The first original novel from author Hugh Howey in six years, Across the Sand takes us back to the world of Sand, to a far future many generations after a disaster has destroyed civilization as we know it, where four siblings struggle to build their futures amid the harsh wastes of endless desert.
The old world is buried. A new one has been forged atop the shifting dunes, a land of howling wind and infernal sand.
In this barren home, siblings Conner, Rob, Palmer and Violet daily carve out a future. They live in the shadow of their father and oldest sister, Vic, two of the greatest sand divers ever to comb the desert's depths. But these branches of their family tree are long gone, disappeared into the wastes beyond, leaving the younger siblings scratching in the dust, hopeful for a better life.
On the other side of No Man's Land, Anya was born beside the abundant mines knowing her prospects would be to marry, have a family, and work in ore, in service to the Empire of the East. But when an atomic bomb delivered by a stranger destroys most of her town--murdering all her friends and community--she follows her father to a strange land of dunes to bring vengeance to their enemies.
The series
In The Sand Chronicles, Hugh Howey crafts a world as unforgiving and mesmerizing as the desert itself. Set in a future where the Earth is dying, the series follows a disparate group of survivors who must navigate a perilous, sand-swept landscape where nothing is certain except the relentless march of time. With humanity on the brink of extinction, the characters must struggle against both the harsh environment and their own darkest instincts to survive.
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At its core, The Sand Chronicles is a story of resilience. Howey’s intricate world-building brings to life a vast, barren landscape, where the remnants of civilization are scattered like dust in the wind. Yet beneath the desolation, the series is about the people who refuse to give up—those who are willing to fight for survival in a world that no longer offers them a place. The characters’ internal battles are just as intense as their external struggles, with themes of hope, sacrifice, and the power of human connection threading throughout.
Howey's signature storytelling—rich in tension and philosophical musings—creates a narrative where every turn holds both danger and discovery. The series explores what it means to rebuild, to fight, and to trust in a world that seems to have lost its way. As the sand shifts, so too do the characters' relationships, loyalties, and understanding of the world around them, making The Sand Chronicles an exploration of survival both physical and emotional.
With each new twist and turn, Howey deepens the mystery of the landscape and its history, pulling readers further into a world where nothing is ever as simple as it seems. The Sand Chronicles is more than just a post-apocalyptic tale—it's a vivid reflection on humanity's ability to endure, adapt, and find meaning in the most desolate of places. For fans of speculative fiction that challenges the soul as much as it thrills, this series offers an unforgettable journey.
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