An incredibly well-plotted read that was addictive, with a lovely side dose of enemies to lovers done right.

Thanks to Wednesday Books for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.

"You were forged in the fires of hatred too, made new by your revenge"

----------------

Wooo boy, this book is a great example of 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.' In a Pakistani mythology inspired retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, Dania is a young woman who lost everything when she was falsely arrested for murder. Her former best friend and flame was responsible for it. She vows to escape prison and exact revenge. She has tried repeatedly to escape and has ended up tortured again and again. Until she meets fellow prisoner, Noor, who is as dedicated as she to escape. Together they forge a bond which sees them out of the prison and on the trail of a famous treasure which they believe will give them the power to overthrow the emperor and exact the revenge Dania so badly wants.

I loved the first 2/3rds of this story. It was all bitter, angry revenge fueled dreams and girl power. I started to get worried towards the end as it grew more and more romantasy rather than straight fantasy. I did not like Dania softening and losing her grip on revenge but then there were several big twists that brought this one around for me. Those helped enrich the story and brought all the pieces together in a way that worked for me. Another case where I didn't need the epilogue but glad it wrapped up so cleanly.

Really enjoyed this! I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did. Fantasy is huge right now and it’s hard to find original stories. So many feel like a copy paste. But this one felt new and different to me. It was fast paced and I think will be a big hit for readers who enjoy strong female protagonists and a bit of romance.

In For She is Wrath, Emily Varga crafts a breathtaking and darkly romantic fantasy, set against a vivid Pakistani backdrop. Inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo, this sweeping tale follows Dania, a heroine consumed by betrayal, vengeance, and an unquenchable longing for justice. After being framed and imprisoned for a year, Dania is granted a chance to reclaim her life and avenge herself against those who wronged her—especially Mazin, the boy she once trusted and loved.
From the very first page, Varga pulls readers into Dania’s intense journey. Varga's writing is immersive and lyrical, with rich world-building that truly brings the story to life. Each twist hits like a revelation, timed perfectly to keep readers enthralled and constantly guessing. It’s a book that grips you tightly and refuses to let go until the last page.
Dania’s character development is especially powerful. Her unwavering determination fuels her revenge, and readers feel her every surge of anger and heartache. Varga portrays her struggle with striking authenticity, showing both the allure and the cost of revenge. Dania’s friendship with Noor adds a grounding balance, while Mazin’s complex character becomes ever more intriguing as hidden truths emerge. Through their shared history and the undeniable tension between them, Varga explores the paradox of love and hatred, and how vengeance can blur the lines of humanity.
For She is Wrath isn't just a romance or a revenge story—it’s a deeply emotional journey that delves into friendship, loyalty, and the price of seeking justice at all costs. This book is an absolute must-read for fans of emotional, high-stakes fantasy. Pre-order it now; you'll want this one on your shelf!

To start with the pros, I found For She is Wrath’s setting to be very vivid; it induced such a strong sense of place. Secondly, I found the magic system involving Djinn magic and zoraat crystals to be interesting and creative, albeit in need of fleshing out.

A big issue I had with this was the pacing. While I found everything going on very entertaining and intriguing, things were moving too fast. This made Dania’s schemes feel like they were thrown together, with less payoff after the fact. This frenetic, rushed energy carried over into the conflict’s resolution and the book’s ending.

Next, Noor felt like a true side character who only existed to be the moral compass to the main character. I feel like the story would’ve benefited from her feeling like a real character with her own backstory..

Honestly, I’m not sure the YA genre is conducive with retelling the count of Monte Cristo., which is something I didn’t really realize until I started reading this.You can’t have a character who’s imprisoned for a long time, because if you wait too long, they won’t be a teenager anymore! This takes away from the impact and motivation behind the characters actions.

As a whole, I enjoyed parts of this and didn’t care as much for others. However, I would definitely check out more from this author in the future and I’m curious to see what she’ll do next.

FOR SHE IS WRATH is most likely (read: definitely) going to make my "Top 10" favorite books of this year! What a pleasant and amazing surprise; I'm, as always, upset with *myself* for not picking it up sooner. FSIW is a Pakistani retelling of "The Count of Monte Cristo" which, to be honest, sounded a bit daunting to me at first. I like classics and have read a great many of them..... but it's also been a very long time since 😅 That said, don't let that stop you from picking this one up!!! It's very accessible, in my opinion; it didn't take long for me at all to become engrossed in the story, and I think many others share in this same sentiment. Varga has created a very vivid, action-packed tale here, with both great pacing and plot twists that were actually surprising/felt earned AND served purpose in relation to the overall narrative. I though the insight/flashbacks into Dani's past was really well done, particularly when it came to her relationship with her father 🥺🥹 And finally..... this was Enemies-to-Lovers done RIGHT, full stop!!!! Considering this novel is technically categorized as YA, I had initially lowered my expectations when it came to the romance aspect and was prepared for it to be fine/mid at best. I'm so glad I was wrong. The tension! The uncertainty! The push and pull and eventual pining..... this book has it all in ACES. Very well done, highly recommend 100000%.

For she is Wrath
3.75⭐️2.75🌶️


Ya fantasy
Count of Monte Cristo Retelling
Unique magic system
Friends to enemies to lovers
Feminine rage
Flashbacks
Imprisonment
Pakistani inspired
Betrayal
Revenge
Secret identities

For She is Wrath was an attention grabbing retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. The FMC’s unwavering pursuit for justice against a corrupt ruler and those who wronged her was the best kind of feminine rage. She goes up against her former lover as we learn about what lead up to her false arrest and imprisonment for treason and murder.

The richness of the descriptions of the food, clothing and setting was so immersive. I wish there had been a little more explanation of some of the Pakistani inspired elements. As someone who isn’t familiar with the culture and I wish there had been a little more explanation, but I really liked what was there.

The magical world building wasn’t as strong as I would have liked. I would have loved it to have been even more flushed out earlier in the plot.

The romance was true enemies to lovers. There was no doubt that Dani wanted M dead. The tension and was superb. I really enjoyed the main couple’s chemistry.

Unfortunately the friendship with Noor was a bit unbalanced, making it feel as if Noor was a true side character in her own story. It’s not often a side character seemingly thinks they are actually a side character. She would have really blossomed if she had been given a little more.

The conclusion was a little anticlimactic for me. But the beginning was everything I wanted and more.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I am so in love with this book!! I loved the revenge plot / retelling and all of the Pakistani culture. The writing was so well done - I could smell all the yummy food and feel all the textures and clothes she described.

The romance was this lovely surprise of many tropes and was filled with so much anticipation. I couldn’t put it down. And the friendship with Noor was refreshing and I really hope we get a Noor story!!

I’m in awe that For She is Wrath is a debut book and highly recommend!! Thanks so much to Wednesday books for the arc! Emily Varga is a new must-read author for me!

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ For She is Wrath by Emily Varga

Dania is wrongfully accused of murder and is imprisoned by the person she trusted her heart with. Now she must escape to enact her vengeance.

For She is Wrath is a fast paced YA fantasy standalone. I had a great time reading this one and loved the blood thirsty main character, Dania. I loved how brutally she handled her revenge, and that the author showed us the domino effect of achieving it. I really appreciated that forgiveness didn’t necessarily mean owing that person kindness. The romance was full of tension, and told in two timelines. It was very well done, and who knew scars could be so romantic. 🥰

Thank you #netgalley and #wednesdaybooks for the opportunity to read this arc. For She is Wrath came out October 29th so you can get it now!

Imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit. Betrayed by her lover. Tortured and stripped of all humanity. Dania plans her vengeance. Every night she repeats their names waiting for her moment to escape. It comes in an unlikely form bursting through her floor. Two women seeking justice will escape pain to topple a kingdom and Dania will take on anyone standing in her way.

I know Dania is the heroine of the story, but what really stands out for me in For She is Wrath is the friendship that develops between Noor and Dania. Noor is the person you want at your back. She may not agree with what you are doing and she’ll tell you, but she’ll still have your back. She’ll go to the wall for you. Come to find out that Dania will too. I love this friendship that is born in the dirt of struggle. It starts with different intentions, but ends up being a true love of friendship.

There is plenty of action and intrigue. There is also a torn romance as Dania deals with her leftover feelings for Mazin and his betrayal. The struggle is real for her. It doesn’t get resolved until almost the end. The seesawing is tough. I actually could have done without the romantic part and I think the book would still have been as good due to the friendship between Noor and Dania. I think the romance portion weakened Dania, but that’s just my opinion. Dania’s heart is shown with her interactions with her family and Noor, if putting in the continued romance with Mazin was to soften her.

Revenge is the name of the game. Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it in For She is Wrath.

I loved this story!!!! Definite 5 star YA fantasy novel. I read this book via an immersion read with the audio narration getting a 5 star as well. Consistent pacing with steady plot pacing made this book an easy and enjoyable read.

This book is first person, upper level YA fantasy novel with an interesting yet easy to follow magic system. The FMC was strong, brilliant and also full of very valid rage. The main plot is the journey of her vengeance, but along the way there is love and friendship, unseen betrayals and maybe some retribution and forgiveness.

I found the FMC very likable and the villains equally loathsome! This is close to my favorite YA of the year!

a very “meh” 3 stars

i enjoyed the premise, and it was very easy to read. but the characters’ selfishness annoyed me to no end, and the side characters were soooo underdeveloped. if you think about the details too much (ie: how magic came to be, where they got all their money, how this was one big miscommunication book) then it loses some charm

but i’ll always support a YA book showcasing how men ain’t shit and ruin your life!

This one is about Dania, a young woman who was framed for a crime she didn't commit and sent to a terrible prison to be tortured and forgotten. During her year in the worst conditions imaginable, she dreams of getting revenge on the people who put her there, including someone she thought she loved. This book is a genderbent, Pakistani retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo, with a healthy dose of magic and a side of swoony romance (complete with a Mr. Darcy carriage hand flex moment, IYKYK).

This book absolutely GRIPPED me from start to finish. The story was told beautifully, with some nods to the source material, but with enough differences that I wasn’t able to predict what would come next. There were also plenty of tense moments that had me on the edge of my seat. I normally gravitate towards adult materials, and this is marketed as YA, but I think it’s upper YA, or maybe NA with low/closed door spice. I really appreciated the blending of the story with Pakistani culture and the descriptions of the attire. I had to search some words that I was unfamiliar with, and as a result I learned new things. I would absolutely recommend this book to those who enjoyed TOG, The Wrath and the Dawn, and The Crimson Moth. I would absolutely eat up any more stories that were written in this world! 🪷🌞💛

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC & audio for my honest opinion.

Who doesn’t love good retelling? When I saw that this was a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, but as a Pakistani romantic fantasy I knew that I would love it, and I did.

I loved that this book had revenge, enemies to lovers, action throughout the plot, betrayal and with some great plot twists. I thought the author did a great job with making this book come to life and adding Pakistani myth into it as well as making this YA fantasy book great. I found the plot to be well developed, it’s fast-paced, with something new happening on every page that makes you excited to turn those pages. I liked the author’s attention to details; it helped to really bring this book to life for me and to help me understand the Djinn and the characters more. I loved that I was drawn into this book from the first page and was kept there until the ending and not wanting the story to end. I found the magical system to be interesting and I loved that we really didn’t understand truly about the Djinn until the ending of the book. I found the characters to be well developed, and I loved that with Dania the ending and the choices that she made on the path was so great.

Dania was a great MFC, I loved that she was strong even though she was in prison for so long but when she finally got a chance to escape she took it, but you will see another side of her as well she could have left her friend behind but she knew that was wrong and still went back even though she could be caught. I loved that she was full of vengeance and knew what she wanted the outcome to be and made sure that she carried it out well. I was rooting for her the whole time, and I am happy that she got her HEA, and didn’t choose a different path to walk. I loved Noor’s character so much and I liked that they both became close friends and that they had a common enemy, but they were both able to come out on the other side of everything okay. I hope that we get a story about her in the future. Mazin, I found him to be an MMC, he was so cold and different, not the same person that Dania remembered but I liked that the more we got to know him we saw something different about him. I loved the chemistry and passion that we felt from these characters, and their HEA was just the icing on top.

I also received the audio for this book and let me tell you the narrator did a fantastic job with this book. The highs and lows, she knew how to draw in the readers and keep us there wanting more and more. I would listen to more books read by this narrator.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review this book.

For She is Wrath by Emily Varga really kept me on my toes, especially with that big twist! At first, it totally caught me off guard, but looking back, I could see the breadcrumbs Varga had left along the way—it’s clever storytelling that makes you want to reread just to catch all the clues.
If you're expecting a Count of Monte Cristo revenge plot, this is more of an Arya Stark-inspired tale. The prison escape and assumed identity are there, but it feels different, with a fierce, determined protagonist who's driven by her own blend of revenge and girl power. The story doesn’t get too bogged down in revenge, though; there's this strong undercurrent of reclaiming power and identity.
One of the highlights for me was the vivid Pakistani influence woven into the food, clothing, and cultural references. It made the setting come alive, creating this rich, colorful backdrop that felt so immersive.
The pacing, though, was a little off. Some scenes felt drawn out, while others could have used a bit more depth. I think it’s because there’s so much story packed into a single book. Honestly, this world and these characters are intriguing enough that it could’ve been a duology—maybe I just want more time with them! A few characters especially could’ve benefited from a little extra development.
The structure of the book, with time jumps between past and present, was something I enjoyed. The parallel timelines flowed well, adding depth to the main character’s journey and giving you insight into her motives as they unfolded.
And if you go the audiobook route, the narrator did a fantastic job! Their voice really brought the story to life, especially during those intense moments in the final third of the book. I didn’t expect the story to go in that direction, but it was a cool surprise, and I liked where it ended up.
Overall, For She is Wrath is packed with twists, a powerful lead, and an engaging cultural backdrop. It might have been better with a bit more room to breathe, but it’s definitely a memorable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a free e-ARC of For She is Wrath in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

