**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑺. 𝑪. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒔𝒐𝒏 (𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒕 #2)

Release Date: August 19, 2025

5⭐️3.5🌶

The tension in this book is THICK! The Desert Clans and the City of Kelvadan are still at war over supplies and water. Keera was mortally wounded when she and Erix trekked across the desert to find and kill the Fire Wyrm. They succeeded, but at a cost. Erix is now in charge of the Clans that have camped themselves outside of the City of Kelvadon, and Keera was taken by a friend back inside the city to heal from her mortal injuries.

Erix estranged mother, the Queen, plans on making Keera her heir. Despite the fact that her son has similar powers to her. The abuse that she inflicted on her son may keep him outside of the Kelvedon walls forever, or until she dies.

Keera and Erix both have the power to obtain the heart of the desert and restore it, so that the draughts and famines can stop, but they must work together to get the heart from its prison.

Erix and Keera still have feelings for each other despite the fact that they're fighting on opposing sides. They both want what is best for the desert and their people, but each group of people seem to think there is a different way to achieve that.

Will Erix and Keera find a way to work together to save the desert?

Themes/Tropes:

🍁Enemies to Lovers
🍁Shadow daddy
🍁Rival clans at war
🍁Powers matching
🍁Fated Mates
🍁Political Intrigue

TW:

✨Physical Trials
✨Battles with monsters
✨Political backstabbing
✨Training sequences
✨Abusive parents
✨Mortal injuries

This was a great secondary book that explored a lot more of the complicated workings of the city and the surrounding clans. Lots of political maneuverings.

It made the story feel a bit slower, but also richer as it really developed everything. I feel like I could tell you a lot about the different clans, the allies, the enemies, the monsters. It was all very vivid!

The romance was a bit more heated in this one and especially as it was extra forbidden now, definitely had its moments! A few spicy scenes peppered throughout the book.

I'm very eager for the next installment and to see how everything gets resolved!

Read if you love:
-Magical Desert
-Forbidden love
-Political fantasy
-Monsters

Thank you to the author for the eARC. My thoughts are entirely my own.
Finish date: 8/8/25, Release date: 8/19/25

I rated this book a 4 star! I really appreciated the desert setting and the character indepth that was achieved!

WOW. Just. WOW. What a fantastic ending to this duology. The world building in this book was 👩🏼‍🍳💋 the series was so engaging, fun, and filled with gripping characters. I was completely absorbed from beginning to end. I highly recommend giving this duology a try if you want a gripping story filled with tension, creatures, and unforgettable characters in an immersive desert setting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I found a lot of typos in this book which kinda pulled me out of the story. They are listed below:

- loc 390 - “… was no response, Maybe” - this needs some type of punctuation fix
- loc 3492 - “.And the dreams” needs a period
- Loc 3663 - “… continuing to follow Lord Izumi.” I think that should be a question mark?
- Loc 3886 - “I think a scene break here???” Should probably be removed haha
- Loc 4123 - “I walked to stan” should be stand



This was a much faster paced book than the first one, in my opinion! 4 stars.

Some tropes:
- Found family
- Battles
- Unique magic
- Magical creatures
- Political maneuvering
- Arranged marriage

How the magic system works (who gets desert power and who doesn’t and why) is still mysterious in this book. Everyone is safe in Kelvaden (thankfully!!) but there are struggles still within Kelvadens fortress. Keera and the Viper have lots of problems to solve and unfortunately some problems are too hard to solve just by themselves. A mysterious charming new prince comes into play and is able to help Kelvaden find food but at the cost of being married to Keera. Chaos follows, of course! The last 10% of this book was really really good and I enjoyed it a lot. Book 3 will be very interesting to see how things play out!

Additional reviews will be posted to TikTok and Instagram in the coming days before release.

