I first picked up this book because 1) the author's name, 2) the pretty cover, and 3) I've recently been looking for books written by modern Muslim writers. If you're a fantasy or romance fan, this book ticks all the boxes. I'm neither, so I didn't go into it expecting to be particularly hooked by it. Boy, was I wrong. In her debut novel, Faizal creates and an enchanting ancient Arabian world, in which Zafira, a seventeen-year-old girl, disguises herself a man to venture into the mysterious forest of Arz to feed her people, thus adopting the name the 'Hunter'. Nazir is the son and assassin of the tyrant king. It's a refreshing change from the typical American teen romance book, and unique in the way it's written. Near the start of the book, it's pretty predictable that Zafira and Nazir will end with feelings for each other. Zafira is set on a mission to restore magic to their land and save her people from their nearing doom by retrieving a lost artifact. Nazir, on the other hand, is ordered by the sultan to kill the Hunter and retrieve the artifact. An twist of fate compels Zafira and Nasir to build a little more than acquaintanceship, and together they face an ancient, sinister, evil, intertwined in their past and present. Alitar, Nazir's companion on their quest, is a true gem of a character and he provides comic relief throughout the story. We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal is full of unexpected twists, turns and revelations, as well as lovable charters and funny, witty dialogue. Fazial's words drip with eloquence, and each line is deliberately written, almost like poetry. I recommend to anyone over the age of 11, especially those looking for a new, unique and refreshing read. It's a welcome addition to modern young adult fiction, and Faizal's voice in literature is one I'll be looking forward to in the future. The second installment in the Sands of Arawiya series, We Free the Stars, is expected to be released on January 19, 2021 . To see what I'm reading, follow me on Goodreads!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |