*3.5 stars*

*Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group for providing a digital copy to review*

I started reading this as soon as I finished Faebound and it felt like a seamless transition which was great.

The world-building is still so fascinating. Learning more about the history of the Fae, Elves, and Humans as well as the curse that keeps the Fae trapped underground and at the mercy of the ruling family. It was also fascinating to see how intertwined Rayan and Furi are with the land and the consequences that occur when they leave.

This book once again has multiple POVs and we now get Furi’s as well as Alder, who is a new character. I found Alder very interesting, from being one of the nomad Elves to somehow perhaps being the key to the freedom of the Fae thanks to Lettle’s prophecy. Lettle’s gift is both amazing and infuriating, especially since I am no good with riddles.

This book really put the two couples through a couple of tense situations and they tend to do the thing that really infuriates me. THEY DO NOT TALK TO EACH OTHER. Omg just talk, please.

While I enjoyed this book the plot structure kind of felt a bit repetitive from the first book. Especially with the reveal of who was trying to kill Lettle. The ending, with the major reveal of information relating to the obeah, was amazing and it made me so excited for the next book.

I was gifted an ARC by NetGalley. I loved the first book in this trilogy and the second did not disappoint. We pick up right where we left off, but there are plenty of new obstacles for our main characters. I love the way the recap came in as it had been awhile since I read the first book. It was informative without recalling everything from the first book. All the new things we learn in this book down to the last chapter kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for the final book to come out!

Cursebound is a decent yet somewhat uneven sequel to Faebound - suffering slightly from the dreaded second-book syndrome but still managing to hold my interest. Picking up where the first book left off, Yeeran and Lettle are no longer captives of the fae, but their struggles are far from over. Yeeran, ever the warrior, finds herself caught between love and duty, torn between the Queen of the fae and her former lover, who now leads an army against them. Meanwhile, Lettle is determined to break the fae’s ancient curse, convinced that a mysterious stranger holds the key—if only the Fates that once guided her would speak again.

While I still love the world-building and much of the cast, this installment felt more disjointed than its predecessor. The plot meandered in places, and character development took a frustrating step backward—especially with Lettle, who was borderline insufferable throughout. The pacing dragged at times, and the supposed big twist was predictable from early on. That being said, the book wasn’t without its highlights. The expansion of the world and Nomad elven tribe was fascinating, and Alder, the standout new addition to the cast, absolutely stole the show.

Despite my frustrations, I remain invested in the series and am eager to see how everything concludes in the final book. Hopefully, it delivers the payoff this story deserves!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This was a really good "keep on your toes" installment in this trilogy. I loved how the author shares at the beginning of her end notes that the second book is always the hardest to write and I think it was really well done.

While predictable in some instances I felt like the world building was really well done and we got just enough meat that I will be on my toes for the next one.

The story follows Yeeran and Lettle who are both trying to navigate their new roles and responsibilities due to the discoveries that were made in book 1. I felt the character development was still good AND we get to meet another VERY interesting character that will play a KEY role in the next one.

Content wise: open door and queer friendly with some language (not much).

I enjoyed Faebound, so I've been looking forward to the next book in the series. I was excited to get a chance to read Cursebound early and I'm happy to report that the follow-up is just as much fun as the first book!

Like with the first book in the trilogy, many twists and turns make this book feel exciting and fast-paced. The plot moves quickly which makes it so easy to get absorbed in.

Cursebound also introduces new characters to the series. One of the most important new characters is Adler, a great addition to the story who plays a pivotal role in one ongoing plot. Familiar characters get some interesting development too, of course.

While the two main pairings spend small portions of the book apart, there's still lots of love and focus on each relationship. Yeeran/Furi and Rayan/Lettle have some big highs and lows in this installment! There is also a new relationship involving a supporting character and Adler that I adore! It doesn't get as much focus as the other two couples but the time we spend with them is lovely. I hope we see more of their burgeoning romance in the next book.

Cursebound ends with several issues looming and many characters unsettled. It sets up what is sure to be an exciting conclusion for this series. Book #3 can't come soon enough for me!

This is nothing I love more than a little gay fantasy story. I was a worried the second book wouldn’t live up to the hype but it absolutely did.

Big changes in Mosima have called for lots of adjustments. Yeeran has left to go warn her old tribe of pending dangers and runs into a strange group of nomads on the way. After her exile, she receives a less than warm welcome on return to the Waning tribe. Furi is adjusting to being a ruler while also dealing with the pangs that have come with Yeeran’s absence. Lettle is adjusting to the royal life alongside Rayan, but it seems the fae are not adjusting to accept her. After an assassination attempt meant for Lettle that ends up harming Rayan, she undertakes a journey alongside Golan to begin tracking down a way to break this curse on the land that binds Rayan and Furi to Mosima. But are the assassination attempts and strange happenings bound to something bigger than prejudice towards the elves?

Sara El-Arifi’s world-building is incredibly descriptive. The way she weaves so many storylines into one and connects even the seemingly smallest details to the plot is satisfying and adds an element of intrigue to the story. An incredible second book and next step in the trilogy!

