Two years ago I was lucky enough to read the first volume of White Sand. As mentioned in that one the world building happened to rapidly and the characters could not really capture me. But it still had a lot of potential
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This second volume was a small step up when it comes to the world. There was less world building as a lot of that had been done in the first volume. It was easier to settle into the story and the characters. However I think the shortness really works against this story. I feel like I am getting such a small fraction of the story and there is not one small story line that really gets wrapped up in this volume. Like it will just continue on from the same point. It is a shame and I think this would have possible worked better in bigger volumes or even just a different format. On the other hand there already was almost two years between these volumes which does not work in its favor either.

I do think the story where we follow Kenton trying to get into the political side is very interesting. We see more so the dislike that there seems to be for sand mages as Kenton. That their talents are seen as magic and/or blasphemy.

Character wise both Kenton and Chriss gained more of my interest as it focused a bit more on their development than the first one did. Kenton is really trying to step up his game and to become a leader to the others. Chriss shows a bit of a different side to her where she is clearly in this for her own gain. Their unlikely partnership will prove to show some interesting scenes in the future I am sure.

But when it comes to the side characters, they are almost completely forgettable. I can’t keep straight between Chriss’ party of people. I keep mixing up some of the guys.

The story is really starting to take off in this volume of White Sand. I also felt like the characters-- their personalities and their motivations-- became a lot more clear and enjoyable in this volume. I also felt like the sociopolitical situation made a lot more sense this time around.
My only problem is that the art could be a little more clear. I like the style, but I felt like (at list in the digital ARC I read) that it was a little less than clear in terms of lines and colors.
Can't wait to read volume 3!

I love the worlds that Brandon Sanderson creates, so obviously any graphic novel series he works on I’m going to be all over it. The story fits into the world of Cosmere, and the adaptation into the visual world is striking. I love the particular art style chosen for the series – it fits perfectly with the world and story being told (it even looks gritty and desert like).
The second volume is the continuation of the plot started in the first volume, though this one is more politically driven than action driven. I personally enjoyed this deviation, as it allowed us to get to know the main characters more, as well as seeing more of the side characters and potential antagonists (in a political story, I feel like every character is a potential antagonist).
The perspective focuses mostly on Kenton of course, though Khriss gets some focus as well. I’ll admit that while I do feel bad for Khriss (losing her fiancé without really getting any answers or sense of closure); I’m more intrigued by Kenton and his world. I love the Sand Masters and am fascinated by the political strife they’re finding themselves in. It’s almost comical to see just how badly Kenton needs Khriss’ assistance in all things political; he just doesn’t get it. Though he does try, which I give him credit for.
I’ll confess that volume two is a bit slower pace than the first volume. At least it feels that way at times. There are still plenty of action scenes to be had (remember, a lot of people dislike the Sand Masters and Kenton in particular, and that tends to result in assassination attempts in a world like this). Still, I’m enjoying the buildup for what it is. For me, the action doesn’t mean as much without the buildup taking the time to explain what’s happening and why it’s important.
My one complaint about this volume was the sudden change in art style for the last issue. Maybe it’s because I loved the previous style so much, but the transition was jarring and almost off-putting (but not quite, thankfully). It lost all the textures I loved, and the colors were more vibrant (which I may grow to like, but I certainly didn’t like it upon its first appearance). I hope future volumes go back to the original style, though I don’t dislike the new one enough to let it prevent me from reading them should it stick with this one (mostly because I love the series).
I’m curious to see how all the political plotting is going to pan out for the Sand Masters. Will the deals and changes Kenton and Khriss made be enough, or is it too little too late? I’m actually a little bit anxious for the next volume, which is a shame, since I have no idea when it’ll be out. Hopefully sooner rather than later! (I know; I’m greedy like that).

Sanderson Delivers again, another captivating entry into his cosmere, can't wait to see how it ties into the bigger picture.