This was ok! I didn’t know going in it was a YA book, and I think if I’d known that I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. This seems like a story thats been told many times, nothing was new about it like I thought it would be. It has promise though! I’m sure many readers will enjoy, and I can say this would be one I would have loved when I was younger!

3.5/5 - The premise of this book, a Pakistani retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, is really what drew me in. The beginning was exciting and intriguing, and I was so on board to read about a revenge plot. Unfortunately, somewhere along the middle it loses momentum and the inner monologues get tiring to read about. The back and forth at the end is a bit jarring, not to mention anticlimactic. The plot and world building/magic system could have been more well developed; rather, certain events and actions seemed too convenient. This book was a case of great premise, exciting beginning, but unfortunately it didn't seem to stick the landing.

This is INSANE!!! Such an incredible and unique story, I have never read a Count of Monte Cristo retelling, and this hit every single mark. It gave me Kill Bill vibes mixed in, with such a strong FMC and irresistible MMC.

I'm going to have to pause for now at 41%. This started off fairly slow for me. I kept going back and forth with continuing, but when Noor and Dania finally escape, I became invested in the story. Here, however, is also where it kind fell off for me. But, I definitely think it's a me thing and not necessarily the book. The story felt too familiar, and I kept finding myself not eager to pick it up. I do think that after reading books like Heir, The Night Ends with Fire, and A Song to Drown Rivers all recently, it just felt like reading the same vibes (strong FMCs battling out of adversity and seeking revenge) again. For that reason, I decided to pause it for how and come back to it later. I've heard the audio was done really well, so I may also check it out via that route.

I'm rating this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4) for now because I do see the potential, and the writing was done very well. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for my free e-book for review.

The author's masterful storytelling kept me turning pages with breathless anticipation, never once allowing my interest to wane.

The world-building is nothing short of extraordinary. The kingdom leaps off the page, a vivid tapestry woven with rich cultural details, lush descriptions, and the intoxicating allure of magical jinn seeds and bargains. It's a realm that beckons you to lose yourself within its borders.

At the heart of this tale stands Dania, our wrongfully accused and imprisoned protagonist. Her fierce determination and smoldering grudge promising deadly retribution had me utterly enthralled. I found myself constantly wondering: Would she follow through with the vengeance she'd meticulously plotted during her incarceration? I couldn't help but root for her freedom.

As we all know, striking bargains with magical beings is rarely a wise choice. Yet, here we witness major players finding themselves in precisely such predicaments. Each gains immense power, but at what cost to their humanity? It's a dance with danger that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The true genius of this story lies in its exploration of grudges. Like a stone cast into still waters, a single act of resentment ripples outward, culminating in murder and setting off a domino effect throughout the narrative. The themes of revenge and the price of losing oneself are woven seamlessly into the fabric of every character's journey, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition.

This book is a testament to the power of storytelling, leaving me both satisfied and hungry for more from this talented author.

I loved this one! A perfect witchy read for you fantasy lovers TBR, For She Is Wrath is a gender bending reimagining of the classic Count of Monte Cristo. From the opening action, to her daring prison escape, and through Dania’s attempt to execute her revenge, I was captivated! The Pakistani setting, unique djinn magic, and rich descriptive prose led to an immersive reading experience. My experience was enhanced by listening to the audiobook, narrated by Safiyya Ingar, who did a fantastic job capturing the determination, pain, angst, and passion of Dania. And the love story! I had to pause my audiobook on multiple occasions to find my copy to make a highlight of some heart stopping lines delivered by Mazin, Dania’s childhood best friend, lover, and then betrayer. This book has found family, pulse pounding danger, sword fighting, and a heroine with character growth. I will absolutely be purchasing a shelf trophy of this great book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

I’m always down for a good revenge story. The cover is beautiful and if anyone says enemies to lovers I’m there. There’s also magic to keep all different demographics interested. Any book that makes platonic relationships as much a priority as romance ones are good in my book. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!

