We Hunt the Flame | A Book Review

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsa Faizal

Summary

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

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.

Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

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

My review ★★★★★

I am so happy I loved this book. I heard so much hype about this story in the book community month and months before the book even came out. I was excited to read it, but also wary as to whether it could actually live up to all of the praise. Lucky for me, it did exactly that.

There are so many good things in this book. It has some of my all-time favorite book things. It somehow easily balances character development and a fast-paced plot.

If you’re planning on reading this, I’d definitely recommend referencing this glossary and pronunciation guide for any unfamiliar terms used in the book.

Things I’m still obsessing over

The romance

*sigh* I wonder if I’ll ever get over the enemies to lovers trope? I sincerely hope I never do. One of the best tropes imo is when two (or more) people must begrudgingly band together to accomplish a common goal. This is made even better when at least two of them are enemies who eventually get some uncomfortable sexual tension going on between them. OH it is so so good. This book does such a good push and pull between enemies and sexual attraction between two of the characters (of you don’t already know who I’m talking about, I assume you know nothing about this book lol)

The twists

The best kind of plot twists are those that are both unexpected while still lying in the realm of possible. This book is somehow able to shock the heck out of you page after page while still seeming believable?? I really can’t remember how Hafsa did it. She does this up until the very last word of the book. Just when you think you’re safe…. BOOM JK you’re never safe!!!

The magic

We all love a good *magic is gone and we must bring it back* storyline. Hafsa takes that idea and forms it into something new and exciting. How magic works in this book is very interesting, and I’m sure we will only learn more in the books to come. (I don’t want to give anything and that is why I’m being especially vague here… lol)

The setting

I want to go to Arawiya!! I know they’re having a rough time right now, but the way Hafsa builds this world is so so enticing. I want to explore more of the caliphates. I want to see more of the food, more of the people. I feel like she’s given us so much in this first book, and there is even more good to see in the forthcoming books.