Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing and eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’d heard some hype about this book and was super excited to get into this story, particularly because you don’t see so many Black, female authors centered in fantasy. Right off the bat I enjoyed the change of scenery and mythology the African-inspired fantasy world El-Arifi attempted to craft. But new scenery and the description of Mosima, home of the fae, were probably the most interesting parts of the story for me. While I found the premise of Faebound intriguing and full of potential (I particularly loved the prologue!), it didn’t quite hit the mark it was aiming for.

Beyond the general descriptions of the land and animals, much of the context and world-building was flat. A lot of the plot was also predictable for me. What did not feel predictable felt a little forced, rushed, or out of place (specifically the lovers’ relationships). While there was one twist near the end of the book that I did not expect, many times I could tell when details were being laid in specifically for a “plot twist” later in the story. This book could have been improved in my eyes by leaving one or two of the reveals - particularly the one at the very end involving Lettle’s past - for the next book. This could have made me feel more eager to read on.

Based on the book’s description, I was also really looking forward to an adventure shared by two elven sisters exiled from their tribe, but I felt Yeeran and Lettle merely rode separate plot camels to the same resolution. A lot of their dialogue was cold and uninteresting. The writing did not do much to make me care about their relationship or the fate of their homeland. Maybe a first person POV could have helped in this department? Maybe not.

Finally, I am a sucker for human-animal bonds! However, the soul connections between the characters and their Obeah in this book fell short of what I hoped for. Fourth Wing’s dragon-rider connections and the dæmons in His Dark Materials probably spoiled me on this front.

Still, I found this book entertaining at least, and will probably give the second book in the series a chance to see if the story will improve now that much of the world-building is out of the way and certain relationships are established. Perhaps the stakes will feel higher in the sequel!

This book! This is the book I needed to get out of a reading slump!

We follow 2 sisters finding out what they thought were only myths are real and discover love along the way.

Now I was a little worried that this would be a very war / political based book, but it was balanced well and wasn’t overwhelming learning about multiple different political systems. OH and did I mention it’s LGBTQ+ and like in multiple ways!! Sapphic and not gender normative, it’s great. The sapphic spicy scenes weren’t my favorite, I was fine with them until I read other spicy scenes that felt much more detailed than the sapphic ones. It was fairly obvious in how the story was going to go but I didn’t expect the last big twist so that was appreciative. If you are looking for an adult fantasy book that reads like an adult fantasy book then this is probably not it, it definitely had a YA vibe to it despite the characters being in their upper 20s. The sibling dynamic between the two main characters reads as they never aged past like 17 and had a lot of bickering and a big exclamation “revealed” (kinda knew it the whole time). As much as things bothered me, I just couldn’t put the book down but also didn’t want to pick it up because then it would end sooner. If I wasn’t reading at least a page a day I don’t know when I would have finished it just out of not wanting it to end.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing me an ARC!

Can you both dislike the main characters and greatly enjoy a book? In this case, the answer is yes.

I was so excited for this book. A new series and a new world by an author I adore? I couldn't wait. And I don't believe I was disappointed. I enjoyed the worldbuilding, the magic system, the folklore. And even though at times I could predict some of what would happen (but that is the point when you have a diviner giving out prophecies!) I greatly enjoyed the story and every twist it entailed.

Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan of either Yeeran or Lettle. But I believe their growth is coming in the next book. In this one, I found them quite irritating, but the story was so enjoyable I easily saw past that. I also realize that this could easily be just me and others will enjoy them immensely.

I highly recommend this book.

This may be my favorite read of the year. The story is so well written. The plot and story move along quickly. Things are explained in concise ways and shown on the page while avoiding large vats of info dumping. I am so excited to follow this series along!

“Yeerans sight went inwards as she imagined the creatures thundering through the forest, their white horns slicing through the foliage, their feline forms slipping past trees with the ease of ink on paper. But now the ink had all but dried up, as they had been hunted to near extinction for their magic.”

Easily my favorite quote in the entire book and a fantastic snap shot of the beautiful story telling El-Arifi weaves. Highly recommend!

Faebound follows two elven sisters: Yeeran, a high ranking member of her people’s military, and Lettle, a diviner. After one mistake, Yeeran is vanquished from her people. What follows is a journey where it is revealed that everything in Yeeran’s world is not as it is to be believed.

Faebound has been such a delightful read! The world truly had me spellbound. A lot of similar novels that I have read lacked the world building that is present in Faebound. The application of divination was very well done. I loved the addition that the Obeah brought to the story. The relationship felt somewhat similar to those of the dragons in Fourth Wing. However, I felt that there was a much more emotional connection in Faebound with the Obeah, than that of the dragons in Fourth Wing.

