This post is coming to you straight from Alwyn Hamilton, author of Rebel of the Sands and its sequel, Traitor to the Throne!

So I saw Rogue One this weekend, and I have a lot of feelings to process. Sitting around and talking it out after the movie definitely helped. And I couldn’t help but think that Jyn Erso and Amani would have a to talk about over a drink at the Mos Eisley Cantina or the Drunk Djinn in Sazi. For instance:

1. Whether Jin/Jyn is a girl’s name or a guy’s name

‘Jin.’ He’d given me a false name last night, though he didn’t know it. I wasn’t so sure he was giving me a real name now. It didn’t sound like any I’d ever heard. – Rebel of the Sands

2. Tricky Relationships with their Dads

“If he were my father he would’ve cared if I’d died or not.” – Traitor to the Throne

3. And the need to be able to take care of yourself

I aimed in the space around Jin’s body that was still shielding me. Three quick shots. And then there weren’t any more. Not from me. Not from them. Because I didn’t miss. – Traitor to the Throne

4. But how much harder that is when your enemy has a super weapon

‘There were rumours of another weapon,’ he said finally. ‘Something they were making far down in the South. A bomb that could level whole cities like the hand of God itself. Whole countries even.’ – Rebel of the Sands

5. Being a Rebel without a cause

I wasn’t up to no good. Then again, I wasn’t exactly up to no bad, neither. – Rebel of the Sands

6. And the perks of Picking Survival over self sacrifice

Everybody had heard the rallying cry of the Rebel Prince, but only in whispers. You’d have to be an idiot to shout your support of the Sultan’s rogue son. There were too many men with old ideas and new guns to say a word against the Sultan in the Last County. – Rebel of the Sands

7. But eventually getting why other people who sacrifice themselves

I felt it, the thing that made them all stay and risk their lives. Being a link in the chain. – Rebel of the Sands

8. And being willing to die for what you believe in

‘I’d die for this. I don’t want to have to. I’d do just about anything to not have to.’ I listened to the roar of the crowds outside. ‘But it’s a whole lot bigger than my life or anyone else’s.’ – Traitor To the Throne

9. And on a totally separate note, hot guys who can’t always be trusted

‘Why not?’ I spread my arms wide, daring him. ‘Why don’t you tell me what the plan was? If things had been different in Dassama, were you going to truss me up like a prisoner and drag me here? Or did you have different lies all ready?’ – Rebel of the Sands

10. Which really doesn’t help when you’re a girl leading a Rebellion full of boys

‘I can lead us.’ That drew every eye in the room to me. – Traitor to the Throne

11. All while having issues with authority

It wasn’t technically disobedience if we’d never been forbidden from doing it. Even though we both knew that excuse would fly just about as well as either of us could. – Traitor to the Throne

12. And knowing that your boys might not come back from every mission

‘What about Jin?’ It slipped out without my meaning it to, interrupting the argument that had been going through its usual steps while my head was in a tent in the middle of the sands. Ahmed shook his head, knuckles still resting against his forehead. ‘No word.’  – Traitor to the Throne

13. Which is why they need the to be good at improvising

I had a plan. Well, plan might be a strong word. This was more like the beginnings of an idea that I was hoping wouldn’t get me killed. – Traitor to the Throne

13 1/2. No But Seriously What’s the deal with those boys

I wasn’t sure what I was going to do – shout at him or kiss him or something else entirely. – Traitor to the Throne

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