Category: series

When Night Breaks by. Janella Angeles | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: When Night Breaks (Kingdom of Cards, #2)

Author: Janella Angeles

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 464

Publication Date: 10/5/21

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magicians, Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Wednesday Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The competition has come to a disastrous end, and Daron Demarco’s fall from grace is now front page news. But little matters to him beyond Kallia, the contestant he fell for who is now lost to this world and in the hands of a dangerous magician. Daron is willing to do whatever it takes to find her. Even if it means embarking on a dark and treacherous journey, risking more than just his life, with no promise of return.

After awaking in darkness, Kallia has never felt more lost. Especially with Jack by her side, the magician with who has the answers but cannot be trusted. Together, they must navigate a dazzling world where mirrors show memories and illusions shadow every corner, one ruled by a powerful game master who could all too easily destroy the world she left behind — and the boy she can’t seem to forget. With time running out, Kallia must embrace her role in a darker destiny, or lose everyone she loves, forever.

This series has beautiful covers, that’s for sure!

I did like that this second book and conclusion is more sinister than the first book. In the first one, Jack and the whole town of Glorian is a mystery. We do uncover many secrets in this conclusion. We learn about this mysterious villain, the Dealer, who seems more powerful (or so it seems) than Jack. We learn more about the town of Glorian, the Patrons, the mirror and Kallia’s past.

Kallia stays consistent even though missing her powers, she is still full of fight and sass. I liked learning more about Jack. There is a lot of action but it comes at the end of the book.

For awhile I thought Kallia’s friends from the circus wasn’t going to make an appearance in this but they do – of course they do and they help save Kallia.

The first book was about the dazzling performance of magic shows and the circus. In this book it’s about what’s inside the mirror- which is a darker side of everything in Kallia’s world. Usually I need to be in the mood to read about magicians/circus. Well I wasn’t quite in the right mood for this sequel and it’s take on illusions, I think. Some things was hard for me to follow but that might be because I just wasn’t interested. This is is definitely one of those instances that if you love the first book (and I didn’t)…you will love this one. It’s just not the right series for me.

I didn’t connect to any of the characters. Not even Kallia’s journey kept me interested in this one.

I wasn’t into the love triangle. I mean there was a potential for one for sure but I’m glad it didn’t quite go there.

Why you should read it:

  • You love the first series or liked it enough to find out more
  • To find out what the whole mystery is
  • You enjoy stories about magicians

Why you might not want to read it:

  • Wasn’t into the first book
  • Love triangle potential

My Thoughts:

I love the books covers, it’s what sucked me into reading the first book. Story wise? I wasn’t into the magician/illusions theme. But I do like that this one is darker than the first book. Not even the romance in this one held my interest though because of the love triangle and I love a good triangle…but I didn’t feel this one. That doesn’t mean others won’t love this story, actually I think fans of the first book will enjoy this conclusion. It just wasn’t for me.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Dance with the Sword by. Sarah K.L. Wilson | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Dance with the Sword (Bluebeard’s Secret, #2)

Author: Sarah K. L. Wilson

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 371

Publication Date: 9/17/21

Publisher:

Categories: Fantasy, Romance

A GRIM BETRAYAL. A DYING KING. A HUSBAND WHO WON’T LET HER GO.
With the heart of the Wittenhame still ringing from Izolda’s actions and her new husband shocked at her betrayal, the future seems very grim indeed.
If Izolda had been asked if she wanted to be rescued from her would-be bridegroom and returned to her home and family, she would have eagerly agreed to go, but now that she is back in the mortal world, she is quickly discovering that home, family and even the inclinations of her own heart are not what she expected.
Worse yet, Izolda has unwittingly become a pawn in a deadly dance between two Wittenbrand, snatched from the claws of one of them only to be stolen back by the other.
With her bodiless friend Grosbeak along for the ride and the great game of crowns and thrones still being played out across the nations, will Izolda’s endless common sense still be enough to rescue her from disaster? Or will she fall prey to the terrible ambitions of her enemies?

DANCE WITH THE SWORD is the second book in the Bluebeard’s Secret series following the eerie and romantic story of FLY WITH THE ARROW.

