The author of “For She is Wrath” makes great and in depth characters. I’m aware the genre falls under YA, however I do think she needs to trust her audience a bit more. Let them interpret and make inferences instead of spelling out every emotion and what each event means to the point where it feels like the story is spoon fed to you. The relationships were definitely a redeeming factor of the story.

A Pakistani retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo with magic and a female main character?! Sign me up. I've been so excited to read this. I adore retellings of classics and this did not disappoint.

YA fantasy, lovers to enemies to lovers, magic, betrayal, and djinn. I loved Dania. I ate this book up so fast. Classic story of revenge. Also I loved the romance (YA closed door) of Mazin and Dania. Mazin had some really great lines that had me swooning. And the ending twist?! I did NOT see that coming.

Don't go in expecting a full deep Count of Monte Cristo. That book is a masterpiece on a level all by itself. This is YA and inspired by. But I will absolutely be rereading, probably buying for my shelves, and recommending to my kids when they are older.

Damn, I really wanted to like this. The premise sounds amazing- a gender swapped Count of Monte Cristo meets Arya Stark. Unfortunately this fell flat. The writing is not great- it reads like a fan fiction with overly descriptive prose. The characters are one dimensional with not much chemistry. And frankly I was bored. Sadly a miss.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this!

I am very grateful for this ARC of For She is Wrath, however I found that the characters didn't have much personality aside from their designated character types, and this book felt extremely trope based. For example, the main character is very obviously a feminist lead who takes control of her destiny and doesn't take anything from anyone else, however there isn't much to her other than that. Sure, she is smart, and sure, she is very (to a fault) sarcastic (especially when it is unneeded and enhances an unrealistic quality of the book). However, that doesn't mean that she MUST remain that way for the entirety. I personally am a very character driven reader, and I enjoy seeing some complexity in a character's action and emotions ESPECIALLY when it is a first person inner monologue book. I would have loved it if main character Dania had a little bit more to her than "I must be a feminist role model who craves revenge!" Something that made her combat with her own nature, twist and turn before realizing what needed to be done rather than providing a half explained backstory and a strangely insatiable craving for revenge even when her actual grief seemed to be forgotten at many times. But that can be written off- different people handle their grief in different ways. What I especially disliked, was that Dania's rationale in many parts of the book felt extremely insufferable and I found myself siding with her love interest despite reasons for him to be wrong. When the major plot twists were revealed, they were extremely predictable and from the moment Dania's intentions were revealed I had pretty much guessed the ending of the book (and Iwas 90% correct). I was drawn into this book by the summary, and it gave everything it promised if that is what you are looking for. Emily Varga should definitely be proud to write something like this, however I feel like it could be just a bit more polished and fleshed out (though I don't know much about publishing, is it too late to do some last minute edits?) I will say, for all my negativity at the beginning I DID enjoy the book while I read. It was good, but not overwhelmingly simplified. It was a very easy read for sure, and while it took me a little while to get through I enjoyed it for what it was.

In a Pakistani setting, "The Count of Monte Cristo" is reimagined with Dania, who is framed for a crime and spends her days in prison plotting revenge against Mazin, her former love. She escapes with a fellow prisoner, Noor, seeking a stolen djinn treasure to aid her vengeance. Using dark magic and a new identity, Dania aims to take down those who betrayed her, including Mazin, despite lingering feelings between them. However, her pursuit of revenge risks her humanity and her heart.

I never read Monte Cristo but I did hear the whole story from my sister and it sounded interesting so I was excited to read this one.

The revenge plot of Dania and Noor felt convenient, lacking the meticulous planning of Dantes's revenge. The quick resolution and Dania's wavering decisions, influenced by her feelings for Maz, left me feeling neutral about the book, although I still found it enjoyable and engaging overall.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin ‘s Press for sending me an arc!

This book was everything that a fantasy fan would love - complicated (and fade-to-black) romance, family ties, action, court intrigue, and more. The characters in this book were endlessly fascinating and complex. Dania's drive for revenge balanced perfectly with her innate kindness and compassion, and I really enjoyed reading about her character. The genuine friendship between her and Noor was so refreshing - I loved their honesty and willingness to stay together, even when their goals diverged. The romance was great, too - I liked the flashbacks to Dania's and Maz's past, so we had an idea of the emotional toll that Maz's actions had on Dania. I do think that it would have been nice to include more scenes with Dania's father - a huge part of the book is her desire to avenge her father's death, yet there are almost no scenes between him and Dania, so it was hard to empathize with her need for retribution at times.
It's difficult to pack a well-developed setting and plot into a standalone novel, but Emily Varga did it beautifully. The pacing was neither too slow nor too fast, and the plotline was interesting and believable. I don't think that the plot twist at the end was very convincing, but it was an important part of Dania's character as she understood the danger that comes with seeking vengeance. The magic system was so creative and unique, but it also made sense and wasn't vague or difficult to understand. I really liked the idea of djinn magic and would have loved to learn more about the djinn and their world, too.
Overall, fantasy fans will love this book - it's filled with adventure, romance, intricate settings and imagery, and rich worldbuilding. I can't wait to read more of Emily Varga's work in the future!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC!

