The Belt of the Buried Gods (Volume 1) - Sand Part 1

I have never read a howdy book that disappointed and this one was no exception, but imagine my shock when I finished it in about 30 minutes! $1.54 may not seem like much, but $1.54 for 30 minutes of reading ebooks - outrageous.

To me, this was even more thought provoking than Hugh's Wool series. I found myself thinking ahead with every chapter, just as I did with wool, trying to guess what was coming next, and I was only right half of the time. But, at least to me, there is more mystery here, and the use of slightly fantastical elements leaves a lot more possibilities.
I did guess correctly what was coming at the end of this first episode, but the way Hugh weaves the story, I found myself second guessing and wondering what was going to be discovered next.
A very interesting thought occurred to me while reading it. If you take the setting in the wool series (people stuck in an underground silo), and turn it on it's head (people wondering what is buried in the "under"), this has some very similar themes but in reverse.
Awesome start.
Looking forward to the next episode!

I read this most intriguing short book as part of a collection of dystopian novels. I was fascinated enough to buy the Omnibus collection (although the store's description did not specify that all the books were included, which they are).

It is always refreshing to read futuristic novels of dystopian societies that do not include zombies. I found the main character of Palmer immediately engaging, and the description of the sand diving gear is something I have never encountered in other novels.

I identified the three areas buried mostly or entirely under the sands as my local cities of Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Denver, so that made the story all the more interesting.

I read this as part of a Dystopian Collection called "A Taste of Tomorrow" and I'm very happy to see a snippet into Hugh Howey's writing. Though this story is only 40 pages long, it is a short story that is part of a longer whole... and the benefit of reading it as part of an anthology is that I can "try it before I buy it" - but I know that I will buy the Sand series now!

In a future where cities are buried in sand, this tells the tale of two men who, along with a group of bandits, to go find a city of legend. Telling more would ruin the story, but I will say that this Part 1 is a cliffhanger, and that I would recommend buying the Omnibus edition of Sand to read the whole story.

Howey's done it again. This is just as compelling as Wool and beautifully written. We are thrown into a unique landscape with all sorts of technical jargon surrounding the occupation of a sand diver. Just like Wool (sorry, but comparisons are just going to happen), there are a couple of mysteries that pull us along. It's impossible not to keep turning the pages to want to know what the hell happened to the world. Howey doesn't make us wait long before we are in the thick of the mystery, and then, Bam, there's the cliffhanger. There was nothing I could do but buy the second book immediately. Great stuff.

I read this book after reading the Silo series. That probably raised my expectations. I didn't find the story of Sand as interesting as the story of Silo, but I'm still giving it 5 stars because the world Hugh Howey creates is extremely believable. I wouldn't want to live there, among the dunes, but this first book sets the scene for the series quite well!

I read the Wool series, which was excellent, but Sand... Wow! This story was a nail biter. Not since The Exorcist have I felt a bit nervous about turning the page. I knew what was going to happen, yet, when it did, I was still disturbed and riveted. This Howey guy came out of nowhere for me, but I'm glad he did. He has become one of those authors whose books I actively seek to read and anticipate future releases.

Great adventure! I've read several of Howey's other books, so I like the way he builds worlds. I can't wait to start the next section of the book.

Anyone who likes dystopian science fiction will enjoy this.

I read this book after reading the Silo series. That probably raised my expectations. I didn't find the story of Sand as interesting as the story of Silo, but I'm still giving it 5 stars because the world Hugh Howey creates is extremely believable. I wouldn't want to live there, among the dunes, but this first book sets the scene for the series quite well!

I read the Wool series, which was excellent, but Sand... Wow! This story was a nail biter. Not since The Exorcist have I felt a bit nervous about turning the page. I knew what was going to happen, yet, when it did, I was still disturbed and riveted. This Howey guy came out of nowhere for me, but I'm glad he did. He has become one of those authors whose books I actively seek to read and anticipate future releases.

Great adventure! I've read several of Howey's other books, so I like the way he builds worlds. I can't wait to start the next section of the book.

Anyone who likes dystopian science fiction will enjoy this.

Having been totally engrossed by Wool I couldn't wait to dive in to "Sand" (pun intended).

Amazing as expected. Totally absorbed me just like the first chapter of Wool. Rich characters and the setting below the sand is captivating. Can't wait to see what's down there and what kind of things the pirates have in mind.

Downloading the 2nd chapter. Can't wait to dive in! (too much?)

The novella is back, and this makes me happy. Imagine Dune without the wealthy classes and without spice. Post-apocalyptic US is covered with sand, and divers swim through it to discover Denver, the mile-deep city. The world is lush, interesting, and different.

Of course another great read with the perfect amount of everything to make it fun, interesting and totally absorbing. Thanks again Hugh! Can't wait for the next installment of whatever you decide is next for us.

I enjoyed the world the author created and I liked the main character, Palmer. He was well developed and fun to read. I give this a 4 star rating, as a decision made by the character Hap towards the end of the story gave me whiplash.

Another great read from Mr. Howey! He has created another great post-apocalyptic world in which his readers can dive into. I am already impatiently waiting for the next book. My only wish is that the story was longer.

Not an actual book. The series may be good. This part was. But, it isn't a story that has more possibilities. It is a beginning of something that is unfinished. Be prepared to get the whole series or don't bother starting.