The Wrath and the Dawn

[Erika, Dream Thief]

What did you think of it? Favorite or least favorite characters? Favorite or least favorite part? Will you read the next one?

[I]

I LOVED this book so much. I felt like Khalid and Shazi's love story at least took some time to develop and was much appreciated. I am having a bit of an issue with Tariq... If Shazi left willingly there must be a reason that she is at the palace... You trying to pull her out of there could ruin her plans. Can't wait for the next book.

[Rue]

THIS BOOK IS MY FAVORITE THING IN THE WORLD.

The writing was rich, and I fell in love with the characters. Khalid and Shazi have now become my ultimate OTP.

I NEED THE NEXT BOOK LIKE I NEED AIR.

I'm serious. I don't know how I'm going to wait a year.

[SM]

I picked this book up on a random recommendation. I really didn't expect to like it but I LOVED and cannot wait for the next book. I love the setting, it is a new one for me. I loved the development of the relationships. The magic tie-in is also interesting. I had a few issues with the plot development but overall I really liked this book.

[Amina]

I loved this book so much. Khalid and Shazi are my new favorite couple......best book of 2015 for me so far.
CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK TWO!!!

[Jessica (Goldenfurpro)]

This has to be my favorite book of the year! It's absolutely perfect! I stayed up late reading it only to reach the end far too soon! I NEED MORE!

[Daphne]

I loved the book! I read it in a day because it was so good, I can't wait for the second one.

[Nicolette]

I just finished this book and wow. When I turned to the last page I was confused, like its over? NOOOOOO
It was so well written and jumped right into the story.
The progression of Shazi and Khalid's love was not an easy one but seeing it unfold was great. I'm mad I'll have to wait almost a year for the next one!

[Petuli]

I listened to this book on audio book and I have to say, that the audio was very good, I loved the setting and the new vocabulary, but overall, I thought it was okay. Everyone seems to love this book so I am just confused, I am usually very much influenced by the hype, but there, I don't know, I definitely wasn't bad, but I know much better fantasy books. 3.5 stars for me.

[Janna]

What a captivating story! Whenever I wasn't reading I kept thinking about the characters and the story. I just had to know how this would end.
I'm so jealous of Ahdieh's writing style. It's perfect and certainly does this book justice.
I can't wait for the sequel!

[Alyson]

I just couldn't get into this one. I don't know why, because I really wanted to like it.

[Kirstin]

This book was great. I loved her writing and her characters. Can't wait until the sequel comes out.

[Jasmine]

I really loved this book. I love the tale of 1001 Arabian Nights and I loved reading a lesser done retelling. I thought the author did a fantastic job developing her characters, their backgrounds and their personalities. There wasn't really any character that I didn't like and that was refreshing. Even the "bad guy" was consistent and likable in his own way. I also thought she did a fantastic job with the dialogue and using it to show the blossoming attraction. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book.

[Tamara]

Ooh I going to get shot for this...I didn't like it at all :/

[K]

Tamara wrote: "Ooh I going to get shot for this...I didn't like it at all :/"
Why did you not like it? I personally liked it, I just am not okay with a few things.

[Tamara]

Kimberly wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Ooh I going to get shot for this...I didn't like it at all :/"
Why did you not like it? I personally liked it, I just am not okay with a few things."

Oh boy, where do I start :P

The instalove after two days because the male lead is so "sexy" with his eye smoulder, no real development with characters & I didn't feel as if the author properly researched the original One Thousand and One Nights.

If I don't like the characters, I struggle to like the book as a whole.

[Farren]

The writing in this one killed me. It was just too flowery. I mean, I just really don't care that much about what the pillows in the room look like 😝

[K]

Tamara wrote: Oh boy, where .do I start"

Hahaha, the smoulder, hahaha.
You're right, he was made to be so "freakin sexy", that the protagonist just ended up not being able to resist his charm.
Was it really two days? :O *can't remember*

[Tamara]

Kimberly wrote: "Tamara wrote: Oh boy, where .do I start"

Hahaha, the smoulder, hahaha.
You're right, he was made to be so "freakin sexy", that the protagonist just ended up not being able to resist his charm.
Wa..."

Haha yep, did my head in!

