Title: The Wrath and the Dawn
Author: Renee AhdiehPublished: 12th May 2015
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Source: Book Depository
Reviewed: Sapphired Dragon
Rating: *****
My Review:
For some unknown reason and despite the rave reviews and the fact I own a gorgeous hardback copy of this book, I have resisted reading this book and had it sitting on my bookshelf for nearly a year. I finally picked it up this week, despite being not well nor in much a reading mood and fell under its spell.
The magic of the tales of the Arabian nights is in this book and Ms Ahdieh weaves the spell from the first page instantly transporting you to the midst of one such tale. I love Sharzhadi as the main character. She is fearless and smart and fun to read about. There is such depth to her character which makes her story so much more real.I also liked peripheral characters Despina and Jalal. I am still not sure what i think of Khalid. I liked the chemistry between Shazhadi and Khalid however.
The story itself is one full of action and intrigue and a spell binding tale. Everyone has secrets. Some secrets we as the reader find out quite quickly, others we have to wait for, to earn. The pace of the story is perfect and it flowed divinely. I hung on every word from beginning to end. Is it worth it in the end? I would say a resounding yes though I will also say I am so very glad book 2 is already out because I need it! Now!
An extremely enjoyable tale and I give it 5 stars.
Sapphired Dragon xx
About The Book:
The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn #1) by Renee Ahdieh
One Life to One Dawn.
In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.
Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?
Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end.
