Reviews

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

archmage_ambuul'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 don't think I've really loved a lot of books the way I've loved this one. Without spoiling anything, Saara El-Arifi's Faebound is absolutely packed with everything I love in fiction: 

  • Classic sense of adventure 
  • Lovable, flawed characters
    • Bonus points for great queer representation
  • Thoughtfully-crafted magic system
  • Genuinely exciting romance subplots 
  • Plenty of political intrigue

And yes, I know that's practically a review cliche checklist. But what makes this book so special is how good its execution is. El-Arifi not only "checks the boxes," she knows how to tell a story. There's a lot to enjoy about this book (especially one particularly addictive romance subplot), and it manages to fit a lot into the story without overstaying its welcome. The ending is satisfying, while leaving just enough unresolved to make me desperate for book 2 to release.

If you like fantasy books at all, you are doing yourself a serious disservice if you haven't read this yet.

bassgirl456's review against another edition

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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

3.75

kneill's review against another edition

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adventurous

4.25

skyfluff's review against another edition

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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

4.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kyechout's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.25

ikristinaj's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

nemesislore's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

thecatrocks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring

4.5

sarahseesthis's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

ktslibrary's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

5.0

I loved loved loved this book!! I wasn't sure at first how it would go but once the plot really took off I was hooked. I read 300 pages yesterday to finish it at 2:30am 🤭