Mundie Moms

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

REBEL OF THE SANDS by Alwyn Hamilton / Blog Tour: Book Review #RebelOfTheSands #HeroAtTheFall


Welcome to the next stop in the HERO AT THE FALL blog tour, hosted by Penguin Teen. This week's stops are featuring the first book in the series, REBEL OF THE SANDS. I'm thrilled to share my review, which was originally posted here. This series is one of my all time favorites. If you haven't already, be sure to pick up the first two books in the series, before Hero At The Fall is released next month. More about the series, and the tour schedule below. First, here's a little about the book that started it all, Rebel Of The Sands. 

ABOUT THE BOOK


By: Alwyn Hamilton
Published by: Viking Books
Released on: March 8th, 2016
SeriesRebel of the Sands #1
Purchase fromAmazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

Arabian Nights meets Mockingjay in a world unlike any you've ever seen before!
Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mystical beasts still roam the wild and remote areas, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinni still perform their magic. But there's nothing mystical or magical about Dustwalk, the dead-end town that Amani can't wait to escape from. When the gunslinging girl meets Jin, a mysterious and devastatingly handsome foreigner, in a shooting contest, she sees him as the perfect escape route. But in all her years spent dreaming of leaving Dustwalk, she never imagined she'd gallop away on a mythical horse, fleeing the murderous Sultan's army, with a fugitive who's part of the secret rebel movement plotting to overthrow the Sultan. And she'd never have predicted she'd fall in love with him . . . or that he'd help her unlock the truth about who--and what--she is. Debut author Alwyn Hamilton weaves this spellbinding story of treason, passion, and magic.
 
MY REVIEW

A captivating debut, Rebel of the Sands has it all! It's an action packed read with rich world building, adventure, character chemistry that practically ignites the pages, magic, epic battles, fantasy, and a fascinating lore. Hamilton's debut is one that blends together Western, Middle East and Fantasy elements together beautifully. It's unlike any other story I've read before, and one I really enjoyed! 

I love it when a book has characters that are not only well written, but all have a purpose. Each character, whether they're a main one, or supporting one, all help bring this incredible story to life. I loved that whether they're a good or bad character, they each have a belief in something that is greater than themselves. Their belief in their cause drives to make the choices they do. I liked that there's a history and magic that runs so deep within some of the characters. Their abilities are part of what make the battle scenes epic. 


Amani is a character I really liked. She's a girl who's stuck in a society that wants to suppress who she is. She's not someone who will sit back and allow others to dictate or control who is she, and what she's able to do. She has courage, determination, and an inner fire that makes her restless, and willing to risk it out to escape her dead end town, regardless of the deadly consequences that she may face. There's a wildness in her I admired, and it's something that ties into her abilities, which I won't mention for the sake of spoilers. I really enjoyed the characters Amani meets after her journey. There's so much they teach her about who she is, and what she can do. 


The character chemistry in this book is one I loved! There's an irresistible pull between Armani and Jin. It's the kind that is both sigh worthy and maddening all at the same time. What these two have ignites the pages when they're together. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen next between these two. There's so much that they've shared with each other, and so much they haven't, that puts them both in danger. I loved watching their relationship grow, and the untold secrets between them unravel. My word, I need more of these two! 


There are so many elements to this story that when combined, they all worked together perfectly to tell an unforgettable story. From the world building, to her characters and their dialogue, everything about Hamilton's story is captivating. The diverse world in which the characters live in is vividly detailed, and easily imagined. I loved that the world plays a role in the magic abilities some of the characters have. Speaking of magic, the battles that happen are epic. This book has a little bit of everything, but the magic, and fantasy were some of my favorites. 


Hamilton has come blazing into the YA book scene with this incredible debut. Her storytelling is amazing. Like the stories you'd except to be told around a campfire, that are rich with legend, and lore, and are passed one from generation to generation, this is a story that felt very much like that at it's heart. I need more of her books!! This debut is one I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm looking forward to reading it's sequel! 


ABOUT THE SERIES 


TRAITOR TO THE THRONE (Book2)


A sizzling, unputdownable sequel to Rebel of the Sands that will make you question everything you thought you knew about the land of Miraji!
The gunslinger Amani al'Hiza never wanted to be a hero or a revolutionary, but now she's become a key member of the rapidly growing rebellion against the Sultan of Miraji. After Amani is captured by the Sultan's army and imprisoned in his palace, she realizes she's there not to be questioned as a rebel but used as a Demdji. As Amani tries to spy on the enemy and plots her escape, Jin andthe rebels are brewing a rescue plan. But the longer Amani stays in the palace, the more she questions if the Sultan is the tyrant she's believed or just a ruler fighting foreigners for his country. As the rebellion swiftly spirals into war, Amani wonders whether she's on the right side.
 

HERO AT THE FALL (Book 3)
 
The breathless finale to the New York Times bestselling Rebel of the Sands series will have you on the edge of your seat until the dust from the final battle clears!
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


Alwyn Hamilton was born in Toronto and lived between Canada, France, and Italy until the was three, when her family settled in the small French town of Beaune. She studied History of Art at King's College, Cambridge, graduated in 2009, and lives in London.

FOLLOW THE SERIES TOUR 

REBEL AT THE SANDS SCHEDULE
 
WEEK ONE
1/30 – Spinatale Reviews – Review
1/31 – Library Ladies – Review
2/1 – I Fangirl about books – Review
2/2 – Aimee, Always – Quote Wallpaper 
 
WEEK TWO
2/5 – Opalsbookjems – Review
2/6 – Mundie Moms – Review
2/7 – As Told By Michelle – Review
 
TRAITOR TO THE THRONE SCHEDULE
 
WEEK THREE
2/12 – YA and Wine – Review
2/13 – Adventures of a Book Junkie – “5 Reasons to Read the Series”
2/14 – ReadingAnyone – Review
2/15 – The Clockwork Bibliophile – Booklook + Photo Feature
 
WEEK FOUR
2/20 – The Lovely Books – Review
2/21 – Never Too Many To Read – Creative
2/22 – Sisters Who Read – Creative Post
 
HERO AT THE FALL SCHEDULE
 
WEEK FIVE
2/26 – Writing is Hard – Review + Social Media Promo
2/27 – Mike the Fanboy – Fun Recap of Series
2/28 – My Friends are Fiction – Review 
3/1 – The Young Folks – Review
3/2 – Lisa’s Lost in Lit – Creative
 
WEEK SIX
3/5 – The Reader Bee – Review + Bookstagram Post
3/6 – Seeing Double in Neverland – Review + Creative Insta Post
3/7 – A  Book and A Cup of Coffee – Playlist
3/8 – Fiction Fare – Moodboard
 
WEEK SEVEN
3/12 – The Eater of Books – Moodboard
3/13 – Love Is Not a Triangle – Review + Bookstagram Picture 
3/14 – Tales of the Ravenous Reader – Creative Content
3/15 – Forever Young Adult – Review 
 

BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS by Kami Garcia / Release Day Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway #BrokenBeautifulHearts


It's out TODAY! BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS by Kami Garcia is finally out on bookstore shelves. This is such a good read. There are so many elements to this story I loved. You can read my full review for it here. I'm thrilled to be apart of today's long list of bloggers who are celebrating today's release day a launch, hosted by Inkslinger. Today's posts include a new except and a GIVEAWAY! Before you enter to win, here's a little bit about the book. 

ABOUT THE BOOK



By: Kami Garcia
Published by: Imprint Books
Released on: February 6th, 2018 - TODAY!
Purchase fromThe Publisher Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

Before, Peyton was a star soccer player with the perfect boyfriend, Reed. Now, she has a torn knee ligament, a scholarship on the line, and a shattered sense of self. No one believes Reed pushed her, causing her injury, and Peyton just wants to leave the trauma behind. Living with her uncle and twin cousins in their small, football-obsessed town seems like a great escape plan.

There, Peyton meets Owen—high school classmate and local MMA fighter. Though Owen is charming and gentle, Peyton is determined to repress her growing attraction. But when her old and new life collide, Peyton must reclaim the truth of her past in order to save her future.

With southern charm, underground martial arts, and red-hot chemistry, Kami Garcia’s second contemporary romance will steal your breath away. 



READ AN EXCERPT
April narrows her eyes. “I’d be careful if I were you.” “Or what? You’ll throw lip gloss at me?” I almost laugh. I’m done here.
Grace stifles a smile as I pass her on my way out, and I stop. This girl deserves a break. “By the way, your friend, and I use that term loosely”— I gesture at April—“didn’t dump Christian. He dumped her. She was whining about it before you walked in.”
“You bi—” April shouts at me as the door closes.
That was fun.
Sticking up for Grace cheered me up a little.
The stadium has emptied out for the most part, and the sight of the green field makes me feel like running. As a striker, it was my job to move the ball down the soccer field and score goals. The team relied on my speed.
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t play soccer. Dad spent hours dribbling alongside me—him with a standard soccer ball and me with a toddler-sized version. He stood in front of a flimsy net we’d made out of PVC pipes, and played goalkeeper for hours so I could practice my corner shots. I lose myself in the memories.
“Hey! Watch—”
I look up in time to see a guy’s broad chest before I walk right into him. My knee gives out, but he catches my arm.
“Nice save,” he says, as if I’m the one who kept him from falling instead of the other way around.
I jerk away from him. The combination of hearing Reed’s voice a few minutes ago and feeling a guy grab me from out of nowhere . . . it’s too much.
“You okay?” Brown eyes that look even darker against his pale skin.
It’s Owen, the mystery guy from the parking lot. “I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
Why won’t my pulse slow down?
“Yeah. I have to go.” I take off in the opposite direction, embarrassed.
I bumped into a guy and almost jumped out of my skin? This isn’t me. I’m the person who never flinches during horror movies.
The leg brace makes me feel helpless. What if a stranger had grabbed me instead of Owen? Knowing I couldn’t run or fight someone off terrifies me.
Or if someone tries to hurt me again.
Mom and Hawk are exactly where I left them. The Twins have returned from the locker room, freshly showered, and they swapped their football uniforms for jeans and T-shirts. The four of them are huddled together talking. They’re probably discussing my fragile state. They think I’m too traumatized to hang out at a stupid party. But I’m not the damaged person everyone thinks.
refuse to be that girl.
I walk up behind the Twins and squeeze between them. “So when are we going to that party you were telling me about?”

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

Something wonderful happened to me as I read this—I fell in love. Genuine, shattering, deep, heart-pounding love. Thank you, Kami Garcia, for Peyton and Owen. We need their story." 
- Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe


GET YOUR COPY NOW!

Order a digital or print edition of BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS by the #1 New York Times bestselling author, Kami Garcia, and be the first to hear an exclusive announcement from Kami about her next book - a secret project her publisher is keeping under wraps! Hurry! This is a limited time offer! Registration ends on February 28, 20181 You must register your preorder to receive the exclusive announcement from Kami. Order it here!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Kami Garcia is the #1 New York Times, USA Today & international bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures and Dangerous Creatures novels. 

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES has been published in 50 countries and translated in 39 languages, and the film Beautiful Creatures released in theaters in 2013, from Warner Brothers. Kami’s solo series, The Legion, includes the instant New York Times bestseller UNBREAKABLE, and the sequel UNMARKED, both of which were nominated for Bram Stoker Awards. Her other works include THE X-FILES ORIGINS: AGENT OF CHAOS and the YA contemporary novels THE LOVELY RECKLESS and the forthcoming BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS (February 2018). 


Kami was a teacher for seventeen years before co-authoring her first novel on a dare from seven of her students. If she isn’t busy watching Supernatural, Kami can teach you how to escape from a pair of handcuffs or bake a Coca-Cola cake. She lives in Maryland with her family, and their dogs Spike and Oz (named after characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Visit Kami at www.KamiGarcia.com.    


Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumbler | Instagram | Snapchat | YouTube

ENTER TO WIN!

OUT TODAY! 2/6/18 New YA Releases


This month is starting off with an epic release day! Happy Book Birthday to today's brand new YA releases. Check out what's new to bookstore shelves today:

 
  1. Immortal Regin by Morgan Rhodes, Razorbill 
  2. Broken Beautiful Hearts by Kami Garcia, Imprint Books
  3. Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones, Wednesday Books
  4. The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton, Disney Hyperion 
  5. The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross, Harper Teen
  6. Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce, Random House 
  7. American Panda by Gloria Chao, Simon Pulse
  8. The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson, Simon Pulse
  9. The Last To Let Go by Amber Smith, McElderry Books
  10. Your One & Only by Adrianne Finlay, HMH Books
  11. When My Heart Joins The Thousand by A.J. Steiger, Harper Teen
  12. Assassin of Truths by Brenda Drake, Entangled Teen
  13. Tarnished City by Vic James, Del Rey Books
  14. By A Charm and a Curse by Jaime Questell, Entangled Teen
  15. Winterfolk by Janel Kolby, Harper Teen
  16. You Will Be Mine by Natasha Preston, Sourcebooks Fire
  17. Fade to Us by Julia Day, Wednesday Books
  18. Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi, Viking Books
  19. Shoot The Moon by Kate Watson, North Star  
Which new releases are you looking forward to reading? If you don't see a new release on the list, please leave us a message and we'll get it added. Happy Reading!

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