We Hunt the Flame

In the kingdom of Arawiya, Zafira masquerades as a male hunter, venturing into the cursed Arz forest to feed her people. Meanwhile, Prince Nasir serves as his father's assassin, bound by duty and fear to carry out brutal missions for the crown. The two characters embark on separate quests to restore magic to their dying land. Their paths converge as they seek an ancient artifact on a dangerous island, accompanied by companions who each harbor their own motives and secrets. Set in a world inspired by ancient Arabia, the novel brings to life a realm of shadow-filled forests, deadly creatures, and powerful magic. The story incorporates elements of Arabian mythology and culture while crafting its own unique magical system. The narrative explores themes of identity, duty, and the cost of power through its dual protagonists who must navigate between personal desires and societal expectations. Their parallel journeys raise questions about sacrifice and the true meaning of strength.

Readers describe the book as a slow-burn fantasy with rich Arabic-inspired worldbuilding but pacing issues in the first half. Readers appreciated: - The desert setting and cultural details - Character development, particularly Nasir and Zafira - The romance subplot - Strong descriptive writing and atmosphere Common criticisms: - Takes 150-200 pages to build momentum - Too much internal monologue early on - Predictable plot elements - Repetitive descriptions of characters' physical features Average Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (77,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) Reader quotes: "The writing is beautiful but the pacing killed it for me" - Goodreads reviewer "Worth pushing through the slow start for the amazing second half" - Amazon reviewer "The world-building and mythology were the highlights" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🌟 The author wrote the first draft of We Hunt the Flame during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in just 30 days. 🌟 The book's magical world draws heavily from ancient Arabian folklore, particularly incorporating elements from the pre-Islamic period known as Jahiliyyah. 🌟 Hafsah Faizal was only 19 years old when she began writing the novel, making her one of the youngest authors to secure a major publishing deal for a YA fantasy series. 🌟 The protagonist's name, Zafira, means "victorious" in Arabic, reflecting both her character's resilience and the author's thoughtful incorporation of meaningful Arabic elements. 🌟 The forest of Arz in the novel was inspired by real-life ancient Arabian trading routes that were considered treacherous and mysterious by travelers.