Okay, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I’d been hearing a lot of negative feedback about it so I went in with pretty low expectations. But I really enjoyed this book. I found myself engaged with the story and so eager to know what was going to happen and where this was going. I even cared about the perspective of both sisters equally. Like I didn’t prefer one storyline over the other, which I find to be very rare when going between different perspectives. And I can’t wait to see how this story continues.

My only qualm and it’s small: There was some basic actions that characters did that seemed a bit juvenile in their response/description. Simply screaming when met with something horrifying and not having any emotional build up to the moment. Everyone has tears running down their faces but nothing about the characters own personalities matched tears streaming that quickly. They felt like very YA responses in a book that is not YA.

This book was absolutely amazing, it’s not quite a Romantasy but could damn near pass for it. I loved Furi and Yeerans back and forth, as well as the sister love in this. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and can’t wait till the second comes out. This story had great world building and kind of brought you into this magic world we’re everyone hates each other. There’s been this war going on for a hundred years between elves and lo and behold they run into Fae. Who has the coolest magic, best fashion, strong obeah, and some real gossip to pass around. After hearing both sides of the story between elves and fae, it became hard to pick a side. In the end, this was a great story.

This book introduces us to a beautiful and refreshingly unique fantasy world, where elves, fae, and humans once co-existed and are fated to co-exist again. There is a wonderful balance of internal character development and plot-based action, which keeps the pace pretty quick and enjoyable.

The worldbuilding is inspired by luscious elements of North African cultures, from the magic system to the makeup and attire. For instance, magic can be channeled through drumfire, which I found to be a super interesting spin on the traditional battle drum. We get details like the braiding of their hair and the putting on of ceremonial face makeup, which painted an immersive and beautiful picture of what it would be like to live in this world.

The relationships in this story are beautiful. Yeeran and Lettle, while complete opposites, share a deep and unshakeable sisterly bond where they would do anything for each other. The love interests are exciting — some preciously tender and others wildly passionate — and show a wide range of representation.

Overall, the story is very allegorical and contains many metaphors and references to the real world. For instance, while the elves kill each other over scarce natural resources, the fae equally share the same resources and live fairly harmoniously. I appreciated that commentary! There is a lot of significance given to freedom of expression with gender and self-presentation, which I absolutely loved. My very favorite detail is the linguistic evolution that occurs when one becomes faebound (they can instantly speak the fae language). This was such a creative and insightful detail that I had never really seen before in other fantasy books.

I loved this book - the beautiful writing, compelling characters, and SWANA visual elements- and am so excited to see what happens next! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

4.25 STARS

3.7/5 rounded up

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review

I’m a very big fan of the Burning Fire trilogy and when I heard about Faebound I was ecstatic to receive an ARC. The premise and setting are intriguing; we follow Yeeran as she gets exiled from her land, where she crosses paths with the fae who are assumed to be extinct. Despite the cool setting, the first third of the book was a drag, with not much happening in a plot, character development, or world-building perspective. Things become more interesting once we learn about the fae and their world, but I was very disappointed that we didn’t spend as much time learning the lore behind the elves and fae. I didn’t really enjoy reading from Yeeran’s POV; I felt like she lacked depth and went from blind loyalty to her general to sudden infatuation with Furi without any other development. I enjoyed reading from Lettle, and I’m surprised that I was more into the straight romance over the sapphic one, probably because Lettle was a more developed character and her romance had better chemistry. I think this book fell a little flat of my (admittedly high expectations) because the plot lacked substance. The big reveals were fairly obvious, which was disappointing because, in her other trilogy, the author is constantly blowing my mind! One half of the POVs in this book lacked depth, the romance element was too present when there were so many other interesting things in this world the author could have spent time on. It was a difficult book to review because I didn’t love it, but it wasn’t what I hoped to be. I’m not sure if that’s entirely fair on my part because my expectations wouldn’t be nearly so high if it weren’t an author I am a big fan of. This book is the first part of the trilogy, and I am curious to see if the story will become more interesting and gain more depth as it continues. Either way, I will definitely be reading the rest of the series and excited to see if the story picks up in later installations. Also, I’m beyond excited for the final installation of the Burning Fire trilogy later this year!

