A review by dahabow
The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

5.0

Guys. This book. I was pretty hesitant to read it in the fear that after the hype it recieved it would fall flat for me but, BOY DID IT PASS ALL EXPECTATIONS! My friend, Sukki, over at @sukki_tmi on instagram, reassured me that I would love this book after asking what I should read next. I trusted her opinion seeing as we have similar tastes and I'm so glad I read it this year! Today, is a day I've found a favourite new author whose books from here on out I'll be buying regardless of content. If she wrote a report on butterflies, Renee Ahdieh's book would be read by me. I'm not even kidding. This woman bears a talent for description. Now, I live in cold, rainy Britain and her world in the Wrath and the Dawn took place in sunny, desert plains of a Arabic country. Her description was so precise, so etchingly intricate and beautiful, that I, a resident of a cold, gloomy country, was able to immerse myself fully into this world of spices, colour and intense beauty. Enough about the writing and more about the plot. She managed to ensure her readers would understand her terminology by issuing us a glossary. Stupid me was unaware until the last 200 pages. Thankfully, I was able to get by in the first 200 pages because of growing up reading Arabic literature and watching shows that featured words like "qamis" & "joonam". Nonetheless, I understood fully all she wanted us to know. And wow. That plot twist. The whole book in general had a tonne of foreshadowing surrounding the reason the boy - king, Khalid killed his wives. once it was fully revealed, I was afraid of its toll on Shahzard. But as the strong, brave and unwavering woman she is, she held onto hope. And do I now have a new favourite protagonist? yes, I do! Shahzard is all you could want in a main character. She is relentless. Brave. Intelligent. Sassy, as well as observant and loyal. I couldn't help, BUT love her. And Khalid was quite the tormented soul but this had a pull that made you pity and hope that he wasn't the evil monster that he was made out to be. You can't help but root for this couple. However, as much as I live you Renee, I can't forgive the hole in my heart. I need that sequel like I need air. So many questions, and I'm very impatient! Nonetheless, thank you for writing this. You truly deserve all the praise and I'm glad I was able to read your work (it took long but I did it!) I'm excited for the sequel! If you haven't picked it up and you've managed to reach the end of this long review then I applaud you and urge you to pick it up. Like now. thank you!