“Stolen, sharpened, the hidden key,
We’ll destroy the empire and set you free,
Churned up from the shadows to tear it apart,
A dancer’s grace, a killer’s instinct, an Ember’s blood,
A Duster’s Heart.”

OMG this book was soo good! I can't stop thinking about it. Not often do I give a first book in a series 5 stars but this was amazing.

Follows 3 girls of 3 different blood colours. How they fit in this world and what they do to try change it was not was I was expecting from this at all.

The main plot is very political and peoples blood colour determines where they fit in to society with red blood Embers being the high society/rich/governing people, the blue blood Dusters being lower class/poor/worker people and the clear blood Ghostings who are the servants and are overlooked by pretty much everyone who can't talk and have no hands for reasons I won't spoil. Also learning about the world sometimes at the same time as the main characters was so interesting and can't wait to find out more.

Supplementary to that is the Aktibar trials which I thought would be the main focus of the story but its not really its there more to move the character development and world building elements along. The trials were great, reminding me a bit of hunger games type challenges but were not overly drawn out.

Can't forget the Magic system which was done really well. It was unique but 100% made perfect sense and enjoyed learning about it.

This is a brutal world with so much life and twists with an ending that made me say "What the F***" out loud. Also the slow burn enemies to lovers romance was done so well.

100% recommend and can't wait for the next book.

Such a unique and interesting concept. The plot had me gripped throughout, I love the characters (main and side) the world building was spectacular and the magic system was so intricately described

Urgh, how do you sum up this extraordinary book. Books not even good enough a term... sumptuous tome of excellence. The Final Strife is one of those books that's so unbelievably hyped in the book community you worry that it won't live up to expectations. Well, Saara certainly did and exceeded them. The Final Strife is too good to sum into words other than READ IT NOW. I read it on Netgalley, thank you Harper Voyager, but it was so good that I had to buy myself a copy anyway. Cannot wait for book 2!!!

Thank you to Harper Voyager UK & Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

What a great book! I’d heard a lot about this book before reading & I was so excited to start.

Although the competition plot isn’t the most original, the world building is fantastic! The world built is so rich & beautifully layered. I loved the bits of history we were given & everything was written in a way that it was all seamlessly inserted into the story without making it seem dull or lengthy.

Sylah & Anoor were both wonderfully in depth, complex characters. Everyone loves an underdog & both embodied that in such different ways. The way their relationship blossomed felt so natural & not at all forced, I was rooting for them from quite early on & that bittersweet ending was just perfect!

And what an ending! Cannot wait for the second instalment!

The Final Strife-Review
Author:
Genre: High Fantasy/Adventure
Page Count:640 pages
Publication Date:28th of June 2022
A stunning start to a series
Thank you to @netgalley / @hapervoygeruk for providing me with this e ARC before publication
Review;
This book was so amazing there wasn’t a moment I was bored. It’s one of those books I will happily reread and probably enjoy even more if that possible. I gasped in shock numerous times the writing is incredible and so addictive.
The character has my heart they are simply amazing and so well written with depth and beauty. I wish I could be friends with them sm. This book truly has everything from hot women, amazing friendships, witty banter, epic world building, high stakes and dark secrets.
This debut novel is something to which will become a timeless classic. It features such important themes and is so diverse with beautiful representation of non-binary, mix race and WLW couple. I honestly could not recommend more I have already pre-ordered my physical copy and can’t wait to get it next year. (it’s a paperback edition)
Rating;
5 stars
TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING
Graphic
Addiction, Drug abuse, Violence
Moderate
Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism
Minor
Child death, Fatphobia, Body shaming

I fell in love with the gorgeous cover and loved this story that talks about oppression and hope.
You are immersed in a world where there's those who rule and those who serve.. There's a lot going on and it's not a book to read without stopping and reflecting because there's a lot of food for thought.
We are used to fantasy as a sort of way to escape reality, this book is full of situations that could be in our world but also of people fighting to improve and change.
The author is a good storyteller and I loved how world building and characters were developed.
An excellent story, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have always been a reader of fantasy but not for a while - what a book to reignite my love of the genre. The world building in this book is remarkable. A world share your status is determined by the colour of your blood. Syrah is not your typical heroine, filled with guilt and drug addicted living on the edges of society, she discovers herself and I warmed to her and her friends. A book of friendship and love, mothers and daughters, privilege and poverty, loyalty and betrayal. Taking her inspiration fromGhanian and Arabian folklore the author manages to create a novel that keeps you turning the pages and I’m looking forward to the second part of the trilogy. Fingers crossed it’s not too long before it is published. A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in return for a honest review.

