You ever read a book and you’re like YES I KNOW it’s NOT GOOD but I LIKE IT so SHOVE OFF? Because that’s me and this series. Rebel of the Sands is basically YA madlibs.
__(female name)__, a young girl with a tragic past, unknowingly has the power to __(fart noise)__, but can she master it in time to save her __(home)__ while falling in love with __(male name)__, the __(nobility)__ that should be her enemy?!
But it’s YA madlibs I actually, if regretfully, enjoy reading! Yes everything is 100% contrived and individually most of these plot elements can jump off a bridge but the overall package somehow becomes something I can’t put down!
There is very little I can tell you about these books that you wouldn’t learn just looking at the cover. Our hero is a Rebel and a Traitor in a sandy place. She’s prolific with ranged weaponry. There’s glow-y magic and outfits that might even be suited to their environment. Things are mysterious and intense but only in the way that felt edgy when you were in middle school. I’m not proud of reading them, but I’m not so ashamed I won’t come here and own up to it. These are like those lemon Girl Scout cookies – they aren’t your first pick, but you’ll still eat most of the box.
Books like this are where my elitism comes back to bite me. Y’all see the hemming and hawing I do – if I enjoy it, I should just enjoy it and not feel bad! I read enough quality books to have the occasional cheat day and the world is burning so I think an easy read should be the least of my worries but here we are. And book 3 is already on my hold list at the library.