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lilykjohnson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
6⭐️. Easily my favorite book of the year.
I laughed, I cried, I felt more than a book has ever made me feel. I was shocked, giggling and kicking my feet, devastated, and renewed. The complexity of every character was so raw and real. Every single one of them has my heart. (This is how you do morally grey btw.) My heart has shattered at finishing this. I am NOT okay, but I am better than I have ever been. The only book that has ever come close to the way my favorite series did. I am undone.
Thank you, Hafsah Faizal. You have gained a forever fan.
I laughed, I cried, I felt more than a book has ever made me feel. I was shocked, giggling and kicking my feet, devastated, and renewed. The complexity of every character was so raw and real. Every single one of them has my heart. (This is how you do morally grey btw.) My heart has shattered at finishing this. I am NOT okay, but I am better than I have ever been. The only book that has ever come close to the way my favorite series did. I am undone.
Thank you, Hafsah Faizal. You have gained a forever fan.
pinkystardust's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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
4.5
raygersh's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 freed stars
There was so much to enjoy in this novel, but equally as much to make me want to bury my head under a mountain of pillows and not emerge for hours. To be honest, I removed a full star for the length of this book. It felt like such an undertaking and I had to drag myself through it. The number of times Nasir and Zafira had the same thoughts in their heads but refused to voice them drove me mad. I spent 3/4 of the book waiting for them to communicate, only to be utterly disappointed. The problem was not the length in and of itself, just the pacing of events and progression of relationships.
Despite all my griping, I did actually really love pieces of this. The friendship between Zafira and Yasmine was unique and interesting. The reality of the pain of forgiveness was a truth I rarely see braved in a YA novel. The relationships within the zumra were also so fun and there were moments I was giddy with their adventure.
Overall: I liked and enjoyed this book, but it was quite a journey to make it to the end.
There was so much to enjoy in this novel, but equally as much to make me want to bury my head under a mountain of pillows and not emerge for hours. To be honest, I removed a full star for the length of this book. It felt like such an undertaking and I had to drag myself through it. The number of times Nasir and Zafira had the same thoughts in their heads but refused to voice them drove me mad. I spent 3/4 of the book waiting for them to communicate, only to be utterly disappointed. The problem was not the length in and of itself, just the pacing of events and progression of relationships.
Despite all my griping, I did actually really love pieces of this. The friendship between Zafira and Yasmine was unique and interesting. The reality of the pain of forgiveness was a truth I rarely see braved in a YA novel. The relationships within the zumra were also so fun and there were moments I was giddy with their adventure.
Overall: I liked and enjoyed this book, but it was quite a journey to make it to the end.
mosadbanan's review against another edition
5.0
This book was soooo good and of course it destroyed me
naigwoo's review against another edition
5.0
“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 other's 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.”
She was his moon and he was her sun.
I absolutely loved this book, Hafsah Faizal writes SO beautifully and poetically... I have too many favourite quotes in this book, it really amazes me.
I loved how we can see so many strong women here, breaking with the sexism that the habitants of Arawiya had. I also adored every one of the characters (Altair robbed my heart completely) and each one of their evolution during the book, especially the character development of Nasir and Lana, which was amazing! I have been able to get to know Lana more deeply during this book, she is a smart and strong woman and needs more recognition. And Nasir... I have SO much to say about him, I love him and I am so happy to see him find himself again, allow himself to love, begin to show his feelings and realize that his voice does matter...he also had so many good quotes I swear he said the most beautiful and romantical things I had ever read.
Another thing I adored was seeing how four strangers created such a beautiful friendship with so much love and trust... they went through the dark together and created the light together.
However, my favourite thing was seeing the relationship between Nasir and Altair evolve from hating each other to this pure brotherhood love, I love them with all my heart and their dynamic is the best.
Overall, this book is amazing, the writing is breathtaking and you fall in love with every character so please give this a chance! Maybe it's a bit slow and complicated at first but is all worth it.
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 other's 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.”
She was his moon and he was her sun.
I absolutely loved this book, Hafsah Faizal writes SO beautifully and poetically... I have too many favourite quotes in this book, it really amazes me.
I loved how we can see so many strong women here, breaking with the sexism that the habitants of Arawiya had. I also adored every one of the characters (Altair robbed my heart completely) and each one of their evolution during the book, especially the character development of Nasir and Lana, which was amazing! I have been able to get to know Lana more deeply during this book, she is a smart and strong woman and needs more recognition. And Nasir... I have SO much to say about him, I love him and I am so happy to see him find himself again, allow himself to love, begin to show his feelings and realize that his voice does matter...he also had so many good quotes I swear he said the most beautiful and romantical things I had ever read.
Another thing I adored was seeing how four strangers created such a beautiful friendship with so much love and trust... they went through the dark together and created the light together.
However, my favourite thing was seeing the relationship between Nasir and Altair evolve from hating each other to this pure brotherhood love, I love them with all my heart and their dynamic is the best.
Overall, this book is amazing, the writing is breathtaking and you fall in love with every character so please give this a chance! Maybe it's a bit slow and complicated at first but is all worth it.
saynabreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book follows the zumra as they attempt to rid Arawiya of the threat of the Lion and restore magic back to their land. Following the events of We Hunt the Flame, the characters are an emotional mess. Loyalties are tested, and the zumra are led on a journey darker than the one that led them through Sharr. This book is packed with nonstop action, political intrigue, and jaw-dropping twists. Hafsah Faizal really raised the bar for this book!!!!
evelinateran's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
Absolutely beauty world and story. I was completely drawn in and it was so magical. This duology is perfection. Plus the slow burn! Ahhh!! I love all of these characters so much!