We Hunt the Flame may be Hafsah Faizal’s first novel, but it holds its ground against YA fantasy by authors who have been writing for decades. It is set in a fictional land reminiscent of ancient Arabia, a place where magic once ruled but is now a place of oppression and a fight for mere survival. Two character perspectives take us through the narrative – Zafira, a young woman who disguises herself as a male known as “The Hunter” to brave the elements and feed her people, and Nasir, a prince who is better known as the land’s most heartless assassin. These characters start out separately but in a typical YA trope, get thrown together for a quest to bring a book of magic back into their world. The interesting catch that will no doubt engage teen readers, though: Nasir isn’t aware that The Hunter is a girl, and Zafira isn’t aware that Nasir’s actual task is to kill her. This novel is very character-driven, but in an enjoyable way – the secondary characters are just as intriguing as the talented protagonists. There is a perfect blend of witty banter, murderous plots, and fights against mythical creatures. There is a solid romance plot bubbling in the undercurrent of the novel, but the tension the author creates with it  actually draws you in instead of making you roll your eyes, even as an adult reader. The only reason I rated the story 4 stars instead of 5 was the beginning chapters. For a reader who isn’t incredibly familiar with Arabic language and culture, it is difficult to get into due to the vast amount of unknown terms the characters use on a constant basis at the outset, while also world-building and trying to introduce us to Kafira and Nasir. Once you get used to that (or pause often enough to look the terms up), however, the story is truly unique, captivating, and you won’t want to put it down. I am already looking forward to the sequel, as it ends on a massive cliffhanger, and I’m sure young readers in your library will be doing the same.

Reviewed by Nicole Clark, Goodall Memorial Library, Sanford