Hmm, yeah I can't exactly remember if it was two days, but I remember it being a considerable short time that she "fell in love" with him.

[K]

Tamara wrote: ...I remember it being a considerable short time that she "fell in love" with him.
I think it was a month or two, which is still very fast. In that amount of time, she forgave him for deaths, rape, and so on.

I mean, really?
I wouldn't forgive anyone for having their way with me without me wanting to actually do the deed. Am I really supposed to have let Khalid fulfill his "needs" simply because he wanted to? I'm supposed to think nothing of it and feel indifferent as Shahrzad did.

What I didn't understand from the sex scenes was that it was mentioned that he "never visited" previous brides, but he did end up visiting Shahzi? And for what, besides sleep with her before sending her to her death?
I love the writing and the poetic wording, but man, oh, man. I was not okay with this sex scenes.

[Jasmine]

Kimberly wrote: "Tamara wrote: ...I remember it being a considerable short time that she "fell in love" with him.
I think it was a month or two, which is still very fast. In that amount of time, she forgave him fo..."

I read a ton of historical fiction, more than anything else, so the sex as a duty didn't really bother me because that was typical for that time. Marriages were political arrangements and if you could tolerate each other great, but if not you were still expected to produce heirs. I could see this being bothersome to a reader though if they don't read a lot of period fiction.

[Tamara]

Kimberly wrote: "Tamara wrote: ...I remember it being a considerable short time that she "fell in love" with him.
I think it was a month or two, which is still very fast. In that amount of time, she forgave him fo..."

Yeah, I feel you! I DNF a book recently because there were too many marital rape scenes for my liking and the female lead was just viewed as a baby making machine by her "love interest" husband. He probably redeems himself later on, but it wasn't for me.

But it's funny, I didn't like WATD, but I did try Ahdieh's Flame in the Mist, and I loved it!

[K]

Jasmine wrote: "....I could see this being bothersome to a reader though if they don't read a lot of period fiction. "

Yea, I understood that it was a political/cultural thing, but it still got to me. But you are right on the fact that I don't read much historical fiction, and I really want to.

Any recommendations?

[K]

Tamara wrote: "...."
What book was it that the had too much marital rape scenes?
Flame in the Mist is a book I've been meaning to read, but I'm glad to know it's much better, helps make me look forward to reading it.

[Tamara]

Kimberly wrote: "Tamara wrote: "...."
What book was it that the had too much marital rape scenes?
Flame in the Mist is a book I've been meaning to read, but I'm glad to know it's much better, helps make me look fo..."

Yeah, I surprised myself that I really enjoyed it!

Reign the Earth by AC Gaughen. It's an arranged marriage and he treats her horribly. Only refers to her as "wife" and treats her as a baby making machine. She sleeps with him because she has to, not because she wants to and this didn't didn't sit well with me. I couldn't bring myself to finish it.

[Jasmine]

Kimberly wrote: "Jasmine wrote: "....I could see this being bothersome to a reader though if they don't read a lot of period fiction. "

Yea, I understood that it was a political/cultural thing, but it still got to..."

There are many I love. It depends on your interest and also if you read adult books.

If you read adult books I would start with some of these:
The Nightingale
Nefertiti
Before We Were Yours
The Moon in the Palace
The Alice Network

If you are a Young Adult only reader:
Tarnish
Marie, Dancing
Mara, Daughter of the Nile
Torn Thread

[K]

Jasmine wrote: "..."

Thank you so much! 🙏

[K]

Tamara wrote: "...Reign the Earth by AC Gaughen...”

Oh wow, I was thinking of adding it to my TBR list not too long ago. That’s so interesting that the author chose to portray her characters like that. I wonder why, you know?

[Tamara]

Kimberly wrote: "Tamara wrote: "...Reign the Earth by AC Gaughen...”

Oh wow, I was thinking of adding it to my TBR list not too long ago. That’s so interesting that the author chose to portray her characters like ..."

The only thing I can think of is that the author wanted to portray how it used to be for women back in the day? I understand that was the norm, but I'm still uncomfortable with it :(

[[deleted user]]

I LOVED this book and spent a whole day just reading it! However I wasn’t as impressed by the sequel but still worth reading! The characters are so amazing!!!!!!