BOTM July 2017: The Wrath and the Dawn

[The Half-blood Reader]

Yey, peeps!
It's been busy, but here I am.

Until chapter 27

(view spoiler)[Yasmine loves Khalid, but her father wants his dead body and his kingdom. Lovely.

Pretty much putting Tariq on my black list: judgemental; arrogant; jealous; rash; angry. He knows nothing, but does he let his mouth run.

What did you expect, Tariq? They’re married. Seriously *rolls eyes*
There are no such feelings when you kiss Tariq, Shahrzad, because what you did was child’s play.

Yes, Khalid’s feeling pride, Tariq. I understand you have your history with Shazi and that you admire her qualities and fire. But for all that, you seem to not understand she can take care of herself. In more ways than one. She does not need a knight, a macho effort show. Khalid rejoices in her strength.
Really? You think it wise for Khalid to just attack his uncle in front of everyone, a lot of them being part of his supporters? Rash, moronic.

I personally take offence when he calls him aging camel.
Also, this will teach Tariq to never underestimate ppl. At the same time, now he knows how dangerous the king actually is. (boy-king but he’s still older than Shazi by 3 years *looking pointedly at Tariq*) Now he can’t cut him like butter and be done.
The fact he still wishes to harm Khalid, after knowing Shazi’s in love just angers me more. What a selfish boy! How could you, Shahrzad? (like this guy)

A magic carpet. The world is complete. I can show you the world~
What can I say, Tariq? Khalid has the mojo xD He’s got more charisma. There's chemistry. He’s a conundrum to her. You’re just a silver-eyed guy with a falcon. It gets old. So old in fact, that the only explanation for Idk Shazi being human is sorcery. *claps once with a deadpan expression* She forgot everything she held dear so much *dramatic pose*, she even saved your arse. Okay. Even Omar sees you’re lacking, Tariq. Huff

Everyone so invested in saving someone who doesn’t want it. This may be the biggest tragedy yet. (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ilsen @Ayla

(view spoiler)[None of the novellas are about Yasmine & Khalid. The author could still do one, who knows?

Tariq is just being a jealous troll by now who can't handle the truth.

More easily it would be Lima syndrome, just like in Beauty & the Beast. Except Shazi went there willingly, so she's not a captive. Also, she is well aware of Khalid's bad side, so it's not as if she's looking at things unrealistically. But arguably, nobody said the hostage has to go irrational when developing sympathy or attraction.

Jahandar & Tariq sacrificing chickens by moonlight. The fact Jahandar has no self-respect, just like everyone else has zero respect for him, with him acting like a kicked puppy is attacking me.

I mean, I started the duology, so it makes sense to see how it finishes, even if I don't like it. I've read worse things. Buuut I don't have the sequel yet so Idk when or if that will be.

I'm telling you, this book is gonna end in a rock'n'roll concert w/ Jahandar providing the special effects, the curse providing the lights, and Tariq + gang as the mad crowd that invades star's hotel/stage. (hide spoiler)]

[Ilsen]

Hey guys! This has absolutely nothing to do with the book but I need you guys to do a favor for me. My boyfriend is a writer and he has a story right now on InkItt. He's doing great but he thinks that he should stop writing because he thinks it's not good (which that is NOT the case). Well I won't go into much detail but if you guys could try to read a couple of chapters and leave a review (whether it's constructive criticism, praise, or words of encouragement), anything would be nice! Here is the link: https://www.inkitt.com/DemonSlayerGod...

(Sorry if this sounds like self promotion but it's not I swear)

[Bec]

Annd I'm back. Up to chapter 27. Although honestly I don't have much to add. I'll be blunt and say I'm kinda over it. Unfortunately I don't think reading this over a month is helping the book at all. It's draggy as it is. And @Ilsen I 100% agree - I have zero love for the characters anymore.

(view spoiler)[I'm glad Shazi has started getting some magic stuff going. But I wished it happened sooner. Now it's just feeling a little meh to me.

I'm actually enjoying the sudden insertion of Yasmine to the party just because her background is interesting and if this book needs anything right now (for me at least) it's a bit of drama.

Everything Tariq does right now just frustrates me. It sucks falling out of love but dude think before you act? He has spent the entire book jumping to conclusions and judging and geezusssss. (hide spoiler)]

If there is a The Mermaid's Daughter BR then I'll definitely be jumping into the discussion. May read along for bits but it hasn't been that long and my immediate TBR is fairly extensive xD

@Ilsen I'm heading over to the link now. I have a 12 hour shift at work on one of the quietest days of the week so I have time to make use of.

[Ilsen]

@Ayla @Regsly @Becca

(view spoiler)[ Ugh Tariq is so annoying. I just want to punch him in the face. And he's super selfish. Like even after he knows that Shazi is in love with him, he still thinks she needs saving. NO. This is not love. He just loves the memories he had with her and I think Omer clearly sees that. Omg I really wanted to see Tariq's ass be beaten because of him underestimating Khalid like he's the best swordsman in the kingdom and you think he's just something to be underestimated because of his looks? Ugh so annoying. Shazi, what the hell did you see in him?