Cursebound is the second installment of the Faebound trilogy by Saara El-Arifi and releases in the US tomorrow!
This book picks back up where Faebound left off and our group of new friends is working on breaking the Fae curse. We learn more about Mosima and the magic and lore of the lands. The author also introduces themes of segregation and class systems through the lightless Fae. We start to see more of their struggles and how the government might face a rebellion from the lightless.
With new dangers, new faces, and crazy new plot twists, this book is a must check out!

This was a fast read for me and the writing kept me interested throughout the book.
Thank you NetGalley and random house publishing for the e-arc

I was nervous going into this as it can be tough to follow amazing first books in a series (especially trilogies), but I really didn’t need to worry as I had just as much fun with Cursebound as I did Faebound.

I find Saara El-Arifi’s prose beautiful but also so easy to follow, which makes the worlds she creates even more immersive. Cursebound manages to navigate continuing the arcs of the characters and plot lines I loved in the first book, whilst also adding new elements to keep things exciting. Add in a brilliantly diverse cast of characters both new and old, and I was hooked!

The pacing was perfect, I don’t think there was a single aspect that was lingered on for too long, or not long enough. It was just so well thought out and put together and I can’t wait for the conclusion of this amazing series!

OMG, I really love this trilogy.
The emotional tension between Yeeran and Lettle is one of the most powerful elements of the novel. The two sisters, though bound by strong family ties, are divided by internal conflicts that make them complex and fascinating characters. Yeeran is forced to confront her duty in the war and a love that weakens her, while Lettle battles a curse threatening their world. The author explores these dynamics deeply, giving voice to each character so their struggles feel visceral and credible.

The setting, rich with Afro-Arabian cultural influences, breathes fresh life into the plot, with details that not only enrich the context but also carry symbolic weight. The story intertwines with references to legends, traditions, and practices that give the narrative emotional depth and originality that stands out in the fantasy genre.

Another strength is the handling of romantic dynamics, which are well-integrated into the story without overshadowing the core of the plot. The LGBTQ+ representation, in particular, is treated with respect and without stereotypes, which I find especially commendable in a genre that doesn't always provide adequate visibility.

The conclusion, meanwhile, is breathtaking—a twist that changes everything and leaves the reader eager to discover how the story will unfold. The book ends with a tension that promises an even more thrilling and surprising next chapter.

I eagerly awaited Cursebound, and it's given me much to consider. I appreciated the recap to start out. Given the complex narrative and history laden plot. The prologue was succinct, adding context and closing out all those questions I was absolutely going to be asking myself halfway through the book. The multiple point of views drew me into characters and kept me engaged. Overall, Curesebound felt like a steady addition to Faebound.

If fantasy is your game I would recommend this one as an interesting and lush story, set up for the person who wants less to focus on the romance and more on the political implication of love. With relationships that feel a lot like holding your breath, this one's for the world builders.

Cursebound
3⭐️3🌶️

Fantasy
Fae
🏳️‍🌈 Main Characters
Older fmc’s
Dual POV
BIPOC
War
Unique Magic System
Sister story
Disability rep
Animal familiars
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ normative societies


The recap was definitely needed, and I think it was executed really well! I loved the unique approach of presenting it as a journal entry from one of the characters. It added a clever, personal touch that made the recap feel more engaging and immersive. However, I do feel that there could have been a bit more effort put into rebuilding the world and reintroducing key elements of the setting. While the recap set up some foundation, I think for readers coming back after a break from the first book, the transition into the second book might feel a little abrupt without enough of the worldbuilding being revisited.

Additionally, there seems to be a slight disconnect between the narration and the characters’ internal dialogue. The narration at times feels a bit detached from their personal perspectives, which might make it harder to fully connect with their emotions and motivations. It’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, but I think more consistency in aligning the internal dialogue with the characters’ actions and emotions would help make them feel more authentic and relatable.

As for the characters themselves, they were fine. They had their moments, but I didn’t feel as deeply invested in them as I had hoped. They served their roles in the plot, but I think there could have been more depth to really make them stand out.

The foreshadowing, unfortunately, felt a little too heavy-handed at times. Many of the plot twists were fairly easy to predict, which made the story feel less suspenseful and exciting when they finally played out. A bit more subtlety in the foreshadowing might have helped build more tension and kept readers on their toes.

On a more positive note, I find myself increasingly drawn to the historical implications of the elf, fae, and human races. The slow unraveling of their past and the intricate dynamics between them have really captured my interest. At this point, I find myself more engaged with the worldbuilding and the lore behind these races than with the relationships between the characters. There’s definitely potential there for deeper exploration, and I’m curious to see how that aspect of the story develops.

Faebound- 3.75⭐️3🌶️
Cursebound- 3⭐️3🌶️

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Del Rey for the Advanced eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi has excellent characters, development, magic and lore.
I’m definitely going to have to read her previous titles

Faebound captured my imagination, and Cursebound kept its grip tight and secure - the worldbuilding is one of El-Arifi's many talents, along with characters I can get invested in and a plot that keeps surprising me.

