This book had me hooked from the first page with its fierce, unapologetic heroine and haunting atmosphere. I loved the powerful themes of vengeance and rebirth—Emily Varga writes with fire and elegance. If you give me morally complex women with power? I’m all in.

The Count of Monte Christo is one of my favorite classics so when I heard about this book, I got so excited, and I was not disappointed.
I loved the worldbuilding and the characters. I thought it was all fleshed out really well and the writing style made me just want to keep reading. I also really liked the revenge plot.
The only thing that I didn't love was the relationship between Dani and Mazin. I really liked it up until the point where the enemies become lovers. To me, it didn't seem like it was true to the characters and I really don't think that Mazin had the redemption arc he needed for the Dani to forgive him.
Overall, though, I enjoyed the book and would read it again.

2.5 stars rounded up. This book was just okay. I attempted to read it in the fall, but I just couldn’t get into it. This time around, I was able to make it through the book. There was a small interesting twist. Unfortunately, I found the writing and majority of the plot to be lacking. I love a good revenge story, but this just seemed dull and repetitive. I also love a good romance. I found that to be lacking too. The characters fell flat for me. The premise of the book is interesting. I was excited for a great Pakistani romantasy revenge story. It just didn’t play out in a way that would keep me engaged. I really wanted more world building and deeper characters. Just because I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I expected, doesn’t mean you won’t love it! I will say that I do appreciate a strong female lead character, which this had. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been on a kick of Monte Cristo style revenge stories recently, and this one definitely meets the criteria. The best parts of this book are the moments of dramatic irony surrounding Dani’s (this book’s woe begotten Edmund Dantes) hidden identity as she magically changes her appearance and faces down the people who wronged her. Her emotions are palpable in every moment and the story is firmly anchored in her rage, sadness, and dogged determination. Similar to how the most memorable moments of Monte Cristo are when the reader sees flashes of Dantes in the count as his emotional turmoil breaks through.

The romance here is actually quite good, I’m a fan of male leads who can be powerful and even domineering without being growly, over protective, alpha male dickheads. Mazin has his own background and agenda, which gives him a personality and goals outside of being possessive over Dani which ultimately brings him into real conflict with her. She maybe forgives him a little quicker and easier than I would have—and I would have liked the tension between them to be drawn out even longer—but his reasons are understandable and even admirable if you like the kind of guy who has morals outside of the usual bland “touch her and you die.”

Honestly, I kept waiting for something to happen between Dani and Noor (a combination of Abbe Faria, Jacopo, Ali, and every other Dantes sidekick you can think of) but, unfortunately, the closer Dani gets to Mazin, the more Noor becomes a plot damsel which is regrettable. The magic system is unique and has my one of my favorite magic tropes: the thing you need to consume to do magic consumes you in turn, but it becomes moot by the end of the book for reasons and I felt like more could have been done with it.

Overall, this is a great debut novel and I’ll happily read more of anything Emily Varga writes!

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for my eARC of For She is Wrath by Emily Varga. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I loved this book! When I saw it was a Pakistani romantasy reimagining, I had to read it and boy did it not disappoint.

This book had so many elements that I love: strong female lead, the multiple timelines we get (flashbacks and present day), magic system, revenge, and the lovers turned enemies turned lovers. Plus it had a strong friendship that was just as important as the romance in this book.

I can't wait to read more from Varga. Thanks, Wednesday Books!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC copy of this book, apologies for the late review.

For She Is Wrath is commendable because it wants to tell the story of a woman who is so wrapped up in her own revenge story that she doesn't see what else is around her. She is strong, hard-headed and knows how to fend for herself, but her heart carries a deep bitterness that prevents her from moving forward. All in all, Dania is very interesting protagonist. However, whatever interest I had in her as a protagonist dissipated the further I read. The following are my reasons for struggling to enjoy the book the further on I went (being as vague as possible to avoid spoilers!)

* The love story fell a bit flat for me. There wasn't enough time spent deepening the bond between love interests.
* The repetition. So many times the same idea was repeated over and over, sometimes just within paragraphs of each other. It is frustrating to be reading and not really getting further along with either plot or character progression.
* Character development felt like it was lost upon anyone who wasn't the main character.
* The twist at the end felt like it could have been really good, but some of the motivations that caused it to happen felt unclear and confusing.

Alas! I really wanted to like this book - this one might be your cup of tea - but it was not mine.

I honestly don't know how to review this. It felt more like a setup for what could be a great series to come. Like a drawn out first act as opposed to a complete work. I will always support an angry desi woman on a revenge path, so there is that.

This book was just what I needed to get through a time in the world where women’s rights are under siege. The motivations for each character were clear and seeing karma come to those who deserved it was like a balm to my soul.

This one gets the 1-star bump as "For She is Wrath" is Emily Varga's debut novel, a well-written, engaging, and action-packed novel of betrayal, revenge, romance, and magic djinn. It's inspired by "The Count of Monte Cristo," of course, but set in a world that seems to be inspired more by the Indian subcontinent than nineteenth century France. There's magical djinn seeds, scimitars, a best friend named Noor, caravanserai, and of course, the evil djinn himself (or, herself?).

What's probably the best feature of this book, in my opinion, is the strength and determination of young Dania, who begins the story trying to break out of prison. The role-reversal of the character really worked for me, as Dania was outspoken and often did the rescuing, rather than the other way around. I also enjoyed that the story began in media res, and then through a series of flashbacks the readers get to learn of her backstory and the reasons for her overwhelming need for revenge.

I read this as an ARC from Netgalley, the publishers, and author. My thanks for the opportunity of another great read.

Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin sPress, and Wednesday Books for this free copy of "For She Is Wrath."

Always be super careful when you're making bargains with a djinn. Especially when what you want is revenge on your enemies.

Dania is a wonderful, strong, resourceful character. She was trained to be an expert sword wielder and fighter by her swordcrafter father. Framed for a crime she didn't commit, she vows vengeance on those responsible which include Mazin, the young man she loved (still loves?)

So you know there's a djinn but there's also hidden treasure, disguises, court intrigue, betrayals, and smooching.

This debut novel by author Varga felt like reading a whirlwind, especially with the surprising ending.

I truly wish I had been reading this book at a time when my life wasn't so hectic so I could have fully immersed myself in the world and enjoyed the journey, but even without full immersion, I had a fantastic time. I'm always going to be a sucker for a gender-swapped version of a classic tale, and changing the setting so it's even more diverse? Sign me up. I truly loved all the characters and will 100%, always, at all times, support women's wrongs. I think the ending was beautiful and wrapped things up in a satisfying way, but I wouldn't be opposed to more books written in this world - a sequel/companion novel about Noor, anyone? Overall, this book kept me engaged and intrigued, even if I didn't have the energy to pick it up and read everyday.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I wanted to love this, I really did but I found myself bored more than anything else.

The synopsis made it seem like a grand adventure of revenge and we didn't get that. The writing style wasn't for me, I skimmed quite a bit just so that I could see how everything played out.

maybe the ReAL rEVeNge was the fRieNdS wE mAde AloNG tHe WaY

LOL but actually i did enjoy this. i wouldn’t say the revenge plot was particularly well thought out with military precision - it was more revenge-lite, but i’m willing to let it go (haha)

not me just sneaking in my arc review half a year after the book has been published … hehe thanks netgalley and the publishing house that shall not be named

This was alright. The writing was decent enough, and if I was more into revenge plots, this likely would have kept its 4th star. To an extent I think this one just wasn’t for me. I’d still recommend this to the right person.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book!

This is one of those books I believe should be gone into with little previous knowledge, so I'll just give a brief synopsis. A girl is imprisoned for one year but when she escapes, she vows to get revenge on those who put her there. It is a Pakistani fantasy retelling of "The Count of Monte Cristo"

I enjoyed every minute of this book and I'm deeply disappointed I didn't read it sooner. The author had such an instinctual way of writing that made me forget often I was just reading a book. The scenes played out so clearly in my mind I would forget that it was all fictional and not an experience I was living. This is the first Pakistani book I have ever read and I enjoyed the culture immensely. I can't wait to read more Pakistani stories! The combination of real culture mixed with an intricate fantasy world worked so seamlessly and every emotion the characters felt and portrayed was so utterly believable. The ending was tied up in a way that made sense in the perfect amount of time and the relationships in the story were so heartwarming.

