loved the relationship between characters and the bonds they had. the setting and world was very interesting and dynamic. it had so much potential but the plot and story dragged for me at times and i had to take breaks in between before i could continue. i was really looking forward to it so maybe i’ll try rereading again in the future when i’m more in the mood for this type of book.

I thought I would be able to finish this in no time, but unfortunately I had to DNF it for now. I really enjoyed the characters, and am planning to come back to this in the next month or so to see if I can finish it once I’m in a different headspace!

I own and have read other works by this author, so I was excited to get this one. First I will say that the world building, the characters, setting etc were all top notch. Where it fell short, in my opinion, was the plot and moving at a steady pace. Some parts just moved really slow for me. However, I did keep in mind that this was not a stand alone book. It was the first in a series. So I think that this first book is setting up a lot of things that will follow in the coming books. I still enjoyed it and would recommend it.

A beautifully crafted story. The journey of Lettle, Rayan, and Yeeran as characters was a joy to read.
The idea of obeah all being tied to a fae is confusing, as there were a lot of them roaming around outside of Mossima at one point. It was also a little bit of a slow starter, but by the end it all came together in a very satisfying manner with a perfect lead-out to the next book. Can’t wait to continue the series!
Thank you to the publishers for granting me this galley!

Let me preface this review by saying I did not end up being the target audience for Faebound. The synopsis on the back sounded right up my alley, and to a point, it was. Fae, elves, magic, come on!! Love all of those! I struggled to really get going in the beginning of the book. The plot was good and I enjoyed reading about a different kind of magic (drumming), and i definitely did not see the twist that happened with Rayan (OMGEEEE)!!! I did not enjoy some of the character weakness in Yeeran ( Lettle, she was AMAZING) and i did not enjoy the gender fluidity (not my thing). Overall a well written book and excellent world building.

I’m so blessed to have been able to read this arc I’m absolutely in love with this book an I’ll be recommending it to any reader, I come across

I loved the ideas in this book but there were a few things that made me love it a little less. Firstly I love a good morally grey character but at times I just found them a little annoying and the relationships to be rather rushed (yeeran and furi especially). Outside of that I loved the general plot like although I did feel that both it and the foreshadowing was very heavy handed for the first 80% of the book. The last 20% was by far my favorite. I thought it was a strong ending and although many things shook out the way I thought there was additional reveals hidden within. Overall a good story but a definite first book in the series. I hope that some of the characters will continue to develop as the series goes on and I look forward to finding out.

I absolutely loved this book. I kept putting it off because I knew I was either going to love it or hate it and I really did not want to hate it. I love the history of the world that the author has created. I liked that there were humans, elves, and fae and that they were all connected.
The relationships in the book were done very well. All 3 types of relationships, the romantic, platonic and sibling, the good and ugly were shown. This book shows what keeping secrets can do to a person. It shows that the choices that we make do not only affect us but also the ones we love and who love us.
The magic system was really cool and involved divination, battle-magic using sound, and magical connections with animals. I think that each one was explained enough for me to understand but there is room for the author to grow and expand it in future books in the series. There were animal companions tied to the magical creatures and one's blood.
This book did have some problems for me. I thought the romance happened a little too fast and the sex scenes were not bad but they were not mind blowing either. I also thought that some decisions made were a little out of character. All of these said, none of them really distracted me or brought me out of the story. I still devoured this book and wanted more when I was done.
The plot is about 2 elvan sisters being banished and finding out that the old stories of fae and humans might not be just bedtime stories. While they try to find a way to get home, secrets from the past reveal themselves and some people are not who they make themselves out to be.
I read this book in a day and as soon as I was done I wanted to read it again. I can not wait for the next book. This is a 5 STAR book for me!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this early review copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book. The fantasy world wasn't overly complicated so it was easy to get into and just relax and read. I loved the characters and their relationships. While some parts were fairly predictable, to me it wasn't a bad thing. I enjoyed it all. I cannot wait to read more and find out what happens next in the series. My one complaint for the whole book is the sex scenes. I personally don't care for romance and smut, it's not what I personally enjoy reading. But if you're going to include it don't use flowery, vague language when referencing body parts and what they're doing to each other. Those parts were fairly cringey to me. But the rest of the book, A+.

This was such a unique fantasy and I loved it. The characters were not always likable. They were flawed and complicated, but that made them so much more relatable. They didn’t always make the best choices, and were selfish. But all of those things made them seem so much more real.

The magic system and worldbuilding were one of a kind and had the complexity about them that I really enjoy in my fantasy works. I don’t think I’ve ever read about Fae, Elves, and Humans being depicted in this manner. The only thing that detracted from it was that it had a little bit of a slow pace for me at times and a few of the major plot points were predictable.