Loved this world, loved these characters, loved the magic system (intricate but not too fiddly), loved the worldbuilding. Can't wait for the sequel.

Faebound follows the complex bond between two sisters: a devoted war general and a haunted seer. When one is exiled from their tribe trying to fulfill a prophecy, both find themselves trapped in the realm of fae that the world lost to fable. Within, they find themselves questioning the truths of the homeland they have been fighting for.

The diversity of the characters is well-written and normalized. Most characters are black, as the setting is West-African inspired. Several of the main and major characters are queer, one of the major characters is trans, and many characters throughout the novel have disabilities.

This novel has the elements of a sapphic “romantasy,” and spends a lot more time with the romance than most other sapphic books in this sphere. If you’re looking for a Sarah J. Maas level split of fantasy and romance, but much more diverse and sapphic, this is the closest you will get from major publishing houses right now.

While this book suffered from some minor pacing issues— the middle third dragged a bit and a lot happened in the last quarter that I wish had been given more pages to be explored— those problems are easy to overlook for all of the beauty that the rest of the novel had to offer. A unique magic system, true diversity of characters, and an adult sapphic romance make Faebound a fun new read this winter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this e-book copy!

Faebound is the story of two elven sisters who discover the hidden fae world and their secrets. I think this story's concept was great and it's what got me through this book. However, I felt the execution was off and made me not want to continue the series. The older sister's romance was very toxic and I felt if left out or developed better, it would have made her choice in the story meaningful. The younger sister I enjoyed her romance and her arc throughout. The plot was alright but I felt it dragged halfway through. I think if the focus were more on the plot and less on the romance I would have enjoyed this more. If you like fantasy with a focus more on romance then you will enjoy this. Keeping in mind that this is a series, there is room for improvement but for me, there would need to be major changes to the romance and plot.

Saara El-Arifi is an auto-buy author in my library; her intricately crafted fantasy worlds are simply irresistible. She excels in creating multi-layered universes populated by deeply dimensional characters brimming with depth and relatability. With meticulous attention to detail, she brings each character vividly to life, forging a personal connection that makes their journey feel intimately real.

Yeeran's descent into exile, triggered by a quest for glory and the discovery of sinister truths, sets the stage for a gripping tale of resilience and redemption. Joined by her sister Lettle, whose pursuit of divination adds layers of complexity to their bond, the sisters' journey becomes a poignant exploration of familial ties amidst adversity. El-Arifi creates a beautiful and lush world that makes you want to explore the fae lands.

In her latest work, El-Arifi once again delves into themes of love, betrayal, and grief, weaving a narrative tapestry where flawed characters navigate their strengths and weaknesses with profound consequences. Her storytelling prowess shines as she deftly maneuvers through the complexities of her plot and explores the intense dynamics between characters. What sets El-Arifi apart is her ability to create not just worlds, but entire mythologies steeped in rich lore that seamlessly integrates with the narrative. "Faebound" is no exception, offering readers a captivating glimpse into a realm where magic and mystery intertwine, leaving them spellbound till the very end.

Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
Faebound is a fantasy romance with beautiful lore and worldbuilding. The beginning reads as a military fantasy which got me hooked right away. Yeeran is a colonel in the elven Waning tribe, but when her title is swiftly taken from her she is exiled from the land. Out in the wilderness she must rely on her own skills for survival. Younger sister Lettle would do anything for Yeeran, even follow her into exile. Together with Rayan, a warrior who fought alongside Yeeran in the army, they search for a way to return home.

While I found the beginning to be fast paced and intriguing, the middle of the book lulled for me. It felt like there was no real urgency to get out of Mossima and return home. The pace slowed down a lot, and unfortunately I lost interest here. The ending picked up again and I really enjoyed how the author tied up the story. Yeeran was hands down my favorite character. I found Lettle to be a bit irritating at times and I just wasn’t drawn to her character. I admire her love and loyalty to her sister, but her dialogue came off as too childish. Rayan was another favorite, I enjoyed his calm and collected persona as well as his deep loyalty to his friends. I absolutely loved his character arc. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advance reader copy!

