This was absolutely fantastic, Saara has hit it out of the park yet again with this continuation. It definitely did not suffer from second book syndrome, my only complaint is it wasn't longer. I would have happily read the book if it was twice or three times as thick. I love the fact that it's multiple point of view, I love how distinctive each chapters 'voice' is for each character, if I didn't know any better I would assume different authors wrote the different characters because they were so unique, each person came alive within moments of reading. The worldbuilding continued to be excellent, the imagery was amazing, & the plot was excellent. Saara is without a doubt a brilliant silver tongue, and I am heartbroken I have to wait gods know how long for the final book.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and was so excited for the opportunity to read the second installment. Sadly for me, this one didn't grab my attention nearly as much. Overall I think the story was good but there was something missing for me in this one.

Cursebound starts off right were we leave Nettle and Yeeran off in Book 1, Faebound, and I LOVED how we got a quick recap at the very beginning of book #2 in Lettle's point of view. I had read the first book more than a year ago and definitely forgot how it ended, but I remember really enjoying this. I'm still glad I read the book, but it gave me second book syndrome sadly. The world building was fascinating and I'm so glad we got to explore it more with a new point of view, but something felt off. The pacing was slow and it seemed like nothing was happening until the last quarter of the book! I wasn't as connected with the characters as I was last year, but I love the LGBTQIA+ representation, bipoc representation, and inclusion of the characters built in this world. I'm still glad I read it and I'm looking forward to reading the final book. I think this book could have been a duo logy, but it's not and that's okay! It's still a fun series with easy writing.

Thank you for the arc!

I am so appreciative of DelRay and Netgalley for this ARC. Cursebound was such an excellent sequel - it was nicely paced in building up the story, and there were so many revelations in the last part of the story. I really liked the introduction of new characters and while the primary characters are going through it, they still manage to come through open to change, though we'll see how they continue to fare in the face of betrayal. There is so much betrayal!

I loved all the rep in this book, especially the queer and disabled rep. The politics did seem to out the romantic aspects aside in the story, which I personally didn't mind because the story has so many layers. Another thing I really enjoyed was how El-Arifi has the ability to go back in the story to relay from a different POV without confusing the reader - it's a seamless transition and helped explain some parts of the story from another character's eyes, which was important. I just know this series is going to be wrapped up beautifully!

Cursebound continues on from where Faebound left off.

I enjoyed the further worldbuilding we got in this instalment and liked the extra characters that we were introduced to. There were elements of the plot that I did find predictable but this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.

Oh, what can I say? I was looking forward to Cursebound being the redeeming piece of this Faebound Trilogy. One could say that a rating of 3 out of 5 is an improvement over the 2 out of 5 (you now know my rating... do you want to even want to read more?), which is what the rating I gave Faebound. And I have similar sentiments to other reviews that the labeling of "romantasy" may be giving this trilogy a disservice. The relationships feel a bit forced and the emotions a bit over dramatic, This is adult, but it could easily be YA with the writing style.

I did enjoy the new character and their POV. They were a fresh new addition to the rather very needy and immature sister duo. Cursebound was a great pick up and continuation of Faebound, and loved the world building and description of their magic.

Since I read two of the three books, I will most likely read the last of the trilogy with lowered expectations that it will be a grand finale.

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

I will be posting to socials

Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Once I had adjusted to the kind of story Faebound would be I really enjoyed it, and so I was looking forward to Cursebound. While I still think that this series is best enjoyed as a fairly straightforward romantasy series, I had fun with it once again. The romances are prominent but still not my favorite part, but the world is really neat and the worldbuilding in general is super impressive. I don’t think the plot moved forward that much, but I do think in some ways this book is stronger than Faebound in part because we get more history and lore and I think El-Arifi has really found her footing. I think her characters felt way more realized and interesting than in the first installment, and I will definitely be picking up the next book.

Cursebound was even better than Faebound! I had so much fun diving back into the world and learning more our two main characters. AND WHAT A PLOT TWISTTTT! I really appreciated the beginning where she created a journal entry to give a brief recap of what happened in Faebound. I can't wait for the next book! I was so surprised because I was SURE this was going to be duology- but I will never say no to Saara El-Arifi books.

This was a really enjoyable sequel. I appreciated the deeper character development in this book. And I loved Alders character and how it gave a new perspective. Overall this was just a really fun read and I can’t wait to see how everything comes together in the final book.

I'm convinced I'm one of this series' biggest fans! I cannot wait for the 3rd and final book after seeing how this ended. I didn't know how it could top the magic of the first book, but somehow it truly did!

I really wanted to love this book, really since I loved the first one.
Unlike book 1 though, this one kinda disappointed me. Maybe it’s a personal feeling but I felt bored on throughout the first part and almost dnfed it. I still love the writing and the characters it’s just that the plot was not that interesting to me anymore.
Thank you to Random house publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!

Great follow-up to the first book. It really expanded on the characters and the magic/world a lot, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Although I am not a big fan of the romance, it works well within the book and does not take away from the storyline. I am sure that others will really enjoy that aspect of this, but for me, it's the characters and the political intrigue mixed with magic that I love.

Saara El-Arifi is definitely an author I will read more of in the future.

