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castleraybollar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
anina's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Ryan was an enjoyable character he only turned a bit "evil " at the end, but I can understand the rationale for that.
tales_told_in_gold's review against another edition
Had to return it to the library, I fear. I’ll get another copy soon to finish!
youaremerlin's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
gothbaby's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Faebound was highly anticipated read for me and I read it in less than two days. I wished I had loved it as dearly as I anticipated considering its blurb and sapphic storyline.
Faebound struggled to wow me from its prose to its execution. While I still enjoyed the plot and worldbuilding, I found both to be very two-dimensional. On one hand, I appreciated being thrown into the story and learning as the characters journeyed through their respective stories. On the other, I found myself wanting more out of it all. More details, more exposition, more dimension, and overall tension within the story and between characters.
The plot, and unfortunately the characters too, were so shallow that I almost didn't care for the sapphic subplot. Not only was it very sidelined, it did not have the intense build and tension I usually look for. One moment Yeeran and Furi didn't speak, the next they were sharing stolen glances in each other's directions. When it came to the intimate scenes (sapphic and otherwise), they were very rushed and emotionless. It added to the overall feeling that the romance was merely there to be checked off.
Similarly, all conflict happened and was resolved within a page to two pages maximum. It lacked tension to the point where I simply ceased to care about the overarching conflict.
I wanted so bad to have loved this but it really didn't even impress me.
Faebound struggled to wow me from its prose to its execution. While I still enjoyed the plot and worldbuilding, I found both to be very two-dimensional. On one hand, I appreciated being thrown into the story and learning as the characters journeyed through their respective stories. On the other, I found myself wanting more out of it all. More details, more exposition, more dimension, and overall tension within the story and between characters.
The plot, and unfortunately the characters too, were so shallow that I almost didn't care for the sapphic subplot. Not only was it very sidelined, it did not have the intense build and tension I usually look for. One moment Yeeran and Furi didn't speak, the next they were sharing stolen glances in each other's directions. When it came to the intimate scenes (sapphic and otherwise), they were very rushed and emotionless. It added to the overall feeling that the romance was merely there to be checked off.
Similarly, all conflict happened and was resolved within a page to two pages maximum. It lacked tension to the point where I simply ceased to care about the overarching conflict.
I wanted so bad to have loved this but it really didn't even impress me.
mwass's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
evilelsa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
One of my favourite books this year! Can’t wait for the second one.🫶🏻🥰
ryanslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sara_dogs_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Original worldbuilding
Faebound starts off by delving straight into the mythology and background of the three races, their deities, and the world they inhabit. El-Arifi's expansive approach to world-building is truly impressive. As someone who appreciates novels with meticulously crafted and immersive settings, I found myself captivated by the rich universe established in the initial chapters. The political structures, military organization, the diverse flora and fauna found in the environment, and the magic system — featuring the unique concept of drum magic — serve as essential foundational elements that contribute significantly to the overall success of the plot. And succeed it certainly does!
Solid but slow-paced plot
In a world where humans, elves, and fae once fought for superiority, now there is only the Forever War, pitting elven tribes against one another in a never-ending conflict for resources. Yeeran, a battle-hardened elf warrior, intends to carry on that fight until her ultimate death on the battlefield, but fate has other plans.
When she makes a grave mistake on her first day as colonel of the Waning Tribe army, she is cast out of elven society. Desperate to restore Yeeran to her rightful place, her sister, Lettle, a fiery young woman on the path to become a diviner, follows her into exile, with Rayan, a captain under Yeeran. In the wilderness, Yeeran, Lettle, and Rayan come in contact with people they thought long since gone from the world, the fae. Thrust into a culture and society far from their own, the three elves must contend with anti-elf prejudice as they fight to stay alive and to find the path to freedom beyond the border of the fae realm. The plot moves at a slow pace, allowing ample room for world-building.
Emotionally flat writing
However, I must point out that the writing falls short in conveying deep emotions, lacking the so-called 'pathos.' The revelation of events often feels rushed, leaving a desire for more nuanced reactions from the characters. Another aspect worth noting is the predictability of the plot and the lackluster romantic subplot. Fortunately, the romantic element is confined to a few pages and never takes center stage, which I appreciated. However, when included, it should feel natural and spontaneous, a quality unfortunately lacking in this instance.
If you keep in mind these shortcomings and lower your expectations a bit, I would recommend giving it a try.
Faebound starts off by delving straight into the mythology and background of the three races, their deities, and the world they inhabit. El-Arifi's expansive approach to world-building is truly impressive. As someone who appreciates novels with meticulously crafted and immersive settings, I found myself captivated by the rich universe established in the initial chapters. The political structures, military organization, the diverse flora and fauna found in the environment, and the magic system — featuring the unique concept of drum magic — serve as essential foundational elements that contribute significantly to the overall success of the plot. And succeed it certainly does!
Solid but slow-paced plot
In a world where humans, elves, and fae once fought for superiority, now there is only the Forever War, pitting elven tribes against one another in a never-ending conflict for resources. Yeeran, a battle-hardened elf warrior, intends to carry on that fight until her ultimate death on the battlefield, but fate has other plans.
When she makes a grave mistake on her first day as colonel of the Waning Tribe army, she is cast out of elven society. Desperate to restore Yeeran to her rightful place, her sister, Lettle, a fiery young woman on the path to become a diviner, follows her into exile, with Rayan, a captain under Yeeran. In the wilderness, Yeeran, Lettle, and Rayan come in contact with people they thought long since gone from the world, the fae. Thrust into a culture and society far from their own, the three elves must contend with anti-elf prejudice as they fight to stay alive and to find the path to freedom beyond the border of the fae realm. The plot moves at a slow pace, allowing ample room for world-building.
Emotionally flat writing
However, I must point out that the writing falls short in conveying deep emotions, lacking the so-called 'pathos.' The revelation of events often feels rushed, leaving a desire for more nuanced reactions from the characters. Another aspect worth noting is the predictability of the plot and the lackluster romantic subplot. Fortunately, the romantic element is confined to a few pages and never takes center stage, which I appreciated. However, when included, it should feel natural and spontaneous, a quality unfortunately lacking in this instance.
If you keep in mind these shortcomings and lower your expectations a bit, I would recommend giving it a try.
smittonwith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“Faebound” is the first novel in a trilogy by Saara El-Arifi. This first novel follows the story of Yeeran, an Elf warrior, as she is outcasted from her home and goes on a journey to recover her sense of home. Yeeran picks up a loveable group of individuals along the way, ranging from her sister to the unexpected. During her journey, Yeeran discovers fae and the world they inhabit. Eventually the Elven and Fae worlds will have to meet again.