The Rose & The Dagger by Renee Ahdieh (Book 2)

The Rose and The Dagger 

by Renee Ahdieh

416 pages

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons

Plot: I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love. (2017, Amazon.com)

Review: The Rose and The Dagger starts off a couple of days after the end of book one.  So, there is no extensive time lapse between the two.  Everything is still pretty fresh and raw with Shahrzad and Khalid. With a the City of Rey taking a substantial hit, Khalid has a lot on his hands trying to repair and rebuild his city.  Meanwhile, Shahrzad is trying to adjust to life out in the desert where Tariq and her family are plotting war against her husband.  Although Jalal sent her away with Tariq in order to be safe, she realizes her life is still in danger as the Calipha of Khorasan.  

Determined to break Khalid's curse and prevent the upcoming war, Shahrzad uses her magic carpet to leave camp in search of the Fire Temple and the only man who could possibly help her save the man she loves.  But, destroying the curse is not the only obstacle Shahrzad and Khalid will have to overcome.  Shahrzad is still a fireball throughout this book and as strong willed as ever.   She is certainly a heroine you will root for until the very end! Full of adventure, betrayal, romance, and little magic, The Rose and The Dagger will have you glued to your seat until it's nail-biting conclusion!

Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖
                5 Hearts!