I was thrilled to receive an early copy of Cursebound, especially since Faebound was one of my top reads of 2024. As a second book in a trilogy, Cursebound could have easily fallen into the trap of feeling like filler, but Saara El-Arifi manages to make it feel like a compelling story in its own right.

Since it had been almost a year since I read Faebound, I was worried I’d be a bit lost, but the clever opening—a diary entry recapping key events from the first book—was a perfect refresher. I really appreciated how it eased me back into the world without feeling heavy-handed.

This sequel deepens the character development, and I loved diving further into the main characters’ arcs. I was especially intrigued by Alder’s introduction—his storyline promises to be a major force in book three. The layers of betrayal and deception in this book are wild, and I have a feeling there’s even more to come.

Another highlight was exploring new areas of Mosima, which added so much richness to the world-building. Despite my busy schedule, I found myself carving out every spare moment to read—Cursebound is truly hard to put down. Now, I’m eagerly counting down the days until the next installment!

A big thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Del Rey for the eARC!

I enjoyed being back in this world but found myself exceedingly frustrated by the characters, their decisions, and how they always felt 5 steps behind me. I had a similar issue where I felt plot twists were obvious in the first book but I still really liked the characters then; now I’m just intrigued by the world but that too is starting to wane. Yeeran’s decisions were very bothersome and not in a good way.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

I was so excited to be chosen to receive an arc of this second installment in the series. Not at all a sophomore slump or second book syndrome here! I thought this hit a good balance of deepening the characters and our understanding of the world without dumping too much new into things. Also didn’t feel like just a bridge to more of a finale in later books but a story that could stand on its own.

Cursebound by Saraa El-Arifi is an amazing second installment in the Faebound Trilogy. I was blessed to not only read the Advanced Reader Copy of the first book, Faebound, but also now Cursebound. Huge thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey Publishers!

I feel like there is always a fear of a sophomore slump when speaking of the 2nd installment in a series, more specifically a trilogy. However, this book contained just as much magic and action as the first. Every complication of the rising action was executed beautifully. They did not only just make an exciting and fast paced story (I flew through this book and couldn’t read it fast enough!) for the singular book but it unraveled secrets from the first book and hounded me with more questions to do with the overall arch of the trilogy’s story. The politics weren’t too heavy to understand, and the plot was so mysterious and riveting.

The characters are just as loveable as ever. It was wonderful to be back in Lettle and Yeeran’s world as Elves/Faebound/Seer living in the Fae’s world. Reading this book felt like a family reunion with these characters. They are fallible characters that make mistakes yet remain loveable as we see their character arcs blossom. We meet new characters, and they are so well integrated into the story.

El-Arifi did so well in matching the tone of the first book but raising the stakes. I am blown away and cannot wait for the third book to see how this journey is resolved!

Everyone needs to preorder this book!

I really enjoyed reading this book! I was sucked in immediately and could not stop until the book was over. The plot was interesting and kept a good pace which is something I really look for in a book. Also the characters were unique and there journey kept me enticed the entire time. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

Thank you to Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I squealed when I got the email that I had gotten an ARC for Cursebound. I said at the beginning of 2024 that Faebound was going to be the best of the year, it holds true. Cursebound was such a great middle book of a trilology.

When it comes to the second books in trilogies, they can be rough. Though, El-Arifi does a wonderful job expanding the relationships, the world, and lore without adding too much. Instead of introducing more to the world, I felt like she really developed it. Like Yeeran and Lettle, we are getting more of a grasp of the world.

I LOVED the various perspectives that we get in Cursebound. Whereas Faebound stuck with the girls, as a reader when get to see many perspectives.

I’m sad I gobbled this book up in about a day and now to wait for the final book… but I am so looking forward to it(ESPECIALLY WITH THAT ENDING).

Continuing the story from Faebound of sisters Yeeran and Lettle, Cursebound boosts the world-building, escalates conflicts between fae and elves, and intensifies character development and relationships. The story reaches a nice balance of propelling the fantasy plot forward with the romantic/relationship content of a romantasy. Characters are more fleshed out than the first book making interactions interesting. The conflict between fae and elves is definitely surging and I can't wait to see how the tale ends in the third book of the trilogy.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Absolutely loved this book! It was the perfect continuation to faebound

I felt this one gave the characters more depth and growth and the world building is fantastic

I need book 3 already

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the e-ARC of Cursebound!
3.5 / 5 ⭐

Cursebound was enjoyable but did not meet the bar that Faebound set. Faebound was my top read of January 2024, but Cursebound is only a 3.5 for me. Our characters from book 1 have returned but they’re all at least a little insufferable; there is unnecessary pettiness and secrets from all sides. I’m hoping that Cursebound just got hit by middle book syndrome and the third book of the trilogy will return us to the magic of Faebound.

I liked faebound but i LOVED this. There was so much more emotion and I finally felt like the characters had personality. The world building was fantastic, as it was for faebound.