Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands, #1)

by Alwyn Hamilton

The New York Times bestselling novel by the Goodreads Choice Awards Best Debut Author of 2016, published in 15 countries!

Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mythical beasts still roam the wild and remote areas, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinn still perform their magic.  For humans, it’s an unforgiving place, especially if you’re poor, orphaned, or female. 

Amani Al’Hiza is all three.  She’s a gifted gunslinger with perfect aim, but she can’t shoot her way out of Dustwalk, the back-country town where she’s destined to wind up wed or dead. Then she meets Jin, a rakish foreigner, in a shooting contest, and sees him as the perfect escape route. But though she’s spent years dreaming of leaving Dustwalk, she never imagined she’d gallop away on mythical horse—or that it would take a foreign fugitive to show her the heart of the desert she thought she knew.

A New York Times bestseller

Film rights optioned by Willow Smith 

“Evokes such disparate influences – 1,001 Arabian Nights, Hindu lore, and Navajo myth, as well as, inevitably, the triumvirate of Tolkien, Lucas and Rowling.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Fans of Sarah Maas and Victoria Aveyard should give this one a try.” —VOYA

Reviewed by e_rodz_leb on

4 of 5 stars

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Quite the Novel Idea http://quitethenovelidea.com http://quitethenovelidea.com/liza-reviews-rebel-sands-alwyn-hamilton/Sometimes it's hard to write a review.  That's specially true when one of two things happen, 1) the book sucks, or 2) the book is SO good that words fail to describe its overall greatness.  This is the case my gorgeous readers with Rebel of the Sands.

I think that the book itself is fantasy perfection.  It has all the elements needed to make it a must read for fantasy lovers out there, but for my review - one of many glowing ones, I hope - I will concentrate on two aspects.  I fear that if I don't do that I will be gushing over it forever!

 

Characterization


Amani is perfect in her imperfection.  She's a young girl that's hungry for more than what her tiny town has to offer.  Her only prospect is an undesirable marriage and so she grasps the opportunity to leave when it presents itself. Amani is 16, an orphan living with her aunt that already has too many mouths to feed in a dying town that makes weapons.  There was little else to do, but learn to shoot and she's really good at it. Amani is not perfect, she's clueless about many things, she doesn't trust easily, she's has great survival instincts, she's sincere, but not really honest.
"I'm a girl who could've done just about anything if I'd been born a boy."

Jin is a thief, a scoundrel, with a good heart and many secrets.  He's handsome, smart, fast on his feet, he looks out for himself and tries his best to do what's right, even if he has to bend a few rules. I really like him as a character and I think he will grow to be more important as the story progresses.

I hope that a great romance develops between Amani and Jin, but Rebel of the Sands is more about learning about a new world and the characters getting to know each other.  We know, as readers that they are in love, but not much romance goes one during this first book. Other characters make an appearance on the second part of the book and are likable and well fleshed out.

Writing


The plot, the writing style, the way secrets are revealed, the world building... it all combines to form a perfect harmony.  There are quite a few plot twists that I didn't see coming at all even though I suspected others.  The writing style itself if is enthralling, engrossing, so beautiful.  I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series and where Ms. Hamilton will take the story next.  There's a lot I cannot write in my review because it will be very spoilery indeed!  I hope you read Rebel of the Sands and discover its perfection for yourself :)
“You are this country, Amani.” He spoke more quietly now. “More alive than anything ought to be in this place. All fire and gunpowder, with one finger always on the trigger.”

I sent my ARC to Bee and I can't wait to read her review!

 This review was originally posted on Quite the Novel Idea

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 8 April, 2016: Finished reading
  • 8 April, 2016: Reviewed