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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
fast-paced
dnf @ 43%
trust me, i’m all for a slow burn enemies to lovers romance but if i’m almost halfway through the book and they’ve just met for the first time, that’s no longer a slow burn, the fires out
trust me, i’m all for a slow burn enemies to lovers romance but if i’m almost halfway through the book and they’ve just met for the first time, that’s no longer a slow burn, the fires out
Full review here:
https://airinefferin.com/2022/10/25/duology-review-sands-of-arawiya/
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Does calipha mean female caliph? A bit confused.
https://airinefferin.com/2022/10/25/duology-review-sands-of-arawiya/
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Does calipha mean female caliph? A bit confused.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I am not the target demographic for this book, so maybe don’t listen to this review.
But.
Authors can of course write about life experiences they haven’t had, BUT they need to actually talk to someone who HAS gone through it. Otherwise, they’re gonna make some shit up and it’ll be unintentionally goofy. The two protagonists were broody-moody to the point where I was rolling my eyes throughout reading this. Also, being horny on main for the assassin who killed your BEST FRIEND who you were considering MARRYING all because you saw him shirtless ONCE is absolute insanity.
This reads a bit like it was written by a teenager.
But.
Authors can of course write about life experiences they haven’t had, BUT they need to actually talk to someone who HAS gone through it. Otherwise, they’re gonna make some shit up and it’ll be unintentionally goofy. The two protagonists were broody-moody to the point where I was rolling my eyes throughout reading this. Also, being horny on main for the assassin who killed your BEST FRIEND who you were considering MARRYING all because you saw him shirtless ONCE is absolute insanity.
This reads a bit like it was written by a teenager.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
“We hunt the flame, the light in the darkness, the good this world deserves.”
➽ This was one of those books I'd been meaning to read for ages. It's one of my oldest books on my Kindle, so I thought it was finally time to give it a shot. Unfortunately, We Hunt the Flame wasn't as good as I'd hoped. I'm much pickier with my YA Fantasy nowadays, but I don't think I would've liked it better a couple of years ago either. The story follows Zafira, an infamous Hunter who has to hide that she's a woman and the Prince of Death Nasir, who are both set on hunting down the same artefact that could restore magic to their world. Let's start with the good: I thought the world had potential. I liked that a curse plagues each caliphate since the Six Sisters disappeared and took magic with them. Most people used to be born with a special talent, but that is no longer the case. Zafira's hometown is threatened by a cursed forest, so she jumps at the chance to restore magic and save her people!
➽ Unfortunately, neither the characters nor the romance had much depth. I liked Zafira, but her background story felt flimsy, and I didn't get why she had to take on the identity of the Hunter. We're told that her town is struggling with their food supply, but I never felt any urgency or tension. Zafira visits a bustling market and goes to a lavish wedding, so I didn't see much food insecurity or worry for the future. In the end, Zafira felt like every other YA heroine who hunts to support her people. Even worse is Nasir, who I felt bad for at first, but then just infuriated me. It's horrible how his father uses and abuses him, no question, but he's the stereotypical broody, troubled and dangerous love interest. He was SO self-absorbed, as everything was always about his pain. One of his lovers got punished by his father, but instead of sympathising with her, he only talks about how much her fate hurt HIM.
➽ I hated how Zafira didn't call him out on his privilege and how the enemies-to-lovers romance was so bland. Zafira and Nasir had no chemistry, and their connection felt unearned. I like hate-to-love dynamics that actually explore the couple's different perspectives and challenge their different upbringings. Nothing of the sort happened here. Unfortunately, I also didn't care for the secondary characters. Altair was the most interesting by far, but even then, he was reduced to the comedic relief character. The other two people in their party were so underdeveloped, I couldn't tell you much about them.