Oh god Jahandar and Tariq is going to be a literal nightmare. Black magic everywhere and just creepiness and ugh. Also Shazi has magical powers? Well gee I wish that happened halfway through the book and not in the last 75%. I literally do not care about what happens.

Yea I get you Regsly. It is a duology and it's not the worst but like there's so many books that I've been wanting to read, I don't want to waste my time reading books that I clearly don't want to read. But maybe. Only time will tell. I completely agree Becca. It is pretty draggy and while I love BOTM discussions, I'm not loving the book. These discussions are good for fast paced stories not stories like this.

I get that Tariq is just like "What? How the hell did this happen?" This guy was known for killing his brides so he didn't really expect for him to suddenly have feelings for her and the same for her. But like if she stayed alive this long, he must have suspected SOMETHING. But no. He thought everything was going to stay the same but things change. Damn and we thought you were wise in the beginning. Haha no. You're pretty stupid and rash.

The book can suddenly end in a big explosion and I wouldn't care. Also my sister has read the second book and she doesn't even remembered what happened which should say something. I wish Yasmine came earlier because we need drama. But yea. (hide spoiler)]

Also what's the Lima syndrome? I honestly don't know. Becca, thank you so much! I really want to make it a surprise for him because I think t would be nice. And if you like it, tell your friends <3

[Bec]

Is Lima Syndrome like Stockholme syndrome? Where you start to like/sympathise with your captor?

Having read Renee's other book first - Flame in the Mist - I'm not going to be surprised if it suddenly has a big uh huh, fast paced, plot twist right at the end. Which, I mean, I loved it in the other book BUT I was also internally screaming 'WHERE WAS THIS IN THE REST OF THE BOOK?!?!. And then I vowed I wanted to read the sequel. But, in all honesty I don't really remember the ending now a month later and just remember that I was pretty meh for most of the book. And probably won't read the sequel.

It just bugs me that there seems to be so much potential for a gripping fast-paced story.

[Ayla]

@Regsly @Becca @Ilsen

(view spoiler)[ I basically agree with what all of you said. Tariq is definitely very annoying and the book is so draggy... (hide spoiler)]

Something kind of funny: I just joined bookstagram, and everyone on there seems to LOVE this book, The Wrath and the Dawn, and I'm just like "Uhm, oh well, unpopular opinion time..." XD
But it's good to know that you guys feel exactly the same about it :)

Also, I think the Lima Syndrome is the same as Stockholm Syndrome? Oh, I found it! Lima Syndrome is actually the same as Stockholm Syndrome, but in reverse. So:
Stockholm Syndrome = hostage develops feelings of sympathy towards the abductor
Lima Syndrome = abductor develops feelings of sympathy towards the hostage

@Ilsen
I will definitely read his story as soon as possible :)

[Ayla]

Until chapter 30

(view spoiler)[
WoW

First of, all of a sudden random assassins break into Shazi's room. I liked this action scene, although I have to admit I wouldn't really have cared if any of them would have died... It's not that I was sitting here, reading the chapter and being like "Oh noooo, please don't let anything happen to the characters...". I was more like "FINALLY some action". (hope this doesn't sound too harsh, but I just don't connect to the characters :( )

Then, the Khalid and Shazi scene. Of course, in the end, nothing happened. Cause like everything in this book, it's moved to the sequel.

Okay, so after that, things got more interesting. Shazi discovered those letters, which revealed some more about Khalid's feelings towards the events.
Butttt then, I would have expected Shazi to grow more distant towards Khalid? Cause she got clear evidence he was in fact the one murdering the young women???
This didn't happen, she even embraced him when he laid down next to her.
Book, I'm confused.

Okay, and then the breakdown of Khalid. The faqir came to heal him and Khalid let her witness the scene.
FINALLY we know what happened. The curse, Ava, everything.
The story of Ava was so sad; how she died all alone :(

I really don't know how I feel about Khalid and this whole thing after the truth was revealed. I mean, he still killed all of those women, but why is it he couldn't tell the people in his kingdom the truth? Surely there must have been another way to avoid the curse?
I don't know.
I'm curious to hear what you guys think about this.

(hide spoiler)]

[Laurel]

I didnt like the break in. It felt very confusing. They were ghosts???? It just seemed too disjointed and weird. And I think Shazi wasnt as angry with him because it showed that he didnt want to actually kill the women. And he mourned for them. The note he wrote for her wasnt like the others, which makes me believe he would eventually give it to her, or kill himself to save his land and break the curse, and she would be given the letter and the others. Maybe possibly an explanation as well. I believe the raining also only happened when they argued, so i think the curse was trying to nudge it along because the rain is good, so if they want to keep getting rain, they need to keep fighting, which would eventually lead to him killing her. Khalid probably didnt want people to know because he was a bad husband the first time around. And people already think hes similar to his father, so its hard to sway the masses if they already see you as evil.

