A review by marginmuse
Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi

4.0

 

I just finished Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi, and it’s safe to say I’m completely wrapped up in this sequel. The stakes are higher, the emotions run deeper, and the world feels even more vivid and expansive. Picking up where Faebound left off, this book delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the devastating consequences of war—both internal and external.

Yeeran’s journey is heartbreaking and powerful. Her return to her homeland, only to face the specter of her past lover’s betrayal, had me glued to every page. The tension between duty and desire is palpable, and her struggles made her arc feel deeply human, despite the epic fantasy setting. Meanwhile, Lettle’s determination to uncover the truth behind the curse kept me intrigued. Her interactions with the mysterious stranger brought a fresh layer of intrigue to the story, and her persistence made her a character I couldn’t help but root for.

What I love most about El-Arifi’s writing is how she seamlessly blends rich world-building with complex, flawed characters. The fae court, the elven lands, and the growing rift between these two worlds all felt alive with danger and wonder. And while the romance is swoon-worthy, it’s never overbearing—it always serves the story and the characters’ growth.

The pacing occasionally felt uneven, and I found myself wishing for more resolution in certain plotlines, but the emotional depth and stunning prose more than made up for it. The ending left me with a mix of hope and heartbreak, and now I’m anxiously awaiting the final book in the trilogy. 

 

✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.