Thank You NetGally for letting me read this book early! I really enjoyed this book a lot, the premise, the world, and the magic system were really interesting. I loved the characters and how i could actually understand and see their motivations and the changes that happen to their motivations as we experience and go through the story with them. I also really loved that the romance was so much the main plot, that it was there just enough. There are a couple of lines that i absolutely loved towards the end of the book that gave me song of achilles vibes!! I can’t wait for this to come out and for others to read it and enjoy it as much as i did!

I have been anxiously awaiting Emily Varga's debut and I was so excited to get an early read!

The premise of this book—a Pakistani retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo—immediately had me hooked. Varga's writing is breathtaking and paints an incredible image for its readers. She also has an amazing talent for world-building and I was immediately swept away!

The main character gave me a strong sense of female empowerment. I truly felt the depths of her wrath and pension for revenge. The plot had me on the edge of my seat, seeking revenge and searching for hidden treasure along with the characters. I also love her inner conflict and the tension she faces between fighting for vengeance and, conversely, love.

This book is a must-read!

This is an excellent Pakastani retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo; I love when retellings highlight plots through new themes and context. The protagonist, Dania, is one many will fall in love with. Her strong will, determination and desire for revenge is similar to characters like Aelin from Throne of Glass and Rin from the Poppy War. This is a great YA fantasy standalone for those looking for a strong female protagonist amidst a corrupt magic infused Empire with a small dose of romance and a big dose of friendship. Fast paced and very enjoyable - highly recommend!

I really loved this story! The adventure was top notch, the characters were excellent. I adored the retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo because it’s one of my favorite books. This was such a fun and unique read and I can’t wait to get a physical copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and st Martins press for this opportunity.

This book will be available 10/29/24

This was a powerful story. Emotional and engaging. Fast paced with an intriguing plot. A romantic fantasy retelling of the count of Monte cristo but it is Pakistani! Yes!!!! This should be on everyone’s TBR.

The beginning was kinda slow tbh, and I struggled to really get into it until after they found Souma’s treasure.

The dialogue feels a little weird sometimes. Our main character is supposed to be smart, and for the most part I do get that sense, but she coices things that would serve better both literary-wise and in the situation itself if she just had a silent conversation with others. I feel like this book is lacking in side-long glances, and reading other people’s facial expressions. As Dania should know, subtlety is key.

I feel like Dania & Noor should have been merged into one character. Bc Noor just feels like a plot device tbh, like no one would actually do some of the things she did for Dania. Dani’s partner-in-crime should have been someone else with an actual personality

Cant forget the magic tea that acts as birth control somehow??

Her using the sword necklace to stab the djinn in the eye is SO GOOD OMG

Didn’t love the actual plot twist with the grandma framing her, but I did rlly like the message it brought. Her realizing that she’d turn into her grandma & that being her wake-up-call was good

This was totally unique. Nothing at all like I've experienced or expected. I loved the main character and this book hooked me from the first page!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of For She Is Wrath! I really loved this read. While I am a huge fan of The Count of Monte Cristo, this story felt very original to me and kept me guessing, especially towards the end! The plot was well structured for me, eventful enough to keep the reader’s attention and evenly paced throughout. I did feel that the ending was a little rushed, but it was a minor misstep. I particularly liked the worldbuilding; places like Basral and Dania’s village felt vivid and lived-in. The magic system was also really interesting and unlike others I have read before. My only caveat with the magic was related to the events of the ending; I felt a bit confused about how Dania was able to resolve her dilemma and the nature of how power is granted and/or taken away. I also really enjoyed the characters, especially the relationships between Noor and Dania and Mazin and Dania. Everything felt genuine and true to the characters. Additionally, while I feel that romance can sometimes overtake the story, I didn’t feel that at all with this novel. Overall, a really unique take on The Count of Monte Cristo that is very much its own. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in fantasy and revenge-driven stories!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love The Count of Monte Cristo and was excited to read a gender swapped story. It was a fun easy read.

This should be marketed as LOOSELY based on Monte Cristo. I am only a little familiar with that story and loved this, but after seeing negative reviews and looking up the synopsis, I can see how expectations fall flat.

