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thepagelady's review against another edition
5.0
Darkness surged in his veins. Power bled from her bones.
The battle on Sharr is over. The Arz has fallen. Altair may be captive, but Zafira, Nasir, and Kifah are bound for Sultan’s Keep, determined to finish the plan Altair set in motion. But they are low on resources and allies alike, and the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return.
As the zumra plots to overthrow Arawiya's darkest threat
Nasir fights to command the magic in his blood. He must learn to hone his power..
Zafira battles a very different darkness festering in her through her bond with the Jawarat
In spite of everything, Zafira and Nasir find themselves falling into a love they can’t stand to lose.
But time is running out, and if order is to be restored, drastic sacrifices will have to be made.
Thank you, Goodreads and Fierce Reads for the chance to read We Free the Stars!
“{Honor before heart, said the girl.}”
“{Delicacy fosters death, said the lion.}”
“{Destruction follows darkness, said the boy.}”
“{Power begets pain, said the king.}”
“{And they were all horribly right,}”
Ok, first I am jealous of everyone else who read the first book! I have definitely missed out. This book is amazing! The way Hafsah Faizal writes, you feel you know all the characters. The dedication that you see in each character and their relationship to each other, you can't help but fall in love. The world building in this book is just absolutely beautiful. I don't think I have ever come across a book where the end didn’t leave me wanting or asking well what about this or that. Not that it was neatly tied in a pretty little bow, but you felt good with it ending that way. You will cry! You will laugh! You will get frustrated and in the end you will absolutely love this book! And to think this is only her second book released {that I know of at least} Hafsah Faizal will be an amazing author! I can't wait to see what comes next from her! Happy reading everyone!
The battle on Sharr is over. The Arz has fallen. Altair may be captive, but Zafira, Nasir, and Kifah are bound for Sultan’s Keep, determined to finish the plan Altair set in motion. But they are low on resources and allies alike, and the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return.
As the zumra plots to overthrow Arawiya's darkest threat
Nasir fights to command the magic in his blood. He must learn to hone his power..
Zafira battles a very different darkness festering in her through her bond with the Jawarat
In spite of everything, Zafira and Nasir find themselves falling into a love they can’t stand to lose.
But time is running out, and if order is to be restored, drastic sacrifices will have to be made.
Thank you, Goodreads and Fierce Reads for the chance to read We Free the Stars!
“{Honor before heart, said the girl.}”
“{Delicacy fosters death, said the lion.}”
“{Destruction follows darkness, said the boy.}”
“{Power begets pain, said the king.}”
“{And they were all horribly right,}”
Ok, first I am jealous of everyone else who read the first book! I have definitely missed out. This book is amazing! The way Hafsah Faizal writes, you feel you know all the characters. The dedication that you see in each character and their relationship to each other, you can't help but fall in love. The world building in this book is just absolutely beautiful. I don't think I have ever come across a book where the end didn’t leave me wanting or asking well what about this or that. Not that it was neatly tied in a pretty little bow, but you felt good with it ending that way. You will cry! You will laugh! You will get frustrated and in the end you will absolutely love this book! And to think this is only her second book released {that I know of at least} Hafsah Faizal will be an amazing author! I can't wait to see what comes next from her! Happy reading everyone!
starstorm12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
faliiza's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
nathat06's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
battyaboutbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
🦇 We Free the Stars Book Review 🦇
❓ #QOTD What's your favorite found family story? ❓
🦇 Zafira and Nasir return to a ghostly Sultan’s Keep, low on resources and allies alike. The dark forest has fallen, but the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return. As Nasir fights to command the dark power in his blood, Zafira fights against a very different darkness festering through her bond with the Jawarat. Can they defy the darkness surrounding them to find the light?
💜 My lovely romantasy readers. While we're all waiting for a certain dragon book, why not slip into a rich, vivid, Arabian-inspired epic fantasy that will HAVE YOU ON YOUR KNEES for an intense, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers ship? We Free the Stars (the second book in the Sands of Arawiya duology) provides all that AND SO MUCH MORE.
💜 Hafsah Faizal is an absolute MASTER at intricate, eloquent, powerful prose. Between the stunning setting, realistic characters, and absolute wit, you'll remain enthralled with every page. As our rag-tag found family "zumra" races to restore magic, you'll remain seeped in Arawiya's world and Faizal's spell-casting language. It's lyrical, action-packed, full of longing and loss. As captivating as the world-building and attention to detail are, it's the characters that bring this story to life. Many romantasy stories focus solely on the main ship, but Zafira's relationships with her sister, best friend, a daama book, and those she's lost weigh on her heavier than her father's cloak ever did. Those relationships are meaningful, still growing, capable of shattering with a single mistake--much as real relationships are.
💜 Zafira and Nasir have suffered so much, but still find one another in stolen moments that can steal your heart just as swiftly. The build from enemies to allies to the possibility of more is authentic, never rushed, leaving you craving more with every page yet never denying readers too long. The development is authentic; a dizzying, delightful slow-burn that never steals from the main story.
💙 Unfortunately, the second half of this duology relies deeply on miscommunication. Again, the characters internalize a LOT, causing the pacing to drag at certain points. Some points of conflict were avoidable, if only the zumra spoke to one another (instead of Zafira talking to a daama book that sasses back). The third part of the book, while sweet, felt a little unnecessary, dragging out scenes that could have been collected into an epilogue.
🦇 Recommended for all romantasy fans, namely fans of Ember in the Ashes, Rebel of the Sands, The Wrath & the Dawn, Spice Road, and The City of Brass.
✨ The Vibes ✨
🌙 Young Adult Epic Fantasy
🧭 Sands of Arawiya Duology
🏹 Magic
✨ Assassin/Huntress Enemies to Lovers
🌙 Lyrical and Spellbinding
🧭 Arab & Muslim Inspired/Writer
🏹 Triple POV
✨ "I came to kill you but fell for you"
🌙 Found Family
🧭 Royal Court/Political Intrigue
🏹 Slow Burn & Super Angsty
💬 Quotes
❝ “You seem to have no trouble being the end of me.” ❞
❝ “Habibi. Hayati. Roohi. My love, my life, my soul, the words meant, but their meanings went deeper than that. Habibi was for friends and love that was real enough. Hayati was when love became an all-encompassing thing. Deeper and deeper, until one became the others life. Roohi was when a soul twined with its match and loved with the force of a thousand suns. When it slipped beneath the heart and tangled in the very fibres of an existence.” ❞
❝ "You’re like a room full of books. Every time I see you, I discover something new.” ❞
❝ They suffered alone. Quiet and brave. It was easy to believe that anyone who did not speak of suffering did not suffer. ❞
❝ My bladed compass, sheathed in starlight. ❞
❝ His compass. His queen. His life. ❞
❝ He had been the Amir al-Maut until she had come and torn the monster to shreds with sharp words and coy glimpses. ❞
❝ You’ll have me. No matter how thick the night, I will always be there to light your way. ❞
❝ "They say the soul cannot rest until it finds its match. Then it ignites." ❞
❝ “Do my people not deserve the freedom of yours? Do you know how it feels to stand beside others forged of the same flesh and bone and still be treated as inferior? As someone undeserving?” ❞
❓ #QOTD What's your favorite found family story? ❓
🦇 Zafira and Nasir return to a ghostly Sultan’s Keep, low on resources and allies alike. The dark forest has fallen, but the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return. As Nasir fights to command the dark power in his blood, Zafira fights against a very different darkness festering through her bond with the Jawarat. Can they defy the darkness surrounding them to find the light?
💜 My lovely romantasy readers. While we're all waiting for a certain dragon book, why not slip into a rich, vivid, Arabian-inspired epic fantasy that will HAVE YOU ON YOUR KNEES for an intense, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers ship? We Free the Stars (the second book in the Sands of Arawiya duology) provides all that AND SO MUCH MORE.
💜 Hafsah Faizal is an absolute MASTER at intricate, eloquent, powerful prose. Between the stunning setting, realistic characters, and absolute wit, you'll remain enthralled with every page. As our rag-tag found family "zumra" races to restore magic, you'll remain seeped in Arawiya's world and Faizal's spell-casting language. It's lyrical, action-packed, full of longing and loss. As captivating as the world-building and attention to detail are, it's the characters that bring this story to life. Many romantasy stories focus solely on the main ship, but Zafira's relationships with her sister, best friend, a daama book, and those she's lost weigh on her heavier than her father's cloak ever did. Those relationships are meaningful, still growing, capable of shattering with a single mistake--much as real relationships are.
💜 Zafira and Nasir have suffered so much, but still find one another in stolen moments that can steal your heart just as swiftly. The build from enemies to allies to the possibility of more is authentic, never rushed, leaving you craving more with every page yet never denying readers too long. The development is authentic; a dizzying, delightful slow-burn that never steals from the main story.
💙 Unfortunately, the second half of this duology relies deeply on miscommunication. Again, the characters internalize a LOT, causing the pacing to drag at certain points. Some points of conflict were avoidable, if only the zumra spoke to one another (instead of Zafira talking to a daama book that sasses back). The third part of the book, while sweet, felt a little unnecessary, dragging out scenes that could have been collected into an epilogue.
🦇 Recommended for all romantasy fans, namely fans of Ember in the Ashes, Rebel of the Sands, The Wrath & the Dawn, Spice Road, and The City of Brass.
✨ The Vibes ✨
🌙 Young Adult Epic Fantasy
🧭 Sands of Arawiya Duology
🏹 Magic
✨ Assassin/Huntress Enemies to Lovers
🌙 Lyrical and Spellbinding
🧭 Arab & Muslim Inspired/Writer
🏹 Triple POV
✨ "I came to kill you but fell for you"
🌙 Found Family
🧭 Royal Court/Political Intrigue
🏹 Slow Burn & Super Angsty
💬 Quotes
❝ “You seem to have no trouble being the end of me.” ❞
❝ “Habibi. Hayati. Roohi. My love, my life, my soul, the words meant, but their meanings went deeper than that. Habibi was for friends and love that was real enough. Hayati was when love became an all-encompassing thing. Deeper and deeper, until one became the others life. Roohi was when a soul twined with its match and loved with the force of a thousand suns. When it slipped beneath the heart and tangled in the very fibres of an existence.” ❞
❝ "You’re like a room full of books. Every time I see you, I discover something new.” ❞
❝ They suffered alone. Quiet and brave. It was easy to believe that anyone who did not speak of suffering did not suffer. ❞
❝ My bladed compass, sheathed in starlight. ❞
❝ His compass. His queen. His life. ❞
❝ He had been the Amir al-Maut until she had come and torn the monster to shreds with sharp words and coy glimpses. ❞
❝ You’ll have me. No matter how thick the night, I will always be there to light your way. ❞
❝ "They say the soul cannot rest until it finds its match. Then it ignites." ❞
❝ “Do my people not deserve the freedom of yours? Do you know how it feels to stand beside others forged of the same flesh and bone and still be treated as inferior? As someone undeserving?” ❞
leebee08's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Zafira annoyed me from the beginning all the way to the end.
sydgraham's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
remie_bourque's review against another edition
4.0
I really loves the ending and the books writing was beautiful and expressed their emotions beautifully, but I got a bit tired of it and had to take a week break before finishing the last 100 pages but overall 4 stars
aubreymichelle's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.75