Overall, Saara El-Arifi wrote an intriguing word that almost jumped off of the page. I found myself wanting to know more and more, and will most definitely be reading the subsequent books.

P.S. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I would be remiss to not mention how beautiful the Faebound cover is.

Overall I really enjoyed this one! This is my first book by this author and won’t be my last.

We have an elven land and a fae land and so many interesting DIVERSE characters, both human and animal, between the two. The world building and magic systems were GORGEOUS. I want to be living in that fae land right now. I also want an Obeah, I loved them!

This story brings us conflict and war, loss, murder, royalty, family dynamics, magic, love, and a few very spicy scenes.

I loved the inclusivity in this book, various gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, skin colors, etc.

This book felt a bit more YA, in writing style, than adult to me. I do feel like the romance aspects were a bit rushed and could have been more thoroughly developed/ explored. I also felt like many of the events were pretty predictable.

Being that this is the first part of a trilogy, it felt like the author was doing a lot of setup for the next two, which overall just felt a little clunky and underdeveloped at points. BUT I was 100% left wanting more. I feel invested in the characters, story, and relationships. I will be back for parts 2 and 3 and have confidence that what felt underdeveloped in this one will be further explored there.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC.

This is a strong start to a new series. The writing is so good and makes up for the fact that I didn't find any of the character particularly likable except for Rayan. I'm so interested in the magic system that is being set up. I can't wait to learn more about the tribes.

As with all fantasy novels the first book in a series will have a lot of world building. As with Faebound that was also the case. I found the world building and the different types of characters introduced to be very interesting.

However, I did think the pacing was a little slow throughout the book which made it somewhat hard to get through the middle. The last 30% however, was plot twist after plot twist which made me want more. The two romances of the book while I did enjoy felt a little bit rushed.

Overall, the I loved the author’s writing style and with all the plot twists at the end I am excited to see where the author will take this story in book 2.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my eARC.

My review will be posted on Goodreads on 01/19/24.

I had high hopes for this book. Some claimed it would be THE fantasy book of the year. Unfortunately for me, it fell a little flat. I struggled to engage with the plot, root for any of the characters, or understand the world building. It wasn’t for me.

Recently, I delved into "Faebound" by Saara El-Arifi, a fantasy novel that transported me into its richly woven world. Following the journey of elven sisters Yeeran and Lettle, thrust into the perilous realm of the fae, I was captivated by the intricate lore and mesmerizing settings. El-Arifi's masterful worldbuilding is the book's strongest suit, creating an enchanting universe that I thoroughly enjoyed exploring. However, the story's predictability and the somewhat forced romantic subplot didn't resonate with me as much. Despite these drawbacks, the vivid descriptions of the fae land kept me enthralled, making it a worthwhile escape.

The book's ending, packed with revelations, left me curious about the sequel despite some over-the-top twists. The darker themes woven into the narrative, including violence and abuse, added depth and realism to this fantasy world. "Faebound" was a bit of a mixed experience for me: while the romance and pacing fell short, the captivating world and rich history kept me invested. El-Arifi's storytelling skill shines through, and despite its flaws, I'm eager to see where the next installment takes us. For fantasy enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy detailed world-building, "Faebound" is definitely a book to explore.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the eARC of this book, so I didn’t have to crack open this stunning @fairyloot edition like the coward that I am.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very excellent world building, and a fantasy plot with a hint of romance. I will admit though the romance didn’t hit the way I wanted it to, Yeeran’s love interest subplot felt rushed. While this came in the Adult Fairyloot box, it read more like a YA story with how simple minded and driven the characters were. While that isn’t for everyone, I liked that aspect as it left my brain free to immerse myself in the lore. The journal in the back is amazing. This book is an excellent first step for this series, and I will be anxiously awaiting the sequel!

If you enjoy:
Dual POV
Only one bed 😏
Enemies to lovers
Secret identity
Military fantasy
Unique magic system
Murder mystery
Divination

This book is FOR YOU.

Faebound is an epic fantasy with elves, fae, curses and an endless war.

I absolutely loved this epic fantasy. It has all the hallmarks of every brilliant epic fantasy story. Faebound is epic fantasy revitalised and brought into the twenty-first century, expanding it with a world, mythology, and characters that are not West European.

The world is so rich in this book. There are the war-wracked lands of the elves, the forests that are like wastes on the outside, and then the underground city of the fae. As a reader you can just tell how much thought went into the world-building, how life could adapt and thrive with magic.

