Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands #1) by Alwyn Hamilton -- Restarting May 7th 2024

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[I don't blame Amani for escaping, despite what it might have meant for her friend. They discovered that she was the blue-eyed bandit and that she knew the mercenary they were hunting for. She would have shared the same fate as her mother had she stayed and had no way to save her own life as well the lives of those she loved.

I'm liking learning about how magic and metal can not mix. Amani's village held the world's largest weapons factory as the monsters haunting the rest of the world attack any other large quantity of metal placed elsewhere. It is yet to be learned why the factory had survived for so long there and not anywhere else.

Her cousin proved to be truly despicable as she sold Amani out on the train. I was glad to see her connect again with Jin, following this, and join the caravan. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[This is a reread and I could remember many of the details, but I still thought it obvious that Jin was a prince. There were many heavy-handed hints throughout this, prior to Amani's discovery and her meeting with his brother and the other rebellion members. (hide spoiler)]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[I really enjoyed this one. Some aspects were a little predictable and some elements were slow to be uncovered, but I still had a fun time with it.

When the magic started to take more of a focus the pace increased. I found it really interesting to explore Amani's inability to lie, which made the things she voiced the truth. I also found the discovery of her brother a big shock. I definitely didn't remember that. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Yay I'll get to this next month!

[Dannii]

No worries :) I hope you enjoy!

[Maddie]

I should do! And when libraries are open I can read the rest in the series

[Dannii]

Maddie wrote: "I should do! And when libraries are open I can read the rest in the series"

Awesome :) I have them out from the library rn so can read them anytime too :)

[Maddie]

Oh great! I'm just assuming that the libraries will be back open in a week so I can request

[Jenn]

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Date changed. Restarting May 7th 2024. Happy Reading ☺

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[Danique]

I had a day off and the weather was great and this was the only planned paperback I had lol, so I read the entire thing in a day :P

Ch 5
(view spoiler)[Reading in Dutch so terms might differ! Amani grew up in a boring little town in the desert, Stofoord and the other town Doodorp is where everything happens. Her mother was hanged, and her uncle now wants to marry her ew! She’s a great shot, already love the potential of the stranger.

I already love him teehee the shooting was great, and he’s clearly Ahmed - the rebel prince! So her mother was hanged bc she killed her father - although he wasn’t her real father. I love Jin already - although it makes me wonder whether it’s short for dijin lmao - and he’s clearly Ahmed, I already can’t wait to meet his ‘monster’ sister! I’m already loving the mysterious desert creatures too and I’m looking forward to actually seeing them.

I wonder if he recognized her. I also wonder if Noorsjam is her brother or something, since he has the same eyes? Can’t wait, he’s definitely going to come back. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Ch 11
(view spoiler)[I loved the burak aaah so cool! And great that only women can tame the creatures. Oh my she barely escaped with Jin, glad he didn’t leave her, but I feel bad for Tamid :( I can’t believe she drugged Jin and stole from him lmao, he’ll be back 🤣🤣

Loved her first experience with the train, didn’t think about how new that’d be for her. Can’t believe Shari is working with the commander to get them - I also thought sex wasn’t allowed yet no one stops her? Ok. The kiss between Amani and Jin was great though heheheh loved the description of her as a desert person who thought she knew heat until they kissed teeeehee. And now they’ll have to run through the desert, which will be trouble. And what’s up with his compass - it seems like Jack Sparrow's, that it points to what he wants most? It’s definitely magical since he was scared as hell of losing it. (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Ch 24
(view spoiler)[Dumas is clearly trouble, but I wonder whether Naigub is too - it seems like he’s the brother that Jin learned things from and all that. Dumas is brutal though and clearly hates everything that isn’t fully human. The Nightmares are creepy! I can’t believe the caravan left them aaargh!! Shit Jin isn’t Ahmed???? Ahmed is his brother omg shook.

Lijkenpikkers are cool as hell too teehee, and I love all the new characters! I’m glad they’re finally with the rebellion, can’t wait! I don’t fully understand the world apparently - I thought the Gallanen were Ahmed’s father? But apparently that’s a different king?

I hate how little rights women have. Woah what, she’s a demdji!!!! Can’t wait to find out her power. Gosh I hate Hala already not going to lie. I wish Jin would apologize and not make her feel worthless, I hate that she’s basically been dragged into this and now suddenly seems to care about the cause, it didn’t really makes sense bc she didn’t care about it before? (hide spoiler)]

[Danique]

Finished
(view spoiler)[The Shihabian festival was cool, the darkness was intense. I hate that he still hasn’t apologized, but he is right in saying that she was badass before and doesn’t need her gift. I’m only now realizing she’s holding fire in her hand on the cover so I’m guessing that’s her gift then? Thanks for the spoiler lol.

I do like Bahi and Shazad but they also feel kinda flat so far. It’s also quite odd that no one else knows that Jin, the other prince, is alive. Makes me wonder if Ahmed will die and Jin will take the throne but idk. He kissed her woah okay that was random, kinda wanted more of a moment than this rushed one.

They jumped on the train to get the weapon aaaaah. I knew Noorsjam would come back omg NOOOO he’s the weapon!!!! Still don’t get why she didn’t save him in the prison, poor thing :( she could’ve take him with her from the first second ugh. Bahi died though shite, although I don’t understand why he told them she’s a demdji. I wonder if she has the same power since they have the same eyes tho? So the sultan is after the Gallanen instead of the rebels, that’s kinda hurtful lol, he doesn’t even see them as a threat.

She can control the sand yes!! That’s so cool I love it. Duh Noorsjam is her brother, that was so obvious lmao. I’m glad she and Noorsjam sort of worked together to save the city, but it was kinda easy. Naigub died quite easily too hmm, same goes for Dumas. Definitely thought they’d play a bigger role. I also don’t like how Ahmed is basically taking the credit, he literally didn’t do shit??? He just took the win.

Not sure whether I love the romance in this tbh, although I liked Jin, their romance felt a bit random at points. Hmm, the characters just don’t have a lot of depth (yet?). I’m up for the next one though, I didn’t realize it was a series lol. Would you want to do the second one too? I did love the mythical and mysterious atmosphere, it’s quite magical! (hide spoiler)]

[Yolbooks]

Sorry I am late started yesterday. And you are so lucky having a day all for reading.

[Danique]

Yeah I got a day off from work! Doesn’t happen often, but it was a great day🤣

[Yolbooks]

A little late to the party, but I absolutely love the beginning. I am at chapter 3. Just after the shooting competition. Who is this rebel prince and is she just going with this stranger.