I gave Faebound 5 stars and I think this was just slightly less enjoyable for me. However! If you love a multi POV, big family drama, plot thickening book, then this might be a 5 star for you!

There is an addition of another POV other than Lettle and Yeeran which I understood the need for but I missed our main girlies. This is definitely a middle book, setting up what will come in the conclusion with some big twists but also leaving a lot of things unanswered.

Pros - BIPOC, LGBTQ, physical disability rep, romance, unique magic, fun animal side kicks
cons - some crazy plot twists that felt very sudden, added characters, drama

In this thrilling sequel to Faebound, Yeeran is on a desperate mission to save her homeland and confront her former lover. whilst Lettle continues to navigate the dangerous politics of Mosima - whilst discontent seethes beneath the surface and Furi and Rayan struggle to consolidate their rule. All the while, the prophecy lurks in the backs of their minds. Nor are they the only players in the game, as a mysterious young stranger may have some of the answers they seek to break the curse.

It’s hard to get a second trilogy book right, but Saara ramped up the stakes with Ending Fire and she has done no less here. Once again, the plot is fast moving, with both surprising twists and satisfying payoffs. Relationships blossom and develop, keeping the romantic threads strong, with big emotional punches.

The prose is tailored to the pace, but Saara still finds time to delve into beautiful, lush descriptions of the magical locations we find ourselves in, as well as exploring the characters old and new, their motivations and relationships vividly realised.

Also, what a reveal!! I cannot wait for the answers!

Another 4.25 star banger in this Faebound series!! This series truly is one of a kind. It has the best lore drops, some fun (semi-solvable) mysteries, a great cast of diverse characters (including a ton more POVs this time), and generally great, fast-paced writing that gets us an exciting story!

I can't even begin to cover what all happened in this book without getting real spoiler-y real fast, but I will say that some of the things I loved the most about this book include our new character Alder and his story and the implications of it on our world, the fascinating relationship dynamic of Furi and Yeeran, Lettle's bravery in the face of all the danger coming at her, and of course our Obeah friends (why can't I have one?!) and their connections to our friendly Fae!

This was a second book of a trilogy, and it falls into the fast-moving plot to set up a thrilling finale category, but it did have some big plotpoints of its own so we must give it props for that!!

Thank you so much to Saara El-Arifi, Del Rey, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to netgalley and Del Rey for the early ebook arc !! I loved this book and thought the author delivered a second book in this trilogy so well ! I loved being back into this world with the characters and plot !! I loved seeing more of Lettles character and the folklore that builds up to the ending !! This author definitely knows how to write an ending that makes you want to read the next book immediately even tho it’s not out yet !! I feel like the second book in series can be hits or misses especially after a book like Faebound is so good and a 5 star read , but this book from start to finish is amazing and the story will have you not putting the book down . Definitely a series you need to check out if you’re a fan of romantasy , fae , world building , fantastical politics , romance subplot , different lands and settings and much more !! Highly recommend !! I do think at times between the different povs and events in them it got a little repetitive cause some of the povs had the same scenes but overall I loved this book and can’t wait for the third !!

thanks to Del Rey for the ARC
4.25
SO much development from the first book in terms of the world and the politics. I’m very interested in the prophecies and history that we get seeded throughout cursebound, and hyped to read the conclusion.
there are lots of interesting characters who I find mostly compelling, but there’s not enough development for any of them. partially because there are so many (and in a dual pov format) and partially because the worldbuilding takes such a priority. I’m not mad about it, but I also took a break in the middle of reading it because I wasn’t super invested.
overall recommend- I think it steps up what I enjoyed in the previous book!

The beginning of this book did not suck me in as much as the first did, but I became reinvested during the second half. The author even admits that the second book can be difficult to write, and I agree that it is usually the weakest in most trilogies.

Cursebound follows sisters Yeeran and Leetle in their attempt to break the curse isolating the fae realm from the elven lands and find peace between groups. A new character, Alder, is introduced and becomes my favorite - he is tuned to nature and has an unknown history. I enjoy how the story follows each of their journeys, showing their romances, their strengths, and their struggles.

This series needs to be read in order. I will pick up the third to find out how these characters fare.

Thank you Del Rey Publishers for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

4.5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

My obsession with this series continues!

Lettle and Yeeran are finding their place in the fae court after the events of Faebound and with that comes love of their partners and the dangers of those who don't approve of non-fae in fae places.

I really loved this sequel and felt like the middle-book-curse wasn't as strong as in other series. Knowing it'll be at least a year until the final book, I tried to make this story last a little longer. Tried to read slower. But around 80%, I needed to get answers as soon as possible.

The new characters were so fun, especially Alder. I said in my review for Faebound that I'd love a whole book just about Lettle, but now I want a whole book just on Alder. And the twist! I feel like I caught a lot of them, but there was one that caught me off guard. Bravo.

