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Alicia @ A Kernel of Nonsense

So Much Love For This Duology

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2016

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The Rose & the Dagger, the sequel to Renée Ahdieh’s phenomenal debut The Wrath & the Dawn, brings Shahrzad’s story to a close. In the first book, Shahrzad was determined to avenge her best friend and the countless other young women killed by the ruthless Khalid Ibn al-Rashid, the Caliph of Khorasan. All she had to do was kill the monster. But Shahrzad never expected to find that underneath the leader’s cruel mask was a lonely young man, burdened with an inescapable curse. Instead of revenge, she did the unspeakable, she fell in love. But the world around the two young lovers still burned with hatred and those directly affected by the Caliph’s actions rallied in retaliation. Forced back into the arms of those who hate her husband, Shahrzad must find a way to stop a war that seems inevitable and free Khalid from the curse that threatens to separate them for good.

Renée Ahdieh once again shows what a fantastic writer she is, combining complex characters with a compelling storyline and stunning setting. In the first book, readers’ insight into Khalid was limited to Shahzrad’s point of view and while this helped in the mystery surrounding the enigmatic leader, I wanted a better understanding of his character. This sequel offers just that. After the city of Rey is nearly destroyed, Khalid refuses to abandon his people, despite knowing they all view him as a monster. He knows that Shahrzad is safer away from him and elects not to go after her, sacrificing the one person who may have given him peace. Though in many ways standoffish, Khalid shows an ability to overcome his former animosity towards certain other characters, but at the same time still holding others to a high standard of honor.

Shahrzad’s determined nature is a force to be reckoned with. From the very beginning, she’s demanded to be heard and respected. She knows what she wants and can’t be dissuaded from pursuing what she believes is right. Though she has come to love Khalid, she never wavers in her loyalty to her sister and her hope for her father. Although I really wanted to see Khalid open up more to his cousin Jalal, Shahrzad’s relationship with her sister Irsa is held in direct contrast. Their mutual openness isn’t always easy, but their connection with one another makes them instantly more relatable. As the first book is mainly focused on the growing relationship between Shahrzad and Khalid, we hardly ever got to see them apart. This concluding novel gives both characters a chance to shine as each begins to forge their own path.

There are several minor characters that I wished we could have learned more about. Most notable is Artan Temujin. Shahrzad meets him through a mutual friend and though he is tasked with teaching her how to hone her own magical abilities, it is his connections that give her hope that Khalid’s curse can be broken. I loved that he challenges Shahrzad, but his own story is left largely untold and his personality is so big, I expected the author to develop him more. Tariq, Shahrzad’s former suitor, spent most of the last book playing the part of a man scorned by his first love and bent on taking revenge on the man he thinks has stolen her. I immediately felt that Tariq had so much more potential and wanted to see him grow as a character. I was extremely happy to see where Ahdieh chose to take his storyline.

Renée Ahdieh’s series makes an excellent case for duologies and love stories that don’t involve love-triangles. There are some elements I wished had been explored more, mainly Shahrzad’s own magical gift and magic’s larger role in this universe. Still, not enough can be said for Ahdieh’s ability to write such an irresistible, steadfast, and moving romance.

Kitty

Great sequel, should've been one book

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2017

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This is the “sequel” to The Wrath & The Dawn which I read last month. I put sequel in quotation marks because it feels more like a continuation of the story. The ending of the first story seems unnatural and not really an ending. It feels like a cliffhanger you’d see on a tv show series finale. I definitely would have liked it better if this was one book. Shazi is in the middle of the desert, reunited with her father and sister. But all she really wants is to return to Khalid. As tensions and dangers rise for Shazi in the desert, she discovers the power she truly holds, which help her return to Khalid and save their marriage.

The story is told with the same beautiful writing and imagery. Still captivating and touching. But like I said, it really is just a continuation of the story rather than a sequel. So I definitely recommend this book to finish the story. FYI: The book The Crown & The Arrow is an in between “novel”, it the beginning of the first book told from Khalid’s perspective. It’s free on Amazon as an ebook, but honestly it’s kind of just a waste. It’s only 11 pages and doesn’t add any new information. Anyways, this book is less about the love story between Khalid and Shazi and more about breaking the curse on Khalid and saving their kingdom. A must read if you’ve read the first book, and I loved these books!

