Series: The Wrath and the Dawn #1
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Genre: Yound Adult, Romance, Retelling, Fantasy
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 12, 2015
Source: Bought
A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights
Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi’s wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.
She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.
Find The Wrath and the Dawn online
Okay, let me just say that the writing in this book was absolutely beautiful. I honestly didn't even know this book existed until I stumbled across a quote online and just knew I needed to read it. I'm so happy I did, too. This book was full of all kinda of awesome. The characters were amazing, the story was exciting and romantic, and the connection between the two main characters left me swooning.
I've never read the original story this book was based off of but after reading this one, I feel like I might want to. The story was just so amazing. The descriptions and world that the author wove were so lush. Every time I opened the book, I felt like I was stepping into this world with the characters. I could smell the delicious scents from the perfumes and food, could see the amazing palace and gowns, I felt the fear and excitement and doubt with the characters.
“She was a dangerous, dangerous girl. A plague. A Mountain of Adamant who tore the iron from ships, sinking them to their watery graves without a second thought. With a mere smile and a wrinkle of her nose.”
By far, my favorite aspect of this book was the characters, especially Shahrzad and Khalid. The chemistry between them is slow burning and terrific. I loved how they slowly learned and came to appreciate and respect each other. It made the romance feel much more genuine and realistic. I loved the passion between them and the banter. The conflict that Shahrzad felt toward Khalid and vice versa made their relationship all that more complicated and wonderful. I just loved them. Shahrzad was so sassy and strong and did such a great job of standing up for herself, even when there were men all around trying to control and protect her. Khalid was complicated and brooding but I grew to love and trust him. The things he's had to deal with and witnessed in his life are terrible and yet he still finds room to open himself to Shahrzad and be vulnerable with her. I just *happy sigh* THEY ARE SO CUTE, OKAY?!
If you have any doubt in your mind whether or not you should read this, cast it aside! This is a beautifully written book with complex characters and a lush world. The story kept me on edge and anxious to see what would happen next throughout the entire book. After that ending, I'm seriously making grabby hands at the second book. I must know what happens!
“Love is a force unto itself, sayyidi. For love, people consider the unthinkable...and often achieve the impossible. I would not sneer at its power.”
Five Teapots
Love your review. I think I will try this one. Nadene @Totally Addicted to Reading
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