Fiona Hardingham

Hafsah Faizal

Steve West

We Free the Stars

The follow-up to the New York Times bestselling novel We Hunt the Flame! After the battle on Sharr that closed We Hunt the Flame, Zafira and Nasir return to a ghostly Sultan’s Keep, low on resources and allies alike. The dark forest has fallen, but the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return. As Nasir fights to command the dark power in his blood, Zafira fights against a very different darkness festering through her bond with the Jawarat. The second book in the Sands of Arawiya duology, by the masterful Hafsah Faizal.

How is Altair capable of making d!ck jokes at any time 😭😭😭

amna

When he finally called him baba he wasn’t there to hear it 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

"Baba.," he wept, but as always, Nasir was too late.

Not Nasir going crazy over being called a friend by Kifah😭 protect this man at allll costs 

Nasir warning lana about her language when she said khara 😭😭😭😭 why is he acting like her dad or older brother 

Sands of Arawiya 02

Natalia Melike

How was it that words were impossible, when drawing a blade and nding someone's life wasn't? 

"Men are like fish," Kifah said, the break in her voice giving away her unease. 

"Shiny, and of little brain?" Zafira replied.

He loved Arawiya, and because there was no one to love him, he loved himself. Enough that he dedicated his life to earning that love, to ensuring he wasn't the scourge she saw him as. 

Sacrifice, Benyamin had murmured. Sacrifice was nothing but death in a romantic farce. Nasir knew he'd been born for death and darkness, and it was hard to have a heart when one had stopped that of so many others. It was hard to do good when it would be shadowed forever by his wrongs.

Sarin Booi

Every color that makes you. Rimaal, he might as well quit now and become a bard.

"One more insult and I will shove you off the edge if this roof."

 "You seem to have no trouble being the end of me"

Alison Deaner

Now we make sure that light doesn't go out. Forever. Together.

Now hold that dagger high and stick with me, glass girl. I'll make sure you don't shatter.

The hotly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestelling We Hunt the Flame. After the battle on Sharr, Zafira and Nasir return to a ghostly Sultan’s Keep, low on resources and allies alike. The dark forest has fallen, but the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return. As Nasir struggles to master the dark power in his blood, Zafira struggles against a very different darkness festering through her bond with the Jawarat. We Free the Stars is the breathtaking second book in the Sands of Arawiya duology, by the masterful Hafsah Faizal.

Caroline 

The way he looked at her was the way the dying stared one last time at the sky, and so she knew. 

The word for what he felt for Zafira bint Iskandar did not yet exist. 

We were not born to fight, but our cradles were built from struggles and hardship. Pens, swords, sticks-weapons shoved into our fists as soon as we're old enough to grasp them.

Resilience flowed through a woman’s veins as fervently as her blood. 

He left behind half of his soul and the whole of his heart. 

He would give her his lungs if it meant she would breathe for him again. 

It was a kind of special strength, knowing one’s heart as well as Kifah knew hers. 

“Maybe he wanted to wait until he learned it all. Who knows? There’s a fine line between the thirst for revenge and the hunger for power, and men have a hard time understanding boundaries.”

Slower read than the first but the slow burn was burning.

Jordan

i liked part 1 better, idk somewhere in the middle I lost interest for the plot, I kept reading for the characters. All the characters in the book were constantly getting developed and I loved that! I loved reading altairs pov so much and know more about him overall it’s a good book. 

SO SO SO GOOD. zafiranasir ruined me. this is one of my faves duology now.

sani

i did NOT expect to dislike this book considering how the first book was a 5★ for me. i have been trying to read it since the 14th of january but I guess this book is just not for me.

Ellie M.

If I could give a book a 100-star rating, I will give it to this. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Sands of Arawiya but they changed my brain chemistry so bad. This book was so genuinely good! The tension and build of the plot like a string being pulled taut and you would have no idea what will happen next because everything in this book is unexpected. The characters captured my whole, entire being. I have no idea why I put this off for so long and I am truly regretful that I did. I would never forget how great of a writer Hafsah Faizal is because she’s now one of my auto-buy authors. I mean, no one can write that good? But this queen of a woman exists and she gave me nasirzafira. I would never be loved like that and it’s okay because at least this book has a happy ending and I would give all I have for a little novella with the characters who became a comfort I turned to. The little found family I discovered was very unique and yet they are an unforgettable group of people who saved each other by circumstance.

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite found family story? ❓

🦇 Zafira and Nasir return to a ghostly Sultan’s Keep, low on resources and allies alike. The dark forest has fallen, but the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return. As Nasir fights to command the dark power in his blood, Zafira fights against a very different darkness festering through her bond with the Jawarat. Can they defy the darkness surrounding them to find the light? 

