Review: Cursebound by Sara El-Arifi
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a perfect blend of high-stakes magic, sharp wit, and layered characters whose choices ripple far beyond themselves.

From the very first chapter, I was swept into a world that feels at once mythic and deeply human. The curse at the heart of the story is brilliantly crafted—both a source of power and a devastating chain—and the way El-Arifi explores the consequences of being bound to it is thought-provoking and relentless.

The characters are where this novel truly shines. Each is flawed, ambitious, and painfully real. Their loyalties, betrayals, and shifting alliances had me constantly questioning who to trust. I loved how themes of power, freedom, and sacrifice were woven into their personal arcs, making even the quieter moments feel weighty.

El-Arifi’s prose is vivid and lyrical, with just enough bite to keep the pace moving quickly. The world-building is rich but never overwhelming, and the political and magical systems are both imaginative and believable. There were a few moments where I wanted the plot to linger longer on emotional fallout, but the momentum carried me through without pause.

Final Thoughts:
Cursebound is epic fantasy at its finest—bold, immersive, and impossible to put down. If you enjoyed The Final Strife or love stories that combine intricate magic with morally complex characters, this is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

a great follow up to a book i absolutely loved!! these characters have dug their way into my heart and I cant wait to see how their story wraps up!

CURSEBOUND is an exciting second instalment that introduces new narrators.

The lightless (effectively second class citizens) rebelling in the faelands were probably my favourite part of the book. It digs into the problems of the society and the bind it found itself in thanks to using the curse as an excuse to maintain equality. It was a nuanced look at class systems and how difficult change can be - and the consequences of not trying to enact it.

There are two more narrators in this book - Furi and newcomer Alder. I really liked getting to see Furi's side of the relationship. She and Yeeran are so tempestuous, their romance complicated by multiple deaths and betrayals, not to mention their different priorities. It really added another dimension to see her take on it all, to understand why she couldn't always see eye to eye with Yeeran.

Alder is an interesting addition, a nomad elf who lives with a community outside of the warring tribes - who has more to add than he thinks. I liked seeing the "outcast" community of this world, how much closer knit it was than the others. As a city girl, I wouldn't have liked to be part of it, but it felt like the best way of living in the book.

The book's initial questions are answered by the end, but the book very much ends with the feeling that it is getting you ready for the finale. It therefore feel less like there was a resolution at the end of this book, but I am excited to see how it all ends!

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to Random House and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.

This was better than the first book, the characters were more engaging and the storyline more cohesive.

However, this isn’t an adult fantasy and is still juvenile in many ways.

Cursebound is the kind of sequel that does all the right things. Following Faebound, it dives deeper into the world—rich with fae lore, magic, politics, and queer romance—and feels both familiar and forward-driving. I loved how it revisits beloved characters Yeeran and Lettle while introducing intriguing new POVs like Alder’s, making the emotional stakes feel more layered and real.
The pacing moves at a steady clip, and the chapters are easy to zip through—perfect for when you want that immersive fantasy fix. That said, it hits some classic “middle-book” issues: parts felt a bit rushed, emotional moments didn’t always land as deeply as I hoped, and a few spectators noted that some plot threads only hint at a payoff meant for book three. Still, the final twist left me absolutely hooked and eagerly counting down the days for the conclusion.

Loved Faebound and absolutely loved Cursebound too!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this!

Saara does it again! I might be biased simply because I love this author and all of their stories but this was a wonderful story and I will be looking forward to more!

Read if you like:
- war and court politics
- magic and fae
- multiple povs

I enjoyed this more than Faebound. It’s a great sequel, in my opinion. I appreciated that we had a journal style recap at the beginning of the story. It made it much easier to jump back into the world and storyline.

The world building continues to be fantastic, with new places and continued vivid scenery. We were introduced to a few new characters and it was interesting to see how their stories interwove with our already existing cast of characters. Lettle’s and Yeeran’s relationship continues to be complicated, but they are sisters through and through.