Gotta say, Im not really interested in this book. Im STILL mixing up characters names. The writing is amazing, but the book and the characters are just flat. Kinda disappointed. I dont see how theyll wrap everything up in the next few chapters.

[Ilsen]

@Ayla @Becca

Damn I was kinda wanting to read Flame in the Mist thinking that it will be different. I probably would read it but maybe another time when I want to give her another chance. Yea everyone on Bookstagram and Booktube says that this book is fantastic and raves about it and I'm just here like "Umm are we reading the same book?" I thought it was just me but none of you guys like it either. I don't know. I only know one bookstagram account who doesn't like this book and that's @mirroredpages

Ah so that's what Lima syndrome is. Interesting. I'm glad we share the same opinion with the book though. I'm kinda interested to see how the discussion will go if we will have a discussion.

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Becca @Ilsen @Ayla

Everyone disliking Tariq here. Love it *laughs*

Thank you for explaining what Lima syndrome is, Ayla, I've been really busy creating graphisms and animating them, therefore coming here less.
Anyway, about the Lima synd., everyone always says Belle has Stockholm synd., but I've argued before it is the Beast who has Lima synd.

Yeah, it's not like the book is bad. It's not even slow-paced. There just doesn't seem to be much going on for most of it, and everything has to be so secretive and intriguing.
If you don't know anything of what's going on, there's not much you can do with the plot in your head. There isn't even information on magic or mythology... She can just make up her own magical rules out of nowhere and we'll have to go with it. If you have zero info on a fantasy or a detective novel, it won't work well.
There can be foreshadowing for fantasy, for example.

To be honest, I think some people just go with the masses, and that's why certain oeuvres gain undeserved popularity. Overrated.

Ilsen, I will check it out when I can.

[The Half-blood Reader]

I'm still at chapter 28 (the dark manly bed intruder shapes), so I won't read the comments referring to further than that yet :P

For my dead shadow mercenaries intruding on young maiden's bedrooms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtZf...

The fact I keep making one joke after the other shows how much respect and care I've gathered inside my heart for this book *cracks up* Can I put Khalid in a hamster ball, though?

[The Half-blood Reader]

Currently reading chapter 30

Dear me, these people are so dramatic.

[The Half-blood Reader]

Until chapter 30

(view spoiler)[Honestly, just another selfish individual. Ava was weak, Ava got depressed. End of story. You do not get to take 100 lives for your daughter, you--
What does one expect from an arranged marriage? It takes time. You may never love your partner. Khalid is not responsible for her death!

Look at Khalid, look at his life story. Did he kill himself? No! Did Shazi kill herself? No. I have a dark backstory myself. Some days are still hard to just exist. Did I ever try to kill myself? No, 26 years going strong.
The point being, depression is serious, people. But depression is different from feeling depressive. Ava sounds like a naïve introspective sheltered girl who probably read too many fairy tales and grew unrealistic expectations about marriage due to society's infantilization of women.

Anyway, just a moment ago Khalid was refusing to explain the curse and his actions. Then he suddenly starts speaking after hallucinations and migraines? Okaaaaay. It's not convincing, author-jan.

Still like Shazi's strength, but I wanna put fool cliché Khalid who blames himself for stupid beep on a giant cotton ball. And may smack him across the head a little. The only character I care for, in this salad by now, but his characterization is not perfect, I think. These 2 are very resolute people, then they just have an epiphany and suddenly change their minds?

As for the rest of the chapters, I feel like there's not very much worthy of being said. (wait does that sentence sound right? You know what, languages are one of my fields, but I don't even care for a rare moment, I'm just tired) (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ayla @Laurel

(view spoiler)[Oh I forgot something I was gonna mention: Tariq climbed/reached Shazi's balcony like it was nothing. Why did the assassins actually use the corridors?! Wtfrog

Ayla, I know how you're feeling: I thought FINALLY, then I thought it was too short and noticed the author lacked the ability to write proper fighting scenes unlike her enthusiastic descriptions of female clothing and accessories. She used the darkness as a device to just say Hey so he slashed a random number of guys. And then some more.

I thought she had decided to distance herself and put down the monster again, like so many other books. But she's just sleeping?! When she wakes up, she's trying even harder to sweeten him up into talking. I don't understand the changes between her inner thoughts and apparent decisions, and her feelings in the next page.

We already knew Khalid gave the orders and his men killed the wives. Nothing new. It's literally said in the book: not telling his people why he's killing their daughters is one of the curse's clauses. I'm pretty sure curses like that aren't easy to counter.

I don't think he was a bad husband. I think time & maturity were needed for both. He was busy with his learnings and duties. Marriage needs an effort from both parties. Though loosing a baby is hard. There was so much she could do: invest in helping unfortunate others as the calipha. She still had her family to visit and love too.

