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A review by tatyana_
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
Yeeran is a decorated general in a war that has consumed the Elven lands for generations. She and Lettle, her younger sister and aspiring diviner, have lived through the horrors the war has ravaged their people from a very young age. When Yeeran makes a critical mistake and is exiled, Lettle and Rayan, her trusted commander, follow her. Together they become entangled in the Fae court. The only thing is that the Fae were thought to have died ages ago with humans. With this discovery, the future of both Elves and Fae is at stake.
While I enjoyed reading this book, I was expecting a lot more and I have had trouble making a review that properly reflects that. Given that Yeeran is a decorated general, I expected her to be more strategic and decisive, but she was often distracted and made mistakes. She was also very naive about the war she was very active in despite her insight, experiences, and warnings from others. With Lettle being an apprentice to the top diviner, I hoped she would be more active in interpreting prophecies. Instead, I found the prophecies predictable and was left underwhelmed when the characters were shocked during the reveal. I also wished for more development within the platonic and romantic relationships between the characters. I especially felt that I was told more than I was shown their feelings.
The history of the world, the cultures of Elves and Fae, and African and Arab influences were fascinating in this book. The world-building is done throughout the book, and I found it had a nice balance of providing information without being overbearing or removing all the story's mystery. Nonetheless, it ended with a lot of unanswered questions that I expect us to learn more about as the series moves forward. All that being said I do plan to continue with this series and am interested in how the story unfolds with the next installments.
While I enjoyed reading this book, I was expecting a lot more and I have had trouble making a review that properly reflects that. Given that Yeeran is a decorated general, I expected her to be more strategic and decisive, but she was often distracted and made mistakes. She was also very naive about the war she was very active in despite her insight, experiences, and warnings from others. With Lettle being an apprentice to the top diviner, I hoped she would be more active in interpreting prophecies. Instead, I found the prophecies predictable and was left underwhelmed when the characters were shocked during the reveal. I also wished for more development within the platonic and romantic relationships between the characters. I especially felt that I was told more than I was shown their feelings.
The history of the world, the cultures of Elves and Fae, and African and Arab influences were fascinating in this book. The world-building is done throughout the book, and I found it had a nice balance of providing information without being overbearing or removing all the story's mystery. Nonetheless, it ended with a lot of unanswered questions that I expect us to learn more about as the series moves forward. All that being said I do plan to continue with this series and am interested in how the story unfolds with the next installments.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Death of parent and Death