AHHHHHH!!!!! I loved every part of this, from the magical creatures to the angst to the tension. I appreciated the facets to every character and how and why each of them made the decisions they did. I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was so excited when I saw that I got the arc for this book from NetGalley !! This was such a fun read !! Really enjoyed the world building and the characters. I do feel like parts were definitely rushed and the book could have been much longer, but overall it was still a fun ride and I’m excited to see where the rest of the trilogy goes.

If I didn’t commit to write a review for this, I would have stopped reading after one chapter. This was a rough one. The writing didn’t seem to flow at all and the characters confused me. The main character had a problem with her lover because they couldn’t agree on whether or not child soldiers were okay? And they were together for 15 years? I feel like there was a vague hint of a story but it felt like notes I would take when I was coming up with world-building before I was able to flesh it all out. I had a rough time with this one.

Tik tok burned me. I kept seeing this was “the fantasy book of 2024” and I’m thinking now that was clever marketing instead of sincere reviews.

I received this book from net galley on exchange for a review.

Faebound 3.75⭐️ 3🌶️

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


The magic system was very interesting, I really loved the familiars the fae have. So many good quotes come from Pila, who is a familiar, innocently with true intention.

I found the worldbuilding to be a little slow. The foreshadowing was very heavy, so I wasn’t thrown for a loop when the big twists came.

The plot really dragged. I wish that there was a little bit more angst than just someone refusing to interact with the other and calling it romantic tension. The cast of main characters are all 28 and older, but the inner monologues are very juvenile. It made it harder for me to read, I think.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the Advanced eReader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

From the first page I was captivated by the setting, the characters, description of their appearances and the inclusivity. It was beautifully written and unique. I enjoyed that they equality of the characters was done in a way that did not feel forced. Rather, it flowed with ease as a part of the story.

For the storyline itself, it started as more of a military fantasy but then switched over to more of a romance.
Overall, the story had great a great premise and what could be a potentially great trilogy. However, about 25% into the book I felt that the characters lost my attention. I enjoyed the sibling relationship but as separate people they could have been much more. I did not particularly enjoy Yeeran describing her initial love interest but then so easily moved on with the prior still in her thoughts. The relationship between Nettle and Rayan felt rushed and they could have had better chemistry. I also felt that the prophecies Nettle had throughout the story gave away too much of how it would end.
I did love the interactions between the characters and the Obeah. It added a fun quality to the premise.

Overall, the story is good and I am in hopes that it is a good starter to a potentially great storyline in its sequels.
I would recommend this to those who are looking for a unique set of characters set in a beautiful world.

I adored world-building and the magic system. The cast of characters was so diverse and I absolutely loved the animal characters, especially Obeah.
The story has love, family relationship/loss, war, murder mystery, so many great elements!
So many things left with open ending, that I can't wait for a second book!
4.25/5

This wholly unique story about humans, fae, and elves captured me from first page to last page. The writing style is truly unique and original in use. The characters are flawed, rich, bold, interesting, and unexpected. I cannot wait for the next book in this series because the first book is quite the page turner. Until next time Happy Reading!

I would like to thank Del Rey for this ARC via Netgalley.

I'm almost mad that I read this, because the wait for the next book is going to be so long.

The elves think the humans and fae are gone, and the fight a never ending war amongst themselves. When Yeeran is exiled, her sister goes after her. In the wilderness they stumble into trouble that will lead them to the truths they didn't know they needed.

Things I liked:
-the multiple romances MF and FF
-I didn't get that new fantasy world confusion, it all just clicked for me with this
-inclusion of many different kinds of people and relationships, and everyone was just normal
-pov of 2 sisters
-animal companions
-strong women characters

Things that were less great:
-some things were predictable, but then again some things weren't and I was a bit shocked at one point
-I'm not sure I understand the magic system, but maybe I missed/forgot something, or we could go more in depth in the next books.

I'm very excited to see how the characters and story develop in the next two books and only wish I didn't have to wait to read more.

5 stars=I almost called in sick to work to finish this and I can see myself reading again.

5/5 stars

Faebound is a riveting, exhilarating read that compels you to fully engross yourself within its grasp from the first page to the last.

I devoured this in one setting, and I can confidently say this will be in the top fantasy category for 2024. Every character you meet on the page instantly has you wanting to learn more about them. Saara El-Arifi has a way with words-- there were so many quotes that stuck with me throughout my reading journey.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the dual POVs. I tend to prefer one lead over the other, but Yeeran and Lettle are such compelling characters that I was fully invested in their respective journeys. (And I can't wait to see what happens next!)

