In “Rebel of the Sands,” Amani Al’Hiza knows how to shoot a gun and that she needs to escape Dustwalk. Living with her uncle and many cousins, she’s mistreated and ostracized, constantly reminded that she’s an orphan and different because of her blue eyes. Her life in the desert town is monotonously tough.
Determined to leave, Amani plans to use her shooting skills to win a contest and get the prize money for a train ticket to the capital city. Disguised as a boy to enter the contest, she’s confident she can compete with the best shooters in town. However, things get complicated when a mysterious competitor called the Eastern Snake appears.
As the contest progresses, it’s disrupted by a boy calling for rebellion. The Sultan’s son, known as the Rebel Prince Ahmed, plans to reclaim his stolen throne. The boy is forced to be the target in the shooting contest, but Amani and the Eastern Snake convince the organizers to switch off as targets themselves instead. When the reigning champion almost shoots the Snake, chaos breaks out, allowing Amani and the Snake to escape.
The next day, while Amani is at her uncle’s store, the wounded Snake, whose real name is Jin, reappears with the Sultan’s soldiers hot on his trail. Amani tricks the soldiers into leaving, then convinces Jin to let her help him. Their negotiation is interrupted by a commotion over a Buraqi, a magical desert horse. Amani captures the Buraqi, hoping to use it to secure money for her escape, but the army returns, threatening her unless she reveals Jin’s location. Jin then steals the Buraqi and they both escape into the desert.
They stop at a bar in a nearby town, and despite Amani’s mistrust, she initially decides to stick with Jin. She eventually drugs him, sells the Buraqi, and buys a train ticket to Izman. However, her plan goes awry when Jin and the soldiers catch up with her on the train. They manage to escape together, joining a caravan headed across the desert to the capital.
Amani soon learns that the desert and the Rebel Prince have more surprises in store for her. “Rebel of the Sands” intrigues with its strong world-building and action-packed narrative. Amani, resourceful and resilient, drives the story forward with her sharp wit and quick reflexes. Jin’s mysterious nature and chemistry with Amani add a romantic flair amidst the adventure. The book sets the stage well for a sequel, leaving readers eager for more of Amani’s journey.
The story deserves a film adaptation, with its vivid desert setting and dynamic plot. Imagining actors like Summer Bishil as Amani and Suraj Sharma as Jin brings the characters to life, enhancing the narrative’s visual appeal.
“Rebel of the Sands” is a thrilling read with romance, adventure, and a protagonist you’ll root for from start to finish.
