Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - We Free the Stars

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

18 reviews

michellemaas's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

I loved it!

I'm going to start by saying that We Free the Stars is one of the most quotable books I have read to date. Hafsah Faizal has such a beautiful way with words and that alone deserves a star before any other factors are even considered.

Another thing that is super close to my heart: asexual representation. In recent years the entertainment industry has come a long way in terms of representing the LGBTQ+ community but despite seeing a bunch of cute lesbian and gay couples, I NEVER see any asexual characters (or it isn't outright mentioned/discussed). Oftentimes characters are thrown into unnecessary relationships since romance is a huge driving point and I appreciate that Hafsah Faizal made Kifah an interesting and alluring character without needing to put her in a romantic relationship. The way she described asexuality was also so good.

Next there's Nasir and Zafira. One of my main critiques for the previous book was how Zafira and Nasir got over their qualms of each other without any real explanation for why. It was purely based on lust, Zafira being emotionally stunted after the death of her friend and Nasir latching onto the first person to show him affection. I am so happy that Hafsah Faizal deepened their relationship in the sequel. We got to see that slow-burn that she was going for in the first book because their relationship had to fester from lust to love. It was a beautiful journey (even if the beginning was a little questionable). Also, that ending. We all saw it coming but when I tell you I was a pile of squishy feels . . . just perfect.

The last relationship-related point I want to make is about Yasmine and Misk. I know I sound repetitive but I loved and appreciated that Yasmine was not magically fine at the end of the book. The author "sacrificed" a perfect ending that was wrapped up with a neat little bow to show that grief does not go away because other things in your life get better.

Then, I enjoyed The Lion of the Night as a villain. He was not purely a monster and while the author made it clear that his tragic past did not justify his actions, it gave us a better insight into him as a character.

Lastly, I want to shout out all the side characters like Altair, Lana, Yasmine, etc. My version of this book was 700-odd pages (as opposed to the 400/500-something of the first book) and I was apprehensive since a longer book doesn't always equal a better book. While I still don't know if all 700 pages were necessary, I am glad that the author went for a little bit of a longer book to explore the development and fleshing-out of the side characters. I feel that my reading experience was thoroughly enhanced by the fact that I had more knowledge of the side characters than an off-handed description as most other novels do.

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brynn_books's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring sad 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

4.5

I really enjoyed this book! I love these characters and this world so much. I would highly recommend this series if you haven't read it yet.

The middle of the book was a little slow and dragged out for me. But the ending felt rushed. So I feel like the pacing was a little bit off for me.

Other than that, I think this was a great finale to a fantastic duology. I love Nasir and Altair's relationship and the way it developed throughout the series. All of the character's development was done really well. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!

Content Warnings

handsome_enough_to_tempt_me's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

OK THIS IS LITERALLY SO GOOD FIVE STARS NO QUESTIONS ASKED
THE NASIR/ZAFIRA T E N S I O N PLSSSS SAY LESS I CANT EVEN I CANT
AND LIKE THE SIDE CHARACTERS AND ALTAIR’S DEVELOPMENT IS TOO GOOD I CANT JUST GO READ THIS DUOLOGY OK GOGOGOGO

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plumpaperbacks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense 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

5.0

I gave the first book in this series only three stars, because I thought the characters and world-building were good but too many other things were off. I feel like a clown now, because I was enthralled as soon as I started this book and that never stopped. Now I’m obsessed with the characters and the story, and I’d go as far as saying that this is one of my favorite books of all time. Any book that makes me feel so many emotions deserves a spot on that list.

And dear god, there were emotions. There still are. I love the zumra, but they put me through more crap than I was prepared for. This especially applies to Zafira and Nasir. I ship them so hard!!! And the number of times I nearly lost it because of something sweet he said to her… I don’t think I’ve ever seen a love interest as reverent of their lover as he is. I’m pretty sure he’s the most romantic love interest ever. Very few ships make me swoon and screech and lose my mind as much as these two did, which says a lot, honestly. I’m a hopeless romantic and there are dozens of ships I’ll go down with, but something about these characters just affects me. I think it’s the slow-burn. Those usually hit me hard.

