Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3)

                Hello happy readers I'm posting to you from my friend's (Bogdana the Booknerd) place as I am spending a couple days with her since I came to town for a book signing event for War Storm (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard.  More on the event later as I'm typing this before going to make sure it's ready.  That said while I get ready to dive into one series ender it is only fitting that I talk about another series ender I just finished, Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton.  I previously reviewed the first books Rebel of the Sands and Traitor to the Throne and this review will have spoilers for the first couple as is the nature.  So let's dive in.

Rating:  5 Stars

                We left off with Amani, the blue eyed bandit, escaping from the Sultan's grasp but it comes with  great cost.  Many of the rebellion are captured including the Rebel Prince they aim to put on the throne, Ahmed.  Amani finds herself taking charge and leading the rebellion as they try to figure a way out of many difficult situations to save Ahmed and their friends and take the throne.  It's a lot to accomplish even for the Demdjii and their remarkable powers.  Her journey will take her to her past she thought she left behind, the mythical city of Eremot and more.  She never set out to be a leader and making hard calls that put those she loves in danger is not what she wants but she is determined to put this rebellion back into the hands of its rightful leader.

                This is the final book and it brings up lots of emotions as with war there is death.  There were times when I was prepared for it and others it just took me by storm and I was left crying at work yet again.  One death in particular got me going then as things continued even as I had an idea what would happen I was all boohooing and couldn't reason it out.   Super vague but if you've you read it you will understand.  I am a character reader and it is impossible to not love and respect Amani who has been through so much and really grown as a person through this incredible journey.  Same goes for Jinn they are there from the start and I just adore their connection as they build better together but strong on their own, never losing sight of their individuality.  Of course the same goes with our other rebels some of my favorites to name a few, Shazad, Sam, Maz, Izz, Delila, and Hala to name a few.  Seriously Shazad is amazing and just as kick butt awesome as Amani.  Sam reminds me of a charming rogue like Captain Jack Sparrow so of course I love him and the twins are always a delight to read as they normally bring some levity. 

"She was all fire and gunpowder, and her finger was always on a trigger."

                The story felt like it flew by as so much was accomplished in such a small time frame but it had been building up and things started to fall into place.  The end was coming.  There is doom and gloom on the horizon for some and they still continue on which I love.  Enemies and Allies.  A fight within and without with the foreigners ready to pounce next there are serious things stacked against our group.  Still no matter how bleak there is still hope and I love that about them.  The mix of magic and strategy really work well.  There is always something happening to make you wonder of the possibilities/repercussions which is always the case when dealing with the Djinni.    

"We would be stories long after we were gone.  Imperfect, inaccurate stories.  Stories that could never even come close to reality." 

                Speaking of we get to know more of the myths and culture that the world is built on.  In both nations.  From a mythical city, old languages, stories from before time remembers fully, and more.  Hamilton found a way to weave in things from book one that fit so perfectly and clicked together I can't wait to re-listen and see if I catch even more.  Overall, this book is a slammed packed series finale.  It covers everything from action, suspense, romance, magic, fantasy, beautiful writing, drama, all the feels, a kick butt female lead and more.  I was not disappointed in the least and I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy.

                Until next time… 

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3)

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton

Out:  3/6             

From Goodreads:

                The breathless finale to the New York Times bestselling Rebel of the Sands series will have you on the edge of your seat until the dust from the final battle clears!

                When gunslinging Amani Al’Hiza escaped her dead-end town, she never imagined she’d join a revolution, let alone lead one.  But after the bloodthirsty Sultan of Miraji imprisoned the Rebel Prince Ahmed in the mythical city of Eremot, she doesn’t have a choice.  Armed with only her revolver, her wits, and her untamable Demdji powers, Amani must rally her skeleton crew of rebels for a rescue mission through the unforgiving desert to a place that, according to maps, doesn’t exist.  As she watches those she loves most lay their lives on the line against ghouls and enemy soldiers, Amani questions whether she can be the leader they need or if she is leading them all to their deaths.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I read the other books in the series back to back a couple months back and really enjoyed them.  I am invested in the characters and the story.  I’m excited to see what happens next. 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

Traitor to the Throne (Rebel of the Sands #2)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I worked but got to get some reading time in while there so cheers.  I was able to finish up an audiobook, Traitor to the Throne (Rebel of the Sands #2) by Alwyn Hamilton the sequel to Rebel of the Sands which I reviewed recently here.  After finishing book one I was so excited to be able to dive right into book two.  While I am thrilled to have read it I am sad I now have to wait until next year for the conclusion.  Sigh.  But in the mean time I can share my thoughts on this book.  Spoilers for book one…duh.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                We pick up shortly after we left off.  Amani finds herself at the center of the revolution.  She wanted to find freedom for herself and found herself fighting for the freedom of the nation from the sultan.  She has been running missing and working with the crew for a little while and many battles have been fought.  Through a series of events Amani finds herself in the Sultan’s palace.  She is a prisioner but determined to uncover any secrets she can while there.  As she spends more time in the palace she begins to see another side to their war as well as the similarities and differences between the sultan and her two princes.  What is best for Miraji and the Blue-Eyes Bandit from the desert?