💜 My lovely romantasy readers. While we're all waiting for a certain dragon book, why not slip into a rich, vivid, Arabian-inspired epic fantasy that will HAVE YOU ON YOUR KNEES for an intense, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers ship? We Free the Stars (the second book in the Sands of Arawiya duology) provides all that AND SO MUCH MORE.

💜 Hafsah Faizal is an absolute MASTER at intricate, eloquent, powerful prose. Between the stunning setting, realistic characters, and absolute wit, you'll remain enthralled with every page. As our rag-tag found family "zumra" races to restore magic, you'll remain seeped in Arawiya's world and Faizal's spell-casting language. It's lyrical, action-packed, full of longing and loss. As captivating as the world-building and attention to detail are, it's the characters that bring this story to life. Many romantasy stories focus solely on the main ship, but Zafira's relationships with her sister, best friend, a daama book, and those she's lost weigh on her heavier than her father's cloak ever did. Those relationships are meaningful, still growing, capable of shattering with a single mistake--much as real relationships are. 

💜 Zafira and Nasir have suffered so much, but still find one another in stolen moments that can steal your heart just as swiftly. The build from enemies to allies to the possibility of more is authentic, never rushed, leaving you craving more with every page yet never denying readers too long. The development is authentic; a dizzying, delightful slow-burn that never steals from the main story.

💙 Unfortunately, the second half of this duology relies deeply on miscommunication. Again, the characters internalize a LOT, causing the pacing to drag at certain points. Some points of conflict were avoidable, if only the zumra spoke to one another (instead of Zafira talking to a daama book that sasses back). The third part of the book, while sweet, felt a little unnecessary, dragging out scenes that could have been collected into an epilogue.

🦇 Recommended for all romantasy fans, namely fans of Ember in the Ashes, Rebel of the Sands, The Wrath & the Dawn, Spice Road, and The City of Brass. 

✨ "I came to kill you but fell for you"

❝ “You seem to have no trouble being the end of me.” ❞

❝ “Habibi. Hayati. Roohi. My love, my life, my soul, the words meant, but their meanings went deeper than that. Habibi was for friends and love that was real enough. Hayati was when love became an all-encompassing thing. Deeper and deeper, until one became the others life. Roohi was when a soul twined with its match and loved with the force of a thousand suns. When it slipped beneath the heart and tangled in the very fibres of an existence.” ❞

❝ "You’re like a room full of books. Every time I see you, I discover something new.” ❞

❝ They suffered alone. Quiet and brave. It was easy to believe that anyone who did not speak of suffering did not suffer. ❞

❝ My bladed compass, sheathed in starlight. ❞

❝ His compass. His queen. His life. ❞

❝ He had been the Amir al-Maut until she had come and torn the monster to shreds with sharp words and coy glimpses. ❞

❝ You’ll have me. No matter how thick the night, I will always be there to light your way. ❞

❝ "They say the soul cannot rest until it finds its match. Then it ignites." ❞

❝ “Do my people not deserve the freedom of yours? Do you know how it feels to stand beside others forged of the same flesh and bone and still be treated as inferior? As someone undeserving?” ❞

Jazelle H

🦇 We Free the Stars Book Review 🦇

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite found family story? ❓
 
🦇 Zafira and Nasir return to a ghostly Sultan’s Keep, low on resources and allies alike. The dark forest has fallen, but the kingdom teems with fear of the Lion of the Night’s return. As Nasir fights to command the dark power in his blood, Zafira fights against a very different darkness festering through her bond with the Jawarat. Can they defy the darkness surrounding them to find the light? 

💜 My lovely romantasy readers. While we're all waiting for a certain dragon book, why not slip into a rich, vivid, Arabian-inspired epic fantasy that will HAVE YOU ON YOUR KNEES for an intense, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers ship? We Free the Stars (the second book in the Sands of Arawiya duology) provides all that AND SO MUCH MORE.

💜 Hafsah Faizal is an absolute MASTER at intricate, eloquent, powerful prose. Between the stunning setting, realistic characters, and absolute wit, you'll remain enthralled with every page. As our rag-tag found family "zumra" races to restore magic, you'll remain seeped in Arawiya's world and Faizal's spell-casting language. It's lyrical, action-packed, full of longing and loss. As captivating as the world-building and attention to detail are, it's the characters that bring this story to life. Many romantasy stories focus solely on the main ship, but Zafira's relationships with her sister, best friend, a daama book, and those she's lost weigh on her heavier than her father's cloak ever did. Those relationships are meaningful, still growing, capable of shattering with a single mistake--much as real relationships are. 

💜 Zafira and Nasir have suffered so much, but still find one another in stolen moments that can steal your heart just as swiftly. The build from enemies to allies to the possibility of more is authentic, never rushed, leaving you craving more with every page yet never denying readers too long. The development is authentic; a dizzying, delightful slow-burn that never steals from the main story.

💙 Unfortunately, the second half of this duology relies deeply on miscommunication. Again, the characters internalize a LOT, causing the pacing to drag at certain points. Some points of conflict were avoidable, if only the zumra spoke to one another (instead of Zafira talking to a daama book that sasses back). The third part of the book, while sweet, felt a little unnecessary, dragging out scenes that could have been collected into an epilogue.

🦇 Recommended for all romantasy fans, namely fans of Ember in the Ashes, Rebel of the Sands, The Wrath & the Dawn, Spice Road, and The City of Brass. 

✨ The Vibes ✨
🌙 Young Adult Epic Fantasy
🧭 Sands of Arawiya Duology
🏹 Magic
✨ Assassin/Huntress Enemies to Lovers
🌙 Lyrical and Spellbinding
🧭 Arab & Muslim Inspired/Writer
🏹 Triple POV
✨ "I came to kill you but fell for you"
🌙 Found Family
🧭 Royal Court/Political Intrigue
🏹 Slow Burn & Super Angsty

💬 Quotes 
❝ “You seem to have no trouble being the end of me.” ❞
❝ “Habibi. Hayati. Roohi. My love, my life, my soul, the words meant, but their meanings went deeper than that. Habibi was for friends and love that was real enough. Hayati was when love became an all-encompassing thing. Deeper and deeper, until one became the others life. Roohi was when a soul twined with its match and loved with the force of a thousand suns. When it slipped beneath the heart and tangled in the very fibres of an existence.” ❞
❝ "You’re like a room full of books. Every time I see you, I discover something new.” ❞
❝ They suffered alone. Quiet and brave. It was easy to believe that anyone who did not speak of suffering did not suffer. ❞
❝ My bladed compass, sheathed in starlight. ❞
❝ His compass. His queen. His life. ❞
❝ He had been the Amir al-Maut until she had come and torn the monster to shreds with sharp words and coy glimpses. ❞
❝ You’ll have me. No matter how thick the night, I will always be there to light your way. ❞
❝ "They say the soul cannot rest until it finds its match. Then it ignites." ❞
❝ “Do my people not deserve the freedom of yours? Do you know how it feels to stand beside others forged of the same flesh and bone and still be treated as inferior? As someone undeserving?” ❞

Isabella 

I love this duology so much!!! The pacing for this book was great; it kept me engaged the entire time. It was written beautifully as expected. I love the found family so much; I love the zumra. They're one of my favorite characters; they mean so much to me. The banter, the familial, platonic and romantic relationships were heartwarming and beautiful. I love that every relationship was shown. I love Altair so much, the best boy!!! The slow burn romance between Nasir and Zafira?? I WAS ON MY KNEES FOR THEM. I am attached to the characters /3 I love them so much. The ending was beautiful but I need more?? Imagine this as an adaptation?? It will be amazing. Great plot + Amazing characters!! I enjoyed this book so much. I highly recommend.

akynn 

Tatiana

We Free The Stars: 4/5

Hafsah Faizal really outdid herself with this one. What a FABULOUS sequel and ending to the Sands of Arawiya duology.

The quest, plot, character development within this second installment really excelled. The reader falls even more in love with Zafira, Nasir, Altair, and Kifah and I am honestly sure I went through the five stages of grief like 8 times during the course of this book.

Hafsah Faizal never fails to deliver with plot twists, heartbreaking moments, and mending it back together. You really feel the individual journies that each character goes through as well as the collective whole of it. I am really astounded at how well the quest was portrayed and written.

Now, the true GEM OF THIS BOOK. The slow-burn romance between Nasir and Zafira. This is a slow burn at its very best, and it was everything I could have ever wanted. If We Hunt the Flame was enemies to lovers, THIS IS SLOW BURN. The tension and headstrongness of both Nasir and Zafira contribute to the reader getting frustrated that they JUST won't get together. Some points I genuinely wanted to rip the pages out, that is how frustratingly wonderful this slow-burn is. 

