imaginationindex's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don’t know if I can do my usual format cause this was such a short read… but here it goes 😅
“It started as playful, if barbed, banter before rising to a fateful wager with a most notorious rake—the Captain of the Guard, Jalal al-Khoury—who may have finally met his match in a lovely, if haughty, handmaiden, Despina.
But she, too, seems to have met her match in the handsome Jalal. What begins as a tempestuous battle of will and wit in short order becomes a passionate affair spurred on by tragedy of the worst kind.”
What was good:
- This is a prequel in a sense, we also get to meet Ava very briefly
- Background to Jalal’s reputation and Despina’s motivations
- Despina’s banter and confidence! I love her.
Spoiler
Also her commitment to giving her child a better life and making things different than her childhood, I appreciated the writing - A quick read… however…
What I could do without:
- It was so short. I knew going in it was a short story, though only 40 pages? We didn’t get enough of Jalal and Despina in the sequel, The Rose and the Dagger. I wished it was made up for here!
- I thought this would be a little steamy, but it’s more cute
If you enjoyed The Wrath and the Dawn, you’ll appreciate Renée Ahdieh’s character building!
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Death
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