midnightinfairytales's review against another edition
3.0
I will, first of all, say that all in all I did enjoy this book and am planning to read the second one.
However, the reason I gave this book 3 stars is because it lacked a lot of things. There was a lot of dialogue (which I did not mind) but there was not much action with the dialogue that made the characters seem real. I could not tell you if the character had a habit of doing something, or how they react to situations other than the language they used. This, I think, is important because the reader then struggles how to truly envision a character; their little quirks and tell tales about how they feel or if they are hiding their feelings etc.
As a result, even though I liked the characters, I could not see how **SPOILER they fell in love so quickly because all I had were their words.
Furthermore, it led to a decrease in mystery about why Khalid was murdering his brides. I wanted to know why but even though Shazi mentions a lot that she has to know why, I never felt a pull of really wanting to know. It didn't feel like there was this big mystery so when the mystery was revealed, I didn't have much of a reaction.
However, the idea was intruiging and I did enjoy it, though the execution could have been better.
However, the reason I gave this book 3 stars is because it lacked a lot of things. There was a lot of dialogue (which I did not mind) but there was not much action with the dialogue that made the characters seem real. I could not tell you if the character had a habit of doing something, or how they react to situations other than the language they used. This, I think, is important because the reader then struggles how to truly envision a character; their little quirks and tell tales about how they feel or if they are hiding their feelings etc.
As a result, even though I liked the characters, I could not see how **SPOILER they fell in love so quickly because all I had were their words.
Furthermore, it led to a decrease in mystery about why Khalid was murdering his brides. I wanted to know why but even though Shazi mentions a lot that she has to know why, I never felt a pull of really wanting to know. It didn't feel like there was this big mystery so when the mystery was revealed, I didn't have much of a reaction.
However, the idea was intruiging and I did enjoy it, though the execution could have been better.
louiseadelusi's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
was quite slow in the first half but really picked up afterwards. had some of the most gorgeous descriptions from food to landscapes, really enjoyed
plaid_andmoss's review
4.0
just a boy and a girl sob
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Thousand-and-One-Nights // going to place that here because its an actual thing
song: busted and blue
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Thousand-and-One-Nights // going to place that here because its an actual thing
song: busted and blue
taffy_sea's review
4.0
Fully three-dimensional, vivid adaptation of the Shahrazade/1001 Nights story. Ahdieh makes this world come alive.
hannahrhian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dahabow's review
5.0
Guys. This book. I was pretty hesitant to read it in the fear that after the hype it recieved it would fall flat for me but, BOY DID IT PASS ALL EXPECTATIONS! My friend, Sukki, over at @sukki_tmi on instagram, reassured me that I would love this book after asking what I should read next. I trusted her opinion seeing as we have similar tastes and I'm so glad I read it this year! Today, is a day I've found a favourite new author whose books from here on out I'll be buying regardless of content. If she wrote a report on butterflies, Renee Ahdieh's book would be read by me. I'm not even kidding. This woman bears a talent for description. Now, I live in cold, rainy Britain and her world in the Wrath and the Dawn took place in sunny, desert plains of a Arabic country. Her description was so precise, so etchingly intricate and beautiful, that I, a resident of a cold, gloomy country, was able to immerse myself fully into this world of spices, colour and intense beauty. Enough about the writing and more about the plot. She managed to ensure her readers would understand her terminology by issuing us a glossary. Stupid me was unaware until the last 200 pages. Thankfully, I was able to get by in the first 200 pages because of growing up reading Arabic literature and watching shows that featured words like "qamis" & "joonam". Nonetheless, I understood fully all she wanted us to know. And wow. That plot twist. The whole book in general had a tonne of foreshadowing surrounding the reason the boy - king, Khalid killed his wives. once it was fully revealed, I was afraid of its toll on Shahzard. But as the strong, brave and unwavering woman she is, she held onto hope. And do I now have a new favourite protagonist? yes, I do! Shahzard is all you could want in a main character. She is relentless. Brave. Intelligent. Sassy, as well as observant and loyal. I couldn't help, BUT love her. And Khalid was quite the tormented soul but this had a pull that made you pity and hope that he wasn't the evil monster that he was made out to be. You can't help but root for this couple. However, as much as I live you Renee, I can't forgive the hole in my heart. I need that sequel like I need air. So many questions, and I'm very impatient! Nonetheless, thank you for writing this. You truly deserve all the praise and I'm glad I was able to read your work (it took long but I did it!) I'm excited for the sequel! If you haven't picked it up and you've managed to reach the end of this long review then I applaud you and urge you to pick it up. Like now. thank you!
zayyssa's review
5.0
This book! It's absolutely rich, mesmerizing, dreamy, and all-together heartbreaking (good & bad). I loved, not only the characters and the romance (but especially the chemistry), but the story itself - it was cleverly spun. For a whole day I was mesmerized, stunned, dreaming, in love, and heartbroken.
talah_pha's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
aquilleanmenace's review
4.0
I never thought that I would enjoy so much a romance book. I must say that in the first hundred pages I was completely lost, especially because of the names. But then my brain just clicked and it blow me away. It was a slow burn book which I normally don't like that much but I'm glad I give it a shot. The setting was magical and Shazi... do not make me start talking about her. I LOVED how smart and strong she is and the idea of non-possessive relationships she has. I didn't like Khalid at all at the start of the book but I must admit that he has won a little piece of my heart.
mikaylakennedy's review
(DNF @ 20%) This book was not for me. I cared very little for the world and politics at play I do not like royal fantasy, and this is (so far) only that. I know 20% isn't too far into a book, I don't see myself caring.