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adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
From a critical perspective, I'd probably rate this book more like a 4, but I enjoyed this book so much I had to give it a solid 5.
Yeeran and Lettle have their ups and downs as sisters, but I enjoyed each of their unique journeys throughout this story despite being together for most of it.
I enjoyed many of the other secondary characters as well. It was refreshing to be captivated by the magic, the world building, and all of the different character stories.
I knew going into this book that I'd have to wait for the next one, but I think I'll be more impatient than I anticipated. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Yeeran and Lettle have their ups and downs as sisters, but I enjoyed each of their unique journeys throughout this story despite being together for most of it.
I enjoyed many of the other secondary characters as well. It was refreshing to be captivated by the magic, the world building, and all of the different character stories.
I knew going into this book that I'd have to wait for the next one, but I think I'll be more impatient than I anticipated. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Murder, War
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
I LOVE the concept of this book so much. Sapphic black elves! Trans & disabled & polyam side characters! Portal to a unique magical realm! But the execution felt….disappointing. Like the author had no time to develop anything. The romances suffered from lack of detail so I cared about all the characters but not their romances. The fantasy worldbuilding also lacked detail except for the fae pocket realm. All the characters acted like teenagers so I kept wondering why this isn’t YA; I could forgive teens acting silly and childish, but grown adults? Could be romantasy isn’t for me.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very solid!
I really enjoyed the magic system and not something I’ve seen before.
The world building was also really interesting and I liked how you were fed the pieces bit by bit, so you could enjoy the story right from the start without the 100 pages of confusion you often get in high fantasy.
The book painted beautiful pictures of a beautiful world.
The characters weren’t the most likeable but I found them very interesting. I’m especially hoping for more character development for Yeeran in future books. Her military mindset is so deep in her and I’d love to see her let go of it more and more and see the problem of the war.
The romance elements of the story could have been better but wasn’t too bad. Especially the back and forth between Yeeran and Furi was a bit too much for my liking. But I can see myself liking them more as time goes on and they both go through more development.
Definitely going to continue the series!
I really enjoyed the magic system and not something I’ve seen before.
The world building was also really interesting and I liked how you were fed the pieces bit by bit, so you could enjoy the story right from the start without the 100 pages of confusion you often get in high fantasy.
The book painted beautiful pictures of a beautiful world.
The characters weren’t the most likeable but I found them very interesting. I’m especially hoping for more character development for Yeeran in future books. Her military mindset is so deep in her and I’d love to see her let go of it more and more and see the problem of the war.
The romance elements of the story could have been better but wasn’t too bad. Especially the back and forth between Yeeran and Furi was a bit too much for my liking. But I can see myself liking them more as time goes on and they both go through more development.
Definitely going to continue the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, War
Moderate: Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I want to give this higher but it just didnt quite grab me in.
pros:
- loved the descriptions and worldbuilding, esp. with Mosima, outfits, landscapes and the fae creatures. Really beautiful and vivid.
- the plot twists were interesting and (mostly) surprising and kept you on your toes! especially liked Yerran getting Pila the obeah
- I liked the depth of the characters, with Yeeran not believing in prophercy like Lettle does and it being a sticking point even as they love each other, and Yeeran's relationships with Salawa and Furi.
- the side characters, like Komi, Golan, the prince, Furi and Rayan (kind of) were all interesting and explored, and all came into play.
- also enjoyed how different the characters were and their voices, with Lettle being impulsive and lighthearted compared to serious Yeeran. and the obeah's voices were brilliantly done, funny and sweet and a bit alien too.
- the start was gripping and you really feel for lettle, yeeran and everyone in the war. its emotive and worrying for the characters when everything goes to shit for them!
- I also liked that this was more adult and didnt shy from the violence of war and death and adult relationships (quite in contrast to the prev YA fantasy bk I read).
READ).
- It also felt like a new spin on tropes like fae, curses, prophecy, etc.
cons:
- mostly, I just didn't get very gripped overall. I picked it up and put it down and wasn't especially compelled. I cant really say why, maybe the stakes were lower mid and later in the book?
- too many characters a bit. I forgot who people were, incl. the prince and sode characters, Hosta and the guy Yeeran killed.
- some of the plot twists were a bit obvious, or they felt like they were trying to shock but didnt manage it. I didnt feel much about the queen dying bc we'd already had like 500 elves die bc of yeeran and the fae prince and the prophercy made it seem like it was just *shrug* inevitable
- wasnt super keen on te actual prophercy bits either. loved lettle's character and how she interacted with prophercy but I'm not one to rly enjoy foregone conclusions/tragedies so a bit blah if Rayan does die like in the prophercy. also thought Rayan would push more about Lettle's completely random toing and froing without explanation??
