Review: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Rebel of the Sands
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Series: Rebel of the Sands #1
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: February 4th 2016

Book Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Faber & Faber

"Tell me that and we'll go. Right now. Save ourselves and leave this place to burn. Tell me that's how you want your story to go and we'll write it straight across the sand."

Dustwalk is Amani's home. The desert sand is in her bones. But she wants to escape. More than a want. A need.

Then a foreigner with no name turns up to save her life, and with him the chance to run. But to where? The desert plains are full of danger. Sand and blood are swirling, and the Sultan's enemies are on the rise.

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Review

I’m going to jump right in with this book, if anyone is harboring any left over Christmas money, if anyone is looking for that next ‘big read’, or maybe you’re in one of those annoying reading slumps and neither big hype books or those pretty covers are able to lure your reading beast into action. Do you know what you can do, should do? Buy this frigging book!

            Rebel of the Sands will captivate, astound and downright swoon the pants of you, I’m not even kidding. Amani lives in the barren wasteland that is Dustwalk, but after losing her mother she is bound to her lecherous uncle and his family. With nothing but sand and her friend Tamid to keep her company, Amani dreams of leaving Dustwalk and heading to the city of Izman, where she can finally start fresh and not be looked down on because of her gender.

After saving for months Amani enters into a dangerous competition disguised as a boy, if she succeeds she will finally have enough money to travel to Izman, do that she has to win and to do she must be the last one standing in a shooting competition. But for the Blue eyed sharpshooter who spent her childhood learning to shoot tin cans, this competition is child’s play, however not everything goes to plan. Mysterious foreign strangers appear, a rebel uprising begins led by an exiled prince, haunting myths coming to life before your very eyes and a scolding romance that will make your heart skip a beat? Do not be fooled by the pretty cover my friends, this book is a lot more than it seems.

Amani is a fantastic heroine; she’s ferocious and wild, nothing like her brutal desert surroundings. Her personality and sheer determination to pave her own way in life is contagious, you’ll be rooting from her early on, supporting each life threatening decision after the next. She’s daring and reckless and refuses to bow down to the rules of society, her explosive nature makes you sit up and take note, only a fool would underestimate her.

The plot was fast paced; full of action and adventure, book was always on the move, keeping you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It was a struggle to put this down at times, if only I didn’t need to sleep. The lush setting Hamilton provided was extraordinary, the vivid details of the Maraji and their traditions, steeped in fascinating folklore bringing to life extravagant stories of Djinni, Ghuls and magic.

Now, for a little swoon talk. Jin, oh Jin, Jin, Jin, how I am obsessed with you. Jin is the alluring foreigner with a jaw dropping set of arms and chest, his lock-up-your-daughters killer smile goes with his smooth-talking, charming personality but his mysteriously elusive background keeps you intrigued. Jin and Amani’s witty banter and smoldering looks were highly enjoyable to read about and guess what? No love triangle, no insta-love, everything about this new relationship works, it’s not the center of the book, it’s not hot and heavy; it’s slow and creeps up on you.

I feel like this review is a tad on the long side, so I’ll wrap it up; sorry for my ramblings. Rebel of the Sands is a thrilling debut that follows a strong young girl who defies everything, there are extraordinary highs and heartbreaking lows but the no-cliff-hanger ending only promises more myths, magic and adventure to come. Rebel of the Sands is the type of book that will instantly come to mind when giving recommendations or summarizing your year in books, now please go read it because the need to fangirl about this book is strong.