It upsets me the author uses her suicide as a plot device though: pity Ava as the angelic frail maiden and find it saddening & tragic. She even adds the miscarriage, because people love pregnant women and will be more sympathetic after the miscarriage. That's being lazy & cheating: Oh here have this dead depressive mother-to-be-no-more you never met, she's perfect because I didn't explore her as a human. So maybe you can feel sad and cry a little? No! She uses it as just a tool, seeing as the character is female. This way, we'll pity her due to her awful husband, miscarriage and marriage. If it was a man in the reverse conditions and he committed suicide, the reactions would be much different due to social stereotypes and expectations.
I want humanized characters with realistic struggles, not using real problems to solve literary block-roads in inaccurate and lacking ways.

There's authors who use rape as a device too applied to female characters: for sympathy or just a tragic past. It's the easy way out. Something terrible happens to the woman: sexually assaulted. When it comes to male characters, the rape device falls away, which is stupid. You can see it in Twilight and the genderbent remake, Life and Death? Rosalie's rape when human was out of nowhere in order to create sympathy. Contrarily, Royal, her male counterpart in Life and Death didn't get sexually assaulted. Like men aren't victims of rape too.

So I won't pity Ava and I won't say Khalid was bad. He didn't succeed, but one can't if one isn't allowed time to experiment and make mistakes. She made it seem like Ava was weak and a quitter, her death even sounds kind of disjointed. I can't sympathise with that. At least not with so little fleshing out of her character. And I'm not hating on suicide or misunderstanding. I understand these matters too well.

Actually, who does her father think he is? I kill myself for a reason and now people are dying in my name? How dare you associate that kind of suffering to me?! Once again, a character in this book messes with a female's affair and her choices. (hide spoiler)]

I hope I don't offend anyone this time - you'll see it in the spoiler. It's just... My bachelor degree is in Languages, Literatures and Cultures, so I tend to look at a book with the eyes of a student of literature, even if just a tiny bit and see through these walking sticks authors use. Then there's the real life matters that are close to home and it seems kind of disrespectful.

[Bec]

Okay before anything - @Regsly you cracked me up with that video.
I know exactly how you're feeling. Even the serious bits just make me massively roll my eyes.

Read to Chapter 30

(view spoiler)[I hated the fight scene. Yes it was drama. Yes it actually added a bit to the story (that we probably won't know until the sequel) with the (I'm assuming?) hired assassins. But it was confusing. I could not make any sort of visual imagery of the entire scene because I spent half of it thinking they were literal magic shadows and then they started bleeding? Like I was so ridiculously confused when they started attacking with swords because in my head I was screaming "BUT THEY'RE SHADOWS?!". I just hated the whole thing.

And YES @Regsly - why didn't they use the damn window? Again I was so confused when they started talking about slaughtered soldiers in the hall because I just assumed that is what happened because it wasn't actually described in the scene.

I agree that the Ava story was a throwaway. Such a major component the ACTUAL plot should have had more than a page or so of explanation. I feel there was more to the story about Khalid's parents which isn't actually that relevant to the plot.

Also, now knowing the curse I wish there was MORE. Why didn't they try to find a way to break the curse with other magic?! (Are we just disregarding that his old tutor actually knows and does magic??) Where is the consideration of ending his life to break the curse - in a story sense I see this as the noble way to address the problem? It never specifies that he has to kill women that are his wives? So why isn't he just carrying out executions on bad guys everyday???

And they keep talking about Khalid not sleeping but don't ACTUALLY address it. In my head I am ASSUMING that when he goes to sleep the curse takes over and he kills his current wife. Therefore he's not sleeping and using the magic to stay awake. And I mean, they don't even explain his migraines??? Again I'm ASSUMING it's because he is resisting the curse. But nothing is explicitly said.

It is frustrating me so much having to try and read between the lines throughout the entire book. It shouldn't be such an effort to read a good story.

I am hating that there is zero character development - everyone is just acting in retaliation. There seems to be no inner thought process to anything for any of the characters. From Tariq to Ava's suicide and Ava's father. It's frustrating as heck.

(hide spoiler)]

I'm honestly getting more annoyed then anything at this book. I was thinking I might still give it 3 stars before these chapters because the story seemed interesting and I still think it would have been slightly more enjoyable reading it quickly over a week. But now I'm just irate and it's dropping to a 2 or a 1. Too many plot holes and lack of development and confusion in the writing.

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Becca climbing your windows, snatching your ppl up ;P *cracks up*

(view spoiler)[Huff 1st, let me say I feel so relieved about my Ava input. I was afraid I'd be misunderstood, when this lazy author's using stereotypes as a plot device and not even developing them properly.

Fight scene. First I thought: humans. Then she kept insisting on shadows so I thought: magic? Then I felt like I was suspended on a rope, not knowing which direction to take. They bled: humans xD

And where did they enter? They mentioned all the soldiers were slaughtered on the hall, but I take it the chambers aren't close to entrances. So were there even more killings?