The reason I enjoy this series is the writing or the way things are worded, the relationship between Arrow (Bluebeard) and Izolda is so filled with angst but so romantic as well. Their wedding vows kill me – it’s so gorgeous, especially when Arrow is in the middle of a fight to the death and he’s repeating his vows to her! 😭

Grosbeak saved this book for me. There were so many things that were confusing to me because I didn’t re-read the first book which I remember being a wild ride and confusing in parts as well. But Grosbeak always brought it back into “reality” for me – I love his morbid humor, I mean his head is on a stick! He always makes me laugh, especially since Izolda is always in a tense situation.

I needed more of Arrow and his kisses but this is the slowest burn romance ever. He is intense and I just wish their relationship wasn’t so messed up with him taking her lives – they seem doomed but I’m holding out for a happily ever after.

There is a lot of political intrigue and betrayal in this one as we learn more about the Sword. Izolda has some growth in this book because she needs to learn to lead an army without Arrow at her side. She and Grosbeak are unlikely best friends at this point but she can hold her own even though it all frightens her. I like how she appears steady and can figure things out (sometimes too late) but Arrow is right – she is perceptive.

Content Warnings: violence

There were some typos in this sequel.

As mentioned above, this story got confusing at times. It’s a fast paced book and a lot of traveling from one place to another. It’s another cliffhanger ending so I’d wait for all books to be out to binge this series.

Again, I needed more Arrow and Izolda moments! Can these two just hook up already? I love all the kisses though, it’s so romantic.

Why you should read it:

  • interesting take on Bluebeard story
  • Arrow (Bluebeard) and his kisses and intense gazes
  • fast paced with lots of action
  • Izolda’s character growth

Why you might not want to read it:

  • typos
  • confusing at times
  • slowest burn romance ever

My Thoughts:

This book felt rushed, especially with the typos in the story. It’s a fast paced book but I do wish some things were fleshed out more and we had more time with Arrow and Izolda. I felt like this was more of her story than his, she has to redeem herself after betraying him, she has to find it in herself to trust him, to give in to him…but Izolda doesn’t want to lose herself either. He is taking her lives – it’s what he does…so what does that leave her? Their slow burn romance is driving me crazy though because they are attracted to one another, and yet they can’t be together that easily, they can’t even “talk” to one another…thank god for mind reading though right? The politics between the fae is filled with betrayal, but honestly – I just wanted more Arrow. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ll be reading book three of course, just to see what happens, but I hope there is less typos and my brain can keep up! The wild ride continues.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Quotes from the Book:

“If you cannot gift it in whole, then gift it in slivers and I will reassemble it within my own breast and guard it there in the sanctuary of my immortal soul.”

~ Dance with the sword by. Sarah k.L. wilson

“Surely you must see how I will give of my own flesh to have you, to keep you, to buy you back from treachery. Surely you understand that you are without price or equal to me.”

~ Dance with the sword by. Sarah k.L. wilson

The High Mountain Court by. A. K. Mulford | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: The High Mountain Court (The Five Crowns of Okrith, #1)

Author: A.K. Mulford

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 312

Publication Date: 8/10/21

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Fated Mates, Fae, Witches

A red witch in hiding…

Gripping and action-packed, The High Mountain Court is an adrenaline-filled, high fantasy with fae courts, powerful witches, and a diverse cast of characters, perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Holly Black. 

Thirteen years fleeing witch hunters and the looming threat of death. Nineteen-year-old Remy knows she is possibly the last red witch alive, and she is determined to stay that way. The Northern Court King has slaughtered her home court and placed a bounty on red witch heads.

When four fae warriors enter her tavern refuge, Remy tries to flee, but her magic isn’t strong enough to stop a fae prince on a mission. The handsome Prince Hale of the Eastern Kingdom wants to stop a war with the Northern Court before his kingdom befalls the same fate as Remy’s. He needs a red witch and Remy may be the only person alive who can help him. Can she really trust Prince Hale? Can her fallen court be resurrected from the evil clutches of the Northern Court King? For the chance to save herself, her people, and help defeat the Northern King, Remy must put her faith in Hale and his companions on a dangerous quest to find lost relics.

The High Mountain Court is the first book in the thrilling fantasy saga, The Five Crowns of Okrith. Expect danger, intrigue, and thrilling passion as Remy journeys to save the kingdom she holds most dear.

I picked this one up over the weekend just because I was craving a faerie storyline. I had no real expectations going in and I was surprisingly entertained!

