First, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!!

This book was beautiful. The writing was so well done I could visualize the setting and characters in my head while I read. It reminded me a lot of Avatar which I love. The enemies to lovers relationship that takes place made my heart skip beats, and I was rooting for Rayan and Lettle!! I can’t wait for the next installment in this series, it’s one I’ll definitely be pre-ordering!

I am always a sucker for these fantasy-war type books so this sucked me in from the very beginning. I’m also super happy that it’s a trilogy! It started off kind of slow, but there was lots of world building which made up for it. The plot was so interesting and I loved the enemies to lovers part of it. The plot twists were so amazing and they all made complete sense. I love how Saara uses lots of foreshadowing. I cannot wait for the next book to come out (even though this one hasn’t yet)!!

Thank you for this arc!

I don’t even know where to begin. The writing—the world building is absolutely breathtaking. I am obsessed with this book.

IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS TO RELEASE. It’s refreshing to have a new fantasy book with complex characters and beautiful development of the plot.

I will update a more spoiler review later.

All I can say is this is the best book I’ve read so far.

“Two elven sisters become imprisoned in the intoxicating world of the fae” that’s all I needed to know to be 100% completely sold on reading this book.

This world involves humans, fae, and elves. But humans and fae have been wiped out for over a millennium.

Yeeran is a colonel in the army and all she knows is the battlefield.

Lettle is a diviner trying to make a living in foretelling prophecy.

They are sisters both on very different paths.

Yeeran makes an incredible mistake on the battlefield underestimating her enemies and it causes the loss of several lives. Because of this her chieftain (and lover) Salawa, exiles her from the Elven Lands.

Lettle leaves the city along with Yeeran’s incredibly handsome captain of the army Rayan… and they go in search of Yeeran.

When Yeeran, Lettle, and Rayan get kidnapped by the fae… who they thought didn’t exist anymore… a whole new world opens up to them and an incredible story begins.

The magic system in this book is really fascinating. The elves have only known magic to come from an ethereal creature called an Obeah. They use the skin to make drums and when you use the drum it emanates power and you can control the action and who it affects. For diviners, they use the organs to weave prophecy. I was pretty blown away by the intricacy of it all, and how different this magic system is from any other fantasy I’ve read.

Their ideas of the history they know are challenged. Their ideas of what an Obeah is and what they’re capable of is challenged. It’s fascinating and breathtaking to watch this story unfold and expand.

The fae have been cursed to live underground and so Yeeran, Lettle, and Rayan are not permitted to leave their captors. But their captors are essentially in a prison as well.

You do find out what Faebound means and I am obsessed 😍 and I want to say Obeah… my new favorite creature. I would do anything for them.

This really is an epic fantasy. There’s a lot to learn about the world and the beings who live there and the history.

For me personally I felt the pacing was just a tad slower than I would have liked. But every detail and every interaction truly was necessary to propel the story forward.

Even though this story is truly an awesome epic fantasy I do think it’s easy to follow and would recommend this book to anyone, whether you’re seasoned in fantasy or just starting out.

This is different from any fantasy I’ve read so far and that was incredibly refreshing.

There’s a dash of spice in here and it’s tasteful and full of yearning.

So many of these characters are dealing with guilt and determining where their loyalties lie. I found myself questioning multiple decisions, saying to myself “hmm would I make that choice?” And I enjoyed that a lot I felt like I was being challenged along with the characters.

Yeeran and Lettle love each other immensely. You can feel that love and protection throughout the entire book. If you have a sister I think you’ll feel an even deeper connection to this story. You will understand the bond and at times frustration between these two so well. And side note, this book is dedicated to Saara’s sister and when I read that I wanted to weep.

This is a fantastic and fresh fantasy. The twists in this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. When you finish this book you will truly say to yourself… oh wow… this story is just getting started 🔥

The best book so far this year. Such an immersive experience...I just can't wait to share with more people once it's out.

Faebound: A World Woven with Sisterhood, Spells, and Seductive Fae
4.5 Stars.
Saara el-Arifi's "Faebound" whisks readers away to a vibrant fantasy world where two elven sisters, Yeeran and Lettle, find themselves entangled in the alluring yet treacherous realm of the fae. This debut novel delivers on all fronts: captivating characters, a delicately crafted magic system, and a setting so richly described it practically leaps off the page.

El-Arifi excels in the creation of her female protagonists. Yeeran, hardened by war, and Lettle, seeking wisdom through divination, are complex, multifaceted individuals who defy expectations. Their bond as sisters forms the beating heart of the story, even as they're pulled apart by duty and desire. The slow-burn sapphic romance between Yeeran and her enemy adds another layer of intrigue, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat as loyalties shift and secrets unfold.

The magic system in "Faebound" is both elegant and intriguing. El-Arifi weaves it seamlessly into the fabric of the narrative, making it feel organic and believable. From the intricate rituals of the fae to the raw power wielded by Yeeran, each element of magic feels distinct and captivating.

