A review by katie_the_reader
Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Mark your calendar and get your pre-orders in because you need to keep up with this trilogy!!

I was absolutely HOOKED by Faebound and was so excited to get back to Mosima and see how our girls were doing, and Cursebound did not disappoint!

The premise of this series is so different, so refreshing, it has immaculate worldbuilding and I just find it mesmerizing. 

This series is an example of LGBTQ representation done IMMACULATELY. The characters feel so authentic and having a variety of preferences and identities and it not even be a talking point in the story, just a part of the reality of this world is beautiful.  

I do think this book suffered a little from the plight of the second book in a trilogy as it felt like a slight step down from book one. At some points in the middle I found it dragging a little but BOY does the ending bring it right back in the most chaotic and devastating way.

I loved the introduction of Alder (although I did have a bit of the Manon Blackbeaks about him at first, wishing we could go back to the main POVs) and his love story was so beautiful and wholesome and heartwarming I was kicking my feet everytime they were on the page.

The setting and description in these books is just delicious, everything seems so lush and rich I feel like I’m on holiday in some beautiful tropical wonderland while reading.

I am SO KEEN for book three already and highly recommend diving into this world

Buckets of gratitude to NetGalley and Saara El-Arifi for the privilege of an ARC