Black Sands
Written: Aug 30 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: amazing detail, realistic characters, gripping plot, great look at Hawaiian culture
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: Black Sands is the best of Colleen Coble's book yet. Read it!
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| CindyJean's Full Review: Black Sands Books |
Already? How Does She Do It?
It seems like just yesterday I was reading "Distant Echoes," the first book in Colleen Coble’s new Aloha Reef Series. I was afraid that after I’d fallen in love with Rock Harbor, Michigan I’d have a hard time warming up to a series set in Hawaii, but that wasn’t the case. I enjoyed the way Ms. Coble connected the old series to the new one, and it made the characters feel like old friends.
When I received “Black Sands” (#2 in the Aloha Reef Series) in the mail recently I was surprised. I really didn’t expect the next book so soon, but I was thrilled to see it. I picked up the book one day to go ahead and start it, but it seems I went ahead and finished it instead. I couldn’t put it down!
Black Sands by Colleen Coble
Brief Synopsis
Annie Tagama has had a crush on Mano Oana for years. Well, pretty much always. The problems (and you know there are always problems) are:
#1–Mano Oana dated and is still hung up on (or so Annie thinks) Annie’s baby sister Leilani.
#2–Annie is severely self-conscious of the severe scars on her foot, which came ‘in the line of duty’ in her work as a volcano researcher.
#3–Likely the biggest reason of all–Annie blames Mano for the death of her brother, who served in the Navy alongside Mano.
Annie is forced to get past her resentment of Mano when she needs him–her sister Leilani has disappeared and nobody seems to be taking it seriously!
“Black Sands” has so many plot twists and turns that it keeps you on your toes. Make sure you’re really paying attention while you read and not dealing with other distractions, there are things that can be easily missed that might leave you wondering what’s going on.
Colleen Coble has an amazing way of throwing in superfluous characters to distract you from guessing the mystery before she’s ready to reveal it, but after it’s been revealed you will look back and see the clues that were left for you.
The story of “Black Sands” comes through in vivid detail, and you will form in your mind a mental picture of everything that’s going on. I’ve never been to Hawaii, but after reading this book I feel almost like I have–it’s that engaging. The sights, the scents, the excitement...it’s almost tangible.
I know a lot of people are put of by Christian fiction, even those who are already Christians. Who wants to be beaten over the head with the Bible or, worse yet, see an author write a ridiculously unbelievable story with ‘miracles’ happening whenever they can’t figure out how to fit their story together? Colleen Coble’s books aren’t like that in general, and “Black Sands” is no exception. This story is about some Christians who’ve gotten a little farther away from their faith than they would like, something that can easily happen to anyone. It’s encouraging for those of us who’ve been in similar circumstances.
Recommendation
“Black Sands” is an excellent book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Even if you’re not a Christian, I think this book is an excellent choice! If you are a Christian, then you’ll find few books more entertaining.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
CindyJean
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