I did not finish this book. I have revisited it on multiple occasions to give it a fair shot, but have not been able to get past the first 2-3 chapters. There is nothing specific that I do not particularly like, it just did not hook me in the first few chapters and I have been quite the mood reader these last few months. I have, however, recommended this to various friends who are hardcore fantasy girlies based on the synopsis alone!

Thank you to Del Rey for the advanced reader copy.

DNF 9% in.

I was really excited for this book and I may come back to it eventually but it was a really slow start which isn’t what I am into right now. I think the world building was interesting but it didn’t keep my attention recently and just wasn’t for me. Overall I get why people like this one and may give it a second try but I haven’t been motivated to continue it past where I was.

This was not what I was expecting but I still think it was a great fantasy romance and I will be recommending in book talks and recommendations.

Complex world building and an original magic system set this fae fantasy apart.

Recommended for readers who enjoy high romantasy sprinkled with court intrigue or those wanting to broaden their romantasy reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House [Del Rey] for a chance to read "Faebound" by Saara El-Arifi. I loved this book so much that I bought the Fairy Loot edition. It is beautiful and one of my favorite books that I own. It is queer, high fantasy filled, and so much fun! I will recommend this to anyone and won't stop doing so., It has mythology, war politics, animal friends, romance, magic, and gorgeous imagery! There's twists and it will have you reading through it fast. I cannot wait for the next one!

Loved this book. Good fantasy and storyline. I would definitely recommend to fantasy lovers. Elf falls in love with her captor fae after being kicked out of the war ranks for insubordination

A unique and beautiful story. The mysteries were engaging and well developed. I found all the characters extremely likable and complex. I am excited to see the plot deepen over the rest of the series now that I have a strong understanding of the characters. I have to admit, the original world building was a little weak which made it difficult for me to connect, but it is so worth it in the end. I am curious to learn more about the homeland and see how the characters view it through new eyes.

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for sending me a copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

I am so mad...at myself for putting this book off for so long. It ended up being one that I read in 2 sittings flat and still wanted more when I was finished. From the worldbuilding and uniqueness of it to the characters becoming so beloved in such a short amount of time, this was a book that had literally everything I love and more besides.

I don't even know how to break down exactly what I loved about the book because I really think I truly loved everything. There's very sweet romance, there's angsty romance, there's plot twists that you won't see coming, there's amazing disability representation, there's older characters who find themselves on an epic journey. There's a magical world unlike any that you've read before. There's journeys of self-discovery and love alongside journeys of betrayal and pain.

It truly has it all, and I cannot wait to get more from this world and El-Arifi!

Unfortunately I couldn't finish this one. I didn't feel connected to the characters at all and the story wasn't pulling me in after 20%.

This book was very adventurous and romantic, and while I really love fae-focused fantasy and LGBT love stories, I had a hard time staying interested in this one. Pacing felt like it dragged a bit in the middle. Still, I enjoyed it!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this early copy. I’m terminally late so I borrowed the finished audiobook from my library. I love the narrator chosen for this book. She’s so good. I really liked the world building. I couldn’t wait to learn more about the different peoples and their practices. I liked the characters too, the were distinct and mostly easy to root for. It took me a while to feel the connection with the f/f romance, but I liked the m/f right away. I will recommend this one in the future.

Faebound has a beautiful cover. I just couldn’t connect with this book. It was hard keeping up with all of the characters and also it just felt like something was missing. This one disappointed me.
Thank you NetGalley

I was a little disappointed in this book. It is the first in a new series, Faebound. I thought the relationship between the sisters would be more prevalent but it was more about the war and the various kingdoms.

This was a very middle-of-the-road book for me--not great, not awful. Unfortunately, it fell flat in comparison to my expectations. I was kind of bored and felt like the writing style was too clunky for me to really get into the story. The premise seemed interesting and something I would typically pick up. I love getting into books about the Fae, war, politics, and especially family ties. I just didn't care about these characters or their journey. Again, not terrible, just did not hook me.

I'm absolutely in love with the plethora of Middle Eastern fantasies I've been exposed to recently, this book not least among them. Rich with culture and history, I believe that this is a great way to engage otherwise forgotten voices into a genre that is predominantly white.

This book was a bit of a slow start for me as I wasn't immediately invested in the characters. It took a few chapters before it gained some momentum and more interest from me, but I did end up enjoying it a bit more. The book cover is gorgeous.

A spellbinding journey that fantasy lovers will relish. This is an enchanting and captivating read that nearly reaches perfection, earning a well-deserved 4.5 stars. El-Arifi's world-building is nothing short of spectacular, immersing readers in a richly detailed and vibrant fae realm that feels both magical and perilous. The characters are wonderfully complex and relatable, each with their own distinct voices and compelling backstories that drive the narrative forward. The plot is engaging and filled with unexpected twists, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. While the pacing occasionally lags in parts, the overall storytelling is strong, and El-Arifi's lyrical prose adds an extra layer of allure to the tale.

I could not finish this book. For me, there was too much jumping around between characters. It was hard to follow what was actually happening. And after learning the correct pronunciation of the FMC's name, it was difficult for me to continue reading.

Cringy love/romance, tge writing felt off? Robotic , lacking feeling? I had a hard time connecting. It had some fun, redeeming parts, but was overall not something I’d recommend

Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The cover is so pretty!

I’m just not impressed. I feel like the world she created is great but it seems more like a YA book to me than adult. I think this could have been a fantastic book but it just seems like she didn’t put the effort to give the characters any real depth. I feel like I’m reading more of a rough outline of what the books going to be rather than a finished and edited book.