I enjoyed the world building with faeries and witches. Remy is supposedly the last red witch alive so she is basically living on the run, with two loyal companions who are brown witches. She runs into Hale, who is a fae Prince from the Eastern Kingdom. He’s been looking for a red witch to help him find some magical artifacts. These magical artifacts would supposedly lead him to a missing heir of the High Mountain Court who can wield the treasures and fight the Northern King who is trying to overtake all the kingdoms.

Remy as a main character was just okay at first. She’s special, but we don’t fully know why until way later. I did love finding out the secrets she was hiding. There was something emotional about Remy too – she’s an orphan and has had some trauma in her past. She travels with two companions who are clearly devoted to her, and you see by the end just how far that devotion goes. Remy grows a lot in this story – she learns to fight, she learns to embrace her fears and she gains courage from her new fae friends.

The cast of characters are great and diverse. I especially liked Carys and Bri – fae who take her in and help her grow into a stronger young woman, they were fun. I liked that there was lots of action in the book, especially in the end and the twists were good too.

The romance between Remy and Hale is nice and it builds. I like that at first it grows from animosity to friendship and then eventually something they both can’t deny. It gets pretty steamy between them. I was definitely rooting for them and their happily ever after.

Triggers: violence

My biggest issue with this book was the moment they realized they were each other’s Fated Mates. From then on the phrase “fated mate” or “fated” or “mate” was everywhere and it ruined it for me! I love the fated mates trope – but do I need to be reminded they are fated on every other paragraph? Nope. I think I know they are fated – you had to tell me only one time. lol…it became so repetitive I was cringing.

Would have love to learn more about the witches!

Why you should read it:

  • you like fated mate romances
  • interesting world building of fae courts and witches
  • lots of action and some emotional parts too

Why you might not want to read it:

  • the word “fated mates”, and “mate” are repeated a lot in the last parts of this book

My Thoughts:

I honestly just picked this up because I needed something light and easy to read that had faeries and romance in it. To me this was a fun read with enough action and emotion to keep me invested in the characters. It actually ticked off all the boxes in what I was looking for in a book until the fated mate stuff. I love a good fated mates story, but I really don’t need to be reminded every five minutes they are fated. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I will still read book two because it’s going to be about another set of characters but I hope there is WAY less of the phrase “fated mate” or “mate”.

📚~Yolanda

The Hawthorne Legacy by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Hawthorne Legacy (The Inheritance Games, #2)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Format: eBook (own)

Pages: 368

Publication Date: 9/7/21

Publisher: Penguin

Categories: Young Adult, Inheritance, Puzzles, Riddles, Mystery, Romance, Contemporary

Intrigue, riches, and romance abound in this thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Inheritance Games perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson.

The Inheritance Games ended with a bombshell, and now heiress Avery Grambs has to pick up the pieces and find the man who might hold the answers to all of her questions – including why Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to Avery, a virtual stranger, rather than to his own daughters or grandsons.

Thanks to a DNA test, Avery knows that she’s not a Hawthorne by blood, but clues pile up hinting at a deeper connection to the family than she had ever imagined. As the mystery grows and the plot thickens, Grayson and Jameson, the enigmatic and magnetic Hawthorne grandsons, continue to pull Avery in different directions. And there are threats lurking around every corner, as adversaries emerge who will stop at nothing to see Avery out of the picture – by any means necessary.

With nonstop action, aspirational jet-setting, family intrigue, swoonworthy romance, and billions of dollars hanging in the balance, The Hawthorne Legacy will thrill Jennifer Lynn Barnes fans and new readers alike.

Well, well, well…the twists keep on keeping in this series, doesn’t it? Avery, the Hawthornes and friends are on the move to break the case of Toby Hawthorne and how Avery fits into the inheritance Tobias Hawthorne left her. So did they figure it out?

I love the puzzles and riddles of course and it’s what made me love the series in the first place. We get more of it here, but more like a scavenger hunt because they have to travel places to find things. This book is fast pace – by the end of it, I was like wait…is it over? Book three can’t come soon enough.

I love Max! Max is Avery’s best friend and honestly I’m so glad she was here for book two. I love her humor and penchant for substituting her curse words. Speaking of friends – Libby who is Avery’s sister doesn’t have a huge role here but I still love that she is Avery’s only family really.

We do get to know more about Toby’s past which is great! There is a whole backstory there and this is the sequel to tell it.