                When we left off I was so excited to see what would happen next.  For the rebellion and even more for Amani and Jin since I was seriously shipping them.  But Jin is gone.  He ran away when she was injured unable to be there for it.  I was upset, understandably like Amani was.  Then when he does reappear he leaves much to be desired.  My favorite thing about this is that Amani is upset about this and doesn’t just let it drop instantly. A personal pet peeve of mine is when someone, specifically those I’m supposed to root for or ship, does something to make me upset then never has to apologize/fix things.  So to have it addressed is huge plus for me.  Now for Amani she is pretty amazing.  She has really come into her own since discovering she is a Djinn. 

                We get to find out more about the politics of the world and even more about magic.  New concepts and ideas are shown that really blow you away.  New allies are made and new enemies discovered.  I love how twisty and turny it was.  There are so many people who have different loyalties and reasons to fight on both sides the story keeps you pulled in from the start.  The connections between characters, the different relationships both platonic and romantic are gripping and get you excited for more.  Even as we are hit with emotional loses, this is war.  I was watery at times not just because of the death but because of the reaction of those they loved.  That hit you in the feels hard.  Still there is so much hope in this story and I love it for that.  I can't wait for next year to see the conclusion to the series and what becomes of Amani and all of Miraji.

                Until next time… 

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

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you had a better weekend than me.  We have swapped to a new system at work and it is NOT user friendly and keeps crashing so lots of frustration to be had.  Still trying to keep a positive attitude because I did get some reading time in and oh yeah Game of Thrones started last night!!!    Something I did this year is also finally get to a book that had been on my TBR since last year, Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands #1) by Alywn Hamilton.  I listened to the audiobook narration which I found quick and easy listening.

Rating: 4 Stars

                So the story follows Amani, a girl who grew up in the gunpowder city in the desert of Dustwalk.  She'd taught herself to shoot with the best of guys in secret feeling herself with a pistol in her hands.  The world is rules by mortals but Gene used to roam free with their magical off spring, djinni, and other magical creatures roaming around the desert.  There are millions of stories about them and the past and Amani knows them all.  Stuck under her Uncles care after her mother was hung she is bound and determined to escape and make it to her mothers home, the place she talked about so often.  She meets Jin, a handsome foreigner who is also pretty good with a gun in a contest she is trying to win to secure funds for her travel.  Things change and she is forced to adjust her plans.  Jin seems like a better means of escape, fleeing from the Sultan's army with a treasonous fugitive who will help her figure out her place and who she really is.

                I liked the idea of this story from the start giving me an Aladdin vibe.  While I'm not a huge fan of deserts in person as I don't like the heat, sun, or sand I like reading about them.  Following Amani and Jin on this journey was full of exciting moments.  The scenery was well described with the different towns and the methods of travel.  I really found myself captivated as it felt like the desert.  Despite the magic it felt realistic, the fact that they were in the desert and the strain that puts on a person was never forgotten and that is always a plus. 

                Still like many books for me I fell in love with the characters.  Amani was bad ass.  She wasn't happy with her situation and what was to happen to her so she changed things.  She took charge and wasn't going to let anyone made decisions about her life for her just because she is a SHE.  Even as she starts to develop feelings for Jin she doesn't let that cloud her judgment completely but simply a factor to be considered along with all the other options.  I respected her for that.  Jin, I had my ups and downs with him at times but far more ups to be sure.  I liked his attitude form the beginning and most important is he doesn't underestimate her simply for being a female.  He never considers her weak but instead expects more of her knowing her grit.  I also adored some of the others as we got to meet them as the story progressed. 

                The story morphs from one of escape to one of rebellion and I love it.  I enjoyed how the story had lots of twists and turns and always kept the pace moving.  It walked a line of real and magical well as there would be times when you don't realize the world has magic until you are faced with a magical sand horse or a djinni who can use their powers.  It's like a world within a world and I love it.  The political aspect of the Sultan and the Rebel Prince, the foreigner soldiers that practically rule nation taking what they are allowed and more. 

                It was fascinating and I can't wait to read the sequel, which thankfully as I waited so long to get to this is already out.  I just have to wait for my next credit to kick in and I will be able to start on the sequel which has me equal parts excited and nervous given where things are.

                Until next time…