This was really disjointed. The characters felt extremely immature for their age and the responsibilities they supposedly had.

Faebound by Sara El-Arifi

Sapphic spice, sapphic banter, sapphic slow burn, sapphic enemies to lovers, sapphic fantasy.
I am ENTHRALLED.
Are there two POVs? Yes. Are there two romance plots between those POVs? Yes. Do I have a favorite? I’m BIASED, OKAY? They are both equally good in their own right, but LET ME LIVE.

Bear in mind: this review is being strewn together in my notes app as the morning sun glares through my blinds because I couldn’t put this book down when I read the prologue last night with plans to START IT TOMORROW...well, today, I guess? I’ll edit it before I post it and add any additional thoughts as they come because I anticipate this book will sit with me for a long while. I have loved the books I’ve been reading the last couple of months and their beautiful and fierce examples of familial love. We follow two equally strong (in their own right) sisters, Yeeran (physically) and Lettle (mentally), and Yeeran’s soldier Rayan (we deserved his POV), though the story feels primarily focused on Yeeran after being exiled from the elven lands and their group gets caught up in a m u r d e r. She and her sister find themselves in the fae lands with...well...As with most fae fantasy--everyone is hot, and I WON’T BE CRUCIFIED OR APOLOGIZING FOR LOVING IT.

The lore and world in this book felt real and lived in despite being the first in the series. It feels like a world where you could easily open the wrong book or look at your reflection at the wrong angle and fall into it. Despite its unique, dark brutality, there was something very familiar and fairytale about it. The magic system is intricate and, frankly, cool as hell. I can’t stop thinking about divination, drumfire, the obeah, and fae magic, and I am desperate to visit Mosima even if it unalives me.

My only two complaints aren’t real complaints for me, but I could see how they would bother others. Though arguably, one could be solved in later books, and the other could be due to just how much fantasy I consume. The former is that there is not much exploration into the four separate tribes of Elves. I’d love to know about their lifestyles and deeper beliefs. We are given much information about the differences between the elves and the fae. I’d love to know if/how they differ from group to group and even from the humans? What we’ve gotten in this book is interesting, which is why I would love to learn so much more! The second critique is that the prophecies are almost too easy, and the twists are almost too easy to predict. BUT (IMO) neither of these detracted from the book altogether. They’re just things I’ve thought about since finishing the book. Faebound is a tapestry of diversity, rich in BIPOC, queer, and disability representation, with surprises that I'm itching to discuss (no spoilers here). That being said, I AM READY TO YELL ABOUT THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY, SO I NEED EVERYONE TO READ IT. I’m excited for the next book and hope we get to explore other POVs.

Whew. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and for me, it delivered. Nearly every moment of this book was action but we still got the tenderness of romance from the couples we are introduced to throughout. Unlike the rest of romantasy I’ve read so far, this was fantasy first and romance second, which I really appreciated. I want to understand more about the world and lore and hope that since this the start of a trilogy, that will be a focus throughout the remaining books. Thank you to Del Rey for the physical ARC and NetGalley/the publisher for the digital arc.

I don’t know, y’all. This just wasn’t for me. There is so much action in the first 20% of the book that I wasn’t given the chance to care about the characters before they started building relationships with each other. The tension the author is trying to build between Lettle and Rayan feels so unearned because I didnt care about either of them on their own. The pacing is so off, the world feels overwritten. I won’t be coming back to this one.

The realistic reader in me did not want to commit to any more unfinished series but the selfish part threw in the towel because I had heard so many wonderful things about this book and I am thrilled to report, they did not disappoint.
Although I was entertained and invested in the characters, the pacing sometimes did feel like it needed a bit of work, but overall I felt everything was truly an immersive experience.

