Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
I did enjoy this duology but it definitely wasn't a 5 star series for me....and I give 5 stars very, very easily. I just felt like the pacing was odd, like the first book important events would happen with no proper build up. So often big events would happen and it just didn't feel like a big deal....like "oh by the way that person is dead now"....oh no
I procrastinated WE FREE THE STARS so hard since the release because I didn’t want to say goodbye to the world of Arawiya, but it felt so good to actually be reading about these characters again. Hafsah Faizal is such a gifted storyteller. She weaves magic and poetry into her prose and her characters feel so real, it’s like you’re dragged into the page.
After the heartbreaking ending of We Free the Stars, I had many theories and hopes for this final installment. The plot was just as engaging to me as it was in the first book, with many exciting action scenes and plot twists. But it’s on the character department that I got the majority of my surprises. Everyone had such growth in We Free the Stars, and if I loved them before, I’m absolutely obsessed with the zumra now! I was especially pleased on the work done on Kifah’s character. Out of all of them, she was the one that didn’t really stand out to me before, but I appreciated her so much in this installment! Her witty dialogue was a perfect balance to the darker events and Zafira and Nasir’s brooding.
As much as I loved the first book, I lamented the fast-moving relationship between Nasir and Zafira, and I believe the author made a wise choice in hitting the breaks in this installment and slowing them down. The added angst element made their relationship more appealing to me, and I went from not really caring about them together to screaming at them to just f*** already! Nasir, especially, came such a far way from the man he was in We Hunt the Flame. Our brooding Prince of Death became softer, more caring, and it was a very good look on him. I especially adored every single interaction with Altair. You know I love a good bromance!
Altair confirms himself as my favorite character, and I was happy with his storyline in this one…for the most part. Based on the epilogue of We Hunt the Flame, I came into its sequel expecting a certain storyline for my favorite habibi…but the storyline wasn’t there. It was teased by other characters, but we never see anything of it on page. I’m not sure if this was always the author’s intention or if she had to remove the arc due to editing reasons, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth, and it’s the reason why my rating is a little lower compared to book one.
After the heartbreaking ending of We Free the Stars, I had many theories and hopes for this final installment. The plot was just as engaging to me as it was in the first book, with many exciting action scenes and plot twists. But it’s on the character department that I got the majority of my surprises. Everyone had such growth in We Free the Stars, and if I loved them before, I’m absolutely obsessed with the zumra now! I was especially pleased on the work done on Kifah’s character. Out of all of them, she was the one that didn’t really stand out to me before, but I appreciated her so much in this installment! Her witty dialogue was a perfect balance to the darker events and Zafira and Nasir’s brooding.
As much as I loved the first book, I lamented the fast-moving relationship between Nasir and Zafira, and I believe the author made a wise choice in hitting the breaks in this installment and slowing them down. The added angst element made their relationship more appealing to me, and I went from not really caring about them together to screaming at them to just f*** already! Nasir, especially, came such a far way from the man he was in We Hunt the Flame. Our brooding Prince of Death became softer, more caring, and it was a very good look on him. I especially adored every single interaction with Altair. You know I love a good bromance!
Altair confirms himself as my favorite character, and I was happy with his storyline in this one…for the most part. Based on the epilogue of We Hunt the Flame, I came into its sequel expecting a certain storyline for my favorite habibi…but the storyline wasn’t there. It was teased by other characters, but we never see anything of it on page. I’m not sure if this was always the author’s intention or if she had to remove the arc due to editing reasons, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth, and it’s the reason why my rating is a little lower compared to book one.
Yesterday, in the light of the full moon (Huntress Moon), I finished reading We Free The Stars. It was a moment I was afraid for because the characters Hafsah Faisal had created spoke to me in a different level. It has been a long time since I have been so excited about a book, well two books.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I gave solid five stars to this book. Although it had some difficulties and wasn't perfect. For example, the character growth we saw in the first book was not present in this one. Especially for Nasir’s personality, I hoped more growth and deeper thoughts. His point of view didn't get so much space as in the previous book.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
For the young adult audience, the political aspect of the book couldn't have been more difficult but I ended up wanting to know more about the magic system and its restoration process. So, for me, that was another thing that was lacking.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I gave solid five stars to this book. Although it had some difficulties and wasn't perfect. For example, the character growth we saw in the first book was not present in this one. Especially for Nasir’s personality, I hoped more growth and deeper thoughts. His point of view didn't get so much space as in the previous book.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
For the young adult audience, the political aspect of the book couldn't have been more difficult but I ended up wanting to know more about the magic system and its restoration process. So, for me, that was another thing that was lacking.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It's great, but not my thing. I really wanted to read this book. Mainly to see if the writing style had improved from the first book. And it has! The writing is awesome. The characters are awesome. It just lacks something. The pace is slightly off. The end was too quick and felt a little underwelming. The middle a little long. The characters were still awesome! Yasmine didnt deserve her ending, I felt for her. It just wasn't my thing. Still would recommend it! Just to different kind of People.
Liked the concept
Love the characters and that it didn't stretch much longer than it needed to (unlike some books that unnecessarily become trilogies...) I really enjoyed the universe and thought the concept was interesting. Plot was def quite easy to predict (not always a bad thing, but at times the foreshadowing felt a little...heavy handed). Overall a fun read.
Love the characters and that it didn't stretch much longer than it needed to (unlike some books that unnecessarily become trilogies...) I really enjoyed the universe and thought the concept was interesting. Plot was def quite easy to predict (not always a bad thing, but at times the foreshadowing felt a little...heavy handed). Overall a fun read.
2.5 stars
wanted to DNF this book so freaking much and kept reading just to find out how it ends.
I wanted to like this, I really did but it is somehow worse than the first one, the book is all over the place, you don't know where the characters are half of the time, everything is going by too fast, characters are introduced and killer in a couple of pages.
Again the author had an excellent idea with terrible execution, this book should have been edited better.
wanted to DNF this book so freaking much and kept reading just to find out how it ends.
I wanted to like this, I really did but it is somehow worse than the first one, the book is all over the place, you don't know where the characters are half of the time, everything is going by too fast, characters are introduced and killer in a couple of pages.
Again the author had an excellent idea with terrible execution, this book should have been edited better.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The second book was even better than the first. I loved all these characters and their archs.
slow-paced