Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

7 reviews

juliapatt2007's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 “We were not born to fight, but our cradles were built from struggles and hardships. Pens, swords, sticks -- weapons shoved into our fists as soon as we’re old enough to grasp them. So we fight, because the world will cut our throats otherwise. We fight, because we don’t go down without one. (pg. 425-426)

I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this book after the first one but I can’t believe I ever thought that! This book pulled me back to it again and again. I love love love how this author builds in subtle feminism into her story, allowing it to be an element to the story and her characters without overpowering. I also love the descriptions of Nasir and how it is vague enough for the reader to fill in the gaps *shivers*. I did struggle a little bit remembering who everyone was but after awhile I remembered enough about the major players. Faizal’s description of Nasir and Zafira’s relationship was beautiful to me “Moon of my soul” and “twin flames” gave me shivers every time. I was a little disappointed in the ending just because I felt it was a little rushed (I kept checking how many pages were left because so much still needed to happen). I would love to see this author write some short stories about our favorite zumra and their continued adventures. The author has an amazing way with words and describing the rich world she has created! I loved reading these books and they are already on my “read again” list. This duology ended well and is very close to being added to my “to buy” list. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Also loveeee how the author worked in a bed sharing moment, I’m trash for those moments idk why.

There were quite a few kisses in this book but nothing graphic. There are four kisses between Nasir and Zafira all the moments being fairly intimate but nothing progresses past kisses on the neck. There is a arguable sex scene in the last chapters of the book between Nasir and Zafira after they are married but the wording is vague enough I doubt readers will put it together unless they are looking for it. Misk and his wife Yasmine share a kiss once. Nasir and Kulsum’s sexual relationship is referenced in vague terms.

There is explicit content on the walls of a brothel Zafira accidentally visits. There are a few belly dancing performances that are sensual in nature but not descriptive.

coffeekitaab's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This was a rollercoaster ride - chapters 40ish onwards (all I'll say is the ceremony of all the leaders) is where this became a pageturner for me. I had been lulled into a false sense of security and leisurely reading at my own pace but then it became imperative to finish this book asap as I was struggling to put it down without knowing what happened next and then in the end!

Book 2 was incredible - Book 1 for comparison only was a slower read but in hindsight the introduction we needed before all the madness, action, drama and magic that unfolded in book 2. I adored the storyline and Altair is even more of a favourite after book 2, his trajectory in this book for me personally was gorgeous. His innuendos had me laughing out loud and his equation with Lana as a banter-ful duo was so fun to witness. Faizal did justice to stay true to the traits of each character, there were so many laugh out loud points, then I'd be riveted by emotion at tender moments within the characters, the loyalty of the zumra and the love between them was beautiful....I was then left in awe of the sudden plot twists which came out of nowhere and took my breath away. Simply, wow. 

This is a 4.75 star for me - Nasir's hesitancy and indecisiveness in the beginning. I get it is his character and arguably, the 2nd half of the book left me vindicated but the guy is so frustrating at times. For all selfish purposes, I was also left wanting for something to happen between Yasmine and Altair - weirdly had picked up on some energy in the Epilogue of Book 1 and was craving it throughout Book 2, the suspense around their meeting left a void in me and as the writing is so brilliant, I knew that I would have loved this equation no matter what direction Faizal had taken with it/what that introduction would look like - the book would have absolutely been a five star for me! I have my fingers crossed for a book 3 with these two as the main characters...eek! In summary though, I want to congratulate Hafsah Faizal at penning this one down, an absolute mastermind in delivering a powerful, fierce, emotive and magical piece of writing. Kudos!!

After this and A Tempest of Tea, I am absolutely a fan - cannot wait for Faizal's next!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Death, War, Blood, Body horror, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Violence, Child abuse, and Grief

shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, War, and Sexism

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Child death

maple_dove's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

In my humble opinion, this book did not fall into the pit of sequel in a trilogy/duology syndrome (I forgot what it's called). I'm stuck between rating this 4.75 or 5 stars. I chose the latter.

This book just made me love the characters and the world even more. I binged this book in two days.

There's also aroace rep! It's nice to not have every character to have a romantic love interest. :)

I didn't write any quotes down, however, there are a lot of good quotes in this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, War, Violence, Murder, Confinement, Death, and Blood

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Medical content, and Gore

Minor: Torture and Sexual content

I didn't keep exact track of the content warnings as I did for the previous book so these content warnings might not be entirely accurate.

paigeinabook's review against another edition

adventurous reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Gore, Murder, Addiction, Violence, Sexual content, and Child abuse

kinsportch's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Grief

Moderate: Sexual content, Classism, Violence, Misogyny, and Sexism

Minor: Child abuse, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Slavery

handsome_enough_to_tempt_me's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

OK THIS IS LITERALLY SO GOOD FIVE STARS NO QUESTIONS ASKED 
THE NASIR/ZAFIRA T E N S I O N PLSSSS SAY LESS I CANT EVEN I CANT 
AND LIKE THE SIDE CHARACTERS AND ALTAIR’S DEVELOPMENT IS TOO GOOD I CANT JUST GO READ THIS DUOLOGY OK GOGOGOGO

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Murder, and Sexual content

Minor: Physical abuse

DNEUSIDJDNDJDNDBHSHSKSKAKEOSIDDJJSNSWLWOEOIVJFDJ GO READ