Like with TRAITOR TO THE THRONE, there are some titled chapters inserted that aren’t from Amani’s POV. I love it when an author can make me that upset on re-reads (and also wish they weren’t putting me through that heartbreak!). I was in tears several time the first time I read it – and had stinging eyes this time around.

Of course, being a finale, there’s a lot of uncertainty over who exactly will survive – and the moments of peril and survive/die moments for characters were handled well. Jin, Ahmed, Sam and Shazad also have nice arcs, though you’ll need to peer in to see some.

HERO follows straight from them, throwing all sorts of challenges at Amani to see how she handles the power and responsibility. She started off very selfish and impulsive, but ended TRAITOR stepping up as leader. The characters, particularly Amani, have very satisfying ends to their character arcs. However, it’s more similar to REBEL than TRAITOR, which gives a sense of coming full circle. It’s set mainly in the desert, like REBEL, exploring new places so it feels different. The final book of this trilogy! I love this book, love the stakes and how it ties back to the first book. In the final battle for the throne, Amani must fight for everything she believes in, but with the rebellion in pieces, and the Sultan’s armies advancing across the desert plains, who will lead, who will triumph, who will live and who will die? There were others who said that the Rebel Prince was not a traitor but a hero… The heir had been killed by his own brother, the treacherous Rebel Prince, who was consumed by jealousy and sought the throne for himself. Once, in the desert country of Miraji, there was a Sultan without an heir.

Alwyn hamilton hero at the fall