⭐️4.5 - thank you netgalley for providing me with an Arc of this book!!
The chokehold this series has on me isn't even funny anymore, I am fully invested in this and it's honestly rude that S.C Grayson doesn't have the third book out yet. The development of the characters and the story is so compelling and feels so real and authentic. The characters constantly struggle to overcome their issues and seeing them fall and rise again is so satisfying and makes it so much richer. This is going to become one of my top series of all time, I know it. It's so rich and full of life and love and loss and grief. The turns in this had me sweating and tossing my kindle to the other side of my bed. Once again, my only real issue is the actual writing. Things were misspelled, there were run on sentences that took me out of the story. But given how much I like the story, I was able to still finish it and get past it. But it is still bothersome. All in all a fantastic second book!

I finished reading my arc, which thank you NetGalley for it, and I loved every bit of this book. The growth of these characters was a journey all on its own! The plot and its twists! Let’s not forget about the emotional damage I was left with. The separation between the main characters caused me so much pain. The yearning between them was off the charts. The ending left me wanting more, but it also concluded in a way that made me excited for the final book! I can't wait!

Crown of the Dunes broke the typical mold for second books in a series. The action began immediately which was so appreciated, and the story was very well paced. I am invested in this world, which makes waiting for book three so hard!
I rated this book a 3.5 star. I would recommend this book to friends who like higher fantasy not just fluffy reads.

Thank you NetGalley for this eCopy to review

I just finished Crown of the Dunes, the sequel to Blood of the Sands. The story picks up with Keera back in Kelvadan, recovering from her injuries and now hailed as a hero for defending the city. But peace is fragile, and Keera is caught in a web of political tension and personal conflict. She’s forced to choose between loyalty to the city that gave her refuge and the man she loves, Erix. Who is now leading the desert clans after the death of his mentor. Their bond is tested as war looms and the desert itself seems to rebel against the fractured magic that once held it together.

I appreciated the emotional stakes and the way the desert setting continued to feel alive and symbolic. Keera’s internal struggle was compelling, and Erix’s arc, grappling with leadership and vengeance added depth. The romance remained central, but it didn’t overshadow the broader themes of loyalty, identity, and healing.

If you enjoyed Blood of the Sands, this sequel offers a satisfying continuation with emotional resonance and a rich setting.

⏳ Arc Review ⏳
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
“War brought them together. Forging peace could tear them apart.”

When I got accepted to read this book I literally screamed!! Blood of Sands was sooo amazing and I missed the characters so much. This book picks up right where book 1 left off, so you quite literally get thrown back into the chaos (in the best way possible).
The character growth in this book was absolutely astounding. The court politics were super intriguing, the yearning was SO intense! The forbidden romance between Keera and Erix was painfully intense. The bond between these two have left a mark on my soul. The action throughout this book was gripping, keep you on your toes, chewing your lip and gasping every second. Now the SPICE holy hell was the spice spicing!! It was 🥵. Now that freaking ending?!? My heart will be shattered until I get book 3. Because I need it now!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5

I can’t stop thinking about this book. Crown of the Dunes was absolutely phenomenal, and I’m officially declaring myself obsessed with this series.

What stood out most to me is how seamlessly the story builds. Each chapter adding depth, tension, and new revelations without ever losing momentum. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in and doesn’t let go, with that perfect blend of fast-paced action and emotional payoff.

The character arcs in this one really shine. Everyone feels more layered, more conflicted, and more real. I loved how the emotional stakes kept climbing, and the way characters collide (sometimes literally) had me fully invested. It’s clear that every relationship, every moment of tension, is crafted with intention.

And of course, the world continues to deliver. I was thrilled to encounter some new creatures: creepy, unique, and very memorable. They added such a vivid sense of danger to the desert setting, and honestly, I couldn’t get enough of them.

Then came the final stretch of the book… and wow. That was intense in the best possible way. A twist I truly didn’t see coming, but once it hit, everything just clicked. It was dramatic, satisfying, and left me desperate for more.

S.C. Grayson has created something really special with this series: rich, immersive fantasy with sharp writing, clever plotting, and just the right amount of emotional turmoil. I’m already counting down the days until the next installment.

If you’re looking for fantasy that keeps you on edge, with unforgettable creatures, high stakes, characters
you can’t help but root for, and make it a desert setting: this is the series to start.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review..