And what can be said of the fae kingdom? El-Arifi paints a picture of breathtaking beauty and intoxicating danger. Lush landscapes dance with an enchanted energy, while opulent palaces hold shadows of deceit and betrayal. The reader is truly invited to wander these fantastical halls, constantly aware of the beauty and peril that intertwine within.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A literary masterpiece filled with gorgeous prose, expertly crafted characters, and a fantasy world you'll delight in exploring. From the prologue to the epilogue, Saara El-Arifi keeps you spellbound, and I'm certain I've never read a fantasy quite like this before.

The one and only downside to this novel (and I hardly want to mention it because I adored the book so much) is the last 50-ish pages. I found most of the plot twists to be predictable, but it didn't bother me in the slightest until there was so many stuffed into the ending of the book that left it feeling rushed.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed nearly every aspect of Faebound, and I can't wait to see the wonders that await in the coming sequel (I hope!)

Wow! This was everything I was wanting. Faebound is the perfect new series for Fantasy lovers. It has a unique magic system with a cast of diverse and complex characters. The world building is immersive, but not overwhelming. I finished reading last night and found myself thinking about several times today. I am desperately wanting more. The wait for the next installment will be rough, but I am certain it will also be worth it!

Review posted on Goodreads and StoryGraph on January 17th, 2024.

I received an arc copy of this book after seeing it online several times and everyone saying it would be the fantasy book of the year. I wanted sooo badly to love this book but I just didn’t. The story was unique and I liked the characters but I just felt no connection to what I was reading. I predicted several plot points which didn’t give any shock factor to those parts and I just didn’t feel any emotion when reading it. I liked the plot and the ending was a really good setup to entice excitement for the sequel but I think this authors writing style just isn’t for me unfortunately.

Saara El-Arifi is quickly becoming an auto-buy and auto-request author for me. I love the Ending Fire trilogy, and while I was expecting a similarly heavy (in terms of both worldbuilding and serious topics) book, Faebound reads more like a lot of the romantasy books that have been popular lately, which I'm definitely here for. To begin with, the idea of fae and humans going extinct, leaving only elves, is such a cool concept. I liked the worldbuilding, as well as the way Yeeran's and Lettle's characters were set up. I would've liked a little more of their backstory, especially Lettle's, I liked both of the romantic storylines that are being set up, too. There were so many twists and turns throughout the book, and I'm so excited for the next one which hopefully will come out in 2025.

First, thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book to me.

I really enjoyed this book! The magic system was awesome, the politics of the world were engaging, and the mythology of the world felt fresh. It was really cool to see elves, fae, and humans in a non-European setting that broke from the mythos created by authors like Tolkien or Sarah J. Maas. The characters were extremely diverse and featured a wide range of gender and sexual identities, as well as differently-abled characters. The mysteries posed by the story were also very intriguing and satisfying to learn more about.

I will say that sometimes the plot twists felt obvious. Partially this was because of the divination element of the book. One of the twists I predicted about 40-50% of the way through the book, and it was frustrating waiting for the characters to connect the dots. This is ultimately a small gripe, however, and did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.

This book is wonderful, and I am excitedly awaiting the sequel! I guess I'll just have to read Saara El-Arifi's other books in the meantime. :)

The best part of this book to me was the lore and setting! When I say I ate it up, I ATE! Outside of the lore however, the story didn't grasp me in the way I expected. While this book was still enjoyable, I am unsure if I loved it because I loved the author or the story itself. Some parts felt bland and I craved more detail. I will say, this is unlike any other book I have read and that gives it just a little extra pizzazz from me. 3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review early!

Do I need another fantasy series to follow? Probably not... but also I really enjoyed Book 1 of this one! It has a bit of everything you'd want: world building, adorable and likeable side characters (who sometimes steal the show), not one but TWO love stories, representative and intriguing characters, and a great foundation for subsequent books. There is also great sapphic representation and commentary on classism and racism in an interesting way I have yet to see in a book like this.

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you so much, NetGalley, for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to love this book so much! The premise was intriguing, the characters sounded exciting, and the overall themes were typically all things that I love. However, I kept finding myself disappointed. I wanted to get more world building because the ideas behind the magic system were awesome, but I feel like every time we were getting to something good, it would switch directions to develop characters more. I also found it to be a tad predictable. The prophecies were fairly straightforward and easy to guess, so I never really got a huge "plot twist" surprise. Now, that being said, if you love character centered books, this would be perfect for you! Character development and relationships seem to be the main focus. Yareen was strong and never let life keep her down for long! Lettle had me laughing and loving her with her sass, attitude, and absolute loyalty. I do wish each of their relationships had a more realistic feel. They seemed a bit rushed, and therefore, we missed some of the bonding that I love to see.

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi, who you may know from her novel "The Final Strife," is like diving headfirst into a fantasy whirlwind of gods, magic, and romance set in a queer normative world, with a dash of smut, familiars and mystical creatures, rounded up with the intricacy of relationships from family dynamics, to found family and political plotting.

