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celery's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Blood, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Medical content, War, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed the first book in this series. The first book in this series was gifted to me by my friends for my birthday and I was really excited to read it. I loved it and I was instantly wanting to read the second book as soon as I could. I liked how it ended even if it scared me for a second.
This book has dual POV. The first is Shahrzad had a plan to take down to Khorasan, but now she has discovered the man she married and the man that everyone believed to be a mass murderous king was plagued by a powerful curse and she is determined to break this curse. Now she has been torn from her husband and taking refuge with her family among his enemies, Shahrzad finds herself a prisoner caught between loyalties to the people she loves. She is determined to find her way back to Khalid before the kingdom is attacked, Shahrzad awakens the powers inside her to attempt to break the curse and unite with her true love once more. The second is Khalid, he is an eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, and he is under a curse and in love with his latest bride Shahrzad. He is split between wanting to hide away and be the bad guy they all expect to him to, trying to be the righteous leader and wanting to be the good guy that he can be for Shahrzad.
I loved the characters in this book and the romance between Khalid and Shazi. I love that we got to see another side of them both that wasn’t them hating each other. I would have loved to see more of Irsa, and I would love to have another book with her finding love because her story was heartbreaking and I just want them to be happy. The storyline was strong and there was so many twists and turns that I was gasping the whole way throughout this book. I loved the character development that Shazi had and how she was so strong and powerful and that she stood up for everyone and her country that she turns to like.
I felt like the pace was a little too fast at times and then at times it was a little too slow. I would have loved a constant pace. I still struggled a little bit, but I think that’s because I spent too long in between books rather than reading them back-to-back. I still didn’t know this was a retelling. But overall, it was such a fun read.
Overall, this series has been powerful and fun. I would love to have another book in ten years to fifteen years on Khalid and Shazi’s kids and them having their own adventures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
nicksalex's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
kenziewol's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, and Confinement
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
inesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This sequel was... definitely something. It didn't feel like a sequel. This book focused way too much on expanding its universe than finding a good end for the plot of the first book. Unfortuately, I still couldn't sympathise with Khalid (he's so aggressive all the time for what? it's not hot.) and we see his POV a lot more in this book. Shiva also made an appearance and her personality was a joke, frankly. If I took a shot every time this girl called Shahrzad a "goose" I might just get drunk enough to find Khalid somewhat attractive. The plot twists weren't really set up in a believable way and the writing somehow managed to be even more clichéd than in TW&TD.
Overall, this book was really disappointing, because even though I was not the biggest fan of its predecessor, I was still intrigued enough to read the sequel. Unfortunately there's little left of the premise of the first book and plot points that were introduced are not resolved in a satisfying way. I'll probably remain firm in my belief that TW&TD should have been a standalone about revenge instead of whatever this duology turned out to be.
Overall, this book was really disappointing, because even though I was not the biggest fan of its predecessor, I was still intrigued enough to read the sequel. Unfortunately there's little left of the premise of the first book and plot points that were introduced are not resolved in a satisfying way. I'll probably remain firm in my belief that TW&TD should have been a standalone about revenge instead of whatever this duology turned out to be.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
Minor: Blood
khateeje's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
And never forget my heart is always in your hands, ******.
And you ripped my heart out of my chest Khalid ibn al-Rashid...so what do we do about that?
Okay, I exaggerate. It was all Renee Ahdieh who managed to leak tears out of my almost-forever dry eyes when it comes to books.
~
I had three major issues with this book. One, that the writing style makes me feel like I'm book slumping. I thought it was just the timing of the first book, but both books cannot be a coincidence. Its unnecessarily repetitive, even within its poeticness. Second, there are far too many characters in focus. All of them do not get equal exploration space and definitely there are some threads left loose after making it seem like they were important. Explained in a companion novel? Perhaps. But the constant switching also doesn't help in processing the story better. It would have been great to spend some meaningful time with Jalal, Despina, and Yasmine.
