We Free the Stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
0🌶 (YA)

The second half of this epic duology, we are back with Zafira, Nasir, and the rest of their zumra (found family) as they prepare to do battle with their enemy to save magic and the kingdom.

Where the first half of the story focused on forming bonds and being on the quest to find the missing artifact, the second half focuses on our characters, their flaws, and their bonds to each other.

The author does a beautiful job of exploring so many kinds of love. The romantic kind, the kind between brothers, between sisters, between best friends who become siblings by choice, and between friends who become family. Love isn't simple, but it can be the most powerful force we have to fight against darkness and show more despair (and a ruthless enemy).

I really enjoyed how we really get into the minds of all of the characters in this book, to see their fears and flaws. To remind us all that heroes are people too, and to be flawed is to be human.

If you're in the mood for an epic quest of a story, this duology is for you!

Bonus: we get some ace rep in this book! show less

Darkness surged in his veins. Power bled from her bones.

The battle on Sharr is over. The Arz has fallen. Altair may be captive, but Zafira, Nasir, and Kifah are bound for Sultan’s Keep, determined to finish the plan Altair set in motion. 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 Arawiya's darkest threat
Nasir fights to command the magic in his blood. He must learn to hone his power..
Zafira battles a very different darkness festering in her through her bond with the Jawarat
In spite of everything, Zafira and Nasir find themselves falling into a love they can’t stand to lose.
But time is running out, and if order is to be show more restored, drastic sacrifices will have to be made.

Thank you, Goodreads and Fierce Reads for the chance to read We Free the Stars!

“{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,}”

Ok, first I am jealous of everyone else who read the first book! I have definitely missed out. This book is amazing! The way Hafsah Faizal writes, you feel you know all the characters. The dedication that you see in each character and their relationship to each other, you can't help but fall in love. The world building in this book is just absolutely beautiful. I don't think I have ever come across a book where the end didn’t leave me wanting or asking well what about this or that. Not that it was neatly tied in a pretty little bow, but you felt good with it ending that way. You will cry! You will laugh! You will get frustrated and in the end you will absolutely love this book! And to think this is only her second book released {that I know of at least} Hafsah Faizal will be an amazing author! I can't wait to see what comes next from her! Happy reading everyone! show less

We Hunt the Flame was one of my favorite books last year so I was very much looking forward to this sequel. While it does not quite live up to the first one, We Free the Stars is still an enjoyable read. It picks up pretty much right where We Hunt the Flame left off, with Altair captured and the rest of the zumra short one of the magical hearts they need to restore magic to Arawiya. They will need to overcome a lot of obstacles, including between each other, in order to defeat the Lion and keep the land from falling into chaos and darkness.

This book was much more character driven than plot driven. Where the first book had a very linear, single goal motivated plot, Zafira and her friends are not as sure of what to do now that they have show more the hearts, but not all of them, and the lion is free. This leads to a lot of discussions, heart-to-hearts, and silent yearning. Not to mention that Zafira is now connected to the Jawarat, and it may be influencing her more than she wants to admit.

If the romance was your favorite part of the first book, you will probably love this one. I am personally more interested in the plot aspects so unfortunately this sequel did not grab me in the same way, but I did like how the story picked up further into the book and the ending was very satisfying. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. show less

Buddy read with Halima!

Well, let me just say I’m very sad to be leaving behind these characters as well as Hafsah Faizal’s incredible writing style. I will definitely need to reread this duology sometime in the near future. If you like any of the following: enemies to lovers, slowburn romance, a badass female protagonist, a happy ending, and/or diverse reads, this book is for you.

The next quote is a SPOILER for literally the very last page. I will use the spoiler tags, so please don’t click if you haven’t read this book; it just didn’t feel right to not include it.

“I once loved, he has inked on his wrist. I will again, he inked on the other. He opened his palm and a plume of shadow curled to life. It was a reminder: People show more lived because he did.” Such an amazing parallel to when he was introduced in the first book with “People died because he lived.” show less

DNF at 60%. Book 1 had substance and story. This was a slog through nothingness. I’m very confused how these books had the same style but none of the same feeling.

3.5/5 stars

Enjoyed it. Nice happy ending that the characters deserved. I wish Altair has a Queen by his side as well.

The purest of hearts will always triumph the darkest of souls. -Jawarat

The beginning of this book was honestly just a lot of lefts and rights and it was quite hard to keep up with how much was happening.
The ending tho is what makes this 5 stars,highly recommend