Title: The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn #1)
Author: Renée Ahdieh
Genre: Young adult fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published: By G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers on May 12th, 2015
ISBN13: 9780399171611 (US Hardcover edition)
Grade: Exceeds expectations
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.
This series had long become popular before I decided to pick it up this year, so my expectations were quite high. Having already read and enjoyed Flame in the Mist, I was really looking forward to this one.
Shahrzad was a tough protagonist for me to root for because I couldn’t connect with her personality at all. However, by the end of the book, I couldn’t help but admire her for her strength, courage and fiery, stubborn nature. She was different from the usual kickass YA heroines, which I’m always happy to see more of. Khalid turned out to be a bigger challenge than Shazi and I had very lukewarm feelings towards him. The supporting characters were what made the story much more interesting, in my opinion. Their motivations and personalities were well fleshed out.
The plot felt a little drawn out to me and on the slower side of things with some unnecessary bits thrown in here and there. I had the same issue with Flame in the Mist as well where the story didn’t seem very cohesive. The one aspect I did like was that the conflict in the story was character-driven. On the other hand, I was utterly captivated by the world-building. I think this is where Ahdieh’s writing shone and the setting came alive through her beautiful prose, which I found to be the perfect amount of flowery. As I listened to the audiobook of this, I really liked how the narrator did the different voices as well as the natural flow in her narration. Despite that, I think I probably would’ve appreciated the story better if I’d physically read it. Overall, it was a good start to an intriguing new series and I’m very curious to see how the conflict will resolve itself in the next and final instalment.
I would highly recommend this to readers looking for a diverse retelling or refreshing new YA fantasy series. Ambient desert sounds or Arabian folk music would go very well in enhancing the setting of the book. There are several mentions of food in the book, so definitely have a platter of snacks at the ready, especially some fresh fruit or bread with hummus dip.
Book: Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Book Depository
Author: Website | Twitter | Instagram
Have you read this series? If you have, I’m curious about how your thoughts on The Rose and the Dagger. Which is your favourite diverse fantasy series? Let me know in the comments section below.
THis was one of my favorites from last year and I loved the setting … the atmosphere and world building just felt magical…
Lovely review Nandini 😊😊😊
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Thank you so much, Sahitya! 🙂 How did you feel about the second book? I want to read it soon but I’ve heard such mixed things.
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Ohh ya second definitely doesn’t live up to the first… the conflicts are resolved too easily..
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Aw that sucks to know, but this seems to be the popular opinion, so I’m going to pick it up with low expectations. Thanks for the heads up! 😊
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Ahhh lovely review! I am so, so happy to hear you enjoyed this book and that it exceeded your expectations. I loved this one so much and I can’t wait for you to read the sequel 😀
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Thank you, Marie! 🙂 I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it. I’m only getting positive comments from people who have already finished it, so I’m excited to get to the sequel! I definitely want to read it this year as I already have the audiobook lined up, but I might just pick up a physical copy because something about the narration didn’t work for me. Once I figure out the logistics of it, I will have no excuse not to read, lol.
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YAY, well I hope you’ll figure it out soon, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the second book 😀 ❤
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Aaah penny for my thought I was completely enthralled by this series. yes you are right about the world building. I also love Renee’s penmanship I find it gorgeous. Excellent review!!
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Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Sophie! 😊 I cannot wait to read both of her sequels, The Rose and the Dagger as well as Smoke in the Sun!
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I’m happy that you enjoyed The Wrath & the Dawn, it’s one of my favorite retellings. I’ve heard mixed opinions on The Rose & the Dagger but I personally really loved it and I hope that you do too.
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I’ve heard mixed things too, which is why I didn’t immediately pick it up after the first one. But your comment gives me hope! 🙂 I plan to read it soon-ish so I’ll definitely let you know.
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Hope you fall of the positive side of things, enjoy.
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I am glad you enjoyed this book Nandini 🙂 I have heard good things about this series and want to read it for so long. But the books are so costly. Hope to read it someday soon though 😀
I hope you enjoy the sequel too 🙂
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Ugh yes, why are books here so expensive? 😭 I really hope you get to read it soon and enjoy it as well, Sim. 😊
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I read The Wrath and the Dawn recently too, and I loved it! ☺️ (I also rated it four stars, not five because the pacing felt slow at times.) I’m glad you enjoyed it as well, and I hope you’ll like the sequel! I haven’t read it yet, but I’m really excited to.
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Yes, I didn’t like it enough to give it 5 stars because I felt like something was missing. I think that’s just Renée’s style as I’ve seen this in The Flame in the Mist too and that it’s just something I don’t fully enjoy. I’m excited for the sequel too! 😊 Maybe we can read it together or something?
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Oohh I haven’t read The Flame in the Mist, but I definitely want to. And yes I’d love to buddy read The Rose and the Dagger with you!! 💞
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