I thought it was engaging and peeked my interest to know more as this was a sneak peek at the book. Definitely look forward to reading the whole series.

Rebel of The Sands was such a sweeping story. The world buidling and characters are felt so grounded in eachother. The story was magical and wonderful.

This is definitely one of those books I regret not reading sooner. It was so, so good! The writing was fluid, the whole book was fast-paced and exciting, with lots of twists. I love the world-building and mythology created here - at every page a little bit more of this universe is unraveled to the reader, making you want to continue on to find out more and more. The characters were compelling and interesting, with really good development throughout the story. Amani and Jin are amazing as main characters, they compliment each other well and I love how fiery, driven and smart Amani is. I couldn't help but like her from page one.

Although the ending was satisfactory in a lot of ways here, it left everything wide open for a thrilling sequel, more action-packed and more charged and, I think, darker and more dangerous. The author doesn't have qualms about killing likable characters, so I don't think she will spare our hearts in the next two volumes. I'm excited because the last book in the trilogy comes out this year, and I'm hoping to read everything in one go! So, onto Traitor to the Throne!

Rebel of Sands by Alwyn Hamilton is truly a great, wondrous, thrilling tale, Thank you Netgalley for the privilege of reading this ARC. Alwyn Hamilton weaves an adventurous westyern, mixed themed, and her world building was exciting, drawing me in, and I felt as if I was really there.
Even though I was only given a sampling of this novel, I loved what I read,and I have read what happens with the rest of the story.

Was recommended for purchase to subject librarian, 4/2017.
Highlighted as part of fantasy titles recommendations RA list for internal use.
Added to diverse books display

The opening scene was thoroughly engaging and I almost immediately fell in love with the characters. Reccomend this to fans of Blood Red Road!

The sneak peek of Rebel of the Sands made me thinking of the great books Gambit (by Denault), and Bullet Catcher (Lowe), mixed in with a little bit of Wrath & the Dawn (Ahdieh) – I definitely need to read the entire book.

Amani is a hidden gunslinger, desperate to get out of an arranged marriage, and finds her only source of escape through a stranger (handsome of course!). Out in the desert, Amani is determined to make her own fortune, and I’m eager to find out how.

Not a fan. Full thoughts to come soon. Link will be provided once post is live in a compilation blog post.

I've been eyeing this book for a while. After reading this excerpt, it has only reinforced my desire to read it soon!

This sneak peek was fantastic. It drew me into the story, and left me wanting more. I will definitely be reading the full book as it seems full of action, wit, and drama.

My Review: 5 out of 5 stars

Let me start with Rebel of the Sands. It's amazing! We have our main protagonist, Amani, who is a sharpshooter. She's a strong female heroine in a sexist, gender role society. Which means she's underestimated a lot. She also pretends to be a boy fairly often so that she doesn't get killed or kidnapped. But my absolute favorite thing about her is her growth throughout the book. I think she has the best character growth that I've ever seen in a book! The author did an amazing job making it believable. She goes from a person that's all about saving herself no matter who else gets hurt to this person that doesn't leave people behind to save her own skin.

We also have Jin. How do I describe Jin without giving to much away... He's pretty good with a gun, not as good as Amani, but okay. He's the first person Amani ever really gets attached to after her mothers death. He's a foreigner, his mother was Xichan and his father is Miraji, the place where Amani lives. He was born in Miraji but left when he was little and traveled around with his brother and sister for awhile. There's another important fact about him but spoiler are the worst you guys, so you're going to have to read it for your self.

This book also has a really good story. I don't want to give anything away and the real plot doesn't come in till about halfway through the book but I will give you two words. Rebel Prince.

I love the world the author creates for this book. It's like a middle eastern western novel but with magic thrown into the mix. It almost reminds me of Aladdin. Honestly! And Aladdin is one of my all time favorite Disney movies/Broadway musicals.

When I like books I get seriously attached and defensive. You know I've got it bad for a book when I'm getting mad a reviews saying this book was boring, because I'm protective over things I love, like Hamilton the American Musical. I absolutely adore this book and think it's a must read!

Plus Alwyn Hamilton is like the nicest person I've ever met! She's amazing, read her book!


