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eesh25's review against another edition
5.0
This sequel was very much-anticipated, at least by me. Like, I was dying. Just like I’m dying for The Beauty of Darkness.
Along with “dying”, I was also quite worried because this was the concluding novel and I wanted it to be amazing. Thankfully, my worrying was for no reason because I loved this book!
In the end of the first book, Jalal sends Shahrzad off with Tariq, telling him to never bring her back (not cool, dude) and a part of me was like “If this turns into a love-triangle, I will be borrowing that silk rope and stringing up all these character!” So yeah, I was violently against a love-triangle. And there wasn’t one! I was so happy!
Not only that, there wasn’t nearly as much angst as one would expect, the writing was great like it was in the first book and I loved all the characters.
There were characters that I wasn’t fond of in the beginning but they improved, some that messed up later but I’m okay with them now. Mostly I just adored Khalid and Shazi. They’re both amazing and I was rooting for Shazi so bad.
The romance between them was heart-warming and perfect.
The story was great. There were many new elements introduced and it went in a totally different direction than I was expecting. And the last, about, 75 pages were pure gold. I just… So much love I feel, taking like Yoda I am.
One could complain that there were moments that were slightly underwhelming but not much. And when you think about it, they were exactly right.
Overall, I love love LOVE this book and the series. And I want more. I want to know more about things with Khalid and Jalal and with many other character and pairings that I can’t mention because of spoilers.
I need a little more from this series and a lot more from this author because she’s brilliant.
shayeantal143's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
csharp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-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
4.0
A really enjoyable sequel to “The Wrath and the Dawn”!
Ahdieh writes an adventurous story full of twists to conclude the story of Sharhrzad and Khalid. For one, the multiple character POVs were interesting and contributed a lot to progressing the story. We learned more about all of the characters compared to the hyper focus on Shazi and Khalid in TWATD.
There were a few small issues I had with the story which didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the story, but just to note:
- The magic system in this world was not very deeply explored, and Shahrzad’s powers do not have as significant of a role as I thought it should.
-The breaking of Khalid’s curse is such an anticlimax. We don’t see anything more about it again and it ceases to even exist after he destroys the book. I found this a bit of a letdown seeing as it had a massive role in the whole plot of the story.
- The pacing toward the end started to get so fast and I felt that everything was happening at lightning speed purely for the sake of wrapping it up asap.
- I personally did not like the epilogue.While it was cute to see that they have a child. I wish we got to see a time jump much closer to the present where we can see Khalid and Shazi rebuild their kingdom together and heal from all of the events that unfolded, especially of Khalid literally being resurrected
Ahdieh writes an adventurous story full of twists to conclude the story of Sharhrzad and Khalid. For one, the multiple character POVs were interesting and contributed a lot to progressing the story. We learned more about all of the characters compared to the hyper focus on Shazi and Khalid in TWATD.
There were a few small issues I had with the story which didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the story, but just to note:
- The magic system in this world was not very deeply explored, and Shahrzad’s powers do not have as significant of a role as I thought it should.
-
- The pacing toward the end started to get so fast and I felt that everything was happening at lightning speed purely for the sake of wrapping it up asap.
- I personally did not like the epilogue.
kspann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
pendrxgons's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
yodamom's review against another edition
3.0
Spoilers possible and I'm going negative here.
Audiobook- not recommended
Narration 2.5 stars
Book 3.5
-the elders & men's voices were so terrible. I wanted to laugh, it took me out of the story. I didn't enjoy this second book nearly as much as the first. I think the narration destroyed the serious edge of the seat moments when the villain would squeak out a poor example crinkled Disney cartoon type voice. Dang it, I really wanted to listen to this authors words brought to life on audio, such a shame.
That was my only issue with this story. Tariq, WTH ? He did some crappy things, head banging creepy guy things. He turned into this ultra control freak, that Shahrzad should have never gone along with, where did the real Shahrzah I loved in Book 1 go ? This chick is a wobbler. This problem went on for too long and the time between Shahrad and Khalid was too brief.
I loved her discoveries, her realizations during the last 1/2 of the book. Everything and everyone moved into their roles, justice was coming and finally we got out the weirdness that was in the first half. Oh I love the stories, I'd wished there had have been more.
Sadly I don't think I'll reread it in print, I didn't love it enough. If it ever makes it to the screen I'll be there.
Audiobook- not recommended
Narration 2.5 stars
Book 3.5
-the elders & men's voices were so terrible. I wanted to laugh, it took me out of the story. I didn't enjoy this second book nearly as much as the first. I think the narration destroyed the serious edge of the seat moments when the villain would squeak out a poor example crinkled Disney cartoon type voice. Dang it, I really wanted to listen to this authors words brought to life on audio, such a shame.
That was my only issue with this story. Tariq, WTH ? He did some crappy things, head banging creepy guy things. He turned into this ultra control freak, that Shahrzad should have never gone along with, where did the real Shahrzah I loved in Book 1 go ? This chick is a wobbler. This problem went on for too long and the time between Shahrad and Khalid was too brief.
I loved her discoveries, her realizations during the last 1/2 of the book. Everything and everyone moved into their roles, justice was coming and finally we got out the weirdness that was in the first half. Oh I love the stories, I'd wished there had have been more.
Sadly I don't think I'll reread it in print, I didn't love it enough. If it ever makes it to the screen I'll be there.
futileunicorn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
shes_book_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
The Rose & the Dagger
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well, I don't exactly know how to pinpoint my disappointment in this. I liked the first book mainly because of the romance, and in this book they weren't together enough for me to have much interest in the story. Although, the plot was better in this book. The only time I actually wanted to read was when Shahrzad practised her magic with Musa and Artan. Tariq reminded me way too much of Tamlin, which is an instant no. Lastly, I'm conflicted about the ending... I´m not a huge fan of unnecessary deaths and pregnancies in books (which of course is a personal opinion). I´m putting some of the blame for this on my high expectations, which were far too high.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Well, I don't exactly know how to pinpoint my disappointment in this. I liked the first book mainly because of the romance, and in this book they weren't together enough for me to have much interest in the story. Although, the plot was better in this book. The only time I actually wanted to read was when Shahrzad practised her magic with Musa and Artan. Tariq reminded me way too much of Tamlin, which is an instant no. Lastly, I'm conflicted about the ending... I´m not a huge fan of unnecessary deaths and pregnancies in books (which of course is a personal opinion). I´m putting some of the blame for this on my high expectations, which were far too high.