by Alwyn Hamilton

After reading the first story in this series, I really wanted to continue. The first chapter of this second volume recaps some of what went on in Rebel of the Sands and reminds the reader of the most important characters from that book. Then we're quickly into new adventures.

There is continuity in that the rebellion is still striving to overthrow Ahmed's brother and the beautiful mythology begun in the first book continues and expands, but the action is turned up a notch and some new perspective comes into Amani's adventures. In many ways this story is even better than the first one! It also recaptures the exotic, mock-Arabic atmosphere of the first book and the fascinating variations on Djinni magic are very imaginative.

Amani is put in one situation after another that looks like she may not be able to get out of this time, and some old friends and acquaintances reappear with new significance. The story had me gripped and wanting to just keep reading all the way to the end, apart from one very dramatic scene that was so powerful that I had to put the book down for a few minutes to assimilate the rush of emotion.

The story gave me a real roller coaster of emotions from joy to tragedy. It also had me constantly wondering who could be trusted and who couldn't and was full of surprises!

The end wraps up the current situation, but leaves us in a place where there is definitely more to tell. I often complain about that in first books but I don't mind it so much in a second book because I've committed to the series of my own free will then. The next book is predicted for 2018 and I will have to wait

This series is some of the best Fantasy I've read this century. I can't recommend it highly enough.

by Alwyn Hamilton

Usually I complain if a book starts out with a character list, but this is an exception as it's third in the series and reading through it triggered memories of what happened in the second book. Such lists in stand alone or first of a series are meaningless because the reader hasn't met the characters yet, but this was a good way to bring me back into the world within the story.

Within the first chapter, I was definitely back inside this amazing fantasy world and continuing from where the second book left off. The stakes are high and seemingly impossible in this third (and I believe last) book of the series. Characters we met in the second book are here or referred to, which helps trigger memories of what happened in the previous books. It's a series best read in order.

Like the previous books, it has an Arabic feel to the setting and the magic has solid rules. This is definitely one of the best Fantasy series I've read, ever. Nothing is made too easy for the heroes/rebels.

The main character, Amani, is a strong female and she is written very believably, keeping in mind we're in a world with Djinn magic! We see her inner vulnerabilities as well as her outer strength. The story is populated with an array of interesting and unique characters, both good guys and bad guys, as well as some for whom it's a matter of perspective.

There is plenty of action, especially towards the end chapters, and one scene that actually brought tears to my eyes which is rare. A story of romance is expertly woven in, but in a way that doesn't read like Romance genre.

This is one of the few series that didn't lose steam in the later books. It was written as a trilogy and ends in a way that pretty much guarantees that is really the end. As much as I love the world of magic that Hamilton created, I'm glad it wasn't drawn out beyond its natural length. I'd read parallel stories set in this world without hesitation though.

It will be interesting to see what this author does write next. She's one I will be watching for.

by Alwyn Hamilton

This has the flavor of a mock-Arabic, Arabian Nights sort of story, including mention of genii and other mythological creatures that sound like they should be from that culture, but are actually original mythology invented by the author. The main character, a young person seeking to leave a difficult living situation where law and family tradition work against the rights of young people, puts everything at risk to use a skill for shooting to gain enough money to leave a small desert town and survive for a while longer than mere savings would allow.

Of course things never work out as planned in a good tale and unlikely alliances lead to adventure and plenty of action. It definitely held my attention! Enough that I was requesting the sequel before I had got halfway through the first book.

I'm marking this author as one to watch. She definitely has the skill of spinning a good story despite a few minor plot holes. I was actually surprised to see it categorized as YA and assume it's only because the protagonist is young. The story has enough intricacies to appeal to adults and an interesting twist to add even more magic to the tale.

Through the action of the story, the exotic atmosphere of desert towns and caravans where supernatural creatures exist becomes easy to believe and immerse oneself into, and learning who to trust and who is on which side at any moment can be unpredictable.

This was one of those wonderful stories that had me putting off real life responsibilities in the final chapters because I had to keep reading. I don't know how long the series is going to be, but I can see myself following this one, though I don't keep up with many series. Easy five star read and a wonderful aventure.

The Rebel Prince will rise again. He will bring a new dawn. A new desert.

Obviously, you have to read the first two in the series to understand this one. After most of Amani's group of friend's was taken prisoner, the majority of this was about journeying and working to set them free. The focus on the magic of the world seemed to takeover a lot in the middle until the later second half came back around to fighting, defeating, and ending the war. 

This tone had a ragged, tired at times, but still striving through the fight, which fit as the last book wrapping up a rebellion story. This really worked on portraying how wars started by powerful, more so affect the powerless and how even when you're fighting for right, wrong can be done. I liked how this in no way glorified war. 

Some of the visuals the author provided through her writing, especially the ship sailing on sand scene, were incredible, very well done fantasy. The emotion was heightened at times but with Amani, I started to feel very drained.

Amain and Jin didn't get near enough time together for me; a big important talk between the two was completely off screen. 

The ending went a little overly long and repetitive, some could easily have been edited out. However, the long out look at what our characters encounter was satisfying and a tad depressing as we see the same wars being fought over and over because of power greed. I can't say this ended on a very high note but I enjoyed the journey into this magical land the author created. 

But he wondered if a boy from the sea and a girl from the desert could ever survive together. He feared that she might burn him alive or that he might drown her. Until finally he stopped fighting it and set himself on fire for her.

This was a war between the people who belonged in this desert. Not the people who wanted to own it. We would decide it for ourselves---no one else.