With that out of the way- I ate this book up! This young adult book is loosely based on The Count of Monte Cristo, but gender bent. The main character, Dania, is fiercely determined to escape from prison so she can exact vengeance on her former lover, Mazin. Because this is written in the perspective of a teenager, Dani can be hard to love at times- but her development at the end makes up for it. Her growth nearly makes her a new person by the end. The story is mostly fast paced, with a few small lulls. The last 30% was a whirlwind that had me staying up late to finish the book. I did not expect some of the twists.

To escape prison Dania teams up with Noor, a girl who possibly has access to the means of Dani’s vengeance. I really enjoyed Noor’s character. She is comic relief, often tempering Dani’s wrath.

The love interest and Dania’s story is sweet. I was kicking my feet like a little girl at parts. Again, it’s very YA and closed door.

The magic was fun and unique. Magic through seeds? I’ve not run into a magic system like this.

My only issue? There’s a lot of dang spicy pickles.

For She Is Wrath is such an incredible ride. It was deeply entertaining from start to finish. I never quite fell in love with the book, but I would absolutely recommend this.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book??? So good!?? I was drawn in immediately by the cover and the synopsis saying this was a retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo, which is one of my favorite books. The prose and beautiful world building—seriously those food descriptions had my stomach growling—is what kept me there. Just an astounding book.

Sometimes it be your own [REDACTED]! Having the story set in a Pakistani-like world was so refreshing. I could just feel the culture and history woven into the pages and you can tell this was written with a lot of love.

The friendships in this story were so beautifully written that they completely overshadowed the romance. I actually felt like we didn't really need a romance and I was glad that relationship didn't take center stage until the latter half of the book. Also, more Noor is never a bad thing. She is a gem.

If I had one gripe about this book it's that I feel like there was almost a little too much mercy for it to be a true Monte Cristo retelling. The whole point of that book was the build up to him getting revenge on everybody and you still get that here, but I feel like it was muted. I did like the message about losing yourself in pursuit of getting revenge, but there was a small part of me that really wanted to see more action. For the characters that did get what was coming to them, it was executed very well. I found myself cheering at the downfall of others.

I did find the ending to be a little lacking. We had all of the players built up so well and then we just get thrown a curveball that gets resolved in 3 or so chapters. I understood the message behind it, but I feel like it could have been written differently. It doesn't take away from the story at all though.

In conclusion, I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to read this book early because it just blew my mind seated my expectations. When it is officially published, I intend to pick up a physical copy. Please read this! You won't regret it.

"I want my fucking cat back" - banger line.

I could not put For She is Wrath down once I got started. I love Count of Monte Cristo and thought the idea of a Pakistani inspired, gender bend would be fascinating and I was right!! I enjoyed every page, I was at the edge of my seat at time! The characters were fun and well-written, I empathized with Dania throughout the entire book. I will definitely be adding this to my shelves when it is published!!

This ARC was provided to me through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A High Fantasy, A Retelling of Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo. Lover-to-Enemy Trope.


"I'd know you with any face. Any skin. Any hair. A thousand djinn could disguise you from me and I'd still be able to find you just by the sound of your breath."

Come on! The agony. The sorrow. The regret. Those words hit me like a freight train.

I have not read many Pakistani high fantasy novels that is also aimed at young adults. Representation is just getting better and better. Beautifully written. The line, "Memorizing each other's scars." I love the heated tension, the hate to passionate love. I'm getting ahead of myself.

I was instantly taken in by our vengeful main hero, Dania. The fighting scenes were so satisfying. The prison escape scenes were enthralling. We are instantly thrown into this complicated world with a prisoner attempting a rebellious escape, determined to get back at those who have wronged her.

The scheming, the betrayal enroped in the Islam cultural elements were so unique and so compelling, I was racing to know how it would end. Our hero is a skilled and terrifying warrior, with a gentle inside that is sculpted with a rough and fierce exterior. I could relate to her, regardless of grey morality. She protects, she cherishes, and she crushes those who threaten those she cares for.

Who can blame her? The boy she once loved framed her, resulting in punishing torture by Touffsa, has only sparked her anger and hatred for those who wronged her: her former lover Mazir, the right hand of Vahid, the Emperor. We meet Noor, and thus the true story begins. Zoraat becomes the vegetation they can wield as power against the emperor and the hoard of the empire.

Bloodthirsty guards. Demons. Djinn powers. A dark revenge. This was truly a unique spin on high fantasy, partnered with a healthy dose of a corrupted empire and survivalists in an unforgiving world. I also have not seen another retelling of Dumas, and I hope more retellings are to be written and printed in the future. 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!