When I originally got access to this, I read about a third of it, slowly starting to enjoy it more and more before life got in the way and now The Final Strife is published. It's a Sunday Time's Bestseller. And I'm typing this review on my phone while making heart eyes at my beautiful Waterstones special edition hardback trying not to dissolve into whisper shouting my precious a half dozen times.

The Final Strife had me saying what the fuck a couple times because seriously, wtf. There are always twists and turns that a prolific reader will spot. It's the nature of the game, but sometimes you read something and you just go...WHAT!? The author has done something you didn't suspect at all. A revelation out of left field. But somehow it works and you keep read in a state of shock for a moment or two.

I need book 2. And book 3. And any sort of book bible with all the behind the scenes stuff now.

The empire is brutal. It's genuinely awful and I would like more of it.

Holy moly why did this have to end!? I need more please. I need it now. This book is INCREDIBLE. The world building was absolutely phenomenal in this one, what a beautiful debut from this author. I can’t wait to read all the future books that they release. Their writing style is amazing, the plot is fast and concise, the characters were all lovable and relatable. (I adored Sylah!) I can’t wait for book two, I’m very excited to see where the next book takes us in this story.. I’ll just be over here waiting not so patiently…

This is one of my anticipated reads for the year and I wasn't let down. The world building and the characters was incredibly done. I loved following the characters as they travelled the world and I need the next one as soon as possible!

A solid start to a series, fleshed out characters and imaginative worldbuilding that had me hooked for answers! Unfortunately, what didn't work for me was how drawn out it felt because of the length of the book & the developing love triangle. Highly recommended though, this is a fresh new epic fantasy.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I’m so glad to say it didn’t disappoint me at all, my own self-hypedness wasn’t exaggerated. The Final Strife is a stunning epic fantasy, it’s addictive, captivating , you’re going to have late nights reading this. The story looks at an Empire built on magic (specifically blood magic, control, slavery and fear, but we know with fantasy that won’t be the whole story, what does any empire always need, a strong rebel and you better believe Saara El-Arifi has provided us with this. This isn’t a story of an evil empire, this is the story passion, courage and rebellion, this is a story full of beautiful written and fascinating characters, fantastic world building and a talent for writing which is so good, I need to read so much more from El-Arifi now. It can be a little slow paced, but that has to happen when you’re setting up an Empire and it’s Rebellion, it made no affect to my enjoyment though because I was enthralled and loved every minute, a thoroughly and highly recommend read

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

WOW. If you’re looking for your next epic fantasy adventure, The Final Strife is the book you need. Also, it’s sapphic friends-to-lovers… just saying. And it’s going to be a trilogy. What else do I need to tell you to convince you to read this amazing book?!

There’s not a lot I can say about this book, because it speaks volumes for itself. It doesn’t even need a review or outside input, I feel like it stands on its own without outside contribution excellently. But I still want to try and praise it to the highest of my ability.

From the first couple of pages, I just knew this was going to be a highly rated book for me. El-Arifi has got to be one of the most talented writers I’ve ever come across. To put out such a strong debut novel, a fantasy of epic proportions with such complexity at that, is absolutely mind blowing. The writing is excellent, the descriptions were ridiculously vivid, the world building was rich yet digestible, and these characters are some of the most interesting I’ve ever read about. Everything about this from cover to cover was insanely well done.

Though it’s fantasy, there is so much of this book rooted in our real world and its brutal history. It was so rich in culture and captured so many aspects of different communities globally that I just loved. Alongside this, several mythology aspects were sprinkled in which just gave the narrative so much dimension and character. Everything about this book felt extremely thorough, you can really tell how much time and energy went into researching this book and trying to do several aspects justice to the best of the authors ability. You can tell Saara poured her entire heart into this novel and I think she deserves all the success to follow it.

This is probably one of the darkest fantasy books I’ve come across, and in no way tries to cover up the bleaker and more grotesque aspects. It dealt with several heavy things such as colonisation, enslavement and drug addiction, amongst several other nuanced discussions throughout. This book does nothing in halves - it completely devours everything it stumbles across whole. And I adored that about it. It felt so realistic despite being so far from how we live in the real world, it was so human and emotional that you can’t help but feel for these characters and get invested in watching their stories unfold.

I adored these characters, there was such a powerful line up in here. I shouldn’t pick favourites because I loved them all and they all played such a key part in the story equally, but I have the softest place in my heart reserved for Sylah. She’s snarky, hilarious and ridiculously chaotic. I want nothing more than for her to find her happiness. She was the perfect choice of protagonist to carry this story forward, you can’t help but warm to her.