I simply need the finale in my eyeballs asap as possible, Saara.

This was a great second book in the series. The characters from the first book continued to win my heart. Asher was such a refreshing character and I could not wait to read his chapters! The plot I thought was a little predictable but was still a fun time. I still find this world so unique especially the magic and how it works differently for different races. I can’t wait for the next book in this series !I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

4.5 ⭐️

Loved this!! Recap in the beginning? AMAZING, so appreciated. The new characters? Fantastic. All of the queer love? Absolutely my favorite - I was literally kicking my feet and giggling like a little girl. I think I liked this one more than the first book!! The writing, the pacing, the PLOT TWIST at the end all made for a very enjoyable book!

Thank you so much to Del Rey for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Saara El-Arifi's Cursebound is a worthy successor to Faebound, delving deeper into the intricate world and complex characters introduced in the first book. This installment delivers a compelling blend of political intrigue, romantic entanglements, and magical exploration, keeping readers hooked from beginning to end.

El-Arifi's strength lies in her ability to craft multifaceted characters with compelling motivations. Yeeran and Lettle continue to evolve, facing new challenges and making difficult choices that test their loyalties and resolve. The introduction of new characters, such as the enigmatic Alder, adds further layers of complexity to the narrative, leaving readers eager to uncover their secrets.
The world-building in Cursebound is even more immersive than in its predecessor. El-Arifi expands upon the rich tapestry of Mosima, revealing new territories and cultures that further enrich the reader's understanding of this vibrant world. The intricate political landscape is also explored in greater detail, with alliances shifting and betrayals lurking around every corner.

While the pacing is generally brisk, there are moments where the narrative slows down to allow for deeper character development and exposition. This is not necessarily a flaw, as it allows readers to fully invest in the characters' journeys and appreciate the nuances of the plot. However, some readers may find these slower sections less engaging.

The romantic relationships in Cursebound are as passionate and tumultuous as ever. Yeeran's connection with the Queen of the Fae is fraught with obstacles, while Lettle finds herself drawn to a mysterious stranger. These romantic entanglements add an emotional layer to the story, further fueling the reader's investment in the characters' fates.

The ending of Cursebound leaves readers with a tantalizing cliffhanger, eagerly anticipating the final installment in the trilogy. El-Arifi has masterfully woven together a complex tapestry of magic, politics, and romance, leaving readers craving more.

Overall, Cursebound is a captivating continuation of the Faebound series. With its well-developed characters, immersive world-building, and compelling plot, it is sure to please fans of fantasy and romance alike. While the pacing may be uneven at times, the overall experience is highly enjoyable.

I really love the world this series has created! Faebound was one of my favorite reads last year and I was so excited to dive into Cursebound. While I felt the middle bit was a little disjointed and not as engaging, the last third of the book was a real hit for me. I wish we got to be with Yeeran more but I loved the new POVs we got as well! Look forward to the next installment!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Cursebound was a PERFECT follow up to book one, and I loved every minute of it. I think Ms. El-Arifi did a beautiful job creating such an intricate world and characters you actually have an invested interest in. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads for release.

Saara El-Arifi does it again! I always worry that book two won't live up to book one however this was so so good!

Thank you NetGalley and Inklore | Del Rey for this ARC Copy!

I was so excited to get back into this world and I was so relieved when the very first chapter is an entry from Lettles journal with a quick recap of everything that happened in the first book. I wish more authors did this so you really feel immersed right back into the world before the story even begins.

I was worried that this book would suffer from middle book syndrome and I felt like it may fall into that category in the beginning but around the 2/3's mark I dropped right into the story fully and absolutely devoured it. The twists were twisting and the new character who is introduced in this book is honestly my new favorite, I can not wait to see where the story goes from here. I love how the representation in this world is so natural and beautify done and the love stories are full of realistic struggles.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi is a mixed third and first person multi-POV epic fantasy continuation of Faebound. When Yeeran leaves Furi, Lettle, and Rayan behind to return to her homeland, she finds her former lover getting ready to wage war. Meanwhile, Rayan accidently takes poison that was meant for Lettle and an undercurrent of resentment towards Lettle among the fae is revealed. A Nomad named Alder arrives and might have the secrets to finally ending the curse.

While the previous book felt more like a romantic fantasy because of how strongly Furi and Yeeran’s budding romance and Rayan and Lettle’s will-they-won’t-they finally reached the tipping point, this book feels more like a political fantasy. Both are definitely epic in scope and explore the world mixing fae, elves, and humans, but there is a bit of a subgenre shift. The original two romances do get time to shine and so does a brand new romance between Alder and Golan, a member of Furi’s court, but the real star of the show is how all of the revelations from the previous book are playing out in the larger world and how that works out politically.