Pageturner

A beautiful end to a beautiful story

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2017

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The “Rose and the dagger” is a continuation of the “Wrath and the dawn” a story about Khalid, a cursed man and Shahrzad, the woman who loves him. In this novel Shahrzad must find a way to break Khalid’s curse, and stop an impending war in order to find her way back to her one true love.

Overall this conclusion was beautifully written and satisfying. It feels different than the first installment because even though it is centered on Shahrzad and Khalid’s love it dwells more on the forces trying to tear them apart. This shifts caused the story to be more than just a romantic tale.

There are many new perspectives in this installment including Irsa, Rahim, and Omar. Adding these new perspectives gives the viewer a larger scope of the world revealing what’s happening in other places at the same time. It also makes certain events even more heart-breaking because we tend to dwell in the minds of characters when their emotions are heightened.

This is a great sequel because it truly shows how much Khalid and Shahrzad care for each other and the world that surrounds them. I would highly recommend picking up this series. It is a romantic and easy read that will have you feeling a variety of emotions some of them conflicting. Also it offers up a new world with unique rules and characters that are flawed and beautifully constructed making them feel tangible. If you pick up this series, you won’t regret it.

Top reviews from other countries

Yasmin Mark

Beautifully written and utterly mesmerising. I couldn’t put it down

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2020

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From the beginning of this story, I knew I was in for a wild ride.

We begin with The Wrath and the Dawn. Sharhzad is a girl filled with hate, hate for circumstances, hate for her arranged marriages, hate for her new husband; and fear, for what will happen at Dawn. The Caliph (king) of Khorisan takes a new bride and by the next morning she is executed. No one understands why he murders his brides, whispers ruminate that he is a mad man, a boy king as ruthless and monstrous as his father before him. When he kills Sharhzad’s cousin, Shiva, she begins on a path hellbent on destroying him for his crimes.

What she doesn’t count on, is his kindness, his quiet, watchful nature. Shazi manages to intrigue the Caliph into keeping her alive past the dawn that no other bride has seen. And the next dawn, until it looks likely that he will keep her. Palace life is not what Shazi thought it would be. She meets new friends and new enemies, ever watchful and ever hopeful to learn the Caliph’s weakness. She finds herself reacting to him in ways she never thought possible, just when it seems that he might care for her, the guards come at dawn and drag her from her room. A silk cord is wrapped around her neck and a bag placed over her head. “This is the end” she thinks to herself. The executioner whispers a quiet apology and then lifts her by the silk cord. The world goes dark.

When she comes to, she finds herself gasping for breath, the silk cord, which had once been taut around her neck was loose, the Caliph was heard shouting at the guards and brandishing weapons, the captain of the guard gathered her into his arms and lay her on a chaise nearby. The Caliph profusely apologies to which she strikes him violently, and hoarsely yells for him never to do it again.

Everything Sharhzad thought she knew changes, little by little she lets herself fall for Khalid, the Caliph of Khorisan. The kingdom is on the brink of war, lead by Shazi’s former first love, Tariq. They will risk life and limb, family and friend to end the war and restore balance to Khalid and Sharhzad’s lives. But at what cost?

I thoroughly enjoyed this series, it was unlike any YA books I’ve ever read. Sharhzad is the heroine I wish I had known growing up, a great example of a woman who doesn’t need a man to save herself or her kingdom. Renée’s writing style was well researched, intelligent and thought provoking. I look forward to devouring the rest of her books!

Victoria@CartonManetteDarnay

A sequel which didn't quite live up to my expectations

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2020

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The Rose and the Dagger is the sequel to Renée Ahdieh's The Wrath and the Dawn, a YA retelling of A Thousand and One Nights. I fell in love with The Wrath and the Dawn when I read it earlier this month, and unfortunately, the sequel didn't quite live up to my expectations. On the whole Ahdieh's sequels never do, though I've got my fingers crossed for The Damned. That said I did read all 420 pages of this book in a single day, so it couldn't have been that bad. The final third of this book felt rushed, in comparison to the steady pace of the previous two sections. I think there was a big missed opportunity when what seemed like a huge plot point was resolved surprisingly quickly, and easily. I really did not like the epilogue, and would have prefered a final chapter that took place straight after the events of the previous. However, I did enjoy this book and would read it again, it was just unfortunate that my expectations were possibly a little too high.

