If there’s one thing I’m a sucker for in a romantasy, it’s a strong-willed, feisty FMC who can whip a sword around. Fortunately, this was exactly our protagonist in For She is Wrath! I adored Dania and her perseverance and determination, while also battling her feelings for the boy who betrayed her. It felt very reminiscent of These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong and Powerless by Lauren Roberts — fans of either of these will fall in love with this YA romantasy.

While I enjoyed parts of this, it ultimately fell flat for me. That's perhaps unfair of me, as I think it meets the expectations of a YA retelling of Monte Cristo (particularly the ending) and I liked how it approached being a gender-swapped, Pakistani retelling. The prose is very readable, and I think by its target audience it would be well received. I personally wanted a bit more revenge, a bit more world building, and a bit more nuance, and would hesitate to recommend to other adult readers (particularly those who are fans of The Count of Monte Cristo).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of For She is Wrath by Emily Varga.

It's not everyday you get an enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to lovers, so I (for the most part) ate it up. It was a slow start but there were enough exciting parts sprinkled throughout to make it through.

Some things I really liked
-badass female mc who likes swords
- fighting scenes
- prison escape
- the way Mazin talked about Dania
-a great female friendship
-the scene about the scars OMG. so so so good.
-court politics
- the flashback scenes to their childhood

Some things that could have been better.
-The whole concept of Zoorat just wasn't explained enough for me.
-I also felt like the djinn component felt random at times, especially since it was so crucial at the end.
-I feel like we didn't get to see much of Noor's side and I felt like her story wasn't wrapped up as well as Dania and Mazin's.

Overall, I think the book was really entertaining but I felt like there were some loose ends. TBH I really loved the scene with the scars but I'm also disappointed that the whole book was getting revenge on Mazin and then she just forgave him??4 stars

For She Is Wrath is such a fun and unique ride! While I have not read The Count of Monte Cristo, I have watched the movie many years ago but I cannot say with certainty how closely this one follows the original.

Dania is set up for murder and locked away without trial by an Emperor fueled by Djinn magic. After one year she is still determined to break free and seek justice for herself and her family. When a chance encounter leads to this becoming a reality, Dania sets her plans into motion.

For She Is Wrath has such a unique magic system that is easy to follow and the dual timelines lead to you wanting to stay up way past your bedtime to finish just one more chapter. I loved the romance between Dania and Mazin and all of the side characters were well developed. I highly recommend this book if you are just starting in the romantasy genre!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for this Arc of For She is Wrath by Emily Varga. I chose it because of the cover, I didn't realize it was a Pakistani retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo until the prison scene. I love that this story had a a strong sword wielding heroine as the the main character. Dania had been through a lot and even though she had revenge as her main goal she still was able to keep her huminty and let love in. I really loved Noor and her level-headedness. Her check ins helped ground Dania and get her out of the blinding rages that had the potential to fundamentally change who she was.
The love story between Dania and Mazin was so well done. The things he would say...swoon worthy! the only weak spot for me in this love story was his reason why he let her go to prison...
As the story unfolded I was super surprised by her Nanu's role in everything that went down. But ultimately I was very pleased with the overall love story and the adventure and fantasy of this novel!

For She is Wrath is a The Count of Monte Cristo retelling centered around Dania as she seeks revenge. She was framed for a crime she didn’t commit and spends her time in prison focusing on getting back at Mazin, her betrayer and someone she used to love. I love how Varga wove Pakistani lore into the story. I also appreciated the themes surrounding how far you would go for revenge and what lines are you willing to cross to get there. Varga kept me on my toes throughout the entire story. The plot pacing worked well for me with plenty of twists, action, and political scheming. I enjoyed the dynamic and growth between Dania and Mazin as we got to know each character. Also, the ending for this story is one of the better wrap ups I’ve read in quite some time. I absolutely loved it. I read this via audiobook and ebook but gravitated more towards the audiobook in part due to Ingar’s excellent narration. I highly recommend reading this one even if you aren’t typically drawn to YA books.

4.5 stars

A dazzling reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, set against the vibrant tapestry of Pakistani culture. This novel brings a fresh perspective to the classic tale, blending romantic fantasy with a gripping revenge plot.

At the heart of the story is Dania, a young woman whose life is shattered by betrayal from those she once held dear, including her former love. Varga's portrayal of Dania's journey from heartbroken victim to vengeful force is both poignant and exhilarating. The novel’s fast-paced narrative keeps readers on edge, making it a compelling page-turner.

