Yeeran has departed the fae lands to return to her home and end a centuries-old war. Leaving behind her love, Furi, and her sister, Lettle, who now stand against a wave of dissent, deadly assassins, and a determined group who seek to end Lettle’s life. Used to being left behind as her sister faces war, Lettle soldiers a war closer to her heart – one of fae politics and history long buried. Trusting that her sister will bring about an end to the elven war, Lettle seeks to find answers to breaking the curse that leaves the fae forever bound to Mosima. Yet the fates who used to offer her guidance are strangely silent and her powers completely closed off to prophecy. To find answers she unites with unlikely allies and a stranger who found his way into Mosima despite a lack of fae heritage. When Yeeran’s former lover courts war against the fae instead of peace, Yeeran and Lettle must reunite and reconcile their two worlds before the lives of the elves and fae are plunged into a permanent darkness.
What I admire most about Saara El-Arifi is her ability to leave you spellbound with her writing and bereft upon finishing her stories. I have been chasing that magic since I first read her debut, The Final Strife, and her romantasy series Faebound took this captivating recipe and soared to new heights. Capturing that classic romantasy feel in a fantasy world burdened by generational cycles and war, El-Arifi infused an underlying depth to fae fantasy I had long been yearning for. Including queer and disabled characters fighting for their futures and finding love, and it’s clear why Faebound was one of my favorite debuts of the past year. As prophecies come to light and the history of two distinct peoples is unburied, Cursebound ushers in a new path for Saara El-Arifi’s Faebound series. Characters and loves are ripped apart as the freedom of the Fae and Elven Lands is contested. Cursebound is a follow-up that forges a new path within the confines of this world and reveals hidden depths that left me confounded and begging for the next book in this dazzling fantasy series.
Cursebound brings us back to Mosima, as Yeeran departs and Lettle remains. Despite the groundbreaking revelations that shook the foundations of the first installment and the tremendous change our characters have undergone, sisters Yeeran and Lettle are confronted by their old roles as they settle firmly into new ones. This second novel is where El-Arifi further hones in on her world-building, established character dynamics, and lore. The introduction of new characters really lets the narrative breathe and integrates further depth into the upheaval of the Fae and Elven worlds. Lettle continues to be my favorite character in this series and she takes on a substantial role in this novel as her partner Rayan is elevated to king and she relies on her abilities to free the fae from their home and prison. Her quiet strength is different than Yeeran’s fire, but no less important. Yeeran faces a struggle of a different nature, her past which is in direct conflict with her present. As she travels back to the Elven Lands and puts her new life on the line to attempt peace that fire is reenlivened by the very life and love she is fighting for.
From Mosima to the Elven Lands, Cursebound triggers an unrelenting pace with moments of romance, immense danger, and groundbreaking revelations. El-Arifi is a master at this balancing act and nothing is out of proportion across this gripping sequel. The continued conversation surrounding the necessity of storytelling and personal history is a powerful one – striking directly at the overarching journey of righting the past and forging a future untethered by its weight. Each of our characters face new relational conflicts in this installment that move in tandem with the external conflict. Furi and Yeeran in particular bear the costs of caring for their people and their relationship suffers as they walk down different paths to secure peace. The rage, determination, and fire these two characters possess have always been a uniting force for their love, but that finally may not be enough for what they desire. Building to yet another shocking twist (seriously how is she so good at these), Cursebound is a superb fantasy sequel. Its unique way of laying the groundwork is sure to reveal something all the more astonishing in the final installment. From her blazing Ending Fire trilogy to Faebound, Saara El-Arifi is an exceptional talent. I’ll gladly wander through any book she writes and Cursebound is just the latest in what will no doubt be regarded as one of her best fantasy series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: death, blood, murder, death of a parent (mentioned), war, violence.
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