Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the chance to read an ARC of For she is Wrath by Emily Varga. The cover is what drew me to read the premise, and I thought a YA Pakistani fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo with a female main character would be right up my alley. After starting it, I put it down as I wasn't connecting to the story. I found the pacing to be frustrating and just couldn't connect to the characters. What I did like about it was the setting in Pakistan which was different and mystical and I loved the addition of Djinn magic. Even though it wasn't a big hit with me, I believe the YA crowd will love it.

O.M.G. I knew when I saw the description on a Goodreads giveaway that I would go absolutely feral for this book and when I saw it on Netgalley, I had to have it!! I was so right, this book was *chefs kiss*.

This was just a masterclass in how to write a female heroine for me. She was absolutely badass but at the same time, really learned about herself and grew on her journey. Also, the opening chapters had me in a chokehold, what a hook!! I love a good escape plot. 🧐

Thanks Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! I can't wait to go out and buy my own finished copy to keep for myself on its release date!!

For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga is a compelling, easy-to-read novel, seamlessly blending elements of fantasy, romance, and intrigue. Without reading the premise or knowing the inspiration behind the story, I dove right in and found myself captivated, particularly by its unique South Asian setting.

The protagonist, Dania, is unapologetic in her pursuit of justice, driven by good intentions, even if her path threatens to unravel more than she anticipates. I was particularly drawn to her strength and determination, but Noor, with her selflessness and quiet resilience, became my favorite character. I only wish we had more insight into Noor’s perspective, as her role felt crucial and could have added depth to the narrative.

While the fantasy elements were engaging, I would have liked to see more world-building to fully immerse in the setting. That said, this character-driven plot will undoubtedly appeal to readers who enjoy strong, multidimensional protagonists navigating morally complex paths.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

A Pakistani retelling of a classic novel? Sign me up! You see more fantasy retellings for stories like Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, etc, so it was nice to get a Count of Monte Cristo retelling that was unique. I think the author did a good job with female rage, and I liked the inclusion of cultural elements! My biggest complaint is that the pacing felt off, and it was almost like issues were solved too quickly.

Title:  For She Is Wrath  
Author:   Emily Varga       
Genre: YA, fantasy, romance  
Rating: 4 out of 5

Three hundred and sixty-four days.

Framed for a crime she didn't commit, Dania counts down her days in prison until she can exact revenge on Mazin, the boy responsible for her downfall, the boy she once loved—and still can't forget. When she discovers a fellow prisoner may have the key to exacting that vengeance--a stolen djinn treasure--they execute a daring escape together and search for the hidden treasure.

Armed with dark magic and a new identity, Dania enacts a plan to bring down those who betrayed her and her family, even though Mazin stands in her way. But seeking revenge becomes a complicated game of cat and mouse, especially when an undeniable fire still burns between them, and the power to destroy her enemies has a price. As Dania falls deeper into her web of traps and lies, she risks losing her humanity to her fight for vengeance--and her heart to the only boy she's ever loved.

I found the culture and setting of this story to be a fascinating mix of different elements that kept me intrigued. Danie was a strong character—and one I enjoyed getting to know more. She’s tough and capable, and so afraid to let anyone close enough to betray her again, but she gradually realizes that she can trust some people. This felt like a dark fantasy, but there was hope there as well.

Emily Varga lives in Canada. For She is Wrath is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

“The power of knowing this was a righteous anger. A history of women and girls being wronged by men who never had any consequences. Now I would be the consequences.” ⚔️

Imprisoned for a crime you didn’t commit and betrayed by the boy you were just k-i-s-s-i-n-g? Who wouldn’t be a little hellbent on revenge? (4.5 stars)

For She is Wrath is a YA standalone fantastical retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo filled with friendships, revenge, and moral panic. It’s completely gorgeous, gritty, and surprisingly romantic.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, Emily Varga and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. For She is Wrath comes out on October 29th .

This is a Pakistani fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. Dania was betrayed and framed for murder by someone she thought held her heart. After a year in jail she meets Noor, who had her own reasons for revenge AND a way out of jail! They team up with their complimentary skills to try to take down the empire! But will the past come back to haunt them, or will they be able to fight the dark forces at play and come out on top?
This one took some time for me to get into. Dania is relatively young, but she seemed very childish and whiny at the beginning. She did grow, as a character and on me, as the story progressed and I got more invested in the outcome of the character's lives! I have not read The Count of Monte Cristo but I kinda know the main plot, although I forget how it ends (in the movie I've seen). But I really liked the ending to this one!
Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress @wednesdaybooks for my free advanced copy! It is set to be published at the end of the month (29 Oct), so add it to your TBR!
#NetGalley #ForSheIsWrath

I really loved this! It’s a Count of Monte Cristo retelling and you absolutely will enjoy it because of the romantic fantasy spin. There is a lot of going back and forth between present-day and events that occurred prior to the story, but it was labeled well and you could differentiate it. The twists were so good, too! What a great YA standalone.

This was a fantastic YA fantasy! I absolutely loved how it reimagined The Count of Monte Cristo with a fresh Pakistani twist—it gave the story so much depth and cultural richness.

For She Is Wrath has everything you'd want in a fantasy: romance, magic, and strong friendships. The plot was exciting and easy to get lost in, making it a breeze to enjoy. If you’re a fan of revenge tales with a unique cultural spin, this one is a must-read!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I was sold the second I found out For She is Wrath by Emily Varga was a fantasy retelling of one of my favorite classics, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Not only a retelling, but a woman taking the place of Edmond Dantès in a Pakistani-inspired setting with Djinn magic?! Yes, please. However, retellings can be hit or miss for me, and especially with a beloved classic that I know so well, I tried to go into it with an open mind, and not look for an exact match of the story. And I really enjoyed it! This was an excellent retelling, and yes, it does have a happy ending, for which I’m grateful. It’s YA Romantic Fantasy afterall. Speaking of, it does read YA, but there are definitely some adult themes and fade-to-black moments, along with a few F-bombs, so keep that in mind. Dani and Noor create a beautiful sisterhood, that is a definite departure from the original work, but not an unwelcome one. If you’ve also been a longtime fan of The Count of Monte Cristo, or you just want a great YA Fantasy with romance to sink your teeth into, I think you’ll enjoy this debut from Emily Varga. P.S. There’s a hand flex scene a la 2005 Pride and Prejudice to look forward to…

Things to Know:
-YA Fantasy
-First person POV
-Flashback chapters
-Betrayal and Revenge
-Lovers to enemies
-Sisterhood
-The Count of Monte Cristo retelling
-Pakistani-inspired culture
-Djinn magic

Dani’s been betrayed by those she thought she loved most, but she’s determined to escape the prison she finds herself in after being tortured for a crime she didn’t commit. Noor, a young girl, takes the place of the Abbé Faria character, and this was probably the biggest departure for me to the story. I really enjoyed her character though, as a newfound sister to Dani, and often a voice of reason, though she was also motivated by vengeance. I loved the addition of a fantastical element in the form of Djinn magic and as with most magic, it comes at a price. But is it one Dani’s prepared to pay for her revenge?

I loved that interweaved between the present, there are chapter flashbacks to before she was imprisoned, which gave a nice backstory to her relationship with Mazin, and the other betrayers. Her father, a famed swordsmith, naturally means she’s handy with a blade, and while at times, her prowess hit the edge of believability for me, it was fun addition to the story. Ex: This tiny woman who’s been imprisoned for a year and is starved and emaciated takes on 12 armed guards… And if you’re a fan of a lovers to enemies storyline (yes, you read that right), you will eat this up!

There is a twist I’ll admit I did not see coming, which is always nice to have as an avid reader, but shhhh no spoilers here.

If I had anything else to critique, it would be the copious descriptions of food and outfits over the actual location of the story. Yes, if you’re hungry while reading this, you’ll be salivating at the food descriptions, but I did feel the world itself was a bit lacking in description. I didn’t have a great sense of the main city, or how the villages mapped into the world. There’s also some scenes and references to raiders, but no mention or explanation of who they are or where they really come from, and it’s never addressed again. So bravo for the all of the small details being covered super well, but the overall picture fell short for me.

Other than that, it’s an impressive debut novel for Emily Varga, and I’m excited to see what she writes next! If you’re looking for your next class retelling, make sure to grab this one. I would also highly recommend the audiobook as I really enjoyed the narrator. Many thanks to Wednesday Books for the eARC and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Fave Quotes (note: final quotes may be altered):

“The problem when someone you loved betrayed you, was that you had a lifetime of good memories with them that you had to examine in a different light.”