My team Grayson standing did not go well for me in this book! 😔 But that’s okay – I felt like Avery was busy finding clues than concentrating on romance which is understandable. Jameson is fine, but yeah I was over the love triangle between Avery and the brothers in this one. I don’t mind love triangles but when there is two brothers involved? It sucks! Also I didn’t feel like Avery had much a connection to either them, almost like either them will do – until the end, of course.

There was too much going on. I felt like there were too many characters to keep up with and plot points! I think in book one, we were being introduced to them so I could keep it straight but add Toby’s back story and I need a white board and pen to make some diagrams on who is connected to who! There were so many twists ad turns, I got a bit dizzy.

How many times are they going to talk about invisible ink? Haha…that was super repetitive.

Why you should read it:

  • if you read the first book, read this one to learn more about Toby Hawthorne
  • To find out who will win Avery’s heart
  • To get more time with Max because she’s fun

Why you might not want to read it:

  • love triangle with brothers
  • too much filler, too much going on

My Thoughts:

Even though I had my little issues with the book, it’s a second book in the series and I’ll let it slide because I was still entertained. I still flew through the book quickly and I’m looking forward to book three!

📚~ Yolanda

City of Thorns (The Demon Queen Trials, #1) by. C.N. Crawford | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: City of Thorns (The Demon Queen Trials, #1)

Author: C.N. Crawford

Format: eBook (Kindle Unlimited)

Pages: 306

Publication Date: 8/13/21

Publisher: C.N. Crawford

Categories: Urban Fantasy, New Adult, Fake Dating

I never thought I’d be singing happy birthday to myself in a dungeon. And yet when a sinfully sexy demon crashes happy hour, that’s exactly what happens. He’s known as the Lord of Chaos, and he’s mistaken me for my succubus doppelgänger.

Happy birthday to me.

When he tastes my blood, he finally understands I’m mortal. And I realize we have something in common: we both crave revenge. So we make a deal: I can stay in the forbidden city to hunt for my mom’s killer. In return, I’ll help him get the vengeance he craves. I just have to pose as a sexy succubus. One problem–he’s my number one suspect.

And that’s increasingly hard to remember as he teaches me my role: seduction. With each heated touch I drift further into peril. And if I fall under his seductive spell, death awaits me.

Rowan is trying to make ends meet as a nineteen year old who is on her own. She has a best friend who is attending University in the forbidden city that is inhabited by demons. Rowan wants in but how? This is where the Lord of Chaos, Orion, comes in as he mistakenly thinks Rowan is Mortana, a succubus from the past with a bad, bad, bad reputation. Of course Rowan isn’t this Mortana he accuses her of being but she puts a proposition to him – she will act as Mortana and find out what Orion needs to know in order for him to exact his revenge. This helps Rowan get closer to achieving her ideas of avenge against her mother’s murderer also – if she can find out who it is.

I found Rowan a typical main character found in these types of new adult, urban fantasy books, especially the ones from this author. Rowan is down on her luck, trying to better her life and then she run into a major complication that can actually help her situation – as long as she plays along. But we learn a few things about Rowan that made the story much more interesting…is she Mortana? Or a descendant? Who killed her mom? I’ll definitely be reading the next book to find out.

Orion, Lord of Chaos, is all kinds of temptation and mystery. He’s devastatingly handsome, rich, and powerful. I love how snarky he is! The chemistry between them is off the charts. I mean…he is an incubus! 🔥 It’s his job to set her and everyone else raging with arousal.

These books are short and sweet and usually the next installment is released very soon, but it seems like book two will be released in January 2022! I hope it gets released sooner.

I just finished the last series from this author and there was a whole situation with the mc being possessed by another spirit and I really hope this series doesn’t follow the same formula. It would be cool just Rowan to be a descendant or something but we shall see what happens.

Why you should read it?

  • world building with demons
  • escapism
  • quick read/addictive, fake dating

Why you might not want to read it?

  • too short and next book comes out in 2022
  • not into demons

My Thoughts:

I think this is a pretty solid start to a series. I like the world building and enjoyed getting to know Rowan and some of her mysterious background. I love Orion of course and not because he’s a handsome demon but he is snarky and I love snark. I hope this turns out to be a good series and I look forward to reading the next book when it comes out.

