Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Sandcastle Empire
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
118 posts | 79 read | 15 reading | 95 to read
Before the war, Eden's life was easy. Then the revolution happened, and everything changed.Now a powerful group called the Wolfpack controls the earth and its resources. And even though Eden has lost everything to them, she refuses to die by their hands. She knows the coordinates to the only neutral ground left in the world, a place called Sanctuary Island, and she is desperate to escape to its shores.Eden finally reaches the island and meets others resistant to the Wolves. But the solace is short-lived when one of Eden's new friends goes missing. Braving the jungle in search of their lost ally, they quickly discover Sanctuary is filled with lethal traps and an enemy they never expected.This island might be deadlier than the world Eden left behind, but surviving it is the only thing that stands between her and freedom.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
cinestress
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Mehso-so

I wanted to like it, but every once in a while, things would pop up in the writing that pissed me off. Like rats not being sentient beings. Yes, they are. There are also some deep Christian undertones, which is not necessarily bad per se, but borderline annoying. Not to mention the chapter transitions are written in a way that is completely unnecessary. They are overtly obvious about trying to get you to read more. Concept is decent, though.

blurb
cinestress
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

I do enjoy this book, but it has a few storytelling techniques that bother me. Such as this kind of foreshadowing. It's on nearly every page. I just want to yell, "I get it. Stuff is about to happen."

blurb
StaceyKondla
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

24 likes4 comments
review
alisiakae
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Panpan

For a book about the effects of climate change, and with the main antagonists the previously impoverished and oppressed, I‘m disappointed in the lack of depth in this story. The world-building was sub par, the characters flat, and the plot was a mess. It was only the constant action and suspense that kept me reading.

Fulfills #clifi for both #booked2019 and #pop19
#MountTBR

staci.reads Gorgeous books in the background 😍 5y
alisiakae @staci.reads Thank you! These are the books I rescued from my parent‘s closet a few years ago. They belonged to my grandmother and great-grandmother. 😃 5y
hermyknee I bailed on this one. I didn‘t like it at all and I totally agree with your review! 5y
See All 7 Comments
alisiakae @hermyknee The fact that i checked off the #clifi prompt in two challenges is the only thing that kept me going. I was struggling to find a book for that prompt that I liked, which is disappointing, since it was a prompt I was really excited about! But the ending was a hot mess. 5y
ravenlee Have you read anything by Kin Stanley Robinson? I‘ve been meaning to reread Three Californias for ages, and I‘m pretty sure it would count as clifi. If you‘re still interested in the topic, that is. 5y
alisiakae @ravenlee No, I haven‘t, I‘ll have to look into that author! The only clifi I read before this was Atwood‘s Year is the Flood (I loved the trilogy this is a part of). 5y
SLibrarian5 Totally agree-too many things going on plotwise and a subpar ending. 5y
80 likes7 comments
blurb
Bookwormjillk
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

It‘s been a rough weekend attending my Aunt‘s memorial service while on crutches and with two kids along. But, today we have an evening flight and no plans. I bought some towels at Target, grabbed the kids and my book and headed to the beach. Reading while the kids build sandcastles has been a balm for all three of us.

cobwebmoth *hugs* 5y
Crazeedi Sending a litsy hug and litsy love as you grieve and heal 😘💐❤ 5y
Kaye ♥️ 5y
Megabooks Hugs 💜💜💗 5y
Bookwormjillk Thanks @cobwebmoth @Crazeedi @kaye @Megabooks We‘re back home now and it all feels like a dream. 5y
27 likes5 comments
blurb
alisiakae
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

There are still puddles everywhere, but I‘m taking advantage of the sun before rain possibly rolls in again.

This book about climate change and constant flooding events feels less dystopian considering local schools had to close this year for 2 hurricanes, one winter storm, and now another flood that closed schools in a neighboring county. And we‘re inland. 😲Our high school opened a shelter today since the nearby lake has flooded a neighborhood.

alisiakae And send positive thoughts for the water rescues happening near Mountain Island Lake & the Catawba River nearby (I live in Charlotte, NC). Homes began to flood overnight, water rescues are still underway. 😢 5y
Scochrane26 Yes, when I read oryx & crake, the climate change part was not too far from reality. It‘s very frustrating when I read books from 20 yrs ago that preach climate change or other issues & nothing has changed. Barbara kingsolver, Wendell Berry, Atwood, bill bryson 5y
80 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
alisiakae
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

We survived the end of school sleepover and everyone had a blast!! Maya and I will both be vegging this afternoon with books and Netflix. This is my stack.

