We Hunt the Flame

June 24, 2019
In this series opener inspired by ancient Arabian culture and myth, a young woman embarks on a perilous quest to return magic to the forest of the Arz. Zafira is a talented hunter, but because of her caliphate’s social prejudice against women in positions of power, she fends for her village while disguised as a man. When the mysterious Silver Witch tasks her with traveling to a forbidden island to retrieve an artifact that could save civilization, Zafira takes the chance to prove herself. Along the way, she gains unexpected companions, including Nasir, a prince and assassin who is plotting to kill her on behalf of his wicked father. As the two brave constant threats, they develop a surprising connection as well as a mutual attraction. After a slow start, Faizal’s strong debut develops its engaging premise with evocative worldbuilding and memorable characters. While the numerous plot threads create a somewhat overcrowded whole, lush descriptions of setting and food offer a vivid atmosphere, and the slow-brewing romance is an engaging contrast to the harrowing emotional and physical journey at the heart of the story. Ages 14–up. Agent: John Cusick, Folio Literary Management.

Starred review from May 1, 2019

Gr 9 Up-Once Arawiya was ruled by the Six Sisters of Old, who filled the lands with magic and peace until they disappeared, taking magic with them. Today it is a divided land where misogyny reigns-headed by a Sultan determined to rule all of the lands himself. Zafira lives her life on the fringes as The Hunter of the Arz, a terrifying forest no one would dare to penetrate. She must hunt to feed her village, and if she is discovered as a woman, her life will be over. Nasir is an assassin, forced to kill for his father, the corrupt Sultan. When the Silver Witch presents Zafira with a quest to bring magic back to her people, she takes it. Nasir, the Prince of Death himself, is tasked to capture her and steal the artifact for his father even if his heart is conflicted. Lyrical and filled with adventure, a slow-burn romance, and an unforgettable cast of characters in a world based on ancient Arabia, this is a debut series not to be missed. VERDICT Fans of Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes and Tomi Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone should get excited for their next obsession.-India Winslow, Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, MA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2019
Threatened by the encroaching darkness of the Arz, the kingdom of Arawiya and its five caliphates can only be saved by an artifact that will restore magic to the land. The caliphate of Demenhur is covered in snow where there once was sand, its people on the brink of starvation but for the efforts of the Hunter. Few know that the Hunter, able to navigate the cursed forests of the Arz, is actually 17-year-old Zafira, disguised as a man since women are perceived as tainted in Demenhur. Nasir is both prince and assassin, his targets the perceived enemies of his father, the tyrannical, abusive sultan. When Zafira is summoned to embark on a quest for the lost jewel, Nasir is sent after her, to take it and kill her. They are soon thrown together, first as enemies and then reluctant allies, by the secrets and whispers of an enemy who poses an even greater threat. Debut author Faizal paints a vivid world, inspired by ancient Arabia and its mythology, that will appeal to fantasy and romance readers as well as fans of the Assassin's Creed video games. The prose is at times beautiful, at times awkward. Themes of morality and understanding others beyond stereotypes are present throughout, though some characters are not well-fleshed-out. Characters embody different physical characteristics, with humans ranging from pale to dark-brown skinned and various fantastical creatures. An appealing spin on traditional fantasy elements. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)

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Starred review from April 1, 2019
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Magic disappeared long ago from Arawiya, and the kingdom is suffering for it. Zafira the Hunter disguises herself as a man to brave the cursed Arz, a forest that drives any who enter it insane. As the only soul capable of leaving the Arz whole, Zafira must feed her village with her routine hunts. Meanwhile, Nasir, the Prince of Death, strikes fear across the land as its most skilled assassin, efficiently cutting down anyone who poses a threat to his father's rule. Political unrest and a dying land force Zafira on a quest to restore magic to Arawiya before the encroaching forest consumes them all, and Nasir is set on her trail to retrieve the prize first and kill her. The treacherous journey throws the two enemies together, and they forge a tentative alliance to face a danger greater than either of them expected. Drawing inspiration from ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame gives exquisitely detailed insight into a cultural experience; this debut, about identity and unlikely allies, features subtly nuanced and deeply reflective characters. Layering high-stakes action with moods ranging from casual humor to raw anguish, Faizal bends fantasy tropes to her will to tell a fresh and gripping story about love, honor, and self-discovery that will leave readers scrambling for more.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2019
Zafira, a hunter, is sent by the Silver Witch to Sharr, a magical desert island, to retrieve a book that will return magic to the kingdom. Nasir, the sultan's son and an assassin, is sent to take the book and kill Zafira. Although the fantasy lacks cohesion, an unusual Arab-inspired setting and a growing romance redeem this picturesque series opener.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)