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The Wrath and the Dawn
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The Wrath & The Dawn Series by Renee Ahdieh - Reading from 'The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn #1)' from March 1st, AND April 1st 2019
You're welcome!
I'm attempting to finish up a different buddy read--hopefully I'll be able to start this one this evening or tomorrow! :)
Don't worry, I know how you feel!
16%I'm loving their interaction right now!
36% - I don't like Tariq's POV very much...
Finished my other read! I am taking a small reading break; I'll either start this this evening or tomorrow after work. :)
MY EMOTIONS!!!What an amazing read! And that ending... I need the next one immediately!
Elizabeth, I absolutely loved the author's writing style. There were so many things I wanted to highlight!As for Tariq, (view spoiler)
Tati wrote: "Elizabeth, I absolutely loved the author's writing style. There were so many things I wanted to highlight!As for Tariq, [spoilers removed]"
Gaston shoots the Beast in the end, or stabs him, doesn't he? Before falling off the building? So...I'd say he acts directly against the Beast, for sure.
I agree, her writing is just brilliant and I just...GAAAAAAH this book! I'm reading it on my kindle but I can tell I'm going to NEED it on my shelves.
Be prepared for the ending, I was shattered
Tati wrote: "Be prepared for the ending, I was shattered"Don't tell me THAT! I'm at 78% and my heart is already breaking just a little bit! XD (because happiness right now but still)
I...I just finished and I can't... I don't...
WHAT THE HECK?!?!?! I don't compute. I don't WANT to compute. Just... WHAT. THE. HECK.
Review can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Closing question: WHY DO I DO THIS to myself?!?! I start these series right out of the gate....and then have to struggle with these broken pieces of heart matter until the next book(s) come out and I just... I'm a masochist. I'm a book masochist.
Elizabeth wrote: "Review can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Closing question: WHY DO I DO THIS to myself?!?! I start these series right out of the gate....and then have to struggl..."
Preach!
Tati wrote: "I knoooooooow![spoilers removed]
Did you read the excerpt from the next book?"
RIGHT?! I don't even UNDERSTAND his motives there, unless he knows that this is going to change Khalid and he doesn't want Shazi getting hurt? That's the only thing I can think of.
NO, I need to go read the excerpt!
It's even more impossible to compute than the ending
Tati wrote: "It's even more impossible to compute than the ending"I just read it. I... I just... WHYYYYYYYY?! WHY, Khalid, why?!?! Why must you hurt me so much?! XD
I've been thinking about it and, I don't know if you've read those books, but he reminds me of Death, from Poison Princess (yeah, it might be crazy)
Tati wrote: "I've been thinking about it and, I don't know if you've read those books, but he reminds me of Death, from Poison Princess (yeah, it might be crazy)"I haven't read them, no--are they good?
They have a fair bit of craziness to them (that is, the characters, the plot and the world building) need some time to get used to, but after that, I really loved them. The series is not done yet, though (three books already released, at least one more to come)
Tati wrote: "They have a fair bit of craziness to them (that is, the characters, the plot and the world building) need some time to get used to, but after that, I really loved them. The series is not done yet, ..."I've heard of them before, but haven't read too much on them; I'll have to look them up!
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Reading from August 9th 2015
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I'm up to "The Beginning Is the End" (21%). So when I was growing up, I absolutely loved this middle-grade book called Shadow Spinner that is a retelling of 1001 Nights (although it's not from the perspective of Shaharazad, being intended for children, but that's part of what makes it such a cool retelling). I'm interested and a little worried to see if any similar retelling will live up to that one. So far I'm enjoying this twist on the story, since (view spoiler) I'm interested in seeing where the mystery of that goes, although I maybe wish the author had given a little less away in the prologue. I'm also loving the setting and how atmospheric it all is. However, I feel like there has been very little world-building. (view spoiler) I'd also like to know more about the kingdom in general. What was Shahrzad's life like before the start of the book?
I'm also feeling basically no chemistry or emotional interplay between Shahrzad and Khalid. I'm just not really shipping them or that interested in their interactions. Maybe because I'm not that committed to either one of them as an individual yet. Khalid is so aloof; I can't really get a read on him (which was maybe intentional on the author's part as Shahrzad hasn't been able to either yet). And Shahrzad seems a little one-sided in her focus on her mission. As a result, I'm almost more invested in the stories she's telling than in the other drama so far. But it's still early in the book. I also feel like there's been too much focus on the characters' physical beauty and perfection, like with Tariq.
I have gotten 50% of the way through, but I read it so fast I forgot a lot of what happened. I may have to go back a reread a few of the last chapters I read.I have to agree with you about the prologue. I was confused that so much information was given away so easily.
The characters are okay to me. (view spoiler)I prefer the character of Khalid over the rest of them because he seems so conflicted within himself. It's like the person he wants to be is hidden within this cold exterior.
I do like that this story is a retelling of 1001 Nights. I don't believe I have ever read a retelling of it, although I do know the basics of the story. I hope this one lives up to your standards, Emily. I feel that some of the qualms you are having get cleared up later in the book.
Up to "The Honor of Betrayal" (45%).I'm definitely enjoying it so far, even if I have some issues.
The romance is definitely growing on me. I hope there continues to be more character development of Shahrzad and Khalid. But I'm feeling it much more and getting more invested.
The world-building continues to need much more filling-in. Hopefully this will be addressed further on. I completely agree that more background on Shahrzad's life is needed. It's confusing- did she live in Tariq's town before?
The plotting of the mystery isn't the best, IMO. I wish small bits of information and clues were given more slowly, while removing some of the extraneous details and scenes (like all the archery talk, Tariq meeting the Balawi sheik, etc.) (view spoiler)
I'm also very bummed that the author stopped including the stories- I found them to be a great addition.