I‘m a little delayed on the first discussion questions for the #crazyrichasiansbuddyread, they‘ll go up later today! Also hope to post my late #bookfitnesschallenge weekly check-in later too. But right now....quiet reading time. 😊

quote
alisiakae
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

Interesting how this article (top left) popped up in my newsfeed again today while reading this chapter (bottom pic). #clifi

blurb
alisiakae
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

First day of summer break means reading in bed while the kid sleeps! ☺️

Just starting this one, my last selection for Spring #Booked2019

ladym30 I enjoyed this 📖! 5y
Bklover Enjoy!!! 5y
Cinfhen I love the cover!!! Happy Summer Vacation 🏖🎡🛶🎾🌻🌞 5y
100 likes3 comments
review
SLibrarian5
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Mehso-so

An action dystopian where climate change resulted in floods, death, and a faction called the Wolfpack.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but could have done without the romance, and found myself struggling through the second half. I think this would have been better as a duology.

#booked2019 #clifi

Cinfhen Great review!! My #CliFi also started strong but second half was bonkers 🤪I hated my selection 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I think publishers sometimes push romance into books where it doesn‘t belong. Thanks for the review! 5y
alisiakae I didn‘t realize this was clifi and I have it on my bookshelves! I might choose this too since I have been meaning to read it. 5y
See All 6 Comments
SLibrarian5 @Cinfhen Thanks! I had a hard time finding a clifi title I could get into. 5y
SLibrarian5 @BarbaraTheBibliophage Thanks! Yes, and in this book, the love interest wasn‘t even introduced in the first hundred pages. 5y
SLibrarian5 @4thhouseontheleft I didn‘t realize either, until I saw a review online. Glad it was a title I had! 5y
4 likes6 comments
blurb
Caffeinated_Reader
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

Book number 73 🤓🤘

Caffeinated_Reader I‘m going to officially start reading it tomorrow lol but here is a picture 🥰 6y
Caffeinated_Reader This is a very cool albeit depressingly end of days magical lol but still...very cool currently on page 165 6y
Caffeinated_Reader I really enjoyed this story up until page 300. Then it just started to feel drawn out and too long. The chapters are like two pages long, some don‘t even have dialogue, and once it does pick up and you start finding out more it just made me feel anxious to finish. The ending was a bit of a let down. 6y
3 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
CMCurtis77
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

Checking out another past Owlcrate book.. here we go

CMCurtis77 Had to put this on hold.. just not for me right now... 6y
2 likes1 comment
blurb
tjwill
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

YA Sci-fi Thriller #tbr
#sand #ReadingResolutions

review
lalogan
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
Pickpick

A perfect blend of adventure and hope, strength and heartbreak, with a strong female lead. This fantasy adventure is very creative and while it is set in a post-war revolution, Kayla Olson definitely holds her own with new ideas and her absolutely amazing writing style. This is one I‘ll definitely read again.
Note: Leonardo DiCaprio‘s production company has already scooped up the rights to the film. 🤩

blurb
acepages
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

When you entered my life... It's as if you planted the first seed that survived past the dry soil of my heart, and from my tattered haunted soul... You grew the most beautiful tree I've ever known.
💚
💚
I thought my book shelves could use a little touch of green 📗
💚
💚
What are your favorite colors on your book covers?
💚
💚
💚
#bookshelf #book #bookworm #bookphotography #bookphoto #green #greenbook #bookcoverdesign #bookcover #bookcollection

review
magicalshelves
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Bailedbailed

My first DNF of the year. I might try to pick this up again when I am feeling more in the mood for a YA dystopian.

#DNF #audiobook #dystopian #YA

blurb
absolutebookish
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

Hope everyone is enjoying the #readathon so far!
Took a short break to do @thereadingwomen mini challenge to share some books by women authors that I appreciate. Finished some of these authors' books & in the middle of others. But I feel they all deserve recognition.
Definitely not a complete stack/list. I also 💙 Ruta Sepetys (Salt to the Sea...😍), Michelle Moran, Roshani Chokshi, & Rae Carson, to name a few.
What about you? #thereadingwomen

blurb
Cailey_Mac
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

This book is insane so far... hopefully it doesn't slow down!

blurb
emmamustread
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

Working on a new book finally.

1 stack add
review
Shixam
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
Pickpick

So, this was a bit of a slow burn and it's pretty description heavy. Sometimes to the point where I got distracted or confused by descriptions of the scenery. It's got a nice mystery vibe, though, and does a good job of feeding you just enough information at a time about the world. It was a really interesting read overall, and I'm looking forward to the next book.

blurb
Shixam
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson

So, the verdict was to start working on catching up on my OwlCrate books. The first one I'm working on is Sandcastle Empire, and it'll be followed by New World Rising. I showed the synopsis of both books to some friends and had them vote which one I should read first, and they both picked Sandcastle. And so far, it's not a bad choice. A little slow and narration-heavy, but overall the story isn't bad.

review
Aleksandramackenziee
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
Mehso-so

"When the war began, I thought I'd lost everything. I thought my scars were meant to kill me. I thought I was without a home, without a family. Without. Forever, without. This is the beginning of the end." I thought the start of this book was pretty bland but the middle of it was quite interesting. It had a very bittersweet end to it but overall I liked the story-line. Recommend. 3.5/5⭐️

blurb
Meow_Books_Please
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
blurb
Meow_Books_Please
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Msmithbooks Hey! I'm a book blogger and I'd love it if you would check out my blog and follow it if you like ☺️ https://bibliobakes.com 7y
9 likes1 comment
quote
Hollyc2012
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

"Survival is born as much from fear as it is from bravery."