4.25/5 Stars

Wow. I loved this book. There was war and politics, love and betrayal, hidden meanings and prophecies, and gods and rulers that think they are gods. The writing style is excellent and overall a really easy book to enjoy. The story is engaging, the content has a great pace, and the magic system is creative and unique.

Summary:
Faebound follows a pair of elvish sisters who live in a war camp where The Forever Wars is continuing to rage on. One sister, Yeeran is a Colonel of the Waning Army (a sector of the Elves) and her little sister Lettle is a Diviner (able to read future events). The Elves believe that all Fae and Humans have died, Obeah (a magical animal that allows Elves to use divination by killing and reading their entrails and the hide can be used to make magical weapons called a drum) are to be hunted and killed, and that fraedia (a crystal/rock that has powers similar to sunlight, allowing crops to grow, sight during the night, and warmth) will solve all problems.
Yeeran disobeys orders and becomes exiled from her community and sent to live on the outskirts of the Elven land. Lettle and Yeeran's officer Rayan come looking for her. All three of them find an Obeah along their journey and begin hunting it. They shoot it and find themselves surrounded by magic never seen before. This begins their journey into the lands of Mosima, a land known only in faerytales. The only problem is there is only one way to leave, with permission from the ruling family and the Obeah they killed is linked to that very dynasty.

Some of my favorite lines from this book come from the beautifully written romance elements. There are many subplots of relationships going on that are poetic. Below is my favorite.

"We really need to get this stitched up."
"'Why?' he whispered against her eat. 'Let me bleed to death. For I have reached nirvana.' His eyes danced with mischief."

The reason this book didn't reach 5 stars for me was I had no problem putting the book down and starting something else. I wasn't needing to know what happened, I was just enjoying the book as I read it. There was nothing wrong with this book at all. It was well written, clearly a lot of thought went into the world-building as there are multiple species, languages, magics, and lands. I cannot wait to read the second one as there is some major cliffhanging going on at the end of this novel.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book for an honest review and fingers are crossed the next one keeps the momentum going!!

This was an African-inspired fantasy book in which two elven sisters become imprisoned in the world of the fae. This is the first book in a new fantasy trilogy that has a little bit of everything; war, politics, romance, fae, elves, sisterhood, tested loyalties, and mystery.

Things I Loved:
- Both FMCs were such badasses, and I loved that
- Even though both Yeeran ad Lettle ad their own love interests, I enjoyed their sisterhood journey the most
- The diverse representation in this book was amazing
- Some of the twists really surprised me-- which doesn't usually happen!

Things I Didn't Love:
- I had trouble connecting to the main characters. I liked them and thought they were badass, but overall they felt a little young to me
- The pacing was a little slow and resulted in parts of the book really dragging on

Overall, I am looing forward to the next book and am intrigued about where the story will go from here!

Saara El-Arifi is an author that is always on my radar. When she releases a new book, I know I am going to want to read it. Faebound, from its cover to its synopsis, hooked me in immediately. I loved this book. I am a sucker for a queer fantasy and this ticked all my boxes. I can't wait to read the other books in the series. This was an incredible start!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was one of my most anticipated fantasy releases so I was ecstatic to receive an ARC of the title. The book's cover immediately drew me in, and the descriptors used in the book continued to do so. This was an Afro/Arab inspired fantasy which was totally new to me. It felt so unique and refreshing compared to other recent fantasy novels I have read in recent years. The world is lush and beautiful and I love the dynamic between the main character and their obeah. Queer normativity is also a huge draw for me in the book. Many characters use they/them pronouns, and gender norms are definitely not strict to "one" gender in this world. I loved this book and I cannot wait for the sequels!

This is a super solid fantasy with interesting characters and storyline. I do wish there was a little bit more world building, but that's just a personal preference. The younger sister was my favorite. She had a lot of personality and felt real in a fun way.

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi is the first book in the new Faebound trilogy.

Overall this was a good read. It didn’t hit the mark for me to rate higher but I did enjoy it! Readers will get rich world-building and an interesting plot.

I want to sit on my thoughts a bit before adding more to my review so I’ll do that and come back and update this shortly.