Black Sands, volume 4

by Manuel P Godoy

Published 14 September 2023

Black Sands is the most popular independent book series in the black community and it is clear why.

In this exciting new volume, the secret of the ancients in Minoa has been revealed.

Ausar is now faced with an impossible decision. Will he choose to pursue the very real threat of the ancients below the mountain? Or aid in fighting the Spartans who have a significant advantage? Ausar knows the battle is most likely lost without his aide. But he chooses to deal with the ancients instead and requests soldiers to back him up. 

As they press deeper into the mountain, the Spartans have now launched a full-fledged invasion by land. Thousands of soldiers battle across the borders of Akrotiri but they maintain the line as best they can. Meanwhile Ausar exposes the real threat. Ausar finds out the Sumerians are here and actually control the ancients. A dangerous battle ensues for control of the underground, but Ausar will not yield!

The Black Sands Universe is based in the ancient Middle East during the pre-dynastic era. because there is little to no historical text during this time period, we have liberty to tell our own stories. The Black Sands Universe combines mythology, historical context, and a little sci-fi into a coherent cross-pantheon experience everyone can enjoy.

The story involves seven major kingdoms vying for power in the year 3500 BCE. Prior to this point, the world was completely under the control of ancient being from the planet Nibiru, but the coming of the God Killers divided many nations and began a war on a global scale. This story is told through the mythological characters of the time period. They will struggle, come of age, and suffer unimaginable loss throughout their quest to take back the Earth. Readers dive into the details of this vivid world and learn a lot about the cultures of the time period.


Black Sands is the most popular independent book series in the black community and it is clear why. The story is about a young boy named Ausar whose life goal is to rule Kemet. This leads him on a quest across the war-torn lands of the ancient world.

Volume five of Black Sands takes up deep in the trenches of Minoa where Ausar leads a desperate attempt to stop a Sumerian incursion under the mountain. Legend has it that an ancient of unspeakable power is buried underneath and the Minoans will do anything to keep it that way.

It is in this battle where Ausar faces off against his most powerful enemy to date, the warrior Kingu. Little do the heroes know but while the battle rages for control of the mountain, the Spartans are in full advantage in the land battle in Akrotiri. Just as things are starting to look like it will all work out, an ancient power awakens and the difference in power between Ausar and this new foe is like a canyon.

There is little hope for the people of Minoa and now Ausar struggles to keep his family alive.

This is Black Sands! Kirkus Reviews says it is "A sure bet for young readers who may be cultivating interests in ancient history, "and "a fast-paced, engaging installment of a successful mythological-historical comic series." School Library Journal Reviews says that readers will appreciate the blend of ancient history and comic book storytelling. It has been compared to other Middle Grade series titles such as Avatar, Naruto manga, and many more. Black Sands is a series most black youth are hungry for. It is no wonder it has been featured in Publishers Weekly, ABC Shark Tank, CBR, Atlanta Blackstar, endorsed by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and more.