Song of the Shattered Sands Books In Order

Publication Order of The Song of the Shattered Sands Books

Author Bradley P. Beaulieu pens the “Song of the Shattered Sands” series of epic fantasy novels. The series of novels began publication in the year 2015, when “Twelve Kings in Sharakhai” was released. The series is made up of both novellas and full length novels.

Amazon, BuzzFeed, and Barnes & Noble named “Twelve Kings in Sharakhai” one of the best books of the year 2015.

Sharakhai is the center of culture and commerce and the great city of the desert. It has been ruled by twelve kings for as long as most can remember that are ruthless, powerful, cruel, and immortal. The are able to uphold their positions as the undisputed and invincible lords of the desert with the aid from the Blade Maidens, holy defenders known as the asirim, and the army of the Silver Spears.

“Twelve Kings in Sharakhai” is the first novel in the “Song of the Shattered Sands” series, which was released in the year 2015. There is no hope of freedom from the Kings in Sharakhai. It appears to be that way until Ceda, who is a brave young lady from the slums on the west end, defies the laws of the Kings by going out on Beht Zha’ir, a holy night.

What she learns this night puts her on a path that winds right through both the hidden riddles of her own heritage, as well as the horrible truths of the Kings’ mysterious history. These secrets might finally break the strong grip of the Kings’ power. Assuming the nigh-omnipotent Kings are unable to locate her first.

The world-building in this book is outstanding, starting with the sand-locked ports. All of the characters in the book were built and developed well. Ceda makes for a stellar heroine in this book, she is capable and it is enjoyable to travel with her through Sharakhai’s streets as she hunts for clues. She is a character that is easy to connect with, and is really bad ass throughout the novel.

“With Blood Upon the Sand” is the second novel in the “Song of the Shattered Sands” series, which was released in the year 2017. Ceda, who is now a Blade Maiden serving the kings of Sharakhai, trains as an elite warrior and gleans secrets while they send her on covert missions so they can further their rule. She is aware of the asirim’s dark history. Hundreds of years ago, they became enslaved by the kings against their will. Bonding with them, as a Maiden, she feels the asirim’s as though it was her own. They are hungry for release and even demand it, but with the gods’ power compelling them, they find that their chains are unbreakable.

Ceda might become the champion they have been waiting a long time for, but the need to step carefully has not been greater. After they recently got beat by the rebel Moonless Host, the kings are starving for blood. They scour the streets in the ruthless quest to get revenge. Ceda’s friend, Emre along with his new allies inside the Moonless Host are hoping to take advantage of the unrest existing in Sharakhai. Even with the danger of opposing the kings and their god-given talents, and the deadly ebon blades of the Maidens.

Emre and Ceda get pulled into a plot of Hamzakiir, the blood mage, they learn about a shocking secret that could shatter the hated kings’ power. It might all be undone if Ceda is unable to figure out how to navigate the shifting tides of power in Sharakhai as well as controlling the growing anger of the asirim that is threatening to overwhelm her.

This is a superb sequel to an awesome book with some great writing. The plot moves right along at a crisp pace with a ton of turns and twists. The book will get you a bit misty eyed at times in the story. Beaulieu is able to evoke strong emotions out of the reader whenever something happens, good or bad, to Ceda. The reader winds up caring and investing quite a lot for Ceda and the other main characters here.

“A Veil of Spears” is the third novel in the “Song of the Shattered Sands” series, which was released in the year 2018. Since the Night of the Endless Swords, which is a brutal battle the Kings of Sharakhai just barely won, the kings have been hounding the Moonless Host rebels. Many of these rebels have been required to flee the city, including Ceda, who discovers that Sloth King is building his army to challenge the other rule of the kings.

Ceda locates the other members from the Moonless Host, who is now known as the thirteenth tribe, and she sees a flimsy existence. Ceda puts together a plan to go back Sharakhai to free the powerful and immortal slaves the kings have. The Kings have sent the King of Swords, their greatest tactician, in order to bring Ceda to justice for the crimes she has committed.

The formerly unified front the kings had is crumbling. The surviving kings are quietly vying against each other, moving to gain control over Sharakhai. Ceda is hoping she can use that to her advantage. But she is unsure whom she may trust. Any one of them could betray her.

Ceda works to remove the asirim’s shackles and save the thirteenth tribe. At the same time, the scheming queen of Qaimir, the kings of Sharakhai, the ruthless blood mage Hamzakiir, as well as the King of Swords is preparing for a grand battle that could decide everybody’s fate.

These books are filled with some pulse-pounding action scenes and some rich world building. Each of these books is consistently excellent, and it is great to jump right into things right where the last one left off. The book ends with an insane battle that takes this series to a higher level of brilliance for sure. Beaulieu is a must read author for some readers, as he once more proves his mettle once more with this superb book.