Review: HERO AT THE FALL by Alwyn Hamilton

Welcome to the blog tour for the final book in Alwyn Hamilton’s Rebel of the Sands trilogy, Hero at the Fall. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on the conclusion of Amani’s story:

I absolutely adored the first two Rebel of the Sands books, so I dove into Hero at the Fall with a mix of excitement and nerves. Alwyn Hamilton doesn’t keep you waiting long: the story picks up right where Traitor to the Throne left off, and the action doesn’t slow after that first page. One of my favorite things about these books has been the pacing – I’ve never once been bored or tempted to skim. And Hamilton has once again crafted a perfectly timed story that balances action with needed moments of rest.

But what really stands out about these novels is the memorable characters and the beautiful worldbuilding. In Hero at the Fall, Amani is working to find her role in the rebellion now that Ahmed has been captured and the Sultan is up to his tricks again. She’s still just as smart and resourceful as she was in the first two books but in Hero at the Fall, we see her stake out a spot of her own in the rebellion and really own up to her role. Jin serves as the voice of reason to Amani’s occasional brashness, and these two really do make an incredible couple, even in the middle of a revolution.

Of course, a revolution doesn’t mean anything if the rebels aren’t putting their lives on the line, and there’s a lot of that in Hero at the Fall. I don’t want to name anyone for fear of spoilers, but I very quickly realized that I had to hold on to the characters I loved for as long as possible because every page could be their last.

And then there’s the worldbuilding. Hamilton has crafted such a strong, magical world from the beginning and her careful planning pays off in Hero at the Fall. The transition between old details and newly established ones feels effortless and the world of Miraji feels like a real, tangible place I could hop on a plane and visit.

Hero at the Fall will grab your attention with its swift beginning and hold it through to the end of its 400+ pages. It’s a breathtaking, heart-pounding finale and has cemented the Rebel of the Sands books as one of my all-time favorite trilogies. I cannot recommend these books enough.

Rating: 9/10

About the book:

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 untameable 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.

About the author: