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We Free the Stars
(Sands of Arawiya #2)
by
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
...more
Hardcover, 592 pages
Published
January 19th 2021
by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
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Start your review of We Free the Stars (Sands of Arawiya, #2)
my feelings for this concluding installment mirror my feelings for the first book exactly, so this is probably just going to be a copy/paste review. but hey, consistent authors are worth praising.
again, the main thing carrying this book is definitely the arabian representation. it gives the story a lush and cultural atmosphere that is much needed in the book world. had you taken that away, would this still be worth 4 stars? maybe. maybe not. the characters are still interesting (nasir definitel ...more
again, the main thing carrying this book is definitely the arabian representation. it gives the story a lush and cultural atmosphere that is much needed in the book world. had you taken that away, would this still be worth 4 stars? maybe. maybe not. the characters are still interesting (nasir definitel ...more
Thinking of reading the first book, We Hunt the Flame? Check out my review here!
Quick Stats:
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: I am broken. This book has destroyed me. But in the best possible way.
// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Child Abuse, War Themes, Murder //
Release Date: 1/19/2021
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Page Count: 592 pages
Premise:
We Free the Stars is the sequel to We Hunt the Flame, fo ...more
Quick Stats:
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: I am broken. This book has destroyed me. But in the best possible way.
// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Child Abuse, War Themes, Murder //
Release Date: 1/19/2021
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Page Count: 592 pages
Premise:
We Free the Stars is the sequel to We Hunt the Flame, fo ...more
...and the Prince of Death never left a job unfinished.
...more
...more
what was this???
i am... genuinely in awe.
i came into this book expecting to have fun, maybe enjoy it a reasonable amount. what i did not expect was to read what was probably the best finale to a series that i have ever experienced.
this was so, so good. everything about it.
normally, even if i love a series finale, i have at least a couple regrets, of storylines that i felt were sloppy or characters that lacked closure. not here. i don’t think i have ever finished a series and felt so, so ...more
i am... genuinely in awe.
i came into this book expecting to have fun, maybe enjoy it a reasonable amount. what i did not expect was to read what was probably the best finale to a series that i have ever experienced.
this was so, so good. everything about it.
normally, even if i love a series finale, i have at least a couple regrets, of storylines that i felt were sloppy or characters that lacked closure. not here. i don’t think i have ever finished a series and felt so, so ...more
Initial Thoughts: Thank you so so much Hafsah for letting me read an early early copy I’m literally so honored and ALSO AN EMOTIONAL MESS 😭 words can’t fully encompass how I feel. But Arawiya will always be a home for me and I will always love the zumra forever and always😭 thank you for this brilliance
“We’re not falling apart. We hunted the flame on Sharr, set free the stars across the skies, but it was only ever the dawn of our zumra. Now we make sure that light doesn’t go out. Forever. Together.”
Ahhh, my heart hurts.
We Free the Stars was one of my most anticipated books of 2021 and it did not disappoint. The Sands of Arawiya books are fantasy books based on Arabic folklore and are (thankfully) culturally accurate, written by POC author Hafsah Faizal.
I absolutely love Hafsah’s writing, ...more
Ahhh, my heart hurts.
We Free the Stars was one of my most anticipated books of 2021 and it did not disappoint. The Sands of Arawiya books are fantasy books based on Arabic folklore and are (thankfully) culturally accurate, written by POC author Hafsah Faizal.
I absolutely love Hafsah’s writing, ...more
We Hunt The Flame (#1) ★★★★★
September 03, 2020: After loving the first book so much, you can't expect me to NOT BE BEGGING TO READ THIS EARLY so everyone, please pray for me because I want to read it now,,, ...more
Aug 21, 2020
Noura Khalid (theperksofbeingnoura)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
My heart is happy and sad all at once! These emotions! 😭❤
Though I didn't enjoy We Free the Stars as much as the first book, I did still rather enjoy this one. I'm so grateful that for once in my life a series has been completed without killing off my favorite character. I was literally so worried my favorite would be killed, but he's safe and I'm so relieved.
To start off my review, I need to repeat something from my review of We Hunt the Flame, this book and this series desperately needed a terminology guide in the physical book itself. I know that th ...more
To start off my review, I need to repeat something from my review of We Hunt the Flame, this book and this series desperately needed a terminology guide in the physical book itself. I know that th ...more
Dec 10, 2020
Helena of Eretz ✰
marked it as to-read
I received this complimentary ARC from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
It was easy to believe that anyone who did not speak of suffering did not suffer.
I think I need days to process it. But then also I won't be able to do justice to this book.
The beginning was very sad. I was just waiting for the sun to hide behind clouds and it would have been officially a very sad, grey day. I would have sat by window and looked out, trying to channel inner disney princess but failing(because I have the grace of a frog). But wait. THE BOOK IS WORTH IT. Every ounce of sadness
”Habibti. Hayati. Roohi.”
“Why do you cry?”