📚~ Yolanda

Dead Lands by. Stacey Marie Brown | Book Review

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Title: Dead Lands (Savage Lands, #3)

Author: Stacey Marie Brown

Format: eBook (own)

Pages: 446

Publication Date: 6/15/21

Categories: Urban Fantasy, Adult Fiction

Kidnapped by the notorious rebel group, Provstat, Brexley finds her connection goes deeper than she ever imagined. Reunited with old acquaintances and an uncle she never knew, Brexley is thrown into the vicious world of politics, where human and fae leaders will do anything to come out on top. Here dangerous associations and meticulous plots are far more dangerous and cutthroat than any game she survived in Halálház.

If her life wasn’t complicated enough, her relationship with the infamous legend is growing stronger. The more she tries to untangle the link between Warwick and her, the thicker it wraps around them both, entwining them in a world between life and death, where brutal passion and fury collide.

When whispers of a coveted magical substance, called the nectar, start buzzing louder, Brexley’s strange bond to the fae book leads her on an unexpected journey. One that brings her closer to the answers she seeks.

But once she opens the door, all the secrets and lies of her past come flooding out.

Truths she’s not ready to face.

And betrayals that cut bone deep. 

I am so addicted to this series and I hate when it ends. I actually was hoping this would be a trilogy so I can stop pining for it haha. But it’s not over yet and I hope the wait isn’t too long for book four!

So what happens in book three, it’s fast paced as usual which I love about this series. Brexley is with her uncle but she doesn’t stop there because everyone wants a piece of her and we still don’t know why but we are getting closer to knowing what she is. There is betrayal and finally all the wild, earth-shattering sex Brexley and Warwick have been basically heading towards, since books one and two was major foreplay for them. I’m glad because I was getting weary of the phantom hands and tongue action. 😅 Like that was fun for a little bit but like Ash said, let’s just get it out of the way. So if that’s what you were waiting for – you get it a lot in this book!

I love all the side characters like Ash, Kek, Birdie and everyone else who makes an appearance in this book. And yes I love the crazy little imp and brownie too – they always bring the humor.

I do like that we are finally getting to know more about Brexley’s background, we find out more about the night of the Fae war and her mom – we need more! We also find out more about the pills with fae essence but we need more information about that too.

This one is action packed, sex packed, motorcycle packed lol…but we are getting closer to finding out what Brexley is so that makes me happy. There were a few twists that kept things interesting as well.

Triggers: violence, death

Okay look, I love that Brex and Warwick finally got it on because it was long overdue but I got so mad at him when he gets jealous. He is alpha-male, he will do anything to protect Brexley that much is proven, and he kills with abandon. But WHY do I want her to have something going on with Killian too? That’s so unlike me. And I’m usually all for fated-mates and all that but Killian…handsome, smart, ruthless…can he get his own book?

Everyone is attracted to Brex…but why? So yes even though she and Warwick are basically having the best sex ever, there are others attracted to her, it bugs him a lot but for her…I’m not sure where she stands because she still feels attraction towards Killian for one.

I also see some potential hookups happening in the book between some of my favorite characters. Would love to see it happen!

I’m addicted to this series and wish I could have binged it all in one sitting. I love the intensity throughout the series, it’s fast paced and gritty. Brex and Warwick finally start getting their tension out of their system and yet it creates more. We find out more about Brexley but now I have more questions. And all I want from this series is more. I am eagerly awaiting book four!

📚~ Yolanda

The Gilded Ones by. Namina Forna | Book Review

My Rating: 3/5 Stars

Title: The Gilded Ones (Deathless, #1)

Author: Namina Forna

Format: Hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 2/9/21

Publisher: Delacorte

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself.

First thing I love about this book is the cover. It’s vibrant and has a beautiful girl on the cover looking fierce. The synopsis sounded intriguing and for the beginning part of the book, I was hooked.

Deka is going through a rough time – her blood ceremony went haywire and it showed she wasn’t pure as she was hoping. She finds out she’s an alaki, basically a half-demon and she gets sent to the emperor to join his alaki soldiers to fight the Deathstrikers. Deathstrikers are demon creatures terrorizing the empire and Deka has a link to them, which makes her different.

I liked how the other alaki ~ all girls ~ decide to bond together instead of fight one another. They realize it’s not going to be pretty training as alaki but together, they can come out of this period successfully. So they become their own family and look out for one another. There was a lot of women power themes in this story.

There is a tiny bit of romance, nothing that takes away from Deka and her journey of finding out what she really is.