The representation, lore, and world-building are written so well. This was such a refreshing read that I can't gush over it enough. Also, the animal companions were such a wonderful surprise... I want them all!

I'm counting down the days until the next installment and can’t wait to re-immerse myself in this world.

*Thank you to the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my unbiased opinion and is given with free will. *

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing and eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’d heard some hype about this book and was super excited to get into this story, particularly because you don’t see so many Black, female authors centered in fantasy. Right off the bat I enjoyed the change of scenery and mythology the African-inspired fantasy world El-Arifi attempted to craft. But new scenery and the description of Mosima, home of the fae, were probably the most interesting parts of the story for me. While I found the premise of Faebound intriguing and full of potential (I particularly loved the prologue!), it didn’t quite hit the mark it was aiming for.

Beyond the general descriptions of the land and animals, much of the context and world-building was flat. A lot of the plot was also predictable for me. What did not feel predictable felt a little forced, rushed, or out of place (specifically the lovers’ relationships). While there was one twist near the end of the book that I did not expect, many times I could tell when details were being laid in specifically for a “plot twist” later in the story. This book could have been improved in my eyes by leaving one or two of the reveals - particularly the one at the very end involving Lettle’s past - for the next book. This could have made me feel more eager to read on.

Based on the book’s description, I was also really looking forward to an adventure shared by two elven sisters exiled from their tribe, but I felt Yeeran and Lettle merely rode separate plot camels to the same resolution. A lot of their dialogue was cold and uninteresting. The writing did not do much to make me care about their relationship or the fate of their homeland. Maybe a first person POV could have helped in this department? Maybe not.

Finally, I am a sucker for human-animal bonds! However, the soul connections between the characters and their Obeah in this book fell short of what I hoped for. Fourth Wing’s dragon-rider connections and the dæmons in His Dark Materials probably spoiled me on this front.

Still, I found this book entertaining at least, and will probably give the second book in the series a chance to see if the story will improve now that much of the world-building is out of the way and certain relationships are established. Perhaps the stakes will feel higher in the sequel!

This book! This is the book I needed to get out of a reading slump!

We follow 2 sisters finding out what they thought were only myths are real and discover love along the way.

Now I was a little worried that this would be a very war / political based book, but it was balanced well and wasn’t overwhelming learning about multiple different political systems. OH and did I mention it’s LGBTQ+ and like in multiple ways!! Sapphic and not gender normative, it’s great. The sapphic spicy scenes weren’t my favorite, I was fine with them until I read other spicy scenes that felt much more detailed than the sapphic ones. It was fairly obvious in how the story was going to go but I didn’t expect the last big twist so that was appreciative. If you are looking for an adult fantasy book that reads like an adult fantasy book then this is probably not it, it definitely had a YA vibe to it despite the characters being in their upper 20s. The sibling dynamic between the two main characters reads as they never aged past like 17 and had a lot of bickering and a big exclamation “revealed” (kinda knew it the whole time). As much as things bothered me, I just couldn’t put the book down but also didn’t want to pick it up because then it would end sooner. If I wasn’t reading at least a page a day I don’t know when I would have finished it just out of not wanting it to end.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing me an ARC!

Can you both dislike the main characters and greatly enjoy a book? In this case, the answer is yes.

I was so excited for this book. A new series and a new world by an author I adore? I couldn't wait. And I don't believe I was disappointed. I enjoyed the worldbuilding, the magic system, the folklore. And even though at times I could predict some of what would happen (but that is the point when you have a diviner giving out prophecies!) I greatly enjoyed the story and every twist it entailed.

Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan of either Yeeran or Lettle. But I believe their growth is coming in the next book. In this one, I found them quite irritating, but the story was so enjoyable I easily saw past that. I also realize that this could easily be just me and others will enjoy them immensely.

I highly recommend this book.

This may be my favorite read of the year. The story is so well written. The plot and story move along quickly. Things are explained in concise ways and shown on the page while avoiding large vats of info dumping. I am so excited to follow this series along!

“Yeerans sight went inwards as she imagined the creatures thundering through the forest, their white horns slicing through the foliage, their feline forms slipping past trees with the ease of ink on paper. But now the ink had all but dried up, as they had been hunted to near extinction for their magic.”

Easily my favorite quote in the entire book and a fantastic snap shot of the beautiful story telling El-Arifi weaves. Highly recommend!

Faebound follows two elven sisters: Yeeran, a high ranking member of her people’s military, and Lettle, a diviner. After one mistake, Yeeran is vanquished from her people. What follows is a journey where it is revealed that everything in Yeeran’s world is not as it is to be believed.

Faebound has been such a delightful read! The world truly had me spellbound. A lot of similar novels that I have read lacked the world building that is present in Faebound. The application of divination was very well done. I loved the addition that the Obeah brought to the story. The relationship felt somewhat similar to those of the dragons in Fourth Wing. However, I felt that there was a much more emotional connection in Faebound with the Obeah, than that of the dragons in Fourth Wing.

Overall, Saara El-Arifi wrote an intriguing word that almost jumped off of the page. I found myself wanting to know more and more, and will most definitely be reading the subsequent books.

P.S. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I would be remiss to not mention how beautiful the Faebound cover is.

Overall I really enjoyed this one! This is my first book by this author and won’t be my last.

We have an elven land and a fae land and so many interesting DIVERSE characters, both human and animal, between the two. The world building and magic systems were GORGEOUS. I want to be living in that fae land right now. I also want an Obeah, I loved them!

This story brings us conflict and war, loss, murder, royalty, family dynamics, magic, love, and a few very spicy scenes.

I loved the inclusivity in this book, various gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, skin colors, etc.

This book felt a bit more YA, in writing style, than adult to me. I do feel like the romance aspects were a bit rushed and could have been more thoroughly developed/ explored. I also felt like many of the events were pretty predictable.

Being that this is the first part of a trilogy, it felt like the author was doing a lot of setup for the next two, which overall just felt a little clunky and underdeveloped at points. BUT I was 100% left wanting more. I feel invested in the characters, story, and relationships. I will be back for parts 2 and 3 and have confidence that what felt underdeveloped in this one will be further explored there.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC.

This is a strong start to a new series. The writing is so good and makes up for the fact that I didn't find any of the character particularly likable except for Rayan. I'm so interested in the magic system that is being set up. I can't wait to learn more about the tribes.

As with all fantasy novels the first book in a series will have a lot of world building. As with Faebound that was also the case. I found the world building and the different types of characters introduced to be very interesting.

However, I did think the pacing was a little slow throughout the book which made it somewhat hard to get through the middle. The last 30% however, was plot twist after plot twist which made me want more. The two romances of the book while I did enjoy felt a little bit rushed.

Overall, the I loved the author’s writing style and with all the plot twists at the end I am excited to see where the author will take this story in book 2.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my eARC.

My review will be posted on Goodreads on 01/19/24.

I had high hopes for this book. Some claimed it would be THE fantasy book of the year. Unfortunately for me, it fell a little flat. I struggled to engage with the plot, root for any of the characters, or understand the world building. It wasn’t for me.

Recently, I delved into "Faebound" by Saara El-Arifi, a fantasy novel that transported me into its richly woven world. Following the journey of elven sisters Yeeran and Lettle, thrust into the perilous realm of the fae, I was captivated by the intricate lore and mesmerizing settings. El-Arifi's masterful worldbuilding is the book's strongest suit, creating an enchanting universe that I thoroughly enjoyed exploring. However, the story's predictability and the somewhat forced romantic subplot didn't resonate with me as much. Despite these drawbacks, the vivid descriptions of the fae land kept me enthralled, making it a worthwhile escape.

The book's ending, packed with revelations, left me curious about the sequel despite some over-the-top twists. The darker themes woven into the narrative, including violence and abuse, added depth and realism to this fantasy world. "Faebound" was a bit of a mixed experience for me: while the romance and pacing fell short, the captivating world and rich history kept me invested. El-Arifi's storytelling skill shines through, and despite its flaws, I'm eager to see where the next installment takes us. For fantasy enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy detailed world-building, "Faebound" is definitely a book to explore.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the eARC of this book, so I didn’t have to crack open this stunning @fairyloot edition like the coward that I am.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very excellent world building, and a fantasy plot with a hint of romance. I will admit though the romance didn’t hit the way I wanted it to, Yeeran’s love interest subplot felt rushed. While this came in the Adult Fairyloot box, it read more like a YA story with how simple minded and driven the characters were. While that isn’t for everyone, I liked that aspect as it left my brain free to immerse myself in the lore. The journal in the back is amazing. This book is an excellent first step for this series, and I will be anxiously awaiting the sequel!

If you enjoy:
Dual POV
Only one bed 😏
Enemies to lovers
Secret identity
Military fantasy
Unique magic system
Murder mystery
Divination

This book is FOR YOU.