Overall, this was enjoyable. I loved the idea of the Pakistani Count of Monti Cristo retelling. There were some great plot twists and a fierce / vengeful main character that you love cheering for. The world building was lacking and I wish the djinn magic and seeds were explained a little more. I don’t want to give any spoilers but some of the reasonings for what Dani went to prison for was dumb.

I would recommend if you are looking for a YA stand alone that is a quick read.

I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I will preface this by saying that I have not read 'The Count of Monte Cristo (yet), so I cannot compare it with the book it is a retelling of. I was instantly intrigued by the synopsis as I absolutely love revenge plots. However, for a girl that is dead set on revenge, she is certainly side-tracked a lot. For a book with such a strong start, this started to fizzle out in the middle. I wish the beginning were a bit longer. We barely get to see her in prison and the escape is glossed over for the most part. Once we get into the meat of the story, it did begin to feel a bit repetitive, especially when all Dania can think about is how handsome Mazin is. Seriously, he betrayed her and she wants revenge, but his pretty face is too distracting? This reminded me of why I tend not to gravitate towards YA any longer.

The magic, though, is definitely a strong point. I do enjoy when magic is not possessed by a certain demographic. No one in this world is born with the magic, and instead have to ingest djinn particles. They way they are described reminded me a lot of those large glitter pieces, but I liked that it was felt like a science rather than just an innate ability to use magic. That, however, was not a huge focus. I wish it did focus more on Dania's growing addiction to the magic but it felt almost like the author mentioned it a few times and brushed it under the rug to set some sort of stake that was never realized.

Overall, it was a very middle of the road YA fantasy that leaned heavily on the romance and lackluster characters than worldbuilding and a magic system.

For She is Wrath by Emily Varga

The story follows a fierce, revenge-driven heroine who takes on the world after betrayal, delivering the kind of unapologetic rage that makes you cheer her on.

This book was non-stop adventure and excitement, making it so easy to fly through. Though I did get a bit lost in the flashbacks (audio books and time jumps don’t always mix well), the plot and characters kept me going. The narrator was fantastic, it really brought the story to life.

If you’re into stories about powerful women taking control, a mix of magic and adventure, you’ll love this! Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the audio and @wednesdaybooks for the ebook!

I'm honestly sorry it took me so long to read this book! It was incredibly well written and the world building was fantastic. The characters hooked you and storyline was gripping. And really, there's nothing better than a little FMC revenge.

*Thanks to NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my unbiased review*

Well, this book took me a while to get through. I loved the beginning and ending, but the middle seemed to drag on. I felt a lot of the book was repetitive, which got a bit frustrating. The main character constantly talked about her anger, betrayal, and need for revenge. I understand that’s the driving force of the story, but it did not need to be said so many times.

I loved how there was action right at the beginning. However, the story after that seemed a bit choppy, repetitive, and did not keep my attention well. I felt there wasn’t a lot of depth to the story, and it just skimmed past some topics and events that could have been explored more deeply.

Regarding the characters, I felt like they were a bit static, lacking complexity. There was such a great opportunity to have a strong and complex female main character, and it just did not happen. I wish there was more depth to her and more complex emotions explored.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was more of a 3.5 but I bumped it up to a 4 star!

Being framed for a crime you didn’t commit by the person you loved the most would make anyone angry. For Dania though, it set her on a war path. A path full of anger, hurt and vengeance. She would surely stop at nothing until she saw all those who hurt her punished.

I wanted to LOVE this one but it fell just a tiny bit flat for me. I wanted fierce character like Aelin, I’ve seen people reference ToG while reading this book, but all I got from Dania was anger and that’s it. She wasn’t complex at all. Only cared about her vengeance and then easily gives in to some things iykyk.

I never read “The Count of Monte Cristo” so I can’t say if this was a great retelling of that story but I can say this book had very minor detailing and world complexity. I would have loved to seen more of the world and learned more about the magic system (which felt like it could have been interesting).

Overall, I’m not mad I read it and I enjoyed parts of it! I just wanted a little more from the story.

Thank you to Emily Varga, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of For She is Wrath. All opinions are my own.

