Title: Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3)
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Edition: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Oh, I loved this book. The final installment in the Rebel of the Sands trilogy brings more peril, more bravery, more sacrifice, and more adventure. The author still doesn’t pull her punches, and with powerful legendary beings stepping into the lives of the characters, the stakes are raised ahead of the final conflict. There are stand-out scenes, daring rescues, and plenty of punch-the-air moments. It’s a fantastic climax to an exciting story.
And then there’s the end. Throughout the trilogy, certain chapters are written as campfire legends, particularly where Amani is not present for important plot developments, and couldn’t narrate as a Point of View character. There are more of these in ‘Hero at the Fall’, and towards the end the reason becomes clear. The author ends the story with a wonderful meditation on the difference between the characters’ lived experiences, and the legends told about what they have done. It’s lovely, and it made me cry.
I highly recommend the entire trilogy. Amani is an inspiring protagonist – by no means perfect, but strong, determined, and loyal to her friends. Her journey through the books is one of self-discovery and exposure to a wider, more dangerous world than she had encountered at the start of Rebel of the Sands. Her relationships – with friends, family, and creatures from legend – develop and grow until the reader can’t help but care about everyone she cares about. There is real danger, and real sacrifice. There are scenes I read while metaphorically peeping through my fingers in case something happened to someone who mattered to me. And there is real friendship, loyalty, and bravery.
I can’t believe the story has ended! I miss the characters and the gorgeously described world already, and I want to go back to ‘Rebel of the Sands’ and start all over again. I’m not sure I can think of higher praise than that!
Have you read the Rebel of the Sands trilogy? What did you think of the story? And what did you think of Amani? Click through to the full blog to access the comments section, and share your thoughts! No spoilers, though – you can post those on GoodReads!
Review cross-posted to GoodReads.
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