All your questions about the curse crossed my mind too. I'm gonna mention the arguments/ideas I've listed internally

Breaking the curse. It may be possible with a great number of white wizards and a willing sacrifice. But dark magic with a grudging vengeful suicide is really aggressive. There's many things that goodness may not be able to counter completely, because to remain pure you cannot cross certain lines.

Khalid being a noble sacrifice also crossed my mind, I'd personally do it. The problem is the curse encompasses the kingdom and people too. It would probably still collect a thousandfold since Khalid didn't grant the 100 at dawn. Curse hungry for souls.

I thought about taking out the lives of criminals too. When Khalid quotes his ahm father-in-law *snort*, it seems vague except for the 100 souls/a dawn. Right afterwards though, he mentions more specifics that may be curse clauses the man proclaimed as well or not. I am uncertain - author's fault.

I think the curse is causing migraines and hallucinations that will lead him paranoid, violent and insane. He may really kill ppl accidentally, if he's meant to go crazy. If he really has a chained monster waiting to be set free, I can't tell for sure. *shrugs* (hide spoiler)]

[Bec]

I mean, I just wish more than anything there weren't so many holes and questions and guessing. I want to think that this is part of the mystery in the plot and will get revealed later on but I am very much doubting it. To me it just feels like poor story development. Maybe I'm being greedy wanting more detail.

[The Half-blood Reader]

I'm assuming everything will be revealed and explained. It may be in a rushed manner like Ava's story, though...
And some holes, I'm assuming. I mean, trained assassins not noticing it is easy to reach her bedroom through the balcony is a big failure, -i think.

[The Half-blood Reader]

At chapter 31


I'm actually writing commentaries down as I read again.
Sorry I'm early, but my schedule was switched so I have today free, and am getting this book over with.

(view spoiler)[So now our main pairing finally knows all the secrets. Khalid actually took it quite well, albeit dramatically. Good for them.
And now he’s leaving, so the city is invaded and Jahandar can start his rock’n’roll concert. (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

Currently reading chapter 32

I'm going to write the comments and stupid jokes as they're coming out of me. I can't bear to hold them to myself.

(view spoiler)[Next chapter: Jahandar and his magical diary of doom. Called it.

He is going to catch some weird diseases, what with all that mixing of animal blood into his bloodstream.

He began to laugh. Oh great, kill it with fire!
He would rescue his daughter. And save a kingdom. Seriously, nobody is asking you. Also, there’s been no more dead girls, the kingdom literally needs no saving from the caliph anymore.
For he was Jahandar the Great. When I exclaimed Oh great before, it wasn’t meant for you to take it as part of your name!
Jahandar the All-Powerful. I told you ppl to kill it with fire, now he’s power hungry
Jahandar . . . the King of Kings. Jahandar, the one who needs to stop smoking cacti.

And he’d [Tariq] failed Shahrzad when he allowed her to risk her life for revenge. Once again, she has free will, you insufferable punk.

Lightning. I predicted Jahandar would be responsible for special effects & lights in this concert. Maybe I should take a job as a fortune teller *snicker*

And now, another exciting episode of Jahandar, the Lightning King!

Musical theme: Killing animals by torchlight, invading cities by moonlight. When I touch this book it really hurts! I’m gonna invade you with lightning! [Note: I’m singing this to the Sailormoon theme]

Jahandar: *manic laugh atop the hill* Screw the people, burn the city to the ground!!!
Tariq: We are being invaded by lightning! *dramatic look* This must be the boy-king’s fault. He ran away with his demon heart to burn the city from a distance and eat popcorn while he watches.
Rahim: Uhm, Tariq-jan what is popcorn?
Tariq: Shut up, Rahim! I’m being attractively moronic right now.
Rahim: I like horses.

Shahrzad: By the goddess, everything burns. Must I really die so the ppl will live, horrid curse?
Jalal: I'm telling you, everything's fine. It's just a sto--
Soldier on fire runs past them: AAAAAARRRRRGH!!!
Tariq *sleazes in, scratching belly*: So, your father is getting carried away with the fireworks…
Shahrzad: What?! I must stop him at once! Where he be at?
Jalal: Are you telling me her dead-beat father is behind this?

Shahrzad: Baba, did you just try to make barbecue of me, your daughter?
Jahandar: I have no daughter! Tonight we feast on the blood of our brethren! MUAHAHAH!
Shahrzad *pleading eyes*: You must stop this insanity!
Jahandar: Death to Rey!

In the next episode:
Shahrzad: I must go on a journey to learn magic and defeat baba!
(…)
Jahandar: The king demands bear blood, he be sick of regular livestock!
Despina: *barf*
(...)
Khalid: I step one foot out of the city and see what happens! Also, wasn't this book about me?!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, I've written/spoke all this and am only at the part where Jalal entered Shazi's room. I better stop for now and keep reading xD (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

Finished book

(view spoiler)[Of course Vikram would've killed you! You just invaded the palace and killed a soldier at the calipha's chambers! Duh!
Who asked you to kill more innocent people? Tell me the Rajput isn't dead! T_T
Why hasn't Shazi struck these 2 idiots yet? If you're not leaving without her, then just drop dead already! Let her leave her life, ffs!