This was an interesting magical Count of Monte Cristo retelling with a Pakistani twist that was an enjoyable read with a good mix of action and character development. I really enjoyed the magical worldbuilding and the badass women, but felt there were a lot of parts that were pretty repetitive. A lot of the conversations between Noor and Dani felt like they kept happening over and over, and the ending felt a bit anticlimactic. I do want to do more researching into Pakistani myths after reading though, which feels like a win to me.

POV: singular first person

You can expect: revenge, prison break, magic, bringing down an empire.

Rep: Pakistani characters, grief

Spice: closed door

CA: death of a parent, violence, torture

For She is Wrath by Emily Varga is well-crafted, engaging, and clever. Part Pakistani djinn myth, part Count of Monte Cristo retelling, this story follows Dania, the daughter of a renowned swordsmith and a wrongly-convicted traitor and murderer, as she escapes a high-security prison with the help of her new and unexpected friend, Noor, who was also wrongfully imprisoned. Both set on revenge, they quickly discover a common enemy and set out as partners.

After they uncover a coveted treasure, the pair make their way toward the capital with a plot to tear down the empire. But once they establish themselves in the city, Noor and Dani face the enormity of their revenge and are forced with every step forward to question how far they’re willing to go and how much of themselves they’re willing to give to their revenge.

To make things more complicated, their plan involves using the emperor’s most coveted resource, djinn seeds, which is a crime to possess outside the emperor’s regulation since it can be mixed into solutions that offer temporary magical abilities. Dani uses them to become a foreign noblewoman named Sanaya as a way to disguise herself from those who would otherwise recognize her. However, the power she’s using has side effects, and the more she uses, the less she can identify whether her actions are her own. Especially when a true djinn shows up and offers her the power she’s been seeking to enact her complete revenge at a price she knows she shouldn’t accept.

***

This is a 4-star book. Part of this rating is regarding how well-executed I think the retelling is (phenomenal), in addition to characterization and writing (also great, but not mind- or genre-shattering, which is what I reserve 5 stars for).

As with any retelling, the plot is mostly set in stone and the characters’ decisions are mostly made for them. Something the author does to offset this is to combine or remove characters from the original story in a way that keeps the reader guessing and also distills the story into less moving parts to focus more on the tensions between and within characters. But the book lives up to its genre, romantic fantasy, and is just as typically formulaic and predictable in those respects, even where it deviates from the original story. Alongside the strong themes of forgiveness and redemption, this story’s conclusion seems almost inevitable.

For me, this story stands out not only because of how it changes the Count of Monte Cristo from a European Enlightenment adventure to a fantasy Pakistani folktale, but also because of its imaginative use of characterization.

Each character is offered redemption and given a reason to say yes. There are no heroes or villains in this story, only people who make good or bad choices and learn to live with themselves in the aftermath of their decisions.

Dania and Noor challenge each other at almost every step to continue their revenge. They each have doubts and lean on the other to reassure their decisions and remind them of why they chose this road. All the other characters stand alone in their decisions, which is notable for how the story unfolds.

Dani and Noor’s main goal is revenge on those who have wronged them: Casildo, Dania’s father’s friend who betrayed him to his death; Darbaran, the guard who arrested Dania; Vahid, the emperor who killed Noor’s father in search of missing djinn seeds and wrongfully convicted Dania to cover his own political actions; and Mazin, Dania’s childhood best friend and lover who betrayed her into the hands of Darbaran and Vahid without a hint of remorse.

The story builds comparisons between the before and the after of Mazin’s betrayal: the before is a collection of scenes of Dani and Maz scattered strategically throughout the book, giving the reader not only the key parts and experiences of their relationship but also offering noticeable reflections for things each of the characters say or do in the present that adds depth to their interactions and characterizations. These comparisons also serve to build tension and conflict, as each scene between them, whether before or after his betrayal, adds a layer of familiarity and longing for something neither of them are sure is possible after what happened.

For the trope fans: this book has found family, hidden world, first love, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second-chance, one bed, status imbalance, and “who did this to you.” There may be others, but I am not a trope girlie, so forgive me if I missed some.

