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A review by pollyflorence
The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
5.0
Reread April 2016
I loved this even more the second time round, it's definitely one of my favourite stories of all time. I wish I could give it a thousand stars. So excited for The Rose and The Dagger now!
Original Read October 2015
Well, I loved this. I know I was expecting to like it but it blew my expectations out of the water. There is so much I loved about this book. The writing style, the setting and culture, the diversity, the stories within a story, the complex and unique characters, the mystery and intrigue, the political elements, the plot... I LOVED IT ALL.
For starters the writing is so beautiful and descriptive and captivating. I felt it really transported me into the story. Everything was so rich and vividly described I felt like I was there talking with the characters, wearing the clothes and eating the food. It was just such a wonderful experience being lost in this beautiful world.
I did find this book a little bit difficult to get into. The names and language is lovely but took me time to get used to as is usually the case with fantasy. It also helped when I realised (halfway through!!) that there is a glossary at the back to help understand what the different terms mean. You are thrown right into the plot and there isn't much explanation for what's going on at the beginning and I feel there is a slight lack of world/character building but there is so much potential for more to be unraveled in the next book and it didn't stop me loving the world or the characters.
THE CHARACTERS! I loved Shahrzad, she is such a strong, smart female character which is always a joy to read. As much as I love character development in YA I thought it was so refreshing to read a character who starts off strong and independent and intelligent and brave and doesn't need much development, she already is who she is meant to be and knows who she is and I loved this aspect of personality.
Khalid is also such a well written character, he is so mysterious and calm and quiet but also deadly fierce at times I couldn't help but be drawn to him and to want to find out his secrets and motives along with Shazi. One thing I particularly loved about his character was how he always encouraged Shazi to be herself and to be strong. He is exactly the kind of problematic boy I love reading and can't help but fall in love with. I adored him!
I also really loved Despina & Jalal as characters. They bring a lightness and a humour to the story that I really enjoyed. And I really liked how they complemented Shazi and Khalid as their companions.
If you know me at all you know I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic and I completely fell for the romance in this story. Shazi and Khalid had such a perfect connection even if it was a little insta lovey, with these characters and their chemistry it didn't bother me at all. I loved the way they began to bring the best out of each other. I also thought the way Khalid completely respected Shazi and viewed her as equal was so important. And honestly I just really loved them together, I thought they were so cute and wonderful and I just need more of them both now please.
The magical elements of the story also really interested me and although these aren't explained fully I feel like there is a lot of potential for the sequel.
I'm really looking forward to the next book, I can't wait to find out more about the magic and the characters and the world, it's so exciting. I can't wait for next year!! I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone.
I loved this even more the second time round, it's definitely one of my favourite stories of all time. I wish I could give it a thousand stars. So excited for The Rose and The Dagger now!
Original Read October 2015
Well, I loved this. I know I was expecting to like it but it blew my expectations out of the water. There is so much I loved about this book. The writing style, the setting and culture, the diversity, the stories within a story, the complex and unique characters, the mystery and intrigue, the political elements, the plot... I LOVED IT ALL.
For starters the writing is so beautiful and descriptive and captivating. I felt it really transported me into the story. Everything was so rich and vividly described I felt like I was there talking with the characters, wearing the clothes and eating the food. It was just such a wonderful experience being lost in this beautiful world.
I did find this book a little bit difficult to get into. The names and language is lovely but took me time to get used to as is usually the case with fantasy. It also helped when I realised (halfway through!!) that there is a glossary at the back to help understand what the different terms mean. You are thrown right into the plot and there isn't much explanation for what's going on at the beginning and I feel there is a slight lack of world/character building but there is so much potential for more to be unraveled in the next book and it didn't stop me loving the world or the characters.
THE CHARACTERS! I loved Shahrzad, she is such a strong, smart female character which is always a joy to read. As much as I love character development in YA I thought it was so refreshing to read a character who starts off strong and independent and intelligent and brave and doesn't need much development, she already is who she is meant to be and knows who she is and I loved this aspect of personality.
Khalid is also such a well written character, he is so mysterious and calm and quiet but also deadly fierce at times I couldn't help but be drawn to him and to want to find out his secrets and motives along with Shazi. One thing I particularly loved about his character was how he always encouraged Shazi to be herself and to be strong. He is exactly the kind of problematic boy I love reading and can't help but fall in love with. I adored him!
I also really loved Despina & Jalal as characters. They bring a lightness and a humour to the story that I really enjoyed. And I really liked how they complemented Shazi and Khalid as their companions.
If you know me at all you know I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic and I completely fell for the romance in this story. Shazi and Khalid had such a perfect connection even if it was a little insta lovey, with these characters and their chemistry it didn't bother me at all. I loved the way they began to bring the best out of each other. I also thought the way Khalid completely respected Shazi and viewed her as equal was so important. And honestly I just really loved them together, I thought they were so cute and wonderful and I just need more of them both now please.
The magical elements of the story also really interested me and although these aren't explained fully I feel like there is a lot of potential for the sequel.
I'm really looking forward to the next book, I can't wait to find out more about the magic and the characters and the world, it's so exciting. I can't wait for next year!! I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone.