I don't even know what to say about this book besides that it feels messy. The pacing is off. The characters are flat, not especially likeable, and have some of the clunkiest dialogue I've ever read. The romance is... something. The worldbuilding is shallow. The storyline alternates between too convenient to be believable and so outlandish that it's unbelievable. I want this review to be spoiler free, but as an example, it would be like reading something with the chosen one trope, but then there's like five chosen ones and they all happen to be in the same place at the same time. mmmmkay.

Then there's the little things that are just pet peeves in books, like a character realizing a skill exists and then somehow masters it overnight or a character somehow managing to learn a notoriously hard to learn language in just a few days and well enough to translate entire books with just a dictionary. Like what??? So many things just didn't add up here. I know we are supposed to suspend belief in fantasy, but that's for things like elves existing, not things that yank you out of the story because it's so eyeroll worthy. And don't forget everyone's favorite pet peeve - author infodumps lore and worldbuilding via a character taking lessons/interviewing another character/etc. Sigh.

This book presented some really cool concepts that I wish it delivered on more. The setup was exciting for the first 10% or so. I loved that this is a casually queer world without exception. I also really liked the drum magic - that felt really fresh and new to me. I'm a sucker for any type of situation involving familiars and the like, so that was another aspect I actually enjoyed. But those few examples are about it.

My whole timeline is either 5 stars or 2 stars, so at least other people are having a better time than I did. Personally, I wish I'd DNF'd this one. Whomp.

3.5 stars

I'm a sucker for unique magical systems and Faebound uses a beautiful one. I will admit that I struggled with the first half of the book but absolutely fell in love with the world in the second half. I really look forward to the next book in the series.

This book was hard to keep me entertained the whole way through. I enjoyed the story but the pacing felt a little off.

4 ⭐️
Love a fantasy with a little bit of everything and this one did a great job! I enjoyed this story but it didn’t captivate me like other books have. I am still so excited for book 2! Loved both sisters and their stories and their love for each other. Both such strong characters! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This was a disappointing read to be frank. The writing style was extremely juvenile, despite the characters being in their late-20s and early to mid-30s (Lettle is 28 & Yeeran is her older sister). Lettle in particular read like a teenager to me for most of the book. The timeline was confusing and choppy, and I know this whole course of events takes place over only a few months, it still feels rushed. I also don’t feel like there was enough lore or world building prior to them arriving at the Fae city to even really fully grasp their magic system. The three goddesses, the obeah, the magic being channeled through animal parts into their objects to wield magic (drum skin, arrow fletchings) ??? The more I found out the more I realized I was confused. Lettle is constantly spouting off random nonsense about her prophecy, which in truth also feels like the author is shoving it in the readers face as if we couldn’t pick up on subtext and clues. It’s just messy.

The attraction & chemistry between Ryan and Lettle felt awkward and forced. I didn’t care for it. Again, Yeeran is weirdly fixated on her lover and returning to her. But then suddenly has a new attraction 75% into the book, completely out of character with the loyalty she’s established to this point, which is one of the few character traits with any remote depth we get to see. The sister relationship between Yeeran and Lettle was honestly a bit annoying & I just didn’t feel connected to either. We didn’t see them learn to communicate or trust each other. And for two women who constantly bring up how they relate to the poor and starving masses of their country, they don’t seem to have any significant character development. I know this is just the first book, but they feel so flat and there’s no desire for me to continue this story.

Overall, very predictable story. Every time I thought the story would do something unique, I was let down by stilted emotional connections and repetitive conversations. Too many unlikable characters and a nonsensical magic system. The saving grace to this story was Rayan, the soldier who gave up everything to follow Lettle and Yeeran on this journey. He was so adorable and tbh deserved better friends than them lmao.

This had me in the first half and then slowly lost me as the story went on.

I loved the concept and, at first, the characters. But they kept making some of the dumbest decisions or were extremely immature or bland (I'm looking at you Rayan). The insta-lust/love interests were also eye roll inducing.

I enjoyed the world building, especially the Obeah companions, along with the Sapphic and disability rep.

Thank you to NetGalley & Del Rey for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a huge fan of Saara El-Arifi’s other trilogy - The Ending Fire - I absolutely had to grab her newest trilogy featuring elves and fae. While this book is a huge shift from her other work, I did notice a lot of similarities between the two with regards to worldbuilding and character interactions, so if you enjoy her other series I really think you’d like this one as well. (And vice versa, I’m super excited for The Ending Fire!)

I know this is marketed as having more romance than The Ending Fire trilogy, but (maybe it’s just me) the amount of romance between both felt around the same to me. We have a bit of enemies to lovers (or, more accurately, irritated to lovers), but while their romance is a main plot of the novel (and another romance with the sister), I never felt it overshadowed the main overarching plot.

I will personally admit to not being the biggest fan of talking animal companions, and while they’re still not my favorite here, the obeah are enjoyable and I didn’t hate their inclusion. They very strongly reminded me of a similar type of creature in The Priory of the Orange Tree and I liked them about the same. A well-done talking animal companion is really hard to do, but an annoying one that I hate is easy. This, thankfully, doesn’t fall into the latter but it never quite reaches the former. (When we got to the obeah I audibly went “oh no” as I was afraid they would be like the talking animal companion in another trilogy that I absolutely hated, but luckily they are not). Sorry, I know this is a lot about this one specific topic, but in all honesty there are very few books where I like this trope and many MANY ones that are ruined because of it, so any time one is involved I’m wary about it.

