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Cover of We Free the Stars

We Free the Stars

by Hafsah Faizal

🥛clean·spoiler·Sands of Arawiya #2

Why Read This?

The slow burn between Zafira and Nasir pays off magnificently in this duology closer. Every stolen glance and reluctant touch builds to a crescendo that earns every emotional beat.

Synopsis

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.

At a Glance

4.18 ★ Goodreads
Spice Level🥛clean
Endingspoiler
PairingM/F
Romance Pacingslow burn
Energyhigh

Top Tropes

enemies to loversslow burnfound familyhidden identitytouch her and die

Mood

epicdarkintenseatmosphericangsty

Book Details

Goodreads Rating

4.18 ★

Page Count

592 pages

Published

2021

Primary Genre

Ya Fantasy

Pairing

M/F

POV

Multi-POV

Romance Pacing

Slow Burn

Cliffhanger

spoiler

Audiobook

Available

Yes

Format

Dual Narration

Narrator

Fiona Hardingham, Steve West

Tropes

RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

Mood

Writing Style

lyricalatmosphericdramaticimmersiveemotional

Story Pacing

medium

Emotional Weight

heavy

Energy Required

high

Vibes

desert quest with a tortured prince who is terrified of love

Characters

FMC Archetype

warrior/fighterreluctant chosen onegeneral badass

MMC Archetype

dark/tortured soulbrooding princesecretly softspy/assassin

Relationship Dynamics

slow burnenemies to loversmutual piningtensionhurt/comfortonly soft for themferal devotiontouch her and die
child abuseviolencedeathtorturemurderwarmental manipulationgriefmind controlbloodimprisonment

World & Setting

World Type

high fantasy

Primary Setting

Arabian-inspired desert kingdom

Fantasy Creatures

Representation

BIPOC MCBIPOC LIMiddle Eastern MC

Reading Context

Emotional Payoff

the angst deliveredtension finally satisfiedromantic fulfillmentcathartic release

Best Time of Year

anytime

When & Where to Read

at nightcozy eveningrainy weekend

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