I also loved the rep in this book, and how diverse it was in the most effortless way. The way gender in this world worked was especially cool to me, it just didn’t matter. It wasn’t a big fight or something people fought against - it just was. The freedom for characters to just be themselves without having to fight for it or carry the weight of it around with them was so refreshing.

Ridiculously excited to see where this series goes, because that cliffhanger was insane... call me when the e-ARC for the sequel is ready XD

Thanks to HarperVoyager UK, netgalley and Saara El-Arifi for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE FINAL STRIFE is an immersive story about three women, none of whom are the heroines people expected - or failed heroines -, who are on journeys to bring about the end of an empire.

I really liked the mix of their paths. The failed heroine (Sylah), the unlikely heroine (Aloor), and the secret heroine (Hassa.) That difference allowed for some of the various paths one can take in the face of an oppressive empire to be explored, to showcase different sorts of strength - and the weaknesses of those paths and strengths. It's a complex mix that plays off each other well and gives for a layered story with multiple different story lines and plans in play.

This is a very slow burn sapphic book. I sent a message to a friend when I was around page 350 (of ~450) saying I couldn't work out what the sapphic relationship was yet (as there are three female leads, none of whom appeared to be attracted to each other at that point, and one was involved in an m/f relationship at that point.) However, there is certainly a sapphic relationship in those last 100 pages. It's just a very slow, gradual build up to it before it becomes a burning flame of a relationship (with plenty of ups and downs packed into those last few pages.)

THE FINAL STRIFE is a great example of information flow control. There are lots of shocking revelations that challenge the world building and characters' expectations/assumptions. These reveals were carefully spaced out so you had a chance to absorb and understand the implications of the previous one before another came. But, equally, they weren't too far apart for your perception of the world to remain static.

This is the start of a trilogy. In case all the previous revelations weren't enough, as well as previous ones promising that the next book will bring a lot of change and lead to the reader exploring well beyond the city, it also hints at another big revelation to come...

I don’t know where to start with this book. I can tell you for sure that it shook my world, touched my heart and captivated my soul.

Nothing that I can write would really make this justice. I was reading it and didn’t want it to finish. It’s an epic fantasy!

The plot is amazing. It’s something special and I haven’t read anything similar so far. It’s raw and rough and real and painful at times but it’s captivating and beautiful.
The characters are unique as is the magic of this world. So many great characters!

The writing is easy to read but remarkable. The book has so many layers and depth in many aspects. The storytelling is extraordinary really!

I LOVED IT

I could go on for hours but the point is that I definitely urge you to read this, but bare in mind the book contains a lot of triggers.

Intricate world-building on an amazing level. In her debut novel El-Arifi has laid excellent foundations for her epic fantasy series.

Embers are the ruling class in an oppressive three-tier caste system, where everything is based on the colour of blood. Fusing African and Arabic influences, three rich, distinctive cultures are all enmeshed in one city. We join them on the eve of the Aktibar, the high-stakes competition where Embers compete to become rulers. But where there is oppression, there will always be rebellion...

In addition to the amazing cultures, I liked The Final Strife's three determined female main characters, their complex situations and evolving relationships, and how the plot developed. It excellently explored and raised questions on important topics such as racism, erasure, violence and oppression, and had great LGBTQ+ representation.

However, I felt it dragged in the middle, which I cannot explain as there was a lot of plot and character development. Also, the three different points of view skipped around shortly and sharply within some chapters, becoming disorientating at times.

Overall, I was left feeling it needed something more to make a good read, great. And I do feel that this series has all the ingredients to be great. I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC.

Favourite Quotes:
- "Tell them they are lesser. And they will be nothing. Take their identity. And they will be no one."
- "I’ve realised a world run by people who think they’re better will never be better for everyone.”
- "Will you go everywhere with me?"

This is a very short review as I can say nothing more than this is a superb book which you really need to read. Even the couple of tiny niggles that I have in no way detracted from my enjoyment. An unequivocal 5 Stars from me.

