world.
All in all, not a bad read. I just wanted to see more of Palmer's plot from the first installment.
All in all, not a bad read. I just wanted to see more of Palmer's plot from the first installment.
December 23, 2013
At first I was confused by the change in point of view but now I am excited to see what has happened with everyone. Time to wait!
January 4, 2015
Not as intriguing as the first part. The new characters are interesting but the point-of-view shift made me wonder where the story is actually heading.
August 9, 2015
4.5 stars
January 23, 2014
Sand is epic, engrossing, and eerie. I cannot get enough. Hugh Howey's writing is addicting.
September 15, 2014
Getting better all the time!
April 3, 2014
I thought the second part of this series was interesting like the first, but the mystery felt a bit more contrived, and I thought Conner was less interesting than Palmer. So 4 stars.
August 15, 2014
A bit more exciting than the first in the series but still not spectacular. The third installment has promise....
May 26, 2014
Excellent next installment in the series.
December 25, 2014
Hugh Howey is amazing. Loved his Wool series and am enjoying the "Sand" series as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews