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gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
I first read this book back in 2020 and now I'm finally rereading so I can get read the sequel and finish this duology.
I thought this was a good read. The dual POV highlighted the emotions of both Zafira and Nasir and what they are dealing with throughout the book. I loved the world that are we in and how everywhere is different from one another, and shows the impact of magic with how it impacted the environment. It makes for a fantastical world placing a juxtaposition on the environment and the people. It all sounds magical but here are the ordinary people with no magic coping with what they have. Most people have forgotten about magic or don't believe it ever existed.
I thought the introduction of Benyamin and Kifah could have been done better. The group didn't feel like they really meshed and worked well together despite the book trying to make it out like they have bonded towards the end of their journey. This was the one area that I thought could have been improved. In saying that I thought Zafira, Nasir and Altair had good relationships and interesting dynamics but the other two felt underutilised.
Making up for it is the lore of the world and the plot of the book. These were highlights and very well done. The plot was also gripping and interesting throughout most of the book an not just in the last third coming up to the final climax. The twists and reveals were really well done and has you wondering what will happen in the next book. It leaves off on a slight cliff hanger, but really the excitement comes from the unknown for these characters after they have decided to throw off their vail and embrace change.
I am excited to see what We Free the Stars does with these characters.
I thought this was a good read. The dual POV highlighted the emotions of both Zafira and Nasir and what they are dealing with throughout the book. I loved the world that are we in and how everywhere is different from one another, and shows the impact of magic with how it impacted the environment. It makes for a fantastical world placing a juxtaposition on the environment and the people. It all sounds magical but here are the ordinary people with no magic coping with what they have. Most people have forgotten about magic or don't believe it ever existed.
I thought the introduction of Benyamin and Kifah could have been done better. The group didn't feel like they really meshed and worked well together despite the book trying to make it out like they have bonded towards the end of their journey. This was the one area that I thought could have been improved. In saying that I thought Zafira, Nasir and Altair had good relationships and interesting dynamics but the other two felt underutilised.
Making up for it is the lore of the world and the plot of the book. These were highlights and very well done. The plot was also gripping and interesting throughout most of the book an not just in the last third coming up to the final climax. The twists and reveals were really well done and has you wondering what will happen in the next book. It leaves off on a slight cliff hanger, but really the excitement comes from the unknown for these characters after they have decided to throw off their vail and embrace change.
I am excited to see what We Free the Stars does with these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
chrisb913's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.75
This was one hell of a debut novel for Hafsah Faizal. This is book one in the Sands of Arawiya duology. The worldbuilding was outstanding and the attention to details was spectacular. On top of the worldbuilding, Hasah provides such a unique magic system that has left me clamoring for more of her books (as I absolutely love a good magic system in books). The characters themselves felt unique, diverse, and just all around real. Zafira (one of the two main pov) is thrust upon this journey to save her land from encroaching evil and return magic all the while having to hide the fact that she is a woman from the incredibly sexist pig that is the caliph of her region. Nasir is the son of the sultan and the world's deadliest hashashin labeled the Prince of Death. Each are having to fight their way through a land that wants to swallow them whole to obtain an artifact that can restore their world to its rightful state. Along the way they must team up or risk their own survival.
I absolutely loved the storytelling for this book. Hafsah does not shy away from keeping you intrigued and guessing as she crafts this narrative. Instead of info dumping, she provides clues and hints and allows the story to provide the details naturally as to the past, present, and possible future. I am very excited to read book two and all future works from this author.
I absolutely loved the storytelling for this book. Hafsah does not shy away from keeping you intrigued and guessing as she crafts this narrative. Instead of info dumping, she provides clues and hints and allows the story to provide the details naturally as to the past, present, and possible future. I am very excited to read book two and all future works from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse and Misogyny
mollyreads16's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
AHHHHHHHH ALTAIR AND THE KIDNAPPING AND RHE SILVER WICTH AND IM SCREAMING ON THE INSIDE
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexism
bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i enjoyed the plot of this story and the setting felt like it’s own well developed character. that said the main characters were often the most tedious part of the story. at times, the pacing could have been better. for large parts of the story, i didn’t feel emotional connection with any of the characters save a few side characters. the romantic subplot could have been cut entirely and the book would have benefited thereby. that said i was riveted and plan on reading the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Sexism, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
cortanasreadingnook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-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
This is an fantastical story of retribution and vengeance built upon the stories of ancient Arabian Mythology. I loved the culturally rich world, bursting of vibrance, picturesque imagery, and incredible prose. Zafira is irrefutably one of the strongest female characters I’ve met out there, with equal parts a remorseful daughter, loving sister, all balanced out making her the powerful Huntress of Demehur. Nasir’s character is just as interesting and multifaceted, and he was written extraordinarily well for the Prince of Death. This is without a doubt one of those enemies to lovers stories with lots of tension and angst, their longing fueled by proximity and circumstance. All of the persons found in this book live up to their names with their personas, fun found family banter, and hilarious dynamics. For everyone complaining that they couldn’t follow a single thing in this book, it’s understandably so that you’re used to eurocentric world-building and have never ventured into a story written by a POC author. It’s not an excuse to treat this book like it’s the worst thing you’ve ever read because there’s Google, and language no matter of what origin is not gibberish. Moreso, my familiarity with the Arabic language helped ease me into the world of Arawiya, and I’m excited to know where the story goes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexism
taleofabibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Torture
Minor: Gore, Slavery, and Cursing
mattyb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Grief, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Violence, War, Torture, Gore, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
sammuraichan's review against another edition
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, Murder, Sexism, Blood, Violence, and Death
Minor: Animal death
miagic_tome's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I can’t believe I let this book sit on my TBR for so long, I loved it! So well written, and the two narrators did an amazing job reading. I thought the world building was great and the characters were so unique and interesting. Onto the second!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Torture, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Rape
katievallin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Kidnapping, Child death, War, and Domestic abuse