YA Romantasy • Revenge • Djinn Magic
Published• 29 October 2024

Thank you @wednesdaybooks for the free finished copy! 

I loved this Pakistani inspired book. This is how YA fantasy romance should be done! Fast-paced, urban setting, and morally grey with magical djinns offering great power at a great cost. But truly, what’s corruption of the soul when you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

“𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉, 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏.”

That’s the position Dania is in, when she’s framed for murder and sent to rot in a high security prison. Luckily Dania is a bada$$ trained swordswoman, the daughter of the most well renowned swordsmith. 

The setting was fun, with a cat named Jalebi [this is a south Asian dessert], and littered with references to mouth-watering confections, savory foods, spicy chai, beautifully beaded lehengas and shalwar kameez [dresses], and of course the many intricately forged knives and daggers.

“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒇 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒐𝒓.”

The book starts off with a prison break and does not slow down. The romance is slow-burning, enemies to lovers, cat-and-mouse game. In the spirit of YA, there are a couple tantalizing closed door scenes. This book was so bingeable and I did just that, even though it was not originally a planned read for this month.

“𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒕. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒕, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒇.. 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎, 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆.”

This was thrilling! An exhilarating, fast-paced quest for revenge that captured me from start to finish. I found it unique beyond measure. Something refreshingly different in the sea of sameness. This was The Count of Monte Cristo gender-flipped retelling I didn’t know I needed!!

And yet it’s SO MUCH MORE than that!

This story was fierce and electrifying with exquisite prose, beautiful writing and strong characters who stand out on the page. The no-nonsense, fast-paced, quick chapters will have you cruising through this!

I loved Dani and her relentless determination and fiery personality. Maz’s done-for mentality will make you swoon. And we all require a friendship like Dani and Noor have!

There were so many ✨ big themes ✨ in this, too. From strong friendship to the personal cost of revenge, breaking cycles, maintaining boundaries, choosing your own destiny, letting go of the past & healing, putting yourself first, dreaming, finding purpose, when grief somehow gives after taking! All of these resonated with me so much and I just loved the bigger meanings sprinkled throughout that culminated significantly at the end! And by the way, THE PLOT TWISTS!!

- revenge-bonded sisterhood
- lovers to enemies to lovers
- djinn bargain magic
- Arya Stark-esque heroine
- swords x [magical] seeds
- Pakistani inspired
- fast-paced and powerful

Thank you so much to Emily and Wednesday Books for the early copy 🔥⚔️✨💚

I have heard good things about this book and I am happy to report they are right. The writing and voice are engaging and create well developed characters. I love the setting.

“Well, I’ve never been one to do what men expect.” Might just be my favorite quote from this book! I love a book with a strong minded woman.

I don’t know what this says about me but when I read the description and saw that this was a story about revenge I was sold! I went in super excited to read this but and it lived up to the excitement. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. This was well written and organized which made it really easy to read. It is a YA book but I think the themes and how the characters evolve can be impactful for everyone. I can’t speak much regarding the retelling portion as I’ve never read the classic Monte Cristo. I would say this is a fantasy romance so the romance story is not rhetorical main focus. However, for my romance lovers out there … trust me is just the right amount of romance. It really explored feelings of betrayal, forgiveness, and the strength of love.

Overall, this book has made it to my list of favorites and it’s due to the authors ability to sumerge you into this world through her words. This book had me feeling so many emotions and I loved seeing the main character evolve throughout the story.

I haven't read Count of Monte Cristo for over 30 years so I don't remember much about it other than that revenge is a big theme. So I don't have much to say about this book as a retelling of that story, but just as a book I loved it! I liked the magical elements that are in this retelling. Dania is a strong character and her revenge motivation is done well so she isn't annoying about it. Noor and Dania make a great team and the ending is pretty epic. I give this book 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book for review.