- also thought Furi and Yeeran moved a bit fast.
but overall, I did enjoy this! esp the feel of originality, the diverse (incl. nb) characters, and the worldbuilding, and I would like to know what happens in the next book.
pros:
- loved the descriptions and worldbuilding, esp. with Mosima, outfits, landscapes and the fae creatures. Really beautiful and vivid.
- the plot twists were interesting and (mostly) surprising and kept you on your toes!
- I liked the depth of the characters, with Yeeran not believing in prophercy like Lettle does and it being a sticking point even as they love each other, and Yeeran's relationships
- the side characters, like Komi, Golan, the prince, Furi and Rayan (kind of) were all interesting and explored, and all came into play.
- also enjoyed how different the characters were and their voices, with Lettle being impulsive and lighthearted compared to serious Yeeran. and the obeah's voices were brilliantly done, funny and sweet and a bit alien too.
- the start was gripping and you really feel for lettle, yeeran and everyone in the war. its emotive and worrying for the characters when everything goes to shit for them!
- I also liked that this was more adult and didnt shy from the violence of war and death and adult relationships (quite in contrast to the prev YA fantasy bk I read).
READ).
- It also felt like a new spin on tropes like fae, curses, prophecy, etc.
cons:
- mostly, I just didn't get very gripped overall. I picked it up and put it down and wasn't especially compelled. I cant really say why, maybe the stakes were lower mid and later in the book?
- too many characters a bit. I forgot who people were, incl. the prince and sode characters, Hosta and the guy Yeeran killed.
- some of the plot twists were a bit obvious, or they felt like they were trying to shock but didnt manage it. I didnt feel much about
- wasnt super keen on te actual prophercy bits either. loved lettle's character and how she interacted with prophercy but I'm not one to rly enjoy foregone conclusions/tragedies so a bit blah if
- also thought Furi and Yeeran moved a bit fast.
but overall, I did enjoy this! esp the feel of originality, the diverse (incl. nb) characters, and the worldbuilding, and I would like to know what happens in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a wonderful twist on the 'Fae' trope. I am trying to read more diverse books/authors (as a white woman) and since fantasy is one of my favorite genres, this totally hit the mark for me! I'm only disappointe that the next book isn't out until next year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, War
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
I wanted to love this one more, I really did. But when I got to the halfway point and I was still feeling lackluster about the storyline, I knew this one just wasn't going to be one for me. While I did finish reading, I am not sure I will continue the series. I just don't think I am invested enough in the storyline.
✨️Minor spoilers below? ✨️
While I enjoyed both sister's POV's, it seemed disjointed having two dueling plotlines. I also thought the premonitions were a little obvious. It also hurt to know how the drums were made.
I did love the queer character representation, how the sisters always stuck up for each other, and everything about Pila! I also loved the budding romances between characters and hope the ones I am still rooting for them to all be happy!
✨️Minor spoilers below? ✨️
I did love the queer character representation, how the sisters always stuck up for each other, and everything about Pila! I also loved the budding romances between characters and hope the ones I am still rooting for them to all be happy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The lore and the world are interesting concepts but the execution was not great for me. The writing overall felt a little sloppy and I was disappointed that the descriptions of everything felt flat. The characters were extremely unlovable to me. They either didn't have a personality or were really annoying. I also didn't feel like the love stories were organic - they felt very forced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Violence, War
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
📱
I enjoyed this book. It kept me entertained. I liked the worldbuilding. I felt this book did more telling than showing.
I enjoyed this book. It kept me entertained. I liked the worldbuilding. I felt this book did more telling than showing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, War
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
You ever read a generic and poorly written YA fantasy written post ACOTAR? (no shade at YA fantasy as a whole, shade at bad YA fantasy) That's what Faebound read like, despite not being YA.
A romantasy with writing heavy on exposition and overusing strange metaphors that don't work and romances that lack chemistry against a flimsy fantasy world and plot that have some interesting elements (such as being faebound, the importance of divination, and the lore behind the fantasy races) but all ends up poorly executed.
A romantasy with writing heavy on exposition and overusing strange metaphors that don't work and romances that lack chemistry against a flimsy fantasy world and plot that have some interesting elements (such as being faebound, the importance of divination, and the lore behind the fantasy races) but all ends up poorly executed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: War