I love the emergence of mythological fantasies from other cultures besides those from the western world. El-Arifi has quickly become a favorite author for me in terms of African-inspired fantasy and I can’t wait to see how they develop further!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine/Del Rey, and Saara El-Arifi for an advanced copy of Faebound in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and Opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I feel like it could have been a bit more polished but I am looking forward to book two.

My only gripe about this book is on page 98 when Lettle is talking to Golan. She has a thought about the fae using the same plants as the elves and how they celebrate gender of choice as well. I don’t see the point of throwing that one inconsequential sentence into the book. It just made me roll my eyes a bit. (I’m not against it in life but was it really necessary to add when it does not contribute to the plot in any way?)

3⭐️2🌶️

I want to thank Random House Publishing Group, Saara El-Arifi and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. It was a unique story line. I wish I had liked it more.

I feel like I should start with my usual warnings. There are some detailed love scenes between both M/F and F/F. It also has several non-binary characters. With only a couple f words thrown in there.

That being said my thoughts on the book itself are a mixture of hey that makes me want to know what happens next and bewildered if I really want to read what is next. Hence the 3 stars. The story line between the characters seemed to jump from hate and curiosity to lovers instantly. Maybe that is because time jumped a lot but it didn’t have the flow I believe books should have if you want readers to see the characters grow.

It felt weird to image a drum used over and over again as a weapon. Its real imagery wasn’t detailed but Yeeran carried it a lot. How big is this drum if she has it on herself but her hand has to skim around it. Doesn’t it bang on her back when she rides? Is it the size of her palm or the size of her head? Does everyone in the war use one because it was referenced that more people do but we never hear of that again? Why is Yeeran’s story line have so much more presence over her sister’s?

Too many gaps to fully enjoy but also too much time focused on the physical intimacy when I feel that time could have been to building up the gaps instead.

I’m shocked this book doesn’t have at least 4.5 stars. The idea was really great. I think the execution could have some fine tuning regards to setting. It was a little hard to picture. I do read like a movie is playing in my head, so when I can’t visualize the setting as well it’s hard to picture therefore, harder to read. The main sisters were great and their banter stayed true to what sisters would be like. It definitely set the tone for the next book and left you with several questions. There were parts that felt a little rushed, so I would love if the second one spent some more time not only on the setting, but battles or fights. It left a little to be desired. It didn’t make me cry or feel like my heart was breaking for any character even though I truly liked most of them. The idea of the obeah was brilliant. They seemed cool yet terrifying and almost angelic the way the were described. I did not think I’d use those words together to describe a creature, so this was a huge plus sign. Honestly the obeah idea with twists and turns made the book to me. The idea of three kingdoms (fae, human, and elves) intrigued me. Then knowing the elves were at war within themselves also made it interesting. There’s magic, war brewing, and I sense betrayals in the future.

This book is a solid 4 star for me because it didn’t make me feel all the emotions I wanted as a reader. I want to be so excited to turn the page my hands fumble. I want to cry and cheer for my favorite character(s). I just didn’t feel that way here, but this book is so unique with lots of cool concepts and good writing that it deserves a four star. I’m excited for the next book and I feel like it’s set up that we readers will have a roller coaster of emotions. I recommend this book to all who love awesome creatures, elves, fae, and magic.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to Saara El-Arifi and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

First of all, the cover for this book is GORGEOUS.

This book is listed as a fantasy romance, and I really enjoyed the fantasy aspect of this book. I loved the prophecy/divination aspect, I liked that the prophecies were clear enough that you could figure them out before the characters pieced everything together but also difficult enough you had to learn things along with the characters before they made sense. I also loved the faebound concept and how unique the magic and language of this world were. The initial twists and reveals about the world and what the characters believed to be true were incredibly well done.

In terms of romance, I felt like this book fell flat. All the main romances were instalove with no buildup or chemistry. A lot of the characters in general just felt really similar, making it hard to feel connected to any of them.

I really enjoyed that this book did not do the stereotypical "main character is the most important and special person ever" trope. That was a breath of fresh air.

Overall, as a fantasy this was a really fun and unique read. As a fantasy romance, it fell flat. I am interested to see where this story is going and will definitely be reading the next book, this book kind of felt like an extended prologue but it did set up what I feel will be a really fascinating story in a very fascinating world.

As a fantasy novel with a diverse LGBTQIA+ BIPOC cast, complete with a guide to each character's gender identity and their pronouns, this novel is going to be a game changer and trailblazer for the genre.
This novel follows two sisters: a general in the elven army and a seer. When Yeeran follows a prophecy set forth by her sister, Lettle, she sets into motion a chain of events that results in the capture by the long-forgotten fae community. This storyline follows their adaptation into fae society, the prejudice they face as elves, and their plan to escape and return to their fellow elves.
I loved the unique magic system, and the plot twists kept me on my toes. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of Faebound!

