Starred Review ALA Booklist (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Starred Review Magic disappeared long ago from Arawiya, and the kingdom is suffering for it. Zafira the Hunter disguises herself as a man to brave the cursed Arz, a forest that drives any who enter it insane. As the only soul capable of leaving the Arz whole, Zafira must feed her village with her routine hunts. Meanwhile, Nasir, the Prince of Death, strikes fear across the land as its most skilled assassin, efficiently cutting down anyone who poses a threat to his father's rule. Political unrest and a dying land force Zafira on a quest to restore magic to Arawiya before the encroaching forest consumes them all, and Nasir is set on her trail to retrieve the prize first and kill her. The treacherous journey throws the two enemies together, and they forge a tentative alliance to face a danger greater than either of them expected. Drawing inspiration from ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame gives exquisitely detailed insight into a cultural experience; this debut, about identity and unlikely allies, features subtly nuanced and deeply reflective characters. Layering high-stakes action with moods ranging from casual humor to raw anguish, Faizal bends fantasy tropes to her will to tell a fresh and gripping story about love, honor, and self-discovery that will leave readers scrambling for more.

Horn Book

Zafira, a hunter, is sent by the Silver Witch to Sharr, a magical desert island, to retrieve a book that will return magic to the kingdom. Nasir, the sultan's son and an assassin, is sent to take the book and kill Zafira. Although the fantasy lacks cohesion, an unusual Arab-inspired setting and a growing romance redeem this picturesque series opener.

Kirkus Reviews

Threatened by the encroaching darkness of the Arz, the kingdom of Arawiya and its five caliphates can only be saved by an artifact that will restore magic to the land.The caliphate of Demenhur is covered in snow where there once was sand, its people on the brink of starvation but for the efforts of the Hunter. Few know that the Hunter, able to navigate the cursed forests of the Arz, is actually 17-year-old Zafira, disguised as a man since women are perceived as tainted in Demenhur. Nasir is both prince and assassin, his targets the perceived enemies of his father, the tyrannical, abusive sultan. When Zafira is summoned to embark on a quest for the lost jewel, Nasir is sent after her, to take it and kill her. They are soon thrown together, first as enemies and then reluctant allies, by the secrets and whispers of an enemy who poses an even greater threat. Debut author Faizal paints a vivid world, inspired by ancient Arabia and its mythology, that will appeal to fantasy and romance readers as well as fans of the Assassin's Creed video games. The prose is at times beautiful, at times awkward. Themes of morality and understanding others beyond stereotypes are present throughout, though some characters are not well-fleshed-out. Characters embody different physical characteristics, with humans ranging from pale to dark-brown skinned and various fantastical creatures.An appealing spin on traditional fantasy elements. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)

School Library Journal (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gr 9 Up-Faizal's exciting, action-packed fantasy debut is set in Arawiya, a kingdom inspired by Arabian mythology. The Hunter, 17-year-old Zafira, disguised as a man, seeks a legendary jewel that will restore magic to the land. Assassin-prince Nasir intends to kill Zafira and take the jewel, but is stopped by their undeniable attraction and the threat of an even greater enemy.