Reviews

The Rose & the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh

meswauncyc's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious 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

emilyjhenry's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.75

mlaura's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Honestly, I found this sequel to be pretty mediocre.

The book starts in a rather slow pace and picks up too fast on the last few chapters. Like, really, too fast. Like the author forgot that she had to finish the book and rushed a cliche closure to each character of the story.

If I thought the characters came off as a bit shallow on the first book, now I'm pretty sure about it. I felt like the author tried to mask the lack of content with pretty words too many times.

Sharzard personality is basically having a temper and being pretty. Khalid is the classic "perceived as cold-hearted but is fair and empathetic".

We almost thought Despina was evil just to end up on the "my father never loved me so I'm gonna betray him" plot.

The side stories that started being developed (like Despina & Jalal and Uncle Reza's vengeance) had a very poor closure and almost no development at all after the middle of the book, as if the author forgot what she was going for there.

And the ending?? Just???

The only thing I can't complain about is that it was pretty easy to engage in the book, which I finished rather fast.

Besides that, I have to say, the sequel was disappointing.

matinahope's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

The ending was the best of all.I love it.

justjeanettelee's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This book was amazing. . Can't believe it took me a month to read! Then again, I've been very busy with uni work.

Khalid and Shazi - you two make my heart ache.

So many plot twists. So many reveals.

And only one truly sad occasion.

Thanks for not destroying my heart too much Ahdieh.

My only disappointment is the end. I WANT MORE DETAILS!

sidrabibi's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

SOO BORING, I had high expectations from the first book and I have never been more dissapointed.

bubblykoala's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

 This book has several problems but I still mostly enjoyed reading it. Review will have mild spoilers.

First I feel like I must have missed a section of the book?? what was this discovery of Artan and his mysterious family curse that we then never hear about again?? And her father spending half the time being upset at losing this book only for him to be able to do magic at the end anyway? also we weren't really giving enough to care about him and his motivations for him to be doing all of that. 

isa_wmadsen's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

It just seems weird how quickly the whole kingdom was like “oh he had his reason for killing almost 100 innocent girls, we love him now” it just doesn’t sit right with me

emeszee's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I would have rated this five stars if it weren't for that confusing epilogue.
(
Spoiler I thought Khalid died, but he appeared with a son a few pages later.
)
The rest was GREAT. I think my constant updates in capitals show that. I loved Khalid and Shahrzad's relationship. They are now my new power couple. I would honestly reread this series/duology later, it was AWESOME.