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whatsheread 's review for:
Cursebound
by Saara El-Arifi
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I was not a major fan of the first book in Saara El-Arifi's Faebound trilogy, CURSEBOUND was a much better story. I enjoyed it a lot more and found that it added some necessary depth to the series that I feel was missing in that first book. That doesn't mean that it isn't without its own set of problems, however.
I still believe CURSEBOUND suffers from a pacing issue. There is a lot that happens in a very short period of time, too much in my opinion. There is very little time to absorb all that happens. It's a bit like attempting to drink from a fire hose. You can only sit back and let it all play out, but it is coming at you so fast that you miss things.
Plus, when the action is nonstop, there is no time for character development. The characters remain about as one-dimensional as they did in the first book. There is some growth there, but it is not as much as I would expect in book two.
The other issue I have with CURSEBOUND, as I did with FAEBOUND is all the insta-love. Almost every character experiences love at first sight, even if they fight it or deny it at first. I know it is a story about fae and therefore entirely fictional, but all the instant love connections are a bit too much even for a story about mythical beings.
Thankfully, CURSEBOUND ends with a major reveal, the type that completely changes the story. It makes me excited for the third book, even if I still have issues with it. The story at its heart is good, even if I struggle with the execution of the telling. I am curious to see what happens with our newfound knowledge and where it all goes. However, these are just my thoughts. Ms. El-Arifi won awards for FAEBOUND, so obviously, others see something that I am missing.
I still believe CURSEBOUND suffers from a pacing issue. There is a lot that happens in a very short period of time, too much in my opinion. There is very little time to absorb all that happens. It's a bit like attempting to drink from a fire hose. You can only sit back and let it all play out, but it is coming at you so fast that you miss things.
Plus, when the action is nonstop, there is no time for character development. The characters remain about as one-dimensional as they did in the first book. There is some growth there, but it is not as much as I would expect in book two.
The other issue I have with CURSEBOUND, as I did with FAEBOUND is all the insta-love. Almost every character experiences love at first sight, even if they fight it or deny it at first. I know it is a story about fae and therefore entirely fictional, but all the instant love connections are a bit too much even for a story about mythical beings.
Thankfully, CURSEBOUND ends with a major reveal, the type that completely changes the story. It makes me excited for the third book, even if I still have issues with it. The story at its heart is good, even if I struggle with the execution of the telling. I am curious to see what happens with our newfound knowledge and where it all goes. However, these are just my thoughts. Ms. El-Arifi won awards for FAEBOUND, so obviously, others see something that I am missing.