Honestly, the guy has let her live for more than a month. How are they so surprised about Khalid's proximity to Shahrzad? How dumb can you be? Do you think he let her live so she could make him sandwiches?!

Oh no, she's defending another human life that happens to be Khalid's relative! So shocking! After all, everyone living in the palace must have treated her badly all this time. They're not humans or anything, capable of liking other people...

He killed Shiva, you killed Vikram (or meant to. Please be alive, Vikram). I don't see much difference.
Like it's Khalid's fault the city is burning

Where's Despina? Jalal do not tell Tariq that. He sounds like the type who will lock her away just so she won't go to Khalid's arms ever again.

What has Tariq started when he addressed grief-stricken Reza just so he could get his girl back. Now the deal with the devil (Salim) is being struck.

Poor Khalid, alone all again with a broken city.

So Shazi's magic, the curse's future, the uprising... All unsolved. For the sequel. Soooo. Yasmine only appeared for drama-jealousy effects, or is she going to have any relevance on the sequel? Some acting against his father's wishes to help her beloved? (hide spoiler)]

[Ayla]

@Regsly

(view spoiler)[
Lol, very true, the enthusiastic descriptions of female clothing and accessories XD

But I'm not sure how I feel about her story about Ava. I wish there was some more information about her? Like a flashback or something? I still think it's a sad story, although I agree with you and think that, other than that, the story fell a bit flat.
I agree with you about using the suicide as a plot device. I feel like there is too little context to throw that in there like that. I do know that basically every Greek tragedy ends with the suicide of the main character, after his/her loved one died/fled/etc. And "One Thousand and One Nights" is a very ancient story as well, so maybe it was more usual during that period to end stories with suicides. Not sure about this though, maybe you know more about it, cause you studied Languages, Literatures and Cultures?
(hide spoiler)]

[Ayla]

@Regsly @Becca

About the fight scene:
(view spoiler)[
Personally it hadn't crossed my mind that they weren't humans, cause I assumed they were shadows because of the darkness.

But I'm thinking:
How did they know where Shazi's room was? I mean the palace is huge and nobody noticed them before she screamed when she saw them, so I guess the "shadows" went straight for her room. So either there must be a traitor in the palace or this is yet another plot hole.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ayla]

I will finish the book tomorrow by the way

[Ilsen]

Until Chapter 30

(view spoiler)[ Ok I think I'm not the only one saying that the fight scene is confusing. First it was described as shadows and then it was multiple people and then it just turned to one person. It was just really confusing overall. And I didn't understand what was going on.

Honestly when she found the letters and just "realized" that Khalid was killing the wives, I'm just like "Why are you getting emotional? You know this already." And then she was like "Yea it's time to stop fooling around with Khalid and kill him. There's no way there's any excuse for any of these deaths." *Next moment* "OMG SWEETIE ARE YOU OK? Tell me everything. I want to know so I can love you forever!" LIKE WHAT. BUT YOU JUST SAID. Ugh. There is no character development at all. Like everyone is the same.

Don't get me started on Ava. What the author is trying to do is just horrible representation. I understand losing a baby is hard but does that mean she suddenly wants to kill herself? No. And plus how is this Khalid's fault. He was seventeen. He had no time to be in a relationship. To actually pay attention to it. And the father is just like "Her death is your fault so I'm going to put a curse on you."

And you're right. They didn't specify that it had to be women. It could have been criminals. And the sleeping was I don't know. I guess you can't sleep if your wife is still alive. But Jesus no sleep in two months? Freaking horrible. There is still so many questions but I don't know. (hide spoiler)]

[Ilsen]

Regsly wrote: "I'm still at chapter 28 (the dark manly bed intruder shapes), so I won't read the comments referring to further than that yet :P

For my dead shadow mercenaries intruding on young maiden's bedrooms..."

THE BED INTRUDER SONG OMG XD

[Ilsen]

@Becca @Regsly

(view spoiler)[ I agree why didn't they just use the window? No need to killing people around uselessly. I feel like the Ava story doesn't explain everything and also I wish we had something more with the parents. I thought this curse would show for sure that he is a monster but he is not. Yes the story of Ava is sad. All she wanted was to be loved but it's an arranged marriage? Like what the helldid she expect? A Disney ending? Life doesn't work that way, honey.

Also the magic is just really confusing. Like where is this magic coming from? Why is it here? What's the rules? Like it's all over the place. (hide spoiler)].

[Ilsen]

I'm reading the last three chapters today because tomorrow and Saturday I have plans so it will be hectic.

[The Half-blood Reader]

Ilsen wrote: "I'm reading the last three chapters today because tomorrow and Saturday I have plans so it will be hectic."