Of the three romances, I am still the biggest fan of Rayan and Lettle’s and I think that has to do with how much trust the two show each other and yet there is a big secret between them with the prophecy from the first book. Lettle is so afraid of hurting him and their devotion to each other, their willingness to do whatever it takes to keep the other safe, is one of my favorite things to see in a romance. I cannot wait to see how their romance is wrapped up in the third book because I hope they get their happily ever after, but I’m not sure exactly how it’s gonna happen.

Faebound was about how the fae have not really disappeared from the world and are still around but in hiding. In Cursebound, we now have a bit more focus on humanity and where humans went plus more information on the obeah and the Lightless, the fae whose obeah were killed before they could become faebound. There’s short interlude chapters between each part that gives a bit of information on what happened and how we got to the point that humans are completely missing from the world, but it’s still a mystery on what exactly happened. We get a few other hints in the broader narrative, but the big reveal seems to be saved for book three.

I would recommend this to fans of Faebound, readers looking for more political fantasies with multiple romance arcs, and readers looking for an epic fantasy trilogy that is Sudanese and Ghanaian inspired that also features elves and fae

💙✨Cursebound✨💙
-Saara El-Arifi
🎈Happy Release Day!
ARC Review:
5/5⭐️

*Spoiler Free*
-The continuation of Faebound continues in book two Cursebound. The story continues to follow Yeeran and Lettle as they face different paths in hope of breaking the curse on Misoma, facing war, experiencing heart breaking tragedies and uncovering plans of deceit. Cursebound is full of unexpected plot twists and cliff hangers. The world building in the Faebound series is phenomenal and throughly intricate. The series features LGBT representation. The book is an easy to understand read and a beautiful fantasy novel.

-Thank you @netgalley for the EARC this was truly a great read!!

Review link:
https://www.instagram.com/empire_of_tbr?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi - publish date 18th February 2025

We pick up where we left off from Faebound. We follow Yeeran back to her homeland to try and prevent a war. Lettle remains in Mosima struggling with her ability to see prophecies and be accepted by the fae, especially the Lightless. Rayan is trying to settle into his new role as King of the fae and Furi is angry and upset about pretty much everything!

One of my criticisms of the last book was that we didn't have a Furi POV. Given how important the Fae were to the story, it was frustrating we didn't have any fae POV. So I was thrilled that Cursebound finally has a Furi POV! In turn we also get to hear from her obeah.

We get a very interesting new character and new POV but I'm not going to spoil it for anyone. All I can say is they are a welcome addition.

Our favourites return - Golan, and Pila. We see more beautiful world building as we follow characters both inside Mosima and outside.

There are twists and turns in this book that will keep you interested, there are elements of betrayal, love and a little dash of spice!

It was slow to start but having now finished this book I can see exactly what it was doing - setting us up for book three. War is coming!

It has set things up brilliantly, all the pieces are in place on the board and book three will be when Saara moves them.

I love the job that Saara has done with this book as second books in trilogies are so hard to write but I feel like we have got more insight to the fae, the curse and also the characters (including the obeah).

I absolutely cannot wait for book three but of course it's going to be one hell of a wait!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Grouo for the arc read of this book. This review is my own personal review of this book.

Cursebound takes place immediately following the events in Faebound with Yeeran leaving to go warn her old lover (the cheiftan) of impending threat and Lettle struggling with her divination lacking connection to the fates. With discontent brewing inside Mosima, and the threat of war outside Mosima, the storylines are interconnected but are well thought out on their own. Cursebound introduces new characters (which quickly became a favorite), increases tension amongst romantic characters, highlights character growth, and even includes a new romantic storyline without it becoming the main driving force while also including elements of political discourse and the realm of emotions. Cursebound delivered a great story, moving along the series, expanding on fantasy concepts, and being a quick moving book without feeling like many factors are left out. I recommend this book/series to any fantasy lovers out there!

This made for a quick, enjoyable read with thanks to so much of my issues with book one being dropped.

Some of (one in particular) the new characters in this book felt like a good addition and hopefully, book three will pay off everything nicely. This one new character in particular is by far the most interesting and likeable addition to the world.

The characters still feel juvenile (?)/ shallow but I guess I’m used to that now and in my choosing to ignore those elements of their character development, it did make this book a more pleasurable read. Unlike book one where I went from DNF to forcing myself to complete it months later, with this one, I found myself missing the world a bit after the book was over. I’m actually looking forward to book three. I’ve even recommended it to friends - which I couldn’t do with book one.

Bring on book three!

Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi
5🌟

This book is PHENOMENAL! I just couldn't put it down.
The further you advance, the more the plot thickens. I found myself liking Little more and more, her character development was brilliant.
The story gets more and more intriguing, getting you totally hooked, and that cliffhanger! If you've ever read Saara El-Arifi before, you know how mind-blowing her cliffhangers are, and she did not disappoint!
Faebound was my favourite read of 2023 and good luck to any future book to dethrone Cursebound from my favourite read of 2025!