The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh (Book 1)

The Wrath and The Dawn 
by Renee Ahdieh

395 pages

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons

Plot: A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights

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. (2017, Amazon.com)

Review:  Set on seeking revenge for the death of her best friend, Shahzrad al-Khayzuran volunteers to be the next bride of the Caliph of Khorasan.   Her mission is to kill the king and stop the needless deaths of countless young girls.  Khalid is a young Caliph with a terrible curse.  But, in order to save thousands sacrifices have to be made.  But, as Shahzrad gets to know the King, the more she realizes something is not right.  She cannot find the murdering madman within Khalid and her resolve to kill him weakens by the day.  Conflicted by her emotions, Shazi must uncover the truth - no matter the cost.  

Renee Ahdieh does an amazing job with this story.  I was hooked from page one!  The character development and storytelling was just perfect.  Shazi is a strong heroine and I love how she never loses who she is, even when faced with so much!  She is a silver-tongued firecracker!  My favorite scene is when she takes Khalid to the marketplace  - very much like Aladdin and Jasmine except in reverse!  Full of romance, adventure, and twists you will not be able to put this book down!  Recommended for ages 16 and up!  

Book 2: The Rose & The Dagger

Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖
               5 Hearts!

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!

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Daughter of the Pirate King

By Tricia Levenseller

311 Pages

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Plot: Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map―the key to a legendary treasure trove―seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.  (2017, Amazon.com)

Review: I must say this book was certainly fun to read!  As the title explains, Alosa is the daughter of the pirate king and was sent to find/steal piece of a map that will lead her father to an island of treasures.  However, what Alosa didn't expect was to be drawn to Riden, the first mate of her enemy's ship.  Since her capture was deliberate, Alosa cannot fully reveal her true pirate skills or her captors might become too suspicious.  But, as Alosa spends more time on board, the more her attraction to Riden becomes more complicated. Plus, he is frustratingly too perceptive for his own good. As her deadline comes closer, and still no map, Alosa has to rely on other abilities to help her.  And that's not necessarily a good thing.  Full of action, pirate drama, and a bit of romance you will truly enjoy Levenseller's debut! Excited for book two coming out next month! Recommended for ages 16 and up!

*Recieved a DRC for an honest review.

Book 2: Daughter of the Siren Queen coming February 28, 2018!

Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖
              5 Hearts!

Avenged by Amy Tintera (Ruined Series - Bk 2)

Avenged

By Amy Tintera

416 Pages

Publisher: Harper Teen

Plot: Emelina Flores has come home to Ruina. After rescuing her sister, Olivia, from imprisonment in rival kingdom Lera, Em and Olivia together vow to rebuild Ruina to its former glory. But their fight has only begun. Olivia is determined to destroy everyone who acts against Ruina. Em isn’t as sure. Ever since Em posed as Prince Casimir’s betrothed in Lera, she’s started to see another side to this war. And now that Cas has taken the throne, Em believes a truce is within reach. But Olivia suspects that Em’s romantic feelings for Cas are just coloring her judgement.

Em is determined to bring peace to her home. But when winning the war could mean betraying her family, Em faces an impossible choice between loyalty and love. Em must stay one step ahead of her enemies—and her blood—before she’s the next victim in this battle for sovereignty. (2017, Amazon.com)

Review: Avenged continues right where book 1 left off and is full of action, drama, and romance! Em has her sister Olivia back, but she is full of rage and revenge. She is consumed by it and it makes it even harder for Em and Cas to even talk to each other.   And even though Cas has promised not to hunt her people, there are other enemies that threaten Em and Ruina's future. Book 2 has more romance between Em and Cas now that there are no more secrets between them.  But, even so they know they can't be together because their people still hate each other.  As Olivia's resolve for revenge becomes more intense, Em is caught between her people and the man she can't stop loving.  Can't wait for book 3!  Recommend for ages 15 and up!

*A DRC was given for an honest review.

Rating:💖💖💖💖

            4 Hearts!