I received an early copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Dani on a quest for revenge. The boy she loved allowed her arrest and she now sits in prison plotting. While in prison, she meets Noor, a like minded girl also looking for revenge but on the emperor. Together they escape and begin on a journey to destroy two people who took everything from them.

This book has a really cool magic system called zoraat, essentially little seeds that require dosing to allow certain powers. And of course djinn!! I am always here for a good bargain with a djinn.

I did enjoy this book. At times it felt rushed and Dani felt way too confident to carry out their revenge plans, but I think that is also part of the fun. Her confidence also worked out for her. And the twists and betrayals at the end! (I do wish we had more of this evil!)

Definitely read this is you want cool magic, sword fighting, lover’s spat, and revenge!!

I really liked this book to the 80/85% point and then after that I did not like where the ending went. I wanted revenge, not a lesson. It would have been fine to show the consequences of revenge and still have a happy ending, but not have it be so passive. I was really liking lover-enemy-lover, but he ended up being such a passive enemy. Two main things in the book I did guess right away. But they didn’t necessarily make me like it less. did like the characters minus the main female character getting all righteous at the end. I loved the idea of the plot and was enjoying it for most of it. The majority is a 4 with the ending being a 2 ago make it a 3

This gripping novel masterfully weaves together elements of fantasy, romance, and suspense, crafting a tale that's impossible to put down. The story follows Dania, a strong and determined protagonist, as she navigates the complexities of revenge, love, and self-discovery. The characters are well-developed, with Dania's transformation from a wronged prisoner to a powerful force seeking vengeance being particularly compelling. Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy, romance, and suspense.

I can't lie, I love a vengeful heroine!

Dania is wrongfully imprisoned after being betrayed by the one she loves the most. After a prison break with new friend and fellow prisoner, Noor, the girls seek out a magical seed called Zoraatt to seek revenge on the people that got them wrongfully imprisoned.

I loved seeing their plans come together as they took down one person after the next. I feel like Noor became pretty irrelevant though once they escaped, becoming more like the maid she was pretending to be instead of Dani’s best friend like we were told she was. Also, everything kind of conveniently came together time and time again for Dania.

The magic system sort of felt like a convenient way to just kill off people who consumed too much of the Zoraat seed (this happened two or three times in a row).

Dania is a better person than me, because there is just no way I’d forgive Mazin, despite their history. The forgiveness route Dani took at the end of the story after seeing her grandmother’s vengeful life felt a little random, since we’d only seen that character briefly ages ago, and she’d already gone through half of her revenge checklist lol. However, I liked the messaging and how she and her travel companions were able to inevitably take the high road.

I enjoyed this book, it was an easy fantasy read and a pretty good debut novel!

This is a 4.5 for me. This book was so good and if you love books filled with female rage this will be the book for you. When you think about it a gender swap of the Count of Monte Cristo retelling is the perfect book for a feminine rage book and then you use it within a Pakistani Fantasy made it such a gripping, fast paced and exciting tale I couldn't put it down.

This book had action, revenge, plots and schemes, betrayal and even romance. Now this is a YA book, so it is a close door clean book, but I honestly didn't notice as the story was still so gripping. I loved how so many of the female characters in this book were so strong, smart, resilient and not one dimensional. There was a lot of complexity to some of these characters because they were all betrayed or went through something terrible which of course affects them, so the question becomes how much do you let your rage and need for revenge consume you and how far are you willing to go to get it? This point is really driven home at the end when you see a twist when it comes to one of the betrayers and I loved it because it never occurred to me to suspect this person.

I really enjoyed this book and this author's writing, and I think it was her debut novel and I was so impressed. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

This book is about Dania who was betrayed by one of the few people she trusted completely. For that betrayal she is sent to a prison for a crime she didn't commit for 364 days plotting her revenge against the man she loved her betrayer. Trying to survive the prison and the torture she suffers under makes it nearly unbearable, that is until an accidental break in happens by another prisoner. An agreement is struck, and an unlikely friendship ensues as these two plan and execute a daring escape plan while also bonding over their need for vengeance and revenge. Eventually, they escape and using stolen Djinn treasure ripe with Dark magic they are able to use this gained wealth to obtain a new identity for Dania. They are now able to return home where they can set their plans into motion against those that did both them and their families wrong and to burn it all to the ground. But something to remember is that nothing is given for free, and this magic comes with a price so when the time comes to pay up will it have all been worth it?

I received an ARC copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Dania is falsely accused of treason against the emperor, and not even her love, Mazin, will stand with her to clear her name. After a year in prison, being tortured and remembering the name of each person who betrayed her, Dania has an opportunity to escape. But more than that, it’s an opportunity to use djinn magic against the people who ruined her life. She Is Wrath is a stunning tale, full of adventure and sword fights. This retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is a fast paced tale of vengeance, and the lengths some will go to get it.

Review: This author’s writing is phenomenal and the story pulls you right along into a story of revenge. I enjoyed the characters arcs, and how they changed over the course of enacting their revenge. This story is perfectly paced, and even knowing it was a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, I couldn’t guess what would happen in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!


Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the ARC of She Is Wrath by Emily Varga. This review reflects my honest opinion.

While this book was an interesting read, it felt very surface level. I kept hoping we would get more from Dania and Noor, but as I mentioned it was all very surface level, to the point where you could skim the lines and miss nothing.

Overall it was a quick and cute read, with interesting Djinn concepts.

This book had really strong moments, but overall, in my opinion, wasn’t that strong of a book.
I think the pacing of this book, especially in the first third, is really slow and that makes it really hard to get into it. This book also gives very little when it comes to the characters. It’s really hard to root for and fall in love with characters that are painted two dimensionally.

I *soft* dnf’d this book at 67%

This book was an absolute ride from start to finish—intense, action-packed, and deeply emotional. The story follows Dania, who’s been framed for a crime she didn’t commit, thrown into a brutal prison, and hell-bent on revenge. Her escape, alongside her clever prison mate Noor, sets off a chain of events that is nothing short of thrilling. Armed with djinn magic, hidden identities, and seething with rage, these women are a force to be reckoned with. The plot was full of sword fights, strategic plotting, and the pursuit of justice that kept me hooked the entire way through.

The pacing was excellent, with the perfect balance between heart-pounding action and moments of raw emotional depth. Dania's journey for revenge was so well-written, and the rage she carried was palpable, making her character all the more relatable and compelling. The Pakistani-inspired setting brought the world to life with its rich cultural details—the smells, the food, the politics, and the power dynamics all woven in seamlessly.

The friendships, particularly between Dania and Noor, were beautifully done, adding layers of trust and camaraderie to the narrative. The enemies-to-lovers romance with Mazin was the perfect slow burn, full of sizzling chemistry and palpable tension. It kept me frustrated in the best way possible, wanting more with every interaction.

The understated magic system, centered around djinn, was unique and easy to follow, adding just the right amount of mystique and cultural richness. As a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, this Pakistani retelling hit all the right notes with its revenge-driven plot and character growth. It’s a beautifully executed debut, packed with adventure, complex emotions, and cultural depth. An unforgettable read!

Occasionally I hit a book where I love the premise and have no issues at all with the characters or prose, but something about it just doesn't click with me. Unfortunately, this is one of those books. There's nothing I didn't like--I just couldn't get into the story for reasons I can't identify.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

This highly anticipated book is being marketed as a gender-reversed Pakistani romantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, and for the most part, that's exactly what it is. Who wouldn't want to read about a girl dead-set on revenge against everyone who's ever wronged her?! YES bring it on!!

And for the first 80% of the book it was pretty good! I would have given it 4 stars, (although I did have to look up all of the Pakistani terms and references because I'm not familiar with the culture at all.) but then, unfortunately, it took a pretty big left turn and kind of went off the rails.

For most of the book, when I was thinking of a djinn, I was thinking of a genie from Aladdin, or from the Wishmaster movies or something... but then later I realized it was being portrayed more like one of the gods, like how the Greek gods are portrayed? A bit more explanation into the Pakistani culture would have been helpful.

I did like the main character, Dania. I liked her fierceness, determination, emotional strength, and of course her light banter. But she also seemed to care very little for what her friend Noor wanted. Noor seemed to just follow her around like some kind of servant, when she was supposed to be an equal partner in this revenge plot, I thought? It seemed a little unbalanced.

Overall, I enjoyed the beginning half of the book, but the end left me with confused feelings, because I was happy, yet unsatisfied.

I really enjoyed this gender-swapped, Palestinian, young adult version of Count of Monte Cristo—it was a fun, fast-paced story. The romance was excellent, packed with rage and longing, and the Arya revenge-list nod was also amusing. I loved especially how the djinn whose magic she used became a symbol for vengeance possessing her and how she had to break free of it—that was really well-done. Overall, it was just everything you wanted it to be, and a really good time.

This book is amazing. We meet the protagonist in the bottom of a jailcell, trying to fight her way through and escape. She then meets a friend and escapes prison but then becomes set on revenge after the death of her father by the empire. This book was amazing to say the least. This book has found famiy, revenge, and magical elements that made this an easy read and immediately had me hooked. I am so glad I got a chance to read it. It was amazing.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I am OBSESSED with revenge stories, and For She is Wrath is no exception. I didn't even realize until a good chunk into the story that this was a Monte Cristo retelling. It was fresh, and had just the right dash of romance. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

For She Is Wrath was such a good read! I’m always down for a badass female character out for revenge! This was such a fast paced read and I highly recommend!

