The Wrath & The Dawn #1 & #2 by Reneé Ahdieh (review)

Last month I read ‘The Wrath & The Dawn’ #1 and #2 by Reneé Ahdieh. The week I read this duology became a week where I was utterly obsessed. I became possed by some crazy need to read in any spare minute I had during the day. And as a result, I even lost my phone on the train… I read in my smallest breaks during work and any waking or waking moment. I read ‘The Wrath & The Dawn’ and ‘The Rose & The Dagger’ in less than a week. Read my review of this amazing duology here. No spoilers, I promise! 🖤

These books deal with revenge, hate, truth, trust and forgiveness and it does so, beautifully. I was captivated from the beginning. After only 10 pages I knew this was going to be an epic journey and my predictions became true. I read the first book in three days and the second book in four days. (Thank you, mum, for buying the second book for me even though I didn’t ask you to. I wouldn’t have survived without it! )

One follows Shazi who lives in Khorasan which is ruled by a murderous boy-king who takes a new bride every night only to kill her at dawn. One day Shazi volunteers to be the Caliph’s new bride in order to kill him and avenge her best friend. But Khalid the Caliph is nothing like Shazi had thought and from here on things get both complicated and romantic. If this synopsis doesn’t get your attention I don’t know what will.

I loved the plot, let me just say that. I am a sucker for enemies to lovers and this is no exception. Regardless of their connected history, Khalid and Shazi’s growing feelings for each other and their relationship affects many characters and has big consequences for the story. Namely the word “story” place a big role in ‘The Wrath and The Dawn’ as it is a retelling of ‘A Thousand and One Nights’. I really cherished these many small stories throughout the story.

The relationship between Kahlid and Shazi was probably what I lived for (forever the romantic you know.). I looooved them so much. I am so thankful for the prologue in ‘The Wrath & The Dawn’. Without this, I think it would have been a lot harder to “accept” the relationship and to care for Kahlid. Their relationship was not a typically slow burn as some things were turned a bit upside down, but the emotions unfurling between Kahlid and Shazi were burning slow and painfully as they had to face some not so unexpected dilemmas and choices their relationship brought.

Even though these books are eventful, especially the second book, one thing I really enjoyed was the focus on the characters emotional development. They made room for the emotions and space for each of the characters, especially Shazi, to contemplate these emotions and what they might bring of challenges.

A book or a series is nothing without the characters. Luckily these books are filled with great and noteworthy characters. I was very fond of all of them; Kahlid, Shazi, Despina, Jalal, Rahim, Tariq, Musa and Artan and many others. They were flawed, real and perfectly imperfect what more can you ask for?

The only negative thing I have to say is that the ending of the second book should have been at least one maybe two chapters longer to round it up better before the epilogue. I wanted more. More Shazi, Kahlid and the others. I guess I have to make do with the short stories Ahdieh has written. I want to finish this review with my favourite quote and the sweetest love letter written.

Best,
Nicoline

Have you read The Wrath & The Dawn and The Rose & The Dagger? What were your thoughts? Have you read any other books by Ahdieh?