Break the rules with me xD

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ayla

Actually, you've raised a very pertinent question. Even if it's not my area (I've studied Portuguese, British, North-American, just Classical French and some Irish literature... meh), I have some knowledge.

Although, the original One thousand and One Nights has no female suicides from the main characters. I also don't remember female suicides in the stories told by Shahrzad, although I remember cursed sisters, disobedient wives, women full of sexuality and eager to please men, isolated prisoners, women who easily take revenge. It is a mirror of the middle eastern culture of sooo long ago. In the time when the tales were written, women were thought to be more inclined to sin. The so called Islamic Golden Age.
Shahrzad tells stories from various countries/nations, people, from Egypt to Samarkand. Oral stories, passed on from mouth to mouth over a fire.
I can't say for sure, but I don't think the topic of suicidal women was the same for Middle Eastern folklore as it was for ancient Greeks.

Likewise, Greek Mythology and drama are a mirror of the ancient world's cultural assumptions. Grief, Ava's case, is one of the motivations for female suicide in Greek fiction (for the child and possibly because she did not feel loved by Khalid).
In Ancient Greece, the female was completely dependent on and under the control of a male: from father to husband. There was this taught ingrained social behaviour and stigma: women's duty was to marry and bear children, their social role always subservient to a male.

Wait, I think I have something good on my canonical classical list of resources... Ah! Yes! This site explains it very well, better than I could.
http://www.stoa.org/diotima/essays/ga...

Hope this enlightens the issue :D

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ayla @Becca

(view spoiler)[There were so many guests at the palace while Shazi stood on her balcony, it might not have been so hard to find out where her chamber is located. And Tariq gave information about everything to Reza, who demanded to know Khalid's weakness (another driven to insanity by grief parent?). (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ilsen

(view spoiler)[They killed the others fast, only one got focus (not every author knows how to write fighting scenes). It was extremely confusing.

Ugh the letters scene. Seriously. I mean, I understand that frequently, even though you know something, you won't understand it right away. Like, with your whole being. It's as if you have cotton between you and the thing that might hurt you.

I really thought she was after killing him again. But looking back at it, maybe she was just finally facing the music of what a burden it was to accept she loves him and act on it fully. Publicly. Like she's condoning everything he's done, like she's an accomplice to a murderous monster. And a monster herself for loving one.

Which reminds me. The silent exchange between Shazi and Khalid that Tariq watched, I would like to know what it meant. I felt really stupid, because I couldn't remember what they could possibly be silently saying to one another. He just stared, she nodded, he smiled. Was he mentally calling her Mountain of Adamant?
There's some other moment like that in which I don't understand the subtleties, and it pisses me off, because I always do on other oeuvres. This just means I don't have enough intimacy with the characters, or information.

Omg, Ilsen, I love you *w* I was afraid I might be thought of as cold and hating on a depressed suicidal girl who just lost a baby. But you understand <3
Exactly! Arranged marriage + supposed real life does not equal a HEA

She doesn't explain magic so she gets to do whatever she wants *rolling my eyes* (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

Ilsen wrote: "Regsly wrote: "THE BED INTRUDER SONG OMG XD "

I thought it was fitting *giggle*

[Ilsen]

Finished book

(view spoiler)[ Ummm what. Ok so first everything went hunky dory just freaking great with Khalid and Shazi. He told her to kill him. She refused to because she loved him and everything went fine and they loved each other and they had a great time together. I mean it's cute but at the same time, no devolpment. Nothing has changed.

This book just gets me very frustrated. First, when the lightning strikes she thinks it's a storm and then realizes it isn't. She finds it really big and people are in a panic. Then she finds Jalal and she's like "Oh hey Despina is pregnant. Go find her" and then she's like trying to save Tariq and the Rajput at the same time. He kills the Rajput and then he says Khalid is a monster because he killed a bunch of women! BITCH YOU JUST KILLED SOMEONE RIGHT NOW. And then what got me really mad is that she still tried helping them escape EVEN THOUGH SHE EXPLICITELY SAID THAT SHE DID NOT WANT TO GO. Omg. And then she realizes the whole city is burning and then Jalal tells her to leave. BUT WHY?? SHE KNOWS THE SECRET AND WHAT THE HELL IS KHALID REALLY DOING AND UGH.

Also I freaking knew that the Despina getting pregnant was just another way for me to like the character. I don't give a shit about Despina. She can die and I wouldn't care. Like no emotion at all.

And the deal of devils with black magic Jahandar and uncle Salim made a deal to kill Khalid. (hide spoiler)]

Knowing how frustrated I am with the ending and reading a little part from the sequel at the end of the book, this book just isn't for me. I just can't like it. It had potential but it really fell flat for me. I'm gonna have a really long review. Oh boy

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ilsen

(view spoiler)[Tariq killed the Rajput, the guard and he didn't care about the people of Rey or the burning city. Rahim and Tariq are monsters by their and my terms. Because Khalid is very good at controlling his facial expressions and I'm just like that, I don't even have to try, he gets misunderstood and I totally get it. But he's actually quite sensitive and he wouldn't be able to stand seeing his people in trouble and not help - just like we see in the excerpt.