—

“I would read you like a novel. From cover to cover, learning everything about you.”

“Leisurely, only taking me out when you felt like it?”

“Is that how you read your novels…? How uninspiring. No, I mean in a fierce frenzy, by candlelight, devouring you until I finished every page and committed it to memory, and then I’d flip right back to the front and start again…”

—

“Well, I’ve never been one to do what men expect.”

—

“A thousand djinn could disguise you from me and I’d still be able to find you just by the sound of your breath.”

The only thing I struggled with while reading this book was putting it down because WOW. I love a strong and vengeful FMC and Dania is that and so much more.

Since Dania’s false imprisonment and betrayal by her beloved she has only thought of one thing: vengeance. Will she achieve it? Or will her desire for vengeance ultimately destroy her?

I ate this book up okay! It was so good from start to finish and the twist towards the end had me floored, didn’t see it coming at all.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books & Emily Varga for letting me read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Dania, wrongfully imprisoned, plots revenge against Mazin, her former love and betrayer. With a stolen djinn treasure and the help of Noor, she escapes prison, wielding dark magic to dismantle her enemies while navigating a complex relationship with Mazin, torn between love and vengeance.

This was a Count of Monte Cristo retelling and I did enjoy the revenge aspect. I also loved that Dania was a strong character and that her friendship with Noor was important to the overall story. I also quite enjoyed the dual timeline and I was more invested in the before than current.

I think the plot pacing was a little off. It starts off very strong, falters around 20% and picks up again around 45%. There are several similar conversations between Noor and Dania that are repetitive, and the word “exhaled” or “breathed” when talking is used at least 100 times in the book (exhaled was 46 alone) and I found it to be very distracting. I also thought the relationship with Mazin was lacking and Dania forgave everyone so quickly. The book wrapped up extremely fast once you find out the truth about her grandmother.

I would read another book by the author. This is her debut and it was overall a good read.

A Pakistani-inspired fantasy, For She is Wrath is a new twist on The Count of Monte Cristo with a strong FMC and an angst-filled romance. The story follows Dania, a woman wrongfully imprisoned and intent on revenge. When she meets a fellow prisoner trying to dig her way to freedom, the pair work together to escape and exact vengeance on those who wronged them, especially the man who broke Dania's heart by betraying her.

I've read The Count of Monte Cristo a few times, and I decided very early on not to compare this book to the original story. Though some of the elements are similar, there are so many original elements in this story that make it unique. The magic and Pakistani inspiration stand out, as does the writing style. I love the author's use of language and the way the story is told. It's super immersive, and the main character's story is compelling from the start.

Dania's strength, conviction, and need for vengeance, as well as her plan to take on a new identity and bring down her enemies, propels the plot. I thought she was a fascinating protagonist - strong and smart and flawed, she suffers unimaginably, and her journey is equal parts heartbreaking and empowering. I also loved the relationship between Dania and Noor. These two women, imprisoned but not broken, prove that they are strong enough to take down the whole kingdom.

The flashbacks are great, too, as they show how Dania and Mazin's relationship evolved and how deeply Dania felt the betrayal. It also gives us a view of her relationship with her father and what's going on politically that could have contributed to Dania's situation. I thought it was pretty clear from the start that there was more to the story than Dania knew and that there were unresolved and hidden feelings between her and Mazin. I almost wish there were chapters from his perspective so we could really get into his thoughts and reactions to everything that happened. And though I thought their relationship felt a bit rushed and I wanted it and Mazin's character fleshed out a little more, there were plenty of swoon-worthy moments that made me root for the pair. Their love story is complicated and messy and angst-filled, which I always enjoy in a romance.

