The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh [Joint Review]

5 out of 5 Robots!

The Wrath & the Dawn By Renee Ahdieh

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release: May 12, 2015
Hardcover:  388 Pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon & Julia

Book Summary:

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.

  (Courtesy of Goodreads)

Julia & Shannon: Joint Review!

1. Give us the quick and dirty on The Wrath and the Dawn. 

Shannon: Well, I pretty much devoured it in one day.  The premise was good, the writing was great, the characters were fleshed out and interesting.  Parts were sexy as hell and it was fun to see where it drew on inspiration from Arabian Nights.  I have no real compliants other than some small niggling details.  They didn't dampen my enjoyment of this book, but they were there in the back of my head nonetheless.

 

Julia: The Wrath and the Dawn pretty much had everything I need in a good book. Romance, action, killer plot and three dimensional characters. I couldn't put this book down, the chemistry between all the characters made it so that I never wanted it to end.

2. What did you think of the world building and magic? 

Shannon:  I loved this Middle Eastern inspired setting.  Although, I thought it was a little strange to have real places mixed in with made up ones.  But I loved the setting over all.  The magic was also interesting.  There wasn't a whole lot of it in the book, but we are definitely setting up for bigger things.

 

Julia: The switch to Middle Eastern from the usual European setting in a young adult fantasy is brilliant. It felt refreshing. I'm a little disappointed that we didn't see more magic, but it seems like we're in for some more magic in the next installments. 

3. Are we team Khalid or team Tariq? Other relationships?

Shannon: Well, I'm Team Khalid...but I suppose we are kind of supposed to be on his side.  I like Tariq's conviction, but I wasn't as drawn to him as Khalid.  I liked Khalid and Shazi's relationship (again, parts were suuuuppppeerrrr sexy), but I couldn't help but think...why?  Shazi comes in with all these convictions, but falls for Khalid pretty fast.  Khalid basically loves her at first sight.  I didn't hate that they fell in love so fast, but I wish I could understand it better.  What exactly about Khalid does Shazi find so redeemable given his past history?  But, it is all so well written that you end up forgiving it a lot.  Other relationships I really enjoyed were Shazi and her maid, Despina, who basically calls her out on everything.  I also like Khalid and his cousin Jalal's relationship.  Not friends, but not NOT friends.  It works.

 

Julia: Obviously team Khalid when it comes to Shahrzad. Tariq is a good guy, but his good intentions are misplaced and I wasn't that interested in the parts that were from his point of view. Nevertheless, other than the hottness that is Khalid/Shazi's relationship, I loved the witty dialogue between Shazi and her haidmaiden. They bond and it's a great sisterly thing. All the relationships are truly compelling and really propel the plot. 

4. All those characters, who is your favorite? 

Shannon: Uhhh...I kind of like everyone.  But I guess Despina and Jalal are my favorites.

 

Julia: I love the Khalid and Jalal. They are my favorites. I love Jalal's wit and how he sees people, and I love how the Khalid is the strong, mysterious type with a sordid past. 

5. That ending. Are you satisfied?

Shannon:  Well, no!  Because now I have to wait until next year to read the sequel.

 

Julia: I can not even handle that I don't have book two. I felt like someone was squeezing my heart in my chest. WHAT happens! I really need book two. Soooo..... I'm not satisfied, but in a good way.

6. Rating? Recommendations?
Shannon: I would give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.  I think fans of fairy tales or fairy tale retellings could definitely get behind this book.  Fantasy fans, especially those craving non-European inspired settings, would also enjoy this!

Julia: 5 out of 5 stars. I am enamored, wished the book was longer. Loved the plot, the curse. Can't wait to see where the magic takes us. Fantasy fans that enjoy compelling romance intertwined with the plot... read this!