Georgia Day pens a fantastical tale in Of Bone and Sand. God and the Devil argue over creation and who should inherit the earth. God places a longing for more into the hearts of humanity; therefore, the Devil strips the beauty from the world, creating a wasteland. Every day Rue and her older brothers leave the confines of their desert community to hunt. Every night she gazes at the stars and dreams of more. One day, they are ambushed by evil creatures. Rue is the only survivor. Although severely injured, she is determined to make it home. Overcome, Rue succumbs to her pain; she cannot go on. In a brain fog, she is lost, alone, and dying when she remembers her mother's story of God and creation. When she awakes, a woman is staring at her. This strange, silent wanderer leads Rue home. Rue recuperates and decides to follow the wandering Conner Fadi into the vast and barren unknown in search of more, seeking a miracle.

Of Bone and Sand by Georgia Day is a story of enduring hope. Set in the cruel and harsh playground of the Devil, a young heroine emerges. She faces unbelievable hardship yet within her is a determination to go beyond what she knows, and reach for hope in the unknown. As she journeys with her wandering guide, she meets both friends and foes; characters who help her, and others who attempt to destroy her. Her character is honed and shaped by these encounters and the forces of nature and the environment. Her most loyal companions throughout her journey are the stars. The descriptions are vivid, creating a sensational bond between the characters and the reader. Throughout the narrative, Day includes stories within the story. These benefit the fantasy realm yet deviate from the plot action. However, once the epic tale regains momentum, it leads to a most satisfying conclusion. It is an incredible journey of willpower and everlasting hope for something more.

The nightmares will not let Rueda Cole be. They come to her occasionally, reminding her of the tragedy she was fortunate enough to escape. Rue followed her brothers out on another assignment, but unlike previous ones, they fell to their prey this time. She has scant memories of what happened that day, but she remembers Connor helping to keep her alive. Connor may act crazy, but there is a silent determination behind that wild demeanor. Connor has a plan that others would call madness, but that will not deter her. A miracle is what she seeks, and where she goes is where Rue has decided she, too, will follow. But how do you find the impossible in the middle of nowhere with nothing but miles of sand before you? This is the predicament that these two adventurers face in Georgia Day’s Of Sand And Bone.

A journey of discovery lies ahead of two travelers bonded by the cruel circumstance of fate. Georgia Day crafts her storyline impressively using a combination of fables and wise sayings as interludes in what initially looks like a trek into the unknown. It works well, as the story remains intriguing from the start to its conclusion. Her characters are interesting, with curious backstories garnished with just enough mystery to keep one hooked. The Dybbuk’s shenanigans and his obvious inference to some form of prior relationship with Connor create an interesting subplot, but what stood out for me was the conversations between the two principal characters in this curious story. It matures emotionally as it progresses, gradually revealing their motivations without diffusing the suspense. Of Sand And Bone is not your typical adventure novel, but it is guaranteed to leave its mark on you. This one-of-a-kind tale left an indelible impression.

Of Sand and Bone by Georgia Day is an epic fantasy following the journey of Rueda Cole. Rueda was part of the hunting party that left the city’s safety and went out in the blistering desert. The hunting party’s work was simple, but it turned deadly. Rueda was the only survivor and lost her two brothers, Cal and Vargas. Injured and losing her mind in the heat, she faints and opens her eyes to a stranger who speaks very little. Her rescuer is Conner Fadi. Rueda doesn’t understand what Conner wants, but Rueda wishes to become a witch hunter who will make her father proud. As the two traverse the searing hot desert and learn to work together, they become a team feared by their enemy and respected by their peers.

What a journey it was! I could call Conner and Rueda fantastic, but that would be an understatement. They are the perfect opposite of each other, yet they work together like a dream. Where Connor is cynical, Rueda is excitable. They balance each other out, making the story even more entertaining. The world-building is outstanding, and the descriptions are incredible. The life these two are living is harsh. The environment is brutal and dangerous, but they are ready to face it all. While Conner is Rueda’s guide to survival, Rueda is Conner’s reality check. Rueda keeps her companion grounded, and Conner trains Rueda to become a warrior. The narrative style kept the suspense alive and made me lose myself in Of Sand and Bones. Georgia Day has created something beautiful, and I believe avid fans should read this epic adventure at least once. Plus, it could be a great Netflix series.

Of Sand and Bone is a work in the fantasy, adventure, and action subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and is penned by Georgia Day. In this fascinating epic adventure, we follow the exploits of a young woman, Rueda Cole, who leaves behind everything she has ever known to follow a nomad on a quest toward what may well be the end of the world. As she learns and grows along the way, developing a bond with this enigmatic stranger, the legend surrounding them begins to form, and a brave frontier of a whole new way of living emerges.

Georgia Day has crafted a superb work that walks a fine line between fantasy and speculative fiction, making it all the more fascinating and believable as we explore the possibilities opening our hearts and minds could bring us. The writing has a literary quality that makes it so much more about the characters and their philosophies than just having catchy fantasy plot hooks. However, that’s not to say there aren’t many exciting events to challenge Rueda’s mindset and changing values along the way. I found the character presentation and dialogue exceptionally detailed. I felt this narrator knew the world and characters deeply to present psychological and emotional cues in every action and turn of phrase rather than spoon-feed the audience. Overall, Of Sand and Bone is a highly accomplished and well-penned work in which fans of fantasy, speculative, and interpersonal drama will surely experience a cerebral adventure, and I’d highly recommend it.