The Sand Warrior

4.5 Maybe

Fantasy based graphic novel. 5 Worlds are on the verge of extinction. Little by little the worlds are dying. Prophesy states that a Sand Dancer will save the 5 worlds by lighting their beacons.
I thought the pacing was done well. I think it could be thought as slow by some but I'm used to riding out the wave. In most fantasies, you don't know what is going on or what to expect and you have to hang tight as the story unfolds. I did that and waited to see where that wave took me. There are so many positives to this first volume. The artwork is just stunning. There are strong female leads in this volume and throughout the story (I'm on Volume 3 right now). The political intrigue is interesting and, although complicated, I didn't feel confused by it. I kept feeling there was more and not all has been conveyed but that's the beauty of story telling, no?

My only hangup: It is hard to be BIPOC and not feel this nagging feeling that once again dark skinned people are pegged as being evil or doing bad things. I want to keep an open mind and see where this goes but it turned me off rather quickly. I don't necessarily see Oona as a white savior but making the Toki vile and hated just turned me right the fk off. Towards the end of volume one something happens that made me want to put these reservations to the side and see where this will go.