"In the beginning, there were three gods." The story (and each of the three parts), begins with The Story of The Wheat, The Bat, and The Water - each associated to a god, with their own elements: the earth, the sun and the moon. These gods created children to their image: the elves, the humans and the faes, who all lived together 1,000 years ago.

Set in a world where now only the elves lives, the story revolves around two sisters, Yeeran, a Colonel in the army, and Lettle, a Diviner, as they navigate a world filled with war, exile, quests, and political intrigue.

What makes Faebound particularly appealing is its accessibility to both beginner fantasy readers and those seeking depth and complexity in world-building. The lore and culture embedded within the three races—humans, elves, and faes—are meticulously crafted, offering a fascinating exploration for enthusiasts of these topics. The magic system, unique and threefold, further enriches the narrative, with each race possessing its own distinct forms of power.

The novel embraces various tropes, including Enemies to Lovers and Fated Mates, and features both straight and sapphic main romances. And while the inclusion of smut is light, the author doesn't shy away from a couple of very fun scenes, especially within the fae, who just love love ;)

However, Faebound is not without its flaws. I found that the prophecies were a bit underwhelming and easily solved, leading to predictability within the plot. The ending, while gripping, felt a bit rushed, with what I would call a "resolution dump". The pacing raises my curiosity about the trajectory of the subsequent books in the series.

Despite these issues, my personal enjoyment of the book remained unwavering - I couldn't put it down! The story and characters were compelling me to eagerly anticipate the unfolding events, wanting to read Saara's creative navigation of the narrative.

Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC! And thank you Saara for such a great first Romantasy read of the year!

I was very excited to read a book by this author. I would give the book 3.8 out of 5 stars. There were parts that were very slow and seemed almost irrelevant to me. I absolutely loved the disparity that was displayed between humans, fae, and elf. I always think it's neat to see social hierarchy even amongst fantasy worlds. However, I wish there was more to it. The storyline kept me craving more information. Additionally, I felt the world building was lacking initially. The reader is kind of thrown into the story in a time where something very significant happens to Yeeran. It was unjust and I wish there was more of a description of the details of what happened as well as more details about the characters initially. I wanted to know more about Rayan and Lettle and I don't like that I had to wait so long to learn more about them. Lettle made the storyline so great and I felt like her character was very relatable.
The story does pickup significantly about 25% into the book. I couldn't put it down at that point. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and followers.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for honest feedback!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for a digital ARC in exchange for honest feedback!

I was so excited to get approved for an ARC for this book because it has been so long since I felt the urge to dive into what was definitely going to be a deep and magical world with a lot to learn. Saara's writing style is exactly what I needed - the world felt alive and interesting while not too obtuse or complicated to follow, and the characters took turns keeping me engaged without feeling like threads were being cut off for the sake of switching POVs. The lore of the world felt intriguing while simple enough to start putting together pieces of the puzzle. I was pleasantly surprised a couple times by things I thought I had figured out, only to find that I was slightly off the mark - it was a nice balance between feeling validated that I was understanding the logic of the world and magic system, while still being kept on my toes!

A smaller aspect that I loved was the fluidity of gender and sexuality that's explored in the book, and the short and sweet explanations of those cultural notes. You're left feeling like they do not need to be justified, they just are, and it works so well.

The longer I sit with my feelings about Yeeran the more I believe it's just eldest sister on eldest sister violence, but I started to dislike her towards the end of the book. I do feel that it's due to good writing - I disagree with her choices and priorities, but that's my personal dynamic with Yeeran at play rather than a fault of Saara's writing. Lettle, Rayan, and Golan all have my heart. Something I appreciated so much about Faebound was that Lettle was not used to further Yeeran's development - they are sisters, but they have separate lives. It felt realistic and relatable that they come together in moments of hardship or fear, and would do anything to save each other, but can function independently with separate goals in life.

Overall I loved Faebound. It wasn't a book that I was inhaling and desperate to finish ASAP, but it was my favorite end-of-day escapism book for a while, and I can't wait to see where the story goes!

(I posted one tiktok about receiving this ARC, I will also be adding it to a roundup at the end of the month with my rating and a much shorter breakdown of the above. I have linked the account in the link section.)

Sounded interesting but contained things I was uncomfortable reading about. Sad, because I was excited about Fey and Elves.,

Faebound stuns with worldbuilding! The worldbuilding is descriptive and perfect for a fantasy. It leans a little more YA for me. I also love the LGBTQ representation in this! I love seeing this in books, especially romantasy books with strong female leads.
I will say, this was a little hard to get into and left a few things to be desired. I wanted to know more about the magic system and exactly how it worked. The pacing was a little weird for me, I enjoy a steady paced book instead of sporadic action-packed portions.
This is a great read for those who are into fantasy and looking for a great fantasy read!

I genuinely enjoyed ever single page in Faebound. I was entranced from beginning to end! I loved the politics and magic of it all, how beautifully every scene was described. I could picture the entire world and felt as though I were watching it on a screen!
There were times the dialogue felt a bit strained, but it made the tension in those conversations even more real. Such a phenomenal read and I am looking forward to more in the future!