Also, big magical kitties.

Elven sisters Yeeran and Lettle may be very different from each other, but their relentless determination to do the right thing is a shared trait. Yeeran has a new lover, the queen of the fae, but now has to go deal with her old lover who wants to start a war. I mean, we've all been there, right? Meanwhile, Lettle is left behind once more, but is struggling with her seer abilities - or rather, the lack of them.

Also, big magical kitties.

The court politics and machinations made me not trust anyone. ANYONE! And I kind of wish the sisters had done the same but I totally get it, you want to trust someone amidst all this unrest. And that cliffhanger? Oh my goodness.

Also, big magical kitties.

I can't wait for the last installment in this trilogy!

4.5 Overall - better than the first! Go grab it.

Second book syndrome WHERE. I got this as an arc. I read the first book and was intrigued. It was good fun storytelling (even if people fall for their partners hilariously quickly). But this sequel?!

Cursebound picks up right where the first book leaves off. Does it even stumble??? NO. The absolutely most insane execution of foreshadowing and use of previously mentioned lore and information. There information and details from the first book being pulled in, little information drops that make you think “neato” no. Not neato IMPORTANT.

I cannot begin to describe the wild ride this book takes you on from beginning to end. Little goes through the wringer. Is it a lil melodramatic? Yes. Is is fun? Also yes. The interpersonal relationships are explored a lil bit and you can see it’s not just blind “I fell for them” which is really interesting.

Now THAT is how you avoid a book-2-in-a-trilogy slump, Saara El-Arifi!

Cursebound was completely captivating from beginning to end. I love these characters so much, and a few more were added since Faebound, which made this a pleasure to read on multiple levels. Yeeran and Lettle are all grown up, each on their own paths that often overlap but rarely conjoin. This sets them up for new tensions and pressures in their relationship with one another that gives them a nuanced sister dynamic that ebbs and flows with their life experiences. Furi and Rayan were more present and I adored getting into their heads more. Golan was just as charming as he was in Faebound, but he also feels a lot more grown up and subdued in Cursebound, which meant we got to learn more about his backstory which was nice. Alder was a phenomenal addition to this cast of characters, and within a book of many twists and turns, I completely did not see the twists and turns concerning him coming—and they were flawlessly executed.

El-Arifi's writing is still as eloquent and engaging as it was in Faebound, but it is also sharper. The already expansive world feels more developed, the dynamics more high-stakes, the violence more violent, the love more loving. In a way, Cursebound takes all of the mild resistances I had in Faebound—such as understanding drum magic and the origin of obeahs—and not only develops each in turn, it makes both feel like I'd been wrong, so to speak, not to catch on in the first place. As a reader who often can see the trajectory of a novel or series from the start, this was such a treat.

Once again, I feel like I can't go too much in depth without risking spoilers. All I can say is if you want to take a chance on a queernormative world with Black elves and fae, adorable yet badass familiars, incredible political intrigue, war, and revolution, this series is the one to journey with!

5 ⭐️s
1 🌶️
🚨 Pub Date: 2/18/25
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

This was a great follow-up to Faebound. I loved the additional POVs (four total) and the direction the story is taking. I did guess the big twists pretty early on and still loved it. Definitely recommend for any romantasy lover.

I really enjoyed the unique world of Faebound and was excited to dive back into it almost a year later. The mystery of the world and how it has come to be what it is really drew me in while reading Faebound and as that was explored even more in Cursebound, I was delighted to discover the lore and see the mystery deepen. I think this is the best version of Fae mixed into a world where they once lived with humans and elves.

The yearning between Yeeran and Furi and the passion between Rayan and Lettle are so well done all while mixing a new relationship into the mix between two characters that become pretty important to the plot. El-Arifi knows how to bring characters together in such natural ways that even when the world yells at them to stay apart, they still feel so right together.

The middle book in a trilogy is a hard place to be - you spend part of the book reminding readers where you've been and the rest of the book plotting for an epic wrap up in Book 3. Cursebound definitely doesn't suffer a sophomore slump, but it does battle with the right pacing of what has been and what will be.

Cursebound returns us to the magic world of Mosima, where our two Elven sisters - Yeeran and Lettle - have bonded themselves to the world of the fae in a multitude of ways. Driven by peace and a desire to break the curse that bounds the Fae to their land - our protagonists seek to end the great war, resolve injustices, and still build the love stories that have opened their eyes to a new world. Can the sisters forge peace between the fae and the elves, and what about the third tribe -- the humans?

The Faebound trilogy is truly unlike anything I've ever read - and the world building, sapphic love story, and ability to bounce around in POV is unmatched, but I did struggle with the pacing in the second iteration of this series. The good news? It's full of great tension, plot twists, and the beautiful world of Mosima. The bad news? I missed the beauty of the drum magic, the uncovering of the mysticism of the obeah, and the building romance. (I'm definitely more a romanatasy girl than a fantasy girl.) That being said, I can't wait until the culmination of this series. El-Arifi gives us a beautiful world to play in, and I know the ending will be the perfect bookend of our journey in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own and freely given.

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