Despina has the beginnings of a very interesting character. I hope we see more of her and she's allowed to develop. I'm very curious about her real motivations and loyalties.
A few times, some of the phrases used in the dialogue seem much too modern. For example, "I believe I’ll leave this set of goods on the rack, as well."
I'm hoping there isn't a betrayal later on. I'm a little tired of the "someone close to the MC betraying them at the climax" plot device. I think I've just read too many books lately that have used it. I have suspicions about one of the characters, though.
This is only somewhat connected to this book, but I wish YA fantasy books focused more on the MCs using their brains and mental capabilities and less on these amazing physical abilities they all seem to have. I'd be far more interested in Khalid using tactics to rule and better his country than in his sword-fighting skills. There are just very few Hermiones and so many Celaenas (from Throne of Glass, she's an assassin). Not that I don't enjoy kick-butt heroines, but I identify more with the nerdy, brainy ones. Sorry, just a side note.
Up to "A Floating Carpet and a Rising Tide" (71%). (view spoiler) I also find the writing to be quite appealing.
I started this morning. But this doesn't have chapter numbers, dang :(Prologue (view spoiler)
The mountain of adamant 10% (view spoiler)
Emily wrote: "This is only somewhat connected to this book, but I wish YA fantasy books focused more on the MCs using their brains and mental capabilities and less on these amazing physical abilities they all se..."I like it when they have fair amount of brawn and brains both :)
I'll be starting this soon. Trying to catch up on some other BRs.
No worries. I think I'll be taking this slow. I have other buddy reads going on as well and I'm behind :O
Twila wrote: "No worries. I think I'll be taking this slow. I have other buddy reads going on as well and I'm behind :O"kk. ^-^
@Twila- (view spoiler)Hope you guys enjoy it! I ended up rating it 3.75 stars rounded up.
Here's my review:
I really enjoyed this retelling of A Thousand and One Nights. The twist was interesting, the writing was excellent, and I loved the setting in the Middle East and how atmospheric it was. It took me a little while to get into the story, but once I did, I found it very engaging and got quite invested in the romance. There was some great drama going on that didn't seem too forced. And there was a great build-up to an explosive climax! I loved the passion and emotional clashes between Shahrzad and Khalid as they each tried to get what they wanted and struggled with their issues. There were decently developed and likable secondary characters. I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.
However, it wasn't a perfect book. I felt like there wasn't enough world-building or explanations for the magic that is used. Who can do magic? How? What kind? We have very little idea. I'd also like to know more about the kingdom in general. What was Shahrzad's life like before the start of the book?
The plotting of the mystery surrounding why Khalid had killed his wives wasn't the best, IMO. I wish less had been given away right off the bat in the prologue, instead allowing small bits of information and clues to be given more slowly, while removing some of details and scenes I found extraneous.
I also felt like there was hardly any focus on the common people. The characters, including Khalid (the caliph) and Shahrzad (the new queen), seem much more concerned with their own problems than with effectively ruling their country.
Lastly, I wish there had been slightly less about the physical skills and beauty of the characters and more about their personalities and brains. But I think that's something largely peculiar to me.
Up to A Shade of What I FeelEven after putting this down for a few days to do other things, it is so easy to pick back up and get lost in. I sometimes have to re-recall the characters for their names are hard for me to keep straight at times, but this does not deter me from loving this! I really like the build up and how the moment you think you understand something, something new comes along and throws you for a loop.
@Emily, I noticed what you mean when you said they focus a lot on outward appearance. It seems that beauty is very important to most of the characters in this book. Sometimes I tire of it repeating that Shazi is beautiful. I love the descriptions of everything, though. Even though the setting hasn't changed much, the writing never gets bland to me. All the outfits and food, as well. I love it all! I have a thing for detail. I once wrote a few hundred words depicting a scene of a cat sleeping in a living room, so this book is nothing in comparison. =p Oh,, and I agree with you about the YA trope of always having a brash sort of person. I'd like someone to figure things out in a more calculating way. I like bookish people a lot.
I still dislike that the past between Tariq and Shazi is just implied. This is one of my major complaints. Maybe since this is a series, it will be told in a different book. I also have to wonder what Khalid does all day. He never seems to be running anything, he's just hanging around.
Tariq's character bothers me a lot. (view spoiler)
@Ivy- I liked the descriptions as well. The setting was beautiful and fascinating. I didnt mind the focus on the beautiful surroundings at all, and the clothes and such only bothered me in that I thought it sometimes overshadowed the focus on personality. I did really like most of the descriptive details since the author was describing a culture and time period that I wish I knew more about. Turns out Khorasan was a real historical region in the Middle East, which I didn't realize at first. It's really cool that you have such a mind for detail- I'm not sure I could write a few hundred words of description without getting repetitive. One of the reasons why I wouldn't make a very good writer.
I also wish that there had been a scene or two involving Khalid running the country, We weren't shown anything to make us believe that he's a good ruler.
I can definitley understand why Tariq bugs you. (view spoiler)
I am going to have a terrible time with these names. >.<I'm at chapter 1 now and so far it seems intriguing. I always love a strong female MC so it's looking like this could be a good read.
Am I the only one confused by the character switch? I was thinking the Tariq guy was the emperor for half the chapter! >.<
Bookbuyer wrote: "I am going to have a terrible time with these names. >.<I'm at chapter 1 now and so far it seems intriguing. I always love a strong female MC so it's looking like this could be a good read."
I'm really struggling with the names as well. And all the terms! Forget about it.
No way I can remember all this.
I'm just pushing through and hoping for the best. :P
You probably already found this but go to the back of the book and it has a glossary.
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Books mentioned in this topic
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Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.
She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.
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Tati and I will be reading this; everyone else is welcome to join as well!