There is also a rushed fulfillment of character relationships. Artan with Shahrzad and Khalid. Khalid and Irsa. Relationships that are formed way too quickly and, though, one can gauge the subtext, it really leaves out the opportunity for a really fun build up to these strong relationships.
What are we left with? Some very memorable characters for one and a great exploration of some of their internal states and drives. My favorite of these were Irsa and Rahim. (You know what broke my heart.) Their quiet strength and loyalty is celebrated in this book and I really loved and resonated with it. Whether it was Irsa trying to find her space in this world dominated by those bolder and fiercer than her, or Rahim and his steadfast loyalty, perceptiveness, and clear-headedness when everything around him is in chaos. LOVE.
There was also Jahandar, who stood out to me because of the major role he ends up playing. What drives him and what motivates him are very complexly explored while also painting his grey morality in an excellent manner.
Tariq's evolution and development was also formidable. I really enjoyed how he came together with Khalid, also in a way very realistic way. It was funny at times, heartwarming, while also making you respect Tariq for his resilience and purity of heart. (view spoiler)
The ending, of course, is super cute. The way this story beats of the power of love - of all kinds - is wonderful. The fact that all character actions are driven by genuine humanity, whether good or bad, and between people who are connected one way or another gives it depth and realness.
Is this perfect? No. There are things disconnected within the plot and some of the character incentives. Even our connection with the villains, but one, are weak. There are so many characters, given half-importance and then not. But this book does beat with a heart fuelled by passion and love and ingenuity. It is a series dipped deep in beauty worthy of being explored and devoured.
And you ripped my heart out of my chest Khalid ibn al-Rashid...so what do we do about that?
Okay, I exaggerate. It was all Renee Ahdieh who managed to leak tears out of my almost-forever dry eyes when it comes to books.
~
I had three major issues with this book. One, that the writing style makes me feel like I'm book slumping. I thought it was just the timing of the first book, but both books cannot be a coincidence. Its unnecessarily repetitive, even within its poeticness. Second, there are far too many characters in focus. All of them do not get equal exploration space and definitely there are some threads left loose after making it seem like they were important. Explained in a companion novel? Perhaps. But the constant switching also doesn't help in processing the story better. It would have been great to spend some meaningful time with Jalal, Despina, and Yasmine.
There is also a rushed fulfillment of character relationships. Artan with Shahrzad and Khalid. Khalid and Irsa. Relationships that are formed way too quickly and, though, one can gauge the subtext, it really leaves out the opportunity for a really fun build up to these strong relationships.
What are we left with? Some very memorable characters for one and a great exploration of some of their internal states and drives. My favorite of these were Irsa and Rahim. (You know what broke my heart.) Their quiet strength and loyalty is celebrated in this book and I really loved and resonated with it. Whether it was Irsa trying to find her space in this world dominated by those bolder and fiercer than her, or Rahim and his steadfast loyalty, perceptiveness, and clear-headedness when everything around him is in chaos. LOVE.
There was also Jahandar, who stood out to me because of the major role he ends up playing. What drives him and what motivates him are very complexly explored while also painting his grey morality in an excellent manner.
Tariq's evolution and development was also formidable. I really enjoyed how he came together with Khalid, also in a way very realistic way. It was funny at times, heartwarming, while also making you respect Tariq for his resilience and purity of heart. (view spoiler)
The ending, of course, is super cute. The way this story beats of the power of love - of all kinds - is wonderful. The fact that all character actions are driven by genuine humanity, whether good or bad, and between people who are connected one way or another gives it depth and realness.
Is this perfect? No. There are things disconnected within the plot and some of the character incentives. Even our connection with the villains, but one, are weak. There are so many characters, given half-importance and then not. But this book does beat with a heart fuelled by passion and love and ingenuity. It is a series dipped deep in beauty worthy of being explored and devoured.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
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