Book Review: We Free the Stars (Sands of Arawiya #2) by Hafsah Faizal

Hi Cara,

 

Today on my blog I am reviewing the 2nd and final book in Hafsah Faizal Sands of Arawiya series. We Free the Stars is out already in the USA, and out on the 18th March in the UK.

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.

(Synopsis from Goodreads.com)

 

We free the stars brings the reader back to Arawiya as the story picks up from the ending of We Hunt the Flame.

 

In my opinion, We hunt the flame is more about Zafira but in We Free the Stars is Nasir. I loved that the focus changed but Zafira is still important. The relationship between those two characters is also one of my favourites aspects. As they are battling their own demons, as well as the need for each other. 

Hafash Faizal writing style is easy to read. It’s fast paces, packed with details to keep my interest. Without me feeling overwhelmed trying to keep all the characters in order. 

Throughout the book, there are moments where I was thinking know Hafash can’t be doing this to me. 

Another element I enjoyed in this book is the banter between all of the main character group. As they have become a family and this gives them the freedom to day things others might not. 

Hafash has ended the story in a way that feels right for the characters and the reader. I will miss the characters and this world. 

 

Overall We Free the Stars is perfect for any fans of YA Fantasy.

 

My Rating for We Free the Stars is 4.8 out of 5. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian children books for gifting me a copy of We Free the Starts for review. 

 

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Thanks for reading,