Review – We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

 

Title We Hunt the Flame

Author Hafsah Faizal

Description from Amazon

People lived because she killed. People died because he lived.

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the sultan. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways. Both Zafira and Nasir are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya―but neither wants to be.

War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the sultan on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds―and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

Initial Thoughts

Please see my hype post for this book for full details on my initial enthusiasm for this book.  To summarize, I was super excited to get my hands on a copy.

Cover Art

I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of the final cover of this book.  I liked the ARC cover much more.  I think I was spoiled by the richness of the images in the preorder incentive and that made me not like the cover art as much.  I wish the artwork from the preorder gift was featured instead or, alternatively, I wish it had just been the title with no image.

As criticized in my OwlCrate May 2019 Unboxing post, I also was not a fan of the alternate cover they produced.  I don’t dislike it, but the change was so subtle, I barely noticed it.  For a book this hyped up, I was expecting more.

Favorite Character

As noted in my read along posts of Act I, Act II, and Act III, I went back and forth on my favorite character a few times.  Overall, I think I can confidently say that it was Altair.  He had the best dialogue, he was mysterious in a way that even I couldn’t discern his motivations, and he helped to portray themes that YA books are often lacking in.  Yes, I’m referring to his bromance with Nasir.  I feel like too many YA books neglect this element especially when the lead character is female.  I was very happy to see Nasir and Altair’s friendship forming as the story progressed.

Series Value

We Hunt the Flame sets up an intricate political and geographic landscape with an age old problem regarding magic.  I think there is tons of material to work with for many more books.  The characters are fantastic and there are many other minor characters that I can easily see developing into more prominant roles as the series progresses.  This book is literally bursting with sequel potential.

Final Thoughts

Some of the plot twists were a bit transparent, others had me totally thrown for a loop.  This story had everything I look for in a series starter: romance, political turmoil, an epic squad of characters, all of whom I’d want to be friends with, and a magical setting.

I’d go back to Arawiya any day of the week to read more about the zumra I learned to love in We Hunt the Flame.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Recommendtions for Further Reading

• A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnson – this is a retelling of 1001 Arabian Nights but the atmosphere and setting are very similar.  There are also parallels regarding magic and restoring something that was lost.
• Furyborn by Claire Legrand – I know what you’re thinking, that’s a weird recommendation, but, hear me out.  This is another story of lost magic, prophecy, and finding your place in the world.  Also, Furyborn features not one, but two plots with slow burning romance (if you’re into that).
• Thief of Cahraman by Lucy Tempest – like A Thousand Nights, this is another desert/Arabian nights inspired story.  Since it’s also part of a series, I think it’s definitely worth checking out if you liked We Hunt the Flame.