Romance aside, the friendships and family dynamics were also phenomenal. Zafira, Nasir, Altair, and Kifah are all iconic, and I love the dynamic between the four of them. I especially loved all the banter. I also really liked Zafira and Kifah’s friendship, and Zafira’s bond with her younger sister Lana, and Nasir and Altair’s friendship. It was really sweet to see Lana grow up, and how she loved her sister so much. I appreciate that she wasn’t sidelined in the midst of everything, and instead was just as complex and important to the story. As for my boys, they’re like the grumpy one and sunshine one, friend edition, and I’m totally here for it. They’re great on their own, and an absolutely hilarious duo.

They’re my favorite brothers, I think. I loved seeing them get used to that part of their relationship, and love and support each other.

The entirety of act three had me STRESSED. (I mean, the whole book did, if I’m being honest.) The final showdown was handled in a way I didn’t expect, so props to Faizal for that. Even after everything was wrapped up in terms of plot, I was still stressed because of how two specific characters were acting.

Part of me was worried that Zafira would just run away from Nasir and her feelings for him, and he would let it happen. Thank every god that Yasmine talked some sense into Zafira, and everything worked out in the end. I thought it was really sweet how she came to the throne room, and he ran to her, scattering papers everywhere, and just kissed her. I legit felt like cheering at that moment.

Luckily, when I closed the book, my shipper heart was very happy. It was all perfect. I do kind of wish we’d gotten another chapter or two, since this happy ending felt slightly vague, but it was still very much a happy ending. And that’s enough to satisfy me. ❤️

I loved this book. I can definitely see myself rereading this duology in the future. I know I’ll certainly be anticipating A Tempest of Tea, and everything else Hafsah Faizal has up her sleeve.

Representation

protagonists and side characters of color
aromantic asexual side character of color

Content Warnings

starryorbit12's review

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Improvements:

Pacing. The first novel started slow for the first 100 pages then jumped to fast pace with little transition. Much of those first 100 pages contained all of stuff that could have been trimmed down, especially since a lot of it . This novel sets a medium-fast pace that is consistent throughout.
Plotting. A big issue I had with the first book plot is that characters don't really interact or cause the plot. Things just happen to the character. Enemies and obstacles come to them, or they simple stumble upon the next plot point or place to go. Plot should be about the cause and effect of characters actions and wants. This book delivers on that.
Kulsum.
So, one of the things I liked about the first book was how side characters, even unnamed ones, could feel really and like they were fleshing out the world. The exception was Kulsum who pretty much exists for Nasir's man pain. She only exists and functions to be Nasir's lover, the Sultan's leverage, or Altair spy. We only see what happens to her through these male characters and their feelings. Even the lose of her tongue is framed around Nasir's horror and regret. Her spyhood is framed around Altair attempting to hurt Nasir rather then why she did it. She has no voice before or after she loses her tongue. She was also the only disabled character of the first book. This books corrects that some by giving Kulsum a confrontation with Nasir. We find out here motives to spy and have a romantic relationship with Nasir was because he killed her lover. The loss of her tongue than becomes framed as the price of pursuing vengeance even as real feelings became a part of it rather than Nasir's pain. It's a short scene that doesn't fully pull her away from being Nasir's man pain because this is used to fuel tension between him and Zafira when she walks in due to him being shirtless. However, it does give her some agency in her story and makes her feel less like one dimensional trope.
World building! It felt like we're were given the bare minimum about magic even though magic is the whole goal of characters. Last book just threw a couple different races at us and explained types of magic affinities with no context of what that means. This book takes the time to explain there difference between races, there relationship with magic, and how magic is meant to work. If three out your four race look humanoid, you got to give more time to making them distinct and this book does that sound much better.