I also loved the myths at the part openings, bringing the mythology of the world to life. There was a real feeling of oral tradition in them, like these were tales that had been spoken again and again, the phrases worn smooth with familiarity, rather than simply words typed on the page (in the hands of a skilled narrator, these part openings could be stunning.)

This was one of my first five star reads of 2024, and I am SO glad it lived up to the hype. Even from the first chapter, I was hooked. The characters were likable, their relationships felt real rather than forced, and the magic system (drums) had me swooning.

It only got better from there as the story itself unfolded. Adventure, intrigue, and tough choices. A beautifully crafted world and an emotional experience for the reader. I will definitely be buying this one to add to my physical bookshelf.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. The opinions here are my own.

Saara El-Arifi writes so beautifully. I feel as if I am there. There is elves, fae, and romance, what more could you ask for? This will be a must read book for fantasy lovers of 2024 so go ahead and add to your list!

I was lucky enough to receive an complimentary review copy from the publisher via NetGalley and ask to provide an honest review. Thank you to Del Rey, Saara El-Arifi & NetGalley for giving me access to this audiobook. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

I’m really not sure how I feel about this book as a whole after finishing it. Did I think the book as whole was good? No. Was the overall plot okay? Possibly.

You could say that there was the potential for this to be a great book. Some will argue that it is! This book was a very cut and dry, here are the tropes, type of presentation. It included the one bed, lovers to enemies, enemies to lovers, fated/star crossed lovers, found family, and very inclusive gender typed characters. And the two main characters? Oh, man. Their thoughts and actions were painful – both immature and awkward from beginning to end. Dialogue and the “tension” between characters? Rough. Forced. Much of this book is quite predictable if this is your type of genre and have read a lot of books. There really isn’t a lot to keep you on your toes. Without knowing much that this was labeled as #1 in Goodreads until after I started reading this, I could tell by a third of the way in that this was not a standalone, and that this would be drawn out.

I can understand the hype, and I can understand why this would be a popular book. Though I am forever grateful to Netgalley and Del Rey publishers and I fully support BIPOC authors, this is not a book I enjoyed as a whole. Parts of this book felt incomplete and lacking. I did thoroughly enjoyed the world building, myths and magic that were told and explained in the story. Though I do not think I would read the next book/s.

3.5 rounded up!

I thought the first half of this book flew by. It slowed down in the middle but picked up again by the end. I will say the main two characters points of view started to annoy me at some points. However, I loved how unique this world and magic system was. I also thought there was a lot of twists and turns that kept me engaged. Overall, not a favorite but worth the read if you love fantasy and romance!

I was soo intrigued by the world and lore of this book. After a bit of a rough start, I even ended up liking all the characters. My main complaint just has to be that the romances were unfortunately all too fast for me to really buy in, but I'm still excited to read the next book.

i wish i liked this a whole lot more seeing as it’s about fae and elves but the plot left a lot to be desired. the pacing was off and there was some romance but that also felt out of place, i could have done without it.

imo there wasn’t enough going on in the beginning and i struggled to get through it. and there was also too much at the end that could have easily been spread out more throughout the book. i liked it enough though that i’ll continue with the series to find out what happens next.

bonus points for a beautiful cover ¨̮

! I absolutely loved it. The world and magic system was so unique compared to other things I have read and that was the first thing that pulled me in. It opens with a description of the gods and the tale of how the world we are reading about came to be and it immediately left me wanting more. There is so much LGBTQ+ representation in this story that felt so natural and beautiful. The characters are all so different and yet so likeable in their own ways- you really come to root for all of them. The relationships explored are complicated and real while also being completely magical in their own right. I found myself so excited about what was going to happen next I had a hard time putting it down (which was rough considering I started reading it right before I went on vacation). Somehow in my excitement about this book I did miss that it was the first of a series and so I was surprised when it ended on a (sort of) cliffhanger. I still have so many questions but am happy to get to prolong my journey with these characters that I have come to love.

*ARC received from Netgalley, very thankful for the opportunity to review this book and all thoughts presented are my own*

I don’t really know where to start because I enjoyed the story once I felt like it really began. The beginning was slow to me however the ending felt fast. I’m happy I stuck through the beginning because I really fell in love with characters like Pila, Lettle and the seer. However, I also disliked some characters and their own track mindset (…Yeeran). I really enjoyed the characters and the magic, I just wished the story moved faster. Everything was essentially revealed at the end, and while I understand cliff hangers I felt like alot of stuff was foreshadowed/ could’ve been given earlier to move the story a bit quicker. My honest rating is at 3.8 stars but I rounded to a 4 because this story definitely isn’t a 3