I read both the first one and this and I really love the series. The covers are beautiful! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

This time last year I was raving about Saara El-Arifi’s first book in a new series called Faebound. And let me tell you, I loved that book! Cursebound picks up essentially right where the first book leaves off. We find Yeeran making her way back to the Elves, and her former lover, to negotiate for peace. Lettle, Rayan, Furi, and company are still in Mosima to work towards freeing the Fae from the Curse that ties them to their prison of paradise. A stranger arrives in Mosima at the same time Lettle finds something that could be the key to breaking the curse.

I wanted to love this book as much as I loved the first one! And there were parts that were fantastic and kept me engaged. But overall, this book fell victim to middle book syndrome. While it wasn’t a long book, it felt like the parts that were moving the story forward were just being told to me as opposed to showing me the story.

What I loved about all of our characters from book one just felt off. They all felt a little flat and surface-level. While the story was good overall and I did enjoy my time with it, something about Cursebound just missed the mark that Faebound hit for me last year. I will still continue with the series! But I’m feeling a little let down at the moment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars rounded up. The second book in a trilogy always feels a little like filling the gaps but I actually enjoyed this more than Faebound. The expanding of the world, lore, and characters was much needed and it set up the third and final book nicely.

I still find the writing style and level of detail a bit underwhelming, but I’m a reader who enjoys flowery prose so it could be a personal thing. I think everything just comes across a little rushed, I wish the timeline was longer and that the author would go into deeper detail at each plot point instead of moving on at lightning speed.

Overall, Cursebound gives good character development, the world is beautiful and unique, and I am looking forward to the next instalment!

Thank you to Del Rey, Random House, and NetGalley for the ARC!

While so many trilogies have a ‘soggy middle’ that slows the momentum, Cursebound did not have that problem. The plot unfolded as if I were reading an extension of the first and unpeeling more layers to the story and the world.

The characters, new and old, had me invested throughout. I always appreciate queernormative fantasy stories and this had excellent gender diverse representation in presentation and identity. The spicy scenes did not overrun the story and were well done.

Overall, very excited for the third book!

**An Exhilarating Sequel That Surpasses Expectations – A Must-Read!**

*Cursebound*, the second book in the *Faebound Trilogy*, is an exceptional continuation of a series that’s quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites. Where *Faebound* introduced us to the enchanting, perilous world of the Faerie realms, *Cursebound* dives deeper into the magic, intrigue, and heartache that make this series so unforgettable.

From the very first page, the stakes are higher. The characters face even darker, more dangerous challenges, and the consequences of their actions are starting to weigh heavily on them. The story picks up right after the intense events of the first book, but it doesn’t waste time rehashing what we’ve already learned. Instead, it propels us forward into a whirlwind of political scheming, treacherous alliances, and the looming threat of ancient curses that could unravel everything the characters have fought for.

What truly stands out in *Cursebound* is the way the author masterfully deepens the emotional and psychological complexity of the characters. The protagonist, who we saw struggle with her identity and newfound powers in the first book, is now grappling with the full weight of her role in this world. Her journey is no longer just about survival—it’s about making impossible choices, questioning loyalties, and confronting the darkest parts of herself. Watching her evolve into a more powerful, yet vulnerable, character is a compelling journey that makes every page turn feel earned.

The secondary characters are equally well-developed. The romance between the protagonist and her love interest is perfectly balanced—there are moments of tension, passion, and heartbreak that feel earned rather than forced. The relationship dynamics in this book are far more intricate, as characters are forced to face their secrets, pasts, and hidden motivations. The romantic subplot is beautifully woven into the larger narrative, never overshadowing the main plot but adding richness to the emotional landscape.

The world-building in *Cursebound* is absolutely stunning. The author expands on the complex, layered world of Faerie that we were introduced to in *Faebound*, but now we venture into darker corners of the realm, encountering new and dangerous creatures, long-forgotten magic, and hidden societies that feel both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The way the author blends political intrigue with ancient lore and new magical systems is seamless, creating a world that feels alive, unpredictable, and brimming with possibilities.

The pacing is also perfect. At no point does the story drag, and every scene serves a purpose—whether it’s advancing the plot, deepening character development, or immersing us further into the fantastical world. There are plenty of twists and turns, some that will leave you gasping and others that will have you questioning everything you thought you knew. The action sequences are intense, with high stakes that keep you on the edge of your seat, while the quieter, more introspective moments provide emotional depth that enriches the story.

