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A review by nclcaitlin
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
3.75
At first, there were three gods and three people: the fae, the humans, and the elves. Now only the elves remain.
Forever the war will rage, until united, the three shall die. Humans made low, then fae made lower, Then elves in ignorance, gone is their power, Cursed to endure, cursed to survive. All shall perish lest all three thrive.
Yeren was the youngest colonel in the army before being exiled from the elvish lands. Alongside her younger sister and Captain Rayan, Yeren accidentally kills a fae prince - a people they thought faerytale.
Like her other series, El-Arifi uses the fantasy element to explore fluidity of gender and incorporate free sexuality seamlessly within her story and world.
Furthermore, we have aged up protagonists - around 30 years old! Rejoice!
In this sense, it reminded me of N K Jemisin.
“We must let the wind of change ease our flight, not hinder it.”
The magic system explanations never fully satisfied me, but the gist is: Yeren fights with drumfire that required intention to draw on magic. Lettle is a diviner, speaking prophecies by detaching from one’s mind.
Sadly, my favourite parts are also huge spoilers, so I’m leaving this review purposefully vague. Just know it’s filled with rich world-building and if you like talking animal companions - you will love this.
There’s passionate romance bordering between love and hate, dates prophecies, poison, secrets, and royalty!
One thing - the prophecies were fairly easy to work out, so I grew frustrated that our cast couldn’t put the pieces together. Perhaps others will find these reveals shocking and big plot twists, but unfortunately, I could guess what was coming.
I would recommend this if you liked The Boneshard Daughter or An Ember in the Ashes.
Thank you to Harper Collins for providing an arc in exchange for a review!
Forever the war will rage, until united, the three shall die. Humans made low, then fae made lower, Then elves in ignorance, gone is their power, Cursed to endure, cursed to survive. All shall perish lest all three thrive.
Yeren was the youngest colonel in the army before being exiled from the elvish lands. Alongside her younger sister and Captain Rayan, Yeren accidentally kills a fae prince - a people they thought faerytale.
Like her other series, El-Arifi uses the fantasy element to explore fluidity of gender and incorporate free sexuality seamlessly within her story and world.
Furthermore, we have aged up protagonists - around 30 years old! Rejoice!
In this sense, it reminded me of N K Jemisin.
“We must let the wind of change ease our flight, not hinder it.”
The magic system explanations never fully satisfied me, but the gist is: Yeren fights with drumfire that required intention to draw on magic. Lettle is a diviner, speaking prophecies by detaching from one’s mind.
Sadly, my favourite parts are also huge spoilers, so I’m leaving this review purposefully vague. Just know it’s filled with rich world-building and if you like talking animal companions - you will love this.
There’s passionate romance bordering between love and hate, dates prophecies, poison, secrets, and royalty!
One thing - the prophecies were fairly easy to work out, so I grew frustrated that our cast couldn’t put the pieces together. Perhaps others will find these reveals shocking and big plot twists, but unfortunately, I could guess what was coming.
I would recommend this if you liked The Boneshard Daughter or An Ember in the Ashes.
Thank you to Harper Collins for providing an arc in exchange for a review!