This books was amazing! It had everything I needed in fantasy and continued to deliver greatness throughout the entire book. Now I will be reading more of this author!

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

Faebound is going to be one of the best books in 2024. I’m calling that now. This is my first read of anything by Saara El-Arifi, but now I need to read all of her works.

Faebound quickly introduces its character at what they think is a golden hour of their life. Yeeran is a fresh colonel, and Lettle is able to study divination. El-Arifi pushes the girls into the dirt and sends them outside the life they once knew.

After an unfortunate accident, they are taken by the mysterious Fae that hasn’t been seen in centuries. Stuck in a new place the girls must figure out how to survive while also finding their place in a culture that despises them.

The Obeah are now at the top of my list of fictional creatures I want to be real. I loved the banter that came from them, but also the championship between the Faebound. I want to see more creatures that come from the mind of El-Arifi, because I loved the Haba as well!

This was a really pleasant, easy to read romance based fantasy. I was impressed that it felt like it easily managed to be diverse and thrilling for a book just over 400 pages. Sister Yeeran and Lettle had a significant relationship - one forged in hard times with the need to support each other, yet both had a distinct voice as the reader alternates between their stories. Yeeran is the voice of reason a lot of the time, the resilient and stoic one who finds herself exiled from her clan and without direction. Something that occurs very early on in the story sets her story along a different path, one paved in fate and romance that I found to be filled with just the right amount of tension and desire to keep me intrigued. Lettle's story is perhaps more straightforward. We know who her love interest is from the get go, and while there is still forces keeping the two apart it's inevitable where their romance will go and it felt a bit speedy in completion.

I also really enjoyed the plot of this, which pivots around a hidden kingdom steeped in ancient history, drum and nature magic, and the fight to escape. The first 10% felt very militia fantasy, which I am not normally a fan of, however once Yeeran leaves the clan the tone changes completely. There's plenty of twists and turns along the way, assassinations and back stabbing that didn't entirely come as a surprise but I still appreciated.
Overall this was a fun, romance heavy magical story that managed to keep me captivated until the end.

Despite being a highly anticipated read, I was left feeling really disappointed with this book. It was hard to connect with the characters, the pacing was hard to follow, and I found myself not being invested in the plot.

I think a story dealing with prophecies is always going to be hard to navigate. Here, they were easy to figure out and failed to create the tension and confusion I'm looking for as a reader. I wasn't compelled to keep reading.

The characterization left a lot to be desired. I don't love the show vs. tell debate, but it was a real problem in this story. I felt like I was being told facts about the world and the characters, rather than shown them. As a result, the world didn't come alive and jump off the page the way I was looking for.

As for the romances, I felt like they were a little forced and unearned. The characters fall for almost the first "new" people they meet. From there, the tension felt manufactured. There was no will-they-or-won't-they tug that typically sets good romances apart. I always knew where the love stories were going, and that, coupled with the lackluster characterization, meant I couldn't get invested in them.

All in all, I think this book will be great for some readers, I am just not one of them. I did love the animal characters (those will always be my Achilles' heel) and the journal at the end of the book made the characters feel real in a way that I wish was shown throughout the actual story.

Faebound is a fast-paced, multi-layered adventure novel about family, magic, and multi-generational and interspecies conflict.

At the opening of the novel, we are introduced to the origin story of the world - three gods each created one lifeform - human, fae, and elf. The gods carefully and deliberately imbue each with unique characteristics and abilities. Long ago, war caused humans and fae to disappear from the known world, and the gods have since withdrawn.

The protagonists we follow closely are Yeeran, an elf who leads an army engaged in the Forever War against other elven clans, Lettle, Yeeran's sister and a diviner who does not believe in the war, and Rayaan, Yeeran's second in command and a love interest for Lettle.

There were elements of this book that I loved:
- Rich worldbuilding. I loved the mythology interwoven throughout the book and the histories we learn about the elves, fae, and humans.
- Diversity as a default. This book has a large ensemble cast, and a wide range of representation of different skin colors, hair textures, ability levels, gender identities, and sexualities. These feel organic and part of the characters' personalities and motivations without being tokenizing.
- Some very fun tropes that we romantasy readers tend to like: one bed! Bonding with mythical creatures! Mind bonds!
- There was a lot going on in this book! Personal motivations and histories layered on societal expectations and histories layered on current realities

There were also elements of the book that fell flat for me:
- Unbelievable and unnecessary instalove. There are two couples that spend quite a bit of time together, and so we could have had a more believable (and more enjoyable!) build up, but instead in both cases, the characters form unbreakable love bonds without being able to name 5 facts about each other. This feels particularly frustrating when they are ultimately put in the position of having to choose between their own goals or people and their love without the foundation being strong.
- The overall writing was not very strong, and that took me out of the narrative several times, including:
-> There were some twists that could have been SO good, but the pacing of the reveals and the emotional fall out (or lack thereof) cheapened them.
-> I got lost with what the true plot / stakes were several times. For example, a lot of the book revolves around an initiation ritual that one of our heroes may or may not survive (!!) but then later that plot sort of just...fades away?

