We Free the Stars Book Review (Book Two of the Sands of Arawiya Duology)

The cover of We Free the Stars, a YA fantasy by Hafsah Faizal, says it all: two star-crossed lovers who have to brave a cruel world to get what they treasure most. But with the hope of magic dying and the clock ticking and their friend captured and dark whispers catching their ears, it’s so much more than that. (You can find my review of book one, We Hunt the Flame, here: https://gracenask.wixsite.com/books/post/we-hunt-the-flame-book-review)

In book one, the parts on falling in love could sometimes come off weird or unrealistic; in book two, they came out just right. Zafira and Nasir, the two protagonists, dance and weave around each other like it’s second nature. Though the zumra has a large cast, each character retains a distinct personality that helps characterize everyone else. Their banter is a lot of fun and infectious, and their seriousness makes the tension palpable.

Zafira’s relationship with the Jawarat, a magical book her soul is bound to, in particular is well thought out. It adds tension to an already tense situation but still comes across as sincere and heartfelt. At the end of the day, they both just want to learn how to live with each other without sacrificing their identities, and it shows.

The addition of chapters in Altair’s perspective are necessary and well balanced; his chapters are few and far between, as they should be since he’s not a protagonist.

The plot twists in this book, like the last, remain well crafted and mix a good helping of foreshadowing and surprise. They keep the story moving toward that magnificent climax and endearing conclusion.

“‘Honor before heart,’ said the girl. // ‘Delicacy fosters death,’ said the lion. // ‘Destruction follows darkness,’ said the boy. // ‘Power begets pain,’ said the king. // And they were all horribly right.”

Recommended for anyone who feels the darkness clawing at them from the inside out.

--Grace Nask