Scan barcode
alyshapowe11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and War
nz_elle's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Dementia and Death of parent
ceridwen33's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I enjoyed Faizal's Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy world, which I thought did a good job not overexplaining things for readers with no familiarity with Middle Eastern history in real life but making them do a little bit of learning. The characters had a range of physical characteristics from southern Europe to northern Africa, which creates some diversity, though all the characters appear to be canonically straight, although there are definitely some queerplatonic/romantic vibes between Zafira and a friend. Overall I liked it enough to give the sequel a chance but wasn't pulled into this book enough to read the next immediately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Torture
chi__'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
jessiemp2024's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Slow to build, but after about 30%, I was hooked. The last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat. Immediately diving into the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Dark and magical this book was filled with Middle Eastern characters, myths and magic. Zafira the hunter kills to help others live, while nasir the prince is an assassin so people die because he lives.
When the mysterious silver witch turns up and serves a quest to save the magic that was lost when the six sisters of old fell. Journeying across the deserts and fighting monsters and darkness brings this unlikely group together with truths unexpected revealed along the way.
The family links had me in shock as I saw none of them coming at all, as well as what seems to be a slow forming romance between our MCs. I can’t wait to see how this ends in the sequel of the duology.
When the mysterious silver witch turns up and serves a quest to save the magic that was lost when the six sisters of old fell. Journeying across the deserts and fighting monsters and darkness brings this unlikely group together with truths unexpected revealed along the way.
The family links had me in shock as I saw none of them coming at all, as well as what seems to be a slow forming romance between our MCs. I can’t wait to see how this ends in the sequel of the duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail
raisinglebarre's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
chasinggrace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I’m going to eat up a fantasy duology EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Is the plot of this book kind of “basic”? Sure. It’s the typical “vengeful woman and cold-hearted man become reluctant allies in a quest to find an Ancient tome that will free magic and save the kingdom,” and I loved it all the same.
I also found myself caring for the side characters as well. Each had a purpose, versus just being there for comedic relief.
I will say, the two main romances were predictable, but I wassad all the same when Deen was killed. I also did NOT see the familial connections coming - Altair being Nasir’s half brother? The Silver Witch being his mom? The Lion being Altair’s dad? It all shook me lol .
The epilogue has me very eager to pick up the next book. My only critique is that this book needed an Arabic glossary. I could make occasional assumptions, but Arabic words were used so freely that at times I felt like I lost important details.
Is the plot of this book kind of “basic”? Sure. It’s the typical “vengeful woman and cold-hearted man become reluctant allies in a quest to find an Ancient tome that will free magic and save the kingdom,” and I loved it all the same.
I also found myself caring for the side characters as well. Each had a purpose, versus just being there for comedic relief.
I will say, the two main romances were predictable, but I was
The epilogue has me very eager to pick up the next book. My only critique is that this book needed an Arabic glossary. I could make occasional assumptions, but Arabic words were used so freely that at times I felt like I lost important details.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I first read this book back in 2020 and now I'm finally rereading so I can get read the sequel and finish this duology.
I thought this was a good read. The dual POV highlighted the emotions of both Zafira and Nasir and what they are dealing with throughout the book. I loved the world that are we in and how everywhere is different from one another, and shows the impact of magic with how it impacted the environment. It makes for a fantastical world placing a juxtaposition on the environment and the people. It all sounds magical but here are the ordinary people with no magic coping with what they have. Most people have forgotten about magic or don't believe it ever existed.
I thought the introduction of Benyamin and Kifah could have been done better. The group didn't feel like they really meshed and worked well together despite the book trying to make it out like they have bonded towards the end of their journey. This was the one area that I thought could have been improved. In saying that I thought Zafira, Nasir and Altair had good relationships and interesting dynamics but the other two felt underutilised.
Making up for it is the lore of the world and the plot of the book. These were highlights and very well done. The plot was also gripping and interesting throughout most of the book an not just in the last third coming up to the final climax. The twists and reveals were really well done and has you wondering what will happen in the next book. It leaves off on a slight cliff hanger, but really the excitement comes from the unknown for these characters after they have decided to throw off their vail and embrace change.
I am excited to see what We Free the Stars does with these characters.
I thought this was a good read. The dual POV highlighted the emotions of both Zafira and Nasir and what they are dealing with throughout the book. I loved the world that are we in and how everywhere is different from one another, and shows the impact of magic with how it impacted the environment. It makes for a fantastical world placing a juxtaposition on the environment and the people. It all sounds magical but here are the ordinary people with no magic coping with what they have. Most people have forgotten about magic or don't believe it ever existed.
I thought the introduction of Benyamin and Kifah could have been done better. The group didn't feel like they really meshed and worked well together despite the book trying to make it out like they have bonded towards the end of their journey. This was the one area that I thought could have been improved. In saying that I thought Zafira, Nasir and Altair had good relationships and interesting dynamics but the other two felt underutilised.
Making up for it is the lore of the world and the plot of the book. These were highlights and very well done. The plot was also gripping and interesting throughout most of the book an not just in the last third coming up to the final climax. The twists and reveals were really well done and has you wondering what will happen in the next book. It leaves off on a slight cliff hanger, but really the excitement comes from the unknown for these characters after they have decided to throw off their vail and embrace change.
I am excited to see what We Free the Stars does with these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent