*This is an unsolicited review.
Sand is the second book in Liz Shipton’s Thalassic Series.
As it was with Salt, once I picked up Sand it was hard to put it down. Wow, what a ride! On Liz’s website there are two suggested reading orders for the Thalassic Series. I chose the “straight through” option. Just as the first book does, the second book hooks and doesn’t let go.
The series tackles some very real issues—human-induced climate change, corporate corruption, radical reactionary groups, substance abuse—with a sort of visceral humor that makes Bird, the main character, very relatable. Her character growth along her wild journey is palpable. And Liz does an excellent job of painting the different factions represented in the story in such a light that none of them seem like good guys or bad guys.
My personal favorite in the series so far, the crew of the Kingfisher, is a work of art. Their personalities and dynamic are so good, especially when we start getting a little back story for them. Savage is the kind of character who easily steals the spotlight and makes you question whether or not morals are a deal breaker.
I highly recommend this book. It has a little bit of everything, action, suspense, twisty turns, and slow-burn romance. And props to a well-written narrative in first-person and present tense, the hardest to write, in my opinion. 10/10 will be continuing the series!
Aj Elmore, Author 