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ariana_m's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Fantasy era off to a great start! This was so good. I bought this book specifically because my middle name is Scheherazade which is the same as Shahrzad just different spelling and I was intrigued,I don't regret it lol. I enjoyed this so much. It wasn't confusing to a point where you couldn't understand so I liked that aspect a lot. It's a good take on Arabian Nights tbh. The writing was amazing, so so many good quotes in this book.
I liked all of the side characters but Jalal is my favorite <3. They have their own thing going on but still, they somehow fit into the main plot instead of there being three different side plots. I loved Khalid and Shahrzad as individuals and together. Despite Khalid being portrayed as the murdering monster, you see that's not the case and he's actually really soft hearted. I loved Shahrzad and how strong she is. She doesn't take any crap from anyone including Khalid and I really liked that lol. Their connection was so poetic?? majestic?? Idk how to describe it but it was romantic for a YA book. Khalid telling Shahrzad "Destroy me" and "You are right, you are not mine, I am yours" "My soul sees its equal in you" and "I love you, a thousand times over. And I will never apologize for it" is going to live in my mind rent free. I loved this one a lot, off to read the next book.
I liked all of the side characters but Jalal is my favorite <3. They have their own thing going on but still, they somehow fit into the main plot instead of there being three different side plots. I loved Khalid and Shahrzad as individuals and together. Despite Khalid being portrayed as the murdering monster, you see that's not the case and he's actually really soft hearted. I loved Shahrzad and how strong she is. She doesn't take any crap from anyone including Khalid and I really liked that lol. Their connection was so poetic?? majestic?? Idk how to describe it but it was romantic for a YA book. Khalid telling Shahrzad "Destroy me" and "You are right, you are not mine, I am yours" "My soul sees its equal in you" and "I love you, a thousand times over. And I will never apologize for it" is going to live in my mind rent free. I loved this one a lot, off to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Blood
mermaidmommy19's review against another edition
3.0
I got this book because I loved RA's The Beautiful series (or at least what has been released thus far).
I enjoyed this book and don't have anything bad to say about it, but there wasn't much that stuck out to me either. There wasn't much umph, but it was a good, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I enjoyed this book and don't have anything bad to say about it, but there wasn't much that stuck out to me either. There wasn't much umph, but it was a good, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Miscarriage, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Suicide
griffinthief's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Suicide, Violence, Death, Animal death, and Grief
Minor: Physical abuse, Slavery, and Child abuse
mandathebiblio's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Blood, and Suicide
Moderate: Pregnancy and Miscarriage
annnngellll's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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, Murder, and Death
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is very fun, and I'm excited to read the second book in the series. Shahrzad is strong and conflicted, and the story does a really interesting process of unfolding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide, Vomit, Alcohol, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, War, Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault
krijemseoddusana's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Death
larzipan's review against another edition
3.0
It's an okay superficial read, but considering the author's background the story feels appropriative at times and rather oddly unpleasant due to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Body horror
tikbook's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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'm in love with this book! For you who like to read about enemies to lovers, slow burn, fantasy and of course romance you must read this book!
Follow Shazi who want to seek revenge for her best friend to Khalid, after he killed her best friend and many other girls. But, with her cleverness she can stay alive day by day until she knows the truth behind his behavior and slowly falling in love to him.
I must say this is such a slow burn book and actually I don't really like it. But, the story here is so beautiful so I can read it over and over until the end. Heartwarming but heartbreaking at the same time, that's what I feel when I read this book. When the secret slowly unfold, I also become sympathy to Khalid but also to Shazi, because she has other burdens that she can't get rid of.
We see many point of views here, sometime from Shazi, from Tariq, Shazi family and Khalid. With this I can know for sure what is happening in all aspect of this book. We can see a little bit political involve and I believe it will be more complicated in next book. This book explains more about Shazi and Khalid and the stories from their past.
For the characters, I really love Shazi! She really a brave girl but I love her honesty more. She really tells people what she want or thinking even to Khalid. She's not afraid to ask about what she want to Khalid and and that makes miscommunication not an option between them, despite the many secrets that lie between them. Their love is so beautiful and sad. I can't believe I just enjoy a little bit about their love and suddenly the book must meet its end! Khalid maybe a little annoying because of his silent and secret of course, but slowly he show us a good development.
I also love others character around Shazi and Khalid in palace, they care and love Shazi and Khalid so much. But, I think I dislike the character from Shazi side, especially Tariq. I know he can't lost his love one but I dislike it even more when he so obsessed and didn't want to hear what Shazi thinking.
The story end with cliffhanger and I can't wait to follow their next journey!
Follow Shazi who want to seek revenge for her best friend to Khalid, after he killed her best friend and many other girls. But, with her cleverness she can stay alive day by day until she knows the truth behind his behavior and slowly falling in love to him.
I must say this is such a slow burn book and actually I don't really like it. But, the story here is so beautiful so I can read it over and over until the end. Heartwarming but heartbreaking at the same time, that's what I feel when I read this book. When the secret slowly unfold, I also become sympathy to Khalid but also to Shazi, because she has other burdens that she can't get rid of.
We see many point of views here, sometime from Shazi, from Tariq, Shazi family and Khalid. With this I can know for sure what is happening in all aspect of this book. We can see a little bit political involve and I believe it will be more complicated in next book. This book explains more about Shazi and Khalid and the stories from their past.
For the characters, I really love Shazi! She really a brave girl but I love her honesty more. She really tells people what she want or thinking even to Khalid. She's not afraid to ask about what she want to Khalid and and that makes miscommunication not an option between them, despite the many secrets that lie between them. Their love is so beautiful and sad. I can't believe I just enjoy a little bit about their love and suddenly the book must meet its end! Khalid maybe a little annoying because of his silent and secret of course, but slowly he show us a good development.
I also love others character around Shazi and Khalid in palace, they care and love Shazi and Khalid so much. But, I think I dislike the character from Shazi side, especially Tariq. I know he can't lost his love one but I dislike it even more when he so obsessed and didn't want to hear what Shazi thinking.
The story end with cliffhanger and I can't wait to follow their next journey!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Murder
bibliorama's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.5
My favorite part from this novel was the beginning. I really liked the story within a story aspect that was what made me want to pick up this A Thousand and One Nights retelling. How Shazi told the stories was engaging and I particularly liked the Blue Beard story because I had read the French version of Blue Beard awhile ago and seeing the similarities and differences in these versions is what I love about fairytales.
I liked Shazi as a main protagonist, especially in the beginning. Towards the end, I felt she lost a bit of spark as her conviction wavered. I would have liked a bit more conflict between her and Khalid. They came to trust each other a bit too quick.
The writing was good and made the environments come to life. It taught a few new words which is always a good thing. I didn't feel it was too flowery and it matched the setting in my opinion.
I'm not in a huge rush to read the sequel, but I own it and will get around to reading it sooner rather than later.
Listened to the audiobook and the production was good. I just had to speed up the narrator some.
I liked Shazi as a main protagonist, especially in the beginning. Towards the end, I felt she lost a bit of spark as her conviction wavered. I would have liked a bit more conflict between her and Khalid. They came to trust each other a bit too quick.
The writing was good and made the environments come to life. It taught a few new words which is always a good thing. I didn't feel it was too flowery and it matched the setting in my opinion.
I'm not in a huge rush to read the sequel, but I own it and will get around to reading it sooner rather than later.
Listened to the audiobook and the production was good. I just had to speed up the narrator some.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death, Blood, and Suicide