“Because my heart cannot contain it.”
an insanely well-executed sequel and conclusion to this fantasy duology. i’ve held this story so close to my heart for almost 2 years now, and I can confirm that I will continue to do so until the end of time. this book zigged when I expected it to zag, and subverted all expectations I had on the direction it was going to go. the ending was absolutely perfect and I will be in the publisher’s DMs until they confirm ...more
“Why do you cry?”
“Because my heart cannot contain it.”
an insanely well-executed sequel and conclusion to this fantasy duology. i’ve held this story so close to my heart for almost 2 years now, and I can confirm that I will continue to do so until the end of time. this book zigged when I expected it to zag, and subverted all expectations I had on the direction it was going to go. the ending was absolutely perfect and I will be in the publisher’s DMs until they confirm ...more
Sep 16, 2020
Althea | themoonwholistens ☾
marked it as to-read
whoever designs these covers deserve a raise
That cover and colour scheme though! 😍
11/19/19:
I. CANNOT. WAIT.
After that ending! All those reveals! That cliffhanger!
I'm going into a coma, wake me up in 2020. ...more
I. CANNOT. WAIT.
After that ending! All those reveals! That cliffhanger!
I'm going into a coma, wake me up in 2020. ...more
I've been holding in my feelings on this book since May, and now that I'm finally allowed to share, I don't know how to explain how perfect this book is.
We Free the Stars conveys a complexity of emotions I can scarcely put into words. People live and die, betray and save each other, close themselves off and open themselves up. It's not so much what happens, as it is how does each character react to it, and why.
When We Hunt the Flame ended, we were left with many questions, lots of pain, and the ...more
We Free the Stars conveys a complexity of emotions I can scarcely put into words. People live and die, betray and save each other, close themselves off and open themselves up. It's not so much what happens, as it is how does each character react to it, and why.
When We Hunt the Flame ended, we were left with many questions, lots of pain, and the ...more
4 stars
Lush and lyrical, beautifully romantic, and a wonderful duology finale... (but longgggg.)
Writing: ★★★★ 1/2
Characters/Romance: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★ 1/2
We Free the Stars is the final book in the Arawiya series. For thoughts on the first book, check out my review here.
Below there are SPOILERS for the first book, We Hunt the Flame. I repeat, SPOILERS for the first book!
Ok, they gone? Good! Let's talk about this one.
Following the events of We Hunt the Flame, our group of rebels/adve ...more
Lush and lyrical, beautifully romantic, and a wonderful duology finale... (but longgggg.)
Writing: ★★★★ 1/2
Characters/Romance: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★ 1/2
We Free the Stars is the final book in the Arawiya series. For thoughts on the first book, check out my review here.
Below there are SPOILERS for the first book, We Hunt the Flame. I repeat, SPOILERS for the first book!
Ok, they gone? Good! Let's talk about this one.
Following the events of We Hunt the Flame, our group of rebels/adve ...more
“We free the stars, shatter the darkness holding us captive, and return the world to the splendor it once was.”
I should write a review. I should write a comment. I should write... something. But I can't find the words to describe how much I loved this book. I finished We Free the Stars two days ago but my mind is still there, in Arawiya, with the zumra. It's hard to say goodbye because I've loved this world and these characters from the very first page. I've laughed, suffered, rejoiced with them ...more
I should write a review. I should write a comment. I should write... something. But I can't find the words to describe how much I loved this book. I finished We Free the Stars two days ago but my mind is still there, in Arawiya, with the zumra. It's hard to say goodbye because I've loved this world and these characters from the very first page. I've laughed, suffered, rejoiced with them ...more
4.5/5 stars, everyone got such a good ending
One thing I can for sure say about Hafsah Faizel is that her writing, and how she creates a story, is consistent. She can be counted on to bring in similar elements of what was good in the first book into this one, and write the plot similar to the first one. If you enjoyed We Hunt the Flame I think you will greatly enjoy the sequel, it's quite reflective of the first one.
I really liked experiencing this story, after the cliffhanger of the last book t ...more
One thing I can for sure say about Hafsah Faizel is that her writing, and how she creates a story, is consistent. She can be counted on to bring in similar elements of what was good in the first book into this one, and write the plot similar to the first one. If you enjoyed We Hunt the Flame I think you will greatly enjoy the sequel, it's quite reflective of the first one.
I really liked experiencing this story, after the cliffhanger of the last book t ...more
~~~2 Stars~~~
I have a feeling this is either going to be a really long kind of rant or really short and to the point. Not sure which though.
I was disappointed by this book. I feel like making this into a duology was a very bad decision and that it should have been a trilogy. Not because I want more time with the characters, but because the ending of this book was a train wreck. There was too much going on in too few chapters and I could not fathom how any of it was possible. I believe the entir ...more
I have a feeling this is either going to be a really long kind of rant or really short and to the point. Not sure which though.