Pros:

Aroace representation! Not only is Kifah aroace, but this revelation helps avoid the tired trope of pairing up single side characters because books/series can't seem to end without everyone being in a romantic relationship.
I particular like how this one done when Zafira ask Kifah about Altair. The first book often point out that the two were banter off to the side. It fully set up the typical "we said they interacted a couple times so that enough to pair the together at the end." When Zafira asks about interactions, Kifah makes it clear that she just isn't interested in other that way even though she platonic cares about them.
If you enjoy slow burn relationships, this book does it well. It does a great job at placing legitimate obstacles in the way of confessing as well as building tension in the main couples scenes.
Engaging plot. Much of the first book was interesting but boiled down to the same ya plot of "find the thing to bring back magic." This book could have done the same.
It could have just been taking the hearts the Caliphs or getting the final heart back. Instead saving Altair is a bigger focus, and the hearts are only one piece of the story.
So much more happens, and it's not as predictable. Plans often have hiccups or improvisation.
A strong conclusion. The final battle per was a good climax that didn't drag nor did it end to fast. There was also a good focus on the after. Things didn't just end up happily ever after for the kingdom immediately, and it clear that while the characters are happy they will still have to work to make the kingdom the wished in the future.
I enjoyed Altair becoming Sultan instead. He put in so much work for the kingdom, and Nasir was so abused to forced to kill that I don't know if he was fully equipped to run the whole kingdom that only knew to fear him. Making him Caliph of the place he wronged previously seemed fitting instead. It gave him a small scale and a way to help the people he had wronged.
Side plots don't detract from the main story or simple simple disappear either. The enhance the world and make it feel full. Some worlds feel so empty beside the main characters, but side plots and characters really enhance the dynamic feel of the kingdom.

Cons:

Aya.
Her betrayal was bother obvious and jarring. It was obvious from the weird comments she made before the rescue mission in the Lion's favor. It was also jarring because she should have the least reason to trust or go to the Lion. We are meant to believe she empty after Benyamin's and her child death which is the catalyst for her changing sides. But, Benyamin death was for stopping the Lion. His life was dedicated to righting his wrongs caused by trusting the Lion the first time She has also seems his lies directly before. She should want to give her best shot at accomplishing the thing that her husband died for, and that what she has shown up towards the weird comments. The way the characters react feels like they are seeing build up we as readers didn't too.
The Sliver Witch's heart.
There is literally no reason why she couldn't have given up her heart ages ago in the book. She doesn't need it to survive, and they could have brought magic back way sooner which would have leveled the playing field for fighting the Lion by a lot. The fact that it doesn't occur to anyone, and they are planning on this strict timeline of the stolen hearts corruption feels like glaring oversight for these smart characters. It feels like a huge plot hole, especially because a big plot point was finding si'alh blood so they could do blood magic to find the last heart and Altair. These smart characters jump to blood magic that supposed to be forbidden due the consequences instead of asking for the Witch's heart. She wants to stop the Lion too, and it literally could have been temporary. Use her heart for the fifth so Zafira could be magic compass again to track down the actual last heart and Altair. She could have it back after the other heart was found. There was no described down side to removing there hearts. Plus, Kifah would be able to make illusions and the others on there side could could use there affinities. They would still need the dagger to actually kill the Lion, so it wouldn't through off the balance of the power struggle. It just feels weird that no one thought of that, and the possibility wasn't even acknowledged until she did it even as the panicking over the last heart.

Content Warnings

ira_reads's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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

5.0

Content Warning: Ableist language, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Verbal abuse, Child abuse and neglect, Blood and gore depiction, Physical injuries, Dead bodies, Grief depiction, Death of a mother, Death of a father, Death of a child, Death of a friend, Death of a cousin, Murder and attempted murder, Torture, Imprisonment and captivity, Blackmail, Kidnapping, War themes discussed, Animal death, Hunting

Overall Rating: 50000000/5

World: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

“We hunt the flame, the light in the darkness, the good this world deserves.”

