Lyrical and filled with adventure, a slow-burn romance, and an unforgettable cast of characters in a world based on ancient Arabia, this is a debut series not to be missed. VERDICT: Fans of Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes and Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone should get excited for their next obsession.
–School Library Journal, Starred Review
Faizal builds a world of immense detail and complexity. Readers smell the different foods in the marketplace and begin to understand the many layers of each culture in Arawiya. Perspective chapters bring the reader into the lives of both Zafira and Nasir. As the title suggests, there are violent scenes in this novel, but the story focuses much more on the internal struggles both characters have a result of their circumstances. Faizal explores the strength of an independent female character in a world that silences women. As a result, Zafira’s courage will teach readers the power of the human spirit.
–VOYA, Starred Review
WE HUNT THE FLAME gives exquisitely detailed insight into a cultural experience; this debut, about identity and unlikely allies, features subtly nuanced and deeply reflective characters. Layering high-stakes action with moods ranging from casual humor to raw anguish, Faizal bends fantasy tropes to her will to tell a fresh and gripping story about love, honor, and self-discovery that will leave readers scrambling for more.
–Booklist, Starred Review
Faizal matches a sweeping, ancient Arabian setting of shifting sand dunes, crumbling ruins, and fickle magic with an engrossing tale of political intrigue and human and divine warring powers. That sense of epicness, however, is carefully grounded by her deeply flawed, morally conflicted, and endlessly fascinating characters; as individuals, they are each interesting, but it’s the developing dynamic among the group that is truly compelling... Fans of Bardugo’s Six of Crows or Chokshi’s The Star-Touched Queen will be thrilled with the book’s impressive world building, stellar cast, and intricate story.
–The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred Review
Debut author Faizal paints a vivid world, inspired by ancient Arabia and its mythology, that will appeal to fantasy and romance readers as well as fans of the Assassin's Creed video games... An appealing spin on traditional fantasy elements.
–Kirkus Reviews
Hafsah Faizal weaves an intricate tale that brings us not only a richly imagined new world of magic to explore, but more than that, with a deft, wise hand, she charts the yearnings of the human heart, all while delivering breathtaking twists and unexpected turns. A truly stunning debut!
–Robin LaFevers, New York Times bestselling author of Courting Darkness and the His Fair Assassin trilogy
As dazzling and magical as the world Faizal has crafted, WE HUNT THE FLAME should be on every fantasy fan’s bookshelf.
– Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling author
WE HUNT THE FLAME enchanted me with its lyrical storytelling, rich mythology, and most of all its unforgettable cast of characters, so vividly drawn that I felt as though I had braved the desert’s perils at their side. A wholly unique debut, destined to take the world by storm.
– Margaret Rogerson, New York Times Bestselling Author
A sparkling debut, full of mystery and magic, vivid characters and rich language.
– Roshani Chokshi, New York Times Bestselling Author
A whirlwind Arabian-inspired fantasy, filled with heart-stopping twists; powerful friendships; a steamy well-developed romance; and lyrical prose that left me breathless.
– Shauna Sinyard, bookseller at Park Road Books
With fierce characters, deathly challenges, and world-building both lyrical and spellbinding... Unputdownable.
– Marieke Nijkamp, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
A spellbinding tale filled with deception, political intrigue, and atmosphere that lives and breathes—I am obsessed with this story.
– Kerri Maniscalco, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
A Barnes & Noble YA Book Club pick!
