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The Final Strife

4.3(20)
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About the book

In the first book of a visionary fantasy trilogy with its roots in the mythology of Africa and Arabia that “sings of rebellion, love, and the courage it takes to stand up to tyranny” (Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree), three women band together against a cruel empire that divides people by blood.

“A game-changing new voice in epic fantasy . . . There are no Chosen Ones here, only bad choices and blood.”—Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Oprah Daily, Autostraddle

Red is the blood of the elite, of magic, of control.
Blue is the blood of the poor, of workers, of the resistance.
Clear is the blood of the slaves, of the crushed, of the invisible.

Sylah dreams of days growing up in the resistance, being told she would spark a revolution that would free the empire from the red-blooded ruling classes’ tyranny. That spark was extinguished the day she watched her family murdered before her eyes.

Anoor has been told she’s nothing, no one, a disappointment, by the only person who matters: her mother, the most powerful ruler in the empire. But when Sylah and Anoor meet, a fire burns between them that could consume the kingdom—and their hearts. 

Hassa moves through the world unseen by upper classes, so she knows what it means to be invisible. But invisibility has its uses: It can hide the most dangerous of secrets, secrets that can reignite a revolution. And when she joins forces with Sylah and Anoor, together these grains of sand will become a storm. 

As the empire begins a set of trials of combat and skill designed to find its new leaders, the stage is set for blood to flow, power to shift, and cities to burn. 
 
Book One of The Ending Fire Trilogy

Don’t miss any of Saara El-Arifi’s searing Ending Fire Trilogy:
THE FINAL STRIFE • THE BATTLE DRUM • THE ENDING FIRE

Editions (5)

ISBN9780593356968
PublisherRandom House
Publication Date02/28/23
Pages626

Reviews & Ratings

20 ratings

5 reviews

4.3

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  • samira442
    samira442

    15 Followers

    4.5

    Personally I would've made the blue blood be the powerful one but whatever right. I'm just a girl whose favorite color is blue. I'd absolutely kill for Anoor, Sylah and Hassa. But Anoor specifically 😩 she's just a simple girl that's easy to love. Sylah might just be my favorite drug addict although that list also ends with her so... interpret that as you wish.

    Feb 19, 2026

  • maracujaschorle
    maracujaschorle

    8 Followers

    4.0

    The biology ain't biologying. Half of the people in this book are anemic and there isn't one explanation how they cope. Love the queer rep though

    Aug 24, 2024

  • nico_liest
    nico_liest

    19 Followers

    5.0

    Sylah, Anoor, Hassa. Drei Frauen, alle in derselben Stadt geboren und dennoch könnten ihre Lebensumstände unterschiedlicher nicht sein. Die Gesellschaft in „The Final Strife“ ist eine Drei-Klassen-Gesellschaft und die Farbe des Blutes bestimmt die Klassenzugehörigkeit. Das Leben in der von Saara El-Arifi erdachten Welt ist grausam. Das Worldbuilding hat mir richtig gut gefallen. Aktuelle Themen wie Rassismus, Kolonialismus und queerness finden sich in der Geschichte wieder und so ist das Ganze nicht nur eine spannende Fantasygeschichte mit drei vielschichtigen weiblichen Hauptfiguren, sondern auch ein aktueller und politischer Kommentar. Ich hab richtig Lust auf Band 2, der demnächst erscheinen wird. PS: Meine Lieblingsfigur war, mit kleinem Abstand, Hassa. Und eure?

    Mar 24, 2023

3 of 5 reviews

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samira442
samira442Feb 9, 2026

"You'll be my chambermaid" Of course she will *smirk* It's giving priory (iykyk)

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