The setting of the book is one of its standout features. Varga’s detailed depiction of Pakistani culture, infused with elements of fantasy, creates a richly immersive experience. The magical elements are seamlessly integrated into the story, adding depth and intrigue without overshadowing the emotional core of Dania's quest.

While the plot is dynamic and the stakes are high, it's Dania’s personal growth and her complex relationships that truly drive the narrative. The way she navigates her quest for vengeance while grappling with her own feelings and past connections adds layers of complexity to the story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Emily Varga has crafted a memorable and engaging tale with "For She Is Wrath," blending classic themes with a unique cultural twist. This book is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy and revenge-driven narratives alike.

For She is Wrath hooked me immediately with the opening chapters, and I was so excited about the premise involving djinn magic and the revenge for a framed murder. I found the pacing to be well executed, but I hoped for more magic and ultimately felt underwhelmed by the middle and ending. As a mood reader, I'm not sure if I read this at the wrong time or if these would be my thoughts regardless.

3.5/5

I really enjoyed the narration performed by Safiyya Ingar.

I received and ARC and ALC from St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The stunning cover alone sold me on this book, but I was completely blown away by the story! It’s a reimaging of “The Count of Monte Cristo” but with a strong female lead, a good dose of magic, and just enough romance to keep you hooked to the very last page!

The author is amazing at world building and creating very memorable characters. I was completely sold on the whole thing within just the first few chapters. I absolutely adored Dania and Noor. They were strong and smart female leads that complimented each other with their skills. The growth of their friendship and creative schemes were exciting to watch unfold.

Oh, and Mazin! I felt exactly the same as Dania with my love-hate feelings for him. The flashbacks were perfectly timed throughout the book, and I fully understood why Dania had so many conflicting and complicated feelings toward him. I really liked that this book explores the complexity of love. You can’t just flip a switch and instantly stop loving someone – no matter what they’ve done.

I highly recommend this book to older teens, young adults, and adults who love a good female-driven story about revenge with plenty of twists and turns. I definitely will be buying this book and look forward to more from Emily Varga!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

I really struggled with this story. I kept trying to get into it over and over, slogging through and it's just oddly paced. It's not really a Count of Monte Cristo retelling - so that's a poor marketing point. While I appreciate the woman scorned story, Dania never really gives you a solid reason to connect with her. It's so slow to develop and moves 0 to 60 from place to place, not to mention the constant me me me from the first person POV - so much telling without showing! Flashbacks are a powerful tool, but it wasn't wielded well here.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For She is Wrath is a crackling, gorgeous debut about the need for redemption and forgiveness, but also about the power of female rage. The characters were very well-developed and achingly real. I truly didn't know what Dania would choose in the end, thanks to Varga's excellently nuanced characterization. The plot snaps along, constantly keeping readers on their toes. I do think that the setting was too-sparsely described and the magic system was a bit hand wave-y about how it worked, which took some power out of the climax; a more thorough understanding would have driven home the power of Dania's decisions better .

Still, a powerfully impressive novel from a hugely talented voice (catch all the adverbs there ;) )

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Wednesday Books for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

i think i’ve been incredibly grateful lately to have FINALLY read some 5 star books, and this book is one of them! i’ve never read the book this is inspired by so i can’t tell you how accurate this is as a retelling but i believe that this book stands rightfully on its own as a literary masterpiece in my head. the protagonist is quite frankly the most fearless protagonist i’ve read in a while in a way that is not artificial or boastful - she stays true to her revenge on behalf of loved ones, and she continuously reflects on her decisions instead of diving headfirst in naivety as i see play out in so many other books…so needless to say i IMMENSELY enjoyed dania’s inner monologue and even more so her complicated relationship with mazin. emily varga said lovers to enemies and she absolutely delivered as dania was flip flopping between resolute and doubtful in her revenge towards her ex - she really was morally gray in her actions and i absolutely admired her for that. one last last gush about this book is noor!! her refreshing to see a female friendship that did not stand for noor’s bs but also was so so supportive of her actions. love everything about this book.

I loved this fresh new imagining of The Count of Monte Cristo! This is a Pakistani version with a young female heroine instead of a male, with the added plot point of djinn and magic. This was similar, but it is definitely its own story. I loved the setting, the characters and the pacing. The themes were well written and included throughout the story, not just dropped in randomly for the sake of plot. Thank you, Emily Varga, for giving us this story and St. Martin's Press for an early advanced copy.