The Final Strife by Saara El- Arifi is one of the most enthralling books I have read all year, and I am astounded to see it is a debut book, the writing is so assured and polished that I could have easily believed it was the work of an established author.
This is the first book of an intended trilogy and I am already looking forward to what the next book has to bring, as a fan of epic fantasy I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The stories of three women from three castes in an empire filled with cruelty are expertly woven together in a way that makes the reader really care about what the future holds for each of them. The Empire is ruled by red blooded Embers using their magical gifts , while blue blooded Dusters work and sometimes scheme to overthrow their overlords. The Ghostlings have translucent blood and are looked down upon by Embers and Dusters alike , deliberately maimed as infants as punishment for a rebellion generations ago. The Final Strife is the story of three young women, each of whom will face public and private challenges in order to surpass their birth right and the fate that was laid out for them at birth. Hassa , the Ghostling is a fascinating character and I hope that we learn more of her story in the next book. Sylah is The Final Strife personified, born an Ember but switched with a Duster baby soon after birth as part of a long term strategy to change the balance of power in the Empire. Anoor is her counterpoint, one of the Duster babies who survived to adulthood in an Ember household.
With intricate world building, clever political machinations and dramatic tests of strength, endurance and ingenuity there is a whole lot to keep the reader engaged, but what kept me reading most of all was the wonderful characterisation. The author is not afraid to tackle difficult topics like addiction and societal oppression through her characters , and seeing how they grow over the course of the book was a real treat. Aside from the over arcing plot , both Sylah and Anoor have their own arcs of personal development that really made me care about them and their future. The opening section of the book felt a little slow, mostly because it had to do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of world building and explaining the magic system, but once that was out of the way it moved at a decent pace. I enjoyed the sapphic romance sub plot, it felt believable in the context of the story without over powering it.The ending was satisfying, it left me eager to read the next book but not feeling short changed with too many parts of the story left unfinished. I can already tell that this is going to be on my top books of 2022 list.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

In a world where the colour of your blood determines your fate, a set of trials begin to test the combat and skill needed to find the Empire’s new leaders. As the trials intensify, three young women become tangled in the dark secrets that lurk in the blood-soaked past of the Empire.

The Final Strife is an Arabian and African inspired adult fantasy taking place in a truly savage and unjust world. There are shades of The Hunger Games, Red Queen, and Children of Blood & Bone here, but this is an incredibly original read.

El-Arifi’s characterisation is truly masterful. Anoor and Sylah are a little unlikeable to begin with. Sylah begins as a frustrating drug-addicted-screw-up, and Anoor as a bit of a naïve, spoiled brat. However, they are completely transformed throughout the story into the most wonderful, caring, and brave women.

I was completely enamoured with the dynamic between them. The sapphic love story blossoms so beautifully and organically, with plenty of angst and passion. The two women push each other to become better versions of themselves as they fight for the hope of a better world.

Training and competing in the trials forms a significant part of the plot, but other mysteries surrounding the characters and the Empire are introduced that ratchet up the tension even higher. This isn’t the fastest paced book, especially in the beginning, but the story is all the better for that. El-Arifi gives you plenty of breathing space to fall in love with the characters and immerse yourself in the intricate world she’s built. Certainly once the midpoint hits, the twists and action come thick and fast right up to the last page.

El-Arifi writes with such a fresh and distinct voice. This is her debut, but her prose is as rich and accomplished as any veteran. A truly fierce new talent in the fantasy genre that has an incredible career ahead, of that I’m sure.

The Final Strife is a striking first entry in a new trilogy, setting things up for an explosive sequel. I will eagerly await my return to this majestic and terrifying world when the time comes.

What an epic story. The world building is awe inspiring. The histories of its people and intricacies of the politics was phenomenal. Bear with the first half of the book, the slow pace is necessary for all the exposition needed to fully immerse yourself in this story. The world of Embers, Dusters and Ghostings is brutal and unforgiving at times but the journey we go on with Sylah is one of purpose and self actualisation. And I loved seeing her go from a down trodden individual resigned to her fate to someone standing up for herself and understanding that even through her flaws she has much to give. This book has so many layers that I couldnt begin to discuss it all, but I thought the author did an amazing job of showing us such things as grief, generational trauma, oppression. And how these impact everyone differently. The plot had me enthralled from the moment I realised there were trials involving tests for tactics and the mind. But at the heart of this is the seed of a rebellion that has taken more than a decade to grow and Sylah is a key component. But of course there's more things afoot and as Sylah finds out long buried secrets, she has to decide what kind of future she wants to fight for. I cannot wait for book 2 If you love your fantasy- complex, with extraordinarily detailed world building, a brutal oppresive social hierarchy and a diverse cast of characters and sapphic romance. This is a read for you.

Also wanted to take a moment to show my appreciation for books that include glossary of terms, and pictures of runes mentioned in the book and of course a beautiful map. Perfection!