Goodreads: The Sand Scuttler

Author: Rosalyn Kelly

Published: 1st May 2018 (NValters)

Source: Copy from Author

Rating: 4/5 (Really liked it)

Official Summary: “Ripped from her mother’s arms and forced into slavery, the beautiful Jakira is soon sold. Destined to become her new master’s bed slave when she matures, she’s put to work in the kitchen.

But whilst Jakira is being branded, she discovers she can tame fire.

Determined to gain her freedom and find her mother before Jakira comes of age, she uses her magic to ask the bloodthirsty God for a miracle.

When this fails, a desperate Jakira goes in search of a mysterious creature, the last of its kind, who lives deep in the vast desert. Known as the Sand Scuttler, it can bestow great power on the one it deems worthy.

For centuries it hasn’t met that one, until now.

Set in the same ruthless world as the grimdark, epic fantasy novel Melokai (In the Heart of the Mountains #1) and twenty years before, The Sand Scuttler tells of the early life of Ammad’s mother Jakira.

This adult fantasy novella can be read as a standalone story, no prior knowledge of Melokai is required.” – Goodreads

Review: With every new book the Author writes, she adds a new element and layers to the world she already built. The more you read the more you see how richly different and diverse it is. I really like that it doesn’t follow the main people from Melokai. It lets you see a new side of the world. I also liked the amount of detail that went into building the dome’s people’s world. You see a hell of a lot of their culture and how slaves are treated. It just as bad as you think, but at the same time, there is some light there.

The sand scuttler creature was a nice touch. It added that twist, that extra layer of you really don’t know what else is out there in the world of Melokai. The Author keeps you on your toes, which is great. It makes it more enjoyable not knowing what is around the corner.

I classed this one as YA due to the fact the main character starts off at the age of 10 and progresses in age.

(Disclaimer: I received a copy from the Author. Does not affect my review)