I also absolutely loved the magic system, and how the magic and weapons that are used by the elves are unknowingly in DIRECT harm and contrast to the fae. I thought it was fascinating how the fae have been hidden and trapped for so long that everyone thinks that they are extinct, when something that is regularly used by the elves is actually something related to the fae. I really thought that was cleverly done in interlacing the two peoples, despite one believing the other to no longer exist.

I admit to having figured out the “twist” to this book as I was reading it, but I don’t necessarily believe that takes away from any enjoyment. If you like elves/fae, complicated romances with conflict, politics, and a worldbuilding that slowly opens up more and more as you read, I think you’d enjoy this novel.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the magical world and the lore building was a good setup for the future of the series. I think if I went back and re-read everything I would get more enjoyment out of it and I would def need to reread before book 2 (I found myself taking notes and I still lost track at times). Overall this was a compelling premise but it was a bit harder for me to get into. Typically I am more of a "romance and or historical fiction with a side of magic" fiction reader as opposed to high fantasy reader so that could absolutely be affecting my ability to lose myself in the read. High fantasy, LGBTQIA+ rep, POC/diversity rep.

I wanted to love this one so bad. I loved the characters. I loved the message this book gave. But the plot was so lacking. I felt bored and was never captivated by the storyline. In a fantasy novel I want all plot and minimal character development. I need a story I can fully buy into and this didn’t do it for me.

The synopsis had me intrigued, but I was intimidated by the length and kept putting off reading it. When I finally picked it up I couldn’t get into it, and I didn’t finish it . Not sure if it was a book problem or a me problem.

I did not have time to read and review Faebound before its publish date, however now that I have I gave it 3 stars.

Saara El-Arifi is a powerhouse and she knows it. The depth and breadth of worldbuilding and character exploration in this book alone was incredible. I reread it immediately after finishing it, no joke. The world that El-Arifi has created sticks with, and you will unquestionably grow unhealthily attached to our motley trio of main characters.

I really loved in particular the way El-Arifi weaves threads together, nothing in the book is included for fluff or filler, *everything* has a meaning and comes back, for better or for worse. I can't wait to see the story continue and see how the world will continue to grow and develop as massive changes are on the horizon.

Even though it took me a bit to settle into this book, it really did have some bright spots. There was good character development and world building. Not everything made sense but that's the beauty of fantasy. - - it doesn't have to make sense, does it? But drums that shoot fire? That one was a stretch for me.

The story initially revolves around two sisters Yeeran and Lettie who are pulled into the Fae world along with a soldier and friend, Rayan. They are taken prisoner for committing an unforgivable act. Unfortunately for them, at the time it happened, they didn't realize what they were doing.

I liked many elements of the book but wished the plot had flowed better. It had some solid themes and good twists but felt disjointed at times. I'll still read the next book to see how the author continues the storyline.

This is going to be one of the best fantasy releases of 2024. Faebound is a story of two sisters, Yeeran and Lettle, a war colonel and a diviner respectively, who become exiled to find a surprising truth about their world. Some highlights include sapphic romance, a mystery to solve, incredible world building, and these really cute creatures called obeah that you're going to love.

The first half of the book flew buy then things slowed a bit but in the end this was and amazing book. this is a story of queer love, found family.

I was really excited to read this, but unfortunately I found it very underwhelming. I think there’s a really good story here and the world and mythology has promise, but the way this was written just did not work for me. It felt so stilted and awkward, and as a result I really struggled with reading this. I also didn’t love many of the characters and thought some of the romance was a bit forced.

I do think the actual story is intriguing, but I'm not sure if I'll be continuing with the series.

I struggled a bit with this book. There was so much hype surrounding it that I think I set myself up for disappointment. There were elements I enjoyed, but it was all a bit too obvious and predictable. It was also somewhat slow. I couldn’t relate too much to the characters and some I even found downright annoying (Lettle). Her character in particular reads very young and immature which is something I truly find annoying in books, especially when the character is not young in age.
I will say that the story left off in an interesting place and I may even read the second book to see where the story goes. I just think I need to adjust my expectations.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, my review is completely honest and voluntary.

The first few pages were very gripping, but as it went on, I quickly lost interest. Unfortunately this was a dnf for me. It got very bland very fast

The story is by far and away the strongest aspect of this book. Not to discount the characters—some I loved some I really didn’t, but they all caused an emotional reaction either way and we’re not forgettable. The weakest aspect was the pacing, it really needed a boost. I kind of feel like the pacing was intentionally slow just so everything could happen right and the end and set up for the next book, but I’d rather have read a shorter book or one without a cliffhanger ending.

This book has become my new obsession. I've been in such a fantasy slump recently and this book pulled me straight out. This book had my attention the whole time and was full of twists and magic throughout. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review!

While this novel can be super detailed and interesting in some aspects, overall I found it dragged unnecessarily and I did struggle a bit to finish it. I still recommend it, just be ready to make a commitment to this book until you're able to finish it!