Take a photo of a barcode or cover
jenskellenger 's review for:
We Free the Stars
by Hafsah Faizal
I was lucky enough to win this book from a Goodreads giveaway and after finishing it, I cannot express how thankful I am that it was THIS book that I won!
Seldom do I enjoy a second book as much as I did the first. Well, this was one of those rare, rare times that I so, so did.
I devoured the first three quarters of this book (with her quick, small chapters Faizal makes it nigh impossible to set it down), then slowed down and savored the last quarter because I just didn't want it to end. Faizal is the QUEEN of the slow burn and creating tension.
This book is steeped in lush Arabic culturism. Arabic, what a gorgeous language. I fell in love with and find myself repeating some of the words - Yalla, Shukrun, Khara, Laa, Roohi (gah, this one hits me in the feels every time!) that this author seamlessly introduced me to.
In this book Faizal expertly captured so many things - betrayal, loss, adventure, romance, found family, balancing and loyalty to new/old friendships, sibling bonds and rivalry, oppression and freedom, the grey area between right/wrong, so many beautiful character flaws and arcs. I found myself completely invested in the sibling pairs Zafira/Lana, Nasir/Altair (omg ALTAIR), Yasmine/Deen. But the over reaching theme in my opinion is the redemptive power of love, and the understanding and acceptance found in that love. I've never shipped a couple as hard as I ship Zafira/Nasir.
My favorite excerpt:
"I wasn't born to fight."
"No, neither of us were. We were not born to fight, but our cradles were built from struggles and hardship. Pens, swords, sticks - weapons shoved into our fists as soon as we're old enough to grasp them. So we fight, because the world will cut our throats otherwise. We fight, because we won't go down without one. Do you understand?"
Zafira is one of the most kick-ass and favorite female protagonists that I've had the pleasure of adventuring with.
I could wax and wane forever about this book. Hafsah Faizal, I would love, love, love any spin off stories set in this magical world you have created. I'm not ready to say goodbye! Thank you, and I look forward to reading anything else you write! And to re-reading this magnificent duolgy
Seldom do I enjoy a second book as much as I did the first. Well, this was one of those rare, rare times that I so, so did.
I devoured the first three quarters of this book (with her quick, small chapters Faizal makes it nigh impossible to set it down), then slowed down and savored the last quarter because I just didn't want it to end. Faizal is the QUEEN of the slow burn and creating tension.
This book is steeped in lush Arabic culturism. Arabic, what a gorgeous language. I fell in love with and find myself repeating some of the words - Yalla, Shukrun, Khara, Laa, Roohi (gah, this one hits me in the feels every time!) that this author seamlessly introduced me to.
In this book Faizal expertly captured so many things - betrayal, loss, adventure, romance, found family, balancing and loyalty to new/old friendships, sibling bonds and rivalry, oppression and freedom, the grey area between right/wrong, so many beautiful character flaws and arcs. I found myself completely invested in the sibling pairs Zafira/Lana, Nasir/Altair (omg ALTAIR), Yasmine/Deen. But the over reaching theme in my opinion is the redemptive power of love, and the understanding and acceptance found in that love. I've never shipped a couple as hard as I ship Zafira/Nasir.
My favorite excerpt:
"I wasn't born to fight."
"No, neither of us were. We were not born to fight, but our cradles were built from struggles and hardship. Pens, swords, sticks - weapons shoved into our fists as soon as we're old enough to grasp them. So we fight, because the world will cut our throats otherwise. We fight, because we won't go down without one. Do you understand?"
Zafira is one of the most kick-ass and favorite female protagonists that I've had the pleasure of adventuring with.
I could wax and wane forever about this book. Hafsah Faizal, I would love, love, love any spin off stories set in this magical world you have created. I'm not ready to say goodbye! Thank you, and I look forward to reading anything else you write! And to re-reading this magnificent duolgy