Overall, there are enough good elements of this book that I believe it will be a darling of Booktok and will be many people's favorite book of the year. I will definitely continue to think about some of the elements of this rich world! The writing ultimately took me out of the narrative too many times for me to love it, but the ingredients for greatness are there.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! #Faebound #NetGalley

There’s a lot of addictive goodness to be had in this first-in-series book about two elven sisters and their war-torn, magical world. Yeeran is a colonel that makes a deadly miscalculation in battle and is exiled; Lettle, her younger sister, is a diviner, and vows to track her down.

The world-building is very interesting. The goals of the characters make sense. There are many tropes that will appeal to fantasy romance readers. Enemies-to-lovers, Only one bed, star-crossed lovers, etc. There are some familiar beats in the story that Sarah J Maas fans will appreciate similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses. It had some of the density of Priory of the Orange Tree and sapphic fiction.

Fresh take on old fantasy classics by putting a different cultural spin on them. Gender, racial, and sexual diversity fill up the book along with some disabilities. The author does a good job about discussing them, but not making the disability define the character. It shapes their experience, but also is just a part of this world.

The beginning took me awhile to get into. The characters start in dangerous situations and keep getting into trouble. Lettle grated on me as it seems like she is frequently yelling or complaining and it’s hard to root for
Someone's like that. There are many characters and hard to get a good sense of what they want and are motivated by. Overall.

This book was beautifully written. I found myself sucked into the story and the characters. I cannot wait for the next installment. Definitely recommend.

★★★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
Book 1 - Trilogy
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️4.75/5
🌶️ Multiple On Page Spice Scenes, can skip over without losing foreshadowing/plot points
Epic Fantasy, Romantasy, Genre
Multi POV
➳ elves 🧝‍♀️ & fae 🧚‍♀️
➳ drum magic 🪘
➳ prophecy 🔮
➳ disability rep 🧸
➳ rivals to lovers 🤺
➳ lgbtqia+ / queernormative world 🏳️‍🌈⚧️🌍
➳ afro/arab world 🇬🇭🇸🇩
➳ anti-colonialism & anti-war ☮️

📚📚📚
"Faebound" follows the story of Yeeran, a warrior born and raised on the battlefield, and her sister Lettle, a diviner seeking prophecies for a better future. A fatal mistake leads to Yeeran's exile, and both sisters find themselves in the dangerous wilderness beyond their elven homeland. There, they encounter the long-lost fae court, thrust into a seductive world that tests their loyalties to each other, their homeland, and their hearts. The plot is filled with magic, intrigue, romance, creating an epic and unforgettable fantasy tale.

❧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*❦*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧❧
This was one of the best fantasy releases i’ve read for 2024. The world building was beautifully intricate, and there were a myriad of characters (elves, fae, animal familiars, humans) to connect with. The magic system itself was meticulously designed, and went as far to teach readers a thing or two about divination methods and interpretations. While i found some of the foreshadowing a bit too on the nose, i did appreciate the breadcrumbs and deep lore provided that i believe could be hinting to future plot points in the series. I loved the prophetic elements and can’t wait to see how the notion of intervening with fate is dealt with in Lettle’s journey.

**Fantasy Scoring**
Worldbuilding ➷ ✅ 5/5
Foreshadowing ➷ ✅ 4/5 (could be slightly less on the nose with the foreshadowing
Plot ➷ ✅ 5/5
Relationships ➷ ✅ 5/5

Thank you to the Saara El-Arifi, Ballantine Books, Penguin Random House, Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the ARC of this book.

This was a wild ride y’all, but I think this book will have booktok in a chokehold soon.

Faebound is the story of two Elf sisters, Yeeran, a war loving colonel, and Leetle with the ability to tell the future. Through Yeeran’s exile, the two find themselves in the land of fae, which is exciting, magical and dangerous. Throughout the story they fight to get home while finding love along the way!