The stakes are higher. The revolution is upon us. The twists and turns will keep you hooked. After that ending, I will absolutely be reading the final book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: February 18, 2025.

This was an interesting follow up for Faebound. It felt like the story was a little rushed at some points. I expected the characters to be more upset by the various deaths. I did enjoy Alder’s pov though.

This one was really well done. I enjoyed the first one and getting to see more of this world. I really enjoyed the writing style here and will recommend.

Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi is a fast, fun fantasy full of magic and political drama. Yeeran and Lettle are flawed in a relatable way—you’ll root for them even when they mess up, and the queer rep feels effortless. The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, blending curses, class struggles, and twists that actually surprise you, all at a bingeable pace. It’s maybe a bit too quick to fully linger on the big emotional moments, but it never drags, and the ending will have you counting down to book three. If you want unique fantasy that’s vivid, queer, and wildly entertaining, this is it!

This series has been one of my favourites! The world building is super unique and I love the lore and magic system. The romance is PERFECT balance without taking over the plot. This is the first fae/faerie court book I've read that isn't very clearly European in inspiration and it HITS.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC but unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to continue the series. It's not a bad book it's just not a good one either.

I was so excited to receive this sequel! That being said, the actual plot of the novel was exactly what I was looking for - the writing style, on the other hand, made it difficult for me to enjoy this novel as much as the first.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of Cursebound!
What a great continuation of the story! It opens with a summary of the events of the first book, told through the journal of one of the main characters. I loved (and needed) this. It was a much needed summary that still felt like part of the experience of the book.
The twists in the story were wild and left me begging for more time to read. We left off with so many changes in dynamics- I don’t know how to wait for the next book!

Not too many authors can write a book two and it be just as page turning as book one. This one was definitely had me hooked. Pila is still my favorite character. The revelations in this one: Norey trying to kill Lettle, only to find out it was Sahar because he knew about the prophecy of Lettle killing Rayan (and he switched Lettle’s talismans, like, really?); Furi killing Salawa, and breaking Yeeran’s heart, but I’m glad she got over it; Alder being human and they didn’t know human’s still existed; OBEAH’s BEING HUMAN; the rift between Rayan and Lettle has got to be patched, I mean they both lied. I’m mad at the way it ended on the cliffhanger, but I am glad that Furi promoted Anyah to second-in-command. She took her sentencing seriously, though it was weird she was sentenced for five years of servitude because she lied about her age. Now I’m trying to figure out the title of book 3: Faebound because Yeeran bound to Pila, Cursebound because they are all bound to Mosimo because of a curse, and now I can’t think of a title for book 3, and watch it be so obvious.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc while I enjoyed the first book and was excited to receive this book I just could not get into the series. I have tried multiple times to read it but once I set it down I don’t care to continue.

A really great sequel to faebound. I absolutely loved the first book and this one did not disappoint.
The world building was fantastic and just as amazing as the first, i love how descriptive the author is.
The plot and story had a good steady pace to it.

Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi is everything you want in a sequel: fast, fierce, and totally bingeable. It skips the filler that bogs down so many middle books, instead diving headfirst into the action. The characters remain a highlight, brilliantly crafted and full of life, and the dynamic, tense relationships only get messier in the best way possible.

El-Arifi proves she knows how to handle 'book 2' like a pro, balancing world-expansion and high stakes without losing sight of the story's emotional core. The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the vibes are immaculate. I really loved the quick journal recap of Faebound at the start, and I am begging other authors to take note! 🙏

If Faebound hooked you, Cursebound will leave you desperate for the finale. It’s a short, sharp burst of fantasy brilliance, proving that middle books can absolutely shine when done right. Bring on book three!

A big thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Endearing characters, beautiful queer romance, world building that makes you wish you could enter the book, and a plot that keeps you guessing. I couldn't ask for anything more ... except for perhaps the sequel :)