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Faithless
It's hard to forget the past that’s written over your body.
Katarian refugee and dignitary, Sagaar Remus, is reunited with her husband, Damien Sparr, a convicted war criminal in the Outer Reach whose coup destroyed her country, her home, and her family. After seven years of separation she meets him in his prison cell, aghast by the atrocities he has committed in the name of his people. With her husband facing the executioner's block and conspiracy swimming around her, Saagar must decide whether to place her trust in the dangerous hands of her allies or with the man who left her to burn. But thrown into a world of terror and intrigue, can she even trust herself?
Katarian refugee and dignitary, Sagaar Remus, is reunited with her husband, Damien Sparr, a convicted war criminal in the Outer Reach whose coup destroyed her country, her home, and her family. After seven years of separation she meets him in his prison cell, aghast by the atrocities he has committed in the name of his people. With her husband facing the executioner's block and conspiracy swimming around her, Saagar must decide whether to place her trust in the dangerous hands of her allies or with the man who left her to burn. But thrown into a world of terror and intrigue, can she even trust herself?
Unknown Binding
Published March 30, 2020
13 people want to read
About the author
Emily Mundell
3 books22 followersEmily Mundell is a 20-something author, artist, horsewoman and lover of the wonders of the wide world. She hails from the Great White North of Canada and has spent her life growing up in the heart of rural Alberta in a close-knit farming community - though she has often entertained fantasies of inhabiting the Shire.
Writing is her true passion – though horses and art take a close second. With fantasy as her primary genre, Emily has been writing stories since the tender age of eight when she finished her first “book.” In 2017, she completed her Creative Writing Certificate through the University of Calgary. An avid bookworm, true country-mouse, and unconventional tree-climber, Emily can usually be found on a horse, working on one of her half-dozen projects, chasing a loose cow, or being swept off her feet by the man she calls her own personal “hobbit.”
Writing is her true passion – though horses and art take a close second. With fantasy as her primary genre, Emily has been writing stories since the tender age of eight when she finished her first “book.” In 2017, she completed her Creative Writing Certificate through the University of Calgary. An avid bookworm, true country-mouse, and unconventional tree-climber, Emily can usually be found on a horse, working on one of her half-dozen projects, chasing a loose cow, or being swept off her feet by the man she calls her own personal “hobbit.”
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 28, 2020
ahh, throwback to when Emily Mundell's first book The Sorceress and the Squid was the first ARC that I read and reviewed <3 I was so pumped to be able to read her second book in advance as well, and now here we are ...
first of all, I should point out that TSatS and Faithless are very different—The Sorceress and the Squid was an upper middle grade style fantasy that was reminiscent of Narnia and the like. a pure delight. fun. light. adventurous and suspenseful, but happy. Faithless isn't the same. Faithless is New Adult, at least, if not Adult—it's characters are grown and married and scarred by war. the writing style is very YA though, so I felt at home in that.
it was a heavy book. I came away thinking, wow what did I just read? not in a bad way though. it's a war story; a rebel story. honest. brutal. painful. the characters are scarred physically and emotionally and mentally and while that didn't make them role models by any means, it sure made them so human. I can see this happening in the real world—war was not romanticized. just saying that don't go into this book expecting it to be happy and hopeful and humorous. it isn't happy. there's hope, but the mood is far from hopeFUL. there isn't a smidgen of humor. it's harsh book.
all that being said, I did enjoy many parts of it (hence the four star review). I enjoyed the main character, Sagaar. many times, in books, you find characters who are /supposedly/ scarred and tortured, but they act quite normally except for occasional flashbacks. with Sagaar, you felt it though—in everything she thought and said, you felt it, that she was destroyed by war. It was something I related to, as far from my experience as it was. I also liked her traitorous husband Damien—and /like/ is a strange word to use here. he didn't have as many redeeming qualities as I expected—as other morally grey characters often have. he was complex. he was a puzzle. he certainly wasn't good. and so, I liked him, as a character.
their relationship was probably my favorite part of the book. I've never read anything of the sort, and it was just fascinating. I would say that this was the factor that held my attention and brought me through the book. Sagaar hates her husband—but she can't get away from the fact that she loved him; maybe even still loves him, even though he betrayed her and murdered her family. a very complex relationship, to say the least.