Although the slow burn romance was simply immaculate, so was the plot. Did it drag at some points? Absolutely, did I still enjoy it? 100%. The only point of real criticism I would say is that I wish more time was spent on that final moment. We've just gone through two books and that last final boss scene just fell a bit short/felt anti-climatic. I do think that the ending wrap up did make up for it though. The ending was really beautiful and all that a reader wants :')

fatru tamzil

five stars doesnt do this book justice this was a beautiful masterpiece and i....i am glad i read this book 😭❤️✨

Betty

not a single character in the book i don’t love. besides maybe the silver witch  i’m not her biggest fan.

lana is so me. yasmine is so me. altair is so me. 

Naomi 

not a single character in the book i don’t love. besides maybe the silver witch  i’m not her biggest fan.

lana is so me. yasmine is so me. altair is so me. 

The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because of the pacing. It feels like I’m reading multiple books in one, but it didn’t make me want to put it down. Up until the last 10% of the book where it gets slow; even in the more action packed sections. The last 10 pages wrap it up nicely and the writing is beautiful. I never thought I would like this duology because I don’t care for the culture, but I ended up loving it and is now one of my top favorite series. 

Izzy 

This book was beautiful. The representation of both culture and sexuality, Kifah being asexual, was amazing. Nasir and Zafira were my favorite couple. The little details they share without knowing it, like how Zafira hears Yasmine's voice and Nasir hears Altair's voice. The love and tension between these two was on point. I loved how all the characters had character development even if it was bad. This book was stunning would recommend. 

Carmen Neveling

Gillian Rose

I feel the same way about this book that I did the first one. Yes, it's extremely slow. But the characters more than make up for it. Zafira and Nasir are my precious babies. Altair remains my favorite. I thought it was a highly satisfying conclusion and my heart soared.

jupiter

ik it’s not a romance but the end was tooo short like it was so angsty and what not and we should’ve gotten more of them together like i feel like they spent so much time apart 😭😭 anyways besides that everything else was good albeit slow

lili

talented. brilliant. incredible. amazing. showstopping. spectacular.

Jasmine

4.5 Stars
I'm so sad I'm now done with this series and that it was only a duology because I've grown an attachment to the characters and would loved to have had more time! So captivating just like the We Hunt the Fame the writing is beautiful and effortless it's so easy to get lost in this world. This book was one big action packed emotional rollercoaster! We Free the Stars picks up pretty right where we last left off in book1 (except the epilogue which felt a bit misleading) and didn't slow down. Tensions are high and the bonds that were built are tested. There was hardly a moment to breathe, but I appreciate that Hafsah still found time to write in meaningful smaller moments. I didn't love it as much as the first book probably because book1 spent more time on the characters and building relationships, and the group working together as they were traveling. Whereas here the stakes were so high already and most of the time spent was on how to defeat the Lion. We had some great group scenes but also a lot of everyone separated. I think I just wished we had more time with everyone once the dust was settled but ahh I enjoyed this duology!!

Ana Paula

“Because my heart cannot contain it.”
Again, forever to finish but the last 100 pages took my heart, shattered it and put it together again so that alone raises it to 4 stars

Courtney

5⭐️A perfect ending to the duology. The character arcs were amazing. I absolutely loved the continued development from light to dark and dark to light between Nasir and Zafira as well as the budding romance. The plot conclusion was great.
I feel sad and happy and will never be able to feel the feelings of the first read again and thats sad because it was so good. 
A must read duology.

Lorelei Petcu

I just think that this is the perfect fantasy book and I should be allowed to live in it. 
I could be Qismah’s wife, I don’t ask for much.

The second book in the Sands of Arawiya duology by the masterful Hafsah Faizal—the follow-up to the smash New York Times bestselling novel We Hunt the Flame. 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: restoring the hearts of the Sisters of Old to the minarets of each caliphate, finally bringing 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 Arawiya’s darkest threat, Nasir fights to command the magic in his blood. He must learn to hone his power, to wield it against not only the Lion but his father as well, trapped under the Lion’s control. Zafira battles a very different darkness festering in her through her bond with the Jawarat—it hums with voices, pushing her to the brink of sanity and to the edge of a chaos she dares not unleash. 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 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.

an epic conclusion to an epic duology! so happy with how this book went. it had plenty of action and a lot going on. also so happy with the ending. it was done very well. 

Hannah Williams

finished her in ONE DAY i literally couldn’t put it down … unreal ending that was so captivating 

soph 

Annabella

“Your turn. What color do you like most?”
His eyes flared before he could mask his surprise. Did he not think she’d ask him in return? It was always a game, capturing the small displays of Nasir Ghameq’s emotions. A game she liked, she realized. One she could play forever and never tire of.
“You,” he said, so softly it was only sound    
This book broke me

We Free the Stars

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