And the ending—oh, the ending! Just when you think you’ve gotten a handle on the story, the author delivers a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that will leave you begging for more. It’s the kind of ending that makes you realize just how much you’ve invested in these characters and their journey, and it’s impossible not to immediately want to pick up the next book to find out what happens next.

In summary, *Cursebound* is a remarkable sequel that takes everything readers loved about *Faebound* and amplifies it. It’s a book filled with heart-pounding action, emotional depth, complex relationships, and world-building that will immerse you entirely in its pages. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy with intricate plots, strong characters, and a touch of romance, this series is a must-read. I cannot recommend *Cursebound* highly enough—it’s a brilliant continuation of a series that has me hooked from the very first page. Five stars, without a doubt!

Cursebound, the follow up to Faebound starts off with a journal entry from Lettle recapping what happened in the first book; I absolutely appreciate this and wish a recap would be put into more sequels, especially if there is a good amount of time between books.
Cursebound, in many aspects was more enjoyable to me than the first book -- the politics, and class tensions, mixed with betrayal and romance were more intriguing and fun to see how it would unravel. I really found the relationships of magic, lore, and the connections of the faebound to be interesting and honestly wish there was even more of a focus on that.
The romance fell a bit flat, and I do feel like while the bits of spice were well written, honestly, I could have done without them and in their place more relationship building. Saara El-Arifi’s writing and world building is lovely without being too much and she has just a really rich and almost velvet like touch to her writing which is quite magical to read.
I also enjoyed Alder and the POV he brought into the story and feel like it was a wonderful edition this time around. However, I do think as a bit of a side note it would be interesting to have a POV from the faebound partners, as I feel like the way they view the world would add depth to the story.

Cursebound was enjoyable and while the middle of the book and some areas lost its momentum with the largely fast pacing of the book, overall it did keep me interested enough to want to read the next installment.
(I did have a hard time giving a star rating to this as i felt it was a bit stronger than a 3 but not quite a 4 star for me)

Thank you to netgalley, the publishers and author for allowing me to read this arc!

*GoodReads full review will be published upon pub date

Yeeran must face new challenges with her new lover if they're to face the future together. Lettle wants to find Afa's grimoire to end the cursebound fae. Rayan steps up in his role as King in The Jani Dynasty. Someone wants Lettle dead but who. Will Yeeran accept her fate? Will Lettle be killed? What's next for The Cursebound? Find out in Cursebound.

I want to thank Del Rey for this ARC via Netgalley.

“If there is one thing I’ve learned it’s that worthiness is a quality made up by those who wish to justify a hierarchy.”

Book two of the Faebound trilogy really leans into the societal issues of both the Fae and Elven territories and spoiler: it’s not good.

It was really hard for me to rate this book because on the one hand I am LIVING for the vibrant, thoughtful, and deep world building, and the plot - while predictable - is engaging and right up my alley.

On the other hand, I just cannot connect with the characters with the exception of one new POV added for this second installment, and the romance continues to fall flat. In a bizarre twist I almost wish this had zero romance and was all plot.

If you are someone who is all about plot and world building, and is looking for a world that isn’t based on Anglo Saxon history / culture, you should check out this trilogy!

The book was definitely a rich reading experience as yet again the author is descriptive and her world building is immersive and enjoyable to read. I enjoyed reading more depth of character’s personalities and the on growing challenges these characters face.

I did get second book syndrome from this book and it did feel quite filler to me. There were occasions where I felt the story wasn’t really going anywhere and I did need to get pulled back in to the full story.

I think the book ended strongly and it definitely has built up to the third and final book in this trilogy, which I will definitely be reading.

overall i enjoyed this more than faebound! cursebound’s plot was more exciting than faebound but the writing felt a little disjointed at times. we dive deeper into our cast of characters in book 2, which was engaging and executed well. alder’s character was also a fun addition to the story. curious to what will happen in book 3! 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

Saara is a master storyteller. I love the way she weaves a fantastical tale, we continue to follow our sister fmcs as they fight for survival and love. There were several journeys of dodging peril through alliances and some battle too. I am certainly intrigued for book 3 now. Let’s go!

If you enjoyed book 1 then you'll enjoy book 2. I thought both were just ok. Plot should be more interesting than it is.

I love this series, and this second book was one of my most highly anticipated this year, so I was thrilled to get an ARC! It did not disappoint. Start with Faebound!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The second book in the Faebound series was not dissapointing. The politics were interesting and the romance was very enjoyable. I loved the introduction of the new character.

