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A review by sara_dogs_and_dragons
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
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.