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Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton is a mind-blowing book that I’m sure everyone will love. This book is super unique and combines mythology and the desert. The setting of this book is incredibly well-developed and so clearly written that it is awe-inspiring. To top it all off, the main character is incredibly strong and brave.
Series: Rebel of the Sands #1
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: March 8, 2016
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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.
Rebel of the Sands reveals what happens when a dream deferred explodes—in the fires of rebellion, of romantic passion, and the all-consuming inferno of a girl finally, at long last, embracing her power.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Rebel of the Sands By Alwyn Hamilton
❀ A creative and interesting book
Rebel of the Sands is such a creative and interesting book! This novel combines mythology and the desert, resulting in one unputdownable fantasy. I absolutely adored the mythical beasts in the book. They make what could have been a simple Western novel into this super incredible story that is sure to enlighten any reader.
❀ Intriguing Desert Setting
The desert setting in Rebel of the Sands really intrigued me. I haven’t read too many books set like this, and after reading this book, I definitely want more. The descriptions of the whole world in the book are just so realistic and well done that I could picture myself in the book. Though I’m not entirely sure that I would really want to be in the story…
❀ Amazing Main Character
Amani, the main character in Rebel of the Sands is basically the definition of a strong female character. She can shoot better than any man and actually taught herself to shoot. She also deals with the fact that she is sort of rejected by her family and society pretty well. Being a girl in this setting is difficult to do, and Amani really proves to the world that she can be just as good, even better, than any man out there.
❀ Mythical Elements
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton is very original with its mythical elements. The desert setting that is so vividly describes adds to the magic of the novel. With a brave main character that can shoot a gun, this fantasy book is surely not to be missed. I would recommend this to fans of books like Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman, since both books have a similar Western setting.
Book Quotes: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
“And before he could say another word, I bolted.”
About Alwyn Hamilton
Alwyn Hamilton was born in Toronto and lived between Canada, France, and Italy until the was three, when her family settled in the small French town of Beaune. She studied History of Art at King’s College, Cambridge, graduated in 2009, and lives in London.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.