#thesandcastleempire #kaylaolson #yalit #ya #cats #crazycatlady

blurb
kidundercover
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

This book is going to be explosive, so if you don't have it yet, get it. #kaylaolson #thesandcastleempire #bookstagram

7 likes1 stack add
review
Eryn2513
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this, and devoured it in a day. It combines all of my favorite genres: post-apocalyptic, dystopian YA loooove.

10 likes1 stack add
blurb
Eryn2513
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

I'm loving this book so far, and I'm eating my waffle with my hand because I'm a SAVAGE.

review
Kat.Kao
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Pickpick

The characters are well-written, and the story is so focused that it‘s easy to feel the frustration Eden feels, as one part in a larger plan, isolated and trying to exercise the power she has. The focus of the story on the island and her father is a great choice in terms of character and dramatic arc, and keeps the story feeling distinct from all the other YA dystopias out there.

Full review: http://mrskaoreads.com/book/the-sandcastle-empire/

blurb
amandareadsandwrites
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

Happy #signedbookssunday! I love participating in this every week, and #owlcrate is a great reason to do it! I can't wait to read this summer release from Kayla Olson. ❤📚

7 likes1 stack add
blurb
lattesandliterature
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

This beauty is from last month's @owlcrate!
I'm hoping to start reading it soon, while I'm at the lake! Hopefully sitting on the lakeshore will make it feel a little more like I'm on an island.
🌿
What's your next read?

#kaylaolson #owlcrate #sandcastleempire #thesandcastleempire #green

12 likes1 stack add
review
nikkiebooks
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
Mehso-so

Yeah it was ok. Not a great plot, not a lot of time spent exploring character relationships or characters themselves. All the characters seemed really flat and half constructed. Good concept, not a great follow through

quote
Socks_and_books
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

Survival is fighting, every single day, to climb out of the ruins and into the unknown, come what may.
We are all as strong as we have to be.

review
GondorGirl
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Pickpick

In all honesty I wasn't expecting to like this book, but somehow Kayla Olson made me forget about that and fall in love. An amazingly strong (though still flawed) heroine, complex supporting characters, a future that isn't too far off from our own, and a riveting plot full of surprises, action, and heart. This book was REALLY good. I'm excited to see what Olson writes next, though I hope it's not a sequel- this was the perfect summer standalone.

blurb
Rheya_Reads
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

I haven't been on here in forever -- what have I missed?? these are my gorgeous new candles from @WickandFable

blurb
gingersnapbooks
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

Remember that you are a wolf. And you cannot be caged. 🐺

4 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Lunarstar27
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

It was a ok book I like it

2 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Lauren.Hughes
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

TBR

blurb
beautifully_bookish89
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
8 likes1 stack add
blurb
Kar2b
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

I'm not sold on this one yet. It started realllly slow for me. I'm now at pg. 200 and it seems like it might start picking up. We'll see...
.
Have you read it yet? What did you think? (No spoilers, pls.)

Khaz I'm on page 100 and debating if I should DNF it, but I've been told it picks up halfway through!! 7y
2 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
AnnieReads
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Mehso-so

Such a pretty cover for an okay book.

Bklover Pretty photo! 7y
22 likes1 comment
review
Kyrie.Lynelle
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this #Owlcrate book. The plot was intriguing, the main character strong and easy to route for (despite her long winded musings). All fans of the survival/dystopian genre should give this one a go. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5 likes1 stack add
review
Vickie3
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image
Pickpick

So far I am in the middle and I can not read this book fast enough !

2 likes1 stack add
blurb
Bunnyworm
Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
post image

I fell off on the middle of book 2 in the black tiger series. I've been in such a book slump. But OMG I'm halfway through with this, since last night and it's ah-mazing

review
abbsinwonderland
The Sandcastle Empire | Kayla Olson
Mehso-so

I might've had too high of expectations for this book, but nonetheless I was a little let down. Although it is another page turner dystopian twist, I couldn't really connect to any of the characters (maybe Lonan?). Most of Eden's behaviour and all around personality was not only annoying, but almost unbelievably dense. A few things felt repetitive and alot of "arguments" were baseless and quite lacking. If there is a second novel, I will read it.

abbsinwonderland *side note.. I did LOVE the writing and flow of this book. You can picture absolutely everything with all the vivid details, probably one of the few reasons this book gets 4 stars instead of 3. 7y
43 likes5 stack adds1 comment