This is an engrossing debut fantasy about vengeance, friendship, forgiveness, and more! Some parts of the story felt a little repetitive, and I kind of wanted a bit more groveling and insight into the magic, but, overall, it was an exciting and intense read. And the writing - gorgeous and immersive! Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I love The Count of Monte Cristo, so when I heard about a Pakistani romantic fantasy YA retelling of the classic novel, I RAN! This book is full of feminine rage, revenge, and so many great elements:

-Djinn magic
-Sword fighting
-Scheming
-Betrayal
-Nonstop action
-Fierce FMC
-Sisterhood

I loved entering this complex fantasy world full of dark magic. I think for me the only thing missing was the romance! I didn’t feel 100% invested in the relationship, and there was a lot of buildup, but the chemistry wasn’t totally there for me. There’s SO much more to this book though, so I recommend checking it out!!

A fast-paced, Pakistani romantic fantasy that leaves little to be desired!

“For She is Wrath” follows a talented swordswoman named Dania after she is framed for a crime she didn’t commit, which leads her down a path of vengeance against those who betrayed her—including the boy she used to love.

Using “The Count of Monte Cristo” as the foundation for her fantasy novel, Varga diversifies Dumas’ characters and carefully constructs a world with djinn magic to create something wholly new and her own. With magic thrown into the mix, a higher cost is attributed to Dania’s all-consuming vengeance to further emphasizes the idea that seeking retribution often does more harm than good. As a classic literature lover, I really enjoyed how Varga’s debut explores the same themes as its source of inspiration, but from the perspective of a strong, powerful female character! Picking up on the little easter eggs woven into the atmospheric prose was definitely an added bonus.

While not the main focus of the book, Dania and Mazin’s lovers-to-enemies relationship arc is intoxicating. The past and present dual timelines help to establish their palpable connection and the gut-wrenching events leading up to Dania’s false imprisonment. Despite the rage-inducing suffering she endured at his hand, she cannot escape the lingering feelings that rise to the surface whenever she is in his presence, adding sizzling tension.

This standalone truly manages to have it all—characters you cannot help but root for, heart-racing twists, political intrigue, and a satisfying conclusion! I am hopeful that more books set in this world are to follow with the way things wrapped up.

A sweeping, Pakistani romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, where one girl seeks revenge against those who betrayed her—including the boy she used to love.

Three hundred and sixty-four days.
Framed for a crime she didn't commit, Dania counts down her days in prison until she can exact revenge on Mazin, the boy responsible for her downfall, the boy she once loved—and still can't forget. When she discovers a fellow prisoner may have the key to exacting that vengeance--a stolen djinn treasure--they execute a daring escape together and search for the hidden treasure.

I loved every moment of this book! The feminine rage was fantastic and the author did a fantastic job writing a character that you want to root for! The fact that this is her debut novel still shocks me! I’ll definitely be reading more from her in the future!

I really enjoyed this one - I loved Dania's feminine rage/revenge story. It was written beautifully.

I couldn’t stop thinking about this book. Life kept getting in the way of me, finishing it and let me tell you I felt dome of Dani’s rage over that.
This was a beautifully written story with characters that made you love them, and even when you hated them, you still loved them.

*I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) through NetGalley. I received this copy free in exchange for my honest review.*

For She is Wrath was an imaginative young adult retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo - a story of betrayal, revenge, redemption, and love. It was definitely well executed as a retelling and overall an excellent romantic fantasy novel. I loved the friendship between Noor and Dania - and their interactions added a lot of humor to the novel too. The lovers to enemies romance between Dania and Mazin was excellent - so much tension and well worth every second. It was great to see flashbacks to their first meeting, their friendship as they trained together, becoming something more, and the inevitable betrayal. This was a very entertaining standalone fantasy novel - definitely recommend! Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

Tropes:
🇵🇰Pakistani romantic fantasy
⛓️‍💥Jailbreak
⌛️Cat & mouse chase
⚔️ hate to love
❤️‍🩹Angsty romance
🥷Hidden identity
💋seduce MMC


Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn't influence my review. THIS BOOK YOU GUYS. I DONT REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WAS THIS ENTHRALLED AND INVESTED IN A BOOK. I’m Pakistani and I love this sooo much!!!!! The culture was imbued wonderfully. This book had a wonderful writing style and a hooking plot. I love the chapter style with a present or past style, the story flowed so well I had trouble realizing which was past or present, and I kept thinking she got exposed!
The book had a unique magic system, wonderful world-building, use of zoraat magic (from seeds) to do anything
She altered her appearance and kept only her hands the same…
Usually I am not that enthralled with books when the love interests get together, but this book kept me hooked to the end.