Absolutely obsessd=ed with this series. The only issue that I have is that I though it was going to be a duology not a trilogy! The look on my face as I was nearing the end realizing there is way to much to be resolved and no where near enough pages to conclude it all! Well played Saara El-Arifi. This being the second series that I have read by this author I can for sure say they are added to my auto buy authors. One thing about Saara El-Arifi is they know how to play the long game. I loved that this series picked up soon after the first left off. While the dynamic sister duo was parted for majority of the book, I felt like the chapters flowed really well from one perspective to another. There were a lot of twists and many reveals that had me at the edge of my seat. I loved Lettle the most this book. She grew into herself and the strength that she displayed 10/10. That girl is so clever. The romance while not a main feature in the story was still satisfying. There was one major moment without spoiling too much chapter 15 that I felt like was over waaaay too quick. There was so much lead up for it to be over in a blink of a eye. One thing it did was truly shock me, I had to go back and reread it multiple times to make sure I wasn't mistaken. Overall, after that ending I am itching for book 3.

I liked this one a lot more than the first. 4/5 star read. I felt the story lines were better developed and the plot was more enticing than the first book.

I love this series so much. For circumstances beyond my control, I wasn’t able to sink into this book as much as I would have liked. But when I was able to, it was just wonderful.

I love this world so much. I love the idea that is put out in the prophecy that they need to bring all the races into harmony. I’m so interested to see how that will come about, as it seems so impossible right now.

I love how with Saara El-Arifi’s writing, there’s so much to speculate about. With this series and the Ending Fire Trilogy, there’s so much prophecy and myth and so many things that you can wonder about even when you’re not reading the book. She really has the knack of making the reader think and wonder and speculate.

I want to read this again when I can really enjoy it. I might rereview it when I can because I think it deserves a higher rating. But for now I’m leaving it as a four star.

I really enjoyed Faeboud so was excited to read this and it didn't disappoint! I think I actually enjoyed it more! I loved learning more about the different races, and the introduction of Alder was great, I really like his character so far. So much happened in this book and I can't wait for the next! The twists and turns we're perfect.

I really appreciated the little recap of book 1 at the start, too.

The Recap of Book 1 through Lettle’s journal was genius and the character descriptions and word definitions at the end were helpful. What I adore about this series is there is so much representation and diversity which is hard to find in fantasy books.

Book 2 picks up with Yeeran traveling to warn Salawa and I think this section could have been developed more and the storyline there was cut short. Book two also focuses on the problems in Mosima and the ongoing mistreatment of Lightless. It touched on topics the Lightless face such as Classism, Segregation, and Servitude. It was honestly heartbreaking to see the “Lightless” characters be called family all while restricting their rights.

I am not rooting for Furi and Yeeran to stay together I think Yeeran deserves better. But I am rooting for Golan and our new addition Alder I loved them so much.

I did not see any of the plot twists coming and I can’t wait to see what Book 3 brings.

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to be an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review.

I just love the world El-Arifi has created so much. I CANNOT wait for book three.
I do t want to give too much away as this is book 2 but if you are into magical worlds, fae & elves, bonded companions and plot twists then don’t pass up this magical trilogy

This was such a fun sequel!

After reading Faebound I was so glad I already had an eARC of Cursebound because I would not have wanted to wait at all. This sequel continues with a big journey for Yearan, a quest for information for Lettle, and a difficult reign for Fury and Ryan. These plotlines send the characters in different directions which keeps the book always full of happenings. This book though we also get the POV of Alder, an elf from the nomads. When everyone came back into Mossima though, I started enjoying the book even more.

So much happens with all the characters and there are some real big things they have to deal with. Lettle was a joy to follow around. She has such a bright mind and sets her mind to improving life for the Fae. Her story was one of hidden secrets and political fights. The way she handled that all though was really fun to read. We also get more time of Yeeran and Lettle together and their sister bond is something that always warms me from the inside.
Alder was a new character that I absolutely loved. When he's introduced it's still quite unclear what he's doing as a POV character in this book. But when he stumbles across the Fae his story gets shape in a way that had me on the edge of my seat. He has some mysteries that the group of main character is trying to solve, and a quest for answers is always something I enjoy in books. Alder also starts making bonds with the Fae in Mossima which was so sweet to see.
Yeeran has to deal with death this time around, death even more unsettling than everyone she has killed in the war between the elves. When this comes to stand inbetween her and Fury I was so anxious but hopefull they could work this out. They are a power couple that I ship so hard. With all that they're going through in this book their sweet moments together felt even more wholesome.

When all of this comes together towards the end of the book I couldn't wait to see how it would end. And end with a bang it did, but you'll have to read this book yourself to figure that out.

Concluding this is a book with many characters going on their own journey to work together towards an ending building on the future.

I adored faebound so much and this sequel was the perfect continuation of it. There were many different times where I was shocked by what had happened!

The ending has made me SO desperate for book three - I will be checking Saara El-Arifi's social medias everyday, waiting for an announcement.

I loved seeing the relationships deepen throughout this book, seeing them get even closer and bond. I also loved our new characters; Alder may be my favourite, along with Golan (although he was in the previous book as well).

I am so invested in this trilogy and I never found myself growing bored once. The multiple points of views definitely helped keep me interested. I would love to see a Pila point of view, just her and Amnan hanging out, eating mangos.

This was easily a five star read, I would rate it even higher if I could. I am both desperate yet terrified for the next book, I have grown so fond of our main characters and I will be devastated if anything happens. 🤣