4.5⭐️ | ARC Review

This book completely pulled me in and did not let go. The emotional weight, the tension, the slow-burn ache between Keera and Erix—I was obsessed. If book one hooked me, book two cracked my chest wide open.
Keera is stronger, more guarded, and carrying so much on her shoulders. She’s caught between her duty to Kelvadan and the person who knows her better than anyone—Erix, who is now leading the opposing side. Their bond is so deep and raw, it hurts in the best way. Every near miss, every memory, every almost… I felt it all.

Erix’s arc gutted me. He’s grieving, spiraling, and trying to hold everything together while also figuring out who he’s supposed to be. I just want someone to give this man a nap and a hug. Maybe several.

The plot ramps up with court politics, magic unraveling, and secrets that hit hard. There were a few slower moments pacing-wise, but the payoff? So worth it. And yes—we finally get spice, and it delivers. 😮‍💨

The ending left me feeling everything: shattered, hopeful, and already desperate for book three. If you love aching, high-stakes romance with rich worldbuilding and characters that feel, this series is for you.

Tropes & Vibes:
🏜️ Star-crossed lovers
🖤 Morally grey softness
👑 Court + clan drama
🔥 Slow burn tension + spice
💔 Longing, betrayal, and loyalty
💌 Soul-deep connection


Huge thank you to NetGalley and S.C. Grayson for the eARC!

3.5 ⭐ rounded up.
I absolutely loved the first book - it swept me into such a vivid world.
I found myself a little deflated after this book - there was a lot of 'admin' for the story to go through, which although necessary, I disliked it as much as Keera did. If there had been more history or world building infused through it it would have kept it's richness.

The MCs didn't really develop as much as I would have liked. There was lots of opportunity for yearning but they were together without much resistance so quickly. I love how these characheters are so solid and uncompromising but that doesn't mean that they are single minded and yet we only saw the same struggles and feelings over and over again.

That said there were still heartbreaking, vivid and breathtaking moments in this book.

4.5 stars! Crown of the Dunes by S.C. Grayson completely swept me away! This second book in the Ballan Desert series was such a fun, emotional, and exciting ride. I loved every second of it!

We follow Keera, once an exile and now a reluctant hero, as she’s forced to choose between betraying the city that gave her a home or standing as its champion, even as the man she loves leads the enemy forces. Erix, newly thrust into leadership after his mentor’s death, struggles to unite the desert clans while magic falters and old wounds resurface. Tensions rise, the desert becomes increasingly hostile, and both of them must fight to find their way back to each other before it all falls apart.

First of all, the romance? Oh. My. God. The yearning is unreal. Keera and Erix’s bond is beautifully written, full of love, sacrifice, and emotional depth. Erix is still so devoted to her, just like in book one, and the lengths he goes for her in this book? Huge. He’s willing to give up everything for her, and Keera just wants to protect him and make sure he never suffers again. I love them so much it hurts.

Keera’s growth really shone in this book. She becomes even more badass, making impossible choices and facing them head-on. Erix’s arc is quieter but no less powerful, as he slowly finds his place in the world and the people he wants in it. Well, until it goes downhill for him. I just want someone to give this man a break, please!

The worldbuilding really expanded in the best way. We learn more about the desert people’s history and legends, other kingdoms, and how it all connects to Kelvadan. Everything feels so layered, unique, and fully realized. The plot also picked up right where book one ended, and somehow delivered even more: more angst, more romance, more political tension, just more of everything!

There was a twist I saw coming early on, but the full reveal still managed to shock me. It unfolded in a way I absolutely didn’t expect, and I loved that. My only small critique is the pacing in the beginning to middle. There are moments where the stakes are supposed to feel urgent, but that urgency didn’t always come through clearly. But the tension really ramps up by the end!

The ending left me feeling everything: scared, hopeful, anxious, heartbroken, and so ready for book three! This was truly a rollercoaster in the best way, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

Crown of the Dunes was the much awaited addition to the Ballan Desert Series!

