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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
π¦ We Free the Stars Book Review π¦
β #QOTD What's your favorite found family story? β
π¦ Zafira and Nasir return to a ghostly Sultanβs Keep, low on resources and allies alike. The dark forest has fallen, but the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Nightβs 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?
π 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.
π 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.
π 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.
π 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.
π¦ 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.
β¨ The Vibes β¨
π Young Adult Epic Fantasy
π§ Sands of Arawiya Duology
πΉ Magic
β¨ Assassin/Huntress Enemies to Lovers
π Lyrical and Spellbinding
π§ Arab & Muslim Inspired/Writer
πΉ Triple POV
β¨ "I came to kill you but fell for you"
π Found Family
π§ Royal Court/Political Intrigue
πΉ Slow Burn & Super Angsty
π¬ Quotes
β βYou seem to have no trouble being the end of me.β β
β βHabibi. 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.β β
β "Youβre like a room full of books. Every time I see you, I discover something new.β β
β They suffered alone. Quiet and brave. It was easy to believe that anyone who did not speak of suffering did not suffer. β
β My bladed compass, sheathed in starlight. β
β His compass. His queen. His life. β
β He had been the Amir al-Maut until she had come and torn the monster to shreds with sharp words and coy glimpses. β
β Youβll have me. No matter how thick the night, I will always be there to light your way. β
β "They say the soul cannot rest until it finds its match. Then it ignites." β
β βDo 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?β β
β #QOTD What's your favorite found family story? β
π¦ Zafira and Nasir return to a ghostly Sultanβs Keep, low on resources and allies alike. The dark forest has fallen, but the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Nightβs 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?
π 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.
π 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.
π 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.
π 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.
π¦ 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.
β¨ The Vibes β¨
π Young Adult Epic Fantasy
π§ Sands of Arawiya Duology
πΉ Magic
β¨ Assassin/Huntress Enemies to Lovers
π Lyrical and Spellbinding
π§ Arab & Muslim Inspired/Writer
πΉ Triple POV
β¨ "I came to kill you but fell for you"
π Found Family
π§ Royal Court/Political Intrigue
πΉ Slow Burn & Super Angsty
π¬ Quotes
β βYou seem to have no trouble being the end of me.β β
β βHabibi. 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.β β
β "Youβre like a room full of books. Every time I see you, I discover something new.β β
β They suffered alone. Quiet and brave. It was easy to believe that anyone who did not speak of suffering did not suffer. β
β My bladed compass, sheathed in starlight. β
β His compass. His queen. His life. β
β He had been the Amir al-Maut until she had come and torn the monster to shreds with sharp words and coy glimpses. β
β Youβll have me. No matter how thick the night, I will always be there to light your way. β
β "They say the soul cannot rest until it finds its match. Then it ignites." β
β βDo 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?β β
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
bbaxley21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
hayleybrathwaite's review against another edition
5.0
This book is about to be my Roman Empire the way it had me in a chokehold the entire time. All the characters were written beyond perfect; Nasir and Zafiraβs loyalty to each other, Altairs sarcastic humour, even down to Lana who was the best little sister. The story itself had me on the edge of my seat the entire time so I devoured this book in 2 days. WHEN I THOUGHT ZAFIRA DIED I WAS SO SHOOK idk why Iβm so gullible but I genuinely believed she was dead and I just sat in my bed for 10 minutes contemplating life. Wow.