I enjoyed this read so much, a solid 4.5 stars, truly almost perfect. The BIPOC and queer representation alone make this great, but it stands on its own as a beautiful high fantasy. The world building was incredibly well done and the magic system is so fun. And oh my god the end??? I was shooketh.

READ THIS BOOK!

I'm so torn on this one. It was a pretty high-ranking anticipated read for the year for me and I'm left feeling somewhat underwhelmed. Plot wise, we start out pretty strong and the potential to just absolutely rock out a killer storyline with powerful characters, drama, and big emotion was right there.

I think what fell flat for me was the characters and their growth. Reactions to some pretty big and key moments were glossed over, the complacency at times. It made it difficult to really embrace and care for the characters when it came across that they themselves didn't care about their own happenings. Coming from war and a tense climate was left forgotten as the transition to a new world of comfort and safety. Where was the resolution or drive to literally do anything to fight?

The fantasy, the lore, the representation in this are all amazing bones for this and I did love so much of it. There's such promise and I'll be following along for more in hopes that the fleshing of the plot deepens and the characters win me over in the future.

I both enjoyed this book and the fantasy escape it gave me, but also had a lot that I didn't enjoy about it and kept finding myself wanting to think critically towards. The romance was.... not my favorite unfortunately, I didn't connect with either characters and had no interest in where the romance would go or if it even did go. The world building and the lore and storyline was very interesting and kept me reading!

Thank you, Netgalley for allowing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I knew about 5 chapters in this was going to be epic, and I was right. I loved everything about this book. It has a great pace and information is given to you in bits rather than a dump. The characters are well rounded and all have a purpose to the story. I also enjoy stories with prophecies because they mean nothing at first and then slowly you start to put pieces together, or you end up being totally wrong haha.

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi promises an intoxicating world where elves, fae, and humans collide, but I was not pulled under this story’s spell. I liked the premise overall, and think that some cool, hard-earned reveals could have made this story pack a punch, but the execution was lacking. The story’s biggest weakness is that it likes to overshare, and it sucked out all the magic of the interesting and colorful world.

Yeeran dons her new colonel uniform and prepares for another day on the Bleeding Field. Her regiment belongs to the Waning tribe and is one of many elvish clans fighting over a piece of land harboring a priceless power resource. But before Yeeran begins her daily mission, her little sister and diviner in training imparts an optimistic prophecy suggesting Yeeran will find success in the East. But this peaceful and happy moment together will be one of their last as fate begins to twist Yeeran’s and Lettle’s path. The sisters will stumble into the fae who have not been seen for centuries. Now prisoners in an unknown world, the sisters’ beliefs will unravel as they encounter hard truths about the world and their role in it.

One thing that becomes immediately clear in Faebound is that every character’s emotions are sitting at the surface. Their thoughts and feelings are constantly bubbling over and being revealed. It’s crystal clear who hates who, who has fallen head over heels in love, and who we should be wary of immediately. While this overt expression supports the fast-moving plot, it did take away from my experience with the story. The relationships between characters felt shallow because there was no room to explore complicated situations or develop a connection with anyone when everything was said upfront and in the open. It felt incongruous to have such simple, easily accessible emotions in an intense plot with difficult, intense situations. The text treats the reader like a child going through a picture book of emotions.

This oversharing spills over into the worldbuilding as well. Yeeran and Lettle are in a precarious situation living among enemies. The majority of the fae are delighted in their imprisonment and even more are plotting the elf sisters’ swift deaths. Yet every question that Yeeran and Lettle ask about the fae and their world is answered with almost no hesitation. It’s like this was the only way to divulge information and build up the world around Yeeran and Lettle. The fae language is hard to learn and the sisters are isolated and scorned, so there’s no other way to fill in the gaps and move the story along. Like the characters’ emotions, the fae’s secrets are spilled so easily that the knowledge doesn’t feel earned or important.

I would not say romance is THE element of Faebound, but it’s prevalent for both sisters and their unfolding love story with their desired person was awkward. I first want to say that the book opens with Yeeran in a long-term relationship that is interesting. I liked the dynamic between Yeeran and Salawa, and the quick view I got of the pair gave me hope for the story’s romantic thread. Yet, that all falls apart rather quickly once Yeeran’s exile occurs, and that goes for Lettle’s romantic dalliance, too. Because emotions are ever present, the progression and regression between characters happen quickly which makes the romance clunky and unrealistic.

An interesting world, characters, and plot are gracing the pages of Faebound by Saara El-Arifi, but the way the story develops is not to my taste. I got too tripped up on the emotional bursts and awkward dialogue to fully enjoy it, but hey, the story has a fast-moving plot that could probably keep a reader entertained if they’re really curious.

Rating: Faebound - 4.5/10