Clive Butterfield

Sumptuously created sequel.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2017

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Flawless continuation of this story from book one, 'The Wrath and the dawn'. Sometimes sequels can be disappointing, hell usually sequels are disappointing, Not so for me in this case. Once again Renée Ahdieh writes a deeply pleasing fantasy romance. The setting of this book is outside the confines of the Palace, more a dessert tale. Yet the characters remain true to her original story line, with the injection of some interesting magic and transportation. There are double crosses and double, double crosses and a heartrendingly sad element to what ultimately is a well constructed and genuinely gorgeously created work of pure escapism. Its not Tolstoy nor does it pretend to be, but the list of characters broadens out in book two and the action is precisely written. What I particularly like about this author is the way in which she allows events to continue in the timeline outside the narrative she is portraying. No nasty surprises regarding plot lines not progressing while we the reader think minor characters are taking care of business, errands undertaken out of the descriptive center of the book get done without fuss which allows both the reader and the writer to create an easily followed progressive story. I loved it.

Joanne

Stunning descriptions

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2017

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The sequel to The Wrath and the Dawn starts with Khalid helping to restore a broken city and his queen separated from him. Shahrzad discovers her magic and a way to break the curse - the god damn curse that doesn't make Khalid a villain thanks to a vengeful father.

This book was just beautiful written - I can't express the sheer brilliance in the description and absolute wonder woven into this story. I adored the love between Khalid and Shahrzad and actually smiled when they were finally reunited. I found Irsa a bit annoying at times but it was quite nice to have a bit of family relationships explored too.

It was a satisfying end to the story that began in Wrath with the matter of Khalid's curse being addressed and development of the magic hinted at Wrath. Tariq is soooo annoying and barges into any situation without thinking and actually causing so much trouble in this book.

A rather significant event happened near the end and I was in a state of shock thinking no that did NOT just happen but thank goodness I turned the page and read on and it calmed my anxious heart.

Magnificent and mesmerising, I can't wait for new projects from this author.

Yasmine

Beautiful writing, but a disappointing sequel.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2016

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Following on from The Wrath and the Dawn, comes the conclusion to the duology, The Rose and the Dagger. I was fully expecting to love this book, and whilst I enjoyed it, I was left a little disappointed.

However, I will say that this book is, like the first, beautifully written. Ahdieh has such a way with words and that is really what carries this book first and foremost. There is a stunning poetry to words, which I loved. I also enjoyed the magical elements (would have liked more) and the setting is spectacular.

So, why didn't I love it? A few reasons:

1) The story is incredibly slow moving in the first two thirds of the book. Although there is a lot of talking, and thinking, the story never really progresses, and I was waiting with baited breath for something to happen.

2) To perhaps make up for the slow moving first and second act, the last segment of the book (just over 100 pages or so) moves incredibly fast. Like, I'm talking lightning speed fast. There were so many plot twists and turns in this segment that I was left thinking - why couldn't this have been spread out evenly throughout the first two parts?

3) Significant trials from the first book are accomplished in this book with relative ease. I'm particularly referencing the curse on Khalid from the first book here. Everything seems to slot into place and the curse really plays no big factor in this book at all. It's all very convenient and anti-climatic.

4) Strange and lacking character developments. Some characters seem to act ridiculously out-of-character, and particularly in the last couple of pages, characters are discarded, killed, revealed to be good guys etc. in rather implausible ways. I would have also liked to see more development of other characters, like Artan, or Rahim. The only two characters who maintain basically the same foundations are Shazi and Khalid.

Ultimately, I felt like there was too much to accomplish in this book, and that for only a duology, the book moved incredibly slowly to start off with. Although I enjoyed the ~girl power~ moments, all the enjoyable segments were segregated to the end of the book, at which point I had slightly lost interest.

The Wrath and the Dawn worked for me because it was a story rich with detail and romance. There were supporting characters, but the story was mainly about Shazi and Khalid. As a standalone, I loved it. However, it feels like the loose threads left by The Wrath and the Dawn needed to be tied up in a much more progressive manner, as opposed to what was presented in The Rose and the Dagger.

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