At what point, if any, is the cost to obtain revenge on those who have betrayed you greater than the reward that vengeance would bring? That is the question facing Dani in "For She is Wrath." Dani's father is a master bladesmith who taught her to fight with swords, daggers, and other weapons. Her combination of innate talent and training has made her a deadly foe. It has also attracted the attention of Mazin, the ward of Emperor Vahid, and eventually Mazin becomes a training partner, then friend, then so much more. However, when Dani is falsely accused of murder and treason, Mazin does not come to her rescue but rather gives the order for her arrest. Dani is shipped off to a prison run by a sadistic warden who enjoys torturing prisoners.

A year into her incarceration, and shortly after her latest failed escape attempt, Dani meets a fellow prisoner, Noor, who is also trying to escape. Noor has been trying to dig her way out of the prison, but she made a wrong turn and ended up breaking through the floor of Dani's cell, much to their mutual surprise. Noor has spent more than three years in prison because the emperor and the warden believe she knows where her chieftain, Souma, hid his treasure, which includes a large quantity of zoraat, the magical seeds, obtained from a djinn, that are the source of Emperor Vahid's power, which has no intention of sharing. Noor does know where to find the treasure, and also knows how to mix the zoraat properly so it can be used for its intended purposes. Noor and Dani will work together to escape the prison and then seek revenge on those who wronged them, starting with those wronged Dani and ending with the emperor, who wronged them both, and who is a tyrant.

However, what Dani finds upon escape from prison is not what she expected. The person she most hoped to be reunited with is dead, betrayed by a greedy "friend." Dani, in disguise, will also unexpectedly meet Mazin before she is ready, which will complicate things, as her feelings toward Mazin are conflicted. Some parts of their plan work wonderfully but other parts do not go as intended, and unexpected events/interventions will increase the stakes. Dani will be offered a "bargain" that will seemingly guarantee the revenge she seeks but will almost certainly cost her everything in return.

The story contains a mix of Indian, southeast Asian, and Arabic elements in the clothing, weapons, food, customs, societal structure, mythology (djinns), etc. The characters, especially Dani, Mazin, and Noor are complex and well developed. There are numerous surprises in the story, including who was really behind the murder for which Dani was framed and why the murder occurred. Vengeance is a motivating factor for multiple characters, but those who have attempted to obtain revenge found it is not as satisfying as expected, and that it came with unexpected costs.

This novel is more than a romance. It is a story about revenge and how it can consume you. It is a story about the greed for power and how it can take over even good intentions. It is a story about the power of love and of friendship. I enjoyed the addition of a culture unknown to me - the sprinkling of which in no way hampered my enjoyment or understanding of the story. For She Is Wrath was a quick read for me and it is one I would recommend if you enjoy reading reading fantasy with a touch of romance.

A fantastical story that keeps you guessing. What price are you willing to pay to avenge a loss? Were you betrayed or were others trying to save you? Do you save a friend or just walk away? Will the love of your life recognize you beyond time and appearance? Find these answers and more in this magical adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo. I highly recommend this book for lovers of magic, adventure, love, and finding what's really important in life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book! While I haven't yet had the chance to read the Count of Monte Cristo, this dynamic retelling had my attention throughout and honestly made me want to go back and read the classic. A YA fantasy romance where the romance isn't super trope-y and there are twists around every corner. It's hard to find, but this book does it. I will say there were points were I wasn't totally onboard and found myself bored with the characters from time to time, but overall very enjoyable.

A fantastic story about revenge and how it's nothing but a vicious cycle, Was not expecting the twist villain. I liked this much better than another Count of Monte Cristo inspired book I read earlier this year. This one was more cohesive and it was easier to fall into the world.

<i><b>This was who I would become in front of him. A sweet, beautiful confection. And when he bit into the honeyed sugar, it would be poison filling his mouth.</b></i>



⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Due to the nature of this situation my review will be short and remain my thoughts of this novel. This will be my only review.

<b>I do not condone the behavior and racial discrimination that this publisher employs. I’m very disappointed in them for not addressing this to the public and instead ignoring this situation. All we ask is accountability.</b>


I did enjoy this novel by Emily and how she was able to create this beautiful Palestinian romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo.

I loved the protagonist seeking revenge for the people who betrayed her. Her vengeance was so strong it almost took over her until she soon learns redemption would save herself from her darkness and not wanting the Zoraat seeds to take control of her like how it took over people she knew and loved.

<b>Thank you so much Emily Varga, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this e-arc in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions remain my own.</b>

It was the title that had me look into the synopsis of this book, and the revenge promised in its pages that kept me reading. Dania is a character that moves mountains, contains power in her every thought, and possesses a single-minded drive that makes her an incredible, and incredibly flawed, protagonist. It pulls no punches as a retelling of a classic revenge story, but brings in plenty of twists perfect for the brutal world of Varga's own creation. Sprinkle in a bit of magic, and you've got an amazing read.

You'll root for Dania, and question her morality. You see the grayness of the world she can't but also how she ends up making the choices she does. If you're anything like me, you will be frustrated, nervous, and angry throughout the book, agree with more moderate characters, and curse Dania's decisions, but cheer on her actions as often as you can in the meantime (but, to be like me, you must root for fictional women's wrongs). Overall, Varga manages to paint a frustratingly believable, dark novel with enough glimmers of light to keep you devouring its pages.

Review to be posted to @madthoreads on Instagram 10/08/24

Thank you to Wednesday Books & Netgalley for this book, all opinions are my own.

A strong debut! I enjoyed diving into this story, it is definitely a lush fantasy with some unique characters.

A good bulk of this story deals with revenge, and righting wrongs. The main character was falsely accused of murder, and once she escapes prison she is determined to burn it all down - sparing no one. She does this along with her friend Noor, who has her own reasons for bringing down the empire as well. These two worked well together, and while there were times I felt like Dani led a very one-sided relationship, they needed each other to see this plot through.

I enjoyed the duo timelines, it made the betrayals feel that much more hurtful, but I was also left hoping Dani and Maz would work things out in the end! And the end? Phew, there were more twists than I was expecting, and some unassuming characters really shine toward the end of the story! Dani made some strong decisions in the name of toppling her enemies, but everything turned out okay in the end.

Overall, this is a story with a strong female lead that is not afraid to right her wrongs, with some magic sprinkled in. The story was entertaining and I enjoyed the characters in it, and I was invested in seeing how everything would play out. This was a strong debut, and I would not be surprised to see some special editions of this book pop up on/around the pub date this October!
Content warnings: imprisonment, torture, death, loss of a loved one, drug use, violence, addition, emotional abuse

This book promises a sweeping, Pakistani romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, but unfortunately, it fails to deliver on its intriguing premise. Instead, readers are subjected to a monotonous journey that feels more like a chore than an adventure.

The story follows Dania, framed for a crime she didn't commit, as she seeks vengeance against Mazin, the boy she once loved. Despite the potentially thrilling setup, the narrative quickly becomes bogged down by its own repetitiveness. The plot circles the same points, with little to no advancement, making it a struggle to stay engaged. Each turn feels predictable, sapping any excitement from Dania's quest.

The characters, too, leave much to be desired. Dania's motivations are clear, but her personality lacks depth, making it difficult to root for her. Mazin, the supposed love interest and antagonist, is equally bland, devoid of any redeeming qualities that might have made their complex relationship compelling. The supporting cast is similarly one-dimensional, with interactions that feel forced and unconvincing.

While the book's setting and the inclusion of dark magic and a djinn treasure could have added a layer of richness to the story, these elements are underutilized, serving only as background noise to an otherwise uninspired plot. The pacing is sluggish, with the tension between Dania and Mazin failing to ignite the narrative in any meaningful way.

Ultimately, this is a disappointing read that squanders its potential with repetitive storytelling and a cast of unlikable characters. For those seeking a thrilling, romantic fantasy, this book regrettably misses the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I truly enjoyed this book! The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all-time favorites so this book was right up my alley. The writing and humor are well done. I found myself laughing hysterically at some parts! I loved the setting and the culture. The magic system was really creative and well thought out, I especially liked how we know the toll it takes, and that when changing appearance at least one thing has to stay the same. I liked Noor's levelheadedness to Dania's quick action and their rapport. The romance between Maz and Dania throughout is some of the best I've read in a while and, for me, was the highlight of the book. I LOVED the flashbacks to Maz and Dania's growing relationship. If the book was all them and nothing else, I'd still feel complete.
With all of the flashbacks, I had hoped we would hav gotten a sweet one of Dania and her father to help me feel her thirst for vengeance more deeply. In the first several chapters I felt bogged down by the amount of times Dania goes on about wanting revenge. One year timeline seems too short for the type of revenge she seeks, and she doesn't really go into much detail about her suffering at the prison. A lot of the vengeance plot happens too quickly. I would have liked to see more build up and strategy rather than fade-to-black, behind-the-scenes planning. The timeline is just too fast for me.
I thought the ending was simple, but still enjoyable. Our secondary villain reveal was not one I expected, and actually felt out of place and didn't really add much to the story. I'm still very confused as to what exactly happened on the night Dania was framed for murder because it's mentioned that Maz had asked her to meet him, but perhaps that had to do with the secondary villain as well? I would have liked to see more than one interaction between Dania and Vahid before the ending. I didn't understand Maz's actions that lead to Dania's imprisonment, we knew he had conflicting feelings about Vahid, but it came out of left field that he was planning something behind her back. I would have enjoyed more of Maz's sister in the ending too. It wasn't terribly clear at the end what became of Basral, especially after they insight so much chaos by destroying the crops. It's hinted, but not clearly stated.
Overall, the romance was definitely the star. If this book was more drawn out with more strategy and preparations I think it would have gotten a full 5 stars. Looking forward to buying a final copy and seeing more from Emily Varga!

I DNF'd this book because the narrative feels too disjointed.
I could not get into the book at all. I tried but didn't enjoy it.

I saw “retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo” and I RAN.
This was so, so good. I still can't believe I was lucky enough to receive an eARC for this one. The premise alone was intriguing, but seeing the actual story develop right in front of my eyes was an unforgettable experience.
I absolutely adored the whole childhood friends-to-lovers-to-enemies dynamic, and how themes of vengeance and loss were portrayed.
Towards the end, the book is a lot more fast-paced for my taste, feeling rushed sometimes.
But everything else was pure perfection. Gorgeous setting and amazing world building, with such a unique magic system and interesting characters.
I definitely recommend this one.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pub Date Oct 29 2024

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5/5 Wow, I really enjoyed this book. I was intrigued by the childhood friends to lovers to enemies and was met with so much more. The magic system in this book is unique and a bit different to what I've seen, there are magic djinn seeds that people can consume to give themselves different abilities. The world building also isn't too bulky, which I was very grateful for since it can bore down the beginning of the book. There are some chapters that flash back to before Dania was imprisoned, and that helped create understanding of the empire and how things work politically. The flashback chapters also show us Dania's life with her father and Mazin (the friend turned lover turned enemy) and we're able to see Dania's naive and softer side before her life was turned upside down, as well as all the reasons she wants revenge.
The main plot is Dania and Noor (her friend from prison) getting revenge on the people who ruined their lives by wrongly imprisoning them. They use the magic djinn seeds to enact this revenge and Dania struggles with trying not to lose herself in her vengeance. The story was very fast paced and a bit rushed, so much happened but thankfully I never felt lost or overwhelmed. I do feel like the story could have been slowed down a little or more point of views could be included (maybe Mazin or Noor) because it felt a little too fast and the book ended with me wanting more. It's rare that a fantasy book is a standalone but this book ended with no cliffhangers and no indication that there will be another book, however I see so much possibility for more. I would've understood the relationship between Dania and Mazin better if we got his pov and possibly two books for this one. Since that's not possible, I do hope the author continues writing in this universe, I would really love to see a book with Noor as the main character and go on her next journey with her after the ending of this book.
All in all this book had everything to make it a solid romantic fantasy: the beautiful setting, the unique magic system, corrupted rulers, women with swords, and lots of tension, I just do wish we got more from this amazing universe.

A stunning reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, with betrayal, magic, and romance tied together by strong female characters. I was swept away from start to finish, such a good read.

This was a GREAT Count of Monte Cristo retelling. Love the packastani vibes. I really enjoyed being able to see the main character in action, very much show and not just tell. Most of her logic was sound and I enjoyed watching her growth and journey. I also really enjoyed seeing the similarities between this book and the movie with baby Henry Cavill.

Can we talk about how hot Maz was? Whew, his line, “a thousand djin could disguise you from me and I'd still be able to find you, just by the sound of your breath."

I also didn’t see the person who framed her until the reveal so nicely done with that. I’ll probably buy a hardcover when this comes out!

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

I love The Count of Monte Christo so much, so this was a book that piqued my interest straight away. And it definitely delivered with a sweeping and rich World filled with excellent characters. Things did seem to happen very quickly - it felt a bit like the book had been condensed down but was still trying to fit as many events in - but that didn't lessen my enjoyment at all!

Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy to be reviewed. All opinions are my own.

2.5 stars | This book was billed as a gender-swapped Pakistani retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo and, while yes it followed the story, it fell majorly flat for me.
There was no heart or connection in the story - the fmc was cold and blinded with anger which made for an extreme lack of connection or care as to what happened to her. The side fmc just seemed to hang along for the ride and offered nothing other than her knowledge of the magic system.
The mmc supposedly cared for her yet didn’t do anything really to help her and essentially sat by while she was sent to prison.
Overall this story had a severe pacing issue as well and I do not recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press!
I was told this book was a loosely based retelling of Count of Monte Cristo, and although I don’t know if I totally felt that vibe, I think many people will resonate with the feminine rage angle. Dania has been wronged repeatedly and has every right to exact her revenge-and so she does, and does it well for quite some time. Seeing her humanity as she walks the line between justice and salvaging a life for herself makes for a gripping story.

This was a very well written fantasy story.
Involving Jinns, magic, vengeance, and found family.
About two ladies condemn to a prison for years for crimes that they did not commit. They form a bond to escape, to make plans, and see then thru.

I love the moral of the story. Vengeance will not save you in the end. It’ll consume you. The juxtaposition between Dani and other two people was excellently done. I won’t spoil.

Solid story I would definitely recommend.

While this book had good promise with its themes of revenge and female friendship, plus being culturally diverse, it unfortunately fell a bit flat for me. Readers are thrown right into the story with little background which threw me off - it felt as though it needed a prequel or a prologue at the very least to provide some context. The dialogue also fell flat for me. However I did like the action at the beginning of the story! Despite the issues I had with this specific book, there were a lot of aspects of the writing that I really enjoyed, like the pacing and action, so I hope to read more from this author in the future!