Triggers: death in many gruesome ways, violence towards women, torture, mention of rape

It’s gory. Deka is killed multiple times, in various ways but she’s a demon so – she doesn’t die yet, but her village elders definitely used her golden blood to profit from. Ugh. Many of the other alaki girls who didn’t arrive with Deka were violated and killed multiple times as well. So there is a lot of violence towards girls! On the other hand, the emperor’s elite fighting warriors/assassins are women, so the story showed both violence towards women and women committing violence. It showed the girls suffering because their survival shows how strong they are.

The story lost me at the halfway point when I felt like I wasn’t connecting to Deka at all. She tries to find out more about her mom, she keeps changing and as a reader, I could guess what she was changing into. I got a little bored and not even Ixa the shapeshifting animal could rouse my interest. Maybe I wanted Deka to be more angry? Like Belcalis? If my community tried to kill me nine times in every way possible, I’d be enraged and come back with a vengeance – but that’s me. Deka has more grace than I do! Haha! She’s a good person.

The message of The Gilded Ones is great – though we may suffer, whatever doesn’t kill us – makes us stronger. I enjoyed the world building because it is unique but I wish I connected more to Deka, I think I connected more to her friends. I think many readers will definitely love this book even if I didn’t, because it has a strong message and so much girl power infused in the story.

📚 ~ Yolanda

We Free the Stars | Book Review

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Title: We Free the Stars (Sands of Arawiya, #2)

Author: Hafsah Faizal

Format: Hardcover (own)

Pages: 592

Publication Date: 1/19/21

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Catalog: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Duology

The battle on Sharr is over. The dark forest has fallen. Altair may be captive, but Zafira, Nasir, and Kifah are bound for Sultan’s Keep, determined to finish the plan he set in motion: restoring the hearts of the Sisters of Old to the minarets of each caliphate, and finally returning magic to all of Arawiya. But they are low on resources and allies alike, and the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return.

As the zumra plots to overthrow the kingdom’s darkest threat, Nasir fights to command the magic in his blood. He must learn to hone his power into a weapon, to wield not only against the Lion but against his father, trapped under the Lion’s control. Zafira battles a very different darkness festering in her through her bond with the Jawarat—a darkness that hums with voices, pushing her to the brink of her sanity and to the edge of a chaos she dare not unleash. In spite of the darkness enclosing ever faster, Nasir and Zafira find themselves falling into a love they can’t stand to lose…but time is running out to achieve their ends, and if order is to be restored, drastic sacrifices will have to be made.

Lush and striking, hopeful and devastating, We Free the Stars is the masterful conclusion to the Sands of Arawiya duology by New York Times–bestselling author Hafsah Faizal.

  • The adventure continues in the conclusion of the Sands of Awariya duology and our beloved characters go through hell and back to save their people. I love the action, the heartache, the longing, the twists, and the victories!
  • Talk about the slowest burn ever between Altair and Zafira ~ obviously they want to be together but there are so many obstacles between them, mainly their ability to say what they feel or the fact they both seem to feel they deserve one another. It was frustrating to watch their back and forth but I loved it all the same. I loved the yearning between them.
  • The writing – this author writes so beautifully! I kept noting quotes I had to save because it gave me all the feels. The writing is fluid, effortless and such a pleasure to read.
  • I love the characters: they are diverse, each has their own strength and weaknesses, but they are there for each other. I love their bond, and thank goodness for Kifah and Altair bringing the humor.
  • Zafira goes through a tough personal journey because of what the Jarawat is unleashing in her. Can she retain who she is when she is filled with such dark power? Will her loved ones be afraid of her? And what is Zafira when her reputation as the Huntress is over? Who is she now?

Trigger: grief, violence, emotional and physical abuse

  • I didn’t realize this book was long until I got it. At almost 600 pages it took me a few days to finish, but I’m not complaining. I just wished I read it as an ebook instead to keep from holding a heavy book haha.
  • The personal journeys the characters go through are rough, especially for Altair, Nasir and Zafira. For a time it feels like the despair for all of them is too much, everyone had suffer and hope was fleeting at one point – even I felt like they had no chance at beating the Lion.

We Free the Stars is a great conclusion to the Sands of Arawiya duology. It is written beautifully with lush world building, action, betrayal, a slow burn romance, a fight against evil and characters fighting for each other and the ones they love. In the end the message of yearning and hope prevails.

♥️ ~ Yolanda

Quotes from the Book ~