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Faebound #3
Earthbound
Not yet published
Expected 27 Aug 26Yeeran and Lettle’s world has been shaken by a revelation from the Fates that changes everything: the obeah are not what they seem. Return to the intoxicating realm of the fae one last time in the final installment of the #1 Sunday Times bestselling Faebound series.
Broken by love.
Trapped by war.
Bound by magic.
Lettle is on a quest to uncover the truth. Along with the human Alder, the last of his kind, she sets off on an arduous journey of discovery. But after a painful separation from King Rayan, she is struggling to find her way.
Alder is determined to learn more about his origins. With no memories of his childhood, he retraces his steps to the cave where it all began. But what he finds there may shake him to the core.
Back in the fae court, Yeeran has other priorities. The warrior-turned-ambassador must negotiate a peace treaty with the elven army to save them all. But it’s hard to bargain with a duplicitous enemy. And it’s even harder to negotiate with a broken heart.
Secrets ripple like an earthquake across the land and love and power is at the core of them all…
Broken by love.
Trapped by war.
Bound by magic.
Lettle is on a quest to uncover the truth. Along with the human Alder, the last of his kind, she sets off on an arduous journey of discovery. But after a painful separation from King Rayan, she is struggling to find her way.
Alder is determined to learn more about his origins. With no memories of his childhood, he retraces his steps to the cave where it all began. But what he finds there may shake him to the core.
Back in the fae court, Yeeran has other priorities. The warrior-turned-ambassador must negotiate a peace treaty with the elven army to save them all. But it’s hard to bargain with a duplicitous enemy. And it’s even harder to negotiate with a broken heart.
Secrets ripple like an earthquake across the land and love and power is at the core of them all…
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 27, 2026
About the author
Saara El-Arifi
14 books3,826 followersSaara El-Arifi is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Ending Fire Trilogy
and the Faebound Trilogy.
El-Arifi knew she was a storyteller from the moment she told her first lie. Over the years, she has perfected her tall tales into epic ones. She has lived in many countries, had many jobs, and owned many more cats. After a decade of working in marketing and communications, she returned to academia to complete a master’s degree in African studies alongside her writing career. She currently resides in London as a full-time procrastinator.
and the Faebound Trilogy.
El-Arifi knew she was a storyteller from the moment she told her first lie. Over the years, she has perfected her tall tales into epic ones. She has lived in many countries, had many jobs, and owned many more cats. After a decade of working in marketing and communications, she returned to academia to complete a master’s degree in African studies alongside her writing career. She currently resides in London as a full-time procrastinator.
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Want to Read
February 1, 2026I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
for the third and final installment in the faebound series we return to our favorite group of characters on separated and on the brink of war. lettle and alder have set off on a quest to uncover alders past in an attempt to unanswered questions, while yeeran and furi remain in mosima attempting to barter for peace with the elves.
wow, i cannot believe this series has come to an end. there is a pang of sadness over finishing, but in my eyes this was the perfect conclusion?
this book was such an emotional rollercoaster. i smiled, giggled and kicked my feet at the reunions, gasped over reveals and cried over characters i've grown attached to facing impossible odds.
this book offers multiple povs, allowing us to watch our favorite characters grapple with their own internal battles and attempt to grow from their mistakes, especially when it came to their relationships. as usual, i love the queer representation throughout this book and series.
faebound was the first arc i EVER read, so the series holds such a special place in my heart. i cannot wait to see what al-arifi publishes in the future.
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘦𝘭-𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪, 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🤍
wow, i cannot believe this series has come to an end. there is a pang of sadness over finishing, but in my eyes this was the perfect conclusion?
this book was such an emotional rollercoaster. i smiled, giggled and kicked my feet at the reunions, gasped over reveals and cried over characters i've grown attached to facing impossible odds.
this book offers multiple povs, allowing us to watch our favorite characters grapple with their own internal battles and attempt to grow from their mistakes, especially when it came to their relationships. as usual, i love the queer representation throughout this book and series.
faebound was the first arc i EVER read, so the series holds such a special place in my heart. i cannot wait to see what al-arifi publishes in the future.
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘦𝘭-𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪, 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🤍
August 7, 2026
Netgalley ARC.
that’s how you finish a trilogy 👏
I really enjoyed this series even though it’s not my usual kind of read. It’s a fantasy, not a complicated fantasy with lots of world building. But there is a lot going on, with lots of different characters & animals. The names were hard to follow at times. But it felt like a real cosy read. LGBT representation. Found family. The relationship between fae & obeah was written so well. I loved how this all came together at the end. Again, following different people with different POVs can be hard to follow sometimes but the plot was worked out so well. I love how this was concluded. I loved the characters. I love the world building and how the magic system works. Probably a really nice fantasy read if you’re starting off with fantasy.
that’s how you finish a trilogy 👏
I really enjoyed this series even though it’s not my usual kind of read. It’s a fantasy, not a complicated fantasy with lots of world building. But there is a lot going on, with lots of different characters & animals. The names were hard to follow at times. But it felt like a real cosy read. LGBT representation. Found family. The relationship between fae & obeah was written so well. I loved how this all came together at the end. Again, following different people with different POVs can be hard to follow sometimes but the plot was worked out so well. I love how this was concluded. I loved the characters. I love the world building and how the magic system works. Probably a really nice fantasy read if you’re starting off with fantasy.
August 9, 2026
Earthbound provided the absolute perfect conclusion to this incredible series, and I am so highly satisfied with how everything wrapped up! I loved the inclusion of the gritty, dirty war tactics and the raw, heavy exploration of trauma, which were both brilliantly balanced by the lovely, deeply moving character relationships. It was so incredibly fulfilling to finally get all of the answers to the massive mysteries built up across the trilogy. I have enjoyed diving into this brilliantly crafted world so much throughout the entire series, and this finale delivered everything I could have hoped for and more! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
August 1, 2026
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC!
I can’t believe that this trilogy has come to an end. I am going to miss these characters and world very deeply.
This series has held a special place in my heart. I picked up the first novel at random when it released, and I’ve had the honor of reading the second and third now as early additions. These books have become a form of nostalgia and comfort to me, and the ending was perfect.
As with the first two, Earthbound is fast-paced and keeps you intrigued at every page turn. Even with the gaps in each book being published, I was always able to jump back in and recall where the narrative was at. But as much as I loved each character in this conclusion, one perspective took the show: Alder.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
In revealing Alder’s true identity, the rest of the puzzle slid together. The combination of identity within Afa, and then the ending (ifykyk), I found him to be incredibly interesting and the perfect answer. I never was able to guess where the plot was going throughout the trilogy, and I appreciated that greatly in this grand conclusion.
I was also happy to see the humans in their true forms again :)
I deeply love these characters, and I hope that you all adored this trilogy in the same way I did.
I can’t believe that this trilogy has come to an end. I am going to miss these characters and world very deeply.
This series has held a special place in my heart. I picked up the first novel at random when it released, and I’ve had the honor of reading the second and third now as early additions. These books have become a form of nostalgia and comfort to me, and the ending was perfect.
As with the first two, Earthbound is fast-paced and keeps you intrigued at every page turn. Even with the gaps in each book being published, I was always able to jump back in and recall where the narrative was at. But as much as I loved each character in this conclusion, one perspective took the show: Alder.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
In revealing Alder’s true identity, the rest of the puzzle slid together. The combination of identity within Afa, and then the ending (ifykyk), I found him to be incredibly interesting and the perfect answer. I never was able to guess where the plot was going throughout the trilogy, and I appreciated that greatly in this grand conclusion.
I was also happy to see the humans in their true forms again :)
I deeply love these characters, and I hope that you all adored this trilogy in the same way I did.
July 13, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review! I have loved this series since the start and I am so glad to say the final book did not disappoint! I was worried at first because it felt like we were getting a lot of new problems and no solutions but it all made sense in the end. I loved these characters so much and enjoyed seeing how they developed throughout the trilogy.
August 6, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very nice ending to the series, and it nearly broke my heart a few times, but the ending was quite satisfying even though I did not cry as I hoped I would. Again, like the other books in this series, this was a great queer fantasy world with found family, cool magic, and a lot of complex politics. My only issues were that the plot twists were way too easy to figure out and the spice level kept increasing lol but otherwise I had a nice time!
This was a very nice ending to the series, and it nearly broke my heart a few times, but the ending was quite satisfying even though I did not cry as I hoped I would. Again, like the other books in this series, this was a great queer fantasy world with found family, cool magic, and a lot of complex politics. My only issues were that the plot twists were way too easy to figure out and the spice level kept increasing lol but otherwise I had a nice time!
July 31, 2026
3.75 rounded up
This was a solid end to this trilogy. I did feel like there was a lot of telling and not showing, as I felt in the previous books, but this is still a very interesting and easy series to read. Thank you NetGalley and Del Ray for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
This was a solid end to this trilogy. I did feel like there was a lot of telling and not showing, as I felt in the previous books, but this is still a very interesting and easy series to read. Thank you NetGalley and Del Ray for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
August 7, 2026
4.5⭐️ the perfect ending to an amazing series. I adored this world and will miss these characters. The story telling in this series is absolutely beautiful. Thank you Del Rey publishing, Saara El-Arifi, and net galley for the ARC!
August 8, 2026
“Come home to me, my heart”
I’ve really enjoyed this wee trilogy, thanks NetGalley and publisher for the eARC.
I really wish this involved a little more lore and magic and less of the war. I wish Yeeran clicked on to things sooner as it was painfully obvious to me what was going on, like come on gal you were a Colonel surely you know what the enemies get up to in a war!!!!
All in all tho, I’m glad all the characters had a happy ending (although sad for Golan I loved him n Alder 🥲).
I’ve really enjoyed this wee trilogy, thanks NetGalley and publisher for the eARC.
I really wish this involved a little more lore and magic and less of the war. I wish Yeeran clicked on to things sooner as it was painfully obvious to me what was going on, like come on gal you were a Colonel surely you know what the enemies get up to in a war!!!!
All in all tho, I’m glad all the characters had a happy ending (although sad for Golan I loved him n Alder 🥲).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2026
4.5 ⭐ rounded up!
A thrilling conclusion to this series! Each book has been better than the one before and this final instalment was practically perfect. I laughed, I cried, I gasped at each reveal. I will miss the Faebound universe for sure.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC!
A thrilling conclusion to this series! Each book has been better than the one before and this final instalment was practically perfect. I laughed, I cried, I gasped at each reveal. I will miss the Faebound universe for sure.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC!
July 14, 2026
Stunning end to the trilogy. This was a journey and a half for our protagonists but wow what an ending.
Beautifully written, heartbreaking at times, unexpected developments.
Adventure all the time. Fae occasionally.
I’m at a loss for words how to sum up this book and the whole trilogy. It is so unlike any other fantasy series out there and it was a joy to read.
Thank you to Del Ray and NetGalley for the eARC
Beautifully written, heartbreaking at times, unexpected developments.
Adventure all the time. Fae occasionally.
I’m at a loss for words how to sum up this book and the whole trilogy. It is so unlike any other fantasy series out there and it was a joy to read.
Thank you to Del Ray and NetGalley for the eARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This series was my introduction to Saara El-Arifi's work and I have loved it from the first page of the first book. So I am very grateful to the NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to the e-ARC so I could read this grand finale early!
There is so much to love about the Faebound trilogy - compelling characters, an inventive setting, etc. - but for me the best part is the way El-Arifi uses fantasy to engage with real world politics. Among other things, the trilogy is a work of climate fiction; this is a world that is in the throes of apocalypse where we begin the first book with the understanding that two of the three sentient races have been utterly wiped out through some catastrophe and the world that remains is a Forever War between the elven clans desperately fighting for fraedia, the finite resource used to fuel every aspect of their lives. It is only after being expelled from their clan that Yeeran, Lettle, and Rayan discover that not only have the fae not been wiped out, they have been living in a post-scarcity paradise trapped in the underground city Mosima.
But El-Arifi doesn't allow us to dwell in the misconception of utopia; instead, we are confronted with political fallout from the acceptance of outsiders (and their elevation to power) in an apartheid state. Fraught politics within Mosima and with the threat of the Elven Clan's expansionism and thirst for resources as well as the uncovering of lost or hidden history makes for a complex political landscape in a world struggling to come back from apocalypse.
Earthbound begins a short while after the ending of Cursebound, with Lettle, Alder, and himbo Faeguard Farhan (he's so stupid you guys, think Kronk in the body of Arondir)
on a mission to the Nomad's settlement to find Alder's past, while Yeeran (and Furi) in Mosima try to forge a peace treaty between elves and fae to prevent the all-out war that Furi kinda-sorta tipped off in Cursebound when she fully slaughtered Salawa and the leaders of the other clans (hencefoth Lettle & Alder is The Quest, Yeeran & Furi is The War). I love how El-Arifi is able to maintain two distinct plot lines at the same time: while The Quest has some impact on what's going on in Mosima (for Reasons), the disintigrating political dialogue between the fae and the elves of The War is entirely separate from the adventurers abroad. This gives it the feeling that The Quest really matters to the choices happening back home, the "heroes on a mission" vibe upon which rests the ultimate outcome of The War itself.
Probably unsurprisingly The Quest is my favorite of the two storylines. I love Lettle and Alder both individually and as a team, their friendship is so sweet and genuine - and I love it when an author really follows through with that "they would do anything for each other" claim in ways that I cannot even begin to touch on here without MASSIVE spoilers.
So much about their conjoined story could've gone awry, but El-Arifi weaves a deft web that makes everything about their interactions with each other and with the world really matter - being friends with somebody with a dire Fate isn't easy, and when one of you is a Diviner and the other is the Last of His Kind so much is on the line. El-Arifi's storytelling choices with Alder were so cool, I can't say much without massive spoilers because, well. Uncovering his identity is part of the plot! But boy is the reveal WORTH it, and everything that spirals out from there, just. Wow. The emotional consequences of The Quest play a huge role in the denouement and a huge role in grabbing my heart and squishing it like a stress ball fidget toy.
If The Quest is the pure fantasy side of the storyline, The War is the storyline that firmly anchors the Faebound trilogy as a masterwork of epic fantasy. Yeeran and Furi navigate the catastrophic intersection of Postscarcity Monarchy with Military Industrial Complex Clan Confederation, and like. Whuff. The Elves really suck guys. We've known that since book one but like. There's only so far you can go to justify why you do what you do, and I love how El-Arifi incorporated multiple political perspectives from the Elven side. What does "peace" mean to a people whose entire remembered history is the Forever War?
There are several moments throughout The War storyline where El-Arifi beautifully mirrors the pseudo-fascism of the elves with the philospher king-esque monarchy of the fae to where you get the sense that, if things were different, the fae might not be ruled by the Jani bloodline (or any bloodline at all). There are characters that get built up in this book (Jay, Anyah) who point to such liberatory potentiality in Mosima, if only they could be free...
Just as I loved El-Arifi's ability to maintain two separate storylines and then merge them together in the most climactic way, I loved the way she provided closure for the storylines as well as for the characters. It felt so complete in a deeply satisfying way. No threads were dropped, everything was cleaned up with futures wide open for the characters in the world that comes after, "when all three thrive". Each ending felt like it really healed something in this imaginary world El-Arifi crafted that has so many uncomfortable similarities to our own world, which created this overall feeling of hope within what is, again, a post-apocalyptic work. None of it is done cheaply or happens just to happen. It all matters, and it takes a lot of skill to effectively end a book four times without feeling like that ending has overstayed its welcome. And like, .
This trilogy truly is something special. I can't wait to reread it all again to see what I missed along the way in and amongst the murder mysteries, political intrigue, secret history, prophecies, and spicy little love scenes between a fae queen and her hot elf ambassador! Genuinely what a beautiful ride, I cannot recommend this enough - if you like epic fantasy with political conflict but not outright war and a side of romance, this is your best bet!
The TL;DR: what an incredible end to an incredible series, El-Arifi manages to stick the landing in a way that left me both breathless and sobbing in my bed.
There is so much to love about the Faebound trilogy - compelling characters, an inventive setting, etc. - but for me the best part is the way El-Arifi uses fantasy to engage with real world politics. Among other things, the trilogy is a work of climate fiction; this is a world that is in the throes of apocalypse where we begin the first book with the understanding that two of the three sentient races have been utterly wiped out through some catastrophe and the world that remains is a Forever War between the elven clans desperately fighting for fraedia, the finite resource used to fuel every aspect of their lives. It is only after being expelled from their clan that Yeeran, Lettle, and Rayan discover that not only have the fae not been wiped out, they have been living in a post-scarcity paradise trapped in the underground city Mosima.
But El-Arifi doesn't allow us to dwell in the misconception of utopia; instead, we are confronted with political fallout from the acceptance of outsiders (and their elevation to power) in an apartheid state. Fraught politics within Mosima and with the threat of the Elven Clan's expansionism and thirst for resources as well as the uncovering of lost or hidden history makes for a complex political landscape in a world struggling to come back from apocalypse.
Earthbound begins a short while after the ending of Cursebound, with Lettle, Alder, and himbo Faeguard Farhan (he's so stupid you guys, think Kronk in the body of Arondir)
on a mission to the Nomad's settlement to find Alder's past, while Yeeran (and Furi) in Mosima try to forge a peace treaty between elves and fae to prevent the all-out war that Furi kinda-sorta tipped off in Cursebound when she fully slaughtered Salawa and the leaders of the other clans (hencefoth Lettle & Alder is The Quest, Yeeran & Furi is The War). I love how El-Arifi is able to maintain two distinct plot lines at the same time: while The Quest has some impact on what's going on in Mosima (for Reasons), the disintigrating political dialogue between the fae and the elves of The War is entirely separate from the adventurers abroad. This gives it the feeling that The Quest really matters to the choices happening back home, the "heroes on a mission" vibe upon which rests the ultimate outcome of The War itself.
Probably unsurprisingly The Quest is my favorite of the two storylines. I love Lettle and Alder both individually and as a team, their friendship is so sweet and genuine - and I love it when an author really follows through with that "they would do anything for each other" claim in ways that I cannot even begin to touch on here without MASSIVE spoilers.
‘Thank you for coming with me,’ he said as she pulled him along. She paused and looked back at him. ‘The truth is everyone’s burden; I’m not going to let you carry it alone.’
So much about their conjoined story could've gone awry, but El-Arifi weaves a deft web that makes everything about their interactions with each other and with the world really matter - being friends with somebody with a dire Fate isn't easy, and when one of you is a Diviner and the other is the Last of His Kind so much is on the line. El-Arifi's storytelling choices with Alder were so cool, I can't say much without massive spoilers because, well. Uncovering his identity is part of the plot! But boy is the reveal WORTH it, and everything that spirals out from there, just. Wow. The emotional consequences of The Quest play a huge role in the denouement and a huge role in grabbing my heart and squishing it like a stress ball fidget toy.
If The Quest is the pure fantasy side of the storyline, The War is the storyline that firmly anchors the Faebound trilogy as a masterwork of epic fantasy. Yeeran and Furi navigate the catastrophic intersection of Postscarcity Monarchy with Military Industrial Complex Clan Confederation, and like. Whuff. The Elves really suck guys. We've known that since book one but like. There's only so far you can go to justify why you do what you do, and I love how El-Arifi incorporated multiple political perspectives from the Elven side. What does "peace" mean to a people whose entire remembered history is the Forever War?
‘I don’t know if we even know what peace looks like,’ Yeeran whispered. ‘We lost sight of what it means a long time ago.’
There are several moments throughout The War storyline where El-Arifi beautifully mirrors the pseudo-fascism of the elves with the philospher king-esque monarchy of the fae to where you get the sense that, if things were different, the fae might not be ruled by the Jani bloodline (or any bloodline at all). There are characters that get built up in this book (Jay, Anyah) who point to such liberatory potentiality in Mosima, if only they could be free...
Just as I loved El-Arifi's ability to maintain two separate storylines and then merge them together in the most climactic way, I loved the way she provided closure for the storylines as well as for the characters. It felt so complete in a deeply satisfying way. No threads were dropped, everything was cleaned up with futures wide open for the characters in the world that comes after, "when all three thrive". Each ending felt like it really healed something in this imaginary world El-Arifi crafted that has so many uncomfortable similarities to our own world, which created this overall feeling of hope within what is, again, a post-apocalyptic work. None of it is done cheaply or happens just to happen. It all matters, and it takes a lot of skill to effectively end a book four times without feeling like that ending has overstayed its welcome. And like, .
This trilogy truly is something special. I can't wait to reread it all again to see what I missed along the way in and amongst the murder mysteries, political intrigue, secret history, prophecies, and spicy little love scenes between a fae queen and her hot elf ambassador! Genuinely what a beautiful ride, I cannot recommend this enough - if you like epic fantasy with political conflict but not outright war and a side of romance, this is your best bet!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really, really wanted to conclusion to this series to stick the landing. I’ve had my critiques of the series: the first in the trilogy was enjoyable and full of really interesting concepts but held back by a POV I felt wasn’t very compelling and by piling too many plot twists into the end of the novel; the second felt a bit empty, like not enough was happening and what did happen was glossed over in a way that detracted from the emotional weight. Unfortunately, I did feel that the third book combined too many of these elements that I just didn’t enjoy: too many POVs aside from Lettle and Yeeran so it made it harder to connect with many of the characters, paired with too many plot twists and a lack of emotional weight behind them. I am so glad to see this series working well for other readers—the reason I’ve kept reading this series is because, at the core, there’s ideas here that I really do want to love. Unfortunately, the execution of this series just didn’t work for me.
Though I normally like to include a plot summary, I’ll forgo one this time as I don’t want to spoil anything; however, be warned that my review will allude to plot points of the book so please read with caution.
The biggest thing holding this series back for me that became the most apparent in the last book is a lack of weight. There are a lot of huge and life-changing choices in this final book; moments where lives and fates of entire societies hang in the balance. There are relationships that have been building across the trilogy with extremely important moments and high stakes. The world is irrevocably changed in so many ways; yet, for me, the book just never really convinced me that they mattered.
I’m not sure how to word this critique—ostensibly, on page, what happened mattered to the characters. However, emotionally, so much happened so quickly and with characters who never seemed to be that fearful or invested or reflective, so I never felt like I needed to be that emotionally invested. For example, there’s a lot of very bad things happening in Mosima that actively threaten the safety and well-being of every citizen and that require leadership to navigate, but no worries, Furi has plenty of time to spend the night elsewhere and sleep in half the day. Alder and Lettle spend most of the book on another quest that raises absolutely ginormous stakes that never hit because the book never convinced me anything bad could happen to them along the way. In short, the story just lacks weight behind it. No plot point hit all that hard. Moreover, because the scenes are tonally disconnected from each other, the book felt less like a thread of plot points that flowed into each other and more like a series of disconnected events that happened one after another.
This felt especially true for the end of the series. Again, I really don’t want to spoil anything, but there are absolutely huge changes to the world with astoundingly huge stakes that get literally no follow-up, nor are even given weight in the story. I think it is, in part, to innate tonal dissonance to the story—the book asserts that certain things are true even though, in practice, they don’t really jibe with everything else we know. Thus, when these big changes happened and then the book ended, it just left me feeling like the whole plot point didn’t matter at all, so what was it all for?
All in all, this book just didn’t work for me and, thus, unfortunately, this whole series just didn’t work for me. Again, I am so, so happy to see many other readers enjoying the ending—this is, in no way, a bad book, it just wasn’t a book or series that I enjoyed. I do think that those who enjoyed the first two books are likely to enjoy this one. However, for me, this was a 2.5 out of 5, which I’m rounding up to a 3.
Thank you to Del Rey for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Though I normally like to include a plot summary, I’ll forgo one this time as I don’t want to spoil anything; however, be warned that my review will allude to plot points of the book so please read with caution.
The biggest thing holding this series back for me that became the most apparent in the last book is a lack of weight. There are a lot of huge and life-changing choices in this final book; moments where lives and fates of entire societies hang in the balance. There are relationships that have been building across the trilogy with extremely important moments and high stakes. The world is irrevocably changed in so many ways; yet, for me, the book just never really convinced me that they mattered.
I’m not sure how to word this critique—ostensibly, on page, what happened mattered to the characters. However, emotionally, so much happened so quickly and with characters who never seemed to be that fearful or invested or reflective, so I never felt like I needed to be that emotionally invested. For example, there’s a lot of very bad things happening in Mosima that actively threaten the safety and well-being of every citizen and that require leadership to navigate, but no worries, Furi has plenty of time to spend the night elsewhere and sleep in half the day. Alder and Lettle spend most of the book on another quest that raises absolutely ginormous stakes that never hit because the book never convinced me anything bad could happen to them along the way. In short, the story just lacks weight behind it. No plot point hit all that hard. Moreover, because the scenes are tonally disconnected from each other, the book felt less like a thread of plot points that flowed into each other and more like a series of disconnected events that happened one after another.
This felt especially true for the end of the series. Again, I really don’t want to spoil anything, but there are absolutely huge changes to the world with astoundingly huge stakes that get literally no follow-up, nor are even given weight in the story. I think it is, in part, to innate tonal dissonance to the story—the book asserts that certain things are true even though, in practice, they don’t really jibe with everything else we know. Thus, when these big changes happened and then the book ended, it just left me feeling like the whole plot point didn’t matter at all, so what was it all for?
All in all, this book just didn’t work for me and, thus, unfortunately, this whole series just didn’t work for me. Again, I am so, so happy to see many other readers enjoying the ending—this is, in no way, a bad book, it just wasn’t a book or series that I enjoyed. I do think that those who enjoyed the first two books are likely to enjoy this one. However, for me, this was a 2.5 out of 5, which I’m rounding up to a 3.
Thank you to Del Rey for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Del Rey for offering me the third and final installment of the Faebound trilogy. Faebound, book one, was my very first eARC. We have come full circle!
This was an excellent conclusion to a very beautiful, rich, diverse, and immersive world. Where book two spanned only a week, Earthbound spans months and is the better for it. So much happens with our characters, Lettle, Yeeran, Furi, Rayan, and Alder. We earn an explanation for the Fae’s entrapment in Mosima, the Obeah, the humans, and all the questions we have been asking for three books finally come to light. And it does so in a surprising and interesting way. The overall message? You cannot live a full life without love.
I had a lot of issues with the first two books (the divination/prophecy system, flat lackluster characters, thin romances), but this book felt like it closed the loop and resolved some of them. The relationships always bothered me; they felt thin and forced and it always felt like the characters were lacking depth. Earthbound gave me some resolution on that. Lettle and Rayan, while still insta-love, felt grounded and real. Furi and Yeeran too. With more implied time passing, the depth and feeling of their love and relationships were able to develop and mature into something believable. The divination / prophecy was less relied on to move the plot and thankfully, I was not frustrated at all of the characters for not figuring out what was plainly obvious. And, even beyond that, El-Arifi’s message about prophecy felt intentional after three books; knowing your future is bad.
The plot did feel slightly disjointed with the way El-Arifi bounced between “we are all going to die” and intimate scene. It did make it hard to be invested in the implied stakes of the world ending. It also felt a bit rushed and almost “too perfect” at the end, but also, I’m not mad about it. The politics and drama went hard here and I was happy to return to that, after we skipped over it almost entirely in the middle, because El-Arifi does world building like an expert. The world is really what sings in this story and I was so appreciative to be back embedded in it.
I am obsessed with the way El-Arifi ended Alder’s story. In fact, I think Alder was the real stand out of this book. He goes through such a metamorphosis and walks through all human emotion as he transitions from the Alder we are first introduced to…to the changed man at the end.
Overall, this is a solid romantasy series and this conclusion does not disappoint for what we have been building up to. El-Arifi crafts such a beautiful, rich, world full of diversity, LGBTQI+, and disability representation that it is certainly worth the read because it is so much better than most of the romantasy, regurgitated drivel out there. It truly stands out. It didn’t change my life but I really enjoyed spending time with these characters and am very satisfied with how it concluded. El-Arifi will be a “must read” author for me. This is so different from anything else. I would highly recommend it.
4 stars.
This was an excellent conclusion to a very beautiful, rich, diverse, and immersive world. Where book two spanned only a week, Earthbound spans months and is the better for it. So much happens with our characters, Lettle, Yeeran, Furi, Rayan, and Alder. We earn an explanation for the Fae’s entrapment in Mosima, the Obeah, the humans, and all the questions we have been asking for three books finally come to light. And it does so in a surprising and interesting way. The overall message? You cannot live a full life without love.
I had a lot of issues with the first two books (the divination/prophecy system, flat lackluster characters, thin romances), but this book felt like it closed the loop and resolved some of them. The relationships always bothered me; they felt thin and forced and it always felt like the characters were lacking depth. Earthbound gave me some resolution on that. Lettle and Rayan, while still insta-love, felt grounded and real. Furi and Yeeran too. With more implied time passing, the depth and feeling of their love and relationships were able to develop and mature into something believable. The divination / prophecy was less relied on to move the plot and thankfully, I was not frustrated at all of the characters for not figuring out what was plainly obvious. And, even beyond that, El-Arifi’s message about prophecy felt intentional after three books; knowing your future is bad.
The plot did feel slightly disjointed with the way El-Arifi bounced between “we are all going to die” and intimate scene. It did make it hard to be invested in the implied stakes of the world ending. It also felt a bit rushed and almost “too perfect” at the end, but also, I’m not mad about it. The politics and drama went hard here and I was happy to return to that, after we skipped over it almost entirely in the middle, because El-Arifi does world building like an expert. The world is really what sings in this story and I was so appreciative to be back embedded in it.
I am obsessed with the way El-Arifi ended Alder’s story. In fact, I think Alder was the real stand out of this book. He goes through such a metamorphosis and walks through all human emotion as he transitions from the Alder we are first introduced to…to the changed man at the end.
Overall, this is a solid romantasy series and this conclusion does not disappoint for what we have been building up to. El-Arifi crafts such a beautiful, rich, world full of diversity, LGBTQI+, and disability representation that it is certainly worth the read because it is so much better than most of the romantasy, regurgitated drivel out there. It truly stands out. It didn’t change my life but I really enjoyed spending time with these characters and am very satisfied with how it concluded. El-Arifi will be a “must read” author for me. This is so different from anything else. I would highly recommend it.
4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨ This was perfect ✨
Earthbound gave me everything I wanted from the conclusion of this trilogy. I loved this world. I loved these characters. I loved how deeply their relationships mattered to every part of the story. Finishing the trilogy was incredibly satisfying and also devastating because I genuinely did not want to leave.
The truth about the obeah has changed the shape of every bond in this world. Liberation sounds simple until Yeeran realizes it may cost her Pila. Furi and Rayan can open Mosima’s boundary, but as rulers they remain literal keys to a city that imprisons them. Lettle can see the paths ahead, but that doesn’t make choosing her own any easier. Alder’s missing past begins to look less like an absence than a threat. Everyone wants freedom. No one agrees on what it should look like or who they will be once they finally have it.
That tension has always been one of my favorite things about this series. The fantasy is huge, but it has never mattered more than the relationships inside it. Sisters who love each other and still cause each other pain. Lovers trying to build something while the world keeps demanding pieces of them. Friendships strained by secrets, and questions of loyalty vs duty. I’ve cared about these characters since Faebound, and by this point every reunion, argument, and moment of tenderness landed with the full weight of everything they have already survived together.
Furi and Yeeran were everything. Furi can command an entire city, but Yeeran is the one person she cannot order into safety. Yeeran, meanwhile, loves her too much to let her disappear behind duty or sacrifice. Their relationship is fierce and physical, but I loved watching them fight their way back to tenderness after everything that has complicated loving each other. Every touch felt hard-won. Every moment of softness felt like defiance.
There is so much to resolve here, but it never felt like El-Arifi was simply moving pieces into place for an ending. Every answer mattered because of what it meant for the races involved. Every choice carried the history of the first two books behind it. Even while I was desperate to know how everything would end, I wanted the book to slow down because I would have happily stayed with these characters for another book…or two. That has honestly been my only complaint throughout the trilogy: I always wanted more. More depth, more time in this world, more of these relationships, more pages.
Earthbound understands that undoing a curse is not the same thing as repairing everything the curse created. Freedom can be joyful, terrifying, painful, and still worth fighting for. The ending was emotional, hopeful, fully earned, and everything I needed it to be. Absolute perfection. One of my favorite series ever. I’m not ready to let it go. 😭
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and Saara El-Arifi for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Earthbound gave me everything I wanted from the conclusion of this trilogy. I loved this world. I loved these characters. I loved how deeply their relationships mattered to every part of the story. Finishing the trilogy was incredibly satisfying and also devastating because I genuinely did not want to leave.
The truth about the obeah has changed the shape of every bond in this world. Liberation sounds simple until Yeeran realizes it may cost her Pila. Furi and Rayan can open Mosima’s boundary, but as rulers they remain literal keys to a city that imprisons them. Lettle can see the paths ahead, but that doesn’t make choosing her own any easier. Alder’s missing past begins to look less like an absence than a threat. Everyone wants freedom. No one agrees on what it should look like or who they will be once they finally have it.
That tension has always been one of my favorite things about this series. The fantasy is huge, but it has never mattered more than the relationships inside it. Sisters who love each other and still cause each other pain. Lovers trying to build something while the world keeps demanding pieces of them. Friendships strained by secrets, and questions of loyalty vs duty. I’ve cared about these characters since Faebound, and by this point every reunion, argument, and moment of tenderness landed with the full weight of everything they have already survived together.
Furi and Yeeran were everything. Furi can command an entire city, but Yeeran is the one person she cannot order into safety. Yeeran, meanwhile, loves her too much to let her disappear behind duty or sacrifice. Their relationship is fierce and physical, but I loved watching them fight their way back to tenderness after everything that has complicated loving each other. Every touch felt hard-won. Every moment of softness felt like defiance.
There is so much to resolve here, but it never felt like El-Arifi was simply moving pieces into place for an ending. Every answer mattered because of what it meant for the races involved. Every choice carried the history of the first two books behind it. Even while I was desperate to know how everything would end, I wanted the book to slow down because I would have happily stayed with these characters for another book…or two. That has honestly been my only complaint throughout the trilogy: I always wanted more. More depth, more time in this world, more of these relationships, more pages.
Earthbound understands that undoing a curse is not the same thing as repairing everything the curse created. Freedom can be joyful, terrifying, painful, and still worth fighting for. The ending was emotional, hopeful, fully earned, and everything I needed it to be. Absolute perfection. One of my favorite series ever. I’m not ready to let it go. 😭
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and Saara El-Arifi for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Del Rey for this early digital copy of Earthbound. I write this review freely.
I came to the Faebound trilogy kind of sideways. I started book 1 and felt maybe it was not for me. A few months later, I picked it up again after reading a review on IG and fell deeply and completely in love. This was a story about love, friendship, politics, historical untruths, and sisterhood. I was hooked and started marking the days to book 2.
Cursebound, book 2, snatched me up right where Faebound dropped me off, and it shook my innards! That wild weave of a story was dramatic and filled with so many layers of personalities, hard choices made, and oh boy, the lies we tell to justify the outcomes we want. THEN! The ending of Cursebound was a jaw-dropper!
So, needless to say, when Earthbound, book 3, showed up from Del Rey, schedules were flung and I dove in. There were just too many unanswered questions and mysteries to be solved waiting for me in those pages. And to be honest, it was one of the best wrap-ups of a trilogy I have ever read. The burning questions were answered, so many hidden truths revealed, and as for our heroes? They shined brilliantly!
And I also cried a lot. Because sometimes, to be a sparkly being and be the best version of yourself, means sacrifice. What I love about Saara El-Arifi’s work is that she does not shy away from that part of a story. She embraces it, and while it hurts her readers, she takes us through the pain in a way that feels right. I am sad after reading this book, but not angry. This author gave me better closure than I could have imagined for these characters. It was beautiful.
My reviews are always spoiler-free, which is why I am being quite vague. (So sorry, but I want you to read and see the awesomeness for yourself!)
But, what I can say is that the story flows in a way that links new friends to older stories in book one. There are quite a few hidden surprises brought out as you read. And…this book is non-stop action and revelations. It was very difficult not to read it once I had started. I would recommend clearing time to just sit undisturbed until your brain needs a break to process, lol!
Please note that you cannot read this book without first having read Faebound and Cursebound. It will not make sense. However, if you are only now finding this series, lucky you! All three books are here, waiting for you! And after this trilogy, you will follow and buy or borrow all of Saara El-Arifi’s work.
Again, this is a strong series, where the story just gets better and better until its satisfying end. Highly recommend it, and wow, I am not the same after reading this trilogy, and I could not be more grateful for that.
I came to the Faebound trilogy kind of sideways. I started book 1 and felt maybe it was not for me. A few months later, I picked it up again after reading a review on IG and fell deeply and completely in love. This was a story about love, friendship, politics, historical untruths, and sisterhood. I was hooked and started marking the days to book 2.
Cursebound, book 2, snatched me up right where Faebound dropped me off, and it shook my innards! That wild weave of a story was dramatic and filled with so many layers of personalities, hard choices made, and oh boy, the lies we tell to justify the outcomes we want. THEN! The ending of Cursebound was a jaw-dropper!
So, needless to say, when Earthbound, book 3, showed up from Del Rey, schedules were flung and I dove in. There were just too many unanswered questions and mysteries to be solved waiting for me in those pages. And to be honest, it was one of the best wrap-ups of a trilogy I have ever read. The burning questions were answered, so many hidden truths revealed, and as for our heroes? They shined brilliantly!
And I also cried a lot. Because sometimes, to be a sparkly being and be the best version of yourself, means sacrifice. What I love about Saara El-Arifi’s work is that she does not shy away from that part of a story. She embraces it, and while it hurts her readers, she takes us through the pain in a way that feels right. I am sad after reading this book, but not angry. This author gave me better closure than I could have imagined for these characters. It was beautiful.
My reviews are always spoiler-free, which is why I am being quite vague. (So sorry, but I want you to read and see the awesomeness for yourself!)
But, what I can say is that the story flows in a way that links new friends to older stories in book one. There are quite a few hidden surprises brought out as you read. And…this book is non-stop action and revelations. It was very difficult not to read it once I had started. I would recommend clearing time to just sit undisturbed until your brain needs a break to process, lol!
Please note that you cannot read this book without first having read Faebound and Cursebound. It will not make sense. However, if you are only now finding this series, lucky you! All three books are here, waiting for you! And after this trilogy, you will follow and buy or borrow all of Saara El-Arifi’s work.
Again, this is a strong series, where the story just gets better and better until its satisfying end. Highly recommend it, and wow, I am not the same after reading this trilogy, and I could not be more grateful for that.
July 18, 2026
I genuinely cannot believe this trilogy is over. I also cannot believe I got to read the final book early because this has been one of my most anticipated releases for so long, and somehow it still exceeded every expectation I had. Stepping back into this world felt like coming home! Saara El-Arifi has created one of my favourite fantasy worlds, and Earthbound is such a beautiful, emotional, and incredibly satisfying conclusion.
Seeing everyone scattered across the world, each fighting their own battles while still working towards the same future, made the story feel so wonderfully expansive. I loved following Alder and Lettle as they searched for answers, watching Yeeran continue to shoulder impossible responsibilities while trying to build peace, and seeing Furi, Rayan, and Golan all continue their own journeys. Every character had an important role to play, and I loved how every storyline eventually came together in such a rewarding way.
One of my favourite things about this trilogy has always been the characters, and this book reminded me exactly why. They’ve all grown so much since Faebound, and seeing where they ended up was bittersweet in the very best way. Their friendships, loyalties, love, grief, and hope all felt so genuine that I was completely emotionally invested in every single one of them.
The worldbuilding somehow became even richer in this final instalment. We uncover more of the world’s history, more of the truth behind everything that’s happened, and watching those final pieces click into place was so satisfying. Even when I thought I knew where things were heading, Saara still found ways to surprise me.
And then there was the ending. I was SOBBING!! It felt hopeful and heartbreaking all at once, and I honestly can’t imagine a more fitting conclusion for this series. Finishing the final chapter genuinely felt like saying goodbye to friends I’ve spent years with.
I already know this is a trilogy I’ll come back to again and again because these characters and this world have completely captured my heart. Five stars doesn’t even feel like enough.
Thank you so much to Saara El-Arifi, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the eARC. It was such a privilege to experience this incredible finale early.
Seeing everyone scattered across the world, each fighting their own battles while still working towards the same future, made the story feel so wonderfully expansive. I loved following Alder and Lettle as they searched for answers, watching Yeeran continue to shoulder impossible responsibilities while trying to build peace, and seeing Furi, Rayan, and Golan all continue their own journeys. Every character had an important role to play, and I loved how every storyline eventually came together in such a rewarding way.
One of my favourite things about this trilogy has always been the characters, and this book reminded me exactly why. They’ve all grown so much since Faebound, and seeing where they ended up was bittersweet in the very best way. Their friendships, loyalties, love, grief, and hope all felt so genuine that I was completely emotionally invested in every single one of them.
The worldbuilding somehow became even richer in this final instalment. We uncover more of the world’s history, more of the truth behind everything that’s happened, and watching those final pieces click into place was so satisfying. Even when I thought I knew where things were heading, Saara still found ways to surprise me.
And then there was the ending. I was SOBBING!! It felt hopeful and heartbreaking all at once, and I honestly can’t imagine a more fitting conclusion for this series. Finishing the final chapter genuinely felt like saying goodbye to friends I’ve spent years with.
I already know this is a trilogy I’ll come back to again and again because these characters and this world have completely captured my heart. Five stars doesn’t even feel like enough.
Thank you so much to Saara El-Arifi, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the eARC. It was such a privilege to experience this incredible finale early.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Earthbound is the perfect ending to the trilogy. A strong finale that had me crying at the last few chapters. Get the tissues ready!
The story picks up 4 months after Cursebound ends. We continue with the same multi povs from that book which I was glad for as their additions in Cursebound were one of my favourite parts of the book. The series has so many complex characters and I think one of the strongest parts of the story telling is how the characters interact and care for each other. For example the reveal of Alder’s past and Lettle’s reaction was a very well written part of the story and monumental for the rest of the book. I also love the queer representation throughout the series and the love stories between the various characters had a satisfying conclusion.
One character who stood out for me was Lettle. She was very childish and immature in the first two books but book three is where she comes into her own. Her character development was my favourite in the series - I did a full 180 on my opinion of her! The Obeah are some of my favourite magical creatures in books and the bond they share with their fae is so well written. Love a magical companion!
In terms of world building, we finally get the reveal of the world’s history and why Misoma is blocked off from the other lands. This was well executed and tied a lot of strings together, answering questions from the start of the series. The book was fast paced but the ending did feel a little rushed as there was a lot of plot and story to get through. I also have to shout out the depictions of war, negotiations, underhand tactics etc and how well written they were. Despite not being a lot of action (no long battle scenes etc) you really felt the conflict between the fae and elves.
Overall I think readers will be happy with the ending to the series. It’s one I plan on revisiting in the future as, for me, each book keep getting better!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for access to this ARC.
The story picks up 4 months after Cursebound ends. We continue with the same multi povs from that book which I was glad for as their additions in Cursebound were one of my favourite parts of the book. The series has so many complex characters and I think one of the strongest parts of the story telling is how the characters interact and care for each other. For example the reveal of Alder’s past and Lettle’s reaction was a very well written part of the story and monumental for the rest of the book. I also love the queer representation throughout the series and the love stories between the various characters had a satisfying conclusion.
One character who stood out for me was Lettle. She was very childish and immature in the first two books but book three is where she comes into her own. Her character development was my favourite in the series - I did a full 180 on my opinion of her! The Obeah are some of my favourite magical creatures in books and the bond they share with their fae is so well written. Love a magical companion!
In terms of world building, we finally get the reveal of the world’s history and why Misoma is blocked off from the other lands. This was well executed and tied a lot of strings together, answering questions from the start of the series. The book was fast paced but the ending did feel a little rushed as there was a lot of plot and story to get through. I also have to shout out the depictions of war, negotiations, underhand tactics etc and how well written they were. Despite not being a lot of action (no long battle scenes etc) you really felt the conflict between the fae and elves.
Overall I think readers will be happy with the ending to the series. It’s one I plan on revisiting in the future as, for me, each book keep getting better!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Now this is how you end a trilogy!!
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy
I liked the first book in this series and I saw the potential, I really fell in love with this story and these characters in book 2, and this final book was just the best ending I could imagine for this series.
The world building in this is still immaculately done and the fantasy plotline has been a highlight of this series from the very first book. I had so many questions and I feel like everything was answered in this final installment. The politics and battles were all so well thought out and this book was like a moment where all of the puzzle pieces finally clicked together.
What really elevated this book for me though was the characters. Over the course of three books Saara had me going from despising Lettle to being in love with her. Her character arc is one of my favorites in this story and she grew so much in this book. I walked out of book 2 not convinced about either of the main relationships in this book, but I was sold on both by the end. Lettle and Rayan were very insta-love in the first two books, but that wasn't the case here and I think a lot of that development comes from them being separated for so long. I have loved Furi since the moment I met her and would have done anything for her and I now believe Yeeran deserves her, which is wild cause I did not like them together before this book. A writer who can change my opinions of characters is a rare thing and the way the author did it with this series was honestly just magical.
Alder, my baby. I love the addition of his character in book 2, and I loved even more discovering his backstory here. He had such an amazing development that I was genuinely shocked by, but then when I stopped to think about it, it made so much sense.
Loved this book so much and I felt like the pacing was exactly what this story needed. It is very fast paced, but I feel like the story needed that after the build up to everything from the first two books.
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy
I liked the first book in this series and I saw the potential, I really fell in love with this story and these characters in book 2, and this final book was just the best ending I could imagine for this series.
The world building in this is still immaculately done and the fantasy plotline has been a highlight of this series from the very first book. I had so many questions and I feel like everything was answered in this final installment. The politics and battles were all so well thought out and this book was like a moment where all of the puzzle pieces finally clicked together.
What really elevated this book for me though was the characters. Over the course of three books Saara had me going from despising Lettle to being in love with her. Her character arc is one of my favorites in this story and she grew so much in this book. I walked out of book 2 not convinced about either of the main relationships in this book, but I was sold on both by the end. Lettle and Rayan were very insta-love in the first two books, but that wasn't the case here and I think a lot of that development comes from them being separated for so long. I have loved Furi since the moment I met her and would have done anything for her and I now believe Yeeran deserves her, which is wild cause I did not like them together before this book. A writer who can change my opinions of characters is a rare thing and the way the author did it with this series was honestly just magical.
Alder, my baby. I love the addition of his character in book 2, and I loved even more discovering his backstory here. He had such an amazing development that I was genuinely shocked by, but then when I stopped to think about it, it made so much sense.
Loved this book so much and I felt like the pacing was exactly what this story needed. It is very fast paced, but I feel like the story needed that after the build up to everything from the first two books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Earthbound by Saara El-Arifi
Pub date August 11th 2026
Final book in the Faebound trilogy
Thank you to NetGalley, and Del Rey for the eARC of Earthbound. Thank you to Saara El-Arifi for writing this amazing book and sharing it with all of us!
Earthbound is the final book in the Faebound trilogy and it came to party, it does not hold its punches, and you will get emotional. Those are just facts.
If you’ve read the first two books already you know that El-Arifi likes to give us these huge revelations that end on the most insane cliffhangers ever. So even though this was the last book to say I was a bit worried… but I shouldn’t have been. Everything was wrapped up with a nice little bow and presented to me as a “thanks for reading sorry for the emotional damage you went through” epilogue. There was only 1 character I wish we would have gotten a smidge more of but maybe that could be a possible future novella set in this world?
I normally am not one for multi POV, but it works SO WELL with these books, and I couldn’t imagine how we would get even close to as good of a story with only 1 POV. The way the chapters are set up and how the POV’s change works perfectly for me. It never feels like we are having to go back over the same thing we just read from someone else’s eyes.
If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Alder. His sweet demeanor and how attune he is to the world around him made me fall for him when we met in the second book. He continues to pull at my heart strings in book three. (But also, I am obsessed with Pila! Strawberries!)
If you want a complete trilogy about Elves, Fae, magic, love of all kinds, heartbreak, mystery, and the best-done prophecy ever then you need to add the Faebound books to your TBR!
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars for rating purposes on NetGalley & Goodreads.
Pub date August 11th 2026
Final book in the Faebound trilogy
Thank you to NetGalley, and Del Rey for the eARC of Earthbound. Thank you to Saara El-Arifi for writing this amazing book and sharing it with all of us!
Earthbound is the final book in the Faebound trilogy and it came to party, it does not hold its punches, and you will get emotional. Those are just facts.
If you’ve read the first two books already you know that El-Arifi likes to give us these huge revelations that end on the most insane cliffhangers ever. So even though this was the last book to say I was a bit worried… but I shouldn’t have been. Everything was wrapped up with a nice little bow and presented to me as a “thanks for reading sorry for the emotional damage you went through” epilogue. There was only 1 character I wish we would have gotten a smidge more of but maybe that could be a possible future novella set in this world?
I normally am not one for multi POV, but it works SO WELL with these books, and I couldn’t imagine how we would get even close to as good of a story with only 1 POV. The way the chapters are set up and how the POV’s change works perfectly for me. It never feels like we are having to go back over the same thing we just read from someone else’s eyes.
If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Alder. His sweet demeanor and how attune he is to the world around him made me fall for him when we met in the second book. He continues to pull at my heart strings in book three. (But also, I am obsessed with Pila! Strawberries!)
If you want a complete trilogy about Elves, Fae, magic, love of all kinds, heartbreak, mystery, and the best-done prophecy ever then you need to add the Faebound books to your TBR!
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars for rating purposes on NetGalley & Goodreads.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Earthbound" is the satisfying conclusion to the Faebound trilogy, wrapping up Yeeran and Lettle's stories.
Overall I enjoyed the series and would give the series as a whole a 4 star rating. I thought this book wrapped everything up nicely and was satisfied with the conclusion and each characters ending. I found the book compulsively readable and was able to read it within a few days, due to the fact that it was so fast paced and I couldn't put it down! To me this reads at the quick pacing you often see in YA or romance novels.
A few things to point out in this final installment. I did find a few inconsistencies near the end. Minor spoiler *For instance a character loses the ability to use their legs, but is seen doing a pushup and swimming for hours, then is back to not being able to walk again. I also found when the author wrote themself into a corner and needed a character that had a specific ability, all of a sudden there was a new character that had that ability or all of a sudden had a past that provided them with the access they needed. I also found this read quite YA to me except for the random intimate scenes between Furi and Yeeran....which I felt were unnecessary and also though was really weird that we only saw intimate scenes from their point of view when there are 2 other romantic couples that are main characters but have no intimate scenes. I just felt like this could have been a YA series if you cut those few scenes out, and nothing plotwise would have been lost.
I'd rate this final book a 3.5/5 and would recommend this series to those who enjoy fast paced fantasy with a bit of romance and a bit of spice.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overall I enjoyed the series and would give the series as a whole a 4 star rating. I thought this book wrapped everything up nicely and was satisfied with the conclusion and each characters ending. I found the book compulsively readable and was able to read it within a few days, due to the fact that it was so fast paced and I couldn't put it down! To me this reads at the quick pacing you often see in YA or romance novels.
A few things to point out in this final installment. I did find a few inconsistencies near the end. Minor spoiler *For instance a character loses the ability to use their legs, but is seen doing a pushup and swimming for hours, then is back to not being able to walk again. I also found when the author wrote themself into a corner and needed a character that had a specific ability, all of a sudden there was a new character that had that ability or all of a sudden had a past that provided them with the access they needed. I also found this read quite YA to me except for the random intimate scenes between Furi and Yeeran....which I felt were unnecessary and also though was really weird that we only saw intimate scenes from their point of view when there are 2 other romantic couples that are main characters but have no intimate scenes. I just felt like this could have been a YA series if you cut those few scenes out, and nothing plotwise would have been lost.
I'd rate this final book a 3.5/5 and would recommend this series to those who enjoy fast paced fantasy with a bit of romance and a bit of spice.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2026
Thank you so much to the publisher for allowing me early access to one of my most highly anticipated books of the year for an honest review!
Earthbound was a 4.5 star rating from me! This was everything I was wanting and expecting and more!
In my opinion, Earthbound was a lovely finial book, wrapped in a bow. It gave us answers we've been wanting from book 1, it gave us so much world lore and information. It gave us hope, heartfelt moments, but also those heart wrenching moments too. I haven't cried at this series at all, but those final 60 pages-- oh boy, they got me good.
We got some character growth and also met some new characters, I liked both very much.
We also got scenes we've been waiting for since book 1, however, I feel like those scenes didn't live up to the expectations I was expecting, but I wasn't mad at them either.
The world lore we got was so interesting, and I am very much glad we got it in book 3 rather than any earlier (literally couldn't have gotten it any earlier, but the point in which we got it was the perfect timing)
The ending to me was a little lacklustre, I wanted more. It was very much what I expected and how we got there was a little too "easy" and I wanted more heartbreak [I am a sucker for a heart wrenching ending, I love those bittersweet moments] but it was wrapped up very nicely. This is why I dropped it by half a star, it was all down to personal preference.
Overall, I am very happy with how this book started, continued on, and finished and overall completed the trilogy. I was very nervous with how her other trilogy, The Ending Fire, had ended (not great in my opinion).
Thank you again to Harper Collins UK for the chance to read this early and thank you Saara for another great book!
Earthbound was a 4.5 star rating from me! This was everything I was wanting and expecting and more!
In my opinion, Earthbound was a lovely finial book, wrapped in a bow. It gave us answers we've been wanting from book 1, it gave us so much world lore and information. It gave us hope, heartfelt moments, but also those heart wrenching moments too. I haven't cried at this series at all, but those final 60 pages-- oh boy, they got me good.
We got some character growth and also met some new characters, I liked both very much.
We also got scenes we've been waiting for since book 1, however, I feel like those scenes didn't live up to the expectations I was expecting, but I wasn't mad at them either.
The world lore we got was so interesting, and I am very much glad we got it in book 3 rather than any earlier (literally couldn't have gotten it any earlier, but the point in which we got it was the perfect timing)
The ending to me was a little lacklustre, I wanted more. It was very much what I expected and how we got there was a little too "easy" and I wanted more heartbreak [I am a sucker for a heart wrenching ending, I love those bittersweet moments] but it was wrapped up very nicely. This is why I dropped it by half a star, it was all down to personal preference.
Overall, I am very happy with how this book started, continued on, and finished and overall completed the trilogy. I was very nervous with how her other trilogy, The Ending Fire, had ended (not great in my opinion).
Thank you again to Harper Collins UK for the chance to read this early and thank you Saara for another great book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Del Rey for the digital copy of Earthbound by Saara El-Arifi!
Earthbound is the final installment in the Faebound trilogy, an adult high fantasy series. As with the previous books, this is a multi-POV novel written primarily in third person perspective, and features a queer normative society that is inclusive of nonbinary and trans people.
I appreciated the brief, in-character recap of the main plot points from the previous books, which made it easy to jump back into the story as it picks up soon after the events of Cursebound. After the massive revelation in the second book, I was very eager to jump back into this series!
The stakes are higher than ever as Yeeran and Furi attempt to negotiate a treaty with the elves, the two realms teetering on the brink of war. I liked that the points of view excluded anyone in the elven army, so as a reader I was kept guessing about their plans and motivation. Lettle and Alder's quest is an arduous journey of discovery as they attempt to uncover the human's past, and the revelations trigger some heartbreaking moments.
The politics are interspersed with some romance and open door scenes. My favorite relationship was definitely Lettle and Rayan (it's wild to think about how much I disliked Lettle in the first book because I love her now), but Yeeran and Furi had some of the sweetest moments in the story.
While I had some doubt about this series in the beginning, it grew on me over time especially when the story began to focus more on the fantasy elements. The premise of this story and the world the author created felt so unique, and by this third book I was completely into it. Earthbound was my favorite of the series and wrapped up everything well.
Earthbound is the final installment in the Faebound trilogy, an adult high fantasy series. As with the previous books, this is a multi-POV novel written primarily in third person perspective, and features a queer normative society that is inclusive of nonbinary and trans people.
I appreciated the brief, in-character recap of the main plot points from the previous books, which made it easy to jump back into the story as it picks up soon after the events of Cursebound. After the massive revelation in the second book, I was very eager to jump back into this series!
The stakes are higher than ever as Yeeran and Furi attempt to negotiate a treaty with the elves, the two realms teetering on the brink of war. I liked that the points of view excluded anyone in the elven army, so as a reader I was kept guessing about their plans and motivation. Lettle and Alder's quest is an arduous journey of discovery as they attempt to uncover the human's past, and the revelations trigger some heartbreaking moments.
The politics are interspersed with some romance and open door scenes. My favorite relationship was definitely Lettle and Rayan (it's wild to think about how much I disliked Lettle in the first book because I love her now), but Yeeran and Furi had some of the sweetest moments in the story.
While I had some doubt about this series in the beginning, it grew on me over time especially when the story began to focus more on the fantasy elements. The premise of this story and the world the author created felt so unique, and by this third book I was completely into it. Earthbound was my favorite of the series and wrapped up everything well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the last book in the Faebound trilogy from Saara El-Arifi. If you haven’t read the first or second yet, rest assured that a complete and satisfying story now awaits you. And you should probably stop reading this review because I’m about to talk about stuff that happened in those previous books!
As with the sequel, we start with a concise in-universe summary of the events leading up to it, this time from the perspective of the last human alive, Alder. This is a great addition to any series, particularly when it’s been eighteen months since the last book, and you might have forgotten some of the finer details (like me).
Our power couple Yeeran and Furi have split up, and Lettle and Rayan aren’t doing that much better. It turns out the obeah animal companions that many in Mosima are bound to are actually what’s left of the missing humans. And the fae court is under siege from the elven army right on their doorstep.
So everybody is heading off in different directions. Yeeran has to negotiate peace with her former soldiers, and it does not go well at all, particularly because she still has to work with Furi. Lettle and Adler have gone to explore the world trying to find out his true nature and break the curse trapping the Fae. Furi and Rayan are just trying to hold the royal court together.
Alder’s POV is very interesting when his true nature is revealed, and we find out exactly what has been going on, and there are many twists and turns along the way. The stakes are higher than the previous books, and there’s a lot more action. Not to mention, we get not one, but two complex villains.
A very enjoyable conclusion, and the trilogy is highly recommended.
As with the sequel, we start with a concise in-universe summary of the events leading up to it, this time from the perspective of the last human alive, Alder. This is a great addition to any series, particularly when it’s been eighteen months since the last book, and you might have forgotten some of the finer details (like me).
Our power couple Yeeran and Furi have split up, and Lettle and Rayan aren’t doing that much better. It turns out the obeah animal companions that many in Mosima are bound to are actually what’s left of the missing humans. And the fae court is under siege from the elven army right on their doorstep.
So everybody is heading off in different directions. Yeeran has to negotiate peace with her former soldiers, and it does not go well at all, particularly because she still has to work with Furi. Lettle and Adler have gone to explore the world trying to find out his true nature and break the curse trapping the Fae. Furi and Rayan are just trying to hold the royal court together.
Alder’s POV is very interesting when his true nature is revealed, and we find out exactly what has been going on, and there are many twists and turns along the way. The stakes are higher than the previous books, and there’s a lot more action. Not to mention, we get not one, but two complex villains.
A very enjoyable conclusion, and the trilogy is highly recommended.
August 1, 2026
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This has been a bittersweet journey for me; Faebound was one of my first ARCs and my first 5⭐️ ARC.
I love how El-Arifi throws in journals to help readers refresh themselves on what’s going on in the series. It makes a huge difference for me because I forgot what happened in other books fairly frequently.
THIS IS A HIGH FANTASY SERIES WITH WORLD BUILDING, POLITICAL STRIFE, AND *SOME* ROMANCE. NOT A ROMANTASY. Are there romances? Yes, of course. They are not the main focus of this series, however.
The plot picks up right where Cursebound lets off, with the fae and elves embroiled in a stalemate, and Alder and Lettle on a journey to figure out his past. A lot of chaos happens to both parties, and it affects everyone. Yeeran plays a pivotal role every step of the way, being familiar with both cultures. Will the two races manage peace? It looks unlikely…
The characters are, as always for El-Arifi, masterful. They’re inclusive, interabled, and they learn from each other and grow. Every single character and side character is important to the story, even if the reason isn’t readily visible. And no one is completely safe… we do lose some friends along the way.
Saara El-Arifi has a way with words. She writes lyrically, and the words seem to flow off the page, especially once you become familiar with it. This writing style is perfect for this genre of book. She builds up hope, only to break hearts, and somehow you still want to thank her for writing this.
I cried. I’m so sad this journey is over, but it has gained SEA a new follower.
This has been a bittersweet journey for me; Faebound was one of my first ARCs and my first 5⭐️ ARC.
I love how El-Arifi throws in journals to help readers refresh themselves on what’s going on in the series. It makes a huge difference for me because I forgot what happened in other books fairly frequently.
THIS IS A HIGH FANTASY SERIES WITH WORLD BUILDING, POLITICAL STRIFE, AND *SOME* ROMANCE. NOT A ROMANTASY. Are there romances? Yes, of course. They are not the main focus of this series, however.
The plot picks up right where Cursebound lets off, with the fae and elves embroiled in a stalemate, and Alder and Lettle on a journey to figure out his past. A lot of chaos happens to both parties, and it affects everyone. Yeeran plays a pivotal role every step of the way, being familiar with both cultures. Will the two races manage peace? It looks unlikely…
The characters are, as always for El-Arifi, masterful. They’re inclusive, interabled, and they learn from each other and grow. Every single character and side character is important to the story, even if the reason isn’t readily visible. And no one is completely safe… we do lose some friends along the way.
Saara El-Arifi has a way with words. She writes lyrically, and the words seem to flow off the page, especially once you become familiar with it. This writing style is perfect for this genre of book. She builds up hope, only to break hearts, and somehow you still want to thank her for writing this.
I cried. I’m so sad this journey is over, but it has gained SEA a new follower.
August 10, 2026
This is part of The Faebound Trilogy
This installment is a beautifully crafted fantasy that seamlessly blends adventure, political intrigue, and emotional storytelling. With high stakes, rich world-building, and deeply personal character journeys, it delivers an immersive reading experience from beginning to end.
The story explores the devastating consequences of hidden truths and long-buried secrets, while balancing intense action with heartfelt moments. Yeeran, Lettle, and Alder each embark on compelling paths of their own, facing impossible choices, painful sacrifices, and revelations that reshape everything they thought they knew. Their individual struggles make the story feel both epic in scope and deeply personal.
The emotional depth is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Themes of love, loyalty, identity, forgiveness, and resilience are woven naturally into the narrative, giving every triumph and setback real impact. The relationships are beautifully developed, and the characters continue to grow in meaningful and believable ways.
The fantasy world is richly imagined, filled with magic, political tension, and ancient mysteries that keep the story engaging throughout. The balance between diplomacy, adventure, and emotional conflict creates a gripping pace, while the twists and revelations continually raise the stakes.
Overall, this is a captivating fantasy that delivers everything fans of the series could hope for—powerful character development, immersive world-building, emotional intensity, and an engaging plot filled with surprises. A compelling read that leaves you eager to discover what happens next.
This installment is a beautifully crafted fantasy that seamlessly blends adventure, political intrigue, and emotional storytelling. With high stakes, rich world-building, and deeply personal character journeys, it delivers an immersive reading experience from beginning to end.
The story explores the devastating consequences of hidden truths and long-buried secrets, while balancing intense action with heartfelt moments. Yeeran, Lettle, and Alder each embark on compelling paths of their own, facing impossible choices, painful sacrifices, and revelations that reshape everything they thought they knew. Their individual struggles make the story feel both epic in scope and deeply personal.
The emotional depth is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Themes of love, loyalty, identity, forgiveness, and resilience are woven naturally into the narrative, giving every triumph and setback real impact. The relationships are beautifully developed, and the characters continue to grow in meaningful and believable ways.
The fantasy world is richly imagined, filled with magic, political tension, and ancient mysteries that keep the story engaging throughout. The balance between diplomacy, adventure, and emotional conflict creates a gripping pace, while the twists and revelations continually raise the stakes.
Overall, this is a captivating fantasy that delivers everything fans of the series could hope for—powerful character development, immersive world-building, emotional intensity, and an engaging plot filled with surprises. A compelling read that leaves you eager to discover what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
'Earthbound' is the last book in the 'Faebound' trilogy and it was so well down. I couldn't put this book down it was so good. I love that there is a bit of a recap of the last book at the beginning (so helpful to job the memory) and that we dive in immediately where we left off. Everyone is off in their own directions, each has a mission of their own and all are fighting for each other and a better world.
Alder and Lettie are off to find the truth of his past, Yeeran and Furi are barely communicating while Yeeran works with the elves on peace. Rayan is distant are slowly folding in on himself. Galan continues to help represent the lightless while also feeling Alder's absence. We get to watch these characters as well as others continue to grow. We get new characters and a conclusion worth of the series.
The world building and storytelling is done so well!! All the characters seem so well thought through and add so much depth to the story. Journeying with Adler and Lettie was so cool to see and getting a glimpse at the past was exquisite. Watching these pieces come together and seeing how the story developed was amazing. I am so sad to see this story end but also am happy to see how it ended.
I can't wait for the next book by Saara El-Arifi!! Also that author's note made me lol. I will prepare for her next tale! Highly recommend this series!! It's been so fun to read and experience. Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Alder and Lettie are off to find the truth of his past, Yeeran and Furi are barely communicating while Yeeran works with the elves on peace. Rayan is distant are slowly folding in on himself. Galan continues to help represent the lightless while also feeling Alder's absence. We get to watch these characters as well as others continue to grow. We get new characters and a conclusion worth of the series.
The world building and storytelling is done so well!! All the characters seem so well thought through and add so much depth to the story. Journeying with Adler and Lettie was so cool to see and getting a glimpse at the past was exquisite. Watching these pieces come together and seeing how the story developed was amazing. I am so sad to see this story end but also am happy to see how it ended.
I can't wait for the next book by Saara El-Arifi!! Also that author's note made me lol. I will prepare for her next tale! Highly recommend this series!! It's been so fun to read and experience. Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 ⭐️
This was a really satisfying conclusion to the Faebound trilogy and, for me, the strongest book in the series.
The pacing was great, and I loved finally getting answers to so many of the questions that had been building throughout the trilogy. Some of the reveals completely caught me off guard, while others I managed to guess, which made for a really enjoyable balance. Alder’s storyline was easily my favourite, and I loved having the multiple POVs throughout the book.
Lettle also ended up being one of the biggest surprises for me. I wasn’t the biggest fan of her in the earlier books, but her growth here completely changed my opinion. And the Obeah continued to be some of my favourite magical companions in fantasy, even if I still have no idea how to pronounce their name.
My only small criticism is that the final confrontation felt a little rushed after so much build-up. I was hoping for a slightly bigger emotional payoff, although I do wonder if that’s partly because there were long gaps between me reading each book. I definitely think this is a trilogy that would be even better on a reread.
Overall, this was a strong, emotional finale that wrapped up the series well. The worldbuilding, character growth, and relationships all came together in a satisfying way, and I think fans of the trilogy will be very happy with how it ends.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for access to the ARC.
This was a really satisfying conclusion to the Faebound trilogy and, for me, the strongest book in the series.
The pacing was great, and I loved finally getting answers to so many of the questions that had been building throughout the trilogy. Some of the reveals completely caught me off guard, while others I managed to guess, which made for a really enjoyable balance. Alder’s storyline was easily my favourite, and I loved having the multiple POVs throughout the book.
Lettle also ended up being one of the biggest surprises for me. I wasn’t the biggest fan of her in the earlier books, but her growth here completely changed my opinion. And the Obeah continued to be some of my favourite magical companions in fantasy, even if I still have no idea how to pronounce their name.
My only small criticism is that the final confrontation felt a little rushed after so much build-up. I was hoping for a slightly bigger emotional payoff, although I do wonder if that’s partly because there were long gaps between me reading each book. I definitely think this is a trilogy that would be even better on a reread.
Overall, this was a strong, emotional finale that wrapped up the series well. The worldbuilding, character growth, and relationships all came together in a satisfying way, and I think fans of the trilogy will be very happy with how it ends.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for access to the ARC.
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