the other thing I liked was the political intrigue—tbh I wasn't focusing on that so much in the beginning. but I as I went on I started to get the feeling that, something isn't right here. something is going on. some imminent disaster is due. and ... I was right. *zips lips because spoilers* it was very mysterious and very creepy and very tragic, is all I can say.
the world was also quite unique—a modern day fantasy world, where technology is much like our own. that surprised me, but it certainly won me over. I'd certainly be interested in re-visiting Katar in the future, at a more peaceful time in its history (*hint hint* @ the author).
all in all, this book is made up of fascinating complex characters, an intriguing plot, and the raw harshness of war and its aftermath. I can't say I was /happy/ when I finished the book—but then, I guess that wasn't the book's purpose. there was a bittersweet satisfaction—things were resolved, but the resolution hurt, just like the resolutions of all wars gotta hurt in some ways. I certainly applaud the author for the realism and the grit.
I guess I should mention trigger warnings for war, mindless murder, destruction, torture, rape, and a host of war atrocities. most were not graphically described, but enough was said that one got the idea. this isn't a book for people sensitive to violence, for sure.
also, for those wary of cursing, this certainly had its share of language, including multiple uses of f*** (more than I'm used to, anyway). I'd say that under the circumstance, it was realistic for the characters to use language, but all the same I didn't appreciate reading it. pretty sure that if this book was a film, it would be R rated.
in summary, four stars for the themes it explored, and minus one star for the language and the fact that its heaviness doesn't bring it to the level of my five star books haha (personal preference here)!! congrats to Emily Mundell on another wonderfully written story <3
first of all, I should point out that TSatS and Faithless are very different—The Sorceress and the Squid was an upper middle grade style fantasy that was reminiscent of Narnia and the like. a pure delight. fun. light. adventurous and suspenseful, but happy. Faithless isn't the same. Faithless is New Adult, at least, if not Adult—it's characters are grown and married and scarred by war. the writing style is very YA though, so I felt at home in that.
it was a heavy book. I came away thinking, wow what did I just read? not in a bad way though. it's a war story; a rebel story. honest. brutal. painful. the characters are scarred physically and emotionally and mentally and while that didn't make them role models by any means, it sure made them so human. I can see this happening in the real world—war was not romanticized. just saying that don't go into this book expecting it to be happy and hopeful and humorous. it isn't happy. there's hope, but the mood is far from hopeFUL. there isn't a smidgen of humor. it's harsh book.
all that being said, I did enjoy many parts of it (hence the four star review). I enjoyed the main character, Sagaar. many times, in books, you find characters who are /supposedly/ scarred and tortured, but they act quite normally except for occasional flashbacks. with Sagaar, you felt it though—in everything she thought and said, you felt it, that she was destroyed by war. It was something I related to, as far from my experience as it was. I also liked her traitorous husband Damien—and /like/ is a strange word to use here. he didn't have as many redeeming qualities as I expected—as other morally grey characters often have. he was complex. he was a puzzle. he certainly wasn't good. and so, I liked him, as a character.
their relationship was probably my favorite part of the book. I've never read anything of the sort, and it was just fascinating. I would say that this was the factor that held my attention and brought me through the book. Sagaar hates her husband—but she can't get away from the fact that she loved him; maybe even still loves him, even though he betrayed her and murdered her family. a very complex relationship, to say the least.
the other thing I liked was the political intrigue—tbh I wasn't focusing on that so much in the beginning. but I as I went on I started to get the feeling that, something isn't right here. something is going on. some imminent disaster is due. and ... I was right. *zips lips because spoilers* it was very mysterious and very creepy and very tragic, is all I can say.
the world was also quite unique—a modern day fantasy world, where technology is much like our own. that surprised me, but it certainly won me over. I'd certainly be interested in re-visiting Katar in the future, at a more peaceful time in its history (*hint hint* @ the author).
all in all, this book is made up of fascinating complex characters, an intriguing plot, and the raw harshness of war and its aftermath. I can't say I was /happy/ when I finished the book—but then, I guess that wasn't the book's purpose. there was a bittersweet satisfaction—things were resolved, but the resolution hurt, just like the resolutions of all wars gotta hurt in some ways. I certainly applaud the author for the realism and the grit.
I guess I should mention trigger warnings for war, mindless murder, destruction, torture, rape, and a host of war atrocities. most were not graphically described, but enough was said that one got the idea. this isn't a book for people sensitive to violence, for sure.
also, for those wary of cursing, this certainly had its share of language, including multiple uses of f*** (more than I'm used to, anyway). I'd say that under the circumstance, it was realistic for the characters to use language, but all the same I didn't appreciate reading it. pretty sure that if this book was a film, it would be R rated.
in summary, four stars for the themes it explored, and minus one star for the language and the fact that its heaviness doesn't bring it to the level of my five star books haha (personal preference here)!! congrats to Emily Mundell on another wonderfully written story <3
April 3, 2020
This is a book that has been in the works for a long time. I found Emily right before her first book The Sorceress and the Squid came out, and have been following the growth of this book since!
This book . . . was not what I thought it was going to be. I knew it was going to be a war story, but I didn't quite expect the grittiness of it. The best comparison I can draw is like VE Schwab x The Lunar Chronicles (by Marissa Meyer). It's not necessarily in a post-apocalyptic setting, but it's not NOT a post-apocalypic setting, you know?
The politics in the book were well done: I was able to follow it, and I get lost very easily with names and politics that I don't understand (and let's be real, I don't understand politics). There was a HUGE plot twist that happened that I DID NOT expect but that was really good and I loved that a lot.
Sagaar was SUCH a good character: she was so complex and strong and her story was one that I really enjoyed reading. The book is very character based, so there is a lot of introspection and inner dialogue, which I don't necessarily enjoy but did in this case. Sagaar has undergone a lot of trauma, and it is so evident in the way that she thinks and acts, and I think it was done really well.
Faithless /is/ a war story, so there is a lot of moral gray area, which I really like. With that being said, though, this is not a light book. There is war and all of the horrors that come with war portrayed in it and it is dark. Damien, Sagaar's husband, is a morally gray character that was really well written, at least in my opinion. He was not a good person, but he had a lot of redeeming qualities in him that made him not detestable. Sagaar's relationship with him was also really well written and the inner conflict regarding what she thought of him was well done.
On the negative side of things, there were some things that would aren't for everyone. There is quite a bit of language (d***, s***, f***), all used appropriately, but some people might find issues with it. There is also a lot of violence, seeing as it /is/ a book about war. Lastly, there are some flashbacks/mentions to what Sagaar and her husband did together: nothing explicit, but mentions of kisses /and more/ are included in the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book! It was a lot darker and heavier than I expected, but everything was well done and it was a good read. It's definitely an adult book and not for younger readers, but if you like war stories, this would be a good one to pick up!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.
This book . . . was not what I thought it was going to be. I knew it was going to be a war story, but I didn't quite expect the grittiness of it. The best comparison I can draw is like VE Schwab x The Lunar Chronicles (by Marissa Meyer). It's not necessarily in a post-apocalyptic setting, but it's not NOT a post-apocalypic setting, you know?
The politics in the book were well done: I was able to follow it, and I get lost very easily with names and politics that I don't understand (and let's be real, I don't understand politics). There was a HUGE plot twist that happened that I DID NOT expect but that was really good and I loved that a lot.
Sagaar was SUCH a good character: she was so complex and strong and her story was one that I really enjoyed reading. The book is very character based, so there is a lot of introspection and inner dialogue, which I don't necessarily enjoy but did in this case. Sagaar has undergone a lot of trauma, and it is so evident in the way that she thinks and acts, and I think it was done really well.
Faithless /is/ a war story, so there is a lot of moral gray area, which I really like. With that being said, though, this is not a light book. There is war and all of the horrors that come with war portrayed in it and it is dark. Damien, Sagaar's husband, is a morally gray character that was really well written, at least in my opinion. He was not a good person, but he had a lot of redeeming qualities in him that made him not detestable. Sagaar's relationship with him was also really well written and the inner conflict regarding what she thought of him was well done.
On the negative side of things, there were some things that would aren't for everyone. There is quite a bit of language (d***, s***, f***), all used appropriately, but some people might find issues with it. There is also a lot of violence, seeing as it /is/ a book about war. Lastly, there are some flashbacks/mentions to what Sagaar and her husband did together: nothing explicit, but mentions of kisses /and more/ are included in the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book! It was a lot darker and heavier than I expected, but everything was well done and it was a good read. It's definitely an adult book and not for younger readers, but if you like war stories, this would be a good one to pick up!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.
March 23, 2020
Emily Mundell captivates readers with an intimate understanding into the life of Sagaar Remus. Sagaar's core child-like faith and naive nature is ripped from her soul when tragedy occurs to her family and homeland. In Faithless, she grapples with blame, with love and hate, with mental health issues spurring from trauma, and with perverse governments and war.
Once having developed a comprehension of Sagaar's complex history in the early chapters, readers may ponder her possibilities and of those around her. Inevitably though, they are left in shock and horror. There is no room for achieved predictions when reading Faithless.
Mundell's writing is profound beyond her years. She is able to encapsulate the deepest thoughts and senses of war-torn victims and criminals in a fictional yet believable universe.
This is not for the faint-at-heart; to all else otherwise, I highly recommend you read this novel. Truly a page-turner, and thankfully being released at such a time as this when the world is in need of a good read.
Once having developed a comprehension of Sagaar's complex history in the early chapters, readers may ponder her possibilities and of those around her. Inevitably though, they are left in shock and horror. There is no room for achieved predictions when reading Faithless.
Mundell's writing is profound beyond her years. She is able to encapsulate the deepest thoughts and senses of war-torn victims and criminals in a fictional yet believable universe.
This is not for the faint-at-heart; to all else otherwise, I highly recommend you read this novel. Truly a page-turner, and thankfully being released at such a time as this when the world is in need of a good read.
February 17, 2020
I thought the story was great, I could hardly put it down. Wonderful writing.
September 15, 2022
While well-written, gripping, and emotional, this new novel from Emily is difficult. It’s chaotic, it’s stark, it’s harsh. The story contained within the pages is a heart wrenching tale of a broken woman dealing with the horrors of war, terrorism, and betrayal. Not to mention (spoilers) that turn upside down and inside out absolutely everything the main character knows to be true. Readers experience the story through the eyes of Sagaar Remus, the last surviving member of the ruling family of Katar. As Sagaar combats her conceptions of reality, the reader intimately sees through her eyes into her deeply seeded trauma. The reader stumbles alongside her as the true depths of the depravity to which Sagaar has been subjected is slowly revealed through snatches of her shattered memories.
This not a book for everyone, and it’s definitely not a book for young readers. However, it is a book for today. In an age where we still deal with ugly, generational, and systemic race issues (as well as rampant failures worldwide in the realms of resource management, capitalism, and politics) this book can render a glimpse of the tribulations daily faced by the majority of the world’s population. In an age where we are learning to be uncomfortable with our own preconceptions and oft misguided attempts at “aiding the less fortunate”, perhaps reading this book can reignite a desire within each of us to be “a real, lasting change in the world”, as Sagaar herself realizes at the end of Faithless. Take this as a call rise up and stand against oppression. Take this as a call to begin, or to carry on, filling up with and then pouring out faith and hope in the desire to create change and effect a better tomorrow.
This not a book for everyone, and it’s definitely not a book for young readers. However, it is a book for today. In an age where we still deal with ugly, generational, and systemic race issues (as well as rampant failures worldwide in the realms of resource management, capitalism, and politics) this book can render a glimpse of the tribulations daily faced by the majority of the world’s population. In an age where we are learning to be uncomfortable with our own preconceptions and oft misguided attempts at “aiding the less fortunate”, perhaps reading this book can reignite a desire within each of us to be “a real, lasting change in the world”, as Sagaar herself realizes at the end of Faithless. Take this as a call rise up and stand against oppression. Take this as a call to begin, or to carry on, filling up with and then pouring out faith and hope in the desire to create change and effect a better tomorrow.
April 13, 2020
Faithless relays the struggle between perceived reality and trust, as characters Sagaar and Damien are brought into focus in the midst of conflict: both inwardly and in the civil war being waged around them. An intense narration of betrayal, discovery, and facing the shadows of the past “Faithless”, presents a captivating story winding up to a dramatic and surprising climax...
March 15, 2020
4.75 stars!
It's been a long time since a book left me breathless. 'Faithless' is packed full of tense action scenes and survival, but at its core, it's a story that shows the realities of trauma, warfare and violence at every level. Mundell isn't afraid to break your heart a hundred thousand times, and that only strengthens the story.
I admit it took me a few chapters to connect with Sagaar due to some of her mental distance (a result of the traumas she lived through) but soon I couldn't help but passionately and desperately hope she'd find a better life, and somehow find people who truly cared for her. Some other characters (*cough* Damien *cough*) I'm still not sure how to feel about, but true to life, we can't know everyone's hearts.
If you're on the hunt for a story that doesn't hold back from breath-catching action, complex relationships, and exploring the horrors of war and corrupt power, then 'Faithless' is definitely for you!
Note: I received an eArc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
It's been a long time since a book left me breathless. 'Faithless' is packed full of tense action scenes and survival, but at its core, it's a story that shows the realities of trauma, warfare and violence at every level. Mundell isn't afraid to break your heart a hundred thousand times, and that only strengthens the story.
I admit it took me a few chapters to connect with Sagaar due to some of her mental distance (a result of the traumas she lived through) but soon I couldn't help but passionately and desperately hope she'd find a better life, and somehow find people who truly cared for her. Some other characters (*cough* Damien *cough*) I'm still not sure how to feel about, but true to life, we can't know everyone's hearts.
If you're on the hunt for a story that doesn't hold back from breath-catching action, complex relationships, and exploring the horrors of war and corrupt power, then 'Faithless' is definitely for you!
Note: I received an eArc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2024
Faithless was intense, beautiful, tragic, and frustrating all at once. The best books are the ones that make you feel, and Faithless certainly does that. Throughout the story, the protagonist, Saagar, faces inner struggles that are interlaced with depression and self-doubt. Through her suffering, she eventually discovers her purpose and the truth, which impacts her profoundly. Faithless is definitely one of my new favourites. When I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It will definitely take you on a journey. Filled with vivid imagery, charged with emotion, and tackling relatable personal issues, Faithless is a book I would highly recommend.
March 30, 2020
This book was very much not a genre or style I usually lean towards. It is dark and brutal and gritty in a way that I should have expected but didn't at first. It was so good though!
I was instantly drawn to the main character, Saagar, in that as I was reading, I felt like I was seeing everything through her eyes even more so than I usually do during the first read through of a book. I felt her confusion, her pain, her hope, her anger, her shock, and her love so strongly. All her emotions were made so clear and vivid as to fully and successfully draw the reader into her life, her story.
Her husband, Damien, is a facinating character. You want to hate him immediately and completely, yet you can't, because Saagar cannot completely let go of her memories of loving him. You are forced to see her world in more than black and white.
You don't know who to trust and it's frustrating but also riveting. The characters are all so very human. These people could and do exist.
The story is not a predictable, happy ending. It is thought-provoking. It leaves you pondering and questioning what people are capable of in the face of war, grief, and oppression, whether imagined or not.
Despite it not being my average chosen read, I fully enjoyed this book for all the emotion and study of human nature it brought me.
I continue to look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
I was instantly drawn to the main character, Saagar, in that as I was reading, I felt like I was seeing everything through her eyes even more so than I usually do during the first read through of a book. I felt her confusion, her pain, her hope, her anger, her shock, and her love so strongly. All her emotions were made so clear and vivid as to fully and successfully draw the reader into her life, her story.
Her husband, Damien, is a facinating character. You want to hate him immediately and completely, yet you can't, because Saagar cannot completely let go of her memories of loving him. You are forced to see her world in more than black and white.
You don't know who to trust and it's frustrating but also riveting. The characters are all so very human. These people could and do exist.
The story is not a predictable, happy ending. It is thought-provoking. It leaves you pondering and questioning what people are capable of in the face of war, grief, and oppression, whether imagined or not.
Despite it not being my average chosen read, I fully enjoyed this book for all the emotion and study of human nature it brought me.
I continue to look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.
November 10, 2025
And just like that, I'm caught up on all of Emily Mundell's work.
Faithless is a fair bit different to the other two books Emily's written, with a much darker adult tone bordering on grimdark and a more dystopian setting, so if you've read her other work, go in with different expectations for this one.
As a fan of darker stories, I had a pretty good time. The plot work was pretty solid, the characters were interesting, and the writing was good. The only things that knocked off a star are purely down to taste. I would have liked a bit more worldbuilding (though I understand why it was fairly limited, considering the close proximity of the story to Sagaar, the POV character), and I'm not a huge fan of how much of the plot was dependent on characters refusing to communicate. I get why they weren't communicating, but by the end I was wanting to yell at certain characters to stop grumping about and just tell each other what they're thinking instead of constantly playing coy. Again, I get why they weren't talking, but miscommunication is just a pet peeve of mine as a heavy plot device.
I did, however, really like some of the aspects of how the book played around with manipulation. Won't go into it due to spoilers, but I enjoyed how that all played out.
Neat book. Definitely one to check out if you like a darker story.
Faithless is a fair bit different to the other two books Emily's written, with a much darker adult tone bordering on grimdark and a more dystopian setting, so if you've read her other work, go in with different expectations for this one.
As a fan of darker stories, I had a pretty good time. The plot work was pretty solid, the characters were interesting, and the writing was good. The only things that knocked off a star are purely down to taste. I would have liked a bit more worldbuilding (though I understand why it was fairly limited, considering the close proximity of the story to Sagaar, the POV character), and I'm not a huge fan of how much of the plot was dependent on characters refusing to communicate. I get why they weren't communicating, but by the end I was wanting to yell at certain characters to stop grumping about and just tell each other what they're thinking instead of constantly playing coy. Again, I get why they weren't talking, but miscommunication is just a pet peeve of mine as a heavy plot device.
I did, however, really like some of the aspects of how the book played around with manipulation. Won't go into it due to spoilers, but I enjoyed how that all played out.
Neat book. Definitely one to check out if you like a darker story.
March 30, 2020
This was a lot heavier-hitting than I expected.
I mean, I suppose I should have seen that coming with the premise of the book? which, by the way, is fascinating: What do you do when your husband turns out to be a terrorist and kills your family?
Note: this is VERY DIFFERENT to Emily's last book, The Sorceress and the Squid, which I hadn't anticipated - not that that's a problem, but I didn't realise I had to adjust my expectations... until people
Spoilers hidden.
some good bits:
- furiously angsty dialogue
- betrayal! double-crosses! plots! ominous references to a past the MC's not 100% sure she remembers right!!
- when you add the above point to the premise? *mind explodes*
- I mean it basically opens with her visiting the interrogation room to ID her captured terrorist rebel husband. how can that not be great.
-
some sad bits:
- Damien's redemption arc...
- speaking of arcs, I know very little about their technical workings. I just know what I like (and it won't be what everyone likes). But Sagaar (MC) - I feel like hers was not a positive arc?? (not like 'bad', but like whatever the technical writing term is...) Ultimately she
- I liked Side note: Look at me and my high expectations for fictional characters! xD
- by the end I had no idea which army/side was the good one. Or, y'know, just the not-completely-lying-and-murder one. But I'm notoriously easy to confuse with worldbuilding. xD
some warnings: violence, strong language, rape flashbacks, and psychological manipulation.
This is not a hopeful book! But it's deep and has strong emotion and a twisty plot. And at the end it does feel like there's potential for healing, so.
(Personally I like my happy endings, though xD)
Thanks to Emily for giving me an ARC in return for an honest review!
I mean, I suppose I should have seen that coming with the premise of the book? which, by the way, is fascinating: What do you do when your husband turns out to be a terrorist and kills your family?
