Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton

Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton
Series: Rebel of the Sands #2
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: 2nd February 2017
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Source: Bought
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Nearly a year has passed since Amani and the rebels won their epic battle at Fahali. Amani has come into both her powers and her reputation as the Blue-Eyed Bandit, and the Rebel Prince's message has spread across the desert - and some might say out of control. But when a surprise encounter turns into a brutal kidnapping, Amani finds herself betrayed in the cruellest manner possible.

Stripped of her powers and her identity, and torn from the man she loves, Amani must return to her desert-girl's instinct for survival. For the Sultan's palace is a dangerous one, and the harem is a viper's nest of suspicion, fear and intrigue. Just the right place for a spy to thrive... But spying is a dangerous game, and when ghosts from Amani's past emerge to haunt her, she begins to wonder if she can trust her own treacherous heart.

Rebel of the Sands was a kickass debut with some fantastic characters in an immersive fantasy setting. I was awaiting the release of Traitor to the Throne with baited breath, even during my reading slump from hell in the latter half of 2016. I hadn’t read any reviews for Traitor to the Throne before picking it up so I had no idea what to expect other than sheer awesomeness.

Traitor of the Throne is a lot longer than Rebel of the Sands. Hamilton had the chance to take her time with her world building and storytelling and she took it. I imagine some people say that this book drags, but I didn’t experience that at all. There was less action in the middle of the book, but Hamilton used the extra pages to add character growth and background for various characters, as well as delve into the politics that were brushed over in the first book. I think it balanced out really well, and didn’t feel like it dragged at all.

I found it interesting that Hamilton put the main ship between Amani and Jin on hold. I guess this is probably the fantasy book definition of taking a break. There was very little Amani and Jin, and to be honest, I didn’t mind. I was so caught up in everything going on at the palace that I completely forgot about them. And, let’s be honest, it’s all about Amani/Shazad. No I will not let this go.

The ending of this book was brutal, and it has left me wondering just how bloody the third and final book of the trilogy is going to be. I’m expecting to be left heartbroken. I cannot wait for the third book to come out!