A few things the book is: enjoyable, imaginative, well-written, full of scathing and flirtatious banter, full of dark magic and betrayals, and a collection of themes such as revenge and forgiveness, obligation and freedom, self-actualization and self-annihilation, and grief.

A few things the book is not: unpredictable, spicy, difficult to read, full of cliches, of characters with healthy mental states, and of happy families.

My favorite thing about this book is its constant mirroring. This occurs in almost every facet of the story: themes, character development, settings, scenes, and even narrative lines.

My least favorite thing about this book is how much it follows the same storyline as The Count of Monte Cristo. For all its deviations and added twists and fantastical elements, there are so many scenes and developments that are taken directly from the source material. Yes, I know it’s a retelling, and I really appreciate how it’s reimagined, but the more I remember about Dumas’s book, the more I realize how closely this story follows that one.

That may be a bonus for some people, and I don’t mean to say that it was done poorly–I don’t believe it was–but I would have liked a little more deviation from the plot and storyline.

Ultimately, this book is a fun twist on The Count of Monte Cristo featuring strong females, a compelling love story, and a cast of almost entirely morally gray characters, which I will always stan.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book as an ARC on NetGalley. This book is due to be published on October 29 this year and is well worth the read. It took me three days to read, and that was only because two of those days were work days. I think if I had started on a weekend, I could have finished it in one (and this is from someone who has been in a suspiciously long book slump).

I follow the author on TikTok and was so excited to see her book available to review. She's been teasing it for some time and seems like such a lovely person.

Thanks for reading!

***SPOILERS***

Below is an additional, more in-depth thought on plot and characterization. If you’re unconcerned by spoilers, read on.

I really appreciate the way the author gives Dania and Mazin mirrored redemption arcs. It’s beautifully done and a good way to add depth to Mazin’s character instead of placing him in the awkward “romantic lead only” position. It also underscores everything Dania is doing by forcing her to confront where her decisions will lead and who she would become if she continues her path of destruction. Especially since it answers a question she’s refused to answer for herself since the beginning.

***End Spoilers***

Whoa! This was brilliantly executed!

I love the story of The Count of Monte Christo, so I went into this one looking for something to love— and it did NIT disappoint!

I loved the intrigue and the disguise, and the overarching justice involved was just so satisfying— but the real star here is the internal struggle against becoming something far worse than what you seek to destroy. Now, the use of fantasy for this plot point was particularly poignant because it gives a physical embodiment to the internal struggle.

I love the psychological warfare and the internal monologue, I loved the characters and the overarching love story. If you want a really satisfying, easy to understand fantasy stand alone, definitely check this out! It was incredibly well done.

***ARC received from Wednesday Books and NetGalley, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

For She is Wrath is the debut novel by Emily Varga, a fantasy retelling of the classic Count of Monte Cristo this time with a female lead set in Pakistani setting. This has so much going for, an interesting magic system, female leads but unfortunately it just falls incredibly flat.

I don’t want to say that I hated Dania, thats a strong opinion so lets go with I deeply disliked Dania is a character. Which really was a disappointment because I really liked Dania at the beginning of the book, I found her inner thoughts and strength fun. But as she goes along she she started to fall into the so strong she beats everyone no problem, is also so much better than everyone no one can really match her, so selfish she expects everyone to put her first damn the consequences that may impact them. She does it to Mazin, she does it to Noor, shes just arrogant and its not something she builds up from being imprisoned, which would make sense, its just her. Dania is the center of her universe and she expects everyone else to put her at the center as well. It also doesn’t help that she has such heavy plot armor you know she is never in any sort of danger. The book dangles consequences that she may have and they are so interesting but the book never explores them.

As for the other characters, other than Noor and Mazin, they are mostly just one dimensional. Greedy or power hungry take your pick because thats about all you will get. Noor is one noted and just there to benefit Dania and her revenge, most times I forgot that she wanted her own version of revenge and apparently so did Dania because its not about Dania and Dania can’t have that. She goes off and does things but the book never really explores that, it would have added depth to the plot and likely fleshed out the villains. Mazin is weak but in a way I did feel sorry for him, I am likely one of the few. The guy was put in a pretty unwinnable situation by Dania and her stupidity but like most other characters he’s pretty one noted.

Plot wise this is the bare bones retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo, missing the complexities of the original story. Dantès spends years in prison, sent there by three men with their own individual reasons that are fleshed out. This allows him to craft the patience and planning needed for his revenge plot. Everything is so condensed in this book, a year in prison, no working for freedom, not crafting yourself into the perfect tool for revenge, Dania goes at it like a wreaking ball, missing the intricate details of getting her revenge. Pacing is off, at points it is rushing, others incredibly slow but leaves little room for the ending conflict meaning the sub plots the book at has been trying to create to languish until they all get jammed together at the end. World building isn’t much better, one of the most frustrating things for me was how little this book utilized its Pakistani setting. Talk about the culture, the food, bring the market place alive, I wanted to much more than what the book gave.

There is a plot twist at the end that left me going wondering what the book was trying to do. A good plot twist you pick up pieces, the breadcrumbs the author had sprinkled throughout the book but this really felt like an after thought and its so convoluted and makes a mess of the previous plot points that never get properly addressed.

I really did like the concept of the magic system, the use of the zoraat and the consequences but its never explored deeply, must more telling than showing. I wish the book had explored this more.

This book has a lot of potential there, there is a lot of pieces to a great story but with inconsistent pacing, flat characters and more telling than showing it just doesn’t live up to its potential.

This was a masterpiece I dont care what anyone says!! I fell in love with this story and its characters. I was so sad it ended! To say I was blown away is an understatement.

The world-building, magic system, and characters are nothing short of perfection. I ate this up and I'm so excited to read more of Emily Varga's stories!

Thanks to @macmillian.audio @wednesdaybooks and @netgalley for the #gifted copies of this book.

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Summary: A Pakistani romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. Dania has been in jail the last year for a crime she didn't commit. She is counting down the days until she can exact her revenge on the boy she used to love, the very one who framed her for the crime. When a fellow prisoner tells her of a treasure that could surely help with her revenge, they create a way to escape the prison together. Once free, they begin to exact their revenge despite many obstacles in their way, including the attraction still there between Mazin and Dania. Will she continue with her plans of revenge which will erase her very humanity or will she chose another path?

Thoughts: I went into this book completely blind, and I'm so happy I did. I was hooked immediately to Dania's story and the mystery surrounding the events that led to her being wrongly accused. I love the friendship that sprouted between Dania and Nora first on their want for escape from prison and revenge, but then evolving into so much more. I always love a stab first ask questions later fmc, and Dania lived this to a T. The dueling timelines were so helpful to understand how Dania came to be found her in the position she was as well as showing the love story

Read if you like:
💘Lovers to Enemies
🖤Revenge
🔥Fierce Female Friendships
👀Count of Monte Cristo Retelling
😊Swoony Moments
🗓️Dual Timelines

For She Is Wrath is a gender-bent Count of Monte Cristo retelling, but for anyone unfamiliar with the story, in this case Dania is in prison for a murder that she did not commit. She spends a year attempting to escape and take revenge Arya Stark style with a list of names including the boy she loved who betrayed her. In prison, she meets Noor, another young woman who wants to take revenge against the emperor who killed her father for stealing from him, and she tells Dania that there is buried treasure: gold, jewels, and magic djinn seeds that can give someone immense power. Together, the two escape, pose as wealthy foreigners, and plot their revenge.

The concept was intriguing, especially that Mazin, the boy Dania was friends with and then loved, seemingly betrayed her and she wants to take him down. But the payoff wasn't really there for me. This is a very long and slow book without much action, which is pretty much true to a Count of Monte Cristo retelling. But it was extremely repetitive from Dania's first-person perspective because it was constantly her thinking over and over again about the betrayal, about taking revenge, about destroying Mazin even more than the other people on her list. It became somewhat tiresome.