Note: this is VERY DIFFERENT to Emily's last book, The Sorceress and the Squid, which I hadn't anticipated - not that that's a problem, but I didn't realise I had to adjust my expectations... until people
Spoilers hidden.
some good bits:
- furiously angsty dialogue
- betrayal! double-crosses! plots! ominous references to a past the MC's not 100% sure she remembers right!!
- when you add the above point to the premise? *mind explodes*
- I mean it basically opens with her visiting the interrogation room to ID her captured terrorist rebel husband. how can that not be great.
-
some sad bits:
- Damien's redemption arc...
- speaking of arcs, I know very little about their technical workings. I just know what I like (and it won't be what everyone likes). But Sagaar (MC) - I feel like hers was not a positive arc?? (not like 'bad', but like whatever the technical writing term is...) Ultimately she
- I liked Side note: Look at me and my high expectations for fictional characters! xD
- by the end I had no idea which army/side was the good one. Or, y'know, just the not-completely-lying-and-murder one. But I'm notoriously easy to confuse with worldbuilding. xD
some warnings: violence, strong language, rape flashbacks, and psychological manipulation.
This is not a hopeful book! But it's deep and has strong emotion and a twisty plot. And at the end it does feel like there's potential for healing, so.
(Personally I like my happy endings, though xD)
Thanks to Emily for giving me an ARC in return for an honest review!
March 29, 2020
The story had a great hook and was captivating through the climax when the betrayed heroine was made aware of a perspective past the scope of her own pain. A real page turner.
March 30, 2020
Yooo. I really enjoyed it, it was quite a departure from your last book, but it was super engaging and I was totally taken by surprise by some of the twists.
April 8, 2020
Page turner, unpredictable, realistic characters, plot twists, suspense, but if you want to read a happy-fairy-tale-ending book, this isn’t for you.
December 30, 2025
I couldn’t put Faithless down. As Sagaar’s past and trauma gradually unfold, the reader is drawn deeply into her struggles, feeling every moment of her pain, uncertainty, and resilience. We uncover her history and relationships alongside her, forging a powerful emotional connection. Each chapter offers glimpses of her past, keeping the plot steady and engaging.
Emily’s world-building is thorough yet seamless, crafting distinct cultures, architecture, and histories without overwhelming the reader. The balance between storytelling and immersion makes Faithless an absorbing read.
What resonated with me most was Sagaar’s struggle with helplessness and hopelessness—against her past, the destruction of her people, and even her own mind and emotions. Her battle felt necessary and deeply relatable, mirroring the weight of personal grief and the overwhelming suffering in the world. Faithless asks a vital question: How do we move forward in the face of such devastation? And in Sagaar’s case, it offers a poignant and unforgettable answer.
Emily’s world-building is thorough yet seamless, crafting distinct cultures, architecture, and histories without overwhelming the reader. The balance between storytelling and immersion makes Faithless an absorbing read.
What resonated with me most was Sagaar’s struggle with helplessness and hopelessness—against her past, the destruction of her people, and even her own mind and emotions. Her battle felt necessary and deeply relatable, mirroring the weight of personal grief and the overwhelming suffering in the world. Faithless asks a vital question: How do we move forward in the face of such devastation? And in Sagaar’s case, it offers a poignant and unforgettable answer.
October 11, 2023
This was such a beautifully written book. I fell in love with the characters and felt myself really feeling the conflict and emotional turmoil that Sagaar went though during the story.
The plot twist at the end was awesome and I truly didn’t see it coming! It had a really lovely end for such a sad and conflicting story, but I feel like it did it justice and I felt at peace finishing it.
The politics of the story were very easy to follow and I didn’t find myself getting overly confused like I typically do with books like this.
I will definitely reach for this book again in the future. It was exciting, emotional and a thrill from start to finish! I felt like I never knew what was going to happen next!
The plot twist at the end was awesome and I truly didn’t see it coming! It had a really lovely end for such a sad and conflicting story, but I feel like it did it justice and I felt at peace finishing it.
The politics of the story were very easy to follow and I didn’t find myself getting overly confused like I typically do with books like this.
I will definitely reach for this book again in the future. It was exciting, emotional and a thrill from start to finish! I felt like I never knew what was going to happen next!
October 20, 2022
Excellent book, phenomenal world building and very intriguing.
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