mcbsmith's review against another edition
4.0
This was so engrossing that, in spite of knowing what happens to Ava, I kept wanting Despina to do something to change it. Great background on these lovely and complicated characters.
bookish_academy's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
artsymusings's review against another edition
4.0
I just can't get enough of Ahdieh's atmospheric writing. So good!
courtneymines's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
octobertune's review
3.0
I really hope there'll be more of Despina in the Rose and the Dagger cuz she's honestly one of my favs.
hibatheescapeartist's review
1.0
This was, to put kindly, absolute rubbish. This book did not do justice to Jalal and Despina-two characters I love with all my heart. I have never before rated a book less than 3 stars (except for A Very Large Expanse of Sea), and I wish I could give this less than 1 star!
How unsatisfying. I kept thinking that parts of the book were missing. I downloaded multiple copies just to crosscheck, because I could not believe that the woman who wrote the emotional and passionate story of Khalid and Shazi was the same woman who wrote this. I am not happy.
I really wanted a sneak-peak into the couple’s history, to feel all the emotions they felt. But, no. Jalal and Despina were disregarded, despite the fact that they were among the most influential characters in The Wrath and the Dawn. How did such a strong-headed woman set on never falling for a man’s tricks end up lowering her guard for a man like Jalal? How did Jalal come to love her? How did they develop? How did they grow? How? How? How? Even Isra and Rahim had more history!
I am burning with questions. The only reason I was okay with The Rose and the Dagger not having many scenes of Jalal and Despina was because I thought this worthless excuse of a short story would make up for it. Boy, was I wrong. What a horrible show of appreciation towards such complex characters. Ahdieh could have easily made this a story worth telling, one that would be almost as world-tilting as Shazi and Khalid’s. Alas, all I got was a burning, empty hole in my mind because I will never truly understand the depth of Jalal’s love when he told Despina “You-have squeezed my heart dry.”
How sad.
How unsatisfying. I kept thinking that parts of the book were missing. I downloaded multiple copies just to crosscheck, because I could not believe that the woman who wrote the emotional and passionate story of Khalid and Shazi was the same woman who wrote this. I am not happy.
I really wanted a sneak-peak into the couple’s history, to feel all the emotions they felt. But, no. Jalal and Despina were disregarded, despite the fact that they were among the most influential characters in The Wrath and the Dawn. How did such a strong-headed woman set on never falling for a man’s tricks end up lowering her guard for a man like Jalal? How did Jalal come to love her? How did they develop? How did they grow? How? How? How? Even Isra and Rahim had more history!
I am burning with questions. The only reason I was okay with The Rose and the Dagger not having many scenes of Jalal and Despina was because I thought this worthless excuse of a short story would make up for it. Boy, was I wrong. What a horrible show of appreciation towards such complex characters. Ahdieh could have easily made this a story worth telling, one that would be almost as world-tilting as Shazi and Khalid’s. Alas, all I got was a burning, empty hole in my mind because I will never truly understand the depth of Jalal’s love when he told Despina “You-have squeezed my heart dry.”
How sad.