Pros: The diversity of these characters was immaculate, I loved reading about their different braided styles, hair textures and skin colors. It was refreshing to see myself represented in the fantasy space.
The story really picked up at the 30% mark and had me racing towards the ending to find out all the secrets of this world.

Cons: The pacing was slow in the beginning and took a while to get going in my opinion. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the romance and “I love you’s” after such a short time together. Also, at times it felt like big moments fell flat, when I should have been shook to my core (don’t worry though, there are definitely some gasping moments)

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book. I would be interested in checking out the next one!

First, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!!

This book was beautiful. The writing was so well done I could visualize the setting and characters in my head while I read. It reminded me a lot of Avatar which I love. The enemies to lovers relationship that takes place made my heart skip beats, and I was rooting for Rayan and Lettle!! I can’t wait for the next installment in this series, it’s one I’ll definitely be pre-ordering!

I am always a sucker for these fantasy-war type books so this sucked me in from the very beginning. I’m also super happy that it’s a trilogy! It started off kind of slow, but there was lots of world building which made up for it. The plot was so interesting and I loved the enemies to lovers part of it. The plot twists were so amazing and they all made complete sense. I love how Saara uses lots of foreshadowing. I cannot wait for the next book to come out (even though this one hasn’t yet)!!

Thank you for this arc!

I don’t even know where to begin. The writing—the world building is absolutely breathtaking. I am obsessed with this book.

IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS TO RELEASE. It’s refreshing to have a new fantasy book with complex characters and beautiful development of the plot.

I will update a more spoiler review later.

All I can say is this is the best book I’ve read so far.

“Two elven sisters become imprisoned in the intoxicating world of the fae” that’s all I needed to know to be 100% completely sold on reading this book.

This world involves humans, fae, and elves. But humans and fae have been wiped out for over a millennium.

Yeeran is a colonel in the army and all she knows is the battlefield.

Lettle is a diviner trying to make a living in foretelling prophecy.

They are sisters both on very different paths.

Yeeran makes an incredible mistake on the battlefield underestimating her enemies and it causes the loss of several lives. Because of this her chieftain (and lover) Salawa, exiles her from the Elven Lands.

Lettle leaves the city along with Yeeran’s incredibly handsome captain of the army Rayan… and they go in search of Yeeran.

When Yeeran, Lettle, and Rayan get kidnapped by the fae… who they thought didn’t exist anymore… a whole new world opens up to them and an incredible story begins.

The magic system in this book is really fascinating. The elves have only known magic to come from an ethereal creature called an Obeah. They use the skin to make drums and when you use the drum it emanates power and you can control the action and who it affects. For diviners, they use the organs to weave prophecy. I was pretty blown away by the intricacy of it all, and how different this magic system is from any other fantasy I’ve read.

Their ideas of the history they know are challenged. Their ideas of what an Obeah is and what they’re capable of is challenged. It’s fascinating and breathtaking to watch this story unfold and expand.

The fae have been cursed to live underground and so Yeeran, Lettle, and Rayan are not permitted to leave their captors. But their captors are essentially in a prison as well.

You do find out what Faebound means and I am obsessed 😍 and I want to say Obeah… my new favorite creature. I would do anything for them.

This really is an epic fantasy. There’s a lot to learn about the world and the beings who live there and the history.

For me personally I felt the pacing was just a tad slower than I would have liked. But every detail and every interaction truly was necessary to propel the story forward.

Even though this story is truly an awesome epic fantasy I do think it’s easy to follow and would recommend this book to anyone, whether you’re seasoned in fantasy or just starting out.

This is different from any fantasy I’ve read so far and that was incredibly refreshing.

There’s a dash of spice in here and it’s tasteful and full of yearning.

So many of these characters are dealing with guilt and determining where their loyalties lie. I found myself questioning multiple decisions, saying to myself “hmm would I make that choice?” And I enjoyed that a lot I felt like I was being challenged along with the characters.

Yeeran and Lettle love each other immensely. You can feel that love and protection throughout the entire book. If you have a sister I think you’ll feel an even deeper connection to this story. You will understand the bond and at times frustration between these two so well. And side note, this book is dedicated to Saara’s sister and when I read that I wanted to weep.

This is a fantastic and fresh fantasy. The twists in this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. When you finish this book you will truly say to yourself… oh wow… this story is just getting started 🔥

The best book so far this year. Such an immersive experience...I just can't wait to share with more people once it's out.