I actually liked this one even more than the first book, which is surprising since second books usually don’t live up to the hype. I’m still obsessed with the concept of Obeah, this world’s magical creatures are so unique. Move over dragons. And that plot twist at the end? Brilliant.

The mix of assassination plots, political tension, class struggles, and betrayals kept things interesting, plus there’s a good balance with the romance sub plots. They’re a little spicy to appeal to those who enjoy that- but it doesn’t take over the story, just enough to keep things fun. Here for the LGBTQ+ representation too.

I do wish the magic system was shown more, and some plot points were predictable, but they still worked well and didn’t ruin the flow. A lot of the story is told through dialogue, and I think more description could have added a bit more depth, but overall, I really enjoyed it. I love this world and think about it often, Can’t wait for the next one.

We start the second installment of the Faebound Trilogy exactly where we left off. Yeeran has left the fae realm to warn Salewa and her Waning tribe of the fae involvement in the war. Will she be accepted back or is she putting herself and her obeah, Pila in mortal danger? Lettle and Rayan are enjoying their new found love while also navigating their new roles, Rayan as kind of the fae and Lettle as the royal seer. Can their love survive Lettle’s prophecy and the political threats to both of them?

I love this world and I love this story, it’s that easy! The characters are well thought out and have such a life brought to them. The world building continues to be extraordinary! I can picture every little thing that is described as I’m introduced to it. The pacing is 90% perfect. There were just two scenes that felt rushed and the story suffered a bit from it. Overall, I loved this book just like the first. My only complaint is that it did suffer a little from the second book slump, but really not much. I can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley and DelRey for this ARC!

This second installment in the Faebound trilogy, while highlighting Saara El-Arifi’s unique ability to craft rich and evocative worlds and settings with complex, flawed, and diverse characters, struggled to maintain the same forward momentum and character development of Faebound.

Cursebound finds our FMCs, Yerevan and Lettle both navigating a new world as consorts of the King and Queen. Nettle seeks to find answers to the fae’s imprisonment while avoiding assassination at the hands of a new revolutionary group intent to destroy the court and Yeeran…well, as usual, Yeeran’s intentions are good and her execution is REAL BAD when she attempts to negotiate with her ex-lover and leader of the Elven Lands.

I think this series may have been better served as a duology rather than a trilogy as the storyline in this narrative felt more tangential with the overarching plot progressing very little through the course of the book. There also seemed to be less character growth in this book with our MCs acting in naive and nonsensical ways at times, when they should know better by now. Yeeran's trip back to the Elven lands infuriated me, not only because of her naivete, but also because what should have culminated in a huge turning point in the story was so rushed, with the conflict resolved so quickly that it literally made the 5ish chapters before that completely irrelevant.

We did get a new POV, Alder, which I enjoyed getting to know and found myself intrigued about his backstory most of all. We got to see some growth of existing side characters as well and this, along with how much I LOVE the queernorm world and diversity of character and how generally fast-paced the story was, really kept me going.

This wasnt a bad book, and I LOVE Saara El-Arifi and the worlds she creates, it just felt more like a “stop-over” than a continuation of the series as a whole. I will definitely be continuing the series though and have high hopes for the last installment.

I want to say thank you so very much to netgalley for the chance to read and review this book!
I remember reading the 1st (faebound) and absolutely getting sucked into the world! Faebound was one of my top reads in 2024!

Cursebound definitely lived up to my expectations in continuing the series. We slowly unraveled answers to questions that we were left with in the 1st, while uncoverin more. I feel like we got to see lettle and yeeran develop while they were apart and grow as characters, and find themselves a bit more. We were also introduced to new characters (i enjoyed the nomads and how they went about life and believed in things, looking at things with an open mind).
This book was a rollercoaster of ups and downs, and was steady paced i would say. I loved it so much, and i cannot wait for the next one! (yeeran is still my favorite character)

Thank you SO SO SO much to Del Rey for this e-ARC of Cursebound in exchange for an honest review. I felt OKAY about Faebound but I really wanted to attribute that to my general disposition and not so much to the book itself. So I was genuinely SO glad that Cursebound was a much better reading experience than Faebound. I found it to be a strong sequel and that the author had a much better grasp on her world in this book versus the first one and the world really felt like it was coming together. I'm not sure if this is a duology, trilogy, or even a saga, but I'm excited for what may or may not come next.

This was a really solid sequel to a great series. I really enjoyed the first book and the second book was mesmerizing as well!