What I loved:

There’s not one thing in this series that I didn’t love but I guess I can list some stuff out if you want.

Altair
Nasir
Zafira
Every single protagonist in this freaking book
Enemies to lovers but it’s not toxic
Amazing, tragic backstories
Beautiful, descriptive, emotional writing.
Did I say Altair already?

“Men are like fish,” Kifah said, the break in her voice giving away her unease.

“Shiny, and of little brain?” Zafira replied.”

Synopsis:

Zafira is a peasant living in a village in Demenhur, a land filled with snow and poverty. To provide for her village, she disguises herself as a man and hunts from the Arz, a deadly forest filled with mysterious creatures.

Nasir, on the other hand, is the prince of Death, an assassin for his father, the Sultan.

Both are sent to the Arz, Zafira to hunt for the prized possession that could bring magic to the Arawiya again, and Nasir to assassinate Zafira as soon as she finds it.

“If you want me obedient, prince, kill me and carry my corpse.”

World-building:

This book is set in a fictional land called Arawiya which is both complex, but easy to understand atthe same time. Each kingdom makes sense, and isn’t just there to make the book look more fancy. If anything’s complicated, it’s the history behind these lands, not the lands themselves. There is a ton of worldbuilding and storytelling in the first ⅓ of We Hunt the Flame, but it’s so worth it.

“He was a mess of scars like the sky was a mess of stars.”

Characters:

These books’ found family is elite. Elite, I tell you. Kifah, Benyamin, Altair, Nasir, Zafira, and so many others all crawl their way up into your heart. And in a dangerous journey like theirs, I found myself fearing for every single one of them.

What I loved a lot was how Altair and Nasir were complete opposites. One, was a tortured, abused, Prince of Death, whose values and morals had been twisted by his father. Altair was a carefree, funny character that starkly contrasted Nasir. Being a duo in both books, they’re differences and similarities become more and more obvious especially in the second book and it’s fascinating to see them grow together.

Zafira’s character development in this series was very admirable. Her development was a rollercoaster, it fluctuated and it followed a realistic timeline. She didn’t become the hero that she was meant to be by the end of the first book. She had ups and downs, and went through many struggles before she was confident in herself.

“He didn't live. He existed. And no one understood the difference between the two until they ceased to live.”

Plot:

I don’t know how to describe the plot in a way that it deserves. The plot of these two books was so well thought out, it was intricate, it was complicated, it was everything you would expect from a high fantasy. The magic system was so simple but complicated, and I was constantly waiting for the next big thing to happen. Sometimes some fantasy books get so lost in the characters’ stories and the world that they’re building that they completely forget to make a substantial plot. This results in a very methodical, formulaic, boring plot. The Sands of Arawiya duology managed to make a plot of great substance and connected the world, character stories, and the plot.

“If I hurt her, I will bring every weapon at my disposal and lay them at your feet for you to do to me what you will. If I hurt her, I will no sooner carve out my own heart then dare draw breath again.”

Final thoughts:

This series made me cry because of how beautiful and emotional the writing was. Everything about this book was beautiful and amazing and I will recommend this series to anyone who can stand the initial worldbuilding. The romance, the found family, the world, the magic system, everything was absolutely perfect and now I have to decide if this or Six of Crows is my favorite high fantasy. This was one of the books that I was sad to end because I didn’t want to be taken away from the characters’ stories. There’s something for everyone in this series. Found family, romance, intricate world, intricate plot, amazing side characters, character development, the list goes on and one. This was an unforgettable read.

Content Warnings

sarahsbooklife's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense 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

4.5

I am so happy with the way this duology ended and how everything was resolved!

My only real complaint about this book is that it is so long and it dragged a little in places. But for the most part I absolutely loved it!

I flipped that one of the characters was revealed to be aro-ace. I loved the development of the romance, but most of all the friendships and found family!

I am so happy that Lana and Altair had bigger parts in this book! Loved it!

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