Faebound: A World Woven with Sisterhood, Spells, and Seductive Fae
4.5 Stars.
Saara el-Arifi's "Faebound" whisks readers away to a vibrant fantasy world where two elven sisters, Yeeran and Lettle, find themselves entangled in the alluring yet treacherous realm of the fae. This debut novel delivers on all fronts: captivating characters, a delicately crafted magic system, and a setting so richly described it practically leaps off the page.

El-Arifi excels in the creation of her female protagonists. Yeeran, hardened by war, and Lettle, seeking wisdom through divination, are complex, multifaceted individuals who defy expectations. Their bond as sisters forms the beating heart of the story, even as they're pulled apart by duty and desire. The slow-burn sapphic romance between Yeeran and her enemy adds another layer of intrigue, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat as loyalties shift and secrets unfold.

The magic system in "Faebound" is both elegant and intriguing. El-Arifi weaves it seamlessly into the fabric of the narrative, making it feel organic and believable. From the intricate rituals of the fae to the raw power wielded by Yeeran, each element of magic feels distinct and captivating.

And what can be said of the fae kingdom? El-Arifi paints a picture of breathtaking beauty and intoxicating danger. Lush landscapes dance with an enchanted energy, while opulent palaces hold shadows of deceit and betrayal. The reader is truly invited to wander these fantastical halls, constantly aware of the beauty and peril that intertwine within.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A literary masterpiece filled with gorgeous prose, expertly crafted characters, and a fantasy world you'll delight in exploring. From the prologue to the epilogue, Saara El-Arifi keeps you spellbound, and I'm certain I've never read a fantasy quite like this before.

The one and only downside to this novel (and I hardly want to mention it because I adored the book so much) is the last 50-ish pages. I found most of the plot twists to be predictable, but it didn't bother me in the slightest until there was so many stuffed into the ending of the book that left it feeling rushed.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed nearly every aspect of Faebound, and I can't wait to see the wonders that await in the coming sequel (I hope!)

Wow! This was everything I was wanting. Faebound is the perfect new series for Fantasy lovers. It has a unique magic system with a cast of diverse and complex characters. The world building is immersive, but not overwhelming. I finished reading last night and found myself thinking about several times today. I am desperately wanting more. The wait for the next installment will be rough, but I am certain it will also be worth it!

Review posted on Goodreads and StoryGraph on January 17th, 2024.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows the story of Yeeran, an elf finds herself exiled from her homeland after a battle gone wrong. After reuniting with her sister and friend, they all stumble upon the fae - a species that no one had seen in millenia.

What I loved about this book was how the themes tied in with a lot of current themes that we face, such as gender, the effects of war, environmentalism, and so on. I love how there was a diverse range of characters as well.

However, it feels like the character development and worldbuilding fell flat. As did the relationships between the characters. I didn't feel the bond between the sisters or between Yeeran and Rayan. The love stories felt very insta love-y, and at first I thought "oh maybe this is just a crush that the character has", until the characters started declaring their love for one another. The sex scenes felt jarring and sudden as well.

The prophecies in the book didn't add an air of mystery or foreboding to the story, they mainly had me predicting events that took a couple hundred pages to reveal the truth of. The whole thing felt quite predictable, to be honest.

I also didn't vibe with the writing style. That could entirely just be a me thing, but I didn't vibe with sentences like "'Argh,' she screamed at the sea." It just didn't land the way that was intended.

I had a lot of hopes for this book, as I love anything that has to do with the fae and the idea of having a sapphic story about the fae really appealed to me. But this fell short of the expectations and hype. I do not think I'll be sticking around for the sequel.

I received an arc copy of this book after seeing it online several times and everyone saying it would be the fantasy book of the year. I wanted sooo badly to love this book but I just didn’t. The story was unique and I liked the characters but I just felt no connection to what I was reading. I predicted several plot points which didn’t give any shock factor to those parts and I just didn’t feel any emotion when reading it. I liked the plot and the ending was a really good setup to entice excitement for the sequel but I think this authors writing style just isn’t for me unfortunately.

Saara El-Arifi is quickly becoming an auto-buy and auto-request author for me. I love the Ending Fire trilogy, and while I was expecting a similarly heavy (in terms of both worldbuilding and serious topics) book, Faebound reads more like a lot of the romantasy books that have been popular lately, which I'm definitely here for. To begin with, the idea of fae and humans going extinct, leaving only elves, is such a cool concept. I liked the worldbuilding, as well as the way Yeeran's and Lettle's characters were set up. I would've liked a little more of their backstory, especially Lettle's, I liked both of the romantic storylines that are being set up, too. There were so many twists and turns throughout the book, and I'm so excited for the next one which hopefully will come out in 2025.