What I wish to know also is if the groups gathering near the borders were a distraction or if they were part of Reza's gang or what.

Between so many angry and crazy characters, and so few allies, it seems we are in for tragedy. Satanic-like Jahandar, in for nepoticide Salim, jealous troll Tariq, acephalous Rahim, grief-stricken Reza ready to be a sequel to the Ava's insane father franchise... Give me a break. (hide spoiler)]

I'm not even ready to write the review. I'm gonna pick some parts of what I said here, and do a bit of constructive criticism, but I just know if I say everything spot-on the fans are gonna go at me like banshees xD

[Ilsen]

@Regsly

(view spoiler)[ I think the exchange was them being silently embracing and just loving each other. I don't know and I don't care.

Aww I love you too Regsly ^_^ Of course I understand. I know you don't mean to hate on depressed people. Ok but I think we should had at least some background on Ava so we understand why she suddenly just gave up her life other than she was sad and lonely???

And I guess it was easy to find her room but I don't buy it. Just so many problems. I can't handle ugh. (hide spoiler)]

It's really a shame because I actually have this book signed by Renee Ahdieh and I met her and she seemed really cool, talking about her books and such. And the way they were talking about it sounded awesome. The hype is not worth it. Wasn't even the hype that ruined it but it still fell flat, with or without hype.

[Ilsen]

@Regsly

(view spoiler)[ Probably the only person I feel sorry about is Khalid. Everyone else I don't give a shit about it. It sucks that Khalid can't do anything for Shazi but I'm not even going to bother with The Rose and The Dagger. I'll just read spoilers. I'm not even bothered to read it. Too frustrating for me. The groups gathering were probably just the gangs or just a lie to get out of the city before all hell breaks loose. Who knows? (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ilsen

(view spoiler)[I meant the silent one right after she mocked Salim for the second time. Before Khalid came back for the embrace. But yeah, not really invested.

It's like I said, when she puts it unceremoniously like that you can't care for the character and you find everything ridiculous. Oh so killed herself just for that? Who cares? Just like how you couldn't develop an attachment to Despina, you can't care less about Ava without a background. She's just one more dehumanized dead character just like the nameless soldiers that have been dying like flies. (hide spoiler)]

Well, time for you to make an auction xD *snort* Well, an average or a bad book doesn't make their author less of a possibly likeable person. I'd say it's not just the author's fault, it's the editor's. I would never let a book so impersonal and clunky go to print.
The problem is the masses nowadays usually have to yet mature emotionally, despite many being way older than me, and so they still rave and go emotional about baseless writings that leave a carton taste in your mouth like inconstant dramatic hormonal teenagers.

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ilsen

(view spoiler)[I'm putting Khalid in a ball of cotton away from everybody. He's the only ones I've grown emotionally attached, the poor thing.

But for some reason I don't like the idea of the Rajput being dead. He was just there for this? Seriously? Also, he was the only character who didn't give me crap, never ran his mouth off. Can't Rahim die? He just opens his mouth to be stupid and Tariq uses his brain to sound stupid. Death to both! (hide spoiler)]

[Ilsen]

@Regsly

(view spoiler)[ Yea I feel like the Rajput was just there to protect Khalid and that's it. Rabin was kinda dumb as a character too. Legit the only good character is Khalid like bye (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@ Ilsen

The sass xD *laughing out loud to my colleagues' surprised faces*

[Ilsen]

@Regsly

I know. I can be very sassy at times XD

[Bec]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Thank god that is done. The ending sucked. It felt rushed and inadequate. I feel like I'm in the middle of a slow-moving book rather than at the end of a book with a sequel. I feel like I've just been sucked into a story that always had a sole intent of selling a second book?

I dunno, I'm honestly just grumpy after reading this book. (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Becca

I agree with you. It feels like it always wanted to make double the money.

[Bec]

Right? Ideally this should have been written as a longer novel (with better editing). There are so many avenues of the plot that I wanted more of to make this story feel finished in and of itself. Instead of a book with a beginning middle and end I feel like I got a beginning and some of a middle. Which honestly just makes me irritated more than wanting to read the sequel.

[Ilsen]

@Becca

I totally agree with you. I just got so frustrated after reading this book. I expected a lot more from it but honestly I'm glad it's over

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Becca @Ilsen

Yup, yup, yup!

Like I said before, editing problems. The author doesn't have to be perfect, the author doesn't need to know everything about making a book more fluid and accessible to the readers. The editor has the tools needed for that.

[Laurel]

I dont think Ill be picking up any more of her books, to be entirely honest. It was a bland mess through and through.

[The Half-blood Reader]

Laurel wrote: "I dont think Ill be picking up any more of her books, to be entirely honest. It was a bland mess through and through."

Pretty much. If I read anything else by her, it'll be the sequel and only because I'm a curious cat. I won't pick anything else.