➽ I struggled the most with the slow pacing. I was giving the book the benefit of the doubt for the first part, as a build-up is always required at the beginning of a Fantasy story. Unfortunately, the book was incredibly slow-paced and too focused on travelling and killing random monsters. I was hoping things would kick off when Zafira and Nasir met each other, but what could have been an intense hunt for the artefact turned into a boring trek in the desert. Only the very end packed a bit more action, and by then it was far too late!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood
Spoilers ahead!
Firstly, I'd like to say that Faizal's writing is absolutely beautiful. She paints scenery so vividly that I could imagine everywhere she was talking about. The world building was done quite well, and I love the elements of Ancient Arabia that she has fused into the story. It's about time we got a proper representation of the Middle East! Also, I liked the banter she would write between the various characters; it was witty and fun to read.
Moving on to the plot: it was fine. It was a classic fantasy find-the-ancient-artifact-that-will-save-our-world plot. I have to say it was extremely predictable, even for a YA fantasy. Of course the Lion of the Night is alive. Of course Altair is a safin. Of course Deen died. I mean, it was all very predictable if you know what foreshadowing is at all. However, just because something is predictable doesn't mean it's bad. I really loved Faizal's writing throughout the book, which is what saved the novel, in my opinion.
Now, the characters are probably what I found the most issue with. Zafira and Nasir are just interesting enough to be saved from boring protagonist purgatory; that being said, I don't think they're great. Nasir's whole character arc annoyed me because he is supposed to be this cold-hearted killer, meanwhile he changes his ways because of a girl he's known for a few weeks. That doesn't really make any sense at all, and it's irritating to read. Zafira, on the other hand, is somewhat complex because of her father and her relationship with the "darkness", as she calls it. But I still didn't really understand her character arc either; she has an apparent problem with "love" but then loves her family and her friends unconditionally? Also, I totally thought she was in love with Yasmine, and was very disappointed when she wasn't. The side characters are fine, I did enjoy Altair quite a bit but he seems to have no flaws whatsoever. Benyamin's death didn't stir me much, even though I generally liked him.
Overall, it's a nice fantasy read with decent worldbuilding, but poor character development and a mediocre plot. I will be reading the second one because I'm curious how the saga will continue, and I hope that it improves from this one.
Firstly, I'd like to say that Faizal's writing is absolutely beautiful. She paints scenery so vividly that I could imagine everywhere she was talking about. The world building was done quite well, and I love the elements of Ancient Arabia that she has fused into the story. It's about time we got a proper representation of the Middle East! Also, I liked the banter she would write between the various characters; it was witty and fun to read.
Moving on to the plot: it was fine. It was a classic fantasy find-the-ancient-artifact-that-will-save-our-world plot. I have to say it was extremely predictable, even for a YA fantasy. Of course the Lion of the Night is alive. Of course Altair is a safin. Of course Deen died. I mean, it was all very predictable if you know what foreshadowing is at all. However, just because something is predictable doesn't mean it's bad. I really loved Faizal's writing throughout the book, which is what saved the novel, in my opinion.
Now, the characters are probably what I found the most issue with. Zafira and Nasir are just interesting enough to be saved from boring protagonist purgatory; that being said, I don't think they're great. Nasir's whole character arc annoyed me because he is supposed to be this cold-hearted killer, meanwhile he changes his ways because of a girl he's known for a few weeks. That doesn't really make any sense at all, and it's irritating to read. Zafira, on the other hand, is somewhat complex because of her father and her relationship with the "darkness", as she calls it. But I still didn't really understand her character arc either; she has an apparent problem with "love" but then loves her family and her friends unconditionally? Also, I totally thought she was in love with Yasmine, and was very disappointed when she wasn't. The side characters are fine, I did enjoy Altair quite a bit but he seems to have no flaws whatsoever. Benyamin's death didn't stir me much, even though I generally liked him.
Overall, it's a nice fantasy read with decent worldbuilding, but poor character development and a mediocre plot. I will be reading the second one because I'm curious how the saga will continue, and I hope that it improves from this one.