Honestly, it is hard for me to find fault with this book. The one thing I will say is that I wanted to see more of Mazin's sister because her character was one of my favorites. This was an easy 5/5 stars for me.

Review of "For She Is Wrath"
"For She Is Wrath" is a mesmerizing tale of revenge, redemption, and the complicated nature of love set against a backdrop of magical intrigue. The novel delivers a potent exploration of how the pursuit of vengeance can both empower and corrupt, all while weaving an intricate romantic subplot that adds layers of emotional complexity.
The story centers on Dania, a compelling protagonist whose wrongful imprisonment sets the stage for a revenge narrative that transcends typical genre conventions. The countdown structure—marking three hundred and sixty-four days of imprisonment—creates an immediate sense of urgency and purpose that propels the narrative forward. This temporal framing device effectively emphasizes Dania's singular focus and the methodical nature of her planned retribution.
What elevates this novel is the complicated relationship between Dania and Mazin. Their shared history transforms what could have been a straightforward revenge tale into something far more nuanced. The author skillfully navigates the thin line between love and hate, creating tension-filled encounters where romantic history and present animosity collide. The "undeniable fire" that persists between them raises the emotional stakes and forces readers to question the permanence of betrayal and the possibility of forgiveness.
The introduction of djinn magic provides a fascinating fantastical dimension that serves the thematic elements of the story. Dania's acquisition of dark magic acts as both literal power and metaphor for the corrupting influence of vengeance, creating a character arc that questions how much of oneself can be sacrificed in pursuit of justice before becoming unrecognizable. The magic system feels consequential rather than merely decorative, with powers that come with genuine costs.
The novel's pacing deserves special mention, balancing introspective character development with high-stakes action as Dania executes her elaborate scheme. The prison escape sequence and subsequent treasure hunt infuse the narrative with adventure while maintaining focus on Dania's emotional journey. As she adopts a new identity and weaves an increasingly complex web of deception, readers witness her transformation and question whether she can maintain her core self amid her pursuit of retribution.
Particularly compelling is the moral ambiguity that permeates the story. There are no easy villains or heroes here, just flawed individuals making difficult choices in the aftermath of betrayal. This complexity extends to supporting characters, including Dania's fellow escapee, whose motivations add additional layers to the narrative.
For readers who appreciate character-driven fantasy with emotional depth, "For She Is Wrath" delivers a satisfying blend of revenge narrative and star-crossed romance. The novel ultimately poses profound questions about the price of vengeance, the possibility of redemption, and whether justice sought at the expense of one's humanity is justice at all.

when I heard Count of Monte Cristo Pakistani retelling I said sign me up 🙋🏻‍♀️ and it did not disappoint

I was blown away by the story, the characters, the revenge, yearning, magic 😭 there was so much plot and depth to this story with complex characters I seriously haven’t loved a fantasy book like this in a while!!!

“Did you think I wouldn’t know you? I’d know you with any face. Any skin. Any hair. A thousand djinn could disguise you from me and I’d still be able to find you just by the sound of your breath.” ✋🏻 hold on while I GASP OUT LOUD

While there was romance (THE ROMANCE) there was also friendship that was so important to me 😖

10/10 recommend!!!!❤️‍🩹

"I've left marks all over you." - Dania
"Shall I tell you my favorite ones?" - Mazin

The Count of Monte Cristo will always hold a special place in my heart, but this is a fabulous retelling with a Middle Eastern dijinn twist. Dania has been locked in a prison for a year, betrayed by her greatest love turned greatest betrayal. Now she is bent on revenge... no matter the cost. I loved the Pakistani setting, lovers turned enemies, plot, and pretty much everything about it. I feel like it was missing something to make this a true 5 star, but I still really enjoyed it. I highly recommend the audiobook, as well.

Wow! What a fantastic book! Emily Varga weaves a tale of love, revenge, and magic so beautifully. The world is stunning, the characters so real, and the magic so unique. I loved the twists, the flashbacks, and the romance. I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

I LOVED this book! I have both OwlCrate and Fairyloot versions and Emily Varga is a gem! I loved Varga's take on the Conte of Monte Cristo. This book was creative and full of female rage - two things I will never say no to.

I recommend this for all YA readers and lovers of YA lit. I will be keeping this book for my daughter to read when she gets older as well.