'For She Is Wrath' is undoubtedly a 5 star read for me! One of my top reads of this year! This book is a Pakistani-inspired fantasy twist on The Count of Monte Christo. I loved the romance, the revenge, the tension, and the friendship! The world-building was fantastic and the mystery of the revenge plot made this book a hook from the start.

Dania and Maz have my whole heart. I love them both so much and I greatly enjoyed the way their arcs played out. The revenge was so delicious but more than anything I loved getting to see the moments from their past. I mourned their relationship the same way Dania did.

Emily Varga is an incredible writer and I can't believe this is her debut novel! I'm so excited for this book to be released into the world this month. I'm also looking forward to seeing what else Emily has in store for the future!

The cat and mouse of it all made it more fun. I had a general idea of how the story would play out because of the Count of Monte Christo inspiration, but I was on the edge of my seat the entire time with all the differences and the added tension. There are so many high stakes moments that I couldn't put this book down at all! I finished it two sittings overall and I can't wait to read it again soon.

Thank you SO MUCH Wednesday Books for providing me with an eARC to read and review!

I’ve read a couple Count of Monte Cristo retellings and this one is my favorite. I do love a stabby heroine out for revenge. 😍
A gender swap and setting shift from the classic give a fun twist, and obviously we love a good lovers to enemies arc.
10/10 for fans of classic retellings!

I received an advance copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own and a review was not required.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, Emily Varga, and Safiyya Ingar (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of For She is Wrath in exchange for an honest review.

A Tactless Escape
Dania has been imprisoned for a crime she did not commit. She continues to count down the days: three-hundred sixty-four (and counting). Perhaps it won't even be a whole year. When she hearse a scratching sound from within her own cell, she meets Noor, another prisoner, though in the middle of an escape attempt. Figuring it will go faster with two, Dania joins Noor. They may have to leave a few casualties in their wake though...

A Path to Vengeance
Dania and Noor find that they make a good team. Both have their own ambitions, but they develop a friendship that may hold the power to take down an empire. Noor knows how to blend zoorat, a plant-based concoction that allows them to disguise themselves, though they need to take it at a certain time within a certain window to maintain the disguise. The reader can see how this may be risky. With not only a disguise, but a deal with a djinn, Dania finds herself face-to-face with Mazin, her former lover and the man responsible for her imprisonment. A fire still blooms between them both, even though Dania is disguised, but betrayal makes for a stronger emotion.

Dania will learn about the secrets behind her imprisonment and have to make a daring choice for love, friendship, family, djinn power, and the empire.

Final Thoughts:
I found this novel to be well-crafted and fast paced. The lore and world were intriguing. The plot twists were unexpected and exciting. I really found myself absorbed in the tail-end of this novel in a way that I just couldn't put it down! It has the feel of a stand-alone, which is nice because the novel is fulfilling for the reader without having to invest further into a series. All around, this is just a really great novel.

For She is Wrath follows a path of vengeance and encompasses a few lessons about one's desire for revenge, such as avoid acting without all the facts. It is also a testament to friendship and how friends can become family in their own right. This novel is excellent for lovers of fantasy for both teens and adults alike.

Betrayal.
Imprisonment.
Revenge.

Dania has been framed for murder by the boy she loved, sent to a prison known for its torture. She makes a connection with fellow inmate, Noor, a clever girl with a powerful secret. Together they escape and forge a plan for revenge on the people that wronged them.

I absolutely devoured this story. The setting with a Pakistani backdrop was fantastic and Dania was a great protagonist - smart and cunning, also good with blades! Her endeavor to enact revenge was super interesting and executed very well. The friendship between Dania and Noor was so natural and I really liked both of these young strong women!

The romance was the best kind of enemies to lovers slow burn, the chemistry between Dania and Mazin added fun tension to the plot and I really enjoyed it.

This book has an understated magical system, simple to follow but at the same time, rich in its culture. I’m a big fan of djinn stories and this added an edginess and few surprising reveals to the finale that made the book worth while!

Dania has been in prison for a year, falsely accused of murder. She befriends another inmate, Noor, and when they finally break free, they embark on a path of vengeance.

I loved this retelling, although I never read the original Count of Monte Cristo. Dania was such a fierce and determined character. Noor, while also determined, balanced her out really well. They were brought together by their trauma, and you'd almost expect it to be toxic due to that, but they actually worked really well together. Her journey to acceptance was really well done, and I appreciated the path this story took across relationships. I was captivated by the story, the characters, and the magic. I felt like the main betrayal was a bit wishy-washy and coincidental, rather than a true betrayal against Dania.

This was written in first person, which can be tough at times. I often find myself wanting to know more of what the character is thinking and feeling. BUT, Emily Varga hit this out of the park. Her portrayal of Dania, her emotions, desires, and experiences were brought to life that I didn't find myself questioning her feelings once. I can't wait to read more from this author.