I was disappointed by this book. I feel like making this into a duology was a very bad decision and that it should have been a trilogy. Not because I want more time with the characters, but because the ending of this book was a train wreck. There was too much going on in too few chapters and I could not fathom how any of it was possible. I believe the entir ...more
I am going to choose to DNF this book at 30%. Firstly, I did not realize that this book was close to 600 pages, and I am not enjoying the story enough to invest so much time in reading such a long book. Additionally, I received a copy from Net Galley and have been having a lot of eye strain from this digital book. I think that might also be contributing to my lack of enjoyment. Unfortunately, I am just not that captivated by the world or characters to continue on with the series.
Wow! So much better than the first book. This is the true difference between an author’s debut and their second book. I felt myself actually caring about the characters and the book didn’t drag.
Edit: *I was able to read a newer draft of WFTS. All views are my own. AND I STAND BY WHAT I SAID-THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOK I’VE EVER READ.
**I was able to read a very early draft of WFTS. All views belong to me**
The only thing you need to know is that I cried. And that I have ZERO regrets about crying. AND that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
**I was able to read a very early draft of WFTS. All views belong to me**
The only thing you need to know is that I cried. And that I have ZERO regrets about crying. AND that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Dec 16, 2018
Shehzeen Muzaffar
marked it as to-read
AHHHH! I LOVE THE TITLEEEEEEEEE
-
I AM FIRST
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I AM FIRST
Mar 02, 2021
SincerelyTahiry
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
iqra-trials-2021,
2021-anticipated-releases
The Iqra Trials Book for February: We Free The Stars by Hafsah Faizal- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
*I was persuaded to up my rating to 4.75 because there was SOME smut in the book SO I GUESS*
To be VERY MF CLEAR this is a 4.5 star because as much as I LOVEDDDDDDD this book, ion like how Miss Faizal was toying with us with the whole Zafira and Nasir thing just to leave us hanging. It’s just cruel 😭😭 *im VERY butt heart because there wasn’t any smut but anywayyyy*
YALLLLL. IM OBSESSED!! If you had a hard time getting t ...more
*I was persuaded to up my rating to 4.75 because there was SOME smut in the book SO I GUESS*
To be VERY MF CLEAR this is a 4.5 star because as much as I LOVEDDDDDDD this book, ion like how Miss Faizal was toying with us with the whole Zafira and Nasir thing just to leave us hanging. It’s just cruel 😭😭 *im VERY butt heart because there wasn’t any smut but anywayyyy*
YALLLLL. IM OBSESSED!! If you had a hard time getting t ...more
Faizal clearly put effort into this book, yet I vehemently disliked many aspects of it. Hereunder is everything wrong with this book:
THE SEXISM:
I found this book to be incredibly sexist. I don't care what political affiliation a person has, or where they put themselves on the religious spectrum, or the feminism spectrum, or whatever spectrum you have out there. If you cannot abuse and put down females, you should also not be able to abuse and put down males. You say you have a strong female char ...more
THE SEXISM:
I found this book to be incredibly sexist. I don't care what political affiliation a person has, or where they put themselves on the religious spectrum, or the feminism spectrum, or whatever spectrum you have out there. If you cannot abuse and put down females, you should also not be able to abuse and put down males. You say you have a strong female char ...more
We Free the Stars had the perfect ending to an incredible duology. The characters arcs were so beautiful and the last line of this book made me cry of happiness. It was so moving.
I just love these characters so much.
I'm secretly hoping for a Yasmine and Altair novella pretty please 👀👀👀 ...more
I just love these characters so much.
I'm secretly hoping for a Yasmine and Altair novella pretty please 👀👀👀 ...more
i don’t know if this is just because i’m in a reading slump, but i feel like this could’ve been 100 pages less. i just thought a lot of it was repetitive and if we lost that then the actual story and character relationships would’ve been able to shine more.
Jul 02, 2019
Joan He
marked it as to-read
LOOK AT THAT TITLE!!!! commence big hype energy
this is the best book i have ever read IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY READ THIS DUOLOGY
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Hafsah Faizal is the New York Times bestselling author of WE HUNT THE FLAME and WE FREE THE STARS. She’s the founder of IceyDesigns, where she creates websites for authors and beauteous goodies for everyone else. When she’s not writing, she can be found dreaming up her next design, deciding between Assassin’s Creed and Skyrim, or traversing the world. Born in Florida and raised in California, she
...more
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“If you hurt her—”
“If I hurt her, I will bring every weapon at my disposal and lay them at your feet for you to do to me what you will. If I hurt her, I will no sooner carve out my own heart than dare draw breath again.”
She was silent.
“Do you understand?” he prompted.
“You love her.”
No, he did not love her. The word for what he felt for Zafira bint Iskandar did not yet exist.”
—
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“If I hurt her, I will bring every weapon at my disposal and lay them at your feet for you to do to me what you will. If I hurt her, I will no sooner carve out my own heart than dare draw breath again.”
She was silent.
“Do you understand?” he prompted.
“You love her.”
No, he did not love her. The word for what he felt for Zafira bint Iskandar did not yet exist.”
“You'll have me. No matter how thick the night, I will always be there to light your way.”
—
7 likes
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