T: One of the reasons why we started this blog
was to have a more official outlet for our buddy read discussions. So far,
we've been kind of slacking on that, mainly because we've been unable to find a
medium that works for a joint review. So here goes. It's going to be awkward,
people.
Coll: Man, why did we never plan this out if
it was our main reason for doing a blog? LOL
T: Because we got carried away with choosing
the appropriately bookish wallpaper and fonts? Anyways, we ask you to bear with
us if you are reading this. The buddy review is a work in progress and your
feedback would be appreciated! So, how about I kick this off. Rebel of the
Sands by Alwyn Hamilton. All I heard before starting was that the book is a
Middle Easterny YA fantasy with a kickass heroine. Also, the cover is drop-dead
gorgeous.
Coll: Well I have always been a YA fan
(#noshame) and the idea of this being Middle Eastern set came off as very
awesome to me. It was just something so out of the ordinary in terms of YA
novels, which often follow a certain theme in terms of setting and the
nationalities of protagonists. So yeah, this being so out of the box made me
really enjoy it, as well as the desert setting. Hell I think the majority of
desert set books I have read have been non-fiction, so this was a nice change
for a fiction book.
T: Oh yeah, I agree with it being completely
unusual and a little bit different to the typical US- and UK-centric literature
that it out there. Also, the only other desert books I’ve read have been
historical crime fiction, so this seemed like a treat. The novel had
overwhelmingly positive reviews so the hype made me slightly hesitant, but I
ended up really loving the book. I think it’s a strong 4.5 stars in my opinion,
and I can’t wait to continue on with the adventure. I knocked off half a star
because I didn’t feel thoroughly connected to the characters throughout the whole
book.
Coll: Yeah, one of my big issues, which I am
sure has become apparent from my reviews, is that I really want strong
connections with the characters. If that is missing for me it becomes a slight
dilemma, and unfortunately that was one of the flaws for me with Rebel. I did
not feel especially connected or sympathetic to the main character. I actually
felt more of a bond with a secondary character than I did the main, so that
threw me off a bit. But that is kind of a small complaint for me, I suppose,
because of how much I enjoyed the story. One aspect that I fell in love with
was the melding of mythos with reality in the world the book is set in, Miraji.
T: Yep, I agree. And I don’t often read books
about djinnis so that made it even more special for me. I think the author
walked that fine line between info-dumping and brilliant world-building very
well. It would’ve been easy to just explain everything at once, but I loved how
we got smallish bits throughout the whole thing. Also, we got not only the mythology
of one country, but an idea how a similar legend was transformed in different
cultures. This was so well-done, I think.
Coll: Oh yeah definitely! I will admit it
threw me off a bit at first because I did not know how much of the myth and
folklore would be worked throughout the book, but only a few chapters in I
realized how brilliantly Hamilton was merging everything together. I mean,
throwing a fantasy aspect into a book will usually hook me, meld it with
reality and I am all yours. There was also a romance facet in the book that was
not overbearing, which made me very happy. I have had many a book ruined for me
by the story getting interrupted by romance and that was one of my fears going
into this book. I feel like it was all done on the right levels though, and it
actually helped to build the story.
T: Yep, and it wasn’t instalove. Yes, in a way
there was attraction right away but mutual respect took time to develop. I
actually wanted a tad more romance (of course I did), and I loved, loved, loved
how there wasn’t a hint of a love triangle. Yet. There better not be one, is
all I’m saying! Sidenote. Were you also trying to figure out which actual
Middle Eastern/European/African countries inspired the fictional ones? I did,
but hopefully being ignorant about world politics will actually pay off in the
sense that I won’t be spoiled for the possible future plot points ;-)?
Coll: Well of course you wanted more romance.
You aaaaalways do. But for me it was just right. ;-) And yes, I did spend a
great deal of time trying to figure out the locations that inspired the
setting. I actually got so into thinking about that at one point that I had to
shove those thoughts aside and just get on with the story. Overall I enjoyed
almost everything about the book. Sure there were a few issues for me, such as
some shortfalls with character development and lack of attachment, also I felt
some parts were just a little too rushed. But as is the case with many first
books in a series, it is a lot more about building the story before getting to
the meat of everything.
T: I kind of agree about it being slightly
rushed. The ending and ultimate showdown felt a bit confusing and quick. Still,
it was great fun and I can see how it’s setting up for sequels. Now, one last
thing that I have to mention: one of my favourite things was how I completely
misjudged any coming plot twists. Everything I guessed would happen, didn’t. I
loved that. Also, what did you end up rating the book?
Coll: Yeah, some parts left me a little let
down, like I expected a bigger final climax after everything, but it was still
enjoyable for me. And oh hell yeah, I was WAY off the mark with my predictions,
so kudos to Hamilton for fooling us. Actually, one of my favorite things was
how all my predictions were wrong because then I got to be surprised in the
end. I went with a four star rating. I found the book incredibly entertaining
and I did not want to put it down. Any issues I had were small in regards to
the big picture and I will definitely be continuing with the series. How about
you?
T: Definitely picking up the second one.
Thankfully the ending didn’t feature a huge cliffhanger so I won’t be
dying. All in all, this was a fun book.
Like I said before, 4,5 stars. It was a really quick read and I really do look
forward to the future instalments. I just hope the covers are as gorgeous. ;-)
Coll: Well I could have done with a slightly
bigger cliffhanger, but you know me, I am a glutton for punishment like that.
But yeah, altogether a fun read, unique plot, and awesome world. I have high
hopes that the series will just continue to get even better and I look forward
to the day where I am once again immersed in the world of Miraji. So there you
have it, our take on Rebel of the Sands. We hope you enjoyed our first Buddy
Read Review. Thanks for tuning in! :-)
“Tell me that and we’ll go. Right now. Save
ourselves and leave this place to burn. Tell me that’s how you want your story
to go and we’ll write it straight across the sand”
Time for our annual
#DoubleLettersTBRathon! That means we are trying to reduce our TBRs by reading the books we own. Last year we didn't think to make it public and treated it as a buddyreadathon. This time, however, we thought it'd be fun if we found other bookish people to join us! To make it more interesting - and to ensure we actually get through a decent amount of books - we've decided to add 12 challenges to the readathon. 
