The Final Strife was a near-perfect book for me: simultaneously thoughtful and fun with some unique details that made it stand out, such as the devices used for blood magic. The pacing, worldbuilding, story, and oral tales were all wonderful, and the only reason I’m not giving it a 10 is simply there are books and characters that I personally love more. However, The Final Strife is a phenomenal book—my favorite I’ve read this year by far—and The Battle Drum is perhaps my most anticipated new release coming in 2023. We spent enough time with each trial to learn more about the world and how they do things. But didn't feel filler at all. But in all honesty, if you like any of the below, then pop it on you TBR. You won't be disappointed.

We also shared in Sylah’s deep felt sorrow of past events in her family and how this was driving her on to her ultimate goal. It tells the story of Yeeran Teila, a Colonel who becomes exiled, and her sister Lettle, a seer. A series of dramatic events forces them to live amongst a hidden tribe of Fae, and their attempts to find a way out to warn the Elves of the Fae they thought wereSylah’s mission had been to enter the Aktibar for the Warden of Strength. She misses the deadline and instead is forced to help Anoor train for it. Anoor has always been underestimated. Her mother (current Warden of Strength) hated and abused her for her low blood. The worldbuilding was spellbinding, with the terrifying tidewinds that swept away the lives of so many, and El-Arifi's use of blood as an indicator of social classes and how the ruling classes institute racism was eye-opening.

Like the fantasy aspects, the social aspects of the world were well done. Although it certainly has fun parts between the tournament and a developing friendship (or maybe romance), The Final Strife is largely a story about injustice. This setting does not have obstacles for women or LGBTQ+ people—as shown through the lives of the three main characters, a trans woman and two women who are attracted to each other—but instead, has divisions based on blood color. The different classes do not always fit neatly into boxes, even in addition to two individual characters’ situations being reversed: although clear-blooded servants and blue-blooded workers are definitely treated worse than those with red blood, many of the latter are just doing their best to make a living. There are plenty of red-blooded people who need to take jobs doing necessary tasks like cooking and cleaning for those people who actually are living in luxurious homes dining in splendor.

I'm usually more of a YA reader, but I'm so glad I broke out of my comfort zone for this book. The world of The Final Strife is brutal and unforgiving, but it is also rich, vivid, and beautifully imagined––not to mention expertly woven into the narrative. Anoor is beautiful, stronger than she knows and so wonderfully kind. Sylah, broken, at the depths of loss and sorrow, but still fighting for more, and better, despite herself and Hassa, a beautiful, courageous soul!

This book, the first in a trilogy, follows Sylah, a red-blooded Ember stolen by blue-blooded Dusters when she was a baby and raised to infiltrate the Ember ranks and bring the empire down. Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.) I don’t have the words to describe how much I loved The Final Strife. It has it all. There’s queer romance, world building with some serious twists, and more secrets than anyone knows what to do with. If you love fantasy series starters, you have to read The Final Strife! Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts. Summary The book also does a great job of exploring difficult themes without ever becoming too dark or grim or a chore to read.Can Anoor win the Aktiba? If so, what then? Can things change? and for the better, for all? Anoor states: Murder. Secrets. Sacrifice: Three women seek the truth of the empire’s past. And the truth they find has the power to ignite a war in the sequel to The Final Strife, the continuation of a visionary fantasy trilogy inspired by Africa and Arabia. The Final Strife is Saara El-Arifi's debut, and if her debut is THAT good, I can't wait for the future books. The empire is run by the four wardens: Warden of Strength, Warden of Truth, Warden of Knowledge and Warden of Duty (There is also a Warden of Crime to take care of the underworld). Every ten years the Aktibar trials take place to find the next disciple for a Warden, and then ten years hence to become the next Warden once they had learned the ropes.