Gor she is wrath is rich in djinn magic and betrayel. Revenge felt like a buzz word throughout this book. You couldn't read a chapter without that word popping up like at least 3 times. Most of this book took place in prison or at least that's how it felt sometimes. I feel like tge pacing was just off and I was super disappointed that this didn't turn sapphic. I was really anticipating it and when it went in the other direction I was a little annoyed. However toward the end the character growth from from our heroine made up for it a little. Not one of my favorites but it was still written well enough to be entertaining.

For She Is Wrath is a tale of vengeance, courage, allyship, friendship, and hope. Falsely accused of the murder of a Northern warlord, we first meet Dania while she is imprisoned, planning her escape from torture in prison to execute her revenge on those who have wronged her, including her ex-lover.

Female rage! Vengeance! Djinn magic! Lovers to enemies! What more could you want?! This book successfully converted me into identifying as a fantasy fan.

I was hooked by Varga’s worldbuilding from the start. Dani is lionhearted, and I loved how her relationship with fellow prisoner Noor developed as they brought their plans to fruition. Using a secret treasure rife with djinn magic, Dani and Noor return to the city to exact their revenge on the emperor who took everything from them, using his own power against him. The only thing standing between them and their vengeance? Dani’s ex-lover who betrayed her: Maz. Try as she might, her feelings for him may still be more complex than she wants them to be, even as she operates her plans in disguise.

This was a perfect YA adventure filled with heart-racing action, political intrigue, dark magic, and well-written, fully realized characters. I was so invested in Dania’s story, especially the way Varga wrote her friendship with Noor as the beating heart of the story, keeping Dani aware of not losing herself in her quest for justice. This undoubtedly deserves a spot on your TBR.

4.5 rounded up.

Do you love a woman's rage? If so, this book is for YOU. For She is Wrath follows Dania, who has been imprisoned for a year after being wrongfully charged with murder. Her goal is to escape and then, one by one, kill the men who imprisoned her.

This book is a Pakistani-inspired retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo, and this book was so good that I'm considering picking up the 1200+ page classic. This book explores the desire for revenge and vengeance and what it can do to a person. It's written as YA, but it feels much more adult in its themes. My only critiques is that there could have been a bit more backstory to Noor and Mazin, as well as a little more world building to the empire. The ending came a bit quickly as well. I think this book could have been about 50-75 pages longer to really flesh out the world.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for anARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of my most anticipated reads for 2024 and I LOVED it.

I’ve never read the Count of Monte Cristo but I absolutely love good retellings.

The lovers to enemies trope is one of my favorites and this absolutely delivered.

“A thousand djinn could disguise you from me & I’d still be able to find you”

Thank you for the arc!

This book does itself a disservice in advertising as a Count of Monte Cristo retelling. Perhaps I would not have been so harsh on it had I not read Monte Cristo recently or that comparison had not been put into my mind. I think Monte Cristo is an actual masterpiece. Diluting that 1200 page book down to 350 or whatever is just not going to go well.

This book lacks the stakes that Monte Cristo took the time to develop. In this book our MC uses djinn magic to change her appearance. It last a month. This is so so different from Dantes' purposeful and meticulous transformation into the Count. Everything Dantes does after he escapes prison is extremely planned with so many moving parts. It is a perfectly executed game of chess. He spent 15 years planning it, fueled by so much hatred. This book is a girl just messing around for a month on whatever she gets distracted by.

I heard "female Pakistani Count of Monte Cristo reimagining" and ran toward this book. Despite such a strong concept, the actual execution fell flat. Though I understand the author's choice to write this in first-person POV, the overuse of the word "I" becomes draining within the first chapter. We're told SO much that honestly doesn't matter (show, don't tell!). The use of flashbacks wasn't executed well, leaving us without any real empathy for a character who was wrongfully imprisoned. There's a way to get readers to empathize with a MC who is out for revenge without painting that character as an antagonist. We should have been rooting for her every SECOND, but instead, Dania is exhausting. There are too many scenes that seem implausible, too (like one prisoner digging into another's cell, but no one hearing it--and two prisoners missing for long periods of the day, yet no one noticing). Having Mazin's POV would have helped, though I understand the desire to keep this focused on Dania. Recommended to romantasy / retelling lovers.

🤍Thank you Wednesday Books for the gifted arc🤍
I very solid standalone! I love the story of The Count of Monte Cristo, so I was really excited for this retelling. While it did stay fairly close to the original in the beginning, it set itself apart in the second half.

I really think that the storyline kept the general idea of Monte Cristo, but added its own flair of twists and turns. Also, I really enjoyed the romance and the side characters.

My only complaints is the pacing felt a little off and I would have loved this to be a bit longer so some of the plot could get flushed out!