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adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, this was not good. Very disappointing. Before I get into the plot, the writing is just plain bad at times. It wasn't the kind of writing I'd expect from an adult novel but more than that, I'm surprised some of this writing passed final edits.
The plot is intensely predictable to the extent where the book felt a little pointless to read. I don't think its bad to write a story where the reader knows what will inevitably happen in the plot, but the whole prophecy thing took the joy out of figuring out what will happen on my own and instead I was just waiting for plot points to fall into place.
This novel is also advertised as being a romantasy. Please do not read this book if that is what you are seeking. The romance has very little build up between MC's and love interests, they are just suddenly totally all over each other with what felt like very little relationship building. I'm all for characters having instant chemistry but it just doesn't feel very romantic to me when you do away with showing me why I should even care about the relationship.
World building seems cool at first glance but if you poke it even a little it falls apart. I am not sure why the duo MCs were elves when they had no characteristics of why being an elf set them apart from the other races except for prophecy telling, which actually made the plot actively worse, as stated previously.
Ultimately, the book is easily readable, so 2 stars it is. I wish this read had gone better for me and I honestly think you should probably read something else instead of picking this up.
The plot is intensely predictable to the extent where the book felt a little pointless to read. I don't think its bad to write a story where the reader knows what will inevitably happen in the plot, but the whole prophecy thing took the joy out of figuring out what will happen on my own and instead I was just waiting for plot points to fall into place.
This novel is also advertised as being a romantasy. Please do not read this book if that is what you are seeking. The romance has very little build up between MC's and love interests, they are just suddenly totally all over each other with what felt like very little relationship building. I'm all for characters having instant chemistry but it just doesn't feel very romantic to me when you do away with showing me why I should even care about the relationship.
World building seems cool at first glance but if you poke it even a little it falls apart. I am not sure why the duo MCs were elves when they had no characteristics of why being an elf set them apart from the other races except for prophecy telling, which actually made the plot actively worse, as stated previously.
Ultimately, the book is easily readable, so 2 stars it is. I wish this read had gone better for me and I honestly think you should probably read something else instead of picking this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Murder
Minor: Dementia, Alcohol
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I reeeeally wanted to like this, really tried to get into the lore, but the writing didn’t quite do it for me.
First some negatives:
- The writing in general wasn’t really my style. It read very YA fantasy, which is not a bad thing, just not what I expected. I kept seeing little similarities to the hunger games, particularly in the character of Golan, who’s superficially a lot like Cinna, and who I liked very much <3
- But using THG as an example, some books do a great job of showing you exactly how high the stakes are and it makes you instinctively want the characters to survive and succeed. In Faebound, the characters kept telling me the stakes were high, but I just didn’t believe them.
Even when the elves were trapped in Mosima with thousands of fae who supposedly hated them, and no means of escape, during most of the scenes they were just… hanging out. in a spacious apartment. There was very little threat or tension, and the plot was predictable to the point where I started getting frustrated. - The two romance storylines were also very predictable from the start, and didn’t do much for me (though I’m starting to think this is a me problem).
- There was one plot twist
(Komi) that I figured out as soon as the character was introduced, and it was so early on I was dreading the main characters not figuring it out, knowing it wouldn’t be revealed until the very end. He was such a silly character and didn’t fit the tone of the rest of the book, so knowing the twist was coming I didn’t find him loveable at all, he just pissed me off!! - Finally this is a real nitpick, but I’ve always thought of elves and fae as synonymous in folklore, so seeing them as different, enemy species took a while to adjust to. It doesn’t help that in Faebound there’s almost no difference between them; fae have sharp canines (which are purely decorative as they are vegetarian**) and use slightly different magic to elves. The elves could’ve easily been replaced by humans for the purposes of the story (in the lore, the now-extinct humans used magic too, so it would’ve made sense!) except it seems like there are plans to introduce humans in the sequels to complete the trifecta.
Things I did enjoy:
- Drumfire, and the importance of a drum as a magic focus to Yeeran. Loved it.
- The two-headed bat god Ewia.
- Lettle’s divination process, and the fact that every prophecy had to come true.
- Golan.
His involvement with the poisoning prophecy was a little obvious, but you could also call it good foreshadowing. - Pila. She was funny and reminded me of my cat.
- The obeah in general. Loved the obeah and the merging of real-life West African folklore with fantasy; they were a cool balance between animal familiars and mounts. But sometimes they felt a bit hollow, like pets or accessories. Give me descriptions of how being faebound actually affects society in Mosima, their lifecycle and social habits, how each obeah is different in size and pattern and horn type. **Related: I can kind of understand the choice of the fae being exclusively vegetarian, but it made no sense for the obeah, who have the bodies and teeth of leopards. I feel like it sanitised them and was a huge missed opportunity to emphasize their power and ferocity!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
Thanks to Del Rey Books for the free copy of this book.
- Saara El-Arifi is so good at creating dark fantasy worlds that are full of both war and love. I also love how she seamlessly includes queer and disabled people throughout her stories.
- Yeeran and Lettle are a great pair of sisters, loving each other and also being annoyed as heck with each other because they don’t see eye to eye.
- Here’s the thing about FAEBOUND - I could see exactly where the plot was going at every turn and I loved reading it anyway. Everything was predictable, but I enjoyed by time in this world and am looking forward to the sequel.
- Saara El-Arifi is so good at creating dark fantasy worlds that are full of both war and love. I also love how she seamlessly includes queer and disabled people throughout her stories.
- Yeeran and Lettle are a great pair of sisters, loving each other and also being annoyed as heck with each other because they don’t see eye to eye.
- Here’s the thing about FAEBOUND - I could see exactly where the plot was going at every turn and I loved reading it anyway. Everything was predictable, but I enjoyed by time in this world and am looking forward to the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
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
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Infidelity, Dementia, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Alcohol