You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ejpass 's review for:
The Moth & the Flame
by Renée Ahdieh
5/5 stars
Recommended for people who like: novellas, prequels, romance
While the story is only 93 pages--at least in iBooks--it definitely gives provides interesting insight into some of the characters' lives before Shahrzad.
TMTF focuses on Despina and Jalal's relationship before the events of book 1. In fact, the events take place while Ava is still alive. Despina has just been promoted to handmaiden to the queen, though the queen is quiet and prefers the handmaidens she brought from home over Despina. Despite this, Despina still hopes the queen will bring her into the fold and, once properly introduced to the queen, seems to be a comforting, figure.
Jalal is still the same rake we know him as--interested in women, crushing on Despina, worried for Khalid. We don't get to see much of his background in the story, it really does focus more on Despina and her thought process, though it was interesting to see Jalal flirt with meaning instead of just because he was fooling around.
While I get it's a novella/short story, I would've liked more scenes between Jalal and Despina, instead of a brief summary of the fact they spent time together. Ahdieh did mention their relationship built over a couple of months, which was a good detail to add, but I do still wish we'd gotten to see some of those moments over the months.
Recommended for people who like: novellas, prequels, romance
While the story is only 93 pages--at least in iBooks--it definitely gives provides interesting insight into some of the characters' lives before Shahrzad.
TMTF focuses on Despina and Jalal's relationship before the events of book 1. In fact, the events take place while Ava is still alive. Despina has just been promoted to handmaiden to the queen, though the queen is quiet and prefers the handmaidens she brought from home over Despina. Despite this, Despina still hopes the queen will bring her into the fold and, once properly introduced to the queen, seems to be a comforting, figure.
Jalal is still the same rake we know him as--interested in women, crushing on Despina, worried for Khalid. We don't get to see much of his background in the story, it really does focus more on Despina and her thought process, though it was interesting to see Jalal flirt with meaning instead of just because he was fooling around.
While I get it's a novella/short story, I would've liked more scenes between Jalal and Despina, instead of a brief summary of the fact they spent time together. Ahdieh did mention their relationship built over a couple of months, which was a good detail to add, but I do still wish we'd gotten to see some of those moments over the months.