Now Traitor to the Throne... *WARNING: May contain spoilers for book 1*

I have such a book hangover from this book!!!! I have one thing to say about the description before I go into the book. Forget everything you thought you knew about Miraji, about the rebellion, about Djinn and Jin and the Blue-Eyed Bandit. In Traitor to the Throne, the only certainty is that everything will change. OMG this is like the most accurate description for any book ever!

So this book introduces some new characters like Sam. Our fake Blue-Eyed Bandit. It also brings back some old characters that I didn't really talk about in the review for the first book like Ahmed, Imin, Shazad, Delila, Hala and (drumroll) Shira and Tamid! If you don't remember them they are Amani's awful cousin and best friend that she abandoned. You can probably imagine how those reunions went down.

This book goes even deeper into the plot line. They are trying to put the rebel prince Ahmed onto the throne. Only one slight problem. Jin has disappeared and Amani is trapped in the Castles haram as the Sultans little Demdji. And with a dozen pieces of iron under her skin and one piece of bronze with her true name on it the Sultan has her under his control.

It's been a really long time since I've cried over a book. It was long over due. I don't think I've ever cried this much over a book in my life (surprising because I'm a very emotional person.) I didn't cry once... I cried twice during the ending of the book. The end was one plot twist after another that you never saw coming. Not to brag but I've read a lot of books and I can usually guess at least a little of what's going to happen but not even I saw that ending coming. It's a good thing no one could see me because I was curled up on my couch practically sobbing over this book at 11 o'clock at night.

Now I'm not so patiently waiting the third book! I need it sooo bad!!!
Please read this book it's probably one of the best choices I've ever made.

This sneak peek was such a tease, giving a firehose dose of the novel that left me sputtering but wanting more. These first chapters of Rebel are a perfect introduction to sharp-shooting, whip-mouthed Amani and that mix of Wild West and the Arabian Peninsula she calls home. The action, the world, and the characters captured me, forcing me to find the book so I could finish it within the following days. Looking forward to the sequel!

I don't usually like books that appear at first to be historical fiction. This book quickly changed from that. At least I think it did...

3 chapters was not enough for me, so I went out and got the first book. I cannot wait to see what happens next. There were only a few little things that irked me, like the phrase,, "On account of....". That sounds so juvinile. Will that stop me from reading the book? Absolutely not. While that phrase did make the main character seem younger than a late teen, it's just how she talks. Besides, she didn't say things like that very often.

The premise of the book is enticing. It's almost an alternate fantastical history, much like Steampunk is. Don't get me wrong, they're nothing alike, other than the time the story takes place. That being said, I *think* this is set in the fantastical past, I'm not quite sure. They have guns which makes me think it's on the modern side of the spectrum but I can't be sure quite yet.

That's why I got the book, because I *must* see how this continues. I cannot wait for the romance in this book. I know who her love interest is going to be already, I just hope there's the typical love triangle, my favorite kind of love interest in a book.

I am so excited to continue this book. I'm actually quite glad that it's rather short because that means I get to absorb the story faster. Without a doubt, this is a series that I'm going to continue.

Very addicting from the first page. Outstanding writing.

This was a great sneak peek. I look forward to reading the rest!

This sneak peek was not enough! I have to go out and but the book now!

http://fkrants.blogspot.com/2017/04/rebel-of-sands-sneak-peak.html

Girl sharpshooter in a dustbowl town in the desert. Sneak peek first chapters drew me in. Will purchase the book. Recieved the ARC from Netgalley.

I received this sneak peak from NetGalley and loved it. It was completely action packed with a tense and foreboding atmosphere especially during the shoot ouot competition scenes. While I didn't immediately warm to Amani I admired her spunky attitude in this patriarchal society. I loved the setting as I havent read many good fantasy books set in the desert and it has some amazingly portrayed characters. I cant wait to buy this book especially as the sequel traitor to the throne is coming out very soon.

As this is only a sample, I can't leave a full review. But what I read has me intrigued and I was disappointed to reach the end of the sample. I'm not sure about the blend of Arabian and Western settings, but it is too soon to tell. So far, I'm loving Amani's sharp tongue and run-ins with a foreigner with an equally quick wit. The unique setting has plenty to offer in the form of clever world building and I look forward to giving it a full read once I pick up my copy. The writing seems solid and based on the beginning, I would recommend this book.