Yeeran is a warrior in the elven army and has known nothing but violence her whole life. Her sister, Lettle, is trying to make a living as a diviner, seeking prophecies of a better future. When a fatal mistake leads to Yeeran's exile from the Elven lands, they are both forced into the terrifying wilderness beyond their borders. There they encounter the impossible: the fae court. The fae haven't been seen for a millennium. But now Yeeran and Lettle are thrust into their seductive world-torn between their loyalty to each other, their elven homeland, and their hearts.
I'm honestly struggling to write this review. Faebound is immediately spellbinding, the world-building vivid yet not too intricate. The writing is immersive, woven from threads of African and Arab cultures. This is perfect for romantasy readers. The normalcy surrounding queerness and gender neutrality from the start is absolute gold ("[Their] gender was as flexible as the weather, accepted like the fall of rain, and change welcomed like the turns of seasons."); a breathtaking delight that fits perfectly into any fantasy realm. The story's sapphic relationship is layered and interesting; I only wish it was given more time to develop and blossom.
Perhaps I'm biased (I have three younger sisters), but I absolutely love stories involving sisters. Yeeran and Lettle give the story balance, their distinct personalities and viewpoints of the world giving us insight without too much sway in one direction. The little "journal" at the end with everyone's handwritten notes was the perfect addition to the story; a cute glossary that's often necessary for hefty world-building.
As much as I loved the writing, the characters, the themes, and even the setting... the plot felt lacking to me. There's a moment where the story slows as the characters grow complacent in their new surroundings, which would have been a great opportunity to delve into the mythology or culture. Puzzle pieces are set up a bit too obviously, too; the twists are easy to anticipate. Regardless, I'm curious to see how the story continues.
Recommended for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree, Girls of Paper and Fire, Spice Road, and Legends & Lattes.
The VibesSapphic Ships (Queernormativity)
Fantasy Fiction/Romantasy (Fae & Elves)
Dual POV (Sisters)
Rivals to Lovers
African/Arab World
First of a Trilogy
"And where there is value, there is power, and where there is power, violence will always brew."
"You are the fire of my heart, and the beat of my drum. I am yours under moonlight. Until the rhythm sings no more."
"Love and hate are oil and water, separate but similar, and sometimes they swirl together, making it difficult to tell one from the other."
"You look for ways to gain power over feelings that make you powerless."
"We must let the wind of change ease our flight, not hinder it."