Blood of the Sands left off on a huge cliffhanger and we were left wondering what would become of Keera and Erix. Book 2 did not disappoint on the relationship between them!

There are SO many twists and turns in book 2 that I did not see coming! I need to know what Keera and Erix will do next! I already know book 3 will be AMAZING!

The Ballan Desert Series is for you if you like:
❤️‍🔥enemies to lovers
⚔️deadly trials
🪄magical powers
💕fated mates

It releases on August 19, so go read Blood of the Sands now so you’re ready for release day!!

If book one was tension and denial, then book two is yearning at its most exquisite.

S.C. Grayson returns with Crown of Dunes, the scorching sequel to Blood of the Sands, and it’s everything I hoped for—plus a side of soul-crushing longing I was not emotionally prepared for.

Where book one thrived on tension and the restraint of unspoken desire, this one unravels into full-blown yearning. Erix and Keera, now burdened by newfound responsibilities and roles, are navigating not only the ever-shifting desert, but the growing chasm between them as they land on opposite sides of a simmering political war. The tension morphs into a slow, torturous dance of duty vs. desire—and it is delicious agony.

The political intrigue is woven masterfully into the plot, raising the stakes at every turn. And the desert itself feels like a character—unforgiving, ever-changing, and just as relentless as the emotions these two try (and fail) to keep buried. The push and pull between them? Pure torture. Why do I do this to myself?One quote absolutely slaughtered me:

“The desert doesn’t apologise for what she is, and I would never want her to. Her harshness is her beauty, and those of us that love her, adore her all the more for it. Do not make yourself less for lesser men.”

Lines like that? They don’t just live rent-free in my head—they’ve redecorated and started charging me emotional interest.

The writing is rich, the pacing sharp, and the emotional beats hit. If you’re craving romantasy with tension, yearning, and devastating beauty, this one delivers.

📖 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

The author uses the same 10 adjectives over and over which wouldn’t be a problem if the book didn’t feel like it drags on forever. And so many unnecessary sex scenes, I assume just to label the book “spicy” for marketing purposes. They didn’t further the plot in any way. I gave it a fair chance with reading 73% before deciding to dnf it. There was no depth to the characters and I could not get invested at all. The stakes didn't feel high and it didn’t seem like the characters were doing much to solve the actual problem without going on a bunch of side quests. I would’ve liked to know the resolution to the plotline but it felt like it was never going to happen.

I really really enjoyed this book! The characters were very interesting and I loved the journey that the author took them on. Sometimes I can get bored if the plot is to slow but the author did a great job with the pacing and keeping it interesting. I was able to finish this book in one sitting because I could not put it down! I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

I truly don't know how this series is not more popular because these books are amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, though a bit more than I did this one. I like that Grayson didn't introduce a bunch of new characters and plotlines in this second book, which is something that irritates me about fantasy series. In Crown of the Dunes, we continue to follow Keera and Erix as they encounter new challenges, most of them political. I'm not a huge fan of political storylines, so I kept wanting them to just go back to desert and fight some monsters and GRAYSON OBLIGED. She also amped up the spice in this book and I didn't think the Ballan Desert could get any hotter. My only qualm with this book was that I felt Erix was a little too moody and broody and didn't really have any character development. Hopefully that will come in the next book which I can't WAIT to read! I highly recommend you check this book out if you enjoy romantasy or are a Rylo fan.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for a copy of the book!

Crown of the Dunes by S.C. Grayson is the second book in the Balan Desert series. After reading Blood of the Sands, I couldn’t wait for the next book to come out, and it is so good. The suspense, tension, and plot twists are very well done. I love Keera and Erix’s relationship, and it was put to the test in Crown of the Dunes.
Keera learned in the last book that just because someone is charming, doesn’t mean she should trust them. And she is learning that again in this book. I don’t think she is going to ever trust a charmer ever again. But Erix is